I AM PUBLISHED!!

This has been hard news to keep quiet...but I didn't want to share until it was official :) But now that I have the book in my hands...here is the big news!! I am published!!!

So, here's the story, this past February I was contacted by BetterPhoto, which is an online photo community, probably more of you would recognize it as a photo contest that I enter. I have posted about finalist and wins on my blog several times. Anyway I was contacted on behalf of Jim Miotke, President, BetterPhoto.com, Inc. and Author of several Photography books, who was in the process of choosing photos for his next book (which would be later released in Oct 2008). So I get an email asking for permission to use my photo "Glorious Morning" in the book. I was asked to get the appropriate releases for my photo around and so I did all that and sent it in and then a couple months later I get another email saying that the book was in the final stages of editing and my photo had made the final cut for the book. Okay..so I am getting more excited but still not getting my hopes up too much :) Of course the email goes on to say there are NO guarantees, due to page layouts, space, etc and basically when it comes to publishing there are no certainties so until the book hits shelves...we are basically just crossing our fingers...LOL. Well, this past week I got another email from Jim saying it was official, the book was finished and my picture was in the book!! The release date for the book was October 28th but I wanted to see it for myself before sharing and guess what...today I got my book!! And yes it is there, on page 43, my photo!! I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to actually see my photo published in a book!!

Here is the book, by Jim Miotke, The BetterPhoto Guide to Photographing Children.

And here is the photo of mine that made it into the book.

"Glorious Morning"

Here are a couple really quick snaps of my photo in the book. I am on page 43 :)

Thanks for letting me share my news with you all!!

Also I wanted to say, I have made a lot of friends at BetterPhoto in the past few years I've been a member there, but some of use have become closer than others and we are in a small group together called "The Pixelchicks". Many of them were also chosen to have photos in this book and a couple of them are even on the cover of the book, so my Huge Congrats goes out to them today too!!

till next time...

For the photogs who follow my blog...

For all you photogs who check out my blog I wanted to give a shout out to my friend and fellow photog Nadia who has just released her latest set of fine art textures. Appropriately titled Nadia-Stalgic Fine Art Textures, there are 2 sets and they are simply GORGEOUS!! There is so much you can do with her textures and to be very honest I think they are a steal at the prices she is selling them for!! You can see all of them and purchase them here. Inspired Images by Nadia

Sneak Peek "K"

This is another session from this past weekend. This little guy was SO easy to work with, he really knew how to "work" the camera and the location we used was a photographers dream. There were so many cool old barns and great spots on this property to use. I really wanted to start playing and editing these right away but unfortunately I have been sick most of the week with a cold that has really kicked my butt!!

I have to add a little shout out to my son who so graciously lets me use his "collection" from his room for my shoots...LOL. He has a collection of vintage planes and trucks and I use them quite a bit for my shoots (as you all have seen on my site). It's so cute when I go into his room to grab them, he is like...hey where are you going with those. I think I might have to get myself an extra set just for sessions ;)

He had to try out both planes :) But the green one was his favorite :)

till next time...

More B & E :)

I just posted a couple pics from this session and like I said there would be LOTS more to follow. Well I wasn't kidding...LOL. Boy, it was hard picking which ones to show too :)
So here are the 2 gorgeous kiddos you just saw, B & E :)

So...just as we were about to wrap up the session and call it good, the sun finally made it's appearance for us to play in. It was such a beautiful evening to begin with but when the sun came out, the lighting was truly gorgeous!! This one is one of my faves of the 2 kiddos together.

And yes, I had to show all 3 of these...she is just too cute and having too much fun!! And aren't these clothes the kids are in adoarble!! Mom did a great job on the outfits!! :) And in case your are wondering where these adorable outfits came from (that both kiddos wore), check out the Janie and Jack website.





Oh...those serious eyes, they get me every time :)

But as I said, we got smiles this time too :)

Lots of smiles :)

And these, we didn't think we'd get these, but like I said the sun came out from the clouds at the very end of the session and I sure am glad it did...because you guessed it...these I love!!

If you are stopping by, don't be shy...I'd love to hear from you :)
till next time...

Look who I got to photograph again :)

I think as many of you probably notice who follow my blog, you see a lot of repeat faces, I photograph the same families a lot, which to me is a wonderful thing because when families ask me back time and time again it really does say a lot to me. And I appreciate it more than I can express!! To me that is the greatest thank you. It is also such a great honor to be able to share in families lives and watch their kids grow just as if they were my own. These kiddos are one of those families that are becoming regulars on my blog :) I first photographed them back in February and last night I had the privilege of doing so again. They are such GORGEOUS children. I have to say "T" I am sitting here looking at all the pics we took last night and I myself am completely overwhelmed at how gorgeous your children are and how many great pics there are. It is going to be SO hard picking which ones to proof. As you will see the first 2 I am showing are like the first ones I took from the first location, so you know how many more there are to go through...LOL.

So I have to say...little man "B", is my serious little guy. I LOVE his serious look. His eyes pierce right through my lens when I photograph him and I just melt when I see his eyes. So I am going to show this one, but by the end of this session we had him laughing and smiling...so there are just tons more to show of these 2 kiddos again.


Oh and then there is "E"...her and I have become buds. :) I even got a hug at the end of our session ;) I just adore her!!


So...I am off to sort through all the gorgeous pics...wish me luck...LOL

till next time...

The "F" family

The recent pics I have been posting are from this wonderful family :) I am only going to share a couple because I don't want to give too much away since the proofs are just about done and will be on their way very shortly.

Added a little vintage texture to this one :)

The "F" family has 3 very handsome boys but I have to share this one because I really love it. Actually there are 2 of him that I am in love with and mom will know which one the other one is when she sees the proofs, but I just had to share this one. We must have stood as this gate for what seemed like forever but it was worth it for this expression...love it :)

Thanks so much for allowing me to capture your family!! I'll be in touch soon with your proofs :) Also I added a storyboard of the series of pics of the boys goofing around on the chair together. So don't forget to scroll down to see the new pic added to that post.

till next time....

Boys will be Boys :)

True...Real...Life...these are the best kind of captures :) The "F" family...I had a great time spending the day with you and your boys today!! Thank you again!!

Came back to add this storyboard from this series of pics. They were having fun and just being boys, I took several shots and loved them all so much I had to make a storyboard from them.

till next time...

Beautiful evening...Beautiful children!!

I have to say I have changed my mind SO many times on which pics to show from this session...there are just too many good ones...TOO hard to choose! Anyway, the proofs are just about done, so to the families, they'll be on their way soon :) Thanks again for sharing your children with me!! They are truly beautiful!! :)


Not to take away from the other kiddos, because they were ALL gorgeous, but I have to admit, I was slightly drawn to the little guy...LOL. I mean come on, how could you not be!! He was ADORABLE!! I know some would think I'm crazy, but I love photographing 2 year olds...they are so inquisitive, as you can see here, and it makes for great pics :)




And of course, how could we not take advantage of a gorgeous evening and this gorgeous pathway cut through the trees. My favorite kind of pictures :)


And these kids were great, to get 4 kids of this age to walk together would and should be a hard thing to do, but they were great!! And as you can see, it makes for a gorgeous picture!!

And one more, because I just love this!! I'd say to the kids, okay run back to me...this one is so fun, just before "A" got to me she threw her arms up and ran off to the side :)!!

Hope you enjoyed your sneak peek :) I would love to show more, but this is already way too many...LOL. I'll be in touch soon!!

till next time...

New Photo Rings :)

It's been along time since I've added any jewelry to my collection, and since photo rings are my very favorite pieces I went in search of some new and unique ones and I found some real beauties!!

First let me start off by saying, I kinda have to apologize, I generally show my jewelry "finished" meaning with the pictures cast on them, but with the time constraints, I wanted to show these new rings, so unfortunately they will have to be shown as blanks.

Now onto the rings...
A note about my jewelry...
All rings are Sterling Silver and are available in sizes 6,7,8 & 9. For pricing and complete information on the rings including image sizes on rings, please contact Hayley at hayleyjhamlin@hotmail.com

The first is The Chunky Square Swivel Ring. It is 2 sided but because of the heavy coating that goes on it, only 1 side can be coated. You could get the other side engraved though, that would make it extra special :)


The next 2 rings, are the Oval Roped Ring and the Simple Rectangle Ring. These are both on the dainty side. Both are beautiful.

This next one is pretty cool. It is a Locket Ring. You can either get your image on the front and leave the inside blank, or you can have 2 images put on the inside just as a normal locket. Or you can do all of the above :) If the images are on the inside, no coating can go on them just as a normal locket is un-coated.

Also don't forget to check out the other favorites from the Hands to Heart photo jewelry by Hayley line. These pieces make excellent Christmas gifts. The cut off for Christmas orders is Nov. 10th for local orders. If shipping is involved please contact me for deadlines. You can see the complete collection on my website under the Boutique.

till next time...

Free Spirits :)

Just 1 today...sorry. I was hoping to have more to post from this session by today, but I have been super swamped this week and I am a bit behind. I will post more from this gorgeous session very soon.
This one though, really is a fave for me. I know it's not for everyone with the sun flare (but I love sun flare), and for me it really captures the spirit of childhood. It was a beautiful evening, the light was gorgeous so it was only fitting to let the kids go, run, play and be just that...kids.

till next time...