This was a DVD case I designed last week for my engagement/wedding couple, Allison and James.  I am in love with the way it came out.  I also ordered personalized DVDs and print release cards and could not be happier with them.

Remember that when you now order a DVD of images, you also get one of the super fun and amazing DVD cases of your very own.  The little card is to be taken with you when you make prints, just stating that you have the permission of the photographer (me) to make prints.  Some places ask for it so it’s important to have on hand.

Front, spine and back of the DVD case.

Photo print release cards.

Personalized DVD’s.

I apologize for being a little MIA lately.  I have been booked solid shooting and when I’m not shooting I’m editing and fulfilling orders in time for the holidays.

Most of my recent shooting has been boudoir and I am not complaining one bit.  I am learning so much about myself, my style and meeting SO many incredible women lately.  This year has really been different for me, business wise, and I wouldn’t change a thing.  I have seen a shift in my clientele, people taking the photography industry seriously and have gained some lifelong friends through it all – both out of clients and other photographers.  I have booked a couple of weddings for next year for two amazing brides, one that I did a session for 2 years ago for the first time.

I promise to start updating more when things slow down.  For now, though, I leave you with these two teasers from Madison & Josh’s engagement session.  Full blog post coming soon!

For clients:

If you have been a previous client of mine (this year or before), I have some super exciting news in way of a new product!  Just in time for 2011, how cute are these mini accordion calendars? With your choice of which 12 photos to add, this makes the perfect stocking stuffer or treat for yourself!  Perfect to put on your desk at work or home and not only share/view your photos, but keep up with the date!  Dates are completely clear and easy to read and you get to see all of your favorite images at the same time!

You choose calendar background color and if you want solid or floral pattern (shown below).  Convenient size at 2″ x 3″ and with a magnetic closure, so you can carry it with you and don’t have to worry about it opening up and getting damaged.

Email me today to order one (or more) of your very own and receive them in time for Christmas when ordered before December 15th!

Cost: $25 for your first accordion mini and $15 for each additional calendar of same design.

The perfect size to have at your desk or carry around in your purse or pocket!

For Photographers:

I have a Psd template available for download to save you a lot of time finding and organizing all of the dates for 2011.  They are already dropped into the proper days and the font and colors are completely customizable.  Download includes both solid and floral backgrounds.  Grids are also shown on Psd’s so you know exactly where to drop your photos!  Just save as a .jpg and order from your favorite vendor!

Cost: $15 and includes both front and back templates as well as solid & floral backgrounds.

Please note that this is not an instant download and that I personally email you the Psd file myself.  I email the files as quickly as possible after payment is made.

Last week, we lost our dearly loved and loyal friend, Scooby.  He has been a great dog and companion for 10+ years and the sudden loss and sadness seemed to spread from human to canine across the farm.  Skittles seems lost and sad – like every time we return home we’ll magically bring Scooby back with us.  She was in clear mourning and it’s not like you can sit a dog down and have a talk with them about death and them fully understand.  Don’t believe I didn’t try.

Scooby “belonged” to my little brother.  He was Cody’s first dog and was beyond loyal and protective from day one.  Cody was also grieving and it was clear the search had to begin to find a new companion.  No dog will ever replace Scooby, but there are thousands out there needing loving and forever homes, and we were looking to give one just that.

Little did we know, we would give TWO just that.  I have always rescued animals – never purchasing from a breeder or pet store.  I’ve never cared much about “pure bred” or blood lines.  Actually, the best dogs we’ve ever had have been mutts – mixes of who knows what.  I did have a few criteria, though.  Because we live on a farm off the road, the dogs have free roam of outside with no scare of them being hit by a car.  However, in recent years, we have noticed a very scary jump in the coyote population.  I knew we needed a dog that was medium to large size to ward off the coyotes and that had long fur to stand the cold winters in North Carolina.  They also had to be great with children and other dogs.  I looked at the local animal shelter’s websites for a few days and didn’t see anything that I felt would be a good fit.  I finally casually listed on facebook that I was searching for a new dog and within a few minutes, I had a response from a childhood friend.  She and her husband have a new baby (well, he’s 1) and along with a new baby and changes in jobs, they were looking to rehome 2 of their dogs.  They are English Springer Spaniels, mother and son.  They preferred to have them stay together and after they answered a few questions about how they are with children and dogs, they brought them to the house to meet Cody and Skittles.

Almost a week later, I think it’s safe to say that Jake and Libby have found their new forever home.  They are the perfect size, their coats are long and thick (naturally, though they are trimmed right now) and they adore everyone!  Though still obviously grieving, Skittles adores them and gives a little more of her attention to them every day.  Cody spends hours after school playing with them outside and they seem to fit in perfectly! The weather is beyond beautiful today, so I took my camera out and shot some photos of them playing and lounging around in the yard.

Meet Jake (front) and Libby (back).

Libby, breathing in the nice autumn air.

This photo makes me laugh.  Jake (head on) has Libby’s bone and she’s not too happy about it and I think he knows he’s caught.

Jake with the bone.

Skittles looking on.

Playing!

Libby.  It’s tough work being a dog.

Handsome Jake.

I love this shot of Skittles.

Pretty girl.

Libby with her toy.

Rolling around in the sunshine.

This shot was a mistake, but it reminds me of my boudoir shots, where I crop off the models face to make it look a little more mysterious.

As I mentioned in my last post, I think it’s incredibly important for artist to take time to themselves and regurgitate the images from their imaginations to reality.  This is a shoot where I did just that last weekend.  With great help from my lovely friends, Kari and Sterling, I was able to bring this vision to life.  I didn’t have all of the details worked out in my mind, but I knew what direction I wanted to go in.  They helped greatly with clothing and props and did a great job giving me the vision I had.

We shot at my house and of course Skittles had to make her cameo.  Good thing she fit right into the theme.