Kathy, Anthony, Isabella, Lucca & Matteo

I had never met this family before photographing them. I never even saw pictures of them before photographing, so had no idea what to expect while waiting for them to arrive at their session location. Once they arrived and got out of their vehicle I was sooooo excited to get to photograph them - an incredibly gorgeous family!

The children were so well behaved and cooperated for some great photos. Kathy and Anthony are stunning people, who are even more beautiful from within. No wonder this family is so great!

We started bright and early in the morning - and I was super impressed and how awake and dressed up and groomed they all were. I am pretty sure I just rolled out of bed that morning!

Something I thought that was super cool was the fact that the hot air balloons from the Flag City Balloon Fest showed up. Not just one or two of the balloons but the ENTIRE arsenal. It was just pure luck. First of all, the balloons were supposed to start their flight an hour earlier (so we lucked out with timing). Second, you never know where the balloons are going to go because it is based on wind direction. The wind brought them right over us! Incredible! Since we were photographing on the river, we even got sweet reflections of the balloons in the photos!

Again, this was an incredible family from head to toe, inside and out. I am so glad they gave me the opportunity to photograph them!

Jessica & Her Babies!

These three little munchkins were complete hams! They knew just what to do when they saw the camera. They took direction sooo well. Like any kids, after the first few shots they kinda started doing their own thing...which was perfectly fine by me because those are some of my favorite images from this session!

We were all excited when we saw balloons crashing the shoot!! Perfect reason to schedule a photoshoot on the weekend of the Flag City Balloon Fest

As a reward for doing such good pictures, momma let them get in the water/fountain to play. I think this is where my absolute favorite photos happened!

My favorite from the entire session:

Their mom (yea, look at her - can you BELIEVE she has 3 kids?!) was so laid back. She loves these kids for who they are - she wasn't forcing them to smile or trying to take control of the session...she just let it flow, and the images turned out so natural and you can just "feel" how laid back the session was.

1st Ever Boudoir Session

Going into my first ever boudoir session I wasn't really sure how it was going to go. I did know that I had a gorgeous model with some incredible clothing and accessories, so I was super excited!

This was one of my favorite shoots to date. It was totally relaxed and beautiful.

Per the model's request, I am only showing headless images (that doesn't sounds right does it, lol!)...but regardless of not being able to see her head/face you can still see just how beautiful this woman is!

I look forward to the next opportunity I may have to create boudoir images - it was awesome!

Levenhagen Photography's Puptastic Contest! (in Memory of Dewy)

I am holding this contest in memory of my big cuddle bear, Dewy (the yellow husky/lab mix pup shown in the photo). Dewy was 12 years old when we had to let him go. He lived a fun, adventurous, loving, daring life. August 24th, 2011 was the day that we sent Dewy to doggy heaven. He was in a lot of pain and just wasn't living life how he used to and how he deserved to. He leaves behind his furry brother T.K. (10 years old), a little human sister and a little human brother along with myself and my husband. He was for sure a loved dog. Loved by MANY people and has touched so many lives.

For the last year or so, as Dewy slowly became weaker, I kept saying that I wanted to make sure I got a family picture with him before it was "too late". Well, the morning came that we knew we would be taking him to the vet and not bringing him home. I couldn't have kicked myself harder. I scooped my kids and T.K. out of bed and gathered everyone up for a quick photo. I am glad I at least had this opportunity; I would have been more upset with myself had Dewy left this world in a more sudden manner.

So I am holding this contest, in Dewy's honor, to celebrate man's (and woman's!) best friends. One lucky pup is going to win all of the items listed below (from some very generous sponsors!) including a mini-session with a free 5x7 portrait (and goody bag) from yours truly.

So here are the rules.

Complete these steps between September 8th - September 15th 2011

1. "LIKE" Levenhagen Photography along with every other vendor listed below. Although it's not a requirement, showing love and thanking the vendors for participating is a much appreciated gesture.
2. Upload a photo of your pooch(es) to my wall at Levenhagen Photography. Include his/her name, gender and age. Each person may upload only ONE image - but that image may include multiple pups.
3. Friend request me (Tiffany Levenhagen) so that I can monitor your activity and tag you in your submitted image. I will need to verify that you have completed all the steps and cannot do so unless you are a friend. Once the contest is complete and the winner has been finalized, you may remove me from your friend list!

Complete these steps between September 16th - September 30th 2011

1. Once your image has been moved into the contest album I will tag you on your photo. Share this contest on your wall by making the following status update: "I entered DEWY in a contest with Levenhagen Photography. Please go "LIKE" her page and vote for my photo (by commenting on my photo) in the "Puptastic Contest" album."
• Replace Dewy's name with your own pet's name
• My page name must be tagged by using the @ symbol before typing Levenhagen Photography
2. Votes are determined by the number of comments you have on your image. If a person votes more than once, their additional votes will be deleted. Persons may vote for more than one image.
3. Tagging the vendors below on your status updates is a great way to show appreciation and spread love to these generous vendors!

That's it! Pretty easy rules, right?!

And here are the vendors and prizes.

1. LEVENHAGEN PHOTOGRAPHY

One free 15-minute photography session for the winning dog(s) and complimentary 5x7 framed photo. The winner will also recieve a small prize bag of fun stuff for your pooch! *If you do not live in the Findlay, Ohio area or cannot travel to this area for your session, you can still submit your favorite photo of your pooch via email and I will have it printed and framed!

2. SWEET PUPPY TREATS

A goody basket filled with yummy treats for your pal!

3. HAPPY TAILS BARKERY

A bag of Peanut Butter Lover Treats and a Tuggin' Tail hemp rope!

4. DIAPER CAKES AND CARDS

$10 gift certificate to their store which can be used towards the purchase of a customized photo frame (like the one shown) or any other item in their shop! (Photo frame shown below retails for $20 - but will be reduced to $16 + shipping for the winner - if this is the item you choose to spend your gift certificate on!)

5. TAGS AND STUFF

Glitter Enamel Paw Pet ID Tag. I will engrave it with your essential information. Choose from the 3 colors shown pink, blue and purple. Available in small and regular.

6. GIRLY GLAM 4 ME

Doggie dress: chest measurements 19", length 10" probably best fit a dog 7-12 lbs

Bows: 3 bows made from 7/8" satin ribbon with embellishments measures 1.5" long all have show quality rubberbands; best for dogs with longer hair.  The small bow is made with 3/8" ribbon with attached rubber bands.

7. BARK ABOUT IT DESIGNS

Your choice of either a Halloween bandanna or a pick-up bag dispenser with your dog's name embroidered on either one!

8. BELLA'S PRISSY PUPPIE BOUTIQUE 

Handmade zebra print dress with hot pink tutu. 

The winner will be announced sometime during the first week of October. The photo session with me will be redeemable in November and will be subject to my availability.

Have fun competing!

Disclaimer: By entering this contest you acknowledge that Facebook is in no way responsible for this contest. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You are providing information to Levenhagen Photography and not to Facebook.


And the winner is...


HARLEY!

Harley blew the competition away with a whopping 131 votes! She is the winner of all the fabulous prizes listed above! Please contact levenhagen.tl@gmail.com with your address. I will notify all the vendors where to send the prizes!

If the prizes are not claimed by Sunday October 9th, the first runner-up will have the opportunity to claim the prize.

Thank you to all who participated!

Baby Girl's First Day of Preschool!

Today was my little love's first day of preschool. I never would have thought it would have been such an emotional experience!

It's time to accept that my baby isn't so much a baby anymore ::sniff sniff::

She was the most excited that I have seen her in a long time. She literally "popped" out of bed (after a great big stretch) and started her daily routine - with one little change - today she got to get her pictures taken all morning long while she prepared for her first day of school.

I was a tad bummed that it was cold and rainy - I had the cutest summery dress picked out for her to wear. However, I made the best of it and found some cute fall stuff in her "packed away for the summer" tote. Oh! And because it was raining, I got a few cute shots of her standing in the rain with the umbrella. I made a positive into the yucky situation!

So, we dropped her off...we stayed for a little bit but she didn't even notice we were there. She was way too busy playing and socializing. She told myself and my husband goodbye but didn't want to say bye to her brother. I can't blame her, she was way too busy!

Leaving was hard! I felt so emotional, but was able to hold back my tears.

After her 2 1/2 hour class we came to pick her up. The kids meet their parents in the gym but get a few minutes to blow some steam off first. My girl was so wound up for some reason. She was running around like a mad woman and even knocked a little boy down!

She didn't really tell us too much about her first day of school. She had a drawing in her backpack and a cute little grandparent's day craft that she made. Ohhh how I am going to love being a mommy to a preschooler - all the cute little things they she make and bring home!

So, for one more year I have my son, my "baby" as a non-preschooler. I think next year will be even harder as BOTH of my loves will be preschoolers. Ugh, let's not think about that.