New Website and Blog

This is the final post on this blog. Our new blog is located at our new website: http://www.saraphotography.com.

Please visit us there and redirect any bookmarks to the new site.

Welcome to the world, new website and logo!

Born: May 18th, 2011 at 1:15am in Decatur, Georgia and the world over
Weighing: 12 pages and 7 galleries
Width: 978 pixels

I knew you were ok when, instead of waiting for your cry, all your links worked! I breathed a big sigh of relief and knew all the months of waiting were worth this one moment.

I hope you love the new website. My hope was to create a site that was easier to navigate (and one you could see on your smartphone), prettier to look at, more dynamic with a Facebook connection, and contained a lot more information that you would find, well, informative. As with every website we've had, the toughest decisions were choosing images to include. Thanks to everyone who allowed us into your homes and your lives to capture such beautiful moments. Your smiling faces, warm hugs and silly laughter make this new home one we are ecstatic to live in!

Subscribe to our new blog here.

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

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)

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 23: Meet the Easter Bunny @ Salon Red Kids

Meet the Easter Bunny at Salon Red Kids and have your picture taken with us!
A few sessions are still available.
No sitting fee and enlargement packages begin at $35.

Schedule your appointment by calling the salon at 404-377-6230.


And check out our new logo on the poster!
We're so excited about it, our new business cards and our new website.
Coming soon...

New SpokesMAMA Contest - Alternative to School Portraits, 6 - 8 year olds

We're excited to announce the next SpokesMAMA Contest begins TODAY!

Standard posed school portraits can be rushed, uncomfortable and unnatural. Shouldn't our kids pictures say more about them than what color their hair and eyes are, and whether they tilted their head the right way? We think so.

We offer an alternative to those stiff portraits, capturing real life and natural moments. And unlike school portraits, our sessions include the whole family. By incorporating meaningful activities and personal items into the portrait sessions, these documentary photographs are expressive of your child and his/her relationships with all the members of your family. And we’re giving away a complete portrait package to one lucky family.

Complete the SpokesMAMA application, including uploading or mailing a copy of your child's school portrait, by April 17th to win a full portrait session package including a 2-hour Portrait Session, $250 product credit, 25% discount on a second Portrait Session package, a t-shirt, car window decal and some serious bragging rights.

Want to know more? Learn more about the contest here - SpokesMAMA Contest.

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Plus, tweet or post to your Facebook status to be entered to win a $50 gift certificate. Post daily and we'll draw one name randomly when the contest ends. The more you tweet or post, the better your chances!

[Copy and Paste into your status]

Twitter : Atlanta moms, become a #SpokesMAMA & win an alternative school portrait session for your 6-8 yr old w/ @saraphotography http://bit.ly/ekE5Gd

Facebook (you must be a fan and tag our studio fan page for it to count): Atlanta moms, win an alternative school portrait session for your 6-8 yr old in the #SpokesMAMA Contest at (@sara speert photography) by 4/17. http://bit.ly/ekE5Gd

SpokesMAMA Baby - And the winner is...

Erinleigh Kinyanjui...Congratulations Erinleigh!

Thanks to everyone who applied and everyone who spread the word about it. We couldn't have done it without you! Our first SpokesMAMA Contest of 2011 received more applications than any other contest last year, our inaugural year for the contest.

The decision was so tough. Erinleigh won us over because she was so eloquent yet down-to-earth when she described herself and her love of our children's portraits.

I love the use of natural light and the intimacy of shooting in the subjects' home and other familiar locations. I HATE pose-y pictures, so the photo-journalistic style combined with her amazing eye is priceless. I think SSP is different (.... because although) other photographers may have a similar .... gear, etc... when you look at Sara's pictures you can feel the moments that were captured. They are beautiful pictures that reflect memories and are artistic to boot!

In addition to being a mom, she writes her own blog, volunteers at her church and even writes screenplays for local elementary schools. She seems like super-mom to us and we're thrilled to award her with the SpokesMAMA badge.

The next SpokesMAMA Contest is for moms of kids 6-8 years old. At this age, our kids are getting used to sitting for school pictures. ("Cheese!" Ah, those dreaded words!) And while many of those pictures turn out great, for most of us, they really don't say anything much about who are kids are. Shouldn't a picture say more than, "Yes, I have brown hair and blue eyes and my head is tilted the right way." LOL

We'd like to introduce an alternative to those posed, unnatural, uncomfortable and pressured portraits. And we'd like to include the whole family! Learn more about the next contest here and please spread the word. Please use #SpokesMAMA and @saraphotography when tweeting. The contest begins on March 17th.

Check back soon for pictures from Erinleigh's portrait session and if you see a SpokesMAMA sticker on the back of a car as you're driving around Atlanta, be sure to say congratulations! Plus, she'll have a special gift for you too!

And because no post is complete without a photo, enjoy this adorable moment I captured a few weeks ago of 4 year old Will showing off his awesome bedroom.

Amy's Holiday Party

In December, we were asked to photograph a wonderful event called Amy's Holiday Party. Since she was 13 years old, Amy Zeide has been organizing and hosting this party for homeless, foster and refugee children in the Atlanta area. What started as a party for 25 children has turned into a massive event for 800+ children and their families, 300 volunteers, countless donations of toys and games. We love donating our time to events like this. Seeing how much the children and their families were affected by the party was so meaningful and was a great reminder of what is really important in the midst all the chaos of the holiday season.

Here are some highlights from the day.

The event took place at the Holiday Inn Turner Field.
Thankfully the snow flurries didn't seem to keep anyone away.


An entire room was filled with toys and each child chose two to take with them.


Amy Zeide (L), Tara Kornblum (3rd) and two volunteers


One of the many games the kids played.


The butterfly on her face made this little girl SO happy.


WSB TV interviews Amy about the event.


Jason's Deli donated lunch for everyone.


So excited to have a new truck for Christmas!

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 20

On Tuesday, I installed a gallery of baby and kids portraits at the Peachtree-Dunwoody Road location of Roswell OB-GYN. I am so excited because I think it complements the excitement that expectant mothers are already feeling. Going to all those prenatal appointments can also be nerve-racking, so I hope that these beautiful pictures of happy healthy babies and families will bring them some peace and keep them thinking positive thoughts (even through the nausea!)

Our galleries of fine art portrait photography can engage customers, elevate the ambiance and style of a room, and encourage conversation. Just during the short time that I was at the doctor's office installing the gallery, at least a dozen people came over to see the photos, oooh and ahh over the adorable kids in the photos (of course!), and conversations just took off from there. In fact, I heard someone at the front desk saying how difficult it is to photograph her own kids - they won't sit still - she said. Who else can relate to that, right?

We are looking for other locations to create displays like this. So if you know of a space that would benefit from something like this, let us know!



The gallery images I chose include clients from a range of locations: Atlanta, Decatur, Emory, Grant Park, Lithonia, Dunwoody, and even Brooklyn, NY! And I adore the little shoes hanging off the wall that are holding my business cards. Thanks to my new friend, Carl, for that genius idea. They are so eye-catching and add some additional fun to the gallery.

New SpokesMAMA Contest - BABY

It's a new year and guess what!?
It's time for the first SpokesMAMA Contest of 2011!

Last year we received such a great response to the contests including getting some press about it in Professional Photographer Magazine! This year promises to be even more exciting with a total of 6 contests for children ranging in age from newborn to 8 years old.

This month's contest is for MAMA's of children ages 6 months to 2 years old. We're looking for MAMA's who value quality portrait photography, love our style, and want to help us grow by sharing their pictures and their experience with all their friends. All the details are on the application so click the image for more information. And good luck!

Application deadline is February 17th.

New SpokesMAMA Contest

Best Images of 2010

Setting the task of choosing our favorite images from the entire year sounds easy enough, but in reality it is really hard. Each family I've photographed has done more than just hire me. They've welcomed me into their home and opened their lives to me. They've trusted me to document this time in their lives ....in reality. There are no forced smiles, only real personalities and relationships showing through. I've connected with every family I've photographed, gotten to know them and in some cases watched them grow over the years. And in turn, they've allowed me to explore as an artist; to not be held by restraints of what a portrait should look like. They've trusted me and encouraged my creativity. And for that I am so grateful.

Here are a few of my favorite images from 2010. Thanks again and here's to more beautiful images and wonderful families in 2011!

Happy New Year - 2011!

I don't know about you but I'm in a bit of denial. I can't believe it's 2011. I mean, weren't we all just freaking out about Y2K? Ok, so it's time to make the adjustment and start writing "11" for the date and to come to the realization that we are now in a new decade. (Just weird!)

Over our holiday break I was super busy. In fact, I was so busy that it's hard to comprehend how I have time to get anything done when I'm working. I saw friends and family, celebrated mine and Nick's birthdays, rang in the New Year with some close friends, got to see my adorable 2 year old niece, warmed up by multiple fires in our fireplace, and did a ton of cooking and baking. Needless to say, I am very excited to start swimming again to get rid of the extra brownies, I mean weight, I gained.

January is a very exciting time of year here. It's the time of year when we look toward the future and put pen to paper. We are busy making plans for the year, coming up with new products, reworking our photography menu, planning events with local businesses, redecorating our studio, planning more SpokesMAMA Contests, and coming up with some other great promotions that we know you're going to love. But before we jump too far into 2011, I'd like to take a look back at 2010 and some of our favorite images. So check back later this week to see those and have some fun with us.

And because no post can be complete without a photo, here is my adorable niece, Elizabeth, during a rare stationary moment. :)

STuFF - Sara's Totally Fantastic Finds, Episode 19: Small Business Rewards

You may have heard over the weekend about American Express's Small Business Saturday. In an effort to support small business across the country, AMEX gave a $25 credit to all registered card members when they spent $25 or more at local stores on Saturday. Because the event received such a huge response, they've extended the promotion until the end of the year.

We are a participating small business in this promotion so be sure you register your card to receive the credit.

Register here to receive a $25 credit on your American Express statement.

The credit is given for purchases made at our studio only (online sales are not included). Happy shopping!

Help-Portrait: Gift Certificate Sale

Founded by Celebrity Photographer Jeremy Cowart, Help-Portrait is a community of photographers, coming together across the world to use their photography skills to give back to their local community.

On 04 December, photographers around the world will be grabbing their cameras, finding people in need and taking their picture. When the prints are ready, the photographs get delivered.

Who needs pictures? Anyone who wouldn’t normally have access to or be able to afford professional photography.

• the homeless
• orphans
• single moms (and their kids)
• single dads (and their kids)
• sick children
• sick parents
• the elderly
• army vets
• underprivileged families
• your neighbor

I am participating at the Midtown Atlanta location and we need donations to make this work. Everyone is volunteering and all the camera and computer equipment is donated, but we need donations to pay for printing and framing the pictures. Can you spare $1, $10, $50? 100% of all donations go to support the event.





To make donating even sweeter, we're having a Cyber-Monday Sale on Gift Certificates. All Day Monday, November 29th (with a "preview days" Saturday and Sunday, just like Macy's!) all $100 Gift Certificates will receive a $25 bonus, AND $10 of each sale will support Help-Portrait.

Sound confusing? Let's break it down....

You purchase $200 in Gift Certificates, you receive $50 bonus in Gift Certificates and $20 will be donated to Help-Portrait. Gift Certificates are good for one year and can be used for any product or service we offer.

Last few days for our Fall Promotion! - Ends Nov. 1st

All orders placed and sessions booked by November 1st are eligible to receive a FREE custom iPhone, Blackberry, or other cell phone/PDA skin.*

Introducing SKINS! What's a SKIN? It's a durable 3M vinyl that transforms any phone/PDA into a one-of-a-kind art piece. Select your photo and we'll create your customized skin just for you. What's better than being reminded of your favorite people everyday and showing them off to everyone you know?!

The skins are low-profile and won't interfere with docking, charging or any other accessories. They don't leave any residue behind so when you're ready for an update, simply peel off the old one and replace it with a photo taken during your most recent session.

All orders placed and sessions booked by November 1st are eligible to receive a FREE custom iPhone, Blackberry, or other cell phone/PDA skin.*

iPhone/Blackberry/all other cell phone skins = $75 value
iPad skin = $100 value

*Free with a minimum order of $700. One per family. Orders may not be combined. Promotion is only valid at Design Appointment.

Contacting the studio at 404-nine six six-7272.