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 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

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!)

***I was having email issues today. I apologize if your email got kicked back. I think it’s up and running fine now. If you don’t hear back from me, please try again!***

First of all, a HUGE thanks from all the photographers I’ve met in the past few days… It’s been a whirlwind schedule, speaking in Texas, landing back in Tampa and speaking a couple hours later! A huge thanks to all the photographers who also helped me “setup and strike” all the *stuff*… (once “Mister P” sends me some pics, I can post ‘em….he’s knows who he is! hahaha!)

For any of you who attended, please feel free to send me any questions you might have and/or CC  (woah! how Southern can I sound over that microphone tonight? YES! I’m sure it was the MICROPHONE! LOL!)

Also, a huge thanks to my sponsors! The giveaways were a HIT! I love how dependable and generous all my sponsors/vendors are!

Since I had so much interest, I didn’t want anyone to have to *dig* for these, so I’m bringing these to the top.

Again, here’s my templates and ….

*NEW*… 125+ formatted QUOTES- PSD and JPG. GREAT for adding to albums, cards, collages, portraits… I have taken some of my FAVORITE quotes and formatted them for my clients to be able to choose/select for their albums, and decided that photographers might like them too (yes, it took a LONG time to format them all!) For my studio, I have them printed and spiral bound to make it easier to select. There are four different styles: “bella baby”, “everyday”, “love quotes”, and “holiday”. These are $99, but on special for $75 also. To purchase, send paypal to: alycia@alyciaalvarezphotography.com

I am super excited… about two things.

1. you can get free admission to Disney World on your birthday!

2. my long time client, *little man C* landed THE marketing campaign shot!

I’m so proud of him! I really never do much with modeling, but he is such a doll baby and SO easy to work with. (I have even used him before as a model at my in studio workshops)…you may recognize him as the “big brother” here:  Big Brother C

and actually… 3. It was a headshot that *I* took that got him the casting call! how cool is that!

::such a proud photographer mama:: hahaha!

here’s the image and the link! get your free ticket!

Okay, this is just too funny…I HAD to share! Baby’s first high heels! Does it get much better than this? I think not! Whoever shows up to their next session with a pair of these bad boys gets a free 8×10! Love it! Makes me wish I had a baby of my own to sport some of these! haha!

You can find them here: Baby High Heels

I’m super excited and honored to be the Photoidentities Featured Photographer of the Month! Check it out!

Interview with *me*!

While you are there, be sure to check out their custom websites and blogs! They have been *AMAZING* to work with! (thanks Vera & Max!)

I’m really excited and honored to be speaking at BOTH a PLATFORM and a PLUS class at the WPPI 2009 conference in Las Vegas in February.  Kevin Jairaj (www.kjimages.com) and I will be presenting “Rings to Rattles” at the one of the industry’s largest International conventions of them all! We will be speaking along side of many top photographers in the world.

I had to send in a few headshots for some promos (Oh, how I hate being on the *other* side of the camera!) Here’s a few to share, including our *mugshot* in the latest Rangefinder magazine.

There’s still a few spots left for our “in studio HANDS ON” workshop in October… check out the site for details:  www.RingsToRattles.com

because we found one, rather, Gabriela did! Last night, right before the “storm that didn’t really happen” (we are all safe and sound and going back to school now! whew!)…. Gabriela carried this cat down to our house. Well, Andrew is totally allergic to kittys and I told her to take him back where she found him… Fast forward TWO minutes later… the cat follows her home… and what do I do? feed him canned chicken! yep. I’m an idiot. He’s not leaving. I’m going to post a “lost and found” on my neighborhood website, but if anyone recognizes this cat (found in Fishhawk-Lithia), let us know! He’s well loved so far and has been named Robert, Nick (as in Jonas!) and now Ashes. Kinda funny. Chula, the dog, is not too sure about the “hissing fits”…but it’s cute to see them interact! We can’t keep him, but he’s pretty sweet and loving…

Well, today was the first day of school, and tomorrow is the first “hurricane” day of the season! School is cancelled for tomorrow and we’re making plans to “hunker down” in these parts! I’m rescheduling all appointments for tomorrow and we’ll play the rest of the week by ear.

To all those in the area, stay safe. Here’s a visual of where I am….you know…right in the MIDDLE of the “projected” mess! This is probably my 15th hurricane, so I’m a pretty good “hunker down” pro!