Family Session Giveaway Details!

I am so excited to be doing my first official session giveaway! Yesterday was the first day of the 'contest' and it will run through the month of March!

Here is how it works: [Double Click the image to enlarge]

I wanted to also share a few more details:

- The winner will receive a free session for the evening of Tuesday, May 8th. The rain date will be Wednesday, May 9th.

- The winner may then choose whether they would like to receive a print credit of $50 towards a print package, (packages start at $220), or a CD with 40 full-resolution, fully-edited images, along with the rights, for just $125.

- On March 30th, I will select the top 5 based on your reasons given why you should win. From those 5, I will draw the winner randomly.

- The winner will be announced on April 1st (no joke!) :)

So... follow the directions above to enter! and good luck!

Kate

The Bucket List/Desires of my Heart

Happy winter everyone! It is a beautiful January day! The sun is shining and it was warm enough to go sledding with my sweet little one year old just before nap time, (for him, not for me!). The last week has been great- I am catching up on administrative tasks and getting geared up for my 2012!

I thought I would create and share my 'bucket' list with you! Perhaps I can look back on this in the coming years and cross off a few as well as add some new ones. As I write this, I know that ultimately, I desire God's will and plans for my life and chances are, some of these things are not within His plan- but it is still fun to hope and then lay it at His feet, whatever the outcome!

Marry the love of my life
Run a 10K and Half Marathon
Visit Scotland and photograph the highlands
Photograph a wedding (or two!) in Europe
Visit Italy- and soak up every moment!
Visit Germany and Austria
Stay in Eze, France
Become a mama
Write poetry again
Ski in Colorado
Own a Business
Learn a new language (Italian!)

You don't have to be a genius to notice i love to travel and am quite taken with Europe... I realize most, if not all of these will be nearly impossible in the next few years. I write 'nearly' carefully and intentionally as I never would have dreamt in a million years that I would have traveled to Italy this past year!

There are many more, I am sure...but for now I need to cease day dreaming of what could be and work for what is. :)

Enjoy the sunshine and warm(er) temps today, friends!

Kate

FAQ's: Baby's First Year

After over 7 months of nonstop working, the quiet of winter is setting in and I have to say I am greeting it like the welcoming of a long-lost friend. Time to catch up on administrative work, prepare for 2012 and to answer a few FAQ's.

Today's question comes from Tressa in Wisconsin. She writes: "How often is it "normal" to get infant photos? Newborn and a year old but what about in between?"

Now obviously this is a very subjective question. Speaking as a mom, I would say as often as your budget allows. The first year is one of constant change and development. You can literally have professional pictures of your little one done every other month and still capture incredible growth! I am so happy that we decided as a family to hire a photographer to take pictures of us a family and plan to do it yearly. I believe it is an investment in treasuring family memories and emotions...and in so many ways, these are priceless.

Practically speaking, I know for most of us, money doesn't grow on trees, (if you know of a money-producing shrub, point me in the right direction!). With the said, I would suggest doing Newborn portraits, Six Month Portraits and then 1 Year Pictures. You will see big changes but capture the sweetness of each little season without missing too much. After that, I usually recommend having pictures taken yearly for the first 4 to 5 years.

I have heard plenty of moms share that they regret not having professional pictures taken of their family many, many times- but have yet to hear one express regret in having too many taken! :)

I hope that helps! Great question Tressa!

If you have a photography, business or personal question for Kate, please feel free to comment below, send a message on Facebook or send an e-mail to kate@katewenzel.com!