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

I’ve officially booked tickets for Tampa and will be in town Sunday August 1st thru Friday August 6th. Both studio and beach sessions are available during those dates.

Unfortunately, on my last visit to my Riverview studio, there were many things that needed fixing and maintenance, therefore, sessions will be held at a fellow photographers studio in North Tampa.
The studio address I will be using for sessions is: 15711 Mapledale Blvd. Tampa, FLorida 33624
A map can be found here: http://bit.ly/bYO1Xt

Studio sessions which are regularly $200 are only $49 with a $300 minimum purchase–can be used towards prints, holiday cards, etc. ($349 total) Studio sessions will be in one hour increments and will be proofed via secure online gallery; Beach sessions which are regularly $350 are only $99 with a $500 minimum purchase ($599).

Available appointment dates, times & payments can be seen and scheduled through a secure site here:
http://alycia.brownbookit.com/schedules
(PLEASE note the BEACH sessions are showing from 8-9, but really begin at 7:30 thru sunset.)
Because of the surgery, my next visit will be during the first of November. It’s not too soon to think of the holidays, so if you want a jump start on your cards and presents, an August session would be great!
**One last note, I realize my outgoing and incoming mail is having “SPAM” issues. I am working with my server to fix this problem asap and I apologize for the inconvenience.

Over $4000 in Products and Prizes will be awarded to ONE very lucky participant! The first person to complete all of the following photo tasks below during the WPPI tradeshow will win ALL of the prizes below!! No second places here!! Actual proof of all the photos must be shown to either Alycia or Kevin to confirm the win. The photo taken with Alycia or Kevin MUST be the final task on your journey.(This is to ensure that they can verify all the photos and name a winner.)

Good Luck to All!!

1. AZURA ALBUMS(Booth #213) - You must take a photo with either Lek or Shelly Etwara while holding an album designed by Alycia or Kevin! Show tip - Check out the amazing new Cover options Azura has including the Leather, Ostrich, Gator, and Python just to name a few!!! ***PRIZE*** - Winner will receive a 40 page 12×12 Print and Bind Album valued at $450!

2. JEN’S FABULOUS STUFF(Booth #1125) - You must take a photo with Jen Hillenga in her booth. Show tip - Jen has some amazing collections of templates, designs, and tools for all photographers!!(Check out the really cool new Posing guides, love notes and tiara templates!) ***PRIZE*** - Winner will receive their choice of either Jen’s children or high school senior posing guide valued at $149!!

2. WHCC (Booth #1201) - You must take a photo of the back wall of Gallery Wraps in the WHCC Booth. Show tip - Check out the exciting new products that WHCC has in their booth! Very cool Image Boxes, DVD Cases, Mini Accordion Books, Gallery Wraps, etc…. ***PRIZE*** Winner will receive a free gallery wrap, press printed album, image box, and CD Case valued at $319

4. POCKETWIZARD(Booth #201) - You must take a photo with Pocketwizard Product Marketing Manager Phil Braden. Show tip - Try out the awesome Mini and Flex units with full ETTL capability. Also, the new Pocketwizard Plus 2 Units will he here! ***PRIZE*** Winner will receive 2 NEW Pocketwizard Plus 2 Units valued at $368!

5. WPPI(Booth #1375) - You must find and take a photo with WPPI Director of Operations, Arlene Evans. For those of you that do not know her, this is your chance to meet her as she is a driving force in putting all of this together! She will be all over the place, so find her and thank her!! ***Prize*** Winner will receive FREE registration to next year’s WPPI convention in Las Vegas valued at $399!!

6. TRIPLE SCOOP MUSIC(Booth #206) - You must take a photo of yourself wearing the headsets and listening to the music in the Triple Scoop Music Booth. Show tip - Take advantage of an incredible show special that Triple Scoop is having on the first 2 days of the tradeshow! They are having a 50% off show special and including free songs with any purchase! ***PRIZE*** Winner will receive a custom 10 song collection from Triple Scoop Music valued at $600!!

7. DURY’S(Booth #821) - You must simply take a photo of the Dury’s booth with the banner showing! Show tip - Check out the incredible Cheetah light stands!! You won’t believe how easy these things will make your life! Once you see it in action, you will have to add it to your gear! ***PRIZE*** Winner will receive a Will Crockett “Lights, Camera, Profit” DVD valued at $40

8. TRICOAST PHOTOGRAPHY - You must take a photo with either Mike Fulton or Cody Clinton of TriCoast. They will be easy to find as they will be speaking quite a bit at the tradeshow as well as at a platform class. Show tip - These guys are great at what they do and if you need some wireless flash tips, buy them a drink and they will teach you all sorts of good things! ***PRIZE***Winner will receive Tri Coast’s new Guide to ETTL Flash and their Finding Color Action Set valued at $175!

9. PHOTOIDENTITIES(Booth #1376) - You must take a photo with either Vera or Max in the Photoidentities booth. Show tip - If you are looking for a very cool blog or need some SEO help, check out these guys as they have some amazing stuff! ***PRIZE*** Winner will receive a FREE Photoidentities Blog as well as hosting for 1 year valued at $199!

10. GET OUT OF THE HOTEL! - Since we don’t want you to spend ALL of your stay in Vegas inside, we thought the following photos would be fun! You must take a photo of yourself with the Bellagio Fountains in the background as well as get a shot of the Vegas strip from the top of the Stratosphere Hotel at night. (You had to know we were not going to make this journey too easy!)

11. AFTERDARK EDUCATION(Booth #1776) - You must take a photo with Kevin Jordan or Dave Junion in the Afterdark booth. Show tip - The AfterDark series is seriously one of the best learning environments and concepts around! It is all hands on with some of the world’s top photographers! If you are serious about improving your skills, then check these guys out! ***PRIZE*** Winner will receive a FREE registration to any upcoming AfterDark Seminar this year valued at $400!!

12. DESIGN REVOLUTION(Booth #1153) - You must get your photo taken with Julie Klassmeyer in the Design Revolution booth. Show tip - These guys have some really cool templates and designs for TONS of different products! If you are a baby or child photographer, you will be in Heaven in this booth! ***PRIZE*** Winner will receive a DVD of Design Revolution’s NEW Photobox Template Collection valued at $125!!

13. RINGS to RATTLES WITH KEVIN AND ALYCIA - Your FINAL photo must be taken with either Kevin or Alycia and then they will declare a winner once all photos are checked for accuracy. Show tip - Kevin and Alycia will be all over the tradeshow area, classroom area, and hotel in general. so it should be no problem finding them! (You can also check their schedules at the WPPI website or tradeshow booths of the Sponsors for this contest.***PRIZE***Winner will receive KJ’s Dramatic Lighting DVD, Texture Set, Action Set and Alycia’s Kid Quote Templates, Formatted Quotes, Bella Baby Bundle, Romance Album, and Business Bundle all valued at $1175!!

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!

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!

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!!!

OKAY kids! I’m a NIGHT person… so I’ll be up ’til midnight AT LEAST…. if you want a digi file from a recent session.. email me now!!  If you didn’t make it, vote for my *KIDS*!! I have the BEST clients in the world! They deserve to WIN!!!!!

The contest is in full swing and the deadline extended until October 20th and now you can enter more than ONE image per child!!  In addition remember anytime the magazine needs a model for one their photo spreads the editors will be choosing from the photos of the children entered in the Cover Kid Search.

12 Children between the ages of 3 months and 15 yrs will be chosen to grace the cover of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine (starting Jan 2010)! Great gifts will also be awarded to each child/family selected.

If you’ve already been to the studio (within last 3 months for kiddos 1-12 and within 1 month for kiddos under 1), and you’d like to enter the contest, send me an email with the image number you’d like to submit and I’ll send you a digital web version for you to use. If you want to enter, but like to have my recommendation, just say the word!

You can see more details on their site: Tampa Bay Parenting

C’mon! Let’s see if we can fill the every month of 2010 with an Alycia Alvarez Photography portrait! I’m sure I photograph the cutest kids in the Tampa Bay Area (and beyond!!)

You can vote from one computer, one time a day! Spread the word… here’s the FAVS!! Please support these adorable kiddos!

Newest Entries First… VOTE!!!

Ailani: (Client before born! she’s a SASSYmeister now! woah! I’ll have a separate blog on her comments later! love her!)

Gabriella & Siena (TWINS! and amazing, touch your heart make you cry story about them… stay tuned!):

Olivia: (been my client since she was SIX MONTHS!!)

Collin: (Olivia’s brother…client since before born! LOL!)

Aidan: (woah! how’d he get SOOOO big?????)

Eastin, his baby brother! (again… since *tummy time!… time FLIES)

Olivia: (miss THANG! she’s always STYLIN!)

DJ:

Demi:

Gabby:

Christophe:

Sophie:

Patricio:

Valeria:

Cate:

Sam:

Bella:

Shawn:

Jack:

Alex:

Sam:

Julia:

Anthony:

Alec:

I wanted to give an update on the pricing for the upcoming mini Holiday Sessions.  These we be offered the last two weeks of October only.  I’m still working out the nifty online scheduling system to avoid the phone tag once I announce the available days & times. The official dates will be October 20-23 and October 28-30 ONLY.  For these sessions, there’s *NO* session fee, just a minimum prepaid $295 purchase (Basic Collection) to hold your reservation.  I hope to have the schedule up by the end of this week, but if you know are interested in scheduling a mini session, you can email me: alycia@alyciaalvarezphotography.com to ensure a spot because these have limited availability.   Here’s more information about the session and packages, and you can see my “theme suggestions” on the last blog post HERE.

Wow! It’s October ALREADY! Crazy! Life has been fast and furious for me personally and professionally.  I’ve recently been asked to speak at several more conventions, so I’ll blog that one on another post.  Lots of news and suprises coming soon!

But first things first! ‘Tis the season for Holiday Cards and we all know December gets here faster than a fruitcake gets regifted! LOL!

The cutoff for holiday sessions is November 13th (with the exception of newborns & bella baby clients).  I am almost totally booked up for November and most of October.  In order to accomodate more clients and try to avoid the dreaded “waiting list”, I am going to try something new this year and have some “Simple Sibling Sessions”. These are 30 minute sessions, one outfit, one “theme”. Great for those of you who don’t neccesarily want to have the entire family in a session and really want to gear the session for your Custom Holiday Cards and a few prints for grandma & grandpa.

I will announce pricing details next week, but there will be limited availability to these studio sessions and they will fill up quickly. I’m working on setting up an online scheduling program so that you can see the exact times/days available to avoid playing “tag” during this crazy time.

So while your waiting for further details and specifics (and my new nifty scheduler), you can start thinking about your “one outfit” for the session. To help you out, here’s some that are tried and true!

Also… some new cards have been added this year to the custom templates (they are on the last pages)… Check them out here:  CUSTOM HOLIDAY TEMPLATES

I’m honored to be mentioned in the recent Tampa Bay Parenting magazine as a recommended photographer for their upcoming Cover Kid Search!

Perfect timing with the holidays coming up, because I have tons of sessions scheduled for the yearly “Holiday Cards”, so there will be lots of eligible “cuties”!

12 Children between the ages of 3 months and 15 yrs will be chosen to grace the cover of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine (starting Jan 2010)! Great gifts will also be awarded to each child/family selected.

If you’ve already been to the studio (within last 3 months for kiddos 1-12 and within 1 month for kiddos under 1), and you’d like to enter the contest, send me an email with the image number you’d like to submit and I’ll send you a digital web version for you to use. If you want to enter, but like to have my recommendation, just say the word!

You can see more details on their site: Tampa Bay Parenting Entries must be received by October 15, so in order to have enough time, sessions should be scheduled by the end of September.

C’mon! Let’s see if we can fill the every month of 2010 with an Alycia Alvarez Photography portrait! I’m sure I photograph the cutest kids in the Tampa Bay Area (and beyond!!)

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!