Just Because

Check Just Because out on Facebook!

2010-12-28T16:32:00.000-08:00

Hello there! I just wanted to let you know that I will no longer be updating this blog.

I'll still be posting though - just on my Facebook page and would love a 'like' if you're there. =) I'll post photos from a few shoots and will also post specials for fans as well.

Thanks for reading - I look forward to seeing you soon!

Melanie

Small Business Saturday Savings!

2010-11-27T08:17:00.000-08:00

It's Small Business Saturday - and the savings are yours!

This deal has expired. Thank you! =)

A family of fun | Sammamish Family Photographer

2010-11-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

You may remember this couple from last Spring. Well they brought the whole family back for a fun and informal shoot. We started at the park and then when it started raining, we headed indoors. Full family shoots are a lot of fun - and so important too. Is your family together over the holidays? Make sure to capture some of the fun with photos!

And it rained... | Sammamish Family Photographer

2010-11-19T15:58:00.000-08:00

So our luck was bound to run out. The morning of this shoot, the sky just opened up and poured. But, we held our breaths and took along the towels and plastic and still had a great shoot! Can't live in Seattle and be afraid of a little rain, you know. =)

Another beautiful day in the neighborhood! | Sammamish Family Photographer

2010-11-19T15:55:00.001-08:00

We certainly lucked out with the weather for this shoot. You just never know! Anyway, take a look at this little cutie and her wonderful family too! =)

A sunny day at the lake | Kirkland Family Photographer

2010-10-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

We had a beautiful sunny afternoon (in October!) to take this wonderful family's photos. Sun flare and lollipops - how can you go wrong? =)

Holiday cards

2010-10-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again! Introducing my predesigned cards for 2010. Please contact me (425.761.4760 or melanie@just-because.com) for rates.

Don't see anything here that's your style? Contact me for custom design services!

Sun-kissed | Sammamish Children's Photographer

2010-10-13T14:26:00.001-07:00

What fun we had out in this glorious sun a couple days ago! =)

Holiday Specials!

2010-09-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again! Time to think about the holidays! Where has the time gone?

I'm pleased to announce our holiday specials for this year!

1.) If you just need holiday cards, this is the special for you!
Receive:
- a 20 minute session (in the studio or on location)
- 3 edited hi-resolution digital images on CD
- 50 professionally designed flat 5x7 cards (with a review session and different options too!)
Price: $300 (+ tax)

2.) If you simply want a nice annual picture, this is probably more your style!
Receive:
- a hour long session (in the studio or on location)
- 30-40 edited hi-resolution images on CD
- $100 print credit
Price: $300 (+ tax)

3.) If you want a few photos, and will make your own card from those, this is perfect for you!
Receive:
- a 15 minute session (in the studio) on November 13th
- 3 edited hi-resolution images on CD
- $25 print credit
Price: $150 (+ tax)

There are still a couple spots open in my monthly mini-sessions too! If you want seasonal themed photos, this is a great way to do that!

October 17th –
Help me wait for the Great Pumpkin and have your family pictures taken in nature’s Autumn splendor. How can you say no to pumpkin pictures? $150 (+ tax) gets you a 20 minute shoot, 4 edited hi-res digital images and a $25 print credit.

November 14th –
It’s time for fun in the snow! Depending on where the white stuff has fallen, we’ll meet for a Winter Wonderland shoot and get great snowy shots! Psst - this mini-session includes holiday cards too! What a great way to get two things off your ‘to-do list. Pictures? Check! Cards? Check! $350 (+ tax) gets you a 20 minute shoot, 4 edited hi-res digital images, professional card design services (three personalized designs to choose from and two client reviews) and 50 flat 5x7 cards.

Have questions? Want to schedule? Call (425.761.4760) or email (melanie@just-because.com)!!

One year old and so very cute! | Issaquah Family Photographer

2010-09-29T21:05:00.000-07:00

I guess it's been a while since I've posted pictures. It's time to remedy that. Here are some shots of a cute little one year old and his parents. =)

One year old! | Issaquah Children's Photographer

2010-09-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

What a little cutie! It was so much fun to take pics of this little guy at the Issaquah Train Depot on a recent sunny morning! He's definitely ready to be a model, don'tcha think?!

Just Between Friends Consignment Sale | Issaquah Event Photographer

2010-08-06T16:07:00.000-07:00

Do you have an event that you would like photographed? How nice would it be to know that the pictures that you want at your event are being taken while you are having fun? Contact me (melanie@just-because.com) for details!

August deals!

2010-08-06T15:30:00.000-07:00

This month’s mini-session will be at Beaver Lake Park in Sammamish on August 22nd. You get a 25 minute mini-session and receive the sitting, 5 digital images, a $25 print credit and memories to last a lifetime – all for $150 (+ tax). Want an even better deal? Want to do some good for others? Bring $10 worth of new school supplies (and your receipt) to the mini-session for Do Something 101 and receive everything listed above plus an additional $25 print credit for the reduced amount of $125 (+ tax). Have you done the math? You save $50 for only paying $10. =)

Are you gearing up to send your kiddo to school this month? Celebrate the milestone with ‘off to school’ pictures. All full August sessions including a kiddo entering Preschool or Kindergarten this year will receive a 15% session discount (don’t forget to mention this post!).

And, because I like deals, I’ll offer one more. ‘Fan’ Just Because on Facebook and receive a $25 print credit on your next full session if scheduled before September 15!

Scheduling, comments, questions, want to chat? Email (melanie@just-because.com) or call (425.761.4760). Talk to you soon!

A fun family and a great location! Preston Family Photographer

2010-07-07T15:58:00.000-07:00

This wonderful family lives in a neighborhood straight out of a movie set! Add the fact that they're just great people and we had lots of soft, cloudy light - and we had a great recipe for a wonderful shoot!

June deals!

2010-06-02T14:53:00.000-07:00

I’m getting excited for the summer and am planning for some great summer weather. Does it come any faster if I just pretend it’s warm and sunny? I’m hopeful, but also realistic… so I’m planning June’s mini-session for the end of June (June 27th), giving the sun time to find its way here. Meet me at Ebright Creek Park in Sammamish for a 25 minute mini-session and receive the sitting, 5 digital images, a $25 print credit and memories to last a lifetime – all for $150 (+ tax). =) Ebright offers an amazing playground, wonderful nature backgrounds, a picturesque bridge and more! Call (425.761.4760) or email (melanie@just-because.com) today to reserve your spot!

And also, it’s time to be thinking about the fun, summer days ahead! Book a session in the month of June on a beach (any waterfront counts – and it’s your choice!) and receive a 15% discount on your package. You can’t go wrong with a beach setting. =)

Fun in the sun! Sammamish Family Photographer

2010-05-21T16:48:00.000-07:00

We were able to go out and enjoy the sunshine at a recent shoot. Just another day in beautiful Spring-y Seattle!

Family foursome Sammamish Family Photographer

2010-05-09T22:09:00.000-07:00

It was cold for this session, but we still had a lot of fun! Look at the girls' blue eyes - just incredible! Oh, and we were even able to get the family cat involved!

i [heart] collages

2010-04-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

This week's challenge at i [heart] faces is collages.

This collage is from a maternity shoot that I did last summer (of course, to get the full effect, you'll have to pretend the watermark isn't there) =). Aren't they cute? The new baby came along and fit in perfectly into their gorgeous family!

Head on over to i [heart] faces to see some more great collages!

Hello blogger, my old friend... Sammamish Couples Photographer

2010-04-15T23:48:00.001-07:00

I guess I've been slacking on the photo posts lately! Here are some pics from a recent shoot to remedy that a little. This was my first official Operation: Love Reunited shoot and it was so much fun! D, home for R&R and his newlywed wife, K took an hour out of their precious together time to have their photos taken on a beautiful morning last week. What a cute couple!

April happenings

2010-04-05T16:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring!

April’s mini-sessions will be at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival! It’s something that you should check out – it’s absolutely beautiful! Have some family photos taken in front of this great backdrop on Saturday, April 10th. For $175 (+ tax), you’ll receive a 25 minute session, 5-10 hi-res .jpgs and a $50 print credit. Would you like a full shoot with more time and more pictures? If you schedule for April 10th, you’ll pay no travel charge for this great location!

Got pets? Include all of your family members at your next photo session! Schedule a sitting in April with your best furry friend and receive a 15% discount on your session!

i [heart] faces - angles

2010-03-22T17:08:00.000-07:00

This week's theme at i [heart] faces is angles. Get up, get down, move around for those crazy angled shots.

Here's one of my favorites from last summer! What a cutie pie!

Head on over to i [heart] faces for more great angles!

Contest!!

2010-03-07T15:37:00.000-08:00

This month’s contest is a simple one – Blog, Tweet or Facebook about Just Because Studios and be entered in a drawing for a FREE Session (includes sitting, disk of 30-40+ full-res edited images, and a $50 print credit – a $300 value!). Post on all three and be entered three times!

Simply, post “I’m trying to win a free photo session from JustBecauseStudios.com. You can too – check out JustBecauseStudios.blogspot.com for details.” Once you’ve done that, email me (melanie@just-because.com) screenshot(s) showing that you’ve posted this update and you’ll be entered for a drawing – held on March 20th. Winner to be notified via email.

Attention all High School Juniors!

2010-03-06T15:36:00.000-08:00

I’ve started the selection process for the Class of 2011 Representative Program! Contact me today (melanie@just-because.com) for details on how to score big discounts on your Senior Portraits! (Hey, you could even get your whole Senior Package free!).

Happy first birthday!

2010-03-05T15:25:00.000-08:00

I spent some time with this great family on a beautiful day late last month. (You can see that it was so gorgeous we were even able to get some great sun flare shots!). K had just turned one and took advantage of the birthday special - and we got some wonderful shots of her exercising those legs as she took some of those ultra-special first steps!

February mini-session deal!

2010-01-31T22:04:00.000-08:00

February mini-sessions are perfect for you and your sweetheart AND for your family. Here’s the deal – you and your significant other meet me at Pine Lake Park in Sammamish on February 13th. We’ll do a 30 minute mini-shoot and you’ll receive a disk of around 15 pictures of you and your love and a $50 print credit. Then, in June, bring the family to the park for a family mini-shoot and receive another 30 minute sitting and another 15(ish) pictures on disk and another $50 print credit for pictures of the fam. Get both mini-sessions, the digital images and the print credits for $300 + tax. Call (425.761.4760) or email (melanie@just-because.com) today to schedule!

Operation: Love Reunited

2010-01-29T21:47:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to announce that I have been chosen to become an Operation: Love Reunited photographer! You can check out their site for more information, but here it is in a nutshell - Operation: Love Reunited pairs up military members and their families with photographers. The photgraphers take pictures of the family (before or during deployment) so that the deployed member has pictures of loved ones while being so far away. Then, when the deployed member comes home, the photographer gets to take pictures of the homecoming.

Tell me - how cool is that?

Incredibly. =)

Real life

2010-01-23T21:38:00.000-08:00

What a great time I had with this beautiful family! While I love the bottom pictures, I think that my favorite from the shoot was the top one. As a Mom of two little girls, I think that it captures 'life with little ones' perfectly. =) I love shots like this. I personally feel that in 10 or 20 years, these will be the most cherished... the ones that show life as they are - full of fun and chaos. =)

Family fun

2010-01-19T11:35:00.001-08:00

This week's i [heart] faces contest is: 'We Are Family'. I'm pulling this one out of the archives. This has long been one of my favorite shots - what fun these two are having! There's something about that Father and Son love, isn't there?

Be sure to head on over to i [heart] faces for more great family photos!

Happy 2010!

2010-01-19T10:24:00.001-08:00

I hope that you all had a nice and relaxing holiday season! I'm now back in full swing and ready for 2010! Be sure to keep watching the blog for contests and photos.

And, because every post is better with a picture, here's a cute shot of one of my two favorite models. She understands cupcakes like I do! =)

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-25T00:42:00.000-08:00

Santa baby!

2009-12-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

G's eyes just lit up with the Santa hat. She loved the ball - which obviously made for some great shots!

No smile necessary

2009-12-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

Aren't these two cute? We got some great smile shots too, but this was my favorite from the shoot. Personalities can come through sometimes much more freely in shots without smiles. Either way though - these two are cuties!

Do they come any cuter than this?

2009-12-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

I just don't think so!!

Little Miss Thing!

2009-12-09T21:54:00.000-08:00

K was quite the little model. She loved the camera and posing and made my job incredibly easy. What a cutie!

i [heart] sweet dreams

2009-12-08T13:39:00.000-08:00

The theme in this week's i [heart] faces challenge is 'Sweet Dreams'. This is a picture of a 6 day old and her mom. Who do you think is having the sweeter dream? Hard to tell, I think.

Head on over to i [heart] faces to see more dreamy photos.

Christmas kiddo!

2009-12-07T21:48:00.000-08:00

Little K was very serious at her session. She's cute that way too. But it was nice to finally see some smiles too! =)

What a great way to get around!

2009-12-06T23:56:00.000-08:00

Being pulled by your older brother! It doesn't get much better than that!

Extended family special!

2009-12-04T14:53:00.000-08:00

While this is a very busy time for everyone, it’s also a time to get together with loved ones. Enjoy that time – doesn’t it always go too quickly?

In an effort to help you remember that all-too precious time with loved ones, we’re offering a family discount in the month of December! Bring three generations for photos and receive 20% off your package. Bring four generations and receive 30% off. How lucky are you if you have five generations around? We’ll take pictures of all of you and you’ll receive 40% off!

Don’t let this special time pass by without pictures of your wonderful time together. Call (425.761.4760) or email (melanie@just-because.com) today to schedule!

Could this family be any cuter?

2009-12-03T23:51:00.000-08:00

Look at these cuties! Their smiles just light up the space, don't they? I know that I've said it before, but I really do love my job!

'Tis the season!

2009-11-30T23:41:00.000-08:00

It's been busy around here lately. Families are always so much fun - and it's definitely family season. Here are a couple pictures from a recent shoot - aren't these kids just the cutest? And look at this little girl - she's a Jackie O in the making, don't you think?

It rained and it rained and it rained...

2009-11-25T23:25:00.000-08:00

...and then there was a 45 minute break and we took full advantage of it. I'm so glad we did - just look at this cute family!

What's a little rain to little boys? Just a lot of fun!

I [heart] sun flare

2009-11-24T07:31:00.000-08:00

This week over at i [heart] faces, the theme is sun flare. I thought that I would throw my hat in the ring with this one! It was a beautiful sunny day and this little guy was on the move and wasn't incredibly interested in having his picture taken. I was taking a few shots as he was walking towards me and when he got too close, I laid down. That's when I got this shot. One of my favorites from the day. His eyes show that he's on his way to somewhere and the sun flare adds and extra layer of fun to the picture. =)

Head on over to i [heart] faces for more great sun flare entries!

Fall fun

2009-11-10T23:07:00.000-08:00

J and his parents came to visit a couple weeks ago. He had just turned two. What a cute little man he's become. =)

Holiday mini sessions at Orange Blossom Society

2009-11-05T15:32:00.000-08:00

We’re thrilled to announce holiday mini-sessions at Redmond’s newest kiddo hot spot Orange Blossom Society! Located in a cool old craftsman house in Redmond, Orange Blossom Society has not only a great play space (and wonderful classes too!) and a fun boutique – but their grounds are absolutely beautiful. Do you want comfy and homey pictures for the holidays? You’ll get them here! Rain or shine, we’ll take advantage of the covered porch and shoot away! Best of all, you can come for the pictures and then stay and play awhile or browse the cute offerings in their boutique.

Sessions will take place Saturday, November 21st between 10:00am and 2:00pm. Package details below:

Package 1: 20-25 minute sitting, 1-5X7, 1-8x10 (choose your favorite pose) - $75 + tax
Package 2: 20-25 minute sitting, 8 wallets, 2-5x7s, 2-8x10s (choose your favorite two poses) - $150 + tax
Package 3: 20-25 minute sitting and 5-10 edited digital proofs (with non-commercial reproduction rights) $225 + tax

Call (425.761.4760) or email (melanie@just-because.com) now to schedule! All packages require a $50 non-refundable deposit which will be credited towards the package.

Holiday cards are here!

2009-11-02T06:29:00.000-08:00

We're pleased to announce that our holiday cards are here and ready!! Cards have been designed by Just Because Studios and are truly unique! All cards are 5x7, printed on heavyweight paper and come with envelopes. Designs come in flat and fold over (your choice). Text shown above is customizable, as is the text inside the folded cards. (And of course, the Just Because watermark wouldn't be visible on the finished product.)

Schedule your session today and have your choice of photos put on one of these fun cards! Or, if you've had a session with us in the last year and want to use your favorite picture from that session, we can do that too! Call (425.761.4760) or email (melanie@just-because.com) today!

Cutest costume winner!

2009-10-31T10:44:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to N for being the winner of our Cutest Kiddo in Costume Contest!!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T10:40:00.000-07:00

Costumed kiddo contest!

2009-10-24T21:25:00.000-07:00

Our contest this month is a fun one! Send a snapshot of your little one in costume to melanie@just-because.com. We’ll have an online costume contest and the winning kid gets a free sitting and a 15% discount on their order! Send photos by Wednesday, October 28th and voting will take place October 29th and October 30th here. The kid with the most votes wins – it’s super simple!

Newborn N

2009-10-10T23:03:00.000-07:00

Another newborn! How cool is it that I get to play with these little miracles? =)

Family time

2009-09-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

Sarah won the Little Birdie Secrets give-away at the beginning of the summer. She asked if we could postpone her photo shoot until mid-September so that pictures could be taken of her nephew and her sister-in-law who would be visiting from Denmark then. Her brother and sis-in-law moved two months before their son was born and Sarah wanted to use the photo shoot as a way to celebrate their family - including her nephew, her sister-in-law, her sister, her sister's young daughter, her mom and herself.

I thought that this sounded like a ton of fun and anxiously awaited the shoot. Just before the shoot, Sarah told me that her brother had surprised them all and come to visit with his new family. What a great addition to the family shoot!

So, last week we all met and spent a fun hour at Pine Lake Park. The light was great, the temperature beautiful, the ducks were friendly and the beach was almost empty. The family is absoultely gorgeous, as you can see. It was perfect. Here's a sample of their pictures.

Thanks so much for making my job so easy Sarah and family. And an extra-special thanks for allowing me to be part of such a special time. =)

Specials galore!

2009-09-17T22:31:00.000-07:00

We've got lots of great deals going on right now! Check them out below!

Halloween is just around the corner – and you’ve got the cutest kids in the most wonderful costumes. Why not take pictures before the big trick-or-treat? Come by October 3rd for a costumed mini-session in the studio. For $80 (+ tax), you’ll get a 20 minute sitting, one 5x7 and three digital images with non-commercial reproduction rights (print and images your choice!) – all in time for Halloween!

Fall is our favorite time of the year – and also allows for some of the most wonderful family pictures too. We’re doing extended mini-shoots at a local pumpkin farm on October 4th. Each sitting will be 30-45 minutes and you’ll receive your choice of 2-5x7s and your favorite five digital images with non-commercial reproduction rights all for $150 (+ tax). This is a great way to get pictures for those holiday cards!

Speaking of holiday cards, we’re officially rolling out our holiday specials. Schedule a special holiday sitting to take place between September 20th and December 10th and receive an indoor/outdoor sitting and a $40 print credit all for $100 (a $165 value)! Remember, we can design (and even address and send) your cards too!

Name that photo!

2009-09-16T22:11:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest things about photographing kids is that they truly have minds of their own! I have yet to see this more than I see it in my own daughters.

Take the photo above for instance... they were both supposed to be looking at me. Though I did finally get a couple of them looking at the camera and a couple cute interaction shots (and though this one didn't make the cut for many reasons), I still think this is a cute photo - and I think that the caption for it could positively make the picture. So, what do you think? Email me (melanie@just-because.com) the cleverest (most clever?) caption for this photo and receive 50% off your next sitting fee (to be scheduled and taken by 10/31/09) and we'll even give one of your friends the same deal. I'll post the winning entry in the comments.

New family of four!

2009-09-16T21:47:00.000-07:00

Remember this family? Baby girl H is here - and in such good hands! This little one slept through most of the sitting - comfortable wherever we put her. And big sister moved around enough for both - which, at this age, is just as it should be! =)

Just a reminder...

2009-09-02T23:32:00.000-07:00

...we can design birth announcements and holiday cards! Of course, we work with you and with your budget to get exactly what you're looking for. For example, the black and white announcement above would be great as it is OR with a velum overlay (which would include all of the wording) attached with ribbon to the pristine picture below.

(Psstt - not only can we design, print, assemble etc., we can even address and send them out for you too!).

Baby love

2009-08-21T15:46:00.000-07:00

How cool is it that I get to play with newborn babies as part of my job? Baby C showed up for pictures at 8 days old - though someone forgot to tell her that she's a newborn! She was a bundle full of energy and hardly slept at all. I have a feeling that shes going to give her big brother trouble (of course, isn't that exactly what little sisters are supposed to do?) =)

She's a beauty and fits in perfectly with her super cute and wonderful family. What an incredible blessing!

Sisters

2009-08-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

...and hopefully best friends. =)

More time outdoors!

2009-08-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

When it's sunny, you just have to take advantage of it. Doesn't A have such a cute smile?

Cutie patootie

2009-08-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

More fun in the sun! And those eyes - they can just look right into your soul!

Celebrating love!

2009-08-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

When is the last time that you and your spouse had pictures taken - just the two of you? We're guessing that it's been too long. Come and have your picture taken - and see the magic that happens in front of the camera when two people know and love each other - and have known and loved each other for years and years.

Or, maybe your love is white-hot and brand new. We love that too - what fun! We'll capture your 'butterflies-in-your-stomach-everytime-I'm-with-her', 'can't-wait-another-moment-to-be-with-him' excitement. There's magic there too of course!

Schedule an early evening couples sitting to take place between now and the end of September and we'll discount your sitting 15% and throw in a $25 print credit too.

Make a date of it - we'll take some pictures for an hour or two. Then you can go out and dance the night away or simply go out to dinner and linger a little more than normal. Celebrate your relationship. Celebrate each other. Celebrate love!

Fun at the park

2009-08-10T17:03:00.000-07:00

We've had some gorgeous weather lately here. So, we've all been out enjoying it. I got to spend some time with N playing in the sun!

What is it?

2009-08-08T21:02:00.000-07:00

The heat got to our brains and we somehow missed posting a contest in July. So, for August’s contest, we’re naming two winners. Be one of the first two people to respond (email melanie@just-because.com) with the correct answer to the question "What is this?" and you’ll win 50% off your next sitting (to be used by 9/30/09) and 50% off a sitting for a friend! (It's really not that hard, is it?) =)

Be sure to check back for more pictures of cutie kiddos and more chances to win great deals!

And baby makes four!

2009-07-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of fun taking pictures of the super cute family recently. There's a baby on the way and they are very excited! Do you think she'll be another blonde haired, blue eyed beauty? =)

Mom's love

2009-07-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

I spent a fun session with these two little ones and their Mom. We did a shoot for a surprise for Dad. What a great present! Pictures of the kiddos are always a big hit!

Fun in the park

2009-06-26T14:59:00.000-07:00

Couples' shoots are a lot of fun, as you can see here! We enjoyed this overcast day by shooting at the Issaquah Train Depot and at Lake Sammamish State Park which both include a lot of great photo ops. The water, old train tracks - what more could you ask for? =)

This is another sneak peek, as these pictures will be included in the new Couples Gallery on the Just Because Studios site soon!

Seven weeks old...

2009-06-25T22:39:00.000-07:00

...and what a smile! S's parents may have a model on their hands!

Answer!

2009-06-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

This month's 'what is it?' contest was a little more difficult than last month's! The picture was of the (left most) end of this pinecone (blow the picture up and you'll see it!)

We didn't have any winners, but because it was so difficult, we're offering a 20% dicount on sittings and on prints if you book your session before June 30th to take place before July 10th! Just mention this post when scheduling your session!

Slip, sliding away!

2009-06-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

It was a lot of fun to take pictures of Little B recently - he's certainly 'all boy'! He's definitely going to keep his parents on their toes as he grows! =)

Love in bloom!

2009-06-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to take E and E's photos at their cute, very picturesque house recently. You can tell just how very much in love they are in these photos! They will be featured on the new 'couples' gallery on the Just Because Studios site in the next few days - but here's a sneak peek!

Play to win!

2009-06-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

What is this? The first person to correctly guess (send email to melanie@just-because.com) will win a free sitting and two free 8X10s! Answer to be posted after the win!

Bump!

2009-06-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

I had a great time shooting with this expectant family recently! A baby girl is on the way in just a few short weeks. She'll add even more to their already wonderful family!

B-A-B-Y!

2009-06-19T22:28:00.000-07:00

L is going to be a big sister - we had fun talking about the new arrival at our recent shoot! What fun she (and Mom and Dad too, of course!) will have!

Goggles on!

2009-06-19T22:20:00.000-07:00

I met N and her mom at the park a couple weeks back for some 'fun in the sun' pictures. N came ready to have fun in the water too!

Maternity/newborn sessions - discounted!!!

2009-06-11T18:22:00.000-07:00

Are you pregnant? Do you know someone who is?

We're looking to expand our maternity and newborn portfolios! So, if your due date is sometime before September 1, we'd love to offer you a sharply discounted sitting fee for a maternity/newborn package in exchange for being featured in our maternity and newborn galleries. We'll even throw in a print credit too!

Please contact us today at 425.761.4760 or melanie@just-because.com and we'll discuss the details. Of course, to take advantage of this deal, you'll be featured on our website and in our portfolio, so please only respond if that's ok with you! =)

We look forward to sharing in this exciting time in your life!!

I'm so excited!!

2009-05-30T21:33:00.000-07:00

Just Because is featured on Little Birdie Secrets!! How honored I am to be on such a great blog! If you don't know about Little Birdie, you should definitely check it out - great crafts and recipes and other nifty things like that. Check it out now - oh and if you comment on the post featuring Just Because Studios, you'll be entered to win a free sitting and free prints!

New website!

2009-05-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

We're excited to announce our new website! You can still get there by going to http://just-because.com/ (and if you do, please check out the new looks for the gifts and planning sites) or you can get there directly by going to http://justbecausestudios.com/. Check out the site and let us know what you think!

And, just because we're in that kind of mood, book a sitting before May 31st with photos to be taken before the end of June and we'll take 20% off your sitting fee and 10% off your print/CD order!! Just call (425.761.4760) or email (melanie@just-because.com).

Fun at the laundromat...

2009-05-22T21:57:00.000-07:00

and no, I'm not actually talking about doing laundry. I met J and his mom for a great shoot that included a stop at a laundromat. This is, by far, the best way to fill up a laundry basket!

Father's Day Mini-Session

2009-05-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

Here comes the sun! Well, hopefully at least!! We’re going to chance it and schedule a mini-session shoot just in time for Father’s Day (details below). You know that he loves pictures of the family, so give him a wonderful gift - a picture of the dearest people in his life. He can be in it if you’d like… or you can have a picture taken of the rest of the family so it’s a complete surprise on Father’s Day. Don’t worry – we can keep a secret!! (Pssst – you can schedule with us even if you’re a Dad – why not give yourself a gift?) =)

On Sunday, May 31, meet us at Pine Lake Park in Sammamish for a 20 minute photo session. For $75 (+ tax), you’ll get a 20 minute sitting, one framed 5x7 (and yep – we can even wrap it too) and three digital images (with non-commercial reproduction rights), all in time for Father’s Day! Rain will send us inside to the studio – there are wonderful images to be taken there too. Call (425.761.4760) or email (melanie@just-because.com) to schedule.

Another game, another freebie!

2009-05-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

What is this? The first person to correctly guess (send email to melanie@just-because.com) will win a free sitting and two free 8X10s! Answer to be posted after the win!

All aboard!

2009-05-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

I had a ton of fun last Saturday at the Issaquah Train Depot with this newly-expanded family. It was a gorgeous day and the flowers were blooming. Oh yeah, and of course we had those cool tracks to shoot on too!

Now offering collages!

2009-04-30T21:12:00.000-07:00

We're excited to now offer collages at each sitting! These provide a great way to incorporate several of your favorite shots in one!

My family

2009-04-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

Just had to post this recent picture of my three favorite people. =)

Enter to win!

2009-04-14T19:59:00.001-07:00

As noted in our previous post, we've started a Just Because facebook page! Become a fan and be entered to win a free sitting and two free 8x10s!! Once you're logged into facebook, click here and follow the 'become a fan' link. On Saturday, April 18, we'll randomly choose a winner for the prize from our fanbase. If you're already a fan - no worries - you'll automatically be entered! Questions? Email melanie@just-because.com.

Check it out!

2009-04-12T23:09:00.000-07:00

We're now on facebook!! After you're logged in, click here to see what we're up to. If you're so inclined, please become a fan!! Thanks! =)

Here comes the sun!

2009-04-09T21:53:00.001-07:00

G and his parents came to enjoy (and document!!) the sunshine that we've had lately. What a beautiful day we had to play at the park - and what a beautiful family!!

Mini-sessions galore!

2009-04-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring! We’re excited to take advantage of the (hopefully) warmer and drier weather, so we have a couple outdoor mini sessions scheduled in the couple upcoming weeks. That’s enough to tempt fate isn’t it? J

On Saturday, April 11, we’ll be heading to the Skagit Tulip Festival to take pictures among the flowers. We’ll only have a few sessions (they’ll be early-ish morning so that we can beat the crowds) so please contact us soon if you’d like to set up a session. For $100 (+ tax) you’ll receive a 20 minute sitting in one of the beautiful tulip fields, two 5x7s and four digital images (with non-commercial reproduction rights). Bring the whole family or have pictures taken of just the kids – or both!

On Sunday, April 19, come to Just Because Studios for a ‘Mom and Me’ mini-session. Dads – what’s a better Mother’s Day gift than a picture of Mom with your little one(s)? Or, go completely wild and get pictures of the entire family taken. If ordered by April 27, you’ll receive your pictures back in time to be wrapped and given to Mom along with breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day morning. Your family is the gift – we can do the rest! For $80 (+ tax), you’ll get a 20 minute sitting, one framed 5x7 (and yep – we can even wrap it too) and four digital images (with non-commercial reproduction rights).

And, because of the icky weather last month, you’ve still got time to take advantage of our outdoor mini-sessions – taking place this Saturday, April 4th!! When we rescheduled, we had a couple spots open up, so you can still get in on the fun! Join us at Farrel McWhirter Park and get your family picture taken! You'll get a 20 minute sitting and three digital images (with non-commercial reproduction rights) on CD for $50 (+ tax).

If you would like to schedule a sitting for any of the mini-sessions listed above or if you would like to schedule a full sitting, please email (melanie@just-because.com) or call (425.761.4760). Of course, you can email/call with questions, comments, or just to say ‘hi’ too!

Cute photo contest photo shoot

2009-04-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

The winner of the cute photo contest came to have his pictures taken recently and he brought his parents too! Don't all three of them just have the greatest smiles?

Such expression

2009-03-29T11:14:00.001-07:00

O had so many expressions while I was taking his pictures! And he definitely had an opinion about the cute little stuffed animal that Mom brought for him to pose with - "Get it away from me!". So, most pictures are without the animal - though we did get a couple of him tossing it away. Here is one without it - and as you can see, he appears to be happy that he's taking this one solo!

Serious little man

2009-03-27T17:31:00.000-07:00

W was a very serious little boy for most of our shoot. Smiling or not, though, he's certainly a cutie!

Little model

2009-03-24T20:22:00.000-07:00

Little J was quite the professional when we had our shoot. With his disposition and his cute little smile, I think that he's ready for his modeling career!

A game and a little freebie too!

2009-03-15T23:09:00.000-07:00

It's been said that artists continually reinvent themselves... and I find that very much to be the case! I'm making some changes to the way that I edit pictures and I would love to include some examples of my new editing techniques on my website. So, I'm offering a contest that will benefit you and me! Keep reading for details.

Here is the background on the picture below: This picture is one of my all-time favorites. It was taken by Adam Smith (my super-cool husband) a few years ago in Paris. We were on a rooftop of the Sacré-Coeur, overlooking a rather typical street in the area. It was damp - rain had been off-and-on and gentle, but enough to flatten or frizz (whichever way you dislike) your hair. People kept their umbrellas out even though the rain, at the moment this picture was taken, had stopped. You know - just in case. And I'm so glad that they did. I'm also glad that the person in red with the white umbrella (right, center) was where he was. I can't pinpoint why, but I think he makes this shot. And kudos to Adam who saw it all as a picture before it actually was one!

Here are the details of the contest: There are five differences between the top and the bottom pictures. The first three people to email me (melanie@just-because.com) with at least four correct differences will receive a free indoor or outdoor sitting and two free 8x10s from that sitting (a $132 value!!). Photos (though no names) from these sessions will be included on my website and/or for marketing for Just Because, so of course, please only enter this contest if you're ok with that. =)

Questions? Please email me. And also, keep checking back here (add me to your RSS readers!!) - contests with freebies and discounts will be posted at least once a month. Thanks for playing!

Icky weather!

2009-03-15T21:57:00.001-07:00

Because of the yucky weather the past couple days, the outdoor family shoots that were planned for today had to be rescheduled. So, we're going to try again on Saturday, April 4th. Because of the reschedule, I've had a couple spots open up. If you're interested in taking advantage of this special offer (same deal, same place - just a different date), please shoot me an email (melanie@just-because.com) or give me a jingle (425.761.4760).

Two little monkeys

2009-03-08T22:18:00.000-07:00

Calling all families!!

2009-03-03T11:28:00.000-08:00

When is the last time that you had a family picture taken?

If you're like our family, it probably wasn't recent enough!! Let's fix that! Just Because has recently started offering outdoor pictures and needs more examples for its website. So, we're offering a day of great little outdoor mini-sessions for families. Come visit us on Sunday March 15th at Farrel McWhirter Park and get your family picture taken! You'll get a sitting and three digital images (with non-commercial reproduction rights) on CD for $50 + tax. If it's raining, we'll reschedule for a weekend in early April.

You’ve got nothing to lose – and only happy grandparents to gain! Please call (425.761.4760) or email (melanie@just-because.com) to schedule your timeslot today!

Drama queen

2009-03-02T22:30:00.000-08:00

A has her fake pout down - as you can see. And though it was quickly replaced by giggles, this, I think is my favorite shot from that day. It's so very much her - and so very cute too!

Mini sessions - Make Believe!

2009-02-26T14:39:00.000-08:00

Calling all ballerinas, princesses, hula girls, fairies and fans of dress up!!

What little girl doesn't like to dress up and imagine what life would be like as a princess or fairy? We think that the world of Make Believe is a great place to play and we want to hang out there with your little one.

With that, we're pleased to offer our first mini-sitting sessions! On March 14th, we're offering a limited number of 20 minute sittings. Along with the sitting, you'll receive 4 images on CD and the chance to watch your little girl(s) play in a world with daring knights and brave soldiers (there are no evil dragons here!). We've got the props - fairy wings, dresses and magic wands, so all you bring is your beautiful little one and her imagination!

Price for the session and the digital images (including non-commercial reproduction rights) is $60 (+ tax). Call (425.761.4760) or email (melanie@just-because.com) us today to schedule your sitting timeslot!

Winner!!

2009-02-21T08:34:00.000-08:00

And the winner is...

Thank you to all of you who submitted pictures and voted in our contest! Enjoy the sunshine!

Gift certificates are available!

2009-02-16T21:06:00.000-08:00

Now through February 25th, buy $100 or more in gift certificates (which are available in increments of $25) and receive 10% off. Contact us today (melanie@just-because.com) for more information!

Cute photo contest!!

2009-02-16T08:56:00.001-08:00

Thank you to all who entered the photo contest! It was an incredibly hard decision - you all have absolutely adorable kids!! We've posted our top five below.

The voting rules: Please send an email to melanie@just-because.com with your vote choice. Only one vote per email address per day will be counted. Voting will close on February 20th and the Grand Prize Winner will be announced February 21st.

So, pick your favorite and send an email every day! And get everyone you know in on the fun too! =)

Happy voting!!

Now offering outdoor shoots!

2009-02-15T09:54:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the super cute J and his mom for helping us introduce our new outdoor sittings! We even managed to find a frog out there in the 'wilderness'!

Click here for more information about being captured in the wild!

Calling all parents!!

2009-02-11T22:40:00.001-08:00

Do you have the cutest kid out there? Of course!!

Just Because is celebrating the start of our blog by holding a photo contest!! It's super easy to enter - just send a photo of your little one to melanie@just-because.com by February 15th. Please only submit pictures with one person in them... if you have more than one child and want to enter each of them, please send separate pictures. Also, please stick to snapshots - no professional photos will be allowed entry. And, only one photo per child please. If we receive more than one photo, only the first will be considered.

The top 5 photos will be posted on this site on February 16th and the Grand Prize winner will be chosen by readers of this blog voting on this site. Voting will close February 20th.

Grand prize winner will receive a free sitting (a $100 value) and a photo package (including prints of two favorite poses) worth over $100!

So, what have you got to lose? Send that photo in today!