Once again this year, we’ll have a white-background studio set up at Stitch House.  Annissa and her wonderful team will again provide space as well as gorgeous, fun, funky, colorful hand-crafted props.  The session fee remains $75, which covers a 45-minute session.  As you can see from last year’s “Best of” slideshow below, these sessions are ideal for individual children and sibling groups.  (Moms and dads, you’re welcome to jump in for a few shots as well–but know that you’re going have to get down on the floor to do it!)  The images make great holiday gifts–prints for grandma, custom cards to the whole list, and maybe even a piece of art for your own walls (Merry Christmas to Mommies, too!).

Our dates this year are Friday, November 11 (remember, this is a school holiday!); Saturday, November 12; and Sunday, November 13.  You can RSVP directly to me (marie@zemlerwuphotography.com/617.290.3486) or at Stitch House (617.265.8013).  Last year, we did sell out!  Can’t wait to see so many families for our annual catch up, and hope to meet many more for the first time…

What are these Stitch House Dorchester sessions, you ask?  Well, Stitch House is an yarn and sewing shop here in Dorchester.  Owner Annissa George–entrepreneur, crafter, teacher, and mom to four–has a classroom space in the back where she regularly hosts knitting and sewing classes and/or throws fun parties.  But each November, give it an additional purpose.  We stack up the sewing tables, shift around the furniture, and install a portrait studio for a couple of days.  Simply add your adorable family–with or without additionally adorable hand-knit props courtesy of Stitch House–and you’ve got beautiful photos just in time for the holidays!

We use a clean, white background with soft, beautiful studio light–perfect for showing off children’s sparkling eyes and natural charm!  Sessions are 45 minutes long and typically result in about 25 proof images for each family to review.  The cost is just $75, which includes the first print in any size up to 11×14.

This year, Stitch House sessions will be a limited engagement–we’ve only got room for 15 families and do expect to sell out!  A $35 deposit holds your spot.  Our dates are Saturday, November 6; Sunday, November 7; and Thursday, November 11.

To sign up, get in touch with me via phone (617.290.3486) or email (marie@zemlerwuphotography.com).  Or visit Stitch House to see my in-store display; their staff can also get you on the list!

Family who join us will enjoy Land’s Sake Farm as our beautiful backdrop.  We’ll work in a lovely, natural light setting amid trees, hay bales, and pumpkins.  Hopefully, the fall colors will begin to show their glory just in time!  We encourage you to dress for the occasion—denim, boots, overalls, sweaters, or even Halloween costumes are ideal!  And, when you come out to the farm for your portrait, the Harvest Festival also includes storytelling by Doria Hughes, cider pressing, hayrides, and more.

All Harvest Fest Mini-Session fees are donated in full to the Land’s Sake farm, a wonderful nonprofit in Weston, Massachusetts that focuses on environmental education, sustainability, and community-building (they even have a program call rent-a-chicken, how great it that?!).  The suggested minimum donation is $25 for a 15-minute session or $40 for a 30-minute double session.  Shorter sessions can accommodate one child with parents or two siblings without parents; double sessions are appropriate if the family includes more than two children, and/or if parents and children plan to participate.

For more information or to sign up, contact me at 617.290.3486 or mzemlerwu@gmail.com.  Families who sign up in advance are guaranteed a specific session time.  If session times remain, they will be available during the Harvest Festival on a first-come, first-serve basis.

And, since the Zemler Wu household was (okay, is still…) officially in newborn mode, our family and friends all rallied to bring brunch fixing over to our place.  We didn’t cook or fix a darn thing.  How great is that?!  We did make special arrangements with the Easter Bunny for an egg hiding/hunt for all of the kids.  We had five kiddos, all under age three.  We’ve been fortunate to celebrate Easter over the past couple of years with the same set of friends, and this was the first time that the kids were REALLY into the search.  Each had a different technique.  Ryah was so excited, she just ran from room to room–occasionally picking up an egg, but mostly just bouncing around.  Jay opened each egg to see if the loot was good before adding it to the basket.  Mia claimed a small corner and rapidly collected more eggs than the rest.  Sonia, a brand-new walker, got one egg open and wandered around feeling very pleased about the whole thing.  As for Elliot, he just chilled out in the baby swing.  Next year, little buddy, next year!

With springtime wishes to all,  Marie