February Faries

February is when I build a set (different every time) to photograph all my little Fairies. I absolutely love designing these sets. I'm thinking pastel set this year. I'm in the early stages but hope to have complete after Christmas. My colors are going to be lavender, soft blues, silver, pale pinks, cream, white and soft teals. I'm also in the process of designing and making some new Fairy dresses. I will be sure to keep posting as I go along. If you're interested in setting up your child's appointment early, call us. The studio will be closed from December 23 thru January 6th. We will be open again on January 7th. I will be here off and on while off to work on this project. If you call leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Hope you're all ready for the Holiday. Ho, Ho, Ho d

What's really important

Hi everyone, I'm sorry but I have to jump back on my soap box and talk about something that I feel is so important. It seems to me that this generation has become disconnected to life. I really believe technology is the culprit. We hardly talk to each other, we text or message. We put what's going on in our lives on fb etc. I've found in my portrait business that family is taking a back seat in our busy lives. This is sad to me. It really hit home when I thought about the fact that my parents both have passed, now my Aunts and Uncles. I know how important capturing these memories are but neglected making it happen for me and my family. Now I'm on a mission. Think about it.. It's too late for my Mom and Dad and me, but hopefully it's not too late for you. If you can't afford to go to a professional to capture these memories, photograph them yourself. Don't just leave them in your computer or hard drive, print hard copies. Send them to a good lab, don't just print them on your home printer (these images will not last, I promise you). When you have an actual print your memories won't be lost to you. Also make sure you archive your images to a dvd on top of storing them on an external hard drive. So important.

A beautiful sunrise in Michigan

Just to let those know that would like to comment (and by the way, I wish you all would) I believe you need to have a google account. If anyone knows different please let me know. I've just heard from some that they couldn't comment unless they had an account with google. I'd like to fix this if possible. Anyone know how?

Just to let you know …… I'll be photographing on the beach in Pentwater Michigan July 6-14th. I've been doing these beach excursion to Lake Michigan for over 25 years now. I love the challenge of shooting on the beach, and believe me it is a challenge. Especially with digital. I'll be sure to post while I'm there. If anyone will be in the area and wants a session, let me know. Also…. I plan on giving a class this fall in Northern Michigan on photographing landscapes. Michigan falls are absolutely beautiful. I'm so excited about this class. It will be a three day trip. The last day I will be going over Photoshop actions etc to enhance your images. Call or email me for details. cita13@citaportraits.com Studio # 810 750 9597 I'll dig up some images from past excursions and post soon. Enjoy this beautiful Summer.

Some of my fav images of Willow

Okay as promised the story of Elijah and Poppy. The day Ron (my husband, Elijah's Poppy] was scheduled for a test at the hospital to find out why he was having chest pains (for over a year without letting anyone know}, our daughter called us an hour or so before we were suppose to be there and told us she was having contraptions. Our son in law rushed her to the hospital. While Ron was having his procedure she was in labor at the same hospital. Rons procedure lasted longer than I was told so I was so worried. While our daughter was in labor, the doctor came and told me Ron needed emergency bypass surgery. All your of his arteries were blocked. They needed to do a quad bypass. I walked beside his bed as they wheeled him into the elevator to the or. One of the worst experiences of my life. My daughter was 3 floors down. Her doctor did not want her to know about her father surgery. It seemed like forever before the doctor came and told me Ron was out of surgery. As I walked to the ICU the lullaby song was playing over the loud speaker. Oue Grandson, Elijah was born. The whole time I was waiting for Ron to come out of surgery I was thinking God takes away and gives. I thought Ron would be taken, but he lived. Our 1st Grandchild was born at the very minute my husband was coming out of surgery. Our family was so blessed. Elijah is so special to all of us. He is an old soul. Ron and him have had a special bond since he was born. Needless to say Ron was so touched with what Elijah wrote about him. This type of thing just brings into perspective what life is (or should be) all about. Life is about love of family and friends. We all have become desensitized. We don't talk to our love ones, we text them or Facebook them. We are so busy trying to eek out a living that we have lost sight of what's really important. Just my opinion. Just saying…...

Our sister Sam's battle with cancer…… I hope my images speak to those that are fighting or about to fight or knows someone fighting this terrible disease. During our session I watched her expressions change. The camera captured her thoughts. I saw her strength, sadness, dignity, humor, faith…. and many more emotions in this one session. I'll always be thankful to her for allowing me to capture part of her fight. She's my hero.

Check out our new video!

Willow came to work today
I just love photographing my fav little redhead.  She truly loves her picture taken.  I decided to use window light since it was high noon outside.  Both windows were North light.

Spring is coming, right?
I wanted to share some images I photographed of my Willow during the most recent snow fall.  She's such a little trouper.  Loves, loves, loves to be photographed.  We had a great time even though the wind chill was below 0.  I must say I'm kind of getting sick of it.  Enough already.  How about some 6o's or even 50's.  Hope you enjoy the images.

A Lost Generation

Okay I know I've said this before, but here goes again. My husband and I were talking last night about the fact that this generation is going to be lost. Children won't have pictures to share with their children. The children of today won't know what their Grandparents and other family and friends looked like. We all have become so desensitized. I'm not sure what has caused this but I'm thinking technology has played a big part in it. This generation is one of immediate gratification. We want it and we want it now. We love to take pictures with our many devices but do nothing to archive those pictures. They often get uploaded to our computers, but there they stay. We have a false sense of security. Hard drives fail, cell phones get lost or destroyed. Things happen. The reason I chose photography as a career is because I'm a second child. There are little if any pictures of me (not even snapshots). This fact has made me so sad. You want to know what you looked like. Breena (my daughter] and her children will know exactly what they looked like. They won't be lost. Please print hard copies of your families. Don't wait till tomorrow to do this, do it now. Just because you don't like an image today doesn't mean you won't treasure it tomorrow. Quit deleting and start printing please. Use a reputable lab (not your home printer because the inks and paper are not archival and will not last). Store these images in a safe place. There are all kinds of archival storage containers. Okay, I'm done. I hope this rant has convinced at least some of you to preserve your memories now.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

The Winter Dulls

Here in Michigan and other states I'm sure (but I live and work in Michigan) the Winter blues are setting in. I treasure the days with sun, wish there were more. My sweet baby Willow is coming to work tomorrow. We are going to brave the cold and have some fun photographing outside in between sessions. Can't seem to be able to convince any clients to be photographed in the snow. My little Willow is up for whatever. I'll be sure to post some this weekend. Hope everyone is making it through the dulls of Winter. As fast as time is flying, Spring will be here soon (or so I keep telling myself). Be back soon... '

Just a quick reminder about this years Fairy, Gnome & Nymph Special. Dates are: Saturday Feb. 8th and 15th only. We still have some openings if your interested. The Session Fee is only $50 and you'll receive 15% off print pricing. I have multiple costumes for multiple sizes. Check out the flyer and call us soon. Click on flyer to enlarge.

Hi all, Can't you just feel the warm breeze, the sun on your face, the waves crashing on the shore, the kids happily playing in the warm sand? Yep, it's coming. This years beach excursion will once again be in July. The date and exact location still to be determined, but it's not too early to save your spot. Of course we are going to Lake Michigan, my favorite place to photograph besides the grounds and lake here at the studio. Appointments are open right now but won't be for long. Call today! 810-750-9597.