Lisa Phillipson Photography » Atlanta Family and High School Senior Photography

Tag Archives: Gift Ideas

I made it! The 12th day of Christmas and I was able to post something every day.  I was glad to share so many sessions but have saved a personal post for last.  I am pretty sure my Christmas Cards will be late this year so I’ll just share some pictures of my own kids right now.  Getting combed hair doesn’t seem to be the battle I chose to fight this day.  I’m fine with it.  My standards are pretty low for pictures of my own kids.  I only want three things: Them, no crazy Superhero T-shirts and to look “pleasant” (aka it is okay not to smile).

They were acting very silly and out of control on this afternoon.  I would like to say that is out of the ordinary but it isn’t.  They were doing big huge cheesy grins with their eyes shut tight.  Below is what I got when I asked them not to smile so much.  It reminds me of those old pictures from the 1800s when everyone looked so miserable stoic.

Are you still with me or asleep?  In case my Christmas cards really never make it out, I have included a couple of my annual Santa pictures.  My middle child has the gift thing figured out and explained to my little girl how it works as we waited our turn.  According to him, if you only put ONE thing on your list, you are certain to get it.  If you put 5 or 6 things you don’t know what you will get.  So sure enough, all three went up to Santa with exactly one thing on their lists.  Barbie Scooter, iPod and Wii-U.  That is all the Phillipson kids need to make their Christmas complete.  I’m afraid 2 of the 3 will be very disappointed on Christmas morning (although Andy and I have been known to cave at the last minute). I like this Santa.  We think he must be the real thing and not just a helper.  I like him because he always tells my children to brush their teeth.

Photographer’s Note: I want to get a canvas for each year of my Santa pictures and pull them all out every December.  I haven’t quite figured out how to display them or where I would put them so stay tuned.

I would like to share the best and absolute worst all time Christmas picture of all 3 of my children.  It again has the theme of uncombed hair.  An added bonus is that it features Alex’s haircut he created himself called my bangs were bothering me and now they are not.  If you read my earlier post about how I have lived with scissors on the top shelf for the last 10 years, now you know why.  Unfortunately, my kids are bigger now and can move chairs and climb high when I am not looking.  Ariel the Mermaid had a recent hair loss as well.  Anyway, Enjoy! Merry Christmas.

No, you may not submit this to Awkward Family Photos.  I plan on holding on to all my awkward photos.  I’m pretty sure I will have enough material for my own book one day.  If you have a funny picture, I would love to see it.  And you actually can submit to a funny Holiday contest here.

More silliness below (probably my Mom is the only one that has made it this far?).  I will call this session “get in the backyard so I can get a Christmas Card picture” OR ” the sun is going, the sun is going, stop it!”  I can’t decide.

kid photographer atlanta my own kid photographer atlanta

Christmas Gift Ideas: Only one today – remember the real gift already given to us all!  I’ll leave you with my favorite Christmas song:

Merry Christmas!

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord.” –Luke 2:11
posted in: Musings

Joy to the World

What a great job I have to meet and photograph great Atlanta families like this.  These little twin girls came into the world this year a little early.  I can’t imagine how scary that was or how life got turned upside down for their family.  I can only imagine…I just show up and get to see how perfect they are and capture some fun moments with them.  I know personally how hectic life can be with three kids but if everyone can stay healthy that is all that really matters.  This session was originally just to be for the twins to capture them while they were still little and do framed collages for their little bits and pieces (toes, fingers, etc.).  I’m so happy that it worked out for Dad and brother to be there too so we could get them all together for a family portrait.

I think having pictures made with your Dad is such a special thing (Mom too).  Even if you think the logistics of it all are a hassle to work out, you will be glad you did it in the long run.

My favorite kind of stuff: Just how do you switch two babies around between parents? A learned skill, I think?  I wouldn’t want them to ever forget what it was like having to juggle two little babies!  I’m so happy Mom has a good sense of humor and could appreciate a moment like this.  She actually included it on her Christmas card.  Love it.

Christmas Ideas:

Take pictures of those little details of your home every year at Christmas.  You might decorate and do the same thing every year or you might change things up and never be the same (like me – to some extent).  If you are reading this I bet you have a digital camera and that makes it so quick and easy. It is so fun to look back and see and/or it really adds to photo albums or books you put together.  I know it will be impossible to not have lots of pictures of your children on Christmas morning, right?  Make a point of actually shooting what Santa left as it was and the gifts by themselves.  Especially if you have little kids like the family above, it can all get away from you quickly.  To put it in perspective, here are some pictures my Mom took of me one Christmas. We will call them VINTAGE.  It’s not Instagram, folks, but real old pictures!  This won’t be a thrill for you but so fun for me to see my Grandmother’s house in the background and the toys I used to have that are now long gone.  Actually, we still have that Little People Town in the bottom left corner.  It is in my playroom. 🙂

Lastly, I’ll just say take LOTS of pictures of everything and then sit back and enjoy the moments of the day.  You don’t want to document it all so much that you actually miss out on the experience.

Merry Christmas!

 

posted in: Family

Today’s session-share is my kind of school portraits.  🙂  I’ve been invited several times throughout the years to go to schools and do the “school pictures” but I don’t really specialize in that and just have never had time to fit it in either.  This Fall I was so happy to work with an awesome school that was looking to hang huge canvases (30×40) around the top of their high walls.  They have been delivered now and I can’t wait to get back out there and check them out hanging on the walls.  The best part was that I was able to just “shoot” all the kids in their natural settings and in my style as well.  I love capturing children just playing and not having to fuss too much about bows being out of place and grass all over their pants.  It is just a lot more fun and natural to me.  I had lots of favorites from this session.  I think some of those kids could be GAP models!

Christmas Gift Ideas for Children:

I’ve heard the best toys are the classic ones that have stood the test of time and also help build fine motor skills.  Blocks will never go out of style.  A block set my boys were handed down from a friend and have always loved are Kapla Blocks. They are appropriate for around 3 years old and up;  We still have them out many years later.  My boys have built some really creative things with these blocks.  The blocks are simple and wood colored but I think you can add colored blocks now too.

The above was just one of their many Kapla creations.  It would go on to have Thomas trains running through it or around it and a few Lincoln Logcabins nearby.  It was the season of constant buildings and tracks lining my foyer hallway.  I often thought we had a pretty good security system from burglars coming in the front door.  Good thing Santa comes down the chimney!

Merry Christmas!

 

 

posted in: Childhood

We had an updated session for Cara’s 8th grade Yearbook dedication.  She is such a sweet girl – as beautiful on the inside as the outside.  How lucky is her Mom to have a teenager that will let her be in the pictures too?  A spontaneous moment that I’m sure will be treasured for a long time.

Christmas Idea:  You have probably seen many toy drives for Christmas already this year.  I like to give to the one through Must Ministries.  There are several collection areas and luckily there are boxes in my church to drop new unwrapped toys.  You could check any United Methodist Church in the Atlanta area (before December 21st) and I bet they have one.  MUST was able to help over 4,000 children last year from donations.  It may not be a BIG Christmas for lots of us this year but think of a child not getting anything at all and it breaks your heart.  It is so easy (& fun) to find little kid toys but I think teens in Cara’s age group that are in need can often be forgotten.  Some ideas for Teen gifts that are being requested by MUST: Sports equipment, make-up kits, wallet/purse, clothing, books, DVDs, and Bath sets.  My Sunday School class has adopted a specific family to donate gifts.  Those teens have asked for several gift cards (Kohl’s, Best Buy), socks and curling irons.  The basic necessities we take for granted are really needed as well (toothpaste, underwear, COATS).  Just writing this makes me feel so blessed to have so much stuff and be able to give something to others too!

Merry Christmas!  I am loving this warm weather and even had lunch outside yesterday.  My allergies think it is Spring and are really giving me a hard time! 😉

DONATION INFO: MUST monetary donations can be made online HERE.  Email SANTA (AT) MUSTMINISTRIES.COM for more info on toy donation drop offs.   →Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” –Luke 6:38

 

 

posted in: High School

On the 5th day of Christmas…

A handsome Senior High School boy

Atlanta, Georgia

A Senior Boy Session is definitely different than a Senior Girl Session (usually).  The girls have lots of ideas and we try all kinds of new things.  The boys do whatever I ask of them and are there just to make their Mom happy.  This young man was no exception – so polite and I liked him immediately.  He did not even mind sitting next to his twin brothers for a quick Christmas Card shot!  😉

Looking for a good teenage boy Christmas Gift? I have no ideas for you.  I’m assuming something electronic would be good.  Even my 11 year old doesn’t give me ideas and says “anything is fine, there is nothing I want.”  Is this where having a boy starts to pay off?

Gift Idea: I can frame and wrap a gift certificate for a customized Senior Portrait Session.  I will be doing these again starting in February and it applies for Class of 2013 and Class of 2014 Seniors.  Email me for details.

Camera: I’m sure I am biased but I think a nice camera is a great gift for anyone especially a teenager.  I don’t know that much about all the brands and what options are out there, but I know I loved the Canon Rebel I had years ago. You can check this link or Costco to see what has the better price.  Unless you know a lot about it, purchase the camera with the kit so you have all the pieces needed and make sure you pull out the battery and charge it before Christmas morning.  What a bummer to open it and not get to use it right away.

Merry Christmas!

posted in: High School

These beautiful sisters were lucky enough to get two new puppies this year.  Meet Shrimp and Grits.  They were every bit as wiggily and playful as you would expect.  We laughed a lot and had fun.  When I got the call for this session it was very much like one for a newborn session.  We had to rush and fit it in ASAP to make sure we captured these puppies before they got any bigger.  Mom said “they are already changing!”

We are in the process of hanging their favorite images in a collection of Obrien Schridde black frames.  It is going to look so great.  I have these same frames hanging in my family room and I think I love them more each year.

Christmas Gift Idea:  Frames!  Of course.  Grandmas and family always love getting framed pictures of their family.  I also love to give framed chalkboards or mini ornament frames that can be hung on the tree.  I have several of these on hand if you need help.  If you want to try canvas, I know Canvas on Demand has a good product you will be happy with.  Instacanvas is what you need to check out if you are an Instagram user. (They have Gift Ideas to check out and just make sure you order by December 10th for Christmas delivery).

Merry Christmas!

 

 

posted in: Pets

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