Product Spotlight: Luxe Album

This super gorgeous album turned out SO beautifully, I've been really eager to share it. The album design is custom, and features a photo cover and textured leather for the spine and back. The Luxe Album arrives in a leather album box and silky slipcover. The pages are substantial and inflexible, giving a rich, heavy feel as you flip through the images. The design is gutterless, meaning there's no gap between the pages, allowing for the design to flow across and feature panoramic designs. The Luxe album is included in the Black Label package, the most inclusive offering, or brides selecting more basic packages can opt for an album upgrade from a basic album to the Luxe.

Family Holiday Picture on the Playground {Powder Springs Family Photographer}

Family holiday portrait.....redux

(In other words, what happens when you feed people too much dessert and turn them loose on a backyard swingset) Huge thanks to my family who got into the spirit of things and had fun helping me attempt this concept. :) My nephews, in particular, LOVED taking multiple shots doing death-defying jumps of the swings. They're much more cooperative with this than the everybody-look-happy pictures.

For the record, the 'other' pictures is the one that made the holiday card this year.  

The Birthday Boys {Powder Springs Family Photographer}

Last week not one but two guys in our family celebrated birthdays.  In the spirit of family, and not adding needlessly to the adults' waistlines, we went with one shared birthday cake.   Ian's choice this year:  chocolate with banana cream frosting and chocolate chips.

The creative challenge was representing both ages on the cake:  they both have a 6 in their age, but whereas that's all we need for Ian, Dad's age is two digits, starting with a six.  My brilliant sister decided too use the opportunity for some math education, laying out candles on the tables and explaining to Ian how each represented certain amounts of years or decades and how combined they would add up to Papa's age.  Dad happened to be behind her getting some water and looked somewhat stricken--I tried not to laugh, but failed miserably.  Sorry, Dad.

Very excited about cake, as usual.

This may have been an attempt to "help" by telling him what to wish for.

A little teamwork was in order to blow out the candles.

My sister:  "Moooooommm!  Make her stop taking pictures!"    Um, have you met me?   And secondly, this tactic never worked well when we were growing up, so it's very unlikely to work now, babe.

Time to open the gifts:  first up was an action figure from TRON: Legacy.

Ian was very pleased to deliver Papa's gift from me.....he just wants to share the love.

Those are BBQ rubs, Dad.....they're for an activity called COOKING.

After years and years of birthdays, I'm still amazed at how difficult it is to open toy packaging.

Making sure the teeny tiny weapons are stored in a safe place, as if there is such a place with active boys.

 They're still too young to have been infected with the "Men don't read directions" virus.

Rinzler showing off his cool, circular weapon thing that he stores on his back.

 From Grammy and Papa he got a B.I.G. Hand.  It is, literally, a big plastic hand.

Grammy about to become the first victim....

Alert the media:  we've found birdseed the squirrels don't seem to like.  Finally.

 The day wouldn't be complete without some rough housing in the front yard.

I told him to take it outside and beat up his brothers.  Yes, I really did.

Christina and Charlie Sneak Peak {Atlanta Wedding Photographer}

Congratulations to Christina and Charlie!  They were married last night in a beautiful Christmas ceremony at Zoar United Methodist Church.  More images to come but for now here is the bride and groom by the gorgeous Christmas tree in the sanctuary.

New Product: Metal Tin with Image CD and Proofs {Atlanta Family Photographer]

Although things are still in high gear wrapping up holiday orders, I'm excited about 2012.  The calendar is already starting to fill up with weddings and events, so it's time to get re-energized and prepped for another year.

One thing in transition is the Product Guide, with some new items being offered and some current items getting a makeover.  Digital Files are an important option for many clients, so I definitely wanted to expand the choices and offer some upgraded packages this year.  The metal tins I currently use were a huge hit, so that inspired the newest addition:  a digital image collection offered in a customized hinged tin, featuring an image on the lid, the CD housed inside, along with a stack of linen finished reference prints.  The tin is lovely by itself, and serves the purpose of housing the CD and prints.  Having the proof prints from a professional lab provides a reference for the client so they can see what the correct color and saturation looks like in the original image.  The linen finish of the paper is substantial and very pleasing to the eye.

The new Digital Collections are available NOW!

Nirav and Payal - Indian Wedding at Hilton Atlanta

Here we go!  I'm finally sharing some images from this beautiful, colorful celebration that took place this fall at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast.  Nirav and Payal and their families celebrated their union with a traditional ceremony and a reception filled with laughter, toasts, and lots of hugs.  It was wonderful to see how joyful everyone was, with a strong love of family shining through every element.  The food was amazing and the dancing was something to behold.  Thanks, Payal and Nirav for sharing the day with me!