2013 Lil' Steps {Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA Children and Family Photographer}

I love January for gaining a new focus.  As the Holidays end and life slows down just a bit, it is a great time to reflect on the past year and think about personal, business, life goals for the coming year. I am not one to make specific "New Years Resolutions" per say, but I have found it effective to generate a theme for the year that can help me focus on business and personal goals.  You may remember reading this blog post from last year about the theme for 2012 being "Customized". In early January 2013, while running along one of my favorite local paths I came upon this hill that always causes me trouble.  It is such a steep incline I can never run up it and always have to stop and walk.  I snapped a picture of this hill with my phone and was inspired for my 2013 theme to be "Little Steps" or "Lil' Steps" On a basic level I knew it was going to mean taking little short steps if I ever wanted to be able to run up this hill without stopping.  Anything worth achieving is not gained on the first try and often takes multiple attempts.  During subsequent runs later I would always remember this motto and take smaller steps toward reaching this trivial goal. 

2013 was a year of a lot of life changes.  My family was faced with relocating to the Atlanta area.  Looking at the whole process it seemed overwhelming, but when given time to work out the details into   "Lil' Steps" the process wasn't so daunting.  We were granted time in getting a home ready to sell, listed, and sold. We had time to visit the new region to determine the best location for family, schools, and business. During what seemed like a long transition process, I saw the small strides play out in real time for every little detail to align perfectly as we made our move and got settled. 

During this year the opportunity arose for me to acquire a new photography business with Spoiled Rotten Photography.  I knew it would take time to build a brand new business in a new area. I made lots of little steps to get my foot in the door with a good many local preschools and schools in the Roswell and Alpharetta, GA area this Fall, and continue to grow for Spring 2014. 

When planning events for E. Bailey Photography this year "Lil' Steps" was the motivating theme.  In January I had prayed for the right cause to come along for me to be able to bless a family with portraits.  Charlotte's Story prompted our Lil' Angels promotion.  The Spring Lil' Sessions borrowed from the theme.  I looked forward to planning sessions for a good many of my Lil' Sprout Baby Members during 2013. After receiving my Professional Certification in 2012 I took the next Lil' Step to further push my skills as a photographer.  I entered the International print competition through PPA and had 2 of my 4 images awarded a merit.  After attending my first Imaging event 4 years ago I never would have dreamed my images would on display among such amazing talent.  Here are my 2 winning images.

Summer Bliss

Her Comfort Zone

This past year I began taking lil' steps towards a healthier lifestyle for my family.  I know we still have a long way to go, but we've slowly cut out a lot of the extra fried and processed foods from out diet and replaced with more wholesome choices.  I was introduced to and fell in love with Young Living Essential oils that we have begun incorporating as wellness supplements.

So maybe I should have written this blog post back in January 2013 to hold myself accountable, but I prefer to look at the big picture in hind sight and reflect on how events and decisions have successfully played out over the course of the year.  I can tell you the theme for 2014 is "Reach."  Expect a blog next year about this time how this theme spread across 2014.  :)

To all my clients....Thank you all for being so amazing! I consider each of you a friend! Thank you for being so loyal to me and allowing me to be able to work your Fall sessions in, during my visits to  Birmingham.  To new clients in Atlanta... Thank you for giving me the opportunity to create memories for your family.

To show my gratitude for a great 2013 year, I am doing a Giveaway for a 2014 Spring Lil' Session (30 minute session complete with 5 full res digital images).  This is open to anyone in the Birmingham, AL area able to be available for a session on Saturday, April 5, 2014 or anyone in the northern Atlanta area.  Follow directions below to earn up to 9 entries.  Contest is open until midnight on 1/31/14.  Winner will be notified on 2/1/2014.

Entry-Form

I love January for gaining a new focus.  As the Holidays end and life slows down just a bit, it is a great time to reflect on the past year and think about personal, business, life goals for the coming year. I am not one to make specific "New Years Resolutions" per say, but I have found it effective to generate a theme for the year that can help me focus on business and personal goals.  You may remember reading this blog post from last year about the theme for 2012 being "Customized". In early January 2013, while running along one of my favorite local paths I came upon this hill that always causes me trouble.  It is such a steep incline I can never run up it and always have to stop and walk.  I snapped a picture of this hill with my phone and was inspired for my 2013 theme to be "Little Steps" or "Lil' Steps" On a basic level I knew it was going to mean taking little short steps if I ever wanted to be able to run up this hill without stopping.  Anything worth achieving is not gained on the first try and often takes multiple attempts.  During subsequent runs later I would always remember this motto and take smaller steps toward reaching this trivial goal. 

2013 was a year of a lot of life changes.  My family was faced with relocating to the Atlanta area.  Looking at the whole process it seemed overwhelming, but when given time to work out the details into   "Lil' Steps" the process wasn't so daunting.  We were granted time in getting a home ready to sell, listed, and sold. We had time to visit the new region to determine the best location for family, schools, and business. During what seemed like a long transition process, I saw the small strides play out in real time for every little detail to align perfectly as we made our move and got settled. 

During this year the opportunity arose for me to acquire a new photography business with Spoiled Rotten Photography.  I knew it would take time to build a brand new business in a new area. I made lots of little steps to get my foot in the door with a good many local preschools and schools in the Roswell and Alpharetta, GA area this Fall, and continue to grow for Spring 2014. 

When planning events for E. Bailey Photography this year "Lil' Steps" was the motivating theme.  In January I had prayed for the right cause to come along for me to be able to bless a family with portraits.  Charlotte's Story prompted our Lil' Angels promotion.  The Spring Lil' Sessions borrowed from the theme.  I looked forward to planning sessions for a good many of my Lil' Sprout Baby Members during 2013. After receiving my Professional Certification in 2012 I took the next Lil' Step to further push my skills as a photographer.  I entered the International print competition through PPA and had 2 of my 4 images awarded a merit.  After attending my first Imaging event 4 years ago I never would have dreamed my images would on display among such amazing talent.  Here are my 2 winning images.

Summer Bliss

Her Comfort Zone

This past year I began taking lil' steps towards a healthier lifestyle for my family.  I know we still have a long way to go, but we've slowly cut out a lot of the extra fried and processed foods from out diet and replaced with more wholesome choices.  I was introduced to and fell in love with Young Living Essential oils that we have begun incorporating as wellness supplements.

So maybe I should have written this blog post back in January 2013 to hold myself accountable, but I prefer to look at the big picture in hind sight and reflect on how events and decisions have successfully played out over the course of the year.  I can tell you the theme for 2014 is "Reach."  Expect a blog next year about this time how this theme spread across 2014.  :)

To all my clients....Thank you all for being so amazing! I consider each of you a friend! Thank you for being so loyal to me and allowing me to be able to work your Fall sessions in, during my visits to  Birmingham.  To new clients in Atlanta... Thank you for giving me the opportunity to create memories for your family.

To show my gratitude for a great 2013 year, I am doing a Giveaway for a 2014 Spring Lil' Session (30 minute session complete with 5 full res digital images).  This is open to anyone in the Birmingham, AL area able to be available for a session on Saturday, April 5, 2014 or anyone in the northern Atlanta area.  Follow directions below to earn up to 9 entries.  Contest is open until midnight on 1/31/14.  Winner will be notified on 2/1/2014.

Entry-Form

E. Bailey Photography is Moving! {Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA Children's Photographer}

It is with mixed emotions that I announce that E. Bailey Photography will be relocating its primary location to the Atlanta region later this Summer.  I think I have been able to talk with most of my current clients on a personal basis to let you aware of this move.  We were excited to be able to bring our family back to Birmingham, our home town, 3 years ago.  I have had the opportunity to grow and expand my photography skills and local client base while living in Birmingham. We were settled and planned to stay in this area to raise our children close to family. At the end of 2012 my husband was promoted to a new position within the company he works for and we were told we would need to relocate to Atlanta. After the initial resistance of having to leave family and everything we loved here in Birmingham, we began seeing the opportunities that awaited us in Atlanta.

After months of checking out the Atlanta metro area online and through several visits to the area we have decided to settle in the Roswell/Woodstock area. During the past 6 months, through our process of commuting back and forth to Atlanta, selling a home, purchasing a home, finishing a school year, moving an established business, making new friends, we have seen so many answered prayers being played out in our lives.  People and events have been put into our lives at just the right time to make this such a smooth transition for us.

What does this mean for E. Bailey Photography and all my current clients?  Yes, I will be trying to establish a presence photographing newborns, children, and families in the northern metro area of Atlanta to include the communities of Marietta, Woodstock, Roswell, Alpharetta, John's Creek, and Cumming.  If you have friends and family in this area, feel free to pass along my contact information. In Atlanta I will continue to do studio sessions as well as in home and on location sessions. I am excited about a new opportunity I have in the works for the northern Atlanta area to be photographing a lot more of the preschool age children. I have such a passion for photographing this age group!

I would love to continue photographing my Birmingham clients as long as you will still have me.  ;) I have spoken with my Lil' Sprout Baby Plan babies about coming to your home and using outdoor locations to finish our year together.  With family in Birmingham, we anticipate trips back to Birmingham throughout the year and you are welcome to contact me with enough advance notice to schedule sessions for your children or families.  Be watching for dates, because I will plan to offer a set of Spring and Fall mini sessions in the Birmingham area.

Right now we have plans of moving during the month of July.  If you have been meaning to book a session for your children or family, I have a few available dates in June that I can still schedule a session.

It is with mixed emotions that I announce that E. Bailey Photography will be relocating its primary location to the Atlanta region later this Summer.  I think I have been able to talk with most of my current clients on a personal basis to let you aware of this move.  We were excited to be able to bring our family back to Birmingham, our home town, 3 years ago.  I have had the opportunity to grow and expand my photography skills and local client base while living in Birmingham. We were settled and planned to stay in this area to raise our children close to family. At the end of 2012 my husband was promoted to a new position within the company he works for and we were told we would need to relocate to Atlanta. After the initial resistance of having to leave family and everything we loved here in Birmingham, we began seeing the opportunities that awaited us in Atlanta.

After months of checking out the Atlanta metro area online and through several visits to the area we have decided to settle in the Roswell/Woodstock area. During the past 6 months, through our process of commuting back and forth to Atlanta, selling a home, purchasing a home, finishing a school year, moving an established business, making new friends, we have seen so many answered prayers being played out in our lives.  People and events have been put into our lives at just the right time to make this such a smooth transition for us.

What does this mean for E. Bailey Photography and all my current clients?  Yes, I will be trying to establish a presence photographing newborns, children, and families in the northern metro area of Atlanta to include the communities of Marietta, Woodstock, Roswell, Alpharetta, John's Creek, and Cumming.  If you have friends and family in this area, feel free to pass along my contact information. In Atlanta I will continue to do studio sessions as well as in home and on location sessions. I am excited about a new opportunity I have in the works for the northern Atlanta area to be photographing a lot more of the preschool age children. I have such a passion for photographing this age group!

I would love to continue photographing my Birmingham clients as long as you will still have me.  ;) I have spoken with my Lil' Sprout Baby Plan babies about coming to your home and using outdoor locations to finish our year together.  With family in Birmingham, we anticipate trips back to Birmingham throughout the year and you are welcome to contact me with enough advance notice to schedule sessions for your children or families.  Be watching for dates, because I will plan to offer a set of Spring and Fall mini sessions in the Birmingham area.

Right now we have plans of moving during the month of July.  If you have been meaning to book a session for your children or family, I have a few available dates in June that I can still schedule a session.

Best of 2012 {Birmingham, AL Newborn, Children's, and Family Photography}

I have selected a client or photographer favorite from 100 of my sessions this past year.  This year has been a year of growth and self discovery for me as a Professional Photographer!

The past 2 years I have been able to attend the Imaging USA Professional Photographers conference, which always puts fresh new ideas in my mind.  This past January I came home with the personal theme for my business, "Customized", for 2012.  I wanted to make sure I gave each of my clients a unique experience and product that they could not get any where else.  Throughout the year I was able to implement my idea of a customized experience through a variety of ways including: a new fine art album product, a variety of framing options, and personalized ordering sessions.  I worked with my clients before the session to discuss clothing selections to coordinate appropriate backgrounds that would compliment and blend with their current home decor.  Through a series of in home sessions, I learned that I really enjoyed providing that extra touch of personalization to my clients' images and I believe it made them proud to display them in their homes as well.

This year I was able to collaborate with some amazing semi-local photographers who sparked my interest in taking my photography skills to the next level.  While I thought I could expose a pretty decent image, I learned there were rules that could make my images even better.  After rigorous training with lighting, posing, and general photography knowledge I was able to earn my Professional Photographer Certification this past Summer.  I also was able to study with several Master Photographers who helped me refine my lighting style and approach to family environmental photography.  I hope to continue learning throughout 2013 as I photograph newborns, children, and families.

Imaging USA is coming up in 2 weeks and I will be headed to Atlanta where I will attend classes with the top notch photographers from all over the country and get to see what new products are being introduced at the trade show.  I've got a head start in my mind for my personal business theme for 2013.  This is a good one that I can apply to my business as well as personal life!

Leave a comment and share with me one goal you have for 2013.  On Thursday 1/10/13 I will randomly select one person that leaves a comment to receive a $50 print credit they can use in 2013!

I have selected a client or photographer favorite from 100 of my sessions this past year.  This year has been a year of growth and self discovery for me as a Professional Photographer!

The past 2 years I have been able to attend the Imaging USA Professional Photographers conference, which always puts fresh new ideas in my mind.  This past January I came home with the personal theme for my business, "Customized", for 2012.  I wanted to make sure I gave each of my clients a unique experience and product that they could not get any where else.  Throughout the year I was able to implement my idea of a customized experience through a variety of ways including: a new fine art album product, a variety of framing options, and personalized ordering sessions.  I worked with my clients before the session to discuss clothing selections to coordinate appropriate backgrounds that would compliment and blend with their current home decor.  Through a series of in home sessions, I learned that I really enjoyed providing that extra touch of personalization to my clients' images and I believe it made them proud to display them in their homes as well.

This year I was able to collaborate with some amazing semi-local photographers who sparked my interest in taking my photography skills to the next level.  While I thought I could expose a pretty decent image, I learned there were rules that could make my images even better.  After rigorous training with lighting, posing, and general photography knowledge I was able to earn my Professional Photographer Certification this past Summer.  I also was able to study with several Master Photographers who helped me refine my lighting style and approach to family environmental photography.  I hope to continue learning throughout 2013 as I photograph newborns, children, and families.

Imaging USA is coming up in 2 weeks and I will be headed to Atlanta where I will attend classes with the top notch photographers from all over the country and get to see what new products are being introduced at the trade show.  I've got a head start in my mind for my personal business theme for 2013.  This is a good one that I can apply to my business as well as personal life!

Leave a comment and share with me one goal you have for 2013.  On Thursday 1/10/13 I will randomly select one person that leaves a comment to receive a $50 print credit they can use in 2013!

Mickey Mouse Birthday Party

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E... This weekend we celebrated my daughter's 3rd birthday. Sarah Beth has been obsessed with Mickey Mouse for a while now, so after our recent trip to Disney World, it only made since to give her a Mickey Mouse party. She has been talking about the Mickey Mouse cake she wanted for over a month now. I ended up going with chocolate covered Oreo Mickey head cupcakes. We had Mickey Mouse hamburgers and hot dogs. The girls enjoyed getting to color Mickey Mouse and friends t-shirts and spend time with their Grandparents. A birthday wouldn't be complete without a quick photo session in the backyard.

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E... This weekend we celebrated my daughter's 3rd birthday. Sarah Beth has been obsessed with Mickey Mouse for a while now, so after our recent trip to Disney World, it only made since to give her a Mickey Mouse party. She has been talking about the Mickey Mouse cake she wanted for over a month now. I ended up going with chocolate covered Oreo Mickey head cupcakes. We had Mickey Mouse hamburgers and hot dogs. The girls enjoyed getting to color Mickey Mouse and friends t-shirts and spend time with their Grandparents. A birthday wouldn't be complete without a quick photo session in the backyard.