Get one, Give one | Helena, MT Photographer

It's simple -- 'tis the season of giving. And getting. So give a gift of everlasting memories from Zo-Mak Photography, and get one for yourself.

Two sessions -- one for yourself and one for someone else -- for $150.

That's it. Sit back, relax, and enjoy knowing that you gave someone a priceless gift that will last for generations. (...and start thinking about what you're going to wear to yours!)

The fine print:

*Both sessions must take place in 2012

*Offer is good for any baby, child, family, senior or maternity photography session (the value of the gift may be applied toward a wedding package, but is not valid for an entire wedding)

*Non-refundable

*Minimum print order applies for both sessions

*Payment must be made on Monday, 11.28.11 by paypal, credit card or cash

*email me at zo.mak.photography@gmail.com to place your order beginning now through 11:59 p.m. Montana time on 11.28.11

*You will receive two gift certificates by mail, each good for one full photo session with Zo-Mak Photography

Baby Jackson | Helena, Montana newborn photographer

Meet Jackson, a wonderfully perfect little guy who, at four weeks, slept better than most of the newborn babies I have photographed so far! I usually schedule newborn sessions within the first 10 days after birth, but due to Jackson being born a couple weeks early, and me being sick, this was as soon as we were able to get together. Must be it was meant to be, because each image I came to was sweeter than the last.

Welcome to the world, buddy! I look forward to watching you grow (and getting to know your mama better!)

Strauss Family | Helena, Montana Family Photogrpaher

Fall in Montana

Families in love with each other

Good sports

Positive attitudes

Dads who are into it

Little girls in fluffy skirts

Smiles and laughs

These are all things that I love. These things that I love all came together beautifully last Friday evening during my session with this wonderful family. So glad to have been able to do this for you all! Enjoy.

Your favorite of 2011 | Helena, Montana Family and Child Photographer

It's time for another contest!

I've been going through all my images from 2011 so far and reminiscing about the clients, the sessions, and learning from each one. Somewhere along the way, I decided that a give-away needed to be involved. So I picked my 12 favorite images from this year to date (I tried to get it down to 10, but that just didn't happen....) and posted them in an album on Facebook. Now it's up to YOU all to decide which is your favorite.

Go to Suzie's Favs of 2011 -- Canvas Contest and vote for your favorite image by "liking" it (you'll have to "like" Zo-Mak Photography in order to like the image. But come on, tell the truth... you really Love Zo-Mak Photography, right??!!)

...I digress... The family whose image has the most votes by the end of the day Friday October 21 2011 will win a 16x20 or 16x24 gallery wrapped canvas of that image.

Ready?

Go!

Vote!!

Tell your friends!!!

Then call me to schedule your own session so you can some of your own memories preserved forever.

Sylar is One | Helena, MT Baby Photographer

Well, this past Sunday was a popular day for photos! I met Sylar and his Mama at Reeders Alley for his birthday session, and we ran into three other groups there doing photos as well! It's such a gem - so many great little spots for wonderful backdrops. Can't wait to do my family mini sessions there later this fall!

When I first started thinking about this session, I knew I wanted to have a few props. I generally don't do many props at all, but this little guy and this location... the antique typewriter all but jumped off the shelf at me when I was perusing the antique shop last week! ...as did the phone, the tractor, the old coffee cans and books... And I have to admit - as cute as those shots were, I still just absolutely adore shots of him being himself.

Happy Birthday, little guy! Hope to see you and your beautiful mom again soon!

Lilly is One! | Helena, MT Baby Photographer

Another of my baby's first years comes to an end! I love having all these birthday kiddos this summer - it's so fun to watch them grow up and capture such special memories for their families.

The story from this session: The cake smash that wasn't. Cutest cake ever -- a 4 1/2" tall pink and purple panda bear sitting on top of a purple cake covered with balloons. Couldn't get her to touch it with a ten-foot pole! Oh, and the balloons... Who wants balloons when there is a perfectly exciting chunk of wood to check out?! Love this kid. Thank you, mom & dad, for allowing me to participate in this year with you guys!

Take a few minutes to watch miss Lilly grow with me: newborn, 3 month, 6 month and 9 month sessions.

xoxo

Jackson is 1 | Helena, Montana Baby Photographer

Yet another baby's first year come and gone! There was no shortage of proofs from this session! Jackson has been a great subject for all his sessions - newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and certainly didn't disappoint for his one year session!

As always, it's a blast to watch these little ones grow from tiny wiggly newborns into toddlers - ready to run at the drop of a hat!

I need to mention that I *love* the fact that my job involves getting babies to make the most GIANT mess that they can, then I get to leave. Love it!!

(Okay, so I have to clean up, too, but encouraging these little ones to go crazy is so.much.fun.)

Discounted Session/Print Information | Helena, MT Photographer

Thank you to everyone who entered to win my recent Facebook give away contest -- and special thanks to everyone who helped (and continues to help) spread the word about me in my new town!

I'm excited to offer a great deal to everyone who entered but wasn't chosen as the big winner. I'm a very generous soul, so here's my thank-you to everyone who responded to the July 15th post on Zo-Mak's facebook post titled "Giveaway time!"

In a nutshell, I'm offering you a half-priced session and 25% off a la carte print orders for sessions booked and completed before the end of September 2011.

Young or old, there's always a reason to celebrate and capture memories that disappear so quickly...

The fine print:

* Half price session fee for any of the following types of sessions: kids, family, couple, maternity, senior or pets (up to 5 people).

* Session must be held in the greater Helena area prior to September 30, 2011

* Minimum print order applies

* Session fee must be paid upon booking to hold your date on the calendar. Session fee is non-refundable; in case of poor weather, we will reschedule.

* Zo-Mak's referral program always applies! Tell people about your experience with Zo-Mak, tell them to tell me that you sent them, and you'll receive a free 8x12 print upon completion of their session as a thank-you!

* We're required to have fun. If you're not ready for fun, you can't come. For real ;)

Details on regular pricing for a la carte prints and collections can be found under the "details" tab on my website.

Call me at 406.600.2879 or email zo.mak.photography@gmail.com with questions.

Baby Sam is 8 months | Helena Montana Baby Photographer

I'm so glad that Sam is on my baby's first year plan. This is the third time I've gotten to hang out with him (check out his previous sessions here and here) and he just gets cuter every time. I know I say that for all my babies - and it's so true. Babies are definitely my favorite subject, and I'm honored when my clients book me to capture memories throughout the whole first year.

See you all again soon!

Lilly: 9 months | Bozeman Helena Montana Baby Photographer

I got to spend the morning last weekend with one of my baby's first year babies. Lilly is so sweet, curious and WIGGLY! She's been a little wiggle worm since her three month session, and it hasn't changed yet! We spent a couple beautiful hours up at Hyalite Reservoir, dodging snow piles left in shady spots, and soaking up the sun! I can't wait to see these guys again later this summer for Miss Lilly's birthday.

See Lilly grow through her previous sessions: 6 months, 3 months and newborn.

And while you're at it, check out the awesome (and slightly creepy) project that her mom and dad are working on -- the Fear Mine Haunted House!

Cooper is 1! | Bozeman Helena Montana Baby Photographer

I love traveling back to Ithaca, NY (my hometown) and catching up with friends from my childhood. It's strange -- I left town right after I graduated college, and now almost 13 years later it's like no time has passed when we get together. Capturing memories of them with their children is just the icing on the cake! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of Cooper's first birthday! What a smart, determined little guy!!

I'm back! | Bozeman Helena Montana Familly and Baby Photographer

Phew! It's been a while! I'm currently living in limbo between Bozeman and Helena, but at least I have a place to hang my hat until we close on our new house, and a computer to get some work done! I did a couple sessions while I was in NY, and one here in Montana the day after I got back. Now that I'm back in the swing of things, (did I mention I came home to a completely wiped out hard drive? yuck!) I wanted to share a few images from what I'm working on now.

I can't even begin to explain how happy this first image makes my heart. I grew up with this family -- and was honored to take their photos while I was recently visiting my hometown. And for a Dad who *claimed* he wasn't interested in getting his picture taken, I tend to think otherwise when I see this one:

A couple of beautiful grand-kids:

Meet Cooper (and his Mom, another childhood friend of mine), the adorable 1-year-old who braved 43 degrees and soggy ground for his birthday pictures:

And 9-month old Jackson, one of my baby's first year babies -- can't believe I have only one session left with him!

I'm looking forward to a super busy summer with sessions in Bozeman and in Helena - what an adventure this will be!

But before that happens, I better get finished with editing these three sessions!

Cake Smash | Bozeman Helena Montana Baby Photographer

As I book more first birthday sessions, I wanted to give folks an idea of a way to make some super fun memories out of this occasion! Of course we start the session with clothes on and some more *formal* (read: non-messy) shots, but then we break down to diaper and cake for a cake smash! This is one of my favorite things to do with little ones! They love it, mom loves it, I love it, and you get a freshly washed baby immediately after the session ;)

Keep this in mind for your baby's first year session, whether it's a stand-alone booking or the culmination of baby's first year program with me!

Storyboards are a great way to commemorate the experience from start to finish!

This square storyboard can be printed either as 16 or 20 inch.

Another popular size is 10x20 -- this can contain between two and four images from the session.

Beautiful | Bozeman Helena Montana Baby Child Photographer

I can't wait to share this one! Those eyes just staring back at me.... I'm mesmerized! Can't wait to get to more of Ally's first birthday images!!!

I Heart Faces Challenge - Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes! | Bozeman Helena Montana Baby Photographer

This week's challenge over at IHF is Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes! Anything but a face! When I think about my favorite baby parts other than those gorgeous eyes, the first thing that comes to mind are itty bitty baby belly buttons! Here's on of my all time favs.

Cooper | Bozeman & Helena MT Baby Photographer

I couldn't help myself. I needed to see a bunch of Cooper all on one page. I can't get enough of this cutie!

Happy Birthday, Cooper! | Bozeman MT Baby Photographer

I've been hanging out with Cooper, and his family for an entire year already! I can't believe this is the end of his first year sessions. Time sure flies, but I'm so excited for all the great images we've captured throughout this year. Take a look at Cooper as he's grown: newborn here and here, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and now!

He's always been the happiest, most easy going dude with the greatest smiles :)

...sometimes thoughtful...

always adorable!

and sometimes sleepy...

Happy, happy birthday to you, Cooper-Dooper! It's been a blast :)

I can't wait to comb through all him images to put together his custom photo album!