Happy NEW YEAR to you, my friends and family, near and far!!! How’s your month one of 2019? You all know me, I absolutely adore a “blank page” to write and create on and a new year’s the perfect opportunity to do just that! How were your holidays? The holiday season is a festive, joyous blur of activity to celebrate and we had a wonderful time with our family and friends. I hope the same was true for you.

There’s so much to share with you! But before things get revved up with all the newness a fresh year brings, I thought it’d be fun to recap the past couple of months. Plus, I just love having the time to look through images I’ve created with client-friends and then share with you. So, here we go… photo highlights from November and December.

In November, I ran a fundraising event for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with the kids in mind. The theme was “Milk-n-Cookies in Bed” with plenty of monkeys jumping, playing and, of course, eating cookies in bed. It was a sweet success!! (: We raised $270 for CHOP’s “Children’s Fund” in one day with the many families that came out to join me in my studio. I loved it and had a blast with the kiddos!!

**just some of the many cuties that came to our “Milk-n-Cookies in Bed” fundraiser for the internationally acclaimed Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia**

I hosted “Home for the Holidays” portrait sessions for families in my studio during Thanksgiving weekend and the following as well. I decorated the studio in a rustic, simple old-fashioned style of Christmas reminiscent of something my grandparents may have experienced as children. It was delightful! Speaking of grandparents, I utilized a rocking horse that my wonderfully, exceptionally talented wood-genius-working grandfather had made for my oldest daughter, Chelsea, when she was about one. The little ones loved it so, so much!! What a gift he gave and I’ll forever cherish it.

I invited and encouraged families to bring their fur-babies into the studio, too! Why not?! They are part of the family and we had SO much fun with their antics and playfulness. Just look at these cuties that brought extra smiles my way!

There were outdoor, on-location portrait sessions with families in November. We lucked out with nice weather. Yay! And there were so many belly laughs, smiles and moments caught on digital pixels that I’ll always treasure! (:

**~ on-location at French Creek State Park, family sessions ~**

Here’s a “Before and After” photo edit that I created with the intention of sharing an entire post about the value of hiring a professional photographer, yadda-yadda-yadda… but, well, just didn’t find a moment to sit down and prepare it properly like I had wanted. So, I’ll share it here instead. I will say, though, that yes, it is in your best interest to hire a professional for any job, especially photography. (; Can you see the difference in this SOOC (straight out of camera) and the edited image?!?! Plus, I adore these sweet faces!

Did I hear someone say “magical?!” We made some happen on this shoot!! What House of Hogwarts have you been sorted into? Here’s a fellow Ravenclaw sister stirring her bubbly brew.

I did some work for a corporate client of mine, the Keystone Villa at Douglassville (retirement community) who needed marketing material for the holidays. I thoroughly enjoy the times I spend at any of the Villa Properties.

**~ Business Marketing Images for the Keystone Villa of Douglassville ~**

This couple has been married for 60 years and have 9 children and many grandchildren! They were a complete joy to photograph!!

You may remember last winter when I interviewed and photographed Ashley Feiler, a super bright, thespian-loving student at Wilson High School, for my Year of the Girl personal project. When they contacted me to make a plan for family photos - because their “Papa” said that was all he wanted as his Christmas present while visiting from Kansas City - well, I was over the moon with happiness to oblige!! We made plans weeks in advance for our photo date so we had no idea if the upcoming December weather would cooperate or not. Mother Nature granted us a reprieve from all the cold rain we’ve been drenched with and graced us with unseasonably mild temps which felt like it was meant just for us! How delightful they were!

**~ on-location at Reading Public Museum, family session ~**

More delights, yes please!! This Breakfast with Santa morning at Robeson Lutheran Church was such an immense JOY for me! To see the magic of Christmas and Santa come alive for the kids was priceless. Their reactions and interactions (and sometimes tears) with Mr. & Mrs. Claus was incredibly fun for me! And it was all for a great cause, too. The perfect recipe!

**~ Breakfast with Santa ~ Fundraising event for Robeson Lutheran Preschool**

I appreciate your kind support and for stopping by the blog. I hope you’ve been sipping on hot cups of tea, staying warm and cozy, dreaming of the year ahead and how to make the next steps toward creating memories and fun! Cheers to your success, health and happiness in 2019 and beyond!!