Update!!

Okay, well admittedly I am super bad at updating my blog! I am good at updating my website and my facebook, but my blog always seems to get put on the back burner. If you look at my blog, it appears as though I have not done any photography in the past couple years, and the reality is, that is not the case at all! My goal is to update this blog with even just a few samples of every photo shoot I do because I see the response other photographers get with their up-to-date blogs and I really think it will help me connect with my clients better.

So, to give you a brief update about my life...a lot has happened! I was in grad school in Florida and then put it on hold to move to Los Angeles for work. I now live and work in Los Angeles and am starting grad school back up this summer! I'm pretty excited about it. Of course, I am still doing photography and I very recently, well currently actually, have a livingsocial deal and I'm getting a great response!

That's about it! Please enjoy a snippet of what I have been up to in the photography world...

Lots of sneak peeks!!!

So, it has been FOREVER since I have updated my blog. I really have just been so busy with holiday orders for clients, working on my new official website (coming soon!), and expanding my product list, that updating my blog got put on the back burner! So while I'm working on finally getting these sessions posted, here is a sneak peek of what I have been up to for the past few months.

My photographer friend, Whitney, who needed some pics for her website

That's all for now. More soon...I promise!!!

Model of the Month CONTEST!!!! Win a free session!

I am very pleased to announce an exciting and fun contest I am starting (Make sure to read the official rules below). A friend of mine helped me out with this idea and I wanted to introduce it back in September, but unfortunately I was too busy!

Here's the deal, each month there will be a Model of the Month contest where YOU can submit a photo for a chance to win a free photo session plus 10 images on disc. Each month will include a different theme, i.e. children, couples, seniors, families, etc. These photos can either be a picture you took or one that was taken of you. My hopes are to inspire the inner photographer in everyone :)

To participate you must email me your photo and from there I will post it into an album on my facebook fan page. The winner is determined via votes. Get as many people as you can to vote for your photo -- all they have to do is join my page. You can do so by clicking the link provided or searching 'Brooke Louise Photography'. The photo with the most votes at the end of the month will be the winner. And then, we will start it all over again the following month with a new theme.

Now, check out the details for the very first Model of the Month Contest!!! (or for short, MOTM...it seems like so much to keep tying out)

JANUARY Model of the Month Contest

1. The theme is CHILDREN!! Use a photo of your kids, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, etc. Get creative or just use a really cute photo of them!

2. Entries must be submitted via email, brookelouisephoto@gmail.com, by December 26 at 11:59pm. Start sending your photos now!!

3. Accepted photos will be placed into the January MOTM album on my facebook page.

4. Voting will begin on January 1 and will end on January 31 at 11:59pm.

5. Please check out the official rules below for more general information.

Please read these OFFICIAL RULES as they are very important to the contest:

1. You vote by 'liking' a photo. All you have to do is become a fan of my page and then 'like' the photo you are casting your vote for. Each person is allowed ONE vote. Comments do NOT count as votes. At the end of the month all the 'likes' will be added up and the photo with the most 'likes' will be the winner.

2. Photos submitted must apply to the theme for that month. All other photos not pertaining to the theme will not be entered.

3. Photos must be taken by a non-professional and only ONE photo per contestant is allowed.

4. You may promote your photo however you please. Tell friends and family, send out an email with a link to the photo, create a facebook event/group to rally more people together, etc.

5. Entries must be submitted by the deadline listed for that month and voting will end on the last day of the month. Typically, entries must be submitted 1 week before the start of the contest (i.e., must be submitted by Dec. 26 for the January contest). This is subject to change so please check the specific details for each contest each month. Please submit your entry via email to brookelouisephoto@gmail.com.

6. Winners must be willing to sign a model release form for marketing and promotional purposes of Brooke Louise Photography.

7. Prize includes a free session by Brooke Louise Photography and 10 high res images on disc.

8. Prize must be redeemed within 3 months of winning the contest and sessions must take place within the Tampa Bay Area. Sessions do not have to relate to the contest you won. For example, if you won MOTM for the children theme and you want to do family photos or you have a senior who is graduating, you are more than welcome to apply your photo session to something other than child portraits.

Alright, that's about it! So, send me a cute kid photo and maybe YOU can win a free session :)

Baby Shelby

Newborn Session

September 21, 2009

Tampa, FL

I had the privilege of doing my FIRST newborn session and am very excited to share these photos! Let's see, I met Marisa (Mom) through Sitter Soirées. She is the owner of this company and it is a really great resource for both sitters and parents! If you haven't checked it out yet you should definitely do so. I also photographed an event Marisa planned called Fit Kids Playground. I never posted photos from that event on here, not sure why, but maybe sometime I will get to it haha.

So, a little bit about this shoot. Shelby was the cutest little thing and she was such a content baby. She really didn't cry and she did a good job looking as sweet and adorable as possible. I will say though, this was the most challenging shoot I have done yet! I knew it was going to be difficult, but I think I underestimated the challenge haha! Even still, I think we got some good shots and I am looking forward to doing more newborn sessions in the future. In fact, I am doing one next week so be keeping an eye out :)

I need your help!!! PLEASE VOTE!!!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!!!

Okay, so here's the deal. I really need YOUR help!!! I just did a photo shoot of Adaleigh (photos to be posted soon) and one of those photos has now been entered into a contest for the cover of the Tampa Bay Parenting magazine. We really want her to win and that's why we need YOUR votes! It's very simple, you just click on the link and look for Adaleigh Conner (she's at the top since it is alphabetical). No registration is required...it literally takes just a few seconds! You can vote once per day and we really need you to vote everyday if possible. The contest started in August and ends October 20, so we have some serious catching up to do. Please help us out by voting for this cutie!!! Thanks everyone! The link and the picture that was used for the contest are posted below:

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!!!

Haldeman Wedding Slideshow

The Carlson Family

Family Portrait Session

August, 16, 2009

Safety Harbor, FL

Meet the Carlson family! We've Got Dain, Kasie, Skyler, McKenzie, and Tessa! I just think the Carlson's are awesome! I met Kasie through babysitting and loooove to watch her girls. They are SO sweet and fun :) This shoot was a lot of fun, yet challenging haha. I haven't photographed children in a while, and I forgot how difficult it can be! Despite the challenges, I think we got it.

Also, you should check out Kasie's business, Bellies and Babies. She is a Doula and specializes in natural healing. She is very knowledgeable and I personally love her natural views on things. You should also take a look at her blog, especially if you have children. She discusses everything from ear infections to breastfeeding. It is very informative :)

Well, enjoy the pics :)

Love all the expressions going on here...

Tessa had some great facial expressions!

Sweet, Sweet Skyler

This is the best portrait I got of McKenzie. She was always doing her own thing haha

Poor Tessa didn't like the grass itching her skin

It was actually Dain and Kasie's anniversary!

They were done.

This was fun...until McKenzie fell and scraped her knee :(

Thanks for a fun day Carlson Family! See you soon :)