When It All Comes Together: Asheville Family Photographer, Sonya Stone

Ok, here's a first...I'm going to tell you that I am actually having fun editing this session. Editing is my least favorite part of my business. I love being on location, getting to know my clients and really bringing out their beauty in a photograph they will treasure for years. That's the stuff for me! Editing can be cool, don't get me wrong, but I start to feel it's tedious. But this session...it is different. (Hallelujah!)

Our session was relaxed and fun and now as I go through these photographs, I am smiling. Everyone looks great, the colors are amazing and I am reminded why I love my job. I had a hard time narrowing down which ones to post here. Look at these sweet kiddos! This may come as a surprise to you, but I love kids! (no, really? I don't think you can cross the threshold into having four kids without this criteria!) I love photographing children...they are so genuine, so open. And I especially love it when they have great parents who help make our time together easy!

So all the criteria for an awesome session were meet with this family! Thank you guys!! Enjoy your preview.

Family Together: Asheville Family Photographer, Sonya Stone

In this tech savvy world we live in with all it's social networking and skype and cell phones and email, there is still nothing that compares to being with the people you love in person. I appreciate seeing families together and even more...being asked to photograph them. Because truly the medium that has stood the test of time is the photograph. I can pick up an album from my childhood or from the last visit and bring back memories and emotions and remember what is most important in life.
So go tell your family you love them and by all means, when you have the chance, take photographs!







Our mini sessions are all set (and booked up!) to go tomorrow. I can't wait. And if you are still interested, the minis for Friday, Oct. 21 still have one opening!! These are limited offerings, only twice per year! A quick, easy & fun way to update your portraits just in time for the holidays with special packages with gift giving and cards in mind. Send me a note here or on Facebook if you are interested!

Full Bloom: Asheville Family Photographer, Sonya Stone

As a storm rolled in across the mountains, we almost canceled this session. Thankfully, we decided to give it a shot and the weather held out. The result? Perfect timing for their blooming flowers and their blooming family! A sweet baby girl who just celebrated her first birthday and a gorgeous family. And when our session was graced with a beautiful butterfly who was content to hang out for a few photos, I wasn't complaining.

Don't miss Saturday!

Did you think you missed it? It's okay...you were on the fence...or you planned on calling but then you got busy...or maybe you weren't sure what a mini session was anyway! Well, I understand. And the good news is there is still a small window, I am here to remind you, and I will explain this mini session deal right now!

This Saturday, May 21, I have three "mini" session slots available for my shoot at The Botanical Gardens of Asheville. Sessions are by appointment only and cost only $95.

Benefits of the minis...

1. Done in 30 minutes! Have you ever experienced a photo shoot where you find yourself standing around, wondering what to do for the photographer. Not going to happen with me! 30 minutes is a perfect time frame for a photo shoot with kids. And we will maximize that 30 minutes by moving, laughing, playing and we'll be DONE before the kids are frustrated and tired. You get to update your portraits quickly and it can be a fun part of your day with time left to do other things!

2. 12-15 Final Images Narrowed Down for YOU! Are you one of those parents who has thousands, I mean THOUSANDS, of images on your computer? Do you feel lost in knowing how to choose certain ones to print? I hear your pain. This is why I narrow down our time to the very best moments of the shoot. And I mix them up with both Color and BW toning.

3. Special print packages that are priced with exclusive deals for YOU, my mini session clients. You can check out the details here.



THREE TIME SLOTS left to CHOOSE FROM:

Saturday, May 21st, 10:15am-10:45am
Saturday, May 21st, 11:00am- 11:30am
Saturday, May 21st 5:00-5:30pm

Email me to pick your time slot! Once you are signed up, I will email you with details, like what to wear, what to bring, how to prepare, etc. Questions? Don’t hesitate to email me at sonya@sonyastone.com

Want more than 30 minutes?

With my Custom Portrait Packages I come to your home and spend about two hours with your family, documenting the many expressions of your family being in the place you love. Or you can choose a special location that fits your family.


Don't forget...I will GIFT one Spring Mini Session to a loyal fan along with the Mini Complete package! To win you must REFER! Send this info to everyone you know and encourage them to sign up for a mini session...when they do, they must tell me who referred them. And the fan with the most referrals in May will win a session to be scheduled in June! Your referrals must complete the session as scheduled to be counted.

Hurry, these are the last of the mini sessions until winter holidays! Let's go run through the fields, play in the creek and capture these incredible flowers that are blooming...Saturday's supposed to be gorgeous!

baby power: Asheville Newborn Photographer, Sonya Stone

there are no words to describe how amazing new babies are. and this little guy...talk about amazing. born at just 32 weeks, I photographed him the day after his original estimated due date. and look at him. a miracle, a testament to the power of spirit. he is loved so completely. it was a blessing to me to just be a witness to this family's love affair with this precious little person. he is brand new to this world but already he has come so far. and his parents could not be any sweeter...I mean LOOK at these guys. oh, melt my heart! how I wish everyone could have these kinds of photographs of their babies and their loves!

family love: Asheville Family Photographer Sonya Stone

I have a special place in my heart for this family...I have known them for years and Mom was actually at the birth of my twins! Needless to say, it was a joy to photograph them. Mom & Dad might not believe that as it did seem that the kids were extra spunky that day, but let me tell you, the sass that sends a parent over the edge, makes me giggle...at least when it's your kids and not mine! So we had fun jumping in the leaves and climbing in the creek, sliding down the hills and making silly faces. All the things you are supposed to do when you are a kid.

For everything there is a season: Asheville Family Photographer

...and a time for every purpose under Heaven. I love that this family has a sense of purpose and creativity with their Christmas card message. They vacationed in our lovely mountains and we caught the leaves at just the right time. And lucky for me, this adorable little baby's christening was in just a few weeks...

don't miss out on holiday sessions: Asheville Family Photographer Sonya Stone

Last year at this time, I had so many inquiries I had to turn people away. And I took clients who booked late and still needed photographs delivered in time for holilday gifts. The result? I was pressed for time and felt stressed squeezing in clients because...let's face it...I'm a people pleaser. I took pity on the poor souls who waited until Thanksgiving to have their Christmas card photos and gift prints done. And if I'm being totally honest, it's because I am one of those people who gets busy and forgets to look at a calendar to plan ahead so I have scrambled too. But after the dust settled on last year's holiday season, I vowed to not do that this year.

SO, if you have not yet booked your holiday session with me...your time is up! Well, almost! I am almost booked out for the remainder of the year but I have come up with a solution for my fellow procrastinators. I will host a limited number of mini sessions with guaranteed delivery by Christmas, and when those sessions are booked, that's it...I will clock out, turn off my phone, & stop answering emails. Ok, probably not all that, but that will officially be the close to our holiday sessions.

Let me tell you how this will work. The sessions will be scheduled during the first two weeks of November. For only a $95 session fee (a $55 savings), I will photograph your family in a "mini" session. We will spend roughly an hour getting the images you want for cards, gifts for your family members and keepsakes for yourself. I will provide 10-15 edited images for your review and you will order from a special "mini" holiday session pricelist, which is available exclusively for my holiday mini session clients. Customized packages with options for digital files and prints of all sizes at incredible prices.

Hurry, there are only a few sessions available and they will be booked on a first come, first serve basis! Contact me via my website, www.sonyastone.com, to book yours today.

some of my own: Asheville Children's Photographer Sonya Stone

it occurred to me recently that I haven't posted photographs of my own children in like a year and a half! so to get you up to speed on the "babies" and my big girls...I thought I would share a few recent shots.

cute X 2

is it because I have twins that I totally loved these little girls? no, more likely just the double dose of cuteness. i love that they are very different, each with a distinct personality and features. we were celebrating their second birthday with some exploring of the Biltmore.

one of my favorites: Asheville Photographer Sonya Stone

I had a great time shooting this family. not so great of a time editing because I just had such a hard time narrowing the images down! But this just happens to be one of my favorite images...ever.

I'm almost caught up. Just a few more sessions to post and then, I'll be on break for Christmas. Then I can post photos of all the craft projects I have taken on for presents. I'm trying to knit hats and gnomes, sew a play canopy, and needle felt mermaids. Holy cow...what was I thinking!?!? I finally got smart and arranged for one of my more talented friends to make the heavy baby for Sacred. It will be awesome when these are all done!