MySpace....or yours???

Hi everyone! I just had a quick second and wanted to come by to invite you all to come check out our new MySpace page! Many of you added me as your friend on my personal MySpace page, so let's get everyone added to the new business page. If you have a MySpace, come visit and add us. We will be posting favorites of sessions, posting updates, blogging, and posting MySpace friends only specials!


http://www.myspace.com/bellaamadis

Hope you all have a wonderful New Year!!!

Santa Baby...

Is this not just the cutest Santa Baby you've ever seen? Meet N, he is just 3 short hours older than Brooklynne. He is one of my best girlfriend's nephew and is a super sweet little man. I was editing images and came across the Santa Baby pictures and had to share. His smile is priceless! Many more to come, Mom and Dad. You will LOVE them!

My stinky brother.

This is my kid brother.

My brother is like totally tubular, and uber awesome, and has like totally righteous hair. And stuff. He is 11 years younger than me, and such a joy to pick on. I mean love on. So, my brother just turned 16 and got his drivers license. So I thought I'd go ahead and post his mug online for the world to see. And more importantly for the resident's of the Cedar Park/Leander/North Austin areas to take note of and avoid at all costs on the road. You can thank me later.

We did my brother's portraits while we in Kentucky, which was loads of fun. And freaking cold. But rain, shine, or 33 degrees in the blistering cold won't stop this girl. Ok, so it normally will but it was the only time we had and I was a little obsessive. I really enjoy teenage portraits. They like totally participate way better than a 2 year old. But only by a little bit. And they're all about posing and looking spiffy. But I don't think spiffy is technically the "look", but whatever it is I think we achieved it. He's like totally hot stuff in these pictures.







How ironic that there was a wall on it that happened to have HIS name and a well known fact about him. Wierd.







And we even managed to get one of me and the little goober.

See, he does love me! I kinda like the little turkey too. Just don't tell him.

Vacation fun!

Hey everyone! Well, I am officially back in action but not for long! :o) I am wrapping up the final deliveries for Christmas and have finished all the sessions! It was a fantastic Christmas season. If you didn't make time for pictures in December, watch for a fantastic special in January! I just wanted to pop in and share a couple of images from our trip. We had a wonderful time, did a whole lot of nothing. Which was just what we needed. Joseph also had this last week off, so I did what work I had to and spent the rest of my time loving on my family. It was so nice to have 2 weeks all together with very few things we had to do. I have a bazillion pictures to share, so I will do so slowly over the next couple of weeks so I don't bore you all to death at once. For now, here are a few favorites!

Hasta La Vista BABY!

Well, folks.....I am out of here. Well, not actually yet but as of 6 am tomorrow morning I am. :o) And I cannot tell you how excited I am to get out of town. We are going to Kentucky to visit my family. We go every year, and our vacation is always made up of doing wonderfully relaxed things. We stare at cows, eat good food, go shopping at the cute little shops, eat good food, go for walks holding hands, visit with my wonderful family, and of course eat good food. Oh, and we eat good food. Did I already say that? And I have to tell you all that we have made some major lifestyle changes in an effort to just become healthier. I have lost 8 lbs and my hubby has lost 15 lbs!!! Of course, now the problem is, we will likely gain it all back on our trip.

To my clients who are waiting on orders, please know that the lab is delaying my deliveries this week. I didn't really think it would be a good idea to let those things lay on my porch. Well, actually my sister and her fiance will be here off and on - but she's not really looking to be me for a week. ;o) I will have my laptop with me to check emails as I can, but will likely return emails when we return the week after Thanksgiving.

I hope you all have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving! I am leaving you all with a wonderful story, one that has recently become very close to my heart. It's a story about taking a trip, thinking you are going to Italy and ending up in Holland. We have been in Holland for some time it seems, but are just finding out where we are. And just learning that Holland is a very wonderful place, worth loving. Holland is beautiful.


I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to help people who have not shared this unique experience, to understand it, to imagine how it would feel.It's like this.

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make wonderful plans. The Coliseum. Michelangelo David. The Gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland." "Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean, Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. It's just a different place. It's slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around. And you begin to notice that Holland has windmills. And Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy. And they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there.

And for the rest of your life, you will say, "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain will never, ever go away. Because the loss of that dream is a very, very significant loss. But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to go to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things. About Holland.

New Again

A client sent this to me, and I thought I'd pass it along. I first have to say, if you have not seen The Passion of Christ or even considered what Jesus Christ endured this may be graphic. But I make no apologies to anyone for posting this, it is what I know. It is what makes me clean. It is what breaks my heart, and makes me love better. It is what I teach my children. It is why I am GOOD ENOUGH to go to Heaven. It is what I am most greatful for. And it is my heart. And would be a waste to not pass on. As it was put in the email to me, be prepared to be disturbed or blessed, depending upon the condition of your heart.

New Again

I'm alive, I swear.

I've had a ton of emails lately asking if I am ok, and where I have been. I'm here! Things have been super crazy around here trying to get through the Christmas rush. It's been amazingly busy, and SO much fun. And wow, have we gotten some great images! I will be posting some soon, as soon as I can stop to breathe for a second. ;o) We are also going through some things, which I will fill you all in on once we know more details. But we could use your prayers, we just really have a lot on our plates right now and this rollercoaster is only going to get bigger. Lots of love everyone!

Pretty Ladies!

Wow, things have been SO busy. But busy is good. :o) I thought I'd stop in to post a few recent favorites. First, meet Miss A. She also goes by Rocket. And sometimes Tramp. :o) Like Lady and the Tramp. A has a big imagination, which is right up my alley, so we had a grand time chasing Rocket/Tramp and discussing all the myteries of the world. And of course taking bones, which were just sticks (I don't have bones on hand during sessions normally), to her mom when we named her Tramp for a while. It got kinda sticky when I went to take A's picture and I said "I see a Traaaamp"....to which she added "A dirty one". We all had a really good chuckle. Those are my kind of sessions! So ladies and gentlemen, I now introduce "Tramp" who is a real fine little Lady I just adore!

We had many new perspectives during this session!

Isn't she just a DOLL???

After A's session I met with another of my regular clients for their session. It was also LOADS of fun. I love babies around age 1. They are just full of energy and plenty of smiles. And don't notice me too much, so I get to capture them just being cute one year olds. It's wonderful. :o) Both of these sessions gave me so much to look forward to with Brooklynne. Especially in the clothing department! Miss S was just a doll and absolutely beautiful. I hadn't seen her since her newborn portraits, so it was so nice to see her blossom into a beautiful little person. You're a mighty fine Lady too, S.

Meet My Daughter In Law and her brother!

Well, future daughter in law...according to our children. And I can't say that I mind, because her parents are our totally rad and most entertaining friends. And well, let's face it - for kids as adorable as mine, we have to keep the generations looking good by hooking up my kids with equally gorgeous kids. hehe Only kidding, but "K" and Reagan ARE in love afterall, and in addition to being in love - Reagan has made K and G his cousins. Which could be strange if they marry. G just turned one, so we headed out to take his 1 year portraits. It was loads of fun and we got all the little ones involved. My kids were NOT as cooperative as these two gorgeous munchkins! More to come, but here is a sneak peek!

I've been tagged!

For those of you who don't frequent a lot of photography blogs, you're probably clueless to the very fun game of "tag" that's been going around lately. I've been tagged by my amazing photographer friend (and sometimes my brain), Megan of Four Seasons Photography (she is a kick rear photographer in Oklahoma - I think I love her). You are supposed to share eight things about yourself & then tag eight other people. So here are mine (and can I just tell you how hard it was to think of 8 things??? Pretty sad, huh.):

1. I am just going to get this out of the way and admit that I love food. I have a passion for food, and appreciate a party in my mouth. I have been blessed with good metabolism...but fear that those days may be coming to an end.

2. Which brings me to #2. I hate to excercise. I think it's the devil. And it doesn't like me much either. But I have recruited a girlfriend who does work out to get my butt in gear so I can lose this last bit of baby fluff. Maybe.

3. I secretly want to be a nurse when I grow up. I just broke this news to my husband last week. I think he and I both thought when I began this journey of Bella Amadis Photography, that this would be where I would be for like ever. But my passion to be a nurse has not left, and I am planning to try to make that a reality once my children are all a little bigger. I will still run this business though, I don't think I could stop this.

4. My husband and I DVR all the shows we like and watch them at night once the munchkins are snoozing. We are Big Brother fans, CSI, and of course Greys! We also enjoy Dirty Jobs and shows like Mythbusters or Look I was born with 5 Heads type of shows. Ok, not really that but you get what I mean.

5. I was 20 when I got married and am going to be celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary in November. I never would have thought I'd have 3 kids under 5 by the age of 27, but it's the best thing in the world.

6. I enjoy regular pedicures with my mom (and Brooklynne tags along too). It's really great girl bonding time.

7. My parents and my grandparents are my heros. There just aren't words to describe how amazing they are.

8. I go to Hill Country Bible Church NW, it's a great church!

So, now I am supposed to tag 8 more people....but almost everyone has been tagged!

1. I am going to tag my other great friend, Robin DePaula. Megan tagged her, but she's slacking. So I am tagging her again so she'll get her rear in gear!

2. My other lovely friend Jackie of Jax Creations. She better get on it too! lol

3. Jennifer Carter, who is just about one of the sweetest gals a girl can call a friend.

4. Vicki Byerley, she taught me a lot of what I know. We are like 2 peas in a pod...which is trouble waiting to happen. lol But she is just wonderful, and a very dear friend.

5. My lovely Aussie friend, Lindy, who I secretly want to talk on the phone with JUST so I can hear her accent!

6. One of my biggest inspirations, Kim. Her son Kicked Cancer's Butt and reminds me to appreciate everyday.

7. Not a photographer, but one talented Momma. Deborah, of Sassy Satchels, is one of my clients and makes a real fancy diaper bag!

8. Ok, I hurt my brain getting 7 and my baby is done with me being on here!

Holy Moly I can't believe I forgot

I was looking at my schedule this evening and realized I had not reserved a time to do our 2nd annual Costume Cuties mini sessions! We had such a great time last year having all of the little ones come out in their adorable costumes. Luckily I have some time still! SO, it's short notice but get those costumes ready! I am going to send out the usual evites tomorrow. There will only be 4 of these available, and they will likely fill fast (unless of course I am too short in my notice lol).
Costume Cuties is September 22nd!

Now Christmas sessions are another thing, those are almost gone! I have a couple of slots left in October and only one left in November. Email me today to reserve your slot before they are gone!

She knows who's boss

Meet Baby A. I call her Baby A, but she's not really a BABY anymore (I'm in denial that time has flown by so fast). She has been a client of mine since she was 6 months old, and gets cuter and cuter each time I see her. She was one of my first clients, and still doesn't care too much for the camera. :o) She knows what she wants and we go along for the ride. She decided studio sessions weren't so much for her this time, so we headed down to the park at the end of my street. Which, by the way, is my new secret weapon. Baby A, I think you are adorable. And a girl who knows what she wants and who is boss, is my kind of girl! Here's a sneak peek for her wonderful Mommy, the rest will be ready soon!

Well hello, chub.

I know what your going to say. "Don't you ever feed that baby?!?!" I know she is skinny, but yes I feed her. Often, too. About every 2 hours, thank you. Isn't she just lucious though??? I had a client here today with a baby girl that is 2 weeks older than Brooklynne and it made me realize how big she is.






Maybe Daddy should have had a pedi first.

Sometimes she plays shy.

She can be serious too.

And she is a ham, just like her mommy.

Invisible

One of my wonderful client friends sent this to me, and it made my day. So, I thought I would pass it on to my other wonderful mom friends. Thanks girl!


I'm invisible.

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.

I'm invisible.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30 , please."

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going ... she's going... she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:

No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.

These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.

They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it."

And the workman replied, "Because God sees."

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Cup of Brooklynne

I think my neighbors think I am weird. And they are probably right. But how often do you see something this cute in your neighbor's front yard??? Didn't think so. Drive on by at random times, you never know what I'll be doing next. lol I often wonder if the neighbors I don't know well wonder what is going on over here. New people in and out all the time with stacks of clothing. hehe It must be a funny site. One neighbor said he often wonders how long some are planning to stay. :o) So, tomorrow I am a day older. bah, But I'm going shopping and getting loads of yummy food....and it won't count against my "lose all this baby weight so you can look like a normal but perfect girl and wear really cute clothes" plan cause your body disposes of all the fat on your birthday. Yeah. And Friday's. Fat Free Fridays. You learn something new everyday on my blog, don't ya??? Have a great one!!!

Weddings!!!

I wanted to share a couple of quick images from a wedding we did. We did this wedding about a week before I came off leave, it was soooo much fun! We had a lot working against us, but the wedding turned out so beautifully! I am thankful to this wonderful couple for letting us share in their special day! I just wanted to share a few:











And we are very excited to announce that we will be adding wedding packages to our variety of services. I have always steered clear of them, and to be honest I will be choosy with weddings. I want to make sure I am a good match for each couple. This match was perfect and enjoyable, so it was that little push we needed to open the door to another project. As if we need more projects. ha We will start doing weddings in '08 so tell your friends....the ones who are getting married of course.


Ok, so on another note, this is going to be my adult ADD information coming out of my ears update. A couple of things:


1. We are really trying to expand our outdoor/on-location portfolio. While we have done tons, we have not asked permission to use them. So, we are looking for a few models! We want to take some kiddos downtown, to parks, old buildings, etc. It will be loads of fun and be amazing images! I am getting ready to do this with my own little crew so I will have samples soon. If you would like to sign your child up to be a model, please email me and I will give you the details.


2. We are also looking for a couple of Senior Reps in the area. High School Seniors will receive a discount and get to be in our portfolio! Contact me for details.


3. You will now also have the option to have a preview of your session on the blog! After your session, the wait can be INTENSE. So, you will now have the lovely option of having a sneak peek image to get you through the agonizing wait. I know. It's golden. And I am a smart cookie.


4. My birthday is on Thursday. And I am getting older by the minute people. And I think I need something shiny for my birthday. And I don't mean foil.

5. I need chocolate, so I have to go now. Don't tell anyone though. I feel like if I have chocolate while no one is around it doesn't count as breaking my diet. Works well I think.

Lots of love people!

Looks like we have a plan!

Thanks to everyone who has taken the poll! It will remain open until September 1st, so feel free to add your thoughts!
So, it looks like we will have a site that allows you to view your session as well as place your order and pay right then and there. I am working on getting it in place and hope to have it up and running by September 1. There will also be the option for a viewing session at the studio. When you come for your session, you will be asked what your preference is and we will either set up a viewing session or an online viewing.
In addition to this exciting change, there will be a couple of minor changes to ordering. Once your proofs are online, you will now have 5 days to view and choose your portraits. Things are much busier around here, and with the holiday season sneaking up on us I need to make sure everything is smooth. This policy will change as of September 1st as well. If you have already scheduled a session, you will be honored the current viewing time. We also have some awesome new business cards on their way, and are working on new brochures and other products! It is all very exciting. We have grown by leaps and bounds and we want to make sure the experience is as exciting and memorable as the portraits! Hope everyone has an awesome weekend!!!

Silly me...

I forgot to post the special for September...

Complimentary 8x10 with $100 purchase and paid session! Plus you add on the fact that you get to hang out with me for about an hour and that my friends, is priceless!

Almost forgot...

I have had many requests for availability in September already. I will be back to 3 sessions per weekend. And it is filling up quick, so here is what's left for September's schedule:

September 1 - BOOKED!
September 8 - 2 slots left
September 15 - BOOKED!
September 22 - 2 slots left
September 30 - 1 slot left

Take the Poll!

Ok, so here's the skinny. I have been looking for a better way of proofing, or a better proofing site for some time. Well, my current proofing site is shutting down and forcing me to get in gear and make a decision. So, I've posted a poll (to the left). I don't want to make a decision that is good for me, but totally inconvenient for the client. So, please take the poll! I'll cry if you don't. I am going to explain the choices....

Viewing Appointment: You would come back to my home to view your portraits, which would be presented in a slideshow. We would then sit down together and go through them each to see what you would like to order and can even help you design a set up for a display wall in your home. You would have to be prepared to place your order at the time of your Viewing Appointment, but family and friends would still have an opportunity to order. After our appointment the session would go live online for 5 days, allowing any additional orders to be placed. I would love to be able to do this, and meet with each of my clients. But I know this may not be the best option for those who are an hour or more away.

Online Viewing and Ordering: Basically exactly what we have been doing now, but you would have the ability to order the prints right there on the site rather than having to email me.

Online Slideshow: This would be a slideshow for you to view, along with being able to see each portrait. You would still have to email me your order.

So, those are the choices. I am also very open to any other ideas, if you have them. But I really want to make sure I am keeping everything as convenient or better than it is now. Thanks friends!!!

I'm BAAAAACK!

Well, ladies and gents this weekend I am back in action and Bella Amadis Photography is reopening after my almost 3 month leave. I am so excited. I have a bunch of new clients coming out this month that I am so excited to meet and work with. And of course, my awesome regulars who I am just so thrilled to see. :o) I am going to sit down and work on my Fall schedule and get that out soon. I have had a ton of inquiries on when I will start booking for Christmas sessions, and since there are already people asking it will likely be soon that I start scheduling them. The actual sessions will likely start next month. Which is crazy to already be thinking of Christmas, but last year we started mid September and were booked in no time for the rest of the year and we unfortunately had to turn people away. So, this year I am on top of the game! Ok, I gotta run before the little peeps cause some trouble. Here are some pictures from yesterday of my little sweet munchkins....

WAIT...

I forgot I hadn't posted these. Granted they're from like 4 weeks ago. But still, it's super cute. And I'll get working on a new one!