Movin' on Up!

Hear ye, hear ye! The new NBP Portrait Blog has a new location! Update your bookmarks and subscriptions and check out: http://nbpstudio.com/blog/

The Peek-a-Boo by NBPstudio also has a space of it's own on the world wide web: http://peek-a-boophoto.com/blog/

So whether your a high school senior or a bride to be, you've got your own special place with NBPstudio!

Everything Weddings Expo 2010

We're setting up our glam Peek-a-Boo booth at Springfield's Everything Weddings Expo this Sunday! Forget cuff links or a watch for your fiance's wedding day gift. Imagine the surprise on his face when he opens an album full of super hot pics of you!

411:
Prairie Capitol Convention Center
January 24
12:00-4:00
Booth 315

We're looking forward to meeting all you newly engaged gals! Make sure you stop by the booth to register for a fab giveaway.

Bonjour from the NBP Studio!

As of January 1, NBP has made its home at 801 South Grand Avenue West! We are thrilled to offer our clients a private studio with a dressing room, Peek-a-Boo wardrobe and a consultation room. Not to mention a separate shooting room with brand-new backdrops, funky furniture and a professional studio lighting system. Coming soon: The scoop on the VIP Opening Party and upcoming specials!

And the Winner is...

I put out a call in late November for nominations to give a deserving family $500 of custom photography. It is by no means on the same scale as "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" but I wanted to give back to the community and use my gifts and talents to do so.

I received an email while at work and was blubbering by the third paragraph. I photographed Megan's family in the spring and was delighted with her thoughtful, loving description of this family:

"When I first read the nomination idea I immediately considered one of the families that until recently was much like every other “normal” family. The moments that I have been in the presence of the "T" family as they embrace their situation and face it head on, have left me feeling amazed. Amazed by their emotional strength, their connection to one another and their perseverance to battle onward.

Brian and Heather decided to plant their family roots in the small town that they too grew up in. Home to 3 girls, 2 very tired parents and more nurses and hospital equipment then most people see in a lifetime!

"B" was born 2 months early. There were some signs late in Heather’s pregnancy that raised some concern. True to her intuition, there was something wrong. You see, B could not breathe, on her own. After many weeks of testing with no results, she was taken into surgery where a tracheotomy was performed, muscle biopsy taken and a feeding tube was inserted. Weeks later, B was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Myopothy Disorder. Four months and three days later after she was moved to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, B returned home. She survives with her ventilator in tow, 24 hours a day, a vitamin cocktail may times throughout the day and the nurses who provide nearly constant care.

Heather has taken a leave of absence from her teaching position to be with B and her sisters. B’s care alone would cause most people to become overwhelmed and become down beat. However, Brian and Heather have taken this wrench thrown into their life and try to see the positive in any situation. As focused on the positive and all of Brooke’s improvements, it is hard to look beyond the obvious reminders that their little angel is living a different life. Their home is quite crowded. B must sleep in a chair that folds out to a twin bed in their living room to give space to her, the ventilator, and the nurse providing care. However, B is able to move throughout the home, with her four feet of ventilator tubing and the ventilator carried in a backpack! Brian and Heather are willing to follow B wherever she goes, because their goal is to create a life for her that is like all other girls. Their hope is that she will be vent free, running and playing like all other children! They say, “With her attitude and personality, we have no doubt she will be someone very special!”

For this reason I nominate Brian and Heather and their children to receive complimentary custom photography. Memories are all any of us have as time quickly passes by. My Christmas wish would be to give them the chance to beautifully capture the essence of their spirit and keep it alive on their walls. A professional photo opportunity is one that I am certain they would love. IF they had the money to pay for this, I am certain they would use it to put towards an expense for not only B, but their other girls. If selected, this chance will allow them to hold on to their beautiful family of five, in an artistic fashion, for all the years to come.

Thank you Megan for your beautiful nomination- I am looking forward to photographing both families in the next few months!

Christmas Gif

My Grandy passed along this Christmas morning tradition to Rachel and I. She and her siblings (she was one of 5) would wake up to open stockings, properly clothe themselves (Christmas attire has always consisted of dress clothes in this fam- gotta look good for all of those pictures!) and eat breakfast before they were allowed to see the tree and open presents. The kids would wake up and try to be the first to say "Christmas Gif" to someone else. Supposedly this is what slaves in the south once did because they weren't able to give gifts- it was their way of celebrating.

This year, NBP is offering a "Christmas Gif" to a deserving family.

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography - $500 worth, to be exact. Whether it's canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $250 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be?

The rules:

- You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

- The nominee must reside in Illinois. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

- You must e-mail me the full story : Sarah@nbpstudio.com

The winner will be announced on Christmas Day - get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season - and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Sarah (and Gigers!)

TRA Before and After

You don't have to ask me twice to proclaim my love for Totally Rad Actions. I have every set! They saved my workflow and allow me to be creative in post-processing. A few weeks ago, I submitted a recipe using Totally Rad Actions and Dirty Pictures (the fabbitty fab fab textures) to their website. In addition to being featured on the Recipe site, I wanted to share my photoshop culinary skills with my blog followers:

Recipe:

Pro Retouch
Prettyizer @ 40%
Pross Crossessed #1 @ 20%
Boutwell Magic Glasses @ 60%
Dirty Pictures texture Starla Fontaine @ 55% set to Hard Light blending mode
Dirty Pictures texture Foxy Laurinda @ 68% set to Overlay blending mode
Burn Out @ 35%

Rock the Vote!

Voting for the Illinois Times Best of Springfield 2009 ends on October 30th! Vote for your fave restaurant, coffee, Springfield activity...and Photographer! The last section contains sections for best blog, website and photographer (wildcard). NBP is up for all three categories- check it out and rock the vote!

One more, because he's so stinkin' adorable:

Ode to the Pumpkin Spice Latte (and other exciting news)

Oh Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, how I love thee...
You invigorate my glazed-over, staring at the computer screen too long eyes
and encourage me after a long day at the office.
Pumpkin Spice, you remind me why I love Fall
not only for the red and orange trees, smell of bonfires and crisp air,
but for your caffeine-coma inducing autumn taste
topped with whipped cream.

Ok, I never claimed to be a poet... or a writer ;-) I'll stick to hiding my face behind my camera.


And for other exciting news: Book your session in September or October and get a free session or $25 print credit-woot woot!

Soarin'

"You can't be anything you want to be" my 3rd grade teacher lectured, "if you're in a wheelchair, you can't be a basketball player, can you?"

I have always remembered those "words of wisdom" (this was the teacher who put my name on the board- the only one ever to do so mind you!) and for some reason, I was mulling over them today.

As I'm deciding whether or not to jump into photography full time, open my own studio, and follow my dreams, I find myself putting up walls. Now isn't the right time, the economy is awful, what if I fail, what if I'm not good enough... the list goes on. Today, I stopped myself- I have so many people in my life who support me, love my work and believe in my dreams. I am the only one putting up barricades.

So, it probably isn't realistic for a wheelchair bound individual to aspire to be an NBA player, but did my 3rd grade teacher ever consider the NWBA?

You can be anything you want to be. Details may have to be modified, but never allow anyone to discourage you from following your dreams, setting goals and believing in your passions. Surround yourself with encouraging friends and family, and as my high school photography teacher told me "go soar."





Disclaimer: I don't make these awful faces when I'm shooting- I promise! Anyone willing to take some shots of me looking pretty with my camera?!

A New Leaf

I'm making a change. Not just regarding my business, but with my life. I'm done being unhappy and dissatisfied with life. I've been in this rut for much to long and I'm so over it! "I'm coming out, I want the world to know!"

My inspiration: Miss Jasmine. Not only is she is a fabulous photographer, but what I really appreciate and admire about her is her spirit and love for life. She doesn't hide it, this girl is open and honest- she puts her emotions and experiences out there ("there" being the world-wide web) for all to see. Unapologetically (is that a word...? It is now!).

So I'm done. Just like that. I'm holding onto life with both hands, but I'm going to enjoy the ride. It's too short. How quickly I am to forget and take for granted what I have been given.

So, Jasmine Star, thank you for the wake-up call.

Senior Sale!

Get 50% off your Senior Session through July 20th!

2010 Seniors

Shoot Day vol. 3

I'm on a photo high. I filled up 3 cards and still have 1 left... I had so much fun and met so many fab photogs: Heather was a bundle of energy and Julie is another aspiring photog from Omaha.

Jordan and Richard were so cute! They did such a good job of putting up with the "paparazzi" all while looking beautiful and loving on eachother.

Shoot Day vol. 2

I've been itching to get to these all day! I managed to get a few edited this evening- all I have to say is "shut up!" Ashley's blue eyes are A-frickin-mazing and they way she and Tony look at eachother... so sweet.

Shoot Day in KCMO

I was so super excited to shoot with Kelley and Josh in KC! It was inspiring to be surrounded by all of that creativity and work with a few of my favorite photogs! Loving the fab light and the gorgey models- more to come!

Valentines!

I know, I know... Valentines Day has come and gone! I really wanted to show off my cute cards I sent to friends and family- Of course NBP offers custom designed cards and invitations for any event!

New Email!

Update! Email has been changed to:

sarah@nbpstudio.com

Interested in scheduling a fab session? Shoot me an email!

So Fierce...

I must admit, whenever there is an ANTM marathon on, I'm hooked. Cycle 5 inspired me today- interested in being an NBP model? Check out the website for more info!

Drumroll Please....

NBP is now offering studio sessions, thanks to my fabulous mentor at Childress Portrait Design
who set me up with great lights, funky backdrops, and The Mother of all softboxes!
Top of the line equipment, a fab artistic eye, and a photography education- what more could you ask for when it comes to capturing YOUR memories?

What you've all been waiting for...

The first item of big news (I'm saving the other for later) My new website is up and running! Thanks to my fabulous graphic designer fiance, my site is fab and modern- just like my photos! So take a peek, look around and let me know what you think!

Here is a teaser from Jeff and Megan's wedding last week with more to come: