Happy Mother's Day!

Even though this day is suppose to be about me, this day has only made me so much more thankful and feel so blessed to be a mom to my three wonderful children.  And of course, I wouldn’t have my children if it weren’t for my awesome husband.  He has taught my kids (especially my oldest) to be so sweet to me.  When I woke up I found this (love the dirty fingerprints):

Then while I was relaxing on the couch, my daughter came in with this beautiful mug and my favorite candies!  I finally have an “I LOVE MOM” mug!

My oldest son had a Mother’s Day Brunch at his preschool on Friday.  The teachers made a lovely spread of yummy goodness and prepared two songs for the kids to sing. Even though my shy little boy wouldn’t go up and sing with the rest of his friends, he has sang me many songs at the comfort of our house.  He made me these AWESOME creations at school.  Aren’t they the cutest?  LOVE IT!

I am one blessed mama!  Hope you have a great Mother’s Day!  Remember to take lots of pictures!

(This is the only good photograph of me and all my three kids.  My hubby is a great photographer too!)

beautiful little fairy | saco newborn photographer

Have you ever seen a newborn baby and just have your heart yearn to have one of your own?  Well, this little two week old angel made me do that.  She was the perfect model in all her cuteness and did everything I asked. :)  What a beautiful blessing from God.

Our donation to Japan

Thank you so much for the families who booked Easter Portrait Sessions!  100% of the $20 session fee and 10% of the print sales went to Food for the Hungry who are distributing supplies and working with families in Sendai, Japan.  Currently the “Japan International Food for the Hungry is training pastors and church staff to give emotional support to disaster survivors. Church members and volunteers are ministering to communities in distribution (of clothing, blankets, warm food, cooking stoves and other needed items) and clean-ups, with special focus on assisting the elderly.”

Together, we raised $200!!!

I feel so blessed with my life and circumstances!   Food for the Hungry’s mission is rooted in the bible verse, Micah 6:8: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  Thank you for helping me be a part of this mission.  

If you feel lead to donate and help, please click below to donate.  

Happy Easter from my kids to you!

Hope you have a great Easter day celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  ”Peace be with you.”

belly hugs | scarborough maternity and family photography

This family of three will soon be four and was blessed to photograph mama with her baby belly.  If you want to picture the glow of a pregnant women, just look at these images.  This beautiful glowing mama, handsome son and dad was such a delight to photograph.  I cannot wait to meet the new addition!

{photographs for a cause}

Here are some great captures from the Easter Portraits at Willard’s Beach.  These are some of the families who contributed to helping raise money for Food for Hungry.  This charity group is helping bring relief supplies to families in Sendai, Japan who were badly hit from the tsunami and quake.

I was so impressed with the children during the photo sessions.  It was quite a windy and chilly day, yet they smiled and laughed!  I feel so blessed that I get to photograph these adorable children.

Three years ago

my little princess was born.  I was never sure about having a girl.  I remember how I was not an easy teenager to my mother.  And I know how tough it can be to be a girl.  But, I am so blessed to have this little angel.  She brings a whole new dimension to my world of boys.  She loves to cuddle, follow me around, help me with chores, models for me, and already recognizes the special bond we have as females.  And I love to cuddle with her, shop for her, make her cute hair accessories and clothes, brush and put up her long beautiful hair. Gosh, I love that girl!  Happy Birthday to my darling.

mother and son | south portland family photographer

On one of the rare few days in March, this session fell on the perfect photo session day!  It was warm and cloudy with the sun peeking out at times.  Even if there was a little bit of chill in the air, this duo sure warmed my heart.  It is great to witness a great relationship between mother and son.  It makes me so thankful for my little boys!

20 for $20 - For Japan

With Easter around the corner, I am reminded of the ultimate sacrifice given to me.  This recent tradegy in Japan has hit close to home and I want to help, hopefully with your help.  I am offering 20 minute Children Easter Portraits at Willard’s Beach, South Portland for a $20 session fee.  100% of the session fee and 10% of print sales will go towards a great charity, Food for the Hungry, who are helping bring relief supplies to Sendai.

Sessions will be scheduled for Saturday, April 2 starting at 7:00-9:00AM (for all the early birds) and 3:30-6:30PM.  The rain date is Sunday, April 3rd at the same times.  Each session will be 20 minutes and I will provide props to make your cutie show his/her Easter spirit.  Please dress your child with his/her Easter best.

There are limited spaces, so please contact me at 207.749.0907 or at cathy@cathyclicks.com to book your session.  When we schedule a time, I will send you an email with a link to pay for your $20 session fee through PAYPAL.  You must pay the session fee within three days after you book your session with me or your session will be canceled.  Please visit my website for more information about print prices.  You will receive your prints before Easter.
Book your session today and help me raise money for families in Sendai, Japan.  

{photography tip #3} What's that sticking out of her head?

This month’s photography tip is based on my recent mistake during a photo session - I didn’t check the background!  I captured these great moments of a mother and son, however while I was taking their picture I realized there was a lamp sticking out of the mother’s head!  Good thing I caught it, so I was able to change angles so the lamp was no longer in the image.  Here is one of the pictures I captured with the lamp:

Thank goodness for photoshop, because I sure loved this moment.  I was able to erased the lamp.  Here is the finished image:

Removing the lamp really made this photo so much better.  It allows the viewer to focus on the mother and not that thing sticking out of her head. :)

Here is an example of changing my location and angle so the lamp is not a distraction:

Do you have a funny photography with something strange sticking out of someone’s head?  I would love to see it!  Post it on my facebook page and you will have a chance to win a free 8X10 ($35 value) if you book the special 20 for $20- Easter Portrait Special.  You have until Friday, April 1 to post your picture.

Here are a few of the images that I captured from the photo shoot at Peekaboo Children’s Center.  I just love watching children having fun and these kids definitely had fun at Peekaboo.  I had such a great time taking pictures and just feel so honored that Peekaboo chose me to capture these moments.  Thank you for all the families who came out to support us!

Photo Shoot at Peekaboo

What an honor  to be asked by the director of Peekaboo Children’s Center to do a photo shoot for their promotional materials.  We are doing the photo shoot THIS Saturday, March 5th at 9:00AM and we need little cuties and their moms and dads to be in the photos.  If you are interested, please RSVP with Peekaboo at (207) 854-3500 - there are limited spaces.  You will receive free admission for the day and you must sign a model release.  For more details.

Giveaway Winners!

Thank you for everyone who shared and entered my 250 fans Celebration Giveaway!

Congratulations to Katie McCarthy for winning a free photo session and $100 print credit!

It was so nice to receive so much love, so I decided to separate the giveaway and give two more prizes.

Congratulations Kelli Farr Rogers for winning a free photo session!

And Congratulations to Jessica Fredericks for winning $100 credit!

Winners please contact me via cathy@cathyclicks.com by Sunday to book your photo session.  Thank you for all the love!

New Print Packages

I have come out with new print packages to make ordering prints more affordable!  These packages will save you $100 plus dollars!

{simply small} $200
this package is perfect to order all your favorite images and order some for your families
10 - 4X6
4   - 5X7
2   - 8X10
(you save $120)

{bigger the better} $300*
10 - 4X6
2   - 5X7
2   - 8X10
1   - 11X14
1   - 16X20
(you save $120)

{i liked it wrapped} $550*
24X30 canvas wrap
10 - 4X6
2   - 5X7
1   - 8X10
(you save $110)

*plus for an additional $250 - get all your images in high resolution for you to print

Visit my website and check out additional prices and session packages.

Another example

So my husband looked over my last blog post and said that he couldn’t really tell the difference between the flash and no flash photos.  And then he said, “Well, that just shows how good you take pictures!”  He is so sweet… I love that man.  So here are two more comparisons.  I didn’t do any editing to either one.  So, I hope this is a better example of why no flash is better in certain situations.  

I’m off to the south to visit my family.  I am excited about taking pictures of all the little cousins and my sister’s engagement pictures.  I can’t wait to share them with you.  I also have exciting new products and packages to share with you when I get back!

Photography Tip #1

I am starting the new year with the most important tip I think a photographer can give.  TURN OFF YOUR FLASH!  No matter what kind of camera you have, you have the option of turning it off.  And the awesome thing about the high tech cameras these days (even the point and shoot), they will automatically adjust the settings to give you the best possible picture without the flash.  Most cameras, (even my digital SLR) when it is on automatic, will turn the flash on when it is not needed.  The first picture below is an example of your worse case with flash.  My oldest son loves making funny faces for me, but this one was not on purpose!  I put my camera in automatic, out popped the flash, and caused Blue to do this.  It is a funny picture, but not one I want to send grandma and grandpa.  The next picture is a comparison between two pictures, one with flash and one without.  Do you like the bottom one better?  I sure do.  My son has natural skin color and not blown out by the flash.  Even without the flash, Blue still has a little twinkle in his pupil.  I shoot all my photos with natural light.

So, if your room is pretty well lit or you are outside, make sure to turn your flash off.  If your camera has the option to take portraits, turn it on that option, and your it will adjust to take more light in.  If your little child is running around, put the “sports” option on.  If it turns out fuzzy, that means your camera isn’t taking the picture fast enough, so you might want to turn that flash on, just so you can capture the moment your child is doing a cartwheel.  If you have any questions and want to learn more, please feel free to contact me!