Personal Update

I haven't posted anything since I went on bed rest over 5 weeks ago, so I wanted to post an update of what's been going on with me pregnancy wise.

I have 1 1/2 weeks left of bed rest and meds to control my contractions, and I am super excited about being free for a little bit. I have been a very bad bed rest patient the last 4 days or so. My nesting urges were uncontainable, so we spent the past weekend getting Asher's nursery ready. I had some wonderful friends come over to help paint the walls (I sat and watched) and my mom has come over several days to help me get things organized. Our house looks like we have moved. There is stuff everywhere since Asher's room used to be my office. It feels really good to have a cute little nursery for my little one to come home to... even though there isn't a whole lot other than furniture to fill it.

Health wise, I have been doing ok. I went to the hospital a couple of weeks ago because I was having some contractions that wouldn't go away. They hooked me up to an IV and gave me some medication that knocked me out, and finally, after a double dose of the medication I take everyday, the contractions slowed way down. That was my last episode of stubborn contractions. Now, I have been dealing with elevated blood pressure. My normal blood pressure (bp) is usually 100-110/50-55, but since February it's been on the rise. The last few weeks when they check my bp at my doctors appointment, it's been 125-138/65-80. Last night, it was 139/91 and this morning shortly after waking up, it was 136/88. My doctors don't seem too worried since I don't have any of the other symptoms of preeclampsia but it really bothers me that my bp is almost 30 points higher than normal. Good news is, I don't have that much longer to worry about it.

Not being able to work is driving me nuts. This gorgeous weather has really been making it hard. I'm really looking forward to the sessions and weddings I have scheduled for when I return from maternity leave. Of course I'm also really looking forward to all the newborn practice I'm going to get. Hopefully in a few weeks, I will be able to post some pictures of my sweet little Asher for you to see.

Until next time....

The end of the road... for now.

Well, I knew it would come sooner or later, and its seems to have come sooner. By "it" I mean the point where I can no longer work until after the baby is born. I went into the hospital Sunday night with some pretty stubborn contractions, and although I am back at home and things are a little bit better I am still not off the hook. Since I am only 29wks, the doctor wants me to take it VERY easy, so that means no photo sessions. So unless something changes for the better, which I doubt will happen, I will not be available for any photo sessions until June (depending on when Asher comes). However, if this puts a damper on your picture plans, I can refer you to one of my good photography friends Holly Tye. Holly does wonderful family and children portraiture, so you would be in good hands with her. Here is her site:

http://www.hollytyephotography.com/index2.php

Please feel free to call me or e-mail me if you have any questions. I will be back at it as soon as I can be.

Hensley's 3 Month Panel Preview

Yesterday, I did a 3 month panel session for Lance's cousin's little girl, Hensley. She is such a little cutie pie, and looks JUST like her mommy! I love taking pictures of babies and kids, but it's always fun when it's family. Brandon and Lane, thanks for letting me do Hensley's portraits. She has grown so much from the first session!

Here is one from my first session with Hensley:


...And this is now!

Precious Times Two!

This past Saturday I did something I have never done before. I held a newborn session with TWINS! Mom and Dad waited a very long time for CJ and PJ to arrive, and so I was so touched when AJ asked me to take their pictures. I honestly had had a very bad day before the session, and just the couple of hours I spent with these precious little boys and their sweet parents lifted my spirits. It really reminded me how much I LOVE what I do. It also made me a little more excited about meeting my own newborn in April. Babies are always a challenge because... well they're babies. However, I must say that both CJ and PJ were very patient with me... even toward the end when they were hungry. I cannot wait to finish the rest of the images, but for now here is a little preview of some of my favorites. B&A, enjoy your sneak peek, and again, thank you for letting me do those sweet angels' portraits.

New Website Has LAUNCHED!

My new website has officially launched! There are a couple of kinks I have to work out, but it is about 97% done and is up and running for all the world to view. You can give me feedback on here if you would like. I would love to hear what people think.

WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO! It's done! :-)

New Year... New everything!

I am so excited because hopefully by Wednesday I will have launched my brand spankin new web site! With my current website there are some issues with the galleries for users of certain web browsers (ie Firefox and Safari), so I have been itching to get a super sleek user friendly site for a while. My new site will have my updated portfolio with bigger pictures, updated prices and information, hopefully a better picture of me, music and one very special perk. My customers will now have the ability to view their session proofs directly on my site! You just don't know how excited I am about that! I am very extremely over the top excited... now you know. :-) I know I have not posted a session blog in a little bit, and so I am hoping to redeem myself with the new website. So, those of you who keep up with my going ons, and those of you who don't, go check out my new website next week. You will know its new because there will be a picture on the Splash page instead of just my name. Well, it is time for my hourly giddy dance, so I need to run.

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season, and I pray that the new year brings an abundance of blessing to you and your families!

I had a wonderful Christmas, and a very uneventful New Year. We took a trip to NC and had a very relaxing time with family. I am so glad that I actually slowed down and took time to enjoy my friends and family. It was a much needed break for sure, but now I am back to work!

There are a couple of matters of business that I wanted to address in this blog, and the first is to remind everyone that I am going to be having a baby the end of April. I am not taking anymore weddings until July (I'm booked for May and June) but I am taking all types of photo sessions through the end of March. If you are wanting any type of session for the Spring, I highly recommend booking it early. I will be limiting myself on how many sessions I do per month because I really don't care to go into the hospital with pre-term labor. :-)

The other point of business is one that I really dislike, but really can't avoid. If you keep up with my blog, you will remember me posting a tentative pricing schedule for the new year. Those prices have gone into effect as of January 1st, and will be updated shortly on my website. Again, I really don't enjoy raising prices, but due to the rising costs on my end, I really have no choice. I value the business of my customers, and I hope you realize that when you invest in prints and albums from Kristian Ogden Photography you will receive the finest products that I can offer. Thank you for your understanding and your continued support of my business.

Here is a basic price list for the new year:

Session Fees:

Family/Individual Session $75
Senior Portrait Session $100
Engagement Session $75
Bridal Session $120
Maternity Session $75
Newborn Session $100

Prints Ala Carte:
8 wallets $12
3.5x5/4x5/5x5 $8
4x6 $10
5x7 $12
8x10 $20
11x14 $55
16x20 $80
20x24 $130

Mounting on Mat Board $20-$40

Package Prices
Package A $85 ($100 value)
-5 4x5 or 3.5x5
-5 5x7

Package B $120 ($136 value)
-8 wallets
-10 4x5 or 3.5x5
-2 5x7
-1 8x10

Package C $235 ($272 value)
-16 wallets
-20 4x5 or 3.5x5
-4 5x7
-2 8x10

Package D $310 ($355 value)
-24 wallets
-20 4x5 or 3.5x5
-6 5x7
-4 8x10
-1 11x14

Package E $350 (Unlimited value)
-1 CD of all edited proofs

Referral Program
For every customer that is referred by you and books/holds any type of session, you will receive two free 5x7 prints from any session (past or future) or $25 credit toward your next session fee.

For every order over $50 placed by a customer you referred, you will receive an additional free 5x7 print or $12 credit toward your next session fee.

Referral credits can be banked for up to one year.

If you have any questions or are ready to schedule a spring session, please feel contact me via e-mail: krisogden@hotmail.com.