Usually Sarah is the one to write the blogs, but today we’re doing something different.  I (Sam — a.k.a. the husband) have the honor of introducing the new look (and new tech) of sarahalstonphotography.com.

As many of you may know, we’ve had some problems with the website (personally I blame the developer — DANG!!! IT WAS MEEEE!)  After some recent issues regarding Internet Explorer users being unable to use our website, we have decided to switch over to Wordpress to handle the blog.

We’d also had a new design in mind for almost a year, and just didn’t have the time to redesign and fix many of the problems we had with the old site.  But when we had the issues with our old website, we decided to pull the trigger and move to a new platform and change our image (ha ha — get it, image… because we’re photographers).

This is good news for all of you.  The comment system is more robust, it will be easier to blog (meaning more content) and because of the flexibility of Wordpress, we will be able to add new features to the page much more easily (such as the new search feature to your right.)

Let us know what you think!

P.S. If a url or link that you expected to work isn’t, let me know and I’ll be happy to send you the new location! (You can also try the new search feature!)

This is baby Savannah at 3 weeks old. She was the PERFECT baby to photograph. We had such a blast!

This is baby Robert. He is only 6 lbs at 2 months! He was a preemie, only weighing 4 lbs. when he was born. Isn’t he precious?

And this is Luke. He is such a wonderful baby. He is three months old, and all he does is smile, smile, smile!

Of course, after we did the “studio” shoots, we got some adorable pictures in the typical “Sarah Alston Style”.

And finally, one of my fave shots from the day, because I’m a bad bad person:

I just had to! I saw a handful of chocolate covered raisins that my kids had left on the kitchen table, and I just had to! I know it’s gross, but, c’mon…it’s funny!

Sam and I were honored to take part in the annual Firefighter Stairclimb 2009 in Downtown Seattle’s Columbia tower.

Clad in full bunker gear and breathing apparatus, collectively weighing about 50 lbs., over 1,500 firefighters ranging in age from 18 to 63 sprint-climbed the 788 feet in vertical elevation (1,311 stairs / 69 stories) from the Fifth Avenue lobby to the 73rd floor observation deck of the 76-story Columbia Center.

The firefighters came from all over the US, as well as from New Zealand, Germany and Canada. They raised over $530,00 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

This year’s winner was Missoula Rural Fire’s Kory Burgess, with a record breaking climb of 10 minutes, 55.75 seconds.

For more information on the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb or to contribute to a local firefighter or firehouse participating in the climb, please visit www.FirefighterStairclimb.org

At the end of November I took a working trip to Chicago. I did about 7 photoshoots while I was there, got to see my brother and his family, and see my best friend. I came home with about 2,500 photos to edit, and I still haven’t finished them. I got a lot of fun shots that I can’t wait to work on whenever time allows!

The day after I got home, my best friend Jesse flew out to live with me for a little while until she sorts out her life. I have loved having her live with me, and she has become a part of our family. We ALWAYS have someone living with us, so this is nothing new, and I know it won’t be the last time, either!

The beginning of December I came down with a really bad cold that turned into a sinus infection and an ear infection. Man, did THAT suck…I had to be on 10 days of antibiotic that made my mouth taste like I had eaten hairspray. FOR 10 DAYS. Bleck….Still, I was just happy I could actually move my head again with out sinus pain!

On December 2, one of my best friends Lacey gave birth to her first baby boy. I was able to be the doula AND the birth photographer…my two passions rolled into one! She had an amazing labor, and little Brandon Luke is so cute I could squeal!

December 12th I was in a car accident. I was at a dark intersection, waiting for a pedestrian to cross the road so I could turn right when I was rear ended by a guy going about 30 mph. It shot me through the intersection and onto the sidewalk all four tires across the street. The guy didn’t ONCE come over to see if I was ok. Which I wasn’t. It gave me some pretty severe whiplash which made it nearly impossible for me to lift my head or arms for about a week. I had to cancel a bunch of photoshoots that week, but fortunately was able to reschedule. I’ve been getting chiropractic care and massages 3 days a week since. As nice as getting massages are, it sure it time consuming to have to do it 3 days a week! I’m doing SO much better, but I still feel twinges every now and again.

Because of the accident, I was without a car for about a week, which, for anyone that knows me, you know what a busy life I lead and how hard that was. I finally got a rental car….and then came the snow! We had record snow here in Washington, canceling school and snowing us in! As pretty as the snow is, I had STUFF TO DO! It didn’t help that we live on a huge hill, making it hard to get out of my driveway….

Of course, during all this, the Holiday Season is in full swing, so I’m trying to get a new car, heal my wounds, and still find time for getting my tree, Christmas shopping, decorating, etc. Managed to get all that done, thanks to Jesse, who basically was at my beck and call the whole time, bless her sweet heart. They finally deemed my car totaled, so the car hunt began. Got ourselves a new car out of the whole ordeal. The newest member of our family is a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder 4WD, fully loaded. Leather seats, heated seats, 6 cd changer, sunroof…I am so happy with it! We decided that the car is a Male, and we still have to name it. Any ideas would be helpful!

Christmas was a BLAST!!! Hectic, as usual. We had 15 people spend the night Christmas Eve. Did the present thing in the morning, and I made my fancy pants traditional Christmas Dinner. SO fun! I love this time of year!

My sinus infection has since returned after a SECOND dose of antibiotics. I’m probably going to have to go in for an x ray to see if there’s something more serious going on with my head (hold your jokes, I’ve heard them all already…)

Fortunately, my body has healed enough from the accident to do the photoshoots I had to reschedule. The business has been keeping me busy..I have about a photoshoot a week! I still have to book weddings for the summer, but most of my work lately have been portraits and boudoirs. I LOVE my job!!!

New Years was a TOTAL blast…Sam and I, Jesse and my friend Erin all went salsa dancing in Seattle! I got asked to dance by about 5 different VERY cute Latino guys! Good to know an old married woman like me has still got it goin’ on!!! We danced in the new year, and I got to be in the arms of my wonderful hubby.

Life will return to normal on Monday when my kids return to school. (thank the good lord above!!!!) They’ve been out for 3 weeks now, and with everything else that has been going on, I’m VERY glad to get them back on a regular routine. Of course, we all know how “regular” things are at my house….

Hope you all had a great holiday season! Have a good 2009!!!!!

In the end, she did 8 photo shoots and captured more than 30GB of images. Yowza!

Unfortunately, due to her travel and some recent family business she’s plum worn out. But fear not, the editing of the pictures goes on, and soon we will have some cool new images on the website!

A quick reminder: if you wanted to get Christmas Cards done, you should probably get them ordered soon. It takes a week or so to edit, print, package, and then ship the photos.

Happy Thursday everyone!

The first 25 are free with any newborn photoshoot. After that they are $25.00 per package of 25.

Fall is officially here! Pumpkin Patches are in full swing, everyone is excited about Halloween, and the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg is in the air. The leaves are changing colors, and the air is crisp and clear. I LOVE this time of year…although I tend to get excited about EVERY season changing.

The Alston’s did our annual Pumpkin Patch trip. We scored some great pumpkins, got some FABULOUS corn on the cob, and, of course, Kettle Corn!!!!!

My friend Erin and her daughter Zoe came along, which was a blast, especially since Zoe thinks my daughter hung the moon. It was a fun day!

Arianna found her perfect pumpkin!

Asa was very excited about the little pumpkins!

…and Zoe was excited about her pumpkin too!!!!

Millions of pumpkins, pumpkins for me…..

A change is coming!!!!

If you’ve noticed funny glitches or that the website is down (and I know some of you have had problems accessing your proofs) it’s because we are in the middle of re-vamping the whole site. So be prepared for a whole new look and feel that more represents who we are! I mean, we are pretty darn cool, so shouldn’t our website be cool, too?

Also, still stay tuned for our holiday specials. I’ll have more info posted soon, but if you just can’t stand the suspense, shoot me an email or call me and I’ll let ya in on the inside information!

More to come soon!!!!

Sorry it’s not the best quality, but I wanted to get it up and running!

I can’t WAIT to do another one of these!!!!