Danielle Marie Photography

New Blog is here!!

2009-03-30T22:54:00.001-04:00

Time to change your bookmarks! The Danielle Marie Photograpy Blog is now located here:
www.daniellemariephoto.com/blog Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of the new look!

Happy Anniversary!

2009-03-29T20:14:00.002-04:00

Danielle Marie Photography is celebrating our first anniversary this month!! In honor of this happy occasion, things will be looking a little different around here. A new updated blog, logo and believe it or not, regular weekly blog postings of photo clients, photos of my own kids, more mom-preneur features and give-aways, and other random thoughts that pop into my head that I must share with you!

A special thank you to all of my past photo clients, for making my first year in business so memorable. You make me feel so appreciated...and I love you all!

Keep checking back this week for lots of new things to see!

Happy Valentines Day!!

2009-02-12T11:53:00.001-05:00

Could he be any cuter? I mean I know he's mine, but seriously?

Sarah & Tim

2009-02-03T13:48:00.005-05:00

Sarah and Tim. What a gorgeous couple and so much fun to be around. After talking with Sarah on the phone a couple of times, I felt like I had known her forever...she is just sooo sweet! And thankfully Tim didnt get too upset with me when I called him Russ a couple of times! Sorry Tim, you guys just look so much alike!!

We had to reschedule this shoot a bunch of times due to snow and Im so glad that we didnt keep our original day which was actually negative 11 degrees, rather we waited and ended up with a gorgous day where we could take our coats off!

These guys specifically wanted some black and whites to use for a Save the Date card for their wedding. Here are a few from our session!

I know. Im 2 days late with the winner! Sorry!

2009-01-03T21:16:00.006-05:00

Happy New Year!!

I apologize for the delay in posting the winner to A. Ashley Designs contest! I have been totally unplugged this weekened. No internet! I started having withdrawl symptoms on Friday...shaky hands...heart palpitations. Can anyone really live without Facebook for 3 days?! I blame my friend Meg who said back in November, "Come on, just try it.." and Ive been addicted ever since. It might be time to buy a Blackberry or something. Its finally come to that.

We drove down to Kentucky this weekend to my husbands parents house (hence the internet free environment). As some of you already know, my mother in law passed away in November after complications from pneumonia. We went down this weekend to spend time with Dad and go through Dorothy's personal things which was just too difficult for her husband to do.

On one hand the experience was horrible and sad and so difficult and my husband and I cried a lot. But on the other hand, as I sifted through years of photos of Dorothy and her boys along with room after room of a life spent creating and crafting in a place decorated exactly to fit her personality, I couldn't help but feel joy for the time I have spent with her and joy at all of the life she lived in her short time here on earth.

I am comforted by the fact that I now have some things that she created with such skillful hands to place in my own home which will remind me of her everyday. I also feel a sense of comfort in knowing that she is no longer suffering. As we drove away from the house tonight, Collin (my three year old) told me that Nana was in heaven with God and he has fixed her lungs. He said that she hadn't died. She was alive but just couldn't be with us because she is in heaven. (Please keep in mind that the only religious teaching he has had so far is from our wonderful Christian babysitter who tells him a few things here and there) Somehow he put it all together and in a few short sentences, he soothed my soul. I love that kid.

Oh yeah. You are waiting for the contest results!!!

by a random pull from the hat...the winner is....

Allyson! (@two tuxedos)
Congratulations, Allyson! I will email you with details about how to redeem your gift certificate!

Ok...Im off for one quick facebook fix before I get to sleep in my own wonderful bed tonight.

New Orleans

2008-12-30T21:19:00.008-05:00

New Orleans. Ive always wanted to visit the French Quarter...stroll down Bourbon street with a cafe au lait, stop for beignets at the famous Cafe du Monde. Soak up the culture of this notorious city, its architecture, its colorful characters, and watch this wild town spring to life when the sun went down. To my surprise, I came to find out that night life seems to begin at ooohhh, lets see, 10am?

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to experience the French Quarter...a weekend away without the kids, just me and one of the coolest photographers I know, Kimbrali Boyd of Kimbrali Photography in Louisiana. Check out her blog and Im certain you will be blown away by her talent. Hang out on her blog awhile and you will see what a really fun, down to earth and truly sweet chic she is. Kim and I stayed at a really amazing hotel right outside of the French Quarter. You know, the kind of hotel where you feel just not quite cool enough to stay there but you pretend that you are...

Kim and I had lots of authentic "nawlins" food and bets on who could actually eat more (I think I lost the bet but only just barely), some late into the night talks, and of course a photo session with two gorgeous seniors. Hilary and Ainsley were so much fun to photograph, both of them so confident, full of energy and a blast to spend time with.

Here are a few from our New Orleans photo shoot!

Mom-preneur - A. Ashley Designs! Enter to win a $25 gift certificate!!

2008-12-17T14:04:00.024-05:00

My Mom-preneur series features local Moms who are not only doing a fabulous job of raising their children but are small business owners too! I have been very lucky to have started a business that I LOVE through great clientele and word of mouth advertising. What I want to to do is help other Mothers get their names out there too! Supporting local businesses, especially Mom-owned businesses, is something I am passionate about! So please email me if you are interested in a featured spot on my blog.

I had the pleasure of meeting Amy Ashley this summer and she is so sweet and fun to talk to! She was carrying her son Finn, in a beautiful mai tai carrier, and as a faithful baby wearer myself, I immediately asked about it. As it turns out, she makes them herself along wtih many other handmade designs!

Amy with her son Finn, in a mommy tai carrier, one of her designs. Babies up to 35 pounds can be carried comfortably on front, back or hip with these. Amy even makes mini tai's so your child can carry their baby dolls in them...how cute is that! (For some reason I can't figure out, Blogger is messing with the color in this photo...at least on my monitor. Sorry! Amy, I will send you a print of this one...with color correct)

Lets learn a little more about A. Ashley Designs!!

An interview with Amy:

How did you come up with the name of your business: I wanted something that was versatile and would allow for me to create for babies, children and adults.

How long have you been doing this? I actually started A. Ashley Designs the summer of 2006 and then took a break from the business after my daughter Sawyer was adopted and then the surprise pregnancy of my son Finnegan (would you believe that they are 9 months apart?!).

Please explain a little bit about your product/business and how you developed the concept behind it:

I began knitting 5 years ago after my oldest daughter Madeline was born. I needed a hobby besides the typical mom duties and found knitting to be both relaxing and productive at the same time. I started out making scarves as gifts for family and friends and soon moved on to creating my own designs for felted purses. From there came cowls, wool diaper soakers and hats! I am completely self taught and have learned a lot through trial and error. When Finn was born I noticed that the baby styles and my taste had changed a lot since Madeline was a baby and my taste was more expensive than my pocketbook could allow. So, I decided to make things that I had always wanted for my kids, but couldn’t afford – cute burp rags, trendy dresses, nursing covers, mei tais, leg warmers and plush blankets and quilts. I wanted all of my things to be handcrafted with a unique flair, trendy and hip but also affordable to the mom on a budget.

What makes your product/business so unique?

A. Ashley Designs is unique in that my products vary in style for a variety of ages. I try to use popular and trendy fabrics and also am not afraid to think out of the box when searching for the right textile for a project.

Do you have a store front/website/etsy?

www.a-ashleydesigns.com (currently under construction)
www.aashleydesigns.etsy.com (new listings updated often)

If you have something in mind that you don’t see listed, feel free to email me for a custom order! My email is: A.ashleydesigns@gmail.com

What is the hardest part or have been some of your struggles starting your own business?

One of the biggest struggles in starting my own business is finding the right balance between work and family. I started A. Ashley Designs to allow myself an outlet for creativity as well as to help create extra income for our growing family. I have 3 children under the age of 5 and teach preschool part time, so finding time to sew and knit can be a challenge and has really helped me learn to prioritize what is most important – God first, family second and then work.

How do you balance your business and your family? My husband has always been supportive of my endeavors and wants me to be the best that I can be. He has been an encouragement throughout the process and gave me the extra shove to know that it was okay to try!

Is there anything we can look forward to seeing in your business in the future?
I am hoping to eventually get some of my designs in to some local boutiques and would love to share my Mommy Tais with local baby wearing groups and La Leche groups as well.

The reason I love what I do is .... that God has allowed me to find a gift that He gave me that I never knew I had before.

Most days I just need some…. Coffee with 2 sweetners and lots of cream!
Don't count on me to .... have my laundry folded and put away when you come to my house.
Saturday mornings you will find me .... wearing my jammies and drinking coffee.
If I am typically craving something it is .... Double Stuff Oreos.

My favorite local hang out is/are…(restaurant, other local happenings)….
The Wild - children’s bookstore (downtown Noblesville)
Noble Coffee and Tea Company
Always in Stitches – quilting and yarn store in Noblesville
Perk Up – coffee shop in Broadripple on the Monon
Mass Avenue Knit Shop

Anything else you would like to add…business or personal?
Since A. Ashley Designs began, I have watched my daughter Madeline find her creative gift that God has given her and it has been so fun to see her create amazing things out of what the normal eye would see as junk. Maybe some day we’ll be in business together!

Now its time for you to enter the contest to win a $25 gift certificate to A. Ashley Designs....to purchase something beautifully handmade for your little one...adorable knit hats, baby carriers, nursing covers, etc!

First check out A. Ashley Designs website...her Etsy listing (above) and then leave your name and email address in the comments section right after this post! A winner will be drawn on January 1st 2009...

Good luck!!

Miss Lily

2008-11-05T14:42:00.007-05:00

They are so much fun at this age, a little challenging because they know exactly what they want but can't quite tell you yet, but fun nonetheless because they are exploring and learning and absorbing everything at an astonishing rate. Lily is just the most adorable little blonde haired baby who is lucky enough to have two doting parents. I couldn't tell if she was more a mama's girl or daddy's girl though...she seemed equally in love with the both of them!

Here's a little sneak peek of our session together. (As always, click to see larger)

It wasn't until after the session, and looking through the photos that I realized how truly awesome Megan's hair is!! SO JEALOUS!!

Snack time...

The guys.

2008-11-01T14:16:00.003-04:00

This was a fun family session that I did for my wonderful neighbors Cheryl and Glenn and their two boys. Their oldest will be leaving for IU next fall and they wanted a few family photos before he heads off to school. The guys weren't too into having their photos taken, but I did get just a few smiles.

Here is just a quick sneak peak.

I think he looks like a young John Mayer in this shot...sorry girls, I hear he's taken.

Beautiful family.

2008-10-28T22:31:00.002-04:00

Ive been in business doing photography for only half a year but Ive worked with many families over the years as a case manager, then after grad school as a therapist. I have had the chance to meet so many different types of families and it is something I love to do.... finding out what they are about, watching them interact and catching a little glimpse into their lives for those few hours that they allow me to be a part of it is such a special thing for me.

After meeting with this beautiful family on Sunday night, I got into my car to drive away and thought...."Those kids are so lucky!" It was really amazing to watch the way Amy and Brad interacted with their kids, spoke to one another with respect, and disciplined their children calmly and with such love. Brad reminded me of my own husband with the way he was able to turn his daughters pout into a smile instantly with some quick thinking silly talk.

I came away from the experience feeling thankful that I was given the chance to capture some sweet family togetherness. Thank you guys! It was so great to meet you!

(Click to see the image larger)

Ruby Red.

2008-10-18T23:20:00.009-04:00

I had a really fun shoot tonight with a beautiful red headed baby (whose middle name is Ruby) and her two adoring parents. I couldn't get enough of her bright blue eyes, her adorable little teeth which seem to be coming in all at once (poor baby!) and the way she would stick her tongue out at me every few seconds. Half of the photos I took tonight have her tongue sticking out!! Thank you guys for the opportunity to photograph your beautiful family!

Availability.

2008-10-16T15:03:00.004-04:00

It has been a busy couple of months which I am thrilled about. There are just a few dates open for the rest of 2008. Please note that prices will be increasing if you book your session after January 1, 2009. However if you book your 2009 session this year, you are locked in with current rates.

Available dates are:
November 9
November 15
November 28

Please email me ASAP if you are interested in any of these dates!

I will be available for newborn shoots only in December. I plan to take off some time for traveling, professional development, baking cookies, and getting my house ready for family and a visit from St. Nick!

A little Cutie.

2008-10-16T10:51:00.007-04:00

I had the pleasure of meeting up with some of my favorite Indy photographers, Elaine Brenner, Loree Alayne, and Jessica Limeberry, on Tuesday for a just-for-fun photo shoot with our kids.

I brought Collin and Delaney along which I soon learned was a big mistake! Delaney's not walking too much yet so I had to hold her almost the whole time and Collin was soooo very not interested in posing for us. He was much more interested in exploring and chasing the other kids.

I did get a cute one of Little Miss M. while trying to balance in a squatting position with Delaney on my hip. Several seconds after this shot was taken I noticed that Collin had climbed up a huge ladder and was refusing to come down. Fantastic. Mom of the year award goes to me for watching my children so closely. Hey, no broken bones this time, thats good.

Luckily we girls have a fun lunch/shopping date tomorrow, sans kiddies. Yay!

A winner!!

2008-10-01T13:45:00.006-04:00

The winner of our September Mom-Preneur contest is Nikki Hodgkins! Yay! Nikki has won a package of 8 assorted handmade cards from Creative Cards by Adrianne and a $10 gift certificate toward the purchase of any custom order!

Nikki is the quintessential Mom-preneur. She owns not one, not two, but three successful businesses! She is the mastermind behind Expressive Style Graphics, the premier blog design site for photographers. She designed my header and sidebars for this very blog! She is also a chef with a meal planning service called Goumet Momma which I visit several times a week for meal ideas (I love her three ingredient dinners, check them out!) and she is a clolthing designer for a business she runs with her mom called Pink Peppercorn Clothier!

Its actually a little scary that one person can accomplish this much. I mean just writing about all she does makes me feel like I need a nap.

Congrats Nikki! I will email you for your address and get those cards out to you this week! I know you will love them!

Jacob and Lauren

2008-09-29T22:21:00.009-04:00

Jacob and Lauren are the children of my good friend Diana who I met when I first moved here 3 summers ago. It is hard to believe that we have been in Indiana that long already. Jacob and my son Collin are the same age and then surprisingly Diana and I had our baby girls within a month of each other also. Diana is simply beautiful, inside and out and Im so lucky to have her as a friend.

Last night's session was a lot of fun and I could not believe how good Jacob was in front of the camera! Collin has about a 2 minute photo tolerance but Jacob was wonderful, a dream to photograph, such a good listener and good sport to put up with me for over an hour!

Lauren is absolutely adorable, a happy baby and so sweet. While my little girl is long and skinny, Lauren is a perfectly plump, the kind of baby you just want to squeeze and snuggle. Her daddy must agree because it seemed to me that he is totally in love with his new baby girl. Yep, Russ unabashedly busted out his Baby Bumble Bee song many times to get her to smile and she did, every time....a big beaming smile just for her Daddy.

Here is a sneak peek of your session, guys! I will have your full gallery up soon! Click on the images to see them a little larger.

While my passion lies in capturing little ones and all of their adorable expressions, I will include a family photo this time to prove that I actually do family sessions! At a wedding on Saturday I had to stop myself several times from following around the flower girls and ring bearers and focus my efforts on the bride and groom! Whoops!

Meet our new Mom-preneur...and a contest!

2008-09-15T14:11:00.011-04:00

My Mom-preneur series features local Mommys who are not only doing a fabulous job of raising their children but are small business owners too! I have been very lucky to have started a business that I LOVE through great clientele and word of mouth advertising. What I want to to do is help other Mothers get their names out there too! Supporting local businesses, especially Mom-owned businesses, is something I am passionate about! So please email me if you are interested in a featured spot on my blog.

This month's Mom-preneur is Adrianne Epstein of Creative Cards by Adrianne. Adrianne is an avid scrapbooker who would put any scrapbooking hobbyist to shame! Over the past couple of years she has turned her scrapbooking passion into a successful custom card and invitation business. Her designs range from the whimsical and fun to the posh and elegant and are available for any occasion. I have seen some of Adrianne anniversary party invitations and personalized baby announements with overlays of custom printed vellum and they are gorgeous!

Keep in mind that I am not a product photographer and these photos do not do the cards justice!
AN INTERVIEW WITH ADRIANNE: A little get to know you!

Please explain a little bit about your product/business and how you developed the concept behind it:

I started making cards for my son’s first birthday. I had so much fun and I thought that they turned out so creative. People started asking me if I would make cards for them and it went from there.

How do you balance your business and your family?
I work on my cards only when my sons are sleeping

Is there anything we can look forward to seeing in your business in the future?
Website orders

The reason I love what I do is ....its so much fun and gives me a creative outlet.

Most days I just need some…. extra time.

Don't count on me to .... not be a perfectionist

Saturday mornings you will find me ....a festival, a farmers market, or some fun activity with my family

If I am typically craving something it is ....
Cookies

My favorite local hang out is/are…(restaurant, other local happenings)….
Traders point creamery

Adrianne is working on a website to show off her creations. Currently, she is able to take your custom orders via phone. Just give her a call to discuss your card/invitation needs! 750-0188 or email her at adrigeise@hotmail.com.

And now for THE CONTEST:

Submit your name and email in the comments section below this post to enter to win a pack of Adrianne's cards (pack includes happy birthday, thank you and a variety of blank cards) as well as a $10 gift certificate which is good toward the purchase of any order.

Her personalized cards are the perfect gift for that special someone you know who already has everything! I've already submitted my order for my son's preschool teacher and some neighbors who have done a lot for us this year. Gotta start thinking about Christmas early (I know my friend Meg is laughing right now because she knows that I am ALWAYS at the mall on Christmas eve!)

I will pick the winner on the first of October!

Nate + Kyleigh

2008-09-11T14:45:00.015-04:00

This past weekend I had the honor of shooting a wedding with Elaine Brenner of Little Lives Photography. Kelly Holder of Kelly Holder Photography also came up from Kansas to assist Elaine.

Nate and Kyleigh were the sweetest couple, so beautiful and so in love. I LOVE working with brides like Kyleigh...not only was she a natural in front of the camera, she was very laid back and just enjoyed her day and soaked up all of those adoring looks from her new husband. At one point we thought the Cadillac they had rented was not going to show up to bring the couple to the reception and Kyleigh just shrugged and asked if she could hop in the back of the minivan with the photographers! Gotta love her!

Nate receiving some advice from his dad...

Nate's first look at his bride...

The married couple!

Nate and Kyleigh have the most adorable grandparents I have ever seen. Truly. See the next few photos of this post and tell me you don't agree.

This image gets me all choked up...the older couple walking away hand in hand, the young couple just beginning their journey together...

Grandma with Nate's brother, home from Iraq. This was such a proud moment for her that I was lucky enough to catch on film.

The first dance...

I've only done a few weddings at this point but every time without fail, I cry during the father daughter dance. This one especially made me cry because the dad is Elaine's older brother and I had to watch HER cry through it. Kyleigh chose the song "Lullaby" by Billy Joel which in my opinion was PERFECT! Listen to the song here.

Birthday Invitation

2008-08-29T15:00:00.004-04:00

We had my kids birthday party this past weekend and I wanted to share the invitation I made for it. Luckily my babies are almost exactly 2 years apart so it will be nice to have their family party together each year. I am also working on some matching Thank you cards. I don't currently offer birthday invites, but let me know what you think, maybe I will design a few with matching Thank Yous and see how it goes!

Click to see it larger...the colors seem a little washed out on the blog, Im not sure why!

Storyboard

2008-08-19T13:32:00.002-04:00

"A miracle sent from heaven, sweet perfection, total love"

I created this storyboard for baby Lily. Her parents order this as a 20x20 and I added her name at the top to personalize it even more. It arrived the other day and looks wonderful...ready to frame and hang in her nursery!

08.08.08

2008-08-08T08:42:00.002-04:00

In honor of the special one of a kind day today, portrait sessions are only $88 when you book today between 8am and 8pm. This offer is good for the first 8 poeple who book! So, don't put off scheduling the very popular fall portrait session. October is a wonderful month for outdoor portraits with the trees at the height of fall color!

Send an email to danielle@daniellemariephoto.com to schedule your session in time for the holidays!

Announcing our Trendy Sisters Contest Winner!

2008-08-07T20:39:00.006-04:00

Thank you to everyone who entered the Trendy Sisters contest to win the $25 gift certificate!

And thank you for waiting so long to hear the results...the winner is....Lyndsey Lewis! (Chosen by the very high tech method of putting little pieces of paper in a bowl and having dear husband reach in for one...hey, it works, we chose a name for our daughter in a similar way!)

Congrats Lyndsey...I know you will be thrilled with whatever you choose from Milissa's online store.

I will email you for further details.

Happy shopping!

Meet Teddy...

2008-08-04T21:26:00.004-04:00

Baby Teddy. I could just say that over and over. He is just perfect in every way and I think he fits his adorable name perfectly. He doesn't know it yet, but he is a very lucky little guy, born into one of the most loving and fun families I know. Welcome to the world, sweet Teddy.

Trendy Sisters Contest

2008-07-31T08:30:00.003-04:00

Im extending the time you have to sign up to win the gift certificate for one more week! I have gotten a ton of blog hits but few entries....so just leave your name and email address in the comments section and you will automatically be entered to win a $25 gift certificate for Trendy Sisters!

Milissa has updated her website and has a beautiful new logo and look. She has also added more apron skirts (my favorite!) in some funky new fabrics. Also, check out her birthday outfits. I have ordered the "1" shirt and ruffled pants for Delaney's birthday party in a few weeks!

Good luck!

Spotlight on Designer of Trendy Sisters Clothing Company

2008-07-23T22:22:00.011-04:00

To kick off my Mom-preneur series celebrating women who have successfully started their own businesses, I'd like you to meet Milissa Hall-Feldhaus, an Indianapolis children's clothing designer and owner of Trendy Sisters, a hip clothing boutique for your little fashionista! Her beautiful and unique designs are featured in several children's clothing boutiques in the city.

Milissa's creations are made with beautiful designer fabrics and have a vintage flair that is all the rage right now with little girl couture! I had the absolute pleasure of meeting her this weekend as well as her two gorgeous little girls who are the inspiration behind her work. Her apron skirts are to die for and I will be snatching up a few of these myself for clients to wear for photo shoots and for my own little budding fashionista!

Please take a moment to browse through her gallery at Trendy Sisters, then stop back here to leave your name and something unique or funny about yourself or family in the comment section (we want to make reading the comments fun and interesting!)

By leaving your comment, you are entering to win a $25 gift certificate to the Trendy Sister's online store!

The winner will be announced on the last day of July! Good Luck!

(To leave a comment, click on the word comment at the bottom of this post, then enter your info in the box that pops up)

A cutie from this weekend!

2008-07-22T21:43:00.004-04:00

If you look closely you can see that this little guy lost his front tooth! It just makes him that much cuter!

He may be a rough and tumble boy with his truck here....

...but he does still need his lovey from time to time.

Photography Workshop

2008-07-20T22:05:00.010-04:00

I just had a REALLY fun weekend attending Skye Hardwick's Creative Mentoring Photography Workshop! Three days of talking about all things photography with people who share the same passion and understand what you mean when you say you just bought a 24-70mm 2.8 L series lens. You can throw around words like metatags, avi's, bokeh and digital noise in normal conversation. Best of all other photographer just "get it." They understand what its like to capture that perfect image that makes your heart skip a beat or your enthusiasm when nailing a new skill with your camera.

Skye is a huge inspiration to me. I love the way she uses clothing and props, lighting and architecture to create magazine worthy images of children. I see her becoming huge in commercial photography some day soon! We got a chance to observe her shoot and we shot lots of adorable kids in hip clothes (more about that later!) She provided tons of information about business and we even did a couple of projects to inspire our own creativity and help define our own personal style.

I have to say though, my favorite part about the workshop was meeting some new friends. A little group of us seemed to hit it off right away and we are even planning (I hope!) a photo retreat in the future!

Luckily, one gal in our little group was from here, Indy!! It is so fun to have a photography buddy (I miss you Shannon! Lol!) to share tips, discuss business, scout locations, shoot together. Here is Sara of Sara Morris Photography, Indianapolis!

Carrie of Carrie Scruggs Photography, Charlotte NC. Carrie grew up here in Indy and her parents still live close so Im really excited to know that she'll be back soon! Carrie has the most adorable hair! I love it! Thanks, Carrie, for my new self-portrait for my blog!

I also met a really cool chic from Fort Collins, CO, Lyndsay Lewis. I know right? Fort Collins girls are the best! There is something about people I meet from Colorado, always so down to earth, outdoorsy, really genuine people! Im hoping our photo retreat takes place in Colorado so I can visit my old stomping grounds and my best friend Anne too!! And there are few places that parralel the beauty of Colorado...a photographers dream.

Adorable photo of Lyndsay to follow!

And a special thank you to my wonderful hubby for taking great care of our kids over the long weekend (Ive already forgotten about the McDonalds cheeseburger and blue ice cream he gave Delaney...10 months old!..) Love ya honey!

beautiful Lilly.

2008-07-18T15:21:00.004-04:00

Here is baby Lilly! At only six days old, this little girl slept contentedly through most of our photo session. Her father is from Persia and her mother has gorgeous thick black hair as well, so here she is...a real raven haired beauty.

I wanted to post at least one little sneak peek for Lilly's parents before I head off on my fun photo workshop weekend!

Wall Galleries

2008-07-16T21:44:00.003-04:00

Do you have trouble figuring out what to do with your photographs once you have them printed? Do you buy a bunch of small prints and put them away in a drawer, intending to get frames for them one day or eventually put them in an album? You actually don't need a lot of wall space to make a stunning impression with your photographs.

I would love to help you get some ideas going for a custom wall gallery for your home! After your session, just let me know you would like some help in designing one!

Here is an example of a mock gallery for Miss Victoria's family.

Fun at the farm

2008-07-09T22:00:00.007-04:00

I had a fun photo shoot this weekend out at Traders Point. Of course it had to be the hottest night ever and we spent lots of time just playing in the dirt and chasing chickens and waiting for the sun to go down a bit. The chickens were quite friendly and I think the roosters had themselves a good laugh when they snuck up behind us and cock a doodle dood. We almost jumped out of our pants!

This is a cute candid of Avery right after the roosters scared us! She's covering her ears because, yes, they are louder than you might think!

Aren't little boys just the best?

When they find a door they have to open it...

...and when they see a rock, they have to jump off of it.

You've seen this little cutie before and you will probably see lots more of her in the future. She is one of my best models...

My cover child winner...Victoria!

2008-07-06T14:48:00.005-04:00

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting little Miss Victoria. She is an only child and absolutely adored by her parents. Victoria has the most incredible spirit...a carefree zest for life and an ability to find pure joy in just being with people who care about her and discovering her little world... Seeing her joyfuly run around in her adorable little dresses on a warm summer evening made me give thanks for little girls and the wonderment of childhood.

This first one is my favorite of the evening.

The boys

2008-06-30T22:11:00.008-04:00

My little buddy Leo arrived to our photography shoot a little grumpy and upset because he had to say goodbye to his grandparents before coming but it didn't take him long to warm up. I was able to distract him with questions about his favorite movie, Cars. He gets especially excited talking about all of the characters and his favorite scenes from the movie.

There are moments when Im looking at my own son, Collin, and I see glimpses of him at different ages. Sometimes sitting across from him at dinner I see a glimpse of him as a teenage boy. Some of his baby features are starting to fade and in their place, the sharper more angular features of an older boy.

Three is such a magical age, our babies are working so hard toward independence yet can't do without frequent cuddles from Mom while playing. I really like this one of Leo because you can see that some of his baby features are starting to fade as well. This one is going to be a heart breaker for sure. He almost looks like a little Matt Damon!

Leo brought along his baby brother Brendan too. I can't get enough of his little chub or his gorgeous blue eyes. Some babies you just want to pick up and take a big bite! That's Brendan!

My website is LIVE!!

2008-06-25T16:30:00.001-04:00

The moment we have all been waiting for....my new website is LIVE! To view it, click on the icon on the right sidebar that says "My Website" and it will take you there! Keep in mind that it is a work in progress so add it to your favorites and check back often! July will be a really busy month and I can't wait to share my images with you!

Calling all Mom-prenuers!

2008-06-24T16:34:00.001-04:00

Something new and exciting is coming to my photo journal beginning in July!

Each month I will be featuring one Indianapolis mompreneur (mom + entrepreneur) who has an original business that they would like to promote. (excluded are chain companies such as Pampered Chef and Mary Kay).

In order to get everyone involved we will also have a little contest to win goods or services offered by our featured Moms.

This is a great opportunity for mompreneurs to advertise their business and a great way for friends of Danielle Marie Photography to learn more about what Indianapolis has to offer!

If you are interested in having your business featured, or know someone who might, please email me at danielle@daniellemariephoto.com

Portfolio Building Session Available

2008-06-19T14:20:00.002-04:00

Know someone who is expecting a baby in August?

I am currently available for one portfolio building Newborn Session for the month of August! Newborn session will take place in your home 4-8 days after the birth of your baby. By giving me a model release to use the photos in my portfolio, you will receive a complimentary photo session, one 11x14 print and 10% off a la carte pricing.

Please email me if you are interested in this offer!

My dear Delaney

2008-06-11T21:18:00.003-04:00

I just wanted to share a couple of photos from my trip. I just snapped this one while Delaney was playing on the floor at my aunt Cathy's house. I always think that my kids look great in red!

This is my brother, Nick and his sweet baby neice. Delaney just loves her uncle Nick as you can tell by that incredible smile on her face. I gave this one a vintage, timeless feel and I think it works well here...

And the winner is....

2008-06-11T20:08:00.005-04:00

I just got back from my awesome trip to the Jersey Shore with my kids. We had an unbelievable heat wave topping out around a hundred degrees for the past three days but we kept cool between pool hopping and hanging at the beach. It was so wonderful to see my family and friends and my kids were spoiled with hugs and kisses and endless attention all week. I don't know what my son Collin loved more...the rides on boardwalk, collecting shells at the beach, or eating ice cream every night we were away!

Ok.... back to the contest results without further delay! We had over a hundred votes! I think that is just awesome! While the two contestants who did not win had the exact same amount of votes, the winner had almost double! Little Miss Victoria has quite a fan base!

Yep, the winner is.....Victoria!

I will contact Victoria's mom this week to schedule her session! I'm so excited! Thank you to everyone who voted and the moms for entering the contest. Keep checking back for the sneak peeks of Victoria's session and the launch of my new website (just a couple of days away!)

Keep the votes coming!

2008-06-03T15:19:00.002-04:00

I am astonished and excited about all of the votes that have already come in for our little contestants. Its a close race! I am off for my trip tomorrow morning and I can't wait to post the winner when I get back!

The voting begins!

2008-05-31T15:21:00.014-04:00

I apologize for the late post...I know you can't wait to start voting!

We had a big storm here last night which knocked out the power for 10 hours. So, I woke up without power and then later in the morning realized that our basement had flooded! So things were not going as planned today.

The photos have been sent in and now its time to choose a winner! Moms, send an email to everyone you know and give them a link to my photo journal to cast their votes below! Only one vote per computer will go through make sure you tell as many people as you can that you want your little one to win!

Meet our adorable contestants!

Victoria is four and half years old and loves princesses, dinosaurs and Tinkerbell! She just returned from Disneyworld and had a blast with her family.

Meet 14 month old Maria! She just had her first trip to the zoo and she LOVED the animals so much she was actually drooling from her mouth being open and squealing at them so much!

Leo
You may have seen this little cutie on my blog before when I did his new baby brother's newborn shoot. Leo will be three years old next month. His clear blue-green eyes always remind me of the seaglass I used to find along the Jersey Shore as a child. In this photo he is saying, "Look, the egg is gween mommy! I love gween!"

Cast your votes below! I will leave voting open until June 11th when I return from my vacation to New Jersey! I will post the winner on the morning of June 12th! Good Luck! I can't wait to see who wins!

Last day to send in PHOTOS!

2008-05-30T15:08:00.000-04:00

Today is the last day to send in photos of your adorable child for my Cover Child Contest! Scroll down to the Contest details post for all of the information. Voting will begin tomorrow!

Definition Storyboards

2008-05-30T14:33:00.008-04:00

I'm really excited to offer these adorable new custom storyboards. Here is just one example from my sister shoot with Abbi and Hailey. I have several collage combinations and definitions that work well with maternity, newborn and family photos! I am offering these in two sizes: Large 20x20 and Small 10x20.

It is too small to see the definition here, but it says, Sister: next of kin, someone to share secrets and laugh endlessly with, best friend.

Abbi & Hailey

2008-05-25T08:49:00.008-04:00

Last night I had the pleasure of photographing two gorgeous blonde haired, blue eyed little girls! Meet the very spirited Abbi and her sweet little sister Hailey! Hailey already looks up to her big sister so much and wants to be with her all of the time. Their mom and dad wanted some special family photos at home because their home holds a lot of warm memories for them. And I have to say, it looks like home is where all the fun happens for this sweet family. Here are a couple of sneak peeks from our session.

Announcing my Cover Child Contest!

2008-05-22T13:38:00.008-04:00

My new website is just a couple of weeks away from its debut! Im really excited about it and all of the upcoming photo shoots I have scheduled. I thought I would celebrate with a little contest...

Here's what to do:
Submit one recent photo of your adorable child to compete in my "Cover Child Contest." In the email, include your child's first name and something funny that they do or something that you especially love about them. These must be your own photos. Photos taken by a professional without proof of purchase of the copyright will not be eligible.

How voting works:
Voting will take place right here on my Photo Journal. Submissions must be emailed by June 1st. I will post photos of all of the contestants here. Tell all of your friends and family how badly you want to win! Send them the link to my Photo Journal to submit their vote!

All of my regular journal visitors are welcome to vote as well. We will have one week to get all of the votes in...then the winner will be announced on June 7th!

Here's what you win:
A complimentary photo session, one 11x14 print, and a featured spot on my new website!

**The winner's session will take place in mid-late June.
**Please note, the photo session will be focusing on the contest winner. We may spend a few minutes on a couple of sibling or family shots but the primary focus will be on the winner!

Good Luck! Send in those photos!

Charlie

2008-05-18T22:44:00.011-04:00

I had a wonderful time tonight meeting up with Charlie to play and get a few shots to commemorate his upcoming third birthday! We have had strong wind and rain clouds all weekend but we got lucky and the evening turned out to be a beautiful one. Charlie is so much fun, full of energy and he even had some great cuddles for me tonight! Charlie's mom, Adrianne, has become one of my good friends over the past two years since we have moved to Indiana. We have an interesting connection...she went to Elementary school in Virginia Beach at the same school my husband worked in many years later! What a coincidence! I am so excited for this adorable family, they will be welcoming their second son in July! Don't worry, you will be seeing some of his first newborn photos right here!

childhood. celebrated.

2008-05-16T15:02:00.003-04:00

We had a big storm on Mother's Day this year. The wind whipped the leaves around on the trees and howled throughout the afternoon and into the evening. We ordered take-out and played in the family room together for hours. My husband and I smiled at each other more than once, unspoken words of thankfulness for this amazing little family we have.

It got me thinking...why don't we have a "Children's Day?" This is not a new thought of mine...I've been asking this question since I was a kid myself. And when I asked Jon last Sunday, his reply was the same as my mother's had been all my life, "Cause its Childrens Day every day!" Ha! I don't like that answer and now that I have my own house and my own rules it's about time there is one! Not a day where you cart your children around to various amusments but a day where you make a small gift for them, take them out to lunch and have them know that this day is theirs because of all the wonderful things they do for the family.

The Thompson family annual Children's Day will be the second Saturday in July from now on. It's official! And here at Danielle Marie Photography, we will celebrate childhood every day. Because what is better than that?

Photo Journal

2008-05-16T14:42:00.007-04:00

Each one of my photographs captures a precise moment in time. As I look through photos of my children in the first few days after their birth I am instantly transported back in time to a place that my memory has already forgotten. Were her fingers really that tiny? Were his eyelashes really that long?

My photographs are one of the most treasured items I own. But sometimes that image is not enough for me. I look through a few and wonder, "What were we doing right before this photo was taken? What was it that made him laugh so hard?" While a photograph may capture how the evening light made my daughters hair shimmer like spun gold, it doesn't tell me that when I picked her up and brushed my lips against the top of her head, her downy hair was as soft as velvet and smelled of her coconut shampoo. I think that is why I love journaling so much. I need a place to write the little details that I am unable to capture with my camera.

I have a feeling that this Journal is going to become a really fun place to share snippets of my photo sessions and stories of the beautiful families I will meet through this experience. Im not going to embarrass it with a silly word like "Blog" so WELCOME TO MY PHOTO JOURNAL. Im glad you came. I hope you enjoy your visit!

2008-05-11T16:21:00.000-04:00

I really like this one in B&W too...

My beautiful daughter

2008-05-06T15:28:00.003-04:00

I have not updated the blog in forever...There will be lots of exciting changes with my photography business and lots of fun kid sessions scheduled for the next two months. So don't forget to subscribe to the blog to get updates of what is happening here at Danielle Marie Photography!

Fun session with the girls!

2008-03-26T21:31:00.007-04:00

My friend Shannon of Shannon Post Photography and I met up for a quick shoot on Sunday evening with her girls. It was pretty cold out but the girls were good sports and let us shoot away. Her oldest daughter was on spring break visiting from Hawaii and I don't think she really appreciated the weather here in Indiana! The first photo is of me...

The beautiful big sister...although she isn't smiling in this one she does have the biggest, prettiest smile and a certain spunk about her that you can't help but love.

Its so fun to shoot other photographers because they can anticipate what you want them to do without having to ask! Shannon is actually going to be a bride in a couple of ummm...days!!! It is killing me that I won't be going to Maine for the wedding!

Shannon's adorable youngest daughter... Wouldn't you just kill for those eyelashes!

And one of all of the girls together...

A new arrival.

2008-03-23T19:18:00.005-04:00

Welcome to the world beautiful baby Brendan! It was wonderful to finally meet you. Brendan is the sweetest baby and just perfect in every way! Here are some photos from yesterday's session.

And one more...Elaine and Ted's first born son, Leo. He is going to be a great big brother!

I LOVE 4 year olds!

2008-03-21T14:42:00.011-04:00

It was such a pleasure photographing adorable Miss Avery this morning! She was my first client to really work the camera. I think she might have a future in the modeling business. She has the most beautiful brown eyes and shy smile that could simply melt your heart!

Avery also brought along her Gramma. I have to say, I think this is beautiful and I think it will be a treasured portrait for years to come.

Avery's brother Ben is the same age as my son but much better in front of the camera! He probably doesn't have the camera in his face several times a day, which is why he didn't mind it so much! Like his sister, those chocolate brown eyes are heavenly!

They didn't get their brown eyes from their Mommy! Meg and I have been friends for many years and it is so much fun having kids close in age. Doesn't she have the most fantastic curls!?

I love photographing hands and feet because they are so personal and unique to each individual. I couldn't resist the opportunity to document Ben holding his Great Grandmother's hands.

Thanks for a fun photo shoot today guys!

Welcome to the new BLOG!

2008-03-14T15:26:00.004-04:00

I love my new logo which was created by Stephanie Morvant of My Doodlebug Designs! Funny thing, I did a random search for Doodlebug since that is what we call Miss Delaney and Stephanie's site came up. Just so happens I was looking for a logo designer too! Im really pleased with the new look and have ordered my some fancy business cards and letterhead too! Thanks Stephanie!

I have also had the pleasure of working with Annie the sweetest and most helpful woman who has created a site called Blogger University to help all of us challenged in learning html code to make our blogs pretty! Have you ever met someone online who you wish could just come over for a cup of tea and hang out with your kids...that's her! Check out her site...she was so much fun to work with, so helpful and so darn smart too!

Introducing my 2008 Holiday Collection

2007-07-07T22:29:00.005-04:00

Send your holiday greetings out in style this year with my red and green holiday card collection.

(Fonts, wording, and colors can be customized to reflect your family's own personal style.)

2008 Baby Announcement Collection

2007-07-07T21:30:00.004-04:00

Send a custom designed baby announcement with priceless images from your session.

My baby announcement collection is modern and elegant with a touch of whimsy...a beautiful way to announce the arrival of your precious newborn.

(Fonts, wording and colors are fully customizeable so you can add your own personal touch)