Buttons and Bows Photography would like to congratulate Orlando, Florida's own...Magician Drew Thomas (shown here with judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and David Hasselhoff)...for making the top five semi-finalists in the 2009 season of "America's Got Talent"!

Drew's wife Rebecca is also part of the cast, and it was so exciting to see them both so happy together on national TV as they advanced to the semi-finals! Congrats to you both!

We'll be watching and VOTING all the way 'til the very end when you win it all! -Robyn

The new June 2009 newsletter is out! You'll think you're seeing double... And a quick heads-up: there are tons of new photos in the website galleries!

Please vote for Buttons and Bows as Orlando's "Best Family Photographer" at goCityKids.com. You can vote once per day through July 15, 2009.

Don't forget that not only are we now "Tweeting" on Twitter — but we also have a Facebook fan site and group for Buttons and Bows Photography, LLC:

1. Buttons and Bows Photography Facebook Fan Site

2. Buttons and Bows Photography Facebook Group

Please join both and get involved!

(To receive the monthly newsletter go to THE CONTACT FORM section of the website and enter your e-mail address in the subscription form.)

EXTRA! EXTRA!   Buttons and Bows Photography, LLC, was just nominated by Parents Connect and goCityKids.com as a 2009 "Best Family Photographer" finalist in Orlando, Florida.

Parents can vote for Buttons and Bows once per day through July 15, 2009.

Parents Connect / goCityKids is a national city directory (owned by MTV/Viacom and Nickelodeon/Nick Jr.) for parents, by parents. "The 2009 nominee choices are not related to, or influenced by, any advertising or partner relationships." This is truly an honor and thank you does not adequately cover my appreciation for your reviews and for your votes!

The new April 2009 newsletter is out! Buttons and Bows Photography, LLC, is celebrating three years in business and two years as the première maternity and newborn photographer in the Orlando area. Come celebrate with us. We have birthday cake!

Don't forget that not only are we now "Tweeting" on Twitter — but we also have a Facebook fan site and group for Buttons and Bows Photography, LLC:

1. Buttons and Bows Photography Facebook Fan Site

2. Buttons and Bows Photography Facebook Group

Please join both, get involved, and post a review if you're a former / current client!

(To receive the monthly newsletter go to THE CONTACT FORM section of the website and enter your e-mail address in the subscription form.)

The entry below has been updated - only two open dates now remain in my 2009 schedule.

If you wish to be placed on a waitlist, please get in touch via the contact form ASAP!

(To contact Robyn and book your session package, or be placed on the availability waitlist, go to THE CONTACT FORM section of the website.)

It's a girl! Shot from a recent newborn baby girl photo session...you might remember mom & dad waiting on her arrival in the February newsletter... Isn't she pretty in pink?

There's a method to the March Madness behind this blog entry.

These are my remaining schedule open-dates for one year out thru March 2010 — (UPDATED on 05.07.09: please note at this time there no more open dates in my 2009 booking calendar). This is your written "this is now officially the last-minute" warning! Take that tax refund and put down your package deposit soon...

REMAINING MARCH 2009 - MARCH 2010 SESSION DATES: (open 2009-10 dates in blue)

Sunday, May 17th, 2009
Sunday, May 24th, 2009

Sunday, July 26th, 2009

Saturday, August 8th, 2009

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

Please use the contact form to inquire about being placed on my 2009 waitlist - or to sign up for a possible, additional 2009 mini-session date for the holidays.

        _______________         

Saturday, February 20th, 2010
Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Saturday, March 6th, 2010
Sunday, March 14th, 2010
Saturday, March 20th, 2010

UPDATE: 2010 availability through June now located here

Don't forget that not only are we now "Tweeting" on Twitter — but we also have a Facebook fan site and group for Buttons and Bows Photography, LLC:

1. Buttons and Bows Twitter Stream

2. Buttons and Bows Photography Facebook Fan Site

3. Buttons and Bows Photography Facebook Group

Please subscribe / join, get involved, and post a review if you're a former or current client!

Hurry, don't delay, on booking your 2009 session TODAY!

BOOMER SOONER!
-Robyn

(To contact Robyn and book your session package go to THE CONTACT FORM section of the website.)

I've been waiting to make this big "announcement" for a few weeks now and it's finally time! Buttons & Bows Photography, LLC, will now be able to offer fine letterpress announcements to our paperie product line.

In addition to the designer press-printed announcements already available, my customers will now have the option to upgrade their package selections or add these fine announcements and social papers to their orders à la carte. I have selected one of the best in the business, Bella Figura, and their eco-letterpress sister company Smock, to personally handle and fulfill your orders via a client coordinator. They will provide you with the same quality and perfection you have come to expect. And Buttons & Bows clients will all receive a special offer of appreciation for their business.

Seeing really is believing, so here is a peek at just a few of the options available (click each image for a larger pop-up version)...

You can see more of their announcement offerings and photo samples at their website.

I will be bringing a sample kit to each newborn session so that you can look the products over in person. Once you've had a chance to hold them, I guarantee it will be nearly impossible to put them back down again.

You've waited your entire lives to have your child join your family. Announce that elation in style!

Spring forward...
-Robyn

The new March 2009 newsletter is out!

The March newsletter features a "March Madness" promotion for "365 days of baby", "belly to baby", "baby's first birthday", the new Palladium plan, and holiday packages (if booked by 03.16.09). See the newsletter for more details.

Don't forget that not only are we now "Tweeting" on Twitter — but we also have a Facebook fan site and group for Buttons and Bows Photography, LLC:

1. Buttons and Bows Photography Facebook Fan Site

2. Buttons and Bows Photography Facebook Group

Please join both, get involved, and post a review if you're a former / current client!

(To receive the monthly newsletter go to THE CONTACT FORM section of the website and enter your e-mail address in the subscription form.)

Just sharing another one of my recent favorites. You might remember this l'il Valentine as the newborn baby girl with the fall pumpkins from last autumn.

Also wanted to let everyone know that we now have a Facebook fan site and group for Buttons and Bows Photography, LLC:

1. Buttons and Bows Photography Facebook Fan Site

2. Buttons and Bows Photography Facebook Group

Please join both and stay involved - we'd love to have you!

Check buttonsandbowsphotography.com - tons of photos recently added!

Stay warm!
-Robyn

Another quick peek in my office — my wonderful husband recently installed a clothing bar so all of my petticoats and tutus won't get crushed. I may have two small boys, but that doesn't mean I'm immune to pink!

If you haven't been by buttonsandbowsphotography.com lately, it's time to check in again. Every photo gallery now has something new!

And don't forget the Buttons & Bows 2009 calendars are now on sale...

The new January 2009 newsletter was just released! It features several sneak-peeks of what's in store for 2009. See the newsletter for more details.

And don't forget Buttons & Bows is sponsoring a week of storybook fairytale sessions from February 19-25, 2009!

(To receive the monthly newsletter go to THE CONTACT FORM section of the website and enter your e-mail address in the subscription form.)

The new November 2008 newsletter was just released! It features the "Black Friday" after Thanksgiving gift certificate sale that begins at 12:00 a.m. EST on Friday, November 28th. It runs through 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, November 28th. See the newsletter for more details. You don't wanna miss this one!

(To receive the monthly newsletter go to THE CONTACT FORM section of the website and enter your e-mail address in the subscription form.)

"No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face." - J. Donne

The above photo is a teaser from a recent newborn session with one of my 365-platinum babies (a beautiful baby girl). It seems like yesterday that I shot the maternity session!

Just a quick notice to let everyone know my family be leaving this weekend to accompany my husband to New Orleans for a business conference. (We were married at the Le Richelieu in the French Quarter in '96 so it's a trip we're very much looking forward to!)

As such, I will not have office hours starting Saturday, October 11 - Monday, October 20.

I will have an internet connection at our hotel but my online time will be sporadic. If you need to reach me please e-mail or call and leave a message — I will reply just as soon as possible.

All outstanding lab orders should be mailed before we leave town. You will be e-mailed tracking information. Thank you to everyone who has allowed me to session-shuffle making this trip possible!

Laissez les bon temps rouléz! (And BOOMER SOONER!)

Now booking "belly to baby" & "baby's first year" packages for April 2009 and beyond...
-Robyn

Some of my clients cry when they get their orders. I cry when I get their reactions. It's win-win really! Four recent client e-mails I wanted to share:




"The pictures came in. They are even more beautiful than looking at the on the computer. I really love that 8x10 of [our son's] face. Thank you they are perfect."
—Alicia - Orlando, Florida

"ONCE AGAIN YOU HAVE OUT DONE YOURSELF!

Robyn everything is beautiful! We sat in amazement last night looking at everything. Your packaging is beautiful...I didn't want to open it! Thank you for all of the 'little extras', they are very much appreciated. You have preserved these special moments for us, and are something we will cherish forever. When we are "80" and [our son] is married and has a family of his own, these photos are something we will be able to pull out and reminisce with. I can't wait for our next session and then for the "First Birthday" session!

I said it before and I'll say it again... You have a gift that is like no other. No words can say thank you enough, you have given us memories to last a lifetime and beyond!"
—Kristen - Debary, Florida

"Hi Robyn: We got the maternity session photos back. Love everything!!! Thank you! Your packaging and extra touches make it extra special.

I am so looking forward to the session with [our daughter] on Saturday."
—Kim - Windermere, Florida

"Robyn these are awesome!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! Everyone loves them! YAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! These are adorable. Thank you so much!"
—Tanya - Clermont, FL

The above photo is a teaser from a recent "1-year" session. You might remember him as the basketball baby at his newborn session... He's definitely making Santa's "nice" list!

(If you have a November session scheduled, please contact me if you have questions about these dates — some will be extended for 1-2 weeks past your session date with no penalty. December sessions do not guarantee holiday delivery other than birth announcement orders placed by December 12th.)

These dates are placed in effect by me because I have strict deadlines already set in place by my print labs. There is no room to bend.

The new September 2008 newsletter was just released! It features photos from two recent "baby's first birthday" sessions. The website galleries have also been updated recently.


(To receive the monthly newsletter go to THE CONTACT FORM section of the website and enter your e-mail address in the subscription form.)

The above photo is a teaser from a recent "1-year" session with one of my 365-platinum babies. I can't believe her first year has already passed! You might remember her as the little baby girl in the Santa bag under the Christmas tree last year...

Make sure to check back at the "Lullaby and Goodnight" gallery for new photos — many just added and more soon to follow.

I thought it was time to get into the Christmas spirit around here because it's also time to talk holiday ordering deadlines. Here's how it breaks down for 2008:

(If you have a November session scheduled, please contact me if you have questions about these dates — some will be extended for 1-2 weeks past your session date with no penalty. December sessions do not guarantee holiday delivery other than birth announcement orders placed by December 12th.)

These dates are placed in effect by me because I have strict deadlines already set in place by my print labs. There is no room to bend.

Stay tuned here for frequent updates during the holiday season. And happy autumn everyone!

Now booking "belly to baby" & "baby's first year" packages for April 2009 and beyond...
-Robyn

Due to a cancellation there is now one - yes ONE - session date remaining in 2008:
November 16, 2008 (RESERVATION COMPLETED - and just like that the date is gone!)

I now have no dates left on the 2008 books. Everything else from this point forward will be done by wait-list, with no guarantees. Contact Robyn via the "CONTACT FORM" for waitlist information.

I am accepting booking dates for 2009 "belly to baby" and "365 days of baby" packages.

The new July 2008 newsletter was released last week! It features our new "baby's first birthday" package, the storybook fairytale session event coming in February (previously blogged here)...

...and the big news that I am now a featured photographer at The Knot / The Nest Baby's 2008 maternity "Bump Contest". I photographed one of the top-ten national finalists and her baby from Tampa Bay — and you can see part of the July 2008 prize-winning Buttons and Bows session featured on their website here. View all 4 pages at "The Bump"!


(To receive the monthly newsletter go to THE CONTACT FORM section of the website and enter your e-mail address in the subscription form.)

Buttons and Bows Photography is sponsoring renowned portrait artist Heather Lickliter of Stylized Portraiture in Athens for a week of storybook fairytale sessions — right here in Orlando from February 19-25, 2009.

It's a dream come true for your young fairy princess - book now and don't miss out!

More info about this special event here.

If you've wondered why things have been so quiet around here lately, this should be a nice little visual tutorial. Oh baby, what a May! Congrats to all of the new Buttons and Bows mommies and daddies! If you haven't checked out the Galleries recently, now is a great time to start. Several new photos have been added recently with more to come!

UPDATED 06.22.08:
Current availability located here. Don't delay - I'm now only booking sessions for 2009!

Two years ago today - April 30, 2006 - I shot my first-ever newborn photo session. So I guess you could say today is the birthday of Buttons and Bows Photography! The photo above was from that session and is one of my most-recognized images. It was inspired by my good friend Angela, of Angela Wright Photography in Richmond, VA.

In the here and now, the above photo is a teaser from a recent 8-month session with one of my 365-platinum babies. It's so much fun watching them grow up! You might remember her as the little baby girl in the Santa bag under the Christmas tree last year... You can see more images from this session in the "Lullaby and Goodnight" gallery.

And just in case you thought I'd forgotten, here's an update shot of my newly-redesigned office. This is the wall opposite the wrapping / packaging station shown previously. This desk is my workspace, and my husband's desk (for gaming and surfing) makes up the middle of the "U"-shape. This way, when I'm editing into the wee hours of the morning, we can still be together. Especially since it promises to be a very busy late spring!

The thing I'm most proud of in my new office will hang in the empty space above the the wrapping / packaging station. It's a photograph of me with my mother from 1976 taken by Glen Sanders (now deceased) of Sanders Studios in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

My grandmother owned a specialty maternity / newborn / infant / children's boutique called "Dene's Stork Shop" in the 1970s and 80s. This photo hung above her wrapping station until the day the store closed. Now it will hang above mine. Fitting since she provided my business model.

Unfortunately the years have not been kind to this heirloom and I'm in the process of having it restored. We know so much more about photo care and preservation now than we knew back then. Hiring a custom portrait artist is essential to protecting your family's memories for generations to come!

Ever wonder what the Buttons and Bows "headquarters" looks like? Guess no more! This is just a quick sneak-peek at my new office renovations. You're looking at my wrapping and packaging area in this photograph. The opposite wall (not shown here) has my new workstation. Just a few more items need to arrive and I'll post update-photos at the end of the month. See if you can spot one of your portrait-session masterpieces above!

I'm already getting availability-inquiries for Christmas 2008.

UPDATE as of 07.05.08: I have no more session dates left in this calendar year. Everyone who inquires may opt to be placed on a waitlist.

Have a hippety, hoppity Easter everyone!

The new Buttons and Bows Photography 2008 Style Guide is now online. Before your session you will be sent the link to this great web-guide in order to coordinate 'the look' for your maternity, newborn, infant / toddler, or family session. It even includes links to websites that will help you dress from head-to-toe!

Now accepting orders for the 2008 Buttons and Bows Photography desk calendar. Pages will be included through July 2009 so it will be a full-year set. More information here.