Joyce Smith Photography Blog

Here I am!

Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. :)

I had a fabulous, if-jetlagged, time in Las Vegas at WPPI. I attended wonderfully informative platform talks--I loved hearing Mike Colon for the first time and it was so lovely seeing Jesh speak again--and scoured the tradeshow floor (more on that soon!).  It was a whirlwind of vendors, friends and colleagues, parties, and . . . no gambling?  Truth be told, I did reserve an hour of the last evening there for some poker, but alas it was not to be.  I became quite ill (as did at least 10 other people I know--holy germs, Batman!) and had to concentrate not on the slots but on somehow getting myself to the airport in one piece.  Then my plane was delayed for 4 hours.  Ack. 

Fortunately, I am recovered now (as is my poor family, who of course got the lovely Vegas germs upon my return).  I've been spending an inordinate amount of time revamping things around here before the busy season proper begins.  (Quick note to clients--I am booking for May and June, so if you have your heart set on a spring session, now is the time!!)

But what's this you say?  Revamping things?  Yes indeed.  How about a new site? A fancy new blog?  Oh . . . and . . . a fantabulous new ordering system for clients?  All in the works!  Not to mention all of the *stunning* samples of goodies I found at the tradeshow and will soon have for clients.  It all started with the blog.  I thought, "Perhaps I'd like larger photos on the blog, and a better commenting section."  Before I knew it--like a person who repaints the door of their Victorian home and ends up doing a complete rehab--I was changing everything up.  But hey, that's what keeps life exciting, right?  I just would not be me if I didn't have something to research and improve.

By the way, do you know how many photos I took in Vegas?  About 5.  I kid you not.  Half of those were with my iPhone.  LOL!  I guess you could say I was officially off-duty or, more accurately, officially too lazy to carry all my gear on the plane and around the hotel. :)  However, here are a few more photos just so the blog doesn't feel too neglected.  These are from a family whose gallery goes up very soon.  Aren't these the most beautiful children?

Yes, I was able to fit one more session in before leaving for Las Vegas tomorrow!  I'm so glad that I didn't make my flight for today as I had originally planned, because this sweet little guy came early and I was lucky enough to photograph him and his adoring big sister this morning.  Here's a little sneak peek for C. & F.--it was lovely meeting you!

First up is 8-day-old Mr. C. If this doesn't give you baby fever, I don't know what will! : ) Click to see them larger.

And his sister Miss A. Thank you for showing me all of your stuffed animals, A.!

Finally, the proud big sister.  She told me she decided that having a baby brother was not so bad since now she will be the only princess. She added that this means not having to share Mommy's jewelry. Smart girl. ; )

Until next time . . . .

a day in the life of a big girl princess

This is what my daughter called herself today . . . a big girl princess.  And indeed last night was her first night in the big girl bed. So sweet and sad.  I don't really need to tell you how she fared . . . just check out the dark undereye circles.  Ack!  I have just been too busy this week to take photos of my own child as I prepare for WPPI and take care of some other tasks, but since I got a new lens in the mail earlier this week (for my photographer friend readers, it's this one) I thought a little "play time" to test it out was warranted.  So here are a few snaps from around the house today of the big girl princess M. Note: this is not the big girl bed.  The big girl bed will get its moment in the spotlight when the right bedding arrives. The big girl bed arrived 3 weeks early. Must stop saying big girl bed.

Meet my friend Kitty. I may be a big girl, but I still need my lovey. (btw, anyone have a spare of this lovey? we've never found one and live in fear each time Kitty takes a trip to King of Prussia.)

Here's the real kitty of the house, incidentally, the infinitely less squeezable and more cantankerous Hannah.

Later, the princess picks up her magic wand and takes a twirl.  She squealed with glee when this dress from Jen Jen arrived in the mail today.  HRH instantly declared that the "alphabet dress" must needs be donned. ; )

And finally, even a princess has to put her wand down occasionally for some sashimi.  I was playing around here and shooting from the hip, literally.  I think you can probably tell that I was not looking through the viewfinder and waving the camera wildly.  ha ha!!

reinvent the wing

A special announcement for all of my photographer friends who will be attending WPPI.  You absolutely do not want to miss Jesh De Rox's talk on Monday, March 17th.  It's at 7:30pm in the Gold Room at Bally's. I was lucky enough to hear a little bit of what Jesh's super-secret new project is all about when I saw him in Philly last month and--trust me--from the little bit I heard you will be BLOWN AWAY.  Read about it on Jesh's blog and I will see you there!!! Prepare yourself to be inspired. I can say no more. ; )

from Frost to Friedlander

Lots of little things to talk about today!  First up, another tiny sneak peek for the Y. family.  Look at this big boy pulling up in his crib--he was walking from side to side without holding on, too, and was incredibly proud of himself.  Go, little J.!!

For the past few days I've been working with a designer on a new fun project.  Here's a little peek of that . . . . I need to do a more recent shot of me + mini-me, but who has the time?  How sad is that?  As my mother says, the cobbler's kids go barefoot. ; )

The primary reason that I am running around like Chicken Little this week is that Sunday I am leaving for WPPI.  Woo-hoo!!

I've heard 10,000 wedding and portrait photographer attend this annual Vegas event, and I could not be more a-twitter.  The speakers! The colleagues!  The albums!  Yes, I am a total geek.  With apologies to all of my favorite English professors past (and I loved you all dearly), these are all the things I was supposed to feel about the MLA and never did.  LOL!!  I have a long list of people to see and vendors to scout, so I'm sure I'll be bringing back some exciting new somethings-or-other for clients.

Until next time . . . I have more albums to put together and, of course, miles to go before I sleep.  You see, Dr. Fick, I didn't forget everything! ; )

One.

Do you remember this adorable little guy?

This photo was taken six months ago, and today he turned one!  Here's a little sneak peek for the Y. family--I hope that the party was wonderful!

Check out these balloons.  He loved them!

Until next time!  Stay dry, everyone. : )

Oh for shame.

It has been too long since I last blogged--mea culpa!  It's been a busy week and I have been working on oodles of exciting changes that will be coming soon.  Yay!

My birthday Sunday was fun.  Saturday night I *finally* got to see Once (thanks, Netflix).  When I was in graduation school in NYC I think I averaged closed to 50 movies in the theater per year, but then I had my daughter and you know how that story goes . . . .  At any rate, adored Once.  I want to pontificate about it a bit more but I am just too tired. : ) Grafton Street, sigh!!

Sunday we went to church and then to one of my daughter's favorite restaurants--ha ha!  Honestly, it is, though.  A few months back we were leaving mass and the priest asked my father-in-law if we were all going to lunch at the golf club and my 3 year old said, "How about Georges instead?" Of course laughter followed--can a preschooler be pretentious? Nah. ; )

Sunday night I went to the *movie movies*, i.e. the theater.  And what did I find there?  Oh yes, more Irish goodness in U2-3D.  I keep calling this movie U2-3, which is something else entirely (and something I own . . . I confess it!)  Now if it's too late for me to analyze Once then It's way too late for me to start in on my infinite U2 adoration, so instead I'll just sign off instead with a photo of my man B.

Hope everyone had a fabulous week!