{....with the New Year coming, we have a NEW IDEA..}

Many of you love our work, but just aren't sure how to display it after you get it!

It is definately challenging at times to come up with ideas for a great wall collage...

especially if that isn't your cup of tea so to speak!

SO we have a few new things we are going to offer this year...

starting with our : Portrait Collage Cheat Sheet Cards :)

Everyone who is captured by us in the next year, will

get the set of cards to help show them different ways to display their 

Portrait Art once they have it in their home!

Just another little way of us saying THANK YOU to you

for such a fantastic year!

We LOVE you!

{Hello & Happy Holidays}

I think I better start here with....

this has been one heck of a year.  

We have lost a number of people we loved to death.

My family and I have gone thru quite a bit the last 4 and a half months...

My dad suffered from not one but two major heart attacks this past year.

4 and a half months ago, I was out and about when I got the call to head to the 

hospital.  My father had driven himself from southern Indiana to Valparaiso

DURING a major heart attack!

By the way, he got in major trouble for that!

When my girls and I met up with him at the hospital, we had no clue what was about to happen.

We knew that he was having a heart attack.

I use to be a cardiac tech, so there was not denying what was really going on here.

They rushed him down that long hallway speeding along with us running behind.

It felt like we were in a movie, in slow motion...and not a good movie.

Next, after what seemed like eternity....we were told

We have put in some stints...come back and see your father.

I thought, well that was easy enough.  Just stints.

Nope not the case.

We got back there in that cold waiting room and found no dad.

Nurses running around, even nurses we had met on our journey down that long hallway.

Yet no one would make eye contact.  Not one person.

As I sat there with my grandma, I got this pit in my stomach that said something else is going on here

and no one is letting us in on this.

We continued to sit for about 15 minutes later when finally the Dr. appeared.

I will never forget the words that came out of his mouth...

like never :(

"Your father has suffered a major heart attack.  His entire heart is damaged.  He desperately needed open heart surgery.  We have a pump that is pumping his heart for him right now. "

Followed by, he heart is too weak to make it thru the surgery.  He needs to go home with you and mend for 6 to 8 weeks.  If the heart surgery doesn't work...he will need a heart transplant.

WHAT?  You have got to be kidding me!

My dad who came to see us the day before all of this happenend.

The guy who works on his feet every day and is physically fit.

The one who has NEVER been sick or hospitalized..

is now very ill....

The words cut me like a knife.  I could hardly breathe.  We had lost so many people over the year.  My kids had lost not one but both of their grandparents on their fathers side.

THIS COULD NOT BE HAPPENING.

I prayed for what seemed like eternity.

I knew that this was all in God's hands, and his alone.

It was the very worst area to have blockage.

There was no out.

It would be what it was meant to be.....

Today, I am thankful that my father has just graduated from rehab.

He has a second chance at life.

So do we.

It was the hardest thing for me to do to take 3 and a half months off work to take care of my dad.

I had to cancel so many appointments, and everyone of you were so supportive.

I can't thank you enough!

I felt terrible. I felt like a weak person to not be able to do it all.

But I just couldn't. 

He had to have round the clock care.

It was a very emotional, depressing time for him and us.

I want to say thank you for standing by my side.

Thanks for being supportive and for all the wonderful emails I did get..

they definately helped me thru a very hard time.

I was luck enough to continue to meet with brides and grooms and to 

book weddings during the evening hours when my oldest daughter took 

care of her papa.

I was even luckier to be able to fit some sessions in for the Holidays once dad 

was in rehab and doing alot better!

2011 is going to be wonderful!

We have a few new products that we will be offering at a very great price!

Our Holiday is complete this year as we get to celebrate with all of you and my father...

a new journey on life!

As January nears...we will be taking sessions once again.

We will be having specials as well, to celebrate LIFE.

Stay tuned, we will be posting some new products up here that we are in LOVE with!

Pretty sure you will be in love with them too :)

Happy Holidays

Sincerely, Karma and the crew

{the embrace of Facebook}

Loveographer Facebook Link

We have made the jump to Facebook!  It was something we have battled with for some time.

Not sure if we wanted to be a part of the social network or not :)

but we ARE!  We are finally telling the public so hop on over and like us!

We will be putting up posts about new specials and offers on our Facebook page...which will now be for Facebook Fans Only!

Have a wonderful weekend :)

{have a safe Holiday}

{Tying up the holiday ends}

It is coming to the end of this hectic season here at the boutique...

THANKFUL

for a wonderful Holiday Season and many thanks to all who made it another 

successful year!

The last orders were shipped from the lab TODAY!

We should have them FRIDAY...

and delivered to YOU (all of you who ordered in the last week!)

by either SATURDAY OR MONDAY!!!  yeah!!!!!!

I went to a LIA SOPIA party last night...I LOVE me some Lia Sopia!

I met one of the best jewelry advisors EVER!

Hands down!

I have been grabbing yummy jewelry from them for years to wear to Weddings, 

Portrait Sessions, etc.

I ALWAYs  have LOVED how well it all wears and looks!

I was truly impressed with her! Like Really!

She had SOOO many pieces to share

and a great personality!

I will post information on how to get ahold of her on my blog when it gets closer to my party!

She is FABULOUS to her hostesses!

I will be presented with this BEAUTIFUL FUN chunky necklace at my party...

just for having a party for her!

I get the best month of all BUY ONE at regular get TWO at half off!

Of course we have to spice it up and have a theme!

MARGARITA PARTY!

Enjoy the holidays this week :)

{winner}

I am pleased to announce we have

a WINNER

for our giving is awesome!

I have just announced the winnings to the person who was nominated!!!

Giving truly is Awesome :) 

I feel completely warm and cozy inside today and so thankful for all the 

wonderful stories you all shared about your nominee.

It really was a hard decision to make.

However, this person who did win

(images coming in the future)

truly went above and beyond to help out others and to give of herself selfessly....

I can't wait for all of you to meet her and see the capture we create of her beautiful family!

Enjoy this time with friends and family.

Take a little time to pay it forward and spread the love this holiday season!

{TWLOHA}

Today, we participated in a very important day.

It was something very dear and close to our hearts.

TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS.

It is important to know that depression and suicide is not racial, it does not discriminate, and it has no prejudices...it affects everyone.

Take a little time out, to show support for someone in need.

{Happy Birthday to my little firefly}

We spent the weekend with family and friends.

It was the first in a long time.

Started it out with the ham and turkey dinner at my old school :)

Took my oldest daughter down the old hallways...

she found all of our pictures,

gma, gpa, my mom, and me!

Gave me the best compliment in the world....

"Mom, you were really beautiful...you haven't changed a bit!"

"How do you still look the same as in high school?"

I beamed with pride, but was red in the face as she spoke this in front of a lot of folks who 

were roaming the halls as well looking for loved ones pics from Senior Class!

As we walked down the halls and found everyone else...

she exclaimed..."these hallways remind me of hogwarts!"

I just about died of laughing!

We finished up a lovely weekend with my youngest daughter in the 

celebration of her birthday!

Before the party, we headed on over to Wal-mart to grab her cake.

I placed the cake under the cart so as it wouldn't get smooshed.

Before I could say anything,

she took off flying through the parking lot towards our car with the cart.

I did what any good mother would do and ran after her!

However, I have lost my voice to a degree...SO I couldn't scream

and tell her the CAKE WAS UNDER THE CART.

All of a sudden, the cake came flying out from under the cart, through her legs and landed smack dab in the middle of the lane we were in and landed right the following traffic!

Unbelievable!

She left the cart, turned around and ran for the cake.

We found it unharmed and beautiful as ever....

as the party got started,  my gma said she would lift the cake so I could get a pic of it.

Thank God gpa grabbed it.....as it slid off the backing and was headed straight for the floor!

Talk about a get away cake!

After all that cake had been through earlier....and now we almost lost it again!

SO, it was a delightful weekend.  And a much needed family/friend fellowship!

Now back to work ;)

It has been a productive morning...

Just sent in Three more Christmas orders to the lab

Woo Hoo!  

{we are officially ringing in the holidays!....}

I was sitting enjoying a hot mug of ginger peach tea, 

editing some of the last orders to go in for Christmas...

when the doorbell rang!

Could it be our very first set of Holiday orders coming in?!

Oh, yes it was!

I squealed with delight and told the good ol Fed Ex man thanks a bunch!

I LOVE this time of year.

LOVE  seeing all the Christmas orders come.

Can't wait to enjoy the first snow of the season.

Enjoy the smell of apple pie creeping through my home...

I just love this time of the year!

I LOVE our clients :)

I can't wait to see the many more orders sitting on my door step!

I got so excited and checked out the delivery status online.

You know what I found out?!

That every day there will be a packaged delivered here all next week...

It is like getting delightful holiday gifts each and every time I open 

these packages!

Plus I ALWAYS get a tootsie pop or blow pop from my lab...in each box!

HELLO....can you say BONUS!?!

So I did what any happy little elf would do...

I ripped open those packages..

grabbed my ribbon, scissors, and packaging material

and I started putting orders together!

Now I need to call these lovely people and tell them

YOUR ORDERS ARE HERE!

I think I get just as excited as they do!

Anyhooo....have a splendid weekend!

We are off this weekend to celebrate a very special birthday.

My youngest daughters :)

I can't wait to get off work this evening and cuddle up with her and enjoy a movie with some 

hot cocoa...white chocolate raspberry to be exact.

WITH sprinkles!

Now on to making those calls!

{little twins}

Little {M} and Little {E} you two were so sweet to capture :)

I felt so blessed watching these two run around, hug, say NO WAY

and show off their own personalities!

{M} would get his picture taken and then run over and grab ahold of my leg and say 

"Me see, me see pwease"

...and this went on each and every time!  Man is this kid good!!!  He is only 2!

{E} was shy and would peep around the corner and then want her picture taken here and there after her brother had made sure it was all "safe" and good!

Super CUTE...

I even got big hugs followed by kisses!  They were such little lovies :)

and boy did they like their suckers!

Thanks so much for a wonderful session of making memories.

I will definately remember you two forever!

{little photo assistant}

I have a new assistant!

He is just as cute as he can be :)

When we were done with our session, he grabbed my camera bag and pushed it backwards all the way to my car...on his own!

aren't kids just so delightful?!  They just think and then do.

They see everything for what it truly is.

I feel blessed each and every day!

{wrapping up the holiday!}

Would you believe that our holiday season is almost over?!

This year has gone by so fast...

we are sitting here in the midst of all the "dust" from this chaotic

yet crazy beautiful time of the year!

Hope everyone is doing well :-)  

We are busy shooting and editing and designing holiday cards!

Please do not forget to nominate someone for the 

GIVING IS AWESOME!

We truly enjoy reading all the nominations...

we feel so blessed to be a part of all the amazing stories that come pouring in each year!

This is one event, that we hold close to our hearts!

Thanks to everyone who already nominated someone special.

To the FB world, your images have been added to our blog, 

click on them and upload them to your pages!

Please leave our logo on each image :)

If you are not on FB, your images are on your password protected page!

We honor your privacy to not share your images with the entire world....

Enjoy these last few days of warm weather!

We are working hard to rap this holiday season up and move on to our

conferences and portrait studies again this year.

God Bless, and thanks for another great season!

{H and R}

What a wonderful time I had with little R and little H.

They are such beautiful little souls.

I still can't believe how much little H looks like her mama!

As I edited these images, I found myself giggling many times as I reflected 

back on our session together :)

You guys did a fantastic job!

I can't wait to see how much you have grown again next year!!!

Boy was I amazed at how much little R was chatting away.

As always, little H turned on her charm and went right into model pose :)

Thanks so much for a great session!

{ahh....Fall}

Sitting here thinking of how very DARK it is and yet

the night is so young :(

Lots to do on my to do list this weekend.

*Edit images

*Carve pumpkins

*Make pumpkin goodies

*Make Halloween Cards

*Take our Family Portrait :)

*Go to a party

*Volunteer at the Haunted Hay Ride

*Visit the Michigan Apple Orchard....

oops, almost forgot...get crafting on all the fun stuff we are making for the Christmas Craft Fair in Kouts, Indiana!

LOTS to do...yet so few hours of the day to get them all done in!

Please DO NOT FORGET to nominate someone for our give away this Holiday Season!

It truly means alot to us, and we want some to enjoy this opportunity!

You know some one I am sure of it!

Check out our Giving is Awesome blog post here on the blog for more details and nominate someone today!

Have a wonderful weekend!  Enjoy this last bit of warm weather we will be getting with loved ones :)

{g} Family

I love to capture  the {g} family!

I have had several opportunities to capture the many different moods,  attitudes, love

etc etc etc. of this beautiful family. 

I am sure you all remember the little one in the pink cowboy boots and blue tutu!!!

She was up to her old antics again :)

What I enjoy most, is they are all so different and unique, yet all together and lovely as a family!~

Little man isn't feeling well :( 

so it is hard to get him in the mood to WANT to be in front of the camera.

Sure hope you start feeling better little C.

It was great as always guys!

Thanks for letting me be a part of your portrait life once again. 

Not to mention, thank you for braving the cold with me!

{little H}

Ahhh, if all the sessions could be this darn easy.

I know that alot of my sessions have silliness and funny faces.

However, this little princess just kept shining like a little star with 

all of these smiles and dimples galore.

Now how in the world could I try to change that?!

It was pure bliss capturing little H.

She loved the camera and the camera loved her...

I am pretty sure mom and dad are going to be in big trouble when this one grows up!

I am even thinking that modeling may be in here near future!

Thanks so much little H, you totally rocked!

It was so nice to see you too mom and dad...after all these years and you two haven't changed a bit :)

{Chinese Fortune}

The first step in making dreams come true is to wake up!

{c} Family

Today I had another wonderful session at a local park.

Of course, little {e} did wonderful as always!

For the most part, little {s} and little {b} tried to cooperate during this portrait session.

They just had a bit of their own agenda ;)

Lets just say curly hair and leaves do NOT mix.

However, I have been quoted on saying "whatever it takes"

Therefore the leaves in my hair, on my clothes and down my clothes were a must!

Anything to get that smile and cooperation!

Ha, this has got to be yet another of my favorites of the season!

I LOVE the look on his little face.  PRICELESS

Remember the little {a} from before sticking out her little hip and looking over her shoulder?!

Well this one is running right up there beside my other favorite portrait of the season :)

Thanks for a delightful session, leaves crushed in my curls and all!

Next time I better put chocolate on my list along side the smarties candies!!

{Giving is AWESOME is back again!}

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selfishly despite extenuating personal circumstances.  Someone who is always putting everyone else and their needs before his/her own.  You know someone who may not be able afford Portrait Art in Photography, but who would truly cherish it. You know someone who deserves a year round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone and I can guarantee it!

I want to know who they are!  I want the chance to give them the opportunity to experience Art in Photography. To capture the life and love with in their family.

Their family will receive a portrait session.

16x20 portrait

(3) 8x10's

(6) 5x7

DVD slide show of all their images set to music!

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must be sincerely incapable of purchasing my services. (being unable to make mortgage payments for a two million dollar vacation home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need)

*The nominee must reside in the Porter/Lake county area.  Tell who you know and what they are experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork.  Please include a way to contact you and the nominee.

* you must email me the full story to: loveographer@gmail.com

The winner will be announced November 15, 2010

So get nominating! I can't wait to read all your entries!

Open your heart to someone and give them a gift they will truly treasure.

There isn't anything more precious then to capture life and love between people and create memories for them to cherish for a lifetime!

Thanks, and God Bless!

{One Cute Kid}

Ever feel you are in a presence of a really cute kid?!

Well I have one for you!

He is pretty irresistible isn't he?!

This little smile couldn't of come at a better time for me.

I was having...maybe...one of the worst days of my life.

I had to hold it all together, despite what was going on.

This little guy, made me smile....

Kids have a way of doing that.

They are little glimpses of Heaven, here on earth.

I am so thankful little man C was in front of my lens today!

Thanks little man for putting a smile upon my face :)  

{dear Facebookers...}

Do you want a cool profile pic?!

Everyone is searching the net for you...checking out what you look like now!

Why not throw up a cool pic of yourself and show them whatcha got!

Be uniquely you.

Stand tall, be proud!

Book us for a FACEBOOK session.

It is $30

The session will take place locally at one of your fav places.

It will only take 15 minutes!

Ask your favorite gal pals to come along and get a session themselves.

We will email you 5 small jpeg images from your session to upload to your FACEBOOK page.

You will be able to use them for myspace and personal email as well!

Our logo will appear on your image :)

If you decide that you like a particular image from your mini session, you may purchase it for that special someone.

*very minimal retouching done.  Extensive retouching may be done for additional price and upon request.