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!