Natasha Chalker Photography » Alabama Children’s Photographer

elf adventures | Enterprise Alabama Photographer

Natasha — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:46:01 +0000

First of all -

Dear Blog,

I’m sorry for the lack of updates. Really, it’s not you, it’s me. I would like to blog more but I just don’t seem to have the time. I have shared most fall/winter sneak peeks on Facebook … … I know, I know, the picture quality is so, so bad. Facebook compresses images, makes the color wacky but it’s quick and when I’m busy I need a quick way to share photos. BUT I promise to update you with all the beautiful sessions from September to December over the next few weeks. K? K.

Thanks for you understanding as you patiently await my return.

Natasha

Now onto our elf adventures. If you aren’t familiar with the elf tradition, check here – Elf on the shelf. Our elves are stuffed and apparently “ok” to touch. I’m not up on the technicalities of it all, but that’s what they said anyway. My kids are 10 and 15. Yes, I know they are technically too “old” for elves, Santa and other silliness. (They do understand and acknowledge the true meaning of Christmas, no worries) But they still love Bella and Buddy (movie inspired names, go figure!). I guess it’s because those mischievous little things are so fun and manage to surprise them every day. Nothing wrong with that, right? Besides, if our elves made any messes, Katie and Braden were responsible for cleaning it up. Yet they still love them! I tried to remember to take a photo of each adventure with my iphone (love the camera on the 4s!!wow!), then I made a few little collages of all the photos I managed to snap.

Below I’ve included a few shots of our Christmas card for 2011, another year of sweet blessings for us (again, taken with the iphone)

Luxe folded card printed on linen paper

Tri-fold printed on cotton paper

May your Christmas be filled with lots of love, joy, peace, happiness and contentment.

Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill towards men Luke 2:11-14

don’t let the pigeon stay up late | Enterprise Alabama Family Photographer

Natasha — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 02:57:58 +0000

Have you read any of the pigeon books? These are some of my favorites. You can’t read them without laughing out loud and I enjoy books that make me smile, especially kids’ books because I’m a kindergarten teacher (in case you didn’t know). When I’m not teaching small children, I’m a photographer. Anytime I can incorporate something fun, original or unexpected into a shoot, I do! This family contacted me through Operation Love Reunited to capture some sweet family photos before Dad deploys. I was so very excited to do this for them even though it was HOT, and I do mean HOT outside that evening. I’ve been putting my sessions off until later in the evening when it’s cooler but when the humidity is nearly 99.999%, it really doesn’t matter when we take them because we just seem to melt. From the looks of these kids, it didn’t seem to bother them much.

Making his blog debut – THE PIGEON – and trying to convince 3 kids + 2 adults why he should get to stay up past his bedtime. Big brother was SO proud to read this book to his family. I was very impressed as well. He’s just starting first grade and such a voracious reader. I must pat his Kindergarten teacher on the back (nope, wasn’t me!).

THANK YOU, Daniel, for your service to our country and THANK YOU Charla (and family) for your sacrifice.

click, click | Enterprise Alabama Children’s Photographer

Natasha — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:50:11 +0000

These kids were crazy about my old cameras – especially the one that clicked and had film in it! They had the best time taking pictures of ME, taking picture of THEM.

I’m a little behind on blog posts and sneak peeks. Busy season is here – for photography and for our family.

Tiniest brother is holding a toy camera and he certainly knew it. He wanted the “real” one, too!

I’m so in LOVE with backlighting these days. I love the softness, the light, the slight haze, lightly add some sweet processing – Makes me happy!

So far, after scanning the shots I took, this one is my favorite. It needed to be a soft black and white. Just perfect!

What beautiful children, don’t you agree?

Largest grasshopper I’ve seen – ever! He had to have been 3 inches long. Even I didn’t want to touch him and I’m fond of most critters. The boys had a great time chasing him and attempted to squash him a few times. He was resilient!

Dancing is like dreaming with your feet | Enterprise Alabama Photographer

Natasha — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 22:35:35 +0000

I met this sweet ballerina recently. Mom wanted something special, just to celebrate her dancing achievements. What a wonderful idea! Often times once when we have families, we forget to do something special just for the kids. Take some pictures for fun (and don’t make them say CHEESE!), go on a “date” with your child, stick a little note in their lunchbox, write a message on the bathroom mirror, leave a post-it by their bed for them to see when they wake up, brag about them in front of others. Every child deserves to feel special.

I told her I had to get some pictures of these boots Santa brought for her so I could show him the ones *I* wanted for Christmas!

is it cold enough yet? | Enterprise Alabama Children’s Photographer

Natasha — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 01:44:38 +0000

Brrrrrrrrrrr.Rrrrr.Rrrrrrr. Goodness, what a cold snap we’re having right now. I AM NOT a fan of winter – the dry skin, cold air, chapped lips, cold air, having to wear layers of clothing, cold air, constantly being C O L D … none of it is enjoyable to me. The holidays are always a fun time but I’d much rather savor these moments wearing shorts and flip flops. Until I can move somewhere with nice and warm weather all year round, I guess south Alabama winters will have to do.

The weekend we took these it was brutally cold and windy. The kids did great though and I was reminded of one itty bitty detail about toddlers and siblings. They usually don’t like to touch! I have to think of creative ways to get kids to be in close proximity to one another and maybe even touch – but don’t let them know they’re touching! Not always so easy but usually doable.

By the way, these are the winners from my cutest kid contest from last month. Definitely some of the cutest kids I’ve seen in a really long time, if not ever!

Nothing like a little brotherly love, right?

What a beautiful family - being from Holland, they’re quite used to this bitterly, cold winter weather.

a sweet face

Natasha — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:32:18 +0000

This entry is way over due! I know mom and entire family have been waiting for their sneak peek. I have a few other things I want to share soon as well!

It’s hard to believe this little sweetie is nearly one! Here’s her newborn session She’s just so full of personality - such a girl – as you can see here.

Only Addison could look so cute, squatting like this…

It had been warm last month when we shot these outside. What happened to that spring like weather?

The sweetest Valentine I’ve seen in a long time, don’t you think?

Every little girl needs jewelry!

biscuit and charlie brown

Natasha — Mon, 25 May 2009 23:12:20 +0000

I know they look like twins but Chloe, aka Biscuit, and John Parker, aka Charlie Brown, are cousins. We were all hanging out last night and I started looking for something to put them in so I could snap a few pictures of them. Charlie Brown can sit up but Biscuit isn’t quite there yet. So Scott and I went looking through his grandparent’s garage and found an old high chair that belonged to Biscuit and Charlie Brown’s grandma. I didn’t think they’d both fit in it since they’re so full of baby chub but they did! I liked look of the antique vintage high chair and pictured these in a vintage color process while I was snapping the pictures.

Uncle Wade/Daddy got them both giggling. There’s nothing sweeter than chubby babies giggling!

One in color -

And a few of my boy – just ’cause I love him.

a new family

Natasha — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:16:51 +0000

Sweet Addison was down from Auburn and I felt very priviledged to take her first pictures. She is also my newest baby planner and Mom gets a free print with each session, complimentary storyboard collage at the end of one year, along with 50% off a coffee table book with images from her entire first year. I’m so excited that I get to watch her grow up. Isn’t she precious?

Who can resist baby toes? Look at those itty bitty toenails!

It was too hard to narrow it down to the usual two or three that I show. So sweeeet…

A few with Mom and Dad

Snow?

Natasha — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:17:04 +0000

We woke to snow flurries this morning and an “Alabama-style blizzard” according to my husband. The kids braved it for a few moments and I snapped these real quick. As you can tell, we aren’t prepared for snow in south Alabama. Katie had left her hat and gloves her in desk at school so she bundled up the best she could. Braden was hoping to make a snowman but nothing stuck so they just got to watch the flakes fall.

I purchased a new toy recently – a wider angle lens. Braden didn’t care for the distortion making his head look big while his body appears smaller. It’s fun to play around and see what I can come up with. I’m excited to see how I will be able to put this new lens to use in various sessions.

I’m headed to Montgomery this afternoon for a maternity session. I’m praying the roads are clear but snow flurries would make a nice backdrop for photos.