MIA -- Delaware Child Photographer

Dear Blog,

I'm sorry I've been neglecting you. I'm so far behind on so many things that I'm currently stuck beneath a giant pile of ... well ... everything. But, I promise to make it up to you next week. Plus, don't forget ... my two-year anniversary is coming up! December 1 marks two years for Precious Memories by Kate. That means I'll have to do a veeeery special contest right here on the blog for all my lovely readers : )

Yours truly,

Kate

p.s. Love the latest Improv Everywhere video ...

We Have a Winner -- Delaware Child Photographer

If you're a Precious Memories e-mail subscriber, then you saw the "buy an outfit, get a free session" offer that I sent out this afternoon. Basically, the first person to contact me who agreed to buy this outfit ...



... won a FREE regular session for his or her daughter (in the outfit, of course) at Brandywine Creek State Park. I hit send on the e-letter and then ran out to do an errand. When I got back, my inbox was full. Soooo ... without further delay ... the winner is ...

JOYCE KELLY!!!

Joyce, your daughter will receive a free photo shoot! I'll be in touch so we can set up a time that will work : )

Thank you to all the people who sent me an e-mail. I wish I could do this with everyone! But, I'll definitely be doing it again sometime soon. And I'll be doing another one in a few weeks with an outfit for a little guy. I'll be searching high and low to find something super, super cool! (Since we all know it's hard to find really cool boys clothes.)

If you haven't already signed up for my e-letters, you can do so here. It's the best way to hear about cool contests, casting calls, and giveaways before I post them on the blog.

Also, as I mentioned in the e-letter, there are two little doggies that need a good home ...

If you know anyone who would like more information about these guys, let me know : )

And lastly, I leave you with these two insanely cute pictures from a recent mini session. I had the best time with this family : )

Happy Tuesday!
Kate

Old New Castle Extravaganza -- Delaware Family Photographer

I hope you're curled up somewhere with a blanket and a warm beverage to sip : ) It's so chilly and wet out there. But last week, we actually had some dry days ... and the sun even (gasp!) came out. On one such day, I met up with Janet and her girls for a huuuuuge extravaganza of pictures. We braved the chill along the Delaware River in Old New Castle and I have soooo many pictures to share that I better just shut my mouth and begin ...

Let's start with these adorable sisters. They soooo know how to pose! ...

Don't you just want to reach into your computer and grab those cheeks?! ...

Ok, so this next one is one of my favorites from the day. I heart it BIG time ; ) ...

Oh, the light ... sigh ...

Here's Nanna and her girls (and one boy). The other boy had HAD it at this point in the day : ) ...

I LOVE this next one! Here's the lovely Janet modeling one of her many scarves : ) ...

It took Maliya a little time to warm up and start playing with her cousins. But once we found the leaf pile, the ice was broken. Although they absolutely covered her in leaves, they were also very willing to help clean her up : ) ...

These two are just so adorable! ...

I love how Janet is looking at her girls : ) ...

Brrr ... I'm feeling cold just looking at these again! It was veeeery chilly on the water that evening. But we braved it so that we could get some sunset shots.

I hope you girls like your biiiig preview : ) I had so much fun working with you all!

Happy Friday!

Kate

Awesome -- Delaware Photographer

Today I found this article on Dr. Mercola's site. It was originally taken from The Washington Post. It's a good lesson for us all. We're missing so much when we forget to slow down and enjoy what's right in front of us.

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On a cold January morning in a Washington, DC Metro Station, a man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time about two thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After three minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

Four minutes later, the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk. After 6 minutes, a young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again. After ten minutes, a 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

In the end, only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money, but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32. When he finished playing, no one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

The violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell had sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

The performance was organized as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and people's priorities. In a common place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do you perceive beauty? Do you stop to appreciate it? Do you recognize talent in an unexpected context?

If you do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, how many other things might you be missing?