Merry Christmas #2!

My heart pours to all of the family's stories we read this last month. Families torn by natural disasters, illnesses, the economy, tragic accidents. It breaks my heart to read through their experiences, but I'm moved by the beautiful words written by those closest to the family. Despite the hardness and tribulations in life, many find ways to use their experiences to touch the lives of others.

I wanted to extend one additional family a $1,000 gift from me. Story on behalf of Jan Wall (who will receive a $250 gift from me for taking the time to write Michelle's heartfelt story).

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My cousin, Michelle Boston, has been such a source of strength to all who know her in the face of immense loss. She has been an amazing mother to five beautiful children Jarrett, Connor, Flinn, Briggs, and Lydia Jane (she finally got her girl!). Her eldest son Jarrett was diagnosed with melanoma at age 13. We were all stunned, but he got excellent treatment, and we were all relieved for awhile.

About two years later, Michelle's father, my Uncle William, was diagnosed with renal cell cancer and lost his battle in May 2005. Our family was devastated by this loss as he was the kind of stoic Southern gentleman that provided a source of strength and stability to our family and his daughters. Shortly after his death, we learned that Jarrett's cancer had recurred. He was in high school by this time...a straight A student and quarterback of the football team. Michelle who had been a stay at home mom had just begun venturing into interior decorating. An art history major, she loved creating beautiful spaces for people on a budget. She loved to stretch a dollar and was amazingly talented. After Jarrett's recurrence, she put this dream on hold to help her beautiful son fight this battle...and what a battle it was. Jarrett lost the use of his arm from brain metastases. He lost his vision, his mobility, his dreams....She watched as her gifted son lost everything just before his senior year in high school. He died in February 2006.

She held herself together and chronicled her grief in an on-line journal www.caringbridge.org password: jarrettboston. Not only is she a gifted artist, but she is an amazing writer. Her words moved me to tears so many times. Shortly after Jarrett's death, Michelle also lost her grandmother. She persevered, starting a scholarship fund in Jarrett's name for scholar athletes. She was an amazing source of comfort and support for her younger children. Her family's finances had taken a huge hit with Jarrett's medical bills, so she got back into decorating. She even created Davis' beautiful nursery and hung pictures from Jarrett's favorite nursery rhymes above his bed.

Michelle's next tragedy was so unexpected. The loss of a child puts an incredible stress on a marriage. In his grief, her husband decided to leave the family. Her children were once again devastated, and she was in trouble both personally and financially. She couldn't continue decorating as it certainly was not a recession proof career, so she went back to her original career as a teacher. She now works all day and is on the football field, cheerleading sideline, basketball court, etc. every evening. She is exhausted and struggles to make ends meet.

Michelle's children are her life, and she has always loved beautiful things. I can't think of a better gift for her this Christmas than your beautiful photos in her home.

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Merry Christmas!

First let me say how EXTREMELY difficult it was for Kyu and I to choose a family for our Huge Holiday Giveaway. We received dozens of nominations and after a big announcement through the Daily Candy, my mailbox filled steadily from nominees across the country who knew VERY deserving families in Atlanta.

We couldn't choose just one family. It was so tough. SO, we chose 2 :)

Without further ado, I introduce our $2,000 winner. Recommended by one of my favorite families, the Shoops.

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Karen moved her 3 years ago from New Orleans. She was a victim, or should I say, survivor of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. She lost everything in the flooding that occurred after the hurricane. Her parents happen to live in Marietta so she evacuated with her husband and, then 2 year old, son to be here. Her husband went back to New Orleans a month later to check on things. There house was flooded to the second story. They lost everything and I mean everything. The only thing that remained was a few baby and wedding pictures that were hanging on the walls upstairs. If anyone cherishes pictures the most it’s my neighbor because she lost so many of them in the flood.

To make things worse, her husband died while he was back visiting. I’ve never asked about the cause of death, but it was some accident related to the flooding. She was able to purchase this house in Marietta with her insurance money, but she still has a mortgage. It was the weirdest thing to see someone move into a house with no moving van or boxes. There simply wasn’t anything to move or unpack. She is a single mom with a 5 year old and works full time as a teacher. She takes her son to school with her and I see her car pull out of the driveway every morning at 6:45am. She has a few health issues and had some cancer removed about 2 years ago. So, she’s been through a lot.

Most importantly, she never complains. She is so generous and giving and has never asked for anything. She gives us all of her son’s old clothes to Logan because she just so nice to us. I feel guilty having a nice husband and family and living right next door. But, she has been a wonderful friend and someone that I am thankful to have in my life.

I know that she’d love to have some professional pictures of her and her son for memories. It’s would be a chance for her to start over.

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Stay tuned for another family we look forward to giving away special photo memories to. Announced Christmas Day!

Happy Holidays!

As we wrap up another AMAZING year with clients, friends and partners of Alice Park Photography, I just wanted to wish all of our blog readers a joyful holiday season and many, many blessings for the new year.

We will be out of the office until the new year, so just a couple of notes:

- Don't forget to stay tuned on Christmas Eve for our Huge Holiday Giveaway Winner. With dozens of nominations, we don't know how we are going to decide. So, SO many deserving families and their inspiring stories.

- Quickly booking 2009. Schedule early!

Thank you once again to our wonderful friends for a fabulous 2008. We hope this holiday season brings happiness, big and small, to your family.

Lily & Luke's Initial Book Design

Just a few spreads from a book I'm designing for Lily and Luke. I'm designing this coffee table book specifically to match the decor in mom's living room (designed by Kim Zimmerman, a fabulously chic interior designer). She wanted a white cover with a pop of color. I'm starting to really like these white covers.

Next up is the text. I've got so many great notes from our session to write about these guys!

Love the last spread in their book. It's SO them!

Santa at b. braithwaite

When I was 2 years old, I was deathly afraid of Santa Claus. He was a scary looking man to me, and I didn't quite understand the concept of presents under the Christmas tree. Of course, my mother tried and tried to get a photo of me and Santa at that age, but the lines at the mall were impatient, and the photographer wasn't being paid enough to coax me into sitting on Santa's lap. Needless to say, I don't have any photo memories of me visiting Santa between the ages of 1 - 3.

Visiting Santa Claus in a favorite Christmas outfit is a tradition that has been with us for generations. That is why when Chaffee told me of her vision of Santa at b. braithwaite, I knew I had to take part. "The experience is what I want the children and families to remember," she told me. And that is exactly what we focused on the past two weekends as more than 300 children walked into the doors of b. braithwaite.

The store is a child's fantasy playground (and mother's fantasy baby boutique with everything designed exclusively by legendary interior designer Nancy Braithwaite!). Larger-than-life bunny and teddy bears welcome you as you enter, and every nook and corner is filled with everything a child would want to play with. Train sets, baby strollers, art easels and gigantic bean bags. As the children play and wait for their scheduled appointment, I work with each family to capture that perfect moment with Santa.

There are SO many reasons I recommend my clients to come to b. braithwaite for their Santa portraits.

First is the location itself. I could play in Chaffee's store all day.



Second reason is because of Santa Claus himself. He is so incredibly jolly, patient, kind and photogenic! After all, he IS the real Santa Claus.

Chaffee is wonderful working with kids as well. Even the shyest ones...



There are no rules, no limitations, no lines, no fuss. Bring your family, your pets, whoever your heart desires. Santa loves to visit with all!



Of course, one of the main reasons is that your portraits are taken by me :)



I completely understand that some children love Santa more than others.



But that doesn't mean we don't try. In fact, we put more love and affection into the children who shy away first...



We even love to get the parents involved! Here's my friend Lesley tickling Allie's toes to get that perfect smile with Santa.



And I'm not afraid to sing, jump around, make funny noises and dance around in circles to make your children laugh.

I absolutely love working with Chaffee and her team every year to produce the best Santa portraits and experience in town. Chaffee and I open appointments to our wonderful clients first in early November, and then the public is invited to join soon after.

Thank you to all who joined us these past two weekends...and past three years! We hope you and your children enjoyed the experience and will cherish the memories for years to come!

Maxwell's Show & Tell

The hip little man below who is in need of modeling representation also had the coolest Show & Tell pieces to share with me.

From left to right/top to bottom: 1. Hats: Maxwell loves to wear hats like his big brother Richard. He hears them everywhere including school and when he sleeps! 2. Monkey: Maxwell’s favorite stuffed animal is Mr. Monkey. He cuddles him softly as he sleeps and dreams. 3. Books: Maxwell reads every book he can get his little hands on. These are two of his favorites because he loves animals and to make sounds like them. 4. Ducks: One of Maxwell’s first sounds was “quack-quack”. He loves to take baths with his buddy ducks. 5. Initials: One of the first toys Maxwell started to play with were blocks and these of his initials are little and cute just like him. 6. Ties: Maxwell’s first clothing he learned to put on was his dad ties! He is daddy’s little man! 7. Tiffany China Set: Maxwell loves cars and loves to make the sound “brumm-brumm” just like the cars on his first big boy china set. 8. Balls: Maxwell learned how to count “1-2-3” by rolling throwing balls. He will throw them off the balcony or up the stairs! 9. Push Along Toy: Maxwell’s first toy gift was from his grandmother Ursula. He loves to drag it around the house and hear it go “clack-clack”.

Facebook is Awesome.

If you don't have Facebook, get it now.

I've known Mark Zuckerberg, creator and mastermind behind this brilliant application, since high school. When he emailed me right out of college to try this new web app called facebook out, I thought, "Sure, another myspace." I was never big into profiling myself on the web, but wow. A few years and over one million users later, Facebook has grown into this REVOLUTIONARY communication tool that allows friends - people you met in elementary school, at a party...people you WANT to get to know - to connect on a more personal (or at least web-wise) level. People you may have never gotten to know at this level otherwise. In a non-stalkerish kind of way, of course.

I'm pouring with happiness & glee from all of the birthday wishes from my cyber friends today! Friends from middle school, friends from photography seminars, friends that I've photographed, friends from around the world!

Zach & Drew of Maryland

Zach and Drew came all the way from Maryland to see me... well, and the grandparents too :)

What pure joy it was to photograph these two brothers. Mom had a very special plan to make a book of her and her 2 boys for dad. What a lucky dad!

I just loved Zach's curly, red hair.



And Drew got mom's great looks.



See?



Just love this series. Every child loves to fly! ...and eat mom's toes!



Thank you for everything, Chelsea! I hope Rick enjoys all of his goodies this birthday/holiday!

BIG Holiday Giveaway!

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – $2000 worth, to be exact. Whether it's a custom folios book, canvas, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over...it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $500 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be?

The rules:

You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-home does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

The nominee must reside in Atlanta, Georgia. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

Comment on this blog entry to let me know you've entered, and e-mail me the full story: alice@aliceparkphotography.com

Deadline for entries: December 23rd at 8 pm

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve... I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season – and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

Many thanks to the other photographers joining me in this spirit. If you are not local to me, see if there's someone local to you for winning portrait-y goodness!

Matt Niolosi (Texas), Kaycee Dean (Oklahoma), The Selanders (Iowa/Nebraska), Charlene Chavez (Louisiana), Rachel Logan (Texas), Surprise Photography (New York), Lauri Stumph (Minnesota), Laura Green (Iowa), Kimberly Ann Photography (Wisconson), Peachyc Photography (Manila), Photo Art by Suzi (Michigan), Krista Muskovin (Michigan), Keller Holder (Kansas), Tiffany G (Las Vegas), Bamboo Photography (Pennsylvania), Mollie Kendall (Texas), Marlo Yoshimoto (California), Brandi DeLisa (Tennessee), HRG Photo (Washington) and the amazing Kristen Kalp of Essential Photography (Pennsylvania) .

Itty Bitty Twins

I was so excited to be able to squeeze in 2 month old twins today due to a cancellation. Marin and Graham were born 11 weeks early, arriving home from the hospital last week right in time for Thanksgiving. At 2 months old, they were the perfect size and age to document their "newborn" photos.

Introducing Marin Laine and Graham Lee:



In between feeding, changing and soothing the twins, I was able to grab some beautiful shots of big sister Lauren.



And of course a perfect shot of the 3 angels for mom & dad's very special holiday card this year.

In need of some Representation!

This little man needs to be shooting editorials and practicing his cat walk for runway shows. Maxwell is quite the perfect little model. Modeling scouts interested should contact me :)

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

Pardon my absence the last few days. It has been busy, busy here!

I would like to call today - Monday, December 1st - "Black Monday." Today was our official deadline for client's Christmas orders, and let me say politely and sincerely to everyone who placed their order today, "Thank you for your procrastination!"

We are always so busy during this time of the year. So thankful to our clients for this too. I always have an end-of-the-year adrenaline rush with my scheduled December sessions. In between my 4 hour sleep schedule, visits to Fedex, my framer, paper & inspirational craft stores, scheduled client meetings and sessions, I am working away at my one million item to-do list. I don't like the fancy, although efficient and more "eye friendly," task software programs many small businesses use. Instead, I use my handwritten, color-coordinated, old fashioned "task book" to organize every aspect of my cluttered life. It's what I've done since 10 years old, and I will probably never steer away from it.

I am actually not embarrassed to admit this.