2010

Really?

I remember when I was in 3rd grade and we had to draw a picture of what we thought the world would be like in the year 2000...I think mine summed up to be something like spaceships and flying discs, people living on the moon and underwater. Obviously. Life hasn't progressed quite like my 3rd grade imagination predicted, thank heavens.

I have had a great year and was somewhat sad to see 2009 come to an end. It will forever be the year that I welcomed my second nephew into our family. The year I graduated from college (again) and the year I started my very own business. Raise the roof. It will be forever in my self as the year I finally figured out what I want to do with my life and were I really found not just a job, but a career. That I love.

Thank you all for such a great year. My goal this month is to get all caught up on my blogging, so stay tuned for October (yeppers, you read that correctly), November, December and beyond.

Welcome 2010!

Holiday Ordering and tid bits of info

Hello and happy mid-December!!!

Things have been CA-RAZY for me these past few weeks--as can be seen in my lack of blogging.

Any last minute holiday photo orders 

MUST BE IN BY WEDNESDAY, 5 P.M.!!!!!!! 

(This is not a drill people!)

After that--orders will not be placed until 2010!!!!!!

Yay!!!

I'm really going to get back to blogging. I'm not joking, I will. Soon. 

I still have stuff from OCTOBER (yeah, as in two months ago) to chat about. Stay tuned.

For now--how cute is little Piper?! Wow-zas!

(there will be more of this session later. Trust me.)

quintessential

Is not my style nor is it my outlook on life. Ha, for that matter it isn't my life. Period. But isn't it such a sweet sounding word?

Anywho, I just finished editing my first session with my new camera and I'm all goo-goo eyes and lollypops with it. I mean, seriously. Hands down sweet-arse purchase!!! I had to call Mollie right away and tell her the images of her B•E•A•U•T•I•F•U•L daughter were ready. Perhaps I shouldn't be sharing this, but as a person quite critical of her own craft, there are very, ver-ahy rare times when I am over the top, excited as all can be, pleased-as-punch with what I designed, created, imagined. If I über adore more than a handful of images from one session, my clients are destined to enjoy four times that many. It's like a weird twist of fate or something...don't ask me. I'm not a scientologist. When I started to process the images of little Ella, I knew this was going to be one of those times where I would power through all the images at once for the sole purpose of enjoying the end result. All to myself. With my bowl of peanut M&Ms as my guide.

I hope you enjoy as well.

These are all almost 100% natural light. My favorite kind of light to shoot in...rock it.

love it!

The photo behind her is of big brother Keegen at her age...they look identical...awesome...

Giving is Awesome

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 – over $200 worth, to be exact. This offer includes:
•an outdoor family session with online proofing gallery of 30 final digitally enhanced images
•1-11x14
•4-5x7s
•24 wallets
•3 accordion-style brag books (new product!) featuring 10-15 favorite images

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives 50% off their next canvas gallery wrapped portrait!!! What better reason to show some love could there possibly be people?

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-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside within 100 miles of the Northfield, Minn., area.

* You must e-mail me the full story with 'giving is awesome' as the subject: tlittle@sweetshibui.com. (no phone calls or Facebook nominations please!) Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Don't forget to include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.(out of respect for the winner, the story/names may or may not be posted on my site)

*Session must be booked by August 2010

All nominations must be received by Christmas Eve--the winner will be announced at noon on Christmas (if possible)– so get nominating! 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.

With love and super excitement,

Trish

Know someone perfect to nominate who lives out of my area? TONS of photographers are involved in this campaign -- check it out!!!

giving thanks...

Since I plan on doing a looking back, thoughtful, lengthy New Year's post, I'll keep this holiday post short... ;-)

Hope everyone had a chance to get together with family, loved ones and friends and give thanks for all the blessings and obstacles in their lives. Without hardship how are we ever to know true success and give thanks for the road, perhaps less traveled, that got us there in the first place.

This holiday I give great thanks to my Mr. Nick, my family, friends and clients who have helped make this year phenomical (yep, I just made that up) for me this year. I also thank the Buns for not chewing on my computer cord this morning when I left it in reach and I give some serious props to Mr. Beaumont for consistently coming through for me, even after being in two accidents and multiple (minor!) traffic stops. Which brings me to my next thought: I am thankful for my Nana and all her thoughts, letters and über sweet knitting goods she passes my way. And for my lead foot that I obviously inherited from her. And much thanks to the roommates for more than I possibly have the time and room to list here. 

Since letters and words are boring, I'll close with a session from a few weeks ago-yeah, weeks. I know, I'm getting things in order, be patient! :-)

Also, be sure to check back tomorrow for details on the holiday giveaway sweepstakes...

Ooooo...it's a sweepstakes now. How couth of me! (That word is real. Sort of.)

These guys were so super awesome! Like most of the days in October, this one was cold, cloudy and somewhat ish...but the sublime cloud cover made for excellent light so I just couldn't resist!! It was so bloody cold out (ooo, I sound British!), but they all did what they could to think warm thoughts and smile through the bitter breeze to get some truly fun shots.

holiday surprises...

Hello dear friends, family, clients (whom I consider friends!) and fellow blog stalkers!

Attention, attention!!

:-)

This is a little bitty mini reminder that any and all orders that you would like in time for Christmas (as that framed photo of you and your family would make the bestest gift for Aunt Suzie in Tuscaloosa) need to be placed by DECEMBER 5.

Also...in light of the holidays and how much helping people warms my heart, I have a little contest that I'm going to be offering this year. 

Curious? 

I THOUGHT SO!!! 

This contest will start, go figure, on Black Friday and run through Christmas Eve. I'm going to need all the help and responses and feedback as possible so please, please, PLEASE spread the word!! Stay posted for more news, but I promise, it'll be super.

Because all posts are better with a photo... :-)

beautiful family

Once there was a tree..... and she loved a little boy. 

And every day the boy would come and he would gather her leaves and make them into crowns and play king of the forest. 

He would climb up her trunk and swing from her branches and eat apples.

And they would play hide-and-go-seek. 

And when he was tired, he would sleep in her shade.

And the boy loved the tree.......very much. 

And the tree was happy.

together

Looking back, you can't tell at all how cold it was that day. Okay, it wasn't freezing, but we did have several breaks to run inside and warm up!

Thanks to the Born family for all your smiles and great ideas!!!

precious addition

boy meets girl

girl falls in love with boy

boy asks girl to marry him

two become one

then a few years later...

one becomes three

Farmer George

For those who know him, George is a spitting image of his father. To the point that it's almost scary. Just kidding, Joey! ;-)

George got a new Case trailer and International tractor for his 2nd birthday and he couldn't be more pumped about it! Finally...a way to haul all his goods...

little miss

As soon as I got there, Emily was all about it. She totally brought her A game. Ella wished she was anywhere else. I could tell. While Emily sat chit chatting about this and that, Ella clung to her mother, hiding from me and keeping that precious little smile to herself. Eventually, though, she opened up (especially when she saw her pumpkin!). They were such awesome sports about the cold weather, thanks little ladies!!!