Spring is coming!

Mmmm can you feel the sunshine? The past week has been a testament as to why I live in Texas.. of course you'll have to remind me when we hit the dog days of summer and I'm begging for a cold front! ;)

Quick update on spring sessions... we are currently booking late March/early April. If you're looking to schedule one of these warm days (and the lush blooms that are already starting to peek up!) for a session, please call soon! Sessions are limited as always and the prime time slots always fill quickly!

Speaking of limited.. Saturday limited edition tutu sessions are no longer available, but there are still a few openings on Sunday. These are sure to be priceless captures, beautiful location and luxurious tutu dresses, the session is $500, which includes the session, $300 print credit towards your order, a 10% discount on the total print order, and a beautiful suede wristlet purse featuring the image of your choice, a $100 value not available during regular sessions. Plus, $100 of each session fee goes towards the "Mother's Story" charity sessions for moms battling cancer. A great cause for them.. a great deal for you! Call or email asap to take advantage of the last remaining spots or be placed on a wait list for cancellations.

Finally.. we've had such fun with the blog contests, so I'm working on a new one for March. The contest will begin on Monday, so be sure to check back in soon!

Can't post without a picture.. here's a sneak peek for the high school senior I shot last weekend.. oh to be this beautiful and confident at 17!

The Urban Session

Every client who books asks for suggestions on the location. Rarely do they take me seriously when I suggest more *out there* ideas. Thankfully, this family did.. and their pictures proved how much fun it can be to take a chance and think outside the box!



I don't get to do these downtown sessions too often, but every one is more fun than the next, and when you mix the character of the street with the characters in your family, you'd be surprised how much you'll love the end results!







And yes, for this last one, I was standing in the middle of Main Street on a busy Sunday afternoon, hoping to avoid getting completely flattened by a city bus for the sake of a picture... but it was worth it!!

Two Cute!

School holiday and recovering from a weekend girls' trip... I'm not going to be the most productive worker bee today! I can quickly post this little gem from my session last Friday just before I left... I've shot these two girls and their big sister before and was thrilled to get to come over and play again! I can't wait to show off the rest, there are so many I love! But for now, this one. Happy Monday!

My little friends

Yes, I have said it before.. I LOVE my job. I really do. Nevermind the logistical stuff.. flexible hours, working in my pjs, that sort of thing. But the best part is that I get to hang out with some of the greatest little people in the world! It's all the fun of a teacher without the diaper changing or nose wiping! More than one little kiddo has become my new best friend, and I love them all to pieces!


These pictures were shot by someone who agrees I have a great job, so much so that she wants it too! I was shadowed last week by a wonderful teenager who is heading to college this fall to study photography and wanted a taste of my daily routine. I'm sure I was not nearly as interesting as she was expecting, but it was at least fun for me!



Happy Friday everyone.. have a great weekend! FYI, I will be out of town Friday-Sunday, but will return calls & emails as soon as I return on Monday.

How sweet it is!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I hope you're spending it with someone you love, preferably curled up in front of a fire... it's COLD outside!! :)

I am thrilled to be posting some of my favorite entries to the February blog contest, in which I encouraged everyone to find little ways to share the love with other people... family, friends or strangers! A sort of "pay it forward" type attitude.. in honor of the day of love now upon us!

Sara in Arlington:
"I brought a casserole to a sick friend, even though I can't really cook! But at least I tried!"

Kathleen in Grand Prairie: (bonus points for a photo!)

My son and husband pictured here spent time on our recent vacation in California to help my mother with her yardwork.

Wynne in Duncanville:
"Carter, my 2 year old, and I were at the grocery store yesterday and I was in a hurry to get home and relieve the babysitter. As we walked past the 50 cent "merry-go-round" on the way to the car, I could tell that he was curious as to what it was. Carter never ridden on one. I decided to stop for a moment, turn around, go back and savor this moment with my son. I put in my 50 cents and enjoyed watching him delight in his merry-go-round ride! p.s. We still made it home on time!"

Gail in Arlington:
"I encouraged my preschool class to forgo a traditional valentine's day party in favor of bringing snacks and small gifts to a nearby nursing home, to bring some joy to the elderly residents who could really use some of Cupid's love."

And finally the drawing winner.. who got bonus points for creativity, by having the kiddos submit entries in their own words!

Kara in Arlington:
"Dear Mrs. Beck,

I helped a woman at the grocery store put her food on the counter to scan. I also encouraged my friend Sammy because he was saying he could not catch or throw and I said to him "you can do it Sammy, don't give up". Thank you Mrs. Beck.

Love,

Anthony (age 11)

Dear Mrs. Beck,

We have done some nice things. I have said "I love you" to six people. I have made Valentine's cards for my daddy, and two of my friends. Also, this past weekend my daddy took me to the Daddy/Daughter dance. It is one of my favorite things to do all year.

Sincerely,

Lauren (age 7)

Dear Mrs. Beck,

I made a Valentine's card for everyone. I helped my friend Gracie clean up her room. I helped my mom make spirit sticks today. Daddy took me to the Daddy/Daughter dance and he danced with me and he helped me get my food.

Love,

Hannah (age 5)

Dear Mrs. Beck,

My daddy loves me and takes me to the park. I made a Valentine's card for my daddy because I love him.

Mommy am I done? :)

Conner (age 3)"

Yes, sweet Conner.. you are done! And I will be seeing you again soon for your free session!

Thanks to everyone who played, it was so fun to get the emails throughout the week.. such bright little rays of sunshine! :) We'll have another new game in March, this one will be very easy, but could get rather competitive!

Are you feeling the love?

These two are! Is there any sweeter bliss than waiting for a new arrival... one week from now their lives will be dramatically different as they go from couple to family.. from husband & wife to mom & dad... such sweet anticipation!

Don't forget about the February blog contest.. I've gotten some great entries and can't wait to share them.. and choose a lucky winner for a free session and 10x20 storyboard! See the link to the right for more info... and get your submissions in by Tuesday at midnight to be eligible!

Summer Mini Session Fun!

Summer's a time to stay busy and make your own schedule, so for the first time ever that applies to portrait sessions too! Ann Beck Photography is proud to announce a special one-time-only offer for mini sessions this summer... you're in charge! You set the day, you select the location, you schedule the sessions (how many friends do you know who would love some beautiful new portraits?) and you all get to take advantage of the great discounts and special bonuses! There will only be a select number of these mini-session days offered, and they will only be available June 1st-August 6th... so call or email today to take advantage of this special offer!

First, some basics...

Q: How does this work?

A: Anyone interested can contact me for more information. Once we set a day for your mini sessions, your job is to fill the 15-minute mini sessions with any friends or family members who want to participate. You are in charge of passing on the information about the session and collecting the $50 session fee from everyone involved. All mini session days must have at least 4 and up to 8 sessions scheduled consecutively in one day. Then the day of the session we start with the first session and continue on!

Q: What are the sessions like?

A: A 15 minute session is obviously shorter than a full portrait session, but it is still plenty of time to get a great variety of expressions and poses for up to 2 children. Anyone wanting more than 2 children needs to schedule 2 consecutive sessions to allow enough time to capture each child and a group shot if possible. The sessions can be done at pretty much any location you choose; we can go to a park or garden for traditional outdoor portraits, or even at one person's house for indoor and outdoor options. It's a great opportunity to try something new... the zoo, downtown Fort Worth, the local town square, or even your family's lake house! The location is completely up to the person organizing the day.. so get your thinking cap on and get creative!

Q: How will we see our proofs?

A: About a week after the session, each person will be contacted with the password for their gallery of 15-20 proofs. All proofing will be done online only, and you will have 3 days to view your gallery and make your selections. During that time, I will provide you will a number of options and recommendations for collages, wall collections, etc, and will be available by phone or email to go over any questions you have. Mini session clients will also have access to purchase special discounted packages offered ONLY during these minis. Orders may be placed by cash, check, or credit card, and will be delivered approximately 2 weeks after the payment is received.

Q: What's in it for the host?

A: Pictures, of course! :) The mom who sets up the session day will have lots of help from me and be given all the packets and information she needs to pass on to the other clients. The hardest part is finding people to fill the spots... but who doesn't know someone who needs more pictures of their darling kiddos? ;) As a thank you gift for your help, the host of the day will earn 20% off their entire order, and more bonuses based on total orders.

Q: How do I sign up?

A: Call or email asap! There will only be a few of these offered this summer, so call up your friends and see who's game.. it's a fabulous excuse to get everyone together and a fun opportunity to get a great deal on some beautiful portraits!

Sunny smiles for a sunny day...

A little sneak peak for mom from this morning's session... one of my favorite little guys in the park on the most beautiful day we've had in a while.

The sliver of light

As I said before, I'm working on getting caught up on editing & printing my family photos so I won't have the looming threat of a computer crash destroying the last two years of my children's lives AND so I'll actually have printed pictures to show people who come over instead of bringing everyone to the computer to see how fun our vacation was. ;) Today I'm sharing another favorite that I'd forgotten I had.

Our last house had these windows by the front door that let in a blinding dose of afternoon sun every day. We kept meaning to have blinds made but they were custom sized so it took the extra effort and it just never happened. The baby, however, loved those windows, or rather the light they let in. As soon as she could move, she'd find a way to crawl herself over to the beams and just drop to the ground, laying flat in the warmth of the light. Sometimes she'd stay for a minute or two, sometimes she'd fall asleep right there on the carpet. As she began to walk, then run, the lure remained... and she'd be running past the spot when, out of nowhere, she'd hit the deck and bask in the sunshine.



I had totally forgotten I took these pictures, and I'm so glad I did. She's since grown, and we've moved out of that house, so the phase is long gone. But I'm sure it will be a favorite story to tell future boyfriends! :) These aren't the most technically perfect photos, but the moment is real, and that's all that really matters in the end... the light is still just as warm.

Share the Love!

It's February.... the month for love! Old friends, new lovers, and everyone in between... now is the time to show the people around you how much you care!

It's our first contest of the new year, and surely to be one of the most fun! For the next two weeks, find different ways to show people you care about them. It can be special surprise pancakes for the kids, spending time with an elderly neighbor, or even just helping a stranger at the grocery store unload their bags. Make it a family affair, encourage the kids to get in on the fun and do good deeds along with you!

Spread love wherever you can, then come back and tell me about it! You can post as a comment on the blog or send an email to me at ann@annbeckphotography.com and describe what you did. Bonus points (double entry in the drawing) for including pictures of your act of kindness! I'll post some of my favorites and put all the entries in a drawing for a complimentary session (with the ones they love!) and 10x20 storyboard, a $400 value! Feel free to send in more than one entry... share the love every day if you wish! You have two weeks to complete the task.. winners will be announced on Valentine's Day!

Hope you enjoy the game.. now get out there and hug someone!