Winner of the photo contest.

HAVE YOUR SOUND ON PLEASE

Disclaimer- Cheesy but fun announcement below!

Miss Ellie - Southern Oregon Photographer

Say hello to Miss Ellie

This little lady was loaded with smiles.

Growing so fast, beautiful beyond words.

Seimer Family ♥ Southern Oregon Photographer

 

 

Meet the Siemer Family

First time parents, First family photo session.....

.....And it was perfect!

Are these not the cutest baby feet?

I Heart Faces- Friendship

When I saw that this week's theme is friendship this picture instantly came to mind.

They are adorable and were having SO much fun at the waterpark. 

To see more awesome friendship images click on over to IheartFaces

Mr. Colt ~ Southern Oregon Children's Photographer

I've had the opportunity of photographing this little man several times.

Each time is even more fun than the last!

and just when I think he can't get any cuter.... HE DOES!

That hat was purchased off of Ebay

and his mommy made the pants! (what a handy mom to have)

Enjoy the images as much as I loved photographing them.

Make sure to leave some comment love!

There's about 10 more that I love, but I'm tired and need to go night night.

Last One....

The End.

♥

I Heart Faces- From a Distance

This weeks challenge at I Heart Faces is from a distance. I love everything about this image.

I was taking this image from a distance, the children are watching from a distance and I feel the railroad tells a story about distance. :)

Also, I love this photo because these are some of my favorite people!

Coming Soon (among many more sessions)

Maria's Bridal Shower

Getting caught up... well attempting too.

In the next couple weeks I will be trying my hardest to get caught up on blogging sessions. I am going to start from fall 2010 until current. Bear with me as the blog posts clog up your newsfeed. My clients are all amazing people and I have cherished meeting them all. I would not be where I am today (that sounds so cliche' but it's SO true) if it wasn't for them!! You deserve a blog post!

Thank you!

Motherhood- I Heart Faces Challenge- Southern Oregon Photographer

As I was looking through what "motherhood" image I wanted to use I looked through my cute cuddly sleeping baby images, babies snuggled in mommys.... but nothing screamed perfect as much as this did. :) When I reflect on my own journey through motherhood I have some memories of moments like this. :)

Don't get me wrong... Babies are amazing and a true blessing from above.

☺ But everyone keeps posting these beautiful soft fantasy like images. ☺

Truth be told... there are moments like this. Yet it's still beautiful!

This mommy was a beautiful first time mommy and she was the most nurturing and kind mommy.

Autism Awareness Month Giveaway Winner- Please read!

3 amazing mamas wrote about their journey with autism. I read each comment and each one brought me to tears. I admire you and all the other families out there on this journey. You are strong, you are courageous, you are incredible. Thank you for sharing your story!

                                      The winner of the photo shoot is Lucia!

Here is Lucia's Story

Ok well I am not even sure where to begin, Alex's story is so long that it's had to put into a short story but I will try my best. Alex was born November 1st, 2006 he was 7lbs 1oz, 21 inches in lenght and beautiful as could be. He was an amazing sleeper since day one, he was such a calm baby, perfect in my eyes, but what can I say I'm his mommy. Then 2 months later came time for his 2month check up and his vaccinations. This was the beginning of the worst experience of my life. He recieved 6 vaccines that day, a combination I should say of about 7-8 vaccines. That day Alex cried non-stop for almost 24hrs, which was very strange since he was not like this at all. After those 24hrs things seemed to go back to normal. Then a few days after he was taken to the ER because he was having trouble breathing, scary you ask? Very scary, but according to drs it wasn't anything serious, and sent us on our way. 4 month check up, same thing (expect the ER visit) same set of shots and same 24hr period of crying, 6 months same thing. I kept asking drs if this was normal and they kept reassuring me that it was, me being a 1st time mom I didn't know any better and I trusted the drs completly. When he turned 14 months, we were back at the drs, and once again more vaccines, this were the ones that started to show more abvious signs that something was wrong. Then about 2 months later Alex recieved another vaccine that he had not gotten at his 14 months check up, this one gave us horrible symptoms that I had no idea were related to vaccine injury, I feel so bad even saying all this because there is always that guilt of not knowing this could happen. Guilt of not investigating this more, but at the same time I think how could I research or know to research somthing I didn't kow was happening. By this time (16-18 months old) Alex was showing us more signs that something was wrong, he became very picky about food, about food textures, he developed sensitivies, sensory issues, wanted to be alone most of the time, lost eye contact, lost interest in kids and people in general, he was spinning constantly and flapping his arms throughout the day, he had regressed into autism. He was officinally diagnosed on March 31st 2009, that day will live with me for the rest of my life, that day all my dreams for my son were taken away from me, that day my heart broke into a million pieces, that day I truly knew what pain was. Since then we have been working non-stop to recover Alex from autism, first with biomedical and since November of last year (2010) with homeopathy. Alex has made lots of progress and that is a true blessing, a HUGE blessing. It has not been easy but not impossible either, I am sure that with faith and HOpE anything is possible, god has the power to change all things, we just have to believe.
Alex is still non-verbal (for now hopefully) but communicates through Sing language, thanks to Signing Times his world and ours is a much happier place, he is reading since he was 3yrs old, knows his number, and can put some words together. We still have a ways to go before we can say we have defeated autism but everyday we get a day closer, I have faith that one day my son will be able to speak to me and call me momma, tell me how this day was and tell me stories and all his dreams. I have lots of faith that one day that day will come, it's all a matter of time, in god's time. Till them I will keep going, keep fighting, keep hoping, and keep dreaming, I know that all his dreams and mine will be a beautiful reality one day. Autism is tough ot deal with but not tougher than a determined mom who will never give up on her son, and when I say never I mean never. There's is hope for our children, we just have to go out there and find a way to make HOPE strong and recovery a reality.
www.alexautismoysurecuperacion.wordpress.com Our blog just incase anyone wants to follow Alex's Journey out of Autism.

Lucia, please send me an email at lacie@catchingmemoriesphoto.com

 so we can chit chat about the details of the photo shoot!

Thank you to everyone who participated!



Winners Announced for the National Infertility Week Contest!

Thank you to those participating. The winners were drawn using random.org. The winners were then verified to have followed the rules. (some comments were removed because they were written by lovely people who were not participating in the giveaways but wanted to share some loving words.) :) xoxo.

Winner #1 Winner of the 30 minute photo shoot is Heather Merrihew.

Winner #2 Winner of the Shabby Chic Pillow from Pretty In Paint is Lauren Winningham!

Winner #3 of the Hand Stamped Necklace from Pretty Chicky Boutique is Heather Merrihew again!

Winner #4 of the Handmade Wallets from Valli D is Chloe Christiansen!

Congratulations and thank you SO much for participating!

To claim your prizes please respond by email to lacie@catchingmemoriesphoto.com



National Infertility Week & some giveaways!

National Infertility Week
*Disclaimer: I allowed my emotions to write this. Please forgive the sarcasm and attitude. Some may be able to relate. Some may not. Some of the words are meant for an older audience.

If you have never struggled with becoming pregnant, if you can walk by your husband and get knocked up, say i want a baby-go pee on a stick-BAM you're pregnant-carry to term. Congratulations! You're one of the lucky ones.

But.... if you're one of the ones that decided to have a baby. You go off the pill, you join some online forums that share the up to date tricks to get pregnant faster, you start making friends in the TTC chat forums, Making Whoopie is fun, you possibly buy an outfit and put it away... (because 9 months from now you'll have a cute little bundle of joy with his eyes, and your nose.....), you pshyc yourself up to be a mommy. You call your hubby on lunch breaks and exclaim I'm Ovulating, which during this time is about as good as christmas morning. A month goes by...Nothing. Two months go by... nothing. So you google "tricks to getting pregnant". You make whoopie in "certain" positions, prop a pillow under you and lay still not moving for at least 20 minutes, Maybe you stand on your head up against the wall. But then... three months, four months, five months, a year. Still you're not pregnant. You start seeing more and more prengant women around you. Online friends in from the TTC forums are now in the expecting a baby in July forum. Mom to a newborn Forum. And yet... you're still in the TTC. (That is if you haven't punched a hole in the computer screen)(That's if you still even go into the forum) Every store you go in there's pregnant woman all around. Like a bad dream, like you're being mocked. And no matter how positive you try to be... You still kind of want to kick someone. You go to the doctor... finally. You see, your not given a ticket on the infertility roller coaster until at least (Usually) a year of trying and being unsuccessful.  So, you go to the doctor. And after several fun legs in the air exams, ultrasounds, blood draws, and (more) money out the wazoo. You get CLOMID. Sometimes this works for couples. And to them I holler YAY!!!! But... there are those it doesn't work for. This is when the infertility journey get's a bit rocky for me to continue to explain. As I am only a couple months out of learning that Clomid doesn't make me ovulate and researching what to do next. What I know right now is that infertility is not covered under insurance in most states. This was heartbreaking news for me to learn. So I have slowed down on the agressive approach to get "knocked up". Our finances at this moment do not allow me to go and spend the thousands of dollars I may need to find out what is wrong with my body. I will be trying a new drug in the next couple months called Femara. It's still being researched and (shhh.) insurance has caught on that it's being used for fertility so it's covered. But since my knowledge doesn't go beyond what I have experienced I am going to stop writing about all the joys (insert sarcastic tone here) of infertility. I have read enough and known several women who explained to me the "next steps" and it's scary. I am taking baby steps because part of me doesn't want to accept the reality in which I am living. I'm praying for a miracle.

Like I said Some reading this blog may be able to relate to me. Others may not. This week is National Infertility Awareness week and I am not writing this to make anyone feel bad for me. I'm not reaching out for notes of encouragement. I just want people to be aware of infertility. It's not talked about often. Please take a moment to read some of the facts associated with infertility.

Fast Facts About Infertility

Infertility is a disease that results in the abnormal functioning of the male or female reproductive system. Both the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), World Health Organization (WHO) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recognize infertility as a disease.

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse (six months if the woman is over age 35) or the inability to carry a pregnancy to live birth.

•Infertility affects 7.3 million people in the U.S.

•Approximately one-third of infertility is attributed to the female partner, one-third attributed to the male partner and one-third is caused by a combination of problems in both partners or, is unexplained. (http://www.asrm.org/)

•A couple ages 29-33 with a normal functioning reproductive system has only a 20-25% chance of conceiving in any given month (National Women’s Health Resource Center). After six months of trying, 60% of couples will conceive without medical assistance. (Infertility As A Covered Benefit, William M. Mercer, 1997)

•Approximately 44% of women with infertility have sought medical assistance. Of those who seek medical intervention, approximately 65% give birth. (Infertility As A Covered Benefit, William M. Mercer, 1997)

•Approximately 85-90% of infertility cases are treated with drug therapy or surgical procedures. Fewer than 3% need advanced reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF). (http://www.asrm.org/)

•The most recently available statistics indicate the live birth rate per fresh non-donor embryo transfer is 28%. (Assisted Reproductive Technology Success Rates, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005)

•Fifteen states have passed laws requiring that insurance policies cover some level of infertility treatment: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and West Virginia. (For more on this visit the insurance coverage section of resolve.org.)

•Offering a comprehensive infertility treatment benefit with appropriate utilization controls may actually reduce costs and improve outcomes by eliminating the inappropriate use of costly covered procedures and allowing specialists to use the most effective, efficient treatment for a specific type of infertility. (Infertility As A Covered Benefit, William M. Mercer, 1997)

Some days are better than others. I understand that I am not living with cancer, I don't have a disease that will eventually kill me. But when a couple turns on the internal switch that they want to be a mommy and daddy. It's a hard switch to shut off.

Resolve is an organization that's sole focus is on infertility. You can read about the organization by visiting their website. Here

If you have read this entire post.... I think you're amazing. Thank you for letting me rant a little bit about an issue that is close to me. I appreciate you.

I have some great giveaways for this week.
All comments must be on this blog.

1st giveaway is a FREE 30-45 Minute Photo session with me! Catching Memories Photography.
*limited to 2 people, *1location, *Must be redeemed by August 31, 2011

facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Catching-Memories-Photography-and-Videography/303328865935

Blog: http://www.catchingmemoriesphoto.blogspot.com/

2nd giveaway is A gorgeous handmade Shabby Chic Pillow from Pretty in Paint (picture to come)

facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/prettyinpaint

blog: http://prettyinpaint32.blogspot.com/

3rd giveaway is an awesome hand stamped custom made necklace from Pretty Chicky Boutique

facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/PrettyChickyBoutique
blog: There is no blog. (this does not affect your entry ☺)


4th giveaway is a wallet (picture to come soon) from Vali D Designs!

facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/valliddesigns
blog:  http://valliddesigns.blogspot.com/

(there may be more surprises throughout the week too!)

Here is how to enter!!!
1st entry) Become a fan of EACH facebook page. (If you win, I will verify that you have liked each page) You must also leave a comment on each page that Catching Memories sent you.
Come back here and leave a comment that you did the above. :)

2nd entry) Follow the blog of each company
Come back here and leave a comment that you followed each blog.

3rd entry) Copy and paste this as your status-  @CatchingMemoriesPhotography is hosting an awesome giveaway to bring awareness to infertility! I want to win! Check it out http://www.catchingmemoriesphoto.blogspot.com/
 
(make sure to actually type in the @ symbol before you type Catching Memories and make sure your post is set to everyone, so I will be able to see the post!)
Come back here and leave a comment with a link to your fb page.
Earn 3 extra entries) If you suffer with infertility, leave a brief story, or a long story about your infertility journey. as one comment and then just your name as another comment. (x2)


Hope that all makes sense. Feel free to email me with questions. lacie@catchingmemoriesphoto.com
I have included links to all business facebook pages and blogs. :)

Thank you so much!!
Infertility sucks and I'm just trying to spread the word and hopefully brighten someones day!!

Drawing will be held May 1st through Random.org. A winner for each prize will be selected.

Autism Awareness Month=A giveaway!

April is Autism Awareness month.

Facts Continued...
*Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
*Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade
*Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases

*Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism

*There is no medical detection or cure for autism

I would like to do a giveaway to one deserving family.

Here is how you can enter to win!


I want to celebrate the unique beauty that exists within a child with autism. Too often their potential is overshadowed by their disability, but I want to turn that around and shine a light on their true uniqueness with my camera. To do this I am donating a free mini photo session to a family who has been touched by autism. This free session will go to the winner of a special drawing on April 30th, 2011. Here are the details:

Shine a Light on Autism: Tell me either about your own family or a family that you know that has a child with autism. Tell me about their unique journey and the hurdles that they have confronted along the way. In order to raise as much awareness as possible, we ask that you be willing to share your story on my blog. I will post as many of your stories as I can during my weekly blog posts. Then, on April 30th at 12pm, one story will be randomly chosen as the winner and announced on both my blog and facebook page. The winner will receive a free 1 hour photo session with me, at a remote 60acre ranch, (free of loud noises and people, and lots of room to run around) including 25-35 images posted to your own private gallery on my website and a CD with a printing release. To enter the drawing please leave a comment with your story. All entries must be submitted by April 25th, 2010.

Also, you must re-post the link to this blogpost to help spread the awareness of Autism.


Photo Session must be redeemed by August 31, 2011

Lacie is looking for Senior Reps! Apply Now!

Catching Memories Photography by Lacie Lacy is ready for 2012 seniors!

It’s that time of year; Lacie is looking for FUN seniors interested in becoming senior representatives. I am looking for juniors who will be seniors in 2012 to help promote my business to their friends. I will be collecting applications until April 1, 2011 from anyone wanting to be considered as one of my reps. I will choose one female and one male student from each local high school April 2, 2011.

Is being a Senior Rep for you?

• Want to get your Senior Photo session for free?
• Want to have some great images for Facebook, and your MySpace portfolios?
• Want to get free prints and products?

Then my Senior Rep Program may be for you.

Catching Memories Photography is now seeking high school senior representatives for the class of 2012! If you are currently a high school junior or know a high school junior who might like to be a senior rep, here’s what you need to know.

If accepted, you will be representing Catching Memories Photography and telling your friends about our Senior Sessions throughout your senior year. Be sure to let your junior friends know also, so they will have a chance to apply for the 2013 program! For every friend you refer us to, you will receive special discounts.

In order to be a senior rep, you must:

• Have great style, lots of personality and enjoy being in front of the camera.
• Be a current high school junior graduating in 2012.
• Live in and attend school in one of the following counties: Jackson or Josephine
• Be available to have one half of your session completed before May 15th, 2011. The second half we can schedule in the fall.
• Agree to tell your friends and classmates about Catching Memories Photography and share your senior portraits with them.
• Have your parents or legal guardians sign a model release form.
• Agree to represent ONLY Catching Memories Photography and use these images as your senior pictures.
• Re-post this on your facebook. Copy this link and paste on your facebook or myspace page. http://catchingmemoriesphoto.blogspot.com/2011/03/juniors-that-will-be-seniors-this-ones.html

As part of our senior rep program you will receive the following:

• Free photo session(s) with unlimited clothing changes. Photos may be completed in one session or several sessions at Catching Memories Photography discretion. Several locations may be used.
• The opportunity to earn print credit for every person they refer to Catching Memories Photography for senior portraits. (And their friends get perks, too!)
• 50 personalized referral cards to give to friends and classmates with your name, your portraits, and our Business information to hand out to friends
• Proof Book to show off!
• Several of our favorite photos as low-resolution files to share on social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace or Blogs (with our logo on them).
• A digital slideshow on your Facebook, Myspace, and Blog Pages
• Discounts on your print orders (discounts apply to orders purchased before expiration of gallery).
• A $50 gift card will be awarded to the representative with the highest number of photo business cards turned in by November 1, 2011.

Referral Discounts
1-3 Referrals – Free Accordion Album
4-6 Referrals –Free Accordion Album & 10% off your print order and $10.00 print credit referral
7-9 Referrals –Free Accordion Album & 10% off print order and $20.00 print credit per referral
10-12 Referrals – Free Accordion Album & 25% off print order & $30.00 print credit per referral
13+ Referrals – Free Accordion Album & 35% off print order & $40.00 print credit per referral

(Accordion Album may be substituted for another product of equal or lesser value.

When your referrals book a paid session and bring in your Rep Card you will receive the above mentioned discounts according to the amount of referrals you bring to us. These referrals can include anyone who books the following sessions: Senior, Maternity, Newborn, Family Portraits, Portraits, Weddings, etc.

You will receive your Rep Cards by May 30, 2011. (Time may vary depending on shoot schedule)

You only receive credit for referrals earned before your Full Senior Session is completed. Any referral cards used between the time your session is complete and May 1, 2012, will be kept and you can order additional products or prints with your credits.

If accepted, you will be representing Catching Memories Photography and telling your friends about our Senior Sessions throughout your Junior/Senior year. Be sure to let your junior friends know also, so they will have a chance to apply for the 2013 program.

The classmate(s) must present a referral card in order to be eligible. All referred classmates will receive 10% of their session with a valid referral card. Your participation in the program will not only introduce you to a new way for cutting edge, personalized photography, but also a way to earn incentives toward your session for senior portraits at little or no cost.

Terms and conditions are listed below for all Senior Portrait Representatives. The first photo session must be completed by May 1st of the Junior Year and all additional sessions need to be scheduled by July 1st, 2010. Parents or legal guardians of the Senior Rep must sign a model release, allowing us to use your images for advertising purposes. A valid Senior Portrait Rep Referral Card must be presented by a referred student in order to receive any credits toward prints. Credits will only be issued when a referred senior’s session is complete and all fees are paid in a timely manner by the referred senior. The program is first come, first serve, so act fast if you are interested.

Interested students should submit all information by Friday April 1, 2011. Reps will be chosen and announced on Saturday April 2, 2011 by Catching Memories Photography. Reps will be contacted if chosen and also announced on the Blog and on Facebook. No more than two reps will be chosen from each school.
 

******If you are interested in filling out an application please  CLICK HERE! 

or you may email me with any questions at lacie@catchingmemoriesphoto.com*****

Good luck to you!
I look forward to meeting you,

Lacie

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Spring Mini Session {Southern Oregon Photographer}

The mini sessions are back!

If you missed out on the fall mini,

you don't want to miss out on the spring!

Details:
30 minute fun as all get out sesion
1 outfit
1 Location (photographer will choose and announce next week)
CD with all edited images
Free Accordian Album! (these are UH-MAZING.)
A $25.00 Non re-fundable deposit is required to secure your time.

I have some really fantastic ideas that I am trying to put into play. I want this shoot to be spectacular!

For those that booked I will be emailing the details next week!

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

I look forward to seeing you!

Blessings!

Lacie

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