For A Moment Photography

New Client Products

This is a slideshow I made for a client months ago.  These are photos from a newborn session that I put together with music.  Slideshows is a new format for me so there are a few things I wish I could have done differently, I'm still learning. 

When I made this slideshow I had intentions on offering slideshows to clients.  I thought it would be a fun way for friends and family (of my clients) to view the photos.  The process was somewhat long, so I'm not sure it's a product I will offer (haven't started yet).  I love the video I'm just not sure it's something clients will want.

www.foramomentphotography.com

A Gift

 

 

 

This Christmas we decided to head down to Rocky Point, Mexico.  It's a quick drive (3.5hours) and this time of year it's pretty quiet.  I'm very thankful to the Basten family for introducing this spot to us.  I use to go there as a teen for spring break, but that was a very different experience then the one I have now.  The Resort we stay at is family oriented and we for the most part don't leave. 

Every time I have gone there I find myself thinking about the Mexican people waiting on us or selling their goods on the beach.  I wonder what their house is like (do they have running water, do they have dirt floors), what they will earn for that day or year even...  It was during a conversation about this that my girlfriend mentioned the orphanage they support there in Mexico. 

Hope for the Children is a home for abandoned kids in the area.  The website says 30 kids but they are now up to 44 kids.  They are always in need of support and encourage visitors to stop by.  The orphanage is located just before you hit Rocky Point (3 miles off the main road)...  This trip we purchased milk, eggs, meat, homemade cookies, veggies and fruit to give to the kids.  Because it was Christmas we had wanted to bring a few toys but the real need is food.  

While we were there I was able to take a few photos.  However the kids speak spanish (I don't) so I didn't take my camera out for long.  Chatting with my subject is such a big part of good photos for me...  Besides that I had a great time and felt much better for having stopped there before our little get away.

 www.foramomentphotography.com

 
 

Kids Holiday Gift Idea Ranked #1

 

 

Not my photo.  It's a photo from their website.

We have been lucky enough to have great friends that have invited us on several Mexico vacations.  These friends have also introduced us to an organization in Mexico created to help abandoned kids...  Here in the states kids like these are able to have a government prepared to help them, Mexican kids are not so lucky  that is why an organization like, Hope for the Children is so important.

My idea for the Holiday gift is to have our children (biologically and students) become pen pals or at least send a Christmas/birthday card to these (less privileged) kids.  The website has listed their birthdate's (name age and sex) and a card from you may all they are getting this year.

I hope that becoming pen pals may help our kids become more aware of the different experiences of kids their age and hopefully have a positive impact on them.  It's also a great lesson for us as parents to remember that this years "must have gift" really isn't a "must have" .  We can have such an big impact on our kids (in the long run) by showing compassion and love to all (especially during this time)... 

A man made imaginary line should not dictate if a child is valued or deemed worthy of helping or not...  Send a card and a little hope.

www.foramomentphotography.com

Just a Little Blue Sky

 

The view from my couch before the rain moved in.  Usually I welcome the rain and colder weather.  Today I just needed a little more sunshine...  I returned home early after a short trip to the store and a long meltdown in the car (not by me, my toddler).  I guess those last minute preparations will have to wait a bit longer.

www.foramomentphotography.com

 

Holiday gift idea #2

 

Still need a Holiday gift and not much time or money?  Check out Groupon.com.  It's a site that has daily deals around the country.  Today's Phoenix, AZ deal is a paint ball trip for the day for $20.  Normally $60(includes: 

• All-day pass includes equipment, air, and 500 paintballs
• Four fields: 2 desert, 2 grass
• 50 minutes outside of Phoenix

  There is one deal per city per day.  You can also buy a gift card for someone and let them check the daily deals for one that works for them.  It's also a great way to buy something for someone in another state without having to deal with shipping (post office trips stinks right now).

www.foramomentphotography.com

 

Holiday Gift Idea #3

 

I am a Mac/Apple junkie.  I love their products and can't get enough of them.  Santa came early and I got my iphone (I was a very good girl).  I am so excited to learn how to use the applications and now have the web, email and calendar at my finger tips (I've never had a smart phone before).  I really hope that the phone makes my life easier and frees me from my computer (but at the same time doesn't tie me to my phone- juggle)...

Apple products are great and user friendly (for all ages).  In this technology driven world you can't go wrong with Mac gift cards...  I don't know if this is a good Holiday gift idea for my blog....  I guess it's not new news, but hey a trusted favorite!

www.foramomentphotography.com

 

Sign, Sealed and Delivered?

 

 

My cards...  Oh they have been such a place of delight for me since I was a silly girl in college.  I have always made my own cards, it's a fun crafty project that I sometimes get in over my head with.  This year I decided to partner up with a paperteria that I adore, Paperjoy.  It's a small store in Phoenix that is busting with beautiful paper and inspiration.

Lydia, the store owner and I have worked together in the past and this year as you may know we partnered up for the Holiday Promo I ran.  She's got a great style and I love her work.  Her cards are precious and not comparable (in price or style) to Target, Costco or Snapfish...  To me a card or letter like this is such a treat and even a high point to the mundane bills collected at the end of the driveway by us all and can stand apart in the sea of sameness...  Does everyone think about cards like this?...  

So this year I went to Lydia because without anytime to spare my cards had lost their spunk.  During our design visit we chatted about all sorts of stuff.  One thing she said to me stood out.  Her cards can sometimes (depending on the client) can get to be quite complex and layered.  She allows for the customer to choose do some of the embellishments themselves to cut down on costs.  She said to me, "I just want people to have pretty things".  A simple but beautiful thing, I know that's part of why I love her work.  She loves her job and her creations and has a business based on passion.  After our meeting I was full speed ahead and had my work cut out for me.

For both cost and time reasons (I didn't meet with her until Dec) I decided to do some of the embellishments myself.  Not all my cards are the same I think there was about 10 different paper styles.  I also like to sign the cards and address them myself.  It's just a fun way to stop and think about all the friends and family as I write out each card.  I may not have time to write a personal note but they are all written by me...  So here I am on Dec. 18th with most (30 or so more to go) of my 130 cards stamp, addressed and mailed.  I think most of them will be received before Christmas (sorry Hanukah).

I hope the recipients enjoy them as much as I enjoyed the process and checking the mail will continue to be exciting for at least another week for me.

www.foramomentphotography.com

 

 

Almost Homemade Gift

 

So I'm a little behind, what's new.   However this gift idea is quick and almost homemade.  I wanted to get a little something for Presley's four teachers and I wanted it to be something more memorable then a gift card.  This is what I came up with "Ta Da Holiday Nuts", and the great thing about it is you can put your own twist on it and it was quick to make.  

Here is what you need:

1 cleaned out soup can

ribbon 

a gift tag

plastic wrap

string 

and nuts of some sort

The picture pretty much explains what the finished product will look like.  The gift took me less then 20 minutes to put together.  The nuts are a favorite treat of mine however you could use anything from, yogurt covered pretzels to granola clusters.  

I love that putting it in these soup can gives it a rusty homemade feel.  I originally had planned on having Presley color a piece of paper to wrap around but she was more excited to play to with the string (you guess it leading around her imaginary dog) then coloring...    

www.foramomentphotography.com

 

What Matters Most

I'm totally slacking on the Holiday stuff!  A few weeks ago I was ahead of it all and now not so much...  I'm now stuck with the decision do I finish decorating and shopping or just be happy with what I got?  hmmm...  All I know is that I'm happy to say that I have made time to be with friends and family.  The great thing about the Holidays is no matter what I've done (or haven't done) I always get to be around those that matter most.

www.foramomentphotography.com

Private Plane

 

 

  

 Today I had a client that wanted me to take photos of his plane.  I haven't taken photos of a plane before so I was excited to attempt this new subject.  It was a fun project, it can be a difficult task to take a photo of a regular object and make it stand out.  I don't know what is harder, taking photos of kids (smiling and candid) or still life and making it new and excited...  I took a couple of classic shoots as well as a few artsy  photos.

This session made me pretty excited about my photography.  It's a job that introduces me to people I never would have met and brings challenging projects I never would find just taking photos of my life. 

www.foramomentphotography.com