Holland Photography The Blog

This is sweet Maggie Elizabeth. She was born on May 22nd, 2009, weighing only 1 lb and 9 ounces and was 13.5 inches long. She was 14 weeks early and spent the first four months of her life in the NICU. Already in her short little life she has had two bowel surgeries. She wears her battle scars proudly though, and so does her family. Her tiny little life has blessed so many people and *I* was truly blessed to get to photograph her today! Look at how far she has come! She now weighs over 9 lbs!! Jill and John, I hope you guys like the ways that I captured her. She truly is beautiful and I know you are so blessed by her! I can’t wait to watch her grow!

My good friend and coworker brought her beautiful kids out tonight for a session. Kayla is knocking on the door to adulthood or at least teenhood (sorry Steph, but you know she is…) and Tymon is a wonderfully typical little boy, who is also cute as a button (and even sweet when he wants to be). I was really honored when she asked if I would do these pics for her (although, ahem… someone… that stayed at home… well, we missed you ok!?!). I hope that I captured the beauty that is her kids (and that she doesn’t kill me when she sees how many really good shots I got!!). So here you go girl, here is a sneak peek for ya!

Today we returned from a wonderful fall vacation in the North Georgia Mountains! We vacation up there every year about this time and it’s something we look forward to all year long. This year I decided to invite you on my vacation with me and offer up an opportunity for photos of your family in the beautiful fall setting of the mountains. Hence, “Fall Postcard Sessions” was born!

On Friday I had the unique opportunity to do some pictures for a fellow photographer! I know how difficult it is to not only get pictures of your own family, but then to try and add yourself in there too… not so easy. I saw a post on a message board about someone looking for a photographer in a town not too far from Dillard, so I let her know that I would be there that same weekend and would be glad to do them for her. I was honored to meet such a sweet family! Kristin Cole, of Kristin Cole Photography in Orlando Florida, and her husband Josh and their cutie pie Logan. Kristin is a very talented photographer and she was SO sweet – I just wish I had had more time to spend getting to know her! Sadly though, the weather did NOT think to ask about our plans. It was cold and rainy and windy and just yuck! But we braved it and hopefully got a few good shots for this sweet family! (Kristin, if we didn’t, just come back up and we’ll try again!!). It was a pleasure meeting all of you!

Then on Saturday, I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph the Garrett’s again. You met Jack at 1 yr and again at 18 months. This time they threw a little extended family in the mix. The weather on Saturday was much nicer and I think we got some nice shots of that beautiful fall color that was so abundant this weekend. It was so great meeting you guys! Josh is such a great guy and it’s so easy now to see where he gets it from! I hope you guys like the previews!

To all of you… thanks again!! And to everyone else, we make this trip every year! Start thinking about your 2010 Fall Postcard Session!

I had a wonderful time with Joseph and his mom this afternoon, roaming around downtown Athens. He is such a great guy. So laid back,  easy going, and handsome too (am I allowed to say that?!?). I had a really hard time picking which pictures to show off because we got SO many good ones! Joseph and Debi, I had a GREAT time with you tonight and I really appreciate you allowing me the opportunity to do this for you! I can’t wait to show you the whole gallery! And shout out to Allison for the referral! Thank you girl! I’ll have to remember to throw you in a nice little something after your session in Nov!

One for the future album cover:

Actually, I think any of them would make a great album cover so when you make it big time, let me know and I’ll hook you up!

You may remember Brock and all his cuteness from his newborn pics? Well he sure has changed in the last 6 months! Still adorable as can be though, with those big beautiful blue eyes! And one big chunk of utter cuteness!!

Look at him filling this bucket to the rim!

I love meeting new people. That is one of the fun things about my job. But I also love doing sessions with people I know and this family is no exception. It’s fun and relaxing (well, I think so, sometimes the people in front of the camera don’t always agree – esp the dads… just sayin…). I had a great time with these guys last night. These two boys are SO cute and SO easy to photograph. They are close in age to my two kids and I would photograph them any old day over mine! Easy peasy! And cute to boot!! And their parents are so nice – just the kind of people you love to be around! Thank you guys for doing this session with me! I had a blast and hope that you get some good shots that you will love! Here are a few to hold you over…

This cracks me up! He picked them for his mommy. This was right as they were loading up to go home so yes, he made her take them home with them. I love how he got the roots and all. And yes, his mommy is of course allergic…

Meet Mac – 18 months of cuteness! He was a shy little guy, gave me lots of very serious expressions, but whether he grins or frowns, he is a cute little man! He is a ball of energy too and he wore me out as he led me over some of the UGA campus yesterday. Maybe he was so thoughtful and reflective because he knew that the Dawgs were going to make us sad yesterday. I think that would make him wise beyond his years (or year and half anyway). S and D, hope you enjoy these previews! It was a pleasure meeting all three of you!

Phaunt is my favorite place to play on the internet! Phaunt is the brainchild of Kylie Banks, a certified Photoshop guru (she has some fancy title that Adobe gave her but really, “highly smart, sweet, and extremely talented Photoshop gal” kind of sums it all up). It is a forum for photographers filled with the awesomeness that we all need – friendships, photoshop tips (and light room too! I’m a LR gal personally), challenges, contests, guest speakers, constructive criticism, business advice, get togethers, free templates,  and just about any thing else you can think of! Phaunt is a paid forum, but I can atest that you get your yearly (or biyearly if you chose) fee back tenfold with all of the awesomeness that the forum has to offer. AND, for the month of Oct, you can join for $5.00 off!! Sweet deal!! Use this code to get your discount: 9CB8

Click on the link below to join!

Sweet Hudson. He is just the cutest little thing, with those big blue eyes. And he is a bundle of personality. You can see his newborn pictures HERE and his six month pictures HERE. He is growing SO fast!! He turns one next month and I was so happy to get to see him and his parents tonight! He is always so much fun to photograph! I’m seriously having a hard time picking which ones to edit as there are SO many good ones of him having a blast in my back yard!

And thank you guys for bringing out the firewood!! I know we will really enjoy it if it ever cools off!

** You may have noticed that my blog looks a little different. I would love your feedback on the new look, what you like, don’t like, whatever – I just want to know! And leave Hudson some blog love while you are at it! I know he would appreciate that!**

****Just another reminder about the Mountain Sessions coming up in a few weeks! I still have some openings if you are interested! Please help spread the word to your family and friends! I would love to give someone a nice referral gift for sending a friend to these sessions!! Hint hint, wink wink!!****