Weather Policy

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As I’m writing this, we have just gotten out of the wet April that seems to always hit the Central Illinois area 🙂 Spring has sprung in Bloomington-Normal & summer is peaking at us! My weather policy for Nomi Photography is the same all year round & is pretty simple!

Because I am using a camera to take your pictures & that camera & the lens on it are pretty expensive if there is rain happening during a session, I have to reschedule. As frustrating as that is, we can’t have a wet camera because then that means a broken camera! And we don’t want wet clients either 😉

Policy for a Session
Amazing Client schedules exciting, fun session with me. (We talk over the weather policy in your consultation.)
I watch weather like a hawk all the way up until the session with Amazing Client.
I see that it looks like it’s going to rain & I call client an no less then 1-2 hours before session & we chat about what to do.

Policy for Mini Sessions
I schedule Mini Sessions on Saturday’s & then use Sunday’s as my rainout/makeup day.

It’s that easy! I don’t work on Sunday’s. I don’t schedule sessions nor do I edit or answer emails. Sunday is my family day. Since I’m usually doing sessions on Saturday, Sunday’s are the only day that my little family can spend together. BUT I save Sunday’s for my sessions that get rained out & then use Sunday’s for the new day IF another time/day during the week doesn’t workout.

I will do sessions in light snow & wind even. I will reschedule an outdoor session if it it below 40 degrees. I will also reschedule if it is too hot.

I have a list of indoor locations that can be used in case of bad weather.

I hope this blog post helped you when it comes to weather change! Don’t let weather scare you! Being outdoors for a session is the BEST.THING. you could ever do for your family. Natural, outdoor light can NEVER be replaced by studio lighting. It’s just not the same.

And just for fun, all these pictures that are in this blog-post were taken on SUPER cloudy days! Pictures can still happen when it’s cloudy out! 🙂

Let’s do this! Email me at naomi@nomi-photography.com & we’ll schedule your session!!!

Mom & Me Minis 2017 Recap!

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Motherhood is beautiful.
Motherhood is hard.
Motherhood is crazy.
Motherhood is fun!

Motherhood should be open, not closed. Too many times we don’t share our struggles or frustrations in motherhood. If only we would open up & thus receive help & grace from others.
Motherhood should be real & not fake. Too many times we cover up what’s really going on & only show “the highlights”. If only we would just realize how much beauty there is IN the process of learning & then walk away with a fuller heart.
Motherhood should be full of grace. Too many times we put ourselves down, call ourselves a “hot mess” & make sarcastic excuses. If only we would stop putting ourselves down & realize we are doing the best we can & that’s what matters.

And motherhood is fun! It really truly is.

I hope you see the beauty, crazy, fun, grace & realness of motherhood in these photos. Each image has so much emotion in them! I invite you to see for yourself…

I’ve used some lyrics from the song “Slow Down” by Nichole Nordeman. Feel free to click HERE for the song to be played as you drink in these images…

Here’s to you
Every missing tooth
Every bedtime story

Here’s to Barbie cars, light saber wars
Sleeping in on Sunday
Had to crawl
Before you walked
Before you ran

Before I knew it
You were teaching me
The only thing love can
Hold hands through it
When it’s scary, you’ve got me

Slow down
Won’t you stay here a minute more
I know you want to walk through the door
But it’s all too fast

Let’s make it last a little while
I pointed to the sky and now you wanna fly
I am your biggest fan
I hope you know I am
But do you think you can somehow
Slow down

I am your biggest fan
I hope you know I am
But do you think you can
Somehow
Slow down
Slow down

Johnson | Mom & Me Mini Session

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I’m ready for spring! I was going through my sessions from last year & realized I hadn’t yet blogged this sweet mom & me session of Cheree & her daughter! So sit back & enjoy some images with some bright greenery & help me count down the days to CONSTANT warm days!

These next four images just completely melt my heart!

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Making Our Family Activity List!

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A couple weeks ago I posted on my personal facebook & asked for suggestions of free or VERY cheap things to do as a family in the Bloomington-Normal area. I was blown.away but all the responses & wanted to figure out a way to keep the list! I did save it to my computer but these ideas are too good to not share so I decided to just throw them in a blog post & share them with you!

There may be spelling & grammar mistakes, so sorry about that! Feel free to share this post with friends 🙂

And you may be wondering why I would share this on my photography blog? Well, I think EACH of these activities would be AWESOME to do during a lifestyle photo session with me!!!!!! See what I did there? 😉 I wet your appetite & now you’re dreaming up all the awesome images we’d get! 😉 So check out this list, make your families summer bucket list & then contact me for me to hang along & we’ll have the most amazing session EVER!

I’m excited to share in the future what Eric, Elizabeth & I ended up doing!

I’m linking to a podcast & facebook live video that I think are just helpful in general for doing things as a family & on the cheap! Click HERE for one of my favorite podcasts & hear Shailey & Katie talk about some of their tips for getting out of the house- they’re funny & so down-to-earth! And click HERE for a facebook Live video that Bonnie Greiner of Mom by Example did that really encouraged me to not overbook ourselves this summer!

And if that wasn’t enough links 😉 here’s another one- THIS is the list I used with the kids I nanny. We took our favorites & put together our own Summer Bucket List. This is the PERFECT list to use or copy if you’re needing all your “adventures” to be at home & free.

Special thanks to Cheryl, Caroline, Krista, Katie, Lynne, Crystal, Annaliese, Miriam & Darla for all the awesome suggestions you made!!!!! This list greatly helped me!

Community Outdoor Activities

Walk around White Oak Lake

Fly Kites

Ice cream at Emacks in Uptown

Sugar Grove Nature Center

Normal Public Library

Third Sunday Market

Lincoln Balloon Fest

Uptown Jazz Festival

Loungeabout the Roundabout

Sugar Creek Arts Festival

Music at Mackinaw Winery

Miller Park Zoo

Glasener Beach (at Comlara Park) is also a fun little outing

The Replex in Leroy is $15 for the day pass for a family and they have a pool and splash pad as well as an indoor playroom.

Sugar Grove Nature Center has activities & neat classes when kids are a little older.

Another fun thing we did every summer is park judging. The kids made a “rating list” and a list of parks they wanted to try out. Throughout the summer we would visit, play and judge the park. There are so many great parks here. We found some new favorites in the process. And of course included some special snacks or a picnic lunch to make it fun!

Shakespeare at Ewing Manor is fun too…they have free shows during the day during the summer that are geared toward kiddos (10AM on Wednesday or 10AM on Saturday July 12–August 12)

We used to do a picnic lunch on Ewing Castle Lawn where they would have people dressed in period costumes. I think it used to be in late spring, they did it once a week for 3 or 4 weeks. I don’t know if they still do it or not.

We did movie night at the park, once a week at dark they show a movie. We’d bring a blanket and popcorn. They do that for about 5 to 6 weeks in the summer.

Free family Fun Day, May 6 12-2pm @ Tipton Park

Miller Park, Franklin Park & Wither’s Park have free summer concerts.

Connie Link Amphitheater has lots of free family events over the summer including professional story-tellers and magicians.

Toddler time at Anderson pool is always fun! And we enjoy the splash parks!

World Day of Play in Uptown Normal- check Normal website for date. Grandsons and I get list of parks in town and park hop and cross them off the list after the visits after their “reviews.”

Registration for Fun Run just came through my e-mail today, so that is another one that I would definitely add to the list. Great family program on Friday Nights. It is through the Lake Run Club – http://www.lakerunclub.org/get-involved/kids-run-for-fun/

Macaroni Kid has a list of events!

Do you have any other suggestions of things I should add to the list? Comment below & let me know!!! I’ll add it!

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Planning for Your Mini Session!

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YAY!!! First off, I am SO excited that you’ve signed up for a Mini Session! Your time slot is now reserved just for you & I can’t wait to hangout with you & your loved ones.

RAIN DAY Please remember that the Sunday AFTER your scheduled mini is our rain out date. You will get a phone call from me 2 hours before your scheduled session time if not before that if we need to reschedule.

PAYMENT I now have the ability for you to pay online- (insert all the praise hands!)! I will send all the invoices along with an online contract to sign later this week. Please make sure you sign the online contract. You can pay me online or in person with cash or check (make checks out to Naomi Wilcox NOT Nomi Photography).

WHAT TO WEAR The number one question I’m always asked regarding mini’s is “WHAT SHOULD I/WE WEAR?!” Now if you know me, you know my heart is to capture your smiles & personalities. What you wear is totally up to you! BUT I do have a few pointers to help guide you into making you & your family members feel as comfortable & awesome as possible! Because that’s what you are- awesome!

So here’s my quick tips:
1.) Don’t have your family wear all white.
2.) Don’t have your family wear all black.
3.) Because it’s full on fall, I don’t recommend having your family wear all brown because they’ll blend in with all the leaves 🙂
4.) Choose who the hardest person to figure out what they should wear is in the group is & figure out their outfit first-even if it’s you!. Then dress everyone else around that person.
5.) Rule of thumb, if one parent is wearing a pattern, have the other wear solid. After that feel free to mix patterns & solids however you’d like! I do recommend not having two very bold plaids. One bold & one light plaid is fine however.
6.) It could be a bit chilly so feel free to layer underneath your clothes (like leggings under pants or tank tops under shirts, denim jackets). Layers won’t show up in the pictures but they’ll keep you warm 😉
7.) If you’re curious about mixing patterns & solids & such I’ve linked this email to some sessions I’ve had in the past to give you inspiration. So here’s ONE, and ANOTHER, ANOTHER, & ANOTHER 😉 & THIS LINK is from my past mini’s & all of these families did an awesome job coordinating. Remember, I want your family to be themselves so wear clothes that you are able to have fun & let your amazing-ness shine through!!!
8.) OLD NAVY IS A LIFESAVER! If you’re going to purchase new clothes, Old Navy is your one stop shop for your family. They always make their clothes in both genders in the same color families & oftentimes the same patterns (like especially for moms & little girls). You can check out their Family Outfits page HERE (scroll past the pajamas 😉 ) & you’ll get lots of suggestions! Plus you can have it all delivered to your door 😉

OK! That’s about it for now but I’ll be in touch!!! Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have ANY questions! Talk to you soon!

Naomi Wilcox
Nomi Photography

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Zack | Class of 2017 Senior Session

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Meet Zack 🙂 Class of 2017 & someone I’ve watched over the past 8 1/2 years become the amazing young man he is. Zack’s passion is music & he’s super involved with playing his guitar at our church, on the adult & youth worship teams. He’s competed in the Fine Arts Festival program & is pretty excited about being Snoopy in Calvary’s “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”. He’s a busy guy & that’s just the few of the many things I know he does!

I was so excited about incorporating Zack’s love of music in his session. The urban setting we chose fit so perfectly for this part of the shoot!

Walking around Uptown Normal, Zack & I talked about his upcoming senior trip to Florida that he’s pretty excited, play practice & how cold it was outside 😉

I remember watching Zack in Junior High youth group when I was a youth leader & now I get to see him use his talents on Sunday mornings as he leads our church family in worship. Crazy how time has flown 🙂

This is one of my personal favorites!

Favorite right here!

Zack, I’m so proud of you. You’ve made choices that honored the Lord & I know He’s leading you in the steps you take & the decisions you make. You are loved by so many & we’re ALL so excited to see where the years & roads take you on. Just keep your eyes on our Savior & you’ll always hear His voice.

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Family Mini’s for 2017!

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So what are these Family Mini Session all about? Well let me fill ya in friend 😉 Basically together with your family we’ll laugh, play & hug while I snap away on my camera to deliver you images you’ll reflect back on in years to come.

Here’s the quick info list for my Family Mini’s this year!

Saturday, June 3 (rain day is Sunday, June 4)
15 minute interactive mini photo session
Each session is $100.00 & covers 6 total people. (After 6q individuals, there is a $10.00 cost per additional person.)
You will receive a few images from your session via your email as a preview. The remaining images & a print release will be delivered to you later via an online gallery where you can download them & print them wherever you choose.
Location will be outdoors in Bloomington-Normal

(If you’re not exactly sure what a Mini Session with Nomi Photography consists of or want to check out the most frequently asked questions regarding my mini’s, read HERE.)

Spots are limited! Save your session HERE. I am not offering Family Mini’s again until this fall so get your spot now!!! Later you’ll receive an email from me with the location of our mini sessions & other details. Email me at naomi@nomi-photography.com with any questions you may have! I’m looking forward to hanging out with your family!!!

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Mom & Me Mini Sessions in 2017!

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Together with your littles, we’ll laugh, play & hug while I snap away on my camera to deliver you images you’ll reflect back on in years to come. When you’ve had a day that you’re just about to loose it, on the day they’re walking away from you into their Kindergarten class for the first time or to their first prom-these, THESE are the images that will remind you that motherhood is more then worth it.

Here’s the quick info list about Mom & Mini’s this year!

Saturday, May 6 (rain day is Sunday, May 7)
20 minute interactive mini photo session
Each session is $85.00 & covers 6 total people. (After 6q individuals, there is a $10.00 cost per additional person.)
You will receive a few images from your session via your email beforehand just in time for Mother’s Day to view. The remaining images & a print release will be delivered to you later via an online gallery where you can download them & print them wherever you choose.
Location is TBA but I’m on the lookout for something with lots of FLOWERS!!!!

(If you’re not exactly sure what a Mini Session with Nomi Photography consists of or want to check out the most frequently asked questions regarding my mini’s, read HERE.)

Spots are limited! Save your session for a Mom & Me Mini HERE. Later you’ll receive an email from me with the location of our mini sessions & other details. Email me at naomi@nomi-photography.com with any questions you may have!

Mom, you’re valuable. Not just because you drive everyone here & there & know JUST what to do to get your precious girl to sleep. Not just because you make weekends magical & trips to the library so fun. And certainly not just because you give THE.BEST.HUGS & know exactly what to do when the tears are falling,

It’s because you give of yourself ALL.THE.TIME. Usually without thanks. You love until it hurts. And then keep on loving some more. And frankly, we couldn’t do life without you. Mom, YOU ARE LOVED. More then you know.

And frankly, I can’t wait to get you & your children behind my camera & remember every moment & memory. BEST.THING.EVER.

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Mini Session Schedule for 2017!

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Oh friends, it’s time! IT’S TIME! It’s time to share my dates for the mini photography sessions that I will be offering in 2017!

2017 Mini Session Dates

Mom & Me – May 6

Family Mini’s – June 3 (spots will be limited)

Back-to-School Mini’s for Homeschoolers – August TBA

Fall Family Mini’s – October 20, 21 & November 4

*All of these dates are subject to change

Click HERE to see some of my favorite images from my Fall 2016 I had!

Mini Sessions are offered on a first come, first serve basis & the best way to make sure you’re able to reserve one when they’re released is by joining my e-newsletter! Just click HERE to signup if you haven’t joined the e-newsletter list yet! (And once you join, you’ll receive a copy of my 5 Tips for Taking Better Smartphone Photos” as a thank you gift from me!) I’ll be using an online sign-up system again this year that will make life a lot easier for many of us!

I only offer these at specific times of the year & they are usually only 20 minutes total at max! If you’re wanting individual portraits of your children or multiple wardrobe changes, a full session would be a better option for you!

If you’re not quite sure what a mini session is or if it fits your specific needs, I’ve written a blog post that’s HERE that you can read ALL the details about them 🙂

So get these dates on your calendars, planners, iCal’s & watch your emails for when signups are available for each individual mini sessions as we get closer to their dates! Please, please, feel free to email me with any questions! I CAN’T WAIT!!!

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What is a Mini Session with Naomi Elizabeth Photography?

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If you’ve seen the words “mini sessions” & aren’t quite certain what exactly a “mini session” is, this is the perfect blog post for you to read! (Or if reading isn’t your thing & you’d rather “listen/watch” HERE’S a video I did explaining the differences!)

I do mini sessions because I believe in relationships. I believe in capturing the special relationships that are in our lives & mini sessions are the perfect way to do that in a short amount of time! Several times a year I offer “mini photography sessions” which I often just shorten to “mini sessions” 🙂 Hey, it’s easier to say right? But what exactly IS a MINI SESSION you might ask? Well, let me answer that question for you!

Mini Sessions are:

On set dates through-out the year that I prearrange at the beginning of each photography season. (Feel free to email me at naomi@naomielizabethphotograph.com for this year’s current Mini Session Dates!)
Set at a discounted price from a regular session for the following reasons:
- Package includes:
  - Usually 30-40 images (a smaller amount then a regular session)
  - Print Release for permission to print wherever you’d like
  - Online Gallery to download images to your own personal computer
  - High Resolution Images for printing use & Low Resolution Images for social media use are included
  - They are typically 20 minutes at most since I am scheduling mini sessions back to back with other families
At a set location that I’ve chosen

Mini Sessions are super fun! They’re interactive & fast paced! And if you’re wondering if it’s really possible to get good photo’s in such a small amount of time, IT REALLY IS! Feel free to search on my blog “Mini Sessions” & you’ll find tons of examples from past ones 🙂

And now here’s a few answers to the most frequently asked questions that I’m asked:

FAQ:

Are wardrobe changes allowed? Because of time, wardrobe changes aren’t feasible for mini sessions. If you’d like to change outfits, a regular session is just PERFECT for that!

Will we be able to get photo’s of our individual children at the mini session? With my regular sessions I always get individual photo’s of the children & those are some of my favorites! For mini sessions, because of the limited amount of time we have, I don’t do portraits of each child. I get multiples of each child by themselves in a regular session & you’ll have several poses in your finished gallery!

Are animals allowed? Again, because of time, bringing animals along would be better for a regular session so we’d have time to work with them & get all the photo’s we wanted!

We have more then 6 in our immediate family, can we do a mini session? YES! I do charge a small amount for every person after 6 people but more then 6 are fine! If you are wanting to do pictures with grandparents or other relatives, I’d love to discuss a Group Family Session! That would fit your needs much better.

Do you offer mini sessions on any other days but the ones you’ve set aside for the year? I do not. Mini Sessions are very special & I only offer them a few times a year! The best way to keep in the know for them is to signup for my enewsletter! E-Newsletter subscribers are always the first to find out when they are & how to signup!

How do I find out about when a mini session is being released for signup? Through my e-newsletter! I give my subscribers the first opportunity to signup & then after that I share on social media any spots that might be open. All of these are offered on a first come, first serve basis! Click HERE to signup & you’ll get a thank you gift in return in your inbox!

What type of mini sessions do you usually do? I choose my mini sessions around relationship connections. Typically I offer every year Mom & Me Mini’s, Family Mini’s in the spring or summer, Back-to-School Mini’s for Homeschoolers & Fall Fall Mini’s.

I hope that answers some of your questions & helps you decide if a Mini Session or Regular Session fits your needs! Please feel free to email me at naomi@naomielizabethphotography.com at anytime with ANY questions!!!

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