Logo/Blog design giveaway

As many of you have probably noticed, my logo and my blog change more often than the seasons! There are 2 reasons for this: #1 I love to keep things fresh. #2 I love creating. No, I am not a graphic designer but I design all of my own stuff and I love doing it. SOO my point is, I am going to direct more of my creative energy towards others out there who are looking for their own style but don't know where to start.

I will be selecting one person for a custom logo and blog design.

 If you or someone you know is interested, please contact me. Include basic information about yourself and a blog/web address if you have them. Tell me what style you are looking for, color schemes, ideas, etc. I will be choosing one person on New Year's eve and I will announce the winner of the giveaway on my blog at the same time as I announce the winner of the monthly drawing. I can't wait to hear from you!

Free Photoshop Actions!

Introducing....

my first ever action set!! *my apologies for the deformed cupcake;)

 I wanted something that I could use to quickly spice up my photos. So I sat down at my computer and these delicious desserts were concocted!! I hope you download them and try them out. Also, feedback is appreciated. Let me know how you like them, what you use them for, any issues, etc. They are also really cool on black and white photos, with the opacity taken down a bit. Have fun with them!!

Download HERE

{and that's a wrap...er, a Rapp!}

First I must say that I am now in love with a green building in downtown SLC. Second, I'm not loving leaving the warmth of my home at this time of year, and third, my husband is amazing. Let me explain:

It was FREEZING, I'm saying F to the R to the EEZING for this shoot! These kids couldn't have smiled if they tried, their mouths were frozen! So my husband David stood on his head, and by george, it worked!

What a brave little bunch of kids! They were so incredibly sweet about posing for me even though they were close to tears. We made it quick and got out alive;)

The little one wasn't feeling very good and he tried SOO hard not to smile for me or look at me for that matter, but my camera peak-a-boo game almost got him to crack. Which is funny because most kids just look at me like I'm a total idiot. No comments on that please;)

Heather, thanks so much for bringing your beautiful family to me and for being so flexible. Your gallery is ready:)

Zach.and his parents too.

Holy cow this kid has so many expressions! He really kept his parents on their toes during the session!

I love photographing new little families. It's so exciting.

Thanks for a great half hour guys! Your gallery is almost ready:)

{just a couple of New Zealanders}

Meet Josh and Latisha. 

They are so funny. I was down in Santaquin for another shoot and they asked if they could have a quick shoot with me so we headed out to the tracks.

For the record, these aren't engagement photos! Just for fun, right guys?

Tisha, I hope you like these, you are gorgeous. You should really model.

You too Josh. If being a chef doesn't work out at least you have something to fall back on!  LOL I've heard you make a mean dish.

Thanks for a fun and freezing 15 minutes guys! Next time you're in the states we should do it again!

{The Hone Family}

I've been taking this little guy's pictures since he was a newborn and I'm so excited that his parents finally got to join in on a session! What a good little sport, it was FREEZING out!

He REALLY BADLY wanted the reflector Davey was holding. Can't you tell?

You are the cutest little family. Thanks so much for letting me be a small part of your lives. xoxo

{gray boy and his girl. part 2. the wedding}

I don't even know how to begin blogging this wedding. I have been sitting here for hours putting together collages, trying to narrow it down to my favorite images but not being able to decide which ones I can do without. I wish I could have taken you all with me. I want to blog this so well that you all can get a feel for just how amazing this day was. I don't think I will able to to, but I'm giving it my best shot.

          The day started out at the Las Vegas LDS temple.The weather was B-E -A-utiful! When they walked through those big white doors, they were glowing. They are so cute and so in love.

The support and love family and friends displayed for Nate and Chelsea was definitely strong.

 The group was so great to follow my lead and did everything I asked. They were so much fun and had an amazing sense of humor..and if you know me at all, you know I appreciate that!

 Nate and Chelsea are so cute. I cannot stress it enough! LOL They are such good sports and always willing to try my ideas. 

Um, SHOES?!? Purple is my new favorite color!

The reception was fantastic. Chelsea and her Mom got resourceful and went online and found ideas for the decor and made it all themselves. You so cannot tell! It looked amazing!! From the ribbons tied to the palm trees right down to the details on the table centerpieces.

I felt kind of bittersweet when it was over and they got in their car and left. It was such a fun day, I could have done it twice, although the Vegas sun was dropping as quickly as the temperature! I am so happy for these guys and I definitely will be stalking their blog forever! Love you guys! XOXO

Blogging Tips

Here are some pretty sweet HOW TO's if you've got a blogger blog and have the courage to play around with your HTML code. Just remember to back up your template before making any changes just in case you might make a mistake. Trust me, it happens. Feel free to check out the following tutorials and contact me if you have any questions. Happy blogging!


Add a linkbar under your header
Change the background to be different from the main section
Add a background image
Widening your post section to accommodate larger images

{Ello There}

I just about DIED when I stumbled upon this little Etsy seller! If you want your wedding invites and save the date's to stand out, you have to print through these guys. If I could do it all over again just to be able to send these little babies out, believe me I would! Check it out!

{camera for sale}

It's time again for an upgrade! My Rebel has served me well but I am ready to move to the next level. This camera is amazing, user-friendly, and a great camera for beginners as well as advanced users. I got her in April of this year and she has been very well taken care of. So, here's what I'm selling:

• Canon Rebel XSI 12.2 mp DSLR
• Canon 18-55 mm EF-S lens
• usb cord
• RCA cable (to hook up to a tv)
• neck strap
• user manual/software
• 2 batteries & charger
• 2 HDSC memory cards(4 GB and 8 GB)
• Victorinox Swiss Army backpack
• USB memory card adapter
• ONE photography mentoring session(1-2 hours), models provided
• ONE photoshop mentoring session(1-2 hours) YOU MUST HAVE PHOTOSHOP:)

 This really is everything you need to get started if you are wanting to get into pro photography. This is a lot cheaper than if you were to try and buy all this stuff on your own. Plus I will teach you how to use the camera and how to take portraits.

$1000

Tell your friends and family and feel free to contact me with any questions. Thanks and have a great day!

*Note:This is a package deal, I'm not selling anything separate. Thanks!

{..Preview X3..}

I am a very very busy bee and have so many fun things in store..

Stay tuned..

{December Drawing}

This month’s drawing will be held on New Year’s Eve!

Entries are being accepted all month long!

You may enter multiple times by doing the following:

*join the group on facebook and leave a comment(1 point)

*become a follower of this blog and leave a comment(1 point)

*add the button to your blog and send me a link(1 point)

For each point your name will be dropped into “The Hat” and two names will be drawn at random and announced via facebook and the blog at 12:01 am January 1st 2010!!

The 1st place winner will receive a sweet gift certificate for a 1-2 hour photo session at any location within Cache, Box Elder, Salt Lake, Tooele, Utah, and the surrounding counties(as in, I will come to you!). Disk of appr. 40 high resolution edits will be included along with a password protected proofing gallery for 2 months!

The 2nd place winner will receive HALF off any session of their choice! Oh Snap!

So for those of you who missed out on last month's drawing, here's your chance to WIN!!

I love you all! xo

{Las Vegas..a preview}

Last weekend was amazing. Stay tuned..

{Lurking Strangers Winner}

I hope everyone's Black Friday was a safe one, I know I stayed safely hunched over my computer. It's time to announce the winner of the {completely random} drawing! I am always pleasantly surprised when people come out of the shadows, I get quite a variety of different people. Thank you so much to those of you who entered..keep entering my contests, the odds are you will win. Now on to the winner! (can I get a drumroll please?WHAT? No drumroll?)

The Winner is....

Katrina!

Congratulations! Email me with your details so I can send you out your certificate!

{Holiday Gift Certificates}

Give the gift of pictures this year with Holiday Gift Certificates.

Recipient will get a 1-2 hour session on location,complete with disk of appr. 30 images with print rights and an online proofing gallery for 2 months. Certificate can be mailed to you or directly to the recipient, beautifully gift wrapped.

$75

{gracias.merci.danke.mahalo}

In the spirit of today's celebration, I sit down and reflect on this past year...the trials, the mistakes, the highs, and the lows; I can't help but be humbled by the fact that I am extremely blessed. Blessed in my personal life but also very blessed in my business.

With that being said I just want to take a moment to say a great big THANK YOU to all of the people who have helped me along in this photography journey. I have been so privileged to have served 100 clients so far! This is a milestone for me personally, I never thought I would hit that number by my one year mark, but somehow I made it. Thank you to all of you friends and family who have supported me and encouraged me along the way, and even let me get away with taking HORRIBLE pictures of you at times. You are all saints....

....for believing in me and helping me to see my true potential..hiring me time and time again..

....for modeling for me on a whim a BAZILLION times and for watching Benjamin Button with me even though you hated it and wanted to die..

...for hours and hours on the phone talking about photography and dreams..being there for me during a big event in my business. the SUPPORT you give when most others would be competing

...for loving my work no matter what...

...for stalking my blog and not telling..hehe

...for pulling me back to my feet when I was overwhelmed and discouraged..

...for financial support through the beginning months..

and last..

..for mean, judgmental, or critical comments or emails, you only fuel my fire to achieve and make me so grateful for forgiveness and the opportunity to be better in everything I do..

You all know who you are. Happy Thanksgiving.

xoxo

Ashley Hawkes

{Can I keep them?}

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I love photographing family! These are my husband's brother's kids. Holy freaking cute.

And this is the little girl I would like to clone for myself. She's my favorite little person. (No offense to my own children of course haha)

I bribed her with my cell phone and she took off with it, made a few calls, booked me some clients....

This is Spencer. He's so full of it. Every time I see him I get a great big hug.

He does the BEST pirate impression.

One word. CURLS.

And these amazing people are responsible for all the above mentioned cuteness.

Thanks for a fun shoot!

Your gallery is ready:)

{strangers lurking in the shadows..come out, come out wherever you are!!}

There are a handful people that I KNOW of who regularly visit and comment on my blog. Bless you. But then there are those mysterious lurking strangers..I only know of them because once in a while I meet one and hear shy confessions of blog stalking;) You know who you are. Well, I want to know who my readers are!

I propose a contest. It's time for a contest.

Leave a comment on my blog and a link to your blog if you have one and I will enter your name into a drawing to be held on Black Friday. So leave your comment, go shopping, spend some dough, hell, spend ALL your money cuz you won't need any for this awesome deal.

If your name is drawn, you will recieve a gift certificate for one FREE photoshoot by me. Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift.

The redeemer of the certificate will receive:

• 1-2 hours on location
• disk of all edited images (approximately 25-35) with full print rights
• online proofing gallery for 2 months
• happiness

So, come on, what are you waiting for? All you gotta do is get over your social networking/comment leaving anxiety for one day. I know it's hard. But it will be so worth it!

No haters please:)

{OH SNAP!}

5 Reasons why

I.LOVE.THIS.FAMILY.

#1. um, hello? GORGEOUS.

#2. Style.

#3. Dimples!!!

#4. It. was. FREEZING!! Those little girls are TOUGH!

#5. They did whatever I asked. Yep, even the Dad.

You guys ROCK.

Can I say HOT MAMA?!? Shana knows how to work it. And Steve could just plain be a model too. GQ!

Thanks for a fun half hour you guys!! Hope you love your pictures!!