~ Getting BACK into the swing of things ~

It's hard to believe that 2011 is already gone and that January 2012 is almost over as well. I know it's been awhile since I've blogged, but with finishing my final semester in December, plus all the Christmas sessions, Bridal sessions, and family sessions in general during the months of November and December, I've been a busy busy lady, but trust me, I'm not complaining about staying busy. I have neglected the BLOG and plan to get everything back in order with a gazillion posts to come... I was so blessed during 2011 and have already been blessed beyond words for 2012. I cannot wait to see what the rest of the year will bring for me and my little photography business. Here's to the future and the many smiling faces that are to come!!!

~ Emily + Andrew ~

So, not only was I thrilled to be able to second shoot a wedding with Niki Graves, but I was ecstatic to find out that there were two in the same weekend. Emily and Andrew got married on Saturday, June, 11, 2011 at the Fulfer Barn in Brownfield, TX! OH MY it's absolutely STUNNING out there. I felt like we were in Austin when we pulled in. There are so many trees, that it honestly didn't feel like we were only 30 minutes outside of Lubbock.

Niki and I started the day with Emily and her attendees at her apartment complex in Lubbock. They had a makeup artist and hair stylists come in to do their makeup and hair, they watched The Wedding Planner and ate the most delicious cake balls to date! I still need to get that recipe from Emily's mom... After getting some shots of the pre-wedding/getting ready pictures, we headed to Brownfield. Emily and Andrew were very traditional and didn't see one another until the ceremony started. (So I got to experience first hand, both types of weddings: the "first look" and the traditional wedding experience). While Emily and her attendees were taking pictures, we made sure that Andrew was cooped up in the barn and vice versa when it was time for Andrew to take pictures with his groomsmen. The ceremony was breathtaking. We could hear the water from the waterfall, and there was a nice coolness to the location because of the HUGE trees... Even in the middle of June there are "cool" (weather related) places to have an outdoor wedding. Although Emily and Andrew were very traditional, they had some new things in their ceremony as well. Instead of doing the traditional unity candle or unity sand, Andrew and Emily had a unity cross!!!! How cool is that? There were two pieces to the cross, and when it was time, they took their two pieces and made them fit into one another as "one." After the ceremony there was lots of dancing and delicious cake to eat... Here's to yet another beautiful wedding.

~ The Beerwinkle Family ~

Meet the Beerwinkle family, yep, that's right Beerwinkle... Hehe, sorry this is my sister, brother-in-law and adorable niece and nephew. It's been nearly a year since we took their last family photos, so Jama, my sister, asked if we could get some more pictures! Her only thoughts were, "I don't want to go to John B's house." HeHe, well that's a good thing because they were like my little guinea pigs and we got to try out a couple new locations that I've been really wanting to shoot at!! Laiken Grace is 4 and Westin Kyle will be 2 in October, and Matt, well he's like the brother that I never had. I just can't believe how much the kiddos have grown since the first time I took pictures of L when she was only a few weeks old, her little "pop of attitude" in the first picture really grabs her personality. I didn't even have to ask her to pose, she just picked up on it like it was natural for her. My how time flies!!!

~ The Thomann Family ~

This beautiful family was such a joy to be around. Jess called me and asked if I would do her maternity pictures when she was pregnant with this precious bundle of joy, Lorelei!! I was so excited when I first met her, and I was even more thrilled when she called again to have family pictures done. Her husband, Chris, is active in our military (thank you for all that you do to protect our freedom), so we set up a time to get pictures done and edited in time for him to be able to see the finished product before he had to go back. Chris and Jess are so in love and you can see how truly blessed they feel with their smallest love, Lorelei! Thanks again for allowing me to be a part of this special time in your lives, I can't wait to get more as your family grows...

~ Christmas Mini Sessions ~

Don't forget to email me today to set up your Christmas Mini Session!

~ Momma's girl ~

Meet Keegan Paige, another one of the beautiful little girls that I've had the privelage of photographing this year!!! She was an absolute doll... Even though it took two days worth of shoots (with the rain/wind/and Miss Keegan herself not wanting to model the first day), I think it's safe to say that we got some pretty good ones! My mom, with Elegance by Norma, was the event planner/decorator/caterer for Leslie and her husband when they got married, so I was completely honored when Leslie called to set up a session. Keegan's daddy is a firefighter, so her photoshoot wasn't complete without getting a few of her with daddy's gear (coming soon). Thanks again Leslie and Scott for allowing me to be yet another part of y'alls special memories...

~ Christmas Mini Sessions ~

Believe it or not, it's that time of year again! I know you're probably thinking, it's only September, and early September at that, but before we know it, Christmas will be upon us!!! Schedule your Christmas mini session today to ensure that you have great family photographs for your Christmas/New Year's cards...

Mini sessions differ from a regular session in the fact that first and foremost, you're receiving professional photographs for a fraction of the cost. Secondly, a mini session only lasts 30 minutes where as a regular photo session last an hour and a half to two hours at multiple locations. Mini sessions are taken at a specific location that is predetermined by myself. Mini sessions also differ from regular sessions because only one outfit is allowed because we are limited on time to get beautiful pictures for you and your family.

This session is for families of all ages - children by themselves, the entire IMMEDIATE family, or pets if your children are grown and feel that photographs are not for them anymore. Up to four people are included in the session; however, if you're like me and LOVE LOVE LOVE large families, I can accommodate families of four or more also. There will be a small charge for each additional family member of $10. 

**Please note that I will only allow ONE household family per time slot.  Immediate families only, no combined families.** If you wish to have the full family portrait done please email, call, or text me and we can work some other arrangements out.

As stated above, the mini session cost is $75 and will be due within 5 days of booking. If payment is not received, then the time slot will be rendered to another potential family! Please realize that the slots are limited, so in order to reserve your families time slot payment must be received within the 5 day grace period.

Cash or checks are accepted.

You can sign up for a mini session by contacting me through my email at BlessedPhotography@hotmail.com. Please include your name (parent), child/children's name(s), ages, and whether a morning or evening session will fit your families needs better. Inquiries for mini sessions will be responded to on a first come, first serve basis. Please remember that an email must be sent to me in order to reserve times. Yes, I have posted this on Facebook too, but once again, please email me with your inquiries...

If the wonderful West Texas weather decides to act up on our scheduled day for mini sessions, they will be cancelled and rescheduled at a future date and time. I will do everything possible to make sure that all who have paid and reserved time slots will be able to attend the "new" mini session date/time if for any reason they need/have to be cancelled. If you have any questions about weather for the scheduled day of the mini session, you can contact me, Katelyn, at 806-787-8160.

As the time draws nearer for the mini sessions, I will email you with the specific location. This will be included in a private email for you, the participant, only. The general area will be in Lubbock (wide area, I know, but I haven't quite decided where mini sessions will be at yet).

I do ask that you please allow at least 3 weeks for editing. Your pictures can be mailed to you, or you are more than welcome to pick them up when they are ready. I will contact you by email to let you know when your images are ready!

What to wear?

Because the theme is Christmas/Holiday related, keep that in mind when choosing outfits for your family. Use patterns, textures and layers of clothing that will/can add visual interest to your family portraits (layers can also be a great way to create different looks in minimal time, by adding and removing layers, you get the look/feel of an outfit change). Choose clothing that you are comfortable in, but that is also fun, vibrant and unique! Choose rich, deep colors and textured fabrics (denim, knits, corduroy, etc.) because they photograph very well. If denim is your textured fabric of choice, wear the darkest indigo wash that you own. Not only is it flattering and slimming (it's the new black :)) it tends to be the least dated of fabrics. But please remember, these will hang on your walls in your home and possibly family members homes for years to come... wear clothing that you are comfortable in and have fun with what you choose to wear!!! You don't have to be "matchy-matchy" to coordinate!

I will have props available for use at the mini sessions, but if you have any cute ideas that you've been wanting to try, then please bring them along... I will do everything I can to get that "look" you're wanting to achieve. Think Christmas! For modern touches, bright blues, greens, reds, pinks, etc can be used to put an edge on the traditional Christmas/Holiday portraits!

Please arrive on time:

Although the time slots are scheduled for 30 minutes, please understand that in some cases, we may be early or late to start the next scheduled session! But do come on-time! If you are more than 10 minutes late for your scheduled time, and the next scheduled appointment has arrived, I will ask that you wait until after their time is up, and then I will begin your photos. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early. I know the old saying goes "better late than never," but please keep in mind that there are other families that are waiting, and tardiness will put everyone behind schedule! 

The final words of advice that I have are:

• Don't wait until a week before the mini sessions to sign up! Holiday mini sessions tend to fill up very quickly.
• Send your friends, family, and anyone else you can think of for lasting memories and unique Christmas/Holiday portraits.

I can't wait to meet everyone... now that you've finished reading my book, feel free to email me and set up your time slot for the Christmas mini sessions!!!  

Thanks, Katelyn