House of 5 Photography

Golden Magic

I absolutely adore these kids!  I photographed them last year at just about the same date and it's amazing how much they have grown.  They were just as fun to photograph this time around and we had a blast frolicking on a rare and gorgeous December afternoon.  When that golden sun appears it's like magic and I try not to jump up and down while taking photos because....well....the photos would be horrible!  

One of my favorite things is to photograph clients over the years because it's amazing to document growth and change.  

Growth and change.  Two things that can be very hard but without them we just wouldn't be who we are.  And what they kids are is more magical than the golden sun......it pales in comparison.

 

Family and Laughter

The families that surround Catherine and Tom were thrilled on the day of their nuptials.  The photos do the talking here.....you can feel the love and almost hear the laughter!

I so enjoyed their families and all the dynamics between them.  The laughter was contagious!

Catherine and Tom speak so highly about each of their parents and siblings and I now know why after spending a day with them.

Family and laughter - two of the best things in the world.

To their families and to the new family of Catherine and Tom - congratulations!

 

First Look

I promised I would keep blogging about Catherine and Tom's wedding day because it was just so

BEAUTIFUL and FULL OF LOVE!

Their first look was one of my favorite moments of the day!  When you get to witness and capture a moment in someone's life that they have dreamed about their entire life.....well..... it is breath taking.  Every time I witness a bride and groom seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day it is a spiritual experience.  

Catherine and Tom's first look ranks at the top of my list because of the sheer joy.  The mothers were clutching each other with tears in their eyes, the friends and family were looking on with love and excitement and the bride and groom were OVER joyed. 

It was a site to behold and I feel honored to have captured it for them!

This is a small sneak peak....the photos were too magnificent and emotional to just throw out there on the world wide web.  I only show a few because I want the bride and groom to see them in their entirety before the rest of the world does.  

Sort of like their first look.... 

 

{The lovely and talented Lindsay Brooke was my assistant and second photographer that day and some of the photos in the posts about Catherine and Tom are the work of her talent!}

 

 

Get Your Photos Out of Your Computer & Into an ALBUM!

I am PASSIONATE about photo albums!  Too often in our tech world we have our digital photos collecting dust inside our computer, on our hard drives, on a CD in a box on the top shelf of the hall closet.  It's not that we don't want them in an album, it's that life happens and we can tend to overlook having an album made. Or if you are like me, it's not overlooked so much as it is postponed until I "have the time".  

Laughable.

Time?

In other words, it will NEVER happen!  {eh-hem, speaking only of myself.....of course}

That is what this blog post is about!  I'm here to rescue you.  

Literally.

Rescue you from the nights when you wake up in a cold sweat thinking about all the things you only wish you had the time for.

 

{example of a leather album in a most delicious blue}                                                                                                                               
I've designed two albums from client family photo sessions from the summer of 2010 because I'm fairly certain that the photos just might possibly be collecting dust inside a computer.  These photos need to be on the coffee table, shared with friends and family during the holidays.  A true family heirloom.

 

{example of a "lay flat" style album in Paris Pink & Chartreuse......many more yummy colors available}

 

The first album design example can be viewed here:

http://www.pictage.com/albumdesign/318279

And the second one here:

http://www.pictage.com/albumdesign/318341

 

 

{example of the "lay flat" design}

 

 

{more examples}

Because I am passionate about turning those digital files into ART, I am offering ALL albums to my clients at a 20% discount for the month of November.  Because each album is so unique in it's design and size the price range varies.  To give you a few examples, a premium leather album in a 10x10 inch size with 20 pages would be $500 and a 30 page album would be $725.  Other sizes and designs start at under $200.  A 50% deposit is required to place your order and the balance is due upon shipping.  Most albums will ship directly to you within 30 days.  Your album will be viewable prior to printing so that any necessary changes can be made for your complete satisfaction!

Of course albums make a fantastic gift for a spouse or grandparent or anyone who would love to have an album of you and your family!  Another bonus is that you won't be heading to a mall or searching the internet for hours looking for that perfect gift.  This IS the perfect gift!

For them and for YOU!!!

Really, it is.

To have me start with your album design, contact me today and we will get started!

Don't forget - I am here to RESCUE you!

 

 

MORE Holiday Card Designs & Mini Session Special!

It IS that time of year.  Wanna know how I know this?  

While visiting Home Depot last week for a motion sensor light (you will be BLINDED if you try and come in my backyard at night....you have been warned!) I found myself wandering straight for the Christmas decorations.  CHRISTMAS! Halloween has not even come and gone and yet Christmas stuff is everywhere.  

Everywhere.

Even on my blog.

I'm a firm old fashioned believer in Christmas cards and last year it was like Santa's workshop here in my office designing cards for all my 2010 clients.  It was exhilerating and exhausting. 

But it was worth it!

I heard from many clients that their cards were loved and well received.  People you love WANT to get a card in the mail from you.  If they tell you otherwise...

do NOT believe them!

In this day and age of texting and emails and facebook and junk mail we really do smile when an envelope arrives with our names handwritten on the front.  It is old school and it is cool.  It just is!

So if you like good design and you like to make people smile and you're a bit old school then for goodness sake have me design your card this year!!!  Even if you'd like to send them out by email and combine some old school with technology, I've got you covered.

Double sided 5x7 cards with envelopes are 2.00 each and are ordered in sets of 25.  If you'd like a digital copy that you can send out by email to ALL your contacts then that can be done for $75.  (psssst....but remember, people really do like snail mail!)

The designs below are brand new and you will not find them at a store, online, on etsy, etc, etc!  If these designs don't suit your fancy then you can view my other offerings as well in these past blog posts:

http://www.houseof5photography.com/house-of-5-photography/2011/08/christmas-cards.html#trackback

http://www.houseof5photography.com/house-of-5-photography/2010/09/christmas-card-designs-are-here-.html#trackback

 

{Double click on a design to see it larger}

 

 

I'm crushin' on several of these and think that my card this year will be from this collection!  Please know that any of these can be changed to ANY colorway.  So if you like a design but would like it in red

or green

or black and white

or pink

or WHATEVER...

it can be done!

If you are still considering a photo session please contact me to schedule yours so your new photos can be on your card design.  Limited mini sessions are being offered for the weekends of the 12th/13th and the 19th/20th of November for $95.  Thirty minutes of on location photography time, 20-25 fully edited images on a custom CD and a website to view your photos for 30 days!  I only offer mini sessions periodically.  Full photography sessions are available these days as well and during the week.

For the sake of sanity, please have your card orders in to me no later than the end of November.  They will be mailed directly to you and that will save YOUR sanity!

 

 

 

 

 

Catherine & Tom {Sneak Peak}

The wedding of Catherine and Tom was a blast to photograph!  This couple was so in love that I went home and gave my husband a big kiss and said "Now that was a romantic wedding and I wish we could get married all over again!"  

This first blog post about their big day highlights Catherine and her bridesmaids getting all gorgeous.  The team at Brassfields Salon and Spa did such an amazing job bringing out all the ladies beauty and making them feel like a million smack-a-roos.  I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to get glam.  

Catherine was such a joy to photograph because of HER joy.  She was radiating with excitement!  Her bridesmaids and family were touting all of Tom's best qualities and everyone could not wait for them to be married.  Tom, as you will see in my next post about this wedding, was overcome with joy as well when he saw his bride for the first time.

Here's to love

and joy

and good girlfriends

and killer makeup and hairstylists!

 

 

 

Family

Large families are FUN!  

It's like a non-stop party with all the cast of characters and the personalities and the jokes and the laughs and the knowing looks.  This family of SEVEN was such a pleasure to capture.  The parents have been married for 23 years and have added 5 kind and gorgeous children to their brood.  

Hooray for families.  Sometimes bigger IS better!

 

 

 

Lauryn {Senior}

Wowza - isn't she just gorgeous?  I could have taken photos of this girl ALL day long.  One of my favorite things as a photographer is to be able to capture someone and show them the proof of their beauty.  So many of us think we aren't "photogenic" and it just is not true!  We just need a little coaxing to relax in front of the camera and then the magic will begin.  

Lauryn was so much fun and was game to try any and all of my ideas.  High School Senior girls are my favorite.  I know I'm not supposed to have a favorite....but I do!

Thank you Lauryn for allowing me to capture you....unique, beautiful and wonderful you.  I hope you have an epic Senior year.  

Christmas Cards!

I know, I know......it is August for crying out loud!  Who wants to think about Christmas cards right now? Some of my favorite designers are cranking out some fantastic new cards for 2011 and I could NOT resist sharing a sneak peak with you.  Last year I did a whole truck load of cards for clients and this year the offerings will be more amazing, more unique and just plain inspiring.  I'm already dreaming up this years card for my own family.  Dream along with me:

 

 

                                 

 

 

                                

 

To inspire you even further, I am offering family photo sessions for Christmas cards at $75 OFF if booked and completed prior to October 20th, 2011.  The portrait session already offers a $50 print credit which can be used towards your Christmas cards!  If you ordered Christmas cards from me last year, a 15% discount will be offered as a thank you for a loyal return!  

I wish a sunny and restful remainder of Summer for y'all.  

May we go above 80 degrees.......Amen.

 

 

How cute are these siblings?

I photographed these siblings at The Museum of Glass and the newly renovated Spanish Steps and they were just the sweetest bunch of siblings I have ever laid my lens on.  Besides the fact that they are just adorable, they were completely sweet and kind to one another, considerate of each other's feelings and they have such fun together!  I left with a smile on my face and felt truly blessed to capture their beauty and spirit.