Big week for anniversaries - Woodlands TX photographer

I will start with the bigger of the two anniversaries.

On Sunday, I will have been married to my hubby for 6 years. Our anniversary is 4/4/04. Hard to believe, but time has flown by. Every day is not a picnic, but there are more beautiful, magical moments than not. And that is all we can ask for. And with our new little family growing with Caden, everyday is filled with life and laughter at our house. So here is to another 6 years of learning about each other, laughing together, and finding true bliss.

The other big anniversary this week, is Kara Powell Photography is turning 2.

Even though I had been taking photos since I was in junior high, two years ago, at bluebonnet time, I decided to get off of my butt and really take a chance at something I really wanted to do. I put out a few flyers for bluebonnet photos and actually got a few takers! I was so excited. And ever since then, I never looked back. Learning new things every day, trying new techniques and styles, finding my way. And now two years later, I have a following and I'm really close to taking this venture full time. Plus I have a niche that I love more than anything! So I wanted to thank all of you that have helped me get here. I definitely couldn't have done it without you. The great part is we are only two years into this. Can you imagine what the next two years will bring! It is going to be out of control! I'm thinking of throwing a baby shower every year for all of my mommies. How fun would that be?

So... with this big week, it deserves some contests! So here goes.

• Celebration photo contest! Since we are celebrating this week, send me your favorite celebration photo by 4/7 and I will post the best ones. Then we will vote. I have a free massage coupon for the winner!
  
• The first two people that email me can have the opportunity to receive either a free 11x14 enlargement of a previous portrait from a session or if you are a new client, you can come by the studio for a free mini session! How fabulous is that! But this is only good to the first 2 people who email me.
• Referral contest - I am looking to hit 200 fans on my facebook page. Lofty, I know, but we can do it. And if we do, I will have a huge discount for only my Facebook fans. We might hold a party!... Plus then when you come in, I can post your images to Facebook and tag you. So everyone head over to the Facebook page and "Friend" me.
  

Hope you all are having a fun and celebratory week as well! I know we will.
Kara

Sweet Dreams Miss M - Woodlands TX Newborn Photographer

I had such a great time today meeting a new family. Little Miss M was just beautiful at 2 weeks old. She was evidently too excited about meeting me and her first photo shoot that she just didn't want to go to sleep. So we have some beautiful family photos of her wide awake. But she did eventually give in and we got some timeless sleeping photos as well. You guys are going to have a hard time choosing. Hope she slept well once I left. Enjoy!

Second Time is a Charm - Woodlands TX Baby Photographer

Miss S came to see me again today. She was at the studio last weekend, but just wasn't herself. So she made another appearance today and was back to her normal happy self. I can't believe how big she is getting. Starting to stand up all by herself!

You might recognize Miss S, as she is part of our Tippy Toes plan. Here is a reminder of her newborn, 3 month and 6 month session. Gosh time flies!

Had a ball and played with one too - Woodlands Maternity Photographer

Just had a ball! Thought I would post these for a fabulous mommy I met tonight. We had so much fun taking photos of her and her upcoming addition! Trying all kinds of new and creative things.

I love seeing what props my mommy's bring. It really brings out their personality. This mommy is from Brazil and plays a lot of soccer, hence the soccer ball and shoes. I get to meet such fabulous people! Enjoy the sneak peak and I can't wait to meet the little guy.

Wild about Wildflowers - Children's photographer Houston TX

I have been asked lately about the Wildflowers.

Is this going to be a good year?

Well, with all of the rain, you bet! I am attaching an article I just read. It will help you find some fantastic locations for not just bluebonnets, outside of the Woodlands. (You don't want cookie cutter photos) It always kills me seeing all of these families crammed into the sides of the roads. First of all, it is so dangerous! Second, there are huge fields of flowers if you just drive outside of the city! So take a road trip and see what you can find. You might enjoy it.

I know you are all searching for bluebonnets but branch out! There are so many other kinds of beautiful wildflowers. Unsure what wildflower you are shooting? Well, check this website out, it is organized by color. How cool is that!

And be creative. Everyone doesn't just need to plop down and look at the camera. Take some props, or go exploring and have someone document the hunt. Get close and then back up. Most of all, have fun! The next few weeks should be prime season!

Enjoy!
Kara

Double Trouble at 9 months - Woodlands TX Multiples photographer

I have been getting some requests for more photos of the twins! So without further ado....

The twins have grown so much! You last saw them at 3 months, but probably recognize them most from their newborn session. Hard to believe but they are a little over 9 months now. Crawling, standing and into everything. I told their mom we had to get some shots before they were walking or we would never get good photos of them together until they were 16 and maybe not even then. :)

So she graciously let me come over and have some fun with my chunky monkeys. And fun we had! Dressing up, chasing them down. Wow! I was pooped. Glad I only had one.

And you guys will have a hard time, as I can only get the proofs down to 85. Sorry. Here are some sneaks.

Inspired in so many ways - Woodlands TX Photographer

As a photographer, I am inspired by many things. Art, advertising, nature, children's innocence, the list could go on forever. But I had to admit, one of my favorite parts of being a photographer is looking around at other photographer's work. Not to copy, but to gain insight into how they see things differently like children, light, exposure. How they attack things like 1 year olds that don't sit still.

I had been blog stalking Michelle for over a year before I talked my hubby into doing family photos with her. And I can tell you that I am 100% glad that we did and he is too. We had a fabulous time (in the rain, and mud I might add). I learned a lot and oh my gosh! The photos! You be the judge. I knew she was fabulous, but seeing my own little family through her eyes was just breathtaking.

It makes it even more special because there are so very few photos with me in them, so wow! Michelle, if you read this. I can not thank you enough for the photos. They truly will be something my family will treasure for a long time to come. And you know that our little family will be back to see you soon.

As for the rest of you. If you would like to see Michelle's work and the rest of our family photos, click here. I hope it inspires you to do something awe inspiring today. Pinkle toes is an award winning studio in Austin, so if you are ever in need of really, really nice fine art portraits in that area, give her a ring. She is definitely what I aspire to be.

Thanks again Michelle.

WPPI update - Woodland's TX photographer

I think I'm finally coming down off of my WPPI high and I can logically tell you about all of the cool things that happened. For those of you that don't know what WPPI is, it is the top Photography convention of the year. This year held in Vegas, it hosted 17,000 photographers. WPPI stands for Wedding, Portrait Photographers International. And man, it didn't disappoint.

This was my first year to go. I was so overwhelmed with the amount of people, and vendors. If you ever go, leave your checkbook at home! I was so tempted to buy everything in site. There were new lights, cameras, backdrops! Oh I could go broke! Here are a few of the cool things that we did.

• Attended many, many break outs (learned a ton)
• Met many famous photographers like Elizabeth Messina, Audrey Woodard, Kevin Kubota, Vicki Taufer, and Denis Craft
• Spent hours in the expo viewing all kinds of new products! Wow!
  
• Met Jill E of the cool new Jill-e photo bags. Even talked her into making purple ones.
• Most of all, got a renewed look at our studio! More to come on this....
  

So, needless to say we had a really great time. Chris saw the passion I had for this business and how we could possibly make this work as a full time business. So he in on board. I am recharged. We got a few little things at the expo to get us going. And next time you see the studio, I think you will be surprised!

I will post before and after's soon!
Kara

Oh boy! - Woodlands TX Maternity Photographer

Yesterday on a beautiful sunny day, I met a lovely new family. They will be welcoming their first new addition in a few months and can't be more excited about it. So over the course of an hour or two, I got to know the parents and soon, I hope we will meet their new little boy.

Of course all of my mamas are beautiful, but few can deny this next this photo. Wow! Many pregnant and non-prenant woman are hating you right now. :)

Great meeting you guys and thanks again for a beautiful afternoon laying in the grass.

Stepping Stones - How often should you come see me? - Woodlands TX Photographer

I have had several people lately ask me who often should I come to see you?

Well, you know my answer will be all of the time! I miss you guys when you only come once a year. But honestly, I realize that everyone has a budget and professional photos are not always on that budget. I understand that no one needs photographs, it is just something that we want.

That being said, I wanted to share with you a list that I came up with. It is the really important stages in a child's life that I feel you really shouldn't miss. Having a BS in early childhood education, so I know a little about this. I centered my list around the huge changes that happen in a child's life. So for Caden, I think it is really important that he be professionally photographed by someone at the ages shown below, so that I have really nice images to remember these milestones. And oftentimes trying to take them of your own child doesn't work (trust me on this!)

So on to the list. So if your are at one of these milestones or would like to join our Stepping Stones club, so that I can remind you to come in. Contact me. I would be happy to sign you up.

Stepping Stones

Maternity

• 7/8th month
  

Baby

• Newborn (under 2 weeks)
• Sitting
• Crawling
• Walking

Toddler

• 1-3 years (Mr or Ms Independent) An extended session for their 1st birthday. And at least one time in these years.

Child

• 3-5 years (Goodbye baby, hello child, loosing baby teeth) An extended session for the year they begin Kindergarten.
• 5-7 years (Leaving the Nest) At least one time in these years
• 7-9 years (Pre-adolescent) At least one time in these years.
  

Tween

• 9-11 years (Declaration of Independence) At least one time in these years

Teen

• Before Highschool At least one time in these years.
• Senior year An extended session for their senior year.
  

So in total, that is a suggested 12 sessions throughout a child's lifetime (13 if you include a maternity session). Now I love to do birthday sessions each year for kids, but that is up to you as a family. Seeing a child grow through great photography, year after year is so fantastic.

And how cool would it be to have a family shot every year as well, but now we are just really going crazy!

More on the Stepping Stones program soon, I'm working on it! Enjoy the information provided and I hope that our new program makes it affordable for everyone to capture those moments.
Kara