newborns
children & families
maternity
featured: 8 month Olivia, mini session
featured: newborn in studio
featured: 2 yr old Caitlyn, mini session
Posted on December 26, 2007
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I am *loving* this down time… we had a wonderful Christmas with our boys- but I did want to update and post another featured mom. This mom is another amazing mother, and such a supportive, kind hearted person. Here are her babies…
And here is her Q & A! Enjoy!!
* First name & city: Erin, Menomonee Falls
* How many children, first names and ages: Three beautiful girls, Ayla 8, Ava 4 & baby Anya born September 16, 2007.
* What’s on the top of your Christmas list? I have a beautiful baby girl with red hair and dimples when she smiles. What more could I want than the gifts I’ve already been given this year?!
* What’s on the top of your children’s wish lists? A horse for the backyard (not gonna happen)!
The gift you are most excited to give: An old fashioned marble run like I used to play with…back in the old days… when toys were simple. 
* What is your favorite family holiday tradition? Our annual Holiday Open House. My mom comes over the day before and we bake tons of cookies together. Exhausting but fun.
* Black friday- are you out before 6 am? Ummm, no. I don’t do 4am unless it’s to nurse the baby.
* One store getting a lot of your business for gifts this Holiday season: Not buying a ton of gifts, so it’s been really spread out.
* Favorite holiday food? My mom’s famous Pecan Cinnamon Rolls (as in you have to marry into the family to be “allowed” to have one. There was a debate the Christmas before my husband and I got married as to whether or not he qualified, but we let him slide).
* Favorite places to go with your children in the winter months: Somewhere warm, oh wait… that’s just for me.
What was the last book you read to your children? Five little monkey’s jumping on the bed (and it’s just as good the 92nd time around).
* What’s on your nightstand? Books and an alarm clock, and diaper pins and baby nail clippers.
* What are your favorite websites or blogs to visit? Mothering.com, MySpace (now that I’m addicted to looking up old college friends)
* What are your 3 favorite local restaurants: Mr. B’s (fancy), Mi Cocina (with kids), Culver’s (when desperate)
* What is your favorite Salon? Les Ciseaux in downtown Milwaukee. They have cut my children’s hair since they were little and do a great job with mine as well! Also in the massage department you have to try The Body Awareness Center on Prospect Ave. in downtown Milwaukee. Jill Seebantz (owner and incredible massage therapist) give the best massage you will ever have!
* What local groups or causes are you involved with? I am a big fan and supporter of The Center For Well Rounded Maternity Care (aka: The Birth Center) owned by Coral Slavin in Menomonee Falls. We do an annual Rummage Sale to raise money for the center every summer. I have personally benefited from her Parenting Naturally support groups (there are three in the Metro Milwaukee area) and online Yahoo group. I’ve taken her Bradley Childbirth Preparation Class (excellent) and its refresher course and my four year old loves the child Yoga classes they offer. I buy cloth diapers and other goods at her boutique. I am honored to call Coral my mentor and friend. Check it all out at http://www.well-roundedmaternity.com/. I support Midwives and the work they do for babies and their families. We are blessed to live in a community with several local midwives. It is a wonderful option for women who want to have their babies at home or in the birth center. It may sound corny, but I truly believe that “Peace on Earth begins with Birth”.
* Any business or fun stuff you want to share? As a birth doula I am a member of the CARE Network and serve as the Treasurer. I love being a doula and supporting women and their families through one of the greatest experiences in life. If you are looking for a doula or other birth related worker go to http://www.carenetworkwisconsin.org/Index.htm
* And last but not least, what do you *love* about proud to introduce? (I had to!) I love the images of my children displayed around my house. The same children I know and love, captured at a pure moment in time. A picture of my then three year old holding her beloved Miss Kitty. Or my eight year old looking like a princess for her First Communion. My pregnant belly before my baby was born and my sweet newborn at a day old gazing into her Daddy’s eyes. Walk into my home and you’ll see why I love Allie’s work!
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Posted on December 20, 2007
5 days until Christmas? I can not believe it has gone so fast! I am *working towards* getting cards out, but my goodness, it’s not happening very quickly! A few years ago I was “one of those” people who got their cards out the week after Thanksgiving. Now… well, it’s the 20th and they’re in a pile on my table.
Moving on… Featuring Lori! Here is one of my favorite images from her photography session in Hartland this past summer. Her children are so beautiful, truly sweet- just so fun to photograph!!
I get a fair share of compliments on my jewelry… I always tell people that a fabulously talented local woman creates it, and pass on her name, but even better… a link is included below, this is her! And besides making beautiful jewelry, she turned me on to Matt & Nat, where my new two favorite handbags are from. Just a small addiction.
(I will post these in this easier-to-read way from now on!) Here we go!
* First name & city: Lori – Hartland
* How many children, first names and ages: Abby – 5; Josh – 3; Thomas – 1
* What’s on the top of your Christmas list? I think I’ve already bought everything on my Christmas list (don’t tell my husband!) I mainly bought clothes and some fabulous pair of Tom Ford sunglasses.
* What’s on the top of your children’s wish lists? Disney’s Tea Time with Belle doll, Disney’s Cars racetrack.
* The gift you are most excited to give: a kitchen set that is big enough to accommodate 3 kids (courtesy of Santa)
* What is your favorite family holiday tradition? buying the kids’ special ornament for the year.
* Black friday- are you out before 6 am? NO WAY! I like to sleep too much!
* Shopping- stores, online or both? both – I prefer the experience of store shopping without kids in tow. Needless to say, this can rarely occur with 3 kids. So, I’ve done more online shopping this season. Free shipping offers make it guilt-free now.
* One store getting a lot of your business for gifts this Holiday season: Target for toys; Sears for my husband’s Craftsman work bench and tool chest
* Favorite holiday food? sugar cookies
* Favorite places to go with your children in the winter months: any place with indoor play areas
* What was the last book you read to your children? Can’t remember. We read too many. My youngest always loves Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see by Eric Carle.
* What’s on your nightstand? magazines, glass of water from the night before, book titled The Road (on Oprah’s list – I admit, I read most of her recommended books)
* What are your favorite websites or blogs to visit? www.mjrbeads.com for original lampwork beads to incorporate in my jewelry, www.abc.com to watch full episodes of Grey’s Anatomy that I’ve missed, www.zappos.com for shoes that arrive the next day free of shipping charges & free returns – Can’t beat that!
* What are your 3 favorite local restaurants: We just ate at two yummy restaurants: PianoBlu (Pewaukee) and Palmer’s Steakhouse (Hartland). Another favorite is Mo’s Tavern (on Bluemound & Hwy 100)
* What is your favorite Salon? Craig Berns Salon (Delafield)
* Any business or fun stuff you want to share? I run a jewelry business called “Lori Fowler Artisan Jewelry” www.picturetrail.com/lorifowler
* And last but not least, what do you *love* about proud to introduce? (I had to!) I love that Allie came to my home for the photo shoot. It is the only way to go with 3 kids – especially with a baby that likes his naps. She also has a great eye for using the home as an artistic backdrop. Even though the photos were in my home the images still had a studio feel (does that make sense?) Allie is an amazing photographer! All of my friends and family love my images!
I may not post again until after the holiday. If I do not, have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday- just enjoy the days!! Next week will feature 2 moms if I can squeeze two posts into a week… Erin and Bernadette.
Enjoy the weekend!!
Posted on December 17, 2007
Add this session to my list of favorite sessions this year. I remember at the time of this session over the summer, I traveled out towards Beaver Dam and it was a welcome change of pace from what I had been doing for weeks and weeks prior: newborn photography! Of course, I practically love photographing newborns more than the air that I breathe, but I admit, that after several, it is so fun to do a family session, especially when that family has a little boy as cute as JP here. Below are a few more favorite images, and then JP’s mother’s Q&A.
Posted on December 13, 2007
Photographing this gorgeous momma and her adorable new baby was a REAL treat! They were new to the area and I was so happy to be one of their first experiences once moving and (barely) settling in from out of state!
Her baby was a blissfully tiny little guy… cuter than cute.
Have a wonderful weekend!!
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Posted on December 11, 2007
Gina was one of the most easy-going and decisive clients that I had in 2007! Her family was a pleasure to photograph. It is always a treat when a client orders a book and doesn’t need to see a copy of it before going to print… it’s just so fun to have an element of total surprise when it is first seen! Not to mention that during her newborn session, we just chit-chatted like old friends. It was wonderful. Here is Gina:
I have REALLY enjoyed getting the emails about Jessi’s story below… I knew you’d all appreciate that!! And on another note, imagine my delight in winning this basket of cookies from a photographer friend of mine: COOKIES!!!!
Check back in a day or three for another featured mom and some time soon… Kim and Monica’s funny stories will be posted, too!
Enjoy this SNOW!!
Posted on December 9, 2007
Well, as it turns out, I am not going to have access to post tomorrow- I will be out of town all day long… so I am posting winners tonight. (That’s right- winners, plural!)
I will start with a few “runners up” who I want to give prizes to… because goodness, with adorably funny stories like theirs, how can I not?!
The following 2 people will win a runner-up prize… their choice of either:
1. a complimentary 5×7 print of every proof from a limited edition session on 1/27. To these two runner up winners: If you are available and able to attend the limited edition event at Arrivals, whichever session you choose to go with, either the 10 minute or the 25 minute session, you will receive a print (2 or 3 for the 10 minute session or 8-12 from the 25 minute session) of each finished image from that limited edition session. The session fee must be paid, but beyond that, one print of each image is yours.
- OR -
2. A complimentary 20-30 minute session in Wauwatosa, online proofing of 8-12 images, regular print prices apply. For this, session must take place before 5/1/07.
The two runner up winners are: Monica M. from Muskego, and Kim H. from Waukesha.
SPECIAL thanks to everyone (everyone!) else who sent me their hilarious stories…. it was impossible to choose… honestly. I appreciate you all taking the time to play along. I *will* be posting Monica and Kim’s stories in the coming week or so!
For this entry, I must just post *THE* winning story. Jessi G in Menomonee Falls is the winner… a full session to share with a friend, and 10 5×7 prints EACH from that session… Here is Jessi’s story:
This March, I gave a presentation to a client. There were 5 people in the room, 4 guys from my client and one of my employees. I plugged my laptop into the overhead projector and logged in. I had a cute snapshot of Grey set as my wallpaper so the room oohed and aahed over how cute he is. I told a little story about him bumping his head on a table the week before, then got down to business, opened up Internet Explorer and began the presentation. 2 hours later, I wrapped up the meeting and minimized my Explorer window. I was at the front of the room so I turned to face the group and asked if anyone had any questions. My Coordinator gave a little gasp. I turned back to the screen (the size of a movie screen, I kid you not) and spread on the wall for all to see was the half-nude photo, in black and white, that you took of me during our mini session in February. I was lying on my back on a leopard print rug, arm resting over my breasts, the other clutching a necklace…imagine my shock! (And to this day, I do not know how it was technically possible for that photo to replace the wallpaper- I had NEVER set that photo as wallpaper!) It took me at least 10-15 seconds to remove the cord from the back of my laptop so the room had ample time to study my larger than life size form projected on the wall.
I think you’ll all agree that Jessi must win. Have a wonderful Monday- there will be no featured mom on Monday; I will not have access to the computer, but check back on Tuesday for Gina’s feature! I am going to be one busy blogger with all of this fun content over the next few weeks! It has been wonderful to get many of you your holiday orders this weekend,great to see everyone when they’re on their way to or from Mayfair.
Jessi, Kim and Monica, please email me for details! Have a great day!
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Posted on December 7, 2007
just make me laugh!
Here is all of the info on the contest… I’d LOVE to hear more funny stories!
So… check back Monday. I’ll share the funniest story and feature another fabulous mom. I think Monday will be…. Gina in Nashotah. Have a great weekend!
Posted on December 7, 2007
I met baby Greyson when he was 6 weeks old. He was the sleepiest and easiest 6 week old I have ever encountered! This is him, then.
Baby Greyson’s parents are just as sweet as baby Greyson, they always have been. Enjoy his mother’s Q&A…
And Greyson just a few months ago:
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Posted on December 5, 2007
From now through the new year, check back often! This blog will be featuring my favorite sessions from 2007, but not just the images. And not just a story about the session… not just the kids stories, either! Featuring… their mothers!
Now that I have holiday orders all in to the lab and am finally able to breathe again just waiting for the deliveries to come in for holiday delivery… I am not as a fraction as busy as I have been for the past month or two… it’s time to beef up the blog and have some fun. Who doesn’t love to read other people’s answers to these kinds of questions?! Thank you all for playing along and sending them in- I will feature every last one that I get from those it was sent to…
So we’re featuring moms. Starting with one of the most kind, beautiful, caring and sweet one that I know. Check back every few days for a new mom, and some of my favorite images from *that mom’s* session.
How great is that personal assistant referral?! Check it out! And a few images of these children- This first one is one of my all-time favorite images that is displayed on the website and as a framed 15×30 the viewing gallery…
Check back again soon- another mom will be featured every few days through the end of 2007!
Posted on December 4, 2007
I can not tell you how much I LOVE my clients!!!!
They make me smile, laugh, give me the warm fuzzy feeling, and are just plain great.
Thank you to everyone who is 1. inspiring me to keep the blog rolling and 2. sending in your contest info stories– a few did really have me laughing out loud, even after I walked away from the computer. There is ONE hilariously embarrassing story in particular, that gives me butterflies in my stomach when I just *think about it* happening to me… it has to do with an image that I took of this client at an Arrival’s mini session event… an image in which not much clothing was worn, a very “intimate” portrait of this particular client. And it being seen by way too many people, in a very unexpected medium… I can’t stand it! Although the story does not exactly deal with her child… it is too funny. So keep them coming!!
Thinking of little JP with his fingers in his nose “humming” with his nostrils, Morgan’s missing hat, Heather’s crazy birth story, and Julie’s little Carter who will do anything to antagonize his brother…
ALL great stories!
Keep them coming!!