Contemporary Expressions Photography

Wednesday Funny! | Paige’s Picks

cephotosadmin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:08:19 +0000

So (look I’m starting to start my post like Tanja now) So….you know when we have those weeks where we run and run and run and it seems like NOTHING got done. While I definitely have been having one of those weeks. The kids ask me what the plan is for the day and I just want to cry because there is so much to do and I feel I am making no progress. It seems like there has been NO down time at all for me. Today was the first time in DAYS that I have been on Pinterest - and as you can probably can tell by now, I am only slightly obsessed. In my few minutes I had to look around, I skipped right over the adorable baby pictures, ideas for the house, and activities to do with the kids and went straight to the funnies! This gave me the idea to every once-in-a-while post some of these funnies because we all need a good laugh now and then! Feel free to share your own links too!!

~I hope I can get a giggle out of you, Paige

Casting Call | Voting was INTENSE

cephotosadmin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:27:16 +0000

Well, as many of you may already know, voting was so intense that you all overloaded our server! But, after a short downtime – we managed to get back up and running and voting went NUTS in the final hours. So, we tallied a whopping total of 836 votes! HOLY WOW! Not only was the voting intense, but it was CLOSE! And, yes, I’m teasing you since winners will not be announced until our Open House on —– THE DATE HAS CHANGED —— March 17th.

So, mark your calendars for the big reveal!!!!

Casting Call | Vote Now

cephotosadmin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:25:22 +0000

So as you all know, we brought a bunch of cute kiddos into the studio over the past month for Casting Calls. We need new artwork for our walls and thought that this would be the perfect way to get some new images. So….who do you think should hang on the studio walls?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Paige’s Picks | Why Cloth?

cephotosadmin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:45:30 +0000

A few months back I did a post on Rump-a-Rooz cloth diapers (you can read about that here in case you missed it). I however want to take a few steps back and answer the question some of you may have on ‘Why Cloth’? There are many many reasons to choose cloth diapering.

“It’s better for the environment” ”It’s cost effective” ”My baby has sensitive skin” ”I want my baby to potty train earlier”

The below information is cited directly from the Real Diaper Association. They touch on almost all of the bases and get right to the point on all the facts. I hope you enjoy reading the information and shows you that you do have options when it comes to diapering your children. There are so many new modern types of “cloth” out there and I cannot wait to feature YOUR favorites!!!!

~Happy Wednesday Everyone, Paige

Why Cloth?
Cited from the Real Diaper Association

Why choose cloth diapers? There are so many reasons. Cloth diapers are soft against your baby’s skin. Cloth diapers are also free of the many chemicals contained in disposable diapers. Our common sense tells us that cloth diapers are the ultimate in recycling because they are used again and again, not entering a landfill until they are nothing but rags. Of course, some people want more than this common sense approach–they want facts. Here are a few well-documented facts to help inform your choice. We will add more information as we gather it. Stay tuned.

Please note that the facts that are posted below are all copyrighted, and as such, are not available for publication on other websites. However, we do welcome a link to the Real Diaper Facts page from your website. Since we update this page anytime we find new and updated facts, it is more beneficial to link directly to the page so that the latest information is always available.Want to print out these facts to hand out? Click here to download a copy. The PDF version of this document may be freely distributed through electronic or print forms provided that it is the latest version available at the time, unedited and distributed in its entirety, including this notice.

Are you interested in joining RDA? To begin the membership process, please click here.

Health

Disposable diapers contain traces of Dioxin, an extremely toxic by-product of the paper-bleaching process. It is a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. It is banned in most countries, but not the U.S..1Disposable diapers contain Tributyl-tin (TBT) – a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals.2

Disposable diapers contain sodium polyacrylate, a type of super absorbent polymer (SAP), which becomes a gel-like substance when wet. A similar substance had been used in super-absorbency tampons until the early 1980s when it was revealed that the material increased the risk of toxic shock syndrome by increasing absorbency and improving the environment for the growth of toxin-producing bacteria.3

In May 2000, the Archives of Disease in Childhood published research showing that scrotal temperature is increased in boys wearing disposable diapers, and that prolonged use of disposable diapers will blunt or completely abolish the physiological testicular cooling mechanism important for normal spermatogenesis.18

Environment

In 1988, over 18 billion diapers were sold and consumed in the United States that year.4 Based on our calculations (listed below under “Cost: National Costs”), we estimate that 27.4 billion disposable diapers are consumed every year in the U.S.13The instructions on a disposable diaper package advice that all fecal matter should be deposited in the toilet before discarding, yet less than one half of one percent of all waste from single-use diapers goes into the sewage system.4

Over 92% of all single-use diapers end up in a landfill.4

In 1988, nearly $300 million dollars were spent annually just to discard disposable diapers, whereas cotton diapers are reused 50 to 200 times before being turned into rags.4

No one knows how long it takes for a disposable diaper to decompose, but it is estimated to be about 250-500 years, long after your children, grandchildren and great, great, great grandchildren will be gone.5

Disposable diapers are the third largest single consumer item in landfills, and represent about 4% of solid waste. In a house with a child in diapers, disposables make up 50% of household waste.5

Disposable diapers generate sixty times more solid waste and use twenty times more raw materials, like crude oil and wood pulp.3

The manufacture and use of disposable diapers amounts to 2.3 times more water wasted than cloth.3

Over 300 pounds of wood, 50 pounds of petroleum feedstocks and 20 pounds of chlorine are used to produce disposable diapers for one baby EACH YEAR.6

In 1991, an attempt towards recycling disposable diapers was made in the city of Seattle, involving 800 families, 30 day care centers, a hospital and a Seattle-based recycler for a period of one year. The conclusion made by Procter & Gamble was that recycling disposable diapers was not an economically feasible task on any scale.17

Dryness & Rash

The most common reason for diaper rash is excessive moisture against the skin.19Newborns should be changed every hour and older babies every 3-4 hours, no matter what kind of diaper they are wearing.20

At least half of all babies will exhibit rash at least once during their diapering years.20

Diaper rash was almost unheard of before the use of rubber or plastic pants in the 1940s.21

There is no significant difference between cloth and disposables when it comes to diaper rash.22

There are many reasons for rash, such as food allergies, yeast infections, skin sensitivity, chafing, and chemical irritation. Diaper rash can result from the introduction of new foods in older babies. Some foods raise the frequency of bowel movements which also can irritate. Changes in a breastfeeding mother’s diet may alter the baby’s stool, causing rash.19

Cost

We estimate that each baby will need about 6,000 diapers7 during the first two8 years of life. The following estimates are based on prices in San Francisco, California.Disposables. For these calculations, let’s assume that a family needs about 60 diapers a week. In the San Francisco Bay area, disposable diapers cost roughly 23¢ per store-brand diaper and 28¢ for name-brand. This averages to 25.5¢ per diaper. Thus the average child will cost about $1,600 to diaper for two years in disposable diapers, or about $66 a month9.

Diaper Services. Subscribing to a diaper services costs between $13 and $17 each week depending on how many diapers a family decides to order. Let’s assume the family spends roughly $15 a week for 60 diapers a week. This equals $780 annually and averages to $65 a month. Over the course of two years, the family will spend about $1500 per baby, roughly the same cost as disposables, depending on what type of covers are purchased and what type of wipes are used. If one adds in the cost of disposable wipes for either diapering system, the costs increase.

Cloth Diapers. For cloth diapering, each family will probably need about 6 dozen diapers10. The cost of cloth diapering can vary considerably, from as low as $300 for a basic set-up of prefolds and covers11, to $1000 or more for organic cotton fitted diapers and wool covers. Despite this large price range, it should be possible to buy a generous mix of prefolds and diaper covers for about $300, most of which will probably last for two children. This means the cost of cloth diapering is about one tenth the cost of disposables12, and you can spend even less by using found objects (old towels & T-shirts).

National Costs. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were about 19 million children under four in 2000. We could probably assume that there are about 9.5 million children under two and therefore in diapers at any one time. Based on previous studies, we estimate that 5-10% of babies wear cloth diapers at least part time. We will average these figures to 7.5% of babies in cloth diapers and 92.5% in disposables. This means that about 8.8 million babies in the U.S. are using 27.4 billion disposable diapers every year13.

Based on these calculations, if we multiply the 8.8 million babies in disposable diapers by an average cost of $800 a year, we find that Americans spend about 7 billion dollars on disposable diapers every year. If every one of those families switched to home-laundered cloth prefold diapers, they would save more than $6 billion14, enough to feed about 2.5 million American children for an entire year15. Coincidentally, the 2002 U.S. Census reveals that 2.3 million children under 6 live in poverty16.

Tax Savings. In some specific circumstances, when cloth diapers have been prescribed for the treatment of a disease, tax savings may be available through the use of flexible spending accounts and medical expense deductions. This could represent a 10% – 35% savings on the cost of diapers depending on the family’s tax rate.23

Sources
1 Allsopp, Michelle. Achieving Zero Dioxin: An emergency strategy for dioxin elimination. September 1994. Greenpeace. http://archive.greenpeace.org/toxics/reports/azd/azd.html
2 Greenpeace. New Tests Confirm TBT Poison in Procter & Gamble’s Pampers: Greenpeace Demands World-Wide Ban of Organotins in All Products. 15 May 2000. http://archive.greenpeace.org/pressreleases/toxics/2000may152.html
3 Armstrong, Liz and Adrienne Scott Whitewash: Exposing the Health and Environmental Dangers of Women’s Sanitary Products and Disposable Diapers, What You Can Do About It. 1993. HarperCollins.
4 Lehrburger, Carl. 1988. Diapers in the Waste Stream: A review of waste management and public policy issues. 1988. Sheffield, MA: self-published.
5 Link, Ann. Disposable nappies: a case study in waste prevention. April 2003. Women’s Environmental Network.
6 Lehrburger, C., J. Mullen and C.V. Jones. 1991. Diapers: Environmental Impacts and Lifecycle Analysis. Philadelphia, PA: Report to The National Association of Diaper Services (NADS).
7 Average of 8 changes per day over 2 years (8x365x2=5,840)
8 We are using 2 as the average age of transition from diapers to toilet use.
9 60x52x$0.255=$795.60, or $800. $800x2years=$1,600. $1,600÷24=$66 per month.
10 3 dozen each in two sizes accommodates most babies
11 6 dozen prefolds at an average of $2.16 each and 16 covers at $8.50 each ((72x$2.16)+(12x$8.50)=$292)
12 $300÷2 children = $150 per child. Compare to $1,600 per child for disposables
13 8.8 million x 60 x 52 = 27.4 billion
14 Cloth diapering is 90% cheaper. 90% of $7 billion is $6.3 billion.
15 Food costs calculated at $2,475 per child per year or $6.78 per child per day for 3 meals and 2 snacks. Costs based on U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, Child and Adult Care Food Program. Figures current as of July 2003. http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Care/CACFP/cacfpfaqs.htm
16 Percent of People in Poverty by Definition of Income and Selected Characteristics: 2002 (Revised). http://www.census.gov/hhes/poverty/poverty02/r&dtable5.html
17Stone, Janis and Sternweis, Laura. Consumer Choice — Diaper Dilemma. Iowa Sate University – University Extension. ID.# 1401. 1994. http://www.rockwellcollins.com/daycare/pdf/pm1401.pdf
18C-J Partsch, M Aukamp, W G Sippell Scrotal temperature is increased in disposable plastic lined nappies. Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Department of Paediatrics, Christian-Albrechts- University of Kiel, Schwanenweg 20, D-24105 Kiel, Germany. Arch Dis Child 2000;83:364-368. Click here or go to http://adc.bmjjournals.com and search by the title of the study.
19 Boiko, S. 1997. Diapers and diaper rashes. February 1, 1997. Dermatology Nursing.
20 Shin, H.T. 2005. Diaper dermatitis that does not quit. Dermatologic Therapy, 18: 124-135.
21 Weiner, F. 1979. The relationship of diapers to diaper rashes in the one-month-old infant. The Journal of Pediatrics, 95: 422-424.
22 Stein, H. 1982. Incidence of diaper rash when using cloth and disposable diapers The Journal of Pediatrics, 101: 721-723.
23Internal Revenue Service. December 9, 2008. Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses

Are you interested in joining RDA? To begin the membership process, please click here.

Pinned Perspectives | Notes from a Pinterest Addict

cephotosadmin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:34:19 +0000

If you have not already discovered the ~~time leach~~ sensation that is Pinterest, beware before you click. It is truly addictive. One of my absolute favorite things about the site is that so many people post quotes. Being the obsessive quote hoarder that I am – I can spend HOURS (literally, people – HOURS) sifting through the different quotes – happily clicking the “repin this” button until my thumbs threaten to fall off. So then I thought – why keep all of this inspiration to myself? Time to share…so welcome to the new blog feature – Pinned Perspectives. Today’s perspective is from me to you- no matter you are!!!

Paige’s Picks | Feeding

cephotosadmin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:02:54 +0000

First off, let me say how sad I am that this is the last week in our five part series! Annie and I had so much fun bringing this to all of you, that I hope we can do more of these informational posts in the future for you. I want you all to remember that Annie is an expert in this field. I highly encourage ALL of you to contact her with any of your baby needs at Wee Plan Baby Planners.

For our last topic we choose to discuss the different types of feeding ‘systems’ there are out there. I say systems, because for all of us who have even walked into the bottle aisle of a store, know that there is not such thing as a simple bottle anymore. It can be extremely overwhelming as a new parent. Here Annie has broken down the different part of the bottle and given some recommendations. Hope this helps!!!

We all know that “Breast is Best”, but whether they’re feeding breast milk or formula, parents often question which feeding products are best for them and their family.

Nipples

Latex or Silicone: You can choose latex or silicone nipples. Latex nipples are softer and more flexible, but they don’t last as long and some babies are allergic to them (they may also contain impurities linked to cancer). Silicone nipples are firmer and hold their shape longer. Silicone is easy to sterilize and importantly is non-porous. Not to mention it does not contain Bisphenol-A, Phthalates, or PVC, so it is a safe choice for your baby. When buying silicone nipples, opt for products that use “medical grade” silicone when possible, to ensure the silicone was made with the highest standards.

Nipple shape:

Traditional nipples are shaped like a bell or dome.

Orthodontic nipples, designed to accommodate your child’s palate and gums, have a bulb that’s flat on the side that rests on your child’s tongue.

Flat-topped nipples and wide nipples (used with wide bottles) are said to feel more like Mom’s breast and may be a good bet if you plan to switch between breastfeeding and bottle feeding.

Size and flow: Nipples come in a range of sizes and flow speeds, from slow to fast. Preemies and newborns usually need the smallest size (often called “stage 1″), which has the slowest flow. Babies graduate to larger sizes and a faster flow as they get older, can suck more effectively, and drink more breast milk or formula.

Nipples are marked with the size and a suggested age range. Don’t be concerned if your baby doesn’t follow these guidelines exactly. You may have to try a few different nipple sizes to find one that works best for your baby.

Watch to make sure your baby isn’t having a hard time getting milk, or is getting so much that he’s choking or spitting up. And, of course, discuss any feeding concerns with your baby’s doctor.

Note: Breast milk or formula should drip steadily out of the nipple, not pour out in a stream. This can happen if the flow is too fast for your baby, or if you’ve been using a nipple for a while and the hole has cracked and gotten larger.

Bottles:

Long ago, there was one type of bottle – glass. Now you can choose between dozens of different options. Here are a few:

Glass: All glass bottles are BPA-free and made without the use of petroleum, which means it is a more eco-friendly choice. They are also recyclable. Glass is non-absorbent when heating and warming and can be boiled, heated and easily sanitized. They are available in a variety of sizes, nipple shapes and “flows”.

Unfortunately, they are generally more expensive than plastic or BPA-free plastic bottles
Heavier to carry, weighing down diaper bag or purse and do not offer the same range in nipple shapes and variety. In addition, when not covered in a silicone sheath, there is also the fear of breaking or shattering when dropped on a hard surface.

Plastic: Recent reports suggest that the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in the plastics used to make many types of baby bottles could cause behavioral changes in babies or contribute to early onset of puberty in girls. Further study is needed on the exact effects of BPA in humans, but many parents are switching to BPA-free bottles just to be on the safe side.

Silicone: Manufacturers are turning to silicone as a safer product to use for baby bottles. Besides being BPA-free, silicone is flexible, can be safely heated, is dishwasher safe, and resistant to scratches. In addition, manufacturers claim that because their bottle is flexible it can help to reduce gas.

Stainless Steel: The most obvious advantage to stainless steel is its durability and longevity. This is because of its alloy composition (meaning it is a composite of a number of metals). The result is an inert metal that is resistant to corrosion and will not break down or become brittle when exposed to heat or cold. Unlike some plastics, it does not need additional chemical treatments to increase its durability. Furthermore, it will not shatter when dropped, or scratch with normal use. The scratch resistance of Stainless Steel also means that food or bacteria cannot find a place to hide, even after washing. Which leads to our next point, Stainless Steel is the first choice of hospitals, kitchens and food processing plants because of its easy cleaning ability. You do not need to use strong chemical cleaners to ensure that the product is clean and it is not prone to increased wear and tear from repeated washing. Finally, Stainless Steel is a 100% recyclable product.

Plastic Bottle Liners:

Don’t use them. The soft plastic liners may leach chemicals into formula and breast milk, especially when heated.

Heating:

Warm bottles in a pan of hot water, as microwaving can heat unevenly and cause “hot spots” in food and liquids.

—————–

Glass Bottle recommendations:

Evenflo Classic™ Glass Feeding Bottles, Dr Brown’s 8-oz. Glass Baby Bottle, Lifefactory 9 oz. Glass Baby Bottle

BPA-Free Plastic Bottle recommendations:

Dr. Brown’s® Newborn Baby Bottle, ZoLi 5 Oz. Anti-Colic Bottle, BornFree 5 Oz Bpa-Free Baby Bottles

Silicone Bottle recommendations:

Momo Baby 8oz Wide Neck Silicone Baby Bottle, Prince Lionheart Silicone 4-oz. Baby Bottles, Green Sprouts Eco-Friendly Silicone Feeding Bottle

Stainless Steel Bottle recommendations:

organicKidz Stainless Steel Baby Bottle, Eco Baba Stainless Steel 12 oz Baby Bottle, Pura Kiki Stainless Steel 11oz. Baby Bottle

~Annie Mullens

——————

Thank you again to everyone who has joined us for our special 5 part baby series with Annie Mullens with Wee Plan Baby Planners. She is looking forwarded to hearing your feedback and meet with each family individually and create a customized family plan based on your needs. After all, this is what she does day in and day out! You can contact her directly at annie {@} weeplanbabyplanners.com.

I look forward to hearing MORE requests from YOU on what you want to read and learn more about. If there is a product you would like me to feature, any special activity you enjoying doing with your children, a new place the family tried and loved….you name it!

~Until next week, Paige

Winter White Express Sessions | Denver CO Photographer

cephotosadmin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:08:51 +0000

It’s that time again – Express Session time. So mark those calendars for next Saturday, February 11th. We’ll once again open our LoDo studio for quick sessions for one day only (and space is limited) – this month’s theme is Winter White.

I ADORE the look of white on white photography (sometimes with just a little pop of color). There is something serene but yet so whimsical about this look .

Call today to reserve your time slot – 303.525.1717. Can’t wait to see you!

Paige’s Picks | Infant Skin Care

cephotosadmin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:32:56 +0000

This week as we get back into our 5 part baby product series with Annie from Wee Plan Baby Planners, we are going to cover infant skin care. This is also a great resource for choosing skin care for anyone! Just because we might not have as baby soft of skin as those squishy little newborns do, does not mean that we should not care for our body’s largest organ (the skin) just the same.

Your baby’s skin is so fresh, new, and delicate. The last thing you want to do is harm them by applying a baby care product that could harm their skin and health. Most parents and caregivers are unaware that the FDA does not require safety testing on cosmetics before they are sold to the public. That means that products containing a cocktail of unproven, potentially unsafe chemicals are out there on the market, thousands of which are marketed to babies and children. That’s why I recommend natural baby care products.

Chemicals you won’t find in natural baby care products

There’s a whole host of untested and potentially unsafe ingredients used in conventional baby products like shampoos, rash creams and lotions, bug repellents, and sunscreens. But when you purchase natural baby care products, you won’t find these ingredients, so you can use them with confidence that they won’t harm baby or the planet. These are the biggies you should attempt to avoid whenever possible:

Ceteareth: Used in a variety of formulations for baby baths, sunscreens, and lotions as solubilizing agents, these chemicals are suspected of many human health concerns, including neurotoxicity, organ damage, and skin irritation.
DEET: Known by many names, including Autan, Detamide, Delphene, Naugatuck Det, Off, and Flypel, this chemical is widely heralded as the most effective bug deterrent, but it comes at a cost. Scientists know DEET as a pesticide that has been linked to many health problems, including rashes and swelling, acute toxicity, as well as reproductive, mutagenic, and organic toxicity. DEET also has many environmental setbacks—it harms aquatic life and is a neurotoxin for cats and dogs.[2] Ecolife recommends that you look for other alternatives, but if you do use products with this ingredient, make sure it’s at concentrations no higher than 10% for your children.
Dimethyl phthalate (DMP): Like all phthalates, this one should be avoided but is often found in baby insect repellents. It is said to be a known human immune system and respiratory toxicant and may have a negative impact on liver, kidney, and blood in humans.
DMDM Hydantoin: This is a preservative used in many baby care products (shampoos, soaps, lotions, powders, sunscreens), yet it is a known human immune system toxicant and a suspected skin irritant.
Mineral oil: This is a petroleum product used as a moisturizer in many baby products that comes with hazards associated with that industry. It is also considered an occlusive oil which clogs pores and doesn’t fully moisturize, which means you’ll be applying it more often. It is a common moisturizer in baby and adult personal care products.
Octinoxate: This chemical suffers from one of the most common problems with sunscreen ingredients—it is likely to disrupt natural hormone levels, even in small babies. This chemical also has several names, including octyl methoxycinnamate.
Oxybenzone: Known also as benzophenone-3, oxybenzone is a chemical sunscreen that has come under scrutiny because of concerns about skin irritation and hormone disruption.
PABA: This sunscreen chemical goes by many names, including Padimate O and Octyl Dimethyl PABA. The main danger here is that it releases free radicals which can damage DNA. It has also been linked to hormone disruption and can cause allergic reactions.
Phthalates: Most chemical scents are fixed to the product by phthalates which have been linked to additional serious human health problems, such as liver and kidney failure. Phthalates are also used in numerous personal care products as preservatives.
Polyethylene glycols (PEGs): Utilized in many products as solvents and humectants, this chemical is of particular concern because it acts on the skin by opening up the pores to facilities more rapid absorption of environmental toxins like DDT.
Synthetic fragrances: As with any personal care product for you and baby, it’s best to avoid synthetic fragrances. Many of these man-made fragrances are considered persistent organic pollutants (POPs) because they stay in the environment a long time, causing air and water pollution and harming wildlife. And when used indoors, they pollute your indoor air (because most are considered volatile organic compounds (VOCs)), contributing to common respiratory problems like asthma. Additionally, most chemical scents are accompanied by phthalates which have been linked to additional serious human health problems, especially in children.
Talc: Talc, the most common ingredients used to make baby powder, is a natural mined mineral (mining is not an eco-friendly industry) that can come out of the ground naturally-infused with asbestos, a known carcinogen, and there’s no testing of talc to ensure it’s asbestos-free. Though talc baby powder has been used for decades by parents trying to control moisture and odor, it’s not recommended for your baby. Choose ingredients like baking soda and cornstarch instead.
Triclosan: Added to many baby products like soaps and shampoos as a biocide (antibacterial agent), preservative, or deodorant agent, triclosan has already been restricted for use in cosmetics in Canada and Japan because it is an endocrine disruptor and potential organ toxicant. More importantly, antibacterials like this one spur the development of drug-resistant bacteria, creating even more menacing threats for human and animal populations of future generations as we lose the ability to fit off disease.
Triethanolamine (TEA): Used as a fragrant ingredient, a pH adjuster, and an emulsifier, TEA is known to be an immune system toxicant, a skin toxicant, and a respiratory toxicant. There is also evidence that it might play a role in organ system damage.

Do you want to know how your baby’s bath and body products stack up? Check out the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website at www.ewg.org/skindeep/ (you can also check out your products here too).

~Paige and Annie

Shameless Promotion | Chaotic Life Designs

cephotosadmin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:08:59 +0000

Hello photographers. Just wanted to let you know that our marketing and design site – Chaotic Life Designs – is live! We’re featuring temlates to help make your life less chaotic! A new design will be added every week this year at 25% off so check it out!

Casting Call – Ages 4 mos -14 | Decorating the New Studio

cephotosadmin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:56:04 +0000

So (see now I’m going to do it on purpose) I was sitting here in the Loft at the end of last year staring at my sad, naked walls trying to decide when I would have the time and energy to go through sessions to choose photos to decorate said sad walls. Then, inspiration smacked me upside the head (or was that Katie trying to get my attention)…why not shoot NEW sessions! And that’s what I’m doing. I’ve decided to shoot all new mini sessions for the sole purposes of having a CONTEST to create art for the walls.

Here’s the skinny:

I will be shooting Casting Call mini sessions through February 15th for kiddos ages 4 mos to 14. Each session will be 15 minutes (approximately) – the sole purpose of which is to get ONE image that I truly LOVE. I will post all of my favorites to the blog in late February and will open it up to the public to vote on which images everyone thinks should grace my walls. In addition, I will print my favorite image as an 8×10 gift for each participant.

Winners of the online voting will be revealed at our March 10th Open House! Not only that – every winner will receive a coupon for a complimentary full session!

It’s that easy – so why haven’t you picked up the phone to call yet? OH, because you have to look up the phone number? Nah….I’ll make that easy for you too…303.525.1717