Shooting Star Photography

Wow, thank you all so very much for the overwhelming response I had for this contest. I loved hearing from former clients and seeing their favorite pictures, and some even told me what their picture meant to them.  I felt such an emotional connection to each submission, that I quickly realized when I had over 30 pictures to chose from that I was in WAY over my head. There was no way I could pick, so I had help from an unbiased 3rd party select the 10 finalists! If it were up to me, I would’ve selected them all!

I included a couple of comments that I received from two mothers on the interpretation of their pictures that I thought were especially touching. But don’t let that sway your vote…

The photographs will precede the voting poll, so don’t forget to vote at the bottom!

The polls close on Wednesday, May 13th at 5 p.m. Contestants, please make sure to send this post to all your friends and family so they can vote for your child’s picture!

From Stefanie, Cristian’s mother - “The picture I selected here is special to me because it exemplifies how blessed we are - to me it says “thank you, Lord, for Cristian’s life…”  In the pic Jose is holding up our son to the Lord and saying thank you…we give the Lord all the praise and glory and dedicate our precious son to Him!  :)”

From Trin, Gustav’s mother - “We love how artistic and expressive it is and how strong it made him look, even at 2 weeks old. It’s also indicative of your photography because it’s so very much our baby, but still universal. This shot is more about the quality of your photography than our baby.”

Polls are closed! Thanks for playing!

Shooting Star Photography has been around 1 year and I would like to give back to my former clients and to new clients!

Former Clients - Send me (the name/description from your album) of your favorite picture that I have taken for you- by Friday, May 8th, and you will be entered to win a FREE 16X20 Gallery Wrapped Canvas!!

New Clients in Birmingham - Leave a comment here, start your comment with “I’m new”, and I will be doing a random drawing for a FREE SESSION! The winner of the free session will be announced here on Thursday, May 14th!  Comment entries are open now until 9 a.m. May 14th. One comment will be considered per household. Be sure to include your full name and email address in the comment! I’m sorry, but I’m only accepting new clients in Birmingham right now.

Here are the instructions and rules for the Gallery Wrapped Canvas-

1. Email me your favorite picture (either number in the album or email the web sized picture) by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 8th.
2. On Saturday, May 9th, I will post my favorite 10 pictures along with a voting system and I will notify the finalists via email.
3. Anyone can vote for their favorite picture from Saturday, May 9th to Wednesday, May 13th at 5 p.m.
4. The finalist with the most votes on Wednesday, May 13th at 5 p.m. will be announced on the blog and win the free gallery wrap!

Good luck! Pass this along…

Dear former and potential clients -

I was updating my calendar due to many recent inquiries, and realized I only have 9 2 sessions available until the end of June!!

If you are thinking of booking a session with me before Summer, please let me know as soon as possible. To reserve your date, I require 50% of the session fee.

If you are expecting a newborn, also let me know and we’ll pencil in a date. I do save a couple of spots for newborns and rescheduled sessions (due to rain or illness) each month.

Below you will find my currently available dates, and you can always check under the calendar here, I have marked my available until August!

Thanks so much for your support and business since the move to Birmingham!

(All dates below are considered dates available in Birmingham, unless otherwise noted)-

• March 21
• March 22
• March 29
• April 18
• April 25
• May 3 – Atlanta session
• May 9
• June 13 – Atlanta session
• June 20

Have you seen an announcement that you love? Have you got an idea in your head for the perfect card or announcement? I offer design services and can make your idea happen!

I offer all types (flat, folded, trifold, etc) and sizes of cards - press printed, or photo cards. Prices vary by size and type. Inquire for more details. I require a small design fee, but your price per card is much cheaper than if you use a large print house, so it’s a better value for you in the end!

Here’s an announcement I created from a recent newborn session. It is a press-printed 2 sided 5×7 card. All announcements and cards come with white envelopes.

For 2009, I’d like to expand my offerings to include 3 new packages that clients have been asking for!

1. Bellies and Babies -$200

This package includes:

• 2 sessions - a maternity session and a newborn session on location or in my home studio. Each session can last up to two hours.
• 20-30 proofs presented online from each session*
• An online slideshow from each of your sessions available for 2 months after your baby’s newborn session. The perfect way to share your pregnancy and new baby with family and friends!
• A DVD that includes a slideshow of both sessions
• $25 off a CD of high resolution proofs from both sessions, with the rights to print (you actually save $425 by getting all the proofs on the same CD!)

This package is a $525 savings!

*prints are purchased separate from the package

2. The First Year - $525

• 5 sessions - Newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year! On location or in my home studio. Sessions last 1 - 1.5 hours.
• 15-20 proofs presented online from each session*
• A DVD slideshow at the conclusion of all sessions from your baby’s first year. Perfect for showing at their first birthday party!
• A CD of high resolution proofs from all 4 sessions, with the rights to print is available at the conclusion of all sessions for $600 (a $1000 savings by getting all the proofs on the same CD!)

This package is an $1125 savings!

*prints are purchased separate from the package

3. Grow With Me - $200

This package is perfect for children 1+ years old! Capture them as they are every 6 months because they grow so fast!

• 2 sessions - on or around your child’s half birthday and actual birthday. Each session can last up to two hours.
• 20-30 proofs presented online from each session*
• An online slideshow from each of your sessions
• A DVD that includes a slideshow of both sessions
• $25 off a CD of high resolution proofs from both sessions, with the rights to print (you actually save $425 by getting all the proofs on the same CD!)

This package is a $525 savings!

*prints are purchased separate from the package

Please let me know if you are interested in any of these packages or if you have any questions. I’m only offerring a limited number of these packages a year!

I have one opening for a session in Atlanta on Sunday, January 25th.

The first person to email me to reserve this spot will receive $25 off the standard $125 session fee!

Effective immediately for all sessions booked going forward, a deposit of 50% of the session fee is due within five (5) days of reserving your date. The deposit is refundable if the session is canceled within 2 weeks of the session date. The website has been updated accordingly.

This will include mini-sessions and regular sessions.

If you have questions, please let me know!

Thanks,

Lori

In honor of all the veterans who proudly serve our country, I would like to give a little something back!

If you, or someone you know, is expecting a baby in January or February of 2009 and you expect that the father will be deployed when the baby is born, I would like to donate a free newborn session and prints to say “thanks” for all you do and sacrifice!

I cannot imagine my husband not being there for the birth of a child, so I believe this is one of the biggest sacrifices you both make! I’d love to capture some memories for you during the first few weeks of your baby’s life so that you can share them with all your family, and especially the deployed dad.

I am willing to travel up to an hour by car to areas surrounding Birmingham. If you or someone you know is interested and fits the criteria, please email me at shootstarphoto@gmail.com with details.

Thanks to all the veterans of the U.S. Military! I hope you have a great day!

Most of the boxes have been packed and the movers are arriving on this rainy Friday to load up all of our belongings on to the truck. It’s bittersweet and exciting all at the same time to be moving to a new home in a different city and state.

While we will definitely miss all of our friends and family here in Atlanta, we are looking forward to the many changes coming our way!

Next on the packing list is the modem, router, and laptop. With that said, I won’t be able to respond to emails until next week.

Thank you so much for the support and encouragement!

Lori, Kenny, and Kate Gordon

They grab the lens cap and do this whenever you get the camera out-

…as if to say, “put it up mama!”

Little stinker.

At least she’s cute, so I let her get away with it!

Of course we are doing nothing but gearing up for the big move to Birmingham next week!

Can I tell you how hard it is to pack with a 1 year old running around and in to everything?

In other news, I have fully booked 2 days packed with mini sessions in Birmingham on November 22nd and 23rd! I’m excited to get to take pictures of new clients in my new hometown!

I’ve also been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and kindness from friends, family, and clients here in Atlanta. I’m going to miss everyone! Please know, we’ll be back all the time! It’s an easy drive from Birmingham and I plan to put on my calendar the days we will be in Atlanta so if anyone wants to book a shoot, or just get together, on those days, you will know my availability!

Please keep in touch, and PLEASE continue to leave me comments here. I love knowing that you guys are out there and following what I’m up to! THANK YOU,  THANK YOU!