One of my favorite things is to see the reaction on my client’s face when she (or he) gets to see their session album for the first time. I have to admit that my grip tightens a little when they try to take it away from me though. And, if my FedEx guy thought I was a little loopy for nearly tackling him when he brings a framed wall portrait, he’s probably considering a restraining order after delivering an album! I guess he’s not the hugging type. :)

What’s not to love? From the supple feel of the leather cover to the textured accent of the fun, personalized two-tone material, to the sleek look of the brushed, aluminum cameo plate, this premium album makes an impression. Offered in a wide variety of elegant styles, never bland or boring, made with beautiful, quality materials, I am assured that my clients are getting the stunning, high-end product they want and deserve. Lastly, the true test for me is that I am thrilled to have my work displayed in them.

This sweet little girl will have this album to treasure forever. What a wonderful gift from her parents! Of course her mama isn’t handing it over anytime soon, and who could blame her? I know my kids will have to pry theirs out of my cold, dead hands. They know it too!

I adore this child. I’ve photographed her and her older sister before, and I am amazed at how much they both have grown and matured. This was a beautiful day of celebration and she was so excited and happy. And patient! I photographed her with a number of her adoring fans (her relatives), and she was a real champ. Of course her most adoring fans, her parents, were so proud and happy too. Thank you for allowing me the great honor of capturing this special occasion for all of you!

These are some of my favorite images from the session.

There is still time to book a session for your little Communicant! Although sessions are limited, I do have weekday (after school) openings as well as 2 time slots available on Saturday, May 14th.

To find out more about the Communion session collections and to reserve your appointment, please email or call 516.280.3471.

Give that special someone the gift they will enjoy and treasure for a lifetime. The gift of professional portraiture lasts forever; long after the flowers have wilted, and the chocolates have been eaten (and have gone to our hips).

Gift Certificates make great gifts for a baby shower, a new baby, a special birthday, mother’s or father’s day, a high school graduation or just because!

Johanna Sophia Photography gift certificates are available in any denomination. They come ready to give to the recipient, wrapped in a pretty petal envelope with ribbon.

To purchase gift certificates, please email me at: johanna@johannasophia.com.

Buy one frame at regular cost and get the second frame of equal or lesser cost for 30% off! Both frames must be purchased at the same time, but can be different sizes, colors, have different trim styles, etc.

You do not need to be a current client or to book a session in order to take advantage of this offer. However…

If you book a regular or newborn session during the month of January (for a date within the next 90 days), you will automatically be entered into a random drawing contest for a free 8×8 frame in the color of your choice with either straight or wavy trim. Session must be paid in full at time of booking.

Isn’t that exciting?!

Frames are available in many colors and combinations, and in a full range of sizes, squares and rectangles from 8×8″ to 24×30″. Please contact me for details and to place an order. This sale will not be repeated. Don’t miss it!

Sale ends 5PM on January 31st, 2011. All orders must be paid in full at the time of order.

upper right: 10×20” Baby Blue Ice/Vanilla Bean straight trim
3rd row left: 11×14” Cotton Candy Pink/Vanilla Bean wavy trim
3rd row right: 20×20” Vanilla Bean/Granny Apple Green wavy trim
bottom left: 8×8” Black Licorice/Vanilla Bean wavy trim
bottom right: 10×20” Granny Apple Green/Bubblegum Pink wavy trim

Johanna Sophia Photography                   johanna@johannasophia.com             516.280.3471

I am looking forward to introducing new products, and I have many new ideas and plans I hope to implement in the coming year as well. Here is a little sneak peek.

Frames
I had unofficially added a beautiful frame line to my boutique product selection in the fall and I am just now adding another line about which I am equally thrilled. Both frame lines are fresh, fun and different, and available in so many fantastic styles, colors, and combinations. There is something for everyone! My sample order has been placed, and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new frames! I had searched for quite some time for just the right products that I believe truly compliment my work: I am so excited to have finally found them, and am now able to offer them to my clients! I will make a more official announcement soon, but if you are interested in frames for any of your session images, please let me know. The few clients that saw samples during the holiday season are now (or have plans to soon be) the happy owners of their own gorgeous framed prints! Myself included! :)

Mini Sessions
A successful format during the holiday season, I plan on offering more mini session opportunities during the year. Mini sessions are great for baby’s first year (4 months, when sitting up on their own, 1 year), milestone occasions such as the start of school, holidays, Mommy & Me, Daddy & Me, birthdays, an engagement session, bridal portraits, head shots, etc. Mini sessions are 20-30 minute sessions for up to 3 people, and not for babies under 4 months. Dates, offer details, and restrictions to be announced.

Snap Savvy Photography Workshop
As some of you already know, I have been teaching digital photography classes to elementary school age children for the past 3 years through our local school district’s creative arts program. Now, Johanna Sophia Photography will be hosting group workshops for moms and dads that want to learn how to take better photographs of their kids. This is an introduction to photography that will cover the basic principles of digital photography in a simple, straight forward manner. There will be many tips and tricks on how to improve your photography using the camera you already own. Private, group classes and one-on-one classes will also be available for those that have scheduling conflicts with the workshop dates, or for those who just prefer a more personalized experience. I love to share my love for photography and cannot wait to get started! The workshop particulars are being finalized and I will be announcing the dates and details shortly.

And to celebrate the beginning of a new year, an image of a new little life that arrived mid-fall. What a sweet and adorable, yummy little baby girl!

I will post more images from her newborn session tomorrow.

Happy New Year! I wish you peace, love, joy, laughter and the opportunity and good sense to appreciate it all!

Sessions will be held on the half hour, on Monday (Columbus Day), October 11th from 10:30AM to 3PM.

If you’re interested in booking a mini session for Monday at Old Westbury Gardens, please contact me right away! You can email, or call me at 516.280.3471.

Please note: If you are not a member of the Gardens, there is an admission fee. Please check their website for specific information. Of course you can become a member and enjoy all the benefits the Gardens have to offer!

For my mini sessions, those taking place at Old Westbury Gardens or elsewhere, you may select from 2 collections, Dashing Through the Snow and You Better Not Pout.

The Dashing Through the Snow collection allows the use of 2 digital images for a holiday card purchased through either Tiny Prints, or from one of my personal favorite design studios, SilverBox Creative Studio.

The You Better Not Pout collection includes 50, 5×7 flat, press-printed cards. There are lots from which to choose and I like to color-coordinate them to your images, when possible.

Detailed information about the offerings can be found here.

Here’s one of my new collections of holiday cards, BE BRIGHT. These cards are bright and cheerful, fresh and fun, and look great when printed on yummy pearl card stock. My favorite!

Her photo session immediately followed the church ceremony, in the small window of time and opportunity just prior to her party, which I also photographed!

This event was a fabulous feast for the senses. From start to finish, every thoughtful detail was lovingly planned by her also beautiful mom, and was thoroughly enjoyed by a friendly crowd of family and close friends.

Kudos too to Sans Souci in Sea Cliff, Long Island for providing a spectacular venue.

So pretty!

Her dress was so elegant too!

This image is one of my favorites!

When photographing an event, I love to capture the details of the day, and storyboards are a great way to display them. They are very popular with my clients, come in various sizes, can be rectangular or square in shape, and can be finished in several different ways. Aside from a print, a storyboard can be a gallery-wrapped canvas { gorgeous! } or, in a product newly added to my line, a padded and wrapped, specially coated print that is mounted so that it stands out from the wall like it is floating. You have to see it to truly appreciate it; I will have pictures of this new product up on my blog next week. A few clients have already ordered and received theirs, and we have all been very pleased with the results!

The 20″ square Communion storyboard I designed incorporates session images as well as those showing some of the details from the party. (I’ve blocked out the name, in case you’re wondering, as I try not to include names, particularly children’s names in my posts.)

Thank you to the family for allowing me to celebrate with you. I am excited to create your session album as a lasting keepsake of this momentous event in your daughter’s life!