Enjoy. ;)

Just in time for Mother's Day. I'm offering mini sessions. Here's the scoop.I have some days in April during the week that I'm open and possibly some times on Saturdays and Sundays if that works better for you. The session will be a short 30 min. session from one of the locations that I have. The options are pay $50 and receive a CD with up to 5 high res. images and the print release or pay $75 and receive 15 high res. images and the print release. These sessions must be paid for in advance when you book and is non refundable. Your time and date will not be held until payment is made. Email me for more info

emily@emilymphotography.com

2010 Seniors, it isn't too late and I'm running a FABULOUS special for you. Spend $75 or more and receive 15% off of your total order, spend $100 or more and receive 20% off of your total order and also recieve 16 free wallets with a minimum order of $75. Email me to book your session.

Special expires May 1st.

I photographed this little one when she was only 2 weeks old, oh how fast they grow. ;)

Had the honor of photographing two of the Murray kids on Monday at Alexanders in Farmington. Thank you again to them for allowing me to use the space, thank you thank you! Here are a few favorites of mine from this session. These two are too adorable. ;)

A few peeks from my session on Sunday with Miss "A", thanks to Alexander's in Farmington for letting us use the space again! This little one had so much energy... she made my Jack look lazy. :) It is good to see a little one so happy and energetic.

I had an awesome session at the City Museum today in St Louis. This place is so amazing, I think I will suggest it more often. ;) I'm going to be posting a lot of my favorites from my session, I can tell already, so I'm going to do a few seperate postings. Round 1.

A few peeks from my session on Saturday... this little guy is such a cutie.

I had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful little newborn on Friday. Here are a few peeks for mom and dad. :)

This little one turned one year old this month. I had the honor of documenting that for her family. She is such a little darling. Happy Birthday Miss Tessa. Taken at Alexander's in Farmington

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
— Maya Angelou

Know that you are loved, know that it is ok to be different. You will always be beautiful no matter your hair color, the size of your body or the manner in which you dress. It is what is on the inside that shines through. You are unique and will one day do great things. You will realize your "gifts" and make them your own. You will pursue your dreams. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise.... do not let anyone make you feel less than.

So, we had to do the last little one on Monday as she was sick on Friday. I think we were glad it happened the way it did. Worked out much better.

I can't wait for her site to go live!

I have had the pleasure of photographing this little guy since he was around 6 weeks old. He turned two today! Happy Birthday Brody!

These were taken at Alexanders in Farmington.

A few days ago I mentioned a business venture that a client of mine was starting. These shots are a few sneak peeks from our "model" shoot on Friday for the website. She makes amazing bows... I can not wait for her to get her website set up and going. These were taken at Alexanders in Farmington located at the Factory. It is such an amazing room, I had TONS of natural light. That room makes me drool... ;)

An early V day gift from my hubby, a new camera body! WOOHOO! Canon 50D. Thank you darling! xoxo

Here are a few "test" shots of my little guy.

How to begin the journey? You need only to take the first step. When? There is always now. (George B. Leonard)

So.... I am surrounded by such creative people, I am so thankful. I am thankful for those of you who come to me and are not "creatively inclined" it takes us all to make the world go around... but when I come across someone who is creative, in any way, it strikes a chord with me and makes me want to be more creative!

A client of mine is getting ready to launch a website to sell her beautiful bows that she makes. I am honored to be taking the photos for the site and helping with her logo. We are doing the photo shoot with the models on Friday and I can not wait to post a few teasers and then for her to launch her site! This is a huge leap, a big step and to find what you love to do, know that you are good at it and succeed at doing it, damn it feels good. I just know that this is going to be a huge success for her and that she is going to do FANTASTIC! So be ready, because as soon as she launches I will be posting a link to her site for all to see because I think I'm just as excited as she is.

I had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful couple last month for their maternity shots. I am so happy to congratulate them today.. Kenzie gave birth to a beautiful baby girl yesterday. I am so excited to photograph their new little bundle...

Congratulations to you both!

The Spring special will start March 1st and run through May 31st. For every $50 you spend in prints, you will receive a free print of your choice in the following sizes (wallets, 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10). Spend $150 and don't take the free prints and you can have 10 high resolution images (of your choice) from your session  on a CD with a print release for an additional $25.

I'm booking fast, so email me if you want a date for spring. I currently have one weekend left in April and a few in May. Once I fill my weekends, I'll start to fill my weekdays, unless a weekday is better for you. I don't know about you, but I have spring fever!!!!

I am so excited to be booking people already for the spring season, it makes me have spring fever all the more than I do already. :) I am down to one weekend in April left open and some in May. Once I fill my weekends I will start on week day evenings. If you want to book a session, email me and we will get you set! Here's to Spring!

It may be cold outside, but I think we can still shoot BEAUTIFUL outdoor portraits. I made the kids bundle up and took a few snaps today, the sun was just right... enjoy.

And I can not believe that I did.... these two were so much fun! These were taken at Tower Grove Park in St Louis in November, they still had leaves on the trees and beautiful leaves on the ground and we (here down south) had NOTHING on the trees and the ones on the ground were brown. A beautiful couple that are so much in love....

All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

After having such a fabulous time with this last maternity session, I decided to run a special. Come to me for your maternity photos, after the little one is born, bring him or her back to me before they are out of the sleepy, curled up stage (no older than 14 days old)  and receive half off of your session fee for the newborn session and 15% off of prints from the newborn session. Special will end August 31st 2010. :)

Every true artist has been inspired more by the beauty of lines and color and the relationships between them than by the concrete subject of the picture. (Piet Mondrian)

WOW, this mother to be is a fellow artist, a graphic designer, an AMAZING artist and her and her husband were on the same "track" as me. She walked in and said "just get artistic with it" I love to hear that.... So I hope you enjoy your sneak peek Kenzie and Clint, I enjoyed photographing you two immensly and can not WAIT until your new little one comes along, I hope to be able to do some new new baby photos, when your precious little girl is still all curled up and sleepy!

Well, we had some snow days last week and all the kids wanted to do was eat... and I baked, well I baked a bit, but I also wanted to do nothing but eat. OY!

The girls went back to school on Tuesday and Jackson was BORED, which is the usual that I hear from him these days, so we baked some more.... some brownies. Enjoy these snap shots of him mixing.

A sampling of the seniors I had this past fall season!

October was CRAZY, but that is a GOOD THING! I will only post one favorite from each session. Then I'm going to do a seperate entry for my seniors... ;)

Enjoy October.

To take photographs is to hold one's breath when all faculties converge in the face of fleeing reality. It is at that moment that mastering an image becomes a physical and intellectual joy. (Henri Cartier-Bresson)

I love that quote, it's true of what I feel when I'm behind my lens. It's so cold, I decided to start digging into some old files of mine from June that I never processed. Enjoy the warm feeling hopefully they will give you!

So, September wasn't terribly busy. I photographed a gorgeous senior, had SO much fun at this session, when you will wade in water to get a gorgeous shot, you know you love what you do. And I photographed a cutie that I had photographed before in May when he was just a tiny thing. He turns a year old this month (I think) So my favs from the month of September.

Happy Birthday Daxton!

These girls, all three of them, are GORGEOUS! This was a two part session, we started at the depot in Bonne Terre, were both attacked by hornets and then came out to my house. Enjoy my favs!

So these fav's are a family that I did two shoots with, mom wanted an arrangement for her wall, a work of art, I think that we did achieve it when all was said and done. And, my favorites from a senior that I've known since he was my son's age (4) I am OLD! ;)

So the next two sessions I will post favorites from are related... they are both wonderful families and I've been so fortunate to have been "hooked up" with them. I'm had the honor of photographing miss Tessa twice now and Miss Gwen three times. Enjoy my favorites from these two!

August was, thank goodness, a busy and lucrative month! I had quite a few wonderful sessions and a lot of favorites.

Also, while I'm at it, if you are new and looking to book for 2010, I have changed a few things, please go to my site and have a look at my "me and your session" section and my "investment" session.

So, July I only had one session, but it turned out to be the best connection EVER. She is probably blushing now as she reads this, I think that her and her sister are both very humble, caring people... but I was referred to this family from an earlier client. Krissi, then referred me to EVERYONE that she knew! She actually became my pr.... she sold me and I can not thank her enough for being such an awesome client and for referring me to everyone that she did. Her little one is a complete doll and Krissi and her husband are both wonderful! These favorites will take this whole post. ;)

It's funny, I was thinking that I hadn't gotten really busy until the fall, but to look back, June was a very very busy month. Here are a few favorites from June. The first is an engagement session of a wonderful long time friend of mine. Second was a session with three little cutie patooties. And the third session was a friend of mine from school, her little girl's birthday party. Talk about photogenic, this girl stole my heart, STUNNING!

My favorites from the month of May this year. I had a semi newborn session with a new client who soon became a regular and wonderful client. A senior session with my step brother and another first time session with a new client who soon became a regular.

It's been a wonderful year, as I look back I've gotten some wonderful new clients, made some awesome new "client" friends and have grown artistically and business wise. I've learned a lot, we are all just ducks in a row. So for the next few days or so I'm going to select some of my favorites from the sessions I've done all year long. I'm going to try to choose at least one favorite from each session (in months like October, November) when I had 20 sessions, it will just be a two day post.

Enjoy....

First two are a session of little twin girls I did in February. Then an awesome senior session in March and one of my favorite little guys in April.

This little guy was such a little doll... he was asleep when they arrived, well after he was disrobed and moved around a bit, he decided to wake up and stayed awake the entire time. :) But that's ok, I still got some nice photos of him for mom and dad to look back on one day and remember how tiny he once was.

Enjoy your sneak peek "mom and dad" I'm still working on them, but hopefully by Friday I'll be completely finished.

Dear clients,

Thank you for an amazing fall season. To those of you who frequent me often, thank you for being loyal customers and awesome people. For those of you who are new and it was your first time with me, I thank you for the opportunity to capture your memories and hopefully provide some art for you to go along with it. I hope that you will return in the coming year.

There will be some changes coming, I've had a hard year, family wise and business wise, business wise it has been a lucrative season, but it has been a learning experience. I have learned a lot. I'm going to take this down time to reassess my pricing system, my policies and re do some things. Life is a learning experience and I take them with me as I move ahead in to 2010.

To those who I had to turn away because of scheduling, I apologize, but I am only one person and to be honest, had no idea I would book as I did this year, I'm thankful that I did, to be able to do what I love and do it for others fills me with joy.... but I had a waiting list and then at the end had to just say "no" and I do apologize. I do hope that you like my style enough to check back with me in the spring or book for a fall session early next year so that I can get you in.

The mix ups and flubs in orders has also been a HUGE learning experience for me, I will be putting a better ordering system in to place. Your slideshow will remain as it is when I present it to you in the beginning, to account for the numbering system that the website has on it. This is to keep me from ordering the wrong photos for you and to ensure that you do, indeed, receive the correct order. If there are photos that you do not want others to see, then do not give the password out to others, it is your password for a reason and that is why the galleries are password protected. The mix ups in ordering, I thank those of you who have been so gracious and kind and who understand that I not only have this job, I have the job of a mother, a maid, a chef, a taxi driver and also there are more than just you as a client. The busiest time when orders were placed seems to be when the biggest mishaps happened. I apologize, again know that you are not the only customer that I deal with and I order sizes in bulk. But I had many that were gracious and kind and understood and were just satisfied in the fact that it can be fixed and will be fixed and didn't  belittle me with their words or try to.  I thank you for this. Some of you know of the rough season my family has had and have kept us in your thoughts and prayers... this is in no way an excuse, but do know that when you have things going on as major as we did, it will weigh on your mind, and show in your performance. It may not have shown in my finished work, but it affected my organization, as it is not the best to begin with. ;) My only solace for the negative individuals that have come my way is that negative people bring negative things to their own lives, so think about that the next time you approach a situation with a negative attitude. You don't know what happened, you don't know what is going on in that person's life that day. Yes, it was a mistake, and that's why it is called a "mistake" it wasn't intentional and I'm not out to "get one over on you" anyone that knows me knows that I am more than accomodating.

As far as photo books are concerned, I made an announcement last night on Facebook that I was was not going to do them anymore, I was aggrivated and hurt that I've had two customers this season order them and were not satisfied.The dissatisfaction is not what bothered me, it was the way the individuals handled the situation.  One was not willing to have the situation fixed and took other measures... the other that was dissatisfied hurt me with her words because I do put my heart and soul in to these books, I search for the perfect quote to fit the photo that I put in. I place them in there and the finished product fills me with joy. I don't just sit down and place photos in to an ordering system, throw the quotes in there and "voila" I'm finished. These books take me at least an hour to do AFTER I have found the quotes that I feel fit the photo. To say "it's just ok" well that was hurtful. Yes, I'm emotionally invested in my work, but I also know that there are always going to be critics and people that you can not please all of the time, and those that will not ever like what you do no matter how you try to reconcile the situation. Go to another photographer and see what they charge to do a hard bound photo book for the same quality and then come back and tell me that you aren't getting a fabulous product for what I'm charging. I will continue to do them next year, but maybe only for those that have had them done for them in the past, or for those that have seen one of "MINE" and do know what they are going to get.

So thank you loyal customers and thank you new customers. I hope to see you back in 2010.

I had one after this one, but it's for Xmas gifts, so I'm waiting until after Xmas to post those photos. ;)

This was from a few weeks ago. I had way too many favs again. And while here, one of the brothers proposed to his girlfriend! :)

“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” - Henri Matisse

As this year comes to an end, my family has had it's shares of ups and downs. We've had new friends come in to our lives, my business has taken off and we've also dealt with other trying issues that I will not discuss on here. But we have pulled through and will continue to do so. I so believe in the power of positive thoughts and positive energy. I believe that what you put out there, in to the universe, you get back. If it is negative, nasty, hateful and spiteful, then that is what you will get back. Think of it as karma, which I also firmly believe in and have seen it work it's wonders. This goes hand in hand with my customers. I have had the wonderful fortune this year of being totally booked the months of September, October and November. Most of these clients have been AMAZING, I usually form a bond with them that is more of a friendship than a "client" relationship, which can be good and can be bad. I want to think that it's good. I have had my share of bad clients, as I think if you are dealing with the public, you just do. There are always a few bad apples. With all that has been going on in my life, orders have been mixed up and incorrect on a few of you. I send you my deepest apology and hope that if I corrected it for you in a timely manner. It's a matter of I need to get a better ordering system in place for me... I am a believer that I'm just not organized and therefore can not draw a straight line, walk a straight line nor color inside of the lines. But if there is a mistake in your order, please let me know asap and we will get it fixed. I appreciate each and every one of my wonderful clients that I've had the pleasure of photographing this year, new ones and the regulars.

New clients, I hope that you will be back, if not in the spring then in the fall. Regulars, you better be back. ;) Remember, all of you, that I will start filling up again next year for fall and if you tried to schedule with me this year and couldn't get an appointment, contact me in August for fall appointments. I will start booking for fall in August. I will, again, take the month of December off and I mean the whole month, except for finishing up orders.

I plan on running a Spring special and I will post it in mid February. As well as some other things I'm working on, including a new pricing structure. Thank you all for a wonderful fall season. I value every single one of you, even those of you that were angry with me because of issues with things that may have been out of my control or you didn't want me to fix.

Remember, you get back what you put out.

This family was so fun. The men had me laughing the whole time, I think a few photos I had to take 5 shots because I was afraid of camera shake from me laughing. ;)

So many favs as well, so enjoy!

The photographic art you choose to place on your wall is ultimately the result of the vision of the photographer. This vision, coupled with what you wear to your session, the environment, the lighting, even the mood the subjects are in at the time of photographing creates the work that you will want to proudly display on your walls forevermore.

What custom photography ultimately is all about is choice and experience (as in THE experience). Custom photography is about finding someone who will photograph your family, give you devoted 1:1 attention without worry of the next ‘in line’ or the feeling of a crowded portrait studio. A custom photographer will typically show you a fairly extensive gallery culled to only show the good images that meet the photographers’ creative sensibilities. Often the images are fully edited images-color corrected with blemishes and undereye circles removed. Custom photographers are also known as boutique studios, offering a range of products and unparalleled service. Think Lexus vs. Hyundai, think Nordstrom vs. WalMart.

Custom photography should have you, the client and your experience in mind

Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $19.99 for an 8×10 “sheet” or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains.  The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service.  In February 2007 leased photography retail space by a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation?  The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ “professional” prints if you do not sell enough of them.  Interestingly enough – those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10).  The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait services in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments.  Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the “loss leader”.

Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions.  You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience.  Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.

Keep in mind more than anything that the Lexus will never appreciate in value the way your portraits will.  The portrait art you become invested in from your custom photographer will no doubt increase in value and become more priceless as the years pass.

I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories.  The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment.

Taken from an article written byhttp://www.professionalchildphotographer.com/information/

Some peeks for the "P" family I photographed last Monday. The boys were so darn cute.. I enjoyed every minute of it. :)

Enjoy your peek and I'm uploading them all as I type. :)

My photo session with Miss "A"... she is such a doll. Every single one was a fav, but I managed to pick a few of my favorite favorites to post ;)

I had the pleasure of photographing these beautiful girls last Saturday. We had a beautiful, unseasonably warm fall day... so we got super lucky in the weather department.

Here are a few of my favs. :)

Some of my favorites from the "E" family's session last Friday. ;)

I have photographed both of these beauties before, so they are no stranger to me. The mom of one of the girls picked this location and I'm so excited that she did, that way now I know HOW to get to this fabulous place!

We had fun, especially the moms and myself. ;)

A few favs from the Murray's family session I did a week ago. They had the most energetic, beautiful children. ;)

Just a note out to those of you that know me and are true and trusted clients. I have had a lot going on in my life, even though on the surface it doesn't show, some of you closest to me do know. Today my littlest woke with a fever. I had to cancel and session and unfortunately with no dates left to reschedule couldn't get the family in for their xmas photos. I was not happy to cancel, but had no choice. My family comes first, previous circumstances prevented me from being able to leave him with anyone else. I offered this "client" a set of 25 FREE xmas cards from a previous session that we did in October  to make up for the fact that I was cancelling and couldn't reschedule. She was not mature enough to realize that sometimes things happen that are not in our control and when you work out of your home, well your business and your personal life does entertwine. So this is just a note to those of you that know me, you know that I'm passionate  about my work, my clients and my family. If you hear negative things being said about me, please first consider the source, then if you feel the need, come to me for my side of the story. In the past two months I have had the horrible luck of having two customers that have proved to be thorns in my side. I dealt with them as best as I could in a professional manner, but for some reason, in a small town, there are still those that like to talk and bad mouth.

Know that I did try to accomodate this client, I was kind and apologized over and over for cancelling. The rain this year took the days  that I would have had to reschedule because I was rescheduling everyone else due to the weather. So those of you that know me, you know that I'm not what may be said, but if you don't know me very well, as I said, please consider the source and if you want, ask because I will explain everything to you. I have nothing to hide and will give both sides to the story.

I just felt that I needed to state that as she is bad mouthing me all over a social networking site and if she continues I suppose I'll have to check on the statute of slander.

An email I received this morning from an awesome family and client.

Good evening,

I am sending out a very preliminary email to my creative friends and asking for your ‘artistic donations’.  BAAWARE will be hosting an Art Show in May (Jax’s Birthday Month) 2010 to raise funds for our foundation BAAWARE.  We are looking for paintings, sculptures, and/or photography. 

If you would like to donate, please let me know. If you know of anyone that would be willing to donate their art, please forward the message.  We will send more specific details out as soon as we have them together so you can mark your calendars and invite others. We are very excited and think it will be a wonderful event!!

Thanks in advance!

Jen

Then you can go to the website and learn a little about it. I think it is brand new, so you can only get a little history, but I know that I will be donating. I'm challenging my artistic friends to donate as well. This is for a good cause... if you have children or do not, it's a good thing.

My early morning mom/daughter session from last Saturday. What a little cutie this darling was...she was busy, but we wouldn't expect anything else. :)

Taken at the gorgeous Presbyterian Church in Crystal City.

My early morning mom/daughter session from last Saturday. What a little cutie this darling was...she was busy, but we wouldn't expect anything else. :)

Taken at the gorgeous Presbyterian Church in Crystal City.

Krissi! You have won the sprayed and mounted 16x20.

I'll email you with the details!

Thank you all, I have the best clients EVER!!!!Oh and Jack enjoyed being the "drawer" he cut out the names and placed them in the hat, and then drew the name. He kept drawing but I had to remind him that mommy could NOT give everyone a free sprayed and mounted print. :)

My favorites from Breanna's session. We did hers in two parts as well and I think I like that we did. Gave her a chance to do her hair curly one day and straight the next and a whole different set of lighting as well.

I also did a few with her and her friend, that's her at in the last photo.

I'm off to New Moon! Can not WAIT!