happy december: part II

For the first time in YEARS, Kevin and I and the boys are staying in New Orleans for Christmas. In past years we've always traveled - either to Boston to spend the holidays with my family or to Houston to see Kevin's sister and her family. But Dylan has finally reached an age that he is aware of Christmas and excited for it so this year we want to be home with our boys when they wake up Christmas morning and run to the tree to see what Santa brought them. We bought our tree a couple nights ago and put it up last night. The boys were so excited to "help" decorate it - and we only had one ornament casualty! Dylan is fascinated by the tree. :)

happy december!

It's hard to believe that it's December already. Where has the time gone??? I'm knee-deep in the busy season, but I wanted to take a few moments for some general announcements and housekeeping.

First of all I want to thank all of my wonderful clients. It's been a busy and exciting year. I've been amazed by the demand and honored to capture all of your families.

Secondly, December is BOOKED. Beyond booked really. I've squeezed in as many last minute requests as possible, but if you're not already on my schedule, I've seriously got nothing left (exception being any newborn clients that are already booked). But I am scheduling away for January and February if you can wait until after the first of the year. Just drop me a line.

Lastly, Amy Drouet Photography will be closed December 10-16 and December 24-January 1. In the first case I will not have any access to email and voicemail and will return all messages when I get back. In the second case I will be returning calls and emails as time allows and continuing the behind the scenes work (editing, placing orders, etc.)b but no sessions will be booked during this time period.

See you in 2010!

santa baby

Just look at this beautiful baby boy! I just had to post this picture to prove to sweet Cole's mama that he did smile (once or twice ;)) during his session!

8 weeks young

Today I met up with sweet little Jax, 8 weeks old. Jax was signed up for a true newborn session, but we were never able to do it as he arrived five weeks early and spent his first few weeks in the hospital. Although tiny, Jax was just as alert and awake as a typical 8 week ld, but I did catch this shot during the few minutes that he napped for us and I loved it so I had to share it right away. What a cutie!

Sneak Peek: Aiden [New Orleans Baby Photographer]

Look at the cutie I got to meet this week! Little Aiden needed a few minutes to warm up, but once he did, he had the sweetest expressions. I know mom has been anxiously looking for her sneak peek, so Y+T - enjoy! I'll have the full gallery for you soon.

A note to my clients...

As you all know, the holidays are rapidly approaching. I've been working every spare moment, including some late, late nights to get galleries out as quickly as possible. 'Tis the busy season after all. :) I have several orders due in from the lab over the next few days and I will get those out to you as quickly as I can.

However Amy Drouet Photography will be closed Dec 10-15. All orders placed and paid for by the 9th will be sent to the lab immediately. All orders that are returned from the lab prior to the 10th will be delivered/sent out to you before I leave. Orders that are not returned from the lab by the 10th will be delivered/sent out to you on the 16th. Orders received after the 9th will be submitted when I return on the 16th.

All of this is to say, if you have not placed an order yet - or have not paid for an order yet - and you want delivery in time for the holidays (especially those ordering holiday cards!) please get those orders and payments into me as quickly as possible. Thanks!!

Saints vs. Patriots: My Dilemma

As most of my friends and long-time clients know, I'm originally a Boston girl. And that means a Patriots fan. I remember when the Patriots weren't so good. I remember when we all cheered "Squish the Fish!" (And they didn't.) So I've watched with pride and excitement as the Patriots have risen over the past several years and transformed into a powerhouse team. I've watched Tom Brady turn from a little-known back-up quarterback into one of the best quaterbacks in the NFL. (It doesn't hurt that he's drop-dead gorgeous either. ;) And I've rooted for them all along the way.

Then six years ago I moved to New Orleans. I adopted the city and its team, the Saints. Even though the Saints weren't very good back then. In fact we had season tickets when they weren't very good - go figure. (I wish we had them now!) But we still rooted for them. And in 2006, when we were all still feeling bruised and battered post-Katrina, all that love started to pay off. Our boys were playing like a whole new team. They had heart and drive and they gave us all something to root for. Something to be proud of. And we loved them all the more for it.

I've been lucky. For six years I've been able to root for both of my teams without conflict. After all, the Saints and the Pats are in different divisions and rarely play each other. But all of that changed this season. This season my husband and I immediately noted the big match-up on the schedule. This year I have to choose. And I've had the questions pouring in from friends and family both north and south.

Would I be rooting for my Patriots? The team that I have more than 30 years invested in. The team I grew up with. The team that still represtents my beloved hometown.

Or would I be rooting for my Saints? The team that I adopted. The team that I've rooted on to a 10-o record so far. The team that's done so much for the region that I've laid down roots in. Built a family in.

The answer is......

Sorry my northern loved ones... I promise I still love my Pats as much as ever and I'll be rooting for them in every other game they play this year. But the way I see it, the Patriots have kicked some serious butt these past several years. They've won championships and brought home rings. And I love them for it. I'm so glad they've succeeded. But now it's time for the Saints to have their share of the glory.

WHO DAT!!

Sneak Peek: Marion [New Orleans Baby Photographer]

Yesterday morning I met up with funny little Marion and her parents who were in town for the holidays. I'm so glad that it worked out this year. They actually emailed me for a session this time last year, but I was out of town for the holidays.

Marion was a little lady on the go, full of mischief, a little mayhem and a mind of her own. And she was oh so beautiful. This first shot is one of my recent faves. I love the serious expression. I love the big brown eyes. I love those adorable pigtails. I just love it all.

Sneak Peek: J Family [New Orleans Family Photographer]

One of the hardest things about being the photographer in the family is that you're never in any of the photos. I know that from first hand experience. So I could totally relate when a fellow photographer, the lovely and talented Jill Jones, contacted me for a holiday session for her family.

As moms our concern is documenting our children as they grow and hit various milestones. That's our gift to ourselves. To capture and preserve those moments so we have them to look back on when our children are grown. But the the photos we get in with our children... those are our gift to them. And while they may not appreciate them now, they'll treasure them down the road.

Sneak Peek: G Family [Metairie Family Photographer]

I'm running just a teeeeensy bit behind on this sneak peek, but hopefully it's worth the wait. I got to meet with the G family last week as they prepare to expand their family once again. With three lively kids, there's plenty of love and excitement to go around in this household. It will be one lucky little girl joining this family.