Um, do you remember these two love birds back about a year ago?  Brian & Laura?  Well, they have an 8-month old nephew, Jimmy.  Melt. My. Heart.  He is the most adorable little guy I have met lately.  He’s so amiable even when we met for the first time.  He was all smiles & babbling & expressions like you wouldn’t believe!

His parents brought him down to Broadneck Park for a mini session this morning & I’m so glad they did!  He’s moving soon, so this will be the last I see of him for a while.  Don’t grow up too much, little Jimmy!

Enjoy his preview…

I think this was his face after a daddy long-leg spider just crossed the blanket.  Mom & Dad told me he wasn’t a fan of bugs!

Apparently if you put a baby boy in a “cage” he will eat his way to freedom!  Or he’s just teething…

Whenever I take yearly photographs of my girls, I always forget to ask myself, “What do I want to do with these when I’m done?”  Do you ever ask yourself that question too?  Do you want them sitting in a box, or an album, or on a disc, or on your computer?  I think most of us take, and have photographs taken, with the best intentions of hanging them up & displaying them.  Sadly, I am not someone who usually makes it that far.

The Organic Bloom frames are one unique way to display your fine art photographs after the session.  They are unique, original, and have options to suit any and every style.  They come in a variety of uniquely-named styles – from Fonzie to Meg – and are priced based on their opening size.  And the best thing is they come from my home state of Oklahoma!

Take a look at a sampling of frames I recently got & bought for a client.  (Please note, OB frames do NOT come with glass.  Some people don’t like that option, but I personally LOVE it.  No glare of the glass & no potential for breaking.  To protect photographs hung in these frames, I add a special coating & have them mounted.  It’s amazing & looks great!)

These frames will be added to the shop shortly, but if you are wanting one ordered sooner, feel free to contact me.

Emma had been growing out her hair in order to get it up in a bun for her recent ballet & tap recital.  Well, as soon as the recital was over, the temperatures here blasted to the upper 90s with huge amounts of humidity.  Emma has thin, stringy hair like her daddy.  But Brooke, that poor child, has the most massive amounts of fast-growing hair I’ve ever seen.  She had been sweating in our air-conditioned house because her hair was so hot & heavy.  And even though she was really growing it out for Rapunzel hair, she decided to get a cut too, because, ya know, Rapunzel cut her hair in the movie Tangled!

Almost exactly one week ago, I got to officially meet Landon.  He was just 8 days old when we met & I think I fell in love….even if he did pee during our time together.

Landon is the second child of Dane & Carrie, and little brother to Bella.  Just from my brief visit, I can tell Bella is smitten with her new baby brother.  She wanted to be in every photograph with him, share the bean bag, & just cuddle him.  What sweetness!  I know momma has been waiting to see more photos, so I’ll cut the talking & just show them.  Enjoy y’all!

And no newborn session is complete with out totally pissing the baby off!  Crying looks so cute!

I’ve had these mini sessions opened to my Facebook Fans for a bit and now I’m opening it up to anyone else who might not have heard.  (Sorry for those of you who’ve been bombarded by all the mentions of it…not too good at this marketing thing!) And for those of you wondering, “What the heck is a mini session?” let me explain.

Sometimes we just don’t have 2 full hours to dedicate to an entire photo session.  Sometimes we don’t have the money to dedicate to an entire photo session.  Or sometimes you can’t take 2 full hours of me – it’s okay, I understand.  The mini session is the perfect time to try me out, see how we click, and get a great deal on a small amount of poses.  We make it quick & easy.  You come to me.  I snap, snap, snap and wham-0!  In about a week I have a private gallery online for you to view your 5-10 proofs.  So, if you want an updated head shot for your resume, a photograph of your newly growing family, a picture with your dog, a photo for your 2010 Christmas card…whatever it may be, I can’t wait to see you!

Summer Mini Sessions

$80 for a 20-minute session.  Includes:  Session time, 5 to 10 edited photos in an online gallery for viewing, (1) one digital image for personal use (i.e. Christmas card baby!) OR (2) mini 3×3 accordion album featuring photos from your session.

The Details:

August 19th @ Broadneck Park (park feel)

5:30pm, 6:00pm, 6:30pm, 7:00pm, 7:30pm

August 20th @ Jonas Green State Park (beach feel)

6:00pm, 6:30pm, 7:00pm, 7:30pm

August 21st @ Jonas Green State Park (beach feel)

6:00pm, 6:30pm, 7:00pm

Times with a STRIKE THROUGH are already taken.  Please e-mail mandysroka@gmail.com (or sign up on my Facebook Page) for a time slot.  The $80 session fee is due BEFORE your time slot.  Any other questions?  Contact me via email!  Hope to see you there!

**Restrictions: Mini sessions are for groups of 5 or less, immediate family  ONLY.  If your family is larger than 5, I encourage you to purchase two back-to-back sessions or consider a full 2-hour session.**