Still Summer!

Yes, it is September.  And yes, Labor Day weekend is upon us.  I keep hearing people comment that summer is OVER.  :(   But, did you know that Fall officially does not begin until September 23rd?  So, according to my math, we still have about 20 days left to enjoy this wonderful season called SUMMER.

Here are a couple summery images to start the weekend.  I'm wishing everyone a fun, happy, relaxing and safe Labor Day weekend!!  And a wonderful 20 more days of summer!  :)

~Tiny Turns One! : Baby Photography~

August 15, 2010 at 12:11am. One year ago...that is when my little Violet entered this world and changed my life forever. Giving birth and becoming a first-time-mom is such a whirlwind! The sequence of events can really be quite a blur! But I remember that moment…8/15/10 at 12:11am…I remember it as clear as day. The moment they set her on my stomach and when I heard her cry for the first time. The moment they put her in my arms, we looked at each other, and I said “hi.” There are no words to describe that feeling.

I never knew it was possible to love someone SO MUCH. I was also totally unprepared for how this little person changes your entire outlook on life. She makes me want to be a better person every day. I want to solve all the world’s problems so she can grow up in a better place. One thing is for sure…no matter what life throws at me, all I have to do is look at her, and I am reminded of how blessed I am.

I have to say, this past year has flown by. I hate that motherhood seems to press the fast forward button on life. It seems like, one minute, she was a 7 pound newborn, and the next minute she’s rolling, crawling, standing and now walking! While each stage passes way too quickly, every new chapter in her life is SO incredibly exciting and fun.

Today, my Little Tiny turns ONE YEAR OLD. It’s been the fastest and most amazing 12 months of my life. Of course, I would like to take this opportunity to share some Tiny photos, old and new!! I had a REALLY difficult time narrowing these down, so get comfy...there are quite a few. :)

Happy first birthday to my Little Tiny Violet Eve!!

brand new! still at the hospital. 6lbs 7oz of tinyness!

just a few days later and she already looks different!

6 months!

dressing up

easter

9 months!

photo taken by Emily Hutson (thanks Emily!)

photo by Emily Hutson

standing!

up north for July 4th

i can never resist taking photos of her while she's sleeping

in Ann Arbor helping me scout locations for an upcoming wedding shoot

we made friends with a nice lady who let Tiny borrow her sunglasses :)

11 months...getting so big!

right:  "photo shoot's over mumma."

we've taken so many pictures in this spot! it's getting a lot harder now that she wants to crawl off the bed.

12 months!  already???  

Thanks for indulging this proud mama and looking at my baby pictures! I hope to share pictures soon from her birthday party, which takes place this weekend.  

Summer Solstice!

Summer is finally here!  It seems like it took forever to get here this year.  And as everyone's schedules start to book up, it's easy to feel like it's already half over.  This year, I'm committed to savoring every moment of summer to make it last as long as possible.

Step One:  Get outside to enjoy some of the gorgeous flowers that are blooming around me!  I captured a few shots with my new macro lens that I am in LOVE with.

Enjoy your Summer Solstice!  It's the longest day of the year so stay up late!

carpet rose about to bloom

trumpet vine.  hummingbirds love these!

lovely clematis.

  Wishing everyone a wonderful summer!!  Thanks for stopping by!

New Product ~ Photo Jewelry!

I am excited to announce that I am now offering custom photo jewelry to my clients!

I was excited when I found this line of products by Kotori.  Not only am I really pleased with the quality and style of their pieces, but I really love the story behind the brand. Here is a quote from Kotori’s founder…

“I started Kotori because I was always being asked for pictures – photos of my kids. And in the mass confusion of just making it out the door, I never seemed to have one. So I designed one that I could take with me no matter where I went. Soon others began asking for jewelry of their own, and Kotori was born. Kotori, by the way, means “baby birds” in Japanese. My two kids are my own baby birds, so it made sense to name my company after them. After all, everything I do, I do for them.”

photo necklace with hand stamped charm


The Kotori line features a variety of pieces, from necklaces to cufflinks.  All jewelry pieces are made from solid sterling silver.  Each photograph is printed at a lab on metallic Kodak Professional Endura paper, and then sealed with an industrial strength coating (which is waterproof and UV resistant).

heirloom necklace

Each piece is handmade and totally customizable, so you can mix and match items to create a truly personalized piece.  Choose a necklace with one photo pendant to make a simple, elegant statement.  Or, choose multiple pendants to reflect a more modern, eclectic style.  You can even add hand-stamped charms with names or other text.  Once you own a Kotori piece, you can add to it or modify it over time by ordering individual pendants.

This is a beautiful and unique way to carry your treasured photos.  These also make wonderful gifts for grandparents and other family members beyond the traditional framed print.  What an excellent gift idea for that hard-to-buy-for person in your life!

delicate photo bracelet

This line of photo jewelry is only sold through professional photographers, so I am very proud to start offering this to my clients.  If you are interested in purchasing a Kotori piece of your own, you are welcome to use a photo from a previous session.  Or, book an upcoming session with me, and you will receive a 10% discount on your first photo jewelry order!  Please contact me for more information!

photo charm bracelet

~Superbowl Time~

We are cheering for the Steelers, simply because we don't have any outfits that match Green Bay's colors.

Hope you are all enjoying this Superbowl Sunday!  ~Denise & Tiny

go steelers!!

i take the game very seriously.

have fun today everyone!!

~Holiday Wishes & Little Tiny~

I wanted to take a quick moment to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and all the best in the new year.

Thanks to each and every one of you who has joined me on my photo journey in 2010. Whether you invited me into your life to photograph your family, child, wedding, etc...  Or whether you have simply taken a few seconds to check out my blog...thank you.  Balancing life, work, photography, and a new baby has been quite the challenge...so please know that all the support, encouragement and kind comments I receive are hugely appreciated!

Speaking of that little baby who keeps me sooo busy, Violet (aka Little Tiny), I thought this would be the perfect time to share some recent photos of her!!  

little tiny isn't so tiny anymore!

tiny always likes a fashionable hat

tiny's first visit with santa (she seemed a bit confused)

one must accessorize when one has no hair

my little elf                                                                                         my little fashionista

angel face.  i love you tiny!!

Once again, I'd like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season, and best wishes to you in 2011!!  

xo,

denise