The "B" Trio | Caleb, Chance & Brielle

These three sure gave me a run for my money! 4-year-old Caleb, 2-year-old Chance and 1-year-old Brielle had me running all over Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot, ND on a hot July afternoon .. but it was worth it, and so much fun. They are all so sweet, especially that little Brielle with her curls (I am a sucker for a little girl with curly hair!).

Here are just a few of the shots I got from the session with the B Trio!

Well, hello Colorado!!

Hello Colorado Springs!

I'm officially here after quite possibly the longest road trip I've ever been on. I left at 5:45am on Tuesday and didn't arrive until about 11pm local time that night ... which puts me just under 18 hours total drive time (I went from Central to Mountain time, my math isn't THAT bad!). It was supposed to be a 14 hour drive according to GPS, but ... with all the road construction, plus my four kids and two dogs, I am lucky it didn't take a week!

I am so excited to be here. I have a few sessions lined up this month all over the area, and I can just hardly wait to start. There are so many awesome shooting locations, the possibilities are just endless.

I am also very excited because Colorado Springs is such a huge military town (two Air Force bases, an Army base, the Air Force Academy and the various other military members stationed here) - I can't wait to begin booking OpLove sessions, since I am one of their official photographers.

So ... things to look forward to:

- Kids Mini Sessions in September, because who wants boring school photos that have forced smiles?
- My BIG HUGE anniversary sale.
- Announcements for Halloween and holiday card sessions.

Ahhh! So many exciting things coming this way!

Tic Toc, Ramble Ramble, Sigh.

My time in Minot is coming to a close ... and I can hardly believe it.

In the last 11 months, since offiically opening my business ... I have done 131 sessions and parties, taken thousands of pictures and captured so many precious memories - homecomings, deployments, births, celebrations, birthdays, engagements, holidays, weddings ... you name it, I've pretty much been asked to have been part of it.

And I am so grateful. So, so grateful.

I am feeling a bit bummed today, realizing this will be my last weekend ever in North Dakota. Luckily, the amazingly talented Nelly Hernandez Photography will be doing our family photos for us this weekend - just you guys wait! Tomorrow I'll be posting a Shout Out! just for her - I love her to pieces, she's not only a fabulous photographer but a genuinely nice person. So YAY - keep your eyes peeled for that.

I am also going to get started on organizing some kiddie mini sessions likely in September, and also going to start planning for Christmas card mini sessions to be done in October and early November (can you believe it's already time to start planning for that? Daaang).

I am also going to be showcasing my new business cards in the next couple of weeks, once we're settled into the new house in Colorado Springs. I am SO excited to show these off! :) AHH!

Enjoy your weekend, folks!

Checking out our new home ...

Patriotic Pride at the July 4th celebration at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

As you all know, my family and I are relocating to Colorado Springs this month (ahh!), and we took a trip down there last weekend just for fun. We were able to get a beautiful house with a perfect studio space (yay!) and got to scope out the area.

Astin Martin Car Show, July 4th celebration at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs CO

Oh. Em. Gee. I am in LOVE with Colorado!! The Springs is absolutely gorgeous and I can NOT wait to start shooting there ... definitely a ton of opportunities in and around the city. I am trying to steer away from studio shoots (except sessions like newborns, of course) ... for those who don't know, I love being outdoors come rain or shine. I can't wait to do some fun sessions at the Garden of the Gods, Pike's Peak, even the local parks and downtown have beautiful, natural sets.

Local wildflowers, Colorado Springs, CO

I think once I get there, I'll start highlighting local places, people and businesses as I get to know Colorado Springs. In fact, I think I know the perfect person/business to start with ... hmmm!

My Kid Rocks - a Contest!

Does your kid rock??

Every kid is pretty awesome - tell me why your kid (or kids) is pretty awesome, and you may win a free chidlren's photoshoot worth $75! Included in your prize? $25 in print credit as well as a CD of web-formatted images from the session, perfect for sharing on Facebook and email!

So, how do you win?

First ... Go like the Ashley Durham Photography Facebook Fan Page and leave a comment on the wall that you're a new fan (or already one!) entering into the "My Kid Rocks" contest.

Then ... Shoot me an email at AshleyDurhamPhotography@gmail.com with 50-100 words about why your kid(s) rocks, their name(s) and age(s), and a photo of them! Entries can be submitted until July 15th at midnight.

Finally ... Once the entry period has ended, on July 16th I will upload the contest entries to the ADP blog and everyone will vote for the winner! Voting will end July 23rd at midnight.

Good luck!!!

* To enter, you must live in Colorado Springs and surrounding communities. Session to be held in August.

And one becomes two ....

I have some super exciting news ... I have branched off my business!

In an attempt to keep ADP family friendly, I have split off my boudoir sessions into a whole different branch of ADP, called The Secret Pin-Up.

I have started my Facebook page - check it out here! I'm still working on the main website and the blog, but they are coming along and should be unveiled soon!

I am very excited about this, and feel I'll be able to better serve my clients and respect more conservative clients, especially once we move to Colorado Springs in August ...

Ahh! So excited! :)

Six weeks and counting!

Ahhhhhhhhhh!

That about sums up what's going on here ... busy, busy, busy. I am only taking bookings for the next six weeks before wrapping up business here in North Dakota, since we are moving to Colorado Springs in early August.

I am SO excited for this next adventure, there are so many beautiful spots to shoot at in Colorado Springs - mountains, streams, rocks, trees, snow, farms/ranches ... the possibilities are endless. My husband just spent this last weekend visiting and took all kinds of pictures for me (isn't he sweet?), just so I can get pumped up about all the possibilities.

With that being said, I am going to start booking as early as late August for Colorado Springs and will be hosting a giveaway in September specifically for my new Colorado Springs fans.

I am also on the lookout for a new make-up artist to work with once we get there - if anyone has any recommendations, I'd love for you to leave link love on here so I can check out their work!

The Castro | Family

Back in February, I got to welcome home Maria's husband Jorge from his 6 month long deployment to Afghanistan ... and what a special time that was for everyone. I love doing homecomings for the military, it makes my heart swell with pride and patriotism.

I was super excited that Maria and Jorge asked me to do their family pictures here in studio after things had settled down from Jorge's return ... and here are a few sneak peeks!

You know what else makes me happy? The Castro's will be moving to Colorado Springs as well - YAY!