“To have a loving relationship with a sister is not simply to have a buddy or a confident — it is to have a soul mate for life. “

~Victoria Secunda

Just one of these three darling sisters for now…more to come but had to share.    Happy Friday, everyone!

xoxo,

laura

“Of all the joys that lighten suffering earth, what joy is welcomed like a newborn child?”

~ Dorothy Nolte

Just a few sneak peeks right now of this darling baby girl.  I was so honored to photograph her older sis as a newborn a little over a year ago, and countless times in between.    I still need to show some sneak peeks of this sweet little one’s birth day that I also had the opportunity to photograph.  Ahhh, so, so beautiful.  Love you all!

{sweet heart hat from the talented Roxxi of Up Above Creations}

Hi sweetie big sis!

{Headband and cream flower clippie from the fab Mia of Dolce Vita Mia}

“A photograph never grows old.  You and I change, people change all through the months and years, but a photograph always remains the same. How nice to look at a photograph of a mother and father taken many years ago.  You see them as you remember them.  But as people live on, they change completely.  That is why I think a photograph can be kind.”

~Albert Einstein

More {wall art wednesday} posts here!  Enjoy, my friends! 

Such a beautiful way to welcome people into your home.  It is so easy to forget to make that one little area or nook of your home special, isn’t it?  This display of photos and other goodies looks so well thought out and inviting.  LOVE!  Makes me want to redo my entryway…with a colorful Laura-twist, of course!

{image  via decor pad}

I love this idea of displaying a photograph on a large easel and then also using the wire — shown here in a previous {wall art wednesday} post– for more photographs.  Very fun for a playroom but easily translatable to any room in the house!

A simple, beautiful photo blown up large.  Need I say more? I’m a HUGE fan of BIG photographs.

{image via design pod}

This is just too cute!!  I love it and the versatility of it!  SO easy to change out photos and even to add trinkets based on season, don’t you think?  Find out all the DIY info here.

{image via For Whom the Bell Tolls}

Sniff, sniff, this is no longer available, but wouldn’t it be easy to replicate?  SO adorable! I just bought some super easy-to-stick-on-the-wall “frames” from Target for Addie’s room that are similar in style.  FUN!!  I can’t find the exact ones online–bummer!  They are fun, colorful frames, though!  ADORE!  Now, my next step is to put photos in them…

{image via pbteen}

Happy dreaming + decorating, my peeps!

xoxo,

laura

1.  I am way behind on sneak peeks.  I am just completely slammed right now, so bear with me.   Upcoming sneakie peekies: a birth session, a darling newborn session, three cutie sisters (twins and a big sis!) and tons of others.  I’m busy working on galleries and orders right now but will post some soon!

2.  I want an ice cream maker.  Anyone have one they recommend?  Who knows if I would even use it, but the idea sounds awfully appealing–something fun to do.  We have a sort of problem with kitchen gadgets around here, though.  We have all of them and rarely use them.    I think the kids would have fun, though!  Well, at least for the one time we used it.  Hehe.

3.  I am in love with the creativity behind these shirts from Finley and Oliver.  Here are my two sweeties modeling the Louisiana tee (where Jackson was born) and the Arizona tee (Addie’s birthplace).  My fave part and the cherry on top is the darling little felt heart placed right at the city where they were born.  Grace will make any state! Doesn’t everyone need one for their little one?  Someone on Facebook mentioned that it would be good for the Texas/OU game.  How cute if you and your hubby love opposing sports teams!

4.  I found a class for Addison while Jack is in preschool.  It is called Little Jumpers and while the substitute teacher the first day was less than stellar with the kiddos, the permanent teacher that was there yesterday rocked.  I crack up, though, when I realize how very different and laid back I am now as a second time mom.  When I had Jack in classes, he was just like Addie and loved to run around and explore rather than sit and follow along.  I would dutifully go run after him and bring him back to circle time each and every time.  Now?  Well, she has a smile on her face and is happy.  Who am I do ruin that?   If she prefers checking out the ledge on the window over singing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”, more power to her.  It really is quite calming knowing the only thing you care about it that they are happy, no matter what they are doing.

5.  I’m looking forward to a night with five awesome fellow photog chicks in a few weeks.  We are going to spend the night at the uber-rad Hotel Valley Ho, eat at Oreganos, maybe hit up a comedy club, snap lots of photos and just laugh.  These gals rock.  Such talent, silliness and awesomeness wrapped up into one.

6.  I love this print.  Kind of always been my motto.  I have a hard time not dreaming up the “next big thing”.  Love it.  What do you dream big about?

{image via stella + hodge}

7.  I want to start doing bento boxes for Jack’s snacks at school.  Have you heard of them?  Looks awesome, plus there are just so many fun things to buy for it!

8.  Jack’s imagination is in full swing right now.  Well, it has always been like that, but lately that is all we do.  Playing bookstore in his room, then library, complete with the check-out system.  Riding in a firetruck on the living room couch, going to work, braving the wild jungle of stuffed bears and monkeys.  Playing the bug man with a jump rope (the rope is the spray hose) and a bucket (the dispenser for the spray).  This is actually a tried and true fave of Jack and resurfaces each time the real exterminator comes to spray.  The list goes on and on. I love the imagination of a child.

9.   I’m pretty darn tickled over one of my images being in the August issue of Babytalk magazine.  I will be posting a photo of it later, so bear with me in my giddiness. 

10.  Hard to believe that five years ago this week, we were evacuated as a result of Hurricane Katrina, living in Baton Rouge in the house of a friend with around twenty other people.  Such strong memories still, such reminders of grief and change.  Those still affected–because, yes, people are still affected–are in my heart and thoughts today.  Always, really, but especially this week.  Five years, wow.

xoxo,

laura

I am beyond excited to photograph two gorgeous new lines for designer Danielle of Classy Sassy Girls!  We are going to have a blast!  Each and every piece of clothing that Danielle produces is nothing short of luxurious.  She was recently a part of our Alice in Wonderland shoot with her adorable turquoise ruffle dress, and I just swooned when I first saw it!  Classy Sassy Girls is also slated to be featured in two upcoming national publications.  How exciting!

TO ENTER:

~Email a non-professional snapshot of your daughter (ages 2-4) to casting@laurawinslowphotography.com by Monday, September 6th, 2010 at midnight.

~In the subject line, include your daughter’s name, her dress size and CSG (Example: Maria 4T CSG).

~Models MUST be available for an early morning shoot on Saturday, September 25th in Phoenix.  The shoot will last several hours and models must be able to take direction well.  One parent/guardian must be on hand.

~Models will receive a fun day of modeling and laughter, be photographed by Laura and will receive one complimentary digital file (more available for purchase at a discounted VIP rate).

~We regret we cannot choose everyone.  A panel will decide based on the needs of the designer.  Should your child not be chosen this time, feel free to let me know to keep her info on hand for future projects.  Thanks so much for understanding!

With party styling from Kim at The TomKat Studio, we will be photographing the two new lines at the amazing Phoenix shops frances vintage and smeeks.  Such fabulous locations just perfect for this shoot!  There will also be hair accessories by Vintage Rose Wraps, party goodies from Polka Dot Market + tasty treats from Decadent Delights.  Yay!  So.much.fun!!

much love to:

Decadent Delights | frances | Polka Dot Market | smeeks | The TomKat Studio | Vintage Rose Wraps

xoxo,

laura

Woot, woot!!  The winner of the fabulous, oh-so-adorable swing dress giveaway from designer Butterflies & Bees is, as chosen by random.org………………….

….comment #7 from Callie: “Butterflies and Bees are now a fave on etsy.”

Congratulations, Callie, and a HUGE thank you to everyone who entered!!  You all rock!!!!

Cassi, please contact designer Shelley through her Butterflies and Bees etsy page.

Shelley, thank you OH so much for this fab giveaway!!  We LOVE your clothing!!

xoxo,

laura

“Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. ” ~Marion C. Garretty

Meet multi-talented and multifaceted mama Jennifer Pinkerton.  She is a mom to three darling little girls, runs a photography business, a fab etsy shop + is a part of one of my fave photography sites, The Maternal Lens.  Whew!  Do you feel tired for her yet? Read on to find out more about this amazing mama, like the fact that she might add roller derby star to her repertoire very soon!

{photo courtesy Jennifer Pinkerton}

Please tell us a little about your business and how you developed the concept for it?

A couple of Christmases ago, I made some camera strap covers for friends, thinking they were a great idea for any photog, and word about them spread like wildfire!  I opened up my etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/pinkpooka) simply to help me stay organized with all the requests I get.  I am pretty casual about it, just as I am with my photography business, working at it when inspiration strikes.  I do it all because I love it!  I love to sew and take pictures for folks.  Plain and simple.

{How adorable is this little camera?!  Jen made it! I also have the most adorable camera bag that she made–can’t wait to have time to photograph it one of these days!!}

How did you choose your business name?

The Pink Pooka is obviously inspired in part by my last name (Pinkerton) and of course, every girl’s love of pink.  The pooka part is from a play I did in high school, called “Harvey,” about a man with an imaginary friend who is a 6ft rabbit.  It’s just a fun word with a quirky meaning… from old Celtic mythology, a fairy spirit in animal form, always very large.  Appears here and there, now and then, to this one and that one.  A benign but mischievous creature.

With my photography, I’ve chosen just to stick with my name to keep it easy!  I’m all about easy.

What makes your business so fab and awesome?

I am first to admit that maybe I’m not the most business minded person.  I think the best things about my businesses are that I keep things quirky and eclectic.  My work is a pretty accurate representation of me and you never really know when I’ll pop up with something different.  I thrive on the unpredictability of my inspiration.

How many sweeties do you have and what are their ages?

I have a house full of girls.  A five year old and three year old twins!

{Ummm…how gorgeous are these four?!  LOVE the setting, too!!  Photo courtesy Jennifer Pinkerton}

How do you make sure that you are a rockin’ mama to your kiddos while still running your own business?

I try to get the kids involved in my work, so they feel like they are a part of it.  They love to pick out fabrics for my sewing projects and of course, they are my little models for everything.  We are together all the time, so when I’m not working, we try to get out and explore new places.  I really focus on doing things with the kids that will make for great memories.

What is your biggest challenge as a work-at-home mama?

Staying focused!  As any stay-at-home mom knows, you are constantly pulled in different directions, and when you are trying to work on top of that, it’s extremely difficult to find large chunks of time where you can focus and accomplish a task.

Do you have a website/shop/boutique?

Yes, I do!  I sell on etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/pinkpooka

My photography blog is http://jenpinkertonphotography.blogspot.com/

I keep my crafty+family blog (which everyone is welcome to follow!) at http://pinkertonfamilyblog.blogspot.com/

And of course, The Maternal Lens

http://www.thematernallens.blogspot.com/

{Love, love, love Jen’s camera strap covers!  I just adore this fabric, don’t you?}

If you could jet away on a vacation tomorrow, where would you go and why?

I’d definitely go somewhere new and different!  One place I *really* want to visit is a tropical island where they have little huts over the ocean.  I think Fiji would work.

What is something that people probably don’t know about you?

That’s tough because I tell everyone everything!  I think a lot of folks might be surprised to learn that I can be very systematic and disciplined, almost OCD, at times, which is very contrary to the laid back, chronic procrastinator that you usually get to see. You might also be surprised to learn that my newest ambition is to become a roller derby girl.  Those girls are hardcore cool and I must become one!

Jen, thank you SO very much–you are truly a rockin’ mama!!  Camera strap covers, beautiful photographs, fabulous blogs…is there anything you don’t do?!    Oh, and I have ALWAYS wanted to go somewhere tropical where they have those over-the-water huts, too!!  Meet you there!!

xoxo,

laura

“She glances at the photo, and the pilot light of memory flickers in her eyes.”  ~Frank Deford

Welcome to {wall art wednesday}!  Enjoy + if you would like to see previous inpirations, check them out here.

Looking for the giveaway?  Check out the below post here–there is still time to enter to win!

Anyone a Tori Spelling fan?  Here is a photograph of one of her homes with three images hung above her couch.  In a wall space like this, three is the perfect number as odd numbers are typically more pleasing to the eye.  Of course, there are always ways to make two of four or even more work, depending on the arrangement, but for this, three is awesome.  I love the beautiful photographs in simple, large frames.  This looks like a lived-in room–how could you not love to look at those each day?

{image via decor pad}

Wooden hangers!!!  Can you believe it?  How easy and ingenious!  I am SO doing this somewhere in Jackson’s room.  I have already incorporated this previous idea of clipboards (I really have to find time to take a photo of it), only I used clear clipboards and added fun ribbons to the top.  This hanger idea is just perfect–you could even paint them fun colors!

{image via design corner}

Never underestimate the power of a single large image to make a statement.  My preference is a canvas and I think every client should invest in one as it is a stunning piece of ready-to-hang art.  My canvases are some of my most cherished pieces in my home, and to me, they look timeless. The larger the better, and I am not just saying that!    Seriously, look how this fun image (mounted on styrene) just jumps out at you!  Love it!!

{image via pbteen}

I have always loved the look of large frames just propped on the floor.  It gives it kind of a bohemian, artsy effect and I just love it.  If I didn’t have a spirited one year old and an energetic three year old, I might give it a try.  Looks like it will have to wait, though. 

{image via decor pad}

Okay, when I tell you that these are on sale right now at Pottery Barn will you promise not to buy them out before I decide if I want one or not?   Hehe!  Love this, and I think it would be awesome for not only a home but a studio, too.  SO many awesome ways to use it!  I am thinking it is the perfect spot for  Christmas cards or your child’s artwork, too!  Let’s all say it together, “Adore!!”

{image via pottery barn}

So, I just love this image.  The colors are so modern and fresh and who can’t incorporate something like this into a room?  So easy to change out–I have several of these throughout my home.  Do you?

{image via decor pad}

Sweet Whitney, a {wall art wednesday} follower,  shared a link with me yesterday of her wall inspired by an idea from a previous {wall art wednesday} post.  Adorable, Whitney!  It made me smile–head on over to her blog and check it out!  Do you have a wall or fun idea to share?  Shoot me an email–I would love to feature it!

xoxo,

laura

Read on to find out how you can win a fabulous + modern back-to-school swing dress from designer Butterflies & Bees!!

I recently had the opportunity to photograph some beautiful items from the Butterflies & Bees boutique.  Designer Shelley creates adorable clothing in the sweetest fabrics.  I just loved this reversible pinafore and coordinating ruffle bloomers.  The two fabric patterns that Shelley used are perfect together!    You can find the Butterflies and Bees website here, the blog, on Facebook (search Butterflies & Bees) and follow them on Twitter…@ButterfliesBees.

Would you love to win a back-to-school swing dress for your little sweetie?  Here are the deets–8 ways to win!:

TO ENTER:

Simply  visit Butterflies and Bees Clothing Boutique, come back here and leave a comment with your name and tell us what your fave item or fabric is.

FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY:

post a link to this blog post on your Facebook page.  Come back here + leave a comment with your name and saying you did so.

FOR TWO EXTRA ENTRIES:

Share a link to this giveaway on your favorite message board, and come back here and tell us where, along with your name!

FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY:

“Heart” Butterflies and Bees on Etsy as a favorite, come back here and leave a comment with your name and that Butterflies and Bees is now a fave!

FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY:

Post a link to this giveaway on your blog, come back here and write a comment with your name and a link to your blog.

FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY:

Become a fan of Butterflies & Bees on Facebook.

FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY:

Become a fan of Laura Winslow Photography on Facebook.

The VERY LUCKY winner will be announced on Friday, August 30th, so check back to find out if it is YOU! 

{swing dress photo courtesy Butterflies & Bees}

xoxo,

laura

“The sweetest roamer is a boy’s young heart.”
~George Edward Woodberry

This little man was such a little ball of energy, and I loved every second of it!  He is such a doll and has the sweetest little smile.  We had fun exploring and running all around, and he got a sweet reward at the end in the form of a colorful Krispy Kreme donut.  Mmmm…makes you want to go grab one right now, right?  I think he enjoyed it, what do you think?  

xoxo,

laura