Housekeeping...

Every time I hear the word Housekeeping, I think of an Adam Sandler movie... can't pinpoint at this moment exactly which movie, but it's his voice in a silly way and he sounds like a girl... "housekeeping" first one to leave a comment and tell me which movie that is, wins a free 8x10!

Anyway... why am I talking about housekeeping? I have been doing some internal housekeeping here at Touch of Love Photography. Ya, I have been washing a lot of backdrops and blankets after newborn sessions, but not THAT kind of housekeeping! The kind of housekeeping that keeps things fresh and new around here!
I am working on a new blog header, a REAL website, and a new tag line! I have had my tagline for quite sometime, but really haven't found the right place to incorporate it to my business. I feel like I am at a place in my photography where it's really time to solidify some of those things... so I figured it's time to share what's coming with all of you... my fave's, my clients!

Let's talk about the website first. My friend Tim Schoch is brilliant, and so talented when it comes to websites. He contacted me a few weeks ago and wondered if I was interested in a website. I'm a BIG believer in, "why fix something when it's broke?" I was all.... "um no, I don't need a website, and if you REALLY think I need one, you need to sell me". I mean my blog has done a fabulous job of "working for me" thus far in my business and wow, all the things we have been through... me and this blog have certainly weathered the seasons of life. I look back and can't believe how far things have come and where things are going... so much growth, so much MORE to grow. So, my point... after talking further with Tim, it's time to grow. I fully intend to stay with my blog and share new favorites, stories, inspirations and more... but I need a dedicated site for potential clients and what we will call "a safe place to land" on the internet! My new website address will be: www.touchoflovephotography.com (It's currently under (insert BIG TIME) construction right now, but just know that it's coming and when it's time for the big launch... I will be sure to let you know!

Next up: (I feel like this is some sort of office meeting) LOL :-)
MY TAGLINE! This part is really fun for me. I decided about a year ago my tag line needed to come in somewhere and finally I found exactly how it fits me and my business. So... the tagline is this: Be Silly. Play Happy. Love Big.

Why did I choose those? GREAT question! Here's how I feel like it fits at this point in my life/business. Every time I walk into a session I am there to capture something that embodies exactly who my clients are at that particular moment in time. When I walk away, my favorite pictures are ALWAYS the ones where I can really feel the story unfold of how the session went and the love between whoever it is I am photographing. Silliness, Happiness, and Love bring me SO much joy.... it's truly an emotional thing for me in my work and I really feel like it is the heart of my heart in my art. So... every session I have done over the last month I have worked HARD to really get my clients to feel those things. Oddly enough, I have felt more fulfilled and inspired each time when I am able to accomplish those 3 things. So... anyway, that's the deal and that's why! Because each of you mean the world to me, I felt it was only fair to share with you why and how and all that good stuff. As always, I need you to know that I adore each one of you and really appreciate you sharing your families and friends with me. It's truly an honor every time I get to capture all.of.you.!!!!

This photo I have to share because I really feel like it fully embodies exactly what I am after with that tag line... can you feel it?!

Alyssa Senior 2011 - Jackson, MI High School Senior Photographer

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Alyssa was so much fun to photograph. I love how girls get so into their sessions and share ideas for what they want their pictures to look like. It's so fun collaborating to come up with beautiful pictures.

Alyssa has the prettiest hair! Made me want to grow mine out again... then I came back to reality! Lol.

Alyssa I wish you so much fun in your final year of high school. This is such a time of growth and hope for the future. Embrace it as much as you can. You will look back in a few years and likely see this time as "the time of your life"! Thank you for allowing me to share this special time! Enjoy your sneak peek! Proofs are on the way!

Newborn info!

I picked up this info from another newborn photographer blog, and wanted to share it with all you new parents. I added a few of my own notes too :-)

If there is one thing that I love, it’s photographing newborns. A newborn photography session is so challenging, but it’s so amazing to be a part of a baby’s life when they are just days old. There are so many factors that have to come together for the session to go smoothly… and if there’s one thing a photographer must have, it’s patience. A session can go quick and be done in an hour, or it may take 3 hours or longer, but regardless it’s important for everyone involved to stay patient – the end result is totally worth it.

There is lots of preparation I go through to get ready for a newborn session. From looking for unique props to cleaning all my equipment and loading up my car, I can assure you that your session isn’t viewed as “another session” just like your baby isn’t “just another newborn”. I prepare differently for each session and I hope it shows.

In addition to doing everything I can in my power to make the parents and baby as comfortable as possible, there are some things that parents can do before the session to get things going on the right path. – so here’s my post on the 13 tips for your newborn photography session.

• Newborn portraits are unique in that they can’t be scheduled months out, but you can line up a photographer months out who will build time into their calendar around your due date for your session. If you are scheduling your birth, let your photographer know that as soon as possible.
• Call your photographer soon after you deliver so you can arrange a time for the session. Ideally the session should take place within 5-10 days after birth, and no longer than 2 weeks after.
• The session will take place at your home – do not worry about the state of your house. You just had a baby. I do not care if dishes are piled up the sink and clothes baskets runneth over. I have a job to do, and I’m not there to care about how clean your house is and let's just keep it real.... you haven't seen mine ;-)
  
• Loosen the the baby’s diaper about 30 minutes before the session. This allows time for the diaper’s imprint marks to disappear.
• Have your house warm. Ideally, you’ll want the thermostat set around 80-85. For the adults it will be hot, but the baby will be toasty and happy. (In the winter, I often carry a portable heater and it's perfect for keeping them warm)
  
• Collect any items you want used in the session beforehand – family heirlooms, toys, monogrammed blankets, etc. I’ll go through these with you to determine what will look best in the pictures.
• If you’d like pictures taken of the baby in the nursery, be sure all the curtains and shades are open to let in lots of natural light. No need to clean, but just try and make sure the clutter has found its way to a closet.
• Decide if you’d like pictures taken with your baby, or if you want pictures of only the baby.
• Make sure the baby has a full belly before I arrive. Aren’t we all happier with a full belly?
• After the baby is full, make sure they are burped really good. Gas can take a sleepy, happy baby to an uncomfortable and irritable one in seconds.
• A mother’s smell is so recognizable (and sometimes distracting) to a baby, that it may be necessary for the mom to leave the room for portions of the session. This is not meant to hurt your feelings, but only to allow me to get the baby thinking sweet sleepy dreams, instead of hungry “where’s my milk?” dreams.
• Be patient. If the baby gets fussy or alert, don’t stress out. A baby can sense your anxiety and we want to keep the environment as mellow as possible. We will try and get the baby comfortable again, but if that just doesn’t seem possible, we’ll take a break or we’ll work with what he’s giving us. Sometimes the best pictures are ones when the baby isn’t doing what we want.
• Be assured that if there is ever a point where you’re uncomfortable with the poses, simply let me know. I only want to do poses and shots that you are comfortable with.
  • Unless the baby sleeps very good through the nights do not schedule the shoot in the early morning.
  • If you breast feed I have the utmost respect for you two getting the hang of things and your commitment to your baby. If your baby needs to nurse... do it! Often times, "topping them off" lulls them to sleepy land and makes us all happy!
    
  • A majority of the pictures will work best if the baby is asleep so anything you can do in advance to encourage this is recommended. I assumed he should be awake and alert which probably made your job a lot harder.

I hope this helps ease some of your anxiety for your newborn session. I know it's exciting, new and sometimes you feel a tremendous amount of pressure when inviting a "stranger"/me into your home. Please take it to heart that this is something I do all the time and I am probably one of the most patient people in the world especially with newborns. If you feel tense... it's likely your baby, and I will as well.

I have always said I have a sixth sense and that sense is I can feel sometimes what others are feeling. So.... relax, take a deep breath, grab a warm cup of coffee or tea and just ENJOY your time during your newborn session!

Kiddos! - Onsted, MI Family Photographer

This is my new pettiskirt. LOVE it, so I enlisted the model Miss Grace to give it a whirl for me. It was like magic the moment she slipped it over her waist! CUTEST thing in the world to watch her run, jump, pose, and pout in the skirt! Hope to have many more of these sessions!









I have to start this off with this session was SO humid outside. I am really hoping this is the last day of hot humid summer sessions. I am not complaining about the heat... just the thickness in the air... it makes it so kids get sweaty and their hair sticks to their faces and ya im just done with the humidity! Thankyouverymuch! ;-)

These types of sessions where the kids truly get to be kids are my absolute favorite. I shot over 400 frames for this session and proofed it down to about 100, but the running, jumping, sillyness, and fun never gets old! It's precisely what I LOVE about my job.

Emily - Senior 2011 - Chelsea, MI Photographer

Emily was such a great subject to photograph! She is an absolute natural in front of the camera. It's fun when you have a Senior who can just let loose and enjoy the experience! I have had a lot of guys so far this year for High School Senior photo shoots, and it's so true that the girls get into it much more than the guys! (most anyway)

Emily has big plans to become a pharmacist after graduating. Emily, I wish you the best in your endeavors and it was truly a pleasure to capture this fun time in your life!

My favorite Ellie turns 2! - Tecumseh, MI Photographer

Oh how I love this girl. I did this session for Ellie's 2nd bday a few weeks ago, but I have been so swamped with sessions and editing, that I am just now finally able to get it blogged. This girl has SO much life in her. She is just a ball of energy, free-spirit, and fun. If you ask her mom to tell you about Ellie, she describes her as "naughty" LOL It makes me laugh because I totally had a little one who was the same way. Definitely give you a "run for your money", but the fun outweighs the demands of parenting!



Ellie's big brother Andrew is such an old soul. He acts like he is about 30, and I am certain he is wiser than I am! He's an amazing big brother!




I think we wore out this sweet girl! Hugs to Ellie and family! I love you all!

Tiny little sweet girl! - Jackson, MI newborn photographer

Meet Addyson! She definitely wins the award for tiniest baby that I have ever photographed. She weighs in at BARELY 5 lbs. I consider myself a natural with newborns and they never make me nervous, but this little peanut made me second guess myself. It wasn't that I was afraid I would hurt her, but she doesn't have an ounce of baby chub yet and I just felt like I would break her!

Her big sister Kayla was an absolute angel with her baby sister. I have never seen a 5 year old be so patient, kind and gentle with a newborn. She was completely into her! So cool to watch!

I met Addyson and family because I put a post out on Facebook that I was looking for a newborn baby girl to model the adorable headbands posted above. If you haven't gotten a chance yet, be sure to stop over at Fancify and check out the collection Lisa has in her shop. They are to die for! Thank you Lisa! Your headbands MAKE a photo have that "icing on the cake" and your quality is top notch!

Miss Jailynn - Brooklyn, MI Children's Photographer

Jailynn's G Jo (grandma Joei) is one of the awesome girls over at Patrone's in Brooklyn and we have been talking about doing Jailynn's photos for over 6 months so I was so excited to finally get to do her pictures! Joei kept telling me how pretty Jailynn's hair is and she was definitely right! So cute with those few baby curls left at the bottom.
Jailynn, it was a pleasure meeting you! Thank you for doing such a great job twirling your dress! ;-)

Chad Senior 2010 - Onsted, Michigan Senior Portrait Photographer

With young guys, it's always tough to know if they are going to be into getting photos done or if it's something they completely despise. I know Chad wasn't too excited about having his Senior pictures done... but... he was such a trooper and did such a great job! If you know me, you know I am sooo not a fan of being on that side of the camera, so I have sympathy for anyone who isn't completely comfortable, but Chad... I have no sympathy for you. You completely rocked this session and you would never know that you wrote on Facebook... "I hate having pictures taken"! Lol!

Anways... enjoy your last year of school! I still picture you and your brothers being about 5 and dressed up for Christmas parties! Time flies way too fast!

Disclamer: once again I am slacking big time on my blog... so sorry. It's just a crazy busy time of year, thank you to those of you who still check in ;-) I am working on a more permanent blog space for new and potential clients! Fun things to come!