So, let’s get right down to it.  Totalling well over 600 votes, the competition was fierce! 

1st place winner of the 16×20 gallery wrapped canvas is Kate!  For those of you who know sweet little Kate and her family, you know that for all they’ve been through in her first year of life, they are more than deserving of this gift!  Congratulations!

2nd place winner of the $100 print credit on a 2012 session is Leah!  I mean, really, who could resist voting for a newborn baby with a huge grin like that?

And the 3rd winner of the mini session package (chosen by random.org) goes to the comment made by Lorilee!

And while I’m at it, I may as well share this one that has been up for quite some time now.  This is a 24×36 gallery wrap hanging above the couch in our living room.  You can see what a difference it makes when you go large with wall prints.  Imagine if I had hung an 8×10 or even an 11×14 there?  Especially in a room like this that has vaulted ceilings.  I love this image of my kids so much.  Even more than a year later, I still love looking at it every day.  (Sorry for the wonky lighting in this photo.)

I know many of my clients have purchased large prints and wall galleries for their homes.  I would love it if you all would share them with me on my Everyday Art Facebook page, now that you have them all hung up!  I may even have a $25 Target gift card for one lucky person who posts a photo of how they have their prints displayed between now and the end of January!  And, well, if you still don’t have them hung up yet, here’s an incentive for you to get to work.

I did get this one iPhone photo of Rory and Cohen, and I love it.

I didn’t get a photo of the real invites (see, I’m a slacker), but here’s the digital version.  Loved how these turned out!  Perfect for our beachy theme.

A banner for the birthday boy and girl!

They each had their own cake, and both were delicious!

Of course, we had to serve sand cups with gummy sharks.

And these amazing push up cupcakes!  Aren’t these SO cute?  A huge hit with the kids.

It was a huge coincidence that Target happened to have all sorts of summer supplies in the perfect colors to match our theme.  We didn’t even plan it that way.  Now, if only we had purchased them two weeks later when it was all 50% off.  You can’t always win, I guess!

We made custom beach themed coloring books for each of the kids’ favor buckets.

The taco-in-a-bag was also a hit with all the guests!

What a fun party!  I’m so glad we got to celebrate Cohen and Emma turning two with everyone.  And now, after a party in May, June, and July…I’m partied out for awhile!

Everyday Art Photogaphy | Bismarck, North Dakota famly photography

Surprise your family and friends this year with these beautiful cards!  Along with the 5×7 cards always offered, I am very excited this year to also be offering several die-cut cards in a variety of beautiful shapes.  All cards are two-sided, and press printed on fine linen paper.

The cards come in sets of 25 for $50.  Purchase two sets, and you will receive a complimentary set of 50 matching return address labels, making sending them easy!

And a special offer for all 2011 clients: with the purchase of a premiere or ultimate collection, you will receive one set of cards, plus 50 matching return address labels, a $75 value!  Use the menu link above to contact me about scheduling your session and the tab to the left for information about my availability.

So, without further adieu…here are a few examples of the designs this  year.  I’ve got a little something to fit everyone’s style.  Fun, traditional, and whimsical…whatever you choose!  To see the full collection of holiday card designs, visit the link under the client info tab above.

Everyday Art Photography | Bismarck, ND newborn, baby, child, & family photographer

July – booked!

August - 2 sessions available   booked!

September – 3  2 sessions available

October – 4 sessions available

Last year, my dear friend Erin Vournas and I met up to photograph one anothers’ families.  Let me tell you, I am SO happy that we did that!  Our family had not taken a real family portrait since way before Cohen was born, and I am so glad that we have those images now.  I think too often us parents (moms, especially) miss out on actually being in the photos with our kids; laughing, playing, just being together.  And I don’t know about you, but someday I want my children to know that I actually did exist, and better yet, to know how much fun and love we all shared.

I don’t know for sure when exactly a person starts to really retain memories, but I know I remember a few things from kindergarten and quite a bit more from 1st grade.  When I really think about it, there is a good chance that my children won’t even have any memories of the things we did up until this point in their lives.  That’s crazy to think about, but true!  The images I have of them now will be the only thing they have to remember from our time spent doing the things that they love right now.  And as a parent, how easy is it to forget that certain expression that you love or how they looked when they were 2 years old or what their favorite toy or activity was?  My daughter just turned five and I am already blown away by the changes in her looks and interests when I look at photos of her from a couple years ago.  It makes me want to cry when I think of how I will feel looking back at our photos when she’s 18!

Okay, so what started out as a simple post about my summer schedule has turned into something much more rambling and long than I had anticipated, but with a child who just turned 5 and my baby turning 2 in just a month, I am feeling a bit sentimental!  Bear with me.

My point is this; what is holding you back from having your children or your family photographed?  You can schedule a session with me, go to the photo booth at the mall, ask a stranger to push the button on your point and shoot camera…I don’t care!  Whatever you do, I know you won’t regret it!

And since I am preaching on the topic, I’m going to post some images from my absolute favorite family session from last summer.  Can’t you just see how much this family loves each other?  This is what I love most about this job; capturing images like this!

I mean, how adorable and functional are they?

And they come in all sorts of fun colors and designs to match every outfit your baby boy or girl has!

So, up for grabs to one lucky person is one pair of any in-stock booties (value $30).

But that is not all I’m giving away.  It is early April, and while it doesn’t really feel or look like spring here in Bismarck, it has to be coming soon.  And with spring comes outdoor photo season, which I am so looking forward to.  Maybe you’re expecting a newborn baby soon or your baby’s birthday is coming up?  When was the last time you had a real family photo session?  I’m sure you can think of a great reason to have your child’s life captured, and I’d love to give that to you. 

So, also up for grabs is one Everyday Art Photography photo session (value $125)!

So here are the details.  Please note that comments will be moderated, so if you have never commented on my blog before, your comment may not appear immediately.

To enter, go visit the Bison Booties etsy site, window shop a little, and then come back here and leave a comment telling me what your favorite pair of booties are.  You will have until 6:00 pm CDT on Friday, April 8 to enter, and after that, two random winners will be chosen!

Please like us on Facebook, too!  You can find Everyday Art Photography on Facebook here, and Bison Booties on Facebook here. 

I absolutely love shooting newborns, so during my winter down time, I am currently holding a newborn casting call.  If you or someone you know is expecting a little one between now and the end of April, and you are interested in a complimentary session, please contact me now! 

Click the button below to like Everyday Art Photography on Facebook!

This girl definitely makes me happy!

To make two hooded wraps, you will need two bath towels, and one hand towel.

At Target, there are some really cute reversible towels, and that’s what I’ve been using because you can make one of each design.  Perfect for making a matching set.

First, you’ll want to fold the hand towel in half, length-wise.

Next, measure 10 inches in from one of the finished edges and cut.  Now, do the same from the other end.

You should have two rectangles measuring 10 inches on the bottom side.  Here, I’ve already reversed one of them because I am making one of each pattern.

Now, you’ll want to pin the cut edge so that you can sew it.

Sew the cut edge, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Now, turn it right side out.  You now have the hood!

Locate the center of the bath towel by folding it in half, and placing a pin in the center for reference.

With right sides together, pin the hood onto the bath towel, lining up the seam from your previous stitch with the pin you used to mark the center of the bath towel.  I find it is easiest if you start in the center and work your way out, and then repeat on the other side.

Make sure when you pin, you line up the edge as closely as possible.

Now, very carefully sew the hood onto the bath towel.  I try to stay right on the edge of the seam already on the towel so that the stitch is hidden.  Be sure to secure the ends really well.

See?  I stayed right on the edge of the seam so you can’t really even see my stitch.

Turn it right side out, and you now have your first hooded bath wrap!  Now, repeat the same steps with the remaining hood and bath towel. 

You can roll them up and tie them with a ribbon for a super cute, handmade gift that will be used over and over again!