Cute Kids Contest Addendum

The contest announced in the Newsletter yesterday is a big hit already! (email me at susanrobichaud@gmail.com to be added to the Newsletter list)

I must have been unclear though (not new for me, lol).

When I said no professional images I should have been more clear....no "3rd party" entries either. No "my brother is a hobbyist not a pro", no "my Mom takes great shots with her mondo expensive lighting set up and "just for fun" studio downtown", etc.

Just cute snapshots of your kid, taken by YOU, lol

Sorry for the confusion, I will try to be more specific from now on. We all know how thats NOT my forte!

"Baby" L.

Even though she isnt a baby anymore, I found myself still calling her Baby L. at her session this morning. I just cant believe how quickly they go from Maternity clients, to Newborn clients, to Infant clients, to Preschool clients! Pretty soon I will be doing her High School Senior Portrait session, and then I will officially feel old as dirt. The "old as dirt" photographer, my new moniker.

Anyway, Baby L's mommy is a fashion DIVA, and she always knows what is in style, so I knew she would love my new studio and all its goodies to play with. Baby L fell in love with my Turkish bench (which makes me happy, that thing took FOREVER to stain last summer!) and I was reminded of how lucky I am to get to do what I love.

Thanks for eating animal cookies and styling my hair, Baby L. Looking forward to our Urban Session soon, too! Come on warm weather!

Melancholy Rock Star

Although *not* a big fan of child modeling in general (mostly b/c its Mom who had to do all the work, all the driving and then the kid says "eh, I'm done" right when they can drive themselves to all those shoots!)....I think someone should call Ford or one of those big companies and tell them that if they need a moody little rocker, I've got it covered.

Another Brother-Sister Set

My 6 year old has a great little friend from Kindergarten. They have played soccer together 2 seasons in a row, both obsessed with Star Wars and both probably ready for summer vacation!

When I was asked to do a session for his family, I readily agreed! I just love it when I can get the sibs in one of my "magic chairs"....

Ok, its the only way to contain them sometimes....

Have a great time on your cruise! Call me when you are back and I will post your session gallery!

It sucks when you have your heart set

on something and in your mind, its so perfect. Then it gets "ruined"...but its great when its not actually ruined at all!

I met a new client this morning, all the way from Los Angeles, California. She and her 2.5 year old twins and Grandma came for an Urban Safari session with me. Mom had the vision...and it was perfect. But, as parents, we know that our kids are like dogs...they sense FEAR! Mom was afraid that the divine Miss M. (daughter) wouldnt be very happy (seems she doesnt like portrait sessions). Miss M. sensed that fear and boom, it was all over.

Luckily, neither I, nor Mom, nor Grandma were giving in. We toughed the Urban thing out for about 30 minutes, then went to Plan B (and Plan C)...off to feed the ducks at the park. New outfits, some cheez-its for duck food, and one Photographer skulking at the treeline, and the ice was broken wide open.

I know your heart and mind were set on something different than what we got, but you gotta love it anyway...Vive La Difference!

More Studio Shots

Just waiting for couch day now....Friday, my buddy Tim is graciously taking me to pick it up. I am NOT kidding when I say graciously, with gas at almost 4 bucks a gallon. I wouldnt drive my mother across the street these days!! (kidding Mom, love you!)

Someday My Prince Will Come

Today's FTP participants wore the most gorgeous dresses, so I *had* to give them a castle befitting them, right?

Mom looked a "little" frightened when I said "they havent mowed lately, but its too cold for snakes"...I hope she knew I was kidding!

Anyway, in NO way should I be even PEEKING at todays session, but, of course, I had to...one Princess in her Castle...now back to work!

Some prelim shots of the new STUDIO!!

Got the keys yesterday...so these are VERY prelim!

From the parking lot (not that you can see anything but ME, lol):

Looking right in front of you as you enter door:

To the right of door (not my furniture):

Inside the shooting area:

New Display!

I have a client who is a FANTASTIC Orthodontist. I am hoping I never need him, of course, but he is great! I had the pleasure of photographing his newborn last year and really enjoyed my time with his family.

He has a gorgeous practice right up the street from the new studio (!!) in the Briarcliff Village, and he is going to hang my work in his offices! I'm so excited! I probably have never mentioned how much I love displays, have I? (ha ha, I talk about it all the time, dont I!)

Anyway, if you need an Ortho (they recommend seeing one by age 7 now so they can catch all that stuff early), go see him!

http://www.burlesonortho.com

Hopefully if my boys need braces, he will have about 20 more children so I can trade sessions for dental. Ah, a girl can hope.

Fairy Tales, Nursery Rhymes...

Same difference, right? When Miss R.'s Mommy emailed me about the Fairy Tale Project, she said that R. would love to be Sleeping Beauty. I said Great, cant wait, we will have a great time. Then she casually mentioned a Little Bo Peep outfit.

I suddenly remembered the LAMB! The one that I always used for my newborns a few years ago....so I went and dug her out (the lamb, not the child)....

I kind of thought that if Little Bo had put a leash on her sheep, she wouldnt have lost them! I think Miss R forgot ALL about Aurora when she met "Lulu"..

Need More Time at the Ball, Cinderella?

Just reset the clock, then you can dance all night!

My 2nd Cinderella from my current Fairy Tale Project....this is Miss E. (Miss E. is also featured on 2 pages of the Big Book of Babies, since she is much loved by me and my camera, obviously).

I am not so sure that Mom believed me when I said "I love 2-3 year olds"...I think she may have thought me delusional. But its true, they have that sassy way about them, which I love.

I signed the lease yesterday

ACK! I signed the lease and then applied for my business license in Riverside.

The space I am taking over will be familiar to a lot of you, it is the former space of the office of Social Suppers in Riverside. The store space, where the actual SS was, is still up for lease, but the space they used as offices right next to the store is now mine! :)

The official opening date is June 1, but I believe I will be in there setting up and decorating, etc before that date....so if you feel like unpacking boxes and painting, come on by!

I'm very excited and will show pix as I get it all ready. I will likely have an Open House in June, too....