Ta Da!!!

I spent some time today on my poor neglected blogger. Look up at the new rotating header. Ta da!!!! I guess I'm finally slowing down enough to get to those important, but not so urgent details. Now that I've figured this out... one part photographer... one part engineer, I can't wait to put together a few more images to rotate in and out. This is the fun stuff that I love doing when I'm not editing or spending time with my family. So, you can see why it doesn't often get done.

National Charity Model Search

Technology rocks.... except when it doesn't. I sent out a super-fab, high tech html email today. And it was awesome... if you could view it. Some computers were having trouble with it. I received a handful of emails today letting me know that it wasn't loading. So thank you for letting me know! I appreciate that so much. And, in case you were one of them who couldn't see it, here it is. I'd hate for you to miss out! Click to view it larger. And please call me with any questions. And if you didn't get this email, but want to get future emails, let me know. Or better yet, sign up on the snazzy email sign up form to the left. Don't worry, I won't fill your inbox with junk. Just good stuff. And not too often. And, did I just say "snazzy"? Wow, the cold must be getting to me.

Is your child America’s cutest kid?

I am so excited to be participating in the National Charity Model Search to select “America’s Cutest Kid” and to raise funds for a charity that I've donated my time and talent to.

They're looking for cute children ages 18 months to 14 years old to model for a portrait to be entered into the contest.

Models Search Special:
$250 session fee, which includes a 45 minute model session at my studio, one image submitted to the national gallery, and a $200 print credit.

Finalists will be determined by online votes. Anyone may vote. Each vote is $1, and all proceeds from votes benefit the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. (NILMDTS.org)

Grand prize national winner will be determined from the 50 city finalists. Winners selected by photography and modeling industry experts.

If your child is selected the national winner, you’ll receive many prizes, including a $5,000 US Savings Bond and a Canon PowerShot G10 digital camera.

If you’re interested in entering your child(ren), please call the studio at 847-707-9227. For more information about the contest, go online to www.sandypucmodels.com.

Battle of Wills

Since the day she was born, my daughter has been strong willed. I know it's a trait that will serve her well in adult life. In the meantime, it makes life interesting. A week ago, my parents came for dinner and stayed to play some cards. Of course, she had no interest in bedtime since grandma and grandpa were over. Every attempt to put her in bed was unsuccessful. Finally, after putting her to down several times, we decided to ignore the unacceptable behavior. It was late. She was tired. She knew it was bedtime. As we played our game in the kitchen, she stood at the top of the stairs whining about how she wasn't tired (long past her bedtime). We kept playing. Over a period of time, she slowly inched her way down the stairs until she finally gave up. We hoped she would give up and go to bed herself. No such luck. She gave up the fight most reluctantly as she literally fell asleep where she was. On a step. That couldn't have been comfortable. But, that's my strong willed girl. Parenting is so hard, especially when you don't know what is the best thing to do for the situation. We just know that once you pick your battle, you cannot lose. This was an especially tough one. And look how cute she is when she's asleep.

Just because...

This is by no means a "sneak peak". I've been really bad at posting to my blog, as many of you know. But, I just had to share a few from this little cutie's one year session. He is so adorable, and I had so much fun during the session. I guess "better late than never" applies here. These were actually taken in November... thus the copyright 2008, and not 2009. Hopefully I'll get better at posting to my blog next year. I mean this year. :)