Easter Minis Are Tomorrow!!

Tomorrow is Easter mini day and I'm so excited!!  I have six sets of kiddos coming throughout the day for a total of 15!  It's going to be a lot of fun.  Keep an eye out for some sneak peeks later in the day tomorrow.  In the meantime, enjoy this...

This is my cousin's girls.  While I did not take

this picture, I greatly admire the work of the

wonderful photographer who did.

 

I'M BACK!!

It has been a very long time since I posted on this blog.  I had kind of grown weary of messing with it.  Well today, after doing a Google Image search for Tinker Bell pictures (I have a first birthday cake smash Tink themed coming up and was searching for ideas for props), I was scrollling along and stopped after about an inch down the scroll bar and page....there was one of MY images.  That is the first time that has ever happened and I actually felt pretty proud of myself (it wasn't really all that great of an image but I was astonished to see it).  The link lead back to this blog.  This made me feel like maybe I need to go back to keeping this other form of communication more active rather than just relying on Facebook.

So I'm back and will try to update regularly (pray I remember).  You can always follow on Facebook (Amtrad Heartprints), but there will probably more of a story to tell on sessions here.  I feel a little more at ease when I type here than I do on FB.

God bless you all and thanks for hanging in there with me through this crazy adventure that I love dearly.  :)

Posting just a couple of recents to get things flowing again...

 

Sorrow in my heart

I've said so many times how it is such a privilege to be allowed into the lives of my clients and to capture their "heartprints" for them at different special occasions and milestones in their lives. I've cried over Santa and Me sessions while watching their children interact and enjoy their time with Santa, I've celebrated birthdays, graduations, baby showers and newborn moments with them and more. They all become a part of my own family. I love them all dearly. Never has the impact of them on my life been so boldly apparent as it is this day. On Saturday, a young mother that I did family photos of in July, along with her 10 month old son and unborn child, were killed in a horrible accident. My heart goes out to her young husband, her father, stepmother and step brother and sister (whom I do a lot of portraits for) in this terrible time. I know the only solace I can take in this is that they have very recent photos to remember her and her son by (so please be sure you have yours taken as often as you can...they don't have to be professional...even snapshots will be treasured) and that God's plan is perfect and He had a wonderful reason for calling these two angels home to be with Him. Godspeed Kristen and Xander Janero..your beautiful bright shining smiles will forever be emblazened on my heart and I will always be a much better person for having known you such a short, sweet time.

Teatime and Teddy Fun/Newborn session/Condolences

Been having too much fun with Teatime with Teddy sessions and a precious newborn session. Some images shared below. In addition, I would like to offer my condolences to those who had family members who lost their lives or were injured at the Indiana State Fair stage collapse event yesterday. God be with you all.

March Mini Themed Sessions!!

March Mini Themed Sessions...

2nd & 3rd - Just a Swingin'......Spring swing portraits with our different swings and spring backdrops-a few different swings to choose from.

7th & 8th-Pirate Pillage....Mates and lasses come aboard for some swashbuckling fun!

18th & 19th-White Linen & Lace....White dresses for the girls, white knickers for the boys, lots of lace accents for girls, parasols, trunks, etc. and a sparkling white, crisp, clean look.

Santa Came to Town!

The big guy in red...'nuf said!

Santa Says!

Santa says he can't wait to visit the studio on December 4 and 5! Limited bookings available for the creative, unique photos with the big guy in red! Santa wants your little ones to bring their letters to him with them! This will be a very exciting session if you book yours! Why get your child plopped down on a mall (or other fly by venue) Santa's lap and get the same ole, same ole shot taken for way too much money? Why not book with us and get unique photos that haven't been done a zillion times and capture your child's true personality and innocence of belief in Santa along with the magic of the holidays. Why not come here and get a 5 x 7 print unique to you, all of your photos (YES WE TAKE MORE THAN ONE-UNLIKE OTHER PLACES) and gifts for the kiddos and parents as well. These sessions are very limited and several spots are filled already. 9:30 a.m. on Saturday is the earliest still available appointment on Saturday and Sunday's earliest is 12:00, so pick your spot before they fill up! We have room for about 6 more each day.

Boys of Fall

Cowgirl Cutie!

Soo much fun with this adorable little gal! I looove what I do!

Work style

Recently a potential customer asked me how I "work" with children. A little confused I asked them to explain what they were looking for. After finding out they wanted to know how I get good "heartprints" from kids who are scared or just flat out don't want any part of posing, I explained that my style is to try to start out with some fun, take some casual play shots, mix in a little posing and return back to FUN! It is so much easier to get a great smile from a youngster when we are playing and I'm not intimidating to them with a camera stuck in my face. Do I maybe miss some smiles, yes, probably so, but that's okay...everyone has had fun and I got plenty of others. Here's a photo from my personal collection to share with you. I'm awaiting new props and backgrounds and will post samples from our little models we will be using in a few weeks.Isn't he just ADORABLE with his blankie???

Announcing Set Fee Children's Sessions

Announcing our set fee Children's Sessions....From April 15 through October 9 we will be offering set fee Children's Sessions (preferably outdoor on location-but other arrangements can be made) for children from age 1 and up. The session will be $70 (with $35 payable at booking) and will include...
*2 hour session at location of your choice or one recommended by me at your
request.
*No limit on poses or wardrobe changes.
*30 of the best pictures on a CD that you can print from.
*$5 extra fee for each extra child.
*8 wallets of your choosing (up to 4 different poses).
*(2) 5 x 7s of your choice.

The pictures on the CD will be used for you to choose your printed pictures from. Cancellations within 48 hours of the shoot time will result in client forfeiting the booking deposit; however you may reschedule the booking and not lose the deposit as long as the rescheduling takes place at least 24 hours before the shoot time. After the booking fee is paid, the balance will be due on the day of the shoot. Additional fees may be added if extensive travel is required, please ask at the time of booking if you are uncertain. This will be a fun, relaxed shoot and you should feel free to bring along any props, pets, etc. that you would like to include in your pictures. I want your child to have fun! It's easy to capture great memories when they are having fun! Email me at thanksforkids@aol.com for more information or to book your shoot today.

Importance of Photos

Pictures are worth a thousand words. We have all heard that many times. Pictures are also worth many memories. It seems so easy to remember the baby faces of our children but all too soon they are grown and gone and the memories of their faces tend to fade into our already full brains; we have weddings and people ask after the fact what our dresses looked like, what type of cake topper we had, what color the decorations were; parents age; teens graduate and on and on go the opportunities to document our lives and save them not only for our own memories but also supplying the opportunity for future generations to get a glimpse into our lives. A photographer can save your moments to be enjoyed for years to come. Engagement and wedding photos can reflect who you are as a couple, document that skinned up nose on a little fella, eternally capture her ballerina stage and much, much more. We would love to have a part in creating your everlasting memories! Email us at thanksforkids@aol.com to set up an appointment for whatever your needs are! We will come to you and our time is YOUR time during your shoot. No rushing, no limit on outfit changes, etc. Blessings to you all!

A New Beginning

Well American Tradition Photography is up and running! I am so excited to be undertaking this endeavor! A very nice lady I know in the newspaper business wrote the following article in a local newspaper about me and I must say I was soo flattered! It has already brought me a little business.

American Tradition Photography is now "Creating Everlasting Memories Affordably"

Many local citizens are quite familiar with Montpelier resident, Carla Walda. Walda has been working as a stringer for various newspapers in the past few years, covering numerous school and community events. Many children know her as the face behind the camera...and their impending claim to fame in the local newspapers! Walda, who has a great love for photography, has decided to take her work the next level as a professional photographer and start her own business: American Tradition Photography. The business motto, "Creating everlasting memories affordably," is also Walda's business creed. She hopes to open the door of opportunity for many by providing them quality photos at a great price. She will be doing children and family portraits, holiday pictures, senior ipctures, sports action shots, school pictures, wedding pictures, event photos, scrapbook photos, maternity portraits, newborn portraits, business headshots and basically, "whatever anyone needs". Pricing for her services are $6 a sheet which consists of either (1) 8 x 10, (2) 5 x 7s, (2) 4 x 6s, (6 or 8-depending on style) wallets. Packages start at $20 which includes the sitting fee. "I am available to do portraits at my home, client's homes, or on location. I am also available to travel further for things like honeymoon pictures (or whatever the need is) for extra fees", she said. "There is no extra fee for shooting on location within a 35-mile radius", Walda added. Walda also has physical backdrops and can use greenscreen backdrops and do selective coloring. She is very skilled in her trade and has enjoyed special recognition for her photography. Two years ago, one of her photos from Civil War Days was used in a Library of Congress Coffee Table Book. She was also offered the opportunity to interview for a photography job at Walt Disney World this past summer. Anyone interested in Walda's photography services, or anyone wishing to learn more about what she has to offer can contact her at ***-***-**** (omitted for safety issues-available locally only) or email her at thanksforkids@aol.com. She hopes to have her website up and running soon for people to see first hand what her capabilities are. Anyone wishing to see her work up front beforehand can contact her and request sample photos for review.

Wasn't that just the nicest thing?! What a sweetheart of a lady she is and I do believe this is the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me!

So I will start posting "teaser" photos here on this blog after shoots. Please do not copy or print any of them as it IS illegal as they are copyrighted to American Tradition Photography and they are low res so it won't be the best reflection of my work anyhow! :) Blessings to everyone for a wonderful Thanksgiving! I pray you will get to spend it safely and comfortably with ones you love.