a new look... coming soon!

I'm so lucky to be working with the amazing girls from Luxecetera on a new logo, new branding, and some much-wanted updates to my website and blog.  Eva Talley, Lisa Reichman, and Ashley Jankowski are three of the most talented designers around, and they've pooled their talents and resources to form a FABULOUS new company together.  They offer photographer's tools, such as announcement and card templates, book layouts, stationery, custom blog and branding designs (either from the ground up or a la carte), and so much more.  Like I said, I am lucky to be working with all three of these amazingly talented women, and I'm so excited to unveil my new look to y'all... very soon!   To my regular readers, if you see anything strange happening with the colors, logos, backgrounds, etc. in the next couple of weeks, please pardon the dust.  ;)  We're fiddling and tweaking and making my site into what it should be!  I can't wait to show it all off.

And in that vein, I'd love to show you some new folded birth announcements that I'm offering. (Two boxes of 25 announcements are complimentary with the purchase of my Luxe Baby Plan... inquire for details!  You can email me at stacey@staceywoodsphoto.com or call 727.698.0344.)  This line of gorgeous announcements is called "Sugar and Spice", and, professional photographers, they can be purchased from Luxecetera, here!

Aren't they divine?  The black-and-white lover in me is doing backflips over these.  They are beautiful printed on linen cardstock, or on my pearlescent stock as well.  I'm seriously thinking of sending one of these out to commemorate Lila's upcoming 1st birthday.  lol!

from the mouths of babes.

So this sweet little interview has been floating around fellow photographers' blogs, and on Facebook.  I took a few minutes the other morning to interview my 4-year-old about me.  And I was delighted... horrified... and bursting with pride at his answers to my questions.  I challenge you to interview your children about yourselves, do this little exercise at home.  Keep it and put it in their baby book.  :)  You'll find out a whole lot about your kids' perspectives and how they think.  

Here's what my Parker had to say about me....

1. How would you describe Mama? huh??  um, i don't know about that. 

2. What makes me happy? i do things the way you like 'em.

3. What makes me sad? when i don't do the things that you want me to do.

4. What is something I always say to you? keep on tryin'!  (my heart started to melt right here.)

5. What makes me laugh? telling you funny jokes!

6. How old am I? uh, 50??  (aaand my heart got a little shock here.  come on... 50?!)

7. How tall am I? 5 miles.

8. What is my favorite thing to do? work on the computer or play with me.

9. What do you think I do when you're not around? work on the computer.

10. If I became famous one day, what do you think it would be for? for daddy.  me: for daddy??  why will i be famous for daddy?  because he's so handsome.

11. What am I really good at? playing my wii with me.  (i am getting pretty darn good at lego star wars, i must say.)

12. What am I not so good at? putting lila to sleep (yeah, nail on the head right there.)

13. What is my job? taking pictures of your customers.

14. What is my favorite food? salad?  (i only wish.  this baby weight would have come off a lot faster.)

15. What do I do that makes you proud? playing wii extra special with me.

16. If I were a cartoon character, who would I be? Why? the Cartoon Fixer.  because you fix my cartoons on tv for me.

17. What do you love to do with me? go walkin' in the park.

18. How are you and I the same? we have the same noses!

19. How are you and I different? not the same hair.  (sadly, parker's hair is WAY better than mine.)

20. How do you know I love you? because you tell me that!

21. What do you think I like most about Daddy? because he's so handsome.  (hmm, i think parker must have had a quick chat with daddy before this little interview, don't you?)

22. Where is my favorite place to go? um, Hooters?  me:  uh, no honey... that's daddy's favorite place. *snort*  skyline chili??  no, darlin' that's YOURS.  ok.... to the park!

23. What's your favorite thing about me? because i love you.  *sweet smile*

24. If you could change one thing about me, what would you change? your lips to my lips... kissing me!  (and this is where i forgave him for the Hooters comment and saying i am 50 years old, and my heart just melted into an enormous puddle on the floor.)

25. Do you know how much I love you? thiiiiiiiiiiis much!!!!

interview ended.  hugs and kisses were passed out in abundance.  :)  

Don't forget to share your interviews with me!!!  I'd love to read 'em.

baby LOVED disco!!

Okay, so I know y'all have had your eye out for these.  :)  Baby Loves Disco's Tampa Launch was a huge success!  Here are a few "detail shots" and then I'll showcase some of the kiddos.... Baby Loves Disco was graciously hosted by the Blue Martini, which is located within the Shops at Bay Street in the International Plaza.  

Baby News Bits was one of the fabulous sponsors!  Check them out here.  Every mom needs to go to their site right NOW because they've got amazing ideas and sooo very many resources for parents.  Seriously.... I was browsing their site and could have stayed there forever!

LOADS more sponsors.... Yogani (providing parent massages), the Parent Guide, Stroller Strides (who provided the fantastic Stroller Parking - thanks Natalie!), Cleanwell, Moms Like Me, Precious Cargo (who hosted a fantastic dress-up corner!) Aveda Level2 Salonspa (and their super-fun GlamLounge!), and so many more....  Check 'em out!

I was even able to sit down with a few of the kids and have some quickie-shoots.  My favorite part of the day!!  Take a peek....

And lastly, my own disco babies!  :)  My husband brought our kids so they could enjoy the festivities too!  Parker had a blast, as you can see below....  and Lila, well, Lila was a little sleepy (aka needing her Mama).  And since Mama had to work, we compromised.  I can't tell you how much I adore this baby carrier!!!  (Link posted for all you moms and dads who have asked me about it!)  And obviously, another little someone likes it too.  ;)

Parents, your slideshow gallery of the day will be posted to my site in just a couple of days.  Those of you who provided your email address will receive an alert from me when the gallery goes live.... the rest of the parents in attendance, just check the blog here in a couple of days for your link.  For now, enjoy the preview!

ETA:  Here is the link to the slideshow!  When prompted, enter the password "babylovesdisco" (all lowercase, without quotes).  You may email me or simply call me to order!  And remember, you'll get 15% off your order for mentioning you were at Baby Loves Disco!

dance, baby, dance!

Listen up, Tampa Bay mamas and daddies!  I've got the perfect place for you to take the kids tomorrow....  Baby Loves Disco!!  What is Baby Loves Disco, you ask??  Well, it's just the hippest place for Tampa Bay's parents AND kiddos to hang out, that's what.  Baby Loves Disco is a supercool event that transforms an already-hip grown-up spot into an even more fun -- and kid-friendly -- hangout!  Meet me at the Blue Martini at International Plaza in Tampa, from 11am until 2pm on Sunday, February 15th.   In true "disco style", the Blue Martini will be breaking out a disco ball over the dance floor, with classic 70s dance music so y'all can get your groove on with the little ones!  Yogani will be there with chair massages for the parents, as well as a "Chill Lounge" with a Dress-Up Corner!  There will be healthy snacks served, and even a Juice Box Bar (how cool is that?!) for the kids, and spirits for the non-driving parent!.  Aveda will be on hand with a Glam Make-up Lounge.  The Parent Guide and Baby News Bits are providing balloons and face-painting..... so many things to let YOU relax and your KIDS have a ball. There will be "stroller parking" provided by Stroller Strides as well, so be sure to bring baby's wheels!

Lastly, Stacey Woods Photography will be a sponsor as well, and I'll be there to capture the fun of the day!  I'll also be shooting a few "mini-session style" portraits (with exclusive discounts!) for the fun families who attend Baby Loves Disco.

Don't miss out!  My family and I will see you there....

Merry Christmas! Come on in...

Okay... so I'm a bit late.  But I have a very good reason.... I was finishing designing my Christmas cards.  Which will most likely be mailed out to y'all from either Kentucky or North Carolina... or some random town in between here and there!  I'll be addressing from the road this year, so I'm warning you now to overlook my sloppy handwriting.  Although, you probably won't even notice the handwriting because of the sweeties all over the card itself.  :)  Guess who. Anyhow.  WELCOME to the Florida portion of the Christmas Tour of Homes 2008.  I'm happy to be participating this year!  I must tell you the truth though, I haven't taken as much time this year to decorate as I usually do, because this portrait season kept me SUPER BUSY.  (THANK YOU, my Sweet Clients.  I love y'all, and believe me -- Parker loves you too, because you are indirectly putting a "Wii Box that you put Wiis in" under the Christmas tree for him this year.  LOL!)  So it's finally festive around here, and we're all lit up, so let's get started!

Aaaand before you make fun of that wimpy little artificial tree at my front door, I will have you know that said tree will forever be a part of my holiday decor.  Because when I was 20 years old, living 5 states away from home and B.R.O.K.E, I went and purchased that shabby little pre-decorated tree and it was the only decoration in my whopping 513 sq ft apartment.  Besides the dying dracaena plant and the secondhand couch.  ;)  Every year, when Chris hands it down to me from the attic, I smile and remember that pitiful Christmas when I only had $10 to my name, and I think about how blessed I am today with my amazing family, so many friends, a career that I truly love, all four of my grandparents and one great-grandmother living, my two healthy babies, etc.  I could go on forever!!  But the point is, I'm proud and oh-so-thankful when that tree comes out.  So.  The shabby tree stays. 

The first little tree (above left) is Chris's tree.  I made this for him several years ago, including all the things he likes best:  Redskins football, Cincinnati Reds baseball, Tar Heels basketball (blech!), billiards, bowling, cards, etc.  So it's become a tradition now: Parker and I choose a new surprise ornament for Daddy's tree every year.  I think next year we're going to need a bigger tree!!  

The shot above right (and below) is of Parker's little tree in his room.  I let him decorate it himself, however he wants, and it's filled with very special ornaments that are going to get broken that are very meaningful to him me.  I adore this sweet tree.  And P loves having such a big nightlight in his room at Christmastime.  :)

I just noticed that all the Sesame Street characters seem to be mooning us.  That silly Parker.  Not a one is facing out!  LOL!

Oh, and for more of Parker's antics...  remember this from last year??  Stinker.All stages of his four little years here on this Earth so far, including the many phases boys go through:  Sesame Street (this phase was way too long for my taste and tolerance, I might add), trains (which was way too short for the amount of money I spent on Thomas and Friends), Charlie Brown (a constant favorite!), all kinds of cars and fire trucks, and the Florida Gators.  (Since he was actually born here in Florida, he insists that he is an "Alligator Fan".  Chomp.)  Even Darth Vader is represented on this tree in all his Christmas cheer.  ;)And yeah, I know, you've probably already seen these shots of our main tree (MY TREE, the one that has to be "pretty"), but I like it... so you're going to see it again!  :D

I'm in love with mercury glass this year!  Love it.Our New and Unmatching stocking this year.  Poor Lila.  I had to make it especially girly for her, it was the least I could do.  :)  The rest of our stockings are cream wool, with jingle bells and our names embroidered on them.  Maybe next year we'll be a matching set again!

Oh!  And I have to tell you about my new stocking holders.....They're handbag hooks, similar to these!!!  If you're local, you can pick them up at Kookie Krums in Dunedin.  Their true intent is to hold your purse from the tabletop when you go to a restaurant, so that you don't have to plop your handbag down on the dirty restaurant floor.  (Great idea?  I think so!  They're really pretty, too!)  But that ingenious Janet had stockings hung from her coffee/cookie bar this way, and so four of these little hooks found their way to my um, bookshelf-cum-mantle-for-the-season.  :)  (Hey, it's Florida!  It's been in the 70s most of this past week.  Who needs a fireplace?!)  

Anyhow, we had those big, tall, clunky metal stocking holders before, and I was absolutely petrified that eventually, they would not be able to bear the weight of the stockings' contents, and tumble down onto the kids' heads.  I don't even want to think about it!  Well, no more worrying.  PROBLEM SOLVED.  If these little trinkets can hold a heavy purse, they can surely hold what Santa can stuff into my kids' stockings!Can you just see the Visions of Sugarplums dancing over his little sleepy head?  :)  Oh, I turn into mush looking at my sleeping babies.....  especially when they're wearing Monster Jammies.Okay... that's it for now, but I'll be back tomorrow with more photos and more hall-decking!  Hope you enjoyed your tour!

And..... last but not least, make sure you take some refreshments on your way out the door!

PUMPKIN BREAD WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS (courtesy of my awesome friend Stephanie - xoxo)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray two loaf pans (I use the glass variety) with nonstick cooking spray.

3 cups granulated sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

1 15 oz can of pumpkin

2 tsp baking soda

4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

3-1/2 cups self-rising flour

2/3 cup water

1/2 cup pecans, walnuts, whatever you prefer

1/2 cup (um, I usually double this!!) chocolate chips

Mix sugar, oil, eggs, and pumpkin.  Mix baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and flour in a separate bowl, then gradually stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture.  Add water, then stir in nuts and chips.  Pour into prepared pans.  Bake at 350 for one hour.  Yields 2 loaves.  

***Chef's Note:  Every time I make this, someone asks me for the recipe.  The bread is not dense like traditional pumpkin bread... rather it's the consistency of banana nut bread!  It's extremely moist.  (And oh-so-delicious for breakfast with a cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk!!)  And it's always GONE.  FAST!  Ya might wanna double this whole recipe just in case.  Hey just think of it this way to reduce your guilt: it's a serving of vegetables!  Hee hee.

ENJOY!  And thanks for stopping by to see me!  This was fun.  And you're welcome anytime.  :)

So this was my weekend...

My parents flew into town on Friday to visit us, and to see how much the kids have grown.  Gosh, what a shock they got when they saw how monstrous Lila's chunky thighs are, lol!  Ahh, she's such a good eater.  :)  Anyhow, we visited, laughed, played, loved, and cried.  For three days.  And Parker sobbed when we dropped them off at the airport today, love his heart.  I thought I'd share a few "snapshots" with you from our short time together....  

Popaw Pat and his "little man" watching Christmas movies together, of all things!  ;)  Told ya we were in the Christmas spirit here at the Woods house!  lol

Love her expression here.... she makes this face a lot!  And it melts me of course.

"Nammie" (one of the grandkids couldn't say "Grammy" so it stuck) and her 5th granddaughter... Can you believe Parker is the only son/grandson on my side of the family?  Just my boy and a bunch of girly-girls, blech!  ;) 

Right before leaving for the airport.... at least he held it together until they were out of sight!  (Ahem, same goes for me, as always....)

And we took Parker into the backyard this afternoon for a little "mini-session"...  it's for a project that my Mom is working on.  I couldn't help but adore these!!

Apparently he was LOVING my knock-knock jokes today.  Thank goodness!  I thought I'd run out of tricks with this one....  ;)  And last one.... "Progression of a Laugh" I call it.  Now, I dare you not to smile.  :)

I'm back in the office as of this morning (Tuesday).  I've got a slew of emails and voice messages to return, so if you need me, no worries..... I'll be glued to my office chair for the entire day!!!!  :) 

Shhh, don't tell Daddy....

TOP SECRET STUFF HERE.  :)  If you know Captain Daniel Long of Otherside Charters, then shhhh, don't tell him you saw this post!!!  This session is a sweet surprise for his birthday, from his beautiful wife and two adorable daughters.  I thought it was a fantastic idea!  His wife, Janet, is the owner of Kookie Krums, a yummy coffee shop/boutique in downtown Dunedin.  (Make sure you pop in soon, because I did some commercial work for her this year, and she's ordered a whole slew of my canvases to decorate her boutique!)  Anyhow, back to the surprise.... The gals and I headed up to Honeymoon Island to play.  (All of you with young kids know... that I sometimes call our sessions "playdates" and that I always make a point to play with the kids, make it fun, and let them loose to just RUN at some point in the session (well, some sessions have lots more running than others, I must admit!  Especially with the toddler crowd.  ;))  Well, there was so much to do on this particular playdate.  Like hiding in the sea grapes.... um, do y'all see a little blond-haired girl anywhere?!  Where did she go???  ;)

I must add that I love her nail polish.  LOL!  And after hide-and-seek was over, we made sea-shell castles.  (If any of you have ever been to Honeymoon Island, you'll understand why.  There are more shells on that beach than there are grains of sand!)

Then, there were strolls to take and waves to "kick" of course....

How I *adore* my wide-angle lens at the beach.  :)  This next shot is one of my favorites!!

And of course, there is always time for cuddling and snuggling with Mama.  It just wouldn't be a playdate without a little bit of snuggle-time!

I'm in love with this next shot.  Such adoration from Mama, and that sweet soft backlight gets me every time.  So summery and relaxed.

I loved the graininess, and the soft movement of Janet's hair in this one....  and don't tell me that you CAN'T hear the littlest one laughing!  :)  Love that.

Do you think Daddy will be pleased?  :)  Remember, no spoiling the surprise!  

By the way, I refuse to apologize for showing so many images at a time nowadays!  I'm thrilled that my blog finally shows my photographs nice and HUGE, so I get on a roll sometimes and can't stop adding.  LOL!  Have a great night, everyone!!

Going once... going twice...

I am both excited and proud to let you know that my work will be part of the All Childrens Hospital VIP Charity Auction this Saturday evening, May 31! This annual event is part of the 25th Annual All Childrens Hospital Telethon, and all proceeds will go DIRECTLY to All Childrens Hospital and its west-central FL outreach locations. News Channel 8 will be covering the Telethon itself, on Friday night and Saturday... please, if you're able to pledge $20, $50, $100, or even $1,000 to this amazing cause, your gift would be much appreciated, and very wisely spent! The Telethon is also a part of the Childrens Miracle Network!

One lucky bidder will be able to take home a Custom Photo Session with Stacey Woods Photography, AND a complete Keepsake Session Album including ALL the images from their session with me (package valued at $1,025)! Other fantastic items to be auctioned include: Trace Adkins concert tickets (yes, the country singer who made me wax nostalgic on Mother's Day)... trips to Costa Rica... the Bahamas... Beaver Creek Falls, Colorado... backstage passes to see Jay Leno and Rachael Ray.... one-of-a-kind Chihuly glass.... and YES, even SUPER BOWL TICKETS!!

To find out more about the and how to attend the VIP Auction, please visit www.allkids.org, www.allkidsfoundation.org, or call Jessica Petot at the Hospital Foundation, at 727-767-8422. Here's to a record-breaking Telethon this weekend!!

A bit of a facelift.

A few quick updates for those who follow my blog (yes, all three of you, lol!)

You might notice some little changes here and there on my website and blog! My awesome designer, Eva Talley, has just finished customizing my splash page and the homepage slideshow on my site. Just wanted to make my branding consistent throughout my work! My site's colors are darker to match my branding and design, and a few of my logo and design elements from my business cards, trifold brochures, postcards, etc. have been added as well. Some gallery images have been changed and updated too. And NEXT up will be my NEW BLOG... to be unveiled soon! Keep your eye on this blog, though, for updates on that project. My new blog will have a different web address so you will need to change your bookmarks on down the road. But no worries, I'll let you know when I get everything ready to show off! :) I'm excited!!

Another tidbit is that the Stacey Woods Photography website address is now www.staceywoodsphoto.com. I used to have a different web address (staceywoodsphotography.net), and believe me, if you type it in your browser, it'll still getcha there! ;) However I've removed it from all my marketing pieces, just so there won't be any confusion... there is another photographer with my same name and a similar website address (in another country though!) and I've had some clients go to her website by mistake. Nope, that's not me! :) So, just to ease the confusion and make it easier on y'all (and the other photographer who, love her heart, receives a bunch of emails intended for me!), I just changed my web address. Easy as pie, right? :) Right.

Also, just because I've been asked about this a lot recently, the gorgeous cello music you hear on my website is by the amazing Shaun Paul, and is titled "Footprints In The Sand". You can click on his website and order his CDs if you want! Or, you can just log on to my site and hang out there looking at my galleries and listening to my music for hours. :) Which I KNOW that some of y'all do! Hey, I check my web stats, okay?! ;) And I love it, I promise!

Lastly, I'm finishing up my final sessions before I sit the rest of the summer out waiting on my precious little girl to arrive (just 4-1/2 weeks until my due date!). To my sweet (and oh-so patient) clients, the last of my outstanding session galleries will be up by the end of the week, if you haven't had them published already. AND I've got a TON of print orders that are due here by Thursday and Friday, so watch your mailboxes and doorsteps for print deliveries very very soon!

Okay, that's it... back to work!

Cookie monster.

A bit of business before I post these next shots...

If you would like a photo session with me before I give birth (!) and go on maternity leave, PLEASE, schedule it NOW! :) I'm currently booking for mid-May with a few early June dates still open. To book your photo session, you can contact me via my website which is www.staceywoodsphoto.com, or by emailing me at stacey@staceywoodsphoto.com, or simply by calling me at 727.698.0344. I can't wait to hear from ya!

Now.... on to the photos!! :)

This is Hailey. Her mama owns a local coffee shop in Dunedin, with whom I'm working on a project at the moment. We went out and had a little session a few Saturdays ago, and brought some yummy snacks along with us! And YES, can you believe MORE COLOR from me?! But these photos just *screamed* COLOR to me.... and, like I tell my clients, I don't have the heart to convert to black-and-white in some instances! I hope you'll understand once you see these. ;)

last one.... i love it.

And there you have it. The explanation for zero black-and-white images in a post. :) Can ya blame me?