Valentine's Day Mini-Sessions

I had my first foray into offering mini-sessions, which turned out pretty successful! They were shorter, 30 minute sessions in one location where clients came to me. Since it worked out so well, I may offer more mini-sessions come spring, maybe at a destination such as the tulip fields in Mt. Vernon, or a nearby park. Here are some peeks of the adorable kids I photographed, including a very sleepy but delicious two week old! I was pretty impressed his parents were up and about with him already. Enjoy!

Look at that pout!


He's going to be a heart breaker for sure


She was very very serious


sleepy head


Hey! He woke up!


Fun fun fun!

Blog Contest Time!

Welcome blog readers! This is my first blog contest as a thank you to my clients. Please check out the pictures below and vote for your favorite family/child. Voting will start sunday January 25th and end at midnight on saturday February 7th. The winner will be announced on sunday February 8th on my blog. The winning family will receive a $125 gift certificate applicable to any of my photography services which they can use for themselves or give away! Please feel free to come back and vote as often as you like during the two week voting window! And without further ado, in no particular order, are some of my favorite poses from past clients!

1. Family "A"


2. Family "B"


3. Family "C"


4. Family "D"


5. Family "E"


6. Family "F"


7. Family "G"


8. Family "H"


9. Family "I"


Thank you for voting, and please come back on sunday February 8th to see who won!

Valentine's Day Mini Sessions

I'm trying something new and offering mini-sessions just in time for Valentine's Day! This is a GREAT gift for mom and dad from the kids! Set an appointment for just your children, or for a "mommy and me" or "daddy and me" photo session. You'll get some gorgeous pictures to give your loved ones for Valentine's Day. Here are the details:

mini-sessions will be booked for 30 minute slots for Sunday February 1st, 2009

mini-sessions will be booked on a first come, first served basis

all mini-sessions will take place at my home studio

there will be 5-10 images to choose from in your proof gallery

the mini-session includes 3 5x7s and 1 set of wallet Valentine's Day photo cards

you get a 15% discount off any additional prints you purchase from your mini-session

pictures will be back in time for a Valentine's Day gift

the low price of only $65 for the entire Valentine's Mini-Session package!

Hurry and book your session on my website today!

Models Wanted: Military Family

Hello everyone who reads my blog! I am looking for a military family for a FREE photoshoot. In exchange for signing a full model release, I will trade you a full photoshoot (complete with photo gallery of at least 20 different poses) and 2 free 8x10s of your favorite poses from the shoot. I'm looking for a family that fits the following descriptions:

must be a full family with one parent in the military (can be mom or dad) and has military dress for the photoshoot. sorry, I'm looking for families where the parent is not currently serving their tour right now

must have at least one child (more is fine as well)

child must either be very small baby (newborn would be great!) or at least walking well

must be willing to travel to me (although I'm flexible on this condition depending on where you are stationed)

If you fit these terms, or know someone who does and would love a free photoshoot, please let me know! You can contact me through my website or directly at alex@AlexNguyenPortraits.com. Thank you and please spread the word.

and because we can't have a post without pictures:

2008 Recap and welcome to 2009

2008 and the madness of my first busy holiday season has come to an end. I've learned a lot about photography, people, running a business, and the follys of dealing with Mother Nature in the last three months. I wanted to give a shout out and a huge THANK YOU to all my clients who have allowed me into their lives to capture their family memories for them. THANK YOU also goes to my wonderful family and friends who have been so supportive in my endeavors and getting my business off the ground.

I hope that in 2009 my business continues to grow, and I continue to grow as a photographer as well. Please check back for some changes to the blog, and visit my website for its new look and new images in the galleries as well.

Happy 2009 everyone!

And to leave you, a little montage storyboard of my boys from the last year.

Claire - 2 years old

Claire was my last photoshoot for the year of 2008! I met her at her home because the weather was not being very cooperative for an outdoor shoot. I think I had finally run out of luck with outdoor photography for this Seattle winter! Claire was quite spirited and kept me on my toes trying to get some good shots of her and her lively personality. I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Meet Miss Claire


Where's Claire?


There she is!


Pensive toddler


Actually looking at the camera for me


We brought out some books for her


telling me exactly what she thought about the photoshoot

Cormier Family

I met this family at Discovery Park in Seattle for a holiday portrait session. Once we got to the park we discovered that it was fairly cold and windy BUT it wasn't raining which is always a bonus. The twins weren't really sure about this whole photo taking in the cold, and often the twins would be looking at each other instead of the camera. However, we were able to get a couple of family shots and some nice captures of the kids. I hope you enjoy their pictures!

meet the Cormiers


the kiddos


sweet big brother moment


as you can see, it was pretty windy during the shoot and small people were starting to get unhappy


and one of their oldest. look at those eyelashes!

Mitchell Family - redux

I had a session with the dad's side of the family earlier this year, and this is the mom's side of the family. I met this family at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens, which I cannot stress enough is so well suited for photographing large families in a great setting. I tried to center the shoot around the one year old, who is the first grandchild and was trying desperately hard to walk around during the shoot instead of pose for me. It was a fun family to shoot because they were pretty amicable to positioning themselves in fun silly poses for me.

The family


Mom, dad, and baby


Grandparents


dad and son


The men


siblings


happy kid!

Raina - 2 years old

I met this 26 month old toddler and her family at Gas Works Park in Seattle for their photoshoot. This was also my first rescheduled session because of rain! I've not had the opportunity to wander around Gas Works before and it was a pretty neat location. Along with the old gas works factory, there is a great view of the Seattle skyline and Lake Union.

Raina wasn't so sure about having her picture taken, and I had to resort to every toddler bribe I had to get some smiles. Bubbles, my panda Pez dispenser, food, and The Ultimate Bribe Lollipop. Evevtually we got some nice pictures as she ran around the park and I chased after her with the camera. :)

Meet Raina


a sweet moment with dad. This was how she was for most of the beginning of the shoot.


the bribe lollipop in action!


running down the hill


classic toddler


with mommy


Here you can see the gas works plant


The whole family

William - 5.5 months

William is, by far, the most smiliest baby I've had the opportunity to photograph. The kid is a charmer, with big, wide open laughs and grins I was able to capture on camera. He was not shy about the camera at all, and his parents went above and beyond to get him to giggle and allow me to capture his great personality on camera. He was a hoot to photograph and I enjoyed capturing all his antics.

Meet William. This was near the end of the shoot and he was feeling a little tired


Mr. Personality


look at that laugh!


with dad


checking me out


with mom


family shot