My youngest princess will soon be one. To celebrate I designed a first birthday fairy set perfect for first birthday portraits complete with dainty wings. Mention our blog to receive free photo editing and a custom created birthday collage featuring your photographs as a free gift.

Please contact us here or @ www.tutusbliss.com to arrange a custom order

These Photographers are Superheros

I love to work with people whose talent is surpassed only by the size of their hearts. Here are a few of my favorite photographers and how they are using their special gift to help those around them. I hope they inspire you like they have inspired me…
*I first learned about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep when I visited Erin Colleen's web-site while searching for a family photographer. Her generous spirit really touched me. I can not imagine the pain of losing a child so early. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that has suffered the loss of a child. Thank you Erin for helping families heal and providing them with tangible memory to hold onto when they are left feeling so empty and grief stricken.
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/
Erin is also a participant in Think Pink Photography. For more information on both programs you may want to visit the Giving Back section on her site … http://erincolleenphotography.com/
*Gabriella Wright of Red Bird Photography has organized a Halloween Costume contest benefiting Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. http://www.leukemia.org/. 100% of the session fee and votes goes to this charity. You can make a donation and purchase votes benefiting this cause on her site, http://www.redbirdphotography.com/ . Click on the client section and visit the Halloween Gallery. The password is "Halloween ". The contest is in honor of a little boy named Payton Green, a very young (6 years old) Leukemia patient. This is a brilliant idea that can be modified to fit any charity you choose.
*Allyson Fuller of Picture the Moment Photography continues to volunteer her time and talent to animal rescue. Allyson adopted Knox from The Animal Rescue Foundation in Tulsa and wanted to do more for his furry friends. She now gives the foundations rescue pets the red carpet treatment and helps increase their hopes for a loving forever home. She is also offering Posh Pet photo sessions with 100% donations to animal rescue. For a look at some of her fun puppy pics of rescue pets please visit the links below…
http://www.arftulsa.blogspot.com/
http://www.picturethemoment.net/arf/index.html

No matter what your talent or where your heart lies there is a non-profit organization waiting for you. I am always happy to help you find your perfect match. From photos to bows and everything in between you can use your talent, time or business to make the world a better place. Even just sharing information with others and spreading the word is a huge help to non-profit organizations eagerly awaiting new volunteers and support.

Aloha Pictures from Hawaii

Grandma came to visit and she loved spending time with her two princesses. Here are some of my favorite moments and I will post more soon. I increased the color saturation on all of these pics using photobucket and slightly increased the contrast. I also added the soften effect under the effects options in photobucket to a few of them to give them that magical touch. We spent most of our time at the gardens here on Oahu. I loved watching the girls play, feed the ducks and love on grandma. Yes, that is my 50+ mother!! Doesn't she look fabulous?? We miss her already.

What's a Paper Bag Princess?

Both of my daughter's are blessed to be born in a time when being born a princess means so much more than being pretty and polite. Our princesses are tough, loving, smart and a little wild. They are the kind of princesses who will climb the tall tower to rescue their prince. One of my daughter's favorite books is, The Paper Bag Princess by Robert N. Munsch. The heroine rescues the Prince and when he is ungrateful she has the good sense to send him on his way. My daughter's are my Paper Bag Princesses. I hope they will retain the sense of worth every woman needs to send a prince packing if need be. Here is my favorite photograph I took of my youngest Paper Bag Princess.

Our friend Cassie, of Makamae Photography has a special offer for our friends and family. If you live on Oahu or are planning to visit she will give you a special discount on your session. Just tell her you heard about her on this blog to receive a session for only $60!! Portrait sessions also make unique and wonderful baby shower and Christmas gifts. http://www.makamaephotography.com

Our Paper Bag Princess

These are some of my favorite photographs of my oldest daughter. Hawaii based photographer, Cassie captured her true spirit in a way no one ever has. She is serious, contemplative, shy and independent. Cassie captured her absorbed in the moment instead of trying to coax a smile out of her or get her attention. If you are vacationing soon save your money on the expensive dinner and splurge on pictures that will last. These pictures were taken while we just played on the beach. Even if you hate pictures a great photographer will make you forget the camera. Makamae Photography is one of those rare finds. These are the pictures we will pass down for generations. Thank you Cassie for taking part in such a fun time for our entire family. You were so wonderful at included everyone from Grandma to Aunt G. You created not only beautiful pictures but lasting memories. It has been over six months and I still can't take my eyes of these photographs.

http://www.makamaephotography.com/

Who am I??

My profile will change with me and I will probably never put my finger on the "me" I should define. At this moment I am a military wife, costume designer and published poet. I am a mother now and forever. I am a strict mother, a hippy momma, a high speed full force career minded mommy and a stay with the babies conservative mom. The mother I am changes from day to day and minute to minute. There is the mom I am in theory, the mom I want to be, the mom I think I am and the mother I will become.

There are only two people on this earth that can define me. One is already up to the task at four but I am too afraid to ask for her opinion. The other is cuddled in her sling and nursing while I type.

Choose Bold Colors for Stunning Portraits

Soft pastels and newborns seem made for each other but don't be afraid to go bold. My favorite picture of my daughter is her in a shocking red tutu and a solid white backdrop. I love seeing children photographed against muted backdrops with a splash of bold color. So if you are hitting the beach or even a studio try leaving the whites and pastels at home and go with a bold solid. Vibrant blue is another color that looks flattering on any new baby or toddler. If you don't like the results you can always order the print in black and white!!

Linking Photographers & Crafting Moms

Photographers feel free to introduce yourself and post what you are looking for and a link to your photo gallery.

Designers feel free to post comments on what you need photographed and a link to your designs.

Please note this post is intended to link photographers and designers looking to participate in an even exchange. It is common practice to let photographers keep the photographed designs in exchange for the digital rights to product pictures and model release forms. I also encourage exchanging links and discounts.

Family Portraits with our Favorite Photographer

We have our family portraits scheduled with one of our favorite photographers and we are going Fancy Nancy. I am dusting off the prom dress and hubby is breaking out the tie. Even grandma is here to join in on the fun. Our daughter has designed her and little sister's outfits and picked the colors. It is going to be so glamorous!! I am too excited to sleep and so is the baby!! Here is just a peak at the work Gabriella Wright of Red Bird Photography did for us last time. It is the rainy season so keep your fingers crossed for sunshine!!!

Blog Party Connecting crafters, photographers & moms

You're invited to our fun new blog celebrating anything and everything pink, posh, portrait and princess. I will be featuring some of my favorite designers, websites and photographers plus free tips and instructions for do it yourself party favors, photo props, photography and princess accessories.

Another TuTu's Bliss design has made it into the hands of a new up and coming photographer and I am very honored to see my fairy dress design on her pretty princess.

Thank you Rachel!! Your fairy is adorable and your work is amazing. http://rachelcoviakphotography.blogspot.com/

And a very special thank you to my favorite peanut for inspiring me to make the jump from my eBay blog to blogger.