it’s time to say goodbye to 2011.  it was a great year here at big shots.  here are some of the highlights:

i became more involved in causes i feel passionate about that let me use my photography to do some good in this world.  i shot backstage on onstage for fashion for the cure at sycamore high school, photographed the “relay for life” event for the second year, and spent my 5th year volunteering to take and print on the spot candids for the bikers at ride cincinnati. cancer has affected too many people in my life for me not to be involved.  it’s something i’m passionate about and feel fortunate to be able to contribute.

i had my first out of town sessions in 2011.  my first was in israel with a girl and her baby boy in the old city of jerusalem.  how cool is that?  it was surreal! i went on this trip to study and travel.  it was the first time i’d returned to israel since i lived there in 1993!  i was approached to do a session and couldn’t refuse!  i only had my backup camera with me on the trip but it did the trick just fine.  my second out of town sessions just happened a few weeks ago.  my family and i went to naples, florida for some MUCH needed r&r.  we met up with some friends down there for beach sessions.  here’s a preview of one of many i’ll be posting soon so keep a look out and have your sunglasses handy because it was hot and sunny!

i hired an amazing assistant, kaitlin, who has made my job so much more enjoyable in so many ways.  not only has she taken a lot off my plate, she is a pleasure to have around.  we have a good time together whether it’s coming up with ideas or asking siri on my iphone ridiculous questions!  some of you have met her but for those who haven’t, i’ll be shooting a session of kaitlin soon so you’ll be able to see her awesomeness for yourself.

i bought an imac and an ipad to go along with my mac book pro and iphone.  i think apple and i have a good thing going!  on the topic of technology, i also had a projector installed with a kick a#% drop down screen and lighting system that is all controlled by my ipad.  i am not tech savvy but i sure look like i am!  all of these things are not only cool but really help my business be more efficient and client friendly.

the senior model program is growing and changing each year.  this year was my best so far.  i had an amazing team of juniors who worked hard to spread the word about big shots.  along with free sessions, many incentives were given out to reward the girls for a job well done.  one even earned an ipad and lots of cash!  i can’t wait to start recruiting for the class of 2012′s model team!

while i love shooting seniors, i can’t keep my hands off those babies.  luckily, i was given lots of opportunities this past year.  the baby plan is a big success!  i get to follow babies for their first year while parents get to document this important time in their child’s life.  it’s a win-win!  thanks to all the mommys and daddys who trusted me with their little ones.

i continue to drive around this awesome city (yes…i think it’s awesome) to find new, exciting and beautiful locations.  like i always say, cincinnati is my studio!  i look forward to this new year filled with new and old clients excited to explore with me!  for now, let’s take a look at sessions from 2011 as we say goodbye to last year…

i can’t really move on to 2012 until i wrap up 2011!  the last session i did was with a returning client.  i was so excited to hear from jacquie.  she came to me a few years ago when her daughter, isabella, was having her first communion and we hit it off great.  she’s got a really laid back attitude that just rubs off on those around her.

i met up with them again but this time, jacquie brought along her new husband and baby lena!  i love when people’s lives grow and change in such positive ways.  i can tell they’re all happy to be together.  isabella is a gorgeous 5th grader now who loves her new school and, it seemed, her new baby sister too!  so glad i got to capture these girls being who they are with each other.

lena looks so ladylike on the slide!

what a look!

you can feel the love being squeezed from isabella to lena. sisters are so special!

moving on and working hard to catch up–almost to the last of my sessions for this year!  you may remember this family from past posts. we got so lucky with the weather.  it started raining a bit during the session and then stopped…whew!  one of the most rewarding and exciting parts of my job is when i get to see clients each year or so.  i enjoy watching the kids grow up and the family dynamics change.  such is the case with this family.  little cal was a baby when we started and elle was shy.  now, they’re fun loving kids who enjoy the process.  it’s not just about the image, it’s about the relationship and trust.  thank you lori and jason for trusting me to capture who your family is year after year.

so word on my big shots facebook page is that cal’s got a girlfriend!  lucky girl!

we all hope our kids grow up to be friends like these two are.

i love elle’s enthusiasm.  it’s the little things.

have you waited until now to buy holiday gifts?  do you have some people who are just SO hard to buy for or they already have everything?  well, if you are still looking, look no futher.  get your loved ones a gift of custom photography!   you can give them a gift certificate they will enjoy receiving, a fun future photo session to plan and they will have beautiful portraits to last a lifetime.  what other gift can do so much?  these are perfect for everyone.  the pregnant mom, new parents, growing families and high school seniors.

you can pick up the gift certificate or i can even email it to you already filled in and ready to give!  you don’t even have to leave your home to give the perfect gift!

send me an email at marla@bigshotsbymarla.com or call 513.477.3324 to get yours.