Now Offering Photography Training for Parents!

Like many parents, you've recently purchased an expensive new digital SLR camera, but still aren't really satisfied with the images you are getting. You've invested a lot of money in your new photography equipment and would like to get the most out of it. Your children are growing quickly, and you want to capture those day-to-day moments today! There is so much more you can achieve with your photography with the right knowledge. It doesn't have to be difficult or confusing.

Because there are so many parents in the situation I've described, I offer my training services on a one-on-one basis. A two-hour training session at my studio in Colorado Springs is $95. A session at your home is $125. In-home sessions are great for helping you to identify the areas in your home that have the best natural light for creating images. 

My training will be customized to your specific needs, as I will do an assessment of your knowledge and goals prior to our first meeting. We'll cover the basics of using your camera (both technically and artistically), with lots of hands-on practice. You will walk away with a newfound confidence in your photography skills.

Please e-mail me at MaryLynne@aol.com if you are interested in scheduling a training session.

www.ashleyphotography.com

Alison's Portrait Party in Colorado Springs

January Update, and Fundraising Rummage Sale January 11th & 12th

Closing the studio and switching to home portrait parties and in-store portrait events has been a great move for me and my family. I am photographing more children than ever. There are certainly times when I miss the slower-paced sessions that gave me the opportunity to both better push my creativity, and get to know my clients and their children as friends. Finding a way to spend more time with my own children, though, is something I will never regret, and I am very happy with my decision to change the direction of my business. You can look for me to be back in action with portrait parties and other portrait events beginning in February, and I will announce my availability in my newsletter.

The only bad part of the whole thing has been seeing my studio building sit vacant for six months while I continue to pay a mortgage! I have found a way to make lemonade out of lemons, as they say, at least temporarily. A friend of mine suffered a broken neck and other injuries as a result of a car accident on Christmas day as she and her family were driving out of town for vacation. Kelly is well-loved in the community, and scores of people have pulled together to try to find ways to help the family. One of the things we are doing is holding a huge rummage and bake sale in my vacant building, with the proceeds going towards helping to make their home wheel-chair accessible. We are receiving donations for the sale today, 1/10/08, from 10am - 8pm, and the sale will take place on Friday, 1/11 and Saturday, 1/12 from 9-2. Our location is 15 S. Wahsatch Ave. (between Pikes Peak and Colorado), downtown Colorado Springs. We'd love to see you there!

http://www.ashleyphotography.com/

Sharon's Portrait Party in Black Forest

Kathy's Portrait Party in Golden

Jill's Portrait Party in Colorado Springs

Elizabeth's Portrait Party in Highlands Ranch

About half of my home portrait parties are held in the Denver-metro area. This arrangement actually works out well for me since my parents recently moved to Highlands Ranch.

At this party we set up in the living room and blasted music from High School Musical and Hannah Montana. The kids loved it, and it helped get some great expressions.

www.ashleyphotography.com

Photos From My November Event at School Crossing

Take a look at the beautiful children I had the opportunity to photograph during my free mini-sessions at School Crossing in Colorado Springs this month. (If you click on the image you'll see a larger version with more detail.) It was so fun to catch up with friends I haven't seen in a while and to meet some new people as well.

If you have never been to School Crossing, or haven't been there lately, it is a great place to pick up gifts for kids. The store includes teacher supplies, a large toy store, and even a Pikes Perk Coffee. I found lots of things suitable for my kids in the $10 - $15 range while I was there.

http://www.ashleyphotography.com/

Images from Raven's Nest Portrait Party

Heather's portrait party at the Raven's Nest coffee house brought out lots of gorgeous babies and kiddos. We had two afternoons of mini sessions after they had closed for the day on a recent Saturday and Sunday. Lots of cute and fun photos -- here are a handful of my favorites.

How about this first one? As hard as I tried, she was so totally NOT impressed. "Just try to get me to smile, lady."

The Raven's Nest is located in Colorado Springs at the corner of Boulder and Institute.

http://www.ashleyphotography.com/

Then & Now

Niko is a warm and gentle almost five year old who is smart as a whip, has an amazing memory and a wonderful sense of humor. He loves to draw, write stories, "read" books, and play with his fire truck and boat. That's just inside. Let this child outside and he loves to throw a ball, ride his bike, ride his four wheeler and generally explore his world.

What a wonderful little boy he has become from a calm and relaxed baby. Even as a small baby Niko always had a smile and he loved to be cuddled. As an infant he was on the move reaching and exploring. In each milestone, Niko cautiously waited until he had the skill just right, then took off with it.

His parents have had a wonderful adventure with Niko, learning along with him year by year, and they can't wait to see how he is at six!

Then & Now

Sweet Mahlia Simone turned 5 on Valentine's Day. This once 5lb. preemie baby has had no trouble catching up to her peers. This big girl has an even bigger personality with lots of emotion and girly drama. Her mommy and daddy have lovingly labeled her "high maintenance," which they say she definitely gets from their own passion for having things be "just right."

Mahlia has recently become an adoring little mommy to her 20-month-old sister, Lily. Since the day Lily was born, Mahlia has been completely hands-on in her care taking. She loves to help dress her, comb her hair, feed her, bathe her--and not to mention the occasional unsupervised diaper changing (and make-up application.) She loves playing with her own babies as well.

Mahlia is a smart little girl who is into reading, writing her name (along with many other letters) and she knows her phone number and address by heart. She's all "girl" and very passionate about Chapstick, lotion, glitter, jewelry, bags and shoes.

Cheap Eats With Your Kids!

As all moms know, sometimes you just gotta go out for dinner. Of course, this isn't an exhaustive list in the city, but it's a great list of kid-friendly restaurants in Colorado Springs that offer deeply discounted or downright free meals for children! Be sure to call to confirm the deal before you go, as restaurants can change their policies at any time.

Monday
Conway's Red Top--one kid eats free with purchase of special adult entree
Gunther Toody's--one kid eats free with paid adult
Texas Road House--one kid eats free with paid adult
Mission Inn--one kid eats free with paid adult

Tuesday
Fazoli's--kids eat for 99 cents
Denny's--2 kids eat free with paid adult
Mission Inn--one kid eats free with paid adult
Bennigans--kids eat free with paid adult
Lonestar--kids eat free with paid adultRed, Hot and Blue (BBQ) -- kids eat for 99 cents.

Wednesday
Applebees--kids eat for $1
La Casita--2 kids eat for free with any one combo meal purchase
Mission Inn--one kid eats free with paid adult
Gunther Toody's-- buy one hamburger, 2nd one is 5 cents.

Thursday
Captain D's--2 kids eat free with paid adult. In store only.

Saturday
Denny's--2 kids eat free with paid adult

Sunday
Captain D's--2 kids eat free with paid adult. In store only.
Lonestar--kids eat free with paid adult
Red, Hot and Blue (BBQ) -- kids eat for 99 cents.

Changes in the Neighborhood

When we moved into our new studio in downtown Colorado Springs, we were a little apprehensive about the run-down liquor store two doors down, but were thrilled to have a little coffee shop next door. Well, yesterday demolition crews came in and they both came down, as did the old red barn building (a former restaurant?). It was a just a matter of minutes until the whole street corner was nothing more than a pile of rubble!

Our studio is so much more visible now! But not for long. The plan is for a new 4-story building including a bank, office condos, and perhaps a new coffee shop? Stay tuned to watch the progress.

www.ashleyphotography.com

A Few Favorites from our New Studio

We've had such fun this year working out of our new studio, and here are just a few of my favorites. I photograph so many cute kids that it's pretty much impossible to pick my favorites, but here is a little sampling from the year. Enjoy!

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

It's time for family photos!

Hard to believe, but our Christmas deadline is quickly approaching! If you're hoping to get family photos done in time for the holidays, give us a call today. We are getting extremely busy as the holidays draw near, so you'll want to get yourself on our schedule as soon as possible.

Family photos make great gifts, and are an easy way to get those holiday cards done as well.

www.ashleyphotography.com

September's "Artist's Choice" Sessions

It was so much fun this week getting to experiment with my new "Venice" background! Lots of amazingly cute kids showed up to help me get it right at our "Artist's Choice" sessions.

We did lots of jumping, dancing and spinning around to the tunes on my iPod. Thanks, everyone!

www.ashleyphotography.com

Love those Itty Bitty Babies!

Meet Blake, possibly the tiniest little guy we've had in the studio, at two weeks still weighing in at less than 6 pounds! What an amazing little human, and so much more cooperative than most of my little subjects!



www.ashleyphotography.com

We're Baaaaack ....

... back at the mall, that is! Next time you're at Chapel Hills, stop by and take a look at our kiosk on the second level in the Sears wing. We've brought in some of our favorite images, old and new, and will have them on display through the end of July. We'll be swapping out the images in our display periodically, so be sure to take a look!

When the kids need a potty break, take them to the Family Restrooms on the main level of the mall, and sneak a peek at even more of our work in both the waiting area and the nursing room.

www.ashleyphotography.com

Vegas, Baby!

For years I've wanted to attend WPPI, one of the huge national portrait photography conventions held each year in Las Vegas. I finally decided to take the plunge, and found several friends who were sweet enough to keep my kids for a few days (on school nights, no less!) while Stephanie and I flew down to take a look. Vegas in and of itself is pretty overwhelming. Add to that 1000's of photographers, an intense series of speakers, and an incredible trade show and you get a very exhausting 3 days.

I came back really pumped up with great new creative ideas, a much lighter wallet ... and, I admit, a couple extra pounds courtesy of all the buffets.

I absolutely love this new "white on white" technique I learned (shown on Hannah below), and am looking forward to adding it to our offerings.



www.ashleyphotography.com

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www.ashleyphotography.com