Sunday, December 30, 2007
The Winner Is. . . .
Thursday, December 27, 2007
2008 Promotions Are Here!!
I will be offering a special promotion series with limited availability and dates in January and February to kick start the year.
So here's the deal - there are going to be 4 "themes". Each theme has limited availability as well as other restrictions (like location, number of subjects, ages of children) so if you have any questions, be sure to contact me! All sessions must take place by the end of February.
Theme One - "In your face!": $100 for session fee and includes a mini session album. This session will focus on up close portraits of your children. Make sure to have lots of hats, scarves and silly faces ready to go! Also please be prepared to venture outside for a few portraits. There will not be any black and white portraits available for this session, only fun bold, bright color! Child must be old at least 6 months old and able to sit on their own through age 7. Only one child per session. Session must take place within 20 miles of Buffalo, NY.
Theme Two - "Little Monkeys": $100 for session fee and includes a mini session album. This session will focus on your children being children! No posed portraits. All I want is your little monkeys jumping on the bed, playing with their toys, making crafts, baking cookies. Anything but a posed portrait. Child must be at least 2 years old, through age 7. Only one or two children per session. Session must take place within 20 miles of Buffalo, NY
Theme Three - "On the Town": $100 for session fee and includes a mini session album. This session will be outdoors in East Aurora NY. I love the old town feel of East Aurora, Fisher Price, the fun fire hydrants, toy shops. There will be candid and posed portraits of your child, with a modern outdoor on the town feel to them. Child must be at least 18 months old, through age 7. Only one child for this session. Session must take place in East Aurora.
Theme Four - "Fine Art Window Portrait": $100 for session fee and includes a mini session album. This session will be all black and white, moody, window light portraits of your child. I will also include some fine art black and white closeups of your child. Child must be old at least 6 months old and able to sit on their own, through age 7. Only one child for this session.
All portraits must be purchased seperately, although there is no obligation to purchase anything other than the $100 session fee. Mini session album is a 10 image wallet sized leather album, the client may pick the images for the album. All sessions will have a minimum of 10 images to view in their gallery. Again, please email me at samara@shportraits.com if you have any questions! I can not wait to kick start my new year with your family!!
More Moms To Meet!
This is Jill - we first me when Emily was just a newborn, she is very close in age to my Jude and it has been great watching her grow.
Here we go:
1. First name & city:Jill, Cheektowaga
2. How many children, first names and ages:1, Emily age 1yr
3. What's on the top of your Christmas list? Sony Cyber Shot
4. What's on the top of your children's wish lists? Any book with Elmo
5. The gift you are most excited to give: Emily's new chair
6. What is your favorite family holiday tradition? Going to my Parent's on xmas day
7. One store getting a lot of your business for gifts this Holiday season: Gap kids, Target
8. Favorite holiday food? Pierogi
9. How would you describe your holiday decorating style? Whimsicle, I am a Disney Nut
10. What was the last book you read to your children? 10 Little Ladybugs
11. Favorite activity to do with your children in the winter: Since this is the first winter we can take Emily outside, I am looking forward to taking her on a sled and havi ng her experiece the snow
12. What are your favorite websites or blogs to visit? Any thing Disney, including Allearsnet.com, and shportraits of course
13. What are your 3 favorite local restaurants:LaBella's The French Pub and Tolteca
14. What is your favorite girls night out spot? excuria day spa and salon
15. What local groups or causes are you involved with? (Do you belong to or support any volunteer organizations?)Work takes up most of my time, but usually try to get out snd support Children's Hospital when I can
16. Any business or fun stuff you want to share? (Give a link if you have one, or contact info!)
17. And last but not least, what do you *love* about SH Portraits? (I had to!) The way Samara captures Emily's true personality in every session is amazing; this is the way I want to remember my daughter as she grows up.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Baby N.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Mr. J.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Blog Mom!
1. First name & city: Mindy, Amherst
2. How many children, first names and ages: Aubrey, 10 weeks 3. What's on the top of your Christmas list? I would love a nap...and a few hours to shop by myself.
4. What's on the top of your children's wish lists? She would probably love a nice warm blanket and a pacifier.
5. The gift you are most excited to give: I'm excited about something I bought for my dad, although I can't say what it is, just in case he reads this.
6. What is your favorite family holiday tradition? Every Christmas Eve we have a different theme. We eat, dress, and "play" according to the theme. This year is "rock 'n roll".
7. One store getting a lot of your business for gifts this Holiday season: I just got back from the mall, and got most of my shopping done there.
8. Favorite holiday food? My mom makes chocolate mint sandwich cookies every year that we all fight over.
9. How would you describe your holiday decorating style? I'm pretty simple and classic...candles in the windows, a wreath on the door, our tree, and stockings.
10. What was the last book you read to your children?
11. Favorite activity to do with your children in the winter: We will probably be spending a lot of time rocking in our favorite chair in front of the fire.
12. What are your favorite websites or blogs to visit? I check my email and my bank account everyday...that's about it for now.
13. What are your 3 favorite local restaurants: I love Brodo, EB Green's, and Ted's.
14. What is your favorite girls night out spot? I celebrate girls' night every Wednesday night with about 6 of my friends. We usually take turns hosting.
15. What local groups or causes are you involved with? (Do you belong to or support any volunteer organizations?) Nothing right now, but would love to find a local MOPS group.
16. Any business or fun stuff you want to share? (Give a link if you have one, or contact info!) I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and a safe, happy new year!!!
17. And last but not least, what do you *love* about SH Portraits? happy.png(I had to!) We love Samara!!! We love her talent!! The photos she took of our daughter are beautiful.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
2. How many children, first names and ages: Sofia, 13 months
3. What's on the top of your Christmas list? Hopefully some baking stuff.
4. What's on the top of your children's wish lists? She's too young..but I'm sure she'll like the wiggles book I got her!
5. The gift you are most excited to give: for my husband...can't way what it is because he reads this site!!
6. What is your favorite family holiday tradition? Opening one gift on Christmas eve. Also, baking. It will be fun when Sofia gets to help me out!
7. One store getting a lot of your business for gifts this Holiday season: Amazon.com
8. Favorite holiday food? gingerbread men
9. How would you describe your holiday decorating style? Traditional, lots of poinsettias, cool lookin' tree and stockings from when I was a kid.
10. What was the last book you read to your children? Wide mouthed frog
11. Favorite activity to do with your children in the winter: Decorating the tree
12. What are your favorite websites or blogs to visit? http://www.buffalomommies.com/, http://www.facebook.com/, and of course www.shportraits.blogspot.com!
13. What are your 3 favorite local restaurants: Trattoria Aroma (williamsville), Chef's, Papaya.
14. What is your favorite girls night out spot? Season's Day Spa for pedicures, My Plates or Yours, Trattoria Aroma for drinks and dinner.
15. What local groups or causes are you involved with? (Do you belong to or support any volunteer organizations?) La Leche League, Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth
16. Any business or fun stuff you want to share? (Give a link if you have one, or contact info!)For moms in Buffalo...check out www.buffalomommies.com
17. And last but not least, what do you *love* about SH Portraits? happy.png(I had to!) I waited one year before having Sofia's pictures taken professionally. I didn't really like the mall photographers and was so happy when I saw Samara's site. Sofia had a great time taking her pictures and I love showing them off to my friends!!!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Vote for Me!
Thank you!!
Only ONE vote per please! Multiple votes can disqualilfy me and that would stink! I'll post the results over the weekend!
http://www.411marketsource.com/artanddesign/cindex.asp?id=Contest
Another Mom to Meet!
1. First name & city: Jill, N. Buffalo
2. How many children, first names and ages: Evan, 1yr
3. What's on the top of your Christmas list? a larger kitchen and yard (so, I guess that means a new house :>) )
4. What's on the top of your children's wish lists? since he's not talking yet- I would have to guess anything with balls, thatmakes noise, or that he can bang, or carry in his hands while walking/crawling
5. The gift you are most excited to give: haven't done much shopping yet- but universal remote to my stepfather so he can work his DVD player and TV without my or my husband's help
6. What is your favorite family holiday tradition? making cookies, being together
7. One store getting a lot of your business for gifts this Holiday season: Target, Circuit City
8. Favorite holiday food? the Cookies!
9. How would you describe your holiday decorating style? Traditional, who knows this year with a 1 yr old!
10. What was the last book you read to your children? My World
11. Favorite activity to do with your children in the winter: first winter we could do those type of activities. I'm looking forward to pulling him in a sled- he really likes doing tha inside the house already!
12. What are your favorite websites or blogs to visit? www.ridgebackrescue.org; home sites; anything with toys- I'm up for anything
13. What are your 3 favorite local restaurants: Amy's Place, Bullfeathers, Romeo and Juliets
14. What is your favorite girls night out spot? It's been a while, so dinner and wine pretty much anywhere
15. What local groups or causes are you involved with? (Do you belong to or support any volunteer organizations?) I'm the Western New York Coordinator for Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue
16. Any business or fun stuff you want to share? (www.ridgebackrescue.org They ahve some great things for sale or you can make an online donation- every cent helps with medical bills and taking care of the dogs while finding new homes!
17. And last but not least, what do you *love* about SH Portraits? #1 The pictures are amazing! #2 Flexibility- I love the diversity of the shoots and that not all the pictures on the website are the same. I like the props too! You'll pretty much take great photos anywhere!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Mr. D
Friday, December 14, 2007
Getting to know Mom #4!
1. First name & city: Suzanne, Kenmore
2. How many children, first names and ages: Ireland 16 mos.
3. What's on the top of your Christmas list? Running shoes
4. What's on the top of your children's wish lists? She'd settle for my sneaker box!
5. The gift you are most excited to give: Framed photos of Ireland for above my fireplace. They look fantastic!
6. What is your favorite family holiday tradition? Cutting down our tree.
7. One store getting a lot of your business for gifts this Holiday season: Old Navy
8. Favorite holiday food? Cookies, any kind
9. How would you describe your holiday decorating style? Simple, elegant (No blow up Santas in front of my house, please!)
10. What was the last book you read to your children? I Love You Stinky Face
11. Favorite activity to do with your children in the winter: Cuddle by the fire
12. What are your favorite websites or blogs to visit? MetroDad, Cry it Out, Piperlime (I'm addicted to shoes)
13. What are your 3 favorite local restaurants: Kostas (best Greek in town), Santasieros (so yummy and cheap), Fiamma
14. What is your favorite girls night out spot? Any good wine bar
15. What local groups or causes are you involved with? (Do you belong to or support any volunteer organizations?) I am a member of my high school's alumnae board. Go Holy Angels!
16. Any business or fun stuff you want to share? (Give a link if you have one, or contact info!)
17. And last but not least, what do you *love* about SH Portraits? (I had to!) I love that Samara is so easy to work with and Ireland is really comfortable with her. The photos are priceless and I get so many compliments on them from anyone who comes to my house.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Getting to know Mom #3!
12. What are your favorite websites or blogs to visit? Ebay, Spoilerfix, boden.com
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Blog Banner Contest!
As a side note to my families, these images were chosen based on the portrait (from sessions with a release). They were not based on how cute the child was. I love everyone and everyone is gorgeous so how could we do that! I hope everyone understands and in the end it is all for fun.
Please only vote one time in the poll to the right of the blog. The winner will be announced on 12/30/2007! You can click on the photo to view the entries larger.
Getting to know Mom #2!
12. What are your favorite websites or blogs to visit? Anything shopping
Friday, December 7, 2007
Getting to know MOM!
1. First name & city:
Jenn - Wheatfield
2. How many children, first names and ages:
1 child -- Katie, 2 and a half
3. What's on the top of your Christmas list?
If I could ask Santa for anything, (and it wasn't coming out of my personal bank account!!), I'd ask him for an iPod Touch or an iPhone.
4. What's on the top of your children's wish lists?
Katie would probably be happy with a giant pile of stickers this year. Next year I'm sure she'll make a list a mile long!
5. The gift you are most excited to give:
Any of Katie's gifts.
6. What is your favorite family holiday tradition?
Christmas at my house -- My entire life, Christmas has always been at my house, no getting dragged from house to house on Christmas Day. So, when we had a child, I wanted the same for her. So everyone in the family comes to our house for Christmas.
Second favorite tradition -- My mom's gift to me (and now Katie) on Christmas Eve: new jammies!
7. One store getting a lot of your business for gifts this Holiday season:
Oh, my, the internet in general :)
8. Favorite holiday food?
Do I have to list one??? OK, Starbucks Peppermint Mocha. Wait, that's not really food. Food would be my Prime Rib roast I serve at Christmas dinner.
9. How would you describe your holiday decorating style?
Festive, bright, yet tasteful. We have two trees, the Disney tree and the regular tree. (I worked at a Hallmark shop all through college, so I have a LOT of Christmas ornaments!) And there are lots of snowmen in the decor this year. I LOVE interior decorating!!!
10. What was the last book you read to your children?
"Dora's Book of Manners." Again.
11. Favorite activity to do with your children in the winter:
Uh, I am not really a winter person :) But I am looking forward to taking Katie sledding this year. And making a snowman, though my guess is after two minutes, she'll lose interest.
12. What are your favorite websites or blogs to visit?
I like news websites, that's how I get my news now. And I frequent a Weight Watchers support website where I have met a lot of great online mom friends.
13. What are your 3 favorite local restaurants:
Avacados (fresh-Mex food, in the plaza across from UB south), Fortuna's (Niagara Falls - actually ALL of the Italian restaurants in Niagara Falls are awesome), Fiamma's Steak House (Hertel Ave, Buffalo)
14. What is your favorite girls night out spot?
The mall. The mall has it all!
15. What local groups or causes are you involved with? (Do you belong to or support any volunteer organizations?)
Pregnant with Cancer Network -- A few years ago, my friend who works at Roswell Park asked me if I would be interested in doing design work for this group. I layout their newsletter. It is heartbreaking to think about being diagnosed with cancer at any time, but ESPECIALLY when pregnant. This group is wonderful, tons of support and hope and information for women who have cancer while pregnant.
16. Any business or fun stuff you want to share? (Give a link if you have one, or contact info!)
Shameless plug: I do freelance graphic design on the side. My specialty is invitation and special event design (weddings, parties, etc.), but I also do layout and design for business, marketing and advertising. And I also do calligraphy. I can be reached at jenn@jennpatersondesign.com or at 807-4613.
17. And last but not least, what do you *love* about SH Portraits? (I had to!)
I LOVE the artistic and candid poses. The way you photograph children captures their little souls -- look at the way their eyes are so reflective and bright!!!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Fine Art Notecards - Holiday Gift!
I have always loved this image and now I am offering it for sale as well on custom notecards. The image shows the front and back of the card, the inside is blank. Each set includes 12 notecards and comes wrapped in an organza bag, ready for gifting. They $20 per set, plus shipping. I can ship directly to the recipient if you wish! Please email samara@shportraits for more details or to place your order!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Gift Certificates
There is still plenty of time to order a gift certificate for the holidays! It is quick and easy to do too! Just go to http://www.shportraits.com/OnlineViewing
and choose "Gift Certificates" from the drop down menu. You do not need to enter a password, just leave that field blank and hit submit. You will find a drop down menu to the right of the gift certificate image. Choose your denomination, click add to cart and my shopping cart system will walk you through the rest! The gift certificate will be mailed the following business day. Any questions, please just let me know!
Whats ahead in '08!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Awaiting An Arrival
Cousins
It was a success! Grandma wanted portraits of her two grandbabies for her mantle and we did it. The day after Thanksgiving (I know I'm behind on posting!) I met up with these cuties, one fresh face and one familiar, but both as sweet as could be!