Christmas in October?

Summer is still here if you ask me and my shirtless boys,

but I know that the fun stressful busy holiday season will soon be here.  In order to be able to focus on my own home-made/created Christmas and Holiday gifts, I am not going to be scheduling any photo sessions in December.  In fact, I plan on taking the month off (except for newborn sessions of course), so I hope to have all holiday sessions edited and all holiday cards created and ordered by Thanksgiving.  In order to do that, I need to start some sessions in October. 

SO, order your gift certificates now and contact me soon to confirm session dates and times.  I have had a lot of verbal requests, but because I anticipate being busy, I will be taking deposits to hold your spot.  Also, I will be raising my prices in 2011, so lock in your prices with the gift certificates and schedule soon! 

Thank you Stepheni & Stephen

Thank you for bringing our family back together again!

Because the two of you fell in love,

All NINE of us Gille/Beckman kids got together in one place at one time. 

I did NOT take this group shot, or the other one I'm in.  I am NOT a wedding photographer.  I do love weddings, and love that all 9 of us have temple recomends and all but the baby Jonathan (on the left) were in the sealing room together. 

Kat was at work, so we did this group shot in two sessions.  These are the four Beckman kids the day before the wedding.  They're all married now.  Crazy!

And here are the five Gille kids.  Thanks Hollie for taking this for us!

Again, I'm not a wedding photographer - talk about stress! 

But I can take credit for telling these two to put their arms up for this picture for me:)  They are so happy!

Congratulations!

Happy 8th Anniversary, My Husband!

8 - ∞
Today it's 8 years.

I'm ready for ∞.

(Photo by Fritz)

Capturing the milestones ~ St. Petersburg baby photographer ~ fishy face photography

At 9 months, babies love to climb!  It is difficult to frame a video for the baby's nursery wall, so a collage is the perfect answer to capturing a series like this.  She was so proud of herself! 

These are great for capturing any milestone or series.  This one is sized to a 10 x 20.  It is easy to find frames for this size - no mat needed!  But it is also available mounted on a plaque-like thick wood gallery mount or canvas.  Those all come ready to hang if you are not in the mood to shop for the perfect frame.

9 month old baby Shaylyn ~ St. Pete baby photographer ~ fishy face photography

This was a mini session with sweet 9 month old baby Shaylyn.  We wanted to capture her happiness (she's so calm and happy all the time), her tan little Florida legs, her hair color (it's getting lighter every day), and maybe how she can stand all by herself and how she just learned how to climb.  We did it all in about a half hour!   

Her mom is used to photo sessions now and has the stroller right next to us with the outfit changes.

What a sweet baby.  I can't believe the next session will be when she's one!  Oh my goodness!  

Custom Local Photo Jewelry ~ St. Petersburg Child Photographer

These were all taken in full sun (at the beach today), so you have to imagine that they actually look better in person.  These are individual Scrabble tiles, that my friend, has turned into priceless jewelry.  She does not charge as much as she could, because I know that I do not want to attempt to make this on my own.  I've looked at a site that charges $40 to start, and that does not include the photo. 

The price is just $15! and until she moves away, there is no shipping charge!  So, if you have a favorite photo from a past session, let me know ASAP and I'll help crop it to perfection so she can make this sweet gift for you.  Even when she moves, she will still be offering her tallents to my clients which makes me so happy.

Another one of my friends has two kids, so she's looking through her gallery to find her favorite head shots and is planning on putting both of their cute faces on one chain to wear herself.  I love that idea and may just have to do it with both of my boys. 

It's funny that moms seem to want this for themselves first, then think of grandparents.  I'm telling you that it's a steal at $15.  Your friends will be so jealous!

Beach Baby Portraits ~ Tampa Bay beach photographer

I just went to another friend's house who had beach portraits blown up really big over their couch.  A big family one of the couple and their four kids.  Then a collage in another room.  I need to help fill that need that I'm realizing everyone has - needing beach family portraits! 

I'm so happy this family chose me. 

I mentioned it before, but Little "L" absolutely loves the water. 

This was the perfect location for him. 

 

I wanted some color in the pictures, and this yellow sail boat along with their coordinating Polos and the green in the sea oats made me happy.   

He's such a good boy. 

I think we captured his personality pretty well. 

 

 

He was discovering everything and kept creeping towards the water. 

Watch out water, here he comes!

SPLASH!

Pure happiness.

Since he was getting all wet, and was getting us wet too, we put him in his swimsuit. 

"Where's my surf board?"

"Here it is.  It's big!"

"Let's go!"

"Um, where are the big waves?"

He still loved the water.

A lot.

A little too much:)  I love this action shot. 

He's oblivious to how worried his parents are.  

Isn't he so sweet?  He doesn't want to leave. 

Here's one of my favorite images. 

He's so tired, I kept him up past his bed time. 

He's changed and ready for his ride home.  

He was so content and so salty and sandy.  

I'm not sure if I like the beach-hair/face with speckles of sand . . .  

Or the one I cleaned up a bit. 

I think I'd scrap book the above image, but blow the below image up for a wall.  Although if the above one were huge, like it is when I'm retouching the images, it would look so fun.  That's frustrating to me sometimes.  Small pictures and proofs just don't do the pictures justice.  They are born to be big:) 

What a fun beach sunset:)

Family Portraits on the Beach ~ family beach portrait photographer ~ fishy face photography

Here's a sneak peek for this sweet family.  This little guy is one of my ISR baby clients.  He loves the water.  His mom asked me if I would do a beach portrait session for him and if we could get some family photos as well.  How fun, of course!

I realized that every family needs a beach family portrait hanging on their wall. 

Floridians have no excuse.  Others come to Florida and sometimes come just for a family photo on the beach. 

I was a little nervous about having so much sand around my camera, and forgot all about my cell phone that was in my back pocket. 

This mom and dad just love their little guy so much. 

They love every little discovery he made. 

I love how independent little toddlers are. 

Anyway, I got soaked taking some of the photos.  I had expected that, and almost wore my swimsuit under my clothes.  I brought a towel and everything.  But my cell phone was on my like usual.  I had gotten the water damage insurance because I know myself, so I'm back in business now:)  I learn from every session!

There are lots more photos, don't worry C family.  This is just a peek at some of the family ones because I know you can't wait:)

I couldn't wait for the sun to set, but then, as always, it set too quickly.  I'm always ready to stay longer than my clients, especially when it's way past their bed time:)

Ship me to Grandma Peggy's house! ~ 8 month old Seminole baby photographer ~ fishy face photography

This baby is loved SO much by his grandma who has been waiting for these photos:)  I'm sure she'll be happy to see he's all packed up and ready to go visit her again!

This sweet baby boy loves his mommy too much, so these photos will have to do.

He was pretty serious for me.

This was as close to a smile as I got.

He's still so cute.

With his little tie and baby drool.

We tried changing his outfit.

He is always so stylish, but he was done.

Aw, he's so sweet!  We ended for the day- but I wasn't satisfied.
I had seen snap shots of him with the cutest grin that takes up his whole face,
and it was my goal to get it.
So even though he was done for the day, I went back to his beautiful house for the shot I wanted.
He's pointing and laughing at us!

He's the cutest little 8 month old laugher, isn't he?!
And I LOVE how his smile takes over his whole face here.

I just knew he had it in him!
I win!