Galhouse Photography

Blog Has Moved!!

2011-02-22T13:51:00.000-08:00

Please jump on over to my new blog located here.

See you there!

Radiance

2011-01-31T06:19:00.000-08:00

I think this mom-to-be looks just incredibly radiant all glowy-like! Her skin shines, her eyes shine...just gorgeous! We captured her just in time, too...welcome baby Samuel!

Why does custom photography cost more?

2010-12-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon this GREAT article that explains why custom photographers charge what we charge. I had to pass it on, since I do get the occasional question about it. Take a look!

Poor little bloggy

2010-12-05T18:59:00.000-08:00

Well, you can tell when busy season approaches for photographers...blogs become completely neglected. I was actually not planning on setting aside *any* time for blogging till I get through this whirlwind of holiday card orders, but this family has had to reschedule their ordering appointment a few times and I know they are just dying to get a taste...so here we are. I *love* this little guy's expression on the chair - so confident, so "look at me". And his blue eyes in the blue sweater? Fuggeddaboutit.

Out in the city!

2010-11-14T05:12:00.000-08:00

LOVE when I get a family who is willing to take a risk with me :) So often, people are drawn to "country" style sessions in the fall, with the changing leaves and bursting color and I *totally* get it. However, this family had already done that once and I asked if they would be up for something different...changing out the background from trees and grass to concrete and bricks! I am so happy they took a chance, and I hope they will be, too!

Sample Album Layout

2010-11-10T06:06:00.001-08:00

I have been asked in the past if I could share a sample album layout so that people considering a session can get a sense of what a full session of images looks like. This particular layout is for a coffee table book (sample images below) which is 10x10 with an image front and soft pages. You can view the full layout here.

Time flies!

2010-11-09T19:25:00.000-08:00

It has been over two years since I photographed this pair - he was a brand spanking new baby and I was 9+ months pregnant with Campbell. I think I gave birth to her just days after photographing this little guy. And now he is TWO so it was long overdue that I see them again. Just as much fun as it had always been...

Big kids

2010-11-09T18:49:00.000-08:00

Most of the time I am photographing itty bitty kids...they run, they jump, they do anything but sit still. But every once in a while I get asked to photograph teenagers and every time I do I am reminded of how nice it is to have a subject that...listens...and follows direction! It's about the most relaxing type of session you could ask for. And with two beautiful teens such as these, my job is so easy!

Turning Six!

2010-11-05T18:14:00.000-07:00

This lucky little girl is headed to Disney World tomorrow to celebrate her 6th birthday and I promised her mom a sneak peek before they left. The session started with E being a little quiet and shy with me, but by the end she was jumping in my arms and asking for kisses :) That's my idea of a successful session!

A Whole Lot of Energy

2010-11-04T06:31:00.000-07:00

Between these three boys it was non-stop action during the session. The littlest one is at one of those tough ages where they are getting their first taste of independence and just want to GO, GO, GO. They are such handsome little guys...Mom will have her hands full in the next few years when the girls start paying attention to such things! And by the way, this session is a surprise for Dad so if you know this family, mum's the word...

Fall Colors

2010-11-04T06:13:00.000-07:00

I love it when my clients get very into the wardrobe selection process, and this mom certainly did! She did a fantastic job! Pulling in several patterns makes it more interesting than all solids (as long as all the patterns use the same 2-3 colors), and having multiple layers on each person photographs very well, too. Kudos!

Holiday Sessions

2010-11-03T05:56:00.000-07:00

An update for those still thinking about a session for the holidays...there are about 5 spots left for November. I am extending the deadlines for holiday cards and gifts by a week to accommodate any last minute bookings, so the new deadlines are:

Latest session date for holiday cards: November 30
Latest session date for holiday gifts: December 10

Contact me today to book your session!

Two Cuties

2010-11-02T13:31:00.000-07:00

What a *perfect* day we had outside with these two. I have photographed these little ones many times in the past but this was our first time doing it outside and it ended up being a gorgeous day! Little M is so sassy...wanted her pants hiked up to her knees (apparently that is "the thing" these days?) and her pearl necklace and her cowboy boots. She already has her own style and I love it. And then little P...he is sooo cute when he giggles I could stick him in my pocket and take him home.

Four years later...

2010-11-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

Well this is the first time I showed up for a session and felt old! The last time I had photographed these two kids they were such little ones and now they are all grown up! Well, not exactly, but it sure felt like it when I saw them again. Check out these "then and now" images...

Spooky Portraits!

2010-11-01T05:52:00.000-07:00

So we had our first annual Halloween party for the neighborhood yesterday, and while I was planning some decorating ideas, I decided I wanted to hang some spooky portraits above our couch. And then I thought...why don't I just turn the existing portraits we have into spooky Halloween portraits? And so I took the images I already had of my three little ones from the beach this summer and did some Photoshop magic to them! Sorry for the resolution - taken from my phone!!

Three Little Girls!

2010-10-25T09:02:00.001-07:00

I have gotten to know this family well over the past few years, but it was their first time for a NEWBORN session since I had begun photographing them. I just love going to this home because the mom's decorating style is so similar to mine...a little funky, a little mid-century modern, totally my taste! Here's their brand new baby girl...

Baby in Bloom

2010-10-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

What a cutie pie!! She is at an in-between age...going on 5 months...not able to sit on her own yet but too big to curl like a newborn. I warned Mom and Dad that we may need to do more images of her being held than we would typically have to do. But she did great!! A beautiful home for a backdrop doesn't hurt either :) I love the image with the blue hat; I think she looks like a flower in bloom!

Vibrant!

2010-10-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

I looooove when I get to photograph clients with super-charged color. When I first started my photography business I was so drawn to black and white images. But over the years, I have come to really love intense, saturated color, like these.

Irish Lass

2010-10-07T13:44:00.000-07:00

Not only is she beautiful and sweet, but her parents are also dear friends of ours, which always makes the session so much fun for me - casual and relaxed!

Munchkins

2010-10-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

I just love when clients return again and again to photograph their growing family. This little guy is now a BIG brother! He was so sweet with his new baby sister AND a total ham for the camera :)

Amazing Grace

2010-09-28T08:45:00.001-07:00

It was tough getting little Grace here. She arrived a few weeks early after Mom had bouts of bed rest at home, hospital bed rest, and an induction that never took! But she's here safe and sound, and Mom and Dad couldn't be prouder!

Rock 'n Roll Baby

2010-09-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the jungle, Brody Axl!! And yes, his middle name is for exactly who you think it is...

Baby Caroline

2010-09-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

What a beauty! Some newborn sessions we can only get sleeping images and some newborn sessions we can only get wide awake ones, but little Caroline let us get a little of each. Simply perfect!

A Mom for the Third Time

2010-09-08T18:55:00.000-07:00

I have photographed this family many times over the past few years, but both the girls were already a little older when we met. So I am sooo excited that Mom is pregnant a third time and let me capture it for her - and I am especially excited to meet baby #3 in a few short weeks!!

Back Again!

2010-09-03T12:17:00.000-07:00

You may remember this little sweetheart who came to me for her one year session. She's just turned two and her smile is still as contagious as ever. I had so much fun playing with her! See you next year, little lady!

Thatcher

2010-08-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

You may remember him from his newborn session on the blog last year. He was a chunky monkey then and is a chunky monkey now. He reminds me sooo much of my little Kelden, with those cheeks and I just want to eat him up nom, nom, nom.

Little Brother

2010-08-25T19:47:00.000-07:00

Mom had warned me he wasn't a super smiley little guy...but boy, was he cute! We had photographed his big brother at this exact same age, and now it was his turn. Mom is trying to match a canvas set she did with the first child - I'm excited to see the trio she chooses!

Beautiful Sisters

2010-08-25T04:43:00.000-07:00

I had photographed these sisters about three years ago, and then I hadn't seen them in quite some time. Turns out they had moved to the Middle East! They were back last week for a vacation and we were able to fit an appointment in for updated images. These little ladies are so pretty and photograph so beautifully! Mom ordered a wall arrangement that I am just dying to see! Hopefully she will send photos from home so I can see the final layout!

Getting to Know You

2010-08-24T11:28:00.000-07:00

Usually by the time I am photographing children who are 3,4,5 years old, I have already photographed them several times before throughout their "babyhood". So it is unusual when I am photographing children that I haven't met before, and you never know how long it will take for them to warm up to you. Sometimes it can be quite a while before the camera even comes out! But these two were immediate friends :) They were both excited to show me around their house and yard and were such good listeners (I love those)! They warmed up to me right away. We even brought their new kitten in for a few...in the background of these, but still present!

Oozing Cuteness!

2010-08-18T07:54:00.000-07:00

This little lady is too cute for words! We had photographed her brother when he was the same age, and now it was her turn! We even ended the session with a little bath time in the kitchen sink, which I think was her favorite part. My favorite part? Every time she flashed me that smile!

Double the Fun!

2010-08-18T07:43:00.000-07:00

I have been really neglecting the blog lately. I'm so sorry, internet world! This has been the busiest August I have ever had on record and as a result, certain things fall by the wayside, this blog being one of them. But I'm back to share a few sessions with you! I photographed this sweet set of twins a few weeks ago and they were sooo fun. As much as I love photographing babies, I have to admit how much I enjoy sessions with children who are slightly older. They just...listen! Me calling them over to different spots just...works! We were able to get a good number of images of them together, too, which is not always the case when working with siblings :)

15 minutes

2010-08-06T13:09:00.000-07:00

15 minutes. That was about the amount of time we had for this session. Little Emily was still napping when I arrived at her house, and even though I hate to do it, we had to wake her. It took a bit of time for her to gradually come out of her tired state, and was about 45 minutes into the session before we started shooting. Then her mom warned me she was going to go to the other extreme shortly and get very excited and worked up about someone new being in the house. That left us about 15 minutes in the sweet spot, and we did it! We were even able to get Mom the 30x40 canvas she was going for!

Another from the Beach...

2010-07-26T11:53:00.000-07:00

...I have photographed this family on a number of occasions and was so excited to do a beach session with them. But boy, did we pick a scorcher! I try do beach sessions later in the day but happy babies are most important, and that means working around nap and sleep schedules, so for this family that mean around 2:00PM. It was HOT! We hustled and tried to get through it quickly so we wouldn't all melt :)

Beach Session

2010-07-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

Wow! Right before this beach session, I had decided to check out the beach area near them since it's a little more deserted. When I turned off the highway to get into the beach area, I must have missed the sign saying "4 wheel drive required" and before I could blink my wheels were submerged in the sand and spinning like crazy. Somehow my swagger wagon was not equipped for this fun! Luckily a few guys drove by and saw me stranded and helped tow me out...just in time! We got the timing just right for sunset and that perfect light. What a fun time I had photographing this family again. They just got themselves a beautiful beach home and were looking for some artwork to fill the walls. I had such a hard time choosing favorites from this session, and I bet they will, too!

Last minute maternity

2010-07-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

Well this was a funny one! This mom-to-be called me ONE week before her due date - most clients schedule months in advance to be sure they can get in around the 35-week mark. She contacted me and said she had never heard of maternity photography until the night before when she saw someone on TV do it. She googled it to see if it was a "real" thing and was shocked to see it was :) I squeezed her in right away and we had a great time doing the session. She looks beautiful!

It happened again...

2010-07-13T06:12:00.000-07:00

This mom-to-be and I had a discussion about how women seem to go into labor very shortly having their session with me - it's so uncanny! We sort of laughed about it, but decided to go ahead and schedule the ordering appointment for only two days later, instead of the typical two weeks. Wouldn't you know it? The morning of the ordering appointment, she went into labor and was not able to meet with me. I'm telling you, people, there is something to this!

It's been a while!

2010-07-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been away from the blog. We are leaving for the beach tomorrow to do beach sessions in OC, and it has been a mad rush of sessions and ordering appointments trying to get everything wrapped up before leaving. I have lots to share and will try to do a few posts while we are away. In the meantime...take a look at these dimples!

Hot! Hot! Hot!

2010-06-22T13:16:00.000-07:00

Seriously, this session must have taken places on one of the hottest days we have had so far this year. Poor mom was in jeans and we chose a huge garden with lots of walking! Aside from a few minutes where we all got separated from each other, I'd say the session was a success! Mom and Dad have a nice gallery to look forward to...

12 Weeks Early!

2010-06-22T12:38:00.001-07:00

Wow...this mom went into labor just days after our maternity session, and she was only 28 weeks along (I'm starting to get a complex about all these moms going into labor right after their session!). We had a to wait a few months for baby Ella to get out of the NICU and be home and healthy, but it was worth it! Mom even brought a special bench with her, that I believe had been built by her grandfather. Beautiful and so special to have her little newborn laying on it...

Baby R

2010-06-22T12:15:00.000-07:00

So sweet! We conducted her session at her home, but ran into issues with light. A drizzly day to begin with, and the house was surrounded by trees, all making for a difficult lighting situation. Luckily it is like 95 degrees these days and we were able to create a makeshift studio outside! You'd never know by looking...

10 weeks

2010-06-09T09:46:00.001-07:00

What a sweet baby girl! Mom and I had the toughest time working this into the calendar since we were both recovering from surgery - we had intended to do this when she was a newborn but we just couldn't get it to work. One benefit - we were able to get a few smiles, which very rarely happens with newborns! Mom also wanted to incorporate these wooden letters that were made by her grandfather. How sweet!

Bored, guys?

2010-06-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

Hey, guys! Looking a little lackluster!

That's it! Tickle Monster is coming out!

That's more like it!

Sisters In Action

2010-06-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

We had a hot day for this one! But the girls did so well! We went to a location where I had never been before and I am so happy that this family found it! Fountains, gardens, little paths...everything we could hope for!

In Between

2010-06-01T12:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I am almost considering changing my recommendation about not photographing the 3-5 month age range. I met little Anna last week, and she was sweet as could be. Mom was a little concerned since Anna was tired, and had been dealing with colic, so she said "If you can get even ONE I will be so happy!" I think we got an album full for sure! We even managed to get a few of big brother on Anna's breaks...

Preston!

2010-05-20T08:30:00.000-07:00

OK, so most of you know I usually don't recommend doing a session around the 3 month mark, particularly if you did one as a newborn. There is not that much change yet, and it can be an awkward age to try to photograph, since baby is not able to sit up yet, but also is not still curling up like a newborn. I'm not much into "propping" the baby up, so it leaves few options for how to position the baby. However, in this situation, Mom and Dad had taken baby for a newborn session at a mall studio, and the results were disastrous. So, in that situation, I recommend getting the baby in for a session ASAP! Mom and Dad really wanted an image of Preston hanging in a sling, so when he ran out of steam during the session, I invited them back for some additional time the next day...and we got it!

Brand New

2010-05-20T07:52:00.000-07:00

We had intended to do this session at their home so that we could incorporate some of their antiques into the session. But unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and we needed to move to the studio. All in all, he did very well and mostly slept the session away. Love those kind of babies!

Baby Emma

2010-05-20T06:56:00.001-07:00

We photographed her brother when he was 9 months old, and now it was her turn. This little girl was tired with a capital T! We coaxed some smiles but I thought the session was not complete without at least one tearful image, which I included below. I think it's fun to get a range of emotions in the images as opposed to a gallery of only smiling faces!

Spitfire!

2010-05-11T18:48:00.001-07:00

This little lady was strong-willed and knew what she wanted! She knew what she wanted to wear, and where she wanted to go, and what she wanted to do. Mom and me were just along for the ride!

The Most Agreeable Baby Ever

2010-05-11T18:35:00.000-07:00

Seriously. This little peanut pretty much slept the session away and let me rearrange him in all different kinds of ways. One of the easiest newborns I've ever had!

Baby on Board

2010-05-05T08:19:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful mom-to-be! We had to coax Dad out of his cuff links for a few shots, but it was worth it :)

Hard Drive Crash

2010-04-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

Ugh. Well, the unthinkable happened. You never think it will happen to you, and then it does. My hard drive crashed and burned about two weeks ago, and boy has it given me some things to think about. I had a backup system set up, but it wasn't working! So my last full backup had been June of last year. As I saw the hard drive starting to fail, I was quick on my feet and made sure to backup all of my client files. But what did I miss? My own children's photographs. Yep, which means Campbell's first birthday, our vacation last year, Halloween, Christmas, and most importantly, Kelden's birth. I had a few people take a look at the drive, and the damage is extensive. It requires being sent off to a clean room where they will disassemble it piece by piece and try to read the data on the platters. I have my fingers crossed that something will be recoverable, but there is a hefty price to pay. They said between $1000-$3000 dollars. YIKES. But how do you put a price on your family photos? You don't. Just a reminder to everyone out there - backup up your family photos and videos NOW! Life gets so busy and it's easy to forget...

In the City

2010-04-28T11:03:00.000-07:00

I don't often get the opportunity to go downtown and do a session in the streets of DC, but when I do, I loooove it. There are so many natural props to work with - steps, fences, alleyways, brick. I love everything about it! However, for those of you who read my blog and website regularly, you know I always warn parents that photographing 18-month-olds can be tricky. They are so independent and headstrong, and listening...well, it comes and goes :) But we rolled with the punches, and put more of an emphasis on the family for this session. I hope to get to photograph this little lady again when she is tad bit older - I know she will be SO much fun!

Everyone has those days...

2010-04-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

...you know the kind. You wake up tired, maybe the baby kept you up, you are not in the mood to go to work. We all have those days...well I started out having one today. My son woke up on the wrong side of the bed...didn't want to go to school, didn't want to get dressed, didn't want what I made for breakfast...you know how it goes! Got out the door late and was prepared to just have one of those days. But then I got to work - and there was THIS waiting for me...and it's hard to have a bad day when you have something so sweet waiting for you. And then I remembered how much I love what I do, and how lucky I am to be able to document these moments for families. Thanks, little guy, for turning my day around!!

Don't Forget Mom!

2010-04-22T12:17:00.001-07:00

Last Minute Session Available

2010-04-20T18:41:00.001-07:00

A spot just opened up for this coming Tuesday - I am offering it at 50% off session fee! First to contact me gets it!

Anthony & Isabella

2010-04-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

This was my second time photographing this family...everyone is growing and doing well!

Cutie Patootie

2010-04-15T19:04:00.001-07:00

Honestly, couldn't you just die? Those eyes, those cheeks...adorable!

Mini-Sessions Round Two!

2010-03-31T19:36:00.000-07:00

Baby Henry

2010-03-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

This little man had the sweetest disposition...he tolerated so much from us with very little fuss!

Sneak Peak: Mini-Sessions, Round 1

2010-03-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

What a full day for my first week back from maternity leave! We had babies, we had teens, and everything in between, including some clients I haven't seen in years! It was great catching up! Here is a preview of some of the images from our day together...

Oliver

2010-03-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

I met this little guy when he was around 4 months old and encouraged his parents to wait a few more months till he was in the sweet spot - but I remembered how smiley he had been when we had met and was really looking forward to the session! What a cute little guy!

Mini-Session Spot Available!

2010-03-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

One of my clients for the March 26 mini-session date accidentally showed up on the 19th date - so her original spot is now open. 3:15 on Friday, March 26. First to email me gets it!

New Studio Images

2010-03-18T12:10:00.000-07:00

Yay!! The new studio is officially open! I'm so excited about this space - it is about 1200 sq ft so it is double the size of the space I had before. And it is filled with natural light, even on cloudy days. All this AND a more convenient location for my clients! What more could I ask for?

Reception Area:

Wall Separating Reception from Shooting Room 1:

Shooting Room 1:

Closeup of Faux Brick Wall:

Closeup of White Tile Wall:

Shooting Room 2:

Dressing Room:

Future "Kids Area" - Still looking for small table/chairs:

Two Restrooms:

Prop Closet:

All Mini-Sessions are Full!

2010-02-26T13:05:00.000-08:00

Both March 19 and 26 are now fully booked. If you are interested in booking a full session, please get in touch!

March Mini-Sessions

2010-02-17T06:22:00.000-08:00

The Mother's Day Mini-Sessions last year were a huge hit! I held the event in April last year but wished I had done it sooner so I could accommodate everyone who requested one. This year I will be holding them on Friday March 19, with a second date to be added if necessary.

So, what is a mini-session?

A mini-session is a targeted session aiming to get particular images in a reduced amount of time. Some reasons you might want a mini-session:

- you need a few images for Grandma for Mother's Day gifts
- you want to capture a difficult age, such as 3-4 months, when I normally would recommend not doing a full session
- you already know you are going to want a full session later in the year for holiday cards and gifts, but also don't want to miss an important milestone that is happening now
- you have always wanted to try out Galhouse Photography, but couldn't commit to a full session
- or, what I consider to be a very important reason: as the Mom, you are always on the other side of the camera, and here is your chance to actually be IN photographs with your children.

Here are the details:

~ mini-sessions are 20 minutes long
~ between 5-8 images will be shown in your gallery
~ mini-sessions are per child; two siblings would require
two sessions
~ mini-sessions will take place at the studio*
~ one outfit/background per session
~ not available for newborns
~ $60 per session and special collections will be
available
~ Mom does NOT have to be a part of the session!

This is the only mini-session event I will be holding this year, so act now to reserve your space! You can register here.

* If I am not in a new studio location by March, I will set up a temporary studio location for this event!

He's Here!!

2010-02-09T10:43:00.000-08:00

The Galhouse family is now complete!

Baby Kelden Locke was born on January 19 - he was a huge one! 9 pounds 11 ounces! Over two pounds heavier than his older sister, Campbell. I have no idea how that happened, but this does explain why I was beyond miserable the last few weeks of my pregnancy!

He has been a little tougher than the other two for trying to get newborn images, I think due to his size. He is already stretching out and not wanting to curl up (heed the advice I give to my newborn clients - you really do want to get your session done before the two week mark). I waited till day 14 and had the toughest time with him! But here are a few...

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-21T14:25:00.001-08:00

I wanted to thank all of my FABULOUS clients for making 2009 the best year so far for Galhouse Photography! I am beginning my maternity leave this week and will be returning in March - the calendar is already beginning to fill so don't hesitate to get in touch!

I wanted to leave you with a few images from my final holiday session this year - what a cutie pie!

Three Big Brothers

2009-12-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

We focused on the little lady for this session, but Mom and I just both loved how this image turned out of her with her big brothers. They will be getting this as a 30x60 canvas for above the couch. Can't wait to see it!

Two New Babies...

2009-11-27T12:51:00.000-08:00

...a boy and a girl! What more could you ask for? Mom and Dad are set!

Photographing twins can be very tricky - it can be difficult with even just one newborn trying to get them comfortable and sleepy - but with two, it seems like when one is asleep, the other is awake, when one is happy, the other is crying, and in this case...neither liked being naked! After trying and trying to get each to sleep separately, we were surprised that what finally did the trick was putting them right on top of each other...guess they are used to that feeling!

Chunky Monkey

2009-11-17T14:19:00.000-08:00

You may remember this mommy's maternity images, where she was stretched out all in black here. Got lots of positive feedback on those images! Well they welcomed baby boy and he was a big one! Ohh, I just want to eat this little guy up! And he was sooo cooperative and sleepy!

Beautiful Little Ladies

2009-11-17T06:08:00.000-08:00

I had photographed big sister S a few years back when she was an only child, and now along came L. With their beautiful eyes and gorgeous hair...the whole family is just stunning!

Twins!

2009-11-13T12:25:00.000-08:00

I knew as soon as I saw these two I was going to have a tough time telling them apart. They *really* look alike! That can be challenging with toddler twins, because during the session you want to make sure you are getting equal representation in the images, but when you turn around, you aren't sure which is which! And it doesn't help when you look at Dad and ask "which one is this?" and he laughs and shakes his head because he doesn't know either!! In the end, it all worked out...

Canvas Wall

2009-11-10T04:42:00.000-08:00

Sorry to be away so long - it is that time of year when I just cannot seem to catch my breath! Session after session after session! I have about, oh...20 sneak peeks I need to get up and many albums needing to be designed, holiday cards waiting to be designed, etc! Today is my first "office" day in about a month! No sessions, just nose to the grindstone getting things done!

One of the things I have been working on is a canvas wall for this client. Sometimes clients prefer to display a variety of images on their walls as opposed to just choosing one or two favorites. We put together this canvas wall that is approximately 50 inches wide and includes a good variety of images. I can't wait to see pictures of it when the canvases are hanging in place!

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

2009-10-28T11:49:00.000-07:00

OK, so it wasn't actually raining. But little M is so in love with her umbrella that we had to include it in the session. And luckily, they had just watered the plants at the gardens, so we had plenty of puddles to play in!

Fall Colors

2009-10-26T12:28:00.001-07:00

Yes, we can get a taste of fall colors, even in the studio...

Brand New

2009-10-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

So I walked into my client's home to get set up for their newborn session, and I saw this chair. How could we not use this chair? I have been looking for something like this for the studio for sooo long! So, we set up the lights, put up a damask curtain, and there you have it - instant studio! I'm sure they won't mind when I show up and knock on their door three or four days a week looking to use their chair, right? Right?

Redheads!

2009-10-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

Whew! Look at the red hair on these boys! Mom said she preferred a more traditional feel to their images. We ended up at Great Falls - you can see the water behind one of the boys in his individual image. After all the rain last week, what a beautiful day we had!

Sleep? Not so much...

2009-10-16T07:16:00.000-07:00

Mom really wanted a sleeping shot of baby M, but baby was not having it. She rocked her, she nursed her till she was overflowing, she swaddled her...but nothing. Luckily, little M gave an extra long blink at one point and we were able to snap it right away, to create the illusion of sleeping baby! Sometimes, that's the best we can do :)

Smiles and Curls

2009-10-15T06:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been away for so long - busy season is underway, and that means doing back-to-back sessions on a daily basis, which naturally cuts into my fun blogging time!

Here are a few from a recent outdoor session - when I first photographed this family several years ago, big brother had a head full of curls. He has outgrown them, but look who has assumed responsibility for them - with gusto!!

Awaiting Their Little One

2009-10-05T12:13:00.001-07:00

Another gorgeous mommy waiting on her little one to arrive! What a handsome couple - can't wait to meet baby!

Sharing the Spotlight

2009-09-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

This brother and sister were so much fun, but we were worn out by the end! Sometimes big sis didn't want to be taking pictures, but when the spotlight was on her brother, she'd change her mind! And she was very particular about her clothing choices - I guess it starts early :)

New Little Man

2009-09-17T13:03:00.000-07:00

This little guy was a little over a week old when we photographed him. We had a tough time settling him down and trying to get him to sleep. He'd fall asleep in our arms, but as soon as we put him down he'd start crying. Amazing how perceptive these little babies can be!

Six Spots Left for Holiday Sessions

2009-09-10T13:55:00.000-07:00

It's that time! Fall is upon us and the calendar is almost full, as so often happens this time of year. I have three spots left for September and three for November that will get you cards or gifts in time for Christmas. That's it! I'm working on updating my online calendar, but always get in touch with me about prospective dates. I have many newborns on my schedule (seven in October alone!) and since I cannot assign solid dates to them, I do need to leave some open dates on the calendar to accommodate them. So if you are thinking about scheduling a session for the holidays, now is the time. The last session for getting holiday cards and gifts guaranteed is November 15. Get in touch soon!

New Little Sis

2009-09-09T17:52:00.000-07:00

I photographed her brother a few years back, and now they have welcomed a new baby girl with the prettiest blue eyes! She was quite smiley throughout the session, a natural model! I love the look of joy on her face in the image where she is pulling her brother's nose!

I Scream, You Scream

2009-09-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

We all scream for ice cream! Her mom brought along this ice cream cone shirt for her, so it was only natural we end the session with a little reward :)

Beautiful Mommy-To-Be

2009-09-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful mom-to-be who came to my studio last week. And best of all, she was up for anything and open to everything! I think she looks gorgeous! We got some great shots with her husband as well, who I was tickled to learn had been "practicing" his poses in the mirror the night before! I saw this first shot when I went to Heather Rivlin's workshop in January and I just had to try it myself.

Tea Party!

2009-08-26T09:42:00.001-07:00

I spent a beautiful morning outside with this family of four, and they ended the morning with their very own tea party in a secret garden...

On "Vacation"

2009-08-25T19:52:00.000-07:00

I use that term sooo loosely. My children's day care closes for two weeks each year. It's a one woman operation, she runs it out of her home, and this is her annual vacation. Lord knows, she needs it! Anyway, for these two weeks I am unable to take appointments because I am catering to the every need and whim of my two kids. We flew to Houston last Tuesday and I assure you, it was the least fun I've ever had in my life ever. Little Campbell is in that stage where she doesn't want to sit down - ever. Sitting on my lap? HA!! Mom, that's for BABIES! Of course, she's only one so I didn't buy her a ticket, assuming that at 10AM on a Tuesday OF COURSE there would be an open seat somewhere on the plan. FOOL! Every seat was taken and there were even two extra passengers they couldn't figure out where to seat. So we had a nice 40 minute wait before the plane even took off trying to figure out how they could have possibly sold two extra seats. And then the ride home, starting with weather delays and then the SLOWEST ever loading of the luggage. Literally, we sat for about 45 minutes while they loaded bags into the plane. Even the pilot was like, "Um, yeah, I have no idea why this is taking so long." And then as we are starting to back up, "OOPS!! We forgot to load all the car seats. We need to go back to get them!" And the plane went back into loading mode. And then after we landed it was an HOUR and 10 minutes for our baggage to arrive on the belts. Holy Moses. This stuff only happens when you have two screaming kids with you. And did I mention we went to Houston because I was hosting a baby shower? HOW FUN it was to plan the menu, shop for favors and decorations, and get all the cooking and baking done with two kids who were so off schedule that they actually laughed at me when I suggested naps? So yeah, vacation, not so much...and we still have this whole week to go. AWESOME!

Wide Awake!

2009-08-17T06:45:00.000-07:00

Usually when you do a session with a young newborn (i.e. less than 10 days old) you can count on the fact they will fall asleep. They just WILL. But not this guy! He was not having it! We spent almost 4 hours in this session and he never fell asleep! I bet he slept well for Mom and Dad that night, though!

Cutie-Pie

2009-08-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

This little sweetie reminded me SO much of my little Campbell. Just turned one, tottering around, barely any hair, but the hair she has is reddish, beautiful blue eyes, and a smile that makes YOU smile. Seriously, when I was going back through the session images to make my selections, every time I saw an image with her huge grin I caught myself smiling, too. She's just one of those babies...

The Silly One...

2009-08-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

...and The Quiet One. I don't know if it's always the case with these two, but this particular day, big sis was all ablaze, and little sis was stoic and peaceful!

Round Two

2009-08-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

What a fun pair these two are! This was my second time photographing this family and these guys have done so much growing since then! I love getting to watch my little peeps grow up...

Little Lady

2009-08-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

While we were hoping to get a family shot and maybe a sibling shot, the real focus of this session was on the little lady. She was at the yummy age and I am just loving those curls! And don't get me started on those cheeks!

Sisters

2009-07-31T06:33:00.000-07:00

I love photographing these two. They are the best listeners and every time I come out of their sessions with a totally full, to the limit, memory card!

5th Anniversary

2009-07-27T04:31:00.000-07:00

My husband and I celebrated our fifth anniversary this weekend. I can't believe how quickly it's gone and it doesn't feel like 5 years at all! We have accomplished so much during that time!

First this...

Then this...

And these...

And now this!

Yes, we are expecting another little one (this will be the last...probably!) in January. We are so thrilled to be able to complete our family, but a little nervous, too. I mean, were we not already tired enough? Or poor enough? Or busy enough? HA! And of course the guilt has already set in for Carter and how we feel he gets the short straw every time, attention-wise, because he is so self-sufficient and Campbell needs so much attention...and now it will only get worse! But it's short-term, and we both agreed we wouldn't feel complete without one more around the table.

In any case, plan your schedules accordingly. Galhouse Photography will be closed January and February 2010 - but if you are expecting a newborn, you should always call, because I will always try to fit those in!!

Studio Pics, Finally!

2009-07-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

I was out of town for yet another workshop last week so I am just getting back to the blog. Thanks for your patience! I have a few sneak peeks to share as well but first! Studio pics! Of course, the one time I actually needed my wide angle lens and I was without it!

Front and rear of building

Reception area

Shooting Area

Entrance to Dressing Area

Dressing Area

Curls Galore!

2009-07-10T05:51:00.000-07:00

These two had the most beautiful ringlets I've ever seen! What gorgeous children and what a gorgeous day for us to have for their session!

Image Boxes are Here!

2009-07-06T13:49:00.000-07:00

I am sooo excited about this new product! It's a wonderful alternative to an album for getting many (or all) of your images. The box is custom designed for each client and includes either 18 matted images (with display easel, so you can rotate what you are displaying at any given time) or ALL of your images unmatted. They are BEAUTIFUL!

Magazine Cover?

2009-07-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while I get notification from maternity magazines that they are looking for cover photos that meet certain criteria. A LOT of photographers get these requests, so the chances of being selected are pretty slim. But it's always fun to aim high! I just got a request last week, and one of my expectant clients was happy to help me shoot a few to submit. Here's what we came up with! Fingers crossed :)

A Friend in Need

2009-06-26T04:46:00.001-07:00

My dear friend Angie has had a heck of a year so far. She has been stressed the last few weeks over her company folding and her being out of a job (she is single, she is her only source of income). In the midst of all that stress, her house burned down a few days ago. She lives in a townhouse, and the house next to her caught on fire, and it caught to hers. I went yesterday to survey the damage, and everything is gone. She called me yesterday and asked if I had any clothes I could spare for her, as she she only has her flip flops and what she was wearing when the fire started. She has been able to pay her mortgage only because she has two renters - but now of course, she won't have them helping her out anymore, and without her job...my heart just breaks for her. For any new sessions booked during the next week for the month of July, I am donating session fees to Angie, so if you have been on the fence about booking a July session, I hope this pushes you over the edge! If anyone would like to donate any money to Angie, feel free to send a contribution through paypal to galhousephotos@gmail.com, with "Angie" as the subject. Thank you SO much for your support! I know she will be touched :)