Favorite Photo Friday - "A Little Preview"

November 16, 2012

Is anyone else in complete disbelief that we are about to kick off the holidays next week with Thanksgiving?
I think so many of us were sort of taken back because it is not the last week of November this year.....and we all know that as soon as Thanksgiving arrives, Christmas is close behind.

I will admit, a little bit of panic mode has crept in as I have realized the growing list of things I need to do to prepare. In addition to Thanksgiving, we also have two special birthdays to celebrate next week. Sarah will turn 6 on Tuesday and Reags will turn 3 on Friday. After some thought and input from the girls, we decided that we are going to celebrate by taking both of the girls into NYC for their very first visit to the American Girl store. To say that the girls are excited is an understatement. Two catalogs arrived last week and they are already worn out. Even though they both have a certain doll in mind, I have a feeling when they walk into that store and see the rather large selection, they may not stand so firm on their decisions and that is okay. It is their special day and we will have plenty of time. We are doing the hair appointments for the dolls while there and we are doing the special birthday lunch. To be honest, my Mom and I are almost as excited as the girls. We can't wait to see the look on their faces when they walk in the door.
You can guarantee there will be a lot of photos take that day:)

I have been super busy each weekend taking photos for clients that are trying to get them in before Christmas for holiday cards and we had some fabulous weather last Sunday....almost 70 Degrees.....so I fit in a photoshoot with my kids for our own card this year.

The outfits have been sitting in my closet for what feels like months, but the weather just has been so terrible or I did not have all three of the kids to be able to complete this task. Well Sunday all the stars aligned, perfect weather and three children that totally cooperated and worked it for their Momma.
(PS. A bit of bribery goes a long way...wink wink)

Usually, I will not unveil the Christmas card photos until the cards hit the mail, but I thought I would give everyone a preview of some of the behind the scenes photos I shot in between the ones that I will be using for our card this year.

Behind the scenes Christmas Shoot BLOG

No faces just yet, but you can get a sense of the vibe we went for and the way I stylized the shoot.
We tried out a new location and it was SUPERB. The light was out of this world and just added to the overall feel of the photos.

Kneeling down at the suitcase BLOG
The children's old world traveled vintage suitcase was a last minute find at a local antique dealer and I believe it helped set the mood for this series. Reagan loved it and if that suitcase was in her hands, then there was a smile pasted on her face. Unfortunately, you are going to need to wait just a few weeks to see this series in it's entirety......

But do you want to see just one??
Reags VIntage Suitcase Steel Station BLOG
See, I was not lying about that big smile on her face!!!

Hope you all have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend.
I am off to go visit some teachers today....parent teacher conferences.
Oh and just one more quick reminder, if you have not checked out our first "Fill Their Stockings" giveaway bundle, you might want to do so before midnight tonight. You can still enter to win and at the same time give back and help the orphans in China by supporting a foundation that is near and dear to my heart, Half the Sky.
For all of you photography fans, this is a bundle you will not want to miss.
Click HERE to view and consider making a small donation.
Thank you.


the long road


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30 comments:

Ginny said...

LOVE THOSE BOOTS and of course your girls look great as always and your pics are beautiful but I still LOVE THOSE BOOTS!

Maureen said...

Oh, American Girl is SO fun!! You girls are going to love it. Look forward to seeing pictures from the trip!

Buckeroomama said...

Oh goodness me! I can't wait to see the rest. :)

Mindi @ Simply Stavish said...

So precious!!! Those girls are going to have a blast at the American Doll Store!!! Can't wait to see photos after!

Briana's Mom said...

So cute - can't wait to see more!

The girls are going to LOVE the AG store!!! You might have seen that I just wrote a post on going there last week. Bri was in heaven! Have a wonderful time!

Mindi @ Simply Stavish said...

So precious!!! Those girls are going to have a blast at the American Doll Store!!! Can't wait to see photos after!

tiarastantrums said...

adorable outfits! I see little gal lost her headband - sounds like mine!

Everything Beautiful Shay said...

Beautiful for sure!!! I am SO hoping I can take your photog class this coming year~ fresh home from China and wanting an outlet. Blessings today!!! XOXO

Stefanie said...

LOVE this series, Lisa... cannot wait to see your Christmas card this year!!
Happy Friday, my friend :)
oxoxox!

Unknown said...

Can't wait to see more!

3 Peanuts said...

Lisa these are beautiful !!! You have a gift for both styling and photography! Love these!!!

3 Peanuts said...

Have fun at American Girl!,
I took Kate a few weeks ago and we had the sweetest day!,,
Happy birthday to Reagan.

Pride In Photos Beauty said...

You are so right!!! The lightening was out of this world for the christmas card shoot!!! The colors and lines so true!! Kuddos to you as always!!Yes, I am in panicking mode too! They are all going to be here in four days and I am NOT ready. stay blessed, Laurie

Gina Kleinworth said...

Oh these are darling. I'm so glad to hear that things are going well with the biz.

Marla said...

Probably my favorite photos of your kids EVER. It's like the stars aligned that day or something, those rocking outfits, the gorgeous light, the whole thing just worked perfectly!

Cannot wait to see the finished card!! Have a great weekend and try not to die of shock that I actually linked up today. :) xoxo

Maude Lynn said...

Adorable!

Sarah Halstead said...

Oh my!! Love that last one.

Serendipityissweet said...

Wow, you do have a big week in store! How exciting!! Those girls will be in heaven ;)

LOVE the styling for your family shoot. Can't wait to see more!!

Enjoy your weekend ;)

BA said...

Oh my--can not wait--love the colors, dresses, suitcase, smile.... don't forget to send me the link to where you got the dresses!!!!

snekcip said...

No way!! My birthday is TUESDAY also!!! Happy Birthday to BOTH Sarah and Reagan!! I can't wait to see the pictures!!!! I'm almost as excited as you!!

snekcip said...

PS LOVE THEIR OUTFITS!!! OMG!!!! LOVE THEM!!!

Virginia said...

Georgeous! Can't wait to see the rest..love the outfits, too. Oh, I wish I could get Kerry into AG. we got the catalog in the mail this week...she is not interested AT All. Have fun!

Gin =)

Shari said...

We've made some fabulous memories at American Girl over the years. We love dining there, the food is SO cute. Amelia's cousins were VERY into American Girl, so I've been going for a LONG time. Amelia's been to 4 of the stores the experience is so special - ENJOY!

Diane said...

Gorgeous photos of your gorgeous girls!!! These could not be more perfect for this special occasion! Amazing!

Have a wondertful trip to NYC...y'all are going to have a BLAST!!! Happy shopping girls:))))

God Bless,
Diane

Mimi said...

Love this series Lisa, Reagan's dress is absolutely fab! The last photo is really special, the happiness and confidence on her face is a joy to behold...Reags has come such a long way!
American Girl memories are special here too, never made it to the stores but I rem one Christmas when we got a US auntie to do some shopping, and the excitement that morning! I still take out those dolls for a bit of nostalgia, just for myself, girls have moved on, more interested in boys now!!!

Heather H. said...

Hi Lisa. YES! I am in awe/shock/panic that Thanksgiving is THIS COMING Thursday! Yikes!

I LOVE that outfit on Reagan. With the suitcase, she makes me think of "Honey Bunch and Her First Visit to the City," which I just recently read to Emmalyne. I look forward to seeing the rest of the photos. :)

Love,
Heather

Unknown said...

Your holiday cards, I'm sure, are the bomb!!

Fannie said...

American Girl is great! Be sure to schedule a meal in the cafe! It's great, and if they get their dolls first, the dolls will be able to sit at the table next to them. :)

We're going again next week to the one in Manhattan too!

Great pics too! I've been looking for old suitcase like that..

snekcip said...

Happy Birthday to my "Birthday Buddy Sarah"!!!

Dita said...

Simply GORGEOUS...I love the light, the colors, the location and OH those precious little girls!

Outstanding!

xoxoxoxo
DITA