Pins & Needles

Hope you had a fun holiday. My long weekend was great. Got a ton done on the house (yay for our brand new shed and being able to get all our tools out of the house!) and a bit on the wedding (less than 6 weeks to go!), but I was struck with a nasty cold on Sunday. When many people may feel themselves getting sick, they decide to load up on vitamins, fluids and rest. I decided to skip that third item and try to do as much as possible for the yuckiness set in. I managed to mow the lawn, organize some more things in the shed, continue designing on our wedding sign-in book, change the light bulbs in the kitchen and go grocery shopping. I'm crazy, I know. So now I sit in my studio working away, unable to speak because my throat hurts so much. At least there's email and "quiet" productivity. Here's a hot tea and Ricola lozenge toast to feeling better ASAP.

Baby Book

Just finished designing another adorable Carry-About Album for Daniel. These albums are so cute and so well-made. I've gotta get some more samples made just because I love looking at them so much. :)

This one is a 5x5 album that Daniel is giving to his grandparents for their birthdays. Love it! (Click the page-spread to see the entire album.)

Just for the fun of it

So last week I was cruising the web looking through many of the website directories where I have SSP listed - checking to be sure the the information is correct - and I happened upon a profile for an artist at a social website, similar to MySpace but for artists. I was surprised and so flattered that he listed me as his favorite photographer! Since most of his work is graphic and computer generated, completely different than what I do, I am especially flattered. Here's what he wrote to me:

You definitely deserve (being called my) favourite! Your photos pack so much emotions in them, every photo tells such a great story! they are so inspiring!...

I came across your portfolio while I was looking for photographs for inspiration to do something different. At one point I felt my photography was turning very monotonous as in I was taking photos of only seascapes, beaches, objects,etc..and I felt the need to try something different and I really wanted to start with human emotions and expressions and of all the portfolios I looked on the net, yours caught my eye (because) the moment I see any of your photographs, I instantly get the whole story behind it. It makes me feel that I know (the people) in the photograph, which is pretty amazing!

I just wanna say ... keep rocking! you're awesome! and I hope someday I can be half as talented as you are.. :)

How nice is that?! Compliments from complete strangers are so amazing because they are totally unbiased. So, thanks, Nitin!

In other news, I posted a couple weeks ago that I had a great time having lunch with some friends. As much as my friends and family like to think that I have oodles of time to grab lunch here and there and do whatever I'd like during the workday, it's usually not the case. So much to do, and so little time! :) But I managed to make it to lunch to see my friends, Megan Resch (who was visiting from Phoenix), Chris and Katie, and Jen Odom. Here's what 5 photographers look like when they photograph themselves. :)

I love that Chris is the only guy AND the only one truly in focus. He knew exactly where to stand. :)

Vertical storage opens UP my world

The blogging Catch-22: the busier I get, the more I have to share BUT the less time I have to do it. I feel like it's been months since I last posted although it's only been a couple days. Guess that I've just had so much going on and thoughts of "oh! I should blog about this!" but never getting around to it continue to inundate me. So, I'm sorry! I still love you and I don't mean to neglect you. :)

This weekend has been a rare one off so I've had the chance do some wedding stuff - shoes and hair jewelry (my new favorite girly thing) & more improvements to my studio office.

With an amazing new addition to my studio (more details soon), it was definitely time to update my desk and get some better organization. I love that I now have some great vertical storage and that I am no longer facing the wall. I know there's gotta be some Fung Shui thing against a desk facing a wall because I feel so much better - more relaxed and at ease - now that I am facing open space instead. Plus the little splash of orange on the display table definitely brightens the mood.

Off to do some yardwork and have another productive day! Hope you're having a great weekend too.

Portrait Day 2008

Click here to RSVP for this event.

Register early, by August 20th, and receive 50% off any single package of holiday cards (25 card/25 envelopes).

Final registration deadline is August 29th.

Daniel

What a busy week. It's been so busy, it's amazing that I still can see straight. From interviewing prospective part-time employees (woohoo, more about that another time), wedding planning (videographer, cake...), putting together more details for Portrait Day 2008 (more to come on this too!), making sushi with friends for dinner last night, meeting some photog friends for lunch today, and oh, yeah...actually shooting and working on some photography, it's been a bit schizophrenic. So I am so excited to share some images with you.

I met Daniel's mom, Andrea, at my friend Heather's bridal shower a few months ago. We had a great time chatting over a delicious lunch at The Swan Coach House and celebrating our adorable friends. Some of the highlights from the session include Daniel playing with the hose in the backyard and walking around in mom's leopard-print high-heel shoes. Seriously, he walked better in them than I do in heels! But my favorite is the image below of Daniel laughing so hard that mom and dad can't keep from laughing too. JA beautiful family portrait of an emotion-filled moment. Love it!

Enjoy the slideshow! Click the image below to view.

10 things ...

Last summer, I was "tagged" to write "10 Things" on my blog. The 10 things that most people don't know about me. I was kind of saving this post for a slow time of year when I didn't have much to say, but THANKFULLY, I've been so busy that I'm really never at a loss for something to post here. Love to hear what you think about all these random things about me, so feel free to leave a comment.

10. I love recycling. Since I've been recycling since high school, I've become so accustomed to recycling everything from junk mail and printer paper to soup cans and cardboard packaging. In fact if I see a small piece of paper in the garbage I will often reach in to "rescue" it (only if it's not covered in rotten food! Not like the "Eclaire" episode of Seinfeld.)

9. I used to dance in college. It's true. I danced with a student group called D'Motions at the University of Rochester. I absolutely loved it. We danced to everything from country to rap to R&B. Despite my nervousness about performing, I really enjoyed moving to music especially Michael Jackson and Seal.

8. I love chocolate. Ok, so not so much a surprise, but the interesting part is I love Hershey's over Ghiradeli, M&M's over chocolate mousse. I'm not the fancy chocolate kinda girl. Just give me a Hershey's kiss and I'll grin from ear to ear. My brother calls it "my chocolate face."

7. I am really sentimental. If you couldn't tell from the images I photograph, relationships are the most important thing in the world to me. And to remember friends, family and experiences, I save all kinds of things. I recently found a box filled with old notes. The notes I used to pass with friends in elementary school were all about whether or not I thought a particular boy was cute. "Check Yes or No." Notes in middle school were about our plans to go to the movies that weekend. Notes in summer camp were goodbye notes, recounting how wonderful the summer was and how much we were going to miss each other. High school notes were always folded so intricately that it was difficult to get it back once I had read the note. But it did serve well for slipping them through the vents in my locker. I have a feeling that the time of written notes is long gone. Everyone's texting now instead, right? It is definitely better for the environment, but just not the same.

6. I think if I wasn't a photographer, I'd probably have gone to school for interior design. I just love figuring out what kind of feeling I want to have in a room and then finding items to go along with it. My only problem is that I have a hard time making final decisions so things like the walls in our living room have gone almost completely bare since we moved in over a year ago.

5. I've been practicing yoga for over 5 years. It brings me great peace and I love how it clears my head and resets me after a long day. It's also great for toned arms. :)

4. Everyone with my last name is somehow related. Pretty rare these days.

3. I'm going to be an Aunt! My brother and sister-in-law are pregnant and due in August and I can't wait to photograph the little one! She will be the first grandchild in our family and it is so exciting! My mom already started knitting a sweater and hat. :) (Creativity runs in the family.)

2. My favorite band is The Police (next to my fiance's band, the Nick Edelstein Band, of course.) They were the first band I fell in love with when I was 10. My brother bought the "The Singles" cassette for my birthday and I listened to it so much, I actually wore out the cassette. By some stroke of amazing luck, I won tickets last year from DaveFM to see The Police in Phoenix. They flew us out there, got us a hotel room and tickets to the show. It was amazing to see them after listening to themso many years.

1. I attended an all-girls' high school. My parents were generous enough to give me the choice of a coed school and the one I ended up going to. Why choose all-girls? My brother went to the coed school and after 5 years in elementary school known as "Jeff's little sister," I wanted to carve my own path. Plus I had made some wonderful girl friends in summer camp and figured that school would just be one big camp party. Instead what I found was a place where young women were empowed to become whoever they wanted. It was the biggest confidence boost of my life and one of the primary reasons why I had the confidence to start my own business.


If you made it all the way to this point, you deserve your own handful of Hershey's kisses!

Reese's First Portrait

Reese and her parents are more of my fantastic Decatur neighbors. (I loved the short trip to their home on the other side of downtown Decatur!) Their house is beautiful and full of rich 1930/1940's character - great hardwood floors, wide profile molding and built-in shelves. (Can you tell I've learned a lot about construction and renovation from our house?)

When I arrived, Reese was napping in her crib. Her room was flooded with beautiful light coming through two windows and I couldn't wait to get started. After waking and giving me a smile, she played a bit on the bed and then it was time for lunch. She seemed to love the delicious food on the back porch with mom and dad. Then bathtime in the kitchen sink. The antique/retro look of the kitchen is a really cool complement to Reese's fresh soft skin. I just love the feel and mood of these images. Then to the backyard until the mosquitoes took their toll. Back to the inside for the final few pictures.

I am so excited to document this little cutie's first year. Just look at those eyes!

Click the picture below to view the slideshow.


P.S. In an effort to hear from all your loyal readers, anyone who comments on this post will receive a great gift! Your choice of $20 off any new order OR 10% off a new single portrait package. Be sure to enter your email address when commenting so we can send your gift!

Then and Now

Hope you had a great 4th of July weekend! Nick and I headed to Nags Head and Cape Hatteras, NC. More about that later once I've downloaded some photos.

I was looking through some client files and found two images that I just had to post. I photographed this family back in 2004. At the time they were living in the Virginia-Highlands and had a baby girl. You will recognize this dad and little girl if you've seen our Storytelling Portrait postcards. They are featured on the front of the card sitting in the grass screaming. (You gotta see it to understand.) So during that portrait session, I shot this image of Ailey hanging upside down for a smooch from dad. Years later, 3 to be exact, they were living in Virginia and told me that if I was ever passing through on my way home to Baltimore, that I should let them know so we can do another portrait session. So when I figured out that we would, we got in touch and scheduled it. Ailey now has twin sisters and she has grown a bunch but her adorable smile is thankfully unchanged. We repeated the picture from last time and I just love how it turned out.

You can also see the difference between film (left) and digital (right) photography, and the new black & white tone (on the right) that I use.

Thanks! Just thought I'd share...

Twins! - Amelia & Caroline

I had the great pleasure to meet 9 month olds Amelia & Caroline last week. We had a really busy morning together. Documenting their day started with bathtime (in the kitchen sink), then lunch, playtime in the family room and dozing off for naps in their sunny bedroom. Amelia & Caroline's big brother is obviously as in love with them as they are with him. I love the picture of both girls crowded on his lap.

It was so special to document their morning this way. Not only were they comfortable doing what they always do (not minding the extra observer in the room with the big camera), but I think their parents will love looking back on these images and remembering this busy and precious time as it really was. Documenting REAL unposed life is my passion!

Enjoy the slideshow! (Click the image to view.)

Look at those eyes as they watch Elmo sing... so expressive!

Judging the Boys & Girls Club National Photo Competition

I was honored to be asked to judge The ImageMakers national photo competition for the Boys & Girls Club of America yesterday. All of the images in the contest had won both local and regional competitions in the United States and abroad and were up for some fantastic prizes with this final national competition. They had the opportunity to win $3,000 within each of the 5 categories and a free trip to San Francisco for the winners of the portfolio competition.

It was so much fun to look through images that the kids had taken. Their perspective on family, friends, the environment, poverty and nature left me awestruck. The creativity, vision and originality was impressive. The images were divided by category and age group (ages 6-18). The youngest group were kids 6-9 years old and I must say (I mean write) that their images were among some of the best. There is definitely some fantastic talent out there and it's great that all the kids are being encouraged to experiment and have fun with photography. One girl's portfolio explained how photography has become so much more than a hobby. She wrote that she suffers from depression and that photography is the only thing that makes her happy, that gave her peace. How amazing to find something that can do that for you and even better that she found it at such a young age.

The wonderful staff at BGCA who organized the contest are Jennifer Young and Cristin Cerda. My other judging buddies were Roberto Arevalo and Kelly LaDuke.

Roberto and Kelly debating over which image is stronger....

Roberto reading an entry in the Photo Essay category. All these entries dealt with "G'Local Issues. Global and Local issues impacting Our Communities."

Some of our favorite images. The goldfish that I'm holding was AMAZING! The photographer was able to capture bubbles coming from the fish's mouth. It is so difficult to do macro (close-up) photography on moving things like a goldfish. Kuddos!

Thanks again BGCA, Jennifer, Crista and Elaina!

Baby Addison

Sorry, I just couldn't resist this adorable tush as the first slide in Addison's slideshow! Addison's portrait session was the 3rd furthest distance I've traveled for a session (McDonough, GA) and wow, was the trip worth it! Addison and her parents are fantastic. Really nice people and she couldn't be more cute. She was getting over being sick and although she was napping when I arrived, after she woke up she quickly lost energy and almost fell asleep twice. Her mom says that it takes a while before she finally gives in and falls asleep even if she's exhausted. Which explains why I was able to photograph her dozing off to sleep in her crib and then wide awake and smiling. So funny! I'm sure many of you mommies can relate.

Click the picture to view the slideshow and enjoy!

Portrait Day 2008 - some details

After last year's successful first Annual Portrait Day, I have my sites set on a bigger event filled with local children's shops and companies that provide services to families and kids. In addition to a larger all-day event where you can mingle with other parents and the kids can meet and play together, we will be donating a portion of the proceeds to a worthy non-profit. I've placed a poll at the top of this blog because I'd love your input on which organization you think we should donate to.

If you have suggestions of business you think would like to be involved, please write it in the comments section below. This year's Portrait Day will be in September so check back to learn more about the fun event!

Carly's Bat Mitzvah

Carly's Bat Mitzvah and Reception were fantastic! Although I didn't attend the actual Bat Mitzvah, I heard that she did an amazing job leading services and reading from the Torah. In fact, her dad said that she thrives under pressure so the nerves I saw at the rehearsal must have helped her do an outstanding job.

Just a couple weeks before the big weekend, we did some portraits of Carly on the tennis court and at their home. Then with the help of her mom and a friend, she chose three images for the sign-in board at the party. You'll see a shot of that in the slideshow. I love that they wanted to do something a bit out of the ordinary and include more than just one photo.

All the details that were meticulously put together were great. From pink Gerber daisies to Carly's name in lights, from jewelry engraving to green-screen photos, from flat screens showing the party to festive lighting throughout the room, the party was fantastic and it was great to be a part of it.


Services were held at The Temple.
The reception was at the newly renovated W Atlanta Midtown Hotel.
Catering by W Atlanta Midtown
Event Coordination by Sharon at It's My Party, Inc.
Music and Entertainment by EventOvation

If you'd like to be notified when the Preview Website (with all the pictures from the portrait, rehearsal and reception) is released, click here to add your email address.

Click the picture below to view the slideshow.



Mazel Tov Carly!

Alyssa & Anthony

Another beautiful day of adventure at The Roswell Mill. Alyssa and Anthony are 8 year old twins who's personalities definitely came out during our shoot. Alyssa is pensive, calm and cautious while Anthony is talkative, curious and adventurous. Despite the heat, we had a great time playing in the Chattahoochee River.

This portrait session brought to you by ...... Alyssa and Anthony's Great Aunt who gave the portrait session as a 10 year wedding anniversary to their parents. What a great way to celebrate such a wonderful occasion. While I photograph mostly babies, toddlers, young children, and weddings, and I look forward to my own wedding this fall, 10 years sounds like a huge and amazing accomplishment. So, congratulations!


Enjoy the mini slideshow below and the full version here.

Discount for FunFest

I just received an email about a great discount on tickets for Saturday's FunFest.

Use the coupon code "NEWSLETTER" and pay only $7.50 for each ticket ($10 regular price and on the day of the event). Click here to purchase your tickets now.

Am I looking out for you or what?!

Kids' FunFest this Saturday

FUNFEST 2008!

This Saturday I'm participating in a festival celebrating kids and healthy living.

Join me for a great afternoon at
The Frazier Center
Saturday, June 14
12pm - 6pm.

Visit the Children's Wellness Network website
for more information and purchase your tickets here.
Kids are FREE!

Activities include:
Puppet-making with The Center for Puppetry Arts
Bird Show
Belly dancing
Cooking
Yoga
and a Documentary Film by Two Angry Moms about improving school lunches

Some of the sponsors and other businesses involved include Sevananda, Flying Biscuit, Get Outdoors America, REI, and Captain Planet.

The event is located at TheFrazier Center
1815 Ponce de Leon Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30307
Between Virginia-Highland and Decatur
Get Directions

Hope to see you there!

Ryen at the Park

The last time I photographed Ryen was September. When I met her, her parents and grandparents at Peachtree Heights Park in Buckhead last weekend, I couldn't get over how much she has grown in just 9 months. She has become a beautiful little girl and I just loved capturing her laughter.

She had me laughing when her dad handed her some bread to feed the geese and instead popped the bread into her mouth. But she learned that the geese would like some too and did offer them some of the yummy bread.

I was feeling that some retro & antique effects would enhance this series of images. And l love how they turned out.

Enjoy the min-slideshow below or the full size here.

June 1, 2003 - Day 0

Sunday was a BIG DAY for me. It's hard to believe but Sunday, June 1st marked my FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY. It's been 5 years since I took the plunge and started Sara Speert Photography back in 2003. My memories of that day are somewhat vague but I do remember exactly how I felt that morning I woke up without a job to go to. Let me rephrase that, without a job to go to with someone else as boss. It was a REALLY exciting and invigorating moment because I had been unhappy with my full-time job for sometime, but it was also really scary. The thought of not receiving a bi-weekly paycheck was terrifying. But I guess not terrifying enough not to take the risk. I was definitely naive to the reality of what I was about to take on, and it's probably a good thing that I didn't know all that I was about to face because I may not have done it. Since then, I've realized that I have to think a while before making big decisions. the pros and cons, whether I can actually picture myself succeeding, blah blah blah. So I have a feeling I would have been swayed by the fear of the unknown and of failure, and never begun.

Good thing I didn't! The last five years have been amazing. I have learned so much about stretching myself artistically, technically and about how to better run my business. I have also learned a tremendous amount about myself, about balancing personal time and work, and how I handle stress. (And after 5 years, I can safely say that I have perfected all these things...... yeah, right.)

I have also learned how amazing the photographic community is. When I first started pursuing my then hobby for photography, I found that there were a handful of pros in the Atlanta area who truly enjoyed sharing their experience and knowledge but overall, most kept things close to their chests. When I first moved to Atlanta and decided photography may be something I'd like to pursue, I opened the Yellow Pages to "photographers" and found an ad for a photographer in Roswell, GA. Little did I know that a simple cold-call to him would open up a world of opportunity and a chain of events and decisions that have led me here. John Haigwood was so generous to open up his studio to me. He offered advice, his experience and opened his darkroom to me so that I could work on my technique and art. At the time, he was still operating from the basement of his home and his wife and kids were so great to me.

I remember John's daughter was having a birthday party at their home and John asked if I'd like to come by to take some pictures and play with some of his amazing lenses. I took a photograph then with the first wide-angle lens I'd ever used of his daughter enjoying her cake with a flurry of kids and families around her all there to celebrate her birthday. It is still one of my favorite images for the moment it captured and how the angles of the ceiling "point" at my adorable subject.

Early images like this one convinced me that photography was not only something I enjoyed, but it was something I did well and really could be a career. Thanks to John for his vote of confidence in my talent and perseverance and to the countless other photographers and family and friends who have shared ideas with me and taught me so much.

Here's to 5 more!

Flick-on-the-Deck

The newest reason why Nick and I love our new house. OUTDOOR MOVIE THEATER!

After having some friends over for a Memorial Day grill-out, we decided we wanted to watch a movie. Not an unusual occurrence in our house, but I came up with the idea of projecting the movie onto the side of the house so we could continue to enjoy the beautiful evening. And of course, we had to choose a scary movie. So, Nick set up the stereo so that we could hear each little detail of frightening suspense as we huddled together for What Lies Beneath. (Harrison Ford plays the villain for once.) With every little noise in the bamboo next to us, I jumped. :)

Here are some pictures of what will definitely become a monthly tradition. Now we just have to figure out how we can fit more people on the deck to watch the next flick with us.

The deck is wrapped by our house on three sides and bamboo on the fourth so it's a really great space for watching movies without bothering all the neighbors.

The lovely bamboo. :)