Join us for 4 days of FREE online classes that will teach you the A – Z’s of photography, as well as how to market, promote, and sell your images.

I’ve joined with 15 other brilliant, experienced instructors in this F-R-E-E four-day course called Newbie Basic Training to share must-have information with photographers with 5 or less years of experience. Brought to you by The Joy of Marketing & White House Custom Color, this is an event not to be missed!

If your phone isn’t ringing, and you’re putting in 60-hour workweeks just to squeak by, then you need to attend EVERY day of this comprehensive course.

Each day builds on the previous, so attend for F-R-E-E November 8, 9, 10, & 11, from 11 am CST – 3 pm CST, and you’ll be walked through:

Posing, lighting, retouching, & using your equipment to get those images that will fill your pockets with cash and cut your work in half. Pricing your photography to charge what you’re worth to make your bottom line skyrocket almost immediately. Avoiding becoming overwhelmed with your business growth so you’re prepared when your business virtually doubles overnight. Not only INCREASING your average sale, but also CLOSING every sale, so you have more money in your pocket, and more time with your family.
And so much more…

If you’re serious about making money with your photography business, register for this course for F-R-E-E- now!

I am honored, excited, thrilled, proud…. all of the ABOVE… to share the current issue of APRIL 2011 PPA Magazine
featuring my image and an article including my images of my amazing clients and some *insights* of my photography business.  I received the call from “PPA headquarters” (aka Cameron Bishop…*smiles*) in February as I touched down in Vegas for WPPI just leaving from speaking at SPA in Palm Springs, CA!  I actually don’t know which I get more excited about… being interviewed or getting to show off my ADORABLE KIDDO clients!

And here’s the full article… Fun *sidenote*… I don’t select the images chosen and was really happy to see my 2 kiddos and 1 furry kiddo were chosen to be a part of the article!

P.S. Had a great time in Tampa last week! Summer Tampa dates will be confirmed soon and KELLER studio is opening NEXT week!  GRAND OPENING specials for Texas studio will be the NEXT blog post!

As 2010 winds down, I am looking forward to all 2011 has to offer! I will be having some grand opening specials and CONTESTS for Texas clients, new dates confirmed for Florida clients and new designs/templates for photographers.

Some of the new templates will be offered exclusively by WHCC, some will still be offered exclusively from me and some will be retired as “collections” very soon.

In anticipation for VALENTINE’s day, I’m offering the LOVE Quote templates for $99 (regularly $199) or all 3 “KID Quote” collections for $199 (reg $597). You can see more details on my site by clicking the image below (be sure to VIEW all PRODUCTS to see the different collections.

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!!)