I am so excited to announce that I am now offering Boudoir Sessions. I recently had the pleasure of shooting a super fun boudoir session with Shaundra. She was the lucky winner of a small contest that I had on Facebook for a FREE Boudoir Session and CD to kick off this new area of my work. You may recognize Shaundra from my Maternity Gallery. Shaundra is a gorgeous Mom to 3 beautiful kids. Can you believe she just had her 3rd baby 4 months ago! She looks amazing and she really is such a beautiful person inside and out. I am so honored that she was my first boudoir model. She really make it easy for me. Who will be my 2nd? Will it be you? It can be! During the month of February, I am waiving my session fee for all Boudoir Sessions scheduled this month. You will still have to purchase your prints, products and digital packages at my standard rates. This is a fantastic savings of $75- and you are so worth it. Pamper yourself and give your man something he is sure to love.        

I was noticing how much I have neglected my blog since October. How terrible! I have the best of intentions. I always want to be witty and cleaver but always find myself struggling for the right words. So I end up putting it off until I can think of something unique to say and those words just never come. I am just not that person. So here I am, I hope I don't bore you too much, witty I am not!  Honest and heartfelt, I am!     

I sure hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season with your loved ones. I know I did. It was a nice to be out of school for  a bit and get a break from the daily commute. My kids do not go to the local school down the road. We drive 60 to 80 miles round trip each day and so these breaks are very much appreciated. It was nice to be able to sleep in a few mornings, oh so very nice indeed!  It was especially wonderful to spend well needed quality time with my loved ones. I even got to Skype with my sister and her family in Florida. That was fun! It was so nice to be able to see their smiling faces. 

In case you are wondering why you did not get a Christmas Card from the Stark's, well I never got to them this year. GASP! I know, I know...this coming from the woman who always prided herself on getting her cards in the mail on the Friday after Thanksgiving for years!!! Ours was always the first card people would receive. Well not this year. We were not even the last card you got this year. Then I thought maybe I would send New Years cards. Who was I kidding? At this point you can probably expect a Valentine or Easter card for sure! I promise! The reason for not getting to my own holiday cards was because I was so busy working on everyone else's. That was a fabulous reason and I have no complaints. I am happy to report that this last year was Stark Images busiest year yet. Business continues to grow and flourish which I am so very grateful for. I still have to pinch myself sometimes that people really value my talents and skills. Thank you all so very much! 
             
I promise I will try to blog more, if you can stand it. LOL! 

Happy New Year! I hope 2012 is a great year for everyone. I hope yours is full of good health, lots of love and many photographs to preserve these precious memories!         

I am so fortunate that this is not only a client but one of my girl scouts. I have two troops and have been a leader for many years. She happens to be in youngest's troop of 6 Brownies. I love all my girls and their families~!  I had so much fun hanging out with this family in their home and backyard. These kids are full of energy as kids should be and they are super sweet! I even got a hug from their son that melted my heart! So darling. I must also say they have the most well behaved doggies I have ever met. Can you believe the dogs stayed  on the patio the entire time and never even came over to so much as sniff me. I am used to being mauled. I actually forgot they were in the backyard with us until we went back into the house. :D
   

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I was asked by fellow photographer, Kathy Ray if I would be available to shoot this event. She had a prior commitment and could not change it. I was so thrilled that #1, she thought of me and #2, that I was able to step up. I recruited my Mom (also a photographer) to help me out. It was great to work together, we don't get to do that very often. We were so honored and it was such a pleasure to meet these gorgeous ladies. Each of them has a moving story to share and it was hard to keep my composure and not cry on the job. I have to admit the tears where right there and ready to flow more then once during the night but I remained professional. In the end their stories were of strength, love and most of all HOPE!!! This all hit so close to home as my Mom's very best friend had just undergone a double mastectomy in the week prior. I also have a Grandmother that had to do the same just 3 short years ago. She too has overcome. This touches so many of our lives and it was great to see such a beautiful and positive event to bring awareness to the forefront. Check those boobies ladies, it is so very important!    

So hard to believe that I have known this mama for 13 years now. We both met at a breastfeeding support group with our first babies. This makes #4 for her and she has the cutest kids! I am hopeful I will get to watch this little darling grow up like her big sisters. It was so great to spend an afternoon together enjoying some baby time again. It has been a while. Seems like a lot of my friends are having babies. Sorry folks I can't catch it, I am immune, lol!     

This happens to be my Girl Scout co-leaders baby boy and so I hope to get to watch him grow up for years to come. He is such a calm little guy. He was mellow and laid back the entire time I was there. His big sister is so excited he is here (for now anyway, lol!). 

Why can't all family sessions be so casual and relaxed. I loved it! They were anxious to get their pool party and bbq started and I can not blame them one bit...It was a scorcher that day! They were great sports in spite of it. 

Such a sweet little guy! He was a trooper and oh so easy to work with. I just love that he held onto the football, it was even opening day for the regular season so it was very fitting on that day. Never too soon to start that team spirit and cheering with Daddy on Sunday's!       

This little darling was so hard to get to smile...she made me work it. In fact she made us all work it. She is so cute and really a happy little girl. Such a beautiful family and a joy to spend time with.