Social Networking Site

So have you joined the ever-so-popular site that you get all the juice from your friends, past friends and classmates?  Getting the chance to peek at someones life, what they are doing now, seeing that they haven't changed a bit, or keeping up with your friends current plans almost seems sneaky... and I love it.  I love it so much it has me addicted.  I'm talking about Facebook friends. If you haven't joined you must... now.  If you're worried that you won't have any friends, never fear folks, add me by searching for my name and I'll be there right by your side holding your hand through it all.  If you would like some pictures from your session to add to your photos section or to have as your profile picture, give me a shout and I'll tag you in some pictures for you and your friends to view.  Go check it out, you'll be hooked! 

Feeling Guilty

I'm feeling a little bit guilty not posting more images from last night's session so here are a few more to woo your little hearts over.  

I'm feeling much better now...

Time's *ALMOST* Up

That's right... remember the contest that I was having not too long ago?  We'll it's ending on Saturday so make sure to get your votes cast for your photo or your favorite photo before then!  

Good luck!!

Fast and Furious

No I'm not talking about the movie even though that is one that I actually did like.  Tonight I met up with these two munchkins for their one year photographs (even though they turned one in October).  They are two adorable twins that kept me on my toes through the whole session.  It was so fun to see the personality differences between the two.  Thankfully I had no problem telling them apart, I just had a hard time remembering who's name was who!  :)  Only 3 tonight... I need to rest, these boys wore me right out!  

Lots more to come in your gallery!  Thanks for coming over tonight - hope you've enjoyed your sneak peek!

Bliss

I'm back refreshed and rejuvenated.  The Bahamas was blissful and so relaxing!  We arrived in the Bahamas on Thursday afternoon and when we arrived, we got a taste of "not so normal" Bahamas weather.  It was actually a little cold!  Very windy and a mere mid 60's we were forced into wearing jeans and long sleeved shirts for the first couple of days.  Deciding to make the most of our vacation we explored and saw the sites of this beautiful place.  

Though the weather wasn't what we expected, the unlimited food choices were fabulous!

The hotel that we stayed in.  The Riu Bahamas.

And then right next door... the Atlantis.  Our hotel didn't quite fit in with this monstrous property.  It was huge and had SO much do there!  The price of a room there matched it's largeness as to why we chose the Riu.

Inside the Atlantis.  I can't describe all that it had to offer.  This is the main part of the big hotel.  A huge aquarium with all kinds of astonishing fish, sharks and manarays inside.  I could have stared at it for hours.

There just happened to be a wedding the Saturday of our stay.  I so badly wanted to capture some of the wedding but alas, it was too cold and windy for us while laying on the beach.  I gave up.  I did capture this cool sign though warning people to not sunbathe in their way.  Turned out they had to move the wedding to a different location due to the weather anyway.

Just a random chicken sign.  Absolutely has no significance at all - I just thought it was cool.

On the Atlantis property again.  They had different sections of water where there were hammerhead sharks, some saw shark looking things, and other various animals.  Me with my obsession with birds was so excited when I captured this guy ready to eat his dinner.

We passed this place while traveling from the airport to our hotel.  Anna Nichole Smith was buried in this cemetery in the Bahamas.  Her area was to the left.  Our taxi driver Otis, told us that she was buried with a very expensive tiara.  To avoid theft, they have an armed guard by her grave 24/7. 

 If only I could have done some shoots here, the Bahamas had some awesome places to photograph at!  Joe was my victim this day.  Notice the fleece?

Cruise ships were everywhere!

The second day that we were there we went to town and visited the straw market.  Anything and everything was being sold there.

Finally a picture of Joe and I.  Us looking somewhat normal as we actually got some sleep the past few days!  No kids waking us up in the middle of the night on this vacation!

Now that I'm rested, I'm ready to get back to business.  I am now booking sessions for February and March. Please feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email if you are interested in scheduling a session.  

Bahama Bound

That's right folks, I'm off to the Bahamas for some rest and relaxation!  Last night I tried to set up my email account to automatically respond with an "I'm on vacation" reminder and "I won't respond back to your email until I return on 1/21" message but failed miserably.  I believe I ended up sending those messages numerous times to all the people I had in the inbox of my email.  Lovely.  Since I couldn't figure it out (give me a break on this - I was attempting this at 11:00 pm and not thinking clearly) I figured that this would be the next best thing.  

So...

"Thanks for your inquiry about Images of Essence.  I will be on vacation from January 14 through January 21st.  I will respond to all emails and phone calls when I return." 

I will blog all about the experience when I return and to all the clients that I have lined up when I get back, I promise to not laugh out loud at our differences in skin color.   

Check It Out!!!

I'm hoping my email woes are a thing of the past but it's doubtful.  I'm still fighting WITH MY NEW WEBSITE  - and switching things over.  That's right ladies and gentlemen, there is a new website.  Just click to the right and you'll be directed right over to the pretty little thing - it's fabulous if I do say so myself.  It's not completely finished.  I have more pictures I need to put in the galleries, the client login needs to be worked out and I need to find some fresh, funky music for it, but all in all, it's pretty spiffy.  

If you have already been able to view your gallery and need the link to get there, please feel free to contact me (by phone or email - if it works) and I'll send you right over to where it was.  

To say thank you to ya'll for being so patient and loving even through my technical difficulties, I'll give you something for free.  Only to the first 5 clients that contact me by leaving a comment on the bloggity blog under this post.  These keychains are fabulous and I love them.  So much I have them everywhere and on everything that can house a keychain.  They have the capability to have two different pictures, one on either side.  So... leave a comment and I'll get yours to you right away... after I get back from the Bahamas!  :)

Troubles... again.

Ok, I am having email troubles again.  I am so sorry that this keeps happening and I promise I will make it up to you all.  Please be patient, I have a BIG surprise coming and an apology present to win your hearts over when I announce the BIG surprise.  Stay tuned and please feel free to call if you have any questions or would like to set up a sitting.  

Just Out

I had the great honor to hang out with this little guy and his big brother this afternoon.  8 days old of pure goodness, this baby was so compliant and was a dream to work with! 

This "almost" makes me want another one.  Can't you almost smell his baby goodness through the computer screen?

Here is big brother who just turned 2.  How wild is this - big brother and little brother have the same birthday!!

You all were so much fun to spend time with this afternoon!  We'll be in touch when your gallery is ready!

Email Me!

Please note that if you send me an email, I should respond usually within 48 hours.  If you haven't heard from me PLEASE feel free to call me at (616) 531.7952.  I've gotten word that I haven't been receiving some of my emails so please don't think I'm ignoring you - give me a shout instead if I haven't gotten back to you!  

2008 - Some Favorites And A Contest!

It's contest time! In celebration of the new year I picked out a few favorites from a couple sessions of 2008. A big thanks to all of you who let me photograph your beautiful families last year! I could not have made it this far without you! It was a fabulous 2008 and I'm excited for an even more fabulous 2009!  

Here's how it's going to work. One vote per day, per household - no cheating, I'll know if you did! :) Spread the news to your family and friends!  This contest will end at midnight on January 31st, so get voting!  The winner will receive a mounted 11×14 print.

Thanks again!  I look forward to seeing you sometime in 2009!