Contest Update

Well, I woke up this morning to an email inbox jam packed with votes. Apparently the poll came down early last night for some reason. I have tons of last minute votes to count up(and only the ones sent before midnight will count), along with all of the email and comment votes that I have received throughout the week. I will count them all up tomorrow and post the winner. I hate to make you all wait another day, but today is my daughter's birthday so we have lots of 4 year-old fun planned today. :) I wish you all a very safe and Happy New Year!!!!!

Favorite Image of '07 Contest

So the people I had looking over my 2007 images were a little overwhelmed by the sheer number. Sorry guys! If this goes over well, maybe next year we will do this every couple of months to make it a little easier. (and more fun for us!) Anyway, I set a 12 photo limit, so here are your twelve choices: OH, the rules!

~Only one vote per person. (That means you too, you sneaky people with eight different email addresses! :) )

~The contest will run from today through Sunday, December 30th at 11:59 pm.

~The winner will receive a beautiful wall print of the image, or if they ordered one at the time of their session, I will come up with an equally fun gift.

~I will also feature the image for a time on my blog header which I am in the process of designing.

~I am going to attempt to post a poll here which you may use to vote. In the event that that does not work or if you would rather, send an email to alicia@baybreezephoto.com with "contest" as the subject and the number of the image you are voting for in the email. You can also post a comment here to this blog post with your vote.

~Remember this is all in fun, so let's keep with the spirit!

NOW your choices:

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

Thanks for voting!!

Happy Holidays!!!!

Have I been a lame blogger, or what?!?!? To all of you loyal blog followers, I am so sorry to leave you hanging. The past few months have just been entirely to crazy. My New Year's resolution is to keep up with this thing, so let's see how I do. As part of my apology, I thought I would do something fun. Something that I have never done before. Drum roll please!!! A contest. Favorite Image of '07 will begin tomorrow (Friday). You will have one week to vote for your favorite image and to get everyone you know to vote. And since you can't have a contest without a prize, I will be providing the subjects in the winning image with a big, beautiful print of that image. So check back tomorrow! And HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!!!

News

I am now completely booked through the end of the year. The only exception is maternity sessions and newborn sessions. I will do my best to try to accommodate newborns under the age of two weeks if at all possible due to the fleeting nature of that time. If you are interested in a maternity or newborn session in November or December, please contact me as soon as possible. If you would like to be placed on a list to be contacted in the event of a cancellation or would like to schedule a session after the first of the year, please feel free to contact me as well.

Need something to do this weekend? This Saturday, October 27th from 11-4 is Halloween in the Garden at Annmarie Garden in Solomons. Never been? You can get all the information you need here: http://www.annmariegarden.org/Events/Halloween/index.htm I took my daughter last year and she had a blast!! This year I signed up to have a table and pass out candy myself. It is a wonderful event where the kids (and parents too ;) ) can get dressed up in their costumes and walk the wooded path receiving candy and treats from local businesses and organizations. It is sooooo much fun and I can not wait to participate this year! Current clients get an extra special treat if I see you there!!

If you are waiting to see your session proofs I am running a little behind and working day and night to get them too you. I'll be in touch very soon!

Photos in the next blog entry. I PROMISE!!!

One-in-eight

I know I've not posted in a long time, but the past month has been both extremely busy and extremely difficult for me. Some of you have heard already, but for those who have not, my mom was diagnosed several weeks ago with breast cancer. I am sharing this information for one reason, and one reason only, to remind all the women reading this to do your monthly self exams, and to get your mammograms. Please, please, please! One in eight is the number of women who will be diagnosed with this disease. 1 in 8! So in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in honor of the fight my mom is currently undertaking, please make sure your lifestyle is as healthy as possible, eliminate what risk factors you can and do your self exams and get your mammograms. And make sure all the women in your life are doing the same.

Come back and visit again soon. I have tons of new photos to share.

This senior needed 10 stitches after our session...OUCH!!!

And no, it wasn't my fault! I arrive for "M's" session and her mom greets me and tells me that she had an accident at soccer practice and has a pretty nasty gash on her leg. M still wanted to go ahead with her session though. She is made of tough stuff, let me tell you! I would tell you that this injury didn't slow her down one bit, but she had to keep stopping to apply pressure. Oh man! M may have been having a bad day, but her session was a blast for me. And she not only wins my "toughest senior" award, but also, hands down, takes home "most gorgeous eyes" as well. The web quality photos don't do them justice, but you can kind of see what I mean...

And one more just to prove that she really was up for anything.

I hope you are feeling better M! Thanks for being such a good sport! Your first Cold Stone ice cream is on me!! :)

Hot pink flower blossoms + white shirt = not one of my best moments

Okay, here's a little preview for Miss A. Now, I have to tell you a little story about this session. The crape myrtles were blooming beautifully on this particular day and a certain photographer had the "brilliant" idea that this senior should lay down on the grass that was covered with the fallen blossoms. This same photographer was also wearing kaki pants and got down on the ground as well to get the shot. So we, um, cough, I mean "this photographer" and senior get up and find themselves covered with stains. Ugh! Brilliant Alicia, really!!! "A" tells me the shirt is just fine though, so all is well. Warning to all future clients: your photographer has only the perfect shot in mind, so feel free to tell her she's nuts! :)

Anyway, here is your sneak peek A. Luckily we got some shots before I ruined your shirt!! :)

There are still a few Holiday Limited Edition sessions left. (Get the details in the post below). Contact me soon if you'd like to reserve one!

Holiday Limited Edition Sessions

Drum roll please!! Here is the information you all have been waiting for! You may now book your Holiday Limited Edition Sessions! Pretty much all the information you need is below. These sessions are custom designed for those of you who do not have time for a full session with all the trimmings, but still want to get that perfect shot for holiday cards and gifts. You must choose one of the three collections below. There is no separate session fee. A discounted session fee is included in the smallest collection, or you may choose one of the two larger collections and pay no session fee!

Dates:
Saturday, October 6th
Saturday, October 20th

Times: 9, 9:30, 10, 10:30, 11, 12:30, 1, 1:30, 2, 2:30

Details:
~15-20 minute mini-sessions
~You will be shown 6-8 proofs
~One grouping only (just individual shots or just family shots)
~No outfit changes or background changes
~Choice of one of 10 pre-designed cards
~Includes one card revision
~Holiday cards-your choice of 5x7 photocards, 5x7 metallic print photocards or 5x7 folded cards OR if you do not need holiday cards you may have 25 or 50 (depending upon which collection you choose) 4x5 prints of ONE image to include in your own cards or to use as gifts
~No other substitutions to the collections allowed
~A non-refundable $150 deposit is required to reserve your session. If you choose a collection with a cost greater than $150, the remaining balance is due before, or on the day of your session

Choice of three collections

The Blizzard~ $500
3- 8x10s
6- 5x7s
2-sets of wallets (total of 16)
50 holiday cards
1-10x20 storyboard
2-mini 5x10 “gift” copies of the storyboard
Mini 3x3 brag album

The Snow Day~$ 325
2- 8x10s
5- 5x7s
2-sets of wallets (total of 16)
50 holiday cards
Mini 3x3 brag album

The Flurry~$150
1- 8x10
1-5x7
25 holiday cards

I will also be offering an assortment of special gift items this year including ornaments, mini albums and desk sized canvases. A detailed list will be included in your information packet that I will send you when you reserve your session.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me! If you would like to book a full session, I can also give you a detailed list of my availability any time.

2007 Holiday ordering deadlines

Ordering deadline is November 15th for guaranteed delivery

All orders placed after December 5th will not be delivered until after January 7th

Holiday Session details to be announced tomorrow!

It took me a little longer to finalize my holiday schedule, so I apologize for not posting the mini session details last week. Holiday Limited Edition Session details will be posted here Wednesday (tomorrow) afternoon. I expect these sessions to be completely booked before the end of the weekend, so please do not wait to contact me if you want one.

On another note, I have to share a couple from one of my recent senior sessions. Part of this session was done on a golf course. The senior's mom zipped us around the course in a golf cart so that we could hit all the best spots before we lost the light. This was a first for me! If only I had one of those at every session! :) Check out my brave model riding in the back! You didn't think she rode in the cart and got her dress all wrinkled, did you?!?!


And a couple more...

I can't wait for you to see the rest, J! They'll be up soon!

Stay tuned this week...

I will be announcing the dates and details for my holiday Limited Edition sessions this week. Current clients will receive an email and then later I will post the information here. They start to fill SUPER fast, so if you are interested, don't wait! I am really excited about them this year, as I have changed things up a bit. I'm not going to spill yet, so you'll just have to keep checking back!

K-here is a little sneak peek for you! I'll have your gallery up in a couple of days!

I hope you all aren't getting bored with all my seniors! I do have some kids and families scheduled the next couple of weeks, so I'll be sure to share some of those to mix it up a little! :)

In the middle of senior madness a precious new life!

Usually when a newborn is awake through the entire session it is not a good thing because they are screaming the whole time. Not the case with this one. :) I had to share a couple from this last newborn session. She was such an angel and so gorgeous to boot!

Thanks for being so good sweetheart! I'm so glad your parents brought you to see me!

Back from a week off

Hi! I'm baaaaaack! And struggling to get caught up after having a week off. If you are waiting for me, I promise you I am working every second I can find. Thanks for your patience!

M-I am almost finished with your session! Here is a little peek before I go back to proofing. You're gonna love them!!! :)

In the last couple of days, my August schedule has almost been completely filled. If you want an August session, please contact me as soon as possible!

Seniors, Seniors and more Seniors!

Here they come! The Class of '08 is wasting no time getting their senior portraits done. Of course, I am more than happy to accommodate them! :) I have a blast doing senior portraits over the summer! See what I mean....

The first two of the three ladies in this post are senior reps. If you recognize them, they have special offers for you if you talk to them first!

Fresh faces to kick off summer

I have been proofing like a crazy woman, so I thought I'd share a few of my recent cuties.

This one is from one of my favorite sessions ever. I had so much fun. I could take pictures of her all day long. Not only is she absolutely gorgeous, but she's a total sweetie as well!


I have a thing for fairies. Cicely Mary Barker's "Flower Fairies" are my favorites. If you are familiar with her work, then you'll understand why I adore this shot. I think I caught my very own flower fairy!

Last, but not least tonight is this little guy. He is just crazy cute! This isn't his first time posing for me, so he has become quite the pro! His parents shared their wonderful news that he will become a big brother early next year. I couldn't be happier for him! :)

Happy Father's Day!!!

I know a lot of wonderful dads. I have one and happen to be married to one. Over the past few years I've watched the friends and cousins I grew up with turn into them. I want to wish you all a very Happy Father's Day!! kiss kiss!

There isn't much sweeter than a daddy with his newborn, so I thought I'd share a recent one. I hope he enjoys his very first Father's Day! With a little one this precious I don't see how he could do anything but. :)
And a couple more of this little angel just because I can't help myself! Isn't she just gorgeous?!?! She was so good too!

I could just eat her up! Newborn sessions are my favorite! Can you tell??? :)

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out there!!

Bay Breeze Seniors

I know I've been MIA on the blog front. Life has been a bit crazy the past couple of weeks. First I have some exciting news (for me at least)!! My senior website is up and running! I couldn't proof while my daughter was at dance tonight, but I could work on the website on my laptop. Check it out! http://www.baybreezephoto.com/seniors There will be a link on the front page of my website soon, but for now you can only get there from here or the pricing page of the portrait site. It has sat around half finished for months now, so it feels so good to have it up.

In honor of the launching of my senior site I am offering 24 complimentary wallets to every senior who contacts me during the month of June and books a senior session.

Sorry no photos to share this time. I have photographed some great families the past couple of weeks and have tons of proofing to finish. I'll share some this weekend!

Oh, and thanks again for the flowers Miss Emma!! They still smell sooooo good!

There's just something about this little guy...

Maybe it's the mischief in his eyes. :) I don't know. He is just so much fun to photograph!
See what I mean???

And his adorable baby sister!

I was going to save this one for my Happy Father's Day post but couldn't wait that long. How could he not be wrapped around her little finger???

I had a busy weekend so I have more to share later!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

To all the amazing women who know what it means to go by the name Mom. I hope you have a wonderful day!!!

I thought these were appropriate today. :)

And one more just because! :) "Um, mom, you think you can get the lady with the lights to quit it?!? She's disturbing my beauty sleep!"

Yet another of my babies turns ONE!

I can't believe how many first birthday portraits I've done over the past couple of weeks. All of my sweet little babies are growing up! Good thing I have a whole new batch of newborns to follow this year, or I might be more than a little depressed!

Have I mentioned yet how excited I am that spring is finally here?? Aaahhh! A cute one year old outside on a gorgeous spring day. Life is good! Check out her gorgous eyes! Her daddy is going to get worn out chasing the boys away one day! :)

Speaking of mothers...

This sweet little guy made one recently.

Thanks for being such a good little model! And thanks to your mommy and daddy for letting me come play!