Friday, December 18, 2009

HOLIDAY SPECIAL!!

So, I thought this posted late last week, but I guess it didn't! Things that make you go hmmmmm....!!!

So, I'm all about getting into the holiday spirit and I figure that there are probably a bunch of people who are just like me and are procrastinators when it comes to purchasing holiday gifts. So, in honor of those people, I'm happy to announce that Frameable Faces will be offering gift certificates as a holiday special! How are gift certificates special??? Well, I'm so glad you asked!

Until December 24 at 3 pm, for each $100 you purchase, we'll give you an additional $50! So you say you need to buy a gift for your mom who's only been asking you for 2 years for new pictures of your kids. Spend $100 on a gift certificate and we'll make it out for $150! Want to spend $200? Great! We'll make out a gift certificate for you for $300! Get it?

This is the best time to cash in on getting a photo session for you, your kids, grand kids, etc! And for all you ladies out there who have no idea of what to get that special someone in your life, how about purchasing a gift certificate for yourself, and booking an intimate, yet tastful, session for a little black book? Who wouldn't like THAT???

What are you waiting for??? Give us a call and get in on this one quickly! We'll post another fun special sometime before Christmas Eve, so make sure you check back in!

Until next time,
Ally

Monday, December 7, 2009

Life Preservers by Frameable Faces Photography

My Grandpa Louie was the best grandpa a kid could have.

Mostly because he was just hilarious. I remember he would put on these skits for me that would have me doubling over in laughter.

Grandpa Louie and I played a lot of gin rummy. He'd keep score under the headings, "you" and "me." It was great when I beat him because he'd curse with words that weren't swear words. "Sacramento, California!" was one of his big swears.

Grandpa's sister died a couple days before my bar mitzvah back in 1983, so he didn't dance. You're not supposed to dance during shiva. But he did chant the prayer over the bread and he talked on camera for the videographer for about 30 seconds or so. He talked along with my Grandma Lillian, who I loved very much.

I also was very close with my Grandma Ann. I remember our little "discussions" together when we would talk about practically everything. Grandma Ann made the greatest noodle kugle ever. Just crunchy enough on the outside, it was such a treat. She is also on that bar mitzvah video. Talking for only about 8 seconds, she said, "He's one-of-a-kind! That's it!" Of course, she was referring to me. There is also video of me dancing with Grandma Ann.

My Uncle Eddie was my dad's older brother and he was quite a character. Uncle Eddie talked on the video for only about 30 seconds and he was hilarious too.

They are all gone now. And I will cherish the memories I have of each of them always. The clips of them on that videotape are priceless to me. And I am so thankful I have them to show to my children. I wish the clips weren't so brief, though. I would give anything now to have had any one of us sit them down in front of a video camera to talk about their lives for an hour or two. It would be like a personal video documentary that I could show my kids, who are named after them. They could have learned about their great grandparents and maybe even gotten to know them on some level. That would be the greatest treasure of all.

We keep the memories of our loved ones alive when we pass down stories and reminisce. But as the years pass, our memories grow dim, generations pass, and these family histories erode. Don't you agree that our grandchildren deserve the awesome gift of knowing our grandparents and hearing about their lives straight from them, as they would tell it? This is the mission of Life Preservers.

The time to get your parents and grandparents in front of a professional videographer is right now. Don't put it off for another day.

We'll bring all the cameras, lighting and sound to your location to
preserve your wonderful life stories for generations to come. Along with weaving in a full narrative worthy of your family's legacy, Life Preservers will also blend in your family photos and film footage to illustrate your stories.

Legacies. Now you can create one forever. Call Life Preservers by Frameable Faces Photography today.

Friday, November 27, 2009

What could have been a really tough session....




Turned into a really great one! This is N and L. When their mom came in and booked their Christmas card session, she told me that L hates to have his picture taken. So when L DID come in and started saying that he wanted to leave, I thought for sure I had my work cut out for myself! Especially when he started telling me that I couldn't talk to him or play with his trucks, etc. I was thinking "Uh oh! I may have met my match!"

BUT-things quickly turned around when I put on my "Ally" charm. I had L smiling and laughing with his big brother.

We did a bunch of silhouettes at the beginning of the session just like their mom wanted (which I loved!!), and then we decided to take a little break so they could head down to Toys3 for a treat for being so good. N was all about making sure we were finished up by 6 so he could get his toys, so we made good on the promise.

Shortly after 6, I heard screaming and crying. Yep! As luck would have it, L really wanted an airplane and couldn't get one at that time. He was all out of sorts and was NOT a happy camper. We even had a super nice man stop by and offer to make him an airplane! This guy was a seriously great paper-airplane-maker! Is this what it means when they say "it takes a village to raise a child?" So N was appeased for a few minutes and we ended up having to negotiate with him for a bit more. Finally, I had a great idea!

Seeing as it was the night before Thanksgiving and most of the stores were closed, I had the boys yell "BOO!" at me. When they did, I screamed! They thought that this was the funniest thing ever and that was it! I got both boys in flat out HUGE smiles.

By the end of the session N and L didn't want to leave the studio. We got some unbelievable images and I know that S will be one happy mama! I even got a bunch of hugs from the boys on the way out! Did I mention how much I love my job?????

Until next time,
Ally

W-O-W!!! Talk about stunning!





These little girls are just adorable. Plus, the personalities of these little angels is just over the top awesome! They totally fit with everything we are here at the studio. Just totally fun little sweethearts.

Baby R was about the sweetest little girl ever. Her eyelashes are insanely long - like fake-eyelashes long. And her huge brown eyes were like little pools of adoration for her parents. She even came with her big "brother" Matisse. His images are coming, but when I say BIG brother...I'm so not kidding! He's a French Mastiff and was so much fun to have in the studio.

R's cousin's S, A and M were equally as much fun and just as beautiful! Poor M wasn't having much fun at all. She was crying and not acting herself...Poor thing wasn't herself either. After the session we found out that she had a double ear infection. I wouldn't be all smiley either if I had that going on. So M gets a re-do. That way, I'll totally be able to capture her in all of her cuteness.

S is the perfect little lady. She is supremely photogenic and was a pleasure to work with. She was rocking it out and was such a little diva! I can only imagine what she's going to be like when she gets a little bit older. Can you say STUNNING!!!???

Then there was A. To say that this little girl is a complete Rockstar would be a serious understatement. She was all about the camera and was mugging for it the whole time. What a face! She was a perfect little model, too. And was cracking me up the whole time!!!

Seriously, to be a mommy to any of these little girls...sheesh! Watch out, L and C! Your babies are gorgeous! And even better...they're sweet! Thanks so much for letting me share a day with you all. I had a blast with all of you!!!

Until next time,
Ally

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Addition

Hey everyone!
My name is Amanda and I've just recently started working here at Frameable Faces, and I absolutely LOVE it!! I got lucky enough to assist Ally in a wedding shoot, and helped out at various studio sessions. Ally and Doug welcomed me into the Frameable Faces family, and it has been amazing. I hope to be a photographer as well someday so I feel Ally is the PERFECT person to shadow and learn from. Her work is simply awesome, and she puts so much effort into her photos really making them outstanding. Many people think photographers have it easy and have the best schedule...but watching behind the scenes I've learned that editing takes hours, and can sometimes take a few days to complete as well as the shoot itself (also traveling to the shoot & back, setting up/taking down, so on and so forth). I absolutely ADORE Ally & Doug (including Tony and Lacey) and appreciate all what they've done for me and I'm so excited to continue working for them! =] I'll update soon!
Thanks!

Uh oh!!! Double Trouble!!!



Ok, well not really double TROUBLE, but they were doubly cute! I was lucky enough to be able to work with Y and E a few days ago. They were so much fun and so delicious, too!

Y was the first to be photographed all by himself. His mommy said that he really didn't like to have his picture taken, but based on what I got, I'd beg to differ! Y is such a sweetie and only wanted to be with his sister...But she had other plans!

Princess E is a center spotlight girl! So that makes her, what?? Totally typical! She was a total star and I got so many super duper adorable images of this little munchkin!

E and Y have the prettiest eyes - total doe eyes, and you all know I'm a total sucker for doe eyes! And E had the BEST legs! So delicious!!!

So between Y's sugar sweetness and E's yummy little baby bod, their mama is in total baby heaven! I know I would be!!!

Until next time,
Ally

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Two of my newest favorites




Meet A and K. These two came in to the studio and we just had a ball! We took some video of our session together so we do have DOCUMENTED proof of how much fun we had. A couldn't be a sweeter little boy. He was so relaxed and calm - a perfect little gentleman. Plus, just look at his amazing eyes. Seriously, could this kid look even more like an angel? My gosh!!!

Then we have K. She was a little ham! This little girl knows what she wants and thankfully, she was spot on! She is totally an inspiring fashionista! The red bow went with the red petti, the light one went with the green rainbow one...LOVED every minute of it! The image of her by herself was just an adorable silly K moment. I loved how she'd pulled that petticoat all the way up to her armpits!

Plus, I'm a total sucker for great big brown doe eyes. K was rockin' those. They were so big and full - like little pools!

These guys came in for a Christmas card session - I think mom is going to have a hard time choosing one for their card. There are so many to select from. I guess that's the punishment for having such cute kids!

Until next time,
Ally

The sweetest little pixie - Meet "J"



J came into the studio a few weeks ago (yes, I know I'm still way behind on blogging! Sorry!!!). She had the biggest brown "doe" eyes and was so cute! She was a little trooper and pretty much let us do whatever we wanted. She was quite the little model!

Doesn't she look like a little pixie? I swear all this little girl needs is a pair of wings and one of those cute Juliet caps and she could totally pass for a little fairy. Watch out Tinkerbell!!! J's in town!

I have so many more super cute images. It was hard to pick just 2 for the blog. But you'll just have to trust me that they get cuter and cuter. Enjoy this little sneak peak.

I can't wait to see more of J...do I hear a six month session??? :)

Until next time,
Ally

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Sweet baby "C"




I got a call from L asking about newborn images of her new daughter C. I happen to LOVE working with newborns! Since newborns are only "new" for so long, I have to work them in where I can. And I was so happy to be able to do it, too!! Now, newborns take a lot of time to work with. And princess C was no exception. We needed to have her with a full belly and really warm. It took a bit of time, but we finally did it!!!

You can totally tell how much she loves her Daddy and how much she loves snuggling in to her mommy too. It's so nice to see families that are so in love with each other. Kind of gives you that warm fuzzy feeling, ya know?

We were even able to get a few shots in with C's big brother R, but those are reserved for the family first! I'll post those soon enough to the Frameable Faces group on Facebook.

So, in a quickie nutshell, I loved loved LOVED working with C. She's a total sweetheart and I totally enjoyed the time we spent together. She was a total love and let me hold her and squish on her for like 4 hours. It almost made me want another baby! Almost!!!

Until next time,
Ally

The "S" family - they should've been the "F" family...





because they were so much FUN! Seriously, I don't love shooting on Sundays simply because I like to hang out with my own family. But if shooting families like this one makes it a lot easier and so much fun! From the second they opened up their minivan door, I felt like I've known them for a very long time. H and A were a complete pleasure to work with. They were more like adults than kids. Very respectful and well mannered...exactly how we'd like our kids to be when they're 12 and 14.

Lucky, the wonder dog, was a fun addition to the session as well. He kept us on our toes for the whole 2 hours we worked together and was such a good sport. M's parents were in from out of town and they, too, were like old friends. Seriously, we had such a great time working with everyone during this session that when we left, I wanted to hang out with them some more! It was just that great!

I could go on and on about M and T, and their daughter and her sweet baby, too! We played some geography games to try to figure out if we knew each other from way back when, but came up a bit short. I bet if we had a little bit more time, we would've figured it out!

So, I'd be happy to write more about how much I liked this session and all the people involved, but that would take up so much room and I'd feel like I was gushing. So, just suffice it to say that we were able to capture some amazing images in our 2 hours together. I'd be so happy to work with these guys again! Just sayin'!

Until next time,
Ally

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The G family...G for GORGEOUS!!!




And their last name, too, but GEEZ!!! What a beautiful family! These little girls are just simply stunning and their little brother??? OMG, what an adorable little boy! I actually had our intern say "I hope I have a little boy like that when I have kids."

B and J were loving up their photo session! B was all about being in charge. As an oldest child, I totally know where she's coming from! She was all about giving directions. And she did it with such a cuteness about her! She knew what she wanted and in turn, gave me some amazing images! What a face! Her and her sister, J, both...Faces of angels, I tell you!

J had a bit of a hard time when she got here to the studio with Nanni. But after a bit of warming up, she was ON! We'd totally bonded and I'd take her home in a sec, if Doug and her parents would let me!

A is just adorable. He has the most amazing brown eyes and was delicious. Could you just smush him??? Three words for Mr. A... Y. U.M.!

Mom and Dad, too. Just a truly beautiful family! And even without our intern starting just yet, we were able to get all of these baby beauties captured exactly how they are. They were great kiddos!

Until next time,
Ally

Complete and total cuteness!





That's what these three were. L, J and H came in on Saturday and we had such a great time even though they're football rivals! :)

L was a little ham and was all personality. He had me laughing as he was telling me that he was going to put ketchup, mustard and pepper on his toes so I wouldn't eat them. He was cracking me up! J was so sweet and you could tell that he really looked up to his big brother. He was so stinkin' cute and was just so easy going. Such a pleasure!

And then there was H. I don't think we got one bad image of her. She was smiling throughout the whole session and was just so "picture perfect!" Her little eyes just sparkled and her little smile was simply brilliant.

I can't wait to design their holiday card! That's really what this session was about. Getting that one special image of the three of them together. I think we got it! And then some!!!

Until next time,
Ally

Saturday, October 17, 2009

A really cool generational photo session




So, I know I'm way behind in blogging my sessions, but I've just been so busy! It's a good problem to have but I hate being so late with it!

Anyways, I recently had the pleasure of photographing 4 generations of this amazing family. How special! Plus, they were incredibly cool and everyone was VERY well behaved. I love when families like this come in! They were all so nice and fun and we just had the very greatest time!

M contacted me on Facebook asking about a generational photograph and I was so happy to oblige! Especially when the family is like this one. Of course, I didn't know this when they booked but it was a very pleasant surprise! :)

Ok...so enjoy the sneak peak! I loved this family!!!!

Until next time,
Ally

The 'N' Family



I loved working with these guys! They were all cracking me up, and even though they're all beautiful, each one of them had something extraordinarily gorgeous about themselves. "S" showed how much he was completely and totally in love with his wife and their family. It was the sweetest thing! "E" is just totally innately a stunning lady. Everything about her is pretty. Her smile, her eyes, her skin, her smile....EVERYTHING!!!

It's no wonder that from these two parent's they got three of the most amazing children! "A" is an awesome brother. He was up for anything and was such an awesome model for me! What a cutie - Watch out ladies!!! :) "H" is a very smart young lady! We had a really great conversation about art and paintings...even told her I'd bring in some signed prints from a friend of mine who's an amazing artist. Plus, "H" has the prettiest eyes! Her eye color is just exquisite. And she's such a little ham, too! I have a few of her hamming it up for the camera!

And then we get to Miss "A"....This little girl had me cracking up almost the entire session. She was doing all sorts of little things to get everyone laughing. And not just the bunny ears behind everyone's heads. She's a really funny kid! I worked with her and "H" for dance pictures and A was cracking me up even then!!

So, I had another great day with some great clients. Families like these makes me really really appreciate my job! Did I mention recently that I LOVE MY JOB???

Until next time,
Ally

Friday, October 9, 2009

A nighttime senior session





As most of you already know, D is one of my ambassadors. Actually, he was my first one. He constantly cracks me up and we always have a great time when we shoot together. For this session he brought along his super cool and hilarious dad and his funny-as-all-get-out sister. To say that the laughs were flowing the entire time is a major understatement.

First off, as with most boys, the potty talk started immediately. When we got to the graffiti wall, and D posed right by some nasty words, the jokes started - left, right, up and down! All over the place. Railroad tracks..same thing. Except the reason for the laughs was a crazy "duck." Many jokes, and movie one liners wrapped up our very late night of shooting. All in all, a great time was had by all and this evening just reaffirmed AGAIN how much I love my job and how thankful I am to have such fun clients to share it with.

Thanks so much, D, A and T! I had such a great time with you all. T, you're an awesome light girl and A, thanks for always having my back on the 80's jokes, movie lines and songs!

I big puffy heart the "K" family!!

Until next time,
Ally

Saturday, October 3, 2009

"You must've been a beautiful baaaby"




That's what people are going to say about this princess when she gets older. She is a BEAUTIFUL baby! And what a sweetheart, too. I think I fell in love with her the second I saw her. She was cuddled up on her daddy's shoulder and gave me a coy little smile when she first got here. That was it! She stole my heart!

She was a bit tired because we ended up shooting right in the middle of naptime, so since they were a "basic plus" session, we were able to split the session. So she'll be back on Wednesday. I can't wait!!

OH!! One more cute "A" anecdote, I was bouncing her on my knees and she was cracking up, no naturally, I gave her a little smushin'. Would you believe that sweet little baby reached up and grabbed my face and pulled me closer! OMG!!! She's so freakin' sweet!!!!

Ok, that's it for now! Be on the look out later on this week for more from the sweet little princess "A"!

Until next time,
Ally

Friday, October 2, 2009

OMG!!! Gene Simmons!!






Well, not really but this little guy did just recently work with him on his show "Family Jewels" when it was here in Detroit!

"C" came in to the studio yesterday with such exuberance. He came in doling out hugs and high fives - such an unbelievable boy! His personality totally shined throughout the session and I was so happy to be able to capture so many different animated expressions. I've never seen a little kid be so animated and so expressive! He was a total treat to work with!

After our studio session, we headed out to Long's Farm in Commerce Township. We shot all around the big brown barn. I mean, could he look any more like a model??? Even got a few images with his mom there!

So all in all, C's session was a great one. With the added bonus of seeing his mom whom I haven't seen in oh, about 20 years! Gosh, I love my job!!!

Until next time,
Ally

Thursday, October 1, 2009

As promised...


So, I had to cut off my last blog post about K's senior session. I promised that I'd post one of the "awesome" ones from her session. So...true to my word, here's one of the coolest shots from K's session. Whatcha think???

Until next time,
Ally

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

K's Senior session





K had her session today and when I first met her, I told her I was going to try something new with her session. I did and those images came out awesome, but I only have a few minutes to edit and I just randomly selected four. The "cool, awesome" ones unfortunately weren't picked. BUT, the ones that were, I think, are simply beautiful.

This young lady is quite amazing. She knows what she wants to do and seems to have a plan of how to do it. Including where she wants to go to school, two choices of where she wants to go, and what she wants to major in. That's an accomplishment in and of itself! Who knows what they want to do for the rest of their life at such a young age? Obviously someone who's incredibly driven! And that's what K is! She's got an unreal head on her shoulders! What a bright, shining star!

So this blog post unfortunately has to be shorter than I'd like it to be. It's 8:30 pm and I haven't been home yet today. But I promise, that I'll post some of the awesomely cool images sometime this week. In the meantime, here are the four images that did get randomly selected.

Until next time,
Ally

Saturday, September 26, 2009

C's Senior session





To say that I was beyond excited to do C's session today would be a serious understatement. First off, he's a football player. Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE football players. I love the physique of football players, I love the competitiveness of football players, I love watching football players...Heck, I MARRIED a football player! So when C's sister came in to sell us an ad for the high school yearbook and told us that she'd send her brother, who's a football player, in to do his senior session, I was super excited!

Add to that the new idea that I had to try out. I lit him on fire! Well, not him personally, but I lit his football on fire and his helmet on fire! I think I officially became a pyromaniac due to C's session! :)

He came in with his whole family, too, which made us really happy, as well. How cool is it to be that tight knit of a family that you'd want to be there for your siblings photo session or to want your family to be there, too. We all instantly bonded. It was a great day!

Even though C hardly muttered a word to me, I still think he had a pretty good time. I was glad that he was up for our pyrotechnics and I was thrilled with how this session turned out.

These three images are among my favorites, but my new favorite of all favorite image is the long skinny image. What do you think? Which one is yours?

Until next time (which will be very VERY soon, as we're really busy this week!!),
Ally