Introducing Rachel Hulan of Hulan Design. 

Rachel is friendly, funny, very knowledgeable and way, WAY creative. She is totally UN-boring and loves putting her creativity to good use in order to find clever and unique solutions. And by focusing on incorporating sustainable design into what she does, she’s definitely created a niche for herself. Her resume speaks volumes (and you can read more about her here). But how do you get all of this information across to someone when they only have a few seconds to make up their mind? Why, with the addition of a few great photos, of course!

Rachel had recently re-branded her business and was about to launch the new website. What better time to start fresh with some new photos that go beyond the boring headshot? Enter the business casual portrait session. So much more than standard headshots, this portrait session is designed to tap into the person behind the business.

Details on Rachel’s session: though she travels all over the country for her business, home is where the heart is… as evidenced by the amazingly gorgeous home office she set up for herself. We started our shoot in there in order to showcase her space. While Rachel is quite modern and just the right amount of funky, there’s definitely a sense of history to her style, and she’s drawn to pieces with a story behind them… blending the old & the new in a fabulous kind of way.

Rachel also has a beautiful inspiration board set up which she is constantly adding to. So of course we wanted to capture just a glimpse of it. And check out that DESK of hers! It’s actually one of her favorite pieces and has been with her for a very long time. And the details… we just had to include one of her favorite pieces in the photos since it is pretty much a staple in her office… a simple white mug from The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.

We decided to race the sunset and finish up our photo session in Laguna Beach. Just because we COULD. Ha! No, really… the beach is such a  beautiful place, and what better way to show off some of the Southern California scenery, right?

Now that you’ve been properly introduced, feel free to stop on by Rachel’s site and say hello.

————

Ready to PLAY along? There’s still time to book a MINI-SESSION for yourself, taking place this Saturday.

So, we surprised her with a day of play. Fun, no-pressure, low-key PLAY.

(note: all photos were taken using the iPhone4 camera and processed using the Instagram app.)

at the El Capitan Theater… to see Beauty & the Beast in 3D

fantastic organist entertaining the audience before the show

hanging at the Hollywood & Highland center

freshening our makeup at the L’Oreal makeover tents

welcome to Venice Beach

Baby Blue’s BBQ

about to get our grub on…

pulled pork, beef brisket, sweet mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, collard greens, okra and cornbread. mmmmmmm…

canals at Venice

where people can get permits to tag the walls

artistic tagging

besties

moments like these take my breath away

skater boys

sunset and skater boys

the 3 muskateers

blacklight mini golf at Putting Edge

the coolest friendship bracelets ever

ending our day with nutella churros, dulce de leche & condensed milk churros, cream cheese & guava churros and sipping chocolate from Churros Caliente

———-

Ready to PLAY along? There’s still time to book a MINI-SESSION for yourself, taking place this Saturday.

The beach. In December. How awesome is that?!

The family was totally chill, too… totally up for whatever I suggested… which was pretty much just to wander the area and stop and play here & there. And play, we did.

click here to see even more of their session.

————

Looks like FUN, right? Want to play, but still aren’t quite sure? I’ve got a FANTASTIC way for you to try out my portrait experience without investing a lot of time and money… with a fabulous MINI-PORTRAIT SESSION! Only $50 and ONE DAY ONLY. Click here for full details.

Mini-Sessions are BACK, and just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Whether you’d like a fabulous gift for your loved ones, a new image for your social networking sites, or simply missed out on taking family photos for the holiday, NOW is the PERFECT time to take some new portraits…

For only $50, you will receive:

     – 15 minute photo session

     – 15 fully-edited images hosted in an online gallery for 2 weeks

     – framed 5×7 print

And, as an added bonus, you will also receive a $25 credit towards a future FULL portrait session!!! 

Additional prints and products will also be available for purchase.

CLICK HERE for full details and to BOOK your mini-session NOW.

————————————-

Every night, it’s the same thing… Jasper will dig through the toybox, drag out everything he can, and spread it across the floor. If he does this while I’m working at the computer, I usually find myself circled by a ring of toys… making me feel like a giant in the village of “squeak-town.”

But no matter HOW many toys that accumulate (thanks to my mom & friends for spoiling my fur-baby)… there is ONE toy in particular that will always be his favorite.

His blue dragon. 

This toy has been loved to pieces. Quite literally. (I’m incredibly thankful that it’s machine-washable… ick.)

And there is a specific routine that Jasper has with his blue dragon, too. It’s quite intriguing. Makes me wish I spoke the language so I knew exactly what was going on in that doggy-brain of his.

—————————

Step 1: Grab the dragon and drag it over to a participant in his game. (If that person is not a willing participant, place dragon on their foot repeatedly until they get the message.)

Step 2: As soon as person grabs dragon to toss it, play tug-of-war with it instead. If person lets go too soon, shove the dragon back in their hands.

Step 3: Play fetch with dragon a few times.

Step 4: Shake dragon in mouth as hard as possible, bending and twisting in incredibly stretchy ways.

Step 5: …CENSORED… (And yes, Jasper is neutered.)

Step 6: With mouth clamped firmly over the dragon’s head, bob doggy head up and down while kneading dragon body with puppy paws.

Step 7: Take a break to lick the dragon’s face.

Step 8: Fall asleep with dragon’s head in mouth.

It’s actually the cutest, strangest, and funniest thing I get to see every single day. (And if someone could please tell me what the heck this ritual means, I would greatly appreciate it.)

————————-

pssssst… have you signed up for my NEWSLETTER yet? The January issue is on its way VERY soon. Be the first to not only find out about cool new stuff, but also the first to be able to sign up for MINI-SESSIONS (hint, hint). To sign up, just click on the red tab on the left and add your info. Easy-peasy.

So, while my stories (especially when that young) weren’t exactly thought-provoking works of art, it’s still incredibly neat for me to go back and READ these entries. These words give me a piece of MYSELF back… they remind me who I was, where I’ve been, and how far I’ve come.

I’ve kept diaries off and on ever since that time, and I continue to do so to this day. This year I’ve found the perfect way to combine images + words together, to capture my story even better.

Project 365 (+1).

Known as Project 365, it’s simply a decision to take one image each day of the year. (And since we’re in a leap year… there’s an extra +1.) I’ve always wanted to do this… to add daily imagery to my words, but it always seemed like such a huge undertaking. Till now.

With the help of my iPhone camera, instagram and blipfoto, I’ve decided to journal my year in a whole new way. Here is MY collection so far:

You can follow along here:

instagram: @chelbug  (or HERE via webstagram)
blipfoto: go HERE

…or play along from home, yourself. And if 366 pictures seems like TOO much of a commitment, just start smaller. How about taking one picture a week, and creating a Project 52 for yourself? Don’t beat yourself up because you’ve already missed a couple weeks. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss another one or two. Just pick up your camera and capture what you can.

Because words + imagery = a FABULOUS way to remember it all.

And if you DO play along… let me know where you’re doing so. I’d LOVE to follow YOUR stories, as well.

It was the night after our annual softball game. Usually both Sean and Van play the part of umpires, but in 2011 it was just Sean while Van watched on. We gathered after the game at their house for our celebration, where “awards” were handed out: the best player, the one who dropped the most balls, funniest play of the day, etc.  And then a final award (a Baby Ruth candy bar) was presented to Van for the best reason for NOT participating in the annual softball game. The group of us were momentarily puzzled. Then Sean turned up the song he’d cued on the radio: “She’s having my baby…”

And the room exploded into celebratory noise and commotion as we all rushed to the two of them with congratulatory hugs and squeals of joy.

Surrounded by friends and family, this couple made it through the pregnancy and was presented with the greatest gift of all… baby Ethan.

We could not stop laughing as this next picture was taken. I think Ethan might have been born a rockstar, because he struck the perfect little guitarrist pose and then held it for the longest time.

I smile to see the three of them together as a loving family unit, and look forward to getting to know Ethan even better in the years that follow.

CLICK HERE to see even more from their session.

I’m working out some final details, and will let you know as soon as things are ready to launch… but here’s some of the FUN-ness you can expect SOON:

* brand new, pretty and easy-to-maneuver website & blog, all in one!

* brand new client image galleries and shopping carts… much more  user-friendly and with BIG images to view

* super-cool “studio look-book” filled with LOTS of detailed info and images… including session details, how to prepare, FAQs, suggested photo displays, and details & pictures of each of my product offerings. Like a magazine and catalog rolled into one, and waaaay more fun than a simple pricing sheet.

AND, perhaps my FAVORITE new item…

* I’ll be offering an all-new DIGITAL package. This will include a DVD of ALL images from your session (high-resolution digital images for printing AS WELL AS low-resolution digital images for posting & sharing online), a fun slideshow video set to music, and even a DIGITAL ALBUM (.pdf format) ready to show off & share using your favorite electronic devices! (It’s kinda cool, if I do say so myself…)

So yeah, 2012 is gonna be epic. Or, as Barney Stinson (of How I Met Your Mother) would say… this year is gonna be LEGEND-(wait for it)-ARY. Legendary, people!

Who’s with me?! Let’s PLAY!!!

———-

And don’t forget… book a portrait session with me before January 31st and receive a custom accordion calendar personalized with your images.

In her original post, Jeanine shares  a letter she received from a client, which was left on her doorstep. Here are the words of that letter:

Today I am writing for a couple of reasons.  I have some quiet time at the moment and need to get a couple of things off my mind.  I will leave this for my husband to deliver to you when he is ready.

You photographed my wedding, you photographed my first pregnancy and my first baby.  I contacted you awhile back to photograph my 2nd child and family.  After getting prices and realizing I would want all of the pictures as we love your work – I decided against spending $500+ – which is what I normally spend for portraits and prints with you..  Please know it is not because I don’t value your amazing eye, or how much we love the experience.

That week that I decided to NOT do a session with you, this is how I spent some money.

On Sunday I called and cancelled our session.  Monday I went out and got my hair cut ($39+tip), and colored ($65), Thursday I had my nails done ($24), my family went out to dinner at a somewhat expensive restaurant for no particular reason costing us $79 + tip.  This was just 4 days since canceling our session, already totaling over $200 for un necessary things.  My nails only lasted about 2 weeks, my hair is gone, and seven weeks passed when I got the phone call from our doctor.  It was not something I expected and the cancer has spread very quickly.  I will be leaving my husband, my 6 year old girl and my now 2 year old – not by choice.  It is very hard for me to talk about it which is why I need to write you.

I watch your Facebook page and your posts about the value of a photo and if I could give back all of those things that I purchased this few weeks after I cancelled my session with you, knowing what I know now, and have that session, well… I would do it in a heartbeat.

Now my time is done and there are no more chances for me.  The next time someone cancels a session – my wish is that you forward this letter to them.  Time is fragile, it is gone before you know you had it.  If you charged $200 for one print it wouldn’t be enough for what it is actually worth.  I cringe to think that my priorities were a manicure over a memory to pass onto my babies and husband.

My love and thanks for what you have given us from past photos.  I am so sorry that I did not see it as more than paper until now.

The original blog post of hers has been spreading through various social media outlets like wildfire. It’s become controversial, with some people applauding her for sharing her message, and others (a scant few) condemning her for this “obvious marketing ploy.”

In any case (and whatever your own views might be), seeing her words inspired me to write a few of my own…

I am a photographer. But more than that, I am a memory-keeper. Because time is cruel when it comes to remembering the details, but sometimes seeing an image can *spark* a memory that was just about extinguished. I have my own story to share. I originally posted this last year, but am inspired to post this again, since it is a BIG reason behind why I do what I do.

To remember…

That’s ME in the middle of the picture below. The one with bright maroon haircut in the shape of a bowl.  The one who hadn’t yet discovered the art of eyebrow waxing. The one who still suffered heavily from acne. I cringe when I look at myself in this image. But I wanted to share it, along with a few others, for a very important reason. Please read on…

These images were taken in March of 1999, during my trip with the Fullerton College Choir to China. It was a very interesting trip, complicated by the fact that I had gotten sick with bronchitis on the plane trip over there. And for 10 days, I lived off of NyQuil and DayQuil. But I DID it. I visited places I never thought I would see in my lifetime. I got a chance to perform a song, sung in a Chinese language (Mandarin), to the Chinese people. I even climbed the Great Wall, bronchitis and all. Because I could either embrace this opportunity for all it was worth, or give in, give up, and go back home. So I stayed, and gave it all I got.

And so, I have an album filled with grainy images from my trip to China. Bad haircut, bad skin and all. But these images are even more precious to me than you might think…

Please take just a second to notice the other person featured in all of these pictures I have posted here. This was my good friend, David Lam. Unfortunately, I have to say “was,” because about one month after returning back home from our trip, David was killed in a car accident. This happened 12 years ago, today… April 26, 1999. And as I get older, and my memories fade with each passing year, I look to these photos to help me remember him. Seeing these images triggers my memory to dig a little deeper, to draw to the surface what might have otherwise been lost. And suddenly I can see us both in the moments when the photos were actually taken… I can hear the sound of his voice, see the way he moved and facial expressions he wore… things that made up who he was. And I can remember.

My bad haircut is forgotten. It’s not important here; I don’t even notice it anymore. Instead, I will forever be grateful that I stopped for just one moment to have these photos taken. So, the next time you find yourself thinking, “I don’t want to have my picture taken because I don’t look good today,” or “I want to lose 10 pounds first,” or “I simply HATE having my picture taken,” please stop and think of this. It doesn’t matter if you don’t look perfect. This is your life, and you, or somebody you love, might want to look back on this very moment and remember it.

So, whether you get professional pictures taken by me, or you simply pick up your point-and-shoot or even your iPhone to capture your days, please do it. I can promise you that your bad hair day won’t even be an issue.

—————————————————————————

One last thing to show you just how much pictures really matter… here is an image of Dave while we were in China. He had actually brought a framed picture of Catherine Zeta-Jones along with him so he would have something pretty to look at. I’m totally serious.  : )  And it still makes me smile.

I’m a big fan of technology (you can witness me hugging my iPad on a daily basis, and I pretty much have a death grip on my iPhone), but there’s just always been something NICE about the feel of a pen on paper. Of writing my words instead of typing them. And so, to this day, I still prefer to use a printed calender.

But I’m sick of the stodgy calendar. And yes, there are a lot of decorative ones, too, but sometimes they’re just a little too frou-frou for my taste. So this year I’ve decided to make my own by personalizing it with a few favorite PHOTOS.

And depending on what size/style you prefer, here are a few calendars that you might enjoy, as well:

Dry erase calendar from mpix.com

wall calendar from mpix.com

mini accordion calendar template from the album cafe

planners from blurb

And for those of you who would love to join in the fun… book a portrait session with me before January 31st and receive a FREE mini accordion calendar including images from your session!

We’d wake the next morning still exhausted from the night before. We’d stay snuggled up in our sleeping bags, wearing our jammies as long as we could, and would watch the Rose Parade on the tiny color tv until my mom came to collect me for the day. If I was lucky, I’d get to head straight home and curl up on the couch and continue to watch the Rose Parade. And one year my mom even took me to see the floats in person that day. I felt so tiny next to those floral creations, and was awestruck with the notion that just hours beforehand, I had seen these floats on tv!

The years passed, and the New Year’s sleepovers continued until we finally got too old/got boyfriends/started hanging out in different circles. But we never forgot the fun we’d had. And after all these years we’re still best friends, and both have very fond memories of that time in our lives.

But I never fully let go of our tradition. Every time I hear the song “Bust a Move,” I’m instantly transported back into time when a hairbrush was my microphone. And every year, I still make plans for New Year’s Day to sleep in, stay in my jammies as long as possible, and watch the Rose Parade.

This year was a bit different since the parade was on the 2nd instead of the 1st, but tradition is tradition. And so, I slept in, stayed in my jammies, and watched the repeat telecast of the Rose Parade… and this year I was joined by one of my other best friends.

Happy New Year to you all! May 2012 bring you lots of joy. Be sure to make lots of memories… and don’t forget to take pictures along the way!

——————————-

Interested in seeing what the new year holds? Join my newsletter e-list, and be the first to find out! Simply sign up in the sidebar on the right, under “Newsletter.”

And I could have watched them for hours.

Jen + Jeff… Jeff + Jen.

Suddenly, it was as if they were in their own little world. Relaxed & comfortable in one another’s presence. Sharing looks, gestures and touches that were probably so familiar to one another.  The way her body curved towards his. And the way his hand reached towards her in response. It was magical.

And they probably had no idea they were doing any of that.

I have to admit, I fell in love with that moment a little bit. I love getting the opportunity to celebrate the couple within the family, and to see their relationship unfold before my eyes. To be able to see that they are not just mom and dad, but husband and wife…

and still just a boy and a girl.

Because for a while there, things were really hectic. I mean, super-duper can’t-catch-my-breath hectic. And when I felt my head was at its swirliest,  I decided it was the perfect time to stop it all and give myself a “time-out.”

And so, a few weeks ago when it all came to a head, one of my best friends and I partook in our second annual “Disney Ditch Day.” A day to say goodbye to our troubles in the outside world… to enter the world of magic & make-believe of Disneyland… and just let ourselves relax and PLAY!

And even though we both have annual passes, we challenged ourselves to enjoy the park like a true tourist would… seeing things as brand-new. We even managed to find a few new items we’d never taken the time to notice before!

Here are a few favorite photos from the day (as captured with my iPhone):

The day’s highlights:

• watching reindeer play
• spelunking in new areas of the caves on Pirate’s Island
• discovering that the Hungry Bear served sweet potato fries… mmmmmm…
• finally answering the age-old question… where do the seeing-eye dogs do their “business?”
• looking UP and seeing new spires on the buildings we’d never noticed before
• riding a train that neither of us had ridden in YEARS
• riding the carousel (since neither of us usually took the time to do this)
• being sitting on a covered patio just as it started to rain… sipping on eggnog lattes and eating gingerbread beignets (with eggnog dipping sauce), feeling warm and cozy and watching others scurry past

And my favorite moment of the day:  witnessing a proposal. Yes, a staged proposal inside Disneyland. It was pretty awesome. Off to the side for a bit of privacy, surrounded by family and friends (each holding a rose), and further back a crowd gathered all around. He got down on one knee as he asked. And they had hired a photographer to capture it all. How perfect is that?!

————————-

Preparing for a proposal or another happy occasion? I can be there to capture it all in imagery, so you never forget the moment. Just contact me and we’ll set something up: michelle@thesuitcasestudio.com

Some traditions have been lost or altered along the way, due to time and circumstance. As the family grows larger, each separate branch of it starts their own family traditions to celebrate in their own unique ways. There are more and more schedules to plan around, and time itself becomes a precious commodity.

But some traditions have stood the test of time… such as receiving oranges in my stocking… making candy/baking cookies… and watching every holiday movie I come across. (I can’t tell you HOW many first Christmases I have witnessed Yogi Bear celebrate.)

And new traditions are created along the way… like watching the singing/dancing/piano & clarinet playing by my nieces and nephews before waiting till 9:00 pm on Christmas Eve to open our gifts (because it’s then officially Christmas Day in Colombia, which is where they are originally from)… consuming everything pumpkin-flavored in sight… and saving Christmas morning for just my husband and myself, to celebrate our own little family (even though it is just the two of us and the dog).

Upon asking a few friends to share their own holiday traditions with me, here are a few of their responses: making tamales with the family (Mexican tradition), making Krumkalke (a Norwegian cookie), cooking Christmas dinner together as a family, and getting new jammies on Christmas Eve. (hmmmm… I might just start doing that last one, myself!) And one friend of mine said that they didn’t really have any traditions, and were looking for some to start. But I think that she might be surprised…

One thing I’ve learned along the way is that some traditions simply happen… and you might not even realize that they are even there. What you think of as a simple habit or routine is actually a tradition in disguise, and only after you’ve done it for so many years will you be able to look back and smile, and realize that you had your own traditions all along.

So, in whatever manner you choose to celebrate…   HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and your family!

]]> http://www.thesuitcasestudioblog.com/2011/12/tradition/feed/ 1 http://www.thesuitcasestudioblog.com/2011/12/puppy-love/ http://www.thesuitcasestudioblog.com/2011/12/puppy-love/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:00:11 +0000 Michelle http://www.thesuitcasestudioblog.com/?p=3503 When I’m having one of those days where nothing seems to be going right and the world seems totally topsy-turvy, I always feel better the instant I walk through my door. Because there he is, ready to enthusiastically greet me with a twirl and a jump and a kiss. No, I’m not talking about my husband… I’m talking about my dog, Jasper.

He’s my fur-baby, my cuddle buddy, and my constant entertainment. And I can’t imaging not having him in my life.

So, at this time of year, when we are busy celebrating with friends and family… I wanted to be sure and celebrate him, as well. Because Jasper’s not my pet… he’s family.

Happy holidays to you and your family… whatever shape, size or form your family might take!

I’m sure you’ve all got some fab-U-lous images just sitting there on your computer, taking up space and just begging to be set free. And what better time than NOW to let them loose? The holidays are upon us, and ’tis the season to find the ultimate gift for your loved ones. And trust me, when I say that parents and grandparents (and even aunts and uncles) go ga-ga for personal photo gifts!

Here are a few fabulous ideas for photo gifts!

PRINTS from MPIX. (www.mpix.com)

Ah, yes… the old standby. Print a good photo, slap a frame on it and give it to a loved on. This is a classic gift for a reason: it’s awesome! But, if you’re going to be showing off your images, you should do it in the best way possible. Skip the printing by Costco, Target or Snapfish, and head to MPix.com instead. The prices are about the same, and the print quality is ah-maz-ing! MPix is the sister lab to the lab I actually use for my business… and while my lab isn’t open to the public, YOU have access to MPix. So why not take advantage of great quality at low prices?

BOOKS from BLURB. (www.blurb.com)

Another favorite gift is a photo book. Whether it’s a book showcasing the year, special trip or just a favorite moment or two, photo books are nice because they can share the entire story in a small space. I know there are a lot of places where you can create books, but a favorite place of mine is Blurb.com.  You’ll find bookstore quality books in a range of sizes and styles, all at a fantastic price. And making books here is a cinch! Choose a template, drag and drop your photos, add a border or some text and ta-da! DONE! Easy-peasy.

And Blurb offers a few special options that are definitely worth looking into:

• Turn your blog into a book!
• Create a book using your Facebook photos!
• Create a book using your Instagram images! (*NEW*)
• Create an e-book for your iPad or iPhone (*NEW*)

out-of-the-box ideas from ZAZZLE.
(www.zazzle.com)

You can make a mousepad. You can make a Christmas ornament. You can even create a custom mug or a t-shirt. These are all fabulous ideas, and you can find them in a variety of different places online, inlcuding Zazzle.com. I am mentioning them because they have all of this and so much more, including some different offerings that you won’t really find anywhere else.

Speakers. Yup, speakers. Customize the front with an image, then plug and play.

3-Ring Binders. Great for customizing school supplies, but also a fabulous way to customize a personal photo album, scrapbook or even a cookbook, too.

iPad, iPhone and other SmartPhone Cases. Such a simple but effective way to show off the latest pictures of the kids or grandkids.

Necklaces. Again, such a simple (but wonderful) way to carry around a favorite picture of a loved one.

Neckties. For the fun and funky guy in your life. Suit up! (Barney Stinsen would be proud…)

Skateboards. Available in a few different shapes and sizes, what a fabulous way to customize your ride. Love the concept but don’t need a new board? Create one anyway and use it in your home as a shelf. Ta-da! Fun and functional!

Shoes. Yes, you can even customize a pair of SHOES! This is my favorite funky way to show off your stuff, and I can’t wait to get a pair of these for myself! I’m thinking a little black pair with my logo in white as a repeated pattern… what do you think?

——————–

I’d LOVE to see some of your OWN favorite holiday photo creations. Feel free to share them with me here in the comments section, or hit me up on my Facebook page!

But when it came down to it, the setting didn’t even matter. Because these are more than just pretty pictures… these are family portraits. We laughed, we played, and they allowed me to see a glimpse of the REAL connections between them all… and that beauty outshines the scenery any day.

I wanted to be sure and capture a few solo pictures of Ethan, so we headed off on our own for a few minutes. This seems to work every time (especially for kids around this age)… while in front of their parents they might be cracking jokes and making all kinds of crazy faces, but separate the kiddos from the crowd and there’s no longer that need to “perform.” Ethan and I were able to hang out for a few minutes away from Colleen & Sean, and I even let Ethan pick the spot he wanted to use for his pictures. (I’ve found that if I let kids have a bit of control within the situation, they are that much more cooperative with the rest of the session.) He loved those crazy-looking plants on the right, so I was sure to capture a shot or two there for him.

Next up, it was Sean & Colleen’s turn. Because even though this was a “family shoot,” the relationship between Sean and Colleen should be celebrated separately, as well. And knowing that if I even mentioned the word “kiss” around Ethan he’d start making gagging sounds, I set him up on a table nearby with some paper and markers so that he would have a project to focus on, and he dove right in with creating a Christmas Card. This guaranteed me the necessary  “alone time” with the adults.

Curling up together in one of the cozy pod chairs, Sean and Colleen were granted a little space and time to be with just each other. With John Mayer crooning in the background and the sun starting to set, it was definitely a wonderful moment. I offered minimal directions here & there and just let the two of them be. Their personalities and connection unfurled before me, and I was happy to have been able to capture this for them.

With the kisses done for the moment, it was safe for Ethan to join them once more for a few final family shots.

If you’d like to see even more from their session, click here for a video slideshow of their session.

—————

While I’m not holding any more photo sessions this year, you can book your 2012 session before the end of 2011 and get this year’s fantastic rates. And because I’m feeling uber-generous, you’ll also get a bonus 10″x20″ storyboard print! Just contact me at michelle@thesuitcasestudio.com to let me know you’re ready to save your date.

deep breaths… inhale, exhale, repeat.

I still have client projects to finish. I still have to clean the house. I still have to go shopping for gifts. And I still have to finish decorating my Christmas tree!!!

There are so many things on my daily to-do list, and each time I spare even a glance at my monthly calendar, it makes me want to swoon.

breathe. just breathe.

And remember…

Yes, I’ve got some shopping to do… but that’s just because I’ve got fabulous friends and family that I want to find the perfect gift for.

I want to clean and decorate my house so that I can welcome those friends and family into my happy place and show them the utmost care, comfort and joy.

And the client projects I am working on still make me smile every step of the way… and it’s important to me to make them a priority so that they can share their images with their families and make them smile, as well.

And remember…

That amidst all this hustle and bustle of the season are some really wonderful moments… whether planned or not.

And that even though my life is a blur of activity right now, it’s still pretty wonderful.

I just need to stop and remember that every once in a while.

(And for those of you who are wondering… yes, that is an image of my own Christmas tree. Still no ornaments yet, but at least I strung the lights.)

—————

Sorry, folks… I’m not holding any more photo sessions in 2011. But book your 2012 session with me before the end of 2011, and you’ll get this year’s fantastic rates! And because I’m feeling uber-generous, you’ll also get a bonus 10″x20″ storyboard print! Just contact me at michelle@thesuitcasestudio.com to let me know you’re ready to save your date.