Blue-eyed Beauty!

"K's" Mom decided to take advantage of the warmer

weather we had yesterday....it was in the 40's, which is

very strange for December in Michigan!

Anywhoo- "K" and I ran around town & took

these shots. She was such a natural & I

couldn't get enough of her eyes popping!

Afterwards we went to the Veni's candy store

and got rock candy and chocolate covered

orange peels...mmmmm!

Thanks "K!"

WINNER!!!!

Well, I am a little late in posting my winner for my contest.
I had so many awesome submissions, but this one really touched
my heart....... Just a short time before Christmas, the Solloway
family of Niles lost their home to a fire. I received a call due to my
membership with Niles Service League and my husband and I
went shopping for them. I kept thinking the entire time of all of
the little things that they would have to replace....I can't even
imagine. Well, someone else was thinking of them too! I received
a heart-felt submission about this family and this person was
especially concerned that they had lost all of their precious photos!
I decided after meeting with them, that I am just the person to help
them get some new photos! The person who submitted requested to
remain anonymous, but I wanted to say THANKS for your submission
and CONGRATS to the Solloway family and I'll be in touch soon!

Fun in the FROST

It was sooooo c-c-c-o-o-o-l-d

on Monday, but we had so much fun

getting these shots! I love it when

families are up for an adventure...

During our shoot I fell right on my butt!

The boys have been trained well...they

were so polite and even though I was

laughing, they never even cracked a

smile! I told them they could, it really

was like one of those cartoons when you

see the legs scrambling underneath you..

thankfully, I didn't get hurt! hahaha!

Cool card!

The kids and I spent this am playing with this cool card.....check it out!

OMGoodness...

I had to share this.....
Today is my brother's birthday and my youngest son, Adison{5},
wanted to call and wish him a Happy Birthday.

I said, "sure, but hurry up because Grandma got run over by a reindeer is on."

His eyes got really big and he repeated very loudly, "GRANDMA GOT
RAN OVER BY A REINDEER?!"

Caiden & I said, " Yes......."

Adison said, "GRANDMA WHO???!!!

Caiden & I were cracking up and explained to him that it was a movie :)

$20 Style Change...

The boys decided last summer to grow out

their mohawks into a shag-style hair do.

Dad has been trying to convince them to go

back to at least a spike-do, as he is not a fan

of the shag look. Last night, he offered Caiden

$20 to get it cut. He is finally considering it....

I personally LOVE the shag look...should I

offer him a higher bid to keep it? I think

this kid is pretty smart.......

Aside from the bet, look at how much he has

changed in the last year.....

Here in January 2008, he had teeth....

This pic is December 2008...

In March, he lost his first front tooth...

If you look closely, you can see the new

one finally coming in! He looks so much

older....I could cry.......

Better choices....

So, it's after 1am.....usually if I am awake at this hour,
I am snacking on something. Something bad. Chips & dip,
Little Debbie cakes, you catch my drift. Well, tonight, I
reached for a strawberry orange sunrise Yoplait Light...

It doesn't compare to my ruffles & french onion dip...
or a plate of doritos with melted cheese....but it is pretty
tasty :) I guess every little good choice makes a difference.

I want to be healthy, don't you??

Family storyboard idea

This is a pic of my Sister-in-law and her family....

I am lucky to have them in my life & can't wait

to spend more time with them over the holidays :)

Meet miss "A!"

I picked up "A" from school and we snuck a session

in before her school dance on Friday! She not only

was excited about the dance, but she was

celebrating her 14th birthday and having a

party with her girlfriends the next night!

"A," I had so much fun with you, I always love

your energy! I told you that your pics were

great, just look at them!!!

Cute Storyboard!!!

Kaleigh was one of my Niles Senior Reps....

I loved her sense of style and thought her

storyboard looked adorable....I think I would

also love this with some pink polka-dots too!

Soooooo many options!!!!

Christmas Bliss.......

Heather and I got together last week & designed her

Christmas cards....the front of them. I surprised her

by adding a back to them as well. Now that she has

seen them, I can share :)

This is the front.....

This is the back......

I already ordered....

I couldn't help it.

I ordered this as an 11x14 canvas.

This is the storyboard.....I LOVE doing these!

I got a little side-tracked...

Today when I picked Caiden up from school,

my hubby called and asked if I could stop

and grab some milk on my way back home.

I realized I did not have my purse & had to

stop home first. I quickly had Caiden grab his

vest & hat I had wanted to photograph him in

& my camera for a quick shoot. The weather

was a little warmer today, so I decided not to

skip the opportunity.

Anywhoo - I always enjoy my *alone*

time with him. He is such a kind soul.

So caring and intelligent. He told me that

he wants to be a photographer when he

grows up so we can work together.

Hearing that, just melts my heart.

I can't believe he'll be eight next month...

So, after the brief session, we stopped for an oil change.

An hour an ten minutes after Carey called, we showed up

with the milk :) Thankfully, my hubby is used to

me getting *side-tracked.* Usually when I "make a

run for Walmart" he says, "You're not coming back,

are you?" I just laugh at him.....very evil-ish-ly :)

{GiveAway!!} Tis the Season!

With the holiday's quickly approaching....the spirit of the season is
weighing heavily on my heart. Last weekend, I was so proud of my
two oldest who rang the bell for Salvation Army. They will also be
helping to wrap gifts for families that have been adopted through
my ladies group, the Niles Service League, on Monday.

BUT, there's something else I would like to do for someone YOU know.

Do you know someone who deserves a photo session? Someone
who may be working multiple jobs to support their family?
Someone who was laid off and simply cannot afford to have
pics taken? Someone who is always thinking of and helping others?
Whatever the case. Tell me who. Tell me why.

Here are the Rules:

The person must reside in Berrien or Cass County in MI or
St Joseph or Elkhart County in Indiana.

The winner receives a $250.00 print credit
YOU receive a $100.00 print credit
(Print credits are for portrait sessions only & exclude weddings)

Send me your nomination via email at: LoriDBaxter@hotmail.com
Please use CHRISTMAS as your subject
Include contact info for you & the nominee

I cannot wait to hear from you!!!!!

Winner will be announced on Christmas EVE!

Feedback.....I LOVE it!

This was a nice message I received from a recent client.....

Dear Lori,

We received the pictures on Friday, and they are wonderful. I hadn't looked at the proofs for a while, and had forgotten how charming the whole collection is. Certainly you have given us a great memory group. We think the boards turned out beautifully, and will make great gifts.

It has been a real pleasure working with you. Hope you and your family have great holidays. And that you continue to have good, good business. We'll call when we need you.

Fondly,

Ida & Yates

Thanks to the two of you for allowing me to capture your grandsons! I am honored
that my prints will be given as holiday gifts and cannot wait to hear about the reaction!
Next time we will need to include the two of you as well!

More of Santa's helpers.....

I have a santa suit that fits 3T & a Christmas tutu

dress that fits from 24mo - 5 years that are available

for you to use during your session!!!

This one we'll call "NO PEEKING until Christmas!"

You can tell little "N" is enrolled in dance class!

What a sweet pose she did....without any instruction!

Truly a joy....

A few years ago, my Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law

adopted their two girls. I was very inspired & decided

that I wanted to offer a free session to all adoptive families

within the first year! I wanted to capture the pure joy that

these families feel and hope to convince other families to

consider adopting as well!

This family below is one of those special families!

I must say, "A," is the fastest 9 month old EVER!

hahaha! He kept all of us hopping! But he was so fun

to capture and I keep hearing his little giggle in my head!

Mom was asking me about backdrops before I arrived at

their home and I reassured her that her settings would be

just fine! I always appreciate seeing bits of families surroundings

in their home, rather than a white backdrop.

Makes it much more personal!

Thanks so much for the opportunity to meet your family!

God Bless!

This is my absolute favorite!!!!

Look at him laughing & Mom has a great smile too!!!!

{Santa} Baby


All I want for Christnas is my two.....bottom teeth? :)

Christmas is coming!!!!

Can you believe how quickly it is approaching?

Thankfully, I have a little helper! It's so nice

that I can take her shopping and wrap in front

of her for the other kids and she does not have a

wide enough vocabulary to "share" with them yet :)

I have been busy with Christmas pic & jewelry orders,

& of course editing, editing, editing!!!! I am thankful,

even during the busiest times! I have some recent

sessions I will be sharing soon!