R’s sister had called me to book this session for her sweet newborn niece.  when i asked how old she was, i was told she was just born.  For me, a baby ‘just born’ is under a week old because i normally photograph  newborns between 3 to 6 days old but definitely before 10 days.  There is a small timeframe that newborns are ‘newborn’.  After the two week period, they just don’t curl as well and  they just aren’t as tiny.  if  a family is looking for ‘newborn’ images  (baskets, curled) and the baby is older than 10 days, there is a possibility that those images may not happen.  Now there are some families that prefer their baby to look older and that’s perfectly fine (and yes! i do photograph babies older than 10 days).  When i found out this baby was 6 weeks old i was a little unsure how the ‘newborn’ session would go.  I have been known to work my magic and achieve newborn style images with babies older than 10 days….i have gotten some 4 week olds that i have managed to curl and soothe off to dreamland…..but definitely have never tried to get ‘newborn’ images from a 6 week old.  ….until i met Miss Ariana. She proved me wrong, let me work my magic  and slept and curled beautifully for her session.

I must say….this family was so. much. fun.   Newlyweds, new home, new baby….such a great adventure to start together.  R lived and grew up in the beaches where my studio is located.  L talked about how they used to go on long walks on the boardwalk and had numerous dates on the beach.  they giggled and R would probably even say L exaggerated a bit when he recollected about how they met…or should i say how she seduced him….isn’t that right L???  that’s okay…we’ll let L tell it like he wants but  R and i know the real story .  So sweet to see them enjoying life’s blessings.

L and R have this new baby girl who is just gorgeous….i can tell they are going to be a wonderful family.

congratulations to you both!

xoxoxo,

—cherry.

These minis sessions were released to my newsletter subscribers last week.  Subscribers had first dibs on timeslots and days.  There are only 4 spots  left (2 on each day) so hurry and contact the studio to reserve your spot, these will go quickly!!

There will be an exclusive mini session package with products the studio doesn’t normally offer as well as an exclusive discount on additional prints,  canvases and other specialty products.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter to be the first to find out about specials, hear some photo tips and to just be.in.the.know.

Personally I’VE got THEE worst female singing voice in history and I may be biased and all cause she’ my niece but hey…

So this morning, after our regular sunday morning breaksfast, i logged into my computer and checked my emails and all the stuff i regularly check, when i came across this. This is my niece and i (nor my hubby or 3 kids) knew that there was a hidden budding gem of a rock star in our family. Just thought i’d share this with you cause…WOW. she truly brought a smile to our sunday morning.

Arissa — You’re probably turning all red as you read this but i hope you don’t mind me sharing your video, cause you shouldn’t…really!! You rock and i hope that when you’re famous, you let me photograph you for your first album . YOU GO GIRLIE

xoxox,
— ♥♥♥♥♥ auntie cherry.

It was quite the adventure with our family of five, my brother’s family of five and my other brother and sister-in-law.  We decided to take a LONG drive down to  Florida and play in the sun and sand for two weeks.  We are super exhausted (whoever said vacation was relaxing???) but at the same time super thrilled to have been able to experience the happiest place on earth with my brothers (big Bertha and big Uncle Glen — their ‘code names’ on the walkie.talkies) and all the kids (6 in total — ranging from 5 months to 7 years old).  We ate, swam, shopped, went to South Beach Miami for the night, collected seashells at the beaches, ate some more, visited a couple of parks and did lots of walking around.  Glad to be home but at the same time, sad it’s over.  We talked to my brothers and SIL’s the other day and apparently, there are plans to make make our road trips annual….except this time, the drive can’t be longer than 10 hours! lol.

i’ve been wanting to do a couple of collages of the trip for my blog but i only managed one…  i figured i better post this now otherwise, it’ll be outdated by the time i actually get around to doing the other collages.  I’m still working on editing our photos from last years trip to Florida.  yah, i already said that i was a slacker, didn’t i?!!?!?

My three monkeys pictured below….and yes — that’s my blond beauty. Apparently, it doesn’t matter that snow white has dark hair cause ALL the princesses (and don’t forget…barbie too) have blond hair.

One of my dearest clients Kim B. sent me an email to let me know that she nominated me as mother of the year….and OMG…would you believe it?!?!?! i actually won!!

You’re a sweetheart kim…

Click on the link to see the video…. mommy of the year

Hope all you wonderful mothers out there had a very Happy Mother’s day!  Hope your day was full of kiddie kisses and baby hugs….

My day started out with yummy pancakes, strawberries and whipped cream served in bed.  yup.  served in bed.  drooling yet?  i guess no one needs to know that it was my little munchkins that got to enjoy it!  they got right in there with me under the covers and helped themselves….and even though the thought of enjoying that breakfast all by myself in the quietness of my own room tickles my fancy for a whole two seconds….i’d much rather be snugglin’ up with my little monsters feeding them while we watched their favourite channel, Treehouse.

xoxox,

–cherry.

Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman’s life when she just glows.  Meet J.A.  She was just gorgeous and her glow just radiated.  Daddy-to-be J was so attentive to her and willing to do whatever she asked him to for the photo session.  i could just tell, they were so in love.  I love being a part of such a fleeting time in my client’s life.  What inspires me?  —knowing that i was able to document and capture that special moment for them and preserve this moment in time — that is truly inspiring.

i can’t wait to meet your little one….

xoxo, –cherry.

The studio will be closed for a few days from Wednesday February 25th to Monday March 2nd, inclusive.  All email and voicemail inquiries will be responded to upoon my return. If you are a current client and are due during this time, please call the studio at 647.400.6538 upon your baby’s birth or drop me an email at info@cherrycortez.com .

I am currently booking into April and May so if you know you would like to have a photo session done, please contact me as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Now to the good stuff…..

If you signed up for my email newsletter (link is up at the top menu ), you were one of the first ones to find out that we had a Call for Newborns who are due in April and May!! The call was for newborns who would match certain criteria based on the artistic visions that i had brewing in my head.   I was soooo overwhelmed by the response.  Thanks so much to everyone who showed interest and who filled out the questionnaire.  CCP has already contacted and selected the lucky expectant parents but i can’t just turn you all away, now can i?  So…..if you responded to the casting call and filled out the questionnaire but weren’t selected, this special is just for you:

Special #1

• $149 in-studio creative fee (regularly $189)
• 10% off a la carte prints and portrait packages
• one free 8×10
• signed model release required

or

Special #2

• $50 off Belly and Baby Captured Package (regularly $749)
• 10% off a la carte prints and portrait packages
• one free 8×10
• signed model release required

**  this special is only for those who weren’t selected for the casting call but would still like to have their newborn photographed by Cherry.  Please contact me asap if you would like to take advantage of one of the above specials.  April and May dates are filling up quickly .  This special will last until Monday March 1st so contact me on or before this date to be honoured the above rates/discounts.

…now what’s a post without some images, right?!?

i like to call this one ‘Meltdown’.  i guess she didn’t want to go in that basket for mommy after all .

If you don’t know it yet, my photography passion lies with precious newborns.  They are my absolute favourite subjects to photograph.  Maybe it’s their sweet smell or the fuzzy baby hair on their shoulders and backs or maybe it’s their tiny feet that just melt my heart.

If you are expecting, stay tuned within the next few weeks for a newborn special coming up that you won’t want to miss.  I’m so excited about it!! To all of you lucky soon-to-be parents: don’t forget to use the link in the above menu to subscribe to my blog.  Be one of the first readers to learn about what’s to come.

Meet my first newborn session of 2009 — Baby T.  Here he is at 10 days old.  Congrats J and J!!  Love, love, LOVE those tiny lips and those super soft itty-bitty fingers.  yummmmmm…….

xoxox,

–cherry ♥.

I just wanted to take the time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year.  i also wanted to thank all of my past clients for the fabulous year that we had.  i look forward to helping you capture all your life moments in the year 2009.  Lots of newborns are lined up for the beginning of the year and i look forward to meeting them all .  I put together a video of some of my favourite images from the past year.  have a peek if you’ve got a minute or two (or ten ) .

Click the following link to view the video : CCP 2008 year in Review

If you haven’t noticed, the website has been updated!  It has been a work in progress for the last month and i guess i should say that it is still ‘a work in progress’.  It has been a painstaking and daunting procedure to say the least but i hated that my images were so small on the screen — so i’ve been kicking myself to get it done.  Now images are sized at full screen …yippee!!  Visit the new Cherry Cortez Photography Website to see the fresh new look .  Over the next few weeks I’ll be updating the galleries with new images so check back to see the changes!!

I can’t believe it’s that time of year again!  Fall has started and it’s time to start thinking about the holiday season.

This year i’m so excited to be offering these beautiful cards.  Each card is 5×7 and has a front and a back.  Since the back has plenty of space there’s room to add some personal text.  A set of 24 cards is $75 and $50 for each additional set.  These cards are available to current clients and past clients.  If you are a client who’s had a session previously with me, just email me at info@cherrycortez.com or call me at 647.400.6538 and we can get you started on your Christmas cards.  Don’t forget to place your orders before the deadline – November 8th 2008.