I’ve been hard at work on a new website, completely overhauled, updated, reworked, and refreshed.  Its *almost* done, just putting some finishing touches on it, then I’ll unveil it in the coming weeks.  And when I do, expect some kind of giveaway  just for the heck of it (I’m not above bribery).  Oh and good news if you’re on a slower internet connection, the new site will have a mirror HTML site for you, too.  And as if that isn’t enough … an super-cool new iphone version is coming too.

I’ve made a couple of small changes to my product offerings this year, so be sure to check back for some product shots of my new, fabulous, and ever-so-modern session album.  I am seriously in *love* with it and I know you will be too.

Also, 2010 Senior clients … be watching your inbox for something extra special and ultra-top-secret.

Oh and 2011 Seniors … I’ve still got a few openings left for Senior Models.  Don’t wait too long to apply, I’ll be closing applications next month.

Here’s a little sneak-peek screen cap of the new website … enjoy! 

Also, a few reminders about ongoing promotions …

• 2010 seniors who still need to book a session, receive $25 off your session fee now through 3/31/10.
• 2011 seniors, get a jump on scheduling your session, receive $50 off your session fee, now through 3/31/10.  Session dates eligible are May – November 2010.
• Personalized Graduation cards: Buy 2 boxes, get the 3rd box free (25 cards/envelopes per box), now through 2/28/10

I’d like to thank everyone who participated and voted in the recent blog contest!  It was a huge success and a lot of fun.  Stay tuned for another (smaller) contest soon, where everyone is eligible to win.

And the winner of the blog contest for the 16×20 gallery wrapped canvas is … #20.  Congratulations to Kolton and his family!!  I’ll be in touch soon to work out the details.

What’s in it for you, you ask?

• spring mini session
• mini proof book
• personalized biz cards
• fall session
• $25 print credit per referral
• 3 pics for Facebook
• compete for cool prizes

All.  FREE.  Yep, that’s right.  FREE.

What’s the catch?  Well, you have to do a little work.  You have to show off your gorgeous pictures, hand out your personalized cards, and coerce encourage your friends and classmates to book their senior session with Marla Laramie Photography.  Yep.  That’s it.

What kind of senior makes a great senior model?  I’m looking for 2011 seniors who are enthusiastic, fun, energetic, motivated, outgoing, social, and involved.

Interested?  APPLY HERE (parent permission required).  Deadline to apply is April 30th.

Download the Senior Model info sheet.

****Reminder***** Tomorrow is the last day to get your vote in for the contest!  Also, one vote per person please.  Duplicate votes will not be counted.

Winter Happenings

I had such a hard time narrowing these down!!  I had so many images that I loved for 2009.  I hope you love them as much as I do.

Ok, so here’s the deal.  Wanna win the 16×20 canvas?  All you have to do is receive the most votes for your image.  So what are the rules?  You can email friends/family and ask them to vote.  You can ask your Facebook friends.  You can call/text your friends and ask them to vote.  That’s it.  You can’t ask for votes on forums and such.  Play fair, k?

Here’s how to vote:   leave a comment with your favorite image number here on this blog post, via email (info@marlalaramie.com), on my Facebook page, or tweet @marlalaramie.  The contest ends next Tuesday, February 9th at midnight, CST.  One vote per person only, please!

Now go out and solicit those votes. 

To view the images, click on the first thumbnail to bring up the gallery.

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. 

my girls

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.

I had these big plans for this year’s Christmas pictures of the girls.  I’d planned to have them wear their Christmas outfits (so cute!) and we were going to go downtown for some urbanish shots this year.  Well, I blinked and it was December 16th and we still hadn’t done Christmas pics.  Since both girls had to wear Christmas PJs to school that day, I decided that was a good enough Plan B!  And we abandoned the downtown idea for the quicker, easier idea of our own front yard. 

Here’s one.  Yep, just one.  I’m not posting the rest until after my Christmas cards go out (yeah, yeah, I know, I’m hoping to get them back from the lab today).  So you’ll just have to be patient (that means you, Mom).