Bad Day at the Studio

Have you ever been locked down - held helpless - by technology?

It's not fun.

It seems the hard drive for the studio computer has failed.  At the worst possible moment.

If you are a customer, please do not panic.  Your files have been backed up.

So, if the files have been backed up, how does this affect you?  All I have for a computer at the moment is an old laptop that can not handle the size files my camera takes.  It's also too old to run current versions of my software.  Basically, I can blog and I can receive email on my iPod but I can't work on photos.  I will be behind with sneak peeks and proofs.  Please know that I will work like I've never worked before (hard to imagine  - I guess I'll only be getting 2 hours of sleep at night instead of my normal 4) once I get my computer back to get all proofs finished and all orders printed in time for the holidays.

Also, please know that this happens.  If it's ever happened to you - you know that you can do everything to prevent it and it can still happen.  This is why we back up on very expensive drives.  If you haven't backed up your computer recently - do yourself a favor and do so right now.  Just a friendly tip from ccphotodesign!

I will keep everyone updated on the situation here (on the blog) as well as the studio's facebook page.  Feel free to call or email if you have any questions.

Thank you all for your understanding.

Up on the Rooftop...

Are you getting that I love Christmas?

I couldn't resist using this song title for the "S" family sneak peek.

What a great location.  How often do you get to do a shoot on top of a building - a really cool building at that?!  If only we could have ordered sunshine and no rain.  They all did great in spite of the weather.

You know him - the little boy that is.  He is the eyelash kid.  This time Nana and Papa hosted our session.  What an amazing view.  We didn't see any reindeer pausing...but it was before Halloween.  I'm sure the reindeer pause a little longer on this rooftop every Christmas Eve.

and we HAD to get a photo with him and the "monkey" he loved so much.  That thing was huge and "B" loved it.

You Better Not Pout

So I'm a Christmas nut.  And if you are a Christmas nut - you know that today marks the first day of the Christmas season {for the nuts - not for you normal people who recognize only December as Christmas season}.  So in honor of the first day of MY Christmas season, I am doing the world's cutest pouter's sneak peek.

Seriously - cutest pout ever.  I'm sure Santa won't mind this pout.  Especially 'cause he's a little snowman too (ha ha haaaaa!  check out the last pic.  it's the blackmail shot).

this one might be my new favorite...

"hey Mom... whatcha doin?"

annndd the blackmail photo ... love it love it love it

Her Color is Purple

A girl... A GIRL came into the studio!  A NEWBORN GIRL!!

And she has an older sister.

So, apparently, older sister "A" decided that baby sister "C" needed her own specific color.  "A's" color is {clearly} pink.  Obviously.  But "C" needed her own color - so "A" decided her color would be purple.  Her color is purple.  Cracks me up.

While working on these photos, I was wondering - what does purple mean?  I know that red represents emotional intensity and supposedly makes you hungry.  Yellow is joy and research suggests that a yellow room will cause arguments (contradictory isn't it?).  Pink is everything girly - and this month we know it as the color for breast cancer awareness.  Black is for mourning.  Orange is for deceit and distrust (hilarious if you know my college football preferences).

So purple? They say it represents royalty, holiness, romance and happiness.

Miss "C" needed a news bulletin about happiness the day of our session.  This is what "C" thinks of picture day...

Poor mommy... big sister was the same way at her newborn session.  Despite our best efforts sometimes they are just cranky for picture day.  It's ok - 'cause I'm more than happy to work with it.  It's easy to be patient with a baby when you aren't the one losing sleep every night.  That's my job.  Baby calmer.  Mommy calmer.  Baby whisperer is what this mom whispered to me as I got Miss "C" to sleep 5 minutes before the session was over (then held the shutter button down).

I don't know about baby whisperer.  But please don't be afraid to bring a baby that might be fussy.  I can work with it.  Especially if her color is purple.

And by the way - they grow out of it.  Just look at big sister - clearly she is past being cranky for the camera.

Family

This time of year is when we photogs are swamped with family sessions.  The rest of the year we mostly focus on the kids... but between September and November we see the whole group come together for photos.  It's always entertaining from behind the lens.  Families are so interesting.

So, as I was putting this sneak peek together I was thinking I should look up some quotes about families.  Wow - have you ever done that?  You could spend a month reading the family quotes and do nothing else.  I found a few that seem appropriate (cleary I did NOT read them all - I don't have 5 minutes much less a month).

So, in honor of family portrait season...

"When you look at your life the greatest happinesses are family happinesses" {joyce brothers}

Isn't this true?  I mean, I've heard some family stories that don't really involve much happiness.  They exist for sure.  But really... most of us can say that the happiest moments of our lives are moments with all or part of our family.  Family is so important.  I've always believed this, but have learned to truly cherish family moments this year.  So - whether or not you have family portraits scheduled soon... you will most certainly be spending a lot of time with family in the upcoming months.  Soak it in.  Love it.  Laugh.  Give 'em a hug.  Sit back and watch the chaos - it really is interesting.

And because I can't really leave a blog post so serious and sentimental (and because it seem SO appropriate right now with just about everyone I know being sick)...

"A family is a unit composed not only of children but of men, women an occasional animal and the common cold"  {ogden nash}

oh - and a very popular one which holds such truth...

"Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts." {unknown}

Just 'Cause

I couldn't resist.

You've already seen their sneak peek - but as I'm finishing up the proofs I just HAD to share this one.

The Baby Boys of 2009

If you follow this blog, you know that I have had a LOT more baby boys this year than baby girls.  So, as I was getting this sneak peek ready, I was thinking... am I the only one who has noticed this?  Is it a coincidence or were there really more baby boys this year than baby girls?

So I Googled it {of course}

Here's what I found...

The University of Georgia apparently has research that suggests that there are more baby boys born in colder climates and more baby girls born in tropical climates (not sure we really fall into either of those climates).  And the UN reports an increase in the number of baby boys born in Vietnam.  Last but not least - a woman in Indonesia gave birth to a 19lb baby boy (uhhh - that's not a baby that's a toddler).

Seems like I'm the only one to notice the boy vs girl thing.  I'm gonna conclude it's coincidence.

I'm very scientific you see.

So - here is another sweet baby boy.  Baby "A"  is actually in the minority at his house with one brother and three sisters!

Had to include this one.  You all probably think I'm nuts to photograph a baby in this state.  But, if you think about it - this is how they are born.  This is their first facial expression!  I happen to think it's adorable and special.