Reflecting on the last year

It's going to be a cliche post..sorry! But I think it is important to reflect on the things that you have learned and determine some goals for yourself for the coming year.



2009 - What I have learned

~ Don't rush things

~ I really enjoy children photography

~ Not everyone is going to like my photography style, and that is ok

~ Sometimes things are A LOT harder than they appear

~ Pace myself, I got way too overloaded this year

~ Focus on the little things, they can get out of control fast!



2010 - Goals

~ Get my boudoir business up and running

~ Create a Senior Model Program

~ Schedule smarter

~ Blog at least 3 times per week (outside of the Project 365)

~ complete Project 365

~ Create all my marketing materials

~ Attend at least one workshop

~

Getting involved and having a purpose

I don't write near enough on this blog as I would like to. My hope for 2009 is that I will be able to write more over here, that will allow my clients to get a better idea of who I am.

One of the things that I have been mentally mulling over is using my photography as a way to help others. I recently ran across a foundation called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. *NOTE: Do NOT go over there if you are emotional...you will be crying in no time flat.

But I think I want to find a way to use photography with kids with disabilities. I want to find some organization that I can get involved and show the beauty that is within these amazing kids. I want to find the right one but don't really know where to begin.

Still thinking...

Newborns...

I have this wonderful grand idea that maybe I should do newborn photography...my last two newborn sessions have really made me appreciate the photographers that specialize in these sweet babies. While I love these images...i'm not entirely sold on this niche...I like it when the kids can play and interact with me. This was my first real newborn session...he was only 9 days old. the last two I have done, they were about 2 months old.

He was super sweet and I love love love the images with his daddy! very special

Thankful

As I scroll through all of the FB thankful posts, I am reminded that throughout it all I am very blessed. I am very thankful for my family, for our health, for our friends, for my marriage, for my clients, for the blessings that show up in our lives on a daily basis.

I started this journey as a professional photographer this year and I am constantly reminded why I love this. I have to learn how to accept that not everyone will love their pictures...that is a work in progress. But when a client loves them...MAN that feels great. I am so very thankful that they trust me and go on this adventure with me.

Tomorrow we are headed to get our own family pictures done...images coming soon!!!


~All my love

Sneak Peek {Brian & Hattie}

Two special people, two fantastic families, two beautiful locations...AMAZING!

It is shoots like this that reaffirm my feelings that this is what I was meant to do. These two people are absolutely wonderful and we love them! They share an amazing love and only great things are in store for them.



Hattie & Brian, thank you for sharing your families with me. Crazy death defying bridge...definately worth it!




~All my love

Sneek Peak - H Family

I have some of the best clients in the world.

I love this family! The Dad is a big ol' tough guy...at least that's what he wants you to think. Mom is surrounded by guys...and she is a trooper, they keep her super busy!

We ended up doing this session on two different days, and I am so glad we did because we got some more really great shots today!





~All my love

H Family

I met this fantastic lady right before she had this sweet little baby girl. Harper is the baby's name, how great is that? She finally had some time off and we scheduled their family pictures. This weekend, sweet little Harper is coming into the studio...Woo Hoo!





~All My Love

R & S Family

This family is near and dear to our hearts. Momma coaches Maddie in cheer and Dad coached Bub last year in football. They are a sweet little family and I had the pleasure of capturing their family this past weekend. Their kids are beautiful, inside and out. Momma's family came along and we were able to capture the whole family together...even the 4 legged kiddo.











~All My Love

The S Family Kids

These kids are so beautiful and so full of life! Two brothers who absolutely adore their little sister...who I happen to have a slight love for...Her name is Brooke! How great is that?

We had a fun afternoon, two future quarterbacks and a cheerleader...well, except for the darn fire ants.

Mom, I hope you enjoy the pictures.





~All My Love, Brooke



MaddiePie Creations

www.maddiepiecreations.com

R Family

I have been so blessed to meet so many great families since we moved to Texas. This family is definately one of our blessings. They just built this amazing house a little outside of town and the timing was great, because they also realized it had been many years since they had family pictures done.



Thank you R family for allowing me to come out and do your pictures.

~All My Love, Brooke

MaddiePie Creations

www.maddiepiecreations.com

Mommas and Their Boys

I am dear friends with one of these beautiful women and she has been a great marketing tool for me with my photography. A couple of months ago she asked me to come out and take some pictures of her favorite girls...and their 8 boys. I had no idea how blessed I was to meet these women and witness the friendships that have lasted a lifetime.

The first time we attempted this shoot was a few weeks ago and we got rained out. This past weekend we wrapped it up and I'm so glad, because it was a beautiful day!

Ladies, I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed meeting you and your sweet boys.

~All My Love, Brooke

MaddiePie Creations

www.maddiepiecreations.com

Sneak Peek {East Family}

I started this fun Halloween weekend with a family shoot of some dear friends. It's funny how things work out and how you meet some of the best people through other acquaintences. This family is amazing and lucky for me...I got to take their pictures today. What makes it even better, is they were able to coordinate this and bring in their parents and siblings. There is nothing better than capturing ALL of the family.


They were troopers today and came out in the chilly fall weather and a little on the early side. The even stood in the middle of the street and trusted me to not let them get run over by the traffic...although as I was taking some of the pictures I kinda missed a car that was headed their direction. But all was well and we got out of the way in PLENTY of time. :)


Thank you so much for allowing me to be your family photographer - You are the greatest!


Enjoy the sneak peek...the gallery is coming soon.

Momma...even his sad face is precious!

~All My Love

Brooke

http://www.maddiepiecreations.com/

Sneak Peek - Jordan Family

I love this family!! Their story so far has been full of several twists and turns. They have faced many challenges together, and still stand side by side ready to face the next one. This family has never had family pictures done...I am completely honored to be their family photographer.


Jordan Family...I love you, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you. I hope you enjoy these.

~All my love, Brooke

www.maddiepiecreations.com

Sneak Peek - VZ Family

I had the priviledge to do a family session with this family. They are beautiful, silly, and full of love. I even survived a dog with a crazy amount of energy :)

We had a fun time and wrapped up just as we ran out of light for the day. Thank you so much for allowing me to capture your family and all of its greatness!

(click on the image to see it bigger)

~All My Love, Brooke

http://www.maddiepiecreations.com/

Sneak Peek - J Family

J Family...I love you for allowing me to be your family photographer. It was cold, rainy, and just an overall yucky day, but we trampled all over this park to get some awesome family pictures. Love you!

J Family...I love you for allowing me to be your family photographer. It was cold, rainy, and just an overall yucky day, but we trampled all over this park to get some awesome family pictures. Love you!

Sneak Peek - Melissa {N-o-N}

Melissa was one of the super special sessions that helped me participate in the Images For A Cure event.


Her one year anniversary is coming up and she wanted to do something special for her husband. She says she never takes picture, but I would say after this session...she should start making better habits. This session was fun because her mom came along and got to join in on the fun. Who knows...maybe she will book a session for her hubby????


Melissa, I hope you look at these and see the beauty that is not only within you, but that you radiate.


Don't forget to let me know what your hubby thinks!!





MaddiePie Creations

Don't forget to book...time is running out

Just a reminder that to take advantage of my Images For A Cure special...you need to book your session by this weekend. Here is what is still currently available:



Family Session - morning

Boudoir Sessions - 3 spots still open


Session fee is only $50 for this event - make sure you take advantage of it!! All session fees are donated to The Breast Research Foundation.





Send me an email if you are interested in booking - don't miss out on this great offer! Share this with your friends too! For more information...click here

maddiepiecreations@yahoo.com

The Savvy Photographer

I came across The Savvy Photographer a couple of weeks ago...and oh my goodness!! This is such a great resource for photographers. I have really enjoyed reading the interviews and the giveaways...oh the sweet giveaways!

I look forward to the new posts in my blog reader every morning. It is such a treat to be able to read what inspires other photographers, what the work spaces look like and their helpful hints they offer to others.

Note to self...goal over the next year, grow enough to be featured on The Savvy Photographer.

Go check it out...I promise it will consume you!

~All my love
Brooke


MaddiePie Creations

M Family

It is so great to see the different generations in families. The Mom in this family is a fantastic woman that I work. She wanted to make sure we captured her family and all of the craziness. We spent a lot of time laughing at the boys...who had a completely different idea of how THEY wanted the pictures. The oldest son is leaving Tuesday for the military.

I am so thankful that you allowed me to spend some time with you and capture all of your families dynamics...even if the little one was NOT interested in having her picture taken. We still got some great pictures.

~All my love!

Greeting Cards - Beyond Red and Green

This year, one of my goals is to roll out greeting cards. I can't wait to add this to the products MaddiePie offers. I've been surfing around on the internet looking at templates and fell in love with this company. I actually just added them to my blog roll the other day.

Low and behold, they are offering a giveaway today for two lucky readers....I REALLY REALLY hope I am one of them.


If you are a photographer, definitely check out their stuff. It is beautiful.

~Brooke

MaddiePie Creations
www.maddiepiecreations.com

Indoor Studio

MaddiePie Creations is happy to announce we now have an indoor studio! This studio will be used to for special occasions and for those times of the year that Mother Nature doesn't allow for outdoor sessions.

Special occassions include (but are not limited to):
Newborns
Maternity
Boudoir


If you are interested, please send an email to maddiepiecreations@yahoo.com. Don't forget that we are now scheduling boudoir sessions for Oct 10. This is a special day, because 100% of all session fees are donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

You can see more info here

And because a post isn't complete without a picture...I'd like to introduce you to THE MaddiePie!

(click on the image below to see them bigger!)

Photography Special - Images For A Cure

"We are daughters, sisters, husbands and fathers. We are roommates, best friends and soul mates. We are photographers with a passion for giving back. On October 11, 2009, we will unite our talents to contribute one day of session fees in support of breast cancer research. 100% of all session fees collected on this date will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. We are hopeful, that with your support we will find a cure in our lifetime."

~Images For A Cure

I am so excited to be a part of this project. I was playing around on my Facebook page the other day and noticed a link to this project by Scarlett Lillian and once I started reading about it I was immediately overcome with a sense that I should do this. Perhaps this is my way to make an imact on the world. What a great thing to be able to make a difference by doing something you love.

So for one day, October 10, I will be donating all my session fees to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

Here's the good news for you! I am opening up 2 family mini-sessions and 4 boudoir sessions at a discounted price .

Details:

2 Mini-Family Sessions
~$50 session fee (100% of this fee is donated)
~Approx. 30 minutes at a location of your choice
~10 fully edited, high resolution images placed in an online gallery


4 Boudoir Sessions
~$50 session fee (100% of this fee is donated)
~Make-up artist provided
~30 - 45 minutes at my home studio
~2 outfits of your choice (plus a special one that I have picked out)
~15-20 fully edited, high resolution images placed in a private online gallery

Extra Bonus!!
*You can purchase a cd with your images and printing release for $50
*All prints are 20% off from these sessions


Book now - these are going to fill up fast!
To book your session go here http://www.imagesforacure.com/schedule-a-session/

Contact me if you have any questions. ~Together, we can make a difference.

maddiepiecreations@yahoo.com

Sneak Peak {Rockin' Cowgirl}

She loves to dance to hip-hop. She loves to get all dressed up. She loves to play with her dolls. But more than any of that...she loves to ride her horse and race at the rodeo.

Mini Session - Tutu's!!

It's back to school time for the big kids!! Everyone is excited for all the new school supplies and the new clothes. Everyone will look super special that first day in their bright white shoes and unstained dresses and shirts.

But what about the little one???

Now thru the end of September...buy a tutu from Heather Scott, book a mini-session with me and receive a $40 print credit.




Details of Tutu Mini-Session:

~ Session will last approximately 30 minutes

~ I will come to a location of your choice, this can be your house, the park or somewhere special just for you.

~ Mini- ession fee is $75

~ Ages: sitting up - 5 years old

Email me directly to get information on the Tutu's.

maddiepiecreations@yahoo.com

My Website:

MaddiePie Creations

I Heart Faces - Bubbles

This weeks theme is bubbles...I just couldn't resist this one from the wedding last weekend. She had so much fun blowing bubbles all afternoon.






Go check out the other entries for this weeks contest at I Heart Faces.

My Website: MaddiePie Creations

Sneak Peak {Wedding}

It was a beautiful day. While I wasn't the main photographer, I felt very blessed to be able to share in this beautiful day with Josh and Sarah. Thank you for letting me help capture some of the moments from the day...

Interested in more information? Check out the website MaddiePie Creations