Sara Speert Photography Blog

New Website and Blog

2011-05-18T11:25:00.003-04:00

This is the final post on this blog. Our new blog is located at our new website: http://www.saraphotography.com.

Please visit us there and redirect any bookmarks to the new site.

Welcome to the world, new website and logo!

Born: May 18th, 2011 at 1:15am in Decatur, Georgia and the world over
Weighing: 12 pages and 7 galleries
Width: 978 pixels

I knew you were ok when, instead of waiting for your cry, all your links worked! I breathed a big sigh of relief and knew all the months of waiting were worth this one moment.

I hope you love the new website. My hope was to create a site that was easier to navigate (and one you could see on your smartphone), prettier to look at, more dynamic with a Facebook connection, and contained a lot more information that you would find, well, informative. As with every website we've had, the toughest decisions were choosing images to include. Thanks to everyone who allowed us into your homes and your lives to capture such beautiful moments. Your smiling faces, warm hugs and silly laughter make this new home one we are ecstatic to live in!

Subscribe to our new blog here.

Love: Elizabeth & Joe get married

2011-05-11T10:03:00.002-04:00

The weather forecast for Saturday was sunny, low humidity and high in the upper 70's = perfect weather for Elizabeth and Joe to get married. And I knew this was a great sign that their emotional day would be everything they hoped for. All the planning and stress surrounding wedding planning can get overwhelming, but when the day finally comes, my best advice is to just enjoy it. Try as much as you can to live in the moment and make a mental note of everything that you're feeling and all the details of the day. Because the goal isn't to have a perfect day (that isn't even possible.) The goal is to make that commitment to your partner and celebrate the beginning of your life together with all your friends and family. And that's exactly what Elizabeth and Joe did.

I've had an opportunity to get to know them pretty well over the last few months photographing their engagement portrait, two wedding showers and the rehearsal dinner, so witnessing their "I do's" was really special. Their love for each other and the comfort they feel with one another is palpable. It's something I recognized the first time we met. In the face of obstacles and difficulties, it's clear that their partnership is strong and unwavering. Congratulations Elizabeth and Joe!

Venue: The Mary Gay House, Decatur, Georgia
Florist: Carithers
Caterer: Zest Atlanta
Rings: Alexander's of Atlanta
Ceremony Music: Nick Edelstein
Reception Music: Nick & the Grooves
Thanks to Josh Lamkin for second shooting. You rocked it.

Click the image to watch the slideshow.
And show some love for Elizabeth and Joe by leaving a comment below.

Client Rooms: Building a Collection

2011-04-27T10:11:00.000-04:00

Another beautiful example of how to display your favorite portraits in your home. This Fine Art Metal Cluster will grow with little Nora. The first piece in the Cluster is this adorable picture of Nora all curled up at 14 days old. As she grows, we'll add two 11x14's below it to complete the collection.

Because the Clusters are individual pieces, we can rearrange, add to or even separate the pieces onto different walls. The Collections and Clusters both offer this great versatility for growing families.

By photographing the portrait in the nursery, not only was Nora comfortable (and clothing and diapers were close-by for changes), but the portraits automatically match the color and decor of the room. It's the perfect way to take away the stress of worrying whether it will fit in the room.

Plus, by using the wooden blocks, found in her room that spell out her name, we've added an element of nostalgia that I love.

Follow-Up: The Great Cloth Diaper Change - Atlanta

2011-04-26T10:05:00.001-04:00

The Great Cloth Diaper Change event went great! On Saturday, 48 babies had their diaper changed at the exact same time as thousands of others all over the world. The goal was to set a Guinness Book of World Record by changing the most cloth diapers at one time. It was a bit chaotic, as you can imagine with that many babies and their parents and siblings, but everyone had fun and some families even took home some great raffle prizes.

Cloth diapers are so much better for the environment than disposable ones so if you're able, make the change to cloth. Based on the new designs I saw on Saturday, there are some really cute patterns that may add some extra motivation to make the switch. The few portraits I've photographed where baby wore a cloth diaper, the splash of color and pattern from diaper was so fun.

Natural Parenting Atlanta hosted the event at Leapin' Lizards. Thanks to James Adam Hill Photography for photographing the event with me, and Mimi's Murals for decorating the chalk board - so pretty! Here are a few pictures from the event.

Having some fun with daddy while they waited in the registration line.

Checking in at registration.

I couldn't keep my eyes off this beautiful 2-month old. How precious is she?

Holding up the cloth diapers.

If you'd like to view the rest of the pictures - CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PHOTOS FROM THE GREAT CLOTH DIAPER CHANGE: ATLANTA EVENT.

Congratulations to our New SpokesMAMA!

2011-04-25T17:39:00.005-04:00

Congratulations to our newest SpokesMAMA contest winner - Tracey Grant! Tracey won our SpokesMAMA Contest for 6-8 year old kids. Tracey is enthusiastic and creative and her son, Jacob, will be wonderful for our alternative school portraits. I'll create a series of pictures of Jacob that are fun, and expressive of his personality and his interests. And at the very end, we'll do a side-by-side comparison of his last school portrait with his new pictures. So fun.

Here's a bit of what Tracey wrote in her application:

Sara's pictures tell a story of who your child or family is. She captures those everyday moments that make up our lives and illuminates the magic and beauty that would otherwise be gone in an instant.

Congratulations Tracey, Jacob and the whole Grant family!

Our next SpokesMAMA Contest is for newborns. This is a popular contest so if you're interested in applying, be sure you're a fan of our Facebook page and you're on our enewsletter list so you can be first to know when the contest opens.

SpokesMAMA window decal

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 26: The Great Cloth Diaper Change

2011-04-22T14:47:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow, Saturday April 23rd, we are photographing The Great Cloth Diaper Change event for the Guinness Book of World Records. The challenge? Change the most cloth diapers at the exact same moment. If you have a child who is less than 39" tall, join us to set the record and get into the picture that goes in the record book.

The Great Cloth Diaper Change Event
Learn more at the event website. Please note that admission and participation are free but RSVP is required.

Can't wait to see you there tomorrow!

Leapin' Lizards
185 Sams Street
Decatur, GA 30030

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 25: Happy Earth Day!

2011-04-22T14:18:00.007-04:00

After a couple weeks of being seriously sick, pulling my back and traveling, I have finally rejoined the world and all the goodness of spring. Thanks for your patience - the most recent SpokesMAMA Contest winner will be announced soon and I will post some pictures from the Easter Bunny Event we had at Salon Red Kids on Sunday. If you ever feel an itching to know what's happening here at the studio, check out our Facebook page. I hate to admit it but I do update there more often than here on the blog. There's something about being able to type just a few words or post a link that is so much less time-consuming than an entire blog post. And it doesn't hurt that so many of you respond and post comments there as well. I definitely feel the love. :)

Happy Earth Day! Hope you have a chance to get outside today and enjoy the outdoors with your family. If I had my way, I'd have my studio outside - well, at least while the weather is good. I love being outside. I always feel so refreshed even if it's just a short walk to the mailbox.

In the vein of Earth Day and protecting our planet, and because I absolutely love re-purposing things - giving items new life as something for which it was never intended - I thought it'd be fun to show you some great items (perfect for Mother's Day) that are upcycled and simply really cool and fun.

One of my fabulous clients owns a business called Tickleworm (how cute is that!) creating upcycled items. Rachel finds old sweaters, cuts, sews and sometimes stuffs to make vintage one-of-a-kind scarfs, wristbands, tooth fairy pouches, cell phone cases and more. One of my favorite parts are the vintage buttons she uses. Don't you just love these?

Scarf

Ornaments

Purse/Pouch

Tooth-Fairy Pillows

I love that she uses existing materials to make fun and unique pieces. By using found items, she's keeping them from going in the trash and truly creating art from something that would otherwise be passed over.

Visit her website and her Etsy shop to order and let her know that I sent you.

SpokesMAMA Pictures!

2011-04-06T15:40:00.001-04:00

Erinleigh won our SpokesMAMA Contest for kids 6 months to 2 years old. And this past weekend I went to their home for their session. When I arrived Eli was cozy napping in his crib but soon woke up for a fun few hours of pictures.

Eli recently discovered his feet.

Love this one! Daddy and Eli

Fresh and fun. Mom and Eli

One of the many things I love about photographing in my clients' homes is using interesting furniture and items found in the house. Erinleigh discovered this rocking chair for Eli's room at a yard sale. A bright coat of paint make it perfect for spring pictures!

Happy family!

Another great find from their home. This basket does double duty as laundry basket...and a prop.

Congratulations to Erinleigh, George and Eli on being our SpokesMAMA family! Want to learn how you can receive a free portrait session package, t-shirt, and more in our SpokesMAMA Contest? Our current contest is for mamas of kids 6 - 8 years old. Check it out here.

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 24: Meet the Easter Bunny

2011-04-05T10:05:00.000-04:00

Salon Red Kids and Sara Speert Photography invite you to meet the Easter Bunny!
Learn more about the event and register now.

After getting my haircut at the main salon two doors down, I stopped by the kids salon and their front window looks so cute - all ready for the Easter Bunny event and your adorable kids! (Please excuse the fuzziness of my iPhone pictures)

Picture of the Day - My Family

2011-04-02T22:42:00.011-04:00

Last weekend Nick and I flew out to Seattle for some much needed family time. Our adorable niece is growing up so quickly - it's hard to believe she'll be three this summer! It was great to spend some stress-free time with my brother and sister-in-law in their home and around town.

The long weekend was filled with lots of everything... delicious home-cooked Shabbat dinner, sushi from a conveyor belt, pink cupcakes,

hide and seek,

bike-riding,

drawing with chalk, bristle blocks, walking to get bagels,

playing in the van (Elizabeth wanted to show me what it's like to
drive and ride in the van to the campsite.)

hide and seek (again!), a visit to the children's museum,
gourmet doughnuts, reading books, playing dollhouse and play-kitchen,

making silly faces,

and cozy naps.

But the best part is listening to her. She has a lot to say and has a great vocabulary, and it's so fun to listen to her at this age. Everything is "why?" and when she says our names, it's actually "Un Nih and Ann Saya." Seriously, just hearing our names makes me melt. She also repeats a lot that she hears. Jeff calls her a parakeet, ha! Kathleen got her saying "Whatever, dude" which got us all laughing hysterically.

Can't wait to see them all again soon on Skype. (Isn't Skype just awesome?!) Have a great rest of the weekend with your family!

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 23: Meet the Easter Bunny @ Salon Red Kids

2011-03-31T18:11:00.003-04:00

Meet the Easter Bunny at Salon Red Kids and have your picture taken with us!
A few sessions are still available.
No sitting fee and enlargement packages begin at $35.

Schedule your appointment by calling the salon at 404-377-6230.

And check out our new logo on the poster!
We're so excited about it, our new business cards and our new website.
Coming soon...

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 22: Amazing Stop-Motion Music Video

2011-03-16T16:01:00.001-04:00

Just a really amazing stop-motion music video. I can't imagine how long it must have taken to create this but it is awe inspiring. Plus, I love turtles. Enjoy!

New SpokesMAMA Contest - Alternative to School Portraits, 6 - 8 year olds

2011-03-15T11:00:00.002-04:00

We're excited to announce the next SpokesMAMA Contest begins TODAY!

Standard posed school portraits can be rushed, uncomfortable and unnatural. Shouldn't our kids pictures say more about them than what color their hair and eyes are, and whether they tilted their head the right way? We think so.

We offer an alternative to those stiff portraits, capturing real life and natural moments. And unlike school portraits, our sessions include the whole family. By incorporating meaningful activities and personal items into the portrait sessions, these documentary photographs are expressive of your child and his/her relationships with all the members of your family. And we’re giving away a complete portrait package to one lucky family.

Complete the SpokesMAMA application, including uploading or mailing a copy of your child's school portrait, by April 17th to win a full portrait session package including a 2-hour Portrait Session, $250 product credit, 25% discount on a second Portrait Session package, a t-shirt, car window decal and some serious bragging rights.

Want to know more? Learn more about the contest here - SpokesMAMA Contest.

----------------------------

Plus, tweet or post to your Facebook status to be entered to win a $50 gift certificate. Post daily and we'll draw one name randomly when the contest ends. The more you tweet or post, the better your chances!

[Copy and Paste into your status]

Twitter : Atlanta moms, become a #SpokesMAMA & win an alternative school portrait session for your 6-8 yr old w/ @saraphotography http://bit.ly/ekE5Gd

Facebook (you must be a fan and tag our studio fan page for it to count): Atlanta moms, win an alternative school portrait session for your 6-8 yr old in the #SpokesMAMA Contest at (@sara speert photography) by 4/17. http://bit.ly/ekE5Gd

SpokesMAMA Baby - And the winner is...

2011-02-28T10:46:00.000-05:00

Erinleigh Kinyanjui...Congratulations Erinleigh!

Thanks to everyone who applied and everyone who spread the word about it. We couldn't have done it without you! Our first SpokesMAMA Contest of 2011 received more applications than any other contest last year, our inaugural year for the contest.

The decision was so tough. Erinleigh won us over because she was so eloquent yet down-to-earth when she described herself and her love of our children's portraits.

I love the use of natural light and the intimacy of shooting in the subjects' home and other familiar locations. I HATE pose-y pictures, so the photo-journalistic style combined with her amazing eye is priceless. I think SSP is different (.... because although) other photographers may have a similar .... gear, etc... when you look at Sara's pictures you can feel the moments that were captured. They are beautiful pictures that reflect memories and are artistic to boot!

In addition to being a mom, she writes her own blog, volunteers at her church and even writes screenplays for local elementary schools. She seems like super-mom to us and we're thrilled to award her with the SpokesMAMA badge.

The next SpokesMAMA Contest is for moms of kids 6-8 years old. At this age, our kids are getting used to sitting for school pictures. ("Cheese!" Ah, those dreaded words!) And while many of those pictures turn out great, for most of us, they really don't say anything much about who are kids are. Shouldn't a picture say more than, "Yes, I have brown hair and blue eyes and my head is tilted the right way." LOL

We'd like to introduce an alternative to those posed, unnatural, uncomfortable and pressured portraits. And we'd like to include the whole family! Learn more about the next contest here and please spread the word. Please use #SpokesMAMA and @saraphotography when tweeting. The contest begins on March 17th.

Check back soon for pictures from Erinleigh's portrait session and if you see a SpokesMAMA sticker on the back of a car as you're driving around Atlanta, be sure to say congratulations! Plus, she'll have a special gift for you too!

And because no post is complete without a photo, enjoy this adorable moment I captured a few weeks ago of 4 year old Will showing off his awesome bedroom.

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 21: Boutique Sale

2011-02-14T17:00:00.004-05:00

It's time for the children's boutique warehouse sale. Save up to 70% on adorable clothing for your adorable kids from over 16 local stores including our new partner, Salon Red Kids. (Stay tuned for some exciting news about what we'll be doing with them soon.)

Here are the details:

Children's Warehouse Sale
When: Saturday, February 19th 9am - 5pm
Where: Atlantic Station, next to Dillard's, (404)876 1359
How much: Admission: $5 (a portion goes to Path to Shine, an after-school tutoring program)

Can't wait to see some of those new bright and fun clothes at your next portrait session!

Picture of the Day - Atlanta Newborn Portrait: Nora

2011-01-31T15:05:00.007-05:00

14-day old Nora is a bundle of cuteness. Her newborn portrait session was a wonderful time to document her tininess, her innocence and all that beautiful hair!

As soon as I walked into her nursery, I spotted these adorable wooden blocks and knew they'd be perfect in pictures. I love that she's in the middle of that "sentence." So scrumptious!

Amy's Holiday Party

2011-01-28T14:07:00.000-05:00

In December, we were asked to photograph a wonderful event called Amy's Holiday Party. Since she was 13 years old, Amy Zeide has been organizing and hosting this party for homeless, foster and refugee children in the Atlanta area. What started as a party for 25 children has turned into a massive event for 800+ children and their families, 300 volunteers, countless donations of toys and games. We love donating our time to events like this. Seeing how much the children and their families were affected by the party was so meaningful and was a great reminder of what is really important in the midst all the chaos of the holiday season.

Here are some highlights from the day.

The event took place at the Holiday Inn Turner Field.
Thankfully the snow flurries didn't seem to keep anyone away.

An entire room was filled with toys and each child chose two to take with them.

Amy Zeide (L), Tara Kornblum (3rd) and two volunteers

One of the many games the kids played.

The butterfly on her face made this little girl SO happy.

WSB TV interviews Amy about the event.

Jason's Deli donated lunch for everyone.

So excited to have a new truck for Christmas!

Client Rooms: Collage

2011-01-27T12:27:00.002-05:00

You may remember one of the portrait sessions I did back in the summer in Brooklyn, NY of Clara. Now that New York is blanketed in snow, it may be a little hard to remember wearing short sleeves and tank tops, but the Rock Collage they have will be a nice reminder. Since I couldn't deliver it in person, the next best thing was to photograph it in my own home and I must say that the green wall in our dining room really makes it pop!

The Collage is printed on Fine Art Metal and stands off the wall about an inch. It's a really modern and unique way to display their favorite pictures as a story in one cohesive piece.

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 20

2011-01-20T16:45:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday, I installed a gallery of baby and kids portraits at the Peachtree-Dunwoody Road location of Roswell OB-GYN. I am so excited because I think it complements the excitement that expectant mothers are already feeling. Going to all those prenatal appointments can also be nerve-racking, so I hope that these beautiful pictures of happy healthy babies and families will bring them some peace and keep them thinking positive thoughts (even through the nausea!)

Our galleries of fine art portrait photography can engage customers, elevate the ambiance and style of a room, and encourage conversation. Just during the short time that I was at the doctor's office installing the gallery, at least a dozen people came over to see the photos, oooh and ahh over the adorable kids in the photos (of course!), and conversations just took off from there. In fact, I heard someone at the front desk saying how difficult it is to photograph her own kids - they won't sit still - she said. Who else can relate to that, right?

We are looking for other locations to create displays like this. So if you know of a space that would benefit from something like this, let us know!

The gallery images I chose include clients from a range of locations: Atlanta, Decatur, Emory, Grant Park, Lithonia, Dunwoody, and even Brooklyn, NY! And I adore the little shoes hanging off the wall that are holding my business cards. Thanks to my new friend, Carl, for that genius idea. They are so eye-catching and add some additional fun to the gallery.

New SpokesMAMA Contest - BABY

2011-01-18T10:00:00.005-05:00

It's a new year and guess what!?
It's time for the first SpokesMAMA Contest of 2011!

Last year we received such a great response to the contests including getting some press about it in Professional Photographer Magazine! This year promises to be even more exciting with a total of 6 contests for children ranging in age from newborn to 8 years old.

This month's contest is for MAMA's of children ages 6 months to 2 years old. We're looking for MAMA's who value quality portrait photography, love our style, and want to help us grow by sharing their pictures and their experience with all their friends. All the details are on the application so click the image for more information. And good luck!

Application deadline is February 17th.

New SpokesMAMA Contest

2011-01-11T19:38:00.002-05:00

Best Images of 2010

2011-01-06T11:20:00.000-05:00

Setting the task of choosing our favorite images from the entire year sounds easy enough, but in reality it is really hard. Each family I've photographed has done more than just hire me. They've welcomed me into their home and opened their lives to me. They've trusted me to document this time in their lives ....in reality. There are no forced smiles, only real personalities and relationships showing through. I've connected with every family I've photographed, gotten to know them and in some cases watched them grow over the years. And in turn, they've allowed me to explore as an artist; to not be held by restraints of what a portrait should look like. They've trusted me and encouraged my creativity. And for that I am so grateful.

Here are a few of my favorite images from 2010. Thanks again and here's to more beautiful images and wonderful families in 2011!

Happy New Year - 2011!

2011-01-05T16:26:00.005-05:00

I don't know about you but I'm in a bit of denial. I can't believe it's 2011. I mean, weren't we all just freaking out about Y2K? Ok, so it's time to make the adjustment and start writing "11" for the date and to come to the realization that we are now in a new decade. (Just weird!)

Over our holiday break I was super busy. In fact, I was so busy that it's hard to comprehend how I have time to get anything done when I'm working. I saw friends and family, celebrated mine and Nick's birthdays, rang in the New Year with some close friends, got to see my adorable 2 year old niece, warmed up by multiple fires in our fireplace, and did a ton of cooking and baking. Needless to say, I am very excited to start swimming again to get rid of the extra brownies, I mean weight, I gained.

January is a very exciting time of year here. It's the time of year when we look toward the future and put pen to paper. We are busy making plans for the year, coming up with new products, reworking our photography menu, planning events with local businesses, redecorating our studio, planning more SpokesMAMA Contests, and coming up with some other great promotions that we know you're going to love. But before we jump too far into 2011, I'd like to take a look back at 2010 and some of our favorite images. So check back later this week to see those and have some fun with us.

And because no post can be complete without a photo, here is my adorable niece, Elizabeth, during a rare stationary moment. :)

Picture of the Day - Large Family Portraits in Atlanta

2010-12-21T17:31:00.005-05:00

As things wind down here at the studio, we are finishing up some New Year's cards, enlargement orders and preparing for our planning month ahead. I have so many ideas for 2011 and I can't wait to share them with you. In due time...

I hope you are enjoying these last few days of shopping and getting ready for Christmas and New Year's. I'm looking forward to some time cooking and baking in the kitchen for some parties we're going to with friends, and next week is my birthday! Nick and I are 3 days apart so we decided it was time to have a joint birthday celebration. Looking forward to some dancing at Loca Luna!

So, you may remember this family portrait from an earlier post. The goal was to get a few group portraits of everyone for grandma. Under normal circumstances with 4 adults and 4 children (3 of which are 3 years old or younger) that would be somewhat difficult. But the kids were amazing and did a great job. I was actually able to give the family a few different options for the group shot and this is one of them. Learning a technique from one of the greats in our industry, Drake Busath, I photographed each family separately and then brought them together in Photoshop. I love the result - natural and relaxed expressions, and intimacy that can only happen when the individual groups are small.

Click the image to see it larger.

Picture of the Day: Corporate Event Photography - A Surprise Guest

2010-12-09T12:43:00.004-05:00

I recently photographed a corporate dinner at the beautiful St. Regis Atlanta in Buckhead. During the cocktail hour as guests were arriving, two guests entered the room and my excitement overtook me. Ok, maybe "overtook" is too strong a word because I tend to put on the calmest face when I am stressed or excited in company where I need to hold it together. So maybe it's better to say that I was jumping up and down ... inside my head.

Andrew Young and his wife Carolyn entered the room with such grace. Andrew Young is like Atlanta royalty. He was Atlanta's mayor, UN Ambassador, US Congressman, executive director of the SCLC, colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., founder of the Andrew Young Foundation, chairman of Southern African Enterprise Development Fund, and he received the Presidential Medal of Honor among many other accolades. And, as I quickly found out, he is such a nice man and very approachable. He asked me to take a few pictures throughout the evening of he and his wife so how could I refuse? Here are some of my favorites.

Wedding Photography - Engagement Photography on Decatur Square

2010-12-07T19:07:00.005-05:00

On a cold and blustery Sunday afternoon, Elizabeth and Joe somehow managed to stay warm throughout our portrait session. Must be love or something. :)

So excited for your wedding in May! Congratulations on your engagement!

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 19: Small Business Rewards

2010-11-29T13:46:00.004-05:00

You may have heard over the weekend about American Express's Small Business Saturday. In an effort to support small business across the country, AMEX gave a $25 credit to all registered card members when they spent $25 or more at local stores on Saturday. Because the event received such a huge response, they've extended the promotion until the end of the year.

We are a participating small business in this promotion so be sure you register your card to receive the credit.

The credit is given for purchases made at our studio only (online sales are not included). Happy shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T13:05:00.001-05:00

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday.

_____________________

What do you do now with all those leftovers? Reinvent! Take the turkey leftovers and make something with completely different flavors. With only 7 ingredients, you won't feel like you're stuck in the kitchen for another day. Let me know how it turns out if you decide to try it!

Turkey Enchiladas
Yield: Makes 6 servings

3 cups shredded skinned cooked turkey
2 cups sour cream
About 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.)
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
12 corn tortillas
1 jar (16 oz.) medium-hot salsa

1. In a bowl, mix turkey, sour cream, 2 cups shredded cheese, and the salt.

2. Heat oil in an 8- to 10-inch frying pan over low heat. Dip the tortillas, one at a time, in the hot oil just until limp, about 5 seconds.

3. Fill tortillas equally with turkey mixture, roll up, and arrange side by side, seam down, in a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Pour salsa evenly over the top.

4. Bake in a 350° oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. If desired, sprinkle more shredded cheese over hot enchiladas before serving.

CALORIES 677 (60% from fat); FAT 45g (sat 21g); CHOLESTEROL 128mg; CARBOHYDRATE 32g; SODIUM 1308mg; PROTEIN 35g; FIBER 2.6g

Help-Portrait: Gift Certificate Sale

2010-11-24T14:27:00.008-05:00

Founded by Celebrity Photographer Jeremy Cowart, Help-Portrait is a community of photographers, coming together across the world to use their photography skills to give back to their local community.

On 04 December, photographers around the world will be grabbing their cameras, finding people in need and taking their picture. When the prints are ready, the photographs get delivered.

Who needs pictures? Anyone who wouldn’t normally have access to or be able to afford professional photography.

the homeless
orphans
single moms (and their kids)
single dads (and their kids)
sick children
sick parents
the elderly
army vets
underprivileged families
your neighbor

I am participating at the Midtown Atlanta location and we need donations to make this work. Everyone is volunteering and all the camera and computer equipment is donated, but we need donations to pay for printing and framing the pictures. Can you spare $1, $10, $50? 100% of all donations go to support the event.

To make donating even sweeter, we're having a Cyber-Monday Sale on Gift Certificates. All Day Monday, November 29th (with a "preview days" Saturday and Sunday, just like Macy's!) all $100 Gift Certificates will receive a $25 bonus, AND $10 of each sale will support Help-Portrait.

Sound confusing? Let's break it down....

You purchase $200 in Gift Certificates, you receive $50 bonus in Gift Certificates and $20 will be donated to Help-Portrait. Gift Certificates are good for one year and can be used for any product or service we offer.

Picture of the Day - Photoventuring at the Krog Street Tunnel

2010-11-23T11:02:00.002-05:00

Before I opened Sara Speert Photography, when photography was simply a hobby and I was creating fine art photography for local galleries, neighborhood art festivals and underground art exhibits, I used to drive around Atlanta aimlessly looking for interesting things to photograph. I did it on a pretty regular basis, learned a lot and it kept my creativity evolving. But as I got busier photographing my clients, when it came to my day off, I rarely want to pick up a camera.

But armed with an amazing camera and lens that I rented this weekend, I felt inspired to get out and have some fun. So on Sunday, Nick and I headed out to take pictures (and video) around Atlanta. These are from the infamous Krog Street tunnel in Cabbagetown. I love not knowing exactly what I'm going to get with night-time photography. Waiting for cars to drive through the tunnel, pressing the shutter button and seeing the image on the back of the camera was exhilarating. Back when I used to do this, I was shooting film so the development took days instead of milliseconds. Recharging my creativity is awesome. Hope you enjoy!

Surprise Marriage Proposal - Atlanta Photographer

2010-11-22T16:41:00.001-05:00

Last week Bill decided to propose to Tammy after 2 1/2 years of dating. While planning all the details like the ring, dinner reservations and the "story" he could tell Tammy about their plans for the night, he took it one step further by contacting me to photograph the entire thing so they both could relive the moment again and again. He actually said, "I'm doing this for her so she can see the pictures" but we all know the truth, it's for him too! Who wouldn't want to relive this magical moment.

I struggled with finding THE picture to post as a sneak-peek for Bill and Tammy and their families, and a window-inside to all of you who are Facebook fans and knew about the secret proposal before Tammy. So I decided the best way to do it was to recount the details of the night.

Last week, I scouted out the gazebo on Decatur square so I could tell Bill where to go. I needed him to sit in a spot that was picturesque and visible from a good distance away. If I hoped to photograph the whole thing unseen, I needed to stay pretty far away and to stay in one position to avoid rustling any leaves. Picked the spot, spoke to Bill on Thursday, and we were all set.

Friday, November 19th
6:00pm Dinner reservations for Bill and Tammy at Iberian Pig

6:15 At home, I am dressed in dark clothes, and wearing a hat and gloves to keep warm. I am definitely feeling like a spy/paparazzi photographer.

6:29 I leave my studio to get to the square and get everything set up.

6:31 I receive a text message from Bill saying that they've been delayed and have just sat down for dinner.

6:32 I return to my studio to hang out for a little while.

6:55 Take Two - I leave the studio again and head to the square. Unsure if I'll find a parking spot close-by, I want to leave extra time even though I don't expect them to leave the restaurant until 7:30.

7:04 I find a parking space close-by and arrive at the square. The place is buzzing with people. A group of teenagers skateboarding by the statue, couples walking to and from dinner, friends walking to the bars nearby. And the entire square is decorated for Christmas - string lights, red bows and even a saxophone-player.

7:15 I set up my gear on a picnic table which is strategically nestled next to a tree. The perfect spot to shoot from where I won't be seen. The excitement is building and I'm hoping not to draw any attention from all the people walking around although I'm not sure that's possible.

7:45 Text message from Bill says "Hey Sara. I am paying the bill now. We should be coming out soon." This is it!

7:50 I spot them walking up the steps from the restaurant and start shooting away. I see Bill look for me and as soon as he's sees me, they start their walk toward the gazebo. Despite Tammy having no idea what is going on, it's clear this night is already a romantic one. She stops along the path and kisses him underneath the neon sign for "Good Times" store. Perfect!

They walk up the steps of the gazebo and sit. Bill is sitting one step below her (just as we planned) so I can be sure to see her face clearly from the trees.

7:59 I'm busy shooting away, when a couple walks past me and the man says "No paparazzi here!" It made me laugh because I had been thinking the same thing the whole time, but I couldn't respond for fear that Tammy would hear or see me.

8:00 They are talking for a bit and I am waiting for some kind of sign that he is proposing. It couldn't have been more clear at the moment. As soon as Tammy realizes what is going on, she sits up straight in an Oh-my-gosh!--This-is-happening! kind of way. So cute.

I'll let the photos speak for the rest of that magical moment. (Click the image below.)

After they've had a few minutes together, Bill waves me over. I introduce myself and Tammy is just numb, I think. They are both so happy but it may have been my get-up that really took her by surprise. :) I suggest we take some pictures around the square and find out that this place has a lot of meaning for them. They have come here on many dates. Tammy tells me that on a few occasions Bill has driven one hour in each direction just to spend a half an hour with Tammy at Java Monkey. So, taking some pictures there is the obvious next location for us. (I'll post some of them soon.)

It was a magical, emotional and fun evening, and I am so honored to have documented it for them. If you or anyone you know is planning a proposal, please contact the studio. I would LOVE to photograph more of these in the future. Our memories of moments like this are invaluable, but having an album or picture hanging in your home of that moment is priceless.

Congratulations Tammy and Bill!

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 18: Atlanta Children's Clothing Store Closing

2010-11-13T10:59:00.000-05:00

The Little Shop, an Atlanta institution that's been open for almost 40 years, is sadly closing their doors. They specialize in traditional clothing for children including Bailey Boys, Florence Eiseman, Auraluz, US Angels, Little Giraffe, Rosalina, Royal Child, Will'Beth, Kidorable, Pockets of Learning.

Save 30% or more during their going-out-of-business sale. Support the store by helping them clear out inventory and get some great clothing for the holidays in the process.

The Little Shop
Shops Around Lenox
3400 Around Lenox Drive
Atlanta, GA 30326

Tell Mildred I sent you - she'd love to help you find the perfect item for your child.

Picture of the Day - Atlanta Holiday Family Portrait

2010-11-05T18:07:00.004-04:00

Today's Picture of the Day is of one beautiful family. Jen and Adam have graced the banner of our blog for a while now. (Their picture is the one on the far right.) Their wedding vow renewal ceremony was a moving and memorable day that I'll never forget. Last year, I joined them to photograph a family portrait session at their beautiful home. And this year, Adam's brother and sister-in-law, David and Carolyn, and their two boys joined us for a really fun fall session.

How cute are these boys! Seriously!

The holidays are a wonderful time to photograph your extended family and capture the kids as they are now. In a year or even just a month, these boys will look different and taking some time to photograph the entire family is a great way to honor this special time together. (And it's great for grandparents gifts!)

If you are interested in scheduling a holiday portrait session for your family during Thanksgiving, Hannukah, Kwanzaa or Christmas, please contact the studio at 404-nine66-7two7two. We will be closed on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day to celebrate the holiday (and my birthday!)

Picture of the Day - Decatur & Atlanta Kids Portraits

2010-11-03T14:48:00.003-04:00

Today's Picture of the Day is brought to you by the letter "C" because
Carter loves Cars.

He also loves that my camera makes a clicking sound. Everytime I took a picture he said, "She keeps clicking!" It was such a funny moment, he had me and his parents laughing hysterically.
I love it when my little clients' personalities are so evident in our sessions. From babies to toddlers and then kids, I just love watching them grow up.

Here he is at his first portrait at 7 months old.
His next session was at 13 months.
And last year's session at 2 years old.
Now he is 3 years old and is so fun to be around.
I could have spent all day there!

Last few days for our Fall Promotion! - Ends Nov. 1st

2010-10-29T14:26:00.002-04:00

All orders placed and sessions booked by November 1st are eligible to receive a FREE custom iPhone, Blackberry, or other cell phone/PDA skin.*

Introducing SKINS! What's a SKIN? It's a durable 3M vinyl that transforms any phone/PDA into a one-of-a-kind art piece. Select your photo and we'll create your customized skin just for you. What's better than being reminded of your favorite people everyday and showing them off to everyone you know?!

The skins are low-profile and won't interfere with docking, charging or any other accessories. They don't leave any residue behind so when you're ready for an update, simply peel off the old one and replace it with a photo taken during your most recent session.

All orders placed and sessions booked by November 1st are eligible to receive a FREE custom iPhone, Blackberry, or other cell phone/PDA skin.*

iPhone/Blackberry/all other cell phone skins = $75 value
iPad skin = $100 value

*Free with a minimum order of $700. One per family. Orders may not be combined. Promotion is only valid at Design Appointment.

Contacting the studio at 404-nine six six-7272.

Picture of the Day - Atlanta Baby Portrait

2010-10-27T13:45:00.004-04:00

Today's Picture of the Day is just so darn cute! Little Eva was the perfect model throughout our 2-hour session. Eva's parents are hoping to put up a Wall Collection of pictures in their hallway that are a bit antique looking. Retro-inspired borders around the pictures really make the entire collection something special, but let's be honest, Eva is the star. These 9 pieces can be printed onto Fine Art Canvas or Fine Art Metal and hung as a cluster.

As she grows, we'll add another collection from each session to document her growing up.

Meet 6 month old Eva!

Adventure Portrait: Patrick (Marietta Children's Photographer)

2010-10-19T18:43:00.004-04:00

As your little one grows up, it is so exciting to watch them enjoy their favorite activities. Whether your child is quiet and observant, or rambunctious and talkative, Adventure Portraits are a fun and non-stressful way to capture their personality. During our Planning Meeting, we'll discuss your child's interests and incorporate those interests into the session. Love animals? Let's go to the Atlanta Zoo like Cole. Love to play dress-up? Let's put a bunch of clothes and jewelry in a trunk, find a full-length mirror and play!

Last year Patrick was really into trucks, especially fire trucks. So an Adventure Portrait at the local fire station was a huge treat. He also loves sports and especially loves ice hockey so this year we headed to the ice skating rink. He challenged me to a race on the ice on the ride over to the rink and guess what? He beat me! Yay, Patrick!

It's hard to believe that Patrick is four years old. I've been photographing him since he was 5 or 6 months old, and now he's a big kid!

Click the image below to view a slideshow of Patrick's Adventure Portrait. (warning: there is music on the slideshow so turn down your sound if you're at work.)

Picture of the Day - Day in the Life Adventure Portrait

2010-10-17T14:18:00.004-04:00

Playing with dad
Adventure portrait session on the
Chattahoochee River Cochran Shoals Trails

Blog Action Day 2010: WATER

2010-10-15T10:03:00.005-04:00

Blog Action Day 2010: Water from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Across the world today, thousands of people are blogging about water issues facing people everywhere. As a proud blog writer, I think it's important to join in the conversation and raise awareness of the need for attention to this most basic human need.

Here are some interesting facts about WATER: (used with permission from http://blogactionday.change.org/)

Unsafe drinking water and lack of sanitation kills more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Unclean drinking water can incubate some pretty scary diseases, like E. coli, salmonella, cholera and hepatitis A. Given that bouquet of bacteria, it's no surprise that water, or rather lack thereof, causes 42,000 deaths each week.
More people have access to a cell phone than to a toilet. Today, 2.5 billion people lack access to toilets. This means that sewage spills into rivers and streams, contaminating drinking water and causing disease.
Every day, women and children in Africa walk a combined total of 109 million hours to get water. They do this while carrying cisterns weighing around 40 pounds when filled in order to gather water that, in many cases, is still polluted. Aside from putting a great deal of strain on their bodies, walking such long distances keeps children out of school and women away from other endeavors that can help improve the quality of life in their communities.
It takes 6.3 gallons of water to produce just one hamburger. That 6.3 gallons covers everything from watering the wheat for the bun and providing water for the cow to cooking the patty and baking the bun. And that's just one meal! It would take over 184 billion gallons of water to make just one hamburger for every person in the United States.
The average American uses 159 gallons of water every day – more than 15 times the average person in the developing world. From showering and washing our hands to watering our lawns and washing our cars, Americans use a lot of water. To put things into perspective, the average five-minute shower will use about 10 gallons of water. Now imagine using that same amount to bathe, wash your clothes, cook your meals and quench your thirst.

While these facts may be grim, there is hope for real solutions as more and more people around the world are waking up to the clean water crisis. Earlier this year, the UN declared access to clean water a human right and groups like charity: water and Water.org continue to work tirelessly to bring water access to the developing world.

________________________

The vulnerability of this once-thought infinite resource became a personal realization a couple years ago here in Atlanta when we had been in a drought for so long that water restrictions were put in place across the entire state. I remember capturing water from the shower in a bucket as the water warmed up so I could later water the plants outside. I remember being so conscious about unnecessary running water, like letting the water run as I brushed my teeth or washed dishes, and it seems that now that we are no longer in a drought that no one is talking about the need for conscious water use anymore. I am happy to report that turning off the water when I'm brushing has become habit and I don't think about it anymore, but there are many more things I could do to help preserve this resource and to help provide clean drinking water for those who need it.

This website does an amazing job of explaining why safe drinking water is so important, its affects on the people who have no other choice but to drink unclean water, and what you can do to help. The organization, charity: water, donates 100% of it's donations to help build wells where safe drinking water is not available.

I'd love to start a conversation so please feel free to leave a comment below (look for the "comment" link).

Has your perspective of water changed throughout the last few years or maybe after reading those scary facts above?
What do you do to help conserve water or provide clean drinking water to others who need it?
What do you think is "doable" to make a change in your everyday life to conserve water?

If you have a blog and would like to join the conversation, visit Blog Action Day 2010 website to learn more.

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 18: Just for Fun

2010-10-14T08:48:00.000-04:00

Just for fun and smiles...

(thanks to my sister-in-law for showing me this and brightening my day.)

Photography as Art

2010-10-13T11:12:00.001-04:00

Buying family portraits for your home used to mean little 5x7's and 8x10's in small frames on desks, mantles and shelves. Not that there's anything wrong with displaying your favorite people around your home - but today there are so many great options for incorporating photography into the fine art in your home. If you have ever struggled with what to put up in your living room, above your mantle or even in a stairway or hallway, let me tell you a little secret. Get really close to the computer and listen...

Pictures of your family are the most personalized and one-of-a-kind art you can ever buy. They have the ability to bring back rich memories, make you laugh and truly fill your home with warmth and love. There is no other art that can be this meaningful so forget those old rules!

Take a look at this wonderful use of family pictures. With the intention of adding to this wall as the four children grow, we've left space in-between the framed pieces. And by making use of the vertical space and working with the step formation of the stairs, this is a great way to display a series of pictures and most importantly, to enjoy them everyday.

Happy Anniversary to my best friend

2010-10-12T16:46:00.003-04:00

Two years ago today, I married my best friend. It was, what I thought, the best day of my life, but honestly, life after the wedding is so much better than I ever imagined. Happy Anniversary, Nick!

See ya! We're off to celebrate!

The Museum School Project - Installation

2010-10-11T15:03:00.004-04:00

The long-awaited day finally came last Thursday. With all the planning, scouting, organizing, finding sponsors, photographing, post-processing and finally installation, Exhibition Night at The Museum School was a great way to bring the project to a close and to see the product of so much time and thought. (Learn about the project concept and pre-production here and view the photo shoot video here)

Thanks again to Salon Red Kids for sponsoring the project, our fantastic lab for printing the photograph on fine art metal (and discounting the cost for us), Jen Singh for all her help and organizing, Ms. Pomfret for being a wonderful teacher and model, and all the kids for being great models and their parents for volunteering to help with this unusual project.

The best part of the evening was hearing from the classroom parents how much they liked the piece and how much it meant to them to have it in the classroom. It's a great honor to create a piece of art that means a lot to the entire school community.

And here is the final piece in the classroom. It was printed on high-gloss fine art metal - super-durable and quite striking.

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 17: Pickles & Ice Cream for Expecting Parents

2010-10-08T11:52:00.008-04:00

Pickles & Ice Cream Event

This weekend we are going to be at a great event for expectant moms and dads. Stop by to get great information (and great discounts) from childbirth instructors, doulas, chiropractors, yoga & fitness professionals, massage therapists, and other vendors specializing in the needs of new and expecting parents.

The event is sponsored by Baby Steps, PSS Injury & Wellness Center and Dance 411.

Where: Dance 411 - 475 Moreland Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30316
When: Saturday, October 9th, 4-6pm (ChiroTalk at 5:30pm)

Come by to say hi!

Horse and Carriage, Henna Painted Hands and Bollywood

2010-09-30T12:31:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to photograph an Indian wedding with Drew Newman Photography. Drew and I have known each other for a while, but this was the first time we got to work together. It was also the first time I ever photographed an Indian wedding. Since I have always been interested and fascinated by cultural and religious customs (thus my degree in Social Anthropology) I was really excited to see all the details of the weekend celebration. I only shot for 8 hours of the three day event and I was exhausted. I don't know how Drew does it. :)

Here are some of my favorite shots from the morning Barat (groom riding in on a horse and carriage to meet the bride's family) and the final reception that evening.

The groomsmen dancing and singing to some awesome bollywood music.
I must admit that I was dancing while I shot. It was impossible not to.

The groom's father happy as can be.

Ronnie, the groom, getting down, while both families circle him.

Neely, the beautiful bride, celebrating at the reception.

Stunning clothing, jewelry and Henna painting.

Just the girls - singing to Beyonce's "Put a Ring On It"

The Museum School Project - continued

2010-09-30T10:08:00.001-04:00

Things are really coming along with the project. The shoot was a huge success. With lots of help from Jen Singh and the Kindergarten teacher, Jennifer Pomfret, three K students played in a beautiful park near our studio while I snapped away. My vision came to fruition and I am so excited to share the final art piece next week. Below is a short documentary of the photo shoot. (Thanks to my hubby, Nick, for "video'ing.") And thanks to the parents for volunteering their excellent models. :)

In other related news, two businesses have stepped up to sponsor the project and I couldn't be happier. Salon Red Kids, a local Decatur hair salon specializing in kids cuts, and the photo lab who prints all our fine art metal prints have both contributed to making this project happen. Thank you both so much for your support. I know the school truly appreciates your generosity to make this happen.

Holiday Deadlines

2010-09-21T16:40:00.004-04:00

We're gearing up for a busy season of holiday portraits and I don't know about you, but I'm ready for cooler temps and changing leaves.

Don't wait until the last minute to book your holiday session. All Portrait Packages include a Planning Meeting and a Design Appointment, so keep in mind that the entire process often takes 3-4 weeks (and that doesn't include order production time). We have limited availability for sessions based on the following deadlines.

October 31st - Deadline for regular-priced Portrait Sessions (after this date, any holiday portraits will be subject to a 25% rush fee)
November 15th - Deadline for all Album orders.
November 21st - Final deadline for all holiday Portrait Sessions
December 1st - Final deadline for all orders for holiday cards, framing, jewelry/ornaments, Wall Collections, Collages, Fine Art Canvas and Fine Art Metal
December 8th - Final deadline for all single enlargement orders

Holiday Portraits at holiday time. The holidays are a perfect time to photograph your family because everyone is in town! Our natural at-home portrait sessions incorporate everyone from newborns to great-grandparents, and everyone in between. Large family? We love capturing the essence of family relationships and no family is too large for us. We structure our sessions around fun holiday activities like decorating the tree, wrapping gifts and playing games. Contact the studio to schedule your session.

* If you need to schedule or order beyond these dates, we will try to accommodate you the best we can, but rush charges will apply.

NEW - iPhone, Blackberry, iPad Custom Skins

2010-09-20T19:15:00.004-04:00

All orders placed between now and November 1st are eligible to receive a FREE custom iPhone, Blackberry, or other cell phone/PDA skin.*

iPhone/Blackberry/all other cell phone skins = $75 value
iPad skin = $100 value

*Free with a minimum order of $700. One per family. Orders may not be combined. Promotion is only valid at Design Appointment.

Book your session now by contacting the studio at 404-nine six six-7272.

SpokesMAMA Winner - First Day of School

2010-08-31T18:31:00.012-04:00

"The SpokesMAMA Contest - First Day of School" winner is Wendy Heller! Congratulations Wendy! Wendy is an interior designer, mom of three and wife to Rabbi Josh Heller of Congregation B'nai Torah. Wendy's middle child and only daughter is Amelia. Amelia is an exuberant and fun five year old. She started Kindergarten at The Epstein School, a Jewish day school in Sandy Springs. Amelia loves her new school uniform (can you believe it?!) and loves school.

I arrived before she awoke to find her peacefully sleeping in her bed.

After she woke up, her mom put her hair in a bun for ballet class.
She was kind of excited to have me there taking pictures.

Then she got dressed in her uniform. I love the bit of personality
she added to her uniform in the shape of this adorable belt.

After waking up her big brother, they both headed into their baby brother's room. Look at this anticipation of him being photographed by me in his crib.

Before she headed downstairs for breakfast, one last hug of her favorite buddy.

Breakfast of champions - cereal and chocolate milk.

On the way to school...

Have a great day!

Our current SpokesMAMA Contest is for a mama of a newborn. For more information and the online application, click here.

The Museum School Asks Us to Create a Permanent Art Installation

2010-08-30T17:12:00.013-04:00

The Museum School, a new charter school in Avondale Estates, has asked seven local artists to create an art installation for each of the classrooms. I am honored to take part in creating an inspiring and motivational environment for the students in one of the Kindergarten classrooms. I love that the school has made art such an important element of their students' education. If I hadn't had the chance to explore art in school, I would never have had the interest or passion to become a photographer. It's so important to give our kids exposure to many different disciplines and art is something that should never be put on the back-burner.

I thought it would be fun to show you step by step how I go from concept to the final installation. Since I have never done anything conceptual like this before, it will be a learning experience for me as well as you!

STEP ONE
So step one is brainstorming, note-taking and budgeting.

I was given the school's mission statement. Each artist is to interpret the mission statement, find something they can identify with, and create something that explores that idea. Here's the mission statement:

Our mission is to inspire students, teachers and the community to collaborate to develop strong critical thinking, interpersonal and academic skills in our students, which will prepare them for real-world success.

After reading and re-reading this statement too many times to mention, the word that I keep coming back to is "interpersonal." This word is all about relationships - relationships between teachers and students, students and parents, teachers and parents, the community and students, and on and on. And I think the goal of any relationship is to be supportive and helpful, to be respectful and really to create a community of caring people. Well, I have to say that this concept is right up my alley of photographic expertise. I mean, every portrait session is all about relationships. I explore the facets of loving relationships between moms and daughters, brothers and sisters, and grandparents and grandchildren. All the laughter, the hugs, the tears and the consoling - these everyday moments say so much about the relationships we have with our family. So when I take this concept and expand it to a classroom, a school and a community, it's easy to make the jump because in an ideal world, it's just a larger version of our own loving families.

CONCEPT
The question now, how do I explain and explore that relationship in a photograph?
interlocking hands, teacher helping a student read, parent's hand on her child's back or in a big congratulatory hug - this is a good start, but a little too predictable and not as out-of-the-box as I'd like. I put aside the brainstorming for a few days and pick it back up when I have an epiphany. (Of course, I was in bed when I had the epiphany. There's something about laying in bed at night or first thing in the morning. It always seems to be my most creative time.)

The new concept is the image of the teacher leading the kids through a museum or across the street on a fieldtrip of sorts. I always remember that scene from Ferris Bueller's Day Off when Ferris and his friends join in the long line of kids holding hands walking through the museum. I love that image because it's just so innocent and lovely. Each of the children must hold onto the hands of the child in front and behind them. If anyone loses contact, everyone behind them will then be separated from the group as well. They are counting on each other. And at the same time, the teacher is leading the group, setting an example and keeping a watchful eye on them to be sure no one gets lost. What a perfect depiction of interpersonal connections, support and community.

DETAILS
The parameters of the space I will have are pretty straightforward. A wall about 4x4 feet or 2x3 feet in one of the Kindergarten classrooms and my work will be permanently installed. That space is a great size because it gives me the option of a single photograph, or, as suggested by the "artist organizer" Jen Singh, multiple pieces. As soon as she mentioned that option, my mind immediately went to all the Wall Collections I create for my clients and which collection might work best. So, I'm thinking of creating one image which will be split between three fine art metal panels. Fine Art Metal will be the perfect medium for this space because it is nearly impossible to damage, can be hung from the ceiling or attached to the wall at one or four spots, and most importantly, it looks really contemporary, crisp, clean and beautiful. By spliting the image into 3 panels, each panel will take on a life of its own. Each panel will be a portion of the larger image and will work together to create the whole installation.

BUDGET
I don't have much of any which is.... ok, I think. I contacted Jen and asked if she could find one teacher and about 4-5 Kindergarten students to be my models = FREE. My time = FREE. Fine Art Metal prints = ? Not sure about this one yet. I plan to contact the vendor who creates the metal prints for me and see if they'll be willing to donate the pieces or at the very least discount the price of them. It is for a good cause!

SCHEDULE
The school is hosting an exhibition night to celebrate the art going into each classroom on October 7th. Everything must be hung by October 5th. So I have to get moving on this! I contact Jen and schedule the shoot for Tuesday, September 14th. This will give me time to come up with the final concept in my mind and some alternatives if it's just not happening. And it will give me a chance to edit, retouch and order the prints in time.

WHAT'S NEXT - finalizing plans, renting any necessary photographic equipment and photographing the kids!

New Wall Collections - Fine Art Canvas & Fine Art Metal Portrait Art

2010-08-13T13:30:00.006-04:00

It's been a frenetic week at Sara Speert Photography. We've been busy meeting with clients, completing orders and putting together our biggest Georgia snail-mailing ever - over 1,000 pieces! If you're not already on our mailing list, you won't want to miss this. Sign up to receive our monthly enewsletter and our quarterly mailings.

In addition to everything else we've been busy with this week, we've added 12 new Wall Collections to our catalog. Wall Collections are a series of individual images placed together to create an art installation. These new Collections are available in Fine Art Canvas and Fine Art Metal which really make a statement. They don't require traditional frames and they have the look of original, custom-made art. And that's because they are!

The most meaningful art you can have in your home are artistic images of your family. It's the perfect combination of art and family that will bring smiles every time they're seen.

Here are a few Wall Collections we've been working on for our New York clients this week. (In case you're wondering, yes, all our collections are named after Sesame Street and Muppets characters. We like having a laugh whenever we can. "I'd like the Miss Piggy Collection, please." "Oh, this is a great Collection - it's bold and sassy." Love it!)

Clara's portrait in the Ernie Collection

Place the Ernie Collection above a fireplace
and it becomes the focal point of the room.

Tali and Liora's portrait in the Bert Collection

Place the Bert Collection in a Dining Room and
enjoy using the space in a new way.

SpokesMAMA Contest - Newborn UPDATE

2010-08-10T18:07:00.004-04:00

UPDATE to the SpokesMAMA Contest

We've EXTENDED the DEADLINE for applications!
NEW DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 7TH

Learn about the SpokesMAMA Contest
and apply for your FREE newborn portrait session.

Picture of the Day - New York City Children's Portraits, Part 3

2010-08-05T15:30:00.003-04:00

A great weekend of portraits in NYC reminds me how lucky I am to have this job. I mean, really, I get to know some amazing families and document the love that surrounds us. It's so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day activities that it's easy to not notice the small moments that are so rich with personality, love and laughter. Feeling completely refreshed after this weekend, (don't we all need that from time to time?) I am so excited to see the variety of moments I captured. Check out my first post and second post from my weekend of family portraits in New York, Brooklyn and Long Island City.

Clara is 3 years old and is so vibrant and expressive. She loves dressing up as a princess, jumping, playing with her new guitar and puzzles. She and her parents were so welcoming, in fact, they invited me to stay for dinner after I finished shooting. So nice! I just loved capturing Clara's playful personality and adorable new haircut.

Today's Picture of the Day is a children's portrait from Brooklyn.

SpokesMAMA Contest - Newborn

2010-08-05T15:01:00.003-04:00

Contest ends on August 15th!

Newborns have the ability to capture your heart and bring you joy that you didn't know was possible. During the first two weeks, they love to stay in the fetal position and sleep, and sleep and sleep. They are happiest in your arms and can sleep peacefully just about anywhere, including on daddy's chest. These peaceful snuggly moments, the ones that express your excitement, your awe and the beauty of your love, are the moments we love capturing for our youngest clients.

The winning SpokesMama will receive a free ABC Storytelling Portrait Session package which includes a Planning Meeting, a 2-hour session, a Design Appointment and fifty (50) 5x7 folded birth announcements. This package is valued at $500.

The SpokesMAMA will also receive a 25% discount on her second session during her year-long 'tenure' or a $125 discount off her choice of a Growing Baby Portrait Package or an Annual Portrait Package.

Spread the word and help us grow!

In exchange, the SpokesMAMA will tell her friends and family about SSP. She'll take every opportunity to share the photos that were taken during her session and talk about her experience. She'll use social media, printed fliers, email, etc. to refer other like-minded families to us. (Printed pieces will be provided by SSP.)

This application is for mama's of newborn babies. In order to be selected, your newborn (0-2 weeks old) must be photographed in August or September 2010. (If this does not apply to you, visit our blog for announcements of future contests.)

APPLICATION DEADLINE is Sunday, August 15th. Good luck!

Apply here to be the SpokesMAMA.

Picture of the Day - New York City, Part 2

2010-08-04T19:21:00.004-04:00

If I could somehow express gratitude in a photograph, I would for my dear friends, Gidi and Dana. Gidi and I have known each other for years since our semester abroad in college at Tel Aviv University. His wife Dana is one of those people you feel like you've known for years even if it's only a day. She's a self-proclaimed "Mayor of Park Slope" so when we started talking about me traveling to Brooklyn for a weekend during the summer to photograph their family, I knew she'd promote me like nobody's business and help me book a bunch of portraits throughout the weekend. She definitely came through but the best part was her excitement about seeing the pictures.

So, Dana, I know you are checking this blog from vacation, so here ya go - your Picture of the Day.

We had a great morning playing at DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). And as you can see, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline provided a quintessential New York backdrop. I loved it! I could have spent all day there.

If you are interested in having us come to your city or meet you on vacation for family and children's portraits, please contact the studio at info (at) saraphotography.com. We travel all over the US and internationally.

Pictures of the Day - New York City, Part 1

2010-08-03T19:52:00.004-04:00

I just returned last night from a weekend of family and kids portraits in New York City. I have always wanted to travel to different cities to photograph families, and this is the first time I traveled with the sole purpose of portraits. It was a wonderful way to meet new beautiful families and get reinspired to find new and exciting ways to photograph the love of a young family.

Gabi's pictures make me smile, awww, and giggle so it was really hard to choose just one picture to feature as a Picture of the Day. So I chose three!

Thanks, Emily, Elan and Gabi!

Family Resemblances

2010-07-29T10:05:00.004-04:00

My little niece is so yummy, I could eat her up. Since she was born, I have enjoyed every moment. I could just stare at her all day, ok, actually, I could photograph her all day. Because she lives in Seattle, I don't get to see her as often as I'd like, which means that the time we do have together is really special.

While I post pictures on here all the time of my clients, I don't often put up pictures of my own family. And that's gotta change. With my recent post about my Northeast Tour, I was able to share a lot of family with you. So that's a good start. Northeast Tour, Part 2 is coming soon.

Elizabeth and I share some similarities that well, just make me proud. See if you can figure them out. The top picture is me with my brother around age 3. The bottom is Elizabeth at my cousin's wedding in June. She'll be 2 in August.

Can you tell that I love being an aunt? I can't wait to introduce her to hair product and show her the ways of naturally curly hair. Those beautiful curls can sometimes be a pain, but through my infinite wisdom, I plan to show her how to love them.

Picture of the Day - Twins!

2010-07-28T18:05:00.003-04:00

Today's Picture of the Day is brought to you by

The letter "A" and the number "2"

A is for adorable and 2 is for twins Ava and Elyse. These adorable sisters are so much fun. It was great to see how different their personalities are and to watch them play together. At 12 months old, they definitely are having a lot of fun. Elyse has just learned how to string together steps to get from mommy to daddy, and Ava is on her way. She shimmy's around by holding on but I know the next time I see her, she'll be running around every which way.

Northeast Tour, 2010 - Part One

2010-07-27T15:10:00.003-04:00

A couple weeks ago, my husband Nick and I went on a tour of the northeast. The initial reason for our trip was to go to my cousin Beth's wedding in Connecticut. We figured this would be a great opportunity to see a lot of family, have a bit of vacation and even do some portraits along the way. I say "tour" because Nick is a musician and as we hopped from city to city visiting family and friends, he played gigs of his original music. His music is best described as a combination of blues-rock and funk. But really, it is so many more genres as well. He just loves music and when he writes, it's more of an expression of a story than a specific genre. It's because of Nick's pursuit of a music career that we met 6 years ago. Thank you, I'll be here all night! More on that another time.

FYI, he just had an album release party for his third album, Year of the Ox.
Check it out at the Nick Edelstein band website.

We left Atlanta on a Friday and hit Knoxville, TN. Nick played at a place called Manhattans which is kind of funny because we would go to the real Manhattan a few days later.

From Knoxville, we headed to my hometown of Baltimore. We stayed with my parents a few nights. I had the great pleasure of photographing Noah and Eli, sons of a great family friend who I grew up with. Take a look at my favorite picture from their session here. My time in Baltimore was a real vacation. We got to see some other childhood friends, the youngest of whom was getting married that weekend.

Congratulations, Suzanna! (iPhone picture - forgive the graininess)

After three nights there, we got back into the car and went to Lancaster, PA. We visited with Nick's cousins, Anne Marie, Seve, and Sammy, and went to Longwood Gardens - beautiful place.

Despite being in Pennsylvania, we had not yet escaped the heat and humidity of Atlanta. So the rest of our time there was spent indoors with family.

This is Nick with little Sammy after a pillow-fight. I think that Nick actually may
have had more fun than Sammy playing with all his toys.
Funny how men so quickly revert back to little boys
whenever there's a transformer around.

Our next stop was New York City. We visited with some of Nick's aunts and uncles who live on Long Island. We had a homemade lunch with Aunt Annie and Uncle Leo, and Nick played a couple of his original songs for them.

At Uncle Tommy and Aunt Helen's, we had pizza and admired Uncle Tommy's garden of Bonsai.

That evening, Nick played at National Underground on Houston Street on the lower east side, where we'll be returning this Friday. Come join us if you're in the area! Some of Nick's other cousins came to that show and we had a great time listening to Nick play. No pictures for this evening either, but I did get a parking ticket. HA! Expensive souvenir.

That evening, we stayed with Nick's cousins, Donna and Henrik, and we finally got to meet their son Hunter. We've been trying to get up to New York since he was born, but it was just not possible. Skype is a good consolation for visiting in person. But meeting Hunter, playing with him and photographing him has no substitute. Look at this cutie!

Me, Donna, Nick and Hunter

The next day we headed to Philadelphia. Oh, in case you're keeping track - still no relief from the heat and humidity. The northeast was having a heatwave - perfect!

Nick played a quick show in Philly. We got to see Nick's cousin, Lena, and my cousins DH and Betsy (thanks for dinner!) We immediately left after the show and hit the road.

Next destination: Simsbury, Connecticut for the wedding. But not before some unwanted excitement on the road... stay tuned for Part Two of our escapades.

Are you exhausted just reading about the trip? Don't worry, the beach is coming soon. :)

Picture of the Day - Atlanta Maternity Portrait

2010-07-21T14:53:00.004-04:00

So I get a call from Rachael on Friday saying that she's pregnant and due in about two weeks. She knew it was last minute but she really wanted to document this time before the baby comes. And of course I said yes!

I love photographing maternity portraits. There is so much excitement and anticipation during these sessions that it's palpable, and contagious.

The baby's room is all ready for the baby and so cute. They used chocolate and pink in the room and an elephant theme throughout. An adorable mural above the crib with different patterned wall paper and fabric in the design of a family of elephants is just perfect.

Jeff and Rachael's love and excitement for the arrival of their baby is so lovely. Can't wait to meet the baby soon!

Support us with your vote - again & again

2010-07-19T14:36:00.005-04:00

Creative Loafing is holding their annual Best of Atlanta survey to find the best things, food, places and businesses in Atlanta. Support us by voting for us in the Poets, Artists & Madmen section, page 2 of the survey.

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

Throughout the last 4 years, we've been honored to receive 5 awards including Best Established Visual Artist, Best Local Visual Arts Website/Blog and Best Photographer. Help us this year by giving us your vote. You can vote multiple times by registering with different email addresses.

Thanks so much!

Picture of the Day: Father & Son, Baltimore Family Portraits

2010-07-08T13:05:00.004-04:00

Growing up in Baltimore, MD, my family was extremely close to another family. We shared holidays and beach vacations in Ocean City, MD and Nags Head, NC. Because my brother and I were exactly the same age as the two oldest in their family, we also shared pre-school and religious school on Sundays at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. We loved spending time with them, playing in the backyard and eating our moms' delicious food - lasagna, brownies, grilled hot dogs and corn pudding.

On my "northeast tour" (with Nick playing gigs throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic), we stopped in Baltimore and I photographed a family portrait for Amy, the oldest, who has two little boys. It was so much fun to do this session because Amy and I have known each other for so long. Seeing their beautiful family, realizing how much she and I have grown up, and documenting this time in her family's life was so meaningful.

Here's my favorite from the whole day: Noah being tickled by his dad, Jeff - PURE JOY.

PUBLISHED! Professional Photographer Magazine

2010-07-06T15:15:00.000-04:00

I am so excited, I can hardly sit still.

I'm in the July issue of Professional Photographer Magazine!!!

This national trade magazine has been an amazing resource for me as a new business owner, and even now, 7 years after I opened my studio, I still learn so much from it. Everything from the art of photography to operating a studio to the latest new camera gear is covered. I have always looked up to the photographers who are profiled and included in the magazine, and I dreamed of the day that I, too, would be included. Reaching that point of experience, skill and knowledge to be included has been one of my goals from the very start. So to get here is oh, so sweet.

If you remember, last year PPMag wrote a piece about my photo essay in New Orleans. And this time, I was asked about our SpokesMAMA campaign. It's a huge honor to be asked about an advertising campaign that I created (with some initial ideas from Rod Evans). SpokesMAMA has been greatly successful in spreading the word about our studio. The concept of taking word-of-mouth advertising by the reigns and guiding it along is not new but finding the best way to do it is the tough part.

The current SpokesMAMA Contest is for photography of your child's first day of school (kindergarten or first grade). Unlike our other contests that are based on the age of your child and include a portrait session, this session is all about photographing the emotions and details of this exciting day.

Apply to be the SpokesMAMA - First Day of School.

Read the Professional Photographer Magazine article.

Thanks for spreading the word about SpokesMAMA and continuing to support the studio!

And a specific thanks to Shelly, Angus and Gemma for letting me use the lovely image of Gemma reaching for her daddy's hand. So sweet.

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 16: Thick & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-06-16T18:30:00.007-04:00

Throughout the last year I've been bitten by the cooking bug. I have finally come to enjoy trying new recipes and spending time in the kitchen. And there is no doubt that this cooking bug is genetic. My mom is an amazing chef & baker, and my grandmother was sensational. My brother realized his cooking genes long before me. And my dad, even my dad, the guy who used to work so late that by the time he arrived home from work, dinner was miraculously already made and on the table waiting for him. Even my dad has been cooking for years now.

As I find good recipes, I'm trying to get into the habit of sharing them. It's just so frustrating to spend so much time buying ingredients and making food to only find out that the dish isn't any good. If you're going to make the effort, it should definitely be delicious.

I posted a delicious vegetarian recipe I made on my Facebook page a while back. Lemony Broccoli and Chickpea Rigatoni. I can't say that I am a full vegetarian. I'm more of an omnivore with a focus on low-fat (sometimes low-gluten, sometimes low-dairy) dishes. Oh, and I am for sure a chocoholic. So, on Sunday, I looked around our kitchen for food and instead of making some delicious eggplant Parmesan, grilling some chicken and veggies on the grill or any other well-rounded meal that we could enjoy as leftovers throughout the rest of the week, I opted for Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. Great idea, right!?

I've made quite a few chocolate chip cookies and I have to admit that oatmeal chocolate chip are my favorite, but this one created the most beautiful cookies I've ever made. They're thick and they are the perfect combination of chewy and crunchy. I will definitely make these again. (FYI, these are neither low-fat nor low-gluten.)

Here's the recipe. Enjoy!

Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cook's Illustrated.com
Makes 1 1/2 dozen 3-inch cookies

2 1/8 cups bleached all-purpose flour (about 10 1/2 oz.'s)
1/2t table salt
1/2t baking soda
12T unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks, melted and cooled slightly)
1 cup brown sugar (7 oz.'s)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (3 1/2 oz.'s)
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2t vanilla extract
1-2 cups chocolate chips or chunks (semi- or bittersweet)

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Adjust oven racks to upper- and lower-middle positions. Mix flour, salt and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside.

2. Either by hand or with an electric mixer, mix butter and sugars until thoroughly blended. Mix in egg, yolk, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Stir in chips.

3. (This part is all about making the cookies look rough and uneven. I found it unnecessary but you could do it and let me know how it turns out.) Form scant 1/4 cup dough into balls. Holding dough ball using fingertips of both hands, pull into two equal halves. Rotate halves ninety degrees and, with jagged surfaces exposed, join halves together at their base, again forming a single cookie, being careful not to smooth dough's uneven surface. Place formed dough into one of two parchment paper-lined 20x14 lipless cookie sheets, about nine dough balls per sheet. Dough can be refrigerated up to 2 days or frozen up to a month - shaped or not.

4. Bake, reversing cookie sheets' positions halfway through the baking, until cookies are light golden brown and outer edges start to harden yet centers are still soft and puffy. 15-18 minutes (start checking at 13 minutes). (Frozen dough requires an extra 1 to 2 minutes baking time.)

Tips: You can substitute white, milk chocolate or peanut butter chips for the semi- or bittersweet chips. In addition to the chips, you can flavor the dough with one cup of nuts, raisins or shredded coconut.

Definitely let me know how it turns out by leaving a comment below. I'd love to hear the yummy results.

SpokesMAMA Contest - First Day of School

2010-06-15T10:05:00.000-04:00

Yay for the next SpokesMAMA Contest! We are so excited with the responses we've received from everyone for all our other contests and this time we are trying something a bit out of the box. This portrait package is a new one and to give it a jump start, we thought we'd introduce it with a SpokesMAMA contest.

The image of my first day of school is ingrained in my mind. My parents took a picture of me standing on our street waiting for the bus to pick me up. There I was at 5 years old, pigtails in my hair and a giant backpack on my back. I was nervous and scared but also excited and curious about this "school thing." Having that photo means so much to me and I am so grateful to have it. This is what gave me the idea to create a package that would capture that day. Everything from waking in the morning, eating a delicious breakfast, new clothes and shoes, peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the lunchbag, and the tears rolling down mom's cheek as she waves goodbye. Makes me teary just writing it...

This contest is for a documentary session on your child's first day of kindergarten or first grade. Your baby's first day of school is an emotional day. We know your anxiety, your excitement, your disbelief that this day has come. Just a short time ago, you were holding a tiny newborn in your arms. The time has flown and now it's time for him/her to go off to school. We also understand how exciting and intimidating the first day of school can be for a child. The anticipation of being away from home in a new place with kids and adults you don't know, and the fun of riding a big yellow bus and making new friends.

We want to capture all that emotion through photographs that you and your child will cherish forever. It's moments like this that help shape who we are and are rich with memories, if we take the time to capture them.

The winning SpokesMama will receive a free ABC Storytelling Portrait Session package which includes a Planning Meeting, a 2-hour session at your home (also on the way to school and in front of the school), a Design Appointment and a $250 product credit for anything purchased at the Design Appointment.

The SpokesMAMA will also receive a 25% discount on her second session during her year-long 'tenure' or a $125 discount off her choice of an Annual Portrait Package.

In exchange, each SpokesMAMA will tell her friends and family about SSP. She'll take every opportunity to share the photos that were taken during her session and talk about her experience. She'll use social media, printed fliers, email, etc. to refer other like-minded families to us. (Printed pieces will be provided by SSP.)

Apply to be a SpokesMAMA and win the chance to capture this
emotional occasion with professional photography!

Deadline for applications is July 16th.

Vacation Photos - California

2010-06-08T15:50:00.005-04:00

My sister-in-law graduated from the Academy of Art University with a Bachelor's in Fine Arts for Motion Pictures and Television Acting in San Francisco. Nick and I, and my in-laws flew out to go to graduation and then to vacation around California for a week. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time visiting Alcatraz Prison, Yosemite National Park, Monterrey and everywhere inbetween. The California coastline is so majestic and hiking Yosemite was stunning. And getting away from the hot humidity of Atlanta was great too.

View the rest of the pictures in my album on Facebook. And leave comments! I love comments!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from our adventure. Congratulations, Sam!

Sam's in the middle with her friends, Leah and Sloan.
Remember these faces - they'll be famous one day.

Walking out during the recessional - I love the excitement of this moment.

Standing outside after graduating. Doesn't she look like she could be
in the movie, The Graduate, with Dustin Hoffman?
Her dress and shoes are so retro-cool.

A view of downtown San Francisco from Alcatraz.

San Francisco, circa 1968.
Just kidding...

San Francisco - Golden Gate Bridge

Alcatraz kitchen. Don't the sketches of the knives look scary to be in a prison?

Alcatraz kitchen - NO SOUP FOR YOU!

Alcatraz kitchen - the beauty of texture on the floor.

Yosemite National Park
my ode to Ansel Adams (if only I were so good)

Mom and Dad Edelstein

Yosemite National Park - near Yosemite Falls
quintessential park picture

Yosemite National Park - Bridalveil Falls

Yosemite National Park - Bridalveil Falls
WHERE THE RAINBOW ENDS!
Didn't you always wonder what it looked like?

Yosemite National Park - Bridalveil Falls

Yosemite National Park - Nick and I

Yosemite National Park - Half Dome

Yosemite National Park - sunset on Half Dome from Glacier Point

Yosemite National Park - fly like an eagle

Yosemite National Park - interesting texture from a fallen tree trunk

Sunset from the road
(I shot this from our moving car. How cool that the windmill
is in just the right spot. That's why I get paid the big bucks. HA!)

Monterrey, CA - sunbathing seal

Californa countryside - another shot from our moving car.

This was the centerpiece on our table at lunch in Big Sur.
Reminds me of the plant from The Little Shop of Horrors.

View more pictures in my album on Facebook.

SpokesMAMA News

2010-06-03T15:31:00.004-04:00

In case you didn't hear, the SpokesMAMA Contest for children ages 2-3 ends tomorrow at 11:55pm. Don't miss your chance to win a FREE ABC Storytelling Portrait package which includes a Planning Meeting, a 2-hour portrait session, a Design Appointment and $250 in product credit.

Apply now to be our next SpokesMAMA!

In related news, Lisa came to the studio yesterday to pick up her gift bag. She is our SpokesMAMA (4-5) and it was wonderful to meet her. Check out her SpokesMAMA t-shirt! If you see her around town wearing the shirt, be sure to say hi and ask to see her pictures!

Lisa tells me that her 4-year old daughter Bella loves to play dress-up and I can't wait to see her all dolled up in a dress, high heel shoes and bracelets up to her elbows. It's going to be so cute!

Could you be the next SpokesMAMA?

SpokesMAMA Contest (2-3 years old) - EXTENDED

2010-05-26T10:05:00.003-04:00

Originally the SpokesMAMA Contest for mamas of 2-3 year old kids was to end on Friday, May 28th. Due to Memorial Day, we've decided to extend the contest another week to allow more mamas the chance to enter.

Don't miss your chance to win a free ABC Storytelling Portrait Session, discounts on your second session package, T-shirt and more. Read more details about the SpokesMAMA contest here.

Apply to be a SpokesMAMA by completing the application.

Contest ends Friday, June 4th.
Good luck!

Outdoor Movie Night

2010-05-25T11:00:00.002-04:00

On Saturday night, we had some friends over for one of my favorite things to do: movie night. Watching a movie outside under the stars is like having our own private Screen on the Green with great food and drink, a clean bathroom and without the crowd. Our house is unique in that our deck is surrounded by our house on three sides. It makes for a perfectly private relaxation spot and a great place to project a movie onto the white wall of our house.

We ate and drank and watched "Men Who Stare at Goats" (weird but funny flick, hard to believe any part of it is true) with George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey. After we finished that, the second feature was the new Star Trek movie with Sylar/AKA Zachary Quinto (yay, Heroes fans!) and Chris Pine. [Basically it was a night of hot men, but don't tell my husband Nick that.]

Munchies included homemade guacamole, onion dip and chips (thanks, Rachael!), hummus & veggies (thanks, Brooke!), zucchini & corn casserole and toffee bars for dessert. So fun and delicious. Thanks for coming over Rachael, Joe and Brooke!

Picture of the Day

2010-05-24T13:51:00.002-04:00

Little Sophie was baptized on Saturday and I had the honor of photographing the lovely morning at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Decatur. It was clear from the moment I entered the building how loved she is. Her parents glowed with pride and love like only parents can. She was surrounded by dear friends and family who were overjoyed to celebrate this rite of passage.

And just like an angel, Sophie slept through most of it.

Are Digital Files Included With My Photography Session?

2010-05-21T15:53:00.004-04:00

We are often asked about digital files from portrait sessions. It seems like such a simple question but unfortunately the answer is not so easy. This article on www.babyphotographers.com is a great explanation.

Surely you’ve noticed an increase in the number of photographers giving away digital files. As a customer, should you expect them to be for sale? Why don’t all photographers include them in the session fee for free, or at least make them affordable? Don’t the files belong to you anyway?

Read the entire article, "Are Digital Files Included With My Baby Photography Session?"

New SpokesMAMA Contest: 2-3 year olds

2010-05-13T13:27:00.003-04:00

Announcing a new SpokesMAMA contest! Are you a mama to a 2 or 3 year old child? If so, you could be our next SpokesMAMA.

Apply to be a SpokesMAMA

Who is a SpokesMAMA?

She's a mom who loves her kids and adores professional portraits of them. She loves the candid and artistic style of our photography and the emotions that it captures. She is active in her community, meeting with other moms at mommy groups, church/synagogue groups, at daycare and school, at work and online. She frequents Facebook and Twitter, parenting forums and list-serves for her community. And she thinks our portrait photography is awesome.

Apply to be a SpokesMAMA

If you are chosen, you will receive a FREE ABC Storytelling Portrait Session ($500 value), $250 credit for any beautiful item you purchase from your session, discounts off your next portrait package, a SpokesMAMA t-shirt and more!

Contest ends Friday, May 28th.
Good luck!

Picture of the Day

2010-05-11T15:01:00.004-04:00

Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day. Whether this was your 1st or your 41st, I hope you has some quality time with your kids in whatever form that took.

I had the honor of photographing Devon and his parents at Piedmont Park this Mother's Day. It was a beautiful day in Atlanta and he had a great time playing baseball, playing with his trucks, getting ice cream but most of all - getting hugs from mom and dad. There were so many great moments that truly show Devon's personality but this one is my favorite.

What did you do this Mother's Day? Did you go out to eat? Go for a bike ride? Have brunch at a local restaurant? What was the best part of the day? (Click the "Comments" link below to leave your response. We love hearing from you!)

Nominate us for Best Atlanta Family Photographer

2010-05-07T13:53:00.008-04:00

Nickelodeon's Parents Connect website, also known as GoCityKids.com is holding a readers' poll. Please take a moment to nominate us for

Best Family Photographer

You can vote daily and leave a review if you'd like. The winning studio gets great advertising and bragging rights. And we love the "Best of" stamp of approval as you know.

Simply click the "nominate me!" link at the top of the page and follow the instructions. You'll be asked to confirm your vote by email. Thanks for your support!

Children's Businesses and Non-profits in Atlanta

2010-05-06T15:18:00.006-04:00

We've partnered with some wonderful businesses, non-profits, daycare centers and schools in Atlanta. We love supporting local operations because when we do, everyone benefits. Businesses get more exposure, schools and non-profits get funding, clients get great information and discounts, and we get awesome new clients!

So be sure to check these out and if you want to suggest one, please let us know. We love donating portrait sessions to silent and live auctions, putting up displays of our work to generate donations for non-profit organizations, selling gift certificates to retail stores as thank you gifts and donating our photography services to fundraising events. And, one of my favorite things to do - think outside of the box to create new events, benefits and advertising opportunities for your organization.

Fernbank Museum's Lost Oasis benefit for children's programming

Write a review about us!

The Children's and Prep Shop

The Little Shop - in the Around Lenox Shops

Congratulations to our new SpokesMAMA!

2010-05-03T19:02:00.004-04:00

Thanks to everyone who entered the SpokesMAMA Contest for mama's to 4 & 5 year old kids. The response was wonderful and we are thrilled that so many great families want to help support our studio.

We're thrilled to announce that the winner is Lisa Stephens!
Congratulations, Lisa!

We will be holding SpokesMAMA Contests throughout the rest of the spring and summer so sign up for our mailing list (if you haven't already) so you can be notified when the contests are announced.

Day-in-the-Life Portrait: Zoo Atlanta

2010-04-30T18:35:00.004-04:00

I must admit that when I was planning this portrait session with Karen and Patty, I was really excited about the thought of photographing at some wonderful Atlanta landmarks. But when they decided on Zoo Atlanta, I was stoked. Cole's first and second portraits were at home where we were able to capture everyday life in an artistic way. Look at this beautiful use of his portrait in their master bedroom.

Day-in-the-Life portrait sessions are all about a fun activity, an amazing location, and this one has it all. The excitement of going to the zoo for any child is contagious. Seeing all those animals, riding the train and the merry-go-round. It's all so much fun and I couldn't help but experience this great place through Cole's eyes. He was in awe most of the day looking at all the interesting things, and by "awe" I mean straight-faced and absorbing everything around him. That is until we left the zoo and walked into Grant Park.

Running around in the grass, finding magnolia leaves and riding on mama's shoulders gave Cole perma-grin! Patty joked that no matter how much they spend on toys or special outings, like the zoo, the time that Cole really seems to enjoy the most are the moments that don't cost anything. All they require are the whole family spending quality time together. I love that notion and couldn't agree more.

Click the image below to view Cole's Day-in-the-Life Zoo Atlanta adventure.

Reminder - SpokesMAMA Contest & Family Portraits Promotion

2010-04-28T18:23:00.004-04:00

I hope your week is going great. It's hump-day, Humpty-Dumpty day and I am just so darn excited about all that we have going on right now.

Our SpokesMAMA Contest for mamas of 4 and 5 year old kids is going on right now. The last day for applications is this Friday, April 30th, so hop to it if you want to win a free family portrait session, discounts, and more. On a side note, I decided that SpokesMAMA t-shirts would be fun but instead of going the "normal" route and ordering them, I decided to make them myself using a screen-printer. (I love projects like that.) I've never screen-printed before but I'm really excited with the way they turned out. Since only SpokesMAMA's can win these t-shirts, if you see someone wearing one, be sure to congratulate her and ask to see her pictures!

The other thing I'm really excited about is our new Fine Art Metal prints and the great sale to go with it. We don't offer sales often but this is something we're really excited about so we wanted to make it impossible to resist. The deal is this - schedule an ABC Storytelling Portrait package before May 21st and receive an 11x14 or 12x12 Fine Art Metal print for FREE. Yes, I said FREE! Since this is such an unusual item, we'd love for you to come by the studio to check it out for yourself. Just give us a call to let us know you're coming. By the way, I ordered a second studio sample which should arrive any day now and I can't wait to see how it turned out. You're gonna love this unique way of showing off your amazing family.

If you have questions, feel free to contact us at info (at) saraphotography (dot) com. Have a great rest of the week!

Introducing Fine Art Metal & Sale

2010-04-26T13:57:00.007-04:00

Fine Art Metal prints- We are so excited to add this unique printing option to our collection. For a contemporary and clean look, Fine Art Metal prints are both photography and sculpture.

Images are printed directly to thin high-gloss metal and mounted on a stand-out frame. The image quality is outstanding, the look is unique and no framing is required.

Fine Art Metal prints are available as Wall Art (11x14 and larger), as well as an upgrade option on all our Wall Collections and Collages.

The image above is our Pop Collage, three images with background textures and design elements - 10x20 overall size. Come by our studio to see it in person!

We are the only children's portrait studio in Atlanta offering this unique display option.

And now for the good stuff...

Book your ABC Storytelling Portrait

on a weekday now thru May 21st and

receive a FREE 11x14 or 12x12 Fine Art Metal print!*

Perfect for Mother's Day on May 9th!

*Only valid on NEW weekday portraits, Monday through Friday, April 26th to May 21st. Previously booked portraits/packages are not eligible.

*Disclaimer - As far as we can tell, we are the only Atlanta children's portrait studio offering this unique product. It's possible another studio is offering it, but we aren't aware of it. So there. :)

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-22T16:30:00.008-04:00

Happy Healthy Earth Day!

Hope you take a few moments today to get outside and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. Take note of the breeze through the trees, the chirping birds and the smell of newly budding flowers. We get so busy with our day-to-day lives that it can be difficult to just live in the moment and enjoy our surroundings. I know that even when I make a determined effort to sit on our deck and enjoy the sights and sounds, I am quickly reminded of all the yard work I need to do. But if I bring my focus back to the sound of the wind through the bamboo and the chirping bird on the branch nearby, I am able to recharge and feel refreshed, and it doesn't take very long.

Take a moment to think of one more thing you can do to conserve, reuse or recycle. You don't have to do everything and turn your life upside down to be green, just one more thing can make a big difference. In the last year, we stopped buying disposable paper napkins and started using cloth napkins. Not only do we have less trash, we are saving money in the long run and fewer trees need to be cut down to make more disposable products.

Here are some suggestions.

Avoid idling your car for extended periods. Read more....
Reduce trips in your car by organizing your To-do list by location.
Recycle Styrofoam. Read more...
Reduce junk mail. Read more...
Plant a garden. Use seeds from the fruits and veggies you eat and watch them grow. Or place a bunch of herbs from the grocery store in water. I did this with mint a couple weeks ago. The cut mint grew roots and then I planted them outside. Quite a nice surprise.
Use reusable shopping bags at the grocery, the mall, everywhere! I personally hate plastic shopping bags so this has become a personal mission. I sometimes get looks at the mall when I pull out my own bag, but I'd much rather get a strange look than have another plastic bag.

Most of all, enjoy the outdoors today. Even if you only have the moment between your car door and your house, make the most of it!

Published!: Virginia-Highland-Morningside Parents' Association

2010-04-21T11:30:00.008-04:00

We are so thrilled to be included in the April issue of the Virginia-Highland/Morningside Parents' Association newsletter. Sara contributed an article and lent her expertise about photographing children and families.

Thanks, VHMPA! Hope the article inspired you to make photography of your children a priority in your day-to-day life.

Sneak Peak of Gemma - Atlanta Baby Portrait Photography

2010-04-20T12:19:00.002-04:00

SpokesMAMA Contest, 4-5 year olds

2010-04-13T19:40:00.006-04:00

It's time for the next SpokesMAMA contest! If you have a 4 or 5 year old child, you could be our next SpokesMAMA.

Apply to be the SpokesMAMA

Destination Family Portraits this Summer

2010-04-12T12:20:00.010-04:00

Rosier/News - NYDailyNews.com

On our Facebook Page last month, I announced that we are headed to the northeast for a weekend of family portraits in New York - Park Slope, Brooklyn, and surrounding areas. Our sessions are booking up and I am so excited to photograph meaningful and fun portraits of families at home and at some favorite NY landmarks. If you are interested in more information about a session, check out the registration page. The deadline for registering is April 30th.

Saw this article yesterday and all I have to say is Congratulations, Park Slope! New York Magazine names Park Slope the Best Neighborhood in NY!

Here are the dates that we will be scheduling destination portrait sessions throughout the summer. Contact us for more information! We'd love to meet you and photograph fun and artistic portraits of your family. Be sure to note the deadline for registration in your city.

June 20 - 22 ............. Baltimore, MD
June 23 .................... Lancaster, PA
July 27 - 29 .............. Rochester, NY
July 31 - August 1 .... NYC/Brooklyn

Don't see your city listed? Contact us. Beach vacation portrait packages are available as well.

Mother's Day Gift Conundrum Solved

2010-04-07T13:05:00.006-04:00

Is your spouse looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift? Is he afraid to ask what you may want for fear that he may spoil the romance of the day? Are you tired of the last-minute gift he gives every year?

May 9th is the day and if you want to drop a little hint, pass him a link to our website! www.saraphotography.com We offer gift certificates for portrait sessions, sterling silver jewelry and much more.

Click here to purchase a gift certificate.

Introducing a new type of photography

2010-04-01T10:22:00.002-04:00

We're so excited to announce that we are offering a new type of photography. We have been specializing in on-location documentary portraits that are natural and fun. And that's all good, but we think this new service will be a huge hit. With a new studio, you and your family can have beautiful portraits as your favorite characters that you will remember forever.

photo: www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com

APRIL FOOLS!!!

Happy Passover!

2010-03-30T15:21:00.003-04:00

Our first Seder was a huge success! Hope you are having a wonderful holiday with your families.

My grandmother's Seder plate

Baby Portrait Album - Atlanta Portrait Photography

2010-03-30T11:15:00.004-04:00

The CarryAbout Album is so popular but each time FedEx delivers one, I get so excited. Each design is made specifically for each of my little clients and the adorable size of these albums just feel so good to hold. Maybe I'm a little nuts (Ok, you don't have to agree with me!). These albums are such a great way to showcase a series of your favorite pictures in a delicious little package. They're small enough to fit into a bag to show off how cute your child is to everyone you know. This album for Simran is 5x5 leather in a color called Mauvelous... and it is.

A No-Boundaries Wedding Album - Atlanta Wedding Photography

2010-03-29T10:00:00.006-04:00

Every once in a while I get the amazing opportunity to design something without any boundaries. It's a rare occurrence and I must admit, it is so much fun.

Photographing Christin & Jason's wedding was a dream come true. Their beautiful and intimate beach wedding in San Destin, Florida was such a treat to photograph. And then the reception two weeks later at Barnsley Gardens was a great way to celebrate with all their friends and family. Because I had so many photos to work with - the locations alone left me with infinite possibilities for amazing photos - I designed an album the best way I knew how, the way I would want my own wedding album which, by the way, is still in the works. Imagine that!

I wanted to create something that reminded them of all the special moments of both weekends, like how the ocean breeze felt during their ceremony and the stunning sunset we were blessed with while we photographed their portraits. And most importantly, I wanted to create something that would stand the test of time, that would become their first family heirloom and be something that they would want to share with everyone who came to their home. Because what's the point of an album if it's placed on a shelf and never looked at?

Christin and Jason completely embraced the ginormous album set I created. Yes, I said, ginormous. It is an 18x12 double-volume album that includes more than 250 photos. Really, it's more than an album, it's a piece of documentary art. I was hoping that when it arrived at my studio that it would take my breath away, and it truly did. I am so excited to hear their reactions to it, I can hardly sit still.

The first page of the first album displays the romantic images
from their engagement session at Barnsley Gardens.

All the beautiful details from their beach wedding.
Their love is definitely a "shore thing." :)

Christin getting ready with the girls in the beach house.
I'm pretty sure she only wore those shoes for about 5 minutes but they were awesome.

The stunning location of the wedding. Seriously, we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. And Jason looking handsome and not at all nervous just before walking down the isle.

Some of the moments during the ceremony.
The wind through Christin's gown and the sunset, what more can I say?
The photo on the left is on a gate-fold.
You can see the seam down the middle. When you open it...

this is what you see on the inside. Love this unique way of interacting with the album and the suspense it creates by not knowing what is about to unfold. (pun intended) :)

Here's another unique feature of these albums - wings.
The whole right page unfolds to reveal a long spread of photos.

A beautiful moment in front of the ruins at Barnsley Gardens.

Another wing revealing my absolute favorite page design of both albums.

Christin & Jason, hope you LOVE the albums as much as I do! Congratulations again!

Congratulations to our new SpokesMAMA!

2010-03-22T15:43:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to the winner of our newborn SpokesMAMA contest - Elle Banks!

As our very first SpokesMAMA, Elle and her family will receive a free ABC Storytelling Portrait session, discounts for a subsequent package and lots of other great items. Elle is expecting their new addition in June and I can hardly wait. Her session is just a beginning of their family's wonderful story.

If you see Elle around town, please congratulate her! A round of applause at the grocery store and in line at the post office would be so great. :)

2 days and counting...

2010-03-16T16:27:00.002-04:00

Only 2 days left to apply to be a SpokesMAMA.

Have you always dreamt of beautiful portraits of your baby? Now as your due date quickly approaches, you have so much left to do that meeting with a photographer has kind of gotten lost in the shuffle?

This is your chance to begin documenting your new addition in the first two weeks with a FREE newborn ABC Storytelling Portrait session. Apply now for your chance to be an ambassador of Sara Speert Photography. Deadline for all applications is March 18th.

Apply now

Atlanta baby photography, Atlanta baby portraits, Decatur baby portraits, family portraits, newborn portraits, baby pictures

Atlanta Newborn Baby Portraits - SpokesMAMA Contest

2010-03-10T18:29:00.005-05:00

Only 7 days left to apply to the SpokesMAMA Contest!

This first contest is for expecting moms whose little ones will be arriving between March 22 and June 22. Don't miss this amazing opportunity for beautiful portraits of your newborn for free.

And just because I don't like posting without a picture, look at this scrumptious little guy. His newborn session was done when he was a mere 6 days old.

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 15: Special Event for New & Expecting Moms

2010-03-05T17:56:00.012-05:00

Here's a great find! One of our partners is holding a class for new and expecting moms. Check out Atlanta Baby Planners for this event and for help with everything baby.

www.atlantababyplanners.com
www.twitter.com/atlbabyplanners

Join Atlanta Baby Planners for a Breastfeeding class on Tuesday, April 20th from 6-8pm to learn all the benefits that breastfeeding can provide for you and your baby.

Some of the topics that will be discussed are:
starting a feeding, facts about colostrum, feeding positions, is my baby getting enough, hunger cues and much more. Also, just for attending the class, you will have access to FREE lactation consulting from a licensed IBCLC nurse, either before or after your baby is born.

Feel free to bring your friend, partner or spouse!
Contact Atlanta Baby Planners with any questions. Sign up quickly because spots are filling up!

SpokesMAMA Contest - change

2010-03-01T14:00:00.005-05:00

Based on many of the responses we've received, we have made an adjustment to the contest. We are now open to moms of newborns who are 0-2 weeks old between March 22 - June 22, 2010. If you are expecting a baby during that time, apply now. Deadline for applications is March 18th!

-_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--

What is a SpokesMAMA? She's a mom who loves her kids and adores professional portraits of them. She loves the candid and artistic style of our photography and the emotions that it captures. She is active in her community, meeting with other moms at mommy groups, church/synagogue groups, at daycare and school, and online. She frequents Facebook and Twitter, parenting forums and listserves for her neighborhood. She thinks our portrait photography is awesome and may or may not already be a client.

Apply to be a SpokesMAMA

As a spokesperson of Sara Speert Photography, the winning SpokesMama will represent SSP to her friends and family. She'll take every opportunity to share the photos that were taken during her sessions and talk about her experience with SSP. She'll use social media, printed fliers, email, etc. to refer other like-minded families to SSP. (Printed pieces will be provided by SSP)

Be our SpokesMAMA, spread the word about SSP and help us grow!

In exchange, if you are chosen, you will receive a free ABC Storytelling Portrait Session package which includes a Planning Meeting, a 2-hour session, a Design Appointment and a $250 credit for anything purchased at the Design Appointment. This package is valued at $500. AND you will also receive 25% off your second session during your year-long tenure as a SpokesMAMA or a $125 discount off your chosen Growing Baby Portrait Package that will be completed during your year.

Apply to be a SpokesMAMA

This contest is for newborns. In order to be selected, you must have a baby who is 2 weeks old or younger in the month of March 22 - June 22, 2010. (If this does not apply to you, join our mailing list - we will be holding contests for families with older children soon.)

Contest ends on Thursday, March 18th.
Winner will be chosen on Monday, March 22nd.

Apply to be a SpokesMAMA

Good luck!

Taking better pictures of your child

2010-02-24T18:14:00.005-05:00

I was asked by Expectant Mother's Guide, an Atlanta publication for new and expecting moms, to write an article about taking the best pictures of your child. It was such an honor to contribute to this great magazine which is chock full of wonderful information ranging from financial planning to the benefits of infant massage to nursery design.

It’s a day you’ve dreamt of for months. As you leave the hospital, you can’t believe that this little bundle is yours. You step into your home and it hits you, “What now?” You have so much to do, but at that moment all you want to do is lie down on your bed and stare at this beautiful little person who just changed your life. This is a moment that you want to remember forever. His little fingers and toes are the cutest things you’ve ever seen. His lips, his eyes, everything is so perfect! So you reach for your camera to capture this moment. It’s a picture you know you will look at over and over again, so you cross your fingers that it will turn out..... continue reading the article.

The magazine will be available in March at local pediatricians' and OB doctors' offices.

SpokesMAMA Contest Begins Today!

2010-02-22T17:31:00.009-05:00

Apply to be a SpokesMAMA

Be our SpokesMAMA, spread the word about SSP and help us grow!

Apply to be a SpokesMAMA

This contest is for newborns. In order to be selected, you must have a baby who is 2 weeks old or younger in the month of March 22 - ~~April 22, 2010~~. CHANGE: NOW OPEN TO BABIES BORN BETWEEN MARCH 22 AND JUNE 22! (If this does not apply to you, join our mailing list - we will be holding contests for families with older children soon.)

Contest ends on Thursday, March 18th.
Winner will be chosen on Monday, March 22nd.

Apply to be a SpokesMAMA

Good luck!

Picture of the Day - Snow-lanta

2010-02-15T17:51:00.003-05:00

Although the snow is all but completely gone just 3 days later, I loved it while it lasted. I worked most of the day on Friday until I couldn't resist any longer headed outside to play. My parents who live in Baltimore have been overwhelmed with 3+ feet of snow in the last week (and today they will get even more), and I have to admit that I was a bit jealous. After living in Rochester, NY, I never thought I'd miss the snow again, but it finally happened. Seeing their pictures and hearing the reports of record snowfall made me wish I could helicopter in to spend a few snow-days with them. So when we got our own bit, I was so excited. Here are some pictures I took Friday afternoon. It's been a long time since I went out to just shoot for ME without any agenda. So this was a lot of fun. Here's to hoping we get another snowstorm so I can play again.

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 14

2010-02-09T16:37:00.003-05:00

I discovered this great time-saver and back pain-easer for bathing your little one. No more bending over one of those inserts in the tub or lugging those heavy basins around.

And when you're finished, simply hang it up to dry.

So smart!

The Puj tub

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 13

2010-02-02T20:44:00.006-05:00

In case you missed it, we added a link on the right side of the blog for one of our favorite online stores. Kir De Vries is an awesome shop where you can buy everything from reusable stainless steel BPA-free water bottles, insulated lunch totes that I would love to use as a purse (they're so cute!), and washable produce bags (to cut down on the use of plastic bags that aren't good for anyone.) It's a wonderful way to take one more step to being green and looking great doing it.

If you decide to purchase something, let me know! I'd love to hear what you think.

1 day left for the Valentine's Special

2010-01-27T14:48:00.004-05:00

Only one day left for the Valentine's Special. It's a super deal and an original gift that your spouse is sure to love. Cute, personalized, unique and *so* your child!

So, if we did a portrait for you in 2009 or in the last month, click here for more information and to purchase it online. (Sorry, time's run out for new sessions with this package.)