Remember that little article I wrote for The Creative Mama a couple of months ago? Well, it looks like you're going to be able to read more of my articles in the coming months... I've been asked to join The Creative Mama's team of permanent writers! There are some pretty amazing women over there already, so please, go over and say hello! And don't forget to add The Creative Mama to your blog reader.... you're definitely going to want to check it on a daily basis. Whether you're looking for ideas on creative living, organization, home decor, menu-planning, green-living, photography, motherhood, and how to balance it all, Angie and our entire team will surely be posting about it. So go see! And remember to check back tomorrow for more.
Happy reading!
the finest of products
Here at Stacey Woods Photography, I strive to only provide the absolute best quality (and the most beautiful!) products to my amazing clients. I want your experience with me to be wonderful and memorable, and I want you to love your albums and images for years to come. That said, I have some gorgeous new albums and products to offer you this fall! Take a peek. :)
My Maternity Keepsake Box. Perfect for those clients who have limited wall space, or who choose to save that premium wall space for their upcoming newborn session! ;) This box includes 10 matted prints which you can display in several frames, rotate your presentation on an easel, or store in the gorgeous box on your nightstand table or in the baby's room. These albums, and the following products, are created by Cypress Albums, a fabulous vendor with whom I'm honored to work. Each of these products are individually handcrafted in a bindery; the mats are handcut, as are the fabrics. My clients will have their choice of breathtaking Japanese bookbinding fabrics and Swiss ribbons to customize their own album or presentation box.
Above right and below are my new Heirloom Folios. These folios enclose two matted 5x7 prints, and also can be customized with your choice of fabric and ribbon. The sweet little folio with the pink bow above is one of the items you'll receive with your Digital Collection! You'll also receive a matching presentation box (photos to follow later of that box!) containing a 5x7 print of each image. Again, your choice of fabric and ribbon so that you can coordinate with your baby's nursery decor, grandma's living room, and the colors of your own home. Genius, no?
Don't forget to ask about these items at your fall or winter session! I will bring samples and swatches so we can get the perfect match for your display area. And more samples are on their way to my doorstep, of the Heirloom Album and Heirloom Image Boxes!
Just to show you how amazing Cypress products are, take a look at this video created at the Cypress bindery. You will see the work and involvement that goes into every piece of art that they release. I'm so excited to offer these gorgeous albums to my fantastic clients!
frequent fliers
This family is always such a dream to photograph, and this time I got to photograph them practically in their backyard. Well, close enough, anyway. :) They always travel to me from Tallahassee (this is my fourth session with them in a little over a year!), but this time I made the trip north to photograph this sweet family, plus six other amazing families, in one awesome, crazy-busy, fun-filled weekend. Here's a sneak peek.... rest assured there are lots more where this came from. But I have to save some surprises for their gallery of course! ;)
We photographed their session at a beautiful old plantation in Thomasville, GA. There were so many amazing nooks and crannies that were just begging to be used, a photographer's dream, and I could have stayed there all day. (Oh wait, I did, lol! I photographed three families at the plantation that morning!) ;)
Now tell me those kisses didn't make you smile. :)
And that her pouty face didn't make you say "Awwww..." I loved it!!!!
Even though this session was "technically" for Adeline's one-year celebration, you KNOW I couldn't resist a few of her ever-so-charming big brother Christian.
I felt right at home hanging out with him ~ every few steps he'd pick up a stick or a leaf and hand it to me to hold on to for him. By the end we all had leaves in our hands, and I had a few in my camera bag. And the sweetest part was later that afternoon, I met up with them again and he gave me a leaf-rubbing he'd colored after our session together. It's hanging up in my office. :) I'm so blessed to be able to connect with such sweet souls on a regular basis. I love my job!!!
I'll be back soon with more sessions to share here. I've got a busy weekend with sessions and all, but by Monday there will be several galleries to upload for my oh-so-patient clients. I'm excited!! Love the Christmas rush. :)
a beautiful announcement ~ the maternity club
I am so excited to let you in on this fabulous little secret... listen up, all my beautiful expecting mommies in the Tampa Bay area ~ you've just found your Haven!
I am proud to announce The Maternity Club, Tampa Bay's premier maternity day spa and wellness club. A place where a mom-to-be can relax, rejuvenate, learn and connect with other mommies. Full details to come a bit later, however I can tell you this: Stacey Woods Photography will be offering custom on-location maternity photo sessions with your enrollment in The Maternity Club!
The Club will also allow you to experience a 3D/4D ultrasound of your beautiful baby in the privacy of a beautiful and luxurious setting, while indulging in spa services, prenatal massage and yoga, baby shower planning ~ among SO MANY OTHER LUXURIOUS OFFERINGS.
The Maternity Club will be anchored at the beautiful Indaba Spa (the same Spa that is graciously hosting my Holiday Mini Sessions this Saturday!). The Spa is a new addition to the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, FL. Indaba is such a beautiful retreat ~ I immediately felt at peace upon entering the grounds and walking through their amazing space. Indaba boasts a meditation labyrinth, beautiful aethetician suites with private lanais, couples treatment rooms with gorgeous views, and a full luxury spa and salon. The spa offers a sauna and heated indoor spa pool, as well as a fitness center and nature walk.
The Maternity Club is now taking appointments for ultrasounds. Please contact Mara, The Maternity Club's Ultrasound Specialist at 727.565.4590 to make your appointments and learn more about this amazing experience!
More details about The Maternity Club's Grand Opening to come soon! I'm thrilled to be a part of this new venture ~ I hope to meet many of you and to help make your pregnancy as wonderful, relaxing and as memorable as it was meant to be.
xo, Stacey
holiday schedule and mini-sessions!
Can you believe it's already time to think about Christmas?! After all, the retail stores put out their displays even before Halloween is over nowadays. ;) As Charlie Brown would say, "Good grief." But ol' Chuck didn't have MY holiday schedule! In general, it takes 2-3 weeks to see your proofs after your session, 1 week to order, and another 3-6 weeks to get your art pieces back (depending on whether you order prints, enlargements or a custom canvas or album). Here's the update on the schedule: I have only TWO Saturday sessions left open, as well as a handful of weekday slots open with time for Christmas print delivery. As well as......
THIS COMING WEEKEND: HOLIDAY MINI-SESSIONS! Yep, I have decided to offer them after all, but the only time I have available is this weekend. So you need to move quickly in order to reserve your spot! Mini-sessions are the perfect idea if you'd like just a little taste of a session with Stacey Woods Photography, or if you're a current client who is simply looking for a quick image update just in time for your Holiday cards. (Those babies change so quickly, you definitely want to have an updated photo of them to send out!) And I'm having them at the most beautiful location. Really.
Here are the details:
And here's a sneak peek for one of my Tallahassee families from this weekend... there will be LOTS more to come in the following days! Seriously, glue yourself to this blog. It will be a posting marathon. :)
Yep... we were in a stable. Fun, huh?
precious little man
I got the chance to meet Aiden, the sweetest little newborn this past week... he was 8 days old and absolutely perfect. Such a good sleeper for me too. See for yourself...
You know me... I have to capture those details, no matter how tiny they are!
And I have to give credit to Daddy here, who came up with the idea of the next pair of images. I can't wait to see these hanging side by side in their new home! What a blessed little boy Aiden is to have such amazing parents who very obviously adore him. I can't stress it enough ~ I love this wonderful job of mine!
Just before the end of the session, Grandma took her turn holding her first grandchild... in the rocking chair that her grandfather built to rock her father to sleep as a baby... who rocked her to sleep in it, and she eventually rocked her daughter (Aiden's Mama) in this chair as well. So, this little fella is the fourth generation of babies to be lulled to sleep in this very special rocker. Now... how amazing and sentimental is that?! And of course, it worked like a charm. After some warm milk and a sway or two, he was out... sound asleep in his Grandma's arms.
Nicole and Jeff, congratulations on your beautiful baby boy, and thank you for sharing your morning with me. I can't wait to show you the rest of your gallery ~ you're going to just love the rest!
simplicity
No words today. Just her. :)
the beauty of business
Tonight I'm heading out to spend a relaxing evening with some lovely fellow business owners in the Tampa Bay area, chatting about our businesses over a champagne cocktail and a fantastic pedicure. How is this possible, you ask? (And how can YOU get a simultaneous cocktail and pedicure too?? :) ) Simple. Call my sweet friend Jill Somers at Somers Salon and Spa. Tonight she's hosting The Beauty of Business ~ A Networking Event ~ Women Empowering Women, from 5pm to 8pm at her gorgeous salon on McMullen Booth Road in Clearwater (near Publix and Gold's Gym). Other local businesses involved are Accents by Paula (interior design), Sally Lindberg & Associates (accounting and financial planning), Pilates by Zen, Skye Metaphysical, and the amazing Yoga Village (where I took prenatal yoga classes with both my babies ~ Linda and her team are so wonderful)! And yes, Stacey Woods Photography will have a display and some information (and goodies) as well!
Somers Salon and Spa will also be offering Express Salon and Spa Services (blow dry style, massage, eye rejuvenation, manicure, pedicure, even the trendy ear candling) at 25% OFF regular Express prices, just for Party Guests! So make sure you call ahead and schedule your reservation! I know a great many of MY clients are also loyal clients of Somers Salon already (since I typically run into two or three of them every time I'm having my roots touched up, LOL!), and can attest to the amazing service they consistently receive from Jill and her staff. If you've never treated yourself to a visit to Somers, then you must make it a point to come out tonight!!
Click here for more information ~ and give the girls a call at 727.726.8181 to schedule your Express Services. Then enjoy that glass of champagne and mingle with us! :)
connection
I love photographing families. I love watching them laugh and smile and tease. I love discovering the resemblances ~ even if I don't fully notice them during the shoot, I'll certainly discover them while processing their images. :) This particular family was a treat to spend the morning with. Although it was blazing hot and unbelievably humid (this was the very last day of July in Florida, keep in mind), this family was so patient and wonderful through the entire shoot. They've had to be even more patient with me as I soldier on through my crazy technical difficulty and blogging/posting issues. So here is their "sneak peek", just a few days before their gallery goes live anyways. ;)
Aren't they a gorgeous family?! And listen to this ~ when I asked mom and daughter to squish up really tightly so I could capture them together, this sweet teenager said "Oh that's okay with me, I love this woman!!" That melted my heart right there on the spot. How many teenage daughters would honestly say that about their Mother these days?! I love to see moms and daughters so close.
Ahem, I won't confess why they're laughing. :) But it's an honest laugh, that's for sure!! Exactly what I was after. And ya know what? This image makes me smile every time I look at it!! I'm having trouble moving on to editing the next image because I keep clicking on this one. LOL! I love when that happens.
Martin Family, I had a wonderful time with you guys ~ thanks so very much for braving the heat and humidity for your outdoor session. Your gallery will be up in just a few days! Can't wait to show you what else we got. ;)
off and running
Ya know, when I signed up for this photographer gig, no one told me I had to also assume the role of IT Tech as well. ;) I've just spent the last week-and-a-half performing diagnostics, trouble-shooting and repairing my poor overworked Mac, so that I can get the images off my hard drive and onto my blog! Oh my Photoshop ~ it pains me! I guess it's a small price to pay for being able to do what I love every day ~ photographing the most amazing families in Tampa Bay. I get to meet and cuddle with the sweetest babies, laugh with the funniest kids, and hang out with the most adoring parents in the entire world. And then when our playtime is over, I get to give them a piece of art that encapsulates how much FUN their family has just being together... how beautiful and fresh their babies are at one week old... how perfect their first-grader's smile is even with that missing front tooth... how utterly precious their children's lives are at that very moment. I get to give them a piece of their history to pass down through the generations. Honestly, how lucky am I?! Thankfully, I'm full-force again as of this evening. Whew! Just in time to post a sneak-peek for a very patient Mama and Daddy....
Nicholas was just shy of his first birthday at our photo session. And let me tell you ~ that boy was MOBILE! Not only was he walking (and very well, I might add) on his own... but he was also RUNNING. Barefoot. Down the streets (well, okay, the sidewalks) of downtown Clearwater Beach. He was so much fun to play peekaboo with, and I had a wonderful time with his parents, who came ready to play!
I love that he "missed" his eyes during peekaboo. :) Hey, cheeks are close enough!
Sweet mercy... could you not just eat him up?? Those squishy rosy cheeks, those gorgeous warm brown eyes, the soft wispy hair?
And, in what is quickly becoming a Stacey Woods Photography "beach session tradition" ~ we stopped for ice cream cones! (Oh how I wish I could juggle a cone and two cameras at the same time.) ;)
I told ya... that boy's a runner! :)
Thank you so much, P. family, for a gorgeous evening by the Gulf of Mexico. Your session was a dream, and I can't wait to see you again soon! And Happy Birthday, Nicholas!! :)