Halloween/Autumn Mini-Sessions, only $20!!!!! {Children's Photographer, Rowan County}

HALLOWEEN/AUTUMN MINI-SESSIONS

$20

What?!!!!!  $20 for a beautifully edited shot?  Am I crazy?  Yes, crazy for cute kids AND new clients!

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Here's the dealy-o:  

 WHEN:   Saturday October 19 & Saturday October 26

TIME:   4:00-6:00 pm  (weather permitting)

WHERE:  Spencer Library (park on 4th Street)

No Appointment Necessary, First Come, First Serve

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Please show up anytime between 4-6 pm and I will take a few photos of your child/children in their costume OR if you just want an autumn shot I can photograph your child with pumpkins and fall leaves.  Your choice.  

Within a few days I will email you 1-2 beautifully edited photos of your child/children for only $20!!  

Please spread the word.

If you don't dig Halloween, I can do an autumn shot

Again, no appt necessary but give me a heads up so I know who to expect.  

Thanks!

Beautiful Alana {Senior Portrait Photographer, Rowan County}

Alana and I set out Thursday afternoon to do her senior portraits.  She wanted to wait for Autumn for the shoot and I'm glad she did; the colors are glorious and we had perfect overcast lighting.

We set out with 3 wardrobe changes and many ideas for backgrounds but my real goal in shooting senior portraits is capturing the beauty of who they are.  I think I accomplished my goal here.  Look at this beauty.  Alana is kind and humble and GORGEOUS!  She is a straight A student and loves knowledge.  I see a very bright future for this young lady.

Enjoy just a few of DOZENS of gorgeous shots I got.  This gal does not take a bad picture.  I guess that's why she's a freelance model.

Thanks Alana for hanging out this old lady.  I had fun!  

Falafel !

One food I really miss from California is middle eastern.  I'm sure there are plenty of places in Charlotte, but in our small town of Salisbury, no go.  We do have a local greek place that makes terrific Chicken Salvaki and Tzatziki,  they even make falafel ( though you won't typically find falafel in Greece anywhere) but it's definitely not middle eastern.  So I researched falafel recipes and set out to become a falafel queen.  I found a great site, Shiksa in the Kitchen.  I have made a few of her recipes now and they turn out perfectly.  She's also quick to answer any questions you may have; this gal is passionate about her food!  Check her out:  http://theshiksa.com/2011/01/05/falafel/

I'm not bragging here, Shiksa gets all the credit, I just followed her recipe, but I can tell you that both hubby and I think these are the best falafels we've EVER had!  I'm not going to post the recipe, you can click on the link above for that, but I do have some photos for you.

Here is the falafel as it enters the hot oil.  Sizzling.  You don't heat the oil on high, but on medium heat so it does take longer to heat up but worth the wait.  You don't want a burnt outside and raw inside, trust me.

I cook only about 6 at a time and turn them over at 2.5-3 minutes.  They should be a deep golden brown on each side and the center will be perfectly cooked.  

I place them on a cookie sheet lined with paper towels to absorb any oil  See that golden crispy goodness?  MMMmmmm!  I dream about these.

Of course no falafel meal is complete without a nice serving of Tabbouleh.  I found a recipe that makes Tabbouleh with  Quinoa instead of wheat and I actually prefer it this way.  Plus it packs more protein than traditional Tabbouleh AND cuts down on gluten in my life.  Isn't it so colorful and pretty?  And it's SO fresh tasting.

Now, I should add that to make Falafel, Tabbouleh, Tahini dressing, hummus, and Tzatziki (even though it's technically greek, we love this addition) it does take me close to 3 hours but it's SO worth it. It will have to be reserved for weekends only, who has this much time on a weeknight?  You can also buy pita bread or flatbread and make a falafel sandwich which is what we did last night.  I could've been eating a meal in Lebanon or Israel, no kidding, it's that good AND it's all plant-based, and whole food, so it's good for your family's health.  Kids love it too.  

Let me know if you try it.  

Bubbles and Fairy Wings {Children's Photographer, Rowan County, NC}

What do you get when you give a 6 year old girl a tutu, fairy wings, bubbles and a large greenway to play on?  FUN and vibrant photos!  I found two spots tonight that are gorgeous during sunset lighting, Sloan Park, and the The Greenway on Innes and Grove.  Enjoy these.

Caroline {Children's Photographer, Rowan County, NC}

Meet Caroline, big sister to Baby Kate (see yesterday's post).  She is 20 months old and on the move.  My photo shoot was really supposed to be primarily of Kate but Caroline is so adorable I was drawn to her again and again throughout the shoot.  Doesn't the camera love this little girl?  I mean, those eyes!

Posing for me as she showed me Kate's new crib.

Showing me her Mickey Mouse ears, SO serious.

Showing some love to baby Kate.  I hope they remember this tenderness when they are teenagers sharing the same bathroom.

I love these shots of Caroline reading.  One of my favorite shots of my Gracie was while she was reading a book so intently at only 8 months old.  Aren't books the best?

I love interaction shots with parents.  

Before I left Caroline wanted to show me some of her mad dance skills.  I think this was Ballet Arms.  Isn't the lighting gorgeous on her creamy skin?  And those eyes!  And how cute is her smocked dress?  

You can tell that I was quite smitten with this little girl.  I have even more shots of her but these were my favorite.  Thanks for checking in.  

7 Days Old {Newborn Photographer-Salisbury, NC}

Meet Baby Kate.  I had the privilege yesterday and I can't stop thinking about this sweet, precious little bundle.  Good thing I have plenty of darling photos that captured our time together.  Enjoy.

Isn't she fabulous in this crocheted hat?  Her great aunt made this for her.  You can see how terribly pretty Kate felt in this hat.  She is working the camera.

I love siblings shots.  This is big sister Caroline (20 months).  Caroline is checking on Kate's belly button.  She's a good, attentive big sister.

I love a good footsy shot, and aren't these the cutest?  I think black & white show more detail.

Caroline has this darling polka dot chair in her room and with her vintage looking dress I wanted this photo to have a vintage feel.  Look at those blue eyes.  What is she thinking about?

Kate started getting a little restless so Mommy Brittney is soothing her back to sleep.  I love this.  You can't tell but Kate is sleeping in a vintage wooden Sun Drop Soda crate.  Her mommy loves her some Sun Drop.  And no, she doesn't sleep in this at night, only for our shoot.

Sleep tight, Sweet Kate.  Thanks for letting me spend the morning with you.
 (knitted pod made by a good family friend, so adorable, so talented are the people in Kate's life)


Stay tuned tomorrow for darling shots of big sister Caroline.  

CAKE!!!!

Gracie wanted to make her birthday cake this year, chocolate with white frosting and pink flowers.  It came out pretty cute and tasted great but a baker and cake decorator I am not.  To capture the memory I shot two different shots below in two different methods, check it out.

This shot was taken with my Nikon and my 35mm lens, and because it was dusk out I bumped up my ISO setting.  I focused on the cake so that Gracie would be blurred in the background.  I love this shot.

This shot was taken on my iPhone using my Hipsmatic App.  I love how vintage Hipsmatic shots are.

We have a TON of cake left over so I'm off now for another piece and a double espresso.

Happy 6th Birthday, Gracie! 2013

Six years ago today I received the BEST birthday gift of my life, Gracie Elizabeth.  I cannot believe how quickly six years have passed and each year, Gracie, you grow more exquisite inside and out.  As a tribute I am posting photos of our last six birthdays.  They've been the best birthdays of my life!

The day you were born, the BEST day of my life!

 You were the most beautiful baby I had ever seen.  And that hair!

Your first birthday was just a small gathering but the real party for you was your very first cupcake.  I chose carrot cake and took the frosting off.  You LOVED it!

On your 2nd birthday we took you to Disneyland since they were offering free passes for birthdays.  What a blessing that we share birthdays, that saved us $136!  Then we had a party and all you wanted for your birthday was a strawberry cupcake with pink frosting.

We had a big party for your 3rd birthday, a Tinker Bell party!  You wanted a green Tinker Bell cake and BOY did you get a GREEN cake!

All you wanted for your 4th birthday was a Nemo cake.  I made it that year and the cake kept sliding off the frosting.  What a mess!  Bruce the Shark was made out of marshmallow and turns out that was the only part you even wanted to eat.

Your 5th birthday was your first birthday in North Carolina and you invited all of your new friends.  Remember the gigantic blow up water slide?  You had a Hello Kitty cake but this was the first year that you were more excited about presents than cake.  

 

I'm so happy to be spending another birthday together.  Happy 6th Birthday, Gracie!  

Your daddy and I love you to the moon and back.

Children's Test Shots {Salisbury, NC, Children's Photographer}

Today was a beautiful morning so I bribed Gracie to come out with me and do some test shots for backgrounds I'm thinking of for future mini-sessions for clients.  I'm very happy with them; she did a great job.  By the final shot she was hot and getting a little peeved with me, nothing a frozen yogurt can't fix though.  Enjoy the shots and spread the word for me!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-Spieler-Photography/

Angel Face {Salisbury, NC, Children's Photographer}

I just had to post this photo I took of Gracie awhile back because her eyes are just captivating.  What a little cherub.  Thanks for viewing.