DRUM ROLL PLEASE....

And the winner of the FREE Mini session this Saturday...


CARLEY!!! Congratulations Carley. Check your email for something from me...

Tanya

Remember this gorgeous face?

This is Tanya. I did photos with her last November. She is a complete pleasure to work with. It's not very often that I actually feel really nervous to do photos with someone- I was with this session. Tanya has done some modeling for other photographers. It was so intimidating. Once we got started it was so natural and we both had a lot of fun and spent a lot of time laughing.

Tanya- I just adore you. You are a beautiful woman - inside and out. I hope to work with you more in the future.

Enjoy this small slide show of some of her photos from her session.
 
Tanya 2011 - Photography by April Smith

Months of absence, facebook drama and a giveaway!!!

I quit my job at the doctors office back in May - how ironic that the last time I updated my blog was in May. A LOT has happened since then. I've had a lot of new clients, some regular clients and a lot of new things happening with Photography by April Smith. We celebrated 2 years in July. YAY! We hit 1000 "likes" on facebook. YAY! We started the processes and completed all testing to start working with the March of Dimes. YAY! We participated in the AZ Bridal Fashion Debut- AZ Bridal Expo- our first expo and  a BIG one at that. YAY! (and I sent my oldest to Kindergarten. YAY!) It's honestly been a whirlwind crazy ride but I have LOVED every minute. I am going to try my best to go back and highlight clients and things that occurred over the last few months. Things WILL be out of order. And in no special order- all my clients are special to me!!

This past week I decided I wanted to thank my loyal clients and all my "likers" on facebook by offering a free mini session this weekend. Less than 2 days into the simple contest (tag yourself in the photo type contest) I was told by facebook I was breaking the rules, they locked the photo so that no one else could tag it, I would not be allowed to post any photos and I was in harm of having my account deleted.

Here was my original photo that got me in trouble:

They didn't really give me a reason. I made a new photo, did some test posting and posted another contest photo- we were up and running again.

Or so I thought- I started reading the rules of facebook and determined the way I was running my contest was basically illegal.  See facebook contest rules here.

I decided to end the contest immediately. I had a fear of them deleting my business page which I have built for 2 years. I wasn't about to lose contact with the 1000+ people I had come in contact with over those two years.

So instead- I quickly picked a winner. (Congratulations ‎Gregg Scott Hollingsworth! ) Ended the contest 2 days early. I didn't feel it was fair to end it so quickly and found a way to legally run a contest on facebook. Another YAY!!!

SOOOOO I am giving away a total of TWO mini sessions. Contest ends in two days. Session must take place on Saturday, October 1st in the morning- in Glendale, AZ.

I just wanted a way to say thanks to all my faithful likers and clients and let them know how much I appreciate them. THANK YOU!!!

ENTER THE CONTEST HERE!!!!!!!

Mother's Day 2011

I honestly don't think all men understand how important Mother's day is to moms (especially mothers of young children!). We work hard everyday to try and shape our children. We cook. We clean. Not saying men don't do it too, in fact, I have some girlfriends who don't cook (I still love you girls!) and my husband does A LOT for our kids but being a mom is A LOT of work all the time. We are maids, cooks, unpaid taxi drivers, and thats just to name a few...and most days it goes unnoticed by our children. Mother's day is OUR day to relax and its our day to feel appreciated for all we do!  I honestly THOUGHT that most men didn't think about Mother's day until the Friday before and they rush to the local store for a card and some candy? (sorry guys if this makes you mad, it was honestly what I thought, I had no clue!) Well I was proved way wrong this year.

On MARCH 23rd I received an email from Justin:

"Mothers day this year is May 8. Do you have any availability before then to do a session with Hank and me? It would be a surprise for Alexis"

SERIOUSLY? A month and a half before Mother's Day?! Told you I was proved wrong. I was so excited that Justin contacted me. We met at the Phoenix Art Museum. Justin and Hank had on matching outfits. Why the Art Museum? I later found out it was one of his wife's favorite places. HOW CUTE. So much thought into this. He planned this entire thing, bought outfits and managed to keep it all a secret for almost 2 months!

Alexis, he deserves MAJOR brownie points!!

I've known Justin since high school but this was my first time meeting Hank. Holy cuteness! He was to adorable and ALWAYS on the move. He wouldn't sit still for anything, BUT give him a cell phone with some music playing and that kid can boogie! AWE he was so cute. I can't wait to meet baby #2...coming VERY SOON!!!

Happy Mother's day Alexis (and all the other mommies out there) and job well done Justin!!!!

Little Ryan

This family was so cute. Ryan, little boy, had me cracking up. I had to threaten him with tickles a few times to get smiles from him. But I think I laughed literally the entire time I was with them. They were a lot of fun and so nice! I love meeting new people like them!!! Thanks for the fun session!!!

Jessi and Ben- 1.14.11 - The wedding and Bridal pictures

First let me congratulate the new Mr and Mrs . They were married 4 weeks ago...WOW how 4 weeks flies by!

Now to the fun part...let me tell a small story about the LOVELY couple. About a year ago I received an email from an old friend/old boss asking me to quote a wedding for her friend. I was more than willing and eager to do a wedding. Why not, sounds fun right? I spoke with Jessi- We did the normal discussion on what she was looking for, where the wedding was..all that good stuff. We booked the wedding!

Jessi and I did not meet until two weeks before her wedding. She had the welcoming personality that I love (and she works at Starbucks...even more to love about her!)!!!! We looked at the church through the window (we made the mistake of meeting up on a holiday!) and drove to the reception location. There was no awkward silence, it was almost like we were old friends chatting. I instantly knew this would be a fun wedding.

January 14, 2011 quickly approached. After some interesting new developments about the church and things we could and couldn't do...Ben and Jessi were married. They had a gorgeous Catholic ceremony.

The reception was just as wonderful. They picked a fun location, Shenandoah Mills. (It has the coolest areas to take photos.)

I have so much I could say about Ben and Jessi's, their wedding, and their reception...but I dont know where to start. I will just say that anyone who was there, or anyone who has meet Jessi and Ben, they know how perfect they are for each other. Their wedding was like a fairy tale. I wish them a lifetime of happiness!

Getting ready

 The brides big walk...

THE look. First time seeing his bride walk down the isle (Photo by Vanessa)

The guests...

The Ceremony...

New MR And MRS!

 The bird seed....

 The guys....

 The girls....

the seriously GORGEOUS bride!...

Jessi and Ben- I am so thankful you allowed me (and Vanessa- my 2nd photographer) to be part of your wedding. It was gorgeous just like the both of you. I hope we can continue to be friends. Congratulations on your new life together!!!

Reception photos coming soon............

shutterfly valentines day...

I found some more photos posted on the shutterfly website..


shutterfly valentines day book...

Valentines day calendar

Valentines day home decor...

and you you can get free prints :)

all featured on shutterfly.com. I can't explain how excited I am!

HELLO SHUTTER FLY!!!!!

Last year shutterfly approached one of my clients about purchasing some of her photos to use on their website. Since they were photos I took of her kids, I had to sign the release of the photos and in return, I was paid for the photos too...I was excited to see the photos displayed on shutterfly for the second time!! this time on a few parts of their website....

this photo is from the main page of their photobooks

and this photo was from the MAIN webpage www.shutterfly.com

 

so exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

some things really open your eyes....

I don't think most people realize how much 30 minutes or an hour, or two hours taking photos with a family can give you such a connection to them. My clients aren't just clients to me. They become my friends, my extended family. I don't just take photos.  I make connections with the people I work with,. They let me in their lives, in their homes and let me capture important moments in their lives, moments they want to remember. I am part of Engagements, Weddings, last days of maternity, first days home with newborns, first birthday photos...etc.... I love my clients. They are all amazing and all have such a special place in my heart for so many different reasons. When I started my business in photography I never realized how close I would get to some of my clients.

One of my clients, who are now like family, are the Bogue Family. I met the Bogue Family on March 24, 2010. I met T and J for a maternity session. She was due any day. In fact she delivered 4 days after our photos together. T had the most welcoming personality, I felt an instant friendship with both her and J. They both insisted their baby would be a boy, I instantly thought girl!

A few weeks after their maternity photos, I got to meet baby Savanna (Yes, I was right, she was a girl!). She was so young yet already full of so much personality. I had so much fun taking baby Savanna's photos. She was like a little angel.

A short time after their session, they moved to TX. I was so sad. No, I didn't know them well. But like I said, my clients become like family.

In November, I went on my first vacation alone. Without my husband, without my kids. It was a trip for ME. I needed it. I had a blast. But I came home to horrible news. God needed another Angel in heave. He picked Savanna. I cried. I had friends call me upset by the news, they didn't even know the Bogue family, but felt like they knew them because they followed my photos. I felt like someone I was so blessed to have known was taken to soon. She was 7.5 months old. I know its a few months after Savanna left to dance with the Angels...but I still think about Savanna, T and J on a daily basis. T posted a blog yesterday, they got the autopsy report. SIDS. Even though I spent about 3 hours total with the Bogue family, I would have done anything to be there for them during this difficult time.

Savanna- I wish I could have seen you for your first birthday. Promise to dance with the Angels. Watch over your mommy and daddy and show them signs that you're still around and help heal their hurt. Let them get enough closure to continue on with their everyday life. Please know sweet Savanna, anyone who has ever been lucky enough to have met you was truly was blessed to have known you.

T and J- You will always have a friend in me. If you ever need anything...let me know!! I could never thank you enough for trusting  me to capture so many special memories for you.


T - NEVER stop writing. You have an amazing way with words. Someday - your words should be read by the world. And when they are, I will be one of the first ones in line to buy your books!

Losing a child is something I wouldn't wish on anyone but it made me learn something. It made it more clear to me how much I open my heart up to the families I work with.

I can honestly say- I have the BEST clients and I love them all!!

RIP dear sweet Savanna- until we meet again!

Please read T's amazing words

Valentines day preview...

Oh how I love this family. Seriously. I met mommy (Ali) through a mutual friend (thanks Sarah!!!!). Not only did we become great friends, but she has become one of my most loyal clients. I often think her husband is going to hate me because she comes to see me so often for photos....

 

.....But he can't hate me, he gets along with my husband to well.

If you know Ali (AND Sarah for that matter), then you are extremely lucky to have them part of your life. They are amazing people...and they make amazing dates for desserts when you've had the most stressful days ever (by the way were due for one of those SOON!) and they don't judge you by the amount of calories you consume in one sitting on said dessert dates! What's not to love about these girls!

ANYWAY back to the photos and I will stop bragging about my amazing friends!

Ali contacted me...she had to have photos for Valentines Day. I know its one of her favorite holidays. Its Pink. Its full of LOVE. Its full of sweets. And its full of hearts. Whats not to love. 

We instantly thought up some great ideas for some Valentines day photos. 

ONE SMALL PROBLEM...they are kids. Do they every REALLY do what we plan on. But we did what we always do...we did what we could with what we had. I will say..Little Miss L didn't hate me this time :) She actually smiled on purpose! Anyway I really love this family. I love their kids...they are pretty much the best! Thanks for letting me capture some more cute memories with your cute little girls!

Sanders family 2011

I met the Sanders Family in 2010. I did pictures with Sweet little Sonny was 3 months old. Well...he just turned 1!!! Its insane how fast a year goes when the babies are you own, but it amazes me how fast it goes even when they aren't your kids. This family is great. I wish I could tell you all about them and let everyone see how great they really are!!  For now just enjoy the family photos and Sonny with his first birthday cake!

first check out a photo from our first session and a recent one: