Mini Session!!

This is a re-post!!! Book NOW to get your slot!! Only a few days left!!

Live, Laugh, Love and be YOU!!!  Happy Saturday!! --TLC

Jack-In-The-Box

Silence in my house means there is something going on.... especially when my daughter Taylor is in sight and my son Landon is not!!!! And when he doesn't answer, you know it's probably bad!!

I often find myself letting things build and build until I just let it all out! I tend to take my frustrations out on other people and fail to realize the real issues lie within myself. I am working on my strengths AND on my weaknesses and finding better ways to release the 'pressure' if you will.


Tonight was one of those nights where I called for Landon and SILENCE. "Landon"...."Landon"... "LANDON!!!!" Finally, through the door of his room upstairs I hear... "right here" I walk upstairs to his room (I just knew I would find a major catastrophe or disaster) and there he was, as pretty as you please playing with his Jack-In-The-Box toy that my Grama gave him the last Christmas she was with us. Just as cute as ever.... he would wind and wind and when Jack(clown) would jump out, he'd jump in excitement and smile ear to ear just gleaming!!! It just melted my heart!!! It was amazing to see the magic a little toy in a box could create!!! He could've sat there for hours being entertained by the thrill of a simple toy.

It's not always about teaching. We often fail to realize the lessons that we can learn from our children as well. It's the little things, and the simple pleasures that make their day!!! I need to remember that when I let frustrations build up until I burst with anger!! I need to be thankful for being able to share in their joy!!! Maybe I need burst with excitement and thrill that I have such a beautiful life and family. Or maybe I need to burst with surprises, love and happiness instead of being upset when I get boiled and hot!! If a Jack-In-The-Box can bring that much joy, imagine what a little extra tender, love and care can bring. I need to remember that those moments of anger are not as important as the moments that I have with my kids. Before I know it, I'll be wishing for the messes to clean, for the all day "Mommy, I love you's over and over and over, movies to loop, and believe it or not, I'm going to miss the why's and buts!!! Life's too short, don't miss the experience!! I love them with all my heart and I make sure they know that every single day!!!!

Live, Laugh, Love and ALWAYS BE YOU!!! --TLC

BOOK IT!!!

I had a conversation yesterday afternoon with my best friend today that inspired this post. Remember in elementary school when there were book fairs and those thin newspaper like pamphlets which were filled from cover to cover with reading books? Well I did, and I always wished I could afford all the books the other kids bought at the fair as I would slip my $.50 on the desk to pay for my little plastic book mark. And those pamphlets... they would either get dumped in the trash immediately or never make it home because it ended up covered in mud on the floor board our car which in turn, ended up in the trash!!! Now, they are BACK!!! My daughter is now bringing them home from her pre-school and again, they usually end up in the trash. I have a had a hard time deciding whether or not it's a good idea to ACTUALLY order a book? Maybe one of these days I will give it a shot..... when my kids learn to read! I know now that reading as a child is very important.


  I was never a reader, not then, and not in High School!!! I would find myself thinking of what I was going to have for lunch, what kind of routine we were going to perform at the game, or my strategy in blocking out in that nights basketball game during a comprehension test or reading period. It was never an interest of mine and didn't understand how anyone could sit for hours upon hours and READ!!! REALLY?? I was always more interested in being actively on the go.. ask my mom!!I guess that's why studying was a challenge for me too. Until. Craig. While we were dating, I soon learned that he was an AVID reader. I wasn't sure how that would affect our future since I hardly ever opened a book. He suggested (more like challenged me) to read "The Alchemist" stating that it was a GREAT book and that I would be amazed!! Well, of course I HAD to do it, not to mention the curiosity killed me!!! So I did. I read it, it took me a while but I read it!! AND--- I LOVED it!!! I started to slowly learn the love of reading a good book. Since I am a slow reader, it takes me longer than probably the average person to read a book. I blame it on my attention span. I love a large variety of books ranging from romance novels to bios to thrillers to financial peace. But lately, in the last couple years after becoming a wife and a mommy and a photographer, I indulge in self help books. I love, love, love to learn and love to be inspired by other people who are living the same life I am and experiencing the same trials as me.

The books I am currently reading one chapter at a time are called, "Matters of the Heart", "Humor for a Mom's Heart" and "Eat,Pray,Love". I just finished tonight a very enlightening book about being an at-home mom called "Stay Home, Stay Happy" by Rachel Campos-Duffy. Her simple tips and techniques to being that loving wife, and happy 24/7 mommy that us mom's always strive to be, are helpful ways to help balance a happy, nurtured home. I really enjoyed learning that even though we perceive fellow at home moms as "having it ALL together"... it's safe to say that no matter what, we all have our days, things aren't perfect, and with a little tender love and care, we can create healthy routines for the ones we love!!!

My hope for T&L is that we instill in them the importance of a book. They love books, books with fun pictures, and they love to listen to stories, but hopefully it won't take them as long as it took me to learn how fruitful reading a good book can be!!!! I guess we'll have to resister them for the 'Book it' club in school!! ;)

Here are some shots of some of the books that I listed above including my all time favorites, my recent reads and a few that I will be starting soon!!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Live.Laugh.Love.And Always Be YOU!!! Cheers--TLC

Wrap it up!!

This what I do.....

I am loving being a part of a newbie photographer's group and I am really learning so much each and every day!!! Thank to Manda Koolis of www.mandolinproductions.com who suggested me. Usually, I check it out when I see a new post or discussion but hardly ever post. Every now and then I'll add my .02 here and there and reply to someone's discussion. Yesterday a photog asked the group what they do about packaging. I decided to mention my way of packaging up my images for my clients because it's super easy and it looks pretty neat. Not to mention my clients have always been pleased!! I decided to blog about this today and share it here since I had alot of interest after posting about it.

  My husband told me something a while back that has always stuck in my mind as I venture through this journey as a professional photographer and I will always remember, "It's ALL about the EXPERIENCE!!" And he's right!!! People want to feel respected and love being pampered!! It's the 'little' things! Not to say that my way of packaging is the best way, the most fabulous design or even classy but it's a huge step up from what I was doing starting out. AND, I will say that I'm happy with it and that it doesn't take long at all to put together. I really need that being a wife, an at home mommy and especially after hours of processing images.... fun and fast is what I'm all about. My design style may be different in the years to come because as we all know, change is good and staying trendy is popular!!

What it is:

1) dark brown folded card stock tied with a pink ribbon and a customized logo sticker(www.vistaprint.com)

2) customized labeled DVD slipped in folded card stock (tied pink ribbon holds DVD in place)

3) thank you note included with a personalized hand written message and biz card

4) wrapped in clear cello party bags tied at top with brown ribbon

Voila!!!

If you are interested in doing this and need some help or tips, feel free to ask!! Seriously, it's a fast way to produce a sweet package!!!! 

With all that said, here are a few shots of my packages that I present to my clients!! Hope you like'em!!

 Live.Laugh.Love.And.Be.YOU!!!! Happy Hump Day!! Cheers!!--TLC

A change will do yah good!

I know I keep telling everyone one, I am changing this, editing my packages, updating this.. updating that, well.. I AM!!! My approach to the new year as a better photographer has been quite challenging to say the least!! It requires tons of thought, creative ideas, alot of computer time and many tedious tasks in order to keep things up to par. And that + being an at home wife/mommy = slow progress!!! Not to mention exploring the Bridal Exop last weekend which totally BLEW.ME.AWAY!!! I mean, really, it did!!! Craig and thought we were going to just set up shop with 'what we had' (which was not much), and just have a great market. Whoa! I am soo glad we decided to stick this one out, just observe, and wait for the next one... we were NOT prepared!!! There were AMAZING exhibits... ones I could only wish to have. We ended up meeting great photographers who literally had breathtaking displays. Not just their set up.. their photos as well. So Craig and I now know what we have go to do in order to be where we want to be as Wedding Photographers!!

Back to the "change." There are always new ideas, new color schemes, new techniques, new ways!! It's so hard to find the perfect fit, but we have finally decided what we would like to do!! Our goal is to provide excellent service and be unique. With that said, TLC Photography is going to soon be TLC Moments (Touching Lives Capturing MOMENTS) and will have a whole new website to go with it. It will include all the updated packages and prices as promised. Please bare with me as I am still learning the business aspect of photography and incorporating ways to improve TLC Moments in every aspect .

So until my new website is published, I have updated my current one with a new look. Please take a look at it and feel free to tell me what you think!! I am always up for feedback!!! I hope your day is has wonderful as mine has been!! It's our first snow day here in KS and the kids have made their snow angels and have built their snowman!! We're loving it!!!

Here is my link:

www.mytlcphotography.com

And here are a few photos from today!

Live.Laugh.Love.ALWAYS.Be.YOU!!!! Cheers-TLC

Valentine's Day Mini's!!! YAY!!!

I don't think there's a better way to share the LOVE you have for someone without a fancy photo!!! For a short time, I am offering Valentine's Day Sweetheart Mini Sessions for $50!!! Here are the Details...

BOOK NOW to save your spot!!! Live, Laugh, Love and ALWAYS be YOU!!!! - TLC

Goodbye 2010... Hello 2011!! {New Year, New Beginnings}

It has been soo long since I have blogged!! Imagine that!?! 2010 was a really great year for me and my family!! I feel like it was a turning point for me in finding who I am and really want to be other than a fantastic mommy!!! Though I am still finding myself and learning everyday as an aspiring Wedding Photographer, last year was absolutely fabulous and I had the opportunity to capture the forever memories of beautiful couples in 4 weddings which were each amazing in their own uniqueness and I was also blessed to be the one chosen by over 10 families to be their photographer. Each session was very special and I was so happy to be able to capture their forever memories as well. In the Summer of 2010, my family uprooted from Del Rio, TX and moved to Wichita, KS. Where duty calls!!! In the 6 months we have been here, we have really learned to love it!! Taylor is in pre-school and has enjoyed her arts and crafts and swim lessons. She has really become a "Fancy Nancy" and loves to wear lip gloss, nail polish and stylish clothes! We are getting ready to start swim again AND ballet. Landon turned 3 in November and is vibrant and joyous as ever, a true cuddle bug. As he isn't in school yet, but he also enjoyed swim class and will be in gymnastics very soon. Craig has bees in training in the last 6 months and is almost done with qualifications here at McConnell. In the next two months to follow, we will prepare for one of the biggest adjustments our family has had to endure in years. Craig will deploy for two months in March. Although I have dealt with deployments in the past, we have yet to deal with a deployment since Craig and I became parents. My hope is that the time will fly by and our visit home will help as we'll visit family and I will have the chance to do some photography work.

My plan starting this New Year was that I was going to do the 365 Project. Where you take one picture everyday!! That would be so awesome except we are 4 days in and I am already behind!! So instead of a photo a day, my goal is to at least get a few a week!! Some other goals I have set for myself for 2011 are that I will continue to fall in love with the LORD, continue to devote my time and energy to being a wonderful wife and mother, become organized, read more books, continue the gym cycle (oh and drink more water too!) AND see ELLEN!!!!! As for TLC Photography, I want to learn my camera inside and out, work on better marketing skills, book more weddings, book more sessions in the Wichita area and attend a mentoring session either online or in person (preferably in person)!!

I am currently working on updating my website, adjusting my prices, a new biz name and preparing for my first Bridal Expo in July!!! I couldn't be more thrilled about that for sure!!!! So, as my 365 Project failed, I did capture fun moments of the kids enjoying their Christmas bikes from Santa. Here they are. Enjoy!! I can't wait to see what 20Eleven has in store for all of us!!!!! Remember: Live, Love, Laugh and ALWAYS be YOU!!!

Cheers,
TLC
Touching Lives...Capturing Moments