I love meeting new parents.  That excitement and joy they are holding inside is with a doubt the coolest thing ever.  There is this new life that is waiting to be met.  The anticipation is better than anything you will ever know.  It makes me want to go backwards and live it all over again and I know at that moment I am lucky I get to live it again with my sweet clients.

Jessica you are BEAUTIFUL and I can not wait to see you with your sweet Ethan.

See you soon

-Kristin

from a crazy hot summer, Whispers fans! Whispers is breathing in some fresh air over here and it’s just wonderful!
For me, this has been the craziest summer I can remember. It started with one of the most trying times my family has ever seen, followed by a chance to swim in the love and support I got from so many of you (for which I have an extraordinary amount of gratitude – truly, when I say my prayers of thanks, you all are at the top of my list), followed by a chance to expand the Whispers’ mission with the talent and creativity of two extraordinary women.

Ready to meet these two gems? Introducing…drum roll, please….Jeni Haas and Amy Douglass!

Many of you may know Jeni Haas already since she has been part of a mentor-for-lifesaver exchange program, wherein she’s been honing her photography and I’ve been leaning on her like a crutch because she makes Whispers a better place for both me and our clients. What’s most fascinating about Jeni is her eagle-like attention to detail. Her photography shows this, and I’m continually awed by how she can use her creativity to highlight new and fascinating aspects in the kids she works with – she particularly loves the 3-feet-from-the-street crowd and newborns. The families she’s worked with love Jeni…but I will always get to be president of her fan club. It’s in the contract.

Amy Douglass is a new gift at our party. She is quite simply one of the most gifted photographers I have ever seen, and I knew her by reputation long before I was lucky enough to get the chance to work with her. Although she is excellent with newborns and school-age kids, her high school senior photography is what made me fall out of my seat (don’t worry – I was totally fine once she agreed to work with me). What’s most interesting about Amy is her eye for combining up-to-the-minute trends that define a senior year with the timeless qualities that define the seniors themselves. It’s really a magical combination. When Amy and I finally met for lunch, it was like we’d known each other all our lives. I think our clients will also agree that she fits right in.

if you were wondering- YES they made me wear make up and yes I kept touching it… LOL

In addition to new people, we also have some new offerings. We’ve had a lot of requests for shorter, simpler, lower-cost sessions that we’ve answered with Spotlight Sessions. These are typically 30-minute sessions that give clients a chance to test something new. They’ll typically (but not always) have a theme that you can try without a huge commitment of time and money – angels, cowboys, or explorers might be some examples. Feel free to make suggestions – some of our best ideas come from our clients! Your session and images will have the same quality as a more expensive, expanded session but they’ll be offered less expensively because of a new, efficient, online-only ordering system.

Ordering for Spotlight Sessions is done entirely online with a limited menu (mostly standard-size Luster prints and single-image canvases – the most popular items). A special discount will be offered for orders completed within 48 hours of being posted and the entire ordering window will last two weeks. You can do your ordering with no pressure and have plenty of time to call all your relatives for their orders. We love trying new things!

We have some new products, too! For those who love texture and depth and lovely things to look at, we have some great new photo papers. Listen to these: German etching, fine linen, photo rag, pearl, bamboo, and sugar cane. There’s even one called torchon…it’s one of my personal favorites. We still offer some of the best canvases around and have been doing some great new designs that you might want to try.  Of course there are always the old faithful luster prints for those who can’t let the classics go (we understand). We just have so much to see – your ordering session will be a feast for the senses!

Ok, so that’s what new…

Before you get all worried that we’re going big time, let me assure you that Whispers will ALWAYS be a small boutique photography studio. The best images are created when the photographer knows a family well, and that just doesn’t happen with revolving door sessions.

Of course there will be lots of shops who give you 10 minutes of time and cut-rate service, barely do any work on the images, quickly show you 10 proofs, threaten you that they’ll be destroyed if you don’t order them, then wave you toward the door. Once upon a time, I was a customer of these places….Whispers will NEVER do that to our clients. We love getting to know the families who trust us enough to capture their special memories. Clients often become our friends. That just doesn’t happen in 30 seconds or less, which can be exactly how much useful time a photographer has to take pictures of a stressed-out kid in one of these shotgun sessions.

Plus, we’d miss out on some of the most magical moments that happen in our day. In almost every session there is a moment where the subjects, either the kids or their parents (maybe both), give a gift. They look at something or someone and BAM! We get a hearty laugh or smirky grin captured and saved forever. It’s something that anyone who knows them would recognize, but is so often missed in rushed or formal sessions. Ok, I’m getting a little sentimental…let’s just say that this job always gives us delightful moments when we take the time to let them happen. We’ll never stop doing that.

Now that we’ve had this time to recharge our batteries, let me just tell you how energized we are – we can’t wait to show you all the new things we have going on. Stop by the studio or give us a call to see!

On October 22, 23, and 24, Whispers is partnering with Posh Mommy and Baby Too in Madison to give you the chance to create those images for your family this year. We proudly bring you…

Christmas in Narnia! The scenery for these sessions is inspired by the snowy winter wonderland of Narnia, just perfect for capturing the sweetness of celebrations in your family’s world. These images will  be absolutely extraordinary!

For those who are wondering why we’re scheduling the sessions so far before the holidays, we want to make sure there’s plenty of time for ordering and delivery before the holidays.

Those who take advantage of these special sessions will be rewarded! Posh Mommy, the host and location of the sessions, will offer a special 25% discount on an entire purchase (excluding furniture and sale items) for those who book a session. Also, Whispers will offer huge discounted 2011 Spotlight Session to those who place an order from their Christmas in Narnia session. So the rewards stack up – some now and some later!

Details, anyone? Here ya go!

What: Christmas in Narnia
When: October 22, 23, and 24
Where: Posh Mommy and Baby Too; Hwy 72 W, Madison, AL
What Time: Call Posh Mommy( 256-722-3181, Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm) to schedule your session
Booking Fee: $30 for the first child, $50 for two children, $10 for each additional child
Bonus Offers: 25% off an entire purchase at Posh Mommy (excluding furniture and sale items) for those who book; huge discounted 2011 Spotlight Session (see Whispers blog for details on what a Spotlight Session is) for paid orders from the Christmas in Narnia sessions

We can’t wait to see you in Narnia!

Whispers Photography – 256-325-2120 – Info@whispersphotography.com

Before I had the third kid I didn’t really appreciate what a great age the 3-4 month age can be (correct me If I am wrong Peytons Mom) .

it is a Killer age.

1. They REALLY like you.

2. They can’t get away from you!  There should be stars next to that one.

3.  They still don’t know your really not that  funny and laugh all the time.

Peyton was a doll girl- she was darn sweet and cute as a button.  I really enjoyed meeting her and her crew.

Here’s your sneak peak!

Jeni

So here’s a sneak peak for you guys!

Jeni

Here’s a sneak peak for you guys!

Jeni

This dumpling likes it hot… We were sweating but little man just kept on a sleeping and eating.  Baby B was the BOMB.  It was so interesting to hold such a little person again.  It amazes me every-time I hold a newborn not to long ago they were chillin in their mom… What an awesome gift we are given.  LOVED hanging out with this sweet dumpling.

Have you ever met someone and right away you thought, “Man they are so going to Rock as parents!”

Well that is exactly what I thought when I met these two comic book heroes.  Their new little one is going to be so surrounded by love and laughter.  it is awesome to see two people that make each other light up and smile so much.  I left that day with face pains from smiling to much- that = a good day.

I have met one of the bravest people I will ever know. She is a young girl who is very close to my family. Not too long ago, she came forward and told her family that she was being sexually abused by someone that was also very close to us.

Since that day, my entire family has been on a roller coaster. This person was loved and trusted, making the deeds that were done a double smack.

I am well aware many will not agree with me posting this on my blog.  My blog is a fun and happy place that talks about family, love, caring, pictures. The thing is…the further down this hole we go, I am coming to understand something.  Sexual abuse is NEVER talked about. Muggings, murder, arson, even rape…you see them all over the place. But being victimized by someone you trust? Sometimes it doesn’t get talked about for years. Sometimes never.

This girl’s parents thought they did their job by talking to her about what is appropriate and what is not when it comes to their bodies. Privacy. Strangers and what happens if someone tries to grab you. A secret word was picked out in case something had happened to Mom and Dad and someone they didn’t know had to get them. Every single base was covered, except HOME base.

I do not want to preach to anyone. I would just like to share what I have learned.  ANYONE can hurt your child. ANYONE. So when you have that all-important talk about who is aloud to do what and so on, include EVERYONE in the do-not-touch list. I’ve done lots of learning since this came to light, and I’ve found out that 80 percent of all sexual abuse is done by someone that child knows. More than 50 percent suffer through this in their own home.

Here is the most important part, here is the part that means the most…if, by some chance, this ever happens to a child you know and they have the courage to come to you, BELIEVE THEM! I am shocked and saddened that, around every corner, I hear more stories about parents or family who do not believe their child or blame them for causing problems. In some cases, this denial makes it possible for the abuse to continue.

The courage to tell the truth is the biggest super power I have ever seen. Abuse, especially abuse like this, isn’t easy to talk about. It’s even harder when the child is talking about someone who is close and trusted. Kids know that. Give them the benefit of the doubt. I’ve learned the hard way that not all abuse can be prevented, but it can be stopped. It can be stopped by a courageous kid and the parents who believe what she says and fight back.

This sweet girl has a heart so big it bursts out around her and leaves trails of rainbows and shooting stars everywhere she goes. She forgives with grace and prays for everyone, even the ones that hurt her. She is also a super hero – a courageous fighter. She is my hero, and I am so proud to know her.

I love you, Super Hero Kid. And I will always be here for you as you keep fighting. Lots of other people will be there, too…but I’ll be in front. And I will fight with you.

A special place that I bet you didn’t even know we are lucky to have-

The National Children’s Advocacy Center

click here to donate!

-Jeni

Cole SWEET SWEET COLE- thank you for letting me have just one.  The best part your looking at ME !!!! YEAHHHHH.

At one of my favorite places in the world shooting one of the sweetest shy boys ever.

We were followed around by Catfish a cool employee on the mountain.  Very interesting day.

Here’s a sneak peak

Okay so here is the deal- All these kids are growing WAY to fast.  One Dillon is like a GIANT NOW- 13 has been good to him apparently he is going to be 6′3 or something.  I couldn’t even believe how tall he has become.  Two Ella Pearl is the POLAR Opposite of her big sister- Sweet little thing was sporting a fresh scrap on the nose and a whole crew of cool new little ones on her legs it is so funny to see her Daddy looking back at me.  Then Three you get to Mrs. AVERY- or as I would like to call her the spitting image of her Mama- Wow time flies and people change.  I am honored I got to see all three of these wonderful people today.  LOOK  YVONNE we got one!