Personal – Picture Mommy - Photography by Marti Sears

A Very Full Life

Posted by marti on November 25, 2011, under Personal

This life I have is full. I rarely complain becuase I have carefully chosen each piece of it. But, I am the first to admit that I have a lot going on. So, In the middle of the "busy" season I decided to take a break and enjoy some family time. Last Sunday we packed up the car and drove to spend Thanksgiving with family in Missouri. 12 hours in the car with two non-stop-talking little girls is enough to drive any Mama crazy but, surprisingly, I found it mostly peaceful. This week has been full of all the things Home means to me. Naps, Runs and Books. To my girls Home means cookies, endless hugs and movie marathons. Here, we are all taken care of. Among the craziness of the season this family of mine is what brings me comfort every night and greets me with love every morning. I wish each of you a happy Turkey weekend and a life full of the things you choose to love.

Tagged Columbia, Columns, Cookies, Missouri, Mizzou, Photographer, Photography, Thanksgiving | Comments (0)

Off to work I go!

Posted by marti on September 4, 2011, under Personal, Photo Sessions

(Alternately titled, "What I did on my Summer Vacation")

Today is my first official Family Photo Session since July 6th. Almost two months. TWO MONTHS. And, it's with this CUTE little guy. If the rain would hold off until about 6:30pm that would be awesome. It's his first birthday this weekend, we have things to celebrate.

As I have mentioned before, I had surgery and had to take some time off. No hoisting kiddos, no chasing down toddlers. I did some freelance work, reconnected with friends, baked a lot, swam laps, read some books. Oh, and I watched a lot of TV. A lot of really bad TV. I should probably be ashamed of the TV I watched…but I'm not. Basically, everything on BRAVO. Especially, the Millionaire Matchmaker. She's funny, and a little cooky, and REALLY entertaining.

I tried to watch Dance Moms. Whoa! Didn't get past the first 10 minutes. Hello cray cray! If anyone talked to me or my girls that way punches would be thrown and I would be in jail. I don't watch that one anymore. It's wasn't good for me.

I baked. That was fabulous. Don't wanna brag, but I make some MEAN triple chip M&M cookies.

From the business-end taking the time off was good. I needed a mental break before the intensity Fall brings. I had to turn down some work, which is always hard and feels VERY counterintuitive. But, it was nice to step back and sit down. I had time to update my website banners (check 'em out…they are new), develop and implement a new pricing structure and connect with some super-cool local business moms (and their super-cool business).

I write this from a really good place. I am psyched about the Fall. I cannot wait to get families in front of my lens again. My year is starting anew and it feels like the best place in the world to be.

My last summer hoorah included American Flag Tiki Torches and a fire pit. In all honestly, I should not be trusted with a fire pit when wine and sharp hangers are involved. Eh, live and learn, right?

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Whadda Year.

Posted by marti on August 15, 2011, under Personal

I measure my year from July to July. December 31st never worked for me. It's too cold.

July has come and gone, I am preparing for the busy fall months and it feels like a new year to me. A new beginning.

These last four weeks I have had more time than usual in a quiet house with a quiet mind. Quiet is good for me. Quiet has given me a lot of time to think. The last year has been the busiest of my life…and the happiest. More laughs than tears, more smiles than frowns. More victories than defeats.

I have thought about fear and how it limits me. This is the year to push past fear.

I have thought about putting more of "me" out there. This is the year to be me.

And, I have taken some pictures. A friend roped me into helping him get an Art Gallery up and going. It's so fun. And so different. But, mostly fun. I have met amazing, crazy, cooky, wickedly smart people who otherwise I would not have. They have all taught me a lifetime of knowledge and wisdom in exactly six weeks. And, they let me photograph them non-stop. A photographers dream.

I am working on my Personal Project.

And, I am having So. Much. Fun.

With every single thing I am doing.

The fall always brings a hectic schedule. Which, I don't mind so much. The girls are OK with fewer clean clothes and Chris has to "cook" more meals. But, I love photographing on crisp fall mornings with my trusty gray jacket on (anyone remember that from last year?!? I wore it for about four months straight and totally plan to bring it back this year).

I'm happy the fall is coming. Me and fall really like each other.

And, just to be a bit more random. This is my best friend. I love her more than words and would be utterly lost without her.

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Beach!

Posted by marti on January 26, 2011, under Personal

On Sunday, I am turning 30. It was bound to happen and my husband thinks I deserve to celebrate on the beach (hooray for sand and sun!). For the first time since the inception PictureMommy Photography I find myself traveling to parts sans internet or cell phone access. If you shoot me an email or give me a call I promise to get back with you when I am back to work on Wednesday, February 2nd. Hasta Luego!!

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New Babies and Old Friends

Posted by marti on May 11, 2010, under Peanuts, Personal

There are some friends who stay with you. Despite time and distance (think continents) they are always a cherished friend. In college Leann and I lived almost next door to each other for a couple of years. I was in nursing school and she was in medical school and we would veg out at the end of the day, often talking about how tired we were (ha! obviously we didn't know about motherhood tiredness??). I would ask her a barrage of questions because she was (and still is), hands down, one of the smartest people I have ever known. I have so many great memories from those days, caulking the aunts out of her apartment is by far the funniest! Leann was the first person to know I was engaged and said she could tell by the way I knocked on her door.

After graduation I moved to Atlanta and she to Memphis. We talked sporadically, sent Christmas cards, had babies (me), got married (her). After Leann and her husband finished residency they moved to Kijabe, Kenya for two years to do medical mission work. I read her blog and missed her every day. There is something about having one of my best friends on the same continent that is reassuring.

On August 6th, 2009 I received a Facebook message from Leann telling me that she was pregnant. I was over the moon for she and Garry. I knew that she would make the most amazing Mama. In November they returned from Kenya and in March welcomed baby Lena into the world.

Over spring break I headed down to south Missouri to (finally) see Leann, meet Garry, meet Baby Lena and hang out with Alanna and TJ, two other super special college friends. The comfort gained from seeing old friends, talking and eating pizza is one of life's most precious gifts. Of course, Lena got her very own little photo shoot. She is precious beyond words. Love to you all! *hugs*

Tagged Atlanta, Atlanta baby photographer, Atlanta childrens photography, Atlanta family photographer, Atlanta family photography, Atlanta Maternity Photography, Atlanta newborn photography | Comments (0)

And…We’re Back!

Posted by marti on April 14, 2010, under Personal, Picture Mommy News

Whew! The website upgrade is complete and the process was not nearly as bad as I expected. Please take this opportunity to check out my new site. Everything is new and improved, but I am especially proud of the Gallery and my updated Session Info page.

This entire project started a few months ago when I got the hankering for a new logo. I wanted an object that would help represent me so I scowered iStock and found one that suited me. I handed over creative control to Chris and off he went. Once the logo was designed I decided I needed a new site and he dug into the depths of WordPress to create this little gem for me. We had a great time working on it together. He did an amazing job at making it very user friendly for me and integrated it in with the gallery service I already use.

To increase the flexibility of my photo sessions I have made a few changes to my offerings. To add some fun, I have re-named my sessions and added a third type of session which will work great for parents of young kiddos. I am now offering The Venti, The Expresso and The Short, check out their specs here.

In the next few days I am going to be posting about my new CD packaging and my business cards, they have been spruced up with my new look!

Of course we have to celebrate the release of PictureMommy 2.0, to do that I am offering 25% off any new session booking! The session has to be booked for sometime in the next four months, but book now and you will receive 25% off your session fee! When you contact me to book, just mention this blurb. I haven't decided how long I am going to offer this, so book now and get a nice discount!

And last, but never least. I wanted to say, "thanks" to all of my clients, friends and family for their unwavering support. Every day I am reminded of what a lucky girl I am. I wouldn't be here without Chris, or my friends or my amazing clients. Here's to many fun years ahead! *Cheers*

My Chris and my munchkins. LOVE. THEM.

Tagged Atlanta, Atlanta childrens photography, Atlanta family photography, baby, baby photographer, baby pictures, Families, Family photography, mini session, Picture Mommy, pictures | Comments (3)

Cards and Mini’s

Posted by marti on December 2, 2009, under Personal, Picture Mommy News

The Holiday Season at PictureMommy Photography is in full swing. I am finalizing Holiday Cards and editing like a crazy woman. I am so happy with how the Holiday Cards are turning out, adorable!

On Thanksgiving I took some time to get Holiday shots of my kiddos. I have a new appreciation for the prep work families put in to dressing and coordinating themselves before our shoots! I had a grand plan in my head. Ellie would be in a cream shirt with a cute little cream and tan stripped jacket. Megs would be wearing her “2″ t-shirt (her birthday was on Thanksgiving) with a long-sleeved shirt underneath it. Ellie would be in a denim skirt with leggings and Megs would wear jeans. I could go on and on about my “vision” but it doesn’t really matter because it was utterly foiled.

Both girls ended up wearing the shirts I wanted…but that was it. Any cute layering I had planned was thwarted by some equally cute (but not as holiday-card appropriate) $6 polka dot fleece jackets from Target in various shades of pink and purple. But, what’s a mom to do? It was Thanksgiving and I didn’t want to make anyone cry (least of all me). Here is what the girls thought about any plan I had…

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Thanks ladies, please have pity on your mother as you become teenagers. Oh, I forgot that Meggie refused to put her hood down for the first 1/2 of the pictures.

My family holiday shoot debacle aside, I still have a few openings for anyone looking for last minute holiday pictures. I was thinking I can do holiday shoots up until Wednesday, December 17th to reasonably have the images back in time for the holidays.

Also! If you have a picture you have taken and would like to put that into one of my holiday cards just let me know. You don’t have to do a photo session with me to order your holiday cards from me.

Hope you are having an awesome Holiday season so far. Enjoy!

Tagged Atlanta, Atlanta childrens photography, Atlanta family photography, Baby photography, Families, Family photography, holiday portraits, kids, mini session | Comments (0)

Away We Go!

Posted by marti on October 28, 2009, under Personal

Sometimes in life you happen upon friends who see you through it all. I found my friends by accident when I was a scared and exhausted new mom. During the last four years we have seen each other through hard times and celebrated the good times. We have watched our friends move away hoping one day they’ll be back. We have dinners and drink wine and babysit for each other, knowing it really does take a village to raise our kids.

Last weekend we had the rare opportunity to leave the kids with our hubbies (and aunts and grandparents) to take a few days for ourselves. We ate seafood and drank strawberry margaritas and laid on the beach. It was an amazing time to be with friends and sleep in. Thanks to my girlies for a great weekend, let’s do it again soon!