Win a 3 pack Mini Accordion Album from Your Session! {Melissa Stottmann Photography Delaware Valley}

Were you one of the many that helped me get started in photography this summer, fall, and beginning of winter?  Now that your prints are in your home and displayed- I want to see!  Take a picture of your display and post it on my fan page on Facebook by midnight Sat. February 13, 2010.  I will put all the names in a hat and choose one (or if I get over 10 people that participate I will choose 2).  I will post the winner on Facebook on Valentine’s Day!   Of course, I’ll shoot you an email to let you know as well!

So what do you win?  I recently, very recently, like… today… added Accordion Albums to my product list!  I’m so excited that I want to give some away just to show off their total radness (I’m okay with the fact that I think I just made up that word).  They are really neat little books, they come with a leather cover and open up like an accordion.  They are mini- 3×3, just a tad bit larger than a wallet sized picture.  Perfect for a nice little brag book – give one to each grandma, and keep one in your purse!  FYI- If you already booked another session with me, you can save your winning for that session or I can combine pictures from both sessions!

Ready, set, GO!!!!

Pearls and Ruffles {Melissa Stottmann South Jersey Photographer}

These two adorable sisters, only 17 months apart, had a fun day playing dress up in their mom’s kitchen.  I finally got to meet them after doing portraits for their cousins and friends. The older sister just loved to play with all the necklaces – and made us work very hard for a smile- songs, toys, lollipops, fruit snacks…   Little sister was more willing, but ready to crawl away at any moment- stay tuned for her cake smash in a couple of months!  I was so excited to get to use my new ruffled pants and barnwood floor!  These girls were the perfect models.

 

 

 

5×7 or 20×24- Which Size is Right for You? {Melissa Stottmann Photography Delaware Valley Photographer}

Inspired by two other photographers, mentioned below, I decided to write a bit on photo print sizes.  Many people pay for custom photography and do not order large prints (11×14 and up).  For my mantle I really believe that a large print makes quite a statement. 

Here is an example of my mantle right now- which my loving husband tried to convince me out of doing- “WHAT?! a 20×24?! That is huge!”- He even stuck by this statement when we received the print in the mail.  I must admit that he is usually right on with decorating advice and deciding how fabulous items will look in the house- after all- look at the fantastic job he did with the tile on our fireplace!  Once that baby went up on the wall he happily ate his words.  I still intend on having the print custom framed and matted, because as you can see it still doesn’t look really big.   I will be keeping that custom frame for future purchases of 20×24 prints as my family changes and expands.  The last print we had, before we put this family shot up, was an 11×14 matted and framed wedding print which also looked great because of the matting – but without the matting it truly would have been lost… ask my parents who were the gracious recipients of an 11×14 canvas that is WAY too small for their mantel (I’m allowed to say this because it was my Christmas gift to them) - they had to lean it because it looked like a wrist watch hanging on the brick.  Notice the other framed print hanging on the mantel – that is a 5×7 – obviously good as a desk print.

Amy Ro, from Amy Ro Photography posted some thought-provoking information on print sizes with some fabulous examples from her own home, http://amyrophotography.com/blog/2009/12/bigger-really-is-better-providence-photography/ - I really encourage anyone thinking about ordering prints to check it out.

Kristina Young posted a comparison scale with the same picture in different sizes to really give you an idea of what you are ordering – http://kristinayoungphotography.com/blog/2009/04/business-logistics/go-big-or-go-home/

Baby Growin’ {Melissa Stottmann Maternity Photography South Jersey Session}

Out of the 80ish sessions I have done, this is only my third maternity session!  I love working with moms-to-be… there is such a feeling of excitement in the air knowing that life is about to begin.  This session was particularly exciting because I get play with her smooshie little newborn next month – and we all know how I love newborns!  They are expecting a little man, but aren’t telling the name (I got a super special clearance and was sworn to secrecy, so obviously name pictures are under lock and key till due day!).  The couple’s 125 year old house was perfect for photography and we certainly used it, every bit of it!  I am really in love with this session.

Cupid! {Melissa Stottmann Photography South Jersey Session}

This little lady was so smiley and cute I couldn’t even take it!! I haven’t had a session with a baby that isn’t a newborn or a 2 year old in awhile and it was a ton of fun to make her give huge smiles.  Check out the little wings and halo- be careful of cupid’s arrow of love though

Booking for Spring 2010 {Melissa Stottmann Photography Delaware Valley}

My schedule is filling up quickly for the New Year!  I am currently completely booked for January and February.  If you want to schedule a shoot for March or April, or even May (I know, it seems way to early to be considering Easter pictures), book soon to ensure space is available.  To schedule your shoot email me at melissastottmann@gmail.com and we can discuss your personalized session.  For more information on sessions, and special sale prices that are for a limited time only- go to: www.melissastottmannphotography.com

A New Beginning {Melissa Stottmann Photography South Jersey Session}

An addition graced this family during a surprise delivery on Christmas Eve.  This tiny gal, and I mean TINY, was the smallest baby I have ever had the priviledge of photographing.  She was also super cooperative.  Once she had a full belly, she was sleepy and ready to go for her photo shoot!  Big sister loved to watch everything happen and couldn’t be more excited about her new little buddy. She even got her own mini photoshoot while mom tended to the newborn. 

Ring In The New Year {Melissa Stottmann Wilmington, DE Photographer}

Sweet quiet, calm, and peace.  I spent Dec. 31, ‘09 into Jan.1 ‘10 cuddling with my hubby on the couch, drinking champagne, and watching the myrid of broadcasts of various balls dropping, while my sweet little girl slept warm in her crib.   What a wonderful beginning to a new decade.  Bring on ”The Noughties”.

Holiday Vacation & Orders {Melissa Stottmann Photography Delaware Valley}

I hope you are enjoying your family, friends, and hopefully time off from work!  I will be on vacation (celebrating Christmas, my 3rd wedding anniversary, & New Years – fesitivus was celebrated yesterday – so I didn’t take off for that holiday, ha), away from my “office”, from today, Christmas Eve, until Sunday Jan. 3, 2010.  If any orders are made, they will not be processed with my print company until Monday, January 4.  Thank you for your business in 2009!  Cheers to the beginning of a new decade and an excellent 2010…

Merry Christmas! {Melissa Stottmann Photography Delaware Valley Photographer}

For the holiday season I have taken two weeks off from taking other families portraits to focus on my family, however, I now have time to take tons of pictures of my adorable little baby girl.  I’m pretty sure I should actually be calling her a toddler though… sigh…  She’s growing too big way too quickly.  I’m sharing a couple of pictures from the huge, 2 feet of snow, snowstorm from last Saturday and a couple of shots with our Christmas tree.  Have a fabulous holiday season, and holiday, whatever it is you celebrate.  Remember to focus on the most important thing this season, not the material possessions and gifts, but instead the loving people in your family… appreciate and be thankful for all that they do (even if it’s leaving something they dropped in the dog bowl in the sink for you to clean… I’m thankful to have a fabulous husband, that I occasionally have to clean up after).  Give an extra squeeze to these family members and friends this holiday season.