One of the most common questions I receive this time of year is advice on what type of camera, lens, or classes make a good gift for a friend or loved one.  If that’s your question this year, you’ve come to the right place!  I did a FAQ post a few years ago that answered those questions, but I’ll do a recap again.  There are many options: great cameras, lenses, books, etc.  My tips are condensed to make it easy for you, but not an exhaustive list of choices.

Camera:  Canon Digital Rebel series (the Canon EOS Rebel T4i appears to be the newest in this series.  T3i is next, etc.)  Unless you’re immediately planning to purchase another lens, go ahead and just purchase a package that includes a kit lens so you have something to start with.

Recommended retailers:  B&H Photo, Costco

Photoshop: Photoshop Elements 11. Elements 11 is the latest released version and a great place for beginners to start.  Unless you become pro, you probably won’t outgrow this program.

Recommended Retailers: Costco, B&H Photo

Learning Photoshop: Photoshop Elements 11 Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby.  This is a MUST in my opinion if you own or plan to own Elements.  Just be sure to purchase the book that corresponds with your version of Elements.

Recommended Retailers: Amazon, Costco has on occasion carried this line of books in store.

General knowledge of camera and beginning shooting tips: The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby (volumes 1-4)

Recommended Retailers: Volume 1 at B&H, Complete set Volumes 1-4 at Amazon, Costco has also had these in store at different times of the year.

Beginner lenses: Canon 50mm 1.8 or 1.4.  This is a fixed lens (no zoom), which means you move closer or farther away from your subject to “zoom”.  Great everyday lens for home or shooting portraits of your kids.  Two options are available depending on your budget.

Recommended Retailers: Canon 50mm 1.8 at B&H, Canon 50mm 1.4 at B&H

Maybe you’ve already printed your cards for 2012.  Maybe you’ve printed and addressed them.  And perhaps you’ve printed, addressed, and even mailed them.  If so, you’re putting us all to shame and you need to stop.  Kidding.  Sort of.

If you’re a client of mine your best option is of course, purchasing through me.  I offer many templates to choose from and the option to customize.  Designs are front and back, with no annoying ad from the printing company.  But if you’re not a client or maybe you’ve purchased digital files, take a look below.

Here’s a few of my favorite places I recommend for Christmas cards:

Minted - My favorite for their designs and options

Mpix - Good quality and for their other products they offer to non-pro consumers

Costco – Yep, I said it. Not high on the unique factor, nor for their quality.  But Costco wins for the cheap.

There ya go!  A place for everyone, depending on your needs.

I sadly haven’t posted much on the blog for a long while.  Let’s pretend it hasn’t been over a year and get reacquainted!  I plan to share some fun holiday posts, so stay tuned.  For now, here’s a peek at some fall sessions.

For more insider info, follow me on Facebook.  I also post wall display inspiration on Pinterest, so check that out too!

Obviously I’m a parent, hence the Finding Nemo movie line above.  It so relates to my life right now!  Fall is one of the busiest times of year for me, photographing seniors and families.  And October is by far the fullest in my schedule.  I’m careful in scheduling clients, not wanting to overbook, which gives clients the custom 1:1 experience I strive for and also allows me to stay sane.  Yay! 

So the first thing to go when I’m really busy, sadly, is my time to share photos and updates on the blog and facebook.  And before I know it, it will soon be time for my winter break – which I will thoroughly enjoy the time of refreshing those creative juices.  For me, that begins at home with my family.  Living life and documenting the beauty of its moments is what inspired this whole photography thing in the first place.

Whew, now that I got that out of the way… it’s onto a bit of news, updates, and a couple photos of course.

My fall schedule filled up so quickly this year!  Bad news (for you): at this point I have no openings for sessions through the rest of 2011.  Good news (for you):  I do have a few spots available for more mini sessions – Saturday, November 5th and Saturday, November 12th.  Other good news:  I am accepting names for a waiting list in case of cancellations.  Anndd, I still try to leave room in my schedule for newborns, maternity, or other sessions that can be time-sensitive.  So please shoot me an email to inquire.

Now, a couple images from recent sessions to tide you over:

I’m a detail person, especially when it comes to my photography.  I always shoot images of hands, feet, lips, etc.  The little things always tell such a greater story of my subjects and their lives.

Here’s a sneak peek of a recent session (and it thrilled me that they requested a hand shot).  I just adore the lighting in this image.  The gorgeous ray of sun filling the frame gives such beauty and warmth.  (The image is completely unedited, straight out of camera.  It was too perfect for me to do any enhancements.)

This is big sis to the little guy featured a few blog posts back.  The session was focused mainly on little brother, but we managed to snag a few of her as well.  She was full of spunk and although she played hard to get, I love this sweet expression captured in between.  Dreaming, thinking (or scheming)….

A few more from this sweet couple’s special day…

I’ve previously shared my advice on What to Wear for a session.  If you haven’t already, please check that out.  On the other side of that insight, I have to say I absolutely fell in love with the clothing choices in this family photo:

Gabrielle Blaire (aka Design Mom) chose French Grays as her color scheme.  The different layers and texture, along with the variations of grays and undertones, really make the photo interesting and give the extra wow factor.  I think this is a lovely way to approach what to wear if you want a more subtle color scheme, yet keeping away from being too matchy (like white shirts and denim).