Frosting and Sprinkles.....

Oh Look! A BLOGPOST! blink blink.. no .. its REAL!

I have to tell you....... Facebook is where its at now! I tend to post things there way before I ever manage
to get them here...............its less time consuming! So make sure you get addicted ON .. yeah.. Get ON Facebook and embrace it.. and lose hours and hours of your day on it... and then you will be caught up quicker!  I am on it all day long while I edit, while my customer runs to change clothes, and while I am cooking, cleaning or do whatever!  So if you ever need me... just look there!

SO the 4th of July was yesterday........

now normally we just about do NOTHING on those days, out of the normal.  I sit in my chair and edit, Bob putters and does things around the house, the boy goes to work, and Emily plays in the pool.

And yesterday not much changed from that routine, except Donnell came over with her family,


 

and Emily invited her friend Daniel over....

and we ACTUALLY all hung out at the pool!

Shocker! I know!!!
I have a pool and I probably get in it one or two times the whole year! shameful. BUT its hard to edit on my computer out there... the keypad gets a little hot! hahahah! 
But we did have a blast for a change and I thought you might enjoy seeing me actually using the pool! woot!

We also ate some good food (of course!!!)  I have alot of recipe sources.... but PW is always a favorite with her Hot Crash Potato's..........

 I got this steak recipe from online called Restaurant Steak.

Its delicious! And you make it on the STOVE not the grill!!!  It might just be the pat of butter on top, but I don't know.. its just YUM! 

Emily requested this Buttermilk Apple pie from Cooking light.......

and it was good! But I am not a pie eater.. the kids loved it!

And this salad was totally cool.........

it was from Kayotic.. only I put my own spin on it with the olives... she put in green I did black... my son ate a bite and said its like PIZZA SALAD! Which translated to " YUMILCIOUS"! 

We all went to bed with full tummies, and some of us with a lot of sunburn! (whoops and yes I did so wear sunscreen so WTH you know??? ) 

While I am here bloggin... I thought I would go ahead and remind you that Quick n painless Beach day is coming up !! 

JULY 11!  I have already updated the website and Facebook (there is a page in there just especially for Photography by cupcake.. go look it up its cool!!)

  so you can go there if you have questions!

Or if you want to just let me know you are coming! I cant wait to see you!

Oh and I have a new addition to my website.. make sure you check out the "home page".... and let me know when YOU want to come in for YOUR session! <wink>

I'm going to have a less busy week this week.............. My BFF From High School LIZ is coming in for the week so I will be a little off the computer and definatly OUT of the studio!  (yeah right hahahahahah)  and a little slow on working.. while I hang out with her. I haven't had her as guest in my house since Emily was 2 I think.... ???  I have been through GA to see her now and then, and last year we met up in Mississippi for a day or two, but this will be a fun proper visit and I cant wait! 

Hope you have a fabulous summer week, and you can all probably thank Liz for the cooler weather.. every time I invite people from "over there" over here they bring cooler temps! In June MY family brought us quite a few nice days... LOVED IT!!  So enjoy!

Probably by thursday!

Hi there!  Alot of you have been asking when QP pics will be in... I know.. I know.. I Spoil you usually and get them in within a week of the shoot.. but colorizing took a long time (and with this elbow.. gah.. its killing me!)  and I expect them to be packaged and in the tub for you by thursday morning... that is UNLESS there
is some sort of redo on yours. SO PLEASE WAIT FOR ME TO EMAIL OR CALL YOU.. ok! ;o)
Meantime.. here is a TINY sneak peek for some of you...................

We had QUITE a lot of newborns show up..

and I was JUST wondering where all the new babies were... how funny they all get born in big groups!!

 I wonder why that is...............?
Love this one..

 it just feels like Summer to me!

Also.. I wanted to let you know photography by cupcake has a site on Facebook ... and I have been updating the progress of QP days and other things on there as well.. Its quicker than on here.. so if you are into FACEBOOK go ahead and get on there and "Fan" me and you'll get your updates all the time!
Plus.. who doesnt need another addiction in life right crack book  Facebook is SO Much fun!!! 
heheheheheh!

Ok.. we are off this morning to Baylor School for some Beach pictures! woohohoooo!!! Love this kind of shoot .. I always get a little free workout on those thighs writing names in the sand!

Hope you have a Happy Tuesday!

Who's up for a Beach Trip to Orange Beach/ Gulf Shores, Alabama?

So, I spend a lot of time talking to Donnell, when we are working together not shooting... and all the girl can talk about sometimes is this Beach trip she went on a few years ago.... so for heavens sake, just to hush her up already... (hahahahaha!) and grab one more last vacation with my newly graduated big boy before he runs off to college and leaves me forever, I decided we should all go on a last minute summer fling trip to the darn beach!

SO............... if you are ALSO dying to go get some fun in the sun before school roars back to life... come out to Gulf Shores with us and let me capture an amazing family portrait for you!!!

Heres the scoop:

When:  August 11, 12 or 13 available for sessions

Where: Orange beach / Gulf Shores, Alabama

The Deals:
Your choice.....
Beach Special ... $500 one hour session, and 30 edited images
on a cd for your personal use. 
OR
Regular location session- $175 and $200 minimum order
from our normal prices.

If you are interested, please email me asap, and we can hook you up with the 411 on everything!
I know I am excited... its been a long while since I have been down to a beach... and goodness... can you hear Donnell from there??? She is just giggling and clapping her hands like a school girl! sheesh!!

We hope to see you there!!
Cupkake897@aol.com

Crazy!

So, since June I am officially in crazy mode! every day just flies by and I don't even have time to say "What did I get done today??" before I am up on another day! crazy!
I am off this morning to Royse City to play on a "beach".... and I KNOW I am not going to get 4th of July QP even OPENED UP today.. maybe not even tomorrow...........so I wanted to make sure you guys knew that NO WAY will they be done this friday like I have been spoiling ya'll in the past! <wink>
Because I have to finish all of these delightfuly little tiptoes through the creek.....

splashes .....

Grins.....

discoverys....

giggles.....

and all that first!  I have about 2 and a half more sessions to edit from Duck Creek Mini... AND THEN I can start on 4th of July! SO expect it next week ya'll!! Its like I said.. CRAZY!

And OMIGOODNESS!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait to share with you all the babies that have been falling from the sky lately.. mmmmmmmmmmmmm hello.. they smell like Sunshine! YUM!  Yesterdays afternoon with Knoxx (Spicecake mama from previous post!) was Awesome! He was such a little bundle of baby still!!! And we did so many fun things with him!! And then at QP day we saw 3 tiny new ones!!!!!!!!!! And Adam was only 6 days old!!!!!!!!!  Andrew.. we really loved your new brother!! cant wait to see more of you two!

Ok................ I have to skedaddle..............thank goodness I packed the truck up last night...
Going to play in the sand with a bunch of preschoolers!! woot!! And then.............back to this lovely hard wooden seat.. hahahahah!

Hope you are all having a fab summer!

super sneak peek-Duck Creek!

Super.. cause I am really only part-ways done with this one.. and he was first.. but he is so cute
I just had to throw up a few for ya!

We heard some birds.. I asked him what the duck says.. " QUACK QUACK" you got it buddy!! So then I asked him .. "What do YOU say...?"  and he thought for a long minute.. looked around a bit and then turned to me and started going "WHOOOOOOOOoooooooOOOooo" hehehehe! I loooved it!

And I love this....

didn't do a thing to those eyes either. man. phew. gorgeous, huh?

So, 4th of July QP is coming Saturday! Ya'll COME prepared!!!OH MY! I have gotten so much response to this one, I might be a wee bit nervous!  OF course that might also be because I am probably going to be working with a couple of "Issues"... like the weather. Outside all day. Hot hot hot!  And, I apparently hurt my arm last week somehow..maybe doing those kick backs on my friday workout.. nonetheless... I ended up with Tennis Elbow. Or we can just call it PHOTOGRAPHERS Elbow.. to make me happy... hows that?  Anyhow.. Its about killing me. I have me some drugs... and the threat of a shot is on the horizon... but I still don't think I'll be able to move it with complete painless-ness by saturday.. so I am gonna work with a Tripod I think. Which will slow me a bit. Dang it.  :O(  Anyhow...
come ready to park down the street in the nearby neighborhood, or parking lot ... cause I think it might be crazy! And if I were you, I would try to keep the kids INSIDE the house where it is cool and safer, than running around crazy outside waiting your turn!  Im SO excited to see what we get that day!! ya'll pray for some clouds ok!! we can really use them!

And here is another sneak peek............Spice cake!  A project we have been working on behind the scenes here...

isn't she just gorgeous?

Baby Knoxx was born just 7 days later!  I get to spend a few hours with them on Friday .. and I cant wait!    We are working on revamping the website and adding this new kind of portraiture, and expect it to be up and running soon! (ha. ok, you know my web guy,. but anyhow...SOON I HOPE!!!)  In meantime, if you have questions feel free to shoot me an Email!

Boudoir photography is an amazing gift you can give your boyfriend, fiance, or spouse! Or for your maternity's like here...  Or just have one done cause you feel Gorgeous today!

Ok......I best get.. I have a BIG day tomorrow, seeing as I am turning another year older, going to get my ears re-pierced for the 3rd time in my life ( I keep letting them close up... oops!) , going to lunch with my girlfriends to a new place, and then coming home to one of my favorite meals (CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA) and a Homemade Cake, made with luv by my Bob! 

He looks great in the apron, doesn't he?

Hope you all have a great day too!

And we'll see you Saturday!!!  Mater cant wait to meet ya!

Holy cow!

Its been forever and TWO days since I blogged! Im so sorry!
I had the whole family in town last week for 5 days................. by whole family I mean:
My mom- Judy, My sister Debi and her hubby Doug, their kids, Jessie, and Brandy and HER kid Amber,
My sister Cathi, and her kid Lauren, and HER KID Jacquline !  They stayed at hotels nearby... well except for Lauren & the baby cause.. as you all know, girlfriend wants some baby love around her so the baby hung with US! ;o))) yummilicious!  Isnt she?

Anyhow... so I was a little busy cause I am an overachiever and I wanted to make 3 meals a day for these folks since I never hardly ever see them.... so I, plus all my family helpers, spent most of our days cooking in the kitchen, or running around to places because lord knows there isnt ever enough time in a day!

(this thing stayed packed full and we ended up having to bring in a giant cooler too, AND another little fridge for the beverages-holycow)

It was all to celebrate my boys graduation. Yes.. you know.. the little dude you remember seeing running around my house now and then when you came in for your sessions.
(this is at the big pool party not so little anymore huh... )

He graduated High School last week (162 in his class which in my opinion, out of over 600 aint too shabby!!!) with honors!!!, and I promised him a big giant whoopla when this happened.. so I went and planned it and lo and behold It came to pass! WOOT!
Check out his fancy cake.................. 

I thought it would be cool to compile his favorite things about school... and his life... skating, and his music... (he plays clarinet)  so they put his music on rice paper so its edible... and made him a skateboard which was SUPPOSED to be edible... but wasnt... and his diploma is there along with his "yearbooks".  the cake tasted good too, which was BONUS! hahahah!

It was the best time ever.............. but my favorite parts were watching my family help in the kitchen.  And giggle over crap like my sister Debi not knowing what " Thats what she said" ment.. and then the rest of the week every 2 seconds something calling it out and causing a huge fit of giggles.  Or the time cathi made my car groan and I couldnt figure out what the sound was coming from.. and then it went to groaning really crazy like, and I turned to look in the back seat and shes wiggling back n forth like a bobble head and we both got the giggles like there is no tomorrow til we were crying, and my mom just shakin her head going "oh my goodness you girls..." Yeah.............those moments were great.

There was so much more going on ...................... and I dont have time right now to tell about it.. cause I am supposed to be on my way to Duck creek to take some pictures right about now... but wanted to feed my poor neglected blog, and wave hello and tell you all that I love ya!!! and I want to blog some pictures.. I really really do............so soon..I promise.....OK!

I'm off to go squish around in some mud for a while now........ I'll leave you with the party crowd (which includes some of the daddys relatives who came in all the way from NJ and Charleston SC to see him!!) all watching the video my friend April made for us............ this was before I started crying..... of course!
See... Im still grinnin....... 

Coming right up!

Running out of time fast........... holycow!!! Seans graduation is next week... and we have a WHOLE BUNCHA' Family coming in to celebrate... so you know I am running around here like a chicken with my head cut off! hahahahahah! 

Wanted to post our upcoming events for you, and try to get out a newsletter as well.... so you guys can all mark your calenders and make your plans for some fun summer portraits!

Another of our fabulous Mini sessions is coming up on June 13....At Duck Creek.

We have some spots still open at 10:30, 11:30, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30 and 4pm.  Mini sessions are SITTING FEE FREE, 1/2 hour sessions.  Regular session fees apply for your order; and a $200 minimum order is required upon booking. 

Its a wonderful place to go play in the water, walk on a path, or ride your bikes on the trail! 

Email me at Cupkake897@aol.com to book your time now!

June 20 will be our next Quick n Painless day, for 4th of July!

Hours are 9-5... closed for lunch 1-2
We are hosting this QP day outside on our newest family member "Mater"!!!

 

 Quick n painless days are sitting fee free,walk in only-no appointment special days!  You can check out all the facts, print off your form, and see more samples on our website at photographybycupcake.com  Click on Quick n painless.

BW Colorizing will be available for $25 per pose.

 

Posing on Mater is dependent on the weather.... You may or may not be sitting where these subjects are, as we need to stay out of the direct sun for this day. Every pose may potentially be different depending on this.  NON sitting infants will need to be held or propped up in some unique way; please email me if you have an infant who is not sitting up so we can discuss options!  

In the event of RAIN we will have a 4th of july background available inside our studio. 

And Beach Day is July 11. 

These photos will have a texture applied to the photo before printing, to give it a weathered feel.  Gallery wraps will also be offered this day at 25% off  from images on this scene.

This is one of our most popular days! Make sure to tell us in the Notes section what you want us to Write in the sand! 

We will post samples of each event about two weeks before that event on our website at photographybycupcake.com  click on Quick n painless.

I still have a TON of photos in my folder to Blog, but I am so crazy with these graduation plans, and keeping up with ordering and work, its been having to sit on the back burner!!! Im sorry.. I hope to get back to blogging more regular soon!!

We look forward to seeing you soon at one or more of our Events!!
And of course, email me if you have any questions, I practically live online! hahahah!

Composite day!

So........ today is Composite Quick n painless day.
(details on our website here )
What'choo doing?
Come on over and play with us for a while today!
We'd love to see you.
You know you want to.....
Come on... tell Daddy today IS THE DAY for a quick n painless Family photo!
Its important.
I know some other folks who think so too.
In fact, the other day I got this amazing email from someone who knows.....
I cried a little reading it....
It goes like this:

Karen, 

I know i don't know you very well, but you gave me a good little bit of advice a few months back to get over myself and get in the picture.    

 from your note...

"but listen.. remember.......... it doesnt matter what you look like. Its important to have photos.  In the blink of an eye
they could lose ya.. and what would they have to remember you by!!!!! I know its a gruesome thought.. but since I know
it has happened to dear friends of mine...... I just try to educate people!! Your kids dont care.. they love you JUST like you are!
;O)))"

The funny thing about that is that last year my sister's husband went missing and was subsequently found dead.  The ordeal we went through to find photos for the media was hard enough, but now we are left with the cold hard fact that all Lisa and Gracie have are the memories and what is captured in photos.  So all in all, your words were impactful and I am slowly getting in there.  It was good advice and I thank you for it.  

At any rate, I saw this post on PW today and it was about the same thing you told me.  

http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2009/05/snap-out-of-it/

By Miz Booshay

I’m not a very bossy person. Well, okay. In the car I am bossy.

But in general I don’t tell people what they should do.

But I think I’ve found my calling.

I feel called to tell you to…get in the picture!

Forget your foolish pride and just jump in the frame.

Mom and JanetOur parents died when I was 16. Our mom died within a year of taking this picture with my sister, Janet.

It is my very favorite picture of her.

This picture brings me so much joy, I can not tell you. I have it on the refrigerator and look at it every day.

I do not know if I have a picture of myself with my mom.

But I do have a picture of myself with my dad.

There we are. Me and my dad and my sister Cindy. So, so long ago. It was 1973 and we were on vacation in Maui. Haleakala Crater. Look how handsome our dad was! I see my son Matthew in him.

I am so thankful for these pictures.

 

It doesn’t matter how you do it.

It only matters that you do it!

Today I want to urge you to get over your shyness and pride and get in the picture!

I wish, wish, wish I had more pictures of me with our children. It is one of my few regrets.

So here’s the deal…

1. In five years you will look five years older….you WILL look young in the pictures you take today!

2. Ten years ago I thought I was fat. Oh my goodness….I should have taken pictures THEN.

3. Your children look at you all day long. THEY know what you look like. They won’t care how you look in the picture.

I really don’t like how I look in pictures. It pains me. I still want to look like I did when I was 25 years old. And really I’m shocked that I don’t.

But seriously. My children love me just the way I am. Chins and all.

Consider this your call to action!

You can do it. I know you can. If I can, you can!

Let your light shine. You will never regret it!

Encourage one another,

Miz Booshay"

So................... Come on over...and " Get in the picture"
We can't wait to see you today!

The picture came in.

Or should I say, Our Amazing piece of Art came in!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(cause it cost like art! holycow)

I love it. I just LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!

It comes in peices.. this size was the biggest... 36x48 (inches) and comes in 12 pieces of metal....

you attatch the pieces with a jump ring.....

and then mount it to the wall with this metal bar that comes with it, and one to weigh it down....

Then you stand back and marvel at its gorgeous-ness!!!!!!!!!!

too cool!

Mater has been hard at work already!

I bet the first owner of this truck would be tickled to see where his truck has ended up. In fact, I bet the guy who had it last... probably had it sitting there in his yard, not thinking of it as anything more than some metal burden on his shoulders..... I bet he would REALLY get a tickle out of where his truck ended up! 
I would love to show them how delighted people are when they drive up and see it!  I would love to tell them how, only minutes after we got it off the tow truck, leaving it haphazardly in our parking lot, that someone drove up and asked to buy it.... and I would love to tell them how I wouldnt take anything for it!
WE LOVE MATER!!!

And so do my clients.

This daddy could not wait to get out there and hang out with my truck.

The girls look amazing on it... dont you think?

I mean.. what year is this????hehehehe.....

 
Had to put this one in ... Daddy is her hero!! Caught her falling off the side, EVEN WHILE HOLDING the
baby!! hello!! What a rock star!

Teenagers like the truck too. 

Isnt she the cutest !?!?!

She wants to be a kindergarten teacher. I think she will be perfect for it!

My teeangers like it too.

And my son ASKED Me if we could use the truck for his prom pictures.

Excuse me... !!!!!@@@&^*%$#@!!!!Sean does NOT ASK to take pictures normally... I sort of fainted there for a minute.

I love Seans choice of outfit for prom. He is so his mothers child.

And whats NOT to love about Shelbys dress? YUM!!!!

Bob and I like the truck too.

Donnell went out there and took our picture last saturday even though she was nervous as a cat! hehehehe. I dont know.. do I make YOU nervous??? anyhow.... I guess the reason she was so nervous was that we are wanting to enlarge this picture really really big on the wall.

In fact we ordered this image in a 36x48 inch Mural.. on metal.  It will come to us in 12- 11 inch squares of metal.... and we will assemble the tiles back together like a puzzle on the wall.

 Isnt that just stinkin cool? 
You know you are gonna want one.

I'll show you what its like on our wall as soon as it gets here.

Im so excited!