Checking my e-mail has never been so much fun! The last few weeks I’ve been taking entries for the Hudson Valley Cutest Kid contest and the entries have been so much fun to see! I’m really glad that I’m leaving the decision up to all of you because I don’t think I could choose! So many cute kids and I loved the notes from the parents too! =)

Voting ends September 8th at 11:59 PM EST and you can only vote once so make it count! The winner will receive a complimentary 2 hour photo session with me worth $250 - and just in time for holiday portrait season! Best of luck to all of the participants - I’m excited to see the results! Let the voting begin (and don’t forget to recruit your friends and family to vote too)!

Parker Renee:

Sydney:

Gavin:

Aiden:

Gracie:

Patrick:

Ilana Paige:

Mackenzie:

Hayden:

Maggie:

Halie:

Erin MacKenzie:

Devin:

Tyler:

Adriana:

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Every Mom thinks their kids are the cutest (my daughter is certainly the cutest!) but who is REALLY the cutest in the Hudson Valley? Submit a photo* of your child(ren) to me at info@autumn-photography.com with the subject line of “HV Cute Kids” (don’t forget to include the child’s first name, age, your name and contact info!) and we’ll hold a poll right here on the blog! The winner will receive a FREE 2 hour portrait session worth $250!

Entries will be accepted now through September 1st, 2010 and voting will be right here on the blog September 2nd - 8th. The winner will be announced September 9th and will receive a 2 hour portrait session (you choose - portraits of your child or the whole family!) just in time for holiday portraits!

You must be the parent or legal guardian of the child you are entering and *photos must NOT be copyrighted* (snapshots are perfectly acceptable!)

Here’s my cutie:

I’m looking for outgoing Class of 2011 high school seniors in Orange, Dutchess, Rockland and Ulster counties to be my models, my representatives to spread the word about awesome Hudson Valley senior photos and where to get them! You get 2 free senior sessions (two seasons - you pick) and the chance to earn free products just by referring your friends! For each friend you refer that books a paid senior photo session with me, you receive a $25 credit toward any product you want! With each of your sessions you will also receive 50 “rep cards” with your favorite image from that session on one side and a discount for your friends on the other.

Sessions are fun and relaxed - no boring studio here! No creepy old guy telling you to blow a kiss at the camera or gently place your hand under your chin and tilt your head to the left. These are not your typical senior portraits - these are all about YOU! We’ll go to a few different spots and explore - bring a bunch of outfits so we can get a good mix of looks and attitudes.

Not just anyone gets to be a senior rep - you must be outgoing and like having your photo taken. I will only accept a very limited number of seniors from each school so if this sounds like you, contact me today before the spots at your school are full! Just send me an e-mail at info@autumn-photography.com or a facebook message - send me your name, age, high school, city, contact info, a recent photo of you and why you think you’d make a good senior rep! If I think you might make a good senior rep I’ll contact you with a few additional questions and give you more details. =)

John is an amazing young man who loves horticulture, karate and art. He is a 2010 graduate of Newburgh’s NFA (Newburgh Free Academy) and despite the tough climate of this school has managed to stay out of trouble and do something inspirational! John, along with other teens (including his twin sisters) started an Urban Farmers League in Newburgh - check them out at the links below and show your support! An excerpt from their blog:

“Urban Farmers League is a youth led organization designed to combat environmental and social injustice, by creating a platform for the youth to have equal participation in the future of our community. With the creation of urban farms we not only provide a space for youth to express but we are also able to provide the community with high quality of life, mitigate environmental degradation and provide a space for organic food to flourish.

Goals:

1. Create a community of youth leaders

2. Reduce ,Reuse ,Recycle

3. Beautify our community

4.Provide organically grown nutritious food to low income families and individuals

5. Provide a venue for youth culture to thrive”
How awesome is that?!

John was nominated for my project (”Newburgh: Focus on the Positive”) to recognize and reward Juniors and Seniors at NFA that aren’t falling into gang life or getting into trouble and are doing something positive. It was a difficult decision to make, but John was chosen as May’s winner and received a complimentary Senior Photo Session with me, along with 40 wallet sized photos (that he gets to choose!) and some images for use on facebook and myspace. I am accepting nominations through the end of November and will be choosing one teen per month from now through the end of November. Please nominate an awesome teen at NFA (class of 2010 or 2011) that is staying out of trouble and doing something positive so that they can be recognized and rewarded for their efforts! So much emphasis is placed upon those who are getting into trouble and the “good kids” aren’t getting the recognition they deserve. I think it’s extremely important to focus on the positive and tell these young adults that we’re proud of them! If you know an awesome teen at Newburgh Free Academy please nominate them and spread the word! You can nominate by sending me an e-mail at info@autumn-photography.com - just tell me their name (first and last), their graduation year and why you think they should be rewarded (ANYONE can nominate - you can even nominate yourself!)! I’ll need some way to contact them if they’re chosen too so please don’t forget to leave me some form of contact information so I can get in touch with them!

John chose Algonquin for his session because it’s a place he visits often and he loves horticulture. Being new to the Hudson Valley, I actually had not been there before - I loved it!

http://urbanfarmersleague.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Urban-Farmers-League/290247189855?v=wall

http://newburghcircle.com/2010/06/09/teens-find-hope-in-planting-seeds/

Nominate an NFA (Newburgh Free Academy) high school junior or senior who is staying out of trouble and doing something positive and/or inspirational and one will be chosen each month (May - Nov) for a FREE senior style session, free facebook photos and some wallets to hand out! I’ll also feature them and their story on my blog and facebook (as long as it’s okay with them and their parents!). Just leave a comment here about why they should be chosen (you can even nominate yourself!). If you feel more comfortable nominating in private, you can e-mail me at info@autumn-photography.com. Just tell me their name, age, grade and why you think they deserve this! They don’t have to have the cure for cancer or anything, but let’s face it, if they live in the city of Newburgh and go to NFA, just staying out of trouble is reason enough to tell them they’re doing a great job and encourage them to continue doing the right thing. Let’s reward the kids who really deserve it - please spread the word!

Updates to come soon so stay tuned!

Flowers are blooming and the weather is warming up here in the Hudson Valley - it’s time to get back outside and play! For a very limited time I am running portrait specials to entice those of you who have been holding off on getting your photos taken and give me a great excuse to get outside, take some photos and meet new people! Specials are being offered for a very limited time and my availability will fill up fast so don’t hesitate! These special promotions are for portrait sessions - modeling, Facebook and/or business headshots, maternity, newborn, children, families, couples, boudoir and high school juniors & seniors! See below for specials on each. All specials apply to sessions taking place within an hour of New Windsor, NY unless otherwise noted (which includes areas such as Poughkeepsie, Hyde Park, Newburgh, Wallkill, Middletown NY, New Paltz, Brewster, Danbury CT, Ridgefield CT, Nanuet, Kingston, Westbrook, Central Valley, Goshen, Mahwah NJ, Rhinebeck, Bedford, Spring Valley, etc.). If you would like to take advantage of one of these deals but live further away, let me know and we can either come up with a location in the middle or I will give you a quote for further travel.

Headshots

Get a mini session (approximately 30-45 minutes), online proofing and ordering and 2 edited high resolution images for your personal and promotional use for just $100 through April 3rd! Whether you need new photos to represent your business identity, starting or adding to a modeling portfolio, a facebook profile photo or you just want to treat yourself, headshot sessions are relaxed and can take place almost anywhere. Limit one person per headshot session.

Maternity and Newborn

I don’t think there is anything that I love more than photographing maternity and newborn sessions - now through May 1st, book a maternity or newborn session and get 50% off your session fee! If you book BOTH a maternity and a newborn session, not only do you get 50% off each session (that’s like getting one free!), but you will also receive a complimentary 20 page brag book filled with your favorite photos! Since these are my absolute favorite sessions and they almost exclusively take place in my clients’ homes, I am extending this offer a little further than the rest - this offer is for anyone within 90 minutes of New Windsor, NY (zip code 12553 if you’re searching the radius!) - this extends into parts of NJ, PA and even the southwest corner of MA, all the way down to Fairfield, CT where I first started my business.

Children, families and couples

When you book a session at regular session rates and place your order within 1 week of your online gallery activation, half of your session fee will transfer over to a print credit! That’s a savings of $50, $125 or even $187.50, depending on the session! Sessions must be completed by May 1st and must take place within 1 hour of New Windsor, NY.

High School Juniors and Seniors

FREE sessions! That’s right, I said it - FREE! Pre-pay for a minimum $200 purchase and receive a 1 hour session absolutely free! Want to spend even less? Like NOTHING?! Apply to be a Senior Rep and if you’re accepted, you could get a free session AND earn free products just for referring your friends! You want more? You also get Rep cards with your photo on one side and a special offer for your friends when they book too! Senior Rep program is only open to Class of 2011. Send me a message via e-mail (info@autumn-photography.com), facebook or twitter if you’re interested in becoming a Rep! This offer is through June 1st - Rep program is available until further notice.

Boudoir

Sexy and tasteful boudoir photographed in your home (or a hotel at your expense if you wish) - book a 3 hour session at $350 and receive a 5×5 20 page photo book free! Sessions include full retouching and a password protected online gallery. Do you have 3-5 friends that would like a session as well? Let me know and I can provide you with a special rate when they are all photographed at the same location on the same day! Offer ends June 1st.

Sorry, no photos to share here - due to the sensitive nature of boudoir photography, I value my clients’ privacy and never share them with anyone.

I know I may be a little bit biased, but seriously, ISN’T SHE SO STINKIN’ CUTE?!

Rissa, who is a high school senior graduating in 2010, couldn’t get enough! She came back for another TWO sessions - off the top of my head I believe we have a grand total of 3 days, 3 hairstyles, 4 make-up styles, 5 cities (a couple with multiple locations!) and 8 outfits! I just love photographing her - she’s such a sweet, fun and beautiful girl (inside and out) and she has the most awesome style! Check her OUT!

First, we rocked her prom dress and an off camera light…

My FAAAAAAVVVVVORITE!!!

And then I decided to turn off my light and use the one that was already there…

Then the next time we go out she shows up wearing aqua blue Chucks and this turquoise pendant… yeah, we had to go back to my favorite local spot. All the rest is natural light, some with a silver or gold reflector…

SEE?! Check out those shoes!

Time for something different… I saw this place the first day or two we moved here… in the middle of the night… when I was lost. I hadn’t seen it since but when I saw Rissa’s outfit I knew I had to find it again! It’s certainly not in my normal travels but I’m so glad I was able to find it again because I think it’s perfect for her with this outfit! =)

Oh, but you see, I helped her with her clothing choices, so you KNOW I had to throw some orange in there! Isn’t her necklace AWESOME?! And her eyes with that gold reflector? WOW!

…and last but certainly not least, a little spot I drive by all the time and have been wanting to shoot at… it’s not exactly easy as you have to haul the gear a little ways, try not to get cut by broken glass on the ground, don’t get hit by cars on your way there or back, make sure no unseemly people are hiding out in there and time it so the train doesn’t deafen you but it is SO worth it, don’t you think?

And for our grand finale… some really gorgeous light!

Class of 2010 and Class of 2011 Juniors and Seniors in the Hudson Valley - don’t settle! Get photos that celebrate YOU - your personality, your style and have some FUN while you’re at it!

So, I mentioned that there is a CONTEST - here’s the info:

You must be a high school junior or senior, graduating class of 2010 or 2011 in Ulster County, Orange County, Dutchess County, Putnam County, Sullivan County, Rockland County or Westchester County NY OR Fairfield County, or Litchfield County, CT to win.

First, leave a comment here on the blog telling Rissa and I how much you love the photos!

Next, become a fan on facebook HERE if you aren’t already!

Then, either e-mail me at info@autumn-photography.com or leave a message for me on my facebook fan page HERE with the phrase “I’ve got style” and why you would like a session with me.

If you refer a friend to the drawing and he or she mentions your name (first and last), your name will be entered into the drawing again. There is no limit to how many times your name can be thrown into the hat. If you refer 10 friends to the drawing, you’ll have 11 chances to win - one for your original entry and one for each of theirs!

This is very important though - if you do not follow directions your name will not be entered into the drawing!

Two names will be drawn at random (by my 6 year old daughter Jaedyn), one at a time on November 30th. The first name drawn will receive a FREE 1 hour senior session with me. The second name drawn will receive a 50% discount on the senior session of his or her choice. These sessions must be completed by April 1st, 2010 and must not take place more than 60 minutes from New Windsor, NY.

Wow - I have been seriously neglecting my blog in an effort to keep up with everything else during this busy season! I guess it’s time to play catch up, huh?! Forgive me, the next several posts will all be quite brief in wording (you’re really only here to see the photos anyway, right?!) but I’m going to get caught up! =)

The “D.” and “Z.” cousins in Greenwich, CT:

As soon as I saw Marissa’s style I was dying to photograph her senior session! We had a great time exploring Poughkeepsie’s riverfront and I almost cried when I saw this awesome rusted door… and then around the corner was an even better one! YEA! Riss is such a sweet and fun girl - a little shy at first but I have a feeling that she’s not so shy once you really get to know her! Thanks again, Riss - I had an awesome time!