Pinterest has become quite the thing recently, and we’re getting pinned more and more. Here’s a few recent ones!

Shared from another photographer’s page. If you haven’t already resolved to be IN more pictures of your kids, do it and do it now. Snapshots, self portraits, pro pictures or less than pro pictures. You are not too fat, you do not need to go put on your makeup, and you don’t need to go change your clothes. You might not get another chance. We are so blessed to be doing what we love and creating real memories that will last lifetimes.

A portrait is more than paper: http://fototails.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/a-letter-on-my-doorstep-portraits-are-more-than-paper/

“… On Sunday I called and cancelled our session. Monday I went out and got my hair cut ($39+tip), and colored ($65), Thursday I had my nails done ($24), my family went out to dinner at a somewhat expensive restaurant for no particular reason costing us $79 + tip. This was just 4 days since canceling our session, already totaling over $200 for un necessary things. My nails only lasted about 2 weeks, my hair is gone, and seven weeks passed when I got the phone call from our doctor. It was not something I expected and the cancer has spread very quickly. I will be leaving my husband, my 6 year old girl and my now 2 year old – not by choice. It is very hard for me to talk about it which is why I need to write you.

I watch your Facebook page and your posts about the value of a photo and if I could give back all of those things that I purchased this few weeks after I cancelled my session with you, knowing what I know now, and have that session, well… I would do it in a heartbeat.

Now my time is done and there are no more chances for me. The next time someone cancels a session – my wish is that you forward this letter to them. Time is fragile, it is gone before you know you had it. If you charged $200 for one print it wouldn’t be enough for what it is actually worth. I cringe to think that my priorities were a manicure over a memory to pass onto my babies and husband….”

We do! Heather’s using Pinterest to gather wedding ideas and session thoughts, Frankie’s using Pinterest for home and product ideas. Lots of other people use Pinterest for lots of other things. Sometimes, we ourselves even get pinned! Here are images that have been pinned that we did! Do you spot your kids?

While watering the plants at the studio today, I heard some squealing of baby birds somewhere close. I poked around a little until I saw a glimpse of baby bird through the leaves of a bush outside of the studio. I ran back inside to get my camera and I waited until mom and dad (who are busting tail to feed these FOUR little bottomless pits) were gone, then I swooped in to get a few pictures. The are baby Mockingbirds, probably just a few days away from fledgling!

That today is not Monday? Yea…I vaguely remember yesterday being Monday. Something about the summer and my kids being home EVERY DAY makes me sort of forget what day of the week it is

Did you also know…..

That we have a Book Club!? As our Tales From the Crib baby planners graduate, they can move on to our book club! What is Book Club? It’s AMAZING is what it is

For $650 you get 3 sessions per year, and an 8×8 album at the end of the year. JUST LIKE the Tales From the Crib plan! Awesome? Yea, we know

So, since this is a fairly new thing for Stylized Portraiture, we decided to make it part of our Manic Monday special this week! If you would like to sign up to be in the Stylized Portraiture Book Club, then now is the time to do it! Everyone who signs up for Book Club before July 31, 2010 will receive $50 off your fee AND a 10×20 storyboard at the end of their year! That’s a savings of over $200!!!

For additional information on the Stylized Portraiture Book club, you can visit this post http://www.stylizedportraiture.com/ask-and-ye-shall-receive/

Call or email the studio before time runs out! 706-247-5086 and info@stylizedportraiture.com

So, it truly doesn’t happen very often. Getting my kids into the studio is much like getting them to eat exotic foods. Lots and lots of complaining….until FINALLY….they try a little and they end up LOVING it.  

On this day, the goal was originally a family photo. But, I realized quickly, that there was NOTHING in any of their closets that would remotely match each other. Preparing for a family photo truly is a shopping event as I am sure many of our clients know! Well, I didn’t have time to shop…I had willing participants, so we scratch the family idea and went with individual shots.

I can’t complain really….They are each their own person, and we all know…getting the 5 of them in one shot, looking at ME, while not touching each other or arguing would have been nothing short of a miracle. So, here they are…meet The Wylies! 

Alexis: 
7th Grade
Sax Player
“The Helper”

She is starting to really grow up, and these photos are proof of that. Lexi has turned into an incredible young lady! She is very thoughtful, and is always thinking of others. She will be our child that lives at home forever….and we are TOTALLY OK with that! 

Aiden:
3rd grade
First year Tae-Kwon-Do student
“The Thinker”

 Ohhhhh, yes. And I truly mean thinker. Always thinking about a way to make a dollar…..thinking about a way to bother his siblings to their wits end. Some of the stuff Aiden comes up with is just freakin’ hilarious. His thought process is so fast that at times his mouth can’t keep up. His logic and rational arguments keep us on our toes. He will be our first child to move out. And, the first one to have saved up enough money to probably buy his own home by age 20, LOL! 

Kieran 
Pre-K
The video game pro
“The  Lover Boy”

 
This child is nothing short of sweet. Watching him interact with others truly makes us proud. He is so sensitive to the needs of the people around him that it is ALMOST to a fault. Even at the age of 5 he has such a mature way of handling situations involving things that are unfair to him and can always see the bright side of it. His laugh is infectious, and his smile can light up a room. The things that fly out of his mouth are nothing short of hilarious. Though you can’t really tell from these photos….he is a lover at heart. The first one to come snuggle in the bed, the first one to give kisses for no reason…..the last one to go to bed because he needs “just a little more mommy lovin’ ”  

Kelsey
10th Grade
Guitar Player and Vocalist
“The  Artist” 

Ohhhhh, this one. I could write an entire blog dedicated to this one, LOL! Talented isn’t a strong enough word to describe her musical skill. She can write a song in minutes….music, verses, bridges, refrains and all. 9 times out of 10 that song is directly related to something in her life. She has a way with words that is almost magical. You WANT to hear her sing…you WANT to know what comes next. And, after only one listen, that song is stuck in your head for days on end. Her talents don’t end with music. She is also a fabulous drawer….whether a project for school or just doodles on the paper, you wonder how someone with no training can create such things with something we all use everyday….a pencil. At 16 she is finally figuring out who it is she really is…..and LIKING it!!! If dealing with her is what life is like dealing with most teenagers, then we truly have it MADE! I never thought raising a teenager could be this….dare I say…..”easy”……but because of her ability to hear what we say to her, and actually apply it, she has made us proud to be her parents!  

 

Ella
3.5yo
Bug lover and Princess of all things WILD
“The One” 

The one….you know….the ONE….that ONE child….that reap what you sow child. She is the one. Every ounce of trouble Greg and I ever gave our parents will be handed back to us 10 fold in this one little spitfire of a girl. She’s feisty, scrappy, resourceful…. and doesn’t put up with anyone’s crap! Being the youngest of 5 can’t be easy, but it has sure helped her grow wise beyond her years. Talk about not knowing what will come out of your kid’s mouth….yeah….we always hold our breath when she starts a conversation with people. Ella meets no stranger. She’ll talk to anyone….anywhere…..anytime. And, will likely talk about anything! Her feisty, independent attitude is what makes us love her even that much more. We would never try to break her spirit, make her any less of who she is, but she does often need some reminding that she is in fact, only THREE years old. Three going on 30! 

 

So, there they are…..my 5 little bundles of joy. Bundles of nerve, bundles of exhaustion, excitement, attitude, and love. The bundles that I love so much it hurts sometimes….the same bundles that I want to duct tape to the ceiling fan at least twice a week. So very very different, but so very much the same. Life in the Wylie house wouldn’t make any sense without them.

We had a blast today at the Athens Maternity and Baby Fair! We talked to about 150 people, and boy, my throat is sore now! We had a great time meeting all of the mommies and mommies to be. We’ll be drawing names to win our Belly to Baby package and a baby’s first year From the Crib package as well as a bunch of other things sometime within the next 3 days.Don’t forget to check up for our Manic Monday giveaways, and sign up to have blog updates emailed to you on the right!