Monthly Archives: December 2008

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miscellaneous monday (vol. 5)

December 22, 2008 – 3:23 pm

New Year = New Calendar.

2009 is right around the corner, and it’s time to look for a new calendar.  While I mostly use iCal on my computer, I think it’s nice to have a calendar out in my office to refer to . . . especially if it’s a cute one!  I found all of these on Etsy, and I’m going to have a really hard time deciding which one to choose!

The first one can be found here.  Those of you who know me well know that I’m into birds right now.  Not nasty, ugly birds – but cute little plump birds . . . like these :) .

These are really pretty.  They’re so simple, elegant, clean & crisp.  I like the rounded corners and love the idea of hanging them on the corkboard.

Several of these sets come packaged in a clear jewel case that can also be used as a stand to sit on your desk . . . like this one.  Look at these pretty colors!

If you enjoy the look of these whimsical silhouettes, go here to see more information about them.  They are really sweet and simple.

These are very fun and bright . . . and you know I love some color!  They are rectangular with rounded corners and come tied with a brown silk ribbon for hanging on the wall.  I like that each month has space for making notes or jotting down important dates.  Very cute!

**I hope you all have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & a HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Miscellaneous Monday will resume its regularly scheduled programming on Monday, January 5th :) .**

By Katie | Posted in {misc. mondays} | Comments (1)

on *holiday*

December 20, 2008 – 11:20 pm

So . . . Brad and I have started saying that we’re going on holiday rather than on vacation!  We think it sounds so much more fun!  That being said, I will be on holiday from Tuesday, December 23 – Monday, January 5.  Should you need to reach me during that time, please feel free to complete the contact form on my website, email me, or give me a call.  I will be available to schedule sessions . . . just not doing any for those couple of weeks.

To those of you who had a session with me this year . . . THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I have had such a great time continuing to grow my business here in Nashville, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to photograph so many wonderful people.  It’s a joy to meet and get to know each of my clients, and I hope to see all of you again in 2009!

I’m excited about some new ideas I have running through my head for the upcoming year, so be sure to stay tuned for more details! ::wink wink::

By Katie | Posted in {news} | Comments (0)

miscellaneous mondays (vol. 4) . . .

December 17, 2008 – 9:17 pm

. . . on Wednesday (oops!).  This week got way busy, and I’m just now getting around to my Monday post.  I thought I’d share a little eye candy with you.  These things make me smile on a cold, wet, gray day.  They make me want to buy Christmas presents . . . for myself :) .  I actually did buy one of them yesterday . . . the fabulous heart rain boots.  I walked into Target trying to avoid the rain puddles, and I walked out in these, ready to splash in them!  Seriously, I snatched the tag off while I was in line and told the cashier that I had worn them all over the store and was going to wear them out!

Should you want to invest in some of these pretties, too, here are the links . . .

I love hats – especially in the winter.  I wear one as often as I can, and this one is SO cute!  It’s been sold, but I’d love to find a similar one.

I mentioned the boots already.

I really want this little orange flower.  It can be worn in your hair, with a scarf, or on a bag, sweater or hat. There are lots of really cute flowers to choose from in all sorts of fun colors.

I wanted to order a neckwarmer last year and didn’t, so I may have to snag this one. I love the ruffles and the button. And I stay cold, so I’m a big fan of scarves and such.

I can’t get enough of these great bags.  The shape and the colors are so pretty! AND . . . it’s reversible!

Lastly, I would like to get a pair of gray Converse, and I found these at Kohls.  Hopefully I won’t need the size pictured here because they look like boats!

That’s all I have for tonight.  I hope all this cuteness inspires you as much as it did me!  Enjoy these last days before Christmas.  Believe it or not, I haven’t wrapped a SINGLE gift!  I think I’ll go do that now.  Until next time . . .

By Katie | Posted in {misc. mondays} | Comments (0)

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

December 12, 2008 – 9:37 am

Look what came to our house last night! . . .

The boys were a little excited . . . can you tell?!

I grabbed my camera and got them to stand in the glow of the floodlight at the back of the house – how’s that for some lighting equipment?!  At one point one of them said, “Can you just not be a photographer?”  HA!  Bless their little hearts.  I’m always messing with their fun trying to document the moment.  I will say, though, that I only interfered for about 2 minutes . . . if that long.  I’ve been having a hard time getting into the “Christmas spirit” this year for some reason, but the beautiful white snow is definitely helping me today :) .  Brad and I had planned a big shopping day together after we dropped the boys off at school . . . BUT it was canceled!  Oh well, I guess the Christmas gifts can wait another day since I’m already this behind!  I hope all you Nashville folks enjoy your snow day!

By Katie | Posted in {the dunlap family} | Comments (0)

this is how we roll

December 11, 2008 – 1:17 pm

So Monday afternoon we decided to do the dreaded family Christmas card photo.  Why dreaded you might ask?  Isn’t that a little harsh?  No . . . it isn’t . . . because it always turns into this big ordeal and everyone gets frustrated in the end.  Brad’s frustrated that the very first one didn’t turn out well and I take 12 more, the boys just want to play and get all silly and don’t listen, and I’m never satisfied with the images I get.  I mean, I AM a PHOTOGRAPHER.  Shouldn’t we have a really good picture on our card?!

Well, this year I decided to keep it really low key and easy.  I’m already running way behind (seeing as I usually have the cards mailed by now).  I didn’t want to worry about getting all the clothes coordinated, and I didn’t want us to freeze our fannies off out the in cold.  So, we all just piled on the guest bed in my office and kept it fun.  We’re all on our tummies, and it’s cropped in tight . . . so the clothes didn’t matter.  To be completely honest, I didn’t even wash my hair that day – or bother to fix it.  And I’m not 100% satisfied, but it’s close enough.

However, because I’m tired of setting up the tripod, turning on the self-timer and running to jump in my place, I’m planning to hire someone to do some photos of all of us next year.  We’re WAY overdue for some good family photos.  And I want them to be super laid back and bright and fun.  But for now, here’s what we have.  This is a portion of our card.  Some of you will receive the whole thing in the mail (hopefully) next week :) !

By Katie | Posted in {the dunlap family} | Comments (3)

miscellaneous mondays (vol. 3)

December 8, 2008 – 11:40 pm

I’ve recently been “sprucing” up my office and have been in search of some ledges or shelves to display some of my favorite images.  I found these on etsy and am planning to get a few (maybe two of the 36-inch ones and one 48-inch one???).  I like that they’re simple and that the images will stand out themselves rather than the ledge.

The prints that I’m using range in size from 5X7 to 16X20. They’re mounted on 2mm styrene and are sprayed for protection. Therefore, I will be displaying them just as they arrive from the printing company I use – no framing required. I love this look because it’s modern – yet timeless.  [Gallery wrapped canvases are my other favorites because they are SO stunning, and they can be hung right out of the box, too.]

Clients frequently ask me for ideas on displaying their prints.  My number one piece of advice is to (1) go BIG or (2) do a collage of images hung together on a wall.  Some of my favorite print sizes are 16X20, 20X24, 16X16 and 20X20.  I’m definitely a big fan of the ledges because once they’re hung, placing the pictures is easy.  You can move them around until you get them just like you want them, and you can use a variety of sizes to make it more interesting.

I’ll post a photo of my office wall once I hang my ledges and get the photos ordered and set out.  I hope your week is off to a great start.  I’ve been having so much fun over the past week getting in print orders for clients.  I get excited when I hear the delivery truck stop in front of my house :) .  I’m currently surrounded by some fabulous card and print orders that I’ve been packaging for clients.  So, if you’re waiting for your order, it’s on the way tomorrow!

By Katie | Posted in {misc. mondays} | Comments (0)

Keri & her people

December 6, 2008 – 4:37 pm

Keri is a special doggie.  She had a rough start in life, but she’s now in a great home with people that love her lots, fun toys, and lots of Pup-peroni treats :) .  She’s a sweet girl, and I had fun photographing her and her people.  [They are pretty cool themselves, too.]  *A big thanks to Josh, who showed up at just the right time and was therefore awarded the job of being my “assistant!”  You should have seen him holding Pup-peroni right over my head to get Keri’s attention . . . but hey, whatever works!*  These are a few favorites, and (as usual) I couldn’t decide between color and black & white on the first one, so you get both.  I like Keri’s polka-dot tongue and brown eyes.

Be sure to tune back in for Miscellaneous Monday.  I found some photo ledges that I’m planning to hang in my office.  I’ll blog about those and tips for wall displays in general.  Until then . . .

By Katie | Posted in {families} | Comments (2)

1 mom + 2 boys = lots of lovin’

December 4, 2008 – 2:07 pm

I love these little guys, and their mom is a very good friend of mine.  They are some of the sweetest, most polite boys, and their mom and dad are to credit for that.  I got to spend some time photographing their family last Sunday.  [I got some that include their dad, too, but this one just grabbed my heart.]  The weather wasn’t cooperative, but after getting a little creative, we managed to get some good shots anyway.  I think my friend is absolutely beautiful (look at her EYES!), and she has a beautiful heart, too, which matters the most.  Little guy on the right just had to stick his tongue out right as I snapped the shutter, but I still love this image a lot.  And his older brother looks so handsome.  I’ll probably post a few more later in the week, but I just had to share this one today!  Thanks, guys, for being so patient and so much fun to hang out with!

By Katie | Posted in {families} | Comments (0)

magic pajamas

December 2, 2008 – 9:28 pm

Cole running down the stairs a few minutes after we had tucked them in for the night [with MUCH excitement and big, wide eyes]:

“My pajamas are sparkling!!!!!  When I move my arm like this, [insert bending arm at the elbow rapidly] my pajamas sparkle!!!!!”

What can I say?  We like to buy those fancy pajamas that do magic tricks :) .

By Katie | Posted in {the dunlap family} | Comments (0)

miscellaneous mondays (vol. 2)

December 1, 2008 – 12:08 pm

I’m BACK . . . and so are miscellaneous mondays!  I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving.  We had a great time in Alabama with our families.  Our parents are all there (as well as Brad’s grandparents), so we just go from house to house to house and eat and eat and eat!  It was SO good to be with all of them again.  We got back Saturday afternoon, unpacked our bags, got our Christmas tree, and got it and the rest of the house all decorated!  I love all the garland and lights and candles and little snowmen and nutcrackers everywhere!

As we were getting ready to head out of town last Monday, I found this note outside my bathroom door:

Riley had left it there for me while I was in the shower.  Beside it sat a leftover roll from dinner the night before!  You have to know Riley and his quirky personality to understand how it melted my heart.  He is a great kid, and I love him to pieces, but he’s not always the most affectionate child.  In fact, he’s been pretty difficult lately.  So, when I saw this, it just brought tears to my eyes.  It is certainly one of the most special gifts I’ve ever received.  I’m even going to frame it and hang it in my office.

Earlier I mentioned decorating for Christmas, and if you’re looking for a little something to add to your holiday decorations, check out these.  They’re easy to use, and you can choose your own colors.  I think I might put one of these or one of these in my office sometime soon.  For some reason, I’m really into birds right now.

I also saw this on Etsy, and I like it a lot.

I’m supposed to be looking for Christmas gift ideas for everyone else, but if you want to get me something this year, this would make me a very, very happy girl! If anyone has about $8,000 you don’t need, I’ll be happy to take it off your hands and put it to very good use. . . ha! ha!

Well, I need to go finish up filling some orders.  Remember TODAY is the deadline for orders if you haven’t placed yours yet.  I’ll leave you with some funny outakes from a recent session.  As you can tell, we like to have a good time :) .

By Katie | Posted in {kids}, {misc. mondays}, {news}, {the dunlap family} | Comments (0)