Last year was a great year for Hidden Gem.  I'm blown away when I think about how I started the year with less than 400 "likes" on HGP's Facebook page, and now I've more than doubled.  As has my clientele.  It's been unreal the amount of support I've felt from clients this year, so I wanted to do something special for you guys to thank you all. Since we all know it's the mom in the family coordinating and requesting pictures, (and usually taking them) I decided to hold a day of  FREE mini's for the moms who've commissioned me to do their pictures.  This offer extends to any of my past clients that have paid for a session (mini sessions excluded).  The mini's will be 10-15 minutes and ONLY for mom's and their kids (believe me, it's plenty of time!).  As always, you'll receive your digital images with print release.

We're jumping right in and meeting Farrow from MCAC and Decatur & Macon County Animal Foundation.  This gorgeous guy has been at the shelter for over a YEAR.  He desperately needs a home and to get out of the kennel permanently.  Since he's black, and big, he's more likely to get overlooked.   Look how pretty he lays down!

Philly is a boxer/pit mix, and tends to not be the best of friends with other dogs, but would love to be your new bestest bud.  This pup loves blankets to cuddle up in, and volunteers are confident house training is going amazingly well.  One look at those sad eyes will sway you to give Philly a chance.

 

Roamer cracked me up.  Being only one and a half , Beth from Miti Fine was a little worried about Roamer being still for pictures since he hadn't been out for the day. 

I love Christmas.  While hating the cold, I love the pretty snow, the colors associated with the holidays, Christmas lights, and just the feel the season brings.  So when Chelsea contacted me about miss Lita due mid December, I was thrilled to put an idea I had floating in my head into action. I absolutely love the colors of the basket, the reds, mistletoe & baby's breath (the flower crown and tie back were made by yours truly!).  So pretty!

Normally, I start the sessions with siblings, and have them picked up afterwards  so they don't have to sit in my boring, hot, white noisy studio.  But since the above setup took a tad longer to setup than usual, I had Asher hang out with us and watch what was going on.  He is clearly in love with his little sister, and was happy to cooperate when it was time for his pictures.   

So you all have already met Miss Myla, and her big brother Knox.  They were my first newborn session that took place in the client's home, rather than in my studio.  Since we did her pictures on a weekday, that didn't leave us with a chance to get the whole family together, so I went back the following Sunday. Myla is the rare baby that is ALWAYS awake, so we didn't even worry too much about trying to get her sleepy and posed.  She was alert and content the whole session.  For this session, we went for more a lifestyle approach since we were in her home.  I learned a ton about lifestyle photography that day.  As always, my main concern is baby safety, and we always made sure she was safe and sound! My computer is being super slow for whatever reason, so a gallery isn't am option at the moment. 

It's crazy how fast some animals get adopted, or fostered, and how some stay long term.  Not even a week ago, I photographed 24 dogs, and already, I've seen at least 4 find homes.  I'll try my absolute hardest to get these posts out faster, so all the pets have opportunities to be featured.

First up is Hexagon.  How this girl, with these ears is not curled up on someone's couch yet is beyond me.  While we wanted to focus on seniors and long term stays, I also had any volunteer I saw walking a dog come by to get them photographed.  Hexagon is estimated to be about 4 months old, and luckily has not been at the shelter long, and let's keep it that way.  She's playful, but listens well.  Give her a chance.

 

McNabbins, well he cracked me up.  Mostly because it took me like 4 tries to get his name right.