Ok – this session delivered a first for me.  What is that you ask???  Well, as I was going through the images I came to this one below.  It kinda took my breath away, and then the tears started rolling.   Yes, this first image brought me to TEARS!!!!  I have never, never cried any tears over any image I have taken before.  I have to share with you that during this session I was in awe of this father’s love for his new, little baby girl.  I seriously talked about it all day long.  I was telling several of my friends after the session – “You should have just seen him!!!  I can’t quite explain it, but I couldn’t stop watching him watch her.  He was so calm and gentle and smitten and blissfully happy.”  Yes, Elias – I talked about you all day!!!  I even told your wife after the session when you had left how incredible it was to witness.  And, to me, this image shows just that.  I can *feel* the smitten-y bliss I felt that day between the two of you.  Bessie and Elias – you have such a beautiful little girl and such a sweet, sweet love already as a family.  THANK YOU for choosing me to capture this precious time in your life.

I couldn’t love this much more.  Seriously.  The heart.  The love.  The light. The DOG!!   ::SWOON::

“Tis the season!!!  I know, that is NOT what anyone wants to think about when it is 90 degrees on a gorgeous August Day.  However, the pickings on the calendar over here for portraits is getting pretty slim.  Most of you know that I am working through my cancer treatments, which are scheduled to be finished in November.  I am taking on a limited number of clients this season, so that my workload doesn’t get crazy and the same level of quality is upheld.  In order to ensure delivery by Christmas, your session must be held by November 3rd, and have your order placed and paid for by November 12th.  Turn around time is always a bit longer for the holiday rush.  I want no one to be disappointed, so that is why I make sure all orders are placed early.  This is the perfect way to get some of your holiday shopping completed early!  You know how it is so hard to buy for grandparents?  What would they love more than a framed picture of your family for their wall, or an accordion album with 10 of your favorite prints in a silk lined box?  Want to surprise your wife with an early Christmas present?  Hubbys, contact me to book a family session, or one for the kiddos, and your wife will be ecstatic!!  Oh, and “like” me on facebook by following this link to keep up with the latest news.    Thanks!!

The following weekend dates are available – September 18th and 19th.   October 31st.  I will be taking a maximum of 2 weekday sessions depending on how the weekends fill up.  Contact me if you are interested in a weekday afternoon/early evening.  Sessions are on a first come, first serve basis. As always, the session fee is due to book your date.

Here are a few recent images that didn’t make it to the blog.  This family was SO awesome to follow me out to the middle of nowhere to take pictures of their 2 week old precious, baby boy outside.  The results were fantastic, and I can’t thank them enough for trusting my vision!!  I have one more exclusively outdoor newborn session to post that I am SO excited about.  That will be up in just a few day.   

Well, this image wasn’t taken outside, but I can’t help but include baby smiles when I get them.  Too precious!!!!

I believe good clothing choices can totally take a session to the next level.  I *love* photographing people in unique, bright clothing.  One of my favorite lines for kids is Matilda Jane.  One of my clients is having a trunk show in Valpo tomorrow.  If you are interested in checking out this line of clothing, go to Lovelyn’s blog to see the details.

If you are a blog follower, you know things have been beyond crazy in my life lately.  I am VERY happy to report things are settling down.  I just finished my second treatment of chemo, and am finding that I am handling the treatments quite well.  When I ran my usual special earlier this year (which is generally only run once a  year), I was sideswiped by some scary health news and actually had to turn clients away for fear I wouldn’t be able to keep on schedule with the uncertainty of what was to come.  Sooooo….in that case I am running the special AGAIN!!    This is the *perfect* time to purchase the session fee for your yearly summer or fall sessions which are perfect for holiday gifts and Christmas cards, to get your 2011 Senior photographs, or to buy that special someone an amazing gift for a shower or just because.  Due to dealing with cancer, I will be taking a limited # of sessions this summer and fall, so please book now to ensure that your session gets on the books!!  219.405.5117  or samantha@samanthauphold.com

Purchase a standard session for $175 and receive a complimentary $100 gift certificate for prints or products. Offer good through 6/5/10.

And, here is my KHS Senior Model……Wow.  She is STUNNING. 

Kouts Seniors – contact me for a special I am running JUST FOR YOU!!

Things have been quiet on the blog this year.  2010 has been a little rough on me.  I have started a new, personal blog to document my journey through my latest news – my battle against cancer.  I plan on continuing to work through this time, but I’m just a little unsure of what is to come in the near future.  I was diagnosed on April 16th, and will most likely be starting treatment in the next couple of weeks.  I will be posting updates, news, and progress on this site.

http://samanthauphold.com/journal

I LOVE working with Di.  I’ve known Di for a couple of years now, and the very first time I met her I knew she was someone that I’d like to hang out with.  You know when you meet someone and you just click?  Yep, it was just like that. Di is hilarious and sweet and intelligent and sarcastic and caring and silly and I just adore her!  She asked me to help her put together her modeling portfolio at the end of last year.  Since then, her modeling career has TAKEN. OFF.  I’m so beyond thrilled for her, and I love stalking, er, watching her facebook to see what exciting jobs she has just recently shot.  She had the fantastic idea of doing some inspiration shots based on some classic photos.  A few of my favorites are below, along with a few others that I really like.   I’ve got a lot of Di’s photos to share, so be watching for more in the next few days.  Hugs and Kisses to you, Di!  Love ya, girl!!

This song always puts me in a good mood!!  A classic one hit wonder throwback! 

Isn’t Mother Nature such a tease?  The weather lately has been a mixture of amazing and icky, and I am just so anxious for the warm Summer days to come.  I love taking photos of my tulip tree during the Spring.  There is something about the dead leaves that have held on throughout the winter framed against a beautiful, blue Spring sky that remind me to be patient and enjoy the season.  There is nothing better than the surprise of a warm Spring day or the first sign of a flower blooming. The rainy and bitter cold Spring days make those wonderful warm surprises even better.   I often need to remind myself to be patient and to truly enjoy and appreciate the moment at hand.  So, today I’m editing photos that I have taken for myself – something that I have failed to do for a long time.  I’m enjoying this quiet morning and practicing patience.

Aaaannnnddd…..one of my favorite songs.  Perfect for this rainy, dreary day. 

Once a Year Session Special

Purchase a standard session for $175 and receive a complimentary $100 gift certificate for prints or products. Offer good through 3/12/10

SENIOR MODELS NEEDED

Attention 2011 Seniors – I am looking for Senior Models from the following high schools – Valparaiso, Merrillville, Chesterton, Morgan Township, Andrean, Highland, Lake Central, Crown Point, and Munster. Contact Samantha at samantha@samanthauphold.com to find out how you can receive a FREE session and other complimentary goodies! Rep applications are being accepted through the end of March. Please pass this on to any upcoming 2011 Senior that you think would be interested.

Thanks to 2010 starting with an epic computer crash, this contest is SUPER late.   That just gives me an excuse to make this an even better contest than the past two years.  The winning family will get their choice of the image in a 16×20 or a complimentary session.  The 2nd place winner will receive an 11×14, and the 3rd place winner will receive and 8×10.  Encourage all of you friends and family to vote AND to leave a comment at the bottom of this post.  After the contest is over, I will enter every person who leaves a comment into a drawing.   One person will win a complimentary session!!    Everyone can vote once, and the contest ends on March 3rd at 11:59 pm!

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There may have never been a happier child in front of my camera. I think this session took all of 24.7 minutes. Hello, Blue Eyes!!