Marla Laramie Photography

Boy has life changed for me.  I used to be the very first to adapt all the new technologies.  I was firmly in the PC camp.  I spent my time helping others adapt to new technology.  I *always* upgraded as soon as the latest and greatest of whatever was released.  I even loved trying out bugg-y beat versions.  In the B.C. (before children!) days I worked as a technical consultant in a large IT department.  I was a member on various new release committees, trialing new software, advising, recommending, yada yada yada.   Oh how I have changed.  Now, I’m a Mac (and have been for three years).  I haven’t even seen Windows Vista, much less the latest version.  I’m an OS version behind on my iMac and two behind on my Macbook Pro.  I’m still using Photoshop CS3 despite the fact that CS4 was released just over a year ago.  And Lightroom?  I just haven’t gotten around to trialing it despite the fact that I’ve downloaded the trial version several times.  I’ve become one of THOSE people … I hate messing with what’s working on my computer. <insert eye roll here>.

All that said, notice anything different?  Yep, I finally updated my sad-looking blog.  Now that I am officially just photographing seniors (tweens, teens, seniors, young adults) it was time to update the blog look to reflect this.  I’ve removed my old kid-friendly logo, updated the header with senior images, and added a cool side-bar with links to important info.  See how easy it is to find pricing, my senior site, my Facebook page, sign up for the newsletter, even follow me on Twitter.  And see that updated menu bar at the top, there’s a handy-dandy subscribe feature that will let you know when I’ve updated the blog.

One other new thing … need a children’s photographer?  I’m thrilled to recommend THE MOST AMAZING children’s photographer in Huntsville, Erin Cobb.  She has such an incredible connection with the kiddos, and her work is gorgeous.  So go check her out.  There’s a link to her site over there in the sidebar.

And since my work is never done, I’ll be updating a few more odds and ends on this blog, as well as tackling a complete overhaul for my senior website.  And maybe, just maybe, I walk on the wild side again and download the latest Lightroom Beta.

Be sure to let me know what you think of the new look.  Go ahead, try out the brand-spanking new comments section!  You know you want to …

P.S.  It’s never kind to post without pictures on a photo blog, especially when I’ve left you hanging for almost a month.  So enjoy one of my favorite images of my girls, from way back in um, July. 

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To friends, family, and clients –one and all, I hope you’ve been enjoying a very merry and blessed Christmas.

Last year we changed things up and decided to start having our big Christmas meal on Christmas Eve.  It worked so well that we did it again this year.  We had a yummy ham with potatoes and a green bean casserole, followed by late night Christmas Eve mass.  The forecast was calling for high winds, heavy rain and thunderstorms so we thought it would be easier to go to mass Christmas morning, once the storm had moved out.  Sarah literally begged and pleaded to go to mass Christmas Eve instead.  Who could say no to a child who was asking to go to church?!  So we bundled up and off we went.  Luck was with us and the weather turned out to be nothing more than a little wind and rain.  But guess who fell asleep by the end of the first reading?!  By the end of mass both kids were sound asleep.  It made for an easier time getting everyone to bed to get ready for Santa,  that’s for sure. Ah well, the Christmas hymns were beautiful the message inspiring.  Another year to say thank you for our blessings.

The girls were so tired we actually were able to sleep until a little after 7:00.  They were so excited about their gifts from Santa, from us, from grandparents, aunts/uncles, and friends.  By the time we were done unwrapping it looked like Santa had thrown up Christmas in our living room.  I believe we’ve created a monster, now that Sarah has her own little digital camera.  And Anna is so excited to have a brand-new Leapster to replace hers that died.  Zhu-Zhu pets were the big winner for this year.  We have little Zhu-Zhu pet hamsters zooming all over the house and my parents’ dog isn’t sure if he’s going to go after them or run from them.  Mario Kart for the Wii has also been a big hit.

Did I mention its 7:15 PM and I’m still in my jammies?  Munchies and soup for Christmas day, spending time with family, watching my children’s faces light up with delight at their gifts, a nice long nap, and all day in our jammies … the perfect Christmas Day.  We are so blessed.

And what’s a post without a photo or two?!  I took the girls downtown Tuesday afternoon for a little Christmas mini session in their Christmas outfits.  It was fun taking them to some of my favorite photo spots.   More to follow, eventually, when I get back to editing.

Just one, because I’m bogged down editing quite a few sessions right now.  By now most everyone has heard the story of how Sarah wanted so badly to be a Guinea pig for Halloween.  Sarah is obsessed with Guinea pigs, ever since we brought Nibblet home.  Well let me tell you, not only did I look all over town and scour the internet for Guinea pig costumes, but my mom was even going to make a costume only to be frustrated that we couldn’t even find a base pattern that she could use.  After weeks and weeks all I could find was a costume (on the internet) for the Guinea pig in the Wonder Pets, which was a toddle size and way too small for Sarah.  We looked at other costumes in the hopes of enticing her to change her mind.  We looked at Target, Party City, Halloween Spirit, etc.  No go.  Guess who else decided she just had to be a Guinea pig, too … yep, little sister Anna.

Finally at the end of my rope I was in Marshall’s and noticed they had some Halloween costumes on sale.  I found THE Cutest. giraffe costume for Anna.  Seriously cute.  I bought it and prayed she would like it.  Score!  She loved it.  So then Sarah decided she wanted to be an animal with a hood.  Um.  Ok.  Do you know how hard it is to find animal costumes in her size (other than a kitty cat, which she was when she was three and didn’t want to be again)?  Much harder than I would have thought.  We searched and searched … and found the cutest lion costume.  Score!  Again!  I paid way more for that lion costume than I’d like to admit.  But it was all worth it, don’tcha think?