Wow, so thats what

$9.5 Million bucks looks like on fire....

Lighting struck a gas storage facility in Kansas City last night...they estimate almost 10 million bucks is on fire right now.

Cute Kid Contest...Come Vote!

Ok, here are the entrants! They are numbered, so take note of the number and email me at susanrobichaud@gmail.com, with the subject line: Cute Kids Vote: (then the # of the image).

One vote per email address, one vote per day per email address

Please refrain from "voter fraud", LOL

Get your friends/families to vote

Voting runs until June 10, 5pm, CST

Winner will be announced on the blog

Vote now!!

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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....

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!!