Bailey Session: Part Two

Back in late August when the weather was still warm (ahhh...I miss August), I was approached by Angi who was looking for someone to take some portraits of her family. I was thrilled, seriously...but then she told me that she had a prop in mind...a rather large prop—a 1957 Chevy! Are you kidding me??? How much fun are we gonna have with that!!! My brain started formulating all kinds of fun ideas before we were even off the phone. I got online to do some visual research and couldn't find much at all...until I came to a picture of a family enjoying a picnic in front of their car...it was so sweet and what you imagine a typical Sunday may have been like in the 1950's.

Before each session even takes place, I offer my clients a pre-session phone consultation or an inspiration board to help style the shoot. I love creating these boards. They are just as much fun for me as they are for the clients who they are (hopefully) going to inspire. However, since this session was shot, I have discovered Pinterest and let me tell you, it's beyond just inspiring, it's highly addicting!!!

But I digress...After a few weeks of gathering wardrobe options, Angi calls to tell me she is ready to finalize an appointment date and oh, by the way, a friend is lending her a vintage 50's dress that just so happens to fit the color scheme we are working with...I'm secretly doing the happy dance while we are on the phone! She also found her dad's old glasses, vintage pearl jewelry, a fedora and some cute things for her girls to wear...oh and did I mention accordions? Her parents used to play them...they are sentimental and perfect for our shoot! Look out Mad Men, you ain't got nothing on the Baily family!

Without further adieu...here is their fabulous 50's flashback...For part one of this shoot, please click here.

Bailey Session: Part One

Let me just start off by saying, I have been waiting FOREVER to share this session with all of you, but wanted to present them to my clients first. Well, yesterday was the viewing session so the wait is finally over!

When we were discussing the details of their session and styling the shoot, I suggested going for a look that reflected the retro style of the 50's era. As a result, we ended up with some really fun images which I will share with you tomorrow. Below are some of my favorite images from the session before we flashed back to the past.

As you may recall, the Bailey's requested a family shoot prior to selling their family's vintage 1950's Chevy. This beautiful car has been in their family for a couple generations and is now restored to it's original sassy condition. As I understand it, the car was previously owned by my client's mother who lovingly restored it and left it in her daughter's care after she passed away. According to my client, the day of her mother's memorial, the passenger side window mysteriously cracked and left a starburst pattern in the glass as you can see in a couple of the images below.

The beauty of this series is that it tells the story of a family's relationship with a truly remarkable car. It has hints of time gone by and is fun in it's own right, however, these images have special meaning to the family, especially to Mrs. Bailey who grew up riding in this classic Chevy. It was truly an honor to be a part of such a special session...Enjoy!

Sunrise...Sunset!!!

Sunrise Christmas Eve

Happy New Year! This year, one of my goals is to blog more...not very original, I know, but it's sincere for sure! It's not that I haven't had plenty to share, or that I don't enjoy writing, but I was hoping to have a newer updated blog by now. What can I say, my hubby (aka web designer extraordinaire) has been swamped with clients too, but I'm hoping to have a beautiful new blog to call home early this year. So to ease back into blog land, I've decided to post little pieces of my life here as well as tidbits about my studio until my new blogsite is completed!

Sunset, this evening!

At any rate...How about tonight's sunset!! Wasn't it gorgeous?? These images were taken in the field behind our home...just five minutes apart! It's amazing to me how much more dramatic the colors in the sky are in the second image!

What to Wear: 50's theme

Not long ago, I was asked if I would shoot some family pictures for the Bailey family who would soon be selling their vintage 1950's Chevy! I have always loved this era and all the kitchy, brightly colored kitchen appliances makes me wish I had 2 kitchens so I could decorate the other one in PINK!!!

I started to do a little visual research and came across the above photo taken of a family picnic. I loved how it combines a casual summer picnic while featuring the car in the background. This got me thinking about how fun it would be to stage a little picnic for the upcoming shoot. I was super excited to receive a photo of the car in my email box not long after we discussed the idea! Just looking at the cool details on this car gave me so much inspiration. Ideas started flooding in and so I began searching for the perfect images to style this shoot. Take a look:

Christmas in July

As of yesterday, Christmas is just 5 months away! Can you believe I'm already thinking about Christmas portrait sessions?

Well, the truth is, I've been thinking about my Christmas sessions for about 9 months now and I've got some really exciting things planned...including this fun give-away!

I really love all the Organic Bloom frames I have ordered thus far. They are so unique! I love their whimsical shapes and the versatile color palate that can be customized to match any decor. This month I want to give you the opportunity to see for yourself how chic they really are! For the first time, I'm excited to announce that as part of my Christmas in July special, I will be including a complimentary mini frame ornament with your holiday order...so make sure to take advantage of this limited time offer and reserve your session date!

Here is a cute example of how the frames will look on your tree:

Photo courtesy of Add to Heart Photography

Spring Cherry Blossoms

Last year I found this cute Asian top at a thrift store, took it home with a specific photoshoot in mind with my daughter. I spent quite a bit of time during spring break that year looking for a paper umbrella, but by the time they were available in stores, all the cherry blossoms were gone. So I tucked all my props away for another day.

Fast forward to this spring and I wasn't sure if I would be able to pull it off. I re-located the props, the trees had blossoms, but it kept raining...and raining...and raining. FINALLY, yesterday, the sky was clear, we didn't have soccer practice and so I decided it was time to let my daughter in on my plan. She isn't always a willing model, due I'm sure to the large number of takes and retakes I request from her, but she loved the umbrella, so I knew there was a good chance she'd be up for my scheme!

Midway through the shoot, she had had enough, but of course, I was just getting started...so I did what any mom would do—I bribed her...with money. She was a good negotiator. I started off at $1 and she got me up to $5!!! But she deserved it...a bargain if you ask me! Here are some of my favorite shots from our beautiful spring day...enjoy!







As we were shooting, Natalie's uncle stopped by and jumped into the shot. I just love how this image turned out. You can really see how much Natalie loves her uncle...probably the biggest smile of the day!

Tulip fields

Last week I visited the Wooden Shoe Tulip farm in Woodburn, Oregon. It was such a beautiful day, sun was out and it was warm! It felt so good to be outside after so many rainy days. This is my favorite picture of some PINK tulips...

Just having some fun using different vintage textures to age these tulips!
(click on the image to see it larger)



Happy Spring!

Nathan's 3 month session

Photographing babies is sooo good for my soul. Yesterday's session with Nathan was such a joy, his smile is just infectious! I completely lost track of time, but I think he kept me busy for over 4 hours! As you know, time goes by quickly when you are having fun. Capturing Nathan's first smiles and even his sleepy spells was the highlight of my afternoon!

And the Winner of the 2010 Cutest Kid Contest is...

Would you believe it's a tie? Yep...with 18 votes each, both Aaron/Tami Roush and Janet Buswell WIN a $100 gift certificate towards their next visit to Alyssa Ernst Photography!!!

With so many cute kids it was a tough choice. Thanks so much to everyone who voted for your favorite photo, this was a really fun contest...We'll do this again next year!

Here are the winning entries:

Looky what I found in my laundry basket!

Today I got to photograph JD who has changed so much since his newborn session. He is now teething (and drooling) and has the cutest baby rolls ever! I wish all my laundry was this cute!


In the next few weeks I will be unveiling my new Baby Steps Plan, so to start things off right, for 2011, I will be giving each member a complimentary 8x10 for every 20 comments posted on my blog under their sneak peek. (Limit one comment per person.) So what are you waiting for...show some love for JD's mama!