Archive for the ‘Photography’ Category

 

I’d like to introduce you to our beautiful baby girl, Kennedy Ann Wilcox. She is simply perfect. If you are new to my blog, you might not know that  I am a PROUD Mommy of three little boys. We were delighted and surprised to find out when we got pregnant with our fourth child that we were FINALLY having a little girl! Everyone was beyond excited. I thought you all might want to meet her. So, without further ado here she is. . .

This has to be one of my favorite photos! I just love everything about it. I love how relaxed she is. The photo composition. The super cute bucket she is in from Brodders Tubs. I just sent in my fabric and then Emily worked her magic and sent me this adorable tub. I’m also loving the sweet headband Kennedy is rocking by Lori of LB Boutique. The adorable blanket she is snuggling on was a gift from my Mom, who my kids refer to as “Mimi.”  I’m thinking of enlarging this print and hanging it on her bedroom wall.  I have just the perfect place. What do you think? I was so in LOVE with this photo that I even used it on her birth announcements. . .

These birth announcements and labels are available in my Etsy Shop for purchase.

Here are a few more photos of her. . . look at those cheeks and lips! I just love her!

An HUGE thank you to my dear friend, Courtney, of Courtney Jade Photography for these truly amazing photos of Kennedy! Courtney spent several days hanging out in my dining room while we shot these photos. She is simply incredible and I am so thankful that she loves me and takes incredible photos of my little ones. She is not only a fabulous photographer, but a baby whisper too. Thank you Court! I <3 you so much!!!

*****

VENDOR CREDITS:

– Photography: Courtney Jade Photography – Backdrops: Lemon Drop Stop – Headbands: LB Boutique – Birth Announcements: Modern Moments Designs –Custom Bucket: Brodders Tubs

So, I’ve been MIA, but for good reason, I promise. Work has been crazy busy (remember you can always find me blogging for Hostess with the Mostess blog weekly, on pinterest, and on Facebook), I had two December birthday parties to plan, Christmas/Holiday cards to design, and everything else that comes with the holiday season. My poor blog suffers, I know! I am trying to make it my New Years resolution (though I don’t really believe in them) to blog more. Something entirely do-able, like once a week.

I’ve also had another good reason to be MIA. I am proud to OFFICIALLY announce that we (and when I say “we” you know I’M the one not sleeping, battling morning sickness, weight gain, and everything else, but my hubby deserves some credit, right?) are just over 12 weeks pregnant with our fourth child. As many of you know, we already have 3 amazing boys. Everyone keeps speculating whether we are having another boy, or alas that elusive little girl. Frankly, I’m not very patient so, as soon as I can find out what we are having, I will let you all know!!!

I can’t ever do anything easy and that goes for announcing to our friends and family that we are expecting again. I found a couple good ideas on pinterest and adapted them for our situation. I used the film strip wedding invitation and this film strip style baby announcement. Just minutes after I took a pregnancy test, I made the boys pose for pictures. Yes, Jackson is holding the “pee stick” in the one photo. His face cracks me up! Let me know what you think? It was super cheap to do and everyone seemed to really enjoy opening them!

Just a side note, I went to the photo center at Costco and asked for their empty film canisters. I used a bottle opener and carefully pried off the bottom. You can also buy empty fill canisters that you have to assemble.

Happy New Year! I hope to “see” you all more this year!!!!

Guess what. . . today is a very good day!! Are you shocked you are hearing from me so soon? I know, I’m hoping to keep this trend going! Now, back to the real excciting news!!! If you “like” my page on facebook you might remember seeing a “teaser” photo that I posted back in mid-September. The project I was working on has gone LIVE, and now I can share all the juicy details with you too. Okay, so there really aren’t any “juicy” details, but that just sounded more enticing!

Back in July, my DIY mini Cupcake Stands were featured on HGTV.com. They were included in the DIY Party Decor: Simple and Creative Ideas for Your Next Bash. Check out photo number 4 on the slideshow!

I was totally honored to be featured for two reasons. One, this was actually my own photo. I am not at all a professional photographer, nor do I aspire to be, but I do love a good photo! I always try to take photos that will look “pretty” on my blog! So, having one of my own photos used, as opposed to one taken by my fabulous photographer friends/family members was pretty cool. Two, it’s nice to know that tons of people will get to see my mini cupcake stands and hopefully they will be inspired to make them too!

Don’t get me wrong, the more publicity the better, right? The only thing that was a little bitter sweet about the whole feature was that I didn’t “design” these. I mean, I created them yes, but I’m a graphic designer. That’s my bread and butter. So, it was super cool that these were featured, but it would have been way cooler had I DESIGNED them, you know?

Fast forward just a few months. . . I was contacted again by HGTV.com, assistant editor, Kayla Kitts (to be more specific). She wanted to know if I was up to styling/creating “something” for their upcoming “24 Handmade Holiday Decorations” segment (check out photo number 2). Are you kidding me? Of course, I jumped at the opportunity! I don’t know about you, but I am not trained to start thinking about Christmas until late November. My photos had to be submitted on September 14th. Let the challenge begin. . .

Honestly, I had no idea what I was going to design! I knew I wanted to showcase my graphic design abilities this time. After spending some much needed time browsing Michael’s Craft Store for inspiration, I came up with an idea. Design a holiday tag! Not just any tag though, a Holiday Countdown Tag!!! Let your creativity run wild with these. Use them however you see fit!

In fact, it wasn’t until I went to my girlfriend, Laura’s house and scanned her garage full of decorations that I decided how I was going to use them. Isn’t the cloche dome just beautiful. Not familiar with the word cloche? Don’t worry, I wasn’t either until I googled “chicken wire dome decoration” and realized it had a really fancy name! By no means, do you need to use them like “we” (Laura helped me style these photos) did! Play with them until something inspires you! I’d love to see what you come up with though, so shoot me an email or send me a message on facebook to show off your creations!

Plus, I didn’t just design them in one color. Oh, no! You know me, I am an overachiever. I designed them in 4 colors. Yes, that’s right FOUR colors!!! This should give you some creative freedom! Have fun with them!

Want to know the good news? All of these tags are available for FREE! If you check out the HGTV.com feature, you can download the “Green” Tags. However, all of them are available right here!!! Please share these, pin them, tell your friends and family, etc.

Teal Holiday Countdown Tags

Green Holiday Countdown Tags (see photo 2)

Blue Holiday Countdown Tags

Pink Holiday Countdown Tags

*** I’d like to say thank you to Laura Grim for helping me style the shoot and for the use of her fabulous photo props. She never lets me down. I’d also like to thank you too, Kayla Kitts, for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to showcase my work!!

So, I just love TRADES! Who doesn’t love to trade services? Honestly, it’s one of my favorite forms of payment! I trade for a lot of things including hair coloring services, photography sessions, baby sitting, hair accessories, etc. I just LOVE trades! Most of the time, I trade for items that I wouldn’t normally purchase for myself. It’s fun getting the little extra things for “free”!

Let me tell you a little bit about Mikael. Mikael Monson is a vivacious, beautiful Mommy of three who is the brains and talent behind Mikael Monson Photography! She is just starting her photography business and approached me to help design her logo. First of all, I am always honored when people ask for my help! I don’t know why, but it always makes me feel so happy and proud that they chose me! Secondly, I love designing logos. I have a few under my belt and I always have so much fun making someone’s vision come to life! Lastly, any time I can get photos of my adorable children I jump at the opportunity! You can never have enough photos of your kids, right?

Mikael knew just what she wanted. She described her style as “modern, fresh, bold, and edgy” just to name a few. I wanted her logo to express just that. I didn’t want anything that was too cliche for photographers. A logo should express the brand that you are selling. In this case, I wanted it to sell Mikael. Here’s what I came up with. I’ll show you the black and white version first. You know how important that is to me that a logo looks good in black and white first. Well, it’s true. There are so many times when you will need to use your logo in gray scale. Get it right and then add color.

Here it is in color!

What do you think? I know Mikael was really excited about it (that’s really all that matters, right?) and is proud to put it on all of her work!

She was spot on when she described her style. I definitely agree with her. For my “payment,” Mikael took us to the North East side of Portland in the Industrial District. Where some people saw garbage cans, grungy stairs, and discarded crates, she saw a photographers dreamland. She took one person’s trash and turned it into my treasure!!

Check out some of the photos she shot of me and the boys! (I needed a few head shots taken to include in some of my upcoming work.) Did I mention I HATE having my picture taken? I am much more comfortable behind the camera instead of in front of it! Oh well, at least my dudes look AMAZING!!! Here are some of my favorites so far. I will get the rest of them in a week or two! I can’t wait!

Can I just tell you something funny? I was in huge heels and had to stand way out of this shot. If you have boys you know they migrate towards water, puddles to me more specific. Do you see where I am going with this story? All of a sudden, Emerson turned around and started stumbling towards the puddle. Picture me running in my heels and skinny jeans that were falling off my butt. Funny sight, huh? I just barely grabbed his puffy vest before he face plated into the puddle. Thankfully, he only got his cute little black booties wet and a disaster was avoided. Man, did that get my heart beating. At least we got the shot! Anything in the name of good photography, right?

If you live in the Portland/Vancouver area, check out Mikael Monson Photography. She is an amazing portrait photographer. You will not be disappointed.

Happy Wednesday!! Someday I won’t have so much work to do and I can just blog and chat with you all day long!