Our Tree Topper...

Do you even believe the cuteness here?

New Holiday Pages...

Are you impressed that I'm managing to stay on top of this project?

Beautiful nieces...and some Thanksgiving Day fun!

My Holiday Book...

Despite my crazy holiday shooting schedule, I'm on track with my holiday book. I would call it a December Daily book, but I decided to start with Thanksgiving. I wanted to include the time I spent with my Aunt Janie preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. Here are the pages I have so far. I'm not including the Thanksgiving day page because it includes our Christmas card picture. I'll post it later after I've sent out my cards. By the way...those are ordered! Now I just need to get control over the shopping list. My kids are done, but that's about it.  I normally finish much earlier, but I'm not stressing yet. I have one more week of shoots, and then I can concentrate on my shopping and wrapping.

I'm using book templates by Katie Pertiet at DesignerDigitals.com.  I decided to keep my background paper the same on each page and change it up a bit on each page by using other solids and patterns. I'm not sure how I will like that and may end up changing so that each page is the same.

I'm ready to work on today's page...should get it knocked out tonight. I have some adorable pictures to share. These will probably end up being a page in the book if I come up short. Sometimes I cheat. ;)

I've been struggling with Jake's behavior lately, so we started a star chart. He randomly earns stars by listening to me the first time I ask something. We promised a trip to FroYo when he filled his chart. Gummy worms are his favorite topping.

He randomly places those stars! ;)

He doesn't miss a drop!

I have another studio shoot to share. Laura and I were very close growing up. In fact...she gave me a surprise 16th birthday party! I'll never forget how special that made me feel! We lost touch after she got married and moved west. I thought about her a lot through the years and would occasionally hear updates when my parents would run into hers. I was thrilled when we found each other on Facebook! We've been able to keep up on FB for a few years now. She is a big reason why I love FB!

Her family came in town for Thanksgiving, and she asked me to take family pictures. I love her girls...LOVE them! They kept me entertained.

Studio Update...

I've been busy in the studio!

I am always excited to take pictures of Ali, Jessie, and Livi. I've been a big part of their lives since Ali was a baby. These three are the reasons why I'm Gigi! They started it, and it stuck. I love my nickname and business name...all thanks to them!

Every time I have them in the studio, I marvel at how much they are changing. They are beautiful young women, and I am so proud of them.

This pretty lady was a former student of mine! I know, right! I'm old! She needed head shots for Reader's Digest and contacted me. I was so honored and excited for her! She's a very talented writer. Way to go, Michele!

There is just something about this next shot. I know they aren't smiling. They don't look very happy at all. There is just something about it. It moves me.

I have three studio shoots this weekend and three the weekend after. Then it's vacation time for this photographer. I'm going to focus on pictures of my family this holiday season. In fact, I've decided to do a holiday book...a page a day. I plan to start with Thanksgiving. In order to stay on track, I'm going to try to blog my pages daily. I have a friend who will get on my case if I don't! ;)   


Happy Thanksgiving!

The Disney Video...

You have to just watch the first 20 seconds to hear what my goofball kid says!!!

Disney Video

I must admit that I'm not really happy with my pictures. I did not take my best camera. I took a great lens, but I didn't take my favorite lens. I did not shoot wide open...which is my favorite way to shoot. My pictures are just ok. Also...I spent a big part of the time concerned about Jake's asthma and allergies. He started having problems as soon as we got off the plane. Fall is his worst season, but I thought he would get a break in Florida. I have no idea what's in the fall air in Florida, but he won't be going back there during this time of year!  My focus was obviously on Jake...and Izzy...and not my pictures. I still love the video. We still had a great time. They just aren't my favorite shots, and I didn't take as many pictures as I have on previous trips.

Emerson's Birthday Shoot...

This sweet, feminine little lady can sure eat cake! I am ready to hire her mom to stylize all my shoots!  Happy Birthday, Emerson!