Sometimes They Don't Like Cake

I had a sweet one year old visit me in the studio this weekend.  Like most mothers of one year olds, "H" was interested in the cake series.

Now, I LOVE the cakes series and was counting down 'till I got to do the series with my own little guy.  I was ready - so excited, so convinced my chunky little food-loving ham would dig in and give me photos like this one - 

but MY child - the PHOTOGRAPHER'S child - gave me this (three times I might add) -

I couldn't believe it!  The one year olds always like cake - right?!  I thought for sure my baby would be the only baby in history to cry and not want the cake.

I. was. wrong.

Here is sweet little "C"'s  reaction - 

similar to my baby, no?!

Well - at least "C" showed a little interest in the cake at first (my guy didn't) - 

Of course we didn't spend the entire session torturing this sweet girl.  Here are a few other shots from the session.  Enjoy your sneak peek "S" family and thanks for bringing "C" to see me!

Cowboy

This little cowboy came to see me in the studio today.  He was so full of charm - you just wouldn't believe.  He'll be trouble when he's older!

For all of you who fall in love with the first pic - this dear family left the boots for me to use as props.  So, if you love them and want to use them at your next session be sure to ask for the boots.  You KNOW I will be taking a few shots of my 13 mo old in them very soon!  Thanks so much "J" and "S" for the super cool boots!

Do You Facebook?

Well... do you?

There's been a lot of attention on Facebook lately.  Some good, some bad.  Bottom line is that most of you are on it - whether you live on it or you only check it now and then.  So, I've come out of the dark-ages and put ccphotodesign on Facebook.  In addition to checking the blog you can now become a "fan" on Facebook and see more pics, view upcoming events as well as join in on discussions.

And, between now and May 1st, become a "fan" of Carmen Carver Photography and Design on Facebook and get a free 8x10 from your next 2009 session.

An Update

I know I haven't been posting like I should.  I apologize.

It's been a difficult couple of months here.  I love my job.  I love working.  I love what I do.  As much as I love it, my family will always come first.  Which is why I haven't been posting much lately.  

In November my Grandmother suffered a massive heart attack.  We spent the next 40 days at her side as she battled congestive heart failure.  In the end, her heart just could not recover from such a large heart attack.  She passed in December.  I know that she is in heaven, that she is happy and is still here with us even if we can't see her.  She was an incredible woman.  I think everyone has a few people in their lives that greatly influence who you are - people that you will always look up to, always respect and always love deeply.  My Grandmother was one of those people to me.

Following my Grandmother's funeral, my Mother spent a month in and out of the hospital having several surgical procedures that just didn't seem to be working.  After a month she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  We are lucky.  They caught it very early.  However, there will still be an extensive surgery and several months of chemo.  I mentioned above that there are a few "heros" in all of our lives.  My Grandmother was one - my Mother is another.  There is no better Mother on the planet than mine.  She has helped me through countless hard times.  Now it is my turn to help her.

So the point I am trying to make is that I will be in and out of the studio over the next several months.  I am still working.  I am still taking appointments.  But, I am scheduling around my Mother's treatment and needs.  If you contact me and it takes me a day or two to get back to you - know that I will get back to you.  I am probably just dealing with whatever life has handed me that particular day.  

I realize that most of you didn't need to know all the details of what is going on, but I have always felt that if I describe in detail why things are the way they are - people have a better understanding.  I want all of my customers to understand what is going on.

Thank you to all of you who already knew the situation and have prayed for us.

A final tribute to my Grandmother.  I did not take the first picture (obviously).  I believe my Grandfather took this picture on their honeymoon.  The second picture I took two years ago as she was holding one of her newest great grandbabies.  These two photos are how I will remember my Grandmother.  Happy, family-oriented and forever full of faith and hope.

Aren't photos great?  They hold our loved ones forever.

A New Year

Wow - I just looked at my last post and realized I haven't posted since Nov 25th!  December was a crazy month.  Business was crazy and life was crazy.  Really crazy.

But, now it's January and it's time for change.  Remember, in a previous post, I warned of changes coming.  There are policy changes and pricing changes.  These changes are being made to help you and to help me.

There are also new products that I think you are going to love.

Now, as far as the pricing changes, you can take advantage of the fact that my life went totally nuts and I haven't had time to post the price changes to the website yet.  It will take me a few days to get the website updated - until then, last year's prices stand.  If you book a session before I get the new pricing posted then you will get last year's prices.

Also, be thinking of those Easter pictures and spring pictures.  They book almost as quickly as the fall appointments.  Easter is April 12th this year.  Keep in mind that if you want the actual prints for Easter you will need to book your session for mid-March.  May appointments are very very popular, so start thinking about those appointments as well.

And quickly - since I never got a chance to post this in December - my own Christmas cards - 

Happy 2009 everyone!

Back to the studio

First, let me just say that

I. am. swamped.

Really swamped.  So if you are emailing, calling or texting me with orders, questions or changes - please know that I am swamped.  It will probably take me a few hours longer to get back to you than it normally does.

Also, I am really really tired - so my blog posts might be short or not make a lot of sense.  Forgive me.  I feel confident that my brain will return to me after I get some sleep!

It's that time of year again.  The weather is getting cold and windy, which makes for a tough outdoor session with little kids.  This is why the majority of my sessions between December and April are studio.  Saturday was filled with studio sessions.  But, I just couldn't completely give up the outdoor stuff!  I love it too much.  So, I drug this family outside twice during their session.  Just couldn't resist!

This particular session was a rescheduled outdoor session - thanks to the weather.  Most of the point to this session was to get some individual shots of the baby.  Well, my friends, let me tell you about 14 month olds.  Sometimes they just don't want their picture taken.  Most of the times it's because they are tired, hungry or scared.  Not this time.  No, this little guy just had better things to do than entertain us with a smile or even look toward the camera.  He was so funny.  The big kids did a great job working with me.  They needed to keep looking at the camera - just waiting for the baby to look up ... and waiting ... and waiting.  They all did so great.  Thanks guys for coming by the studio!  I had a great time!

Can't you just hear him - 

"um.. hello - don't you realize this is not fun?!"

"lady - do you really think I'm going to smile for you?"

"well fine ... if I must"

Vision

Now, before I say what I'm going to say about this session, I want everyone to realize that every session EVERY single one is fun for me in it's own individual way.  Each customer - specifically each child - has their own personality that I enjoy and work very hard to capture in my photos.

That said, this session was really really fun for me.  Two reasons for this -

The first is that "K" is also an artist.  We artists, we have visions.  We see things a little differently from the rest of the world.  That's why we're artists.  We see something in a worn out old building.  We see a lot in it actually.  Which is why I knew that "K" would be all over the kind of session I've been trying to convince my customers to try.  Nobody has taken me up on it - I get awkward pauses on the phone or a kind re-direction to a lovely green location when I suggest it.  So many people are hung up on photographs with flowers and green grass in the background.  Those are beautiful and there's nothing wrong with them (I have plenty of those of my own children) BUT sometimes there's art to be found in other areas.  Sometimes, you should try something different.  The "M" family and I met in downtown KC and we saw lots and lots of great stuff.  So now, here's some samples of an urban session for you skeptics out there.  I will be expecting more of you to meet me in downtown now!

Ok, and the second reason I loved this session is that every time I photograph these kids it's like stepping back 25 years.  Again with the vision - just a different kind of vision this time.  I am the oldest child in my family and I have two younger brothers.  We are the same distance apart as these kiddos and our personalities are a lot like each of theirs.  I giggle the entire time I shoot their session.  I recognize the jokes and the fights (mostly the fights).  I also recognize the warnings from Mom and Dad.  Really, it's like peaking through our window 25 years ago and it's completely amusing to me!

I've blabbed on enough now.  Enjoy your sneak peek "M" family and thanks for an afternoon of vision and giggles!