Love is in the Air

Oh, how I love Valentine's Day and it is right around the corner.... I especially love photographing couples who are so in love that you can just feel it... S&J's wedding is coming up soon and we wish them all the happiness and love that they deserve. :)

Bridal Portrait wins High Honors in International Competition

"Congratulations" and "Thank You" to Kerri Turner Stevenson for being such a beautiful bride that one of her bridal portraits won us a Second Place win in a December international photo competition. It took second place out of over 19,300 entries submitted from all over the world, and we are so thrilled for such an honor... couldn't have done it without such a fabulous bride!! Here's the photo...

Ms. Fabulous

Ok, so everyone knows how much we love Carmel-by-the-Sea. Well, 'love' is such a light word to describe such intense feelings... adore, worship, totally in love with... is more like it. We honestly feel like it is our home - where our souls rest and our batteries recharge... it is just our tiny piece of Heaven on Earth...

And along with that comes my love (again, such a light word -- see above...) for fabulous shopping. :) And Ms. Fabulous is THE one store that I'd choose to max out my credit cards. I was suprised by my sweet family for Christmas with so many great goodies from Ms. Fabulous, with the help of owner and Ms. Fabulous, herself, Kara Muzzio.

This charming boutique has THE best and most hip selection of jeans and incredible clothes, not to mention their super-fabulous little gifts. I can't say enough great things about the store and Kara -- if you find yourself in Carmel, stop in and say, "hello" to Kara and the staff and tell them that Teresa really needs a new pair of jeans so she can tell Robert and I'll get a nice new surprise! :)

And if you're NOT in Carmel, you can do your shopping online right at www.msfabulous.net and tell them we sent you! Kara is so great with helping, too, so call her if you have any questions about sizing -- she knows my body type and what style of jeans I love and what looks good on me, but let her know what your favorites are and she is sure to help you find some that will look incredible on you. And it's not just the jeans! Her collection of tops and dresses and fun t-shirts (I should totally take a photo of my martini t-shirt!!!) is amazing, as well. And be sure to check back often, because they are always getting new merchandise in. But, beware... shop there and prepare to become FABULOUS, yourself! :)

Hope to see you soon, Kara!

THE Most Incredible Experience

To say that I have THE coolest job is the understatement of a lifetime. I get to do so many amazing things, travel to incredible places, work with people whose lives touch mine, and form relationships with people that become extensions of my own family. But, today... I witnessed a true miracle. One of my maternity clients gave birth to the most perfect little baby boy today and I was there to document the absolute most amazing event I've experienced besides seeing my own babies for the first time.

When I left the hospital and looked in the mirror in my car, I had to laugh at the mascara running all over my face, but then went back to weeping over the overwhelming reality that I just watched a life being brought into the world. And although my husband would tell you to stay as far away from a birthing room as possible if you don't have to be there, as a woman, wife, and a mother, it was the best place to have been today.

I am honored to have been part of this family's day -- to call it their "special day" just seems a little trite. I saw this little guy's face AS he saw the world for the first time... and it was one of the most beautiful and precious moments of my life, as well. And then to capture Dad's face when he saw his son for the first time... and then mom's face when they gave that little bundle of sweetness to her... you moms out there know that nothing can ever get you prepared for that first time you see that baby's face... and to capture the love on the faces of this husband and wife who see the product of this tiny human that is part of each of them... it was emotional and breathtaking and exhilarating. I feel so privileged that I was able to help this family in preserving those very life-changing moments.

As you can imagine, these events are so very special and intimate, so I'll keep most of these images private. You'll be meeting this little man in about a week and I'll introduce him to you properly. For now, here's a shot of his little sweet foot a few minutes after being born... isn't it the sweetest foot you've ever seen? :)

Now.... go hug your babies... I'm going to hug mine. :)

On the Road Again....

It's time to announce our next trip to the Mid-South!! We are photographing a wedding in Oxford, Mississippi on January 31st and we have sessions available January 24th - 30th for those of you in the Memphis, Northeast & Central Arkansas areas! So, email robert@teresaleephotography.com to get your appointment reserved! We are trying to wrap up senior sessions during this trip, as we don't know if we'll be that way again before graduation, so ESPECIALLY SENIORS!!! Get your session booked now for AMAZING senior photos!!

For those of you who are new to us, we travel all over the country photographing clients for various occasions. We have clients in... oh, goodness, I'm not going to be able to remember everywhere... New Mexico, Washington, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, California, South Carolina, Illinois, Oregon, Massachusetts, Missouri.... and I'm sure I am forgetting some states. The photo shown here is the sweetest couple, Danielle & Blake, who are in Spokane, WA, and we have their wedding coming up in March -- sooooo excited! And we just settled in a date today for a Chicago wedding in July -- sooooo excited!!!

So, remember that while we are based in Colorado, we go anywhere and everywhere for whatever your photographic needs may be... weddings, maternity, new babies, families, seniors.... we love traveling to meet new people in new places, so let us know where you need us to be.

Our Northern California clients, stand by for dates coming to you soon....

Attention: LADIES!! January Special

Now that those Christmas gifts have all been given, it's time to think about Valentine's Day!! And don't even think that you can get by with just a card this year... :) So, what BETTER gift could you give (trust us, on this - it's been PROVEN) to your sweetheart than an Intima session?! Nothing!

We have a product that we're bringing in at a special rate for our January Special just in time for Valentine's Day (and it is just around the corner), which is a one-hour Calendar Package - these calendars are huge and are 100% image-focused at 11x17 inches! You will choose 13 images for your calendar and they are stunning! Your session plus calendar is just $300. (regular price $400) Book your session now and have it completed by January 31st for the savings, as the regular price will be back February 1st! (remember, Colorado clients, that we are leaving January 24th, so get your session done before that date!)

To see our Intima portfolio and find out more about the sessions, visit www.intimaphotography.com To book your session, e-mail me at teresa@teresaleephotography.com These are soooo much fun!

Thanks to these beautiful clients for giving us permission to use their incredible photographs to show you...

A Very Merry Christmas...

I'm sitting in my home, surrounded by people I love the most (except we're missing Uncle Trent and Aunt Amber) and counting the many blessings that we have. I am smelling my sweet husband's incredible turkey (that would rival anything Gordon Ramsey's could create), looking at an embarassingly large mound of crumpled wrapping paper and boxes, and listening to the best sound in the world, which is the sound of my babies laughing...

Among my blessings I'm counting, also, is the fact that I get the honor of having the career that I have. Getting to know remarkable people and playing a small part in your lifes by helping you preserve memories is one of the greatest joys I know. Thank you to each family who has allowed me to be a part of your life this year - I hope that I have helped to capture a moment in time that you'll never get back but will always treasure.

One of the families who has most touched me this year you will meet below -- aside from spending time with my own family, I couldn't think of a better family to share Christmas Eve with than this family. These guys came from opposite sides of the country to spend Christmas here with their parents and I was touched so much by being able to do this generational photo session. I laughed so hard at their humorous and fun-loving nature, and got choked up at the thought of their sweetness. This is a session I will not forget...

Enjoy meeting them and seeing some behind the scenes images from their session. Merry Christmas to everyone who will read this...