OK ... a little late today for yesterday, but the year hasn't officially started, so I am in the clear!

My 3 nephews slept over my house night before last and yesterday we played a bunch of board games. A lot of fun for them, and a chance for me to practice of course!

I will admit I didn't take this picture today. It is bloody cold outside and the wind is kicking up to 50mph gusts .... not picture taking weather or going anywhere weather for that matter. I did re-edit this picture though. It was part of a group family shot I did for my friend Jen and she loved the way her daughter looked, I cropped everyone else out for her. At least I am practicing with my new Photoshop CS4 program!

I am trying to get into the habit of taking, editing and posting a pic a day. Like I said, it might not be a work of art, but a snap of my kids doing everyday things, someone I know, etc.

This is one of the kids who takes hockey skating lessons with my sons. When I showed up for hockey with no toddler in tow and a big lens, all the moms I know wanted me to take pics of their kids. Good practice; that long lens is a beast! I also whipped out the super-duper flash and was able to zoom the flash to go as far as the lens. I got some decent shots and when the kids are really playing hockey, I'll be ready!

This is a technique I am studying called Off Camera Flash. It's really cool. You'd never know this picture was taken at 2:00 in the afternoon on a very sunny day. I love the possibilities! My son just thinks he looks cool!

Here is a picture I "snuck" of Peter. He wasn't happy for me to be intruding in his "private time" when he realized what I was doing. I just loved him sitting in the window seat quietly reading his book and had to do it. Tough luck kid ... you'll have to get used to it this year if I am going to do a picture a day for a year.

Here it is, the end of the year and what a difference a year makes. One year ago I was toying with the idea of going pro, and lo and behold here I am ... working with great people and proud of what I have done!

That being said, I have a goal in mind for this coming year and that is to take and post one picture a day on my blog every day. It might be a snap ... it might be a work of art, but it will push me to pick up that camera EVERY day and we all know if you want to improve at your craft, practice, practice practice!

To all my friends and followers out there have a happy holiday season!

Alicia

These are Kate and Craig's kids. I have known their oldest Christopher, since he was in a 3-year old program at nursery school with my oldest. I have known the twins, Emily and Zach, since their mom was pregnant with them! I LOVE this family! Christopher loves to hang with my boys, and they love him right back. In fact, right after this shoot, he jumped in my car, came home with me and stayed for dinner. Love him!

Thanks Kate and Craig! You know I love your kids!

Lucas came to see me and have his picture taken just shy of turning 1 week old. This little guy is content. A good thing too, this is mom and dad's third child, so they need an easy baby. He was content to be laid down, fussed only to be fed, didn't mind having all of his clothes removed and only got cranky towards the end. No biggie though, he was wrapped in his favorite fluffy blanket and lo and behold, happy again.

Good luck Nichole and Ben. I hope this little guy stays as easy going as he is!

I met up with David and Linda, and their daughter and their new dog. It was freezing, windy and I had my three kids in tow. It was fun to say the least! There was a lot of laughing, coordinating, and yelling (on my part!) for my kids to stay out of the pictures.

David and I go WAY back (twenty + years is a long time!) He and I recently got back in touch (thank you Facebook!) and it's nice to reconnect with old friends.

Thanks for sharing your daughter with me, David and Linda. She is really cute.

Oh ... and Fred (the dog) is too!

JeanMarie and I have known each other for a long time ... we were in Newcomers together, our kids have gone to the same preschool .... and now on to grammar school, middle school, high school ....

Her kids are too cute ... her daughter has the most soulful eyes, I just want to keep photographing them! Her son really warmed up to me when I showed him the climbing tree ... all the kids love it!

Thanks JeanMarie and Ed. I hope you like the preview!

I did it, I got a website finally. I signed on to show my work at a local holiday crafts show and realized I needed new business cards, that made me realize I needed a website to put on the cards and yadda, yadda, it's here.

aliciasimonephotography.com

PS ... stop by the Moms Making Style Holiday Boutique sale.

(I stole the following writeup from Caty Wolfe's Facebook invitation - says it all to me perfectly!)

This annual arts & crafts show is the premiere holiday gift fair (at least in my humble opinion) in Ridgewood. You'll find a selection of exquisite gifts (mostly handmade) including: apparel & assessories, jewelry, home goods, toys, etc. This is the perfect place to take care of a big chunk of your holiday shopping, so you can spend more time cookie-baking, caroling, football-watching...whatever your particular vice may be.

A portion of every sale goes to the Social Service Association of Ridgewood, a not-for-profit private agency funded primarily through the generous contributions of individuals who live and work in Northern Bergen County. The SSA provides a range of services including: food and clothing vouchers, emergency rent/mortgage and utility payments, child care scholarships, adult education assistance and holiday programs (e.g., Thanksgiving baskets).

Thursday, December 3rd
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Christ Church (across from the Stop and Shop)
Ridgewood, NJ

Jill is one of my closest friends and it goes without saying that I will take her holiday card pic! This is her son Ryan. He knew he was going to see me and was disappointed that his friend Peter (my son) wasn't at the shoot for a playdate. Sorry Ryan ... I promise next time!

Thanks Jill and Jon ... I had a great time!

My sister-in-laws have been asking for pics for holiday cards. I kept this date open, knowing we would all be in Long Island all day; in Lucretia's fabulous back yard and I would bang all their picture out one after one and be done. Little did I know that Mother Nature had different plans. Rain ... all day. So I packed up the studio as best as possible and trekked out to the Island. I think it worked out GREAT!

So without further ado ... the Simone Grandkids!

Peter (my middle guy)

Michael (my oldest)

Matthew

Madeline

Daniel

Brandon

Blake

Anna (my baby girl!)

Andrew

Amanda

I met up with Amy, Mike and their kids this past weekend at Indian Trails. The scenery is to die for up there, but nothing beats their kids and their fabulous personalities. They are as close as I hope my kids will be (when they stop fighting!) and so cute together.

FYI people --- when I pick pictures for the sneak peak. They aren't the "best" shots necessarily. They are the pics I LOVE. I can't explain it, they just speak to me.

Thanks guys, I had a lot of fun!

UPDATE: When I wrote "when they stop fighting!" I meant MY kids! These kids were awesome! I reread the posting and wanted to make sure I got it straight!