Abernathy Photographics

See you on the other side...!!!

Well....it's that time! Time to put this blog to rest and head over to a new look!! Fresh, clean and modern...with bigger images!! that's what I asked for, and that's what I got! Cant wait for you to see it.  So...what are you waiting for?  Click HERE!!  OR paste this in your browser: 
www.abernathyphotographics.com/blog

SEE YOU THERE!! This blog is now CLOSED!!!

Out of town...

Will be out west and not available by phone or email. I will be returning Monday and will return all phonecalls and emails in the order they were recd, when i get back!
I've got a little surprise when i return, so make sure you check the blog early next week.  I'm excited about a new 'look' for AP! :-) 

Still hangin' out in '08?

Yup...still coming across sessions from end of 08 that I need to post. I might as well just get used to the fact that i wont get to all of them and move on - hehe. But while I'm still coming across them, I will try and post as much as I can. 
Here is my little CA buddy! She comes to Bham every year to see her grandparents and we make sure that we're on each other's calendars. You may remember her as my 'home page' girl...as she graced the homepage of my website for a long time (from her 6 month shoot). She is all grown up now and walking like she's been doing it for years!  Such a cutie!

If you know me...you know i'm obsessed with hats...so when mom pulled this little treat out...I was loving it.  It's custom made and one of a kind...the best kind!

And speaking of favorites...I was loving her dress from one of my favorite children's online stores: TEA collection (see left hand column of blog for link).  So cute you could just eat her up!  :-) 

I had so much fun and cant wait till next time!

A Valentine's TREAT...

I thought I'd do something a little bit different and offer a minisession for valentines day coming up! Check it out below and contact me asap as spots for these ALWAYS fill quickly! Especially since I've now incorporated digital images into the deal! :-)  It's a 2009 Heart day special ONLY!

Please click here: Download Valentinespecial to see a bigger PDF version.

Fine Print:
*Not available with any other gift certificate, special offer, or coupon
*Limit 4 individuals
*Location is TBA
*Free gift is a 3-image (10x20) storyboard
*All participants can enjoy 25% off all other AP products

Please contact for details and to sign up! info@abernathyphotographics.com or 205.260.0131
THANKS!!

Changes...

It seems that alot of people have been waiting for this blog post (as i've recd several inquiries). But the truth is...it may not be the information that most of you are expecting.  Back in the summer of 08, I had been craving a change for AP...even started praying for open doors.  I knew it was time to take my business to the next level.  For me, that not only meant getting help behind the scenes to give me more time w/ my clients (as well as with my family)....but also putting myself out there in the community more.  I knew it would take alot of hard work creating the right relationships, and seeking out the best options for my business at the moment.  It would have to start small...and grow from there.  So the prayers and the search began...and so did the holiday madness,lol.  Most of you know that the holiday madness starts late summer in this industry.  My plan to pursue this change went on the back burner b/c i was so busy..and the little time i did have, i needed my family...and my family needed me.  It wasnt until one day I was out and about and I walked into a store in a favorite Bham shopping area of mine...and started talking w/ the store owner.  We quickly started a relationship and learned that we had a good bit in common...not only were we both small business owners (obviously)...but fun stuff like...her favorite place to travel is my birth-country (Romania - you should really check it out...it's awesome!)  Anyway...before i get all sidetracked...I found out that her space was coming available after the first of this year...and we talked alittle bit about that.  When i got home that night, i realized... this was the answer, I believed this was my open door!  The excitement began...and so did all the work! This space was not to be utilized as a studio, but rather as a gallery where I can have client-consultations, client pickups, ordering sessions. Also, it would serve as a gallery for walkins/potential clients to meet me, see my work and look through my products. It was a dream come true in a dream location. What more could I ask for!?!  As the holidays approached, and quickly went away, we were at the finishing stages of making this a reality.  NO ONE on this planet was more excited than I was at this point!  It wasnt until one day...it was almost like I got kicked in the gut. Jason (my hubby) and I were talking about everything, looking at the layout of the space, figuring out the design/decor, this and that....and it's like we both 'knew'. It took me longer though to really admit what i was feeling....but it was like an instant gut feeling. All of the sudden, questions that were already asked (and answered) came up again and feelings of 'Is this the right thing??' came out of NOWHERE!  I didnt want to feel this way, b/c I knew just HOW BADLY I wanted this for my business and for myself.  But that feeling never went away, but only got stronger.  I am a true believer in the power of prayer and we dedicated the next few days to committing these questions to the Lord and really get guidance on which way we were supposed to go. All the work had been done, business-wise, and family-wise...we had a solution for everthing. So we thought. But I honestly think that God places these little red flags in our paths to tell us something...to maybe seek Him a little more. And at that point...I was beyond tears...that is all I could do. It was such an inner battle btw. the direction i know i wanted to go in and the direction I was being led in.  We were days from signing the lease when we finally came together and realized that we have reached our level of peace.  A friend of mine told me that when it's right...you'll know that you know that you know.  As much as I wanted to be there...I wasnt. And if i wouldve gone through with this space...yeah, it probably wouldve been alright, I'm sure it wouldve been hard, but we couldve made it work in everyway.  But i wouldve gone against my level of peace and doing that to myself and my family...and ignoring the hand of God...I know I would not have been happy.  So it has been a struggle. As quickly as these changes came...they were also gone. And i believe that it's only to make room for something bigger and better when the right time comes.  It's hard to wait for the 'right' time...but when it comes...i'll know that i know that i know....

What I have learned through all of this is to seek God and really know when He's leading one way or another.  I have always been a church go-er, have always been involved in ministry growing up whether it be through missions, or serving the community, etc.  But God was SO 'in-my-face' in such a personal way throughout this whole thing and just made Himself so real to me. It's amazing how God 'looks out' for us.  I dont know why He's leading me the way He is...i may never know. But He sees the big picture and that's all that matters to me now.  We forget how involved He wants to be in our work life.  I challenge you today...if you're a business owner (or any type of work place)...make sure  you make Him a part of every decision. He will honor that and only good can come out of it.  It may not be easy...but in the end, you can be at peace and know that HE holds it all!  To those involved...words cannot express how much i appreciate your understanding and support...i know it hasnt been easy on all of us.

Blessings to all of you! Thanks for hearing what i have to say. And though the space is not happening for AP...there are alot of good stuff in store for 2009! Cant wait!

Another 'end of 08' baby

I still have so much to post from end of the year sessions.  I've been so busy working on things for the business....and that 'change' i was telling everyone about...well, let's just say, i'll have to dedicate a separate blog post to it.

In the meantime, here is another precious baby boy! He is a true miracle! So glad to have had the chance to capture this time for you guys!

I've got several other newborns coming up...and I'm just scared I'm starting to get baby fever (OK. STOP me right now...we CANNOT go there) :-)

Re-connecting

I used to work with this little girl's daddy...in a previous life  :-)   so it was nice when i saw them at the Babypalooza this last year and then later got a call from them to photograph their OH-SO-CUTE little girl!
Did we have fun playing dress up or what? i dont even remember how many outfit changes we even did that day, but it was so fun, and i think we got some great shots.  Oh...and their house was just amazingly decorated for the holidays!

Cousins

These little guys were the best! so funny and so much energy! Little 'J' lives here...and his cousin came all the way from CA.  Sure am glad that it worked out for us to do this session...as it was a not-so-pretty day and that was our only day. lol
Please take a look at how cute they are.  When they came out in these outfits...i was loving it! we laughed about it and said..OK...these 2 guys look pretty big-time! ha!  ladies and gents..these are the guys that are going to save wallstreet. hehe...

but then we had to put all work aside and have a little fun...

 

all my love to you little buddies!

Happy 2009!

well...it's been quite a year, and i'm still getting used to the fact that it's 2009. wow. i hope everyone has enjoyed their holidays...and time with their families.  Other than getting over sicknesses here...we have enjoyed the little time off that we've had. 

Just a few business things to get out of the way:
-Session pricing structure has changed for 2009.  If you have contacted me about a session for this year, but have not sent in your contract and payment...please note that the new pricing structure will apply.  If you've already sent in all items to confirm your date...you are set, and will still be able to access the 2008 prices.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
-2009 calendar is now open and is being updated on a weekly basis.  Please send any session inquiries as soon as you have a date in mind, as the phones have started ringing...and dates are gonna go pretty quick.
-Also...watch out for upcoming specials that i will post in the next few days! You're not going to want to miss out!
-News from Abernathy Photographics...i know, i have been dragging this subject right along havent I?  There are so many things in the works...that my head is spinning...but i do not want to spill the beans just yet, as final details are still in the works.

so...now that i have a cazillion sessions to catch up with in my blog...here goes nothing:
I've had quite a few newborns toward the end of 2008...here is a precious little lady that is nothing but sweetness:

and a set of twins that have completely melted the heart of anyone that comes in contact with them...esp. mom and dad!

ok...more coming soon!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

WOW!! What a year...it was this weekend that i wrapped up my final orders and sent them out for those that had their Christmas orders! I do that every year...and it seems like every year i say i will cut off the holiday deadline earlier...and i never do.  But really, next year i am. :-)  When it gets to crunch time like this...this one woman show is truly functioning on pure caffeine and christmas music. LOL 
This last month has been a tough one as my whole family has been sick since Thanksgiving...we have had everything from sinus infections, to ear infections, to pink eye, to walking pneumonia, to bronchiolitis (baby version of bronchitis).  Ava JUSt got over that this weekend really...(bless her poor little heart...she has been miserable for the last month - and so has mommy). And Jason has gone a little longer w/ his walking pneumonia...only to go to the dr. again this past Monday. UGH.  So glad it looks like it's coming to an end, b/c i DID NOT want to feel puny for the holidays.  I have a house full, and it's my baby's first Christmas...not to mention all the work i still had left.  I was beginning to wonder what was coming next.  At one point...i was thinking...BRING IT ON!! What's next? Chicken pox?? Ok, nothing would have surprised me anymore.  So anyway....i can breath a sigh of relief now and hopefully enjoy these next few weeks i have off to spend w/ my family.

As far as what's new for AP...!!!!??  Well, you'll just have to wait to find out! It's quite exciting...i'm not going to lie. :-)   I do want to say though that a few things will change...such as pricing structure (not too many increases, but mostly the structure of it all), new products, and just an overall new approach (that may be more so on the back end of things). I'm excited for the new year and i know you will be too when you see what's in store. 

I hope and pray that this time with your families is a joyous one...as we celebrate the greatest gift of all!  God bless you all!

Here is my little munchkin a little while back as we were getting geared up for some fun christmas shots :-)  I have her on my home page on the website...so you'll have to check it out!  CAn you believe this is the first time she's debuted the website?? I'll definitely be posting some over the next month while i'm off, as i still have SEVERAL sessions i need to back track and showcase! So stay tuned!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

There are cute boys all over the place...

Here are 2 more recent sessions I had w/ 2 little fellas.  One thing they had in common...quick on their toes...no doubt about that.  Well, at least when my hubby asks me if i worked out that day (we're doing a biggest loser of our own, LOL)...then i can say yes.  HA

I've photographed Mr. P before and he's just a delight! Incase you cant tell, the 'P' in Mr. P stands for Mr. Personality   ;-)

This little guy had me cracking up..will you please look at his playfulness?

love his expression here

still trucking along...

here are 2 little guys that kept me going throughout the whole session! But oh how fun they were...

and here's little 'C' with a more vintage look. so cute

What i'm thankful for...

I would have never imagined motherhood being this great! it is a feeling i cannot describe...and I'm thankful for my precious baby and my family! God has been so good to us...His blessings have come in abundance, and i pray that we will honor Him in everything that we do, and every breath that we breathe!  As the days have gone by...Ava is now 9 months old...and i have learned to not take one second for granted! Life is a gift!

Enjoy your family today...and count your blessings! Even the little bitty ones!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Minisessions #2

here are a few from round 2....in no particular order! I LOVED them all and had a blast! thanks to all who came out!

cuteness...

I've photographed 'H' for the last 2 years now...and her cuteness just seems to be growing and growing! Mom emailed me before their session to tell me of this fabulous location she came across and wanted to use...and when i arrived, i thought wow...this is perfect! Normally miss serious...'H' was all smiles and we had a great time exploring!!