Madalyn and Santa

Well, she was excited the entire time we were in line (and I do mean ENTIRE time... it was a 25 minute wait!) but when we finally got to see Santa, she was less than thrilled. I do think that she told him she wants an Elmo Live!





And just in case your forgot what "Chunk" looked like a year ago... here she is last Christmas. (And yes, it IS a different Santa!)




On that note, we finished up all of our Christmas shopping today... and on to the wrapping.

And in case you haven't finished your shopping and might be in the market for books, Waldenbooks is having a great sale and is also taking donations for a local charity. Gainesville's Borders and Waldenbooks are supporting Lyrics for Love, a great organization founded by Sister Hazel (my all time favorite band!) Madalyn was able to donate a Wall-E Golden Book to a local child with cancer.

December Update

As an early Christmas present to me (well, really to keep Uncle Sam from getting as much tax money LOL) I recently picked up an awesome new lens to go with my awesome new camera! That's right... I have done well enough in 6 months with my business to be able to afford both a new camera (the 40D by Canon) and this new lens, which is an 85 mm 1.8 for all you camera people out there. The camera got here a week ago and I used it at the wedding I shot last weekend (check it out on my photo blog) The new lens came yesterday... and Madalyn wasnt loving me for wanting me to shoot her, so I practiced on the tree (finally! A willing subject in this house!) I am only wishing that I had this to do the tree pictures, but no such luck. Maybe next year....

Maddie is super excited about Santa... she sees him everywhere and points him out and says "ho ho" (hasnt added the third "ho" yet. For Christmas this year she wants Elmo Live (hint hint Santa Claus) and lots of books.

Only two more work days for me and then we are off to Cape Coral for Christmas at my parents...

By The Light Of The Tree...

Remember That Exciting News?

Remember that exciting news I mentioned back in early November? (Or maybe it was October, I honestly can't remember that far back!) Well... here is the BIG NEWS!

I WAS ASKED BY THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER TO BE A PRIZE FOR THEIR DECMEMBER CONTEST!!!

This is such a big opportunity for JLS Photography. Number one, it is an endorsement from the local paper which is HUGE when you are a small business trying to get off the ground.

For the next ten days or so whenever you log into the Gainesville Sun or Gainesville Moms you will see this month's contest: Win A Family Photoshoot! Myself and another Mom are both giving away a free session and various prints to the winners. There is a drawing December 13th to determine a winner.

I am so excited! If you want to register for a free shoot, head on over to Gainesvile Moms Contest to check it out.
All you have to do to enter is be a Gainesville Moms member, which is a benefit in and of itself. This site is GREAT for local parents to keep up with what is going on in the community and meet other parents.

Needless to say I am honored and excited to be a part of this contest.

I also got asked to join the local Chamber of Commerce. I meet with a woman next week sometime to discuss this.

I feel like my business has really taken off... thanks to all of you for your love and support!

Christmas Photos

On Black Friday Shawn, Madalyn and I met up with Jenna, Brad, Savannah and Landon in downtown Ocala for a Christmas photoshoot. I had bought the kids the matching outfits a few weeks earlier and was so excited to see them all dressed up.

Here is one of Madalyn, and check out the rest at JLS Photography's Blog.

Thanks for looking and leave me some comments!