I know what you're thinking... You have so much going on that even though registering for Portrait Day is on your " to-do list," you just haven't had the time to register. Well, the good news is that we still have some spots open. The bad news is that registration is only open until 11:59pm Wednesday night (tomorrow, October 7th). So, hop to it! Click here to learn more about Portrait Day and register before the buzzer goes off and the gong is, well, gonged. And since I can't post here without something for your visual pleasure, I thought I'd spread the word about a hilarious comedian who's getting his own show on Comedy Central. I first saw Jeff Dunham in college and then took Nick to see him a year ago here in Atlanta. He is the most original and talented comedian I've ever seen. That's a pretty big complement considering Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, Bill Cosby, et al., but he does something completely different. (Warning: the material in this video may not be suitable to young ears.)
Carter is such a sweetie. This was his third portrait session and I can't believe how much he's grown. I know I say that all the time, but really, when I start photographing little ones when they're....so little, it's amazing and emotional to watch them turn into little boys. Carter just celebrated his 2nd birthday, and he loves to read and climb and slide and throw and look at bugs. So needless to say, this session was jam-packed with activity. We even made it down to the neighborhood park like last time. And if you remember from the first session, Hiro, Carter's doggie, got some photo love, and this time, he got some love again. Who can say no to those precious eyes? Not me.
Carter's family was especially wonderful this session because I am working on a top-secret project in which they are playing a huge role. (Hey, that was great grammar!) I hope to announce the project in the next month or so. So, thank you Amy, Jonathan and Carter!
What a crazy time of year! For those of you who celebrate Rosh Hashanah and honor Yom Kippur, I hope your holidays were wonderful, meaningful and filled with family. It always feels like the High Holidays have come out of nowhere because I am so busy doing, working and living; the summer ends and all I can focus on are all the things I have planned for the fall and then, all of a sudden, the holidays are here. It's a good thing though. As much as I like to stay focused on the finish line, it's so necessary to take a break, a full break without the phone, tv, email, or Facebook, and really take some time to meditate on the past year. It's a time to realize the mistakes we've made, the accomplishments we've had, correct our wrongs and make a promise to have more accomplishments and fewer mistakes next year. Isn't that a great way for everyone to celebrate the new year? On Saturday, I was about to start cooking eggs for brunch when I looked out the window and saw a little turtle walking up our driveway. Now, we have a lot of wildlife in our neighborhood including a stray cat and her kitten who decided to take up residence outside our house for a few weeks. The list also includes, owls, opossum, geese, ducks, squirrels, chipmunks... But a turtle?! That was new. There is a stream right across from our house and with all the rain, the stream overflowed and the streets were covered in water. Thank goodness we are on a hill and didn't experience any damage from all the flooding, but this little guy must have been looking for something, maybe food, maybe a dry place to rest, but he had no idea he was walking onto the driveway of a photographer with a love for turtles. As soon as I saw him, I ran out to see him. I didn't touch him or try to pick him up because I feel that he's a wild animal (I mean, reptile) and just because I'm higher on the food chain doesn't mean that I should do whatever I want with him. Nick suggested we make him our pet, but I don't think that putting him into a 10-gallon fish tank or even creating an outdoor home for him is really a nice way to live. Don't get me wrong, I've had pets, including turtles, and pets are wonderful but for some reason, I felt that since he's lived his whole life in the wild, I have no right to take him out of that just for my own satisfaction. But what I did do is grab my camera, and Nick grabbed our new Flip HD video camera and captured the little guy.
I think the timing of his arrival was great. The New Year is a time of reflection, meditation and renewal and what better way to symbolize that than by observing something new in nature in your environment. It's amazing what we can see if we just stop every once in a while and look around, and respect nature and all it has to offer us.
Can you say excited?! I have been working on these 12 new designs for our greeting card catalog and the samples arrived! I love the variety of designs that really can fit any event. Birth announcement, Christmas card, New Year's card, or, something that's become popular with my clients, an everyday notecard that can be used throughout the year.
We've added some paper selections as well. We've had watercolor, linen and glossy papers from some time. And now we have pearl (an iridescent paper), semi-gloss and a recycled paper. Since we as a studio are all about conserving and recycling, I'm especially excited about offering the recycled paper option.
All holiday card orders must be placed by November 1.
I am a huge fan of This American Life , the radio show on NPR that explores American life, stories, events both personal and public in a way that is refreshing, captivating and educational. It airs here in Atlanta on Sunday evenings, but I subscribe to the podcasts so I can listen whenever I have time. Usually that means, while I paint our living room, do the huge pile of dishes that have accumulated over what seems like weeks (read 48 hours), or my newest favorite non-photography hobby - cook in our new kitchen.
Anyway, I saw this and had to share. It's an animation of one of the vignettes on an episode. If you haven't had the pleasure yet, I urge you to listen to the next show. You can download old episodes on iTunes, listen to the latest episode here and become addicted, like me! Love it!
If you've been following me on Facebook, you already know that I've been making Challah (egg bread) from scratch throughout the last few months. It is such a gratifying experience to know that I'm capable of making bread, and the fact they it is so much more delicious than the store bought stuff makes me (& Nick) especially happy. These are my first round loaves made especially for Rosh Hashanah. One plain, one with raisins - yummy!
The rabbi at the Orthodox congregation, Beth Israel, in New Orleans, asked if I could send some of the pictures I took while touring their Katrina-flooded building. While editing thru some pictures from our February trip, I came upon this image. It isn't one that previously stood out to me, but it just goes to show how the meaning and impact of a photograph can change. It really appeals to me now. The room was only lit slightly by an overcast day seeping in through nearby fogged windows. The room felt like a cemetery of ruined items and furniture. This pew stood alone. Imagine all the people who must have sat in this pew throughout the years, praying for ill family members, rejoicing at marriages and bar mitzvahs, celebrating Rosh Hashanah's year after year.
Anyway, thought it was appropriate as Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins Friday evening. L'Shanah Tovah! May the year bring you good health, happiness and many pauses to enjoy the little things that make our lives rich.
We know many of you have been waiting for this so thanks for being patient! Our 2009 catalog of holiday cards and birth announcements is here!
Many of the designs are customizable - colors, text, font, size of images on the cards, etc. Also, birth announcement designs can be customized for the holidays, and vice-versa, so don't be afraid to ask if we can adjust a design for you.
On Saturday, I had the pleasure of photographing William and Margaret again. As with William's third session, we headed outside for Margaret's third session as well. This time, we went to Emory University. Mom used to work there which I know created a interesting circle-of-life kind of thing for her to have a portrait session of her children in the same place she used to work 5 days a week. They often take walks thru the campus as a family because it's just so darn beautiful and I think the lack of traffic is also a nice perk. So, the kids seem to know the place well and felt really comfortable there - probably one of the top 3 important elements of a great portrait session.
While most of the students were still sleeping on Saturday morning, we wandered around enjoying the break in rain.But before we left the house, I snagged this moment thru the front door of William and his dad having a quiet moment on the front porch.
It's hard to believe that Nick and I have been married for 11 months. This year has flown by and it's almost time for our anniversary. Nick and I made promises, more like a bet, to each other and my end of the deal was to finish designing our wedding album by our first anniversary. Well, I'm not even close to being finished. I am finally seeing what my clients have always said about how difficult it is to choose their favorite pictures. While it's always a challenge to design a wedding or portrait album, I can honestly say now that it is easier for me to eliminate, sequence and group pictures than it is for a bride, groom or parent.
But now I'm designing my own wedding album and it is SO HARD! I've probably spent about 3 hours on it already and only designed 8 page spreads - and that includes the invitation on the first page. Anyway, while I keep my head down and try to plow thru, I decided that we needed some eye-candy, something to remind us everyday of our beautiful and memorable wedding. And we shouldn't have to wait until the album is complete to enjoy all the amazing pictures. (A bit of a copout, maybe. So what!)
So, I had a 24x36 canvas made of one of our favorite photos. It was shot during our first dance, a swing number to "You Make Me Feel So Young" by Frank Sinatra. Love the song and performing our well-rehearsed dance, with lifts and a gajillion spins, was one of the highlights of the entire day. What I love about this image is ....so many things. First, the expressions on everyone's faces - priceless. The lighting is superb, lighting up my dress and illuminating everyone's faces. Third, the composition of Nick and me in the frame. Fourth, that I can just barely make out Ben and Chris lighting and shooting this moment. (Thanks, Chris, Katie and Ben!) And most importantly, fifth, the memories is brings back. We love placing it above our bed. Since it's in a private space of the house, we get to enjoy it all to ourselves (well, except for this post, of course!) and it makes it really special.
Love everyone's expressions, and my twirling dress!
Check out the amazing texture of the canvas. Love it. And, yes, I wore sneakers all day. I'm an all-comfort kinda girl.
I've had a really great time designing some new holiday cards. If you are interested in the holiday card package on Portrait Day, email me and I can send you the catalog as soon as it's complete.
While I was working on holiday cards, I took the opportunity to add some birth announcement cards to my collection. I absolutely love this new design. It's a tri-fold 5x5 card that is available in 5 different papers - linen, watercolor, semi-gloss, gloss, and matte recycled paper.
front
As you open the card, this picture on the left is revealed. The right side is still folded.
inside
And the back.
Contact the studio if you'd like information about scheduling a newborn portrait session, Growing Baby Portrait Packages or birth announcements.
The day has finally come after months of planning and a year since the last event. Portrait Day 2009 registration is now open!
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Join us at the park... dance among the trees, twirl in the grass, bring a picnic and enjoy a beautiful day while Sara Speert Photography photographs stunning images of your family.
This year's Portrait Day will be held on October 24th, 2009 from 9am to 6:30pm. Mini-sessions will be held all day and offer a wonderful opportunity for holiday or annual family portraits at a great discount.
Our goal is to capture the natural and real emotions of your family, and create custom art for your home with images that will make you laugh and bring tears to your eyes.
Click here or on the image below to learn about all the details and register. This event will sell out so register now. Registration deadline is October 7th.
Thanks to our amazing clients & friends - Pete, Jenny, & Jack, and Dan, Rachel & Joshua for their beautiful pictures featured on this year's Portrait Day flier.
Only 12 hours until Portrait Day 2009 registration is open! This year's event is sure to fill up quickly so if you're interested in scheduling a session, be sure to check back here tomorrow morning for all the details.
BUT if you are a Facebook fan, you can register NOW. Facebook fans get the VIP treatment, so if you're not a fan yet, click the logo, become a fan and register early.
I know it's hard to believe that fall is right around the corner. Although, the last couple days of mild temps have been so amazing. Who would have thought that Atlanta could experience low 80's in August?! Love it.
I've been busy planning the fall and have some important dates that I thought I'd post here.
September
Tuesday, September 1st - Registration opens for Portrait Day 2009 (announcement will be posted here.)
Monday, September 7th - Labor Day - Studio Closed
Friday, September 18th @2pm thru Sunday, September 20th - Rosh Hashanah - Studio Closed
Monday, September 28th - Yom Kippur - Studio Closed
October
Wednesday, October 7th - Deadline for Portrait Day 2009 Registration
Monday, October 12th - Studio Closed (My 1st Anniversary!) - Studio Closed
Saturday, October 24th - Portrait Day 2009
November
Friday, November 6th - Deadline for all Holiday Orders
Wednesday, November 25 - 29th, Thanksgiving - Studio Closed
December
Thurday, December 23rd thru Sunday, January 3rd - Christmas/New Year's/My birthday - Studio Closed
I'll be sure to post any changes or additions here.
For any moms or dads out there who are about to embark on their first, first day of school for their child, the day can be filled with stress, anxiety, nerves and excitement, and that's just for the parents! Most importantly, it's a day you'll want to remember forever.
We are offering a new package just in time for the first day of Kindergarten or 1st grade. The "1st Day of School" is a documentary session that starts at home, as your child wakes in his cozy bed and includes those all-important first-day-of-school clothes, breakfast, getting the backpack ready, handing him lunch and out the door. Coverage continues in the car, up to the school doors and hugs & kisses. The package concludes with all your favorite photos in a custom-designed 5x5 Carry-About Album that you and your child are sure to cherish forever.
Because many schools begin on the same day, availability is VERY limited. So if you are interested, contact the studio immediately. 404-nine-six-six-7-two-7-two.
This weekend is the Children's Boutique Warehouse Sale at The Works. All the adorable clothes, toys, room decor and shoes you can find at the local boutiques, like Sugar Plum Kids, Limetree, and Wiggle are on sale up to 70% off at this huge warehouse sale. Children's Boutique Warehouse Sale at The Works - Click the link or the image for more info and directions.
