New website & blog for Kim Larsen Photography

Kim Larsen Photography's new website and integrated blog finally went live on June 1!  This blog will no longer be updated, but will be available for viewing archived posts.  To view all new blog posts, please visit www.klarsenphotography.com.

Curious what the new site will look like?

Here's a quick peek at the main page...

The new site is almost done, and you will be seeing the rest of the changes very soon!

Don't forget that if you want to lock in my current rates, you need to book your session by May 31!

News & Update

First of all, I just have to say that I have been a very bad blogger.  I have several sessions that I have been meaning to post, but between the multiple illnesses that have cycled through our house during the last 2 months and all of the other craziness going on, I have let the blog slide. 

The good news is that I have been working like crazy on a *BRAND NEW* blogsite to replace my old website and this blog.  It is nearly done, and soon, you will see an entirely new look.

More good news... each year since I started Kim Larsen Photography, I have worked fewer hours at my "day job" than the year before.  This year, I have been working 20 hours a week at my other job and I am still barely able to keep up with everything I need to do for this business and to keep my house running & the family happy & healthy.  So, starting on June 13, Kim Larsen Photography will be my full-time (and only!) job!  I am very excited for this change, but it does mean that I had to take a very long look at my current business practices, which were really more like those of a paid hobbyist than a true business. 

As you know, I now have a 15 month old daughter, so I have to factor in the cost of daycare or babysitters when I have a session or need to have some focused time to get a project done and my husband is not available (which is often, considering he is a full-time teacher and has side businesses as a professional musician and videographer).  I also have to consider that I am no longer getting a regular paycheck, and therefore no longer having taxes taken out of that paycheck.  While I have always paid taxes on my photography income, it was lower because I was already paying taxes from my other job.  Now, all of my taxes have to come from the business.  These things, in addition to many, many other factors have led me to a new pricing structure that will actually allow me to cover these costs and finally begin to see a bit of profit from the countless hours that I put into my business.

My new rates will be going into effect for all sessions booked starting June 1, 2011.  So, if you would like to lock in my current prices, please contact me before the end of May to book your session!  The session does not have to occur before June 1, but it must be booked and the session fee must be paid in order to hold your date and maintain the current pricing.

Introducing: Beautiful You Portrait Sessions (& another Giveaway!)

**CONTEST CLOSED**

This post is for all of the adult women out there.  How often have you had your portrait taken?  I’m not talking about family portraits, wedding portraits, or even maternity portraits.  I’m talking about portraits of you...just YOU.  Think about it.  I’m willing to bet that unless you are a professional that has a headshot portrait for your business, or you are a model/actress, you are probably thinking about your Senior Portraits (if you even had them). 

As we get older, we focus less and less on ourselves.  When we get married and have children, our lives shift and stop being about us as a person and become “us” as a family.  When was the last time your kids saw a picture of you?  They may not care now (especially if they are teenagers!), but one day, they will be looking through photo albums and they will wonder, "Where are all the pictures of mom?".

So, as the kick-off to launch my new Beautiful You Portrait Sessions, and in honor of my 30th birthday, I am giving away a Portrait Session for one woman who wants to have portraits of herself.  You must live in (or be willing to travel to) the Cottage Grove/Eugene, Oregon area.  Although, if you live outside the area and are willing to pay my travel expenses, I’m sure we could work something out!  :)

Your portrait session must be completed by March 31, 2011.  No, I am not waiting for you to lose weight, get in shape, or get a face-lift!  ;)  These portrait sessions are about celebrating your beauty right now, not about trying to achieve that "perfect" body you think you need.

To enter, post a comment below and tell me why you should win a Beautiful You Portrait Session.  Your entry (comment) must be submitted by 12:00 midnight PST on Thursday, January 27, 2011.  The winner will be chosen on Friday, January 28, 2011.

Children's Portrait Giveaway!

**CONTEST CLOSED**

In celebration of my daughter, Paige, turning one on Wednesday, I am giving away a Children’s Portrait Session to one lucky winner!  You will get a complimentary Children’s Portrait Session with one 8x10 print and a Custom Accordion Wallet Album ($110 value).  (Newborn Portraits and Senior Portraits are not included in this giveaway)

The portrait session must be completed by March 31, 2011.  The child being photographed must live in the Cottage Grove/Eugene, Oregon area, or be able to come here for their portraits.  Although, if you live outside the area and are willing to pay my travel expenses, I’m sure we could work something out!  :)

To enter, post a comment below with the age and relation of the child who will get their portrait taken if you win.  (Required for entry)

For additional entries:

• “like” Kim Larsen Photography on Facebook and post a comment here on the blog (if you already “like” the page, just post a comment saying so).  Comments on the Facebook page are welcome, but do not count as an entry to this contest.
• sign up for Kim Larsen Photography’s monthly e-newsletter and post a comment here.

All comment entries must be posted by 12:00 midnight on Tuesday, January 25, 2011.  A winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday, January 26, 2011.

Good luck, and check back for another special giveaway to be announced on Monday!

What to Wear - Early Spring Portraits

I was checking out the Old Navy website, and I ran across some bright yellow rain boots and a great yellow and gray umbrella.  This inspired me to search out the perfect outfit for an early spring portrait session. 

All of the clothing is from Old Navy, and the necklace is from Etsy seller, buttonsoupjewelry.

The bright, sunny yellow in this outfit would really pop against our pale, gray late winter/early spring surroundings here in the Pacific Northwest.

It isn't hard to put together a great outfit for portraits, and it doesn't have to be expensive, either.  Most of the time, you can find everything you need in your closet already.

Baby {M} - Baby & Child Portraits * Cottage Grove, OR

I had a great session yesterday afternoon with (almost-) one-year-old M.  She was a little hesitant to smile at first, but we still managed to get some great shots!  And after a quick trip outside to play with the few fall leaves that are left, she really perked up.

Here are just a few of my favorites:

 The whole family

 I found this little wagon the day before M's session and I knew it would make the perfect prop for her to play with!

 How old are you?

Happy to be outside!