Catch Your World

Keep it local - Sarasota Child Photographer

So, let me tell you about my clients.

Because I can click through my client list on my computer, look at the names popping up, and tell you *lots* of things about my clients.  Beyond knowing their kids names, I can also probably tell you their ages and maybe the month they were born and probably the last time we did a portrait session, and at what location.  I remember whether a client prefers small prints or wall canvases, and I know if they tend to fall in love with the silly, casual pictures or the smiling-at-the-camera pictures.  This matters because I can tailor how I shoot their session to their preferences.  I remember if a kid loves to climb trees and really cut loose at our session, or if she prefers to pose like the princess she is.  I haven't forgotten that the flash scared the baby last time, and we need to watch for signs that he's getting overwhelmed.  I know that surely that 7-year-old's front teeth have grown in since last fall, and ask if he's lost any more since the last time we met for a session. 

As a boutique photographer, I take on a small number of clients each month so that I can give them personalized service, get to know them and their kids, and have plenty of time to ensure I capture and showcase the images that will mean the world to them for the rest of their lives.  That, to me, is the beauty of a small business, and the beauty of a local business.  A lot of things in our lives these days are big, corporate, and impersonal, and having a small local business is just ... totally cool :). 

Here's another thing about my clients - many of them have local businesses, too.  Whether they are providing services (such as doctors and lawyers) or products (such as books and clothes), they too are working with the people in our area, making their lives better and doing so with a personal touch. 

You've heard it before, and I'll say it again (and include this cool info page from The 3/50 Project too!) - please support your local businesses whenever possible.  If you're looking for a product or service, give some thought to whether there's a local person providing it before you look to the big chains. Thank you!

 

an *amazing* couple

They're not just amazing because they have 8 kids.  They're not just amazing because two of those kids were brought into their lives through adoption from Guatemala.  They're not just amazing because he pitched for the Phillies in 2008, right through to a World Series win.

To me, the Moyers are truly amazing because of their dedication to children.  The Moyer Foundation was created by Karen and Jamie to help children struggling with a wide variety of issues - physical and emotional distress, the loss of a loved one, and financial and addiction issues in the family.  Since 2001, The Moyer Foundation has raised more than $19 million to assist over 200 different non-profit organizations that serve the needs of children in severe distress. 

I spent an hour with this beautiful family for a sunset session last month and am so glad we got together!  It's so nice to see a group of siblings who get along and enjoy each other as much as this bunch does :). 

 

 

 

Community Connections: a very special link :)

Everyone probably knows by now how I feel about being in business for myself - while it's one of the hardest things I've ever done, it's also one of the BEST.  I love that I get to make a living being creative, playing with kids, and doing things I love. 

Like most people who run their own small businesses, I'm a big proponent of supporting other small and local businesses. It's what our Community Connections idea is all about.  To find the truly unique, the excellent service, the dedication to quality, and the mom and pop connection with people who care, look to small businesses!

So I'm happy to announce that my mom-in-law has given in to my endless pushing and taken the plunge, opening her own small business.  Her talent: quilting.  Her passion: baby quilts! She's shown me a few things about quilting lately (I am NOT a seamstress!) and I have an understanding now of how the intricacy of the quilting she does leads to a top-quality product.  There's a lot of time and love put into making a quality quilt that your baby will pass down to the next generation!

A website is in the plans for coming months, but for now she is set up with an Etsy shop to begin showing her work.  The link is :   StarryNightQuilts  Please take a moment to check it out, and pass it on! 

Community Connections - Stroller Fit by Robyn Roszel

     We all know what happens when we have a baby:  Our bellies turn to mush, our legs rub together and our schedules turn into complete chaos. Stroller Fit is designed to help moms tighten up that mush, slim those legs, all while fitting a great workout into your already hectic schedules.  Stroller Fit with Robyn Roszel offers 3 class formats to fit the changing needs of your life and body.  You are encouragedto come by and enjoy a free class.   They would love to meet you and answer any questions. Your mind/body will thank you and you will experience some other great benefits as well:

1.  Getting a work out while having your baby right there with you.  No need for sitters or daycare!

2.  You stroller is turned into your own ultimate, portable fitness machine.

3.  Convenience (all mom's need this).

4.  Results while interacting with your baby/child.

5. Make some good friends all facing the same challenges you are.

6.  Be healthy and fit.

7. Professional, accredited instructors.

8.  HAVE FUN!!!!!!!

All this powered by mommy muscle :o)

We at Catch A Star Photography encourage you to find out more on Stroller Fit and class information by going to robyn.roszel@strollerfit.com 

Or contact her by phone at (941) 232-0750.  

Community Connections - My Baby's Face 3D/4D Ultrasound

This months vendor is My Baby's Face 3D/4D Ultrasound in Sarasota, FL.  This is a very special place that you can get a sneak peek of what your little bundle will look like as well as some pampering too.  They offer many other services including massages in a very serene and soothing atmosphere.  You can let all those stressful thoughts, sore feet, tired eyes and stretched tummies take a break and just RELAX!!! 

The minute you walk in you are at ease, welcome and spoiled - now who isn't looking for a little of that?  And unlike many other ultrasound facilities they can accommodate clients who wish for multiple friends/family to be present. 

My Baby's Face is located in beautiful Sarasota, Florida  at 2075 Main Street and can be reached at (941)951-2229.  You can also see them on the web at www.mybabysface3d.com.  So find the time to check them out. call or stop on in and schedule yourself a truly amazing experience. 

Community Connections - Lakewood Ranch Booksellers

We are lucky to have partnerships - and friendships - with many other local businesses.  As many of you are aware, local small businesses are the backbone of a healthy economy, and patronizing them leads to prosperity for the area.  Many small businesses are family owned and operated, just like the Mom and Pop stores in years past, and you'll receive personalized service from local retailers that you just can't find in every big chain store!

As part of our regular blog updates, we will be including information on one of our partners each month.  We hope you'll enjoy learning a little more about local businesses where you are more than just a number.

This months focus is on Lakewood Ranch Book Sellers.  This brand new general bookstore is owned and operated by the same great people of our favorite children's book and clothing store - Little Bookworms.  The mom and daughter team of Holly & Heidi responded to numerous requests for more variety in books for grownup by opening this new store, just two doors down from Little Bookworms on Lakewood Main Street! They offer all the benefits of the big book stores with a personal touch.  If it isn't on their shelves, they will order it for you - trust me on this one, I put it to the test as soon as they opened!  I am a book fanatic and have a list a mile long for gifts for Christmas...Heidi had many of my selections in stock, and ordered the others for me and called me when they arrived.  The out of print books on my list?  Heidi had alternatives picked out for me.  And in spite of just opening, a schedule of events including book signings with local authors is already underway.

Lakewood Ranch Booksellers is proud to be affiliated with www.indiebound.org, an organization dedicated to keeping alive the spirit of one-of-a-kind businesses just like theirs (and mine!)  So stop on in and have a look and get some great gifts for your friends and family.  Tell them Catch A Star sent you:).

Lakewood Ranch Booksellers

8111 Lakewood Main Street #105

Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

www.lakewoodranchbooks.com                                                                                              

Hey, I know that cat!! :)

With my sporadic and sooooo often behind blogging over the past year, there is a really neat story that I never did get a chance to pass along.

Several years ago, I was reading my monthly newsletter from local Circle Books on St. Armands, and my jaw hit the ground.  A local author, Blaize Clement , had written a book (now a series) about a former Sarasota County female deputy who left the job to run a pet sitting company.  *I* was a Sarasota County deputy, and I ran a pet sitting company while still on the job!  I eventually sold that company to an employee when I retired from SSO and dived full time into my photography business, but the parallels in the story were shocking!  Thankfully, my reasons for leaving law enforcement were not nearly as tragic as her characters, but you'll have to read the books to learn more.......

So, I checked out Blaize's site and sent her an email to tell her that I walked right out of her novel.  She asked if I could come up to the book signing, and we met and got along just fine :).  We have kept in touch on and off, and late last year she asked me to do some fun images of her for promotion of her latest book.  She doesn't currently have any pets of her own, so I offered the use of mine for our session.  We had so much fun at her session!  She's a smart lady who always carries catnip (she staples little bags of catnip on bookmarks she gives out at book signings -- just one of the coolest things I have ever seen :) ) and that made her rather popular here.......

.....if you've been to the studio, you'll recognize the awesome cat in this picture/article in the October 2008 issue of Cat Fancy Magazine with Blaize as being our one of a kind studio cat, Winston :).    Click here to read the article! 

Not only was our Winston on the Cat Fancy site, but posters of he and Blaize used in her promotions were up in bookstores nationwide earlier this year!  Awww I'm so proud of my first 'baby' !  (Winston is 16 and has been with me since college.....quit doing the math on that!!......)