Happy New Year!!!  Wow!  What an amazing hear I had!  Oh sure, it started off with a doozy of a winter and an unplanned 2 month hiatus as I became a full-time nurse to Doug after his accident, but professionally, 2011 was my greatest year ever!  So I never got around to building my mobile websites, pulling all the garden weeds or sending out Christmas cards for that matter, but I won’t complain because for me, busy = blessed.   I had the privilege of meeting and/or working with dozens of families from all over Montana, the U.S. and from as far as Europe and have enjoyed making new photographer friends through Facebook.    To top it all off, our family celebrated the Grand Opening of my new boutique studio in Livingston in August to rave reviews, were featured in the Livingston Enterprise and in the Bozeman Chronicle’s B2B (Business to Business) Trade Journal (see page 2…the Comings and Goings section), and were also featured on The Savvy Photographer Blog, an inspiration blog for photographers with a world-wide following.

Decorating and outfitting the boutique studio was a 10 month long labor of love.  In between, I shot my first newborn and baby studio sessions ever, a handful of family reunions, and a bunch of family/child sessions mostly here at Sky Ranch.   I am so grateful to the people who invite me into their lives trusting me to photograph their most important family moments. I want to remind each and every one of you how beautiful you are…how special your connections are…what a gift to your family you are.  So, with a grateful heart, I created something especially for you…the first of hopefully many more, “Year in Review” videos.  Here, are a few of some of my favorite images from 2011…”The Year in Review”!!!

May God bless you and your families in the coming year!

xo,

Susann

I have so many other favorites, I decided the best way to share them all would be this cool HD video!  Enjoy!

Senior Spokesmodels also receive 2 accordion mini-books to show off to friends and one for mom to show off as well in addition to 50 Senior Rep cards to hand out to friends and classmates spreading the word about Susann Saarel Seniors.  Anyone referred to us by Sienna who books a senior session receives $100 off their session fee!  And in turn, Sienna earns $25 in print credit.  It’s a win win for everyone!  September is booked, but we still have openings for October!  Call us at (406) 222-9453 to schedule your session before the snow flies!  We offer you a choice of Country or Urban session, or a combo session!  Whatever best suits your individual style and personality!

The process began in October 2010 when we had been informed they had been nominated for participation in the program and we attended an informational meeting in Billings.  Sam and Larissa were excited about the opportunity and Doug and I at the incredible learning experience this would be for them.  In November, they were interviewed in Billings by the delegation leader, a Billings elementary school principal, having to bring along three letters of recommendation from past and present teachers.  About a week later, we learned they’d been accepted.   And that’s when the real work began…monthly meetings in Billings, online learning and quizzes to complete on each country’s art & history, geography, food & customs.  Journal projects.  A special presentation and report on any topic they will see or experience along their journey AND a community service project.

I must admit it was going to be a challenge for them to accomplish these tasks in addition to their regular schoolwork, ski racing season and music lessons during the best of circumstances.  And then the doozy of a winter hit which left us snowed in on numerous occasions, broke down our snowcat forcing us to call in bulldozers & front loaders to dig us out, all topped off by Doug’s accident and hospitalization.  Stress, major unexpected expenses, exhaustion.  When Larissa suggested that maybe they shouldn’t go on the trip this year, I wanted them to go all the more.  And we plodded on taking it one day at time.

This past Sunday was their last meeting in Billings where the students presented their final projects, before next month’s “Bon Voyage” party.  We made it!!!  We did it!!  I have tears in my eyes!  Now all they need to do is pack their bags and practice a few simple phrases in French, German and Italian!  We are so proud of our little ambassadors, the youngest in the group.  We were also especially proud of their concept and the amount of work they put into their Community Service Project to benefit the Stafford Animal Shelter in Livingston.  Here is the video they presented at Sunday’s meeting:

Their efforts impressed everyone at the meeting including the Stafford Shelter who blogged about the twins’ project here.  And finally, here’s a photo of them relieved after surviving their first-ever interview last November:

We also feature you on our website, blog and facebook page and your own You Tube video!  You’ll be FAMOUS!  Check out this video to see our past Spokesmodels…

Click here to learn more and here to apply. Hurry, the deadline is February 28th!

So, just to give you a little background on my journey as a photographer and the concept behind The Boutique Salon, I thought I’d share with you this little promo video I created…just a little sneak peek of what’s to come.

I’d love to see you at the Grand Opening…and remember, we’ll also be hosting a Matilda Jane Trunk show for the 3-day event (the trunk is already here and let me tell ya, the clothes are darling!). Again, here are the details:

WHEN:  Friday, April 16 from 6-8 pm and Saturday & Sunday from 11-3 pm

PLACE:  119-1/2 West Park, Livingston (just above the Mexican Restaurant)

Bring your friends!

We will be conducting informal interviews the first week of March and will announce our selections soon thereafter.  2011 Senior Spokesmodels will be featured on our website, blog and senior facebook page.  Prepare to be famous!

The DVD slideshow was a complement to the 10×10 Keepsake Album which came beautifully packaged in an Impression Case along with an 8×8 and a 5×5 mini-album.  Yep, Nina went all out…here are a few images of the finished albums…

Most of all… to be able to enjoy the slideshow and wonderful lay-flat Keepsake Albums in the middle of a cold Montana Winter while sitting by a warm toasty fire…now THAT’s what I call LUXURY!

Incredible…I know.  But seeing is believing, so in addition to posting these 3 new ultra-cool DVD slideshows on my senior site under ‘videos’,  I’m posting them here as well.  Check ‘em out…

Here’s Kailey and the ’67 Camaro:

Here’s Samantha:

and last but not least, here’s Mandi:

I know, I know…these are pretty hip and edgy.  Not to worry…for children and family photo sessions, the Designer DVD slideshows are not nearly as rock & roll, but for high school seniors…these ROCK!