{Gooseberry Lane Originals} commercial photography

Eek!! Temperatures are spiking out of control in Arizona :( and I'm not too happy about it.  For those of you on FB you may have heard my griping yesterday.  I can't help it.  I'm usually a very positive person but this has pushed me too far lol.  High temps 110- 115 mixed with any amount of humidity is a recipe for disaster here in Arizona and the humidity is between 30%-60%.  That doesn't seem very humid does it?  When I lived in South Carolina the humidity was 90%+  (not fun) but the temps were in the 90's not the 110+'s.  So I feel like I'm in an oven here and I'm just waiting for this pain to stop.  The kids' recess at school has been canceled this week because of the heat advisory.   It's just not fun.  The dog has to be coaxed into going outside to go potty it's even too hot for him.  But I know, it could be worse.  I've heard from my Texas friends and friends in Southern states that they are suffering too.  So at least there's company in the misery :)

Not too long ago I photographed some adorable dresses for Gooseberry Lane Originals.  Have you heard of of this cute Boutique?  They have beautiful handmade designs - since it's handmade by the owner and designer, turn-around my be a short few weeks but it's worth the wait.  Mandy, the designer/owner of Gooseberry Lane Origninals lives in Ohio with her husband, and two children.  She started  her Business in 2010 but has been sewing for customers for years prior to the opening of her boutique.  I had so much fun brainstorming this session.  I wanted it to be unique, fun, girly and interactive.  So I came up with the idea one night while trying to fall asleep and in one day build the 'Fruit Stand' while my husband was out of town {sleepless nights can be productive when he's gone :) }.  The temperatures were HOT when we shot this session, so we had to pat the girls sweat down every few minutes.  They didn't seem bothered thankfully but you can tell by their flushed cheeks that it was a warm day.  I was so happy how it all turned out :)

Gooseberry Lane Originals can also be found on Facebook.

{Fanciful Frames!}

Aren't these frames beautiful!?!  I love them.  My good friend Haleigh and her husband Dane just started a really cool new framing business called Fanciful Frames.   When she first told me about it I knew that it would be a success!  Her husband has mad wood working skills and Haleigh has a great eye for color and design.  The mixture...awesomeness!!  I plan on using her frames on at least one of my walls and making it a fun funky frame wall.  I'm so excited!  I'll definitely post pictures when I do that.  But I wanted to share some of her frames with  you now - so many shapes, sizes and colors.  And her pricing is very reasonable - which is a big plus when you're trying to frame  a whole wall ;o)  Their website is here and their business is on Facebook here.  They are both the nicest people so if you have any questions about sizing or colors, they're happy to help.  :)

{Back to School} FaithWorks4U!

I have to admit, I'm not ready for summer to end.  It's been so busy with swimming, camps, and late summer night movies.   I just don't feel like we've accomplished all the 'summertime' things that I wanted to - like more campfires with s'mores (it's a bit hot in AZ to do this but we've done it a hand full of times over the past month - I just want a few more), a lemonade stand, swimming in a creek or swimming hole and exploring small towns - like quirky/artful, Bisbee, AZ.   So we're going to try to cram those activities into the next 2 weeks since the end is fast approaching.

In thinking about back-to-school, Faith has some recent designs she's releasing just in time for school.  This is one of her most recent designs - more to come...  It's getting me, as well as Brielle, excited to start the school year.  Dare I say, I'm  in love --with this dress!  I want it in my size and I want it in every color for Brielle ;o).  I can't express how much I love Faith's work.  She has created her own style with a modern twist on retro-vintage designs.  They are simple and classic, yet fun and hip.   And I love them.  Faith and I have been working together for a while and I'm so thankful that she shares her amazing creations with me.    Here's a link to her shop - FaithWorks4U and her Facebook Fan page where you can hear about her latest promotions & new design releases.  :)

Funny little blopper of Brielle with the apples.

{Vintage Crown}

I posted this image along with a few others on Facebook and have had many, many e-mails asking me where I got the crown Brielle is holding {above} and wearing {below}.  I feel so lucky to be able to photograph this beautiful vintage crown for  TFJ Designs.    Brielle loves it and keeps it next to her on her nightstand.  When she first saw it she squealed then covered her mouth and finally said in a whisper, 'Is this a 'real' crown?'  Do I get to wear it?  We stood in the dinning room looking in the mirror as she tried it on.  I wish I had my camera then...it was priceless seeing her expression.  She didn't want to take it off, so I secured it to her head with bobbypins.  And during the session, she had so many ideas - so we went with them...she danced with lace, caught ladybugs and she wanted me to get a ladybug to put on the crown so I could take a picture of the ladybug with the crown (that one didn't work out since all the ladybugs flew off the crown and back onto her dress or on her arms).  After the session she kept the crown on until bedtime.  I love that she's sooo in love with this crown.  You can find it at TFJ Designs and the price....amazing for such a pretty vintage styled crown.  Thank you so much again Tabitha, you have such an eye for pretty things.... I love all the goodies you sell in your store!!

{Miss Ruby Sue and her sweet summer styles}

Eeeps!!  Look at this adorable hair piece by Lori, talented designer behind 'Miss Ruby Sue'!!  When she contacted me about working together I wasn't sure what she'd have in store - since she has so many amazing things in her shop.  When I saw this hairpiece my jaw dropped.  It was so pretty and colorful yet had a vintage flair AND it's YELLOW!  I love yellow!  So I carefully placed it in my staging area (aka my office lol) thinking about what what kind of shoot I wanted to do for it.  Isn't it darling??!  I haven't seen anything like it - I love it!!  It comes with a neck strap but I opted to used bobby pins and tuck the strap in the hat, it's a great option to have.  I just love how it looks!  It's called A Wink & A Flounce.    She also has some super cute styles for the 4th of July - 4th with a Flair is pictured below.  It's a darling crown that ties in the back.   I paired it with the cute 'Miss Ruby Sue' t-shirt she sent.  We are now set for the fourth of July!!  I can't wait - it's one of my favorite celebrations.  I'm still trying to figure out what our plans are that weekend but I want it to be festive and fun.  I can't wait!!  :)

Thank you Lori for sharing your talent with me!!  Check out Miss Ruby Sue's shop and her Facebook page.  She's listing new items all the time and she previews many of them on Facebook :)

{Fun Fall & Winter Styles - Kait Emerson Designs}

I can't tell you how much it means to me to work with such amazing and talented designers.  I've been working with the amazing Feanna, of Kait Emerson Designs of over 3 years now and her work always grabs me.  She's a special person in my book and I'm thankful to have this business relationship and friendship.   When I saw what she has lined up for Fall and Winter 2011 I was smitten.  The outfits speak for themselves.  Check out her on-line boutique.  You can also find her clothing at select boutiques in the Huntington Beach Area of California.  And she's on Facebook, where she reveals her latest styles, special offers, and KE news.

Janum's Marie Antoinette

Eeps!!  Majd, the great designer behind Janum, has just released this unique and darling new 'Marie Antoinette' dress!  I'm in love!!  The embroidery stitching on the belly of the shirt (not technical terms I'm sure) is so detailed and beautiful- I love it!! And the attached bubble skirt and coordinating belt (removable belt) top it off perfectly.  The ruffled leggings are sold separately and are also available in her shop.  I'm loving this newest design!  And that's not all!  She's working on more great designs that will be added to her shop soon.  I can't wait to be a part of it!  Check out her Facebook page for the latest 'happenings', promotions, Facebook specials and other Janum information.

{Spun Candy's Mad Hatter's = Swoon!}

I've been friend for Melissa on-line for a while and was so excited when she recently expanded her talents from a thriving photography business to the brilliant creation of her  'Spun Candy' shop.  In such a short time she has listed  and sold an impressive array of children's accessories, scarves and Mad Hatter's.  They're irresistible I have to warn you!  So when she contacted me about photographing one of her Mad Hatter's - the 'Fancy Nancy' I was giddy and my mind started working excited for the shoot!!  Below is a sample of  images from the Mad Hatter - Fancy Nancy shoot.  Check out her Facebook page for the newest listings (some before they're posted in her shop), news, promotions and special offers.

{Sweet Violet Jane - Vintage Girl Crowns}

Meghann is at it again.  Yes, she's busy with both her photography business and her awesome shop ' Sweet Violet Jane' creating amazing crowns.  Last time I photographed something for boys.  This time it's all about the girls.  If you want a vintage look,  she's got it.  If you want a playful and colorful look, she's got that too.  She adds new looks to her shop all the time so be on the look out. As always, I'm so impressed with her talent and my kids love the results of her talent- including them in every day play.  Dress-up is just not complete without a crown. :)  For new items, promotions and special discounts check out her Facebook page. 

{Something for BOYS! - Sweet Violet Jane}

When Meghann from Sweet Violet Jane contacted me about working together I was giddy!  Are you kidding?!  Her crowns are amazing!!  If you don't know about her work...you're missing out.  She is genius!  This boy's crown reminds me of 'Where the Wild Things Are'  - one of my favorite books as a child.  I loved how it looked on Tyler too.  He got so into our shoot that we stayed for a while after and played on the dirt mounts and threw rocks.  This crown is reversible too - one side is striped and the other is polk-a-dotted.  I love the colors Meghann chose - perfect.  Meghann's popularity is growing huge and she's coming out with more styles (more to come on my blog), so check out her Facebook page for news, updates and promotions.  Thank you for working with me Meghann :)

And a fun brightly edited image :)