Natasha Chalker Photography » Alabama Photographer

FALL ANNOUNCEMENTS | Enterprise Alabama Photographer

Natasha — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 01:25:09 +0000

SO excited about these announcements… Fall is just around the corner. It doesn’t seem possible with these hot summer days but they just seem to be flying by faster and faster. Here’s the scoop:

CHRISTMAS IN JULY – yes, Christmas will be here before we know it, too. (Only 163 days away!) We all know Grandma loves photos of her sweet grandbabies. What better Christmas gift than a beautiful custom photograph, framed and wrapped with a bow? While I’m not in on all the commercialization of Christmas, I do like to plan ahead so I’m not stuck shopping on Dec 24th. At 8pm. So for your shopping convenience, Christmas in July is here… Book a Fall Session (Sept-Nov) between now and July 31st and receive 25% off your (local) session fee + 1 complimentary 8×10 print. Fall is Filling up Fast for me, as you can see on my board here (I know, bad camera phone picture…that should change once Iphone5 comes out!) My son is playing travel soccer so my fall sessions are limited. I’m encouraging everyone to book as soon as possible.

For fall I’ve got some really sweet locations and super fun props – chairs, baskets, two awesome sofas, swing, and the list goes on and on.

FALL MINI SESSIONS – Interested in a short and sweet session? Consider a mini! With a mini session, you receive a collection with high resolution files and quality lab recommendations for optimal printing results. One of the collections offers Christmas cards OR a 20×20 fabric wall cling of your favorite shot. Have you seen these??? As soon as mine is hung, I’ll share it with you. They’re AMAZING!

A few card examples, to get you in the Christmas mood!

COMMUNITY SERVANT APPRECIATION – Now offering 10% off orders for our awesome community servants – active duty military, teachers, fire fighters and those in law enforcement. These are the very people that work diligently for our community, so they deserve some special treatment, right? Check here for complete pricing details.

THE F.I.L.M. PROJECT – I am pleased to announce that I was accepted into The F.I.L.M. Project. This organization provides complimentary photography services and prints for families with terminally ill loved ones. Please check out their website and join their Facebook page. If you know someone that would qualify for services, have them contact myself or The F.I.L.M. Project as soon as possile.

MOMMY REP PROGRAM – Would you be interested in earning free portraits? I’ve established a Mommy Rep program and I’m accepting applications until August 10th. Email for details on this exciting new program! natasha@natashachalker.com

3 WEEK TURN AROUND TIME GUARANTEE- We all want our finished photos quickly. I am offering an incentive for you! If you don’t have your proof gallery ready within 3 weeks of your session, you get a free 8×10 with your order. This applies to paid portrait sessions, not weddings or charitable sessions.

SUMMER/FALL BEACH SESSIONS - I will be at the beach the following dates: Aug 6, and Labor Day Weekend. Since I’m already planning a trip down there, you will receive a HUGE discount on some amazing beach photos. These, too, would make great Christmas gifts AND they’d look beautiful on Christmas cards as well!

Shew, that was a mouth full! Hope you’re having a fantastic summer and staying cool!

guess who’s two? | Enterprise Alabama Child Photographer

Natasha — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:48:02 +0000

Mallorie, that’s who! I, for one, can’t believe she’s 2. It seems like she was just born last month. Dang, babies grow into kids way too fast! She’s one lucky toddler. She has one big sister and two big brothers who love and adore her, and probably insanely spoil her rotten!

See?

“Enjoy this moment, for this is the moment of your life” <3

Mallorie wasn’t a fan of the grass so keeping her on the chair was pretty easy. Until she needed Mommy. I was able to get some sweet pinkalicious shots with her balloons and adorable dress…sigh… so, so, sweet.

Mallorie + Mama = Happy Girl!

I just love how her sweet hands are folded right here. Precious!

Silhouette’s are my favorites to capture. It takes some planning and the right locations, right time. We had it all “right” but the rain and clouds prevented us from getting a clear shot. I was disappointed at first but the more I look at this the more I can appreciate it. It’s very different from my other silhouettes. Different is good!

I didn’t forget to snap and “Me and my new friends” shot before we finished up. I love my little friends! Happy Birthday Mallorie! xoxox

Photo Peeps Beginner Photography Class

Natasha — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 02:41:02 +0000

Photo Peeps Beginner Photography Class

Did you recently get a DSLR camera and you’re scratching your head, wondering how to use it? Would you like to learn more about taking better photos of your family? Then consider signing up for the Photo Peeps Basic Beginner’s photography class. I’m a teacher so naturally, teaching others to take better photos is a fun opportunity! I can show you how to look for optimal lighting, compose a great shot, what those other buttons and dials are for on your camera labeled ISO, shutter speed and aperture while helping you gain a better understanding of focus and exposure. I will not be covering Photoshop in this class but I can share with you many ways to make your photos look better just by knowing how to use your camera correctly. In addition, you will have access to a private Facebook Page where I can help answer questions and provide feedback in a private setting once the class is over!

Do your photos look like this:

Or this?

I can teach you how to make them look like this:

(don’t mind my uncooperative model )

The class will take place at my house, here in Enterprise, Saturday, April 30, 4-6:30p.m.

$100

In case of inclement weather, the class will be rescheduled for May 7, same time. The $100 fee is non-refundable, but you may transfer it to a friend if you’re unable to attend for any reason.

Deadline to register, April 22.

Class is limited to 10, so come on and join us! I want this to be a small, hands-on course so we’ll have time for shooting together with a child model plus tons of feedback.

All you need to bring is yourself, your Digital SLR camera with a your favorite lens or lenses, memory card, and a notebook for taking notes.

For more info, email me at natasha@natashachalker.com

What others are saying from my previous class:

- “thoroughly enjoyed! All clicked together after your explained it. Thank you so much”
- “very informative and helpful”
- “great class, really learned a lot”
- “Thank you! You explained it and showed it ( I am a visual learner ) and I finally understand how to attempt good pics! Great class”

beautiful baby boy | Enterprise Alabama Photographer

Natasha — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:21:03 +0000

I was blown away by this precious little one. I mean, who can resist a smile so sweet? Seriously?

Beautiful family!

I think he wins the Sweetest Baby on the Planet award!

My assistant and I were amazed at how he slept and smiled, just so content.

And these wrinkles? How I LOVE baby wrinkles!

If you’re expecting and wanting to book a newborn session, please remember they are best done within the first 10 days. One of my favorite things is watching these babies grow up! You can view a sample of my Little Loves Baby Plan HERE and watch a little one grow from a newborn to a toddler.

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!

freckles and dirt | I heart faces

Natasha — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 22:39:28 +0000

My boy, captured with a macro lens… that’s just him. Freckles with some random bits of dirt. Just being a BOY.

Da bears | Enterprise Alabama Photographer

Natasha — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 14:12:51 +0000

A 2 year old football star in the making! What a fun day with this busy little boy, who, as you can tell, loves football already. We’re a football family, too, so I totally get it. It was adorable to see him run around with the football, fall down, pop up, run some more, fall down, pop up. You get the idea. We were able to get him to sit for a minute and snap some sweet shots. It was the perfect weekend for some outside sessions. Can’t wait for today’s sweet session… It feels like spring is right around the corner! Yeah!

But first, check out that pass!

I could not resist the crooked helmet, grasping the ball, ALL BOY!

One last little collage, 8×4 desktop collage. These look great on an easel, displayed on a desk or book shelf. All sessions I do come with some type of custom designed collage or storyboard to choose from, that matches your session and your child or family’s personality.

Tasty Tuesday Jan 18 | Enterprise Alabama Photographer

Natasha — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 23:05:20 +0000

My dear friend Amy started a blog hop and I thought it would be fun to hop on board, too. I’ll admit I’m domestically challenged. I really can’t cook anything with more than half a dozen ingredients. My brain spazzes out thinking of measuring, mixing, baking, watching, stirring. Countless steps upon steps make my eyes glaze over, just a little. I need easy and quick meals. Luckily, my family is pretty easy to please and they think I’m a fabulous cook! (hahaha) So, on Tasty Tuesdays I will share SIMPLE recipes, with very little prep time, because most of us have so much to do these days anyway, right?

Ravioli Bake

What you need:

1 jar (260z) spagetti sauce

1 can (14oz) diced tomatoes (or about 2 cups of fresh tomatoes)

1/2 cup of water

1.5 pkg (1lb) frozen cheese ravioli

1 pkg (8oz) Italian 3 cheese blend + another 1/2 mozzarella if you like it cheesy

2 tbsp parmesan cheese

What you do:

Heat oven to 400. Mix spaghetti sauce, tomatoes and water; spoon 1 cup into the bottom part of a 13×9 inch baking dish.

Layer half the ravioli, sauce and cheese until you use 1.5 packages of ravioli and all the other ingredients except the parmesan.

Bake 30 minutes, covered. Uncover and bake another 20 minutes or until the ravioli is tender. Sprinkle with parmesan and ENJOY. Serves six hungry mouths.

I’ve made it this before using ground beef mixed in my spaghetti sauce to make EASY LASAGNA. This recipe is great because you can have all the ingredient on hand and fix it in a pinch, no need to worry about not having anything defrosted. This cooks from the freezer to the oven.

Now, my pictures aren’t real pretty. I had to use my external flash – blah.

Of course, if there’s cooking in the kitchen, these guys aren’t too far away!

giving more | Enterprise, Alabama Photographer

Natasha — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:29:06 +0000

Lately I’ve been contemplating what God has in store for me with my photography business. I’m aware that He sends just what I need, just when I need it. I have noticed recently that when I pray about what direction he wants for me, I hear the same words again and again. Give more. Quietly, I listen again for what he wants. Give more. I was beginning to think, maybe he’s talking to someone else, or perhaps I’m just hearing things. After several weeks of this, I am choosing to be obedient and … GIVE MORE, smart huh? It only took a few weeks, ok, maybe months, er, well, more like a year… Up until now God has trusted me with a little to see if I can handle more, as it says in Luke 16:10 (If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones). More to me doesn’t particularly mean more business. I don’t wish to RECEIVE more blessings but to BE a blessing. If he uses photography for that, then I will be humbly honored.

Please stay tuned for the 12 days of Christmas giveaways, starting December 1st, on my facebook page.

In the spirit of ThanksGIVING… I look forward to GIVING more.

God gave me you

Natasha — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:38:41 +0000

Tomorrow will be my 16th wedding anniversary. Am I even old enough to have been married for 16 years?? Sometimes I have to pinch myself… I’m so blessed. God has given me the most amazing man. Ever. Hearing the song, God Gave Me You by Dave Barnes, reminds me of our life over the last 16 years. There’s no doubt God made this song just for us, not to sound overly confident but I’m pretty sure He did. Besides, it was released at just the right time, not 2 years from now or 2 years ago. Right here and now. Coincidence? Nope, I don’t believe in those. An act of God? Yes, definitely!

You can see the video here – > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7M7cJ4DydQ

God Gave Me You

“I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you”

No matter how much I’ve messed up, Scott loves me like Jesus loves me. He has always shown Compassion, when I don’t deserve it, Love when I least expect it, Mercy when it seems as if I have completely failed. He picks me up when I stumble, encourages me when times are rough, and loves me in spite of all my faults which I’m ashamed to say are quite numerous.

“There’s more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
I’ll be the flattered fool
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I could never undo”

As I reflect on the last 16 (18 in all) years together, we are truly stitched together as the song says. He is a part of me, and without his incomprehensible love for me, I would be lost. Are we perfect? Hardly. We argue about dumb things, get frustrated with the kids/jobs/dogs/life, disagree about whose turn it is to drive somewhere, and so on. But I love him more today than ever before. Without a doubt. I am excited to see what God will bring our way in the next 16 years but hopefully time will move slowly, allowing me to savor special moments, anniversaries, and just life in general – with the one I love.

Below is a sample of our life in pictures, taken over the last 11 months. I’ve noticed two things:

1. we wear sunglasses in a lot of our pictures, never noticed that before. We’re not trying to look cool, we just take a lot of pictures outside. I guess.

2. we’re looking old! Wow, so that’s what happens after 16 years.

Happy 16th Anniversary, Scott!

Thank you for loving me,

Natasha