Tag: family photo

  • The Balch Family Holiday Card, 2011

    The Balch Family Holiday Card, 2011

    There’s a giveaway too — Keep reading for details.

    It’s that time again. Time to think of a ridiculous premise for our holiday cards! You know how I do a monthly shoot for the kids in the same chair to document their growth? I thought it would be fun to do the same portrait for all of us this year, then compile the photos into a card.

    Eleanor is a toddler. If you’ve experienced toddlerhood, you’ll know that’s all that needs to be said.

    I put her down for a nap in hopes of a better shot later. I used the time to run out for flowers (Brandon’s idea, and a good one at that). We took the rest of our photos while E slept, but here are a few from the second attempt later in the day. We tried to bribe her with a lollipop. She let it fall out of her mouth and onto her skirt, and was then appalled.

    August was happy! A happy but wiggly, rocking, and slightly out of focus baby. It was so dark in the living room, I had to bump the ISO waaaaay up, open the aperture all the way, and hope for the best.


    I was the consummate professional, needing only one shot. Or perhaps I’m just saying that so I’ll only have to show you one shot. You’ll never know.

    Brandon looks like a standup fellow. So dapper. So mature.

    Oh, wait! We have a B-side. A Brandon B-side.

    Aw yeah. Brandon’s footie pajamas made a triumphant return. Along with my necklace. And with that, here is this year’s Balch family holiday card.

    We’re lookin’ good.

    Giveaway

    You are no doubt inspired to make your own holiday cards now, right? OK, you may not want to take the route we did. You can still go for the classic family photo, and for that you’ll need a nice camera. And something (or some things) to put that photo on. Well, Shutterfly is offering 50 cards, a 12×12 photo book, an 8×8 photo book, mug, 3 calendars, reusable shopping tote, and an ornament, along with a PowerShot S100 Camera.

    Visit Shutterfly to select your favorite photo card template, and leave a comment here about which one you like best to enter. A winner will be randomly selected.

    NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 years or older. Ends 12/6/11. To enter and for Official Rules, including odds and prize descriptions, visit Girl’s Gone Child, The Spohrs are Multiplying, or Make and Takes. Void where prohibited.

    Congratulations to the winner, Diana L!

  • Family Photo Time

    Family Photo Time

    We took a family photo yesterday, right before we left to go to my mom’s house.

    Cute, right? Aw, what a sweet little family I have. And here’s what it took to get that shot… (more…)

  • Eleanor’s First Year (Video Montage)

    Eleanor’s First Year (Video Montage)


    Eleanor’s First Year (Montage) from Nicole Balch on Vimeo.
    Music: “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am” by The Living Sisters.

    I’ve finally finished the video I wanted to make, so that’s one more item crossed off the 30 Before Thirty list. I’ve also had prints made of my many, many photographs to be put in albums, so that takes care of another! Anyway, I hope you enjoy the video. Brandon and I do, and I’m sure my mom will like it.

  • Family Photos

    Family Photos

    Another item has been crossed off of my 30 Before Thirty list! #26: Have an adorable family photo taken.

    Balch Family Photo Shoot

    Balch Family Photo Shoot

    Emily, one of my facebook friends, sent me a message shortly after I posted my list. Her husband James Julius is a photographer, and he was working on building his portfolio. Would we be interested in being photographed by him? He may have been working on his portfolio but I was impressed.

    Balch Family Photo Shoot

    Balch Family Photo Shoot

    Balch Family Photo Shoot

    You know the super adorable engagement photos that people have taken? The kind that always make me a little sad/jealous for not having photos like that taken before Brandon and I got married? Yeah, James Julius takes those. Now I have my own, but they’re even better because Eleanor is in them and we’ve got six years of marriage behind us. In fact, these photos were taken on our anniversary.

    Balch Family Photo Shoot

    Balch Family Photo Shoot

    James photographed us in Austin Gardens, here in Oak Park. Isn’t it a gorgeous setting? He and Emily chose the location, and they chose very well.

    Balch Family Photo Shoot

    Thank you, Emily, for arranging our photo shoot. And thank you, James Julius for giving us such fantastic photos of our family. We’re thrilled with them!

    Balch Family Photo Shoot

    Balch Family Photo Shoot

  • Happy Holidays

    Happy Holidays

    The Balch Family is set to beguile
    decked out in vests of argyle
    while Brandon regales
    with holiday tales
    they wish you good tidings in style