I’ve been waiting to post this blog for weeks, but I was sworn to secrecy by Aubrey’s parents.  See, they were having these photos taken secretly to use as a Christmas surprise for their family.  So there was a strict no Facebook & no blogging policy!  Well, Christmas has past & I’m just itching to put up a few photos of this little beauty!  Congratulations to Jessica & KC on your new, & lovely, baby girl!

Well, today is my birthday.  Here’s how I awoke to my special day:  Emma coming in & me turning on cartoons & drifting back to sleep.  Two phone calls that I didn’t answer…sleep was more important to me.  The dog howling at the phone (because it’s the kind that talks).  Emma – my 4-year-old – going in to my 2-year-old Brooke’s room & letting her “out.”  Me finally wiping the sleep dust out of my tired eyes & checking the weather on my phone.  My surprise & smile at noticing over 50 emails from my Facebook friends wishing me a happy birthday.  A text from my mommy wishing me a great birthday.  A phone message from my sister-in-law wishing me a happy day.  Lunch at McDonald’s with my two lovelies.  And now…probably a nap!  (Oh, and the husband said to expect some packages that I can’t open ’til he gets home!)  What a wonderful day.  Thanks for all the love everyone.  I feel very special.  And, to end this post that is selfishly all about me, I give you a photo of Emma & Brooke!  Happy Tuesday!

I love making new friends!  I just love it!  I especially like making new friends that I later get to shoot for.  I met Dustin & Stacey through my sister-in-law and her husband, Bert & Laura.  They attend a church called Abbott Memorial Presbyterian Church that my husband Josh and his family used to attend until he was about in his pre-teens.  Now, Josh knew Dustin as a child, but it was really neat when we got to reconnect with him and his beautiful wife, Stacey at various events.  Over the course of seeing them at events and on Facebook, we learned that Dustin is a website guru and decided to have him overhaul my previous website.  As you all know, he did a fabulous job!  We also learned that he and Stacey have a handsome little man named Ian.  And this past weekend, in honor of being one & just an overall lovable boy, I got to photograph Ian.

Dustin & Stacey had me meet them at Du Claw on Bond Street in Fells Point.  As I was getting closer, Dustin called to warn me that it was Pirate Day in Fells Point!  What?!?!?!  That proved to be a lot of fun in addition to our session.  We had children (and adults) in pirate costumes running around having sword fights, cannons booming in the background, and many colorful people.  Ian got in to the pirate mood as well.  Enjoy their preview photos, and a few “pirates” I also captured.

Ian is a new walker and these are his super cool baby shoes!

And now for the colorful pirates!  Arrrrggghhh!

Today I photographed a session that totally stretched my comfort levels.  For those of you who know me, fashion is not my greatest skill.  In fact, I’m hoping someone will nominate me for What Not To Wear so Stacy & Clinton can give me some serious help!

Anyway….I was contact through Facebook by Jack Carter of Bamboo Style Shop to help him get his online clothing store set to launch with some pictures of his great clothes.  I totally said yes, because I’ll pretty much photograph anything!  I had such a great time!  He had me come to his friend’s house in Baltimore and then proceeded to show me a detailed, very organized, list of all the outfits and shots he wanted.  How cool is that?  I was impressed.  Jack had two friends as his female models and another as his male model (who, by the way, I don’t think was told he was going to model until it was his turn!) and they all did a phenomenal job!  The coolest thing beside the photos, was learning that all his clothes are made in some part from bamboo!  I had never heard of that, but Jack proceeded to give me his bamboo speech about how it’s great in clothes and a totally sustainable resource.  (Thanks, Heather, for keeping me up on the “green” lingo)  These photos are for the adult line of clothes, so be sure to come back soon to see the kids clothes too!  Without further ado, I present…..(drum roll) The Bamboo Style Shop!

Since I absolutely love saving money, and using coupons, I decided to have both opportunities for this Holiday Season.  I’m putting up this coupon for my blog readers and Facebook friends.  It’s the last coupon of the year!  In case you can’t read it, here’s what it’s for:  $25 off your photo session, or $25 off a photo session gift certificate purchased for a family member or friend.  So, if you want to book a photo session, or give one as a gift this Christmas, it’s now only $75.00.  This offer runs from now until December 24th, 2008.  That’s great news for any of you last-minute-givers, because I can email you (or your gift recipient) the coupon on the last possible day!  Enjoy, and thanks for making my year so wonderful with all your smiling faces!