Be-YOU-tiful

I love it when a woman's inner beauty comes out on camera. These lovelies were a pleasure to photograph.





It was so much fun to play dress up with an actual rockette!! How awesome does she look on my cute street in Rahway?

Look who's 2 already!!

It was so nice seeing Miss Juliet again this afternoon. Her mom and dad brought her in for her 2yr portraits. I don't know who had more fun, her for dressing up in all the costumes or me for playing with her. She looks like a little doll!! 

"You know, my dear, it isn't safe for a little girl to walk through these woods alone." 

When my design work meets my photography

It is an amazing feeling to be able to do what I love for a living. I love being a portrait photographer, and I love being able to bring those skills into my cover design work. I've been so lucky to work with some amazing publishers and authors. I get so excited when I'm able to actually photograph my own model to use on the covers. I foresee a lot more of that in my future this year :o) Here are two before & afters from a few weeks ago.

To see more of my cover designs check out my FB fan page

Asbury Park Zombie Walk 2012

I had a great time today at the zombie walk in Asbury Park, NJ. Every year I hear about it and I want to go but I never get a chance to do it. This year my friend reminded me about it in time for me to go. I didn't know what to expect, but I loved it. I'm so excited for next years walk!! Here are a few pics from my night with the living dead...lol.

for more pics go to my facebook gallery - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4158245027650.275851.1029727765&type=1&l=94820d8639

Get out and go...

I'm so blessed to have the wonderful clients I have had the honor of photographing, and the blessings continue with each new face that gets in front of my camera. I'm known for my adorable studio sets and patience of steel, but every so often it's nice to get outside and take some great images.

This spring/summer my goal is to get out and shoot more outside. Is there a great wheat field by your house that you think will work great for your family portraits? Is there any place outside you wanna shoot? Run it by me and let's make something happen!! I love being outside shooting in nice weather, and I think you'll enjoy the experience too!!

What do you say? Give me a call!!

R.I.P. Steve Jobs

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.” - Steve Jobs

Hurricane Irene

I hope you are all ok and that you didn't sustain any serious damage from Hurricane Irene. Here's what I was working on until my power went out...

Start thinking about when you'd like to shoot your holiday photos!!

Finally Done!!

The Fairy set is totally complete!! Now all we have to do is wait until Saturday. We are going to have SO much fun. There is an all day tea party planned, crafts, and of course pictures. There are still slots available so please call or email to schedule.

I had to test the set so of course Justin was volunteered for the job. I'm so pleased with how the set turned out, it looks great with your little boy sitting by our pond or your little sugar plum fairy sitting on a mushroom.

Beautiful Bride

There is nothing more breathtaking than a beautiful bride who is glowing with anticipation. This lovely lady married her groom this past saturday and I've never seen a more lovely bride. I'm not being biased because she's my sister, she really was radient. Look for yourself!!

Luckily I didn't have to photograph the wedding but I couldn't resist getting some of these special shots. Congratulations to the new Mrs. Edwards!!! I love you sis <3

Thank You!!

I'm just popping on to thank everyone who's sent me text messages and emails congratulating me on the birth of my little angel. He is doing so well and growing like a weed already. I will be returning to a semi normal shooting schedule in October, so book your holiday session early!

Here is one of my Justin for now...

TTFN!!

Welcome....

Hello everyone!! I am so over the moon about the arrival of my little bundle.

Justin Alton Reed
August 20, 2009
2:02pm
8lbs 8oz
22"

ten fingers, ten toes, cute nose, my baby is PERFECT...lol.
Of course I'll have some really sweet shots to show you once things settle down a bit, but for now here is my newest angel.

Proud Wife!!

OK I'm going to play the doting wife right now...lol. In 2007 my husband self published his book "Find A Way To Make A Way", and it did well. Last year his book was picked up by Tate Publishing and will be released this summer as a second edition.

Please support his efforts to make a difference in someone's life. Take a look at his blog and show him a little love...lol.

http://hrjr.blogspot.com/

PS - That is an awesome photograph, I wonder who took it :o)

ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Wow it has been awhile since I last posted. Well The holiday season was really fun, and so far the new year has been fantastic. I have some good news and I have some great news to share with you.


The good news - I know the economy is taking a hit and everyone is suffering. Personal Touch Photography is committed to growing with you and your family while still giving you quality photographs. So, the good news is that the print prices will NOT go up in 2009. I also wanted to announce that our Spring Sale will start on March 20th and end on April 30th. More details about the sale will be released sometime next week.


The great news - I know you've all been wondering why I haven't posted much lately. Well the truth comes as a very happy surprise. My husband (whom most of you have met if you've come to my home studio) and I are expecting our second child due in August. Now what does this mean for my clients? It means that there will be more of me at your session...lol. Really, it doesn't mean that anything will change. You will still get my personal attention as well as my quality work. I will continue to take on location portrait sessions until June. During July I will only do portrait sessions in my studio or at a park. I think carrying around my backdrops and lighting equipment would be too much after 7months. I will return back to business as usual in October (just in time for the holiday season...yay!!) so please don't hesitate to book your appointments. I promise to show up...lol.


Thanks again for making 2008 a phenomenal year and I look forward to an even better 2009.

Another Geek Moment...

OK, I've told you about my Harry Potter obsession before. Well, Since September 10th I've found a new obsession.... The Twilight Saga.

And to cater to the giddy pre-teen living inside my head...they made a movie!! My husband just shakes his head at me now...lol. I'm so excited that I could scream. If you haven't read the books I highly recommend them, they are really entertaining and an easy read. I have to warn you though, the books will leave you with a VERY unrealistic view of love and relationships...lol. I actually had someone tell me that after she read the books she didn't date for an entire year afterward...lol. How crazy is that?!?

Here's the movie trailer...ENJOY!!

Twilight HD Exclusive Trailer


TTFN!!

Remember...

Simple Act of Kindness

I want to share with you guys the act of kindness I experienced this afternoon. Today AJ was in rare form. He had so much energy that we needed to go the park to burn it off. While at the park there was a mom there with her three children playing. She proceeded to give her littlest baby a balloon. AJ saw this and took off in her direction. By the time I made it over to her she said he could have one too. So as she was blowing up the balloons we chatted. The time we were at the park this lovely woman gave AJ two balloons.

Most of you know my son has been diagnosed with autism. Even with the demands of her own children (one who is also special needs) she was so sweet and giving. I've gone to that same park a million times and had to deal with the weird looks and the awkward questions about my son's behavior. This woman was a breath of fresh air and a sign that there ARE still kind people in this cruel world.

I didn't get her name (silly me I know) but I did give her my card. I hope she calls me so I can show her how her generosity has effected us. I know it was only two balloons (that have since popped) but she really made my afternoon a bit brighter.

lesson - a simple act of kindness can make a world of difference in someone's life.

TTFN!!

Feeling sentimental

A few days ago my husband posted a really sweet blog about me on his site.
I just wanted to share it with you.

Click ~~~~> HRJR Enterprises: Giving Credit Where It's Due!

TTFN!!

Geek Alert!!

OK, my husband likes to tease me about how much of a "geek" I can be sometimes. I know it's all in good fun and I embrace my "geekness"...lol. Tonight I was beside myself because I just saw the first trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. First let me say I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Harry Potter books, so I'm so excited to see the next movie. I just hope they do the books justice, because I hated the 5the movie. If you ever want to be bored to death, just ask me why I hated it...lol.

Here is the trailer for the 6th movie....ENJOY!!

The Harry Potter trailer is here!

Wild Kingdom

I am always amazed at what I find in my jungle of a backyard. I've always said I am no gardener, in fact I really suck at it...lol. But when I do get brave and venture into my back yard I always find something interesting. Today I saw no less than 24 spiderwebs in my yard and in one of the webs I see two spiders "planning on expanding their family". I definately have to get brave and do something about those overgrown bushes.

Happy 4th of July!!

Tonight Woodbridge set off their annual fireworks show at Alvin Williams Park on the Sewaren waterfront. This year we stayed home but we got a fantastic view from our front yard. AJ absolutely LOVED the show. He signed for more a few times...lol. I'm hoping to catch another fireworks show sometime this weekend and snap a few photos. I hope everyone has a happy and SAFE holiday weekend!!

HAPPY JULY 4th

TTFN!!