The THIRD person to e-mail me at GATEWAYK@gmail.com gets a FREE Suburban Urban session at the studio! 

What the heck is a Suburban Urban session?

It's a 30-minute outdoor portrait session aimed at creating fresh, funky, urban looks without braving Philly traffic.  Bring lots of layers -- hoodies, scarves, hats, sweaters, boots, etc... -- and we'll switch up your kiddo's look constantly while shooting away!  It's designed as an Essential Imagery sampler, and is valued at $49. 

Brooke is a fabulous soul, and we got along smashingly.  She's working on marketing and promotional materials for her songs...wouldn't this make a great CD cover?

Adding textures and special finishes to portraits can take hours.  (This one clocked in at 71 minutes.)  The speedy version can be viewed below. 

Caden's slideshow is finally up for grabs, as Mom & Dad got to see it today.  Enjoy the link by clicking here. Warning: you WILL need to download a plug-in to watch the show.  But it's worth it. 

I'm pretending Spring is right around the corner, and it's the perfect time for spring clothing shopping...care to play along?  These three outfits are available from the girls' department of Mini Boden.   If I could make every client shop there, I would!  From left to right, I've featured the Vintage Cropped Baggies, the Fifties Sundress, and the Petticoat skirt.

If any of you walk into the studio with one of these items on your darling kiddo, you'll get a $40 print credit on your session!  If you'd prefer an on-location session with one of these items, you'll receive $40 off the regular session fee (of $150)!  

And while you're here, can you tell me whether you'd like to see clothing suggestions as a regular part of the blog?  Thanks! 

{Oh, and those aren't my photos -- they remain the property of Boden USA.  Just thought I'd let you know!}

I'm doing a happy dance...the finished portraits that I provided for NBC 10's All That & More were shown today...isn't Caden the best? 

 ...and yes, I DID take pictures of the TV.  Some of us don't have TIVO, okay?  :-P

 The link to the video is here.  ::continues to dance happily::  Thanks, Mallorie!

I am *such* a weenie when it comes to having secrets, or surprises, or other awesome treats...thus, I rushed to my computer and edited away, and even though I TOLD myself I wasn't going to show anything until the images are ALL done being magic-ified...here's Caden.  He (and his parents) won the NBC 10 All That & More photo contest in December, and today we had his photoshoot!  I edit in order, with my favorites getting edited first...so here's a peek!

I am the world's biggest sucker for eyelashes!  I took about 30 eyelash portraits, but this one is the winner...

Despite the look of this one, our session was trauma-free.  
 

Voting for studio offerings is still going on, just scroll down!  I'm going to close voting on Saturday. 

Shannon finally reached the age when she's all about getting her picture taken...she was all smiles, and we had a rockin' good time getting her holiday portraits squared away!

 
Mom is scared her curls are going to go away...

Sometimes, seeing your images immediately after coming out of the studio isn't the best setup.  Why?  Because you can't see what's in my head.  I gasped at this image when it first appeared... but it probably didn't look terribly impressive to Mom! 
 

It's insane right now, but come January, I'll be DYING to shoot anything but holiday photos...namely, Seniors.  If you happen to be a gorgeous Senior (or know someone who is), please shoot me an e-mail (or, preferably, a photo.)  You can send it to Kristen@essentialimagery.com.  There are goodies galore in store for 2 (maybe even 3) models...

 Oh, and California...did I mention I was in California?  Yet another photo...

That's the longest pier on the West Coast, located in Oceanside.  And that funky, funky, the-light-is-making-crazy-shapes thing is called flare.  It's not an accident (it's actually kinda tricky to do), and when it's just right, it's *sensational.*   

It's officially winter.  Like, there's a fine mist of nastiness outside, and snow is on the horizon.  Can I please have the pretty pretty golden light weather back?  Please?