When I talked to the Grandmother about the session, her 3 daughters who are in town, but all live out of state, two of them out of the country, getting everyone together for a family session would be an event. I remember writing down the details, two little 1 year old, twins who are 4. Ok, my hands will be full, but I’ve done this before – tres cool… till they arrived and I realized I was working with TWO sets of twins! The one year old little ones are twins too! Double the fun for me!! And getting 4 little adorable faces to look at me all at once was a challenge for all of us and was fun. The noises and sounds and funny faces that the parents were making behind must have been a sight. You can tell where the parents were standing behind me!

And the most behaved little ones too – I mean yes, all little 4 year olds and 1 year olds don’t want to do what mommy and daddy say, but these little ones were just amazing to work with. They told me their favorite ice cream (Chocolate of course) and the girls showed me their teeth when they smiled at me. They were a delight to work with and all just so cute.

And true to form – boys being boys, when I asked them to give their Auntie a kiss, one of them said yuck and the other tried to run away from her… but she got the last laugh and kissed them both on the checks.

What a beautiful family –

Your life photographer
Susan B.

When you get the chance to work with an aspiring model – life and all around it falls into place.

Rae, a Legend High School Junior is just that person. She is currently signed with a local modeling agency and spends many weekends learning the skills and knowledge of being a model. When I offered a free photography session to the Legend Titan Band Silent Auction, Rae’s parents quickly out-bid everyone and won the session for Rae.

After school exams and waiting for some nice weather, I worked with Rae and her portfolio session. I love working with teens – and the excitement they are in when it comes to their Senior Session. It’s one of those many little items on their check-list that says “I’m a Senior, almost done!” When working with Seniors or teens, putting them into comfortable poses is part of the job. But when you work with a model, the game changes a little and placing them into poses isn’t required, because they basically know where to stand.

When posing a person, as a photographer, I have taken many workshops, classes, tutorials on how to make the subject look good in their photograph. Showing the curves in a woman, or the masculine parts in a man, there are tricks to achieving these looks and I work on them all the time when photographing any client. But when it came to working with Rae, I would ask her “ever hear of the ‘S’ pose?” and she would go right into it. Something she’s been taught as well as I have on how to make the photograph look amazing.

Rae was an amazing person to work with. She never said no to anything I suggested (sitting on a chair, upside down in a field of weeds) and was up for anything (posing near rock fountains getting soaked) and for that she had an awesome session.

Want to see more? I made a video of her best photos –

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Thank you Rae – I wish you the best in your career and am proud to help be a part of it!

Your Life Photographer
Susan B.

So the night before he leaves for the Army, we gathered at one of our weekly hang-out spots… where Kyle and my children attend Boyscouts (Go Troop 88!). Yes, my daughter is a Venture. What is a Venture? Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are between the ages of 14 and 21. Venturing’s purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Kyle and his family have become very close to our family and Kyle was close friends with Jennifer being a part of Ventures together.

Kyle, his sister, brother and parents came out to the Parker Evangelical Presbyterian Church (PEPC), where we walked up onto the hillside and captured some great family photos –

And I always insist that if a mother is present during a family photo session – there has to be a kiss. It makes the Seniors giggle, a bit skirmish, but all the mom’s appreciate it. Most of the time it’s the Senior / Child that gives mom a kiss, but at this point in the session, Kyle’s allergies had kicked in and Mom was in tears as well so a close tight hug made the cut.

Kyle is doing well at Bootcamp right now, we have received letters from him already – and we know he’ll do fine as he learns the ways of the military. We wish him the best –

Your Life Photographer –
Susan B.

Book now by June 30th and if you purchase from the Longs Peak Collection (a value of $450.00) receive 8 more wallets (64 total), 7 5×7′s and 4 web sized images for your Facebook / MySpace page. On the Mount Evans Collection (a value of $650.00) receive 16 more wallet photos (112 total), 16 5×7′s and 8 web sized images for your Facebook / MySpace page. Gray’s Peak Collection (a value of $950.00) – more and more wallets – 16 additional wallets! (136 total), 20 5×7′s, 4 extra pages on the coffee table album, 15 web sized images for your Facebook / MySpace page. Book your collection now!

Is your school listed? If so – be the 1st from your school to be photographed with Susan B and the CLASS of 2011 COLORADO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS!

Castle View High School
Chaparral High School – ANNE!!
Douglas County High School
Highlands Ranch High School
Mountain Vista High School
Ponderosa High School
Rock Canyon High School
Thunder Ridge High School

Elbert County Comprehensive High School

Englewood High School

Sherdian High School

Aurora Central
Gateway
Hinkley
Rangeview

Cherokee Trail High School
Cherry Creek High School
Cherry Creek P.R.E.P. High School
Eaglecrest High School
Grandview High School
Overland High School
Smoky Hill High School

Arapahoe High School
Heritage High School
Littleton High School
Options High School

Coronado High School
Doherty High School
Mitchell High School
Palmer High School
Wasson High School

Not listed? Let’s add you now!!

Being a part of OpLove has been very humbling to me. I am former military, I was a military wife, I’ve been through the long deployments, it’s not easy, and it’s not easy when your spouse is at war. So after having a beautiful session with Natasha the day before, ready to enjoy my Memorial Weekend with the family… early Sunday morning I check my email and find a message from Tasha, “He’s coming home, can you photograph his arrival?” With a quick approval from the family, I called her back and said “YES!”.

I have to laugh at this part, because when I called Tasha, she was in the middle of cleaning the car. I remember this all so well. We, as military wives, have what seems like forever to clean the house, wash the car, keep our lives functioning while our husband is deployed… it really does feel like forever, but when you get word that he’s coming home, all of sudden – NOTHING IS DONE! And the time between you finding out he’s coming home to his actual arrival is so short. Thisshort. No space. No time! So it becomes this mad rush to get the house tidy, the car cleaned, the KIDS CLEANED! It’s worth the chaos, but it can be comical sometimes.

So she gives me the details of his arrival and tells me where I need to be and when. She’s concerned that it’s late at night, around 9pm and I’m fine with that. It’s a holiday, I can sleep in on Monday. I wouldn’t miss this for the world. My day seems to drag, but I’m sure on her end, with also the arrival of her in-laws, there just wasn’t enough time… then she called me later in the afternoon and said “his flight was delayed to 11pm, can I still photograph the event?” I’m thinking, I’m really going to get to sleep in!

I arrive to Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs late in the evening and walk into the Rec Center to where they will arrive. The Rec. Center is crowded with bleachers with other families waiting for their loved ones return. I meet Tasha and her adorable daughters and in-laws. We have an hour till her husband’s (Captain Brandon) arrival. I ask how has this deployment been, their first military separation and she thought she had done pretty well. She kept busy with the girls and was active with other wives on the base. I talked with the girls and asked what the first words would they say to daddy, and there was no thinking on this “I Love You Daddy!”

Then at 11:00, the music “I’m Proud to be an American” starts to play – and the crowd goes wild. Minutes later, an officer walks out alone and walks to the center of the room and the crowd goes even crazier with screams and shouts. I’m told that this is the Commanding Officer of the group and so we know they are here… and seconds later with a puff of fog, rows and rows and rows of our finest military marched into the room. Trying to capture Tasha, the Girls and the in-laws and get the military walking in is just amazing, even through my own tears.

Waiting for Daddy to arrive – it’s 10:30 pm, well past the girls bedtime – so a power nap was in order.

Waiting for the military to arrive – the song ‘I’m Proud to be an American’ had just played, it was time to open the doors…
the buses had dropped them off, they were on the other side, they were lining up in information

and with a wooosh of fog – the doors open and a stream of 4 lines – in formation they marched through the doors..

Mom was really cool all up to that moment. She told me later that she kept thinking she was taking it ok, but the minute the doors open – and she saw him walk in, she teared up… and then so did I.

When the military saluted – so did the little one.

And there he was. How he was able to maintain that cool look seeing his family across the stands…

The Commanding Officer with the troops

Grandpa, Grandma and the oldest looking on at daddy.

Daddy is home!

Welcome home Brandon – I am so happy that you came home safe and thank you for your service to our country.

Tasha – thank you for letting me photograph your wonderful moment.

Your Life Photographer -
Susan B.

Natasha brought some photos of her husband Alex who is deployed at this time. Getting Lil’ A to show me the picture was a challenge – but we got it!

Natasha brought along some boots, and we put her dog tags that has Alex and Natasha’s wedding anniversary and love notes that say “Will Wait” and “True Love” on them…

And another picture of Alex – Thank you Alex for all that you do! I salute you!

If you have been a long time follower of Susan B. Photography, some of you saw the photos I posted of my sister, her daughter and husband who was just months away from being deployed to Afghanistan for 9 months. It was this organization that I recommended my sister to get in touch with a photographer in Texas to have their photos done, that she decided that she wanted me to photograph their memories.

So I was excited to become a part of this great organization as of lately. I believe in supporting our military, and if I can help out by photographing a family for a love one who is over-seas, then I feel that I have brought the family a little closer together and help the gap of missing our loved-ones with images.

Last Saturday, I met Jasmine and her adorable 1 year old son ‘Lil Z (name protected online). ‘Lil Z was just roaring to go once he was where we decided to have his photo session – in an open field, with a running brook, stepping stones, waterfalls, bridges, the works. Everywhere was something to point at, pick up, pull at and had to be touched with his tiny little hands.

Jasmine’s husband is currently serving with the Army from Ft. Carson, Colorado. Jasmine and Lil ‘Z were so much fun – open for anything when it came to photo opportunities. I want to thank Jasmine for letting me photograph her and her adorable son, who must be a handful right now in his growing stages! Being able to capture Lil Z’ so that we can send her husband a nice 8×8 book while he’s deployed makes me feel so proud that I’m able to offer a service to our military.

A big thanks to Jasmin’s husband – Willie! Thank you for your service to our country. We are proud.

In honor of Presidents Day, I wanted to host a limited special at Susan B. Photography. Book your session anytime between February 1 and February 16 to receive 15% off your order of Package 3, and receive an entry into the International Charity Model Search. The ICMS is searching for North America’s Cutest Family and the Grand Prize is a new family friendly car!

Space is limited so call today to take advantage of this opportunity!

But wait! For those who did not qualify – you can still earn rewards! Send this email / postcard to friends and families and tell them you referred them to Susan B. Photography! If they book and complete their photo session with Susan B., you can earn the following print credits for 2010 usage:

2-5 referrals:
Receive 2 5×7’s from your most recent session or on a future session 2010 (FREE!)

6-13 referrals:
Receive 1 8×10 from your most recent session or on a future session in 2010 (FREE!)

13-20 referrals:
Receive 1 packet of 25 cards (Senior Graduation Cards, Holiday Cards, Announcements, etc) (FREE!)

21+ referrals:
Receive 2 packet of 25 cards (Senior Graduation Cards, Holiday Cards, Announcements, etc) (FREE!)

So what are you waiting for!? Let’s find the cutest family in Colorado!

Finalists will be determined by on-line votes. Each vote is $1, and all proceeds from votes benefit the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS.org). Official voting begins 1/4/10 and ends 4/8/10.

Grand prize international winner will be determined from the 52 city finalists. Winners selected by photography and industry experts. Winner announced April 24, 2010. Contest open to residents of the US and Canada. Visit www.sandypucmodels.com for details.

What is NILMDTS?

This is the place where the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives. The NILMDTS mission statement is to introduce remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with the gift of professional portraiture. We believe these images serve as an important step in the family’s healing process by honoring their child’s legacy.

About Us – NILMDTS

Your donation of $1.00 for voting for your favorite family and all proceeds from votes, go to charity and benefit NILMDTS, so all participants can enjoy supporting a very worthwhile foundation.

Go Vote Now! (Search by Tour: Denver or Photographer: Baggett)

When we first moved to Denver… 10 years ago next week… our daughter started kindergarten at her new school. Shortly afterwards, a little girl that was at the same day care center, came up to me one day when I picking up Girlscout and told me she was Girlscout’s best friend. This started a friendship that has lasted a life time…

Girlscout still calls this young girl her best friend, her 1st friend. So when mom asked me to come out and take their family photos, I was excited for the girls to see each other again, as though we live only 20 miles apart, we don’t see them as much since we live in a different part of Denver now. Her mom and I have see each other every 6 months, but the girls were always busy and either one wasn’t around when we would meet up, or it was the other.

So on a beautiful sunny Saturday we went to a park that both girls visited in their elementary days, and took some beautiful pictures. And I even got a few of the girls together… it was a magical day.

They also wrapped up my 2010 Holiday Season… orders off to the printers. Bring on the eggnog, I’m ready.

One of the great perks of being a photographer is being able to photograph your friends. The Johnston’s, are an amazing family. Not only close neighbors, but our very good friends. Our boys are in the same boyscout troop – and both their children are in the same grade levels as ours (TEENAGERS! HIGH SCHOOL!!) We share the same woes as to student drivers and school grades!

So when they asked me to come over and photograph their holiday session, fun was high on the list. Everyone was laughing, smiling and just fun to be with. When it came to editing the photos – it was not easy to pick my favorites… there were so many!

Thanks to the Johnston family for letting me evade their home on a cold and windy day and making every thing fun and entertaining.

Want to see more sessions? View the Susan B. Photography portfolio or other sessions and book yours now!