Alycia is excited to offer you a FREE and FUN iPhone app!

With the iAlycia app, you’ll be the first to know about upcoming specials and events, see a new featured image every day, in addition to, having instant access to the studio blog, website, facebook, twitter, & contact info!

From time to time there will even be “contests” to see who’s paying attention to the daily pics & posts! It’s FREE and can be downloaded on your iPhone or iTouch! Check in daily!

Download iAlycia HERE or you can find it in the app store under “iAlycia”!

Also, as a reminder, August Tampa sessions are filling up quickly. August 1 and 2 are already full… there are still sessions available during the 3rd thru 6th.  More details on the blog here: TAMPA AUGUST SESSIONS

This is the most difficult blog post I’ve ever written…. I’ve started it several times in the past week and then just deleted it all!  I have some BIG news and it’s truly “BitterSweet”….

As some of you may, or may not know, my ex had to move to Pennsylvania in August for a new job and that has left me all alone this fall… as a parent…So it has really been tough this fall to juggle everything (kidddos, work, health…) on my own. If that isn’t enough, last October (2008) I began to experience a great pain in my right arm and hand… my forefinger and thumb stay almost completely numb.  This year I had 2 MRI’s and consulted with a neurosurgeon who informed me that I have almost 3 completely ruptured disks in my neck which are pinching a nerve, which is the cause of the pain in my arm/hand and numbness.  Unfortunately, I may not be a suitable candidate for DISK surgery because the disks are also “curved” and may reject any fusions or disk implants…  (so I’m told) …so the doctors say I will need some really extensive (read: $$$ and TIME) physical therapy to try to alleviate the pain and *fix* it (to a point). I have come to the realization that I will need some extra help with the kiddos and to work less than I do now… So… after considering all options… I have decided that I need to relocate (move!) to Texas to be closer to my family and Kevin.   I really wanted to wait until the summer, but after this busy fall (Christmas) season, I realize I can’t continue to ignore the pain and can’t risk possible PERMANENT nerve damage to my right arm (I sorta need it! *smiles*)  Also, my son Andrew (almost 14! ack!) will be starting high school next fall and I’d really like to get him settled and make some friends before high school starts up in the fall.

This decision has been a HUGE struggle and I’m really hurting about this.   I’m excited to be closer to my family and Kevin… but growing up as a “military brat”, I’ve never lived anywhere as long as I’ve lived here (almost 7 years) and really consider this my “home”. My clients are loyal and AMAZING and have truly become friends and *family*!

I am not *officially* closing my Riverview (Tampa) studio at this point… I am planning to fly back for my shoots here in Tampa every so many weeks.  I will be closed during this transition and will reopen for the time(s) I return. (check blog/newsletter/site to find out when that is!) For you Dallas/Fort Worth peeps…. this might make you smile as I have already made arrangements to rent studio space there. I’ll be “biCOASTal”… except I don’t think Dallas has a *coast* (smile…. maybe a lake??)

For my current clients…. this is another reason for the December 15th (today!) cutoff… I am organizing EVERYTHING!  Please let me know asap if you need any orders by December 25th! Christmas!

Sorry to be longwinded…This has been a difficult time. I wish you all an AMAZING holiday season and the BEST for 2010!  Don’t hesitate to email me anyTIME! I’ll be around!! I am grateful for the most wonderful friends, photographer *friends*, clients & family!  Thank you for all the thoughts, prayers and wishes from those who have known the pain I’ve been enduring.  I love you all!

And b/c I should always include a PICTURE… here’s me with my beautiful *babies* (one who now has facial hair… no! not Gabriela! LOL!). From last spring in Anguilla! Paradise!  They are the reason I KNOW I can’t be a good “MOMMY” unless I take care of ME and my HEALTH!

Joy to the World Websummit

28 speakers. 14 hours. Serious Money Making Ideas.

‘Tis the season to give and reflect on how thankful we are for our friends and family, clients and staff. All year, you’ve given your clients beautiful images for their homes and families. So how about a gift for you that may be the best gift you’ll receive in 2009.

Please join me and 27 other industry leading photographers for The Joy to the World FREE Marketing Websummit on December 28, 2009. We’ll each share our best money-making ideas for your business in the new year. From promotional ideas, to earning a larger investment from each wedding client, workflow improvements and more, you’ll learn so much in these 14 FREE hours to substantially grow your business in 2010. At the same time, we’ll be helping fund smiles for children in need of cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries through PPA Charities.

Want to know more?

Over 10,000 professional photographers registered for our Master Photographers Free Marketing Telesummit in September. You raved about how much you learned so we thought why not do it again to help you get off to a strong start in the New Year…and make it BIGGER and BETTER! This time, you can learn from David Jay, Sam Puc, Julia Woods, Jerry Ghionis, Scott Crosby, Will Crockett and more! The Joy to the World Websummit promises to provide you with serious money making ideas for your business.

All you need is a computer with an Internet connection to join us December 28 (and the latest version of Adobe Flash - it’s free, too). The Websummit will be available for 24 hours beginning at 12:01 CST on December 28. Listen to only those speakers you like best or watch all 28. You can start, stop and pause each speakers’ presentation to learn at your leisure within the 24 hour window. Simply REGISTER NOW for FREE HERE!

Here is a video explaining in detail the Websummit as well!

P.S. If you’re not available on December 28, 2009 or want to get a head start on 2010 planning for your business, you can purchase the Adobe FLASH files of all 14 hours for $89 and receive access to the speaker presentations IMMEDIATELY. A pre-websummit special price of $59 is available until December 27. Just register before December 28, 2009, and you’ll receive this special offer!

P.P.S. The Joy of Marketing has partnered with PPA Charities to change the world - one smile at a time.  Join us in raising funds for PPA’s charitable partner, Operation Smile, whose network of volunteers work worldwide to repair childhood facial deformities including cleft lips and cleft palates. Learn more here.

Well, per usual this time of year, I’m up to my eyeballs in shooting and editing…. ’tis the season! (actually higher than my eyeballs, b/c I’m pretty short and there’s LOTS of work! ha!)

I did want to make a quick mention of an upcoming event that I’m going to be speaking at, which is for an AMAZING cause, called “Stephanie’s Sunday”…. THIS SUNDAY, November 15th at the Double Tree in Tampa.   It’s only a $50 *DONATION* for a day full of learning and camaraderie! Everyone is donating their time for this and I am looking forward to a GREAT day. You can learn more about the event on the Facebook Fan Page HERE.

In addition to this event, I have other speaking engagements coming up in 2010. You can view them on the educational site:  Rings to Rattles (each specifies who is speaking where! *S*)

I’m super excited to announce that within 24 hours my WPPI masterclass was already SOLD OUT! Pretty snazzy! They do have a waiting list and I know every year a few people are unable to attend for some reason or another, so if you are interested, get your name on the list!

Be sure to check back, as new speaking dates and seminars are always popping up here and there! See ya soon!!!

This summer has been a whirlwind for me… Even though I’m always glad for school to be out and have less of a “schedule”, I always seem to be ready for that structure by the end of August!

Per usual, I have tons of adorable updates I need to add. I’m actually working on a website update too, so be on the lookout! As always, you can check the blog for current happenings, in addition to the newsletter, which you can sign up for on the splash page of my site. I have some new specials and announcements coming up, so be sure you’re on the list to be the first to find out!

Speaking of updates, you can also find me on facebook and twitter!

I’m also looking forward to some upcoming speaking engagements. The first one is this Sunday in Orlando at the FPP State convention… come see me @ 7:30!

I’m also excited to announce that I’ll be speaking at ImagingUSA in Nashville in January! Check out the latest PPA mag! (ps My dad was pleased to see that I’m performing “LIVE” LOL! ha!)

You can check the Imaging site for more info:

Here’s hoping you enjoy what’s left of summer break! Be on the lookout for the next newsletter!

Wow… How behind am I on blogging…. Okay, so 50 lashes with a wet noodle! ha!

I really have some amazing new pictures to share… so just hang in there and bear with me! Lots going on these days…

In the meantime… I’m proud to share a current article which features me (along with two other amazing photographers who have been my friends for years, Jen Hellinga and Kathryn Langsford) in the latest PPA (Professional Photographers of America) magazine. All about “Belly Basics”! Maternity sessions are some of my most fun and it’s always exciting to get to know parents before their new *bundle* arrives! Love it!

Also, I may not have said, but I’ll be speaking at Imaging USA in January in Nashville… (PPA’s BIG event for the year…) Come say hi!

I’ve been photographing miss “thang” for several years now and she just gets cuter and cuter!  Her mom is one of my biggest cheerleaders and I always love when they come in for new sessions!

You may remember when I posted my unique “kid quote” sessions (blog link here), which have been very popular and fun! You can see the one I did of my “baby girl” here:  KID QUOTE ALBUM.  Well, we’re putting a new “twist” on it and tailoring it to DAD! I’ve created 20 new templates to choose from (in addition to the current templates). I have also come up with 70 “Father’s Day Questions” to interview your kiddos with!  It’s so cute to see what silly and fun answers they come up with! I’ll be offering some specials on sessions NEXT week, so stay TUNED to the blog, and if you haven’t done it yet, be sure to sign up for the newsletter to be the first to find out.

On to Miss O in all her GLORY! She’s always such a ham for me!  Her mom tells me she’s always asking if she can “go to Miss Alycia’s house and take pictures?”… LOVE IT!

Few favs…

Check out some of her adorable answers about her daddy!!!

and a few more FAVS

this one cracks me up… little HAM!

and finally… a BLAST FROM THE PAST… this is from my very first session with her years ago! (her mom always has the CUTEST clothes!!)

Wow… What a blog slacker I’ve been… and I was on a ROLL before! I have SO MANY things to share and beautiful sessions to show, so get ready for the “onslaught!”

I’ll start off with a WPPI wrap up… (yea, it was in February… SO? hee hee)

The annual international convention in Vegas, WPPI (http://www.wppionline.com/) was a huge success and lots of fun! It was also the busiest convention I have EVER attended. I was literally teaching & speaking almost every single day.

Kevin and I started the week with a GREAT group for our 2 day PLUS class, Rings to Rattles. We also did our platform class, Town Hall, Meet the Speaker, and spoke at our labs booth a couple times.

We did have one “date night”, where Kevin went all out and took me to an amazing steak restaurant there in the MGM and then went on to see the HILARIOUS, Wayne Brady. (of course he had to get the FULL experience and we got to meet him afterward! Very cool!)

Here’s a few highlights from the week…. check out my snazzy collage! (you can click it to see the larger version!) Looking forward to next year already!

While attending and speaking at WPPI in Vegas this past February, I was asked if I’d be willing to do some “beta testing” for the new and improved, “Pocket Wizards”. I have always used *Wizards* as transmitters to wirelessly trigger my studio lights (well, except that first year when I was constantly tripping over my sync cord and missing a dozen shots a session…ugh!).

This new version, “Mini & Flex” is much smaller and more compact! In addition, it can also be used to fire remotely, which is great in situations when you can use a tripod and free up your hands (and silly faces, in my case! LOL!).  Check me out on “You Tube” below… (one note of warning… I am a professional! These types of sound effects should be used with EXTREME caution…. don’t say I never warned you! *smiles*)

special thanks to: Julie Klaasmeyer from: DesignRevolution.com for the AMAZING tutu and hair piece!

and Debra from: Denny Manufacturing for providing a background ON THE SPOT!

And a few favorites of baby “B”… she was my model during the two day plus class, in addition to my “behind the scenes!” (more of her to come!)

I’m still trying to get back on Eastern time as I adjust from Vegas time…It was so great to visit with some *old* friends and meet tons of new ones! Thank you so much for all the support so many of you photographers and vendors have given me!  I’ve received many emails about my templates and *bundles* for photographers, so I wanted to let everyone know where to find more information about them (I know it was a CRAZE for so many of us in Vegas!) You can see the full list and details here: TOOLS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

All templates and bundles are $99 until March 31, 2009 -except the “Business Bundle” which is $199.  Mention WPPI show special to receive this discounted pricing…and you didn’t even have to attend!

Tons more to post about Vegas and lots of emails to catch up on…. In the meantime…. here’s a shot of our  Rings to Rattles PLUS class! We had an amazing group full of enthusiasm and talent!