Laura Saufley Photography

MOVED! MOVED! MOVED! I HAVE MOVED!

2008-08-04T19:50:00.002-04:00

My blog that is. You can now find me over on Wordpress. If I had time I'd make one of those fancy things that you can click on and it will take you there. But I don't have time for fancy. So just click below and you'll get there!

LAURA SAUFLEY PHOTOGRAPHY--The Blog

A Few More of Parker

2008-07-09T18:02:00.002-04:00

I have been incredibly busy with all kinds of stuff going on so I have been a little slow getting these portraits ready for my friend Margaret (sorry!!!!!). Here are a few more I wanted to share of her little man, Parker. Or as Madalyn calls him, "Baby Margaret". (And sometimes "Baby Marker"--a combination of his name and his dad's name, Mark).

Year of Photos

2008-07-09T00:35:00.008-04:00

I started getting really serious about photography a little over a year ago. I started doing sessions here and there for family and friends and the more I practiced the more I loved it and the more is all made sense to me!

I was looking over some old photos tonight and pulled out a few random photos from over the last year that I wanted to post. Some of them have been posted on here before. I wish I had more time to devote to this passion of mine! Hope you enjoy these photos! There's a bunch of them and they are in no particular order!

Skyline Drive in October. You won't find a prettier place to see the colors of Autumn than right here!

This is Taylor! Taylor's mom and I have been friends since we were eight years old. We reconnected through myspace back in December of 2006 and have been able to get together a few times since then. Taylor is her very feisty 6 year old! Ahhh . . . what a beautiful place! This was taken on one of our last night's of vacation last year on the Currituck Sound in the Outer Banks. This was a little pier right down from the cottage we stayed in. (Only 3 more days until we head back to the Outer Banks for vacation this year!)
Pretty Kayla. She's the niece of my friend, Wendy.
A college friend and fellow photographer, Kerri. These were taken around her one year anniversary as a gift for her hubby. This isn't the photo that she chose, but it was one of my favorites from the session. This was taken on my father-in-law's farm.
My adorable little bundle of energy, Madalyn. We were walking down to get sissy off the school bus. I had this photo enlarged to a huge 16x20! I love it!
My friend Wendy, her hubby and his brother and his family! This was taken on a fire access road that goes up onto Skyline Drive. It's a popular hiking spot and one of my favorite places to take Fall photos! I loved that really long bench--it was 'borrowed' from the church next to her mom and dad's house! Shhh . . . don't tell! : )
Another beautiful view. This was taken during a field trip with Annagrace's kindergarten class to a local apple orchard.

Baby Arleigh! What a cutie! She is the baby of a friend of Taylor's mom who I mentioned above!

My bro and his family! This is one of my all time favorite photos. I'm not so much into the posed look. I love the casualness of this one!
This beautiful yellow fellow was visiting my flower bed last week.
And this little fellow was hanging out on my father-in-law's farm. I'm not so much into bugs but I love this photo. He was such a great subject to pose for me and all!

My whole world, summed up in this one photo. That's my wonderful hubby of almost 10 years and my two precious daughters. Taken on vacation to the Outer Banks last year. This shot is becoming a tradition. I have one from 2004 of Annagrace and Aaron--in almost the same outfits. This year Madalyn was added. I think we'll probably keep this up every year to see how they grow!
Addison was one of my first non-family sessions! His mom is the sister of one of my friends from church. Addison was a hyper little thing but we had fun at the park and I managed to get some great shots of him!
This little lady is featured up in my header! This is Amber. You know Taylor that I mentioned above? This is her big sister. They are only a year apart in age. Amber is a very sweet girl!

And here's one of my big girl taken in downtown Harrisonburg outside the Artful Dodger.

Random New Photos

2008-06-22T18:47:00.006-04:00

This is the real Madalyn in all her crazy glory!

And that is my very adorable nephew, Brayden! What is it with the gaping mouths? Must be a 2 1/2 year old thing!

And that is my niece Taylor--the softball queen! She got a hit! Way to go girl!

Newborn Baby Parker

2008-05-23T19:41:00.002-04:00

Here a few photos of baby Parker! His mommy's belly was featured on my blog last month. I'm still working on his session but wanted to share a few so far. Little stinker refused to go to sleep the entire time but at least you get to see his beautiful eyes--they're not quite blue and not quite gray! Ain't he a cutie?!

Annagrace's Recital

2008-05-19T20:36:00.002-04:00

Just a quick pic from my baby's second recital! This year she took tap class. They were so cute and she really did a good job! I'll try to get some more from the actual recital up later this week! Oh--and I have some from my friend's baby's newborn session to that need to go up. Will try to get those up on Wednesday!

Welcome to the world, Parker!

2008-04-22T19:39:00.004-04:00

Here's some photos I took for a friend. Her little bundle of joy was born on April 18! Welcom to the world little Parker! I can't wait to meet you!

Madalyn

2008-04-03T23:21:00.004-04:00

Just a quick photo of Madalyn taken last week (before she got sick with yet another ear infection!). She looks so grown up in this photo!

I Shot My Sister-in-Law . . . but I did not shoot the Deputy

2008-03-07T22:50:00.005-05:00

After taking a 2 months break from photography (well, other than family photos here and there) I was excited to get back out and start shooting again! This is my sister-in-law Steph who is returning to the states after serving many years as a missionary in Venezuela. She needed some photos for her new job in Public Relations for Team Expansion. We had fun on my father-in-law's farm. The light in the barn was to die for! I want to go back and do some photos of the girls there sometime soon! Here are a few of my favorites so far . . .

We all live in a green submarine . . . that's all I could think about when I saw this old barrel!

My Poor Neglected Blog!

2008-02-20T16:28:00.002-05:00

I haven't been around much lately! I decided to take a break from my photography business until March. The holiday rush was crazy and I just needed an extended break!

I am gearing up to start shooting some sessions again next month-including my first maternity session! Can't wait for that!

Also, my website is officially in the works--I need to get my domain name and get my photos ready for the galleries. So hopefully by the end of March it will be ready! I am very excited about that!

One more thing--if anyone is interested, I have started another blog called Counting My Pennies that is all about budgeting, saving money, couponing, bargain hunting, etc. I am trying to be a better steward of what God has blessed me with. Stop on by and leave me a comment!

Terrible Two

2008-01-25T18:44:00.000-05:00

Madalyn has been a "terrible two" for awhile now. But it seems that here lately she's been more terrible than usual!

The other night I heard a scratching in my bedroom. I didn't catch on right away to what it was until I remembered that the last time I saw Madalyn she had a crayon in her hand. I opened the bedroom door and this is what I found . . .

It also wrapped around on the the wall next to it. At first I was very angry. Then I started laughing. And I laughed some more. And some more. My little artist! Thank God for magic erasers!

Finally some NEW PHOTOS!

2008-01-09T19:12:00.000-05:00

Annagrace and Madalyn were totally surprised when Papa and Grammy showed up the Saturday before Christmas! I hadn't told them they were coming. I took Annagrace out to run a few errands and when we were a block from home, I told her I had a surprise for her and I needed her to get on the floor of the van beside me and cover her eyes. When we got home and I got her out of the van, there stood Papa! She just squealed!

So then we told her we had another surprise for her--an early Christmas gift from Papa and Grammy was sitting in our backyard! She couldn't believe her eyes when she opened them and found a cute little purple clubhouse just for her and Madalyn! Papa even made it so we can hook up electricity! We put a little heater in it and her desk and benches. A few days later I found her a purple rug and some stick on decorative dots that we covered the inside walls with. She begged Papa to sleep out there with her that night--but he talked her out of it. However, her daddy has promised they can camp out there this Spring when it gets a little warmer. Heck, she may even convince me to stay out there with her!

Here are a few photos taken yesterday when it was in the almost 70's here! These photos make me laugh. On the left is our little bookworm. I had to beg her to look away from her book long enough to take a few photos! She had just gotten a new Junie B. Jones book at the library at school yesterday and was already on the sixth chapter by the time she got home!

Then on the right is our little wild child. The one who needed a pretty intense spit bath before this photo was taken. The one who INSISTED on wearing this silly helmet. And the one who refused to look at the camera for longer than a tenth of a second!

Pretty holly tree at my mom's house. I took this with my new 85mm 1.8 lens that I sort of bought myself for Christmas! It is an amazing lens!
And here is my nephew, the soon-to-be BIG BROTHER Brayden! Yep. My brother and his wife have a little bun in the oven! And their due date is on my anniversary! How cool! I can't imagine Brayden being a big brother!
And one last one of me and the girls with my 90 year old Granny!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T21:33:00.000-05:00

Our Christmas Day started at 7:15 when I heard Annagrace whimpering upstairs. I went up to see what was wrong and she said through her tears, "Santa didn't come because you were up all night!". (She was concerned about this when we went to bed last night because her dad and I slept in the living room--my mom and dad slept in our bed). I said, "Annagrace, what are you talking about?" And she said ,"All night! You were up all night!". I told her that Santa HAD been to see us and her presents were downstairs waiting and she flew down the steps to check it out!

She was so excited! Santa brought her the Paws Off Pet Shop Electronic Journal that she had been begging for! She also got an American Girl Doll from Grammy and Papa--and it was the one she really wanted! Madalyn got an American Girl baby with a fabulous little box filled with accessories! They also got a little purple playhouse with a cute little front porch for the back yard. Mom made a wreath for the front door and Dad and I strung up colored lights on it on Saturday night. It is really cute and I know they will spend hours out there playing in the Spring and Summer! Madalyn got a Weebles Castle that she had played with all day long! They had a really good day. After opening Santa presents, Aaron's family came over to eat brunch with us and open more presents. It was a busy but fun day!

I have tried to implement some family traditions the past few years. Just little things that I hope the girls will remember when they are older. Last year we started the tradition of writing down quotes from out of a Christmas book and giving them out to each family member. When we read the story and we get to your 'quote' then you get to open a present. (So you have the same number of quotes as you do number of presents). Annagrace loves doing this and gets so excited waiting to hear her quote read.

This year's new tradition is going out to look at Christmas lights and taking a trip to Sonic for a slush or ice cream while we are out! Aaron and I practically lived at Sonic when we were in college so we were ecstatic to hear there was a new one about 20 minutes away! We went out this year on Sunday night and we found a house where the lights were set up to go off with music. It was really cool. We watched it about 3 or 4 times. The family does it every year so hopefully going to that house will become a tradition too!

I also have certain things that I cook at Christmas time. There are these Christmas Morning Rolls that everyone loves and I cook those every year. I also fix Rachael Ray's Bacon Swiss Dip every year as well. (I'll have to post those recipes!)

And the last 3 years we have traveled to NC for New Years and have spent it with my mom and dad and my brother and his family. I can't always make it down for Christmas because of work, but I am hoping we can keep up this tradition of heading down there for New Years. I can't wait for Friday night to head down home. There is NOTHING like being home for the holidays!

So I'll leave this post with a photo that sums of the afternoon around here. We've all been worn out--but Madalyn especially. She hasn't been feeling too good either so the long day really got to her this afternoon. Look at those rosy red cheeks!

Merry Christmas everyone! Wishing everyone a JOYOUS new year!

Cody and Jacob

2007-12-19T00:32:00.000-05:00

These are from a session from Sunday. Our third attempt to get some decent photos for their grandma! Thanks to Aaron and all his fart jokes, I was able to get a few 'real' smiles out of them this time!

My Cutie Pie

2007-12-16T22:31:00.000-05:00

I know I say it all the time, but isn't she just ADORABLE? Or as my little cousin used to say "ADORN-ABLE"?!

My Beautiful Baby

2007-12-15T22:00:00.000-05:00

I am totally smitten with this photo. Hard to believe that that is my BABY! I just love this precious little bundle of ENERGY!

Just For Fun

2007-12-06T23:00:00.000-05:00

Five Songs that I Know all the Words to (and am not ashamed to admit it):

1. Islands in the Stream . . . Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
2. If Heaven Ain't a Lot Like Dixie . . . Hank Williams, Jr.
3. Drake and Josh Theme Song . . . Drake Bell
4. Baby Got Back . . . Sir Mix-a-Lot
5. Any and Every Song ever performed by New Kids on the Block

And this is totally copied from Nicole Barczak's blog that I read almost daily!

Christmas Decorating Survey

1. White lights or Color? White. Definitely. We will never, ever, ever have colored lights anywhere within a 100 foot radius of this house! I loathe colored lights!
2. Do you decorate the back of your tree? Not really. It is in the corner so I decorate what you can see.
3. Do you use ribbon or beaded garland or similar items? Sometimes. Didn't use any this year.
4. What is your tree topper? An angel made out of basket material--I don't know how else to describe it!
5. Do you put candy canes on your tree? No. Although my dad and daughter snuck some on there this year. I removed them about 2 days later because Madalyn kept getting them down and trying to eat them!
6. Do you have a themed tree (color, items etc)? Not really although we have green and burgundy balls everywhere (that match my home decor) and then the rest are ornaments that have a special meaning to me. I also buy a new ornament every year and put the date on the back.
7. If you do have a theme, does your wrapping paper match it? I love pretty wrapping paper and yes, it usually matches my decor.
8. Is your tree the only part of your house you decorate? No. I have greenery over the door frame from the kitchen to the living room. Greenery and lights on the stair banister. A small Christmas tree in the dining room. A small hang-on-the-wall tree in the hallway. Snowmen everywhere in the bathroom--including the curtain. Santas here and there throughout the house. I love Christmas decorations!
9. Do you put lights on your house? No. Just on two little trees I have outside. They are cute trees and I have one on each end of the house so I decorate both of them with lights.
10. Do you have yard decorations? Yes. Well, just one thing. We have a (deep breath) blow up Grinch. Yes--one of those very tall blow up things right out in the front yard. It was a gift from my dad to my daughters who both love the Grinch--so what the heck? If it makes them happy it is totally worth it!

And one quick story. We took the girls out shopping yesterday and ended up at the mall. Every time we go in the mall, Madalyn immediately starts screaming for the 'horse'--"I wanna ride the horse". I always give in and let her ride the little carousel one--sometimes two--times. She loves it so much! Well, Aaron--who is a much more 'thrifty' than me (okay, stingy is a better word) started complaining about me wasting a whole dollar for her to ride it. Now bear in mind that we only visit the mall about 5 times a year. So I may spend $10 a YEAR on the carousel. (I reminded him that he spends more than that on ONE cigar.) Well, she got on and when it started she just absolutely squealed with delight! Every trip around she flashed us a huge smile and just laughed and laughed!!!! It makes me smile every time she gets on that thing! I looked over at Aaron who was also smiling and I said, 'Isn't that totally worth one dollar?" And the old scrooge said, "It's worth 25 cents. I want my change back". Ya big dork. When we are old and gray some of my favorite memories of our children are going to be riding that carousel. Maybe when that day comes you won't be so stingy and our grandchildren will get to ride it 20 times in one trip!

Look Who Visited at Madalyn's Birthday Party

2007-12-01T22:55:00.001-05:00

Santa Claus! Okay--so really that's my father-in-law! He is growing out his beard so that he can dress up like Kris Kringle next Sunday at a Christmas Party our church is having at the homeless shelter. I plan on taking photos of the kids with him and will include my kids too! I am ecstatic that I can get some good photos of the girls with "Santa" this year! Madalyn wasn't scared of Paw Paw one bit!

Happy Birthday Madalyn!

2007-11-28T09:09:00.001-05:00

Two years ago today at 11:15 a.m. Madalyn came into this world. She was our little surprise and we were just absolutely overjoyed that another little girl was joining our family! It is hard to believe that it has been two years. That's 104 weeks. 730 days. 17,520 hours. Okay, you get the point. Just unbeliveable how fast she is growing up. I have noticed just within the last few days how she is slowly evolving from a toddler to a little girl.

She's running now. Talking in long sentences. Feeding herself. Trying to undress herself. Doing all kinds of new things!

She is obsessed with "blankies". She has to have at least 2 or 3 blankies every night at bedtime. And don't forget the thumb. Yummmm--gotta have that little right thumb in her mouth. It's red and raw from sucking on it but she doesn't mind it one bit.

She is terribly independent. She is very loud--she has been since birth. In fact, when she was born the pediatrician said she was the loudest baby he had ever heard! When Annagrace was a baby I was often stopped by strangers to be told how beautiful she was. With Madalyn, they all comment on how loud she is! She has a vicious squeal that really tries our patience!

She is constantly in motion. Has to be doing SOMETHING. And usually that something involves getting herself in trouble. Lately her fascination has been the automatic water dispenser on the fridge. She is just tall enough now to reach it and entertains herself by putting water in a glass and drinking it.

She loves animals--especially dogs. She just squeals in delight when she sees one.

She will eat anything. And I mean anything. Everytime we fix something to eat she says "Mama, try it?" Her latest favorite food? Broccoli. Yep. Broccoli. Annagrace won't even look at the stuff and Madalyn will steal it off my plate! The only thing I have ever seen her spit out is cole slaw.

She loves her sister. Now, they do fight on occasion and Madalyn has been known to bite when she gets upset but she still looks out for Annagrace. I joke that she is going to be the protective little sister one day. I think she will do more looking out for Annagrace than vice versa! Just the other day we got in the van (yes, for those that don't know--I am now an "official" mom with a new minivan!) and Annagrace decided to sit in the back. Madalyn couldn't see her and when we started to pull out she started crying, "Mama--Annagace! Annagace!" She was so upset that we were 'forgetting' her! Annagrace said, "I'm right here Madalyn" and then she was okay! So sweet.

So today in 2 hours, my baby will officially be two. Ahhh, the terrible twos. I remember them well. Something tells me they are going to be even more terrible this time around! But I am thankful for my fiercely independent daughter. She keeps us on our toes. Keeps us very busy. Drives us up the wall sometimes. But we know life wouldn't be the same without her! I love this girl!

Here are a few photos I dug up. The last two were taken this morning while she was watching the Grinch and she just didn't think too much of me interrupting her!

A Few More

2007-11-14T08:37:00.001-05:00

Here are a few more from Sunday's session! I don't normally post my favorites but I loved some of these so much I just HAD to share!

This is one of my absolute favorite photos. Not everyone is a fan of the 'not looking at the camera' pose but I love it!

And another of my all time favorites! Do you think he loves his grandpaw?!

See Wendy? I told you I had some good ones with Ben and Sonny! : )
This is the most photogenic family ever! These girls are just gorgeous and so natural in front of the camera!
Just beautiful.

A Really Quick Sneak Peek for Wendy

2007-11-11T17:49:00.001-05:00

Ok Wendy--I know you are really anxious to see these photos. So here are two that I have finished. I haven't got them all uploaded yet but the ones I have seen so far have been great!

Sisters

2007-11-07T21:07:00.000-05:00

Here's a new storyboard featuring some very precious girls. This is Amber and Taylor whose mom I have been friends with since I was 8 years old! I have only met these little girls once but I love 'em! Hope you like this Jenny!!!

Fall Family Photos

2007-11-03T23:22:00.000-04:00

I love the Fall. It is my absolutely favorite season. I am a little sad that October passed by us so quickly this year! It seemed to just fly right by, didn't it? I wanted to get some family photos before all the leaves fell of the trees. So I grabbed my camera and tripod and my trusty "assistant" (my sis-in-law Steph) and we took off to the woods. It was tough because Madalyn would not cooperate!

Steph you did a great job!!!!!

One that I took of Annagrace. She was getting tired of smiling thus the funny look on her face!

One of my favorites!

One of two that I was able to get of Madalyn. She is tough!!!

Tyler

2007-10-21T20:01:00.000-04:00

Here's some sneak peeks from today's session! Meet Tyler. He is one of Annagrace's bestest friends and he just turned the big number "5"! He is Adorable--with a capital A. (Although I have to admit, he was tough to 'shoot'!)

And Eleanor, I promise not ALL the photos are 'cheesy grins'--but I just really liked this first one!

Look who got a haircut!

2007-10-18T21:34:00.000-04:00

Here are a few snapshots of my baby's first haircut! This is the before and after. Just simple snapshots--I haven't 'photoshopped' any of them yet. I hope to get a little slideshow on here of the whole experience soon. Madalyn was a B-R-A-T all day except when she got her haircut. She just sat there and thought really hard about what was going on.

Isn't she just adorable? My little baby is growing up!
Before:

After: