Chocolate Covered Christmas

Doesn't that just sound yummy? South Auburn is hosting a Chocolate Covered Christmas tonight. There will be tons to do and lots to eat - so bring your empty tummy and your big ol' appetite!!

I will be at Paint It Priceless doing Christmas photos. I have a bunch of different "frames" for you to chose from and a 4x6 is priced at only $5!! The images will also be on my all new online ordering cart starting on Monday for easy shopping!

See you tonight!!

Samples of two of the frames:

Wittmann Grandchildren

The Wittmann family gathered for Thanksgiving and Grandma (Joan) decided this would be a perfect "grandkid" photo op. She and Dennis have BEAUTIFUL grandchildren and they should be very proud - they were all perfect angels during our shoot!

Thanks everyone!!

Ashley & Crew

Wednesday I had the priveledge of doing family photos for Ashely (Volkmer) & Shane Conner and their beautiful little boys. We met up at the Volkmer residence in Neb City and headed off to have some fun! I felt at home wrangling two rambunctious little guys....

Thank you Ashley & Shane, I hope you had a Happy Turkey Day and have a safe trip back to

Chicago!

Intoducting to the World....

Little Miss Ryelynn came into this world on Tuesday, November 11th. She is the newest addition to my husband's side of the family - and the only girl - poor thing. She will be surrounded by 6 boys who will protect her and teach her how to play swords and wrestle. Ha!

I had the pleasure of doing newborn photos of her this morning. She was so precious, but I believe she had a bit of a tummy ache - as she was out of sorts. She just would not settle down - but we were still able to get some wonderful shots.

Thank you Leah for bringing her over and Congrats to you!! Love you bunches!

Baby, it's cold outside!

Today the Wright family and I braved the cold temps outside!! As you may remember, Megan the Witch, was the winner of the Halloween Mini Session contest. Jodi wanted to get these family photos done before winter and I think we just barely squeezed it in! We had a cold, but great day - no wind today - which is a blessing considering we have had nothing but blustery cold days lately! Hello Winter!!

If anyone is still wanting photos done for Christmas - you must BOOK NOW! Just because we may not be able to head outside doesn't mean you are out of luck, I have studio space that will work just fine! But really, if you want these done, you must book your session ASAP!!

Thanks Wrights - I love you guys!!

Christmas Card Sample -

Did I say to get your sessions book soon??

This gave me baby fever!

But not bad enough to really act upon it. :)

Maxcey & Matt Smith are expecting their first child this month and I am sooo excited for them!! She decided to do my Belly & Baby Plan which includes 5 sessions (maternity, newborn, 3 months, 6 months & 1 year) and also a 5x5 leather album with 10 custom double sided pages!! How cool is that!! So, get ready for lots of little baby Smith here on my blog!

Congrats Maxcey & Matt!! Can't wait for "the call"!

The Bradleys

The Bradley family had another top 10 fall day for their photo session. We were VERY lucky the weather held out for us - because after a couple of rescheduled appointments due to flu & wisdom teeth (ouch!) we still had a great day!

We had planned to do some photos in their own yard, but all of their trees had been stripped and it didn't look very good - so we took off for Brownville. That town is SO cool. I could find a thousand places to shoot there.

Thanks everyone - you are one gorgeous family!




I really love the image above - it just feels so real.

In Memory

To all of you who have been patiently waiting to view your images, get your final order or get in contact with me... I apologize for my absence. Things will get back on track this week!

Ben's grandmother Mamie Hall passed away last week and her funeral was this past Wednesday & then my grandmother, Marge Nichols, passed away on Monday & her funeral was on Friday. Whew...it was a long, family filled week.

We had two beautiful services honoring two of the most wonderful, inspiring women. They both raised large families (10 & 14 kids!!) and they both were the "glue" of their families. They will be deeply missed.

Mamie's funeral was centered around her favorite prayer - the Serenity Prayer. It is a beautiful prayer that I had heard many times, but the true beauty of it had never hit me until I was sitting in the church during her funeral. It is a lovely message...

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.
Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr


Mrs. Marjorie Barbara Nichols

Mrs. Mamie Evelyn Hall

Joe

I think this may be my last senior session of the year. (insert a sad me here) I LOVE LOVE LOVE shooting seniors and am really looking forward to next year!

Joe, his mom and I took off for another kick a** photo "safari" on Friday - we had one of the best fall days EVER!

Thanks Joe!

The Graftons

Here is a family that almost feels like my own. I love these guys and am so happy for them all - look at all those beautiful babies!! I believe Diane got her wish with a house full of grandchildren!

It was good to see all of you!

And the WINNER is....

There were a ton of votes for the Halloween contest. We had a few parents out there campaigning for their kids. I even think I saw a plead of facebook! :)

The votes were very close!! And the winner (drum roll please) is MEGAN THE WITCH!

Congrats to Megan for winning her family a free session with Mandy Hall Photography.

And in second place (and very close behind) was Stetson the Pirate!

Thank you to everyone & I plan to do the Halloween mini sessions again next year - so be looking for those next October!!

Happy Halloween everyone!!!

Repeat Customers

Lets all go back in time to when John & Katie were in high school. I remember doing John's senior photos and his mom saying something about homecoming that night, and I asked, "Who are you going with?" and John replied...."Katie Thomas." Love must have blossomed that night, because a few years and three little girls later, here they were again!

Actually, I have done other sessions for them - Katie informed me that I took their oldest daughters very first photos! I love repeat customers and I hope John, Katie and their three beautiful girls keep coming back for years to come.

Thanks guys, I had a blast with you!!

Katie

Katie and her mom came all the way from Columbus for me to do her senior session! She is my cousin and I was so so happy to photograph her. We had to dodge the sprinkles and keep praying for the sun to poke its head out - and it worked - sometimes! The rainy day did produce one wonderful suprise - A RAINBOW!

Thanks Katie & Dorothy for the fun day!!

Another Favorite Family

My wonderful girlfriend, Deb & her equally wonderful family spent Saturday afternoon with me. As I was doing this session I kept thinking how time just slips past you & before you know it years have gone by. When I became friends with the Reimans, Cade & Ally were just toddlers....and look at them now, all 6 of them.

Thanks Deb & Kevin ~ you guys are the best!!

The Kudrnas

This was one fun session! Not only did I get to spend the morning with one of my favorite families in the whole world, I got to be super creative & end the day with ice cream. Yum!

Kristin had this great idea for a Christmas card and she went all out! I really want to show you the card, but I better not, I will spoil all the fun for her & her friends. So, here are some family pics we started off with.

This is the very first image I took. Doesn't Scott look pi**ed & Kristin look totally amused? I believe Scott had a little critter fly into his mouth! :)


Now we are happier...



I could show you a TON more, but I won't. sorry.

Time to Vote!!

Halloween Mini Sessions were held today! It was a sunny, crisp fall day perfect for outdoor photos. I had a pretty darn good turn out, considering there was NO advertising involved (except this blog & an email!) Thank you to all the little goblins and ghouls who came out today - I had a blast seeing you in your costumes.

Here is how the voting will work - pick your very favorite little cutie and email me at hallfc@alltel.net or go to my website, click on contact & send me a message. You may also leave a comment below to cast your vote. You have until October 28th at midnight to vote. PLEASE only vote on time per email address! Remember, the winner will receive a free session with Mandy Hall Photography valued at $100!!

On to the kiddos....

Pirate

Welsh Family


Wright Family


Superheroes


Fireman #1


Clown


Fireman & Flower


Fireman #2


Pumpkin


Racecar Driver


James & Ella


Witch


Spiderman


Neiman Family


Batman


Fireman #3


Fairy


Flower


Jeanneret Boys

You can't vote for these guys, but I had to share them too!!

Spiderman

Batman

Tony Hawk

Thanks again to all the parents - be sure to email your friends & family to get lots of votes!!