[View through the aquarium last night ;-)]

Okay, it’s crunch time. For the next two weeks, I’m basically going to lock myself up in my office and proof and design until I bleed red and green ;-). I will return e-mails as I can…clients will come first (well, clients and family). Just a reminder that there are NO more openings for holiday sessions. While I can take a couple more sessions for December, I cannot have images/items back to you in time for cards or gifts.

A different kind of reminder to photogs: we do have a few more openings for the professional lifestyle family photography workshops for March (the January workshop is full). Be sure to check out that page! Lots of new info has been added, including some video testimonials from several past attendees. I know March is a little ways off, but the deadline to receive the extra $100 discount is coming up December 15th, so you’ll want to reserve your spot ASAP! 

I’m so looking forward to the holiday minis this weekend and of course, to showing you all of the neat-o holiday cards my clients are sending out this year. Thanks so much for your patience and I’ll talk to you when I make it out on the other side. 

Happy Holidays!!!

~M

if you have small children, if you one day will have small children, if you work with small children, take some time today to read THIS story.

Why, yes, my jaw hit the floor when mama showed me her incredible dress she had chosen for her session. Wow. And she pulls it off so perfectly. Sigh. What a treat to see this happy and loving family again after their newborn session last fall.

To say I’m behind on blogging would be a bit of an understatement, but in light of announcing the 2012 Professional Family and Child Photographer workshops, I figured I should catch up a little on the workshop family sessions ;-). (P.S. If you live 61 miles or more from Austin, you might want to check out the latest announcement on Pinkle Toes 4 Photographers ;-).

I’ve been anxiously awaiting the time when I could show these off and now, here we go! I’m so excited to offer these hand-finished beautiful wood frames to my clients in 16 styles, available in 50+ colors. You MUST see them in person…they are divine! I love the idea of mixing matching the various styles and colors to create wall collages, too, and I’d be thrilled to help you design something for a specific space using the images from your sessions with me.

Speaking of sessions, did you know I only have five openings left for holiday sessions right now? And, they are all in September. October and November are booked solid. If you have been in contact with me about securing a family holiday session but haven’t actually reserved the session yet, I strongly encourage you to do so now.

Can’t wait to see what kind of beautiful wall creations we come up with using these new Signature Frames!
 

What you’ll learn from Michele of Pinkle Toes Photography:

• Watch how Michele approaches and sets up a newborn session
  in a client’s home.
• See how Michele interacts with parents and baby to create
  relaxed, natural images.
• Choosing wardrobe, shot locations, and setting up the scene
  to tell a story.
• Finding and using available light.
• Finding and using elements from a client to personalize
  their session.
• Creating variety in newborn images.

What you’ll learn from Laura of Laura Brett Photography:

• Watch how Laura sets up for a studio lighting newborn
  session;choosing textures & accessories to make each individual session
  unique.
• See how Laura handles the baby from start to finish, learn
  how she transitions through each pose to help with the flow of a newborn
  session.
• Learn how to use studio lighting while making the light look
  soft and natural.
• Getting the image perfect SOOC through simple setups to cut
  down on the editing process.
• Learn how Laura started over from scratch; moving her photography business from
  one state to another, as well as establishing your baby plan and pricing.

What you’ll learn from BOTH photographers:

• Two models for running a successful newborn photography
  business.
• Post-processing techniques.
• Marketing and pricing tips and tricks.
• Understand how we converse with the parents beforehand so
  they are prepared for their session.
• Also receive Laura’s complete action set and a goodie bag
  full of coupons and surprises!

Detailed Schedule:

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012:

8-9am – Meet and greet at Michele’s studio
9-11am – Newborn session in studio by Laura
11:30am – 12:30 pm – Lunch (included) at the studio
12:30pm – leave for on-location newborn session
1:00-3:30pm – on location newborn session with Michele
4:00-7:00 p.m. – marketing and business and dinner
(included) at the studio

Thursday, January 26th, 2012:

8-8:30am – Setup
8:30am-12pm – Dual newborn session at the studio (Half
lifestyle + family with Michele; half studio just baby with Laura)
12-1pm – Lunch (included) at the studio
1-5pm – Michele & Laura’s Digital Workflow and Q&A

Travel Information:

• Michele’s studio is about 10 minutes from Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
• You are responsible for transportation to/from the airport, hotel, and studio. We will coordinate transportation arrangements for you to/from the in-home newborn session.
• It is recommended that you stay in a hotel near the airport if possible:

Holiday Inn Express – Austin Airport
7601 E. Ben White Blvd.
Austin, TX  78741
(512) 386-7600   Toll Free:  (888) 465-4329
Average Room Rate:  $115/night

Courtyard by Marriott – Austin Airport
7809 Ben White Blvd.
Austin, TX  78741
(512) 386-7464
Average Room Rate: $150/night

Hilton – Austin Airport (Literally at the airport; surprisingly, no airplane noise and the nicest of the three)
9515 Hotel Drive
Austin, TX  78719
(512) 385-6767 Toll Free: 1.800.HILTONS
Average Room Rate:  $180 per night

FAQ’s:

• Can
  I use the images taken at the workshop for my portfolio? Yes, you will have opportunities to shoot throughout the workshop. 
• Will
  we go over your workflow? Yes! We will dive right in and show you step
  by step from start to finish how we achieve our looks.
• Do
  you have to shoot or own studio lighting to attend?  Not at all. We
  will demonstrate studio lighting basics and natural light principles, and you can return home and
  continue using natural light if you choose. You will just have the
  knowledge on what to purchase if that time comes. Artificial light should act just like your window except ours plugs in.
• What
  do I need to bring? Your camera and a fixed lens such as a 50mm or
  35mm. A wide angle zoom lens would also be helpful. Its assumed that attendees know how to shoot in manual mode and
  have a basic understanding of Photoshop. You do not need to know how to
  use studio lighting, we will teach you the basics to return home and put
  your new found knowledge to use.
• What should I do to prepare for the workshop? In the past, we have found that connecting with and getting to know your fellow attendees has allowed for a more enriching workshop experience. We will create a private Facebook group just for these attendees where you can chat and even coordinate travel and lodging arrangements with one another if you so choose.
• How is this workshop different from Michele’s Pinkle Toes 4 Photographers workshops? This workshop is completely focused on newborn photography and you do not have to be a member of Pinkle Toes 4 Photographers to attend. You will have the unique opportunity to view two very different approaches to newborn photography in a single workshop. (Pinkle Toes 4 Photographers are longer, more intensive, cover a broader range of topics, and are only hosted by Michele.)
  
• How is this workshop different from Laura Brett’s Baby Business Workshops and Mentoring? This workshop will actually be about the same
  as what Laura does with her 1;1, but this workshop is a dual effort
  where you see two different styles and approaches.
  

and HERE:

…just as sweet and beautiful as her parents and complete angel during her entire photo session. I do wonder if she’s going to get her mom’s honey-colored eyes 😉

Sort of a side topic:

October is full,
November is almost, too,
Book your holiday session now,
Or you’ll be blue.

We can hold it in July
Or August is neat.
For a full session those months,
You’ll get a special treat.

Obviously I’m tired,
And my poetry is lame.
But without family pictures,
Your cards simply won’t be the same.

——————-