sneak peek | ella bean

my baby just turned 5. where does the time go? ella has always been my favorite subject and she is always so good to me when i say "ella, can i just try one thing?" she runs off and gets all dressed up and ready for her photographs. this time, i had a hard time convincing her that she should not wear the hot pink fluffy, feathery tiara she came out in. we compromised that a pink head band would match better. and yes, she did let me try a few new things!

i asked her if she would be brave enough to stand in the cutout window of our lounge room wall. of course she was and we had a lot of fun. this is sized to fit a 9x20 inch frame.

when i was in canada i saw a tall, narrow, framed close-up that i thought was fantastic. i have been wanting to try it out, so i cropped this one to fit a 9x20 frame as well. can't wait to see how it looks!

i recently moved my studio space into our front lounge that has this fantastic chocolate feature wall. i have been wanting to see how this looks as a backdrop for portraits. i think it will be nicest in colour, lovely and warm.

happy birthday to my big girl. and thanks for always being such a beautiful and willing subject =)

christmas cards | old favorites

here are a few of my favorite christmas card designs from last year. again - they can each be rotated or adjusted to include more or less photos, your favorite quote, a personal message, or a different colour scheme. and they can be printed as 4x6 or 5x7 photo cards, or as traditional 1/2 fold cardstock cards. you have about 6 weeks until you will need to post your cards, will you be ready? let me help =)

christmas cards | quotes & sayings

yes, i am still trying to get you thinking about your christmas cards for 2009! it won't be long and you will be needing to get them in the post. here are some ideas for quotes or sayings that you can include on your christmas card. any of my card designs can be changed to include the quote of your choice. and if you have a favorite quote or saying for christmas, please add a comment! i am always looking for new ideas =)

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

Author: Norman Vincent Peale

Christmas night, stars shine bright, and all the angels are singing. "The Son of God is Born! Little child, holy child, how I want to be near you, this blessed Christmas night.

Author: Garry Gamble

But not alone at Christmastime comes holiday and cheer, for one who loves a little child has Christmas all the year."

Author: Florence Evelyn Dratt

There is no greater gift at Christmas than to have everything you want before you open the gifts.

Author: Flavia

In the eyes of children we find the joy of Christmas. In their hearts we find its meaning.

Author: Leland Thomas

The best of all gifts around any tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

Author: Burton Hillis

Because last year she believed that gifts come from the North Pole. And this year she knows that they really come from the heart.

Author: Lenox

Love's the thing. The rest is tinsel.

Author: Pam Brown

Joy is not in things; it is in us.

Author: Richard Wagner

I bring you news of great joy…

Luke 2:10

Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:14

I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

~ Charles Dickens, 'A Christmas Carol'.

“Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more."

~ Dr. Seuss

Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance - each beautiful, unique and too soon gone.

~ Deborah Whip

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,

The gladness of Christmas give you hope,

The warmth of Christmas grant you love.

Family and friends are the true gifts of Christmas.

Being together… the best gift of all.

The love of a family… the best gift of all.

The joy of our children… the best gift of all.

Holiday magic starts from within…

I believe in Santa

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

These are a few of our favorite things…

It’s a wonderful life!

…and I think to myself, what a wonderful world!

Twinkle, Twinkle, Christmas Star

…and there was a new little star who seemed to light up this whole world

Your very first Christmas

Your very first tree

And the people who love you just can’t wait to see

The look on your face

In the midst of the fun

Of this wonderful Christmas, your very first one

christmas cards | new designs for 2009

here are the new designs i have been working on for christmas cards this year. they can all be printed as 4x6 photo cards, 5x7 photo cards, or standard 1/2 fold cardstock cards with room for a message on the inside. each of these cards can be adapted to change the colour schemes, quotes and personal messages to suit your taste. thanks to these families for sharing their kids for my examples =)

special prices for christmas:

25 4x6 photo cards = $40

25 5x7 photo cards = $60

25 1/2 fold cardstock cards = $50

(cards include white envelopes)

purchase jpeg file for printing out yourself = $25

photo call | christmas cards

yes, i know it is "only october". but i promise, it is time to start thinking about christmas cards. by the time you choose a photo, choose a card design, decide what you want your card to say, and wait for them to get printed... it will be time to for you put them in the post!

the good news is that i do all of the hard work for you - i can even include a message on the inside of the card so all you have to do is write an address on envelope! and YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN AUSTRALIA to order your christmas cards from me. i will post them to you where ever you are in the world. all you need to do is email the photo(s) you would like to be used for your christmas card.

over the next few days i will be sharing some of the cards i made last year so that you can see how wonderful they look and get some ideas for your own card. in the mean time, i want to try out a few new designs as well as show everyone how i can take any one of your favorite digital photos and turn it into a wonderful christmas keepsake.

so this is a PHOTO CALL! send me a favorite digital photo of your family/kids/pets/vacation/child's artwork/view from your window etc. etc. - really, any photo you like! i will choose a few of them to use in my christmas card examples and post them here for everyone to admire.

send your photos to karen.zoomdesigns@gmail.com

and stay tuned for some fantastic christmas card ideas =)

invite

having a party? have a special occasion coming up? here are 2 invitations that i have made recently that just might give you some new ideas. these cards are beautifully printed and make wonderful keepsakes for your guests.

this invitation is perfect for a first birthday. with 12 spots for photos you can use one photo from each month of your little one's first year!

this particular card is an invitation to a christening but this layout can work for any purpose. i think it would make a beautiful christmas card - yes it is that time of year again to think about christmas cards! stay tuned this week for a chance to see what your favorite photo looks like in a custom made card such as this one! =)

sneak peek | bellies

i had the great pleasure of doing a 'belly' session last weekend, for such a lovely couple. maternity photographs are a very cool keepsake of a really unique and momentous time in life. i wish this sweet family and their little one all the best! perhaps some newborn photographs will be in our future =)

...all because two people fell in love

home is where your story begins

before | after

the amazing jody at mcp actions has a new action set coming out and she has used one of my photos on her site!! am ridiculously excited!

http://mcpactions.com/blog/2009/09/30/win-mcps-bag-of-tricks/

this is perfect timing, as my next blog posts are going to be about processing your images and using programs like photoshop. many people don't realize this, but the work you do to your image after you take it is extremely important. if you have photoshop and/or are intersted in turning your great images into professional looking fantastic images, you must follow the mcp actions blog. the tips and tricks you learn there will change your life!

http://mcpactions.com/blog