Miss Lilah's 6 mo session.

Miss Lilah's 6 mo session. She's grown so much! We'll get to see her one more time prior to her next surgery! She is an angel!!

A few from Gage's in home newborn session...

A few from Gage's in home newborn session Thursday...

A Day in a life...

Not far from where I live is Turner, MO and a still operating General Store, Post Office and Train station. Some days over 70 trains go thru Turner which I can hear over the hill and pastures between there and my home. The valley along the James River has some lovely farms...one owned and ran by George and Melanie Mitchell who recently let me see more of their land and farm. Here is such a place like time has forgotten. Over 100 arrowheads found along the creek bed this past year where Indian camps were years ago. Such a beautiful and peace filled place! I hope to post more of the valley this summer. In the fall they have incredible hay rides.

What an inspiration!

Lou had gastic bypass on Oct. 7th, 2008, at the University Of Columbia Medical Center. To date she's lost 125 lbs and gone down 16 pant sizes ( from size 28-12) !! I was thrilled to do her updated headshots for her!! What an incredible inspiration!! You go girl!!!

Here is her before picture:

And After!

A Day in a life...

I stopped in to visit with some neighbors in Southern Hills where we used to live. Gene, Ellen and their cat Priss. Gene will be 90 in October...I always loved hearing his WW II stories and their hospitality!

Greg and Karen

A very special 5 year old...

and some special weather for the photo session!
We even had my favorite Poppy field in bloom!

Spring is in the air!

It's time to update those online dating profile pictures!!
Or maybe you're using an old snapshot for your business portrait
...admit it, IT'S TIME TO UPDATE!
Put your best foot forward and Spring into Action!

Book your session now through June
...mention this special ("Spring is in the Air")
and receive 25% off your session fee!

Last night's E-Session

Greg and Karen met up with me for their outdoor engagement session right at the "Sweet Light" time of day which is about 6:45pm right now in Southwest Missouri. Karen had just gotten off a plane 3 hours earlier and Greg had been working late crunching numbers so I could tell they were both ready to just relax and have fun!! Which we did! Here's a quick sneak peek at one of many of my favs...they are just so adorably in love with each other and it's obvious!!

American Diabetes Red Ball Gala 2009

Some of the highlights...more can be found at www.deannasammons.com under Galleries, Username: ADA Password: 14363

The Cowboy and the little lady...

Kelli and Kerry came to me for their engagement photos this past week. He wasn't too sure about the denim and the cowboy hats but afterjust 5 minutes with them I knew they totally suited him! Kelli is a spitfire of a little thing and Kerry is an easy going cattle rancher in Kansas. They found each other online and it's obvious how utterly happy they are together. (sorry I had to slip that in!)

A few Easter Sessions...

It's been a busy couple of weeks and we've had some visitors in the studio!! Here's a sampling of the fun we've been having!!

Miss Emi...Blue Dress Session

Bennett the Beagle

This handsome boy is actually a past bride's baby. He was a great poser...of course we had lot's of treats on hand for him too! Isn't he handsome?!!

Miss Lilah!

I love keeping in touch with my past brides and watching their families grow and hearing their stories! ...

this one is about miracle baby, Miss Lilah!

Miss Lilah was born with Pulmonary Atresia w/ VSD. Not long after birth and still during the hospital stay an echcardiogram uncovered problems. She was rushed to the PICU and put on a special medicine that kept the PDA open until she could get to Kansas City where they were to perform a BT shunt procedure. She was born on Dec 8, flew to Kansas City on Dec 10, and had her shunt surgery on the 18. The surgery was a success, they came home on Christmas eve. The shunt is only a temporary fix, until she grows big and strong enough to have her pulmonary artery reconsruction corrective surgery at about 9-12 months.The surgery will basically build her a pulmonary valve that should be perfectly functional like yours and mine, and at the same time they will take the shunt and close the VSD (hole in her heart).Until then, she sees a pediatric cardiologist regularly and takes aspirin to ensure that her body does not clot off the shunt, which in her case could be fatal. The Children's Miracle network provided them with gas and lodging vouchers for the trip and the stay there, and the Ronald McDonald House provided them with a place to stay close to the hospital and hot meals to eat when they were not at at hospital. She has a carepage, at www.carepages.com/carepages/lilahraeoelke
They are also planning on participating in the American Heart Ass. heart walk here in April, and the walk for the Families with Congenital Heart Defects organization in Kansas City in May.

Chelsea Studio Session

Miss Emily turns 2!

A Wedding Day and Inspiration...

I met Jordon and Susan in late November and knew there was something special about them! They both seemed to have a commitment and vision they were submitting their lives to. But, not until the day of the wedding and meeting their family and hearing their shared stories about them did I get more of a glimpse of their loving characters and their lives and their love for their friends and family and now their love for each other!!

Susan graduated from medical school last May and is currently in her first of three years in residency at one of the hospitals in Jefferson City. She is a Doctor of Osteopathy specializing in Family Practice. It was shared how Susan was the one to take the unmarked road more than not...just to experience what was at the end! She brought rounds of laughter, but was so reserved in getting in front of the camera or taking any special attention…despite it being HER DAY! =)

Jordon is a Captain (CPT) in the United States Army Military Police Corps. He has served in numerous Company Grade position from Platoon Leader to Company Commander. He spent over 2 years in S. Korea; serving in the 2nd Military Police Company (2nd Infantry Division) and was the last Military Police Officer to command a post in the United Nations Joint Security Area (JSA). Jordon then traveled to Fort Leonard Wood, MO where he just finished command about six months ago.
Jordon is currently undergoing training for National Police Transition Team (NPTT) in which he will serve in either Afghanistan or Iraq in the near future.
Jordon has distinguished himself through his dedication to hard work and passion for his Soldiers. Never one to leave good enough alone; Jordon has earned the coveted Sapper tab, Airborne School and Special Reaction Team training.

The stories from their family and friends brought tears of laughter and inspiration. The ceremony was held at The Jewel Box in Forest Park and delivered a message of submission to a greater good, one that makes you confident in living your own life better for witnessing it. Their reception took place at The St. Louis Art Museaum, Griggs Hall catered by Wolfgan Puck and was truly a celebration of love for the ones who had shared in their lives thus far!

I have confidence that Jordan and Susan's life together will be filled with many more unmarked but inspirational roads! Many blessings and love to them and their families for giving me the privilege of sharing their amazing day!

For your sweetie...

Lot's of new fun finishes just in time for Valentine's Day!!

Metropolitan Bridal Expo ~ Sunday!

An opening came up for the show this weekend,
so last minute I'm taking a small spot at the show Sunday from 11am - 5pm
...come say hello!! I will be there all afternoon!

http://wedding-extravaganza.com/bride-show/13-general/173-springfield-show-info.html


Blessings,
Deanna

Senior Model Rep Program!

We are looking for students who will be Juniors in the 2009-2010 school year and who would be interested in becoming a Senior Model Representative for the studio for the 2011 marketing campaign.

All interested students submit an email with their name, school attended and a brief explanation for why you feel you should be selected for one of the Senior Model positions. Send emails to: info@deannasammons.com Models will receive both a mini session and a full session. The mini session will be a group session; all models must attend in the spring of their Junior year. Complimentary full sessions must be completed by October of their Senior year.

In addition, each model rep will be given personalized cards, postcards and press printed book and marked digital files for their Myspace and Facebook pages. Each student that a model rep refers to the studio will earn $25 in photo credits. All credits earned can be used towards your complimentary photo session photos.

Jordon and Susan...

Jordon and Susan found each other online, they also found me online...Yeah! Because they are just amazing for each other! Susan is a busy medical student, Jordon is an Army Captain, both have extremely busy schedules! Meeting them in person I could tell from the start they were a match!! Susan is a starter, Jordon is a finisher...it was fun to watch how complimentary they were to one another! At one point in the session, Jordon said; "She just fits me." Their Wedding day is coming up quickly...January 24th and will be at the Jewel Box in Forest Park, St. Louis. The Reception will be at The St. Louis Art Museum. They filled me in on some of the yummy details today....can not wait!!

Faces of Me Portrait Pricing

Faces of Me

Be happy, be silly, be funny, be serious… be whatever you want to be!
This portrait program is a perfect way to capture all of the faces that make you,
You!

$200 Experience Fee ($100 Savings)

Featured item: Your “Personality Collection” Framed Collage $185
9 images in a 12x12 block-style design
($240 value)

Stationary Cards 25- 4x5 custom designed cards $60 ($87 value)

Image Collage Custom designed panel with 3 of your favorite images
framed and ready for display $195 ($265 value)

Faces of Me Hardbound Book Collection of images in your choice of stylish fabric folio $125 ($237 value)

WeddingChicks!!

Thank you Joceybella Invites and Amy Squires Photography
for heading up this inspirational resource site!!
www.weddingchicks.com

hosts a place for "Connecting Sassy Brides".
With an awesome list of Elite Wedding Vendors,
Daily Inspiration and Fantastic prizes....new brides are
definately going to want to bookmark this site!!
Whether you're planning a small intimate ceremony
or a full guest list, this site will have you armed and ready to check off those "to do's"!!

Check out the Missouri listings of course for your Missouri wedding planning!!

New Year's Eve at the Gillioz...

Building 429 put on a fantastic show!
Thank you KC and 88.3 The Wind for the invite!

Brides...a look back

Claim your $50 Gift Card...3 left!!

Call and reserve your studio, location

or in home PORTRAIT session for January

and claim one of 3 Holiday Gift cards left!

Nathan, Nicole and Baby Brodie...

Wow! It's been a year this next week (December 30th) that I did Nathan and Nicole's wedding in Branson. Today I got to meet Mr. Brodie for the first time!! ...and also got to hear his mommy sing! What a treat! xoxo

Christmas pups...

We had some special little guests in the studio today!
They were all full of energy for about 30 minutes and then to sleep they went in this tiny antique sleigh (except for one fiesty guy who fell out of it a couple times)!! They were soooo cute and just a handful each! Literally!

Blessings...

Kristi and Ben have been a joy to know and work with!
We had a special mother son session prior to Kaden's open heart surgery a year ago (3-9-07) and we'll be seeing much more of him and will have an image update of him on The Children's Miracle Network! They came for their first time family photos this fall when Kaden was the youngest and now Jeradan has been added to the family.

Senior Model Rep Program!

We are looking for students who will be Juniors in the 2009-2010 school year and who would be interested in becoming a Senior Model Rep for the studio for the 2011 marketing campaign.

All interested students submit an email with their name, school attended and a brief explanation for why you feel you should be selected for one of the Senior Model positions. Send emails to: info@deannasammons.com Models will receive both a mini session and a full session. The mini session will be a group session; all models must attend in the spring of their Junior year. Complimentary full sessions must be completed by October of their Senior year.

In addition, each model rep will be given personalized cards, postcards and press printed book and marked digital files for their Myspace and Facebook pages. Each student that a model rep refers to the studio will earn $25 in photo credits. All credits earned can be used towards your complimentary photo session photos.

Rollie...

It was cold, but we had a nice sunset for some fun shots with Rollie. I can't remember the last time I've been around a horse this size...but he was SUCH a sweetie!! The first image Jackie ordered as a 20x16 print and it was amazing when it came in! This was a fun session!

A Visit from Santa...

These twin boys had me cracking up from the first moments meeting them! I had an incredibly rough time going through the proofs and deciding on the keepers!! Santa was especially helpful and talked to them about helicopters and airplanes!!

Thank you 88.3 The Wind for a CleanAIR Christmas!

The very best Christmas Music!

We hope you will share this card with your family, friends, and co-workers, so that they might enjoy a CleanAIR Christmas, too!

When you forward this invite, please CC: us at programming@88.3thewind.com .

You will be entered to receive an in-home, family photo session and package courtesy of


Merry Christmas from 88.3 The Wind!

**Winner will be randomly selected from entrants. One entry per email address.

for complete information visit:

www.88.3thewind.com

Branden and Elizabeth...

Not only were Branden and Elizabeth so easy going and fun to work with and so goo goo over each other but an awesome side note to the whole day was that the bridesmaids got ready in the school building they all went to school together in!! ....too fun!!
This was a cold fall day but we had amazing color and light in the church...just a beautiful ceremony!

New Black and White Christmas card designs available!!

These 4 new designs are now available for holiday ordering!

Derek, Laura and Copper...

I had the pleasure of meeting Derek at a previous wedding in which he was a groomsman.
Derek recently contacted me for some updated pictures that he needed.
The bonus was that come time for the session, he brought along his lovely girlfriend Laura and his cuddly side-kick Copper! AND the double bonus was Copper took a break out back and got to chase the cows!!

Connie...headshots

It was great to see Connie again and work with her on some new headshots!
What a talented and beautiful person, inside and out!
Thank you Connie for such a fun easy session!
You're the best!

Look for the booth at the Women's Living Expo Nov 7-9th!

For more information and to print out your coupon visit:
Women's Living Expo

"Home for the Holidays" ...need some inspiration?

Uniquely you and your family in your own surroundings...

I'm so excited to participate with a handful of families

the first two weeks of December with

in home sessions

capturing your family, kids, pets, moments just like they happen every day!

Dates are VERY LIMITED

And after the session,

enjoy creative proofing in your home

or at the studio on the big screen!

Don't let not having ideas for what you need stop you!

We've figured all of that out for you and have a special gift

that will do all your creative thinking for you!

For dates available contact us at:

info@deannasammons.com