Yes, I said birthday week!  That’s how we do things around here.   Okay, maybe not, but a girl can dream, right?  My birthday is on Tuesday, when I will officially be even later into my twenties (but still hanging on).  So, to celebrate my birthday week I wanted to have a little mutually beneficial giveaway for my past clients (wink, wink)!  There are two ways to enter:

1) Go to my Facebook Page and leave a review under my Reviews tab.  You can find the icon under my profile picture or just click here.

2) Go to my Google Business Listing and leave a review there.

Do one or do both to double your chances!  Chances for what you ask?  Every review posted by Friday night (the 4th) at midnight will be entered into a random drawing for a free gift print from your session (a $45 value)!  Even better, if I get more than 10 different clients to post reviews, I’ll pick TWO random winners!  I’ll announce the winner(s) on Saturday.  My clients always have such kind things to say to me about their images and their overall experience, I’m just hoping you will be willing to share that with others.   

Of course, I can’t leave you without a picture, so here is another one of my sweet Emory from her two-year session.  Love her!

I had the great pleasure of photographing Sam and his wonderful family last week for a little dual family/senior session.  Seriously, working with families like this is a wonderful reminder of what an AMAZING job I have.  They certainly made it easy on me – goofing off, easy smiles, and laughter to tears – those are all hallmarks of a great session.  Mom nailed their wardrobe too – the colors looked wonderful!  Sam’s senior portion of the session was no different.  He was so laid back and up for trekking all over this cool new location I found.  I mean, all of this green in February?  Love it!  Sam is also my first Richardson High senior, and the recipient of my Trendsetter Bonus!  Yay!  I so enjoyed our time together.  Enjoy your sneak peek!

Well, it’s certainly not Wednesday, eek!  I definitely didn’t mean to let this one slip by, especially since I love the gorgeous colors that Erica of Erica May Photography pulled together for this week’s Wardrobe Wednesday post.  Turqouise is my favorite!  Here’s what Erica has to say:

“This week I was definitely getting Spring fever since the temperatures down here in Dallas have been in the 70s (sorry to all the northerners that want to punch me right now!). A lot of families choose to do their portraits in the fall or winter for the Holiday card which is great but the weather doesn’t always cooperate and everyone is bundled up. The Spring and Summer are great months for family sessions because you really get to dress more comfortably with a breezy and relaxed feel. Your wardrobe can have a huge impact on the “feel” of your session and it is always fun during the winter months to do something a little less traditional and a little more spunky and fun. One of my favorite colors is turquoise so when I saw this little boy’s outfit at The Gap I just knew I had to build a wardrobe around it. I just love the whole look of it! Picking a bold color like turquoise will really give your session a fun pop of color and by adding little touches of turquoise to the other outfits it really brings the whole wardrobe together. I hope you all enjoy this fun family session wardrobe idea – I know I would love to photograph a family wearing this!”

Shopping Guide:

Mom:
Natural Turquoise 3 row memory wire bracelet – $38.00 – BeadedTortoise Etsy Shop
Gold Hawk Diamond-Stud Top – $98.00 – Dillards
Levi’s Bold Curve ID Bootcut Jeans – $44.99 – Kohls

Dad:
Men’s Military-Inspired Shirts – $29.50 – Old Navy
Men’s Distressed Straight-Leg Jeans – $39.50 – Old Navy
Sand Suede Men’s Botas – $79.00 – Tom’s

Girl:
Sadie Flower Headband – $10.00 – CustomPhotoProps Etsy Store
Nouveau Leaf Smock Dress – $35.00 – Tea Collection
Sequin Rosette Flat  – $22.99 – Payless Shoes

Boy:
Green Check Shirt – $29.95 – The Gap
Slub Sports Graphic T – $16.95 – The Gap
Bright Bermuda Shorts  – $22.95 – The Gap
Lace-less Sneakers Olive Green – $19.50 – The Gap
77 rad band woven fedora  $12.50 – American Eagle

I’m sure you’ve all been eagerly awaiting this follow up to my 2010 recap post, so I hope that the suspense hasn’t been too painful!   If you haven’t read that one yet, go ahead and take 2 minutes to get up to speed. 

Okay, ready?  Good!  I first and foremost want to address my scheduling situation.  I had already filled my schedule through May of 2011 (my clients are amazing!) before I knew I was pregnant, so I’ve already cut off my spring/summer season after that point.  I do have a lengthy waitlist for this spring, but I don’t expect any cancellations unfortunately.  I will be taking an extended maternity leave from June through the end of the year.  Yes, that is rather long, but little ones are only so little for such little time (follow me?), and I could honestly use the opportunity to work on some side projects and personal projects that have been brewing for quite awhile.  I plan on being back in business for the start of 2012!  Now, here’s where the crazy part comes in.  The large bulk of my Spring 2012 (yes, 2012) schedule is already booked thanks to some 2012 seniors (and parents) with serious foresight (again, you all blow me away!).  I do have a couple of spots left, and I will be keeping a cancellation list until contracts are sent out and deposits paid either over the summer or early fall.  Of course, I do have openings available for newborn sessions – it would be unfair to leave them out since they haven’t been conceived yet.

So, what does all of this mean for current and former clients?  I will have a firm order cut-off of June 4th for design and specialty products (cards, albums, storyboards, etc.) and June 11th for print orders.  I will NOT be taking orders, reorders or otherwise, after this point.  I need to make sure that I have everything wrapped up prior to our little one’s July arrival.  Please mark your calendars if you are hoping to place an order between now and then!

Okay, picture break!  Here’s my hubby and precious Emory (big-sis-to-be) over Thanksgiving:

Are you still with me?  Great!  I also wanted to make note of some things I’ve implemented this year to really enhance your client experience with Lindsay Horn Photography.  First and foremost, I’ve devised a questionnaire that I’m asking all of my clients to fill out and return before our pre-session consultation.  This allows me to get a feel for exactly what you are hoping to achieve with your portrait session, from the session itself to the end products that you will so proudly display.  They’ve been immensely helpful so far in achieving this goal!  Whenever possible, I’m also scheduling our pre-session consultation in person and at your home if that is something you are comfortable with.  I feel like meeting my clients face-to-face ahead of time makes the session go so much more smoothly.  The client gets the opportunity to get to know me a little and get a feel for my personality, and I get to do the same!  This helps put everyone at ease once the session day rolls around.  Meeting in your home is wonderful for a few reasons.  First, I love the chance to peek at wardrobe ideas and give some “live” advice and direction on the spot.  It’s also a great opportunity for me to look at wall space or other areas where you have hopes of displaying your portraits - I always come prepared with measuring tape in hand!  Lastly, I’m able to show you samples of every product that I offer as well as how and where you might use it in your home.  All of this information helps me to plan you session more efficiently. 

I’ve spent a significant amount of time creating a new set of client documents to help guide you through the entire process as well.  They include a complete Welcome Packet, a 2011 Product and Pricing Catalog (with pictures!), and a Client Ordering Planner which will help you determine your print and product needs and walk you through the ordering process.  Of course, I’m also available to help as well, but these fabulous tools go a long way towards making your experience all the more sreamlined and enjoyable.  And forget the Product Guide, I’ve added several new products to my offering for 2011 that you are going to FLIP over! 

As I mentioned in my previous post, I had some other big plans that had to be put off over the holidays, but I plan on working those up and having them ready to go for 2012.  These incude a nifty Wall Display Guide, a new organic line of products, gorgeous custom framing, and  few BIG ideas that I can’t share just quite yet.    Thank you as always for your continued support, and I hope you’ll stick around when things slow down the latter half of this year … I promise I’ll still have images to share – likely a bunch of these two and our newest addition! 

I’m so excited about these new client slideshows!  I started using a client slideshow at the opening of every ordering gallery in the fall, but those are nothing compared to these fancy shmancy slideshows!    EVERY client will have the opportunity to view and share your own personal slideshow with all of your images set to music.  Think I’m exaggerating about how fabulous these are?  Turn up your speakers and check one out for yourself, and thank you to the beautiful Lindsey for allowing me to share her images with the internet world!

Pretty cool, huh?!?  It gets even better … I’ll be offering these lovely slideshows for sale on DVD if you decide that you just can’t possibly watch it enough times.  Each slideshow will get the same gorgeous packaging as my digital files – a custom case with a custom labeled DVD.  Isn’t technology wonderful? 

This session had all of the makings of a great evening - sunny 70 degree weather, a sweet and beautiful subject, and a great wardrobe – it did not disappoint!    Laura is a very talented singer and dancer, AND she is my first senior from Berkner High School!  If you weren’t aware, the first student I photograph from a given school gets my “Trendsetter Bonus” – 50 FREE senior 411 cards.  It pays to be a step ahead of the game!  Laura first contacted me back over the summer, and I LOVE the fact that not only was she so on top of scheduling her senior portraits but that she sought me out so far in advance – it’s truly an honor.  We had a wonderful time exploring one of my favorite locations.  I know it sounds silly and cliche, but nothing photographs better than a positive attitude and a kind heart (as you can see below).  And a killer wardobe certainly doesn’t hurt!  I seriously wanted to steal her gorgeous colorful dress!  Thanks for a wonderful evening Laura, and enjoy your sneak peek! 

I’ve had the opportunity to work with seniors who are not only beautiful and sweet, but also very talented, and Carly was no exception.  She is the captain of her drill team, and she wanted to incorporate dance into her portraits, how fun!  I really enjoyed capturing her in action, especially those silhouettes – I love silhouettes!   Carly wanted both an urban and outdoorsy feel to her session, so we hit one new location and one old favorite.  Luckily the sun was out and the wind was light, because it was a little chilly (yes, that is snow on the ground in one of those shots).  Carly was a trooper though, she even walked up a hill covered in prairie grass barefoot in her prom dress – now that is dedication!  I had a great time Carly, enjoy your sneak peek!

I love this week’s family compilation from Shannon of Shannon J. Dodge Photography, and I REALLY love one-stop shopping!  Here’s what she has to say:

I LOVE fun and colorful and different…don’t get me wrong. BUT not always does “one size fit all” and sometimes clean and classic is the way to go. I was very pleasantly surprised when I visited J.Crew’s site and found a children’s line called “crewcuts” (hello? how cute is THAT?). I love shopping for my kidlets and I found quite a few cute items I’d gladly purchase for them. Then I started to look around and thought, hey, I could totally put together an awesome ensemble for Wardrobe Wednesday! And so I did.

I put together a look that would suit a family, since I am primarily a family portrait photographer. As usual, I started with the young girl’s outfit and branched out from there. J.Crew has this awesome feature called “Looks We Love”. You just browse through those and there are complete outfits already put together FOR YOU! I have a confession to make: the girl’s outfit from this post is completely from the “Looks We Love” session. *hangs head in shame* I just loved it so much…you can see why I borrowed the look. I would love feedback on the entire family ensemble…what do YOU think?

As always, these are only suggestions and guidelines. I enjoy providing one stop shopping because it is convenient and easier than looking 10 million different places. However, the price tag can add up so I chose basics like jeans (everybody has a pair of jeans!) and jean jackets to add to the look. You don’t have to go out and buy an entirely new wardrobe for your custom photo session…look at home first and then add on! Have fun with it and don’t forget to add accessories…details count!!

SHOPPING GUIDE

Everything is from J.Crew!

MOM
Amie Dress in agate: $69.50
Nolita White Demin Jacket: $98.00
Julienne Leather Heels: $69.99
Shaky Pearl Necklace: $75.00

DAD
Sunwashed Flannel Shirt inDakota Plaid $59.50
Relaxed Fit Jean in Dark Worn Wash: $69.99
Converse Low Profile Jack Purcell Sneakers: $65.00

GIRL
Girls’ Teacake Dress-Mauve Morning: $45.00
Boys’ Levi’s Trucker Jacket: $78.00
Girls’ Soleil Stripe Leggings: $24.50
Girls’ Stardip Ballet Flat: $55.00
Girls’ Trillion Headband: $9.50

BOY
Boys’ Solid Pinpoint Oxford Shirt: $29.50
Boys’ Stripe Silk Tie: $22.50
Boys’ Straight Fit Jean in Wrinkle Rinse Wash: $45.00
Kids’ Sperry Top-Sider Striper Slip-Ons: $42.00

When I attended the PPA Imaging USA Conference and Trade Show in January, one of my missions was to find a new album to offer.  Now, I wasn’t unhappy with the old album, but I was relishing the idea of being able to hold and feel actual samples of many different albums in my hands so that I could compare features and know exactly what I was getting.  These had my attention from the get-go.  I didn’t come across another album where the colors just leapt off of the page like they do in this gorgeous product.  The only way to describe the feel and texture of the archival matte paper is luxurious.  I spoke to the founder of the album company himself at the show, and he said that the company began when he found this paper and started looking for an album company that would use it.  That’s how amazing it is folks.  These pictures just do NOT do them justice, but lucky for my very special clients, I will have samples present during your pre-session consultation so you can see for yourself!   Here are the triad of products I’ll be offering:

As you can see, they are a 10×10 album, an optional custom album box, and a 4×4 companion album (only available for purchase with a 10×10 album).  I have a variety of designs from whimsical (as shown) to bold to very simple.  Your album will be custom created just for you using 20-30 images from your session (15 chosen by you).  One Proof and Revision is included in every purchase. 

Your cover options include a full photo wrap, a Dulce fabric cover (with or without option photo strip), or a leather cover (not shown). 

The custom album box is a wonderful way to carefully and beautifully display and protect your session album.  A custom photo wrapped cover will make it a conversation piece all on its own, while the soft suede-lined interior gently holds your album. 

I am SO excited about these, and I hope you are too!  I can’t wait to show them to YOU! 

I couldn’t think of a better Valentine’s Day surprise then a long-awaited sneak peek for my beautiful sister and her handsome husband.    As you can tell by the lovely fall colors in these images, they were not taken … well, they were not taken this year.  That is both the blessing and the curse of being family of the photographer – you get squeezed in last minute for your shoot, but you have to wait shockingly long periods of time to get your images.  To their credit, they have not said a single word to me about them.  So, without further ado, enjoy your sneak peek you two!