School starts in the Fargo-Moorhead area in the next month! Summer seems to go by so quickly these days – when I was a kid they seemed to last forever. Now, as a parent, I feel like we’re in the time crunch to get so many things done and ready to go! It’s a bit overwhelming but exciting too.

School pictures are a big part of the beginning of the year, something some kids plan out days or weeks ahead of time – what to wear, how to do their hair – only to be put on a dark blue background, posed the same as every other kid in the school, and that freshly done hair combed straight and tucked behind ears. YIKES! While this is the way it’s always been, sort of a necessity of the new school year, it doesn’t have to be your child’s only picture for the year. Let me capture your child’s personality, in fun settings, with a variety of poses, and have some really neat – full sized wallet images to hand out to friends and family! Older kids think the big wallets are extra cool! And ask me about that metallic finish – it’s gorgeous!

I’m trying something different for the Back to School mini session special this year – I’m setting up two dates and two locations – you choose which suits you best!  The 20 minute sessions are quick but adequate, which is great for little ones. Online ordering makes the process quick and easy. Additional prints and products are also available.  A $160 value for $100!!

Here are the pretty details:

Sessions are from 8:30am and end at 11:30am each day. They are scheduled on the half hour.  Contact me for more details or to schedule your session for your child(ren) – These are going to be so much fun!

Today marks my 18th week of pregnancy! We are expecting precious baby #4 in the middle of December! James and I kept this little secret to ourselves for a few months before sharing with friends and family and the kids.  It was a bit tough to keep it all in sometimes but it was nice to hold onto something just for us for a little bit. Everything is going well and the little one is wiggling around just perfectly! We find out if we’re having a boy or girl in 2 weeks! We’re all really excited for that though between the 5 of us, our ‘wish’ list for gender all varies. I really can’t wait to share all about the baby and spend plenty of time snuggling and loving on an adorable little newborn! 5 months to go!

I did take a little break from sessions the past couple of months. Between exhaustion and nausea and keeping up the household no matter what, I just couldn’t do it. But I’m back into the swing of things now and am going to try to book as many sessions as I can handle all before October 21st this fall. This is a couple weeks shorter than my normal end of sessions for the year but as you can imagine, I’m going to need that time to finish sessions and sales and to get ready for a new baby and the holidays. I’ll also be taking the first few months of the year off and will be booking a limited number of sessions each month in 2011 to take care of the little one. Please plan ahead when planning for sessions!

To give a little boost to the session planning – I’m having a 4 day sale to celebrate or 4th little bundle! This is a good one – don’t miss out! Something I forgot to add – these credits can be used along side referral credits and other discounts you may have earned as well!

I’m taking a little break from river images this morning to plug a little business! I’m still looking for some brand new puppies to photograph, I’m extending the February Newsletter Special to the general public, and SIGN UP for the free e-newsletter – the March issue will be out soon! Contact me for more information about any of these little fun things – info@heidismithphotography.com

YES! I WANT THE NEWSLETTER!! [click]

Heidi Smith Photography on Facebook

Heidi Smith Photography SENIORS! on Facebook

It’s my birthday and I’m sharing it with you! Come celebrate with me and check out these cool specials!

The first newsletter has officially been sent out. Did you get yours? If not, sign up HERE!

This is such an awesome special – what a great way to get an early jump on planning your 2010 sessions! Class of 2011, it’s not too early to plan your senior session! Missed out on a family session for the holidays this year? Book it early for next year, don’t be left out again! Session discounts happen very rarely – I’d love to have so many people take advantage of this awesome special and have some wonderful images made of you and your family!

Have more questions – email me at info@heidismithphotography.com

Be a Facebook Fan!  Heidi Smith Photography Heidi Smith Photography SENIORS!

*And a note: there are no more available sessions for 2009 except for newborns.

A few days late but here goes…

[and don't mind all the battle wounds on my son - he's a fearless and determined boy these days! The skateboard usually wins.]

CONGRATULATIONS QUINN!! You’re the August winner of a complimentary session!

Thank you to all who entered this month and for all of the monthly contests. This does conclude the monthly contests but don’t worry – there will be other contests and giveaways from time to time!

I’ve been so busy editing and shooting that I have forgotten about the blog contest. September really snuck up on me! Since I normally give a few days notice for a last call for the contest – I’m going to do that today and then draw tomorrow! Remember, this is the last month for the monthly contest! I hope to do other things in the future and have had some really great sessions come from these winners!

go to this entry to enter the contest

To be entered in the August Blog Contest – please leave a comment to THIS ENTRY. Please use your first and last name and I can’t contact you if there isn’t a valid email address.

This months giveaway is once again a complimentary standard session of your choice to be used any time in the next 12 months! That’s a $100 monetary value but the lifelong value far exceeds that!

THIS IS THE LAST MONTHLY CONTEST – there will other random ones from time to time though!

And here comes the standard info that you’ll see in all these contest posts:

What do you comment about? Anything! Just say hi, share your thoughts, tell me about the weather, your family, ask me a question, or anything you want.

Are there any rules? Well, of course there are – but nothing major. If you live outside the Fargo – Moorhead area and you win, the session time is complimentary but the travel is not. We’ll have to discuss that when necessary. All complimentary sessions can be redeemed up to one year of the month you won. So if you won in July this year, you have until the end of July next year to redeem your session. The winning complimentary session and any other items won are non transferable. If you’ve already paid for a session, you can still enter! If you win, your session retainer will be applied to your print order!

So get commenting! Know that your name shows in the comment box. Your email address comes to me but I only use it to email you back if you win. I’m not a spammer! If you put a web address for yourself, your name becomes a hyperlink to your site – a great way to get some interest coming your way.

The winner will be drawn at the end of the month!