I guess time does fly when you are having fun!

Last Tuesday has come and gone already?  If I didn’t have a calendar telling me so, I wouldn’t believe it.  Since my last update, I must confess…it’s not been all fun and smiles.  A few days found me a bit under the weather with a head cold, but the weekend sunshine and fun shoots on my agenda had me feeling rejuvenated and back to business as usual.

Even though it is cold and grey outside, Valentine’s Day has me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside!!   Not only am I so grateful for the love of my family and dear friends, I can honestly say I LOVE what I do!  Creating masterpieces for the amazing people I get to work with just warms my heart over and over again. My clients often ask me, “What do you like to photograph most?”

My response, “Whatever I am photographing at the moment.”  I am inspired by Life and absolutely love any moment my clients feel worthy of capturing.  Let’s face it; I never get bored with all the variety Life has to offer.  So far this month, I’m having the time of my life shooting precious little ones.  The sweet, stillness of newborns and curious personalities of babies and toddlers are so fun to work with.  I just love the creative opportunities in these shoots.  I believe children in general offer such a joyful innocence to the lens.

Aside from my photo sessions, I’ve also spent time this month meeting with Brides as wedding season is just around the corner. I’m anxious to hear stories of  all the Valentine’s Day proposals and hoping for warmer weather for upcoming engagement sessions ~ although I was really wishing I had one scheduled yesterday in that beautiful snowfall!

The close of January brought a few new additions to Cathy Hartman photography.  I’ve brought in some “behind the scenes” part-time help in Amy Greco!  Amy is coming alongside to take care of some of the details that I don’t always have the time in my day to get to.   She is currently updating some of the wording on my website, packages, programs, etc. to offer a more “creative voice.”   If some of you were wondering if I’ve suddenly gained a new talent in my creative writing ability, well, that is probably Amy translating for me.  I welcome Amy and look forward to the support she will offer me in the upcoming months.

In addition, I’ve introduced a new SENIOR ROLE MODEL program that I am really excited about.  I am currently accepting applications for ROLE MODELS and will continue through March 1st.    Watch my blog in March as I unveil my ROLE MODELS for the 2012-2013 season.

Until next Tuesday,

~ Cathy

At only eight days old, Camryn was very calm and content for her photo session ~ at least as long as we kept her tummy full!

What a lucky girl to have big brother Scott!

Awe!

What’s New for 2012?

Introducing…

Our Senior ROLE MODEL program

How does the program work?

You spend some time with me during a complimentary mini photo shoot in March or April at my studio. During this mini session, I will only be able to capture a glimpse of the Role called YOU, so it’s a must to get your senior photography session on my books for a later date. From your mini shoot, I’ll create some really cool senior ROLE MODEL cards with your amazing photos and some information about my business for you to hand out to all your senior friends. It’s that simple. What will you get in return?

A complimentary mini photo session, complimentary business cards with your images to pass out, 2-3 watermarked Facebook images to share with your friends. A 20% discount on your creative senior session, 10% of products purchased from your senior or mini session. Plus if a referral brings in one of your cards, books and shoots their senior session with me you will receive $25 cash credit of your senior photo package, plus other great opportunities just for being named one of my senior ROLE MODELS. Participation in the senior ROLE MODEL program will require a signed contract with parent permission.

I am accepting a maximum of 12 ROLE MODELS for the 2012-13 school year, so if you are interested, act fast.

To apply please contact me and I will send you the link to an online application.

I am thankful every day for being blessed with such a wonderful job. Singing and laughing with 2 year old Lillian made my day – what a sweetheart!

Not sure what’s going through her little mind right here, but I love this expression!

Belly laughs are awesome!

Happy 2nd Birthday Lilly!

We are so excited to have been voted as a 2012 Best of Weddings Winner for The Knot! Thank you to all of our awesome brides who left rave reviews and helped us achieve this honor as a leading wedding professional in St. Louis. The official announcement will be made later this month, but we couldn’t wait to share the news!

Now for 2012 – we are already off to a busy start! Amanda and I had an awesome time meeting brides (and some grooms) at the STL Wedding Show at America’s Center last weekend. It’s amazing how many engagements happen over the holidays!

This weekend I’m heading to New Orleans for the Digital Wedding Forum Photography Convention. I love going to seminars and continuing to learn and grow as a photographer. Plus, it’s getting cold here!

While I’m gone Amanda will be meeting with couples at Hermann Hill during The Wedding Trail on Sunday, January 15.

The following Sunday, January 22, we both will be able meet brides attending Unveiled 2012 at The Renaissance St. Louis Grand.

If you are planning a wedding, I hope we get to see you at one of these events! It is so much fun to hear your wedding plans and stories of how you got engaged!

In the next few days I’ll be posting blogs on some of the last few weddings from 2011. The end of the year was a little crazy and my blogging got pushed aside. I’ll be posting the last few weddings of the year soon. In the meantime I have put together a slideshow of some of our favorite weddings and love stories for 2011 – check it out here.

Thanks again to all our awesome clients – looking forward to another wonderful year!

Cathy

There is nothing like a new baby all sweet and cuddly. Kynley was only 11 days old the day of her first photo shoot and such a doll to work with. What a fun job I have to meet wonderful families and their sweet new babies!

Looks like she already has daddy wrapped around her little finger!

I love this beautiful bunting her great grandma made for her!

She must too – look at that adorable little smile!

Some of my favorites from a great session with a beautiful family and their adorable little guy Tyler who just turned two. Dark brown eyes and blonde curls – could he be any cuter?

I had an awesome time doing the photo shoot for the BreakDown STL 2011-2012 Team! This wonderful group of teens always inspires me. BreakDown STL is a peer-to-peer performing arts outreach organization that empowers teens to make positive choices regarding sex, relationships, drugs and alcohol. They are a very talented group of teenagers spreading a powerful message through high-energy performances in St. Louis area schools integrating real-life situations effecting our youth today. Led by Executive Director Jenna Imergoot BreakDown STL now reaches approximately 8,000 teens per year. If you have a teen, they need to see this performance. Check out their website and Facebook page to learn more.

What a fun group – they’re up for any ideas to get the shot!

There happened to be a Graffiti artist at the wall who agreed to paint the BreakDown logo for the shoot

Thanks BreakDown STL for being so awesome to work with – Good times!

Meghan & Matt had their first date on Valentine’s day on Grand. Since had gone to the Gelateria for desert we thought it would be the perfect spot to start their engagement session.

From there we headed to Tower Grove Park just as the sun was starting to set for some beautiful late afternoon shots in the park.

Matt happens to be from Chicago and is as much a Cubs fan as Meghan is a Cardinal fan so we had to do a few shots in their rival jerseys.

What a sweet couple – I’m looking so forward to your wedding Thanksgiving weekend!