Dear Mama

Dear Mama, 

This week my family has been vacationing and one stop was to my in-laws home. The children laughed excitedly at old photos of their dad (convinced it was really them and we were teasing)!

     I noticed we didn’t have a ton of my mother in law with my husband. Plenty of dad and kids, but she wasn’t in a ton. So I asked. She said she didn’t because so many times she didn’t look how she wanted too, her hair wasn’t done, or clothes weren’t right. Her son, and my children don’t care, they just want to look back and remember her. When she is gone we won’t care if the photo we have is of her messy hair in the kitchen making breakfast, we just want to have something to look back at! I asked if she had a lot of her mom, same. We went to visit my dad and he said the same. My grandma just isn't in many at all. I can't remember her face, and I wish I had something a little more here and there to look back on. 

     Mamas, make sure you’re in photos with your children! Professionally (hint hint, I know a great one!) AND ask your husband, your friends to take some too! One day it won’t matter if your hair and make-up aren’t done, it won’t matter if you’re in pajamas. Go home and take photos of your mother against her will if you must. ;) 

Take the photo even if you have to ask a ten year old. 

Even if you have to ask a teenager who is pretending she doesn't know you. 

And especially ask your husband who has no idea how to work the zoom!! 

*Disclaimer: The photos in this blog do not represent the style of Flash Photo Studios, but they do represent Candice's life taken by her loving family. <3

Newborn Session Prep

Preparing for your newborn session

     The best time to begin planning your newborn session is while you’re still pregnant. Look at portfolios, and pricing and decide who fits your personal style and budget. Find a photographer you connect with personally and will enjoy working with. 
(I highly recommend myself!!!!)

     Ideally, I like to schedule them between 4 and 7 days old. They grow so quickly at this age, and we want to make sure we capture those first few days. Some say 12 days— In my humble opinion and experience it’s definitely 7. Can we do them older? Of course!! Any age is perfect to have their photos taken! (ok, except maybe not the cranky teenager… or maybe that’s just my girl)! If your vision is soft gentle curled up newborns however, 4 to 7 days. 

     While you’re still pregnant is the perfect time to have an in-person consult with your favorite photographer to discuss your vision for your session. If you have any personal items you’d like to include in the session as memorable items please mention. Many photographers (such as myself) have many prop options as well depending on what you have envisioned and your photographers style. 

      If you’d like older siblings in the session I think that is a great idea! In my studio I have a very large waiting room with a full toy box to keep busy while the new baby is being photographed, but it is also a good idea for another parent to attend so they’re able to play with them or take them home after their part with baby so they don’t have to wait. Because sometimes being three years old and waiting is super hard work. 

      Let’s talk about feeding that newborn squish! Have no fear, we have time to wait while you’re feeding your little one between shots because we understand the value of feeding on demand. Pumping isn’t for everyone and isn’t ideal for the first 3-6 weeks unless you’re exclusively pumping. Covered or uncovered, I want you to be comfortable while you’re enjoying your new littles session. Please do not feel like you must do anything special, we work on the babies time to make them as happy and comfortable as we can! Formula babies, same rules apply. They’ll eat when they’re hungry and we’re in the business to care for their needs. 

     I don’t like to set time limits on sessions, but the typical time is 2-3 hours. We want to make sure we get the shots you want, and if that takes three hours than that's how long it takes. 

     In my studio once your images are complete you come in to view them on my television from a (very comfy) couch and carefully choose which ones you want to bring home! Every photographer has a different style and methods for sessions, it is important to find the one who is right for your family. 

www.FlashPhotoStudios.Info
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About me.

I've gone back and forth about adding an "about me" section to my website. I suppose it is important to learn a little more about the person who will be spending time with you making your family happy for important life milestones.

So, This is me.

Thank you friend! AdemontPhotography.com for the awesome headshot! You're my favorite photog. (Other than me! duh!) 

My name is Candice! I love roses (more than Sour Patch Kids) and I have stunning (and clearly fake) red hair. I grew up in Florida and LOVE (in an almost obsession way) Florida Gator Football and the smell of the ocean. I highly dislike walking on the beach, it makes my feet hurt. I am an only children raised by my father and I don’t think we have a single “family photo,” and that makes me kind of sad. I have five children. Five. Biological all took up residency in my stomach for 10 months— children. I am very good at getting stubborn littles to smile. If you met my #3 you would understand!!

#3. Seriosuly, smile beautiful! (I took this one!!)

Growing up, my dad loved the TV show, Walker Texas Ranger— and I still know the entire theme song (if you ask I will sing it for you, but know I can’t carry a tune) “In the eyes of ranger, the unsuspecting stranger…” When I was in middle school I was convinced I was going to go to Norte Dame. Unforeseeable circumstances landed me at the local college, and, in hindsight, Northern winters aren’t for me!! My life goal was a career in photojournalism for a prominent New York newspaper – but, seriously Northern winters! Then, I met my husband and Jacksonville, North Carolina called our names…(or maybe it was the Marine Corps

I don’t cook and I am grateful to my husband who can, but I can bake bread from scratch. My children all attend the local Catholic school – Remember Norte Dame dreams? I have since passed that dream to them. On Sunday mornings, you can find me “soaking up the grace” in the cry room, because I can’t hear Mass over my loud and fiercely independent toddler. One day… I will miss the cry room, just not today.

Now, I take portraits of families and weddings and I love every second of it. Okay… Maybe not ALL of it… I could do without the taxes portion. My goal is to make families happy. I am talkative and loving, and occasionally hyper —I make a huge mess in my studio because my brain works faster than my arms and legs but I WILL get the shot I want! I love to meet everyone I can, and can’t wait to see how 2016 goes!!

Seriously Autumn, you have a way of making me look fabulous. 

What re-branding means to me.

I changed my logo. Again. This is the 4th time since I began Flash Photo Studios. I understood "branding," but I suppose not in the same way I do now.

I wanted something to feel warm, because I like to think I am. I wanted it to express who I am.

I have loved roses since I was a little girl. Not the beautiful bouquets in flower shops-- the kind still attached to the bush and growing wildly full of thorns and the amazing smell that try as people might, can't be reproduced. I prefer red to all things, but the color didn't fit with the green I had planned (Stems and leafs) So I went with different shades of pink. I love pink. I wrote my business name out on paper and began to doodle what I think I wanted it to look like.

 I thought I needed something that was VERY ME. I absolutely love my business name. It seems silly, but I love it and took so much time choosing I am quite attached to it. 

Flash. The first word is important not because the camera “flashes” when you take a photo, but because the moment and how it flashes by so quickly. For me raising children the days pass slow but the weeks fly by. I thought the first year of my oldest daughters life would take forever. She’s twelve. It happened so fast I swear I was present, but it just happened so fast! 

Photo. …because they’re photos. Seriously, that simple. 

Studios. I knew when I started this company I wanted a physical space. I love having a physical studio I can drive to every day and work with lighting and posing when the sun is to low, to high, hiding behind clouds or pouring down rain. I love having a place with all of the images that make me happy all around. One day, I hope there is more than one. 

Let’s get to the logo change. I started with a “frame” I wanted bright and fun colors so I chose blue and green. This made me happy for a few years, but I felt like I needed something more ME. 

My first thought was using the “O” is photo and making it a camera flash. That didn’t work out. It just didn’t look right. I wanted the font to be something I could relate to as well. Can you relate to a font? Well, I wanted too. I started doodling with letters, and photos. I LOVE roses. (We’ll get to that in a later post) 

I chose the flower bloomed and beautiful full of life and bright colors. I chose a font that looked as close to my handwriting as possible. I felt that was the closest way to get personal with something so simple. I hope you all like it!

When you're a 'No Internet Family'

Some families choose to keep images of their children off of the internet until the child can choose for themselves. You know what is best for your family and I will respect that with my entire heart!!!

So, from this weekends session of a little lady celebrating her 3rd birthday! Happy Birthday Sweetheart! I hope you enjoyed your party!!

www.flashphotostudios.info

A family from last month! I enjoy taking photos for all families, and if you choose to just print your images and not share with the internet-- fine with me! Let me show you my canvas collection!! 

Would I love to show your images with the world, absolutely-- but it is more important to me to make the client happy!

Why I call them "Holiday" sessions!

I love the holiday season. First comes HALLOWEEN!!!! After Halloween comes Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then the New Year!! So many fun and exciting things for families to do together during this time.


My family LOVES Halloween! We love pumpkin patches, and haunted hay rides. We love Ghouls and Goblins, and matching costumes. The house is decorated with spider webs and gravestones. Thanksgiving is spent traveling to see family so far away.
We also celebrate Christmas-- we're Catholic and attend mass; often twice a week. We love to string popcorn and drink hot chocolate while watching The Grinch and The Story of Jesus.

Halloween 2014 <3 Our Crew

I say "Holiday" sessions because I know now everyone celebrates the same holidays as my family! I think that's awesome! I love learning about new traditions and customs and I hope to give your family what suits you best! I know not everyone celebrates Halloween, and thats cool! FALL it is!! I know that Hanukkah begins the evening of December 6th and ends the evening of December 14th-- You have less time to get your cards out!! Let's book those sessions! 

If you want to send out family photos, but don't celebrate any religious day, "Happy New Year" and "Winter" themes are options! Every family deserves options that suit them best, I hope to give you yours! 

Give me a call soon to schedule your session!

Full Sessions are always available as well!!!

850-339-0997

CadeKillinger@FlashPhotoStudios.Info

Something is happening here!

Good evening everyone!

I wrote this post for The Nest website, but I think it being here is a good option! So...

Candice here!! We are days away from opening and I want to explain in more detail what The Nest is! I am a photographer. I take photos, but I like to think of myself as more than that. I am a mama too. I am currently raising five children ages twelve years to fourteen months. When I moved here I didn’t know anyone and was trying to raise my children without the love and support of my family so far away. I was longing for community. Each member of The Nest is full of life and love and I am so proud and grateful to call them not only partner, but also friend.

I have been shooting here in Jacksonville, Nc for four years now. I love the coast and enjoy watching little ones grow up. If I had to choose a favorite session it would be smash cakes! I love to see babies turn into toddlers and explore that messy cake! There is a great story about why I chose “Flash Photo Studios” coming soon! It has to do with the amount of time your family is at the stage they’re at— a flash.

I met Erikah (Hello, Love. Doula Services) through a Babywearing group. I am pretty sure babywearing saved my sanity while my youngest was super tiny. Erikah’s son is 6 days older than my girl, and we became friends almost instantly. We’ve become leaders of Onslow County Babywearers (A group where meetings are always free) and are so excited to give the group a  place to meet weekly, and store our lending library! If you have any questions about babywearing, and our lending library we would love to help!! There are other leaders too, and together we form a pretty great team! Some of them will be making a trip in December for a special certification!

Erikah and I met at a time in my life I needed someone just like her. “As a mother myself I know first hand how connecting with other parents can truly help you during the times you’re thinking ‘I suck at this! Everyone else does this better!’ – because those other parents reach out and say ‘YOU are the perfect parent for this baby!’ and help reassure you that you got this” — Erikah (It’s like she just GETS me!) I can’t wait to see what she can help mothers accomplish as a doula!

Community support is something so important to us. We live in a community that is often far from family, and we need each other. At The Nest we want to give as much back as we can. A place to seek help and guidance, love, and support. Yes, we are businesses— but we are more than that. We will have support groups with an amazingly brilliant and highly qualified leader. We will services all in one place and hope to make everyone feel comfortable and at home. Erikah says, “ Being invested in our community and providing these services is important to us because we have heard the requests and want to give them.” Which reminds me, check out the post about our Birth Book! We want to hear your stories!

Next is Tori, (Tiny Tummies Lactation Services). I have nursed all five of my babies, I didn’t think I needed anything and thought I had all the answers. I was wrong!! I had NO IDEA there was a more effective way to pump! I’d never heard of “pace bottle feeding” or that there was a reason my husband was using so much milk while I was away; he shouldn’t have been. I was bummed and cursing my pump when Tori came in with information and an amazing amount of positive encouragement. Tori has a way of making me feel like I am the best mother for these babies in the entire world. There isn’t a doubt in my mind you’ll love her too!

Our support group leader’s name is Kathy. Oh Kathy. One of my favorite people ever! Seriously, ever. Started as a client of mine. Found out she went to school in South Florida with my husband. Now, she is my daughters Godmother, and I am hers. She comes with experience and patience, and so many other adjectives my heart is struggling to explain to my head. I can’t wait for these groups to start! Please, look for them!

We have visiting services!!

In this world have you ever met someone and knew they were one of the good ones? Someone who was truly a good and beautiful soul? That’s Vivian. She owns Jacksonville Oriental Medicine. (She’s an acupuncturist). I went to her for my #2, you can tell her heart truly loves. I promise you, her needles are nothing to be scared of.

We will also have Marsha, a massage therapist joining us (I don’t know her very well, but a great joke about us becoming besties brought us together!! 😉 We will also have a theatre company ‘Debbie’s Angel’s Productions” visiting on weekends! I have been working with Meme for three years now, and am so excited to have all of my favorite people together in one place! You will be able to find more information about them on our website soon!

We have so many things planned, and we hope to give as much love, support, and beautiful portraits as we can! Tori says, “The Nest is a unique place for this unique community. We are thrilled to be part of this adventure.” We hope you will join us!

There you have it, The Nest from my perspective! I love each of these woman and know I am a better person for knowing them! We can’t wait to meet everyone we can! We want to hear from you, and your family and meet you all soon!!

PhotoCredit: A.DemontPhotography.com