Sunday, December 18, 2011

{Ideas} Picture Perfect Gift Wrap

I enjoy wrapping presents almost as much as I do giving presents. And I try to get all of my wrapping done early, so that all those presents I spent so much effort wrapping get to sit under my tree and be enjoyed.
While pleasantly pleased with this year's wrapping for our family, it wasn't my original idea- that will have to wait until next year. This year, I used green polka dot paper, red yarn (lots of it), and home made stickers. The stickers are really my favorite part, and I'm thinking of offering them as a gift with my Christmas mini sessions next year.
My nieces and nephews who opened their gifts at our Christmas celebration today loved being able to see who their gift was from. My own kids were able to tell everyone else which gift was from them, "That's from me!" They loved it! And, as a momma, I loved that they really saw they were giving, not just getting.

{Ideas} A Tasty Treat

I've decided that I would try to blog more about things I do and create for myself, even if they're not something I'm marketing. And this idea, while you can't purchase it from me, maybe it will inspire you to create a home made tasty treat of your own to gift.
We decided early on in the Christmas season that we wanted to share one of our most favorite breakfast treats with the kids' friends- home made donuts and chocolate milk! The kids had so much fun helping me make them. They got to punch out the donut holes and sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar. (And maybe eat one here and there.)How to:
All you need is a can of regular biscuits (one biscuit makes one donut)
Cooking oil (I used vegetable)
Cinnamon and Sugar

Cut the centers out of the biscuits using a tiny circle biscuit cutter or small circle cookie cutter.
Drop the biscuit and donut hold into hot cooking oil. Flip the donut once it has browned on the bottom , and then pull it out when the other side has browned. This all happens very quickly. DON'T walk away!
Let the donuts and donut holes rest on a napkin.
Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, and enjoy!

Monday, December 12, 2011

{This one's just for me...} The most wonderful time of the year, Reason #2

Anyone who know me knows that this is my favorite time of year. Not only because of the Christmas season and the celebration of the most wonderful gift I've ever been given, but also because my birthday is on Saturday!
So, when this little number comes in the mail, I can't help but get excited. This store inspires me greatly with their displays and unique ways of displaying the most common items. It really challenges me to think outside the box. And this tiny birthday card is no different. Very clever, Anthro. (standing, applauding slowly) I think I will take some me time. You are very convincing. :)

{Wear} Lumberjack-ish scarves for the ruggishly handsome baby boys out there...

Okay, so maybe the title is slightly over the top. And I say lumberjack-"ish", because I was really going for a different plaid, but saw this and liked it. Then, I realized it's kind of like the Burberry plaid, and I'm sure there's a lumberjack out there that likes Burberry. Maybe.
Anyhow, I do believe this is one of my most favorite creations yet... and so simple, too. A wonderful client of mine asked if I could make something unique and special for her friend's boys over in Germany. (Yes, folks, that means I'm international. Score!) I absolutley LOVE it when my clients give me free reign to create as I may. And this is the result.
This is one of those projects (like so many I do) that started out a great idea in my head, but needed some tweaking, only to be discovered as I'm knee deep in it. As I'm sewing along, I start to think, (use a sultry voice as you read this, because that's how I think in my head) "How is this going to fit over the baby's head? If he's anything like my son and his pumpkin head..." (I can only think that in my head. I would NEVER tell him that.) Enter scarf escape hatch. As you can see in the decent commercial photography below (see previous post for non examples and explanation), I made the scarf so that it could slip open. Genius! Go me.
I can't wait to see these on the precious, I mean, ruggishly handsome baby boys.

{Decor} Oh, Smoke!

The Little Red Caboose is one of my favorite stories I read with my son. It has such a great message- be happy with who you are, for you were created with a great purpose.
So, when one of my besties told me she's doing her baby boy's room in trains, I new exactly what I was going to create for her. My favorite part of the story is when the little red caboose is complaining and says "Oh, smoke!" It just silly enough that it makes my son and I laugh a little every time. It also helps when you say it with a pouty lip and a voice like the little kid from A Christmas Story (the little piggy). Try it. You'll laugh just a little. Promise.
I apologize for the mediocre commercial photography lately. I've been working late into the night on projects that are to be packed and shipped out first thing in the morning. So, I've been forced to take pictures by the light of the moon, or at least with my flash. Still thankful for all the wonderful creative ideas I've been able to take part in.

{Print} The Story of Sweet Baby June...

A friend of mine commissioned me to make a baby book for a sweet little girl that is about to make her debut. While the real story is yet to be written, I created a place for mom and dad to write it all down.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

{Photog} Blame it on the Rain, Yeah, Yeah...

Meet the P family. Dad is a friend of mine from high school (whoa- that'll take you back), and now has an awesome family of his own (cue uber-hot wife, gorgeous daughter, and mini-Sam with the unbelievably cool hair). This particular day really had me off my game and on my toes. Oh, the rain! On again, off again. While it forced me to be extra creative on the spur, it also kept me disorganized (at least the list of shots I wanted in my head). As I was going through this family's session for the first time, I couldn't believe how many kissing shots I got of mom and dad. Did I really ask them to smooch that many times? (Mortified) Not that they seemed to mind at all- they probably just began to wonder about me, especially after I morphed mom's name into something new 45 minutes after I had been calling her by the correct name. What is wrong with me? I guess, in the famous words of Milli Vanilla (here go the flashbacks again), blame it on the rain... Enjoy your preview P family! Your gallery will be up soon.

{Photog} My Kind of Circus...

This is the third and final of my "blue door" sessions. Oh, how I love this location, and the D family! We always have such a great time. Mom, a fellow photographer, and dad are usually my "hey, can-we-try-this" subjects, as they let me audition all of my new ideas with their precious family of 6. Not only are they excited about anything I ask (even if I've asked them to do it for the 100th time), but the kids are always posing on their own, smile ready- "How about this?", "Look at me!" and mom and dad are just about the cutest couple you will ever meet. They're so in love with each other and their family.
When they got out of the car, mom was questioning their clothing choices, but they really are a perfect example of what to wear for portraits. She said she felt like the circus was coming to town, and I felt the same way, but for different reasons. All the laughing and smiles, antics and cut-ups, "Dude"s and dares...I'm always SO excited when this family's session hits my books. This family is my kind of circus. :)

Monday, December 5, 2011

{Photog} A Smile Worth a Thousand Pictures

If one picture is worth a thousand words, than this sweet senior's smile is worth a thousand pictures. Meet Cortney. She's every bit as happy-go-lucky as she looks. Fun. Sweet. Smart. Gorgeous. Everyone needs a Cortney by their side. I have no doubt she brings you up when you're down, always has a kind word ready and definitely a smile to share, and has a perpetual glass (or boot shaped mug) that's always half full. I heart this session and all of the images that resulted! I've been torturing myself trying to choose only a "few" favorites. Enjoy your preview! Your gallery will be posted soon (smile).



Thursday, December 1, 2011

{Photog} G-R-O-W

Love this sweet family! Remember Joshua? I can't believe how much he's grown just in the past 6 months. This is a great reminder of why it's so important to take pictures so frequently. I can't stand the thought of not being able to remember a single detail about my kids being little.

My business has also been growing, and I'll be making some huge changes in the month of Decmeber. I'm so thankful for all my clients who have helped me along the way. BIG props coming your way. :) It's not too late to get in on the digs!
I'm offering a great deal if you plan for next year. Book your Winter/Spring 2012 session by December 31st, and recieve 2011 rates! This offer is good for all types of full sessions- baby milestones, senior portraits, yearly portraits, etc. Prices will be changing January 1st. E-mail me for details. LauraVeno@sbcglobal.net

Enjoy your preview, sweet P family! It was so good to photograph you again. :)