Adorable 6-month-old right in my backyard - literally!

It was a such a treat to be able to go to the house behind mine to work with this happy little guy! He might have set a record for the number of smiles per hour - I had a hard time choosing which photos to sneak peak, but here are a few to get started - many more great images to come.

Mother's Day is Coming!

One of the great things about being a photographer and a mom is that I am never short on ideas of what gifts will mean the most to my mom and mother-in-law. All the fancy jewelry and flowers in the world can't replace precious photos of their grandbabies, whether it's framed prints or items like photo handbags, wallet-size albums, or a gallery art canvas. This year, I can't spill too many beans because I know that my mom is reading, but I hope to put together something really special that includes a photo of her baby (me!) and her baby's babies. I'll be sure to share once everything's finished and the secret is revealed.

I would love to help you put together something special for the wonderful mommy in your life too, so for all sessions booked between now and Mother's Day (May 9) and completed by June 15, I am offering a complimentary 10x30 storyboard with every order (a $60 value, see below). Bring the kids for a session and order the prints to present on Mother's Day, or involve the whole family and receive a beautiful printed gift certificate to give to mom and let her choose when to have the whole family photographed. Either way, she will be thrilled with a gift that will outlast even the fanciest roses, jewelry, and especially chocolate.

In other news, don't forget to submit your entry into my Little Ones contest. It's easy to enter - just email a snapshot of your adorable little one (18 and under, please) to katie@katiethackerphotography.com and voting will begin April 10. The winner will receive over $300 in custom photo items and everyone who enters will receive three wallet-size albums with any paid session (a $35 value). Photos should be focused on only the child who is being entered in the contest, but snapshots can be cropped at the entrant's request.

Little Ones CONTEST 2010!

I am always looking for the next adorable kiddo to add to my portfolio, so I am very pleased to announce my Little Ones Contest 2010! Now through April 10, 2010, you can email me a snapshot of your child under 18 and be entered to win a free session, a set of 4 wallet-size accordion albums, and a beautiful 20x24 gallery-wrapped canvas (a $300 value!). Plus, EVERYONE who enters will receive a set of 3 wallet-size accordion albums with a paid session!

Ready to enter? The details:

1. Snapshots must be emailed in jpeg format to katie@katiethackerphotography.com by no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 10, 2010. Include your name, phone number, and child's name and age. Children must be 18 or under as of deadline to be eligible.
2. All entries must be non-professional recent snapshots and the child pictured must be the only person in the photograph. Families may enter multiple children, but only one photo per child may be submitted. For grandparents and other relatives that wish to enter children, please obtain parent permission before submission.
3. By entering, entrants agree that their child's photo may be included in an online voting gallery and the winning child's photos may be included in my portfolio. No last names will be released.
4. Voting will begin April 14 and end April 21, 2010. Entries will be posted to www.katiethackerphotography.blogspot.com and to Katie Thacker Photography's public Facebook page.
5. Individuals may vote for one child per day by email to katie@katiethackerphotography.com. All vote tallies will be maintained by Katie Thacker Photography.
6. Winners will be announced by April 23, 2010. The total number of winners will be decided by Katie Thacker Photography based on the number of entries received. Winners must book and complete their free sessions within 60 days of notification.

A Newborn of my Own!

This post is long overdue, but I have to admit that one of the things that thrilled me about being pregnant with my second little girl is the the opportunity to take all sorts of newborn photos! Along with some help from my sis who had to get behind the camera a few times to help out, I was able to do a super-marathon session with my little girl Cora, who joined us (early!) on November 18, 2009.