Backpack It

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a To-Do List freak. I am someone who works a lot better when I have a lot going on, so I make sure that I always have a lot going on. And the way that I manage that is through my To-Do Lists. Of course, it doesn't just end there - I have notebook after notebook of thoughts, ideas, projects, dreams, shopping lists, book summaries - you name it and there's a notebook for it. I am a knowledge maven - it doesn't matter how unimportant or useless the information, I want to know about it. This translates into a big bag to carry around for weekend trips or just a jaunt down to the local coffee shop. But I found a great new resource called BackPack It, which is an online to-do list, notekeeper, project organizer. Most of its tools are free, but if you wanted to upgrade to their calendar or if you get a lot of information and need to expand the number of pages, you can pay for those additional services. The best part about the calendar is that you can share it with other family members or friends or colleagues. And it's all stored online - no programs to download to your computer and you can access it wherever you go. At last, maybe I'll get organized. Now, if it would just clean my house for me, my life would be bliss:)

**check it out here**

New Payment Method Available

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am now setup to accept credit card payments directly rather than go through Paypal (which has proven to be a hassle for some clients). All four major credit cards are accepted and can be used to pay for session fees, deposits, albums, good customer service (just kidding, everyone always gets that last one for free:) I hope this makes it more convienent for my clients. Of course, anyone who enjoys the security of paypal can still choose that method of payment. Send me an email if you have any questions.

And be sure to get outside today before it turns super cold this weekend - it's supposed to snow by Saturday (brrr). I can't believe that last weekend I dress my kids in shorts and t-shirts and now I have to break out the snowsuits - aaahhh, the joy of Missouri weather. I hope everyone's having a happy wednesday!

Lauren - Part II

After the last time I photographed Lauren when she was 3 months, her mom asked me to come back again for her 6, 9 and 12 months photos. I am so excited to be able to watch Lauren grow througout her first year. The best part is that once Lauren turns one, I get to put together a fine art book that shows all the pictures of Lauren's First Year.

So, this past weekend was time for Lauren's 6 month pictures and her dad was able to join us this time. What a beautiful family! And Lauren has grown so much since just 3 months ago. Okay, I'll stop babbling and just let you see some pics and of course....

**Here is the Show**

Christmas, Dora & Pretzels

According to Isabel, there's nothing more important than pretzels and Dora - not even (or should I say, especially not) Christmas pictures. Like most toddlers, portraits are just not on her list of priorities. So, we decided to just have some fun, chase lil' Isabel around, and try to catch a couple of family portraits in the process. Maggie had their beautiful house completely decorated for Christmas. This so got me in the mood for Christmas.

**HERE IS THE SHOW**

Maggie is also the owner of The Initial Baby (where I get those adorable embroidered blankets and other things from) and Laughlin Promotions. Yes, she is a busy woman. And she needed a headshot for a website article geared towards teenage girls wanting to become business women. I've never done headshots before, so we had fun with a green wall in their dining room. I thought Maggie looked great!

Warning: low-res not representative of quality!

Be Content

I just read this from Robin of Bellissima Photography in Pittsburgh and it struck a cord with me and thought I would share it with the family, friends, and clients that read my blog.


be content.
be content right now.

be happy.
you have everything you need right now.

be playful.
be curious.

dream.
wish.
ponder.

don't wait for retirement.

don't wait to be happy.
you deserve happiness now.

don't wait.
don't be miserable.
don't worry.

strive to live a life you are proud of - whatever that is, and know that whatever you do, it's exactly the right thing.

life is toooooo short.

Have a Happy Tuesday! (that part was from me)
Karen

Little Cowboy - Newborn Session

I had a newborn session this past Wednesday with Baby Gus, who was just under 4 weeks old. He was awesome and had the cutest little nursery. His mom, Tanya, loves to decorate and made his nursery theme about cowboys (see the slideshow for detail pics of it). Anyhow, Gus was great and I hope to be photographing him throughout his first year and beyond:)

**CLICK HERE FOR THE SHOW**

There always has to be a little feet pic in each baby session:)

(I just love baby feet)

Aren't newborn supposed to be scrawny?

Not Gus, he's ready for GQ already!

One of my fuzzy blankets.

This was actually at the beginning of the session. I couldn't believe that he was just sleeping like that. My babies were always so hard to get to sleep.

Photobooth

Following the inspiration of Nathan and Amber of Holritz Photography, I made a "photostrip" of the photobooth photos that I took of Stacy and Heath a couple of weekends ago. I am going to put it in their Jewelbox for their engagement photos (shh, they don't know that yet - unless they read this of course!). I think it turned out cute.

Comments are always welcome, as usual:)

Wash U - In Love

Congratulations to LaDonna & Cortez! They are getting married next May. LaDonna sooo wanted fall colors in her engagement pictures. Due to scheduling chaos, we almost thought we might miss the leaves before they fell, but we finally were able to get together and take the pictures with the beautiful fall colors. We went to Washington University, which is an awesome place to take portraits. LaDonna brought Chloe, their dog, who was super-d-duper excited to have her picture taken. I love dogs, so Chloe and I got along just fine. Here's some pics and enjoy the show!

Fun In Love!

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to photograph Stacy & Heath's engagement pictures. They were willing to try something fun with their engagement pictures, so we went down to Old Town St. Charles and then over to their old elementary school (where Heath proposed to her!). They had so much energy and were coming up with their own things to try (most of which worked, but some of which went hysterically wrong - like the "I'll put Stacy up in this tree" pose that Heath came up with! LOL). I can't wait to photograph their wedding in June. Congratulations to the two of you! Here is the entire slideshow.