•••Last Chance: GIVING IS AWESOME•••

Today is the last day to submit nominations for the GIVING IS AWESOME give away. For more information click here. Good luck to all the nominees!!

•••1st Birthday Fun•••

Christmas Eve was a special day in many ways. I was able to help celebrate Miss E's first birthday party. A few weeks ago I shared her mini shoot, but the time had come for the big day. The party was super fun, and Miss E looked adorable. You could tell she was so excited for the party that her mom and dad had planned for her. Here is a preview of Miss E's first birthday...

The birthday girl waking up and getting ready for her big debut!Yea party time!!When she came downstairs she was so excited to see all of her party guests. She made sure to visit with everyone.

The decorations were super cute and very festive!Time for cake!And what was left of the cake... We can definitely say Miss E knew what she was doing this time around. :)
The guests got these yummy mint cupcakes.

But Ella would share her cake with everyone if they asked. :)
Next up was present time! 
Miss E knew you can't enjoy the presents with out reading the cards first! This particular card was her favorite and she made sure to keep it close by while perusing her other gifts. But Cookie Monster was a big hit as well! :)

Happy Birthday Miss E!!!

•••The "W" Family Preview•••

Just before the holidays, I did a BIG family shoot with the W family. Everyone had come into town for the holidays and they wanted to get a large group picture together as well as pictures of the grandchildren. One of the family members told me that they hadn't seen part of the family in almost two years so this was a special time for them. Everyone looked super festive and didn't grumble too much about having their picture taken. :) Here is a sneak preview of the W family's shoot.

•••In Loving Memory•••

In Loving Memory

Webber Bennett Broach

Sadly this morning I learned that a sweet family that I have recently taken pictures for has suffered a loss. Webb was such an adorable sweet little boy and has unfortunately passed away over the holiday. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this time. A foundation has been set up in Webb's name to build a reading room in his honor at Northside United Methodist Church. If you wish to donate, please send contributions to:

The Georgian Bank

3300 Cumberland Blvd, S.E.

Atlanta, GA 30339

c/o Rose Hester

•••Don't Forget - GIA•••

Don't forget the GIVING IS AWESOME deadline is just around the corner. There is still plenty of time to submit nominations. For more info click here. 

•••The "L" Family Preview•••

Last week I met the L family for a shoot. We had a great time and the weather seemed to be cooperating for the most part. The small lull we had in the cold weather was nice. Miss L was the sweetest little girl. At first she was a little shy and hung close by with her parents, but soon she warmed up once she realized I wasn't so scary after all. :)

•••Miss E's Mini Shoot•••

My goodness I am behind on my blogging. I have several shoots to share with you all, but here is one from last weekend. This is Miss E. She is such an adorable little cutie and her first birthday is just around the corner. We did this quick shoot for pictures for the party. It has been so fun to see this little one grow up over the last six months.

She is definitely loving walking and being on the go!

Taking a break with her pretty grandma and mommy!

And now for the fun part...Cake! We definitely all got to taste this yummy cake because Miss E would grab a handful or a spoonful and start walking towards you. It was so much fun though, and trust me I am not one to shy away from cake. :)
So good you gotta bath in it!

•••The Middle Wife•••

Here is a forward I recieved this morning. It was funny/cute so I thought I would share. Enjoy! :)

The 'Middle Wife'
by an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher

I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kids myself, But the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second-grade Classroom a few years back. When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell. So I always have a few sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually, Show-and-tell is pretty tame Kids bring in pet turtles, model Airplanes, pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that. And I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations on them. If they want to lug it in to school and talk about it, they're welcome.

Well, one day this little girl, Erica , a very bright,very outgoing kid, takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her sweater. She holds up a snapshot of an infant. 'This is Luke, my baby brother, and I'm going to tell you about his birthday.'

'First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put a seed in my Mom's stomach, and Luke grew in there. He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord.'

She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her in amazement.

'Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts saying and going, 'Oh, Oh,Oh, Oh!' Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans.

'She walked Around the house for, like an hour, 'Oh, oh, oh!' Now this kid is doing a hysterical duck walk and groaning.

'My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the Domino's man. They got my Mom to lie Down in bed like this.' Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.

'And then, pop! My Mom had this bag of water she kept in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, like psshhheew!' This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming water flowing away. It was too much!

'Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push,' and 'breathe, breathe. They started counting, but never even got past ten. Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from Mom's play-center, so there must be a lot of toys inside there.'

Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat. I'm sure I applauded the loudest. Ever since then,when it's Show-and-tell day, I bring my camcorder, just in case another 'Middle Wife' comes along.

•••Smile for Grandma!•••

This past weekend marked the last of my holiday shoots. I still have a lot of shoots left for the remainder of the year, but Christmas Card season is officially over. On Saturday, I met a family down in the Ansley Park area for a special shoot. They wanted to get pictures done to give to their great-grandma as a Christmas present.

Here are all the great-grandchildren. They are the cutest kids, although they had no interest in me. Trying to get all five to look in one direction was tough let alone at the camera. Still adorable though.
Once we were done with the group shots, I transitioned into individual shots of each of the children. I just followed them around for awhile in hopes of a smile. First I followed Miss L around. I love watching children at this age. They are so focused and interested in the funniest things. Miss L was no exception. The mission: A jingle bell necklace. Such determination and focus!
Ah, success! I also, love this age because a completed mission is usually celebrated by putting the desired object in your mouth.
Next, I followed Mr. B around. He is definitely on the move. I have a feeling this little one will be walking in no time.
Then it was Miss C's turn. She was the oldest of the group and she always gave me just a hint of a smile. And here's Mr. E. I don't know why but every time I look at this picture I keep thinking he is going to say, "...and that is why I would like to be your next President". And finally Miss M. Isn't she adorable. I could just eat her up with those blonde curls!

•••GIVING IS AWESOME•••

My associates over at Essential Imagery have set up this fan-freaking-tastic site GIVING IS AWESOME, and I am delighted to join them!


Here is how it works:
You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography -- $500 worth, to be exact. Whether it's canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $100 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:
* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Georgia. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : atfirstsightphotography@gmail.com

The winner will be announced on New Year's Day-- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,
Jen

•••CcccCOLD!!•••

Last Sunday morning I met the M family for a big family shoot in Marietta Square. I know I have been saying it has been cold outside lately, but this shoot takes the cake. I think it was no more than 25 degrees outside plus wind. Needless to say we were all in agreement to make it go quick so we could all hurry back to the warmth of our vehicles. The kids were troopers though and everyone managed to smile and look warm. Here is a family shot I thought I would share. See cute and warm, right? :)

After the big family shoot was done I did a mini one with one of the family's by them self. Here are some of my early favorites!

Thanks M family! I hope you guys have thawed out by now!!

•••The "B" Family Preview•••

This past weekend I met the B family for a photo shoot in Historic Roswell. Miss S turned six months and it was time to celebrate. Miss S wore the cutest little cupcake outfit and she was as adorable as can be. Unfortunately, I think winter is about to set in because it was overcast and cold and poor Miss S was freezing. We were able to get a few smiles out of her and get some great pictures, but I think she was so happy to get in her warm car and leave the paparazzi behind. Here is a quick preview of their shoot.