Carolyn Benik Photography, LLC, family child baby senior couple photographer Parker CO

Happy New Year!

2012-01-05T12:36:00.000-08:00

Hello again! Happy 2012 to you all! As we all slowly get back into the swing of things, I thought I'd finally post some images from my fall/winter holiday sessions. :) I held off so that people could send their holiday cards and have the pictures seen there first, versus online. So, here are a few small versions of my favorite shots, with some of my favorite families!

And the Winners Are....

2011-12-16T09:03:00.000-08:00

Good morning all! Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway, and to my wonderful vendors for donating!! Random.org picked my winners for me this morning!! :) Ready?

First up, remember how I said for every 20 entries I'd give away a mini-prize? The winner of the mini-prize was still kept in the drawing for the other prizes. Well we didn't quite get to 40, but I did draw the mini-prize winner for the first 20.
Congratulations to Jenn Banks of Blissful Planet Photography! You win an adorable chalkboard speech bubble magnet and a 3-pack of chalkboard holiday ornaments/gift tags!

Next, the awesome prize pack from Wild Hearts Photography, Live Simply, and TLG Crafts is up for grabs.Congratulations to Sarah Kannenberg of Studio Sarah Photography!!

Finally, local winner of the free photo session - Congratulations Stephanie Adams!!!You win a 1-hour on-location session for up to 6 people, plus 10 digital images on disk!

Winners, you will be receiving an e-mail from me. Thank you again everyone, and Happy Holidays!

An Anniversary and a Giveaway!!

2011-11-30T16:01:00.001-08:00

Here it is, 2 years since I officially went into business, on November 30th, 2009. Time sure does fly! I'd like to thank all of my wonderful friends, family, and CLIENTS for your support these 2 years! I look forward to continuing to capture moments for you all!

In honor of my anniversary, I'm having a giveaway!! There are 2 parts to this giveaway:

First up, for one winner: local Denver metro area (even CO Springs) folks, or Boise area folks - Enter to win a free photo session with me! :) You will get a 1-hour session for up to 6 people, and 10 digital images with print release (over $300 Value). If it's a Boise winner, your time frame will be a bit limited to when I come to town. :)

For a second winner, a prize pack of a few of my favorite things!

First, one of my all time favorite designers of Photoshop Templates and actions, as well as awesome marketing materials and custom design services: Wild Hearts Photography. Not only does she create beautiful digital templates, pages, and backgrounds, Stacey at WHP is also an amazingly talented photographer! Be sure to visit her photography web site and WHP Design Shop to see all that she has to offer. A $25 gift certificate to her design shop is up for grabs here!

Wild Hearts Photography Facebook Page

Next up, Michele at Live Simply Designs has donated a $20 gift certificate! She has all kinds of photo blocks and ornaments - even a wooden photo matching game!

Her Etsy shop is closed for the holidays, but will open soon to take orders for 2012!! Remember my ridiculously awesome photo blocks that I got this year?

Those were from Live Simply! :) Check out the Live Simply Facebook page.

Oh, and one more thing - this photo below is of some amazing ornaments I had made by Live Simply, using digital papers from Wild Hearts Photography (above) - I adore them!!!

Finally, I have an exciting chalk talk package from TLG Crafts. In addition to super fun chalkboard magnets, wedding signs, photo props, wedding charms, etc., TLG Crafts also has journals, bookmarks, pendants, pins, scrapbooking supplies, and tons of other gift ideas!

The prize package from TLG Crafts contains:

2 different fun-shaped chalkboards with white borders (approx 8x10in)
1 fun-shaped chalkboard with a green border (approx 8x10in)
1 large chalkboard speech bubble - super fun photo prop!
1 white chalkboard marker (have you seen these things? They rock!)
1 spray bottle and eraser set for use with the chalkboard marker
1 super cool pendant necklace with a vintage camera on it

So, want to know how to win? As my 5-year-old says, 'It's easy-peasy!!'

To Enter:
1)Leave a comment on this blog post (click the link at the bottom left of the post, in the yellow box that says "# comments")- you must leave a name, and a way to contact you if you win!
IMPORTANT - TO ENTER TO WIN THE FREE PHOTOSHOOT WITH ME - please write "Local" in your comment! I will choose from the local (Denver metro or Boise metro) entries for that prize.
One entry per person.

2)PRETTY PLEASE - Like my Facebook page, and check out our vendors on Facebook and give 'em a "like"! This is not a requirement but a kind request, and would be greatly appreciated. :) Tell them Carolyn Benik Photography sent you!
Carolyn Benik Photography, LLC
Wild Hearts Photography
Live Simply Photo Blocks
TLG Crafts - No Facebook Page, but "favorite" them on Etsy if you have an account!

3)TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!! For every 20 entries we get, I will also draw another winner for a surprise bonus prize! At the bottom of this post there are buttons for sharing in several places, or you can reshare my posts on Facebook. :)

4)Wait to see if you've won! Entries will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. Mountain time on December 15th, 2011. On December 16th, I will draw one winner for the photo shoot from all local entries. I will draw one winner from all entries for the 'favorite things' prize package from our vendors. I will draw one winner for each additional prize for every 20 entries we get.

Thank you to our wonderful vendors for some great prizes. Thank you for all you do!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOT SPONSORED OR ENDORSED IN ANY WAY BY FACEBOOK.

Sweet Miss A - Parker, CO newborn baby child photographer

2011-05-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

This week I had the joy of photographing the new baby girl of one of my best friends. Baby A was such a sweet little angel, and very cooperative.

After the Rain

2011-05-19T19:47:00.000-07:00

Just some misc. macro shots around my yard after the rain today. I'm pretty sure if my neighbors saw me out in the front, crawling around and smooshing up next to trees and flowers, they probably think I'm crazy. :) I love the saturated colors this time of year, especially after a rainstorm. The darn wind gave me a heck of a time - hard to focus on a rain drop on a leaf if the leaf is blowing around. :) I wish I would have taken a comparison picture of the little spider to show you just how tiny he was! He was constantly moving too - you can that in his right front legs!

A Few Product Shots - Parker Colorado baby, family, child, senior, couple, relationship photographer

2011-04-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

This is just a quick post to showcase a couple of my product offerings. All prices are shown before sales tax.

First, one of my all-time best sellers is the 3x3 mini accordion album. These two-sided mini accordion albums contain 10 images, and have magnetic closures, so they are compact and won't come open in your purse or bag. They are available with a cloth cover in several colors (red, brown, black, pink, blue, cream; $36 for the first, $26 for additional copies), or a custom photo cover ($46 for the first, $36 for additional copies). A note on accordion album pricing - These albums ARE included in my print/product discounts, which are shown in the Pricing section of my web site, and change periodically.

Images of the accordion albums:
Cloth cover

Custom Photo Cover, also with custom photo layout inside

Both types

Now for the new products that I'm super excited about!! I'm now offering photo blocks, which I'm totally in love with. These are handcrafted individually, so each is unique. They make great desktop photos for the office, and unique grandparent and Mother's Day or Father's Day gifts! These distressed wood blocks come in several types:
Small (3.5x4in), single-sided distressed block $9
Small (3.5x4in), double-sided distressed block $14
Large (5.5x7.5in), single-sided distressed block $11
Large (5.5x7.5 in), double-sided distressed block $17
Newborn stats block set - small photo block with 2 decorative name and stats blocks for stacking - $17.50
Photo blocks are NOT INCLUDED in my print/product discounts. Small additional shipping fees may apply to photo blocks.

Images of the photo blocks:

All photo block samples

Large single-side block

Large double-side block

Newborn block set

Small single-side block

Small double-side block

Don't forget I also have regular and metallic prints in many sizes, as well as additional specialty products such as collages, canvases, and standout mounts upon request. You can also get photo magnets, keychains, and other novelty items if that interests you! Contact me for more details!

My sweet 5-year-old! Parker, Colorado child photographer

2011-04-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

This was a few weeks ago, but I'm finally getting a moment to post some shots of my sweet 5-year-old. Love her so much!! She was having WAY too much fun posing for me, so we got about a million pictures from our shoot. :)

Sweet Miss E! {Parker, Lone Tree, Denver, Colorado newborn photographer}

2011-03-24T21:48:00.000-07:00

Last week I got to meet sweet Miss E at her house, at only 5 days old! She was such an adorable and cooperative baby, and we all got nice and toasty keeping her warm and snuggly. You quickly forget how tiny newborns are, since they grow up in no time at all. It was so sweet to meet little E in her first days. Thank you R family for allowing me into your home!

I Heart Faces - "Innocent Wonder"

2011-01-23T14:15:00.000-08:00

When I saw that the theme for this week on I Heart Faces is "Innocent Wonder", I knew what picture I wanted to enter. This picture from August 2010 is in my top ten images I've ever taken. That's not only because of the amazed look of sheer joy on my little sweetie's face, but also because when we look at the picture, we get to use our imagination to 'see' what she sees on the end of the string.

I Heart Faces: Winter Wonderland

2011-01-17T07:25:00.000-08:00

This week's challenge at I Heart Faces is 'Winter Wonderland'. (Check out the site for more entries, or to add your own!)
Just last week my girls and I spent time having so much fun in the snow. I had a ridiculously hard time choosing, but finally decided on this one of my 20-month-old. She fell and got her face in the snow, and thought about crying for a moment, but then decided just to try to lick the snow. :) Her eyelashes kill me. I wish I had those!

I Heart Faces - Smiles!!

2011-01-11T14:05:00.000-08:00

This week's contest at I Heart Faces is "Smiles". I immediately thought of SO MANY photos taken over the past year, that I knew it would be tough to decide. So, I decided to limit myself to just 2011, which narrowed my choices, but that's good!! Here's my youngest daughter with her crazy static hair after playing around on the furniture. I love the smiles of young kiddos - they are genuinely happy and wear that on their faces, even with jelly on their faces and static in their hair!

I Heart Faces - Best Face of 2010

2011-01-04T06:59:00.000-08:00

As seems to be the case with most folks who posted in this challenge, I had a really tough time deciding. I had so many gorgeous faces from shoots, not to mention family and friends, but I finally settled on this shot of my own little girl, from some random outdoor playtime back in August. She was 15 months old at the time. I just love her look of sheer joy!!

Check out more fabulous faces of 2010, or post your own at http://www.iheartfaces.com/!

The R Family - Parker, CO family, child photographer

2010-11-04T07:43:00.000-07:00

Had a great time doing a quick shoot with the R family! Such an adorable group!!

P Family - Lakewood, Denver, Parker Colorado family and child photographer

2010-10-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

Tonight I had the pleasure of taking pictures of the children of a former co-worker! Her girls are beautiful and fun, with distinct personalities. I had such a great time shooting them, and catching up with their Mom! Here's a quick peek.

S Family - Parker Colorado Family and Child Photographer

2010-10-02T21:40:00.000-07:00

Finally a quick peek at a shoot I did a couple of weeks ago, just before we skipped town for DisneyWorld. Thanks for your patience, L! :) More to come soon!

Senior A - Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Colorado Senior Photographer

2010-09-05T21:14:00.000-07:00

This weekend I met up with A and his folks for a Saturday morning shoot in Castle Rock. Lots of fun and lots of great shots! Thanks for letting me capture these moments for you!

Miss K - 1 year old! - Parker, CO baby, child, family photographer

2010-08-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

After postponing for a day because of our crazy wind, we had a fun shoot for Miss K and her mom and dad. So sweet, and so active and full of life. She made me work to keep up with her. :)

Sweet Baby K - Parker, CO baby and child photographer

2010-08-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I met up with baby K and her mom and had some fun playing at Chatfield Botanic Gardens. Isn't she a cutie???

My Big Girl - Parker, CO child photographer

2010-08-16T10:58:00.000-07:00

My big 4 year old went off to Jr. Kindergarten today. She was so excited, and didn't really care when her dad and I left. And so it begins. :)

Fun with N! - Parker, Colorado senior photographer

2010-08-15T19:52:00.000-07:00

I had a blast last weekend with Miss N and her mom! Here are just a few of the shots we got.

Senior Product Samples - Parker, CO senior photographer

2010-08-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Just a few samples of some Sr. "411 cards" (front and back) and announcements/party invites I can make, for interested seniors. I have many more designs and some in my head that I haven't tried out yet.

MATCHING ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INVITATIONS CARDS AVAILABLE IN THESE DESIGNS AND OTHERS! Click the image to see it larger. You may want to zoom within your browser.

A Beautiful Summer Wedding - Parker, CO, family, couple, child photographer

2010-08-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we attended our friends' beautiful wedding. I was not "on duty" but had a blast and caught a few snapshots. Congrats guys! We love you!

Baby Boys! Parker, CO baby and child photographer

2010-08-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

Can you stand it? Love these little guys, sons of a close friend of mine. I don't get to see them very often, but this last time, I finally got some pictures in.

The C Family - Parker, CO family and child photographer

2010-08-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

The C family - aren't those kiddos gorgeous???

Miss M - Class of 2011! Parker, CO Senior photographer

2010-08-01T08:23:00.000-07:00

Had a super fun shoot with M recently. Thanks for letting me have some fun with our locations!

I Heart Faces - Purple! - Parker, Colorado child photographer

2010-07-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

This week on I Heart Faces, it's Purple week!! Here's one of my favorites of Alyssa in her purple butterfly dress. I actually got so many silly, cute, and sweet ones in this shoot, it was VERY hard to decide which one to use here. I decided to go with "sweet". I may be a little biased, being her Mom and all.

Head on over to I Heart Faces to check out other Purple entries, or submit your own!

The 'K' Family - Parker, Colorado, family and child photographer

2010-07-02T21:15:00.000-07:00

Here's the 'K' Family - minus Dad for some gift shots. Gorgeous aren't they?

Wedding Fun! - Parker, CO relationship, couple, family photographer

2010-06-28T15:33:00.000-07:00

My nephew got married a few weeks ago, and inbetween helping my husband chase our two little girls around, I took a few quick snapshots.
Congrats C and B!

P Family - Parker, Colorado family and child photographer

2010-06-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

Here's are a few of the P family with their 2 sweet girls!

I Heart Faces - Babies!

2010-06-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

This week's challenge on I Heart Faces is all about Babies! I'm sure there will be so many tiny adorable babies, and all the sweet babies you can think of. Part of the challenge description said "babies who still aren't taking their first steps", and that's our Ashlyn. She is just bordering on really being a kid, but refuses to take more than 1 or 2 steps. Really she prefers crawling - I think she just knows she can get from place to place faster by crawling. Tonight we were outside playing with sidewalk chalk, and she was just in a onesie. Even though she still crawls, if she has bare knees, she's taken to bear walking with her legs straight, and when I caught her coming up the driveway, I just had to giggle at this shot!

Check out more babies, or add your own, over on I Heart Faces

Baby C and Family - Littleton, Colorado baby and family photographer

2010-05-20T21:28:00.000-07:00

Met up (finally after 2 reschedules due to our lovely Denver thunderstorms) with Baby C and his mom and dad this evening and got some great shots! He was such a happy baby. Here's a sneak peek - can't wait to go through the rest!! :)

Sweet Baby T - Denver, Colorado newborn baby photographer

2010-05-11T20:07:00.000-07:00

This week I got to go to 11-day-old baby T's house and take some shots of him. He's a super sweet baby and I'm so grateful to be welcomed in to their home! Here's just a quick sneak peek.

My Sweet Baby Girl - Parker Colorado baby, child photographer

2010-05-04T14:35:00.000-07:00

The result of an 11-month-old and some sidewalk chalk. Thank goodness for bath time!

I Heart Faces - Collage Entry - Parker, Colorado Baby and Child Photographer

2010-04-19T12:38:00.000-07:00

For the collage theme on I Heart Faces this week, I pulled out this silly one of my baby girl Ashlyn playing with tissues. I love how babies can have so much fun with something so simple!

Head on over to http://www.iheartfaces.com/ to see more collages, or enter your own!

Sweet Miss 'E' - Parker, Colorado child photographer

2010-03-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

We snagged a few minutes of warm weather last week (with no snow on the ground!) to get a few shots of Miss E in her Easter outfit. Such a cutie! I couldn't resist posting the peekaboo series!

I Heart Faces - "Hands" entry - Parker, Colorado baby, child, family photographer

2010-02-23T14:28:00.000-08:00

This is when my youngest knew she loved diamonds...at 7 1/2 months old.

Check out more hand shots (or enter your own!) at
http://www.iheartfaces.com/!

'B' Family - Parker, Colorado maternity, pregnancy, child, family Photographer

2010-02-21T20:29:00.000-08:00

Baby 'E' will join the family in just a short time, with wonderful big brother 'D' to look after him! Such a cutie - I can't wait to meet his new little brother! Here's a tiny sneak peek from our session today. Thanks so much for letting me into your home M & C!

My Sweet Girls - Parker, Colorado, baby and child photographer

2010-02-20T18:29:00.000-08:00

Couldn't resist posting - here are a couple of shots of my two beautiful girls.

Maternity shoot sneak peek tomorrow!

Happy Valentine's Day! - Parker, Colorado, baby and child photographer

2010-02-14T14:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day from our family to yours!

The F Family - Parker, Colorado baby and family photographer

2010-01-31T15:28:00.000-08:00

Another little mini session for the holidays, this time with the F family. Even the dogs seem happy!

The K Family - Littleton, CO Family and Child Photographer

2010-01-31T15:13:00.000-08:00

Going back a couple of months, here's a holiday mini-shoot with the the K family, some of my favorite people in the whole world. I put a little "Seventies" spin on the shot with their dog Leo, just for fun.

P.S. Not only is the family gorgeous, but check out that Christmas tree! Puts my decorating to shame!

M&M - Parker, Colorado child and baby photographer

2010-01-31T14:59:00.000-08:00

Big M and Little M are such sweet sisters. So fun to watch them interact in their own back yard!

Little Man C - Parker, CO child and family photographer

2010-01-31T14:47:00.000-08:00

Had a great time shooting with little man C and his family! Look at those blue eyes!

J Family - Colorado family and relationship photographer

2010-01-31T12:37:00.000-08:00

I also got the joy of photographing this family on a recent trip to Idaho!

C & B - Colorado Engagement Photographer

2010-01-31T12:16:00.000-08:00

Aren't they so cute??? I got the pleasure of photographing C & B on a recent trip to Idaho.

Senior 'E' and her sister 'J' - Englewood, CO Senior and Family Photographer

2010-01-31T08:53:00.000-08:00

Shooting such gorgeous girls made my life easy!