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

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.

Here she is hamming it up – BIG TIME!

Daddy’s girl? I think so!

Thank you, Chase, for your service to our country. I truly appreciate all that you’re doing to endure freedom here in the US.

Thank you, Trish, for your sacrifice. I admire your strength tremendously and I pray the next few months fly by quickly for you.

Brooklyn, your dad is super cool – and so are you!

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!

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

Again, I have the deepest appreciation for Mindy and Theo and their lovely family. So glad to have met you all!

If you have a moment, please check out Operation Love Reunited. They’re the BEST of the best!

Legal note: The photos and other content of this publication do not constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense

The weather is PERFECT, the days are LONGER, the sunsets are GORGEOUS! I have a limited amount of openings for April, and I can only squeeze one in this month. The best part? These are on sale, $25 off basic session fee. We can capture some fun, candid shots as well. Silhouettes are the sweet bonus we add at the end of your custom photography session!

Email natasha@natashachalker.com or call 303-8006 for more information.

*** ONE Available date ***

Tuesday, March 29, 5:30pm
Tuesday, April 5, 5:30pm
Friday, April 15, 5:30pm
Friday, April 29, 5:30pm

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!

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.

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.