Since I am banned from shooting full sessions for the next little while (I’ve been on and off bedrest due to pregnancy complications), I decided to use this time for some housekeeping.  So, I’ll be updating the site and moving some things around for the next few weeks.  Please bear with me during the transition!

If you need me, you can contact me from the studio site (link above in the toolbar) or through email at info at shelbylane dot net.

We have been having some issues with the studio phone service, and to make a long story short, the local studio phone number is changing!  I am not sure when the final switchover will take place, but if you have trouble getting through, please try the new number

830-214-7125

The San Antonio (210)745-0142 number should still work, no matter what, but we might have some downtime today and tomorrow during the switchover.

Thanks!

Okay, so yes, I have a backlog of sessions to blog, I know.  But we have been working so hard to get orders out (and in) and albums designed and sessions processed and I hate to blog when I know that there is "real" work to do.  That said, last weekend when my eyes started to cross from staring at the computer screen for too long, I decided that it was just time for a day off.  I called Laura and, for once, we both had a free afternoon so we went out for some girl time on the town. 

We went out and ate good (but bad for you) food and then got pedicures at NB Nails.  They do such a great job and the atmosphere in there is so relaxing.  After weeks of non-stop busy-ness, it was so good to just sit (not on the computer) and let someone paint our toenails.  I love the way they name the colors: she chose "Often Imitated, Never Duplicated" copper with extra sparkles (because a girl can’t have too many sparkles) and I chose my favorite, "I’m Not Really a Waitress" red.

Once our toes were dry we stopped at Freddy’s for some frozen custard (try the chocolate with oreos, it’s fantastic) and then drove around town looking for new portrait locations.  Even on our days off, we never stop working, LOL.  I think this white picket fence with the bricks, which is not too far away from the studio, would be a great location for a little girl in a pretty dress, don’t you?  It sure did show off our new pedicures nicely. 

Then it was back home to enjoy the rest of our Sunday. 

I promise to try and blog some sessions later this weekend!  If you have free time on Sunday and are looking for a great family outing, I’ll be working at the Sts Peter and Paul School’s Spring Festival.  It’s from 12-6 at the Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church (in downtown NB, near the studio) and they’ll have carnival rides, a cake walk, bouncy castles, games, a great raffle, and a silent auction (where you, too, could bid on and win a session and a 16×20 from yours truly).  It’s a great event and the proceeds go to a fantastic school! Come by and say hello!

Just wanted to let y’all know that I am traveling this weekend, so the studio will be closed till Tuesday and I won’t have access to phone messages.  If you’ve called in the past 24 hours we will get back to you next week.  Thanks!  I hope y’all have a great weekend!

Because of the final rush of Christmas orders last week, and the fact that we were closed (but I was working) on Sunday and Monday, I am a little behind on returning emails and phone calls.  I have not forgotten you.  It’s just that this is the first chance I’ve really gotten to sit down in a few days.  Tomorrow should be my catch up day!

I don’t blog much about my kids these days.  But this weekend they spent some time with Ziggy and Daddy Pete (my parents) who work out at Newks Tennis Ranch.  I don’t know what kind of group they had out this weekend, but Mac and Cheese got to hang out on the ropes course and do some of the elements.  I love that they are not afraid of these kinds of things — like, oh, swinging through the air.  I also love how my 3 year old princess of a daughter loves all the icky and slimy and scary looking things.

My mom snapped some pictures of them today.  If you ever have a chance to go out and visit Newks, it is such a fun place.  Mainly tennis, but they’ve done a great job of building the ropes area and the challenge courses.  My favorite image is Charlotte standing on her "crocs."

It’s been a long time since I blogged a session (or anything for that matter).  So here are the Anderson grandkids.  Aren’t they adorable?  We had a fun session and they are great kids.

A certain friend (ahem, Angie) has reminded me twice now that I should be updating the blog.  It’s always on my to do list for the week, but it is lower in priority than returning phone calls and emails, shooting, and getting orders in to the lab, so it just gets rotated to the NEXT day’s list.  There aren’t enough hours in the day!

So for you, Angie, here’s an update.

The response to the Bluebonnet Sessions was overwhelming!  And then, it stormed that weekend.  So, we worked people’s sessions in over the next week or so.  I still have two people out there who didn’t get their sessions!  One we had to reschedule, and then it rained on her rain date as well.  But here is one of my favorite images from this year’s bluebonnets.

In other news…

I leave on Saturday for a week at the Texas School of Professional Photography. Just so you all know.    I will be gone next week for my annual class.  Any orders that are outstanding are in process and I will be able to give you updates when I get back.  For those of you who need to order from bluebonnet sessions and know your deadline occurs while I’m out of town, I WILL be checking email.

I got two calls today about our June Little Blessings Club, and have another two already on the list.  Since membership is limited, if you would like to participate and are due in June, give me a call or shoot me an email asap.

Help Wanted

I am looking for someone to come in a few days a week, after school (so from 3-5) to answer phones, return phone calls, assemble orders, etc.  Are you interested or do you know someone who might be?  Email me  or call the studio.  This would be a great job for a high school student, whether you’re on the work study program or not.

Senior News

I am still accepting applications for Senior Models but that will end this week.  So if you have applications out, please get them to me ASAP.  We will be scheduling these sessions for the week after I get back from Texas School, because we want to launch the new senior website by the middle of May.  If you have a Red Card, YES this is good for a senior session!  Give me a call and we will get you on the books.

I think that’s it for now.  I hope to be back later this week, once I have really truly finished catching up, to post some images from recent sessions.  I have been busy and I have a lot of cuties to share with y’all.

for our first annual White Sale!  It is next weekend, so call or email ASAP if you are interested in booking one of these limited appointments.  In keeping with the higher key set, these portraits would look best with white or tan/khaki clothing, or with simple pastels.  It will be perfect for Easter outfits!

Here is another image on the new set.

Well, while the server/host transition seemed to go fairly well with the launch of the new site, I seem to be having some email issues.  This week, in particular.  Some of you may be getting the autoreply from the server, but I may not be getting your emails — and you may not be getting mine!  Hang in there, y’all.  We will get this fixed.  But I just wanted you all to be aware that if I appear to be ignoring you, I’m not!  I am also getting caught up on last week’s phone calls today and tomorrow, so expect to hear from me if you’ve left a message.  Thanks, everyone!