client meetings - listen up!

After a busy day yesterday full of meetings and plannings, I'm going to share what I learned...

After sitting down with a portrait client, we realized that it really does help to meet before placing your orders. So many of my clients, just like myself, would rather log in to my online ordering site and place their order by themselves. Except when they do that, they miss out on the endless possibilities and potential of their images. My proofs are only a quick edit. Today, it was so much fun to watch my clients eyes glitter with excitement as I changed an image from color to black and white to a half tone and back again! Or as she saw me take away that little wrinkle in between her eyes, and loved the way she looked. And it was a lot of fun for me!

So, listen up...in an attempt to make this part of my regular process of sharing images with my clients, I have a special little gift for everyone who schedules a viewing appointment after their photo shoot. I'm not going to tell you what it is, so you have to call me to make your appointment in order to find out...

announcing 2009 beach days sessions

We are officially announcing the 2009 beach session dates!

We will be spending two weeks shooting on Miami's fabulous beaches and are opening up beach portrait sessions from Friday, May 15th to Saturday, May 30th. These shoots are so much fun and sold out last year, so please let us know soon if you would like to book yours as soon as possible :) Feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience, or you can call directly at 305.903.5126 if you have any questions.

This year, we will be playing at a new location every day to make sure we utilize all the fabulous deco lifeguard stands.

I will be posting more images from our 2008 Beach Days sessions soon, so stay tuned...

Stephie + Evan - i do

Friends often ask me if I would prefer to be a guest at their wedding and not the photographer so I can "enjoy myself as a guest". My answer to them is always the same, that I do enjoy myself whenever I photograph a wedding, especially when it is for friends. Lucky for me that so many of my clients have become great friends of mine!

Stephie and Evan are great individuals, yet when they are together, their happiness just shines through. They are warm and fun and full of joy. They happen to have a great love story of how they met as children in kindergarten. (Stephie's dad told the story at the wedding that when she came home from school, at 5 years old, and announced that she was going to marry Evan!) They grew up, went to separate schools, off to different colleges, led different lives, etc. Then one day, at the right place and the right time in their lives, they were reunited. They have a great story to share and an even greater love of one another!

Their wedding was beautiful and very special to them as it took place at the very same place they met as children! Temple Beth Am in Pinecrest housed all their family and friends. Stephie was a blushing bride and Evan was a very excited groom! It was a lovely ceremony followed by a fantastic reception. The energy in the room was amazing, thanks to Jammin Express! The room was beautiful and the flowers were gorgeous, as Meredith Clarin from Kitanim made sure that every detail was perfect. The food was wonderful, thanks to Sarah's great team from A Fare to Remember. It was a lot of fun to be there, both as a friend and as a photographer.

Take a look:

the first glance is my very favorite moment at every wedding...
and Ryan's first moment with mommy and Evan was also very special...

Thanks to my friend, and photographer Carlos Gastelbondo, for helping me out again and being a fabulous second! Thank you Stephie and Evan for being such great friends and giving me the opportunity to capture the magic of your wedding! I am so happy for you both!

spring portrait sessions wrap up

I have had such a fabulous two weeks full of mini photo sessions with the cuties and the bunnies. The children had so much fun and I had a blast playing with them! These two adorable little girls were my last models of the season. The big sister here, was as sweet and polite as could be, and her adorable little sister was full of wonder, curiosity and a great desire to put leaves and grass in her mouth! And the Prado Entrance to Coral Gables, although always full of photographers trying to set up in the same perfect spots, makes for such a beautiful backdrop. Thanks to all my fabulous clients who come back year after year and to all the new ones I just met.

Thank you for trusting me to work with your children and and bring out my own inner child while I do. Now that the bunnies are back to their homes and the fancy Easter dresses are put away, don't forget to place your orders and check the blog frequently for our next big mini session special...Happy Spring!

girls night out...

I was thrilled to share in the bachelorette party for one of my upcoming brides, who happens to be a dear friend. I was invited to the girls night out as a friend, but naturally, as her wedding photographer, I had my camera in hand. We had a great time...what a fun place for a party! I have known Stephie for so many years and I am so happy that her and Evan have found each other again. I can't wait until the wedding!

Enjoy!

Spring Portrait Mini Sessions

Limited Edition Spring Portrait Sessions will take place on the following dates in 2009:

March 16 – March 25

Here's the scoop: Spring Portrait mini sessions are $75, for 1-3 children and last about fifteen minutes. Real bunnies will be available. Each session will include an online gallery with approximately 10 images with online ordering and a $25 print credit for one week. All specialty items will be available for purchase a la carte, including prints, art canvases, display pieces and note cards.

Because of limited availability, sessions will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. These sessions book up very quickly...if you are considering a spring portrait session for 2009, please book now to avoid disappointment.

Email Janine Stone Photography or call 305 903 5126 to reserve your space.

keegan - 1 week old

Look at this little munchkin... Isn't he delicious? I am definitely one of those people who goes gaga for babies. Especially newborns! Can you believe he's only 7 days old? He was born 9 pounds and 3 ounces...he has a very strong mommy!

I promise more photos to come very soon. I have so much catching up to do. Thank you, to all my clients, for being so patient with my editing lately. Back to work...