Changes

I apologize for my absence... life has taken some very unexpected turns, which has led to a severe lag in photography. Not that I haven't wanted to- I just haven't had time. It seems that positive things are on the horizon, which has me itching to make some changes in other areas as well... like here. blink Studio was a good starting point for me, but now I've moved beyond the "funky/kitschy/new vision" thing. Not that that's a bad brand, it's just not me anymore. So obviously, I need a new name too.

Why "red door Gallery"? Well, our house has a red door. We waited for 8 years to replace it; when we bought our house (which is old!), the entry door was warped and when it snowed and the wind blew, the elements sort of made their way through the cracks and there were a few times when I actually had to take a shovel to the INSIDE of our house. When we got our new door, it was only primed, not painted. I'd read that in some cultures, a red door was a sign of good luck or wealth. Since we can all use a little good luck at the very least, our door became red. A nice deep, colonial red- nothing bright or garish. I love our red door, and when we're travelling, it's the first thing I think of when I think of home. As to the "Gallery" part, I wanted something that says more than just "camera". Of course, there's not a thing wrong with choosing the standard Pictures/Photography/Studio, but again I wanted something that sort of stood out. To me, the term "gallery" insinuates art, particularily art that one would care to display. And that's what I strive for- to create art. Whether it be outdoor and nature shots, special events or portraits, my goal is to provide my clients with something that they'll be proud to hang in the family room or pass out to family and friends. That's my goal: to give my clients their own little gallery.

So hang on and bear with me as I phase out blink Studio and bring in red door Gallery!

(PS- I have a stack of gift certificates to the Carbon Freckle that have "blink" on them... if you have or will receive one, please note that they ARE still valid!)

J,D&J | Family Session

While in Tulsa, I had the opportunity to do a Family Session with these wonderful people! Actually, it was combination Family/Engagement/Holiday/Newlyweds shoot- whatever you want to call it, it was fun... they were a pleasure to work with and little J was such a cheese for the camera.

J & D... aren't they cute?

Little J...

Woodward Park made a great setting- a neat location with plenty of space to wander, shoot and enjoy the day.

Totally candid/random moment, but adorable anyway. It just shouts, "I'm all boy!!"

I like this pose in full color as well, but the sepia effect just adds a little to it.

If this doesn't say "Happy ever after", I'm not sure what does.

Update and New Specials

One of the benefits to my husband taking travel work is that when we tag along, we get to see places we might never have seen otherwise. Like Arizona- a few years ago we were there for almost 7 months and saw Tombstone twice as well as Yuma. Funny though... we never got to the Grand Canyon. Then two years later our two kids (at the time) and I went to Tennessee for two weeks and we visited Graceland on the way home. Absolutely.amazing.period.! A few months later we visited him in Georgia for a week and a half, and now we're in Tulsa. Not only is the weather a wild ride (as in a sunny 75 degrees one day and a cold, rainy 40 degrees the next), it's also home to one of my favorite bands. Anyone remember Hanson and their break-through hit,
"MmmBop"? Yup, my first band crush. Next we'll be in Little Rock, right after the New Year.
Another benefit to traveling is photography opportunities; not necessarily people, but landscapes too. I got a little goofy on the last leg of the trip, snapping off shots of the pretty sky as my husband was driving, and probably wondering just how sane I really was and should we turn around to see if we could find that last marble I seemed to have lost. (Joke!).

So while I'm not currently able to schedule any sessions in Wisconsin, until mid-December, I will be available for shoots in Tulsa. And as an added bonus, I'm going to be having an "On the road" Special! See the "Promotions/Specials" page for details. In addition, during the two weeks that we're back in Wisconsin, I will extend the offer to anyone booking a session then too. Why? Because I want to. :)

Baby R- 6 Months

Baby R is 6 months!!

Unlike his older brother, C., he wasn't too thrilled about his session. He did find his toes rather fascinating though.
He may be a bit somber, but he's still cute, eh?

C.- 4 Years

Little C turned 4 recently, which means a new set of photos!

His session was by no means lacking in entertainment value- he knew he was the center of attention and couldn't sit still! But once we got the "sillies" out, we wound up with this:
And I think it turned out rather nicely!

The birth of any child is amazing and a complete miracle. Whether it's your first or your fifth (or more), because every birth is unique, each one is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's a time of wonder, of overwhelming joy, a flood of love; it's something that you remember for the rest of your life. Often, time dims the small details and causes even the strongest emotions to fade a little... but something as simple as a photo can bring everything rushing back.

That's where I come in: having a Birth Photographer may seem like an unnecessary thing, but for parents, it means having a treasured keepsake for years to come. Throughout labor and in the first hours after delivery hold some of the most precious moments anyone can experience in their lifetime... the focus is on bringing new life into the world and then getting to know the tiny little being that has changed their world forever. It's definitely not the time to be wondering who will take photos, who will see them and if you even remembered to pack the camera (or batteries!!). Having a photographer on hand to document your baby's birth ensures that you, your spouse and any other family members who are present are able to give their undivided attention to everything that's happening. It means that you can have your family photographed as a unit- nobody will be excluded (usually it's Dad, because he's the one using the camera). It means you'll have images of intimate moments on hand, to view whenever you want, for many years to come.

Take it from a mommy of three: if I'd had the opportunity to have a Birth Photographer when each of my babies were born, I'd have done it in a heartbeat. So whether you're expecting a sweet little one or you know someone who'd love the gift of a Birth Session, contact me today for details, and let me take care of the camera while you take care of bringing that little miracle into the world (without the regrets of not having the photos you want).

New Specials

Just a quick note to remind you not to forget about new session specials! Head over to the Promotions/Specials page for details on gift certificates for Baby sessions and deals for Seniors!

And I promise that I'll be posting new work soon- thank you for waiting patiently.