"I'm leaving on a jet plane..."

Wasn't John Denver the BEST??? Wade and I spent one our very first dates at a John Denver outdoor concert back in 1992. That was one of my favorite nights ever! Today is our 15th wedding anniversary... can you believe it? Have we really been married for that long? Are we really getting that old?

Anyhow, we're off to the the US tomorrow for a 2 1/2 week holiday with our loved ones. The taxi arrives at 5am to deliver us to the airport (heaven help me...). I'm so excited to be in Utah for Christmas this year! We'll be able to see ALL of our families, and it's been snowing there this week, so the skiing should be primo! The kids are completely wired and have been bouncing off the walls all night. We may have to duct tape them to their beds soon.

I created photo calendars as gifts for our families this year. I'd love to post all of the pages here, but I'm afraid I'd spoil the surprise for a few people. Here's one page, just a teaser...



Happy Holidays, everyone!

Tis the Season to Give...

A photography friend, Kristin Kalp, came up with this idea about giving back and challenged me to join her and other photographers from around the globe. I think that I’m up to the challenge.

You know someone. You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is busy raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography. The winner will receive a custom portrait session ($250 value) PLUS a $200 print credit. (The photo session can be indoor or outdoor and will take place in April/May of '09.) It’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $200 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-home vacation home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

The nominee must reside in Warsaw, Poland and should speak English (my Polish is rubbish). For my own peace of mind, they must also be a member of the ASW community, or at least have a relationship with someone in the ASW community.

Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

Comment on this blog entry to let me know you’ve entered, and e-mail me the full story: robisonfamily@hotmail.com.

The deadline for entries is December 22nd. The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve…get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season – and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

If you'd like to nominate someone who doesn’t live in Poland, visit givingisawesome.com for a LONG list of participating photographers.

Not a closet Twilight fan...

I just got back from seeing "Twilight" at the Zloty Teraszy cinema tonight. Aaaaaaaahhhh! It was infuriating and intoxicating at the same time. But, I am so relieved to finally see this movie. I can't tell you how long I've been waiting. My husband was about ready to have me institutionalized, I'm sure! And yet, he took off work early today to buy tickets to see Twilight just because he knew it would make me happy. I love that man.


If you haven't read the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, go out and buy yourself these books NOW! You will thank me later, I promise. Or, better yet, just tell me "Bev, I haven't read these books," and I will make sure they are wrapped and under your Christmas tree in no time. Great stories, great author. Go read!

Jazz Man...

I know I've been away from the blog for a while...sorry about that! This has been SUCH a busy month for me. I seriously cannot believe that November is already ending. How did that happen?

This Wednesday, I will be presenting Part 2 of "Photography & Your Kids: the basics." The class will begin at 7:00. If you missed Part 1, or would like to go over it again, come at 6:00 for a review session. I am not charging any fee for the class; however, I am asking for a minimum 50PLN donation per class to go towards my favorite charity: One Heart, Bulgaria. Send me an email if you are interested in attending.

I don't like to post without a picture, so here's another favorite of my oldest son (11) from our family session recently. He is a stellar musician, specializing in piano, baritone and voice. He auditioned a couple of weeks ago for the Middle School competitive band that travels to Russia in February. He didn't feel very confident that he would make the team as a 6th grader. Nevertheless, he surprised us this morning with the news that he made the cut! Woo-hoo! He is so excited!

Availability

I am now fully booked for 2008, and am taking appointments for February of 2009. Please call or email me if you are interested!

It's been a busy fall season for family pictures, and I'd like to thank all of you for being so awesome!

Holiday Cards reminder...

Deadline for printed Holiday cards is November 28th! These are beautiful 5x7inch folded cards with a custom holiday greeting in whichever language you choose! $3/card (25 card minimum) includes the envelopes. Printed cards are a local service and are available for Warsaw residents only. If you would like to purchase the digital design only (in high-resolution JPG format), these are available to anyone and can be yours for $30/design...your photo or mine! These you can print yourself, post on your blog, or send to your family in an email! Deadline for digital designs is December 5th.

Meet the Robisons...

It's a miracle...our family will have a picture to put in the Christmas card this year!!! Do you have any idea how long it's been? I guess that is the fate of photographer moms like myself. I spend so much time photographing other families that I don't have time to take pictures of my own! We made a very last-minute decision on Tuesday to throw ourselves together for a picture. I think we did ok. What do you think?


This one was taken with a tripod and a timer :)








All my boys.




My eleven-year old took this one. Not bad, eh?

Made in Holland...

I'm so excited to share a sneak preview of this gorgeous Dutch family that I shot on Saturday! They were so great to work with, and were willing to do pretty much anything I asked them to do. I love that! Thanks for a fun session, "v" family!

Remember Mr. Rock Star?

Well, here he is again! This time we did a few quick (well, really quick) studio shots with his new baby. It's just so hard not to look cool while holding a guitar, isn't it?

"You say it's your birthday..."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Carla!!! This post is dedicated to my big sister, Carla, who is celebrating her birthday in Texas today... yee-haw! I'm not giving away her age, but let's just say that she's older than me and be done with it. Love you, sis! Have a great day! You deserve it! And by the way, yes, we do look alike. But she got all the curly hair and there was none left for me:(

Mamma Mia!

Why do Italians get all the good looks? It's not fair! Here is a sneak peek at a session I just had with these two gorgeous sisters. We drove to some horse stables outside of Warsaw where the older sister takes riding lessons. Beautiful stables, beautiful afternoon, beautiful girls. Enough said.











This last one is done with a "chocolate" finish. Yummy.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

(After a long night of carving with the kids, my husband complains that he is experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome. I love that man.)

Waiting for the rain...

For my friend, Marta, who brings the sunshine with her everywhere she goes!

Luck of the Irish!

I met up with this cute Irish family for a fun family session yesterday. They told me this is the first time they've EVER had professional pictures taken of their family! I refuse to believe it. Their kids were just oozing with charm and major cute-ness. Especially the oldest one, Liam. I see a real future in modeling for that little guy. Watch out mom and dad! Enjoy your sneak preview.








Just look at those eyes! Mmmm.


This is Liam's "serious" face.




and, of course, the two who started it all...

The mystery boys...

I know I've posted a few pictures of my girls here on the photography blog a few times, but did any of you realize that I actually have 2 boys, too? Yes, it's true. Here is one of them (the younger of the two). This is Ethan. He just turned 9. If he had dark, curly hair, he would be a "mini-me" of my husband! My oldest son I cannot post now because his hair is so long that It's sure to kindle the wrath of the mother-in-law. He's scheduled for a haircut this week, so I'm sure you will be seeing him on here soon!

Baby's got blue eyes...

Here are a few more of that adorable baby in the striped hat that I posted about a week ago...the one with the beautiful eyelashes.