Category Archives: Miscellaneous

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End of 2008 Wrap-Up!

Well, we’ve come to the end of another amazing year! I photographed so many wonderful little ones and their families in 2008. I truly have THE most amazing job.

I will be out of the office for two weeks starting tomorrow. I will be back on Monday, January 5th. Any calls and e-mails will be returned promptly at that time.

I do have a few openings in January - an afternoon appointment on the 10th, the 17th and a morning of the 24th. So if you wanted a holiday session and I wasn’t able to fit you in, just let me know if you’d like a session in January.

As always - if you’re having a baby, let me know as soon as possible! I always make time to fit newborns into my schedule.

After I return, I plan to work on my annual year-in-review slideshow. The 2007 version was viewed so many times - I can’t wait to do one featuring all of my amazing 2008 clients!

Personally, it was a great year for the Russo family. We saw the addition of Lulu and Annie (and all the dirt that comes with them, but I’m pretending it doesn’t really exist). Our little miracle Ava turned 3 (going on 16) and decided it was ‘all dresses all the time’ and Aidan turned 9 and promptly inserted his head into a very thick cloud that I hear will remain until he’s around 20. Goody!

Speaking of my two little monsters:

It was also a great year for my chair, since there’s less of me sitting in it.

2007:

And now, minus about 30 pounds (Ava’s three…the ‘baby weight’ excuse was past the expiration date ):

OH, and since he’s not seen that often, I told Vic he had to sit so I could meter for the shots he was going to take of me (gotcha!). Here’s the Mr. himself:

Technology-wise, the above shots were taken with my awesome new 5Dii. And since the 5Dii files are so ginormous (seriously, it’s a 21mp camera), I had to squeeze in a 2008 tax writeoff add a new Dell desktop to my arsenal. It has 6 gb of ram, nVIDIA graphics, 640 gig hard drive, and it’s an XPS gamer model so it glows a funky neon blue color and revs (literally) when it starts up. And don’t you think for one SECOND that my inner geek didn’t squeal with delight. Vic says I need to add another 24" monitor so I can run dual screens, but SHEESH, I’m not THAT much of a geek. Or am I? Hmmm…..

Thank you to ALL of my amazing clients this year. I look forward to seeing many of you again in 2009 so I can tell your little ones to STOP GROWING UP so quickly. The stinkers never listen to me, but I do try. I also can’t wait to meet all of the bitty new ones joining the world next year. It’s an exciting time, and I’m thrilled to help you capture it.

Happy Holidays!!

inseparable.

We have several doggy beds around the house, but they always have to smoosh into this one together.

They’re exhausted because they just spent the morning being chased (inside and outside) by Ava, who is also having her nap. ;)

Did you get it today?

Aidan, Ava and I just sat on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and enjoyed Sleeping Beauty together. Did I cry? You betcha.

When I was a kid, I had the Disney book + album. You’d listen to the story on vinyl (records, remember those?) and page through the book. I haven’t seen or heard the story in probably 30 years, but when “Once Upon a Dream” came on? I knew every word. And had visions of my grandmother singing it with me.

Disney Magic.

To any of my clients reading this who have kids…go get the DVD. Even if your little ones are too little to enjoy it, who knows how many years it will be until it comes out again. I regret not buying Cinderella the last time it came out, and now I have to wait. And if you have boys? Aidan enjoyed it even more than Ava did. But don’t tell him I told you. ;)

I think I enjoyed it most of all. :)

Monday Randoms…

Canon Madness

Many of the photographers I know (including myself) shoot with a Canon 5D (I switched over from Nikon about a year ago). And - while I love mine as much today as I did the first day I bought it - an upgrade is imminent. Rumors have been crazy for months now about a 5DMkII or a 3D or 7D or SOMETHING. Well now Canon is teasing us with this: Destined Evolution. Every day, you can see a little bit more (latest rumor is the 17th for full disclosure). If their goal was to whip up a frenzy, they’ve succeeded nicely.

Mad Men

Vic and I started watching this series last week and we’ve caught up on Season 1 and are on to Season 2. I cannot BELIEVE how much they all drank and smoked in the early 60s! They drink bourbon like I drink Coke Zero! And the way the women are treated? Wow. The sets and clothes are simply amazing.

I will admit that while I enjoyed it at first, I now find it rather depressing - talk about wounded souls. We’ll keep watching, though - I have a feeling the women will rebound at some point. ;)

Lost and Found

Vic and I went to Ray’s on the River for our 14th wedding anniversary on Friday. The food was fantastic, but after our sitter texted me (hee) about Aidan losing tooth #342 (they’re pretty much ALL falling out this summer), I left the phone on the chair and…there it stayed. Vic and our sitter assured me it was GONE, so I lovingly adored the Blackberry Curve online…perhaps an iPhone? Hmmm….Hmmm…..

Then on Saturday morning the restaurant called to tell me the overnight cleaning staff had found it. Most excellent. It just made me feel really great that someone turned it in. Thank you!

It’s a good thing she’s cute. So last week Ava decided to run away from me in the FedEx/Kinkos parking lot. I grabbed her, turned and CRRAACK (anyone who’s had this happen knows exactly what sound I’m making). I tell you - there is nothing that can take you from fit and healthy to 98 years old faster than a thrown back. I bent over in the lot with tears running down my face for about 5 minutes, then got home and called my chiropractor to fix me up. She did…and then it happened again yesterday. I’m not real good at ‘taking it easy,’ and once a back is thrown, it’s *so* easy to do it again. I’m off to see her again this afternoon.

Wicked: Vic bought us tickets to see Wicked for my anniversary gift. I can’t wait.

Going Down… As of this morning, I’m down 26 pounds. I’m not sure it’s real obvious, but I’m down 2+ sizes and feel great. I’m not really trying anymore, just keepin’ on keepin’ on…but it’s still coming off. :)

Coveting

This.

Or This.

Or This or this.

I love beaded necklaces. If anyone knows where to find things like this in Atlanta (I KNOW there must be someplace!) do let me know!

Babies

Two. Taylor and Arman. 5 weeks and 6 weeks. Adorable. And I’m off to edit them now.

Happy Monday!