It is hard to believe that spring has sprung and that Mother's Day is just around the corner.  Well, last year was the start of the Mother's Day give-away and it's back.  

First of all, I talk to moms ALL of the time about how they get so frustrated when they try to capture that precious moment(s) of their child(ren) and thanks to either modern day technology or the quickness of the child, you miss it.  Or, better yet, you capture it, but laugh at the result.  Believe me...we've been there.  At times, it is with our own little ones or while we are shooting (thankfully, they are seldom, but you get the point ;).  

So, this is what we are doing...we are looking for the best blooper out there...taken by you.  It can be from your point-n-shoot, your old film camera...even a disposable.  It doesn't matter.  We are not judging this on quality, but on sheer candidness.  We want to be able to see the struggle, the frustration behind the camera...the "oh, so-close" moment, the "if my camera didn't have such a delay, I would have captured the shot" moment.  And, we want you to email the picture to us...see the details below:

-Limit of 3 images...of your child(ren) taken by you

-You must be a mom of younger children(newborns-late elementary)...sorry, since young children are our primary clientele we want this to be geared in that fashion

-Email them to:  cpd@carpenterpd.com

-Give us a bit of background about the image: what were you trying to capture, a general timeframe of when the image was taken, how many times you tried, etc. (that might improve your chances ;)

-This is not just for people living in the Indianapolis area.  However, please realize that you will either need to come our way or travel costs will need to be covered to come to you.  If you need more information about this just let us know. :) 

-Deadline:  Thursday, May 7

The winner will be announced on Mother's Day.  So, what do you win?  A free session by us!  Let us capture those moments for you that you sometimes miss.  Let us allow you to take a load off and enjoy your family instead of chasing them around with the camera.  So, go find that image, email it to us by May 7 and be hopeful that your frustrating blooper has finally paid off.  ;)  We can't wait to see what you send our way!

Oh, how I love babies...all of them!  Newborn sessions are one of my favorite things as a photographer...along with many other things.  They are so serene and beautiful.  I could just do one after another...which, honestly, is kind of what I am doing right now.  ;)  This seems to be a baby-boom for us...lots of precious little ones coming your way.  I can't wait to meet all of them and share those precious images with you.

Anyway, meet sweet little Ellie.  She has a big sister that we documented when she was a newborn and have had the opportunity to take pictures of her every year since...I just love her.  Her mommy and daddy are sweet friends of ours and we are so thankful for their friendship...even though it seems as though our times of "getting together" are during picture moments.  We will take what we can get.  ;)  Well, lil miss Ellie was quite the delight...as sweet as can be and slept through the majority of the session.  Enjoy this little preview...love you guys! 

Ten little toes...

Happy, little dreamer...

Isn't that hat adorable?  

Big sister stopped by for a "brief" moment...  ;)  And a great moment it was...

While mommy was feeding Ellie, Ava and I stepped outside to capture a few shots.  She is becoming quite the little ham!  

I was excited earlier this week when a new sample album showed up on our doorstep.  The winter months are about the only time we have to order samples and I made it just in time.  ;)  Below is the new Japanese Book Cloth that our album company, Leather Craftsmen, is offering.  I fell in love with this new cloth...especially since it is similar to the presentation boxes we offer through Cypress Albums.  Of course, we offer many leather choices as well for our albums.  :)  I just had to share this one with you.  And, the chair you see...is the vintagey chair I found at an antique store this week.  I can't wait to use it with some of our upcoming portrait sessions...such a great find!  Ok...lots to do, lots to share...better get to it.  Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy this a-mazing weather...finally!  ;)

What an amazing day for Greg and Betsy!  The weather was beyond perfect, the atmosphere was beyond the idea of a good time, the wedding party...oh, the wedding party...let's just say they knew how to have a good time..they drew us right in there with them, the venue...the flowers...the attire...everything was breathtaking.  But, above all of that, was Greg and Betsy.  Their love speaks volumes.  You can be merely a spectator and see how much they care for one another.  Their love is true and beautiful...even with Greg's ornery moments. ;) Ha!  Thank you for letting us witness this wonderful day...celebrating you.  Love to you both!

I'm not going to lie...if Jeremy and I were getting married again...I would choose Betsy's dress.  I loved it!  Simple, elegant with a bit of vintage...  ;)

Right around this time, Betsy's relative made this comment about Betsy, "What a vision of beauty..."  So true...

As we were heading to meet Greg Betsy said, "I'm off to get married!"  Too cute...  Here she is waiting for Greg to arrive.

"Elegant and beautiful, just like my baby."  -Greg

Betsy...you are stunning!

Boys and their shoes...

You may remember me mentioning that Greg is a local hip hop artist...well, this was one of his boys that sings with him.

Some stomping of the glass action for you...  

I'm pretty sure that there is a lot of meaning behind this picture...

They danced like no one else was there...

Their reception was more of a party than a reception...lots of dancing, lots of hip hop, lots of entertainment...this was only the beginning.  ;)  

Every Jewish wedding has to experience the Hora...and that they did!  ;)

To see more from their amazing wedding click here:  SLIDESHOW

And the official post for Kevin and Carly...a big thanks to everyone for being patient with us.  I am amazed at how jet-lagged we have been this time.  My guess is that the 48+ hours of little sleep didn't help things.  ;)  Anyway...

It is hard to believe that we shot Kevin and Carly's wedding 3 years ago this August.  Where does the time go?  One of the best things for us as photographers is having the opportunity to see our former clients again.  I have noticed that when we talk or see each other it's as though we pick up right where we left off...like old friends.  Kevin and Carly fit right into that scenario.  I love it!  Well, I was so excited to get the email from Carly telling us that they were expecting.  We are so excited for them and can't wait to meet their little girl.  She will be here before we know it...and I know she is going to be a true gem!  Can't wait!

This picture makes me smile...for lots of reasons.  One of them being the memory of the shot.  Just before I took this picture I actually made the comment for Kevin to place his hands on Carly's belly and for Carly to put her hands on Kevin's belly...I totally meant...put your hands on Kevin's hands.  Yes, I say very bizarre things sometimes.  My mind is moving quicker than my mouth and I get tongue-tied.  There are quite a few of you out there who can attest to that.  ;)

I love this picture of Carly...  There is so much taking place before having your first little one come into the world.  There are lots of different feelings that take place...your emotions are everywhere--you're happy, sad, scared, anxious, nervous.  I could go on and on, but this picture...this picture describes the reward...the accomplishment.  The beautiful reward that can only be felt by a mother bringing a new life into the world...to love and cherish.  Her face says it all...

Carly already is a beautiful mommy...

It won't be long...