Alleyway Photography Model Search!

MODEL SEARCH! Do you or someone you know have a cute child 0-4 years old or a baby on the way? I have some new props and ideas I'd like to try. Your child will get a free 30-60 minute session and a $30 portrait credit. Please send me a FB message or email lori@alleywayphotography.com if you're interested. I will finalize the details as soon as I know how many children are interested in participating. Parents must sign a portrait release allowing me to use their child's image in advertising, brochures, Facebook or other types of print or web media that I deem appropriate and tasteful.

10 minutes with Madilynn

I was at my daughter's T ball game and noticed that Madilynn was sitting by her mom's feet in a way that framed her.  So I started talking to her and clicking away.  As you can see, she started out pretending to be shy and ended up laying on the ground in front of her mom and posing.  ALL of this was ALL her!  I was laughing so hard that I'm surprised anything was in focus.  Here are my favs from that 10 mins.  Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

2010 Lights of Hope - Benefit Auction for Ethiopian Orphan Relief, Inc.

Last night, I had the privilege of volunteering at the 2010 Lights of Hope Benefit Auction for Ethiopian Orphan Relief.  (http://ethiopianorphanrelief.wordpress.com/) What an amazing experience!  I met lots of wonderful people who continually give their time, energy and love to better the lives of these amazing children.  Through the efforts of Ethiopian Orphan Relief and other organizations like Dove Adoptions International here in Banks, these children are given supplies necessary for life and health.  The people who came to the auction and supported this effort are amazing too!  As a small example, in just fifteen minutes last night, they raised enough money to provide 500 days of food for a group of orphaned girls in Ethiopia!  I was overwhelmed by the generosity of these individuals and families who were willing to give so much to children they don't know.  I have been blessed to have one such family as my neighbors and friends.  They have adopted children themselves and work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of other children through Dove Adoptions and EOR.  Thank you Ryan and Krista for introducing me to your friends and family and allowing me to have a small part in the huge effort that you all are making.  How can you not smile when you see these beautiful little faces?  May we all find ways to give back to those less fortunate than ourselves.  We have been blessed.

An inspirational evening - thanks to a super mom!

Sometimes in this business that I love, I run across people who inspire me or encourage me without knowing it.  Adrienne was one of those people.  She has been given more than her fair share of challenges in life and yet, as you can see, she still has the ability to keep smiling.  I watched her patience, her laughter and her joy in her children and was amazed at her resilience.  Even after we all got stuck in a downpour of rain, she went running and jumping through mud puddles with the boys.  She is a true SUPER mom!  God bless you, Adrienne, as you raise your boys. I know that they are blessed to have you.  Hope you continue to find your puddles to jump in after the rain storms. :-)

My "how old" contest - Winners!

Well, nobody guessed it exactly right to win the 50% off, but Holly guessed closer than anyone else, so I'm going to award her one complimentary 8x10. Everyone else who entered the contest before today will receive one complimentary 5x7! Thanks for entering everyone! Keep an eye out for more contests!

The correct age was 6! I acheived the impression of an older person by shooting up at him. :-)

Stories - 6

Well, you KNEW I would have to include my very own princess, right? I made this collage of my daughter Kerissa last spring. Grandma Mary gave her this beautiful princess dress and she dances every time she's in it. It was one of those things I wanted to remember forever, so we went out in the front yard and I just started shooting while she danced. I love this collage because it is exactly who she was at that point in her life...and, for the record, it hasn't changed much yet. The dancing has just gotten more intricate. lol

Stories - 5

This one was one of those moments that was completely by accident. I was shooting this beautiful family at their home. Out behind their house they have a great garden with sunflowers, tall flowers, pumpkins, and many other things I couldn't begin to name or remember. lol The kids love to help in the garden. We were in transition from the front of the house to the back and were getting ready for a more posed family portrait. Their daughter went down into the garden and started using the hoe to do a little gardening. I was standing up near the back of the house and happened to turn and look down there to see where I wanted to set up the shot I was working on. Just as I did that, her little brother came into the frame pushing his little mower. It was such a precious moment, that I snapped the shot with no set up. I didn't even have time to check my settings. Unfortunately, that resulted in the shot being a little softer than I wanted, but I love it so much that I am including it. It's one of those shots that I would love to see as a painting or a canvas. I may have to play with it some day. :-)

REMINDER! Session fee discount ends February 28th!

20% DISCOUNT off session fee applies to any type of Blue Ribbon Session on any future date. (Maternity, Newborn, Children, Seniors, Family).

The session fee has to be paid by February 28, 2010 in order for you to get the discount.

The Blue Ribbon Session fee is my "no session fee" session. You make a deposit toward your future order, and I waive the normal $100 session fee. So, any day it's already a $100 savings.

Until the end of February, you will save an additional $55 by paying $220 instead of $275, but you will still receive a credit of $275 toward your future order.

Don't have to pick your session date yet unless you want to.

It's like buying your self a gift certificate to use at any time in the future!

I'm looking forward to making memories with your family!

Stories - 3

This one makes me laugh remembering it. This is Rose a few years ago. We were in an orchard and we thought it would be cool to get a photo IN a tree. This shot was taken while we were both laughing really hard because she was barely hanging on. She ended up rolling out of the tree right after this. Don't worry, it was only a few feet off the ground. :-)

Stories - 2

This one is from a few years ago. If I remember correctly, this was Hannah's one year shoot. This shot was after almost two hours of trying lots of different things to get a happy look on her face. She was having a hard day and had been crying or fussy for most of it. We did get some other great pics in before this, but this is one of my favorites from that day. I got it by playing peek-a-boo through a white wooden rocking chair. :-) Playing with little ones is one of the ways you can get them to perk up or smile.

The first in a new series...Stories From the Field

I was preparing for my booth at the NW Family & Kids Festival this weekend and in the process, I set up a portfolio slideshow of my work dating all the way back to the very beginning. As I watched the slideshow, I found myself smiling, laughing and a few times even getting a little choked up as I remembered the stories and experiences surrounding each image. So, I have decided to share. Each day or so, I will pick one and tell you the story. I hope you enjoy reading them. :-)

Here is the first one:

This is Olivia. At the time, she was about 4, I believe. I was at her house to take pictures of her two older sisters and her, but when I got there, she said she didn't want to have her picture taken even though mom had already put her in the dress you see here. Rather than pressure her, I opened up my box of props with necklaces, gloves, fans, fairy wings, ballet skirts, and hats in it. I told her she could try some stuff on if she wanted to and then I went outside to take some pictures of her sister. A few minutes later, she walked outside dressed like this. She didn't want to LOOK like she wanted her picture taken, so she went clear across the yard as far away as possible. She wasn't looking at me, but when I turned around and saw her, I got ready and then called her name. She looked up and there it was. One of my all time favorite shots! I love the little white tennis shoes, the props she picked, the expression, everything. So, now you know. Sometimes, its just that quick and if you're not looking, you miss it. I'm really glad I didn't miss this one! What do you think?

Genevieve is ONE! (I can't believe it!)

I probably overdid it a little with the preview on this one, but this is my niece Genevieve. Her mom and I have been best friends for 20 years, so I'm Aunt Lolo. :-) I can't believe she is one year old already! This year has flown by SO fast. It might have something to do with the fact that I also had a baby in April last year. It was the first time in our 20 year friendship that we've had a baby the same year and NO we didn't plan it. lol It's been so fun watch her grow. She was already walking a few months ago, so now she's on the run. Isn't she ADORABLE?!

Aren't these kids cute?!

I've been photographing these kids for three years. One of the main things I love about being a photographer is the opportunity to watch families grow and be a part of providing great memories for them. I can't believe Henry turned one already! It seems like just last week that I was taking mom's maternity portraits and his newborn session portraits. He is such a cute little guy! It was really fun to go out to their new house for his 1st birthday session and to include his big sisters, too. Here is a sneak peek for mom.