Toys Toys Toys!

With Christmas right around the corner, we are trying to collect as many toys as possible for underprivileged kids here in Lexington.  We need your help!  The Portrait Shoppe wants so many toys donated to Toys for Tots they flood our studio’s lobby.

 I think sometimes around the holidays we all forget that some people don’t have an extra penny to spend on Christmas presents for their kids.  Especially in these rough economic times, who doesn’t want every kid smiling on Christmas morning? 

Bring in your unopened toys today!  We love visitors!

Check out the Toys for Tots website for more info!

~Kallie

Winterizing A Newborn

Whether we like it or not, the winter weather is almost in full swing.  Being a first time mom the phrases, “Make sure you put a hat on that baby,” and, “I bet his little feet are cold without socks,” are nothing new to my ears.  Of course I put socks on my baby! He just manages to kick them off after wearing them for ten minutes!

I find it challenging to keep my son bundled up without feeling like I’m making him roast the entire time he is in the car.  My son, Wells, always has a little sweaty back when I get him out the car seat.  Luckily, it doesn’t seem to bother him much, but I always feel bad for the little guy!

I guess I’ll just add this to the ever-growing list of things I can’t figure out about babies...   

~ Kallie

Twins Equal Double the Fun at the Portrait Shoppe!

Look at these two cuties!  Savannah and Andrew had an absolutely amazing portrait session!  The twins loved showing off their favorite Hello Kitty and Spiderman gear while also showing off those sweet smiles. 

 

Don’t they both just have the prettiest blue eyes?  The white background really makes their beautiful features shine and their eyes “pop”.  Makes you just want to squeeze their cute little cheeks, huh?

Savannah and Andrew have been coming to the Portrait Shoppe since they were babies and it has been so neat to literally watch them grow before our very eyes!  Shelly always has fun with these two- their personalities really shine in front of the camera.   These two have learned a lot for their older sister Kacie, who knows how to put on a smile.  She was Portrait Shoppe’s second Star Kids Modeling Contest winner when she was 5 years old.  

~ Kallie

Happy Birthday to Me!

            I promised pictures from my family’s portrait shoot so here they are!  In honor of my birthday today, I felt it would only be appropriate to post portraits of my own little monster, Wells.  I am in love with them- Shelly really did an amazing job.  I am super excited to show them off to my family and friends over the holidays! (And to all of you readers out there of course!)  

         Keep in mind, Wells was not a happy camper during the entire session.  If I had to sum up his “happy” time during the shoot I would say it was about 10 out of the 45 minutes (I am beginning to realize my baby boy is about as predictable as, well, any other 3 month old baby I guess!)  Nevertheless, we still had numerous adorable images to choose from.  Enjoy!  

-Kallie

To Jump or Not to Jump: That is the Question

Being the new girl around here, I am learning a little more about Shelly, Ryan and Michael every day.  What have I learned most recently?

THE GIRLS HAVE MORE GUTS THAN THE GUYS!

I discovered this interesting fact during a conversation with Ryan today in the studio.  He informed me that although some people may have the desire to bungee jump, he's not really the thrill-seeking type.  Knowing Shelly had already said she would, "maybe" make the jump, I decided we had to get Michael involved as well.  Much to my surprise, well not exactly (haha) , Michael pretty much said there is no way in this world you get get him to jump from that high up.

Then Ryan asked me what I would do and automatically my first response was, "You know, I'm not really sure," then I proceeded to tell him, "I did one of those mini-bungee jumps at Kings Island once.  It wasn't so bad really!"  Then, just like I always seem to do, I talked myself into something as I answered him again, "Yep! I would go!"

So what did we learn from all this?  Well,  apparently the girls are the one's that wear the pants around the Portrait Shoppe.  If there is ever a matter in which bravery/guts are needed, looks like I'll be running for Shelly!

-Kallie

May I Introduce Myself....

Hello readers!  I’m the new blogger in town here at the Portrait Shoppe.  I have bit the bullet and finally decided to introduce myself.  Why read a blog by someone you know nothing about?   

My name is Kallie Milburn and I’m originally from Shelbyville, KY, often referred to as the halfway point between Louisville and Lexington.  Usually when I tell people I am from Shelbyville their response is, “I think I’ve been there. Isn’t that where Colonel Sander’s restaurant is?”  So to answer those of you that may be thinking that exact same thing- yes! Lol, but technically the restaurant was named after his wife, Claudia. 

Either way, I left the infamous Shelbyville when I began school at the University of Kentucky (Go Cats!) in 2005.  I graduated from UK last year with a B.S. in public relations and a minor in business. 

Looking back at the year and a half that has passed since I graduated college, it feels like a tornado picked me up and dropped me into this wonderful life that I never could’ve imagined.  On July 25 of this year I held my precious baby boy for the first time.  We named him Wells Patrick and I have never felt so much love for another person in my 24 years of life. 

If you’re reading this and have been to the Portrait Shoppe to have your child's portraits taken, I’m assuming you are a parent too!  So it goes without saying I have learned more the past three months about changing, feeding, bathing and sleep deprivation than I could have ever anticipated. 

After finally feeling like I could put myself together enough to leave the house after having the baby, I decided I would venture into the real world.  I was bound and determined to find a job in which I could put my hard-earned degree to good use!  That is how I ended up here at the Portrait Shoppe as the new Marketing Director. 

I promise from here on out to fill you in on the latest and greatest happenings at the Portrait Shoppe and let you see for yourself the amazing photography that goes on at this place.  Along the way, I am excited to share my adventures as a new mom and hopefully give you a good laugh every now and then. 

- Kallie

P.S. Keep checking the blog for a post about my family’s experience getting our portraits taken at the Portrait Shoppe!