JOY TO THE WORLD {Austin Children & Family Photographer}

Happy Holidays!
I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas/Chanukah/Holiday.
We took a very quick afternoon photo break on Christmas day so I could capture the boys in their matching union suits & puffy jackets.  I think this may be one of the last times they let me take their picture in matching attire -- you can see on their faces they aren't overjoyed, ha!
I also wanted to show off Miss Lucky Claus in her cute little Santa hoodie.  I've never dressed any of my dogs up before and now I wish I had!  To see her "official" holiday greeting, please visit Lucky Dog Photography.

Wishing you all the best in 2012!
Kim

Thankful.....

Another Thanksgiving come and gone, and the day was spent with much to be thankful for:  solid cooking skills (very important, since holiday dinners all fall on me, ha!).......a nice long bike ride in gorgeous weather......a fine family feast (including visiting grandparents).......a final Longhorn victory over the Aggies (Texas Texas YEE-HAW!)......a husband whose hard work affords me much freedom with a dose of luxury......and these guys (and one girl-dog), who add so much joy to my life........

 

 

Thank You, God, for each and every blessing you have bestowed upon me.  I am grateful beyond words.

Kimberly Sarantakes

***end-note: I like the Packers, but I am a Cowboys fan first.  The boys decided that Lucky would look cute wearing a Packers jersey.  Poor Chief is so old and infirm that no attempt was made to put a shirt of any kind on him.***

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Here is how they looked 365 days ago.

Haven't captured them yet this year because we're not finished with Z's costume yet!  Stay tuned!  And happy trick-or-treating!

changing my e-mail signature......

This post is kinda lame.  Apparently, in order to have a custom e-mail signature for my yahoo e-mail account, the image I want to use has to be on the web, and remain there.  It's probably the same for my kimberlysarantakes.com account, and the gmail account I'm required to have in order to use my Android phone.   So......I'm posting what I am using as my temporary logo (or maybe I'll keep it for awhile?) so I can drag & drop it into my yahoo signature.

I told you this post is lame.  You'd think they would make it a little easier to make a custom signature.

So.....here goes.....and we'll see if it works!

Schedule your Miracle Book 2012 session now! {Austin child baby senior family pet photographer}

Sadly, summer break is almost over.  I wish I could say the same for this crazy excessive Texas heat.  I'm grateful I got to travel this summer and escape it for a short while.....more on that later.  Right now it's time to move along with The Miracle Book 2012 -- benefiting Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas.

For those who aren't familiar:  The Miracle Book is a coffee table style / social engagement book filled with beautiful photographs of Austin children and families, most of whom are captured by a select group of local professional photographers.  Each page sells for $500, all of which directly benefits Dell Children's Medical Center.  Along with a page in the upcoming book (released in January), you get a complimentary photo session with a participating photographer and inclusion of the image of your choice on your page.  It's a remarkable opportunity to give back to the community and to show off your children, family, pets, business, soccer team, play group, etc.

I am honored to be on the photographer team for the 3rd year, and I have some goodies in store for my clients who purchase a page in The Miracle 2012.  For every $250 you spend on prints and other display items, you get a set of 25 custom holiday cards (last year the minimum was $500 to get 50 free cards).  There will also be an opportunity to earn a free print of your Miracle Book image.

All images are submitted to the design team in mid-October so you absolutely must schedule your session before the end of September.  Please contact me via my website to purchase your page and to schedule your complimentary session.

'Where there is great love, there are always miracles.'

~Willa Cather

Ciao for now (niao?).  More news from Kimberly Sarantakes Photography coming soon!

Austin Boxer Rescue Silent Auction: June 25, 2011 {Austin Baby Child Family Pet Photographer}

Hello hello hello!

This Saturday, Austin Boxer Rescue is holding their 4th Annual Silent Auction Fundraiser at Cool River Cafe from 3:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon.  As you have probably discovered by now, I really enjoy raising money for worthy causes, primarily through my photography.  Below you will see an image of the print that will be on display at the event.  Up for bid is a custom pet portrait session plus a mounted 11x14 print, valued at $325.

I want to tell you about my three subjects, Gringo, Gemma and Cyrus.  Gringo's front left leg was either injured at birth or shortly thereafter and had to be amputated (shhhhhh....he doesn't know it's missing!).  Gemma is suspected to be a former bait dog and lost her right eye as a result of injury (the specialist did such a great job treating her, it looks like she's got a permanent wink).  And sweet Cyrus, who was severely neglected, ended up with a broken jaw at some point, so his superlong tongue hangs out of the left side of his mouth, never the right.  Despite their lives starting out in suffering, all three of them are healthy, happy and quite exuberant today!

These three doggies' mom is a friend of mine, and when I asked her if I could photograph them for my portfolio, she mentioned that the ABR fundraiser was coming up.  So here we are, and I am thrilled to be part of this effort to help these magnificent creatures.  Of course I love all dogs, but I've recently developed a special fondness for Boxers.  Did you know they make great family dogs?  While they are high energy and do require obedience training, they are fiercely loyal to their families, they are cheerful in temperament, and they are very playful and therefore lots of fun.  They are also quite intelligent, and they rank high on the cleanliness scale.  Gringo, Gemma and Cyrus are all of these things and more.  Even Gemma, who tends to be shy, warmed up to me right away.  I had so much fun spending time with all three of them!  A special thanks to the good friend who let us use her back yard for the photo session.   ; )

If you are so inclined, please stop by Cool River Cafe on Saturday afternoon.  There is no admission to this event, and there will be some cool items up for bid.  On behalf of Austin Boxer Rescue, Gringo, Gemma, Cyrus and their mom (and I) thank you!

Double Digit Birthday {Austin Baby Child Family & Pet Photographer}

May 8, 2011

Dear Matthew,

Happy 10^th birthday!  It blows me away that you were born a whole decade ago, and, remarkably, this milestone birthday just happened to fall on Mother’s Day.  I’m glad we got to celebrate the day together.  Congratulations on scoring the first goal for your team at your Lacrosse game today!  That was fun to watch!

I am so grateful to have you for my son.  Some believe that new souls on the verge of birth decide who their parents will be…..if that is the case, then thank you for choosing me to be your mom.  I am honored.  Thank you for letting me be such a significant part of your life.  God knows I am far from perfect, but when you were a little baby, you made me feel like I was the best mother in the world.  I loved you more than I knew was possible, and that love has grown every day for the past ten years.

I’ve seen you grow into a kind, intelligent, easy-going, graceful, confident, funny, attractive young man, no doubt a glimpse of what you’ll become in the next ten years.  Even though I command you to “stop growing!” (ha!) I am kinda looking forward to what is yet to be.  I’m thrilled that I get to witness it firsthand.

You’re now commencing your second decade of life and never again will your age be in the single digits.  You are embarking on the years during which you will change from a boy to a man.  You have so many adventures ahead of you, both trials and triumphs, and I want you to always remember that Dad and I are here for you, and we love you, no matter what.  You’re really something, kiddo.

xoxo

Love,

Mom

HAPPY EASTER! {Austin Baby Child Family & Pet Photographer}

Happy Easter

Happy spring

Happy happy everything!

May your life be richly blessed.......

 Matthew 28:1-10

Nine Months of Newborns Contest ** Austin Baby Photographer/Austin Child Photographer

No April Fool’s here.  My kids dished out enough of it today (heh, heh).

Rather, I am launching a project-slash-contest that starts TODAY and runs through the end of 2011.  Effective immediately, for the next nine months, I’m looking for NEWBORNS (babies less than 2 weeks old) to photograph and create portrait art.  I’m offering complimentary newborn sessions, specially-priced prints and the opportunity to earn custom birth announcements at no extra charge.  From each session I will choose an Artist’s Favorite which will receive individual artistic treatment.  These images will be entered in a “Nine Months of Newborns” contest that will run for the month of January 2012.  It will be open voting, and the winner will receive a complimentary First Birthday session and 16x20 print, along with special one-time offerings to be revealed at a later date.  This project is limited to three newborns per month so that I can give proper attention to everyone.  That means each baby has at least a 1-in-27 chance of winning….find me another contest with better odds than that!

You may be wondering why I’ve decided to do this.  Well, let me tell you…..

First, I LOOOOVE babies.  Second, my kids are now 7 and almost 10 – I need my baby fix!  Third, I’ve photographed way more kids than babies, and my body of work needs a little balancing.  Fourth, I want to drum up a little excitement now that the weather is warm and the flowers have started to bloom.   That’s pretty much it!

Tell your friends and help me spread the word!  I’m really excited about this and can’t wait to meet some precious little ones.  All you have to do is contact me here, or call me at 512-619-5467, to schedule a session.

Stay tuned for more fun stuff in the near future!

Until then, remember:

“Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.”

~Rabindranath Tagore

Starbucks Gallery ** Austin Child & Pet Photographer

Greetings!

I hope you had a lovely Valentine’s Day!  My husband is traveling on business, so I took my boys out for a yummy and healthy early dinner at the Steeping Room (to offset all that sugar, you know!).  If you haven’t been to the Steeping Room yet, you are missing out.  It’s one of my favorite restaurants, period.

I intended to post much sooner than now but I have been crazy-busy!  In addition to the normal day-to-day stuff, I’ve been compiling a collection of prints and canvases to display at local businesses.  I recently decorated the walls at the Starbucks at Four Points (FM 2222 & FM 620).  I’m pretty excited about it, as this is the first time I’ve done something like this.  I’ll be swapping things out over the next few weeks for variety.  There will be a mix of people, pets and nature/art prints for your viewing pleasure.  All are available for purchase, but please note that the people and pet ones will be available only to their own families.  Please stop in for a latte and a look, and tell your friends!  I’ve left some business cards at the counter, a few of which are good for a complimentary (free!) weekday session.

Also worth mentioning is the Miracle 2011, which was unveiled a couple of weeks ago at the annual gala benefiting Dell Children’s Medical Center.  As soon as the link for the 2011 book is active, I will post it here so you can see it online.   This year the book is more substantial than in previous years, with thicker pages, and more of them.  I met some wonderful new clients and want to thank them once again for choosing me for their photos…..thank you!!

One last thing: I’ve got loads of ideas bouncing around my brain, including some promotions that I will describe in detail next time.  One will be all about newborns and another will focus on animal companions.  I’m working out the kinks right now….I want these promos to be compelling and fun!

Until next time…..

“That love is all there is
is all we know of love.”

~Emily Dickinson

Michelle has passed the torch.....

My dear friend Michelle Bynum, who has fought breast cancer for the past 5 1/2 years, went to heaven early this morning.

Here is a taste of the person she was (or rather, is, since I believe death is not the end) and what she meant to me:

Sweet Michelle,

I first met you sometime in 1998 when we were both working at Dell.  I remember admiring your self-assurance and no-fail attitude from afar, but we didn’t have much of a connection at first.  It may surprise you that I was even a little intimidated by you.  I was not the most confident person at work back then.  As time went on, we’d see each other here and there due to mutual friends, but it was not until years later that we would discover we really liked each other.

Jump ahead to 2005, when I heard from our friend Alison that you were diagnosed with breast cancer.  Having lost my mother to this horrid disease in 1986, I was all too familiar with what lay ahead of you, and though we were not yet friends, you had my full support from the get-go.  I was so upset to know that you had to bear this burden at such a young age and with such a young son.  It wasn’t fair!  Being a veteran runner in the Race for the Cure, I immediately joined your team, Michelle’s Angels, which your sister so lovingly organized in your honor.  It was at that point that our friendship began to take hold, one of countless good things that came out of something so wretched.

Through the last 5½ years I have gotten to know the bold, charming, funny, beautiful, faithful, fabulous person that you are.  I saw you each November at the Race for the Cure; had some long, heartfelt phone conversations with you; and had the privilege of celebrating your 38^th birthday with you in July—one that you weren’t sure you would see.  During these years, you have become more than just a friend.  You are someone I love dearly, a sister in the cancer-fighting community, and a huge reason why I started riding in the LiveStrong Challenge each October.  I remember more than once at the end of an event, we’d give each other a big, long hug, and you’d whisper in my ear, “I know she’s so proud of you!”  In the throes of your cancer battle, you cast your own worries aside and comforted me by remembering that I was also there for my mom.  She is the reason that I started running in the Race for the Cure, but the past few years have been focused on you.  Being part of the team that consistently raises the most money at the Race for the Cure in Austin…..well….it’s impossible not to be excited about that!  But the stronger pull was just being around you.  You spread joy wherever you go.  Since your cancer-fighting journey started, I cannot remember a time when I was with you that you didn’t have a big smile on your face and gratitude in your heart.

Since your diagnosis, you coined two phrases that are quite telling: “Don’t waste my cancer,” and “Eat life with a big spoon!”  You have managed to do both of these things exceedingly well.  With all that you’ve accomplished—the publicity, community involvement, fund raising, and simply loving your friends, family and fellow females—you have taken something so “dark, devastating, scary and ugly” and squeezed an immeasurable amount of good from it.  Take that, Cancer!

Sadly, even though you reached your 5-year milestone as a survivor last year, we knew that cancer would take you from us too soon.  Though you beat the odds several times, God called you home early this morning.  Heaven’s garden just became a more beautiful place with its newest blossom now fully open….

Michelle, you have touched my life in ways that I cannot explain, for which I will be eternally grateful.  I am relieved that you are no longer suffering, but, selfishly, I want you back.  We all do.  I want to learn more of your life lessons!  Rest peacefully, and know that we’ll take care of each other and keep your spirit alive by continuing your mission.

Since death does not equate stopping, I won’t say good-bye.  Instead, I’ll say…..

Seeya later, alligator!

I love you!

Kim

P.S. Tell my mom I said hi and I miss her, and give her a big hug for me………