THANKSGIVING

What a wonderful and special day this Thanksgiving has been.

For those that remember, last year (2006) at this time, things were very different. My father had just had surgery for colon cancer, my grandmother passed away on Thanksgiving weekend. As we traveled home from her funeral in Canada, my mother had an emergancy heart problem that put her in a hospital far from home. It was a pacemaker implant and weeks of hospital before she could go back to her home state.
As I sit and ponder the emotions and fear that I felt at that time, I marvel at the miracles that I have seen throughout 2007. Not only are both of my parents healthy and doing well, there are here in my home to celebrate this wonderful holiday. As we sat at the awesome feast prepared by my husband (of course), I looked at my beautiful children, my loving family and my dear friends that were present. I am humbled that I have been so blessed.

Jax Visit

Very rarely do I get a chance to just relax and choose what I want to do. This weekend I had the plesure of having my new friend Jacquline Mess come to Colorado for a visit.

Jacx and I became friends this summer when I took a class that she was teaching. After we struck up a friendship, she told me the exciting news that she wanted to fly from Canada to have her pregnancy images taken by me.

We had such an amazing time. For two days I was allowed to play with fabrics and lights, and design fun pregnancy images. I had a total ball. We also took time to eat, laugh and just hang out. It was so much fun.

As a special favor, Jaxs spent a few hours with my staff sharing her wisdom. Overall, we had a wonderful time. I am so excited that she will be coming back with the baby. I cannot wait for round two!

Bellies & Babies

It has begun!

I have started shooting models for the next book and tour that I will be promoting this spring. The tour is called Bellies & Babies, and it covers photography from pregnancy through the first year. I had had a blast with our pregnant models trying all sorts of new poses. Last week I had many amazing babies to work with as well. We had babies seeping, yawning, stretching and cuddling with their parents. I was so energized, I started to cry during the sessions!
I am putting a huge effort into creating unique and exciting images. To fire my creativity, I have committed to trying a new pose in every session I do. This has by far been the most creative adventure to date. I cannot wait to start putting the show together because I am really proud of the work I’m creating.
I can’t wait to meet old friends and new as I share my Bellies & Babies program and provide the formula for success you need to start your own baby plan.

Pink Tie Affair

For the last several years we have provided the photography for the Denver Affiliate Susan G. Komen for the Cure A pink Tie Affair. This event raises thousand of dollars to assist women and men who are suffering from breast cancer.

As always, the event was fantastic and the entertainment was excellent. Many of Denver’s VIP’s were at hand, and it was fun watching all of the glamour. I noticed that this year’s decorations we not as elaborate as in the years past. As I sat at a table I saw a place card that explained that the foundation had decided to spend less on elaborate decoration so that more money would go directly to people in need. What a really classy thing to do.

NYC with Katie

It’s official, Katie is a shopaholic!

This weekend I brought Katie and her best friend Kelsey to NYC for a business trip and a bit of fun.
Well, to be honest, very little business was done, but the fun was extraordinary! From visiting the Statue of Liberty, eating hotdogs on the street, seeing plays, eating out and shopping, shopping and more shopping! I had such a good time watching the two girls be teenagers. I was also impressed at how independent they have become. I had to hustle to keep up with them.

They are both already talking about the next trip to the city, so I am going to start saving now!

Happy Birthday Sam!!

Today is our fearless leader’s birthday. Sam is—wait a minute—you don’t think I would actually tell you how old she is, do you?

I can’t reveal the actual year that we were blessed with her presence, but the following things occurred during her birth year:

Lyndon Baines Johnson leaves office as Richard Milhous Nixon is sworn in as the 37th President of the United States of America.

In Toulouse, France the first Concorde test flight is conducted.

Golda Meir becomes Israel's fourth prime minister.

John Lennon, Beatle, marries Yoko Ono, artist.

Former President Eisenhower dies of heart failure.

The film version of Oliver! wins Best Picture.

The first artificial heart is implanted into a human.

Tommy, the first of two rock operas by The Who is released.

Mankind, represented by astronaut Neil Armstrong, steps onto the moon.

The film Easy Rider premieres.

What begins as a profit venture becomes a free concert, to be known as Woodstock, in upstate New York.

The president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, dies.

If you have a moment, please leave a birthday sentiment in a comment for Sam to enjoy.

Merry Christmas! Ho, ho, ho.

We are now 100% in the Christmas spirit, having just come off of our three-day Santa Charity Event. This year our Santa Charity special was booked solid by the end of summer, and over 120 families came through the studio for Santa portraits.

It looks like we have the official word that the Expressions photograph staff has made it onto Santa’s nice list. We had a few that were concerned about being on the naughty list, but Santa said if we are really nice and leave a big plate of cookies, we would be off the hook!

This was our 7th year raising money for The Children’s Hospital. Clients love this promotion—not only do they get to fund a worthy charity, but they also get precious images of their family in one of our custom-made holiday sets with our wonderful Santa Larry. Santa was busy listening to holiday wishes and sharing a bit of advice on brushing teeth and listening to mom as well.

This year we offered three different sets. Colorado Christmas featured a cozy log cabin with a stone fireplace and a beautiful Colorado-themed Christmas tree. You could practically hear the crackle of the fire and smell the fragrance of the mountain pine. Santa wore his traditional red suit to visit with the children.


Our Formal Christmas set resembled a formal living room with classic travertine tile floor and walls. The elegant architectural features included a grand fireplace with intricate designs and a majestic mantle. There was beautiful greenery on the mantle piece and a decorated Christmas tree. The set was accented with accessories in gold, ivory, green and burgundy colors. Clients who wanted to wear formal clothing for their portrait chose this set. Santa wore his traditional red suit.


Our new Winter Wonderland set had elegant Narnia imagery. We transported clients to a snow-covered forest with silver lampposts and lanterns illuminating the silhouette of branches cloaked in snow and adorned with shimmering crystals. Most clients wore formal attire for a beautiful winter portrait. Santa’s costume was an elegant, custom-designed, hooded, red suit.

Despite having lived through some hectic, busy days, we’re all thankful for the fun and excitement the holiday season brings.

So--bring on the eggnog and pass the gingerbread cookies, we’re ready for the holidays.

If you are interested in participating in the 2008 Santa Charity, please call to get on the waiting list. This last year we sold out eight months in advance, so call soon!

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Annual Fundraising Gala

(image by Grant oaks)
It’s amazing how far NILMDTS has come in only a little over two years. Saturday night we got together with friends, families, photographers and supporters for the first annual fundraising gala. It was a bittersweet evening, memorializing the babies who have passed on but also seeing the beauty in remembering those souls that have briefly touched our lives.

The gala was lovely. It was held at the South Denver Heart Center, a beautiful venue donated by the physicians at South Denver Cardiology. The setting was perfect and worked so well for the affair. We had a large room for our silent auction items and the gorgeous atrium for the dining and staging areas.

NILMDTS Executive Director Jessica Roe acknowledged Mike Hanline of White House Custom Colour for his generosity in providing funds and discounted printing to NILMDTS. For Mike's benevolence, he was awarded the Visionary Award. Jessica also presented Sam and Cheryl Haggard with a set of Founder’s Awards in honor of their foresight and dedication to begin the organization. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Kyle Dyer, morning news anchor from KUSA-TV 9News, the NBC television station in Denver.

NILMDTS volunteer photographer Grant Oaks was on hand taking pictures. Click here to see the slideshow he made. Hop over to Grant’s blog and see what else he had to say about the evening.