because giving is an awesome spirit to uphold...

I have a strong belief in the power of art. It can be transformative, sustaining, inspirational...it can contain joy, hope, and vast amounts of love.
This is one of the reasons why I so enjoy making portraits for people, and one of the reasons why I'm giving you the chance to give a very special gift this year, to someone who deserves more than life is giving them right now.

Take this opportunity.

Nominate someone you know, who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would truly cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

I want to give them over $1000 worth of services and product, including a custom photography session, Aisling's Aristocracy Kit, a fine art print, and digital negatives.

And I'll help karma out, the person who nominates the winner will receive a free custom photography session and Aristocracy Kit as well. :)

Ready for action? Here are the rules:

* You can't nominate yourself!

* The nominee must be entirely incapable of purchasing these services themselves.

* Your nominee must live within the SW PA region.

* You must email me the full story at jen@aislingphoto.com. Tell me who you're nominating, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Include contact information for both you and your nominee.

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve, now let's share some heART!

Love & Thanks!
Jen

hallow, November!

I've been working on some new things you might be interested in :)

The first is that in addition to our wonderful Organic Vintage album, we now offer Verdurous Albums! Sized at 4x6, 5x7, 8x12, & 10x10. There's the Affect album, a lovely press printed number, The Admirer, & The Written album, which includes space for lots of script, and would make a beautiful memory album or guest book.
All are custom made, by hand, and include your choice of cover material.

In case you were unaware, I'm not only a friend of yours, I'm a friend of the earth, and of the animals too!

I've never offered leather bound albums on personal principle, which limits the options, so when I came across these "happy cow" man made materials I was pretty excited.

Here are the "happy cow" colors you can choose on the Verdurous Albums:


There are also some awesome silk brocades to choose from, all responsibly resourced.


Besides the albums, I'm still diligently searching for a studio space that fits. I'm picky, but may have found something that works...just a bit of a waiting game for now.

Also, I'm making some progress on a series of texture images that I hope to make available to purchase sometime in the next few months, and getting my fill of apple cider w/ cinnamon...


...what have you been up to?

Class of 2011

Introducing...Rona! Aisling's newest senior representative for the class of 2011.

Rona's pretty awesome, she's got a fantastic personality, style, & energy. I enjoyed the shoot we did thoroughly, and hearing about her "magic window"...the one place in her house that always has great natural light for photos. Gotta love a girl who appreciates that!

Here are some shots from the playground...you'll be seeing more of her to come :)

Alexis Tyler

Here's a slideshow of newborn little Alexis Tyler.

I was talking with her parents, about how her ring finger is longer than her middle finger, and said I'd have to see if it means anything for her future...research shows that she's inclined to excel at sports and be wealthy. Go Alexis! ;)

Congrats to Paul & Brittany on their adorable future wealthy athlete!

IOGA golf benefit

This year, my sister and I once again had the honor of photographing a benefit for IOGA at the Latrobe Country Club.

IOGA is an international, voluntary, non-profit organization, dedicated to promoting early detection, preventing neurological damage and rehabilitation to those affected by Glutaric Acidemia Type 1 (GA1) and other neurological and metabolical diseases.

IOGA was founded in 1995, by Mike Metil and Cay Welch. Their son, Michael, was diagnosed when he was almost a year old and he became very ill. The disorder rendered him completely disabled.  Michael passed away this year, and as I read through each of his obituaries, tears welled in my eyes, but not completely of sadness. Much was for the awesomeness that Michael lived, traveled, saw things, experienced things many able bodied people I know have never done. His parents are just awe inspiring people, who I don't think ever took him for granted. They turned their son's hardship into an opportunity to seek change.

This year, when Mike spoke before the golfers began, he told them that later, they would witness nothing short of a miracle. He was absolutely right. I was amazed as they introduced an adorable little boy who had the exact same diagnosis as Michael. He stood up on a chair beside his dad, shyly at first, then, as his dad spoke, he decided he also wanted a turn with the microphone.

"I have a soccer game tomorrow!" he proudly announced with enthusiasm.

Everyone applauded. How could they not? He was standing, walking, talking, and completely able to play soccer. Because of the efforts of the research that everyone was there to raise money for. Because of the efforts of IOGA to screen newborns. This child was standing there in testament to the purpose that filled Michael and his parents, and the people they've worked with.

Here are a few photos from last year's benefit:

Cay, Michael, and his aide & teacher

Mike with his son, speaking at dinner.

For all of those who participated in the invitational, your group photos that you ordered will be on their way shortly. Anyone wishing to view or purchase other images from this year or last year's benefit, please visit the Aisling website, www.aislingphoto.com, and under the clients section, enter the code golf09. Just as the prints we took orders for at the benefit, a portion of  the cost will be donated to IOGA.


Oh, and of course, I have to include the shot of the lucky group who got to meet Arnold Palmer ;)

Catastrophe!

No worries! It's just the name of one of my very mischievous cats. He decided it was his turn to be photographed while the baby was getting a change. The poor guy was clearly attention starved. Typically, when I want to photograph my cats, they want nothing to do with me!

Tove's slideshow

I had quite an enjoyable time photographing Tove, with her mom and family friend, aka, the stylist. She needed head shots taken, so we did that, and more...she's got her own awesome dance studio that we shot in, but it was also a blast getting her in her pointe shoes on the golf course! Here's a slideshow of some of the images we shot outdoors...



Thanks, Tove! I hope we get to photograph you in those vintage dresses sometime soon ;)