We did it! My Christmas 2021 blog is ready for your viewing pleasure. You are going to see some major changes from last year but I hope that you can get on board and get excited about them.  Let me give you a little backstory as to what’s been going on at home. 

Earlier this summer in May, we were asked to care for a four-month-old baby boy. He has been with us since then minus a few days he went to live somewhere else but then came back to us. Since then, we have gone through many hours of foster care training to become licensed. We have had multiple court hearings and weekly visits with his family. It has been a busy summer to say the least. Even though it’s been crazy hectic at times, we are thrilled to be giving this little babe so much love and helping that big beautiful brain of his develop! He’s seven months old now and he has brought us so much joy and happiness that we didn’t even realize we were missing in our lives. 

When I first got busy, my kids were a little bit older. When I went full-time, my son was four years old. Having a baby and trying to do all that I normally do has proven to be quite challenging this summer. I put a lot of thought and consideration into how much I’m going to be able to work, the hours I’ll be working and the days I’ll be working based on babysitters and my husband’s work schedule. I also have a photo editor lined up to help me through the holidays. All of these things contributed to the schedule and prices I chose. 

Since Santa isn’t happening this year, we are able to offer a lot more weekends and nights than normal. We have two rounds of different backdrops of in studio sessions, Oatmeal the blue truck dressed up for Christmas and backyard tree farm. See the descriptions below. Be sure to read carefully so you know when to book and what you’re actually booking.

I appreciate your patience, understanding and excitement this year especially. I hope to see you at the studio this fall!!!

Here are the options I am offering for the “2021 LG Holiday Season”.
Down below will be more details on each.

*New this year:

– “Backyard Tree Farm” Minis

*Oldies but goodies:

– “Oatmeal the Blue Truck” Minis *Dressed to the hills for the holidays!

– “Studio Christmas” Minis *With two rounds of beautiful new backdrops!

~ ~ “Backyard Tree Farm” Minis: LG Photography Studio Backyard, 2354
Old Post Rd, Coplay, PA 18037

Dates: Sat. 11/6, Sun. 11/7 & Sat. 11/13 *Rain date: Sun. 11/14, keep Sat 11/20 & Sun 11/21 open just in case

Time Frames: 9:00am-4:30pm

Price: $300 plus tax, $50 retainer due upon booking, balance paid via
invoice prior to session

Includes: 8 digital images, 20 minute session

BOOKING DATE: Sunday, August 22nd at 9:00pm *these will book the same
night as “Oatmeal” via our online scheduler booking link here:
bit.ly/LGStudioBooking2021

One of my favorite Christmas traditions at the studio is going to Kemmerer‘s Christmas tree farm. I have been using their farm exclusively since 2013. This year unfortunately I am not going to be using the farm simply because of the amount of time, energy and womanpower it takes. It’s at least two days of prep, it’s taking car seats out of my van, it’s stressing about the weather and battling the sun. I fully intend on being back at Kemmerer’s next year if they’ll have me but this year with our little baby needing a lot of attention, I had to do what’s best for us and that’s how I decided on backyard tree farm. I have a large tree farm backdrop, lots of artificial trees and the red velvet couch taking center stage, the snow machine will be in use making it look magical while you snuggle in the trees. Next we’ll move to the hot cocoa stand drop where we’ll “drink” some hot cocoa, throw snowballs and enjoy some different props. Then just like at the tree farm, I will have another set or two pulled for some fun portraits of the kids. 

I know my choice to not do the real tree farm this year will disappoint a lot of families who’ve been coming every year but I hope that the backyard for this year will be a nice alternative for your family this year! Plus, the snow machine is something I’ve always wanted to take to the farm and never could make it work! I have no doubt we will make some magic together with these!!!! 

~ ~ “Oatmeal the Blue Truck” Minis: LG Photography Studio Backyard,
2354 Old Post Rd, Coplay, PA 18037

Dates: Sun. 10/17 & Sat. 10/30 *Rain date: Sun. 10/31

Time Frames: 12:00pm-5:00pm

Price: $275 plus tax, $50 retainer due upon booking, balance paid via
invoice prior to session

Includes: 8 digital images, 10-15 minute session

BOOKING DATE: Sunday, August 22nd at 9:00pm *these will book the same
night as “Oatmeal” via our online scheduler booking link here:
bit.ly/LGStudioBooking2021

Oatmeal is back for 2021!!!! He’ll be decked out in some neutral Christmas colors so that whatever you choose to wear, you’ll coordinate beautifully. My snow machine will be there and helping to make some magic for your family as well! Oatmeal has quickly become everyone’s favorite session. Don’t wait to grab one. These sessions are 15 minutes and will be booked every 20 minutes to allow for sanitizing props in between sessions.

~ ~ “Studio Christmas” Minis: LG Photography Studio, 2354 Old Post Rd,
Coplay, PA 18037

ROUND ONE Dates: Oct. 12th-16th

ROUND TWO Dates: Nov. 1st-Nov. 4th & Nov. 8th-Nov. 9th

Time Frames: Various times in the daytime & evening

Price: $175 (1 backdrop)/$195 (2 backdrops)/$225 (3 backdrops) plus tax

$50 retainer due upon booking, balance paid the day of the session
(option to prepay if paying credit)

Includes: 5/7/10 digital images depending if you choose 1/2/3 backdrops

BOOKING DATE: Wednesday, August 25th at 9:00pm *these will book on
their own night through our online scheduler booking link here:
bit.ly/LGStudioBooking2021

 I am offering two different sets of backdrops this Christmas for in studio. First round includes an all white set large enough for families to stand. A bed set up which is going to be gorgeous if you want to change into pajamas or even just reading a book in your Christmas dresses and fancy clothes, jumping on the bed will be encouraged! And the third is a colorful candy drop that is geared towards kids but a family could sit and squeeze if you have your heart set on that. Keep in mind that the session is 20 minutes so if you’re changing clothes for a second drop, make sure it’s a quick switch. Be sure to book round one if you want these backdrops. Take note of the dates.

Round two of Christmas sessions in studio consist of the same bed set up as round one. The lighted archway with a couch or chair we’ll be moving in and out. And the plaid tent set which is a smaller drop and geared towards children. A family will not be able to stand on that drop. Be sure to choose round two of minis if you want these three backdrop choices. 

Now to answer a few questions you might have:

Question- What if I try to book on the booking night and don’t see any
spots left?

Answer- If you are on waiting before 9:00pm keep in mind you’ll need to refresh a lot to see the times right when they are released and click on right away. If you aren’t able to grab one, this year we will be doing a google form waitlist for holiday minis. After you log on at 9:00pm and are not able to find a session that works for you, go right to this google form to put your name on our waitlist. That link is here:

https://bit.ly/LGChristmasWaitlist2021

Once you get your name on the list and your preference on session type/availability, I would suggest going back to the online scheduler to continue refreshing the booking page, since if a session is clicked on but someone backs out of their time, it is held for 10 minutes and may then be re-released for booking within 10-20 minutes after 9:00pm. You may still be able to find one that opens back up to book a spot!
If this happens, you can email us to remove you from the waitlist.

Question- Do you have any new COVID-19 cleaning procedures?

Answer- I will be setting a timer so I don’t run over time and have enough time to spray and sanitize all props between sessions. I ask
for your help to make sure your kids are only touching the props from the sets you choose to be photographed in. We also ask that all indoor studio sessions bring sanitized shoes to be photographed in. At the end of every mini day, the studio will be deep sanitized and the floor will be mopped.

Question- Can I bring my parents, aunt, uncle etc to the session for photos? How about to watch the session?

Answer- All sessions are priced and booked per family/household, so please bring only your immediate family for photos. As much as we would love to have grandparents along to watch, with COVID-19 this year it’s best you don’t bring along anyone who won’t be photographed to reduce any added exposure.

However, if only children are being photographed (no parents) and only
one grownup is bringing them for the session, we are allowing for ONE HELPER to come along to help make things run smoothly (if needed). We know you’re all superhero parents but we also understand how hard it is to get multiple kids ready for pictures by yourself. We do ask anyone not being photographed must wear a mask the entire time while inside of the studio.

Question- Can I still book a cousins session for any of these holiday sessions?

Answer- These would have to be booked per request and best accommodating for the indoor Christmas Studio Minis. If this is
something you are requesting, please send us an email so we can help
you get set up for this.

Question- Can I book multiple types of sessions?

Answer- Yes! As long as you are able to get a spot for any session you choose, it’s yours!

Question- Can we bring our pet dog, cat, fish, hamster, rat, snake,
etc. to our session?

Answer- Dogs are allowed for backyard tree farm or the Oatmeal sessions, but not inside the studio due to allergies and cleaning.

Question- Is my retainer refundable or transferable to another session?

Answer- Unfortunately no, not unless I have enough time to fill your spot.

Question- What if my child wakes up sick on a session day?

Answer- Please cancel. We don’t want anyone getting sick, especially now. We will try our best to get you in another day if possible or for a different holiday session.

Question- Can we use gift certificates on holiday minis?

Answer- Yes, they can be used on any holiday mini this year.

Question- How will you be posting/sharing the booking links this year?
Will it be posted in one place or two and how will the link work?

Answer- We will always post the booking link to Facebook, website and newsletter, however this year the link is also posted above on this blog under the booking date for each session. The sessions will be released right when the clock strikes 9pm to the second.

***Revise the below info for any updates or report on hope chests last year, I will work on new sign up link for this year****

DONATIONS AND PAYING IT FORWARD OPPORTUNITIES.

Every year during the holidays, I like to help people pay it forward and give back to the community. Since the last three years were such a great success and we made such a huge impact, we’ve chosen to work
with The Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley again to make #HolidayHopeChests, which are needed now more than ever due to the pandemic. They’re wrapped shoe boxes filled with goodies and necessities for boys and girls ages 2-14. We pledged to donate 500 Holiday Hope Chest boxes again this year, but I definitely need your help. Each one you make, you have the chance at a $500 LG GIFT CERTIFICATE! We will be collecting these boxes at several drop off spots in the Lehigh Valley to make it more convenient for you. To make sure we have them split them evenly for the children receiving them,
we have created a sign up for you to pledge how many boxes and the age group/gender you will be making them for. You may sign up for multiple boxes!!!! We know that with all of us coming together, we can reach or
even exceed our goal of 500 boxes this year. Below is the link to pledge/sign up for boxes you wish to donate this year and it is active
now, so sign up before your preferred ages are filled!

Holiday Hope Chests 2021 Sign Up Link- https://bit.ly/LGHHC2021

I’m happy to report, we will continue to collect PB&J from now until forever! For every pair of peanut butter (or other types of nut butter) and jelly you bring to the studio, you will be entered into a drawing for a $20 gift card. I’ll do the drawing once a month during the busy season and once every other month during the winter months. This is an easy way to give back to local food banks in our area.

Link to Pay-It-Forward LG STYLE facebook group to stay in the loop
with our giving back opportunities!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/payitforwardlgstyle/

So that’s it for Christmas this year! I hope you’re as excited as I am!

Lastly, I have a new business Instagram @TheLGphoto !!!! For lots of my #LGBehindTheScenes pics and sneak peeks as I dive into this busy Christmas season… click the follow button. @logenerose and @theLGphoto are now active so be sure to tag along!

I know this is a lot of info so please let us know if you have questions. I’m thankful for each of you and I am soooooo excited to
see you!

Xo Lg