Holidays....Ummm, Yay! | {ahp} | lacey/olympia area photographer |

I adore fall. The colors, the smell of apples, leaves blowing around, the festivals and pumpkin patches...I could go on and on. Simply said, it makes my heart warm! It is also the time of year that stores turn into Hallothankstmas! (Yes that is a lovely (completely made up) compound word rooting from Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.) You know what I mean...you walk into good ole Target to find Halloween hugging Christmas...with a pinch of Thanksgiving somewhere in between. It is almost too much for me to handle...who does not LOVE holidays!? As a child I could hardly contain myself when each holiday rolled around. As an adult...there are definitely differences. Instead of worrying about what waits for me under the tree, I now have to carefully budget and plan and create the gifts that those closest to me will cherish. In all of the hustle and the bustle...we lose the magic of the holidays and forget about what it means to truly bring simple JOY to others.

Holiday portraits and Christmas cards have lost their importance somewhere between childhood and now. We rely so heavily on sending e-cards and generic well-wishes on Facebook that we have forgotten about what it feels like to open a Christmas card with the faces of those whom you adore plastered upon it. After opening that card you feel a sprinkling of holiday spirit...and you happily hang it up for all to see. We now assume that everyone knows how we are doing and what our kids look like because Facebook is there to do the work for us.

With October slowly winding down, I wanted to stress the importance of getting those holiday photos done and ordering those cards. I don't care if you book with me or another photographer, have a friend snap a shot, or stick your camera on a tripod... just make it a point to get out there and do it! There is no replacement for that bit of holiday spirit that is delivered along with your cards. Not to mention that in a few years down the road, Facebook will not display your memories proudly on your wall.  The best part of this advice? You still have PLENTY of time before things get crazy...so get on it!

P.S. Those who are considering it but have not yet done so...if you book a holiday session with me between now and December 20th, I will give you the choice between a FREE 11x14 (a $45.00 value) or 25 holiday cards (up to a $50.00 value)!

The fine print:  This must be on a newly scheduled session and cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers.

{R} Family Session | Angie Hollenbeck Photography | Lacey/Olypmia Area Photographer |

This family is super special to me and I had a blast capturing these moments! It was the perfect night for a session and I think that these photos truly represent my style as a photographer...just saying that gives me the warm fuzzies inside! Here are just a few of my favorites! There were SO many to choose from.

{L} Couple Shoot Sneak Peek | Angie Hollenbeck Photography | Lacey/Olympia Child, Couple, & Family Photographer |

Last night was the perfect night for a couple's shoot! We spent some time out at beautiful Chamber's Bay and took advantage of all the cool spots that it has to offer. These two are super cute...and I think they compliment each other perfectly! As always, Mr. L was not nearly as excited to be there as his lovely wife, but he was a good sport none-the-less! Here is a sneak peek of the session!

{M} Family Sneak Peek | Angie Hollenbeck Photography | Lacey/Olympia Child, Couple, & Family Photographer |

Being a military spouse, I understand the importance of family photos, especially pre-deployment. I believe that photos tend to make us feel a bit more connected during the months apart. I was so excited that the {M Fam} trusted me with their precious family moments! I always realize going into a session that with multiple kiddos keep me on my toes, and these little busy bodies were no exception! We headed out to Priest Point Park in Olympia to take these shots...and the rain just missed us! Here are just a few of my favorites from the session. 

 I offer $50.00 off to families and couples facing a deployment as well as 10% off products. 

To schedule a pre-deployment session, please contact me at: angie@angiehollenbeckphotography.com

Sneak Peek! {S, T, & M}

Oh my goodness! So this evening I had the opportunity to photograph a fabulous little family that happens to live just a few doors down from me! I was excited going into the session because it was out in Rainier and on a horse farm...and I am a country bumpkin at heart! Little Miss M was full of life and oh my goodness how I love that red hair! Here are a few of my favorites!

HYPOCRITE | Angie Hollenbeck Photography| Lacey WA Photographer

 It is a few weeks before my senior year of high school. I have the world at my feet. I am a good student, I have great friends, and I am looking forward to getting the heck out of my small town frame of mind. The phone rings one Saturday (err Sunday?) morning and suddenly things start to spin. It was Liz (one of my close friends) and she tells me that a friend of ours has fallen out of the back of a pick-up truck and didn't make it. 

WHAM- my whole view on life suddenly changes.

  At first I experience anger, shock, confusion...the usual stuff. Then finally emerges the realization that life is short and in a blink of an eye everything can change. Panic sets in and I feel like I should hold everyone close to me and never let them go. These feelings last a few months until one day I get my "aha" moment and realize that I need to treat each day as a blessing and my new slogan becomes "each day comes but once in a lifetime". I vow to "live" more and have more fun...and yet somehow my slogan becomes a poison and indirectly starts to suffocate me. As a matter of fact, it wasn't until I was blessed with a new life (my first son) that the things that truly matter in life surfaced in my mind. I vowed to become a better person and treat each day (and person) as if they are a blessing.

Fast forward a few years (and a few more kids later). I look in the mirror and haven't a clue who is staring back at me. There was a time when I use to look in the mirror and think "eh, not too shabby". Well now I look in the mirror and feel like running for the hills. Simply said- I have a lack of self-confidence (sound familiar)? After three kids, I am pretty sure that happens to a lot of moms.I refuse to get in front of a camera or even go out and meet new people because I am ashamed of me.

So what does this have to do with photography?

Well I am a firm believer that you should know your photographer as more than a business person so this is just a step in that direction. Further more, I read a blog post by one of my photog idols (Rachel Brenke) and she mentioned getting outside of your comfort level. So that is exactly what I have been doing. My first instinct is to run and hide and hope that things will get better...that magically I will wake up one morning feeling confident and in control. Instead- I am taking a few magical steps.

 #1 was getting family photos done. Well, with a possible deployment in my family's future that was the push I needed. The sneak peek can be viewed at Barefoot Photography's blog HERE...and I am SO glad that we got them done.

 Next on my list- meet more people! I am forcing myself outside of my comfort zone for ME and for my business. 

Lastly, I am getting my butt up and working out. Its difficult when so much time is sitting in front of a computer editing and marketing and creating but that excuse can hit the road. I am on it and holding myself accountable. I will be a better mom, wife, photographer, and all around person because of it!

So- why a hypocrite?

I have told people left and right- take care of YOU and never ever let YOU be an excuse not to get family, boudoir, couple, (insert other occasion here) photos done. One day you will look back and regret it. And there it is...hypocrisy! 

So, here is your lesson for today- do not be like I was. Take control and do what you need to do to get past whatever it is keeping you from getting photos done. STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE. It will be worth it- I promise. We are not promised tomorrow. And promise yourself that you go out and get your family's photos done. I don't care if its me, another photographer, a family friend, or even a tripod...make an effort and get those photos done. They are sure to be cherished! 

P.S. Thanks Rachel for the added motivation.

Searching for a Boutique! | Angie Hollenbeck Photography | Lacey WA Photographer

Hey all! Happy Thursday! We are ALMOST to the weekend...whoo hoo! 

This week, I have been taking time to re-assess my goals and made some major changes to my shy little business and boy am I excited! 

One of my simple goals is to connect with a BOUTIQUE! There are SO many boutiques that have amazing, gorgeous products but simply lack the photos to match.

I want to partner up with a (small but legally established) boutique. So, if you would PLEASE get the word out and send any boutique owner's my way, I would appreciate that! 

I may even give a hefty discount to anyone that finds the boutique that wants to work with me.

angie@angiehollenbeckphotography.com

Thanks much!!