"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....

Big Stuff

So....yeah. Opening a new studio. Near Briarcliff. in Riverside. Great location, very exciting.

OK, I CANT WAIT!!!!!

Why Experience Matters

I know, I harp on this "experience" thing all the time. How choosing an experienced Professional Photographer is the best choice, and how to choose one based on certain criteria (price NOT being one them, lol). But, I recently had a session that just cemented that belief into my brain yet AGAIN! (dont get me wrong, everyone starts out somewhere, but just be sure that the photographer you pick can HANDLE the details of the session when things go astray). Everyone who knows me knows that I *adore* teaching new talent, so this isnt a "bash the newbies" post at all.

Anyway, Mr. A. and Baby Girl came to visit KC (they live out of state, and its a LONG drive, believe me, I know) for Baby Girl's 6 mth portraits. We agreed to meet a local place that I have long had great light and great success with. Well, not this time....this time, a lot of the trees had died or been pruned away, leaving harsh, strong light to be dealt with. This type of full sun shooting is really considered an advanced lighting skill and honestly, many newer photographers simply cannot handle it. What results with this type of situation in those cases is not pretty. I would venture to say that most of the time, reshooting at another location or dumping the entire session images happens more often than not.

But, again, experience. I have studied natural light for many years now, and I know that it is more than just luck that produces great natural light portraits....it *is* experience and skill on the part of the photographer.

I am proud to show *my* Mr. A and Baby Girl full sun images. Backlight and full sun in one session is tricky, but with experience, it can be gorgeous.

New Video: Baby A!

I absolutely love this new video thing! You can post them online or put them on your Ipod, etc. If I do a vid of your session, I will email you a copy of it for your computer, Ipod, etc.

Please be sure to tell your friends where you got your amazing portraits though!

Miami Video [ Fun ]

Just to prove I wasnt lounging on the beach!

In *my* mind, Cinderella

plays soccer. And whips up on the boys!


The first of my Fairy Tale Project sessions comes to fruition with Miss C. Stay tuned for lots more from this project in the next several weeks!

Back from Miami

Hope some of you got to hear my voice mail with the singing...that was a classic!

Some Miami city shots....I decided that I would just stick the camera out the car window and push the button a lot....it was an interesting experiment in letting go (not of the CAMERA, just of my expectations)

Everyone say it with me now...

Awwwwwwwwwww.......

The Face of an Angel

I need to first apologize to Baby K's mommy...I have been so behind since being sick for a week, that not only am I behind in FINISHING editing your session, I didnt even do a Sneak Peak like I am SURE I said I would. Yet, she never complains, just waits patiently. A better woman than I am, for sure.

Baby K. wasnt exactly HAPPY to be photographed that sunny morning. Since they were moving the next day out of town, I had Baby K and Mommy and Big Sis over to my (messy) house for their session. I decided that I would use natural light since I have this big beautiful window...well the sun was in and out about every 10 seconds, so the light just kept changing! Drove me crazy! Drove Baby K. crazy, too...one second, nice light, next second, blinding her with a beam like a laser. But, she and I persevered. Well, better than that!

I have lots of Baby K, but this one just sums up baby hood for me...love her hands in her mouth...

I will be done today! I'd promise, but we can probably tell what that is worth this week! ;)

Casting Call: Models Needed!

***********THIS IS A MODEL CALL*******************

I am looking for girls to be subjects in a personal photography shoot for me. Sometimes I just need to shoot for myself and need to find some subjects...this is one of those times.

"The Fairy Tale Project "

Who: girls b/n ages of 3-6

What: for planned photo sessions throughout the Spring/Summer (project is ongoing)

Where: all sessions will take place in Kansas City metro area, actual locations will vary

When: variable

Requirements:

Must have one or more Fairy Tale outfits (Cinderella, Snow White, Red Riding Hood, etc), and be willing to wear it!

Must be willing to give the Artist (um, thats ME) free reign to produce my Fairy Tale Project. That means you can say "No, I dont want my child in that location", but I will likely replace your child with another child. (obviously I never endanger anyone!)

Must be willing to schedule with me for a mutual convenient time.

Must sign all my normal studio paperwork, including model release.

What YOU will receive:

The session with me

$150 print credit with my studio (can be used to purchase from the Fairy Tale Project images of your child, OR towards a future custom portrait session)

5x5 Mounted Custom Print from the Fairy Tale Project session.

This offer is open to ALL, whether you are a current client, or simply want the chance to try out my studio so that you can BECOME one of my beloved clients :)

I dont know how many lil ones I need, so send me your email to susanrobichaud@gmail.com, be sure to put FAIRY TALE PROJECT in the subject line so I dont skip over you (whoops, did I let slip that I accidently skip emails sometimes?)...if I dont know you, please include the name and age of your little princess and what outfits she would be wiling to wear for me.

Bear in mind, I will be accessorizing these outfits, too...but they wont be ALTERED or anything.

Thanks!

Its OUT!!!

THE BOOK!!!!

I had a client call me this morning (sorry, Jennifer, one of the boys is sick and I havent called anyone back yet!) and say she went to the bookstore and got her copy!

I want to see!!!!!! I havent gotten my copy yet...anyone wanna snap some pix for me?

LOL

Amazon says they have 2 copies left!!! I called Borders and Barnes and Noble and was told they are SOLD OUT!

Oh, I wanna see!!!!!

Oh, I found something: click on the link below and watch a mini slideshow from the publisher. Page 8 and Page 9 are two of my images....!!!

http://www.welcomebooks.com/alookinside/bigbookofbabies/

My friend and fellow photog Dawn Sela (NY photog if you need a great one!) graciously snapped some quick shots for me..

Here's some pages:

Wow, opposite the TITLE PAGE is Venessa's beautiful daughter...

There is Jennifer's handsome little guy @ 3 mths old:

The back cover...the top image on the left side is Tiffany's lovely oldest daughter...

And the credit page, showing the pages on which all our darlings are showcased!

Coming soon...

Big stuff!

http://allureavenue.wordpress.com/

What a face!

I hadnt seen Baby A. since she was only a few days old..but when her Mommy called to schedule her 6 mth portraits, I had NO trouble squeezing her in. Baby A was my sleepiest newborn EVER...I dont know that she opened her eyes ONCE during the whole session. I know it was my fastest newborn session ever. And I dont think I was even peed on....a miracle.

So when I arrived for the new session, there she was....gorgeous, with sparkling eyes and big grin. The house was perfect for a natural light, environmental session, so thats what we did.

I am almost done with your session, Baby A! Here is one to tide Mommy over!

Talk soon~

OOOhhhh.....fingers crossed

Even though my last venture into having a studio space was such a resolute failure, I am once again ready to take the plunge!

*IF* I get it, it will be literally down the street from my house (way more convenient) and more importantly..it will be UP NORTH! Yay!!! I'm really a Northland Photographer anyway....

I will keep everyone updated......I'm hoping to hear something official SOON!!!!

Here today, then off to her new home

OK, it wasnt even TODAY, it was last Monday. But as Baby S. slept soundly for this shot, we were surrounded by the evidence of change....Mom and Dad and new big brother A. were just 48 hours from the moving vans coming to relocate them.

But though it would be very stressful to have to pick and move with a new baby in tow...I really dont think Baby S. was feeling any of that!

Hope everything went smoothly and I cannot WAIT to show you the rest of your images...

Talk soon~

S.

Lunar Eclipse

As I stood outside last night, freezing almost to death...I wondered WHY am I doing this? Its just a MOON for gosh sakes. But, my husband said that the next lunar eclipse wont be for like another 3 years, so I toughed it out.

This one is lens flare from a longer exposure time....reminds me of the Dark Side of the Moon album cover (thats Pink Floyd for those of you too young to remember)...

I believe the bright spot at the bottom here is Saturn...

And this is a lunar progression that I obviously put together, LOL

Hope some of you got to see it!

Whoops, totally forgot

The Double Your Dollars promo is sold out!

Yikes, I cant believe I forgot to post that! I *did* honor several extras, so I'm not punishing anyone for my ADD! ;)

xoxo~

In Search Of

An Artist Rep to represent me, get me displays, and get me bookings through events like charitable fundraisers, etc.

Would need to be someone who is pretty plugged in to the charity set, who knows the right people and is in her element with that type of thing.

The position would be entirely commision-based, no salary. Details to be discussed with the candidates!

Email me at susanrobichaud@gmail.com or call me at 816-260-1529!!

Workin' HARD in Orlando!

I admit this sheepishly...I love pix of myself working (and those of you who have any should email them to me!)....I'm such a big dork, but they crack me up.

So, my friend Dena shot these during my program in Orlando (note the paparazzi-like atmosphere, I'm such a ROCK STAR....thats a joke folks):

Just one before I go

Am leaving for Florida in an hour or so to speak at a national photographer's convention (yikes, very nervous!)....but, I had to post ONE of darling little Z. from yesterday.

Z. is very into hats... (i love a gal with flair), and when I shot this one, I thought at the time, "That is going to be my favorite"...and it is. I went looking for it on the card as soon as I got home....its essential Susan Robichaud: most people will say "hmmm, I dont get it", HA HA

So, Sneak Peek for you Jennie! Talk soon~

Me? Adorable? Go on now....

Sometimes I can open an image and just KNOW what the baby would be thinking...you know, if they knew any language yet and all.

Baby C.'s mommy drove her here to KC from St. Louis (Baby C has an almost-2 year old big brother who came along, too, which is good, b/c I've missed him!). I was so happy to get the chance to photograph another beautiful baby for this family. And I adore Mom and Dad, so I let the session happen at my house (which, if you know me, is a BIG deal....Martha Stewart I am NOT).

So, a sneak peek of a VERY personable newborn....welcome to the world Baby C!

Ok, I guess its official, I can share....

Last January I was contacted by a woman who was freelancing for a book publishing house in New York. She was collecting info from baby photographers throughout the country about whether they would be interested in being in a coffee table book about babies (all photography and baby quotes, that kind of thing). I said sure, but was cynical about the whole thing. I checked it all out, and yeah, a legit place, publishes real books, etc. So I sent a cd of images and the whole year passed back and forth, getting more details on what they wanted, sending new images, etc.



In November, they requested final images from me for printing. Then the book was printed again b/c the first test print didnt look good, blah blah blah. FINALLY yesterday, I got my contract and so I guess I can offiically announce that I will be published in March!



On some of the book sites, they have different covers, and on one of the them, one of my shots is on the cover, but they change all the time, so they probably havent decided for sure. Anyway, big news for me, I'm uber-excited (even if I'm not on the cover, lol).



Heres a link:http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781599620411, but if your google "the Big Book of Babies", you can pre-order it through Amazon, Borders, Barnes and Noble, etc.



There are 10 or 11 photographers that were chosen, but I was the only midwest photographer chosen, let alone the only Kansas City photographer! Pretty exciting!!!!



I know, you want to know WHOSE beautiful babies are going to be gracing the shelves of our local bookstores? Here is the list of those chosen by the publisher (i cannot be held responsible if for some reason your child's image doesnt end up in the book after all). I am listing CHILDS FIRST NAME AND LAST NAME INITIAL, then in ( ), Mom's first name.

Emma H. (Tiffany)
Colin B. (Chloe)
Elise (Fkadu)
Haley B. (Lacey)
Isabella D. (Libby)
Mitchell K. (Jennifer)
Molly H. (Kelly)
Zoey H. (Amy)
Sophie N. (Jami)
Elizabeth G. (Toni)
Conley D. (Jennifer)
Liv M. (Venessa)
Garrett F. (Teresa)
Kathryn W. (Jenny)

So there it is, the LIST! I am uber-excited for you all! Your babies in a nationally published book!

Better Late than Never

The 2007 Year End Slideshow is up!

Hopefully I have not left anyone out (although there are 2 maternities missing, but both are good friends of mine, so I am sure they wont be mad....besides, their beautiful babies are in it!). If I did miss your session, it was totally unintentional, so email me and I will get your session added!

Enjoy...its long, so get some coffee first. And the music is OK this year...Royalty Free Music is getting better....still aint great, though.

http://www.susanrobichaud.com/

(then click on the top (above the images on the main page) where it says Click here to see the 2007 Year in Images slideshow.

Double Your Portrait Dollars

***********SPECIAL PROMO ALERT!!!***********

When you book a regular session for January or February 2008, and pay the Session Fee Retainer of $500, you will DOUBLE YOUR PORTRAIT BUCKS! So this means that your $500 retainer will be worth $1000 in portrait credits! Order $1000 worth of portraits, get another $1000 of portraits FREE....OMG...FREE!!!!! Whatever you spend will be DOUBLED!!! Spend $2500, get $5000 worth of portraits!!!

I have 4 slots available for this promo, so HURRY AND BOOK!!

Rules (yeah, I have them):

1. Session MUST be booked, completed and your order completed during Jan or Feb 2008 (subject to my current availability of course) in order to double your bucks.

2. Sessions still limited to the ages I photograph (under 5 years old)

3. Not valid with any other offers

I will post when the slots are filled! Call me at 816-260-1529 (leave me a voice mail) or email me at susanrobichaud@gmail.com

Hurry!!

Wow, I'm behind!

Sorry for the silent blog everyone! We went to Disney World a few weeks ago and we had so much fun that I have had a hard time getting back into the "work" frame of mind!

I am so excited about 2008! I am going to be concentrating on Maternity and Newborn Portraiture, as well as Babies through their first year. I will also be doing my Urban Safaris as soon as we get back to warm weather in about April/May.

I am currently working on a plan for a Special Event in January or February for little girls ONLY! I havent gotten one planned for little boys yet, but I will most likely have one for them as well. I will be using studio space at my local fave photo store, Photographx Unlimited, so hopefully they will have some space available!

I am also excited about an upcoming announcement (I just cant make myself say it yet, but it involves a BIG BOOK publisher and some of my work)! Hopefully I will get the FINAL word soon and can finally tell everyone what I've been holding back all year!!!

I'm looking forward to the New Year! I hope everyone has a great holiday!!

Rock and Roll Hootchie Coo

When you let a 5 year old dress themself for a session, you will usually get a mish-mash of whatever they find in the laundry hamper. In my house, this means shorts and a sweater with rain boots or one sock, but for W., this meant snow boots, a knit cap and Batman gloves.

Stuck the guitar in his hands, and we were OFF!

Love that little boy grin under all that BIG boy bravado ;)

Rock On Little Man, Rock On.

My Evening with Anne Geddes

First off, let me say that unlike my Annie Leibovitz post earlier this year, I *adore* Anne Geddes and when hubby threw the paper on my head while I lay sleeping last weekend with the blurb that AG was coming here to Kansas City...let's just say excited was an understatement.

I was *so* nervous about the possibility of meeting the woman that I wrote her a note beforehand, in case my brain froze up and I was unable to speak (yeah, I know, not usually an issue for me at all). My friends Teresa and Margaret made me give her the note even though I spoke just fine....I think AG and her hubby were a little surprised, b/c AG didnt quite know what to think when I handed her an envelope. Maybe a stranger thrusting an unknown package at a MAJOR celebrity wasnt the BEST idea in hundsight. I'm thrilled at the idea that she read something I wrote and may (perhaps?) might one day visit my site. I'd probably die if she liked my work.

Anyway, her new book, Labor of Love is GORGEOUS and looks fabulous on my shelf with her other books. She was so gracious and dignified, charming and amusing....I hoped for a longer interview, but I understand, celebs cant all sit around charming me all night!

I had my book signed, we chatted about my boys (AG's hubby Kel noticed my handbag!) and she was so gracious that she was posing for pix....so of course I had to get one....this is one of my most prized images now....and she shook MY hand! I dont know why, but she did, and that was SUCH BIG STUFF for me!

Anyway, if you have the chance, pick up the book (and her 2008 calendars are DARLING), and go see her in person...she's adorable.

Ha ha (in my best Nelson from the Simpsons voice)

ok, the article itself isnt amusing, its sad actually, but there is a blurb in there about Dasani drinking water that cracks me UP....my hubby and I have long teased people about how they wont drink tap water b/c they think BOTTLED water is so much better for you (hubby works for the EPA and he told me years ago that the EPA doesnt regulate bottled water at all...its regulated, dont get me wrong, but the EPA tests our reservoirs and our drinking water but not bottled water).

So even though I buy bottled water to keep in the car for the kids, I drink from the tap mostly.

So when I read this article this morning, it just made me chuckle in an ironic sort of way...heres the blurb:

****Another "award" went to drinks giant Coca-Cola for pushing marketing "into the realms of the ridiculous" in the United States and South America with its Dasani bottled water which is sourced from the same reservoirs as local tap water.****

Heres the article, which like I said, isnt funny...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071030/ts_afp/consumerhealthfoodchildren

Anne Geddes

Wow, 2 great photographers in the same year coming to Kansas City!



Anne Geddes (of the famous flower pot babies) will be here in KC this coming Friday night (11/02/07). I have tickets and am uber-excited!



I hope that my ticket isnt #1100 again, b.c I really want to have my book signed! It should be another packed house of photographers, which always makes me smile....the business has grown so much in the last few years, and it should be some interesting people-watching again.



Cant wait!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for...

gumballs??

Hmm, thats not how I remember that going...

FYI for Photographers in Kansas City

As of today, I will no longer be offering your name as a referral unless you are an Active or Professional Member of the Professional Photographers Association of Greater Kansas City. I decided that there is absolutely no reason to give potential business to someone who cannot join and participate in our local affiliate.

I have been working hard with the rest of the Board of PPA GKC to get membership up, etc so we can continue to have such a great local guild, only to find out that a lot of you locals arent even members.

So, maybe it doesnt matter, but I am going to do whatever *I* can do to make PPA GKC as great as it can be. And this is my small contribution.

You may contact PPA GKC by visting the web site at : http://ppagkc.org/

You may email me for more info: susanrobichaud@gmail.com

And if not, Baby Lauren has a message for ya, ROFL:

Mom's My Stylist

Literally, her Mom *is* one of my stylists! (I say ONE of b/c my uber-best-friend-forever, Shelly, is my "South" stylist" and Miss. S.'s mommy is my NORTHLAND stylist).

The pink hair came from our mutual kindergarteners carnival a few weeks ago...I was told that S. never likes to take it out of her hair now...so naturally *I* said leave it in!

The "Moms My Stylist" shirt was too perfect, and so of course we had to use that, too.

The tea set is to get a 2 year old to sit still long enough for a picture ;)

This doll's mommy, Katie, is opening her own FABULOUS salon here in the Northland, Salon Haleh (its going to be http://www.salonhaleh.com/ whenever the site goes live). For now, you can come to the Grand Opening on Sat. Oct 20 all day from 10-6pm! Drop by and check out the space, hang out, eat some free goodies and make an appointment for a fab new 'do (it doesnt *have* to be pink, but that would be cool)!!

The addy is: 10012 N. Ambassador Drive KCMO 64153 816-801-8980

JUMP!

I wanted this to be a Sneak Peek for her Mom, but I finished the editing so I already sent her link out. Of course, *I* know she is on a date with her hubby tonight enjoying a concert, so I can still make this "kind of" a sneak peek....for her friends anyway!

I always want to get a good, in focus jumping shot, but I've never really done one that I was happy with...until a couple weeks ago. How she could jump in those rain boots I will never know...but she got some AIR!!

The Best of the Northland?

I was angling to be nominated the Best Photographer by the Pitch for 2007, but alas, even though I constantly send them pix of kids with the paper, I wasnt nominated again this year. I should send $$ next year maybe....or baked goods.

So, anyway, I started thinking it would be fun to have a Best of the Northland contest (seeing as most of my clients live up here with me).

So, lets start gathering some ideas....it will give us all new places to eat, shop, and hang out this winter....

Some suggestions for categories:

Best restuarant to eat with your kids
Best non-kid restaurant
Best on-the-go place to eat (or pick up and drive with)
Best coffeeshop for sipping lattes with the girls
Best boutique kids clothes (not that I would really spend a lot of $$ on BOY clothes)

etc etc etc.....email me at susanrobichaud@gmail.com with your categories and nominations. I will take these until Nov 1, then post the nominees and open the voting!

Yay!! this will be fun!!

2008 Pricing and Availability

I have been starting to field inquiries about 2008, since 2007 is rapidly coming to a close (already!).

My 2007 pricing will be staying the same in 2008. My Session Fee Retainer will be increasing from $300 to $500 and the Bonus Gift levels will be changing, as well.

My 2008 availability will be Tuesday and Thursday mornings, as long as there is school in session in my district. I have limited Saturday availability, and the Weekend Session Fee Retainer will be $1500.

My summer hours are still up in the air...I may add one weekday during the summer.

Please feel free to contact me if you need more information!

Thanks!

Talk About Lighting Up a Room!

Or an alley, for that matter. On a recent Urban Baby Safari (have I mentioned how much people are LOVING these with me?), I was treated not only to Tea and to lunch with this little darlin', but to a smile that would warm even the coldest of hearts!

I had to post one, as I know Mom and friends are waiting anxiously! Be done with them soon, and I cant wait to show you the whole session! Fabulous!!

The Best Laid Plans

Sometimes go way off the chart....Baby P's mom scheduled her 1 year session about 4 mths in advance. I reserved a great farm location, since P's Mommy is quite the horse and outdoor lover. This place has barns and horses and great nooks and crannies both outside and inside the farmhouse. We were both extremely excited to do P's session.

But, Mother Nature had other plans....and those plans apparently involved the building of an ark, b/c the rain that came down that day was flood-worthy. Needless to say, we werent outside.

Normally a reschedule would be on the menu, but we went ahead and just used the indoor location. I knew it would be pointless tro set up my studio lights for a new walker, since she wouldnt stay in one place, so using natural light and bouncing flash, I trailed after P, squishing myself into corners of windows while she pretty much ignored me.

I know Mom and Dad arent holding out much hope for the images, but I actually am enjoying them a lot while I am editing the session.

So, here is a TOTAL favorite.....artsy, yes. But oh my, what a doll!

Another Urban Princess

Ok, I'm so busy, I can no longer breathe!

Ah, but SO worth it!! Why I have fallen in love with this image....well, I mean, LOOK at her!! That hair, those great eyes, that mischeivous (did I just spell that wrong, that looks wrong) smile...and that DRESS!! Oh, I need a little girl just for these OUTFITS!

This is one of my son's "girlfriends", so I cant wait to show him tomorrow!