Happy New Year to EVERYONE! I hope that everyone had an amazing and blessed holiday season and is looking forward to the new year ahead! Even though I’m still regrouping from a CRAZY fall, I’ll be back in the studio full swing next week! In the meantime, while I’m working on new ideas for the studio, I have TWO sales that will be in effect for two weeks!

1. Painted Portraits are normally $500 to commision, in addition to canvas pricing, however, for the next two weeks (until January 15), all paintings with ONE subject will have NO additional “painting fee”. This means you only pay the price of the canvas size you desire! If you have more than one subject, the fee is only $25 per extra person (normally $50). I know many of you have been considering having your portraits painted and this is the best time to decide!

2. For every traditional print (non canvas) you order, a second is FREE! Yep. FREE. Any size! AND…. it doesn’t have to be the SAME pose! You’re welcome! *smiles*. Again, order must be placed by January 15th (does not apply to “collections in the works”-all *new* orders).

To place an order, shoot me an email at: 2009 SALE EMAIL

Be sure to order before JANUARY 15th! If you get the automated email because I’m out of the studio….NO worries! I will respond next week letting your know your order is good to go! In addition, a la carte pricing can be found here (must use “non collection” desk print pricing-top of the sheet): current a la carte pricing

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!

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

Kevin and I spent two days this week with other photographers from all over the country for our Rings to Rattles seminar. We had such a GREAT group and really had a blast! Thanks to everyone for making is such a success! A special thanks also to our amazing “models”, the Zinn family and Miss Jaymie.

I wanted to share a few of my favorites from the workshop… You can also check out KJ’s blog for some of his great shots of Jaymie.

I’m even more excited about speaking at WPPI.  The PLUS class is already sold out, but we’ll be doing a 2 hour Platform presentation… can’t wait!