Rowan and I go way back… Look how big he is, and adorable… ugh I could eat him! Can’t wait for the next one buddy, you should be crawling by then… Your ma and I will be TIRED! Go easy… we’re not as fast as you.
I’ve been here.
The lonely nights, the stressful days. The short phone calls, the ‘i love you daddy’s. The sleepless nights… The unknown. Then one day, sometimes many months later, you receive word that he’s coming home.
I’ve been there.
The anxious children, the tears and hugs, the kisses… Reunited. Love. Home.
This family… sigh. So cute. When Josh finished his hellos, he asked little Grant what he wanted to do…. “RUN!” and run they did! Right down DIA towards baggage
If you are a photographer, check out OpLove, www.oplove.org. It’s worth it.
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My blog was hacked this morning… Hence why nothing looks normal. So instead of starting over and loosing nearly 3 years of SEO I had GoDaddy restore my database. I hope to have everything back to semi-normal tonight, but if you don’t see your posts I had them restore the database from a few days ago so… sigh.
Anyway, I thank you for your patience while I work around this issue.
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Oh, my sweet girl. I can’t imagine creating, other then my children themselves, anything more lovely then this documentation of Natalie’s day. There’s nothing like putting on mom’s heels, being so big that stairs are not an issue. Dandilion seeds are so fun, and jumping, and running. Oooh! How I love my doggie, and food, and mommy! Life is good when it rains out. <3
I can document a day in your child’s life. Send me an email for more information.
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A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Noah and his family. Stacy applied to participate in The Littlest Heroes Project, and they selected me as their photographer. Noah was so sweet and as you can tell from the images, he’s quite the little looker!
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“To My Sweet Noah,
I hold your ocean blue eyes and warmth of your smile so close to my heart. When I learned of a foundation called the Littlest Heroes Project I was so excited to have the opportunity to have you professionally photographed so that I could forever capture all the beautiful things that make you so very special. I look past all your physical challenges and see just this incredible little boy that is filled with love and laughter. You could not be more precious than you are.
We couldn’t quite decide on the perfect outfit for your special photo shoot, so we chose three. Your second year Easter outfit, a yellow shirt to go with your pale and tender skin, and a shirt that says “God makes the impossible possible because here I am.” We were so very fortunate that the sweet photographer that was chosen for us came with such love, care and patience.
From the moment our photographer, Tonee, walked in the house, she felt like a familiar friend. There were no expectations or ideas on how you would pose for the camera, no demanding props to help you appear like a child meeting all milestones on schedule. She allowed you the freedom to be who you are. Which in turn captured you in some of your most candid, honest, beautiful moments.
Each picture is a piece of your story. Your journey as this little boy they deemed had no chances of survival. You are so full of life in all your pictures, your eyes light up and that tender smile is simply irresistible. For years to come we’ll be able to look back in that moment in time, forever a piece of your little history in these photographs. You will be forever and always our little hero. You have such determination and stregnth. Your life is destined for great things, and we’re so proud we’re able to share your story with others. You are a miracle in every way.
We have been so blessed to have met so many people along the way who genuinely care about you – people who give of their time, talents, hope and love for you. We are so thankful to the Littlest Heroes Project and Tonee Lawrence Photography for providing us with such beautiful keepsakes that we’ll be able to treasure always.
“The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn’t been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.â€
Pablo Casals
Love,
Mommy”
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It’s crossed your mind….your family and your children are changing daily and you are “way overdue†for a portrait session! Your son has lost a tooth, your baby girl is walking….It’s not the session fee that’s holding you back, it’s knowing that when you see your proofs, you’ll want every image and outspend your budget! But the big “picture†is….they are growing up and if you don’t capture them at this stage, there are no second chances.
Cue my “Friends and Family†special! For new & existing clients!
Here’s how it works:
You (an existing client) and your friend (not an existing client) bring your families to meet with me one evening in May or June for an outdoor portrait session at a location of your choosing, I have some strong suggestions and avoidances. Each of you will receive a complete session with a Flash Drive of images including up to 40 digital images from your session. Images will be high resolution for printing as you wish, and I will also include a set of web-sized images for sharing on Facebook/MySpace, blogs and via email. In addition, each family will also receive a set of 20 mounted 5×7 prints of images, packaged in a beautiful, custom keepsake box, unique to that family (sample image above).
The details:
- Two families, one price – $600.00 (Split checks, credit cards, etc are okay!)
- At least one family (or both) must be a new customer!
- Session must take place in May or June
- Outdoor sessions only in the Denver area
- Sessions will be scheduled daily one hour prior to sunset
- Additional fee of $5.00 per person will be added to families greater than 5 people.
Included:
- One set of high resolution images on Flash Drive (up to 40 per family)
- One set of the same images web-sized for easy web sharing (up to 40 per family)
- One set of selected images printed and matted as 5×7s (20 per family)
- Personalized keepsake box (1 per family)
I will only be taking a limited number of sessions during this special, so call soon to make sure you don’t miss out! If you want to participate and can’t find a friend, let me know. Maybe I can help you. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
Thank you again for allowing me, in a small way, to be part of your family’s story.
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Last night was insane here in Denver! First we had heavy rain, thunder and lightning, which quickly turned to sleet then heavy snow. The wind was angry, power was out in spots across the city as the inches of wet, heavy snow built up…. quickly.
After being teased with quite a few warm days in the high 60s and low 70s, our official spring was ripped from underneath us as we woke to a winter wonderland again. Was this the blizzard of 2010? We always get something in March.
I tried making my kids a deal to clean the house and I’d either pay them or we’d *try* to go do something fun. The snow is heavy and wet, purrrrrrrrfect for snowmen, snowball fights and amazing sledding and tubing! Bowling sounds like a perfect way to wrap up the day. Of course, as I write this they are horsing around instead of their chores. I can’t blame them much, who wants to clean when fun is on the horizon.
Well how about a contest! Today ONLY so spread the word!
Below is a picture of my snow accumulation on our deck. Just under 10″!
Post your pictures of accumulation at
http://www.facebook.com/toneelawrence or http://www.facebook.com/forgetparis
All entries will be sorted by time of posting. Â A winner will be chosen with random number. Â There must be a minimum of 10 entries for this contest to take place so tell your friends!
What you win: a SUNNY session within the next 3 months and a $100 credit to get some fun loving stuff!
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Leah and Jason shivered through some brutally cold weather to take some beautiful pictures in the snow, and probably breathed a sigh of relief once the session was brought inside the studio. Â Tonee seemed to capture their adoration for each other just perfectly.
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Tonee fell in love with this little one as soon as she heard her name. Â She had some trouble falling asleep, but with a good meal in her belly she dosed off quickly and took some amazingly serene pictures.
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Although the mud at the Morrison Nature Center proved to be a bit of a challenge, the weather cooperated perfectly for this outdoor shoot. Â Nature certainly lent itself well to the brilliant colors that highlight these pictures.
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Note: This post isn’t just an opinionated rant. It’s informative.
Our business is only as strong as our tact. If we as photographers and business owners want to attract clients to our craft, then we can not undersell ourselves or undercut others. In the last month amidst casual conversation with another photographer and clients, I have heard of two separate unrelated incidents where photographers have attempted to do just that by offering up their services for free when they have a fully established business. Is it because one of them feels they are superior to the other? Or are they simply trying to take that client away from the other party? Regardless of the reason, this happens all the time in our field. Usually, it’s from those who are just starting out, but at times, it’s experienced photographers as well. If these folks would practice integrity when seeking a new client base, then perhaps the contracted client would have contracted them to begin with. It is our responsibility as business owners to go out and find our OWN clients and not attempt to try and convince our competition’s clients to come to us.  Quite frankly, the client is going to contract who they want and it is out of line as a non-contracted photographer to contact them  in an attempt to discuss their “options.”
“Well, hey there Bessie May! This is Photog Sassy Sally. Say, I heard you were going down to see Ol’ Jim Bob for some photos? Well how about you just come on over and I’ll get ya done up right for free!”
::shakes head::
Our businesses will grow with the amount of work WE put into it. We cannot expect clients to just plop in our laps.  We have to work to grow.   We have to step forward more then we hold still. Stepping forward means to actually take action and own up to our businesses… doesn’t it deserve it? Don’t we? Be creative, be inspiring, be…. original? It’s okay to look around on others sites for inspiration, but be original! Do know that almost all of us (photographers, designers) incorporate a software into our sites and blogs, our whole server, that documents where visitors come from, and browse too. Some can even show what’s been downloaded, which ours does. Don’t download something, especially something that is trademarked, and then announce on Facebook that you’re going to do the same thing, and use the same verbatim wording from the document downloaded, come on people.
www.copyright.gov – www.copyscape.com
I guess I have ticked some folks off, because over the course of the last three months I have received similar blog comments from a mysterious new fan:
Your A Lame WannaB
YourLame@AOL.com
24.9.34.50Lame Rookie get a real job you never make it in this business.
At first, I was extremely hurt by this- I work really hard and apparently, I’ve made it in the business. I also run around with my heart on my sleeve, and strive to help others. What would make someone say such hurtful things? My Husband insists that it’s jealousy, but what is there to be jealous of? I work 3 jobs not including Mommyhood and Wifey Corp. We are by no means in the black, and though I really would like it to be- this photography gig isn’t even full time. Simply, I have zoned my craft, and people like it.
By all means Ms. Mysterious come take a cut! I could use the lighter load and spend that time with Husband and the kids. Possibly there’s a thing or two to be learned, like basic mannerisms, from the nice photographer.  This all goes back to the above topic. Move yourself forward and don’t stand in someone’s shadow. We can ALL step into the sunlight and make our own art unique and amazing. Just as we all are fabulous creators, friends, colleagues, and individuals… we are each in business for ourselves and whatever accompanying reasons.
Whatever the reason… Mind your business… Step forward… and flourish!
FYI – I’ve taken the appropriate steps to be able to use the music on my website. I’ve had permission since 04/2007 and 05/2007 on different songs.
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Hey!! One of my labs is having a 50% off sale on their 8x10s… So I’m passing those savings on to all my past clients!
The special runs until February 27th, so if you all are looking for some 8x10s, let me know ASAP!
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Looking every bit as tiny and fragile as her mere eight days might suggest, the blanket Tonee photographed Savanna on during this evening photo session brought out her own preciously soft skin. The biggest challenge? Getting this little one to fall asleep long enough so that her calm serenity could be captured in a series of breathtaking images.
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With only 3 precious months under his belt, Parker was a tough little one to capture.  But when the mood struck him just right he was full of giggles Tonee was able to capture his bright blue eyes just right.  He even was able to share some of his curiosity through those priceless expressions that only babies can perfect- despite the fact that our nighttime in studio photo session was inching close to his bed time.
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2010 is looking mighty bright for us Lawrences! Finally. We’ve been patiently waiting for something to come along and be fantastic. It hasn’t been without a struggle though. Starting in late 2008, we managed to overcome two lay-offs, a…. challenging unit with the Reserves (not to mention the transition between Active Duty, Inactive Duty, to Reserves – They operate on an entirely different universe.) We are getting ready to start our 4th week away from each other as Husbund has made it more then half way through Recruiting School with the Reserves (he’ll never know how amazingly proud I am of him!). We will wait for orders while Husbund is in an IMA slot working….
Oh yeah, and I still work a ful- time out-of-the-home non-photography drafting job for an engineering firm, even though from September to present I have done 86 sessions, including births and multiple children… and 2 weddings!
I STILL WORK FULL TIME!
Me = insane…
Anyway, that’s a lot for just me! I have a ton of work I still have to get done, with quite a few portfolio building sessions for Little Giraffe to wrap up. I’m getting there ladies, I promise! This year I want to slow down, but I still have big plans. I have 2 exciting launches planned while we await orders, we have weddings booked, OpLove is growing, my kids are growing…. and I’m growing.
I’ve always had an overwhelming need to help people. Usually it bites me in the rear, but because of such a successful last year, I feel that I’m in a position where I can honestly help others without the fear of it turning sour, or “stealing” clients, locations, or techniques.  We, as photographers, let those feelings consume ourselves! Why do we do that? It’s because we’ve worked very hard to get where we’re at, and we don’t want anyone or thing to jeopardize our hard work. But, at some point I, you…. WE! need to stop being selfish. Now, I’m not talking about just handing over all our secrets to someone who doesn’t know how to control their f/5, 1/250, 400 ISO, 150mm (that’s f-stop, exposure time, ISO, focal length for the JSO folks and here’s the image.)
(ps- I pre-photoshop in Bridge rather then Lightroom, because it’s WAY faster for me as I’ve developed my workflow)Â
There many people who are established in their craft who might need a compliment, a suggestion, maybe a new location idea. That’s not so bad right? You could share a location! Maybe what type of post processing you used… On the above image, should you love it, I used My AMAZING Action (I haven’t quite decided if I’ll sell this action or not), my Reddy Gone, and added a texture overlay.
Anyway, it’s time for me to give back…………… more. More than I already do! It makes me feel good, warms my heart! That’s why I’ve decided to let people in. If you want to trot around after me during a session, please let me know! If you need an idea of a new great location, shoot me an email! Maybe you need some help with an image, send it on over.. then I’ll tell you how I did it. I don’t mind seriously. Just let me know. It might take me a couple days to get back to you, but I will get back to you!
Also, check out this new blog I started, www.photogprops.wordpress.com! I hope it will just take off so it will HELP others!
If you haven’t checked out OpLove, do it. If it’s one thing you do today, look at OpLove. www.oplove.org.
Hug your babies, kiss your lover! It’s going to be a FANTASTIC year!
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f/4, 1/160s, iso 400, 50mm
pp: Bridge (Initial), Photoshop (My Action - it’s one action, and yes, I am VERY proud of it )
f/4, 1/160s, iso 400, 50mm
pp: Bridge (Initial), Photoshop (My Action, My Touch of Cream)
f/4, 1/160s, iso 400, 50mm
pp: Bridge (Initial), Photoshop (My Action, FloraBella’s Spring Haze)
Prop from: Cricket’s Creations Super Fringie ($75 from Etsy)
For these pictures I simply tossed the fringie over a magazine holder, and stuck Nan in the middle. I am really into moody light now, so to recreate this look, should you want too, you’ll need an extra-large octagon light sitting on the floor, directly behind you. I did not have a diffuser over it, just straight on light.
(I created the above setup with the Strobox Application for the iPhone. If you hold down the power off button and push the home screen button on the bottom, it will take a snapshot of what you are currently viewing! Neat huh!)
Â
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