Master Gardening: Asheville Photographer, Sonya Stone

Here's a little sneak peek of a project I'm working on for the NC Mountain State Fair and a group of master gardeners. Special props to my on call models (aka, my children) and to Looking Glass Creamery (can you believe this garden they've got going? And the garden is secondary to the amazing cheese they make...yum!). All this is making me hungry!

Taking it to the Social Network: Asheville Photographer, Sonya Stone

I'm not sure exactly why I resisted this so. But I have finally come around to the current state of things and am hosting a Facebook page for my photography. Maybe it was because I wanted to have a personal page to keep some images just as snapshots...like the ones of my twins running down the street naked taken with my iphone. Both because I didn't want to be judged on these random everyday shots that are really just for giggles for my long distance family members & because I don't need DSS calling me up saying, "how come you let your kid run naked in the street?" Puh-leeze. They run in the street with or without clothes, how am I supposed to stop them?

Anyway, now I am a convert. I have opened up the pandora's box of Facebook giving me yet another place to share images and specials and connect with people who like me and who I like, which is really one of the biggest reasons I love my job SO much! Connection. Through the inquiry process, through the session, through the image, through the print...from you and your family to me to anyone who ever sees your beautiful photograph forever...ahhhhhh. yes. that is why I do what I do. Connection...it's magic.

Ok, so if you want to join me in the land of social networking, get on over to Facebook and like Sonya Stone -Asheville, NC Photographer...and it will warm my heart and inspire me to do some giveaway. Cause that's how it goes. I feel good that you like me/my work, and I get all mushy, gushy and think...I want to do something nice for all these sweet people.

And if you don't like Facebook or don't want to like me on Facebook, that's okay too. I'll still be blogging from time to time. Hope you had a happy start to your summer and I'll look forward to hearing from you soon!

A New Chapter: Asheville Portrait Photographer, Sonya Stone

Think back to the most transformative times in your life...the one where you crossed over from being a child to being an adult...a journey not a moment. Gradual but distinct. What a wonderful thing to document! Claire just graduated from college and is embarking on her next chapter in life. Her sweetness and grace showed so easily in this session; it really was a fun shoot even though we were melting from the heat! Congratulations, Claire!






Oh and for those of you who are keeping track, that is the same butterfly as in the last session I posted. I keep it on retainer. :)

Beautiful Mama: Asheville Maternity Photographer, Sonya Stone

Once in a while, I find someone who is as passionate about getting the right shot as I am. This expectant mom I have seen through three of her four pregnancies. And this time she was so brave. She was willing to climb into Cane Creek when it was about 40 degrees all in the name of beautiful photography! I love it! She was amazing, you would never guess that she was freezing by the look on her face. I think she looks stunning!
















And I promised a giveaway and the time has come! Be on the alert for a notice today on how you can enter for a fabulous prize!

baby fever: Asheville Baby Photographer Sonya Stone

Oh, the beauty of newborns...how I can I be expected to resist these cheeks? So soft and chubby! I think I am done having babies of my own but an occupational benefit/hazard is that I get to snuggle sweet babies. And when they look like this...

Lord, have mercy!

Also, you may have noticed the new and improved larger images on the blog. You may have also noticed that I'm picking up the steam again on blogging. These two things go hand in hand. I was not pleased with the small images on my blog so I was not motivated to get on here and post images. But now, bigger is better and it is boosting the bloggin' so let's celebrate! I'm going to be hosting a giveaway cause I'm excited and it's almost spring and life is good...so stay tuned.

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.

Coming of age: Asheville Senior Photographer Sonya Stone

I feel like I am sneaking a peek through a window. A window that on one side is the childhood and on the other, womanhood. This time, this once in a lifetime time, is so fleeeting and so exciting. All the opportunities ahead. All the lessons learned and yet to be learned. This is my amazingly beautiful sister and I am so proud of the woman she is becoming.

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!

baby blessings : Asheville Photographer Sonya Stone

I have some photos to share. Remember how I said every stage has something great that I love? Well, this baby is 9 months old here and unbelievably cute...learning to stand, mastering crawling...getting a tooth though he was such a trooper during the whole session. Baby W's baptism was the next day so we photographed him wearing his beautiful baptismal gown with his parents and grandparents. Then we loosened up and did some family portraits with a more casual feel. They're such a sweet family...it was great getting to know them.

one more of baby

I couldn't resist. I l-o-v-e this shot! Baby S is 3 weeks old here so a little older than a typical newborn photography session. Is it because I'm pregnant that I am totally enamored with babies lately??? ok, so maybe not just lately, which I guess means -no- I am just a sucker for these cute faces, pudgy legs and cheeks, soft skin and precious fingers and toes. Look out for when my baby arrives...I have a feeling this blog will be full of images of the next little Stone!