• home
• the galleries
  •   maternity
  •   birth story
  •   the baby
  •   the family
  •   the kids
• email me
• sessions
• our studio
• fresh camera class
• follow us
  • become a fan on facebook
  • follow us on twitter
• Categories
  • allen family
  • Artist Spotlight
  • baby plan
  • birth photography
  • children
  • engagement
  • families
  • fresh class
  • fresh favorites
  • in home session
  • maternity
  • mini sessions
  • newborn
    • behind the scenes
  • products
  • seniors
  • sports
  • Uncategorized
  • weddings

The photos I never knew I wanted | St. Louis Birth Photographers

Posted on April 28, 2011

My Grace celebrated her 9th birthday a few weeks ago, and as a tradition, my kids like to hear the story of their birth on their birthdays.  Grace’s was quite memorable as she was a water birth (the first in the hospital in Illinois I delivered at) and she was my biggest baby, topping the scales at 10 pounds 9 ounces.  She was also my first and only birth where someone was snapping photos during the birth.  Sure, Bill always had a camera, but most times, it was me or a nurse reminding him to actually take some well after the baby had arrived.  I had the luxury of having 2 midwives present during Grace’s birth, and so one was busy snapping photos for us.  The idea of birth photos was something I never considered and really thought I wouldn’t want those type of photos.  When my midwife asked about photographing it, I was okay with it, but figured it’d just be for their benefit and I wouldn’t want those photos.  Then they handed me the images the next day and they have become some of my most treasured photos.  Not even from a professional, just capturing some pretty amazing moments.  They are not something on display, just tucked away for myself really (well, aside from the one I’ll share with the entire world on the internet.. ha!).  I’m pretty good at remembering the details of my births, but as the years fly by, not all of them are remembered… so to have these tangible pieces is priceless to me.

(not so great scan)

I think that’s one of the reason I’m so passionate about birth photography and love it so much.  My kids LOVE hearing their stories, but I feel like Grace is extra lucky to be able to have an image or two to SEE her birth story.  I love helping parents tell their birth stories, to remember all the little details and emotions from such an important part of their history.  It’s the one thing I really wish NOW I had for each of my kids.  And I’m a very private birther, which can be a hesitancy in hiring/having a birth photographer.  Jodie & I both understand this, and truly become flies on the wall to captures those details, without being intrusive.  Or if you need someone to chat with to distract you, we know how to do that to!  Ha!  So I urge all the expectant mommies to consider hiring a birth photographer to capture your story.  A professional would be the best option, but at the very least having someone extra, not Dad who should be focusing on living in the moment…. because, even as much as I see the technical issues in mine, and know they could have been so awesome, they are still completely treasured!

A Christmas gift idea in April | St. Louis Family Photographers

Posted on April 26, 2011

I’ve been meaning to share this idea since, well, December and I just kept forgetting. But today while I had all three kids home sick, again, I was randomly able to check some things off my to do list and this was one of them!

So last summer I thought of the idea to make my nieces an Alphabet Book with images of our family. Luckily I thought of it early enough that I had time to get shots of Avery and Sam for the book since they live out of town. I started by making a list of every single word I could think of that applied to each letter. Then I’d write down shot ideas next to each word. When my sister’s family would come in town I would try to check some things off the list so it wasn’t too hard. The hardest part was just remembering to keep up with it! Towards the end I had to go through all of 2010 and pull some random photos to make sure I had enough for each letter. The book ended up being just under 100 pages I think. It’s a big book but it’s SO rad it was worth the effort, time and cost!

For this book I used My Publisher which is the company I use for most of our family books. They run AWESOME sales if you subscribe to their email list and although I LOVE the albums we get from our pro-labs, buying our personal books from here makes more sense for this time in our life. I want the kids to look at these books I make and I don’t want to stress about them actually touching them! The site is super easy to use and I just built my book right in their program! This is their Deluxe Hardcover 11.5×15″ book in case you’re wondering!

Ok, so on to some pages!

I created the cover in PS and looked EVERYWHERE for the file to share with you guys but I must have dumped it when I was done! Sorry! It was crazy easy to create and I bet you could even do it in Word!

Since I was making this for my nieces I knew I wanted to include lots of photos of Grandma and PawPaw, our family and their family.  At first I wasn’t even going to print one for us but when I got a BOGO FREE I jumped at the chance! And actually, when they got here I showed my mom because I was too excited to wait until Christmas and she instantly had me order them one too!

Sorry the photos are so bad from today, I was snapping quick since I left three napping+sick kids inside! The pages are a bit glossy so they were reflecting the sun pretty bad (although I’m not complaining b/c DUDE we saw the sun today!) so just know they are printed beautifully!

This should be an ad for My Publisher! HA!
Some I obviously had to stretch a little! HA!

This might be my favorite page!

The back of the book. I wanted the front and back covers to be simple and without a photo since the book is so full of photos.

So that’s it! It really was a pretty simple project, just a BIT time consuming! HA! But it’s not love if it’s not time consuming is it?

I have a NEW book idea I’m working on already for this year which is what made me think to share this now! It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas! If you have any questions please leave them in the comments and I’ll answer them there!

Happy creating!

It’s Monday and I’m in the mood for a giveaway!

Posted on April 25, 2011

I’ve been keeping something from you. And I’m not proud of it.

I’ve been keeping a whole bunch of awesome giveaways from you guys for no other reason than we’ve been so busy it’s hard to give a lot of love to the blog!

SO on this GLOOMY Monday and with a house full of SICK kids (luckily I had foresight and hired our awesome sitter to help me cope today!) I decided it was high time to share some of these awesome products with you! And if I can keep it up, maybe this will be the week of giveaways! We’ll see!

So to start out, we have the AWESOMELY talented Holly McCaig! She’s a local girl who is so full of creativity it spills out in more ways than I can count! She also is just an amazing person. When she saw we were doing the Mohr Mini Sessions to benefit the Mohr family she offered to give us some headbands to use that day but then she took it to a whole new level and took some of our fabric from our backdrop to make CUSTOM headbands! Can you believe it? She went so far out of her way for us it was amazing. And so appreciated. Here are some of her headbands at work!
OK! Are you obsessed? You should be! Holly is amazing and well, we’re LOVING all of her headbands we now have in the studio to play with! Holly if you ever want to send us  more… HA! Seriously, her quality is awesome and she does CUSTOM headbands for anyone! Not just two local photogs begging her to help them make the Mohr Mini’s extra special!

Holly answered some questions for us so take a minute and find out about all the other things she’s got up her sleeve these days!

1. You are SO busy! Can you tell us about each of your businesses?

I own Holly McCaig Designs, LLC which is my company that houses all of my creative operations. Currently, I run three operations with the most extensive being Pink Ink Studios, a design and template resource store for photographers.  We’ve been in business since 2007 and have been very successful with it. Luckily, I have lots of help from our team. So I’m able to manage the store and the designers that sell with us, and find time to create and sell my own designs. My other area of creative revenue is what I’ve been calling Holly McCaig Creative.  This is where we sell our handmade chalkboard props and headbands. Certainly more of a side thing. We don’t overly promote or overly stock the store. It’s more for fun and a little extra cash. My mom does the production and shipping of the chalkboards while I make headbands for fun when I have time. I just really enjoy that distraction when I have the opportunity. And, there is my photography business. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been very lucrative for me, so I haven’t been scheduling it or promoting it. My focus really has been on Pink Ink Studios and designing. I know it seems I have a lot going on, and while I do, when you spell it out like that I kind of like keeping my hands a little in everything. Creativity is good for the soul!

2. What was your inspiration to start making headbands?

I just ADORE fancy hair pieces. I cannot pull them off myself. I wish I could. But, I started with a trash the dress session and I made a few pieces for that and then just stopped. I love being crafty (always have been) so finding something I could do while watching television was a must. I look at it as being more down time for me. Sewing and putting them together while watching The Real Housewives is pretty crazy for me on a Saturday night! After a while, they started piling up – the finished pieces – so I figured, I would sell what I make, and why not offer them to other photographers?

3. Out of all the creative things you do each day, what’s your favorite way to spend your time?

I miss shooting so much. But, the constant need to make it a business foremost with the dreaded part of dealing with undesirable situations and clients made it tough. If I could do it every day, for fun, and not worry about money, it would be that! But, I love interacting with my fans on Facebook with my daily Question of the Day. Even if it’s just generic questions that spark conversation. I’m a big believer in “NO SECRETS” so if I can engage dialogue that helps someone else out, that’s pretty awesome to me too.

4. Kim and I are both aware of how hard it is to separate yourself from work when you do what you love and work from home… so how do you give yourself “down time”?

I guess I could consider myself fortunate that no one really relies on me (meaning, no kids or hubby) except my doggies (3 of them). So, I can start my day when I want and end when I want. I can feel it in my body when I’m just too tired and I need to stop. If I need to sit until 10 a.m. drinking my coffee while all three dogs pile on top of me sleeping, I’m good with that. But, family always comes first. If my brother comes over, I stop everything and hang out until he leaves late at night. If my aunt wants to run to the craft store, I will go with her. If my family wants to go see my grandpa, I go. It’s about priorities and I think of my family as down time.

5. What’s your best stress-relieving trick when deadlines loom?

LISTS! Every morning, I start my day with a list. I transfer items from the day before. Writing it down on paper and having it next to me is important. I look at my email and I add new things to it. I determine which needs to be done first. Even if I don’t do them all, I feel accomplished because I can see what is there. To relieve some of the stress, I may stop and have a drink with mom (martini please) or get another cup of coffee and go outside for a little with the dogs (if it’s warm, of course). Then, I feel like maybe I can get back to it and get the next step done.

6. Anything new coming up to watch for? You always have the best ideas, we’d love to be looking out for the next one!

YES! I have just launched a new website called, Inside the Locker. I know, you must think I’m crazy! It’s a website/blog that will be for senior portrait photographers. It’s inspiring, helpful, resourceful. If I could photograph one subject it would always be seniors. I know I’m not a baby photog (you two win that one!) and I know I love the age of these kids and getting to know them and helping them feel great in their photos. If I can’t be lucrative in the photography business, I knew I wanted to still be involved. So, I developed this site and am starting to get lots of great feedback. We have a lot of people I’m talking to about coming on board as contributors. It’s completely open, free, and no forums. It’s just great inspiration and information right there for people to come see. It was a site lacking in our industry. Seniors need love too! You can find it at www.insidethelocker.com. My intentions are for it to be a daily blog, but for now, we’re slowly getting it going and winning fans. It also challenges me to shoot for fun with some special assignments (that feeds my creative soul, too).

THANK YOU HOLLY!

And are you ready for the giveaway?

Ok.

First, go like Holly McCaig Creative on FB and then head to the Fresh Art FB page to let us know you did! Leave a comment on the contest there (on our FB page) letting us know you “liked” Holly and you’re entered to WIN a CUSTOM headband valued up to $25! How awesome is that? Custom! That means she’ll make one JUST FOR YOU! Because she’s rad like that.

 

Thanks for the giveaway Holly and for sharing here on the blog! Hope this cures someone’s Monday blues!

Shoot for Seamus | year two

Posted on April 23, 2011

Today is the anniversary of Seamus Johnston’s death. And I hate that. It’s the second anniversary actually which amazes me because at times, for me, it still feels like yesterday. If you want a look back read HERE about last year’s Shoot for Seamus and HERE to see a sweet baby that benefited, but the most important post of this journey, I think, is HERE (this one is a tear jerker).

What I find fascinating though, is that this year, unlike last year, I’ve been looking forward to it. Because today we are doing the second annual Shoot for Seamus in the St. Louis Children’s Hospital NICU. So it’s not that I’m not sad today, remembering where I was two years ago with Tom and Sharon, because I am. I am heartsick for my friends. But knowing that we’re going to be able to give families in need a glimmer of joy is exciting. And knowing we’re going to laugh all day with our good friends is awesome. And looking forward to chatting at Pickles for lunch afterward is the best!

Today will be a great day but I encourage you to please please leave a comment letting Tom and Sharon that Seamus isn’t forgotten. Because he’s not.

We will be back to share today’s images soon and thanks in advance for any prayers you can offer the families we meet in the NICU and for healing for the Johnstons. I love that today fell on Easter weekend.

Edie | St. Louis Newborn Photographers

Posted on April 22, 2011

We met up with TINY Edie yesterday and she was such a joy! SO easy and sleepy and bendy and just the perfect little model!

I would say over 90% of our clients opt out of the photos when they bring their new baby to the studio, but we love it when they agree to hop in for a few at the end! Nicole is GORGEOUS and we were so happy to get a few sweet shots of her and her first baby girl! What a great way to end an amazing session and a fun way to start their sneak peek!

Headband from HERE!

Nicole wins the prize for most props brought to a session! HA! She showed up with BAGS of Easter decorations for us to use and we loved that sweet egg garland in the background!

My super talented friend, Adriane, made us this hat! Isn’t it adorable?

She made this little crown too!

Can you tell Edie rocked this pose? HA! We kept her there forever just switching hats and headbands!

Headband from HERE!

Ok, we know that’s a lot of the same pose! HA! But first, she rocked it out so it was easy and second, we get sent a LOT of new hats/headbands to use and since she was being so good we decided she could just keep modeling for us! Thanks Edie!

In one of the many bags Nicole brought along were tons of flowers… she had this vision of Edie in the midst of them all. And I will be honest, this is a departure from our style but it was such a thrill to be able to take Nicole’s vision and make it a reality for her! And Edie looks SO beautiful! Headband from HERE!

Two more awesome headbands from HERE! (above and below)

Headband from HERE!

SO! LOTS of photos of Edie tonight! I just couldn’t help show off all those awesome headbands and hats PLUS this sweet baby girl and her uber creative momma! We loved meeting Nicole and look forward to working with this family all year!

More from Petunia! | St. Louis Children’s Commercial Photographers

Posted on April 21, 2011

We did another quick session for Ellen at Petunia yesterday with our girls. Well, with two of our girls, the ones that we had and then we added in Bailey’s friend Vivian. We literally had ONE hour to get all the outfits on the girls and shot before we had to go pick up our other kids from school! Kim and I ROCKED it out in the fastest time EVER! I was pretty proud of us! Proud because changing little girls that many times could take an hour by itself! HA!

 

Check out our Facebook page for ALL 42 shots we’re posting! AND don’t forget to watch the blog for the announcement about where these sweet dresses will be listed soon! AND please go check out Sweet Petunia Clothing again!

Mohr Mini Sessions | Gregory, Ruthie and Mary

Posted on April 19, 2011

THIS IS THE LAST SESSION! WHEW!

Can you believe I finally made it through all 23??? Poor Laura had to wait SO long to see these of her three hysterical kids!

Listen, after shooting from 8am (getting there at 6:30am) to 6pm we were EXHAUSTED. My face hurt from smiling or trying to make kids smile, my feet hurt from standing, my wrist hurt from holding a heavy camera for so many hours, etc. We were DONE. But then Mary showed up! She is the funniest little girl I have ever met. Seriously. She had us cracking up the entire time!

THANK YOU again and again to all the awesome families that came out to support the Mohr family. THANK YOU to all of our amazing volunteers that day! THANK YOU to all the designers that sent headbands and props! We are so glad that day went off without a hitch or even a hiccup! It was literally perfect (minus the massive snow storm!) and Kim and I couldn’t have felt more blessed and loved! Thank you really doesn’t do it justice. To be in a room with so many people gathering together to help one family is a really powerful experience. And even though the adoption is off, the Mohrs need even more love and prayers now. Please continue to support them in any way that you can… prayers would be awesome.

Next Page »