The Jones ~ (Family)

One of the techniques I have been working on lately is getting proper lighting when I shoot in the shade, especially when I shoot into the sun. It's taken a bit of practice, but I was very glad I had this new skill up my sleeve for this family session. It was a beautiful, sunny day... a bit too sunny for my friends here to face the light. (I don't blame them!) But we still got lots of great shots... and even a bit of sun flare. And anyway, this family is so beautiful, it was not hard to take good pictures of them. :-)

Win a Free Photo Session!

**UPDATE** This contest is now closed and completed. Thanks to all who participated, and all who have come to visit my blog here! Hope you'll come visit again. :-)

How would you like FREE pictures with Mirrors of Life Photography?* Well, it just so happens that in honor of my birthday (one week from today), I am giving away one full portrait session: 1 to 1.5 hours at the location of your choice, a minimum of 20-25 fully edited digital images on a CD, and special discounts on custom Christmas card designs and prints**, all for FREE!

To enter:

-- Submit your name, the address of your Facebook profile page (so I know where to find you on Facebook) and a photo of yourself, your family, or one of your family members to represent your entry in the contest by email to mirrorsoflifephoto@gmail.com.*** (Nothing fancy required for your picture... a Facebook profile pic will do fine. This is not a contest of who has the best picture. :-)) Please note that I will be tagging you in your photo when the contest begins unless you request otherwise.

-- Entry submission will close one week from today at 10:00pm Eastern Time on November 1st. Then head over to my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/mirrorsoflifephoto, and the voting for your photos will begin! Each "like" underneath your picture counts as a vote. So grab your family, friends, Facebook acquaintances and gather yourself up some votes!

-- Voting will then be held from approximately 9:00am on Nov. 2 until Nov. 8 at 10:00pm Eastern Time.

-- Winner will be announced shortly after the voting closes at the time above.

-- Free photo session may be held anytime between Nov. 13, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2012. So plenty of time and all seasons are available!

(Please note that you will NOT gain votes by sharing your photo on your own page and having people "like" the link. They must go to the Mirrors of Life page on Facebook and "like" the page in order to "like" your photo as their vote.)

NOTE: If entries are insufficient to warrant a contest (less than 5), the contest will be cancelled. So please share with your friends to make sure we make it happen!

*Available only for those in the areas of Raleigh, NC and Leesburg / Winchester, VA. (Scheduling will be limited for those in VA, as I live in NC and visit the Northern VA area a handful of times per year.)

**Same discounts as for those who book a full session: $5 off design, 20% off print order.

***Please note that by emailing me with this info, you will NOT be placed on any kind of mailing list, have your information shared, or receive any emails from me pertaining to anything other than this contest. I highly value my own privacy, so I will do my best to respect yours as well.

Baby Allie ~ (Newborn)

I am very excited to display the results of my very first newborn photo shoot. This little beauty was unusually awake and alert for her session, despite the fact that her mama says she normally sleeps through the whole period I was there! But no matter... it gave me plenty of opportunity to get some great shots of her beautiful baby blues. I know it's been a good shoot when I pull up one picture after another and think, "This may be my new favorite picture ever..."