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!