{Giving Is Awesome!}

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.You know someone. I guarantee it. I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography - $1000 worth, to be exact. Whether it's an albums, prints for Grandma, a bunch of large prints...it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $200 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules: You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-home does not qualify as sincere financial need.) The nominee must reside in Florence, Darlington, Timmonsville or the Hartsville area. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well. Comment on this blog entry to let me know you've entered, and e-mail me the full story: kara@karamayphotography.com

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve...get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season - and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

Note:  I can't take an credit for this idea my friend Kristen Kalp (www.essentialimagery.com)  started the project , Giving Is Awesome (www.givingisawesome.com).  She has such a big heart and literally gave me the wording.  She's incredible!!

Thanks you!

Faded yesterday - tweaked as always ;-)

{Designer Spotlight: Kate Emerson & Nuxiemade}

You all know what a huge fan I am of these two designers. I use Nuxiemade hats in almost all my sessions and the kids {and moms} love them!!  She's coming out with some new designs after the holidays - I can't wait!  And Kate Emerson is starting her new Spring line - here's a little sneak peek at one of her adorable knot apron dresses.    Brielle felt like such a princess in this dress - she kept dancing and twirling around during our mini session.  And when we got home she insisted on keeping on her 'flower princess dress'  coupled with her princess crown and sparkly shoes.  I had to convince her to take it off to go to bed.  She's all girl {except for her devotion to 'little creatures' - aka lizards, ladybugs, any bug really}.  Anyway, thanks for stopping by more spotlights to come. 

{fantastic finale to my 2008 sessions}

Whew...my 2008 photo sessions are officially done!!  Now..... I have a ton of orders to process and packaging to do but after that, I can breathe and enjoy a little bit of time just before the holidays!   This last session was so fun, another session I didn't want to end (so many ideas, so little time).  I photographed Hayden last year, but this year I got his parents in on the session!  I love it when clients let me go with my vision. Thankfully, 99% of my clients let me run with my ideas & vision for the session and this family was no exception.   They were awesome to photograph - a gorgeous family.   I couldn't decide what images to post so I'm posting a bunch.   Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

Below:  faded yesterday conversion

Below - Vintage B&W

I can't help but admit that I LOVE the two pictures below.  I asked Kate and Chad to kiss (PG) and here's Hayden's reaction....

{Everywhere...}

Yep everywhere.  We went to so many locations during this recent senior session.  Kaitlyn was amazing and was up for any locations or ideas I had in mind - which makes for a perfect session.  She has the most amazing eyes with her dark brown hair - absolutely gorgeous.  Anyway, here's a peek at our session.

Side Note:  I've had a lot of client inquiries for sessions lately (my Spring schedule is almost booked)  and I apologize for not responding right away.  Since this is one of the craziest times of the year I'm just working long days on my current clients needs managing to fit in a couple of hours rest each night and a shower here and there ;-).  But I'm thrilled at these requests and will get back to you as soon as I can.  Thanks for your patience :) And I look forward to chatting with you about booking a session.

Below - my color... below that one, a bit of my homebrew yesterday's haze.  Fun to play :)

{adorable addition, now their family is complete}

I was so honored to meet this family and photograph all of their beautiful children.  Six weeks before our session they completed their family with the adoption of beautiful 3 year old Cate, they traveled all the way to China to be united with her.   When I heard their story I was so excited to meet them and photograph their children.  You would never know Kate has only been here for 6 weeks.  She understood everything I said, she adored her brothers and sister and you could see this was a very close loving family.  Her little spirit tugged at my heart and seeing her cling to Sophie, her older sister, in such a loving way was truly touching.  I too was adopted, so whenever I hear an adoption story I get drawn in - anxious to hear everything about others adoption journey's.  It's such an amazing gift these parents are giving this little girl and likewise Cate is bringing such joy to this family.   I could go on and on...but I'll end this post with little peek into our session.   Thanks for taking a look :)

{"Oh Mommy, those are such 'beautiful princesses' "}

So this morning I was awakened by a princess.  Yes that's right - a fairy princess to be exact.  We don't see too much of Briella these days but a princess suddenly took residence in our house and we never know if the princess is going to be a 'dancing princess', 'fairy princess' or some other princess.   And immediately  mommy is transformed into a princess the moment she gets up.  Brielle, or 'Princess Briella' (that's how she wants me to refer to her) gives me a crown, jewels and a wand the minute my feet touch the floor.  I'm 'mommy princess'.  And I've gone out to the store forgetting that I'm wearing a crown and all the accessories Briella dresses me in, wondering why I'm getting funny looks.  That's life with a little girl... and I wouldn't trade the funny stares in stores for anything. ;-) {of course boys are just as fun too}

Last week I photographed two gorgeous sisters - both 'beautiful princesses'  (that's how Brielle referred to them  when she saw their pictures as I was editing).  Upon meeting them they popped out of their SUV wearing the cutest sunglasses looking ready for the camera.  I loved it and I loved their excited and happy personalities.   And they're gorgeous to top it off!   Again, another session I just didn't want to end.  Here's a little look inside our session.

A little play with my 'haze of yesterday' look. 

Another edit with 'haze of yesterday'.

{I've been bad...}

at blogging & posting recent sessions lately. But it's been for very good reason.  As most of you know, this is a nutty time for photographers and sometimes just getting a shower in is a plus ;-)  I've been submitting orders, packaging orders, editing, etc. and in doing so I've completely neglected my blog :(    So I thought I'd quickly post one of my recent sessions.  These girls were adorable and fun - the littlest one, Jenna, was so much like Briella in personality - little miss independent and ideas all her own (so cute).  And big sister, Anna Grace, was very chatty and loved the camera, which is always fun. I had a great time with both of them!  I'll try to be a better blogger - once things calm down it'll be easier.  ;-)  Thanks for looking!

Jumping Jenna!

{Halloween Snipet}

I wanted to post these sooner but you know how it goes this time of the year for me...  Anyway, here's a couple of pictures from Halloween in the early evening at the club.  I only had my camera out for a brief moment and then it was time for me to put it aside and enjoy Halloween with my kiddos.  They had a blast with their friends on the hayride that followed.  Brielle was so tired she leaned on me and Mrs. Tonya during they hayride trying to keep her eyes open.  She's a trooper (or just stubborn) and refused to go home before everyone else.  Tyler was full of excitement and energy - he probably could've stayed up all night.  Oh and in case you're wondering Tyler was Optimus Prime {a transformer} and Brielle was a ladybug.  I only got a few photos of the kids at the club before things got busy but here's some of them.

Above:  Hayden playing the bean bag toss.  Love his expression. 

Below:  The pumpkin and gourd sling-shot! 

{He knew...}

What I was up to...yep, this little cutie knew what I was doing.  I photographed cutie-patootie Hayes and his beautiful big sister Haley this past week.  And little Hayes is a very smart boy - he knew that someone with a big black box in front of her eye was following him so he moved quickly.  He reminded me of my son, whenever I got my camera out when Tyler was really young he'd run and move away as fast as he could.  So funny!  But we had fun and ran all over the place.  As you can see this little guy is on the move with things to do and things to see.  And his sister Haley {isn't she gorgeous!} was so helpful and attentive with him.  She was a fabulous model too! Oh and it was so cold!  Hence the winter hats on Hayes.  Neither of them complained even when they were shivering {sorry about that}.  Such good sports.  Here's a peek into our session. 

Oh and for those of you waiting on your galleries, I will be posting a bunch in the next couple of days - be on the look-out, check your e-mails for instructions.  Thanks for your patience during this busy time. 

{retro, fun, sweet & sassy - all twisted into one session!}

I have to admit... I didn't want this session to end.  These two girls were so fun!  I seriously could have hung out and chatted with them all evening - but sessions do come to an end {sigh...}  The spirit and personality of these girls was gravitating.  Olivia and Madeline were up for anything -so we played around and fit so much into our session.  We had several clothing changes, many moments of goofiness, and just fun girl time.   I loved it!  Their mom was so great, not in any rush so we had fun with the session.  Here's a little peek inside ;-)

All of the B&W's were edited using my 'Deep B&W' homebrew, below  'Kara Colour'.

The two above I used 'Kara Colour' and the two below I applied my '1970's Revival' action. Kind of fun and funky!