I hope that everyone had a beautiful holiday season and continues to enjoy the rest of what is left of 2008! I know I’ve been slacking on the blog, but fear not… I have LOTS of surprises to post in the next couple weeks.

One new fun little interactive feature is my new FACEBOOK group. If you are not familiar with facebook…be forewarned…it’s ADDICTIVE!! ha! Since I grew up in many states (military brat), I have lots of friends all over and I’ve found TONS of them on facebook. I’ve also realized that it’s a great and fun way to stay connected with my clients too. If you’d like to join my professional group, you can sign up here:  Alycia Alvarez Photography FACEBOOK group If you aren’t a member, you may need to sign up for facebook…but I’ll be offering some specials and freebies there, so it will be worth your while!

There are several great studio specials that will be going on in January, so stay tuned and check in!  In the meantime, here’s a “2008 in REVIEW”… I always enjoy going back over all my sessions from the past year and remembering all the great moments and memories captured! Thank you to all of my clients who have entrusted me with creating your family art and heirlooms… I look forward to creating more in 2009 and to meeting some new *faces*! I’ve put together a slideshow of my year in review, including a few personal shots here and there…Enjoy!

I recently met this FELLOW photographer at our last Rings to Rattles workshop here in my studio.  As any “photographer mommy” will tell you, we are in so FEW portraits and it’s rare to actually have the ENTIRE family together in a shot. I was very excited to capture one of their very FIRST family portraits. I feel like I got a really nice mix of the love and laughter between the five of them.

On a side note, “daddy” is “Olie the Goalie” from our very own Tampa Bay Lightning! (a bit transplanted from the North, but I’m glad they are here!)

And on a last, but most important, note, Christin and Olie founded a nonprofit foundation in honor of their son, Carson. You can find out more information here:  www.carsonkolzigfoundation.org/ All three kiddos are doll babies, but I was so flattered when Carson stared up at me before he left and said “You’re beautiful”, then pressed his finger to his lips and reached up to give me a kiss. I was truly touched!

You guys have an amazing family and it was very easy to feel the genuine love and affection between you all. See you soon!! Enjoy the *teasers*!

one of my favorite fams! love these guys!! and *mommy* is a total “blog stalker!” (LOVE U andi!)

i adore his curly locks!! it was a bit chilly…but these are truly some of my favorite beach shots EVER!

k. yea. up to my eyeballs in proofings and holiday cards… HO HO HO and all that jazz I actually LOVE this time of year (you have no idea the rush that goes through me when I see the first Christmas commercial on tv… crazy stuff!)

These guys are expecting a baby girl any day now! I can’t wait to meet “Miss O” in the next couple weeks! I had so much fun with them and they are just so gorgeous and sweet together! (on a side note, *daddy* is a big time *HARLEY* guy and owns Wes Harris Automotive –check out the tatt! that’s some HOG loyalty *smiles*) see you guys REALLY soon! (fingers crossed she makes her debut sooner rather than later! ha!)

these kiddos are BOTH doll babies! (mister man looks like he walked off the pages of a GAP ad!)… we had a great session recently and I had to share a few sneak peeks. there’s a *bigger sister* I’ve yet to meet…but hope to at the next session in a few months. Enjoy!

I’ve been photographing Miss C for a few years now and she is always a joy!  I have to say, her mom and grandma are always great to work with! They bring her all dolled up with gorgeous designer dresses…froof her hair…then they walk away and let me “do my thing”! The reason I love this so much is because the kiddos are less “self conscience” and we have some “one on one” time and fun.  Sometimes (most times!) kiddos do better with LESS people trying to get them to “perform” and are more natural with me which results in these gorgeous portraits!

Here’s a few sneak peeks… and on a side note, check out her mom’s South Tampa Stationary/Gift Store, The Write Stuff. They have some great products for every occasion!

I am truly honored and proud to be featured as WPPI’s November Member of the Month. WPPI is an international organization with thousands of amazing photographers as members from all over the world. I am thrilled to have been chosen. You can check out the article here: WPPI Member of the Month

Even though it’s *CRAZY* busy, I always love this time of year! While I get many new clients, I also get to see all my return clients! I love looking at the schedule and knowing who is walking through my door and look forward to it with anticipation! Also, the kiddos are usually pretty easy to work with because they already know all about my infamous “treasure box” full of bribery (Yep, I have no shame…and I like cooperative kids!)

The first image is from a few years ago, and then an updated portrait. I love to see these side by side!

And a couple sneak peeks b/c I know their mom is a BLOG stalker! (yea, you know who you are! *S*)

miss R…

and baby brother…

I just had to blog about this gorgeous house.  It belongs to one of my very first Florida clients and I am just crazy about her four little guys (well, 3 gals and one guy! ha!).  It truly is an amazing house, so if you are in the market… check it out! I’m also posting about it to show you her great “portrait wall”. I love to see how people display their art and this is a great example. Enjoy!

Here’s the link to the featured tour:  VIRTUAL TOUR

I always love halloween… I had a great time with my *crew*, as we dressed up as “Deal or No Deal”… (one of our friends even shaved his head!!! crazy fun!)  My *baby girl* decided to be “the Scream”…she wanted the mask that does the creepy bleeding thing, but I just couldn’t “go there”. My boy didn’t even dress up. *sniffle sniffle*… I knew the day would come. sighhhhhhh…..finished the weekend off with a football party where my boy got recognized for being “most improved”… I am SOOO PROUD of him!

I have lots of new posts/sessions to share as I’m CRAZY busy with the holiday sessions. I was totally booked up for November, but since I was still getting so many phone calls, I opened up a few “computer only” days to try to accomodate everyone. I also still have two beach days open (november 16 and 18–will post on that separately too, but if you are interested, call asap!)

anyhooo…. enjoy the random crazy halloween fun! hope everyone had a great time!  more to come this week!

woo hooo! i got the MILLION dollar briefcase! GO ME! LOL!

okay, I’m posting this one mostly b/c I think it’s hilarious! I was trying to get a shot of my FAKE eyelashes (first time I’ve ever worn some…FUN stuff btw!)… but I didn’t realize the shower curtain right behind me looks like I’m about to get attacked! kinda funny…and spooky? hahaha! (just ignore the ginormous DUMBO ear! I was working the lashes!)