I Have Watched Her Grow Up...

into a beautiful Mommy to be! Meet Marci and Peter, soon to be parents of the lucky, Sara Beth. We took some outdoor shots this morning and then headed to their home for somemore. I was so excited to do these bc it has been quite awhile since I have had a maternity and Marci and I went to school together - she is my younger sis's age. It was exciting to me to see the pure joy they have for this unborn child:) Hope you like them, guys. I think that this first shot proves that winter clothing can make a terrific picture!

And, how gorgeous does she look???

Lots of Sweet Baby Boys...

Meet Dylan, my newest Baby Planner. Dylan came into the world the day after Christmas. Such a cute little babe with some beautiful skin! He was not too keen on some hard sleeping, but we got some great pics!


Next, meet Carter. Carter is also joining the PictureLily Family. I am very excited to watch both of these little guys grow. We had a very interesting shoot at Carter's house! It was such a great, beautiful house, but we had to stay in the little foyer to have good light. I know they thought I was a nut!! We even dragged the breakfast table in there- hey- we do what we got to do!

A little snuggle with mommy and a little giggle with daddy

and the big boy shows off his strong muscles!
After visiting Dylan, I dropped by a client/friend's home to pick up something. I brought in my camera to snap a few pics of how she displayed my work-


This was downstairs in the basement. Love the way she has them with the bench- so eclectic

This cowboy pic was a fave of hers. We blew it up to a 24x24 and she put it in a frame she already had and put it in the foyer- perfect!!

Happy Boy...

I met with Andrew (one of my sweet baby planners) for round 2 of his 3 mo shoot. We decided that he was not in the most favorable mood last shoot and I am glad we did!! We had a HAPPY BOY this time. Poor little guy- I had to kill the mood by putting him down on the hardwoods ( a fave shot of mine) and he decided to do the "fast roll" and bonked his little head. :( He was so active! I am imagining his 9 mo shoot.... Note to self: better eat a good breakfast that day! Anyways, thanks, C, for having me back over.



After I came home and got my camera unloaded, I headed out to my friend, Brandi's house. We did not do any mom/baby shots last time and wanted to grab a few. How beautiful this turned out-

I wrapped a black fleece blanket around them. Brock was getting sleepy on us- he was not so happy about being so wrapped up so tight to mommy without a snack!!
I am headed off to a newborn shoot today! The sky is blue and I am excited! Winter is so iffy- even if it is not raining, it can be so dreary. That is not good for me, considering I need good bright light for indoor shooting. So, I get all happy when I see blue skies:)
On a personal note- I think Morgan is potty trained! I had such a hard time with Lily I had decided he could set his own pace. Well, it worked! last week was poopie HE double hockey sticks, though! If he was not naked, he would go in his underwear Or a little bowl! Oh yes, my boy has talent! I found a LITTLE bowl in his room with a surprise in it. Along with some skids on the carpet from where he sat down to play with his toys- Too much info???? Sorry!! I have discovered that a watered down bleach solution has been a miracle on our berber carpet. if I can give any advice on potty training- I PROMISE- they will NOT do it until they are ready! No matter how much they know or understand... Off to get ready for baby Dylan!!!

2009...

A new year and January is almost booked! I only have 2 session dates available in January! February is typically a slow month, so if you have (or will have) a newborn under the age of 2 wks or a 3/4 monther- Feb is for you! Just email me asap for appointment info. I have changed my pricing structure. If you are wanting that info, just drop me an email and I will forward you my cute, new PDF brochure!
One of my best friends, Ginger, and her sweet baby, Logan, came to hang out with me last week. We did Baby Logan's 3 mo shoot. He is such a doll and I am sooo proud of Mommy Ginger!! She and Andy are doing such an awesome job:) Here are a couple from our shoot.


And, no, I do not have a studio. But, I have a white backdrop that I will use at my home if ever needed.
Next up- my first customer of 2009! And a new one. Baby Carter was 3 wks old when we met. We had a nice time taking his pics. What a GREAT baby he is! And sweet parents:) Here are a few of the little guy-


I am really looking forward to this year! I am really blessed that my email is still getting new clients emailing everyday! It is so exciting!!! I have 2 - 3 mo olds, a newborn and a maternity this week, so stay tuned....

I Close my Eyes...

when I am soaking up my children- like this-

I was editing today and loved the expressions on this family shot.

Will be Back to Work...

On Monday Jan 5th! What a terrific vacation it has been! We have company in ALL weekend, so Monday is the day. Not that I have not worked this whole time- always pics to edit and business to take care of. Anybody that is expecting prints- I am placing the order on Monday and will be mailing out as they come. I have been working on galleries in my spare time this holiday. I know they are anxiously being waited on! Thank you for understanding that I had to get all holiday orders done and now have taken this time off to be with my family and not running back and forth to the computer the whole time!!!
I hope your family was as blessed as ours this holiday. We were able to see many friends and family members and spend precious time with our children. Scott was in a terrible car wreck on Christmas Eve. Somebody pulled out in front of him, leaving him no time to even tap the breaks. He hit them and then was sent over a hill and into the woods where he did not stop until he hit a tree. Our car is totaled, but he is still with us! We are looking forward to a fresh start this year! Karen:)

VACATION...

I am officially on vacation!! Enjoying the much needed time with family and friends. If you are a Baby Planner and it is time to schedule your next appt., please shoot me an email or call. Any new clients are welcome to do the same! Just please know that I will not be returning phone calls or emails as prompt:) Have a terrific holiday! Money is tight for everyone and I know many families that have had a tough year (or 2) - just enjoy the time off. That is what I am doing:) Looking foward to 2009!!! karen

The Wave of 3/4 "Monthers"...

All my newborns are headed back towards me to show off their filled in faces and heads of hair. I met with the handsome and adorable, Andrew, today. The weather has been so hard to judge lately- we actually ended up outside almost the whole time! Crazy! Anyways, Andrew was holding back back on the smiles (sound familiar any previous 3 mo mommies??) and got very sleepy on us, but I really think we got some darling shots- here are a few-

And the big boy pose that makes him look big and tiny all at the same time:)

off to lay on the couch- I have been nonstop ALL day!!

Darling Nickolas...

My awesome friend, Danielle, brought over 5 mo old, Nickolas, for a visit and a fun photoshoot. We had a blast! N is such a good baby and has such a sweet disposition. We got some really great shots. Here are a few-

LOVE...

Love this shot i stumbled on at 1:30 in the morning! I hope mom does too:)

Coming Soon...

2009 Information!

I See the Light...

at the end of the tunnel! Orders are still trickling in, I still have sessions to edit (thankfully, not for holiday cards!) and NO christmas presents have been bought! But, it is all coming together. I am sitting here blogging while my sweet babies are cuddling in the bed, watching a movie behind me. I want to thank everybody once again for their patience. I spent 6 LONG weeks without my husband, from Oct to about a week after Thanksgiving. He was gone doing some extra work. I was juggling the household, kids, bills and my wonderfully BUSY business in it crazy season! (Oh, and add getting sick twice) I survived! (with only one true breakdown) So, I am ready for a new year and a fresh start- how about you? I want to thank not only my awesome clients, who offered many words of support, but my 2 awesome babysitters and 3 awesome teachers that forgave me for being late, dirty children, forgetting lunch and snack and not reviewing site words! And onto my friends, who listened to me complain and encouraged me to truck on:)
So, there is the reason that I am just now posting these fab family's peeks-----
First off, our friend's adorable 3 mo old, Wyatt. What a beautiful baby!


Next, one sweet, fam shot of Rebecca and Grace's amazing family. To tell the truth, I was going to post one of each girls and I think I picked 2 of Grace- gotta email mom!! So, stay tuned for those.

And, now, my new and final Baby Planner for 2008! Meet Andrew and his sis, Alyssa. I foresee many awesome shoots in this beautiful babe's future.


Off to take care of the kiddos- they are getting restless- never fall asleep during a movie:( Happy Holiday Preparation Time!!

I Could Not Help it...

I had to stay up late and get some photos ready to post. I am having "Blogging withdrawals." No, really, I miss it and I actually talk out blog posts in my head throughout the day. Another one of those weird quirks I have that go along with staring at people and photoshoping their skin and under-eye circles:) Anyways, I have been working away. Yes, I STILL have galleries to get out! Those needed for Xmas stuff will be done THIS week. Also, an announcement:

IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR GALLERY- PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR ORDER TO ME BY FRIDAY**** Yes, by friday. Please!!!! With that said, please be ready to mail a check or (only for the holiday rush) Paypal to picturelily@gmail.com

My kids have been so funny lately. I have really been enjoying them. Lily is a grown up one minute and then a temper tantrum 2 yr old the next. You never know who you will get! She is just itching to learn more and more each day. I keep finding little notes around the house that she has sounded out words and written them. Here is something that I treasure. She gave it to me today. Lily has never said "Photography" She always says, "Uh-tography" It is so cute- I have never corrected her. (IS that bad??)

Isn't it sweet? She tried to show it to me and I brushed her off bc I was SOO busy and I found it later. I got a 2 minute hug:) And Morgan, well, the boy is HILARIOUS! I will have to start writing things down bc I cannot remember them all. We wonder why I cannot get things done when they are home?? It is bc he is bored and decides to pour water all over my bathroom floor and mop. Or climb cabinets and attempt (attempt is the word here, people) to get medicine. He loves to sing and say random numbers and letters, pretending he is reading them. I have noticed more letters come into play, lately. I am trying to rework my business a little so I am not working on the computer the WHOLE time I am home with them! Photogs- any suggestions??? Anyways, I am blessed beyond belief and hope that the blessings keep on coming.

Enough rambling- I am finally posting some pics! This is sweet, darling McKenna, one of my 6 monthers. Such a doll!

PS- there is this thing that us photographers are supossed to do- it is called "sharpening for the web" um, ya, have not done that. Turning over a new leaf. You will notice the sharpness. More so that will be seen on prints, but it makes them "pop." Onto, a really cool fam with a really cool home that Gramdma lives in. Thanks for letting us use it! Amazing shoot! Mom is going to love them. Ok, it is 1:30. I am done rambling. I hope to have more peeks tomorrow night:)

A Day Off...

Bc I have to! We are traveling to Sc today. I will be set up and ready to work by Sun night. Things are going really well. (except the fact that it is 9:30 and I was sure to leave by 8:00 this morning!!) So, remember, I will not be answering emails today, but they will be there for me tomorrow:) Thanks and have a great day!

Yes, I Admit...

I am in the weeds!! But, I can tackle it:) Thank you to all my wonderful clients that are being sooo patient with me. We have had a major change in our household a little over a month ago (not anything bad, just a HUGE adjustment) I am not going to blog about it, but feel free to ask, but most of you know what I am talking about. Anyways, I am dealing the best to my ability. So, all the support and kind words have really helped me. Galleries are running 3 wks- I KNOW! Long- and the holidays are coming! Well, I have 2 shoots this week and then I am pretty much done. That leaves more time for the computer. Also, the kids and I are packing up to go to my parents house for all next week. In doing this, I will be able to concentrate more bc the kids will be occupied and a scenery change will be nice for me:)
Holiday Cards can ship straight from the lab in 2 business days to your house. Any checks I have recieved up until yesterday have been deposited and orders placed. I will be able to have those ready for pick up bf I leave or will avaible for pick up from my assistant, Rachel. I will be placing orders from Myrtle Beach, but any prints that come while I am gone will not be availible until I get back.
I KNOW MY BLOG HAS GOTTEN DULL, BUT PLEASE KEEP COMING BACK! I willbe trying to have peeks for people, but please understand that editing galleries and doing orders take major priority:) Hugs to all! karen

Hehe...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkymTHSbWe0

Another Quick Post...

Hi! I am seeing a light at the "middle" of my tunnel! I worked all day today and I am staying up to meet my goals I have set for myself. I wanted to get peeks out to my anxious parents. Really quick, if you have a gallery out or need to make a payment on an order PLEASE do so! I am out of town at the end of the month and Thanksgiving holidays always slow the whole order process down. We have less time than you think, I mean, I have less time than you think:) Here we go!!!

Back to work...

24...

24 is the magic number! I have 24 sessions to edit! I told you my clients were good to me:) So, in light of that situation, I am skipping photo commentary so I can bust a move on these galleries. Here we go:











Hope everybody likes their peeks! More to come, of course!
A little business info:
IF YOUR GALLERY HAS BEEN OUT MORE THAN 2 WEEKS- PLEASE HAVE YOUR ORDER TO ME REALLY SOON!! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE WANTING CARDS MADE- THANKS!