Client Rooms: Building a Collection

Another beautiful example of how to display your favorite portraits in your home. This Fine Art Metal Cluster will grow with little Nora. The first piece in the Cluster is this adorable picture of Nora all curled up at 14 days old. As she grows, we'll add two 11x14's below it to complete the collection.

Because the Clusters are individual pieces, we can rearrange, add to or even separate the pieces onto different walls. The Collections and Clusters both offer this great versatility for growing families.

By photographing the portrait in the nursery, not only was Nora comfortable (and clothing and diapers were close-by for changes), but the portraits automatically match the color and decor of the room. It's the perfect way to take away the stress of worrying whether it will fit in the room.

Plus, by using the wooden blocks, found in her room that spell out her name, we've added an element of nostalgia that I love.

Follow-Up: The Great Cloth Diaper Change - Atlanta

The Great Cloth Diaper Change event went great! On Saturday, 48 babies had their diaper changed at the exact same time as thousands of others all over the world. The goal was to set a Guinness Book of World Record by changing the most cloth diapers at one time. It was a bit chaotic, as you can imagine with that many babies and their parents and siblings, but everyone had fun and some families even took home some great raffle prizes.

Cloth diapers are so much better for the environment than disposable ones so if you're able, make the change to cloth. Based on the new designs I saw on Saturday, there are some really cute patterns that may add some extra motivation to make the switch. The few portraits I've photographed where baby wore a cloth diaper, the splash of color and pattern from diaper was so fun.

Natural Parenting Atlanta hosted the event at Leapin' Lizards. Thanks to James Adam Hill Photography for photographing the event with me, and Mimi's Murals for decorating the chalk board - so pretty! Here are a few pictures from the event.

Having some fun with daddy while they waited in the registration line.

Checking in at registration.

I couldn't keep my eyes off this beautiful 2-month old. How precious is she?

Holding up the cloth diapers.

If you'd like to view the rest of the pictures - CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PHOTOS FROM THE GREAT CLOTH DIAPER CHANGE: ATLANTA EVENT.

Congratulations to our New SpokesMAMA!

Congratulations to our newest SpokesMAMA contest winner - Tracey Grant! Tracey won our SpokesMAMA Contest for 6-8 year old kids. Tracey is enthusiastic and creative and her son, Jacob, will be wonderful for our alternative school portraits. I'll create a series of pictures of Jacob that are fun, and expressive of his personality and his interests. And at the very end, we'll do a side-by-side comparison of his last school portrait with his new pictures. So fun.

Here's a bit of what Tracey wrote in her application:

Sara's pictures tell a story of who your child or family is. She captures those everyday moments that make up our lives and illuminates the magic and beauty that would otherwise be gone in an instant.

Congratulations Tracey, Jacob and the whole Grant family!

Our next SpokesMAMA Contest is for newborns. This is a popular contest so if you're interested in applying, be sure you're a fan of our Facebook page and you're on our enewsletter list so you can be first to know when the contest opens.

SpokesMAMA window decal

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 26: The Great Cloth Diaper Change

Tomorrow, Saturday April 23rd, we are photographing The Great Cloth Diaper Change event for the Guinness Book of World Records. The challenge? Change the most cloth diapers at the exact same moment. If you have a child who is less than 39" tall, join us to set the record and get into the picture that goes in the record book.

The Great Cloth Diaper Change Event
Learn more at the event website. Please note that admission and participation are free but RSVP is required.

Can't wait to see you there tomorrow!

Leapin' Lizards
185 Sams Street
Decatur, GA 30030

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 25: Happy Earth Day!

After a couple weeks of being seriously sick, pulling my back and traveling, I have finally rejoined the world and all the goodness of spring. Thanks for your patience - the most recent SpokesMAMA Contest winner will be announced soon and I will post some pictures from the Easter Bunny Event we had at Salon Red Kids on Sunday. If you ever feel an itching to know what's happening here at the studio, check out our Facebook page. I hate to admit it but I do update there more often than here on the blog. There's something about being able to type just a few words or post a link that is so much less time-consuming than an entire blog post. And it doesn't hurt that so many of you respond and post comments there as well. I definitely feel the love. :)

Happy Earth Day! Hope you have a chance to get outside today and enjoy the outdoors with your family. If I had my way, I'd have my studio outside - well, at least while the weather is good. I love being outside. I always feel so refreshed even if it's just a short walk to the mailbox.

In the vein of Earth Day and protecting our planet, and because I absolutely love re-purposing things - giving items new life as something for which it was never intended - I thought it'd be fun to show you some great items (perfect for Mother's Day) that are upcycled and simply really cool and fun.

One of my fabulous clients owns a business called Tickleworm (how cute is that!) creating upcycled items. Rachel finds old sweaters, cuts, sews and sometimes stuffs to make vintage one-of-a-kind scarfs, wristbands, tooth fairy pouches, cell phone cases and more. One of my favorite parts are the vintage buttons she uses. Don't you just love these?

Scarf

Ornaments


Purse/Pouch


Tooth-Fairy Pillows

I love that she uses existing materials to make fun and unique pieces. By using found items, she's keeping them from going in the trash and truly creating art from something that would otherwise be passed over.

Visit her website and her Etsy shop to order and let her know that I sent you.

SpokesMAMA Pictures!

Erinleigh won our SpokesMAMA Contest for kids 6 months to 2 years old. And this past weekend I went to their home for their session. When I arrived Eli was cozy napping in his crib but soon woke up for a fun few hours of pictures.

Eli recently discovered his feet.


Love this one! Daddy and Eli



Fresh and fun. Mom and Eli

One of the many things I love about photographing in my clients' homes is using interesting furniture and items found in the house. Erinleigh discovered this rocking chair for Eli's room at a yard sale. A bright coat of paint make it perfect for spring pictures!



Happy family!

Another great find from their home. This basket does double duty as laundry basket...and a prop.

Congratulations to Erinleigh, George and Eli on being our SpokesMAMA family! Want to learn how you can receive a free portrait session package, t-shirt, and more in our SpokesMAMA Contest? Our current contest is for mamas of kids 6 - 8 years old. Check it out here.

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 24: Meet the Easter Bunny

Salon Red Kids and Sara Speert Photography invite you to meet the Easter Bunny!
Learn more about the event and register now.

After getting my haircut at the main salon two doors down, I stopped by the kids salon and their front window looks so cute - all ready for the Easter Bunny event and your adorable kids! (Please excuse the fuzziness of my iPhone pictures)

Picture of the Day - My Family

Last weekend Nick and I flew out to Seattle for some much needed family time. Our adorable niece is growing up so quickly - it's hard to believe she'll be three this summer! It was great to spend some stress-free time with my brother and sister-in-law in their home and around town.

The long weekend was filled with lots of everything... delicious home-cooked Shabbat dinner, sushi from a conveyor belt, pink cupcakes,

hide and seek,


bike-riding,




drawing with chalk, bristle blocks, walking to get bagels,




playing in the van (Elizabeth wanted to show me what it's like to
drive and ride in the van to the campsite.)






hide and seek (again!), a visit to the children's museum,
gourmet doughnuts, reading books, playing dollhouse and play-kitchen,


making silly faces,


and cozy naps.

But the best part is listening to her. She has a lot to say and has a great vocabulary, and it's so fun to listen to her at this age. Everything is "why?" and when she says our names, it's actually "Un Nih and Ann Saya." Seriously, just hearing our names makes me melt. She also repeats a lot that she hears. Jeff calls her a parakeet, ha! Kathleen got her saying "Whatever, dude" which got us all laughing hysterically.

Can't wait to see them all again soon on Skype. (Isn't Skype just awesome?!) Have a great rest of the weekend with your family!