.one more for tonight.

It was crazy cold the afternoon of our shoot, but this family had a great attitude about making it through our session. They also did a fantastic job on the clothes. I love the colors they chose... New clients take note. ;)

Thanks, Lise and family, for making my job fun... even if the weather doesn't want to cooperate.

Until next time,

Emily

.great family.

Great family, easy afternoon, fun kids... all make for a great Christmas card.

Thanks for a great shoot!

Until next time,

Emily

.giving is awesome.

Thank you so much for all of the incredible emails that you guys sent in... I was so touched by the stories that I read. I am in contact with the family who won and I am really excited to meet them. I wanted to make sure and keep my promise to post something tonight.

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in this important event.

Merry Christmas to you and your families.

Until next time,

Emily

.harlee- 4 days old.

Meet sweet Harlee. I think she might be a dream baby. The night before our session she slept 5 hours in a row. At three days old. How is that possible? (lucky mommy :)

So worth the drive to Waco. So sweet and squishy...

Until next time,

Emily

.one more for today.

Now that things have slowed down a bit, I'm going to work on getting the blog caught up. Like I said a few weeks ago, I've had a bunch of families of five and they have all been so fun. It's neat to watch how families interact with each other and it's interesting to see the difference in families with one or two kids and families with 3 or more. This family was was just as fun as the rest and once I got Mr. Jake warmed up, he pulled off that "model look" quite well. All kids seem to enjoy it when all eyes are on them. :)
Thanks Richard, Claudine, Seth, Jake and Rachael for laughing at me even when I look ridiculous and for making my job fun.

Until next time,
Emily

.giving is awesome.

Please don't forget to nominate someone you know for the Giving is Awesome giveaway that I'm participating in. If you are still wanting to nominate a friend or family member, please know that there's still time. Just take a few minutes to email me a short paragraph about the family or person in need. The cut off is midnight on the 23rd. (That's this Tuesday!) The winner will be announced on the 24th.

Remember- the person nominating gets a $200 print credit- so email me!

I hope you are enjoying this holiday season.

Until next time,
Emily

.North Texas Real Estate.

I had the privilege of photographing the nice folks at North Texas Real Estate right here in Denton a few weeks ago. Their web designer needed updated photos of them so they called me. I enjoyed our laid-back, easy morning of shooting.

Know of someone who needs head shots for their business or portfolio?

Give me a call!

Until next time,

Emily

.giving is awesome.

You know someone.

You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography -- $500 worth, to be exact. Whether it's canvas or albums, or prints for Grandma, it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.
Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $200 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be?

The rules:
You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

The nominee must reside in Texas. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

Leave a comment on the blog to let me know you have entered and email me at emilythurmond@gmail.com.

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve... Get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

I can't take credit for this... Click here to read about this epidemic. If you're a photographer maybe you could be a part of this? Maybe this is your way to give back this holiday season. Just an idea...

Thanks everyone! I'm am super excited to see how this affects one deserving family's lives.

Until next time,

Emily

.holiday orders.

Hello!
If you are planning on ordering any more cards or prints, and need them before Christmas, please, please, please order before midnight on the 10th. Any order placed after the 10th will NOT be guaranteed before the 24th. I am going to try my very hardest to get all of your prints back to you within the week that you order but please DO NOT WAIT.

Thank you!
Emily

.i know. i know.

I'm so behind. I didn't anticipate being this busy this late in the season. I'm not complaining- not at all. But, my blog readers (all 4 of you), are probably feeling a little out of the loop. I finished all of shooting and editing as of last night. I spent all day at home (in exile with a lovely case of pink eye. What hand-washin'-don't-touch-that-it's-nasty mom gets pink eye?? Me of course. My family used to give me a hard time about the random illnesses that I would get. Add this one to the list.). So, I'm all caught up. After spending about 8 hours staring deep into the screen of my lovely lap top, I'm hearing the hallelujah chorus. I have had a blast this holiday season and 2008 turned out to be 10x's better than I expected. I booked over twice as many sessions this Holiday Season as I did last year. I didn't expect that and it's all because of my awesome clients. Thank you, thank you. I am so grateful to now call you guys friends.

So, now for the fun stuff. I've still got about 7 sessions to post on the blog. All of these families have already viewed their Galleries so this is just for those of you that wonder what in the world I'm up to and keep up with the blog.

Cold. Windy. Very Cold. 4 Words that describe the morning session with this family. Luckily their little one wasn't tiny and she was such a good sport despite the frozen, numb fingers. ;)

Maybe it's not professional to talk about my eye issues on here?? Surely there's another mom who sympathises?

Anyway, stay tuned for more sweet families!

Until next time,

Emily

.pretty skirts+fun family+urban sitting=a FUN time.

I know I say this on every blog post (and I truly mean it- I have had the best families this holiday season) but I had a great time with this family... These girls are the perfect age to photograph and once I got them to giggle and loosen up they laughed and laughed and I shot and shot. Thank you Ray, Amy, Emma, and Abby for being willing to try new things. even if it did kill your knees. You guys were great sports!

Until next time,

Emily

.ian.

I had the honor of photographing my friend Cynthia and her family last week. She said she wanted an urban session and I'm so glad she did. I had a great time chasing around her sweet boy and laughing at her hilarious man.We did a few head shots while we were there... I love green on her.And lastly... Every couple should have portraits of themselves...

Thanks, Cynthia, for trusting me to capture these memories.

Until next time,

Emily

.naturals.

I spent the morning with our dear friends Luke, Keri and Matthew a few weeks ago and had a blast. They were total naturals in front of the camera. I didn't really have to do much "coaching." They just did it. I loved watching them interact with Matthew. Sweet little Matt-U (as Audrey says it), was over me about half way through our session (like most toddlers) but I love the shots that we got. He has a smile that lights up the room. His spunk and sweet personality will take him so far in life. Luke and Keri- Jonathan and I value your friendship and are glad to have you in our lives.



Now for the low down. :)

1. Your names and the kids' ages: Luke, Keri and Matthew (15 months)

2. Favorite thing to do as a family: Picnics

3. Favorite food: Chicken nuggets

4. What's on your nightstand? A lamp, glass of water, and lotion

5. Best place to vacation: Anywhere warm for Keri and cold to ski for Luke

6. It's Friday night at 7pm... Where would we find you? Giving Matthew a bath and going to sit on the couch and chill the rest of the night.

7. Top 3 restaurants local or at least in this area: Chick fil A, Hannah's, Chestnut tree

8. What are your favorite websites or blogs that you like to stalk? Anything with sewing or fabric

9. Last book you read and the last book you read to your kids (or they read to you)? I read "Same Kind of Different as Me" I read Matthew, "Hug"

10. Best free (or really cheap) activity you are enjoying this time of year: Running

11. Any fun facts about your family or just something you would like to share? Luke and I are training for the half marathon in December, White Rock!!!

Now for a funny one. And, it's only funny because we've all been there. And, I'm totally bracing myself to have a few images like this from our family session this weekend. I'm already planning the bribes and treat bags for my Munchkin. :) You guys are awesome...

Until next time,

Emily

.it can't be.

This baby cannot possibly look like this now- Sweet little Avery is such a big girl now. With skills like sitting up, chatting, and feeding her self Puffs, she seems like a different baby now. The last time I saw her she was a teeny tiny newborn (like a mere 6 lbs if I remember right?) with skills like eating, sleeping, and uhhh being a newborn. :) Mom and I have had this session set up for a few months now and I've really looked forward to our session. I'm so glad I was able to spend time with them last Saturday morning.

1. Your names and the kids' ages: Chris, April and Avery Kate (7 months)
2. Favorite thing to do as a family: Camping, playing with our dog Daisy
3. Favorite food: Chris loves Mexican, I love crab legs and Avery's favorite is bananas!
4. What's on your nightstand? Video monitor, clock and a lamp
5. Best place to vacation: Destin
6. It's Friday night at 7pm... Where would we find you? Out to eat with friends or at home
7. Top 3 restaurants local or at least in this area: Babes in Roanoke, Sho Gun, and Pei Wei
8. What are your favorite websites or blogs that you like to stalk? Too many to list... thelifeofsuz.blogspot.com is one of my faves though!
9. Last book you read and the last book you read to your kids (or they read to you)? Children's devotional book and Millie Moo
10. Best free (or really cheap) activity you are enjoying this time of year: Going on walks/hikes

I enjoyed spending time with you guys. Thanks for everything, April.

Until next time,

Emily

.time change?.

I didn't get the memo about the time change.

I scheduled their family session the night after we "fell back." I scheduled it at five totally forgetting that, uh, it's gonna be getting dark! Duh. I'm a dork. Thank goodness this family could have been one of the easiest families I've ever photographed so this session was one of the quickest! Annnnnd... an added bonus- the sunset light gave my images a very warm feel which I love with the turning trees in the back ground.

Just a little teaser from our session... Thanks guys, for not thinking I'm a complete looney when you pulled up and I was like "let's GO!" Y'all are awesome and so great to work with!

Until next time,
Emily

.ham and cheese, please.

Sweet little Brody was even more fun than the last time... and alot busier! The last time I saw him he was still crawling and pretty much staying in one place (only because he was fascinated with my camera). This time was another story. We chose a great location to shoot because he really enjoyed all of the space to be able to run and all of the fun things to climb on. He was so funny... He would take off running one direction and then one of us would call his name, he would freeze, turn around, and flash the cheesiest grin. He has become quite the little ham.

Thanks Casey, John Paul and Brody. I really enjoyed watching you guys play and spending the evening with you!

Until next time,

Emily

p.s. GO TECH!!!!!