It seems unbelievable that just a year ago Izzie was still in my belly! My, oh my, how crazy it is to think of all that has changed in just one year. Being a mama of two has been a totally wild ride... but also amazing, of course! When one is driving me crazy, the other is warming my heart. It's the perfect balance and I have just loved all the ways that we each grew and learned alongside of one another in 2015.
With the holiday season upon us and Black Friday right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to throw together a few gift guides for my blog readers! Below are two lists I've been mentally gathering over the past year of some of our absolute favorite products we have either used or heard about. Check out the lists below and let me know what you would add to them!
What were some of your favorite products from this past year? What did your kids love? I'd love to hear some ideas from you all!
When Amelia first contacted me about photographing her family, I was right in the middle of my brand re-launch. I still had a lot of things to get in order and my studio wardrobe was not nearly complete! (Truth: It will always be growing!) But Amelia wasn't deterred one bit. She came in for a studio tour, she returned with her family soon after, and then she came back again for her portrait reveal session! I absolutely LOVED getting to meet and talk with her and her family so much.
As an artist, something about having the time and opportunities to really invest myself into relationships with my clients always turns out some of my best work. But if I'm being honest - should that even surprise anyone? I don't think so. Artists produce their best work when they are emotionally invested in it. That realization was the driving motivation behind my entire re-brand this past summer. I know, now, how pertinent it is that I have the opportunity to know and feel comfortable with my clients before they get in front of my camera. And the same with them!!
Here are a few of my favorites from my time with the S family. I loved capturing their sweet girl and all the little bits of her personality!
Aren't they such an adorable family!? If you would like to schedule a time to come see the studio (absolutely NO obligation to book!), contact me and we can set that up right away! :)
Oh these two... they just made my heart swell with giddiness when we met up for their engagement session. You would think after photographing more than 100 couples, I'd be over it by now. But when a bride and groom book me for their wedding and we have the opportunity to connect at their engagement session ahead of time, there's nothing that gets me more excited about their wedding day than watching them snuggle up and enjoy each other in front of my camera! And okay... pair it with beautiful sunset light and I literally squeal. I make fun of myself for it, too, so that may explain some of the genuine laughs these guys gave me. :)
Enjoy Matt and Hannah's engagement session shot at the Evergreen Lavender Farm in Appomattox, VA. It was my first time photographing a session at the lavender farm nearby and I LOVED it! Thank you, Peggy and Thane for being so hospitable to us while we were on your property!
Fall mini sessions are the perfect opportunity for updating your family portraits in a beautiful setting, as well as getting new pictures for your annual holiday card. I've had a number of people inquire so far this year and I'll be honest, there's a new challenge I'm attempting to overcome this season which is what has been the hold-up in getting these dates live.
In the past, I've set aside a day on the calendar to shoot a number of sessions all at one location within a few hours of each other. While this has worked decently well enough, there are pros and cons to this type of set-up.
Pros include a lower price point (positive for you!), being able to get them all knocked out in one day (positive for me!), and being able to fit in more sessions while the beautiful fall colors are out (positive for everyone!). However, shooting mid-day (or close to it) brings with it the challenge of working with the harshest light of the day, in addition to my personal exhaustion by the end of the day. Let's just say the last session of the day was often not my best work. And that wasn't fair to anyone!
In addition to this, the new challenge I have this year is that I will be on call for a few births during the peak fall foliage season! Rather than risk the chance of having to postpone an entire day of sessions for 6+ families in case I am called into a birth, I came up with a different option that I think helps resolve most of the challenges mentioned above.
For 2015, I am booking a limited number of sessions throughout the peak fall foliage season at my current session rate. Once the calendar flips to 2016, my session pricing will be doubling. What does that mean?
Below are the details of what's included as well as my current availability. If you would like to snag a spot on my calendar this fall, NOW is your chance!
YES!! Fredericksburg!! I am comin' atcha!! There are ONLY TWO Fredericksburg sessions listed below. Snag them while you can!!
BOOKED // Tuesday, October 20th at 4:30pm
BOOKED // Thursday, October 22nd at 4:30pm
BOOKED // Saturday, October 24th at 8:30am
BOOKED // Monday, October 26th at 8:30am
BOOKED // Monday, October 26th at 4pm
BOOKED // Tuesday, October 27th at 4pm
BOOKED // Thursday, October 29th at 4pm
BOOKED // Sunday, November 1st at 3:30pm
BOOKED // Monday, November 2nd at 8:30am
Questions? Feel free to contact me before booking! :) I'd love to hear more about your ideas and photography needs!
“Liz Cook is an incredibly talented and attentive professional. Her sweet and gentle countenance is paired with her ability to capture the most tender and joyful moments of the births that she photographs. Liz’s photos will bring you years of enjoyment as they draw you back to the delight and bliss of your birth experience.”
