Share the Like!

Okay, so it doesn't sound as good as Share the Love, but hey, I'm using what Facebook gave me!  To celebrate the coming new year and my hubby's birthday, it's contest time!  Winner will receive a full portrait session, a set of three mini books AND a $50 credit!

Step One: Suggest the Candy Howard Photography fan page to lots and lots of friends!  The link under the profile makes it easy!  Post a comment on this page to let me know how many.  You get an entry for EACH referral!

Step Two:  When you suggest the Candy Howard Photography fan page to your friends, tell them to post a comment telling who referred them.  If they do, you BOTH get an entry!  Then they can also suggest the page to friends (see step one :) ).

That's it!  Contest ends December 31, 2010 at midnight.  So, go Share the Like!!

The fine print:  Anyone is eligible to enter, but session must be held within 30 miles of Charlotte, NC.  $50 credit is not transferrable to cash.  Mini books are 3x3 custom designed accordian books with several designs to choose from.

Charlotte Smarty Pants

Do you know about Charlotte Smarty Pants?  Of course, you do!  It's a great resource and lots of fun, too!  I have the pleasure of being a Smarty Mom this week!  You can check it out here.  Thanks, Ashley!

 Family photo by my sister, of course!

I Heart Faces : Silhoutte

My boys in a rare sharing moment....

Huntersville Family Photographer : This

As a mother, this is what I want other mothers to have.  As a photographer, this is what I want to give my clients.  I'm lucky they are the same thing, and I'm lucky to know this family.

See the whole session here. Thank you so very much, Jean and Jamie.  And big thanks to Kellie for all her help!

Davidson Child Photographer : Ella is two!

Little Ella is two!  Look at this cuteness!!

You can see the rest of her session here.

Davidson Baby Photographer : Happy Baptism, Samantha!

For Samantha's 9 month session, we took pictures of her baptism and then headed over to the pumpkin patch! 

I think she found the one she wants!

I Heart Faces : Pink

I really had to search for something pink! This little one is from 2008!

Ladies-don't forget to get smashed. It's no fun, but you owe it to yourself to do it.
Schedule your mammogram today!

Charlotte Baby Photographer : Liam is six months old!

This little man was serious, but we got some smiles, too!  And what a smile!!  And those big brown eyes!  Such a charmer!

Mooresvile Senior Photographer : Alyssa, Take 2

Alyssa and I got together for a little mini session since our last session was cut short by the weather. Isn't she beautiful?! She reminds me of Heidi Klum! Thanks, Alyssa! Congratulations!!

2010 Christmas Cards!!

I'm so excited to show you these!!!  Lots of options and lots of style!  Each of the first five sets is grouped together by design.  Within each set, you can mix and match fronts and backs.  Some of the sets are complimentary, so you can mix and match between sets, too.  Want a flat card?  Choose one or two sides.  Want a folded card? Choose up to 4.  Keep the orientation of the card in mind (portrait or landscape).  Ideally, a portrait front would need a portrait back and so on, but if you just love a combo that is not the same orientation, I'll try to work the design so it that fits.  Also, almost any card can be made into a 5x5 flat or 5x5 folded card.  You'd be looking at cards all day if I had posted them all as 5x7's and 5x5's!

Remember to let me know when you decide which card you want.  Once a card is purchased, it is no longer available for this season.  Everyone loved card exclusivity last year, so I'm bringing it back!

Order: Retro Holiday and numbers


Order: Oh What Fun! and numbers


Order: Mod Holiday and numbers


Order: Jolly Holiday and numbers

Order: Not So Holiday and numbers


These cards are not mix and match sets, but individual cards.  The first set is Holiday Headlines and there are 4 designs.  They are designed as 5x7 flat cards, but can be made into folded and/or 5x5 cards.  Order: Holiday Headlines and number.


This lone card is not part of any group, but I had to include it because I just love it.  It is a 5x5 folded card and can not be modified to another size.  Order: Blue Tree


Oh my goodness!  Look at these!!  I just love these cards- the designs, the die-cuts!  Love it all!  Each card is numbered and has a set front/back combo due to the die cut.  Order: Very Happy Holidays and the number.


Love these designs, but don't want a die cut card?  Here you go!  They can be mixed and matched within the set.  Order "Happy Holidays" and the numbers.


Don't see a card you like? Previous years' cards are available. Just click on products in the menu on the left. My family cards from previous years are not listed, but they are available as well. Custom design services are also available for an additional fee.

2010 Holiday Minis are here!! Reserve your spot today!!

Inspiration: Prints and Canvases from High Resolution Discs

Imagine the huge smile on my face when I walked into S's room at her six month session and saw this:

Tara is one of my baby planner clients: 4 sessions + high res files = great value. But, you have to use your files instead of leaving them in that beautiful case.  Here, Tara had four 4x6's, one 8x10 and one 16 x 20 canvas (or 16 x 24, not sure) printed.  They all look great!

I recommend www.mpix.com when you purchase files.  They are the consumer division of a professional lab, and they provide a quality product at a great price.  Please let me know if you need help deciding what to do with your files.  I want you to get the most out of your investment, plus you need to show off how cute you guys are!

Tuesday Tip : Getting the most out of your session - Walls

(All images, with the exception of the gallery guides, provided by Amy Ro, used with permission from her blog post about the same topic.)

The Tuesday Tip is back! And to make up for lost time, it's a little early this week!

This post is for my clients looking to decorate their walls, whether it's a hallway niche or the entire house. I am a visual learner, so I hope this will help you as well.

I have lots of clients say that they want big portraits for their walls, and I want them to get exactly what they want without seeming pushy. I have never had a client say that they wish they had gotten a smaller print or canvas, but I've had lots say they wish they had gone bigger, and then did. When I *say* that the 8 x 10 you're considering for that space is not going to look like you want, you might think I'm trying to upsell, but when I *show* you, you'll see that it really isn't as big as it sounds.

Here is an 8 x 10 on a typically sized mantel:

Yep. That's an 8 x 10.

Here is an 11 x 14.

16 x 20

16 x 24

Now, I know that not everyone wants a single image, so here is a collection over a couch to give you an idea about sizing with a collection. This is a print collection of two18 x 24's, two 16 x 24's and two 16 x 20's. Sounds huge when you say the numbers, but it fills the space very nicely.  Amy says this makes her heart smile.  Love that!

Here is that same space with a makeshift 11 x 14 on the left and an 8x 10 on the right.

It's good to note that a collection does not have to be a large sizes. When working with smaller sizes, quantity would give the impact, not size. A collection of 10 x 10's, for example, looks great.

Also keep in mind the type of piece you want while you're thinking about sizing. These samples are all prints only. If you want gallery wrapped canvases or standout mounts, these are not framed, so think about their actual size when ordering. If you want prints, think about the size of the frame and mat, if any. As always, ordering assistance is a call or email away, whether or not we've had an ordering appointment yet. Gallery guides are helpful in visualizing how your images will look.  Just let me know what you have in mind, and I'll send you a guide with your images in a stylized room. Here are a few samples.

This is not to say that I don't value smaller prints on tables and shelves or in groupings on walls. Love them. That's a topic for another day...

Happy Decorating!

Huntersville Family Photographer : The G's!

I was so excited to do this session! These girls are so much fun!

Mooresville Family Photographer : Family Fun

Oh, my goodness, I just love this session!  I posted a few a couple days ago, and these are more from the that same sweet family.  

Definitely a favorite!

Aren't they just beautiful?

Gee, I wonder where they get it from?

This series makes me smile!

Snuggle Puppies!  (Read that book if you haven't.  So fun!)

Thanks again, M & J!  Loved spending the morning with you and seeing how much the girls have grown!

Sweet Sisters : Mooresville Family Photographer

I just loved this session. Such a fun, kind and loving family. Their girls are just beautiful and too, too sweet!

Thanks, M & J!  More to come soon!