StAnD OuT in 2009

If you are as pAssioNate (obsessive) about having your holiday card stand out as I am, please check out our NeW DeSign options, Card Sizes & FiNishEs for 2009!! We have several flat, folded & photographic options along with finishes in linen, watercolor, pearl, etc. We have also dropped the prices to compete with online distributors, so you have No ExcUsE not to have your very-own-one-of-a-kind-no-one-else-will-have-it card this SeAson!

Holiday sessions are filling quickly for 2009. Please call or email for your appointment today!

StAyinG FoCuseD,
Jamie

The Perfect Recipe

The Perfect Recipe

If I could have the recipe for the perfect photography session, it would include the following ingredients: one part loving couple awaiting a very special baby, one part amazing setting in which to photograph, two parts beautiful subjects inside and out, a cup of seamless session with no interruptions, only a handful of outfit changes, mix in a lot of laughter, and bake until you've captured every sweet & precious memory surrounding this miraculous experience. (Be quiet all of my close friends who know I had the hardest time coming up with recipe lingo - your comments won't change anything).

That is precisely how I would describe the maternity session I had with two amazing restaurant owners recently. This husband and wife team were wonderful to work with and were very willing to go with the flow throughout the entire session. They opened up their restaurant, (which, by the way, has the very best caesar salad in the world - just the right amount of dressing ALWAYS and the perfect lettuce crisp...wait, what were we talking about?) for the session and it created such an unexplainable intimacy.

This couple is so excited about their baby girl that it radiated in their faces, bodies, etc. Their love for one another was also very evident, which was truly a gift for me.

I didn't have to try at all to evoke emotion or love or caring or happiness, etc. Everything was so genuine and I felt blessed to be in the presence of something so beautiful.

Just look at them! Precious.

I thought this one was especially perfect. The baby had just kicked and I love how it's always such a surprise to a pregnant mother (even after the 1000th time!).

Gorgeous

I love her smile, as I know it's authentic. This was shot outside the restaurant.

http://www.pmaddens.com/

I cannot thank you enough, P & T, for such an incredible experience. I know your baby will be so blessed and will be loved like no other. I can't wait to meet her in May (will she be too little to enjoy a caesar with me?).

Staying Focused,

Jamie

Facebook Guidelines for Kraus Photography Clients

This could be your profile picture

For all of my savvy facebook clients who have inquired... You are welcome to choose ONE photo from our session to use as your profile picture on facebook provided that you (1) are a 'fan' of the Kraus Photography page on FB, (2) reference both our website and our facebook page somewhere on your wall at least once, and (3) do not upload more than ONE photo onto your page. In return, I am more than happy to upload several photos from your session on the Kraus Photography facebook page for you to share with your friends if you would like - all you need to do is ask. (This goes for old and new sessions). Thank you for respecting these guidelines and I look forward to seeing your beautiful profile pics circulating soon! :)

Staying Focused,

Jamie

Senior Moments

Senior Moments

I've said it before and I'll say it again, but I absolutely adore seniors. It is so fun for me to walk down memory lane (and at this point in my life, I have to really REACH for the memory part). Just thinking about all of the excitement and anticipation these seniors are feeling brings a huge smile to my face.

When I showed up for this senior session the other day, my client was perched in front of the mirror with 2 helpers in tow (apparently because mascara looks better when applied by a close friend). She had all of her potential outfits laid out on the bed and was completing the finishing touches on her make-up. One of my favorite parts of photographing seniors is that there is this incredible opportunity to fully express one's individuality through clothing, location, accessories, etc. No two sessions are ever alike, which keeps it exciting.

This particular senior was very confident, but at the same time was able to ask for opinions from her friends. I loved the mix of self-assurance and vulnerability when it came to her choices and expressions. She was extremely easy to photograph and had amazing features to work with(piercing blue eyes and incredibly white teeth). Crest strips eat your heart out.

Most importantly, she had an amazing smile and I had so much fun listening to she and her friends talk about spring break, facebook, texting, and all things young. (Somehow the youth is strangely absent when I discuss the exact same topics with my friends).

Towards the end of our session, she changed into jeans and a t-shirt and put her hair 'as she always wears it'. She plopped right down in this comfortable chair and you can almost feel how genuine this smile is.

In the shot above, she was laughing at one of her friend's comments...one of my favorite times to capture the real deal.

This was shot indoors - she wanted to wear one of her favorite black dresses for a photograph to give to her grandmother. Again, I had her sit down and loved the effect it had as she looked out the window.

Are you kidding me? Do I have to even say anything here? Gorgeous!

All in all, this was a fun session full of life, laughter and lots of clothes! Thank you to my amazing senior for making it so easy. I wish you the very best on the remainder of your journey and feel blessed I was able to capture this important time in your life.

Staying Focused,

Jamie

PS: Where do I sign up to have 2 of my closest friends assist me all day?

Find us on Facebook

Let's just say I always get there, but it just might take me a bit longer to arrive. Kraus Photography can officially be found on facebook, so please take a minute and become a fan! (And while you are there, please waste HOURS searching for your 4th grade boyfriend or college crush....so worth it).

Staying Focused,

Jamie

Freedom at Last!

Holiday Photo Sessions are COMPLETE!!!!

Please enjoy some of my favs from 2008 (more to follow):

Freedom at Last

It finally happened. I went to my computer yesterday and realized that my Christmas orders had all been placed and that I had no more cards to design. I have to admit I felt a little lost and without direction. After that millisecond passed, however, a feeling of overwhelming joy took over and I could taste freedom in all its glory. Freedom from photoshop, freedom from decisions about stripes vs. dots, freedom from uploading & downloading (I still don't know the difference, by the way), and freedom to enjoy the holiday with my family.

Please don't get me wrong, my dear clients. I thrive on deadlines and pressure, and actually invite this chaos into my world every Christmas season. I actually do love taking holiday pictures. Every September/October I gear up for the holiday kick off knowing that I won't stop for 3 solid months. I liken it to the feeling you have right before summer - except without the pool, the kids, the sunscreen, the heat, etc. I digress. It is so worth it when I get to see how much your kids have grown in a year, or I get to meet a new baby, or most of all when I get to hear your kids laugh at my silly jokes. You are the reason I come back year after year.

HOWEVER, freedom is nice and is very welcome at my party. So what will I do with my new found freedom? Address and send out MY Christmas cards, shop for my kids' presents, look at Christmas lights with my family (have you checked out the house on Congressional?), listen to holiday music and soak in all that is CHRISTMAS. I love this time of year, as I'm sure you do too, and I hope you receive so much of the joy you have brought me. The merriest of Christmases to you!!

Staying Focused,

Jamie

Old Friends, New Kids

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I just returned from San Antonio where I got to visit with some old friends and take pictures along the way. Let me just say that if you haven't spent some quality time with friends lately, please schedule some immediately! It is good for the soul. So much so, that I came home and made a playlist of songs that will remind me of this time. There is something very special about the friends you made in college and before you had kids. I guess that is the last time you are just you. No little people following you. No interrupted phone calls. Unlimited time for lunches. Shopping for hours just for the right accessory (ones that do not involve disney characters). Time to analyze life with a clear brain. Time period. You get the picture.

But then someday your life changes and you have these mini folks to care for. And as if one is not enough, you keep having more and more.

And once they smile and laugh and carry on conversations with you, you realize it is all worth it.

Anyway, I was fortunate enough to not only spend time with my friends, but also with their little ones. I love observing - obviously since I've made a career of it - and watching my closest friends parent their offspring this past week/weekend evoked a large amount of pride. My friends are amazing people and I love seeing who they have created and how much love they have for their kids. It was inspiring.

Here's to good friends, great kids & ongoing memories with the ones you love

(animated characters included).

Staying Focused,

Jamie