30 Day Challenge DAY ONE ~ Self Portrait {Suwanee, GA Child & Family Photographer}

Day One is complete! And I think this is going to be a fun challenge. The idea, again, is to take one picture a day (as required) for 30 days. Your level of photography doesn't matter - it is really just for fun and to get you thinking. Feel free to jump in anytime and start where we are at or play catch up .... e-mail me your daily photos to tami@little-imaginations.com. And tell your friends to play along because this is fun!

So for me .... a self portrait needed to be more than one thing - you know, to fit my many personalities, ha ha..... so *I* decided to do a collage of photos. You don't have to do what I do and you can think outside the box or keep it simple .... whatever floats your boat - or camera.....

My self portrait below kind of describes a little about me.... starting at the top left I chose to use a picture of my flip flops. I hate shoes. Really .... flip flops are who I am .... as you can see, these are worn and loved.... next was an overexposed picture of me taking a picture of me in the rear view mirror.... funny how the exposure didn't work out - but sometimes the worst pictures turn out kinda cool anyway ... then my happy place - Sonic. Happy hour is 2-5 every day with half price drinks. (Free advertising SONIC ... you are welcome ....) Nothing beats a diet coke from Sonic and unless you get it, you don't get it ..... Then me in black and white .... I did use my timer and set up a reflector (to my left) opposite the window (to my right) ..... I don't shoot inside so it was a challenge for me to try it which, I think, is part of the exercise .... and, of course, I turned me black and white because who doesn't look better that way .... and the clarity slider is my friend but that is besides the point. Anyhow ...... Out of boredom I went outside and played with sidewalk chalk. Alone. Oh yes I did. And the bottom three.... the witch? Needs no real explanation. ;o) The beer .... um hello? Have you met me? I actually manipulated this photo the wrong dimensions - not going to lie - so it actually reminds me of a lifetouch picture where every kid looks swollen and thick in the neck ..... and then, last but not least, my collection of stuff my kids made at school. 3 kids = a lot of treasures!! It all sits behind my sink in a sort of hoarder fashion. I can't part with any of it..... if anyone has any better suggestions on how to display it all, I would love to hear ... so far I haven't come across anything for this on pinterest. :o)

And now ... to introduce the people who are so willing to play along!

This is Rossette ...... she is a good friend of mine with 3 adorable kids . She totally copied me and did a collage that represented her life. (Just kidding, Rossette)

And this is Michelle - Michelle took an awesome self portrait..... she has really long arms! :o)

My sister in law Erin also did a sort of collage - she is bottom left in the self portrait picture - which *AHEM* looks like it might have been taken by someone other than said "SELF" but she got the idea down and did something that reflected her..... which, again, is open to interpretation and thinking outside of the box.... I am rambling and need coffee.....

This is cousin Samantha ..... cousin Sam is in the military and we couldn't be more proud and thankful of her and her husband, Roger. USA! USA!

And this is my friend Esther from high school. Esther, like me, is going to be a really old mom. :o) It makes me happy when friends my age have little babies!

So come on! Invite your friends ... the more the merrier! The assignment for day 2 is "What I wore today." Snap snap snap away!!! Looking forward to tomorrow's photos! :o)

~Tami

30 Day Photography Challenge ..... who's with me? {Suwanee, GA Child and Family Photographer}

I have been sucked into and inspired by Pinterest. Much like Twitter, I had refused to even peek at the website for fear of losing any more free time I had left sitting at the computer. But much like the peer pressure associated with joining Facebook (something I do NOT regret), my dear friend Abbie finally sucked me into Pinterest with the cleaning tips and home decorating ideas she chatted about. Endlessly. These are my boards. As you can see, I have a lot of pinning left to do.

So hours (and hours and hours) later I start stumbling across photography ideas and come across a 30 day photography challenge. Just fun stuff..... much like a project 365 (where you have a topic every day and take that picture) this challenge inspires you to photograph something assigned every day but only for 30 days - a little less daunting. And the best part is that you don't need to be a photographer to photograph these things - it's all for fun! This time of year my camera is always within arms reach - I am either photographing people for my business or stuff around my house - or my kids ..... I am busy .... and editing ... always editing .... so I decided this might be a good way to break up the monotony of it all for a month and try something fun!

AND .... I want YOU to join me! I'm kind of like the baby version of Pioneer Woman here.... you know, not as popular (but just as cool) with 1 billionth of the followers. But every day I will post the challenge via my facebook business page ("like" it, if you don't already, so you can get the updates) and I encourage you to join in the challenge and e-mail me your pictures and I will post them with mine the following day! You will be surprised what you will capture by doing an assignment like this - and the memories you will create.

Remember - you don't have to be a photographer (or a fauxtographer) to do this .... your iphone is fine as a camera .... e-mail me your pictures to tami@little-imaginations.com. Please? I think we will have so much fun!

Here is the list so you can start thinking about what you want to photograph.... we are starting today with a self portrait. It can be funny or serious or whatever you consider your "self portrait." ;o) Happy shooting!

Click here to get the list a little larger (*cougholdpeoplewithbadeyescough*) .....

Fall Specials 2011!!

I know you have all been waiting patiently and I appreciate that. We were trying to get our crazy schedules synced between baseball, football, weddings, etc .... so without any more hesitation, here you go!

FALL SPECIALS 2011

Get a head start on your Holiday card planning! I am offering 3 opportunities for mini-sessions. Any sessions other than these will be at regular pricing with the exception of offer below...... Capture your family and create memories to share!

MINI SESSIONS

Sunday, October 2nd at Morningview Park

$75 includes 1 digital image in 5x7 format and around 8-10 proofs to choose from. All digital images (up to 10) may be purchased for $150.

**20 minute sessions, no change of clothes**

4:00, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30

Sunday, October 16th at Morningview “stone wall”

$75 includes one digital image in 5x7 format and around 8-10 proofs to choose from. All digital images (up to 10) may be purchased for $150.

**20 minute sessions, no change of clothes**

4:00, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30

Sunday, November 6th or Sunday, November 20th in downtown Buford - Urban shoot!

Funkier, fun shoot ... 30 minute sessions for $175. 10-20 proofs to choose from. Includes all digital images (up to 15).

**30 minute sessions - easy change of clothes allowed (hats, scarves, sweaters and coats)

3:30, 4:10, 4:50, 5:30

REGULAR/FULL SESSIONS

$50 sitting fee PLUS you may purchase the CD of every image (no limit) for $350 and it will include a proof book of the pictures as proofed for display and sharing as well as 20% off any prints OR $250 for up to 20 digital images (no book) and 10% off prints.

**E-mail me at tami@little-imaginations.com or call me at (678) 910-1220 with any questions or to reserve your date and time. These are the only specials I will be running between now and the end of the year. Regular pricing with a slight increase will go into effect after the first of the year**

**$25 deposit required to hold spot. Prices, location and time may vary based on interest. Offer expires 12/15/2011**

"I no smile for you, Yady!" {Suwanee, GA Children & Family Photographer}

That is what sweet Kody told me when he was 2 and I did his pictures the first time .... "I no smile for you, Yady!" Well, a little grown up and who can resist that grin now? Big brother Jake and mom joined him for a shoot in the park (yes, yes ... I know ... I caved and did a park shoot even though I said I wouldn't anymore) and we had a really fun (and HOT!) 45 minutes together! This sweet family moved away but came back for a visit and booked with me months in advance. It was so great to see them all again - I love when clients who move away come back!! It kind of boosts my ego as well as gives me the opportunity to help create MORE memories for mom and dad! Here is a sneak peek for one of my favorite families! :o)

Missing Teeth?

I hope you aren't missing any teeth ..... but I think kids that ARE missing teeth are just to die for cute. Just wanted to share my almost 8 year old's grin from today. He is about to lose the ones next to the missing teeth ... I joked that he better be careful and not lose too many more or the food will fall right out.

So many parents say they want portraits BEFORE the teeth fall out. That's important, sure .... but so are the missing teeth and the big ugly teeth and all that comes with the awkward stage between holes in their mouth and puberty. Don't forget to capture moments like this ..... it is so important to remember what they looked like before their friends were smarter than you. :oD

Capture memories now to remember later!! xoxo

~Tami

What happened to spring? {Suwanee, GA children's photographer}

Between the end of the school year crazy stuff, a couple of trips, a couple of shoots and a couple of beers, it appears I missed spring altogether and have moved onto summer.

I wanted to share a couple shots from the shoot I did for a dad and his kids to surprise mom for Mother's Day. I thought this was such a sweet and heartfelt gift. I heard from the mom AFTER Mom's Day and was shocked to hear that all 3 kids (and dad!) really did keep it a surprise. Super cool. Dads - file this one away!

(On a sidenote, I can't make it stop underlining when I type.... thoughts?)

Also, how cute are these 2 kids? My husband tends to look over my shoulder when I am working and swears the little guy looks just like a mini Rod Stewart. He fell in love with the little dude and his crazy hair.... (This is not underlined because it was written before the top section.... *cry*)

KISSING KUMQUATS

Huh you ask? Kissing Kumquats is a really super cute clothing company. Kerrie Bentti is full of talent and hand makes every outfit. I wish I had half her talent. She is amazing. Anyhow, Hallie does the "modeling" for some of the toddler outfits. They are made really well, super great material, awesome color combos. I'd say they rival anything that "other" company can make. ;o)

Anyhow, here are a few pics of the outfits she makes. If you want to see more, you should check out her site! CLICK HERE http://www.etsy.com/shop/kissingkumquats to see more of her stuff!

You won't be sorry!