Audrey Woulard...the BLOG

..alright... ONE more memory lane post!

I photographed these 3 sibs a few years ago... I think in 2005? Well I see them now, and WOW! Have they grown! We had fun...so much fun that the neighboors were looking out the windows at us! haha!

Here they are before...

Here they are now...totally different kids. They definitely have their own personalities now!

These twins have an incrediable bond. I saw it then..and it is still there now...even stronger...

Ok.. more October posts later. The holiday rush is in full force, so my first session tomorrow is at 8am. :::yawn:::

Until Next Time!

~A

..and more memory lane posts...

..another October "memory lane" client..

I see so many new clients (which I love by the way!!), but I wanted to share another past client..

..remember Ugg Boot baby?.. Not sure if this image is even on my website anymore...

...saw her this month... and she is TWO now!

Going down memory lane...

One of the best things about this job (...and I know the photogs who read my blog will concur...) is watching these little ones grow.

Fall is usually the time I see most of my old clients (..mainly because they know to book their appointments early..so many book for October in June! haha!)..and since I am showing what I have been up to for October...I thought I would share some of their before pictures too...

Here is "I"... the first time I met her...she was about 10-11months old I believe. Now she is almost 4yrs...

I see her every year in October.

Now here is little "I" earlier this month...

..and having fun with mom and dad...

...see ya next year kiddo!

Until Next Time,,

~A

almost 2 weeks old and...

....and he is oh so fresh.... :::sigh:::

I have lots, and lots to post. I will be back later...today is "making a mess err.. brownies day.." Not to mention the dog is running the boys up and down the stairs as we speak..trying to steal and maul their trick or treating pumpkins. Hmm.. from the sound of Noah's scream.. I think the dog managed to maul one pumpkin. (..thank goodness my home office in towards the back of the house! haha!)

ah... such is life in the Woulard household...

Until Next Time..

~A

Just saying hi...

no...no a fancy blog post title! In the midst of the holiday rush (or should I say stampede!?)..and I promised I wouldn't let the blog die!

Here is a cute 10yo....the last time I photographed her she was 8yrs old I think...and she is still just as adorable as she was then..

Until next time..

~A

The Light Pit...

Here is a part II to A's session below...

This can be directed to parents/potentional clients...and I guess photog's too! A comment I hear a lot from parents is that I don't really require a set up...a special spot, beautiful flowers, etc. They love that because there isn't a process...no need to "hunt" to find the "perfect location"...etc. I just simply don't have one. I like finding good spots on the spur of the moment. Recently.. a Dad and I were chatting as I was walking back to my SUV..and the conversation went something like this..

Me: " The area here looks great! Lots of places to photograph right outside."

Dad: " Yes, they are really doing a great job over here...it does look fantastic"

Well I glanced over to one house that wasn't torn down and rebuilt (which is what they do a lot in Chicago..), and I said..

Me: "Now THAT is fabulous!!"

Dad: "Oh thats awful! I couldn't imagine what you can capture in there... but with you see things..who knows!"

Well.. the first thing I always, always notice is light. I don't care (well..I almost don't care!) whats around... the light is the number one thing. Different light can yield a different look..etc.

So this post was inspired by that Dad! (who I know is a blog stalker! haha!)

Well..it was the end of A's session..and she was my last session of the day. We were getting ready to head back upstairs when I looked over and saw.....it!

Pretty ugly eh?

"It"...is what I am now calling.. "the light pit". WOW! We were across the street from the light pit. I stopped..and started to stare...

A: "Miss Audrey..what's wrong!?"

Me: "Do you see that? That...thats the light pit..."

A: "The light pit!!?!??!? What is that?????"

Me: "Well... can I take just a few more pictures? I promise I will explain once you are able to see your pictures..."

(this is why I love working with kids....because she says..)

A: Ok!

The sad thing about The Light Pit is that... by this time next year there is sure to be a 4-floor small mansion in its place. My last light pit was replaced by a house that now has an elevator! BOO! I need a petition to keep at least ONE light pit in the city of Chicago.

Until Next Time-

~A

The making of the "non-smile"

There are times when I hear (mostly from other photographers..... )

"I would love to see more of a smile"

"I would like to see her a bit more playful"

"Wow...  he/she is NOT happy!"

I don't hear this a lot from clients because they usually see their friends images..thus they see the entire photo session.  However on my blog.. there are just times when I will only post 1-2 images.  Usually the "non-smile" is my favorite because believe it or not.. I have to work hard to get it!

Meet 7yo "A".  I often tell parents I am an "enabler". Many times parents think their child should be quiet, less jumpy, less talkative..etc.  I tend to bring out all those traits...multiplied by 10!  I had "A" jumping, running, playing, talking, kicking, etc.  You know.. what most 7yo's do when someone else totally gets them going.  The only downside to this is.. when they are on 10..they stay on 10... so when I can get a serious look.. Im HAPPY(!!)  because the smiling/laughing pictures are fairly easy.

So for those who tend to email me, or think to themselves.. "I would love to see more of a smile/personality/ insert adjective of choice.."  This is for you.. this is how my "non-smile" sessions tend to go..

Because I always get them really going... when I bring the camera up.. I pretty much get this..

The biggest grin they can give you...

Well I told "A"  I wanted a picture of her NOT smiling. 

She starts to crack up.

I tell her NOT to look at me.. get ALL her giggles out.  (...this is when I have to have a pretty itchy trigger finger with the shutter because it doesn't last long...)

Then we begin...

It doesn't last long at all because the smiles start to sneak out...

Then its over... in all but 10 seconds...

I will post more from "A's" session later today.. (I promise!)  We had a great time.. her mom let us just be..and hang out..and that is usually when you get the best pictures with kids this age.

Until Next Time-

~A

 

sneak peek....

another sneak peek... A "Fall Session" when it was 80+ degree's outside.....( go figure this crazy Chicago weather..)

She lights up my world!!

(ok... Kelly this is a SUPER sneak peek here! haha!)

Few updates...

I took today off because my 2nd child, Jacob, is 8yrs today! Being true to his personality of CRAVING the spotlight, and wanting to be the center of attention, we have a pretty big "shin-dig" planned after school today. So I will be working tomorrow instead(newborn appointment in the morning..), and returning emails/phonecalls tomorrow, unless it is an emergency.

Until Next Time!

~A

More super cute babies...

Remember this cutie?

Yes.. I was thrilled when the mom called to book again...because she is 9 months! My the time moves so fast!

More teens...

Can you believe she has never had her picture taken professionally!?

Updates - My bruises are healing...although I looked a bit weird going to parent/teacher conferences today covered in huge (I mean huge...) bandaids all over my elbows and on the entire inside of my left hand.

Thanks to all of those who have emailed me regarding workshops. I will be sending out information over the next few days.

October is booked completely to capacity right now. I know Fall is such a busy month for the beautiful color outside, and all my past clients learned to book dates VERY early, so many of my October dates were booked months in advance. This is the reason why I've had trouble lately finding fall dates for the new clients that have contacted me. I do have a few weekdays left in November.

Due to the number of inquiries from new clients, I am looking to do a day of mini sessions in October on a Saturday for those who I haven't been able to fit in. If we can work this out, I will make a new date on my blog regarding this possibility.

If you would like to be placed on a waiting list for October dates, please let me know.

Until Next Time,

~A