Today I had the pleasure of photographing Baby J.  He just turned one last week and is so stinkin’ cute!  He was such a good little guy for the entire session.  Here’s a sneek peek until I wrap up post processing.  Enjoy!

As most of you know, I’m all over the map when it comes to photography.  I hate to limit myself to one aspect of photography as I personally believe it does not allow me to grow.  So I recently took on a challenge for a corporate client who gave me the freedom of photographing their products.  And a challenge it was!  Between glare issues and attempting to fit close to 30 signs in one shot - well, it was more difficult than I thought it would be.  This wonderful company is a a local golf tournament company who create sponsorship signs, packages, etc. for golf tournaments nation-wide (think “UPS” sponsoring the 18th hole) as well as design (and assist their clients in designing) the ultimate golf tournament.  If you’re interested in contacting them, please let me know and I’ll put you in touch.  Here are a few.

This is good stuff.  I mean, really good stuff.  Its so good it ranks right up there with that last bite of cherry cheesecake I devoured yesterday.  I’m so pumped about the 2008 Christmas cards.  They are fabulous and are ready for print.  I know what you’re thinking.  “WHAT?”  “Its only July for goodness sake!”  Yes, I’m way ahead of the game and you should be too.  Why wait until November to have your Holiday cards done?  Why deal with the Holiday rush?  Why not cross one thing off your December to-do list and get the obligatory cards over and done with.  I promise, you’ll feel good about it.

The general color combo is brown/green/blue.  However, the scheme can be changed to brown/green/red.  Just depends on how funky or traditional you’re feeling this year.  As always, font type, wording, etc. can be altered to your taste (i.e., Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas, etc., etc.).  The gray areas on the samples below are where your photos are inserted.

Here’s what I’m offering price-wise.  All come in sets of 25 and include envelopes.

Option 1: One-sided 5×7 cards printed on professional grade photo paper.  $45.00 ($1.80 per card)

Option 2: One-sided 5×7 cards printed on linen paper.  $55.00 ($2.20 per card)

Option 3: Two-sided 5×7 cards printed on linen paper.  $70.00 ($2.80 per card)

Okay, ya still with me?  Good.  Order your cards before September 30 and take 10% off your card order.  You can order the cards with an existing photo either I, or you, have taken.  Or, book your session with me and receive 25% off your session fee and 10% off your card order.  After September 30, all discounts are no longer valid and regular pricing goes into effect. 

So here are the cards.  You’re gonna love ‘em.  Click image for larger view.

Sample of #9 Front in Red

Back side of #9 in Red

Last post I promised myself I would take some snapshots of my kids over the weekend.  In these photos, you’ll only see two of my kidlets (well, three if you count my husband!).  Because I was consumed with sentimental weakness, I failed to take a single photo of the eldest punk.  Yeah, I’m a bad, bad Mom.  Now, he is in the background of one of the photos skipping stones into Lake Huron.  I have to give him credit - that’s fairly innocent behavior on behalf of a 16 year old.    Enjoy! 

I’ve just been all emotional lately.  No, I’m not pregnant (man, I wish I was so I could send some of those new birth announcements out!).  My husband and I, after the kids are all tucked in, often listen to XM Radio and chat over a glass of wine.  There is this great station called XM Cinema and in the evenings they play pop songs and classical tunes from movies of all ages and genres.  Think Ferris Bueller, Star Wars, Good Will Hunting.  We are highly addicted as it usually turns into a game of “Name that Actor”. 

So the other night we were listening and the showcased movie was, “Finding Neverland.”  A song was played and Johnny Depp breaks in with a line from the movie and it went a little something like this: “Boys should never be sent to bed early for when they wake they will be a day older and, before you know it, they’ve grown.”  Now, on paper (or screen for that matter) it clearly does not give the same effect, but I’ll tell ya, I got all choked up and tears literally started streaming.  My boys are growing and almost grown.  My 16 year old is driving and thinks he is independent.  Every time he starts up his car my gut wrenches.  My 14 year old is starting high school and it kills me that he thinks he is cooler than I am.  And my 2 year old is, well, he’s two.  He calls himself a “big boy” and I refuse to do the same.  He is my baby and he is growing.

So, this weekend I have made a promise to myself to capture my boys on camera.  Not set up shots, not forcing them to do something silly or ridiculous that has “blackmail” written all over it for their future girlfriends (because, in all honesty, I’ve already done that), no props, no collared shirts.  No, this weekend I am taking snapshots of my kids in all their glory.  In bathing suits with messy hair and smudges of ice cream on their chins from two hours ago.  I’m not going to worry that the light is just right or if I get catchlights in their eyes.  I’ll be sure to share a glimpse next week.

Just wanted to make a little announcement that I’ve updated my website a bit.  New colors, new logo, new photos.  I’ve also added a splash page where you can either link directly to my site or link over here to my blog.  I’m hoping the link to the blog will give me that little extra push in the rear end to keep up with this bad boy of a blog.  And, this is the part where you just skim past the next couple of sentences or, read them and repress them.  Along with the handful of changes I’ve made, I’ve also adjusted pricing a tad.  The fine art gallery wraps have increased in price just a smidge.  See, its like you never even read that little blurb, right?  So, go check it out and let me know what you think!  www.mishkaphotography.com

I apologize to all my stalkers out there.  I’m a bad, bad blogger!  The good news to make up for the lack of blogging is the announcement of my new Birth Announcements.  They are fully customizable so if you have your heart set on an announcement that is blue and you’d like it changed to pink - well, I can make that little miracle happen.  The gray areas are where your little one’s photo(s) will be inserted.  All are printed on 5×7 professional grade linen paper and include envelopes.

I had the wonderful pleasure of photographing 8-day old Baby E on Sunday afternoon.   Baby E was so alert the entire session!  She is such a good little girl and b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l.  Such a doll!  Thank you E&J for allowing me into your home and to spend time with your family.  Here’s a couple from the session.