Appleby Photography

Maria & Matthew | Family

2012-01-22T13:03:00.003-06:00

These are a few of the two-page spreads from their family album:

We were delighted to photograph Maria and Matthew's blended family. It was fun to capture the different combinations of family groupings and to show the new relationships within their family. They had such a hard time choosing from all of the great images that after we figured out the wall portrait arrangements for the different rooms in their home, we also did an album, so they could show off and enjoy all of their favorites.

Clothes for Christmas

2011-12-18T22:15:00.002-06:00

I admit it. I coordinate my kids' outfits for Christmas so they will look good for photographs. Do you need ideas for cute clothes for the holidays? Check out these great options!

How To Dress Your Family

2011-12-18T22:01:00.003-06:00

Buying clothes should be easy. You just go into a store, try on a few things in your size, decide what you like and check out.

It is NEVER that easy.

Then you add buying clothes for your WHOLE family. Plus you want them to look good together. You may find one or two great outfits for yourself or a couple of the kids, but then it gets complicated. Let the headaches begin.

As I had planned my family's portrait session in October, it really hit home how much it helps to see other families with their complete outfits. As you select clothes, you really have to keep in mind how all the outfits with work with each other. Any colors that you introduce have to be used more than once (but limit it to two) and any patterns have to be balanced- competing patterns can ruin all your efforts!

When in doubt- stick to solids, pick one color and vary the shades and styles, and keep the bottoms the same.

Family Session | Madison

2011-12-14T11:16:00.002-06:00

Our fall was busy with weddings and family sessions. We had great weather for a lot of them. And having a beautiful location like downtown Madison and the lake doesn't hurt. Here is one to show off: Nikole and Mike's family. They even sacrificed Green Bay Packers kick off for this session. Luckily, we know the Packers won, so it all turned out okay.

Pinks and Browns | Styles for Family Sessions

2011-09-19T08:22:00.000-05:00

Are you still looking for outfits for your family portraits? Why not try pinks and browns together for your family's fall session? The warm earth-tones with the surprising vibrant pinks will be sure to look great for any outdoor session location!

Check out Gap, Old Navy and Piperlime for styles.

Why I love fall...

2011-09-15T10:06:00.000-05:00

I used to think that spring was my favorite time of year. The warm weather after a winter of muck, the fresh green buds that promise a lush backyard, sweet dots of colorful delicate blooms and the chance to finally open windows to reconnect with the outside.

But I have learned that the promise of spring is often over-hyped and under-delivered. Winter clings on too long to fully enjoy the short season of spring.

Fall, on the other hand, starts to wink at us before the kids even go back to school and tries to hint that this could be a long relationship. The cool days court us, encouraging us to think of sweaters and pumpkins. Before we know it, the vibrant maples dazzle us with colors that rival spring, but in a more warm, cozy way. The last days of gentle, warm sunlight as you crunch through crisp brown leaves on the sidewalk almost convince you that winter couldn't possibly be around the corner. And for that, I love fall.

Big Rig Gig

2011-09-12T09:56:00.001-05:00

Big Rig Gig, by Madison Parks- Saturday, September 17th, 9am- noon, FREE admission.

Kids love big vehicles. My young ones get very excited seeing a fire truck or cement truck, and of course construction sites are heaven for them. On September 17th, Madison Parks is putting all of their biggest and most fun on display! Dump trucks, fire engines, tractors, construction vehicles of all kinds.... So many different big rigs that kids of any age will love this event! They will be allowed to get a close-up look as they climb on and explore all their favorites. Go early to avoid the horns for you have a little one that doesn't love loud sounds, as 9am-9:45am will be the "no horn" zone.

Fall Session Special

2011-09-09T07:55:00.000-05:00

Schedule Fall Family portrait sessions NOW!

Schedule your family session on one of our Select Dates,

and enjoy a great Madison location with

NO SESSION FEES

($150 savings)

Call 608-280-8845 now to reserve your time:

Sunday, September 25 -

Capitol/downtown Madison

Sunday, October 9 -

Rustic Madison park/"Sofa Session"

Sunday, October 16 -

Rustic Madison park/"Sofa Session"

Saturday, October 22 -

Capitol/downtown Madison

A retainer of $250 (fully applied to your portrait order) locks in your portrait date and time. Regular portrait pricing applies to orders. Pricing Guide PDF is available upon request. Regular session fees apply to all other session dates and locations. Please call with any questions and to chat about your session options.

Some Portrait Clothing Help!

2011-09-08T13:50:00.005-05:00

Picking out clothes for a whole family is hard enough, but when you want them to coordinate, the task can be overwhelming. Let me offer some advice:

First, the style of clothing should reflect your family style, as well as where you plan to showcase the images. If your idea of relaxing is to just loosen your tie, and your portrait will be hung above your baby grand piano in the formal living room, your clothing should reflect that. However, if your everyday style is more causal, the clothing you choose should express that style.

Pick a color or two. When you have a small family, 2-3 people, it's best to stick with one color and vary the shades of that color. When you have a larger family, it adds some interest to incorporate another color, though it is not necessary to do this. When using two colors, make sure at least two people use each of the colors to make the choice look deliberate and planned.

Solids work best. Busy patterns and logos can be distracting. They may also give the image a "dated" look when those fashions go out of style.

Remember the details. Sock and shoes will show- they should coordinate with the outfit. Plan your hair style- don't try a new one just for your session. Make-up and nail polish- natural colors and freshly done. Accessorize- some great jewelry will give your outfit a polished look.

Above all, it's important for everyone to look their best in fresh clothes, and to feel comfortable. You want to love your outfit so you are ready to smile!

Wisconsin Fun Spots

2011-07-09T22:01:00.016-05:00

Wisconsin is full of interesting, and sometimes quirky, places. We've visited the usually spots, such as the Circus World Museum and the National Mustard Museum. But, I love going to spots that may be a little off the beaten path, too.

Sometimes, a sign can pull you in. The billboard signs around Mineral Point claim that Crazy Frank's is "selling stuff for peanuts." How can you pass that up? Chris doesn't share my need to stop at Crazy Frank's- he always reminds me that we didn't bring any peanuts. But those signs intrigued me and I really had to stop to check it out. And the deals are great!

Another billboard that we missed many, many times directs you to a historic Wisconsin spot: Little Norway in Blue Mounds. Little Norway is an early Norwegian settler's homestead, from the mid 19th century, that is located in the foothills of the Blue Mounds (not far from the Cave of the Mounds). We were given a wonderful tour by the fourth generation owner, Scott, who is a very knowledgeable man who happened to be the great-nephew of the family that has owned the property since the 1920's. His claims of just being the guy who mows the lawn didn't fool anyone. We learned the history of the beautiful homestead, as well as many of the antiques in the buildings. We were pretty happy that we made the trip, because the area, in the rolling hills with 6 natural springs, is gorgeous. And, where else can you find troll temporary tattoos?

Local spots in Wisconsin can be quite fun. It's just a matter of looking for them.

Mariah & Steve | Engagement

2011-06-27T22:50:00.003-05:00

I have realized that I don't post many engagement sessions, though we do them for most couples. It's a great time for us to get to know our wedding clients a bit better, and have some fun, going to places that we may not get to go to on a wedding day. Here are some recent images from Mariah and Steve's engagement session. They wanted a barn location, but not living on a farm, it required us to search for the perfect spot. I love the locations that we came up with that day!

Family Session | Madison

2011-06-20T14:30:00.000-05:00

Gretchen's family is so cute! This downtown Madison session was a great backdrop for a contemporary urban look. And I love the father-son portrait- they both have their "tough-guy" look!

Anna | Newborn Baby

2011-06-15T14:19:00.000-05:00

I just LOVE to photograph newborn babies! How can anyone resist a little baby girl, just barely two weeks old and so tiny in your arms? And a sweet hat or headband on a sleeping little one is just adorable, too!

Siblings

2011-06-10T14:11:00.000-05:00

I have had the pleasure of photographing Nikole's family several times over the past few years, and it's so neat to see the children grow and change. Of course, it's hard to wrap my head around them growing up when I'm convinced that I, myself, am not getting any older, but that's another issue!

Family | Downtown Madison

2011-06-06T13:50:00.000-05:00

The Wisconsin State Capitol is such a great place for portrait sessions. We get the perfect blend of upscale "urban downtown" and "green park" looks. Plus, it's such a big part of the Madison ambience, that everyone can relate to the location.

Stella | Pettiskirt Princess

2011-05-31T15:42:00.000-05:00

Stella was pretty as a princess, and the pettiskirt made it complete!

Baby Julius | Baby Badger

2011-05-25T15:04:00.000-05:00

Baby Julius has no choice. He WILL be a Wisconsin Badger fan. Both of his parents are huge Badger fans, and Julius' Badger apparel collection was started well before he was even born. It's a good thing Baby Badgers are so cute!

Sisterly Love

2011-05-20T09:57:00.000-05:00

I love to photograph girls, and three sisters were even more fun than just one. These blonde cuties absolutely loved my pettiskirts, which always makes for a fun session!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

2011-05-17T10:02:00.005-05:00

The pressure of picking a career often begins as a child, with adults asking children what they want to be when they grow up. And some people feel like they are still trying to figure out their career well into their adulthood.

In elementary school, I remember wanting to be an art teacher when I grew up. By the time I was in high school, I was trying to decide whether I should go to college for social work or photography. Trying to be practical, I chose social work, but after only one year, I knew I had to change paths and switch degrees. I have been a photographer ever since.

I think it's fun to see how children see themselves in the future and how their ideas change. I like to ask my kids what they want to be when they grow up, just to get a peek into their minds. Theories suggest that children go through a fantasy period in which their career choices are based solely on their interests and desires, with minimal attention paid to their abilities or the selectivity of the career.

Madalyn, who just turned 11, says she would like to be a artist, specifically, a painter.

Lydia, who just turned 5, says she would like to be a mermaid.

Henry, who is 3, says he would like to be a "race car head".

"You mean a race car driver?" I asked.

"No," he said, "a race car head. Like Tow Mater and Lightning McQueen."

"So you want to be a car with a face?"

"Yep, and I'll go really fast!"

So, what do you want to be when you grow up?

[Painting by my grandfather, Galen Lint]

Sienna | Newborn Portraits

2011-05-12T13:34:00.000-05:00

I absolutely love photographing newborns! It is amazing to me how babies start out so small. Even after having four children of my own, newborns still seem so tiny and truly mesmerizing. There is nothing like holding a sleeping baby cuddled in your arms. Little Sienna was a doll to work with during her session, and I love the images from the session. She was just 6 days old when I had the honor of meeting her!

For more images from the session, check out our facebook page.

Sonia | Pregnancy

2011-04-16T22:39:00.003-05:00

Sonia looked absolutely adorable with her pregnant belly! The first of these three images is my very favorite from the maternity session. Jason and Sonia were a sweet couple to work with- and we felt a instant friendship, as they are Cedar Rapids, IA transplants to Madison, WI! Very soon, I will be posting images from their newborn baby session!!

You’re either going to love me or hate me...

2011-04-13T13:59:00.003-05:00

...because when you make these, you won’t be able to stop eating them!

Kids love to help in the kitchen, and when you bake, they are drawn to the kitchen like a moth to a flame! A bowl of batter or cookie dough is so hard to resist. But, Chris is especially strict on the “no raw egg” rule for the kids, making the tradition of “licking the bowl” non-existent. (Well, for the kids, at least.) Occasionally, I’ll use a pasteurized product, like Egg Beaters, when baking with them, because sometimes the dough or batter is better than the final cookies or cake.

I came across a recipe that I tweaked a bit for frozen cookie dough balls that excludes eggs, making them the perfect treat to prepare with kids, and even better to eat!

“No-Egg” Frozen Cookie Dough Balls

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 tablespoon water

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups flour

1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

Cream butter, sugar and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. Stir in vanilla, water, flour, salt, baking soda and chocolate chips. Roll into bite-sized balls. Place on baking sheet and freeze 1 to 2 hours.

If desired, melt chocolate candy coating and dip each dough ball into the chocolate to coat. Return dough balls to baking sheet and freeze 1 hour.

Store dough balls in air tight container in the refrigerator or freezer.

Enjoy!! :)

Brittany | High School Senior

2011-03-21T12:53:00.003-05:00

I am so excited to show off this session- I absolutely love how these turned out!

When Brittany requested "snow pictures" for her prom dress, I wasn't sure she was really serious. But not only was she serious, she was enthusiastic! The day of her senior session, we had the good luck of having it snow all day, in perfect fluffy flakes. Brittany was such a sweetheart about traipsing through the snow in her strapless dress and standing with slinky high heel shoes in that snow. Her father made an excellent assistant, helping to keep her warm and to keep as much of the snow off her hair as possible between shots! It definitely made a memorable session for everyone!

You can see more of the images here.

Cherish

2011-03-07T11:42:00.002-06:00

Children will not remember you for the material things you provided, but for the feeling that you cherished them.

Family | Downtown Madison

2011-02-21T16:22:00.001-06:00

I have "hair envy".

Two year old Devin has the sweetest little curls, just like ones that I hoped my boys would get. They didn't, so I had to make do with enjoying Devin's curls, along with his smug, shy grin. Together with brothers Brady and CJ, these boys were so cute! They made perfect subjects for an Downtown Urban session!

Sunflower Fields

2011-02-16T15:50:00.000-06:00

Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun.
-- Kahlil Gibran

Colleen knew right away where she wanted to have her family portraits taken- next to the field of sunflowers that she could see from her windows. She wanted to always remember the fantastic view that she see each summer. Getting siblings and cousins together was an extra bright part of the session.

Drew | Too Old For Two

2011-02-14T15:31:00.000-06:00

I have photographed Drew since he was a 3 month old baby, so it's neat to see him grow. Of course, it's hard to see him look older than his two years. I usually like images where children look "grown up". (Except when it's my own children. I was a bit sad when a client told me my daughter's three year old portrait made her like a six year old. I want to keep her a baby forever!) But, even I felt a tug on the heartstrings to see Drew looking more like a three year old because, as a parent, I think it's hard to see your child grow up before you are ready!

Riley | Newborn Baby

2011-02-12T15:17:00.000-06:00

We photographed Wendi and Brian's wedding years ago. So when they welcomed their third baby boy, I was excited to photograph their whole family together. Little Riley will get plenty of love from his brothers. And, I'm sure, will be one tough little cookie!

Family | Downtown Madison

2011-02-11T15:06:00.002-06:00

Michele and Kim have three sweet girls, who all loved the camera! I love to be able to photograph the whole family together, as well as the children together and separately. It's so much fun when their personalities show!

Family | Madison

2011-02-11T14:53:00.003-06:00

Neomi's family recently moved to Madison. When it was time for her family's portrait session, she wanted to include the character of city of their new home. The Wisconsin State Capitol was the perfect place. And while they may not be Wisconsin natives, they are certainly Packer fans!

Kate | Baby

2011-02-11T14:46:00.002-06:00

We photographed Sara and Ty's wedding several years ago. I was delighted when they came back with their newborn daughter, Kate. Sara happily sat back and let me have fun photographing Kate, who dozed through the whole session. It was a win-win for everyone!

Once Upon A Family

2011-01-22T22:55:00.003-06:00

I will admit it: not all of my children have "Baby Books." I certainly have good intentions. I've taken all of their portraits (which is half the battle, right?) and I try to remember to jot down milestones. Sometimes I write them in my date book, other times they are written on post-its or the back of envelopes. Sometimes, I think I will just "remember" and don't even write them down. But now I wonder, "Did that happen with my second daughter or my second son? Which child walked when? What were their first words?" When you have a busy family, it's not always easy to keep track of these things. Sometimes, life just gets too crazy. Sometimes, we forget to stop to appreciate what we cherish most- family.

And, really, when it comes down to it, I just want an easy way to keep track of my family's history.

Enter Once Upon A Family! They have so many cool things that are all about helping you create and preserve special moments in your family! Whether you are at the beginning of your family circle and need ideas on how to preserve newborn memories, or are established with your family and want ideas on how to share your family history, Once Upon A Family can help.

Often, we think we can come up with projects like these on our own. But, when it comes down to it, we rarely make the time to follow through. Kids and work take a huge chunk of our time. The projects from Once Upon A Family are simple and easy, so you can actually find time to finish. The Dates with Dad set, where dad and daughter record special time together, or the Dear Sweet Child Letter Box, where you write a special letter to your child each year on their birthday and save it, are some of the sweetest ideas that would be so easy to do with and for your children.

I love that these ideas help create memories for both parents and children. And they help you preserve your own personal family history.

Sassy Tori | Downtown Madison

2011-01-13T16:06:00.002-06:00

Tori's one year session was so much fun! As soon as little ones learn to walk, they learn to run! So, keeping them in one place is not an easy task, and I admit Tori kept her mother running-running after her! An adorable pettiskirt was fun to show off Tori's cute feet and was perfect for her when she was sitting and walking! We used the downtown area to create the urban look, while keeping a sweet feel to the images.

Tori's parents ordered a canvas collection, so I wanted to show off the finished look. The three sizes will fit together and look great now, and will leave room to add to the collection as we photograph Tori's brothers and sister. The large canvas portrait here is 20x24, with 11x14 and 8x10 accent portraits. The images wrap around the frame with a very contemporary, clean look. I totally LOVE it!

Sweet Boys - Capitol Downtown Madison

2011-01-12T15:16:00.005-06:00

If we have chatted about work and kids, than you know that I personally think child care is one of THE hardest things about parenting. You also know that I adore the babysitting referral service, While You're Out Babysitting, LLC. Cheri, the owner of this Madison business, is a fairy godmother and miracle worker rolled into one. She magically makes babysitters appear where there were not any before and she can do it in the blink of an eye. I absolutely love that Cheri does all the dirty work of finding my reliable sitters for my four children. I would not hesitate to proclaim Cheri and While You're Out Babysitting as a key to my success, as her service allows me to concentrate on work!

This fall, I had the opportunity to photograph Cheri's boys. We chose the Capitol and let the boys have a little fun. They were both so sweet! And I can't believe how quickly they are growing up!

Happy Holidays from Appleby Photography

2010-12-24T10:06:00.003-06:00

Party Today!

2010-10-25T08:52:00.000-05:00

It's A Party At Appleby Photography!

We would love to see you-
Wine & Dessert Party!

When: Today, Monday, October 25th

6pm-9pm

Open House Style- stop in quick to say "hi"
or stay for a few glasses of wine!
Please feel free to bring a friend!

Where: Appleby Photography Studio
402 East Wilson Street, Madison
608-280-8845

What: Wine, Dessert, Doorprizes
We will even do a free Facebook
profile picture for you that night!

(If you would like to bring a canned food item to donate to the food pantry as "payment" for the facebook pic, that would be wonderful!)

Why: We are celebrating our move from the downtown studio to our home-based boutique, with mainly location sessions, but we really just wanted a reason to throw a party!

This is not a public event. This is a private party intended for our invited guests and their friends.

Katelyn | Senior

2010-10-22T16:00:00.002-05:00

New Holiday Card Designs

2010-10-21T17:54:00.003-05:00

Here is one of the cute new holiday cards. The ornate edge is a lot of fun! You still have time to order your holiday cards from your 2010 portrait session!!

Be Local Event At Bloom Bake Shop

2010-10-09T12:33:00.003-05:00

Bloom Bake Shop's first "Be Local" event showcased a Meet the Artist and Meet the Producer, featuring artist Tisha Templin and producer Adrian Reif of Yumbutters. Samples of peanut butter and cake were washed down with coffee and beer samples. And plenty of other baked "goodies" were available! We opted for the "dessert before dinner" approach and enjoyed cookies, brownies and a whoopie pie- all delicious!

The artist was my beautiful friend, Tisha, who I've known almost as long as I've lived in Madison. We met when our now-10-year-olds were just lil babes. She is a fantastic artist, has a fun, funky sense of style, a warm personality and a heart of gold. Her love of dogs and her artistic flair shows up in her artwork, making even non-dog lovers ready to purchase her art!

While we didn't get a chance to meet Adrian, we can attest to the yummy taste of his peanut butters. Though I'm sure they are meant as a spread, you may find yourself wanting to eat the dark chocolate version with a spoon right out of the container!

Check out their websites:

Bloom Bake Shop

Yumbutters

Tisha Templin

More Photos on facebook

It's A Party!

2010-10-05T12:29:00.001-05:00

Mark Your Calendar!

We would like to invite all of our

clients and friends to a

Client Appreciation Party!

When: Monday, October 25th, 2010

6pm-9pm

Where: Appleby Photography Studio

402 East Wilson Street, Madison

What: Wine, Dessert, Doorprizes!

We will even do a free Facebook

profile picture for you that night!

More Information To Come!

*Note: this is not a public event*

Hurry- There Is Still Time!

2010-10-05T00:27:00.000-05:00

Do something different this year!

2010-10-01T14:01:00.004-05:00

Urban Location Sessions!

Don’t feel rushed to complete a “mini session” before your child has even had a chance to warm up and smile! We schedule each full-length session to make sure every child and family feels comfortable and relaxed.

Book your session now to ensure orders are complete for holiday giving. Convenient session times are available Oct 1- Oct 15, with weekend openings Saturday, October 9th and Sunday October 10th. Hurry and call 280-8845 to book your time!

Full-Length Location Sessions
1 child-$100/family-$150

Studio sessions are also available.

New Cards

2010-09-24T08:50:00.003-05:00

Add a little luxury to your greeting cards with NEW designs. These one-of-a-kind, high end cards are ideal for holiday cards, baby announcements, and graduation invites. They are printed on premium press paper, then die cut into one of five stylish shapes. Choose from Smooth, Pearl, Linen, or Watercolor. For the 5x5 circle and scalloped circle cards, select our pre-punched hole option for fully customized holiday ornaments for your family and friends. Minimum order is 25.

Community Fundraising

2010-09-21T14:55:00.000-05:00

Appleby Photography is pleased to have been a part of the Madison Children's Museum fundraising event. The American Girl Fashion Show in July was a great success. This was an event geared towards girls, aged 5-12, who were interested in seeing how fashion changed over the years, as portrayed through American Girl historical books and dolls. We loved being a part of the event, including photographing over 4 days. The historical fashions were fabulous, and all of the girls who brought their American Girl dolls were adorable!

We were able to give an in-kind donation of $2400, raised over $300 at the event, and we added to that today with $700 from the proceeds of event portrait sales! We are proud to be able to support our local community and to have helped make their beautiful new facility a reality.

A Family Session

2010-09-20T18:27:00.001-05:00

Super cute family!

Urban Families

2010-09-19T17:36:00.002-05:00

An Urban Locations session is the way to go when you want an edgy, cool and unique backdrop in your family portrait. Enjoy the session as you push your boundaries and engage in the family fun!

Textured walls, historic front stoops, and brick alleyways will all contribute to highlighting your family’s modern style.

Schedule your session for the beginning of October to make sure you have the best holiday cards this year!

Have You Seen The New Site?

2010-09-15T14:36:00.002-05:00

If you haven't peeked yet, check out our new Appleby Photography site! We have had a lot of compliments on how much easier it is to use. The extra information and separation of weddings and portraits has made the site very "user-friendly." Also, check out the links in our recommended vendor section!

So Many Cute Kids!

2010-09-15T14:33:00.002-05:00

I really am going to make an effort to post more studio images! I've photographed so many cute kids lately, that I HAVE to share! Here are two adorable boys that paid me a visit recently.

New Location, New Direction

2010-08-03T06:08:00.000-05:00

I was absolutely sure that 2009 was going to be a defining year for me. And it was, just not in the way I had expected. The last year and a half has brought a lot of changes to our business and family.

One change I was not expecting was to have such a staggering amount of our portrait sessions take place at locations other than the studio. And I have learned that I love it, which was such a huge surprise to me.

Also, we welcomed our fourth child in December of 2009. At a time when we already had a 2, 3, and 9 year old, Leo's arrival took more planning and organizing then we thought, and was actually easier than we imagined. Having four children is more work than three children, but we are learning to adapt to the constant level of chaos and wouldn't change it for the world.

As 2010 moves forward, we have come to realize we need to allow our business to evolve to move forward with the changes within our lives. While we completely adore the beautiful old building that currently houses Appleby Photography, we have decided that it is time to relocate the studio back into our home (and perhaps a bigger one), as it was 6 years ago. This will allow us to more easily work with our clients on location and in their homes, while allowing us to spend our production time with our family.

And knowing that the only constant is change, we are looking to the future with new ideas and directions for Appleby Photography, as we feel we have more changes ahead. We hope you will stay tuned!

New "Mom" Tattoos

2010-08-03T02:28:00.004-05:00

What mother wouldn't love to have "Mom" tattooed on her son's arm?

We always knew he loved mom best!

Farm Animals at the Zoo

2010-08-02T23:45:00.002-05:00

Madison is very different than the dairy farm I lived on as a small girl. So, I have often wished for farm animals at the Henry Villas Zoo, thinking my children would love to see "regular" animals. I am so excited that will be a reality next summer! The Children's Zoo section will have a new barn, and once complete, will be home to goats, sheep, pigs, alpaca, and other animals. The barn will also have a replica silo, windmill, and tractor for kids to climb on. My kids will love it!

American Girl Images On-line

2010-07-30T00:35:00.001-05:00

Thank you for allowing Appleby Photography to photograph your daughter for the Madison Children's Museum's special event, the American Girl Fashion Show! We had so much fun and thought all the girls were very cute!

Proceeds from the sales will help the Madison Children's Museum with their fundraising. Photographs and exclusive special options are available for purchase. We are offering individual photographs and photograph packages, cute little keychains and magnets and several styles of greeting card sets. Exclusive for this event, we have a Couture line of 8x10 and 11x14 photograph and "Print Wraps."

If you have any questions about options or ordering, please let us know.

Thank you for the opportunity to photograph your daughter!

Sincerely,

Becky & Chris

Madison Children's Museum- American Girl

2010-07-17T00:43:00.004-05:00

The Madison Children's Museum is hosting an AMERICAN GIRL Fashion Show this weekend, July 16, 17 and 18th. Click here for more information!

We are delighted to help with this wonderful fundraiser. We will be taking photographs before each of the shows, and all proceeds go to the museum! Also, our oldest daughter is thrilled to be a model in the show! :)

In addition to the Fashion show, their annual benefit sale is going on this weekend, and tickets are still available for Sunday. Click here for more information! The sale is great for discounted American Girl items, and the proceeds go to the museum. I have certainly started my Christmas shopping with this sale. :)

Huggies Jeans

2010-05-19T12:40:00.002-05:00

Have you seen the new Huggies Jeans Diapers?

We are told these new trendy diapers are perfect for summer. Since we use cloth, we probably will not get the chance to try them out. Will you? :)

"Not So Plain" Jane Fundraiser Event

2010-05-18T21:26:00.003-05:00

Janis Makwinja, The Pampered Chef consultant, is hosting a special fundraiser event at our studio, in honor of her sister, Jane, who died of breast cancer in 2003.

The month of May is Help Whip Cancer month with The Pampered Chef, as they join forces with the American Cancer Society to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection programs.

Come to the 1st Annual
"Not So Plain" Jane Fundraiser Event

Wednesday, May 26th at 6pm
Door Prizes! Cooking Class!
$25 Gift Card to Appleby Photography for every attendee

Socialize with your friends, enjoy light refreshments and food,
and Help Whip Cancer!
Feel free to come to the class or just stop in
between 6-8pm if you only need to place an order!
Up to 25% of total sales will be going to the American Cancer Society, as well as $1 for every Exclusive Pink Product purchased.

This event is being hosted at
Appleby Photography Studio
402 E. Wilson Street, Madison
Free parking available in the Wilson Lot, located at E. Wilson & S. Hancock

Please RSVP by May 24 to Janis at 608.824.9995 or janismakwinja@gmail.com
(Orders can be placed until May 28th, www.pamperedchef.biz/janisjane)

A Little Help From Our Friends

2010-05-17T09:09:00.004-05:00

We are working hard on some improvements to our studio and we would love your help!

We are interested in your feedback, whether you have used our services yet or not. As we work to improve our services and website, we would like to know your thoughts and suggestions. Your answers will help us to work better as we focus on you! Please take this survey- the answers are anonymous and it will take less than 5 minutes to complete. The more details you are able to provide, the better. We would really appreciate any thoughts that you can share with us, and we look forward to your respoonses! Thank you for your help!!

Take the survey here!

New Wedding Home!

2010-05-14T16:02:00.002-05:00

As we prepare for our new website launch, we are splitting the blogs. This will make it easier for both wedding and portrait clients to find the information they need. Our new wedding home is located here. We look forward to seeing you there!

Daddy & Me

2010-05-13T21:42:00.002-05:00

Father’s Day is just around the corner!

Mom, surprise him this Father’s Day with a

Daddy & Me portrait session at Appleby Photography.

Let us chronicle the joy of fatherhood and create memories

Dad will love to look back on.

Father’s Day is June 20th, 2010!

Call 608-280-8845 TODAY to schedule a session.

Ecomom Review and Giveaway!

2010-05-04T12:41:00.005-05:00

Ecomom has just launched their new and improved website. EcoMom’s goal is to making eco-conscious living easy, affordable, and fun! We have a review, a special discount and FREE giveaway!

We were delighted when we were asked to taste-test a new line of organic food that Ecomom just added to their website. I think organic food is a wonderful aspiration for the whole family, and it’s mandatory in our house for our babies, as well as into toddlerhood. My thoughts are that feeding babies artificial ingredients, preservatives and chemicals has to have a bigger, and worse, impact on them because they are so little- ounce for ounce, they would be getting more of the “yucky stuff”.

We received samples from the Plum Organics Baby and Tots lines, and also from the Revolution Foods line, which is also organic and geared to older kids with products that would work well for the school lunchbox.

The kids were excited when I gathered them for a little tasting party, so I will share our thoughts and reactions.

The first thing we tried was the Revolution Foods Mashups in Berry and the Plum Organics Tots Peach Mish Mash. Both of these are real fruit puree that come in a foil pouch. I had started the kids out with spoons, but they all preferred to drink the purees right from the packages (I’m sure that was half the fun). These both were a big hit! I was shocked that my picky 10 year old LOVED the peach- she won’t even eat real peaches! She said it was like a yummy applesauce and that we have to buy more for her lunches. My 4 year old liked drinking from the package so much that she ran off to refill them with water and declared that they were her water bottles.
I was surprised that the Jammy Sammy bars didn’t go ever as well. These are little snack sized sandwich bars that come in kid-friendly flavors like PB&J, which is a staple at our house. Both my 10 and 2 year old thought they were “not so good” while my 4 year old thought they were great and wanted more, though every bite was polished off, so they weren’t that bad! I was told they were like Nutri-Grain bars, but with not enough jelly.
The Plum Organics Baby foods also come in the foil pouches. They were a generous portion so I could pour out what I needed and reseal the package with the cap for another meal. They come in fun flavors like Pear & Mango! Yum!
Overall, I think both food lines are great. The options for organic meals and snacks make it easy to have something quick and to travel with healthy food. The combination of flavors was a refreshing variety that kids don’t always get exposed to with “regular” snack foods.

Try It!

Check out Ecomom for yourself! They are offering you, our readers, 15% off your first order! The discount code is SBBL298 and will be good through May 31, 2010. You can use it on anything (but the Ecopass), including a cute little toy recycling truck! The Ecopass is a $99 annual membership which gives you a 15% discount on every order, free shipping and other club “perks”. You can find them on twitter and facebook, as well as sign up for their newsletter.

Win It!

Now for the good stuff: A Giveaway! Ecomom will give away a little gift to one of our readers- $20 worth of Plum and/or Revolution Foods so you can try them out yourself! Your chance to enter ends May 22nd, 2010. The winner will be chosen at random.

How to enter (you can do one, or as many as you like):

sign up for our newsletter, if you do not already receive it
“like” on us facebook
leave a comment on facebook
leave a comment on this blog
refer a friend
share our post on another blog/forum/group/facebook

Comment here or on facebook to let us know what you did to enter (see, that gives you one entry right there!).

Disclosure: I received complimentary food for this review. I did not receive any payment. This is my honest opinion.

MADISON MEALS FOR HAITI

2010-04-08T12:44:00.002-05:00

We are posting this to urge you to volunteer 90 minutes of your time and $25 for a high-impact large-scale event in Madison taking place on April 8-10. More than 500,000 meals will be packaged and sent to Haiti to support the continuing relief efforts there. This is a family-friendly event, and children as young as 5 years old can participate. As of right now, there is still a need for volunteers on Friday evening and Saturday.

As a direct response to recent events in Haiti, on April 8, 9, & 10 the Madison Relief Organization (MRO) will sponsor a volunteer event to prepare half a million meals for Haitians in need. We are asking that volunteers donate $25 and 90 minutes. In just 90 minutes each volunteer will prepare over 200 meals. At just 12¢ per meal this is an extremely cost-effective strategy to provide direct aid to Haitians in need.

Their goal is to package 500,000 meals during the 3-day event. During the event volunteers will assemble the food in a supervised, sanitary setting in assembly line fashion during 90-minute shifts. For registration and information, see www.mealsforhaiti.org.

WHO:

Any person able to sit or stand for up to 90 minutes can prepare meals.

LOCATION:

Airport Road Industrial Park (by Keva)

8233 Forsythia Street

Middleton, WI 53562

WHEN:

Thursday, April 8 from 6 - 9 PM

Friday, April 9 from 6 - 9 PM

Saturday, April 10 from 9 AM - 3 PM

REGISTRATION: On-line at www.mealsforhaiti.org. Please register to reserve your place. Please join Madison Meals for Haiti on Facebook.

DONATIONS: If you are unable to attend, please consider sponsoring the event, by contributing on-line at www.mealsforhaiti.org, or make checks payable to: Madison Relief Organization, send to: Treasurer, Madison Relief Organization/1341 Jenifer St/ Madison, WI 53703

To facilitate the event MRO partnered with Feeding Children International and Kids Against Hunger. These groups have developed a nutritionally balanced, dried-food meal that to date has been distributed to over 40,000,000 children and people in need across the U.S. and around the world. Each package of food contains 6 servings of 4 ingredients (rice, soy protein, dried vegetables and vitamins).

Relief International will ensure that our meals reach Haitians in need. Relief International's emergency response teams in Haiti will provide these life-saving meals to children and families in hospitals and makeshift living camps.

Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Jpegs!

2010-03-28T23:42:00.003-05:00

What is the first thing you want to do when you hear great news, when you get engaged, when your child does something amazing, or you just won the lottery?

You share the news with the people that are important to you.

Life’s experiences means so much more when you get to relive them by telling your family and friends.

Sharing photographs are the same way. Whether they are your vacation photographs or wedding photographs. Whether they are of your children or your dog. Being able to let other people into our lives by showing them our photographs has been a way to communicate for over 100 years.

Recently, however, photographs have been stuck on computers, left and forgotten. Digital cameras are a wonderful way to get instant gratification with seeing your images. And the computer is great at keeping them all organized. Facebook is even nice to let others see what you are doing. But, computers crash, facebook shrinks your images and technology changes.

If you are not getting your photographs off your computer, you are missing the chance to enjoy them again as you share them with others. You are missing the chance to pass them down to future generations and preserve a bit of history.

Make a scrapbook of your vacation, a photo baby book or create a family album. Put your photographs in a digital frame, group some small photographs together in frames to put on a shelf or enlarge them and hang them on the wall.

And make sure to preserve them for your children to enjoy years from now.

Extended Dates!

2010-03-23T18:43:00.001-05:00

As a local small business, our family counts on and appreciates your patronage! Thank you for supporting us during these challenging times-

we wouldn't be here without you!

And, as friends, we ask for your continued support.

Please call to set up your special session and pass this great offer on to a friend!

Spring Special - Folio and Treasure Box

Book your special session at
Appleby Photography now
Grab those fancy new spring clothes and
call or e-mail to reserve your time!
We are excited to extend this offer
for the following weekends:
March 27 & 28
April 3
April 10 & 11
weekday openings also available until 4-9-10

Spring Special includes the session and precious gifts!

Option 1: Session & Cherish Folio (includes 2-5x7's) $69 ($300 value)

Option 2: Session, Cherish Folio & Treasure Box $179 ($530 value)

Moms will love a Keepsake necklace for Mother's Day!

Call us now to reserve your spot!

We are unable to accept gift certificates for these special sessions.

You Are What You Eat

2010-03-20T00:01:00.003-05:00

My friend Tisha was raving about a cupcake bakery in Middleton called Bloom Bake Shop. Not needing too much of an excuse to eat chocolate baked goods, I decided we needed to check it out.

If you are concerned about what you eat and what you feed your family, you will love that this bakery uses organic ingredients, and even offers some vegan and gluten free options. I was pleased to find out that this local shop supports other local businesses, too.

The owner, Annemarie, was friendly as she greeted us when we walked in. She explained the offerings, and even shared photos of her kids. My kids were thrilled to select from the flavors of cupcakes: vanilla, chocolate, oreo, peanut butter, espresso- okay, I chose the espresso, but you get the idea! We now know that you need to arrive early for the best selection- I had heard rumors of brownies that were no where in sight when we arrived shortly before dinnertime. I guess that means we'll have to go again!

When you go, know that they are open Thursday through Saturday, 11am -7pm. They are at 1834 Parmenter St in Middleton. And do try that espresso cupcake!

Flip for Satara

2010-03-18T16:55:00.003-05:00

I'm happy to share that Satara carries the Flip cloth diaper system! These are not on their website- they really have a LOT more baby stuff in their store!

I mentioned before that I like to use the disposable inserts designed for the Flip waterproof covers in my Thirsties covers. These are like using a disposable diaper liner that can be tossed, without as much waste as using a regular disposable diaper because you are reusing the cover. This makes using cloth away from home so much easier, as you do not have to carry the soiled cloth back home with you- which is especially not fun on long trips. Also, if you are STILL on the fence about cloth, the Flip system with the disposable inserts would be a good way to get your feet wet!

A Natural Baby is a Happy Baby!

2010-03-17T13:08:00.002-05:00

I love local businesses. And I love stores that promote being good to the earth. And I LOVE baby and children stores. With Satara, you get all three!

Satara, Inc, has been offering products for the home and family that promote health and reduce environmental impact since 1995. In their Baby Store, they have everything you need for baby's first year, including organic crib mattresses, organic baby bedding, organic baby clothes and safe baby toys.

They are having a Baby Shower this Sunday to help expectant parents create a natural, organic nursery, and well as offering a lot of advice on topics for new parents.

From their facebook fan page:

Our first Baby Shower of 2010 is coming up soon! It's for anyone expecting a child or hoping to expect a child, and of course grandparents are more than welcome too.

Here are the details:
SUNDAY, MARCH 21
11am to 1pm
5621 Odana Rd (one block west of Whitney Way)
Please RSVP at 608.251.4905

We'll discuss how to create a natural nursery, including organic bedding and clothing, baby carriers, safe plastic bottles, and natural bath products, plus a whole lot more. Refreshments will be served, and every family will receive a gift bag. We'll have a drawing for prizes, including a grand prize Satara gift certificate.

We are excited to be included in their shower prize drawing, so RSVP and plan on attending!

Summer with MSCR

2010-03-16T16:22:00.002-05:00

I can't believe how quickly the classes with MSCR fill up!

Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) is the public recreation provider for the residents of Madison (within the boundaries of the Madison Metropolitan School District). They offer a variety of programs and services for all ages, including swimming, soccer, tennis, dance, and art, along with camps for children.

Registration for summer classes and camps just began yesterday, and already some classes are filled. I'm glad I didn't wait to get my girls signed up!

Cherish Folio and Treasure Box

2010-03-09T11:01:00.004-06:00

2 Weekends Only

March 20 & 21

March 27 & 28

limited weekday openings also available 3-20-10 to 4-2-10

Spring Special includes the session and precious gifts!

Option 1: Session & Cherish Folio $69

Option 2: Session, Cherish Folio & Treasure Box $179

Call today to reserve your spot!

Special Spring Portrait Event Details!

2010-03-05T13:06:00.003-06:00

We are unable to accept gift certificates for these special sessions.

Special Spring Portrait Event!

2010-03-05T12:50:00.006-06:00

There are only 4 weeks until Easter-

book your special session now and start shopping for spring!

Family & Children spots fill quickly-

Call or E-mail to reserve your time!

2 Weekends Only

March 20 & 21

March 27 & 28

limited weekday openings also available 3-20-10 to 4-2-10

Spring Special includes the session and precious gifts!

Option 1: Session & Cherish Folio $69

Option 2: Session, Cherish Folio

& Treasure Box $179

We are unable to accept gift certificates for these special sessions.

Spring!

2010-03-04T13:09:00.004-06:00

I can feel it- spring is almost here! I love this weather, where it's 40 degrees and a foot of snow is still on the ground, but suddenly everyone feels they no longer need a coat. I left mine at home today. Did you?

Have you bought a new Easter outfit? Now is the perfect time to start shopping for new spring clothes!

"Appleby Photography Family" - For Past Wedding Clients

2010-03-04T13:01:00.003-06:00

We have started sending the Welcome packets to all of our past brides and grooms, detailing the Appleby Photography Family membership. This is a free program which offers perks to couples that had their wedding photographed by Appleby Photography, including free sessions and discounts on portraits. If you have not received your packet, please call or e-mail us!

And, welcome to the family!

Only a few days left...

2010-02-24T12:47:00.002-06:00

There are only 4 days left for the drawing at While You're Out, the babysitting referral service. Make sure to get your requests in for your babysitters, and renew your packages now to be entered into the drawing for $200 gift certificates! See our earlier post, or check out While You're Out's website!

Love this quote!

2010-02-17T16:25:00.002-06:00

There's a difference between interest and commitment.

When you're interested in doing something,

you do it only when it's convenient.

When you're committed to something,

you accept no excuses; only results.

Roi sent me an e-mail recently, which included this quote- I love it!

Roi Solberg

Spirit of Archetypes: Cards of Spiritual Guidance

Visit her website http://www.spiritelan.com or blog http://spiritofarchetypes.blogspot.com

Valentine's Day Ideas, Continued

2010-02-07T15:02:00.002-06:00

Coming up with new ideas for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day can be hard. Roses are nice (and jewelry is better!), but sometimes it's the small, thoughtful, inexpensive ideas that pay off big when it comes time to say "I Love You."

Here are more great Dove ideas (see post below) for Valentine's Day:

-Spend Valentine's Day with friends and throw a dessert party.

-Give a packet of daisy seeds instead of a bouquet.

-Package a favorite novel with a heart-shaped bookmark.

-Customize the cover of a journal for your Valentine.

What sweet ideas do you have for V-Day?

While You're Out Babysitting Drawing

2010-02-05T09:49:00.004-06:00

When was the last time you had a night out without the kids? We are very excited to be working with While You're Out, LLC Babysitting Referral Service! This is a local business that we personally use and love, so it means a lot to us to be included in their client appreciation give-away.

While You're Out takes the pressure and work out of finding the perfect babysitter. You just tell them the date and time you need a sitter and they do the rest. Not having extended family in town, this has been especially important to us. Cheri, the owner of While You're Out has always been great to work with and we love how easy she makes it to find a caring and experienced sitter. If you haven't checked them out, their website has a lot of great information.

This is the special drawing they are doing for the month of February:

Celebrate the LOVE of your family with 1 of 8 $200 Gift Certificates for Appleby Photography from While You're Out Babysitting!

For every referral [babysitter request] submitted and confirmed, While You're Out will put your family's name in a drawing to win 1 of 8 $200 gift certificates from Appleby Photography.

Every confirmed referral is an entry...so if you have 5 sitters this month, that is 5 entries for one of the 8 gift certificates!

Would you like to increase your chances of winning one of these fabulous gift certificates? Purchase a new package in February and you will have additional entries for the drawing...

Package A: 5 referrals for $45 = 2 entries

Package B: 15 referrals for $130 = 5 entries

Package C: 25 referrals for $215 = 10 entries!!

Plus if you purchase Package C this month it will be discounted additionally to $205 AND you will receive 10 entries to the Appleby Photography gift certificate giveaway!

What Did You Say?

2010-02-04T13:45:00.002-06:00

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak.

Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."

Winston Churchill

Over the years, we have used this blog as a way to update our clients and friends about what is happening with the studio and our family. We love when someone mentions a post in our personal conversations with them because we are thrilled to know that people are interested in our on-goings. It hadn't occurred to us that we were having a monologue, when we should be having a dialogue. That’s when we realized that blogs are typically set up to accept feedback and comments, and that all these years, that option was turned off on our blog. So, now we available for a conversation. Go ahead, we’re listening!

Valentine's and My Love of Dove

2010-01-30T14:18:00.002-06:00

You may have noticed that we usually have Dove Chocolate in our meeting room. I will admit that I am addicted to their dark chocolate, but any of their chocolate will suffice when a craving hits. We have Dove at the studio, at home and in the car. Our kids all call it "Mama chocolate," because I only share on occasion- I let them eat Hershey's. And Chris still hasn't lived down stealing my last Dove truffle egg- especially since he said he only ate it because he couldn't find anything else to snack on!

Inside Dove wrappers, they offer a little "promise" of love for you to enjoy while you savor your chocolate. This Valentine's season, they give suggestions on how to make the holiday a little more special. Here are a couple: "Create a meal using all of your Valentine's favorite foods" and "re-create your wedding bouquet."

Another great idea for married couples- Frame your wedding vows or a reading from your wedding as a gift for your spouse. What a sweet way to say "I love you!"

Cutest Family!

2010-01-29T10:04:00.001-06:00

It's a New Year. Time for a new family portrait...and a new car! Call 608-280-8845 today to schedule a family portrait session with Appleby Photography and be entered for a chance to be named North America's Cutest Family and win a new car... all while raising money for a unique non-profit that helps families suffering the loss of an infant with free professional portraiture. For more information about the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation, please visit www.nilmdts.org.

Cloth Diapers, Revisited

2010-01-28T23:58:00.006-06:00

Have you ever thought about using cloth diapers?

In Madison, the idea is not so unusual.

When you stop to think about it, when you have one child in disposable diapers, it is amazing how many you throw in the garbage every day. Having two in diapers at the same time screams "bad for the environment." When our son, Henry, was 3 months old and our daughter, Lydia, was 23 months old, we made the switch to cloth. We have been happily using cloth diapers for the last two years with the help of a local diaper service. Mother Nature’s Diaper Service is a locally owned company that delivers clean cotton prefold cloth diapers to our door each week, taking away the dirty ones. I have loved using their service and highly recommend them to anyone thinking about using cloth diapers, but not sure they want the hassle!

Now, if you have never entertained the thought of cloth diapers, you might think the whole idea of using cloth is crazy. Actually, it’s quite easy. In fact, I am willing to say it is only slightly more work, but much for fun. No, really.

After a week, changing a cloth diaper became as easy as changing a disposable diaper. My only real issue was making sure I bought enough covers so I wasn’t always running out between laundry loads.

Generally, when you use a diaper service, you use their prefold cloth diapers (large rectangle piece of cloth), which require a waterproof cover. Mother Nature’s rents and sells Proraps diaper covers, but any other brand will need to be purchased elsewhere. When we started with the service, actual stores with any cloth diaper selection in Madison was quite limited, but I found two websites that I liked, Nicki’s Diapers and Abby’s Lane, and ordered from there. I have tried a few different brands of covers, looking for the perfect one. I wanted a PUL inner layer, which is fabric laminated with a waterproof backing. That way, if the diaper was not soiled, I could simply wipe out the cover and use the same one multiple times before needing to wash it. I tried Proraps (great, sturdy covers- functional, but not “cute”), Bummis Super Brite (better fabric designs, but the PUL didn’t hold up as well as I hoped), and handmade covers from such places as Etsy and Wiggle Worm Bottoms (fun fabric covers, but the ones I tried lacked the trim fit I wanted or didn’t fit right in the legs). My favorite cover was the Thirsties. I love the fit, with gussets, and the selection of colors (like the orange that they call “melon”, but I have nicknamed “bio-hazard orange”), they wash up well and sizing is generous.

But, even though I said I would never attempt washing our own diapers, we are planning on kicking up our “crunchy factor” and doing just that now that we have a newborn to diaper again.

With switching to doing our own washing, I thought this would be a great opportunity to branch out and try different styles of cloth diapers. I went to Nicki’s Diapers, which now has a store in Madison, and picked out a few diapers to try: bumGenius! 3.0 All-in-one (wasn’t crazy about the cloth around the legs- I was afraid of wicking pee or poo out of the diaper), Flip System by bumGenius! (snaps instead of velcro- I knew Chris would hate that, but I love their disposable insert option!), Nicki’s private brand, all-in-two (it’s like Gro Baby Diaper System, where the insert snaps in place, but with a PUL inner- I just decided that it was too many snaps), and Thirsties Pocket AIO (great fit that I was used to, but less absorbency if you don’t stuff the pocket).

After all that, we are back to prefolds in the Thirsties covers. It is the best fit for our newborn, has worked well with my older children and it is an easy system to use.

One load of diaper laundry done, and it’s going well. And if I decide I don’t like washing the diapers on my own, I’ll be calling Mother Nature’s Diaper Service back!

My favorite resources:

Mother Nature’s Diaper Service

Madison Wedding Planner & Guide Bridal Show

2010-01-13T23:58:00.002-06:00

It's that time of year! Lots of engaged couples, with their family and friends, will be coming to the Alliant Energy Center to see all the latest wedding trends, fashions and meet wedding professionals. This weekend is the annual winter bridal show by Wedding Planner & Guide, January 16th (10am to 5pm) and 17th (11am to 4:30pm). The fashion show is at noon and 3pm on both days. Saturday attendees- Don't forget to get your wristband to come back on Sunday for free! Check out the Wedding Planner & Guide website for ticket information.

We are excited to be in a new location, booth #205, near the main entrance. Please stop by and say "hi". We love reconnecting with past brides and grooms, catching up with current couples and getting to meet new people.

The Grand Prize is a New Car!

2010-01-13T01:33:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-22T18:16:00.002-06:00

Here is a peek at the front of our holiday card this year. We love to include a family or children portrait. This year it was just the kids: Madalyn (9 years old), Lydia (3 years old), Henry (2 years old) and Leo (1 week at the time of photo). I am so glad to have them done and in the mail! And it's still 3 days until Christmas!

A Photographer's Son and Birth Announcements

2009-12-21T22:49:00.009-06:00

You would think that the son of a photographer would just be born knowing how to pose for photographs. You would be wrong, of course.

Leo's first session at the studio was quite an event. He needed to stop his modeling to eat twice, he pooped and peed through six diapers, pooped on his sleeper (and new-again mom here totally forgot to pack an extra one in the diaper bag!), peed on me and refused to sleep long enough to be sat down. The only thing I wanted were adorable photographs of my new son, and Leo made us work for them.

In the end, we had two images that we loved so much that we had such a hard time deciding which to use for the birth announcements. These were the two that we loved. After much staring and debating, we went with the right one. I am so happy to finally have the announcements done and in the mail!

It's a Boy!

2009-12-21T22:35:00.002-06:00

As many of you know, we added a new little one to our family this year. On December 2nd, we welcomed a baby boy! Leo Harrison weighed in at 8 pounds and was 20 inches long. We are all doing well and are very excited to show him off.

Black Friday Sale

2009-11-23T23:24:00.002-06:00

At Appleby Photography, we would like to add to the holiday frenzy by having a Black Friday sale. We are excited to help you with your holiday shopping by offering you great savings!

On November 27th and 28th, all $25 gift certificates are on sale for only $20.

That is a 20% savings on EVERYTHING!

It is the perfect gift that will always fit, is unique and personal, and will be remembered always- the gift of portraits!

Sales can be made by phone or e-mail. We will have limited studio hours for those that would like to make purchases in person. Please call for studio hours during these two sale days. All orders made by phone or e-mail will be shipped for no charge.

Can not be used on past purchases, nor exchanged for cash. Limit 20 cards per person.

North America's Cutest Family

2009-10-29T13:03:00.006-05:00

Appleby Photography is participating in the International Charity Event to select North America's Cutest Family and to raise funds for the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation.

Are your loved ones North America's Cutest Family? We'll give you the opportunity to prove it! Many exciting prizes will be awarded, and the grand prize winner receives a new car!

Cutest Family Special:
$75 entrance fee includes a 30-minute mini session and one image submitted to the national gallery. ***Bonus*** Book your 2010 session, January through March, now and pay only $29 entrance fee and receive a $25 print credit to use on your order! Sessions must be booked by Nov. 30th to qualify.

Sessions must take place between November 1, 2009 and April 1, 2010. This is a perfect time for Easter portraits, too! Finalists will be determined by online votes. Each vote is $1 (no limit on the amount of votes you can cast), and all proceeds from votes benefit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. Voting closes April 8, 2010.

Grand prize international winner will be determined from the 52 city finalists. The winners will be selected from the finalist gallery by photography and modeling industry experts. The winning family also receives a session with the renowned portrait artist Sandy Puc' and international recognition.

Call 608-280-8845 now to enter your family in this exciting contest.

*Contest open to residents of the US and Canada. For more information, visit http://sandypucmodels.com/.

HOLIDAY IDEAS: We Sell Pettiskirts, Photo Jewelry, Purses and Bags

2009-10-06T14:12:00.012-05:00

We sell Belle Ame pettiskirts! These are the adorable fluffy, fluffy skirts that little girls LOVE! We also offer matching tees and tanks, as well as bloomers and dresses. The bloomers (ruffled shorts) are super cute for toddlers! These are custom-made with super-soft chiffon in fun colors. Please feel free to e-mail for photos and pricing. belleamepettiskirts also offers more info.

For the grown-ups, we offer fun photo purses, bags and jewelry. These all make great holiday gifts, but remember they are custom, so order early!

Important Dates:

2009-10-06T14:12:00.006-05:00

We have a lot going on in the next few months. We want to take a moment to remind you of important dates and events so they won't sneak up on you. The sooner you schedule your sessions and appointments, the better!

September/October- peak times for outdoor family sessions with fall leaves

October 10- Last chance to order most Wedding albums with arrival times before the holidays (some album styles will need to wait until January)

November 1- April 1 America's Cutest Family international contest
November 8- Last day for all 2009 sessions (except Baby Plan families- call if you have questions or think you will be affected)

November 18- Last day for ordering Portrait and Wedding portraits to guarantee delivery for the holidays

December 1- Last day for Holiday Cards-only orders to guarantee delivery before the holidays

Early December- Arrival of our new baby, limited hours and availability throughout the month- E-mail will work best at this time.

January 16 & 17- Wedding Planner & Guide Bridal Show- stop by our booth to see us that weekend!
Winter 2010- Introducing special program for all past wedding clients- more info will be coming!

Family Sessions

2009-10-06T14:10:00.000-05:00

Now is the perfect time to schedule your outdoor family session! The leaves look great and it's still early enough to getHoliday Cards and Portrait Gifts for your loved ones before the holidays arrive! We will continue to schedule sessions in the studio into November, so don't worry if it gets too cold outdoors for you! And we have fun new holiday card designs!

Urban Kids

2009-10-06T13:53:00.004-05:00

Have you seen the new window display and website gallery? If not, walk by our windows and go to Appleby Photography's website to check out the images! Our newest project is Urban Kids, a fun display of children highlighted by the urban setting of downtown Madison. The children had a blast and were so much fun to work with for these sessions.

Request your Urban Kids session the next time you schedule your child's appointment!

So Excited!

2009-08-20T12:38:00.002-05:00

I just love getting "fun" mail and packages! I just received the package with all of our new window display photographs and couldn't wait to rip it open to see them. The kids all look great! :) There were so many cute kids that it was hard to narrow down the choices. I wish we had more room to display even more! Luckily, the website display has enough space and we can showcase more of the kids. I can't wait to redo the windows! Hopefully we will have a very busy weekend and can get it all done!

Almost Time to Say Good-bye to the Baby Window Display

2009-08-07T10:15:00.004-05:00

I can't believe how fast the summer is flying by. With hot air balloon and Persian wedding ceremonies, a falling bride and groom (there were rumors of a YouTube video in the works) and lots of children's portraits, July is a blur. Now we have August here and school starting within a few weeks- our oldest starts back in only two!

We are very excited to create our new window display, but that also means that we have to say good-bye to all the adorable babies that are in the current window display. We have enjoyed this display so much and have heard so many nice comments about the cute newborns. If you haven't seen it yet, please come by soon, before it's gone!

We will keep you posted as to when the new one goes up- there will be some excited children to see themselves highlighted in the windows!

New Fall Studio Window Display

2009-07-07T15:17:00.000-05:00

WANTED: 6 models for fall studio window and website display
Must be between ages of 3 and 8 years old
Must be photographed on July 13 or July 14 between the hours of 9am and 2pm

Participants will be photographed at the studio for no charge. You will receive a free gift portrait as your Thank You. Your child's image will be used for studio samples and marketing material. (If you are interested in being contacted for the later dates of phase two for this model search, please let me know!)

Please pass the word if you know someone with children in these age ranges! Call the studio to schedule your time, 608-280-8845.
Thank you!

Dates for Limited Edition Children's Sessions

2009-06-22T14:08:00.007-05:00

As earlier posted, we have our dates for our upcoming Limited Edition Urban Boys and Sassy Girls Children's Sessions in July. These are the cute, fun sessions that will show off boys looking cool and girls being sweet or sassy in pettiskirts, great for all ages of kids- babies to pre-teens.

We are now accepting reservations for these sessions.

Mark you calendar for the July Dates and call the studio today at 280-8845! Prime dates and times will fill fast!

Remember, there is NO SESSION FEE for these special sessions. We will not be having pre-planning sessions beforehand, as all important information will be covered by phone and e-mail. Please call to chat more about clothing- both the pettiskirts that we have on hand as well as what you should bring, and studio info and details.

I am very excited about this and am looking forward to seeing all the adorable kids!

Photo Restoration Sale

2009-06-22T13:59:00.006-05:00

Do you have priceless heirloom portraits that are damaged by time? Do you have photographs that are older than you or your parents are and that are showing their age?

We can help!

We would love to help you preserve those old photographs and restore them to their former beauty. Now through the end of June, just bring us your old photograph, and for $50, we will restore it and give you an 8x10 portrait of the enhanced image. Need more photographs or a digital file of the enhanced photograph? We can do that, too. Additional 8x10's are only $15 and a digital file is only $50.

4 Free Tickets

2009-06-16T12:07:00.002-05:00

I have 4 free tickets up for grabs for tomorrow's bridal show! If you can stop in at the studio to pick them up today, they are yours! Call me at the studio to confirm they are still available.

Wedding Planner and Guide Bridal Show

2009-06-16T10:44:00.002-05:00

We are excited about the annual Madison Summer Bridal Show, presented by the Wedding Planner & Guide (the ones that do that big show in January), that takes place tomorrow! The show is from 4pm to 9pm on Wednesday, June 17th at the Marriott Madison West. Ticket information is available at the Wedding Planner & Guide website, and tickets are also available at the door. We have included an engagement session package in the Bridal Show Giveaway, so sign up for your chance to win! We will be sharing our wedding photography at two booths, so stop by either one to say "hi"! You can find us by the front door, at booth 202, and near the cocktail area, at booth 707.

New Album Cover

2009-06-07T13:04:00.003-05:00

We just got in a new album with a beautiful custom cover! This is a new option with the Contemporary Album line. We will be able to show off this album at the upcoming bridal show, which is June 17th. (Check out the Wedding Planner and Guide website for more info.)

Limited Edition Children's Sessions

2009-05-21T15:00:00.003-05:00

We will be offering special Limited Edition Urban Boys and Sassy Girls sessions on select dates in July. These will be sessions geared towards kids from newborns to age 12. We will focus on downtown Madison, creating an urban, cool setting for girls and boys. For the girls, we will have pettiskirts on hand, size newborn up to girls' size 12. However, if you want your color choice, you will want to order your very own pettiskirt by the end of May, as these are custom made. Check your May e-mail newsletter for a great coupon! Sizes are available in newborn up to teen/women's small/medium. Clothing suggestions for what to wear with the pettiskirts and ideas for your urban boy will be offered!

There is no session fee for these Limited Edition sessions and we will have two specials. A $195 deposit will reserve your time. That full amount will go towards your order. Two great options that you will love for your session: a package that includes an 11x14 wall portrait, 2 5x7's and 8 wallets for only $299 ($375 value) or a 10 image album allows you to keep all of your favorite images for only $350 ($400 value). All other prints are at regular studio prices.

Session times are available four days in July, which will be posted next week and they were listed in the newsletter. Our current clients get the first opportunity to book their session before we open them up to the public- so don't wait, call today to reserve your time 608-280-8845!

May Newsletter is Sent

2009-05-21T14:47:00.002-05:00

Our May newsletter was sent out today via e-mail. Did you get it? If not, you may need to update your e-mail address with us. Send us a quick note letting us know your preferred address and we'll make sure you are up to date on our list.

If you haven't gotten our newsletter before, sign up now! We send one out about every other month, with occasional updates in between. We offer specials exclusively to our e-mail newsletter readers, such as discounts on products and first booking opportunities on special sessions.

Don't like e-mail newsletters and want one delivered to your home? Let us know and we can send one to you!