Madame Amour Boudoir | Momma-ville Monday's

Not much momma-ville about this post, BUT I do encourage mom's to take the time to invest in themselves.  Treating ourselves is nice and yes, even selfless every once in a while.  I mean, think about it, if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.  So, yes, ladies, invest in yourself and get yo sexy on!

This past weekend, I had my very first boudoir marathon! I booked some fabulous models, and together, we made magic in a sweet little hotel room in the heart of downtown Houston!  Although, it got a little crazy at times, I think we managed quite nicely. =]


Here's a sneak peek from the session.
I will have more up in the next 2-3 weeks.


Thanks again, ladies, for being so awesome!



www.MadameAmourBoudoir.com will launch something this week.

AS WELL as, ©DREAMTREE PHOTOGRAPHY!!!

Busy week, ahead!

PLUS, I have 2 amazing shoots this weekend! One, way out in the country, and one with THE sweetest one year old!

So, without further delay... Enjoy!

[[Clients, please feel free to tag yourselves and use these images on your profile. Please keep all images un-cropped with all watermark and copyright information intact. Thank you!]]

Huge love!
XoXo
-Casey <3

Here we go go!

GAH! I can't contain the excitement any longer! I wasn't planning on launching my new site along with my new price list until Sept. 1, 2010, but the heck with the new pricing- that can wait! Today, I officially purchased my brand new domain name!!

Here's how it went...


Me: *Anxiously typing away* Log In @ www.godaddy.com
Comp: "Search New Domain Name"
Me: *Typing* EEEKKK!! I can't wait to purchase it!!!! *Super giddy at this point*
Comp: Sorry, that domain name is already in use... here are some suggestions.
Me: =(
Me (2 seconds later): #$f(*@$ThhHHfOY@)$U@)HOFANWH*(@!!!!!!! WHAT?!?!?!?!!?!?
Me(5 seconds later): *mad, hard-core typing* Googles the domain thief!!!
Me (4 seconds later): Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!
Comp: *Repeat- "Here are some suggestions..."
Me (2 hours later): Chooses 3-4 suggestions, and e-mails them to the hubbster for input.
Me (3 minutes later): "Why in the heck hasn't he emailed me back??? What could possibly be more important this?!?!"
Me (2 seconds later): *Ring *Ring "Um BABE!! Did you get the email I JUST sent you??? HELLO!!!"'
Hubbster: "No...oh wait, yeah...let me check it out..."
Hubbster (2 seconds later): "Mmmk... I tried clicking on them, but they don't work.."
Me: *Thinks to myself* "OH. EM. GEE. BECKY!" *smh* "NOO, dummy!!! They aren't REAL, duh! ...Well, not yet anyway... Okay, this is what happened..." *Annoyingly Explains Story*
Me (2 minutes later): Sooo, which one should I choose???"
Hubbster: "Oh, I'm sorry, sweetie...that sucks...hmmm I like this one, and I kinda like this one, but what about this one..."
Me: "What?? I don't like that one, or that one, and yeah, I like that one..."
Hubbster: "So why exactly did you call me when you've already made a decision???"
Me: "Oh."
Hubbster: "Love you, bye!"
Me: *Glares at suggestions one more time.* *Contemplates buying out the thief's domain name* *Shakes head*
Me (10 very long minutes later): "OKAY. TIME TO PURCHASE!"



[[Moral of the story: Sometimes, I think hubby and I share a brain. *smh*]]


And then it happened. Just like that, I had a new domain name...my very own NEW domain name! (one that hopefully won't get confused with my "partner" photog business. (grrrrr!))

***drum roll please***


www.dreamtree-photography.com
(DON'T forget the dash!!!!!!!!!)
(and don't try and click on it...it will take you nowhere...yet.)



YEP! There ya go!!! I'm so excited to be sharing this with you guys!!
Now, let me tell you what this name means to me, and how exactly it came to be.

Once upon a time...
There was a fabulously fabulous photography student who needed to think of a name for her mini-just-starting-out-kinda-business. "Hmmm...", she thought to herself, "I don't understand why people make up crazy names for their photography businesses... I'm proud of my name! And I want people to KNOW who I am, and know those are my images; my precious work!" Last name, "Ayala", pressed fast-forward on that creative outlet program... Because my husband was/is my biggest fan, and biggest supporter, not including my new last name in my business brand was simply out of the question. However, me and my random brain still couldn't get over the fact that, "hmm...IF, for fun per say, I were to change my business name, what would it be?" And yep, just like that, it came to me...

DREAMTREE.

Now what this means to me...
the very essence of WHY I love photography in the first place. What inspires me in LIFE the absolute most? Love. I've been so blessed to experience unconditional love...the unconditional love HE created. I am His daughter...HIS princess. HE is my King. And thanks to Adam's rib, I am not only a (praying to be Proverbs 31) wife, but I am a mommy- the greatest role of a lifetime! A wife who has dreams of a fairytale ever-after. And, a mother who has endless dreams for her family...her growing family. And a princess, who's dreams are God's dreams. I go where He takes me. And there's one thing I can be sure of... (His) love will always find a way...will always branch out to new beginnings, and will always blossom into happily ever-afters. Just as I have these dreams, so do the rest of the world...children, couples, families...where ALL dreams are seeded, watered, and cared for with LOVE. And with this love, dreams are made, hoped for, and ultimately achieved.

This is DREAMTREE.
My dreamtree.
Your dreamtree.
Made with Love.
By Love.
For Love.



I hope you will join me on this new adventure!
I can't wait to work with each and every one of you...to be inspired by you!
These are the moments I dream of... capturing you, just as you are, in the midst of YOUR most precious dreams...and doing this all while simply living out my own dreams...

...Thank you all for your unfailing love and support.
Thank you for making my dreams come true. I can't express how much joy it brings me to be able to look through my lens, and document your most precious memories with just the click of a shutter. I am truly honored and undeniably blessed.
Thank you! <3>

________________________________________________________

btw. The "thief" really isn't a thief.
They were just brilliant enough to come up with the name before I was. =]

Change is always good.

Date to Remember: September 1, 2010.

I'm changing the name of my photography business.
Yes, you read right. No more, "Casey Ayala Photography".
Its actually a name that I've been thinking about for a while now... Won't be announcing it just yet. Still got some things to sort out and design. But yes, its officially happening, and I am so very-berry thrilled! And, yes, that means my current Facebook "Fan Page" will no longer be active. And yes that means that you are obligated to follow me onto my next "Fan Page". haha No, really, I'd greatly appreciate it if you did. =]

Alsoooo, I am now officially in partner with a professional printing lab!!!
I will be offering actual prints! And no, not Walmart or Walgreens' prints. Nothing against them, but well, their printers don't exactly do my images justice. The colors are muddy, and the sharpness makes me wanna whip out my hankie. I think you guys will be very pleased with the prints from this company! Along with prints, I will be offering other goodies such as greeting cards, press printed cards, albums, canvas, and mat boards! All which are custom designed on high quality paper and materials...paper and material that will LAST that is! =]


And last, but not least, I will be making pricing adjustments. New price list will go into play, September 1, 2010. So, if you're interested in booking your very own custom session at the current price, book BEFORE Wednesday, September 1, 2010. After this date, my current prices will be cest la vie, so don't delay! Book now to take advantage! =]


That's pretty much all for this week. I've been kinda MIA lately, and my brain has been scattered into a million different directions...so many new ideas, and so many new inspirations! I can't wait for everything to take flight!


I'll leave you with these images, tonight, which I took today...literally 5 min before a thunderstorm. lol Wish I could've taken more, but the lightning cracked so hard, I think I went deaf for a good 30 sec or so, so yes, I high tailed it back indoors where it was safe. NO shot is ever worth putting my life on the line. LOL (I know other photographers are shaking their head at that haha). Anywho, enjoy. =]

ilovepears. <3

Have a very BLESSED weekend!

XoXo
-Casey

Shake, Rattle, & Row (In THAT order.)

(Will get to the meaning of my title towards the end. lol)

In the words of Ms. Brit Brit, "...It's been a while".


*sigh Ahh, high school. Those were days, eh? Actually, I'm really quite glad high school is over, gone, and done with. Too drama for yo mama. Granted, I wish I could go back and do it "right". haha Kick them boys to the curb, brush up on the good ol' Espanol, and re-take that ugly math test over again. blahhh! Who am I kidding? High was def a period in my life I'd like to forget. haha (Except my 128lb body thankyouverymuch! lol) My favorite subject was dance...yes dance (and I guesss English). Good times! Good times!! Never will I forget those days! NEVAAR EVAAAR! I only wish I had dance for every class period!

Here's me way back in the day. (Feel free to laugh lol) Such a proud GRADUATE! Really, ready to move on with life, more than anything! haha Question: To represent each class (year), do they still make weird "gang" looking signs nowadays? LOL oh em gee. You wouldn't catch me "throwin up" nothing but a high-5. lol Loser. Funny when I think back to this time... I never would have pictured myself where I am, today... married to the love of my life with the most beautiful charismatic little princess evarrr! It's like that one question, "Where do you see yourself 5 or ten years from now?" ...I'm sure I'll have more to add a couple of years (or even weeks) down the road from now. Until then, it's wherever God takes me, and I KNOW it's gonna be sa-weeeet adventure! =]

[[Little 'ol Me. '04]]

Anywhooo-d-hooo! Here's a look at the past 3 sessions I've had the pleasure of capturing!


1st up! Miss Ashley! She's a senior at Foster, and is headed to college next year! Congrats, Ashley!! Wish you the best of luck!! Stay away from them boys, and stay put in those books, girl! lol I have "thing" for swimmers, cause I uses to be one. Why must swimmers always go unnoticed? If it weren't for Michael Phelps (and other foreign swimmers), we'd be a lost sport. So sad. Swimming IS a sport peeps! You try swimming a couple of laps with perfect form...not easy is it? lol (gah! with this heat, I'm so jealous of peeps with pools...more on that later.)

So we took Miss Ashley's pics in downtown Rosenberg. I used to live there, and well, to be frank, I hated it. I love small towns, but this one was just WAYY too small for me. Plus, I'm not a fan of driving the speed limit, much less UNDER the speed limit. lol I never would have pictured it being such an awesome photo locale! I liked to have died at how many potential spots there were! WEEHOO for little towns (and not living in them)! Ashley was such a GREAT sport! I mean, look at her! She sported her letterman jacket in the blazing Houston heat for crying out loud!! I would have thrown my hands up, and called it quits. I don't look pretty when I sweat. =( So KUDOS Ashley! You totally rocked your session!! Def had a great time working with you, and thanks again for putting up with me and my sisters. haha Congrats, again!!!

To check out more of Ashley's SEN10R Session, CLICK HERE!

[[Ashley. Senior '10]]

Anddd on to our next senior, who I give MAD props to! Hope, who was also chosen to be one of my "PREGALICIOUS" models! Her and her boyfriend (who is VERY well mannered might I add) are expecting a sweet baby boy, soon! I'm so excited for them, and even more for what their future holds! A huge congrats, Hope!! Very proud of your accomplishments this year! In a couple of months from now, your life is about to get 100x's better!!

At first, we scheduled Hope's session at the beach, but well I sometimes forget what its like to be prego (and I'd like to keep it that way lol), and being in direct heat for 2-3 hours would have put mama and baby in an uncomfortable situation. Lord knows I know what its like being prego in the smack dab middle of the cruel summer! NEVER AGAIN! I don't care how cute my tush looks in those shorts! NEVERRRRRRRR! For those ladies currently enduring this blistering heat, although it may not seem like it now, you'll get through! This, I promise!

Hope's boyfriend, Matt, has a gorgeoussss house, and the most perfect backyard evarrrr (with the most crystal clear swimming pool! I almost ditched them, and hit the pool! LOL), AND the cutest little barn that was just aching to be a nice little (big) prop! I was ecstatic! Hope's dress matched beautifully with everything!

Now, let's talk about Matt. Such a sweet boy. REALLY!! Back in his sandbox ages, he took a little stab at modeling, and well, I def think it did some good! I think its hilarious how the guys are more relaxed and more natural than the girls. LOL Ladies, what's up with that eh??? haha They're both so in love! Its so sweet to see! Young love. Hubby and I were there not too long ago, and although many had their doubts, to this day, we're still singing, "...looks like we've made it...look how far we've come my baby...." (Shout out to Shania, for writing this song! Heyyyyy girl!!!!!) Hope, you and Matt have the entire world at your feet! You have such a bright and bold future ahead of you! Live life with no regrets, only lessons learned... God will get you where you need to be, sweetie!

To check out more of Hope & Matt's "Pregalicious" Session, CLICK HERE!

[[Hope, Matt, & Baby.]]

And last, but certainly not least. My dearest friend, Connie. Let me tell you something about this chick, ladies and gents! *sings The Fray's, "I found God..." Last year was an extremely bumpy ride for me, but this woman, right here, quickly became my sistaaa from another mister, and that Mister is Mr. JC! Through the past year that Connie and I have known each other, she has so lovingly, so patiently, so undoubtedly helped me walk closer to Him. Yes, I am the wretch the song refers to. But NOW, I'm found, and PRAISE GOD for wonderful friends like my dear and sweet friend, Connie! Connie, I love you, and I thank you from the bottom of my *mosquito bit* feet, to the top of my big bushel of hair! YOU, my friend, are seriously all kinds of awesome!

*Sigh* Santiago!! Ohhh that baby!! Ohhh MYYY baby!!! I love this little booger..this little chunk, as Connie likes to call him. Ahhh! He literally makes my heart melt! I'm hoping Aislynn digs the younger boys when she gets older... well, take that back, I hope she digs THIS younger boy! He is the cutest little boyyyy! Oh my goodness! I could pinch his little cheeks all day long! Future in modeling... RIGHT HERE! mmmhmm! Gerber, if you're reading this, DON'T MISS OUT!!! haha

Life's been crazy lately...crazy enough that Connie booked her session wayyyy backkk in errr February of this year, and JUST yesterday, we FINALLY went through with the session! Her hubby, and good friend of my hubby's, Ricardo, is out on a super God-ordained internship, and THIS is their Father's Day to him! (Gomez family, don't spoil the surprise. You'll have to answer to Connie. lol) Anywho, just when we thought waiting a gazillion months was torturous enough, the mosquitoes (and ditches) were no match for us, and drove us alllllllllll to the other side of the park...which we walked...with ALLLL of our props (baby included). BUT we finally found a sweet little spot, and quickly set up shop! Just in time for the clouds to part, and God to literally shine His light... that sweet golden summer sun. Mmmmm... gotta love it! And I hope you love the shots below! Thanks again, Connie!! Love ya, girl!

btw. Connie has 2 awesome, uplifting ,and inspiring blogs! Check her out! You'll be glad (and so blessed) that you did!

http://gracejunkie.wordpress.com/
http://gomezfamily2009.blogspot.com/

To check out more of the Gomez "Mommy & Me" Session, Click Here!

[[Connie & Santiago]]

Soooo that's that! I've gotta some super awesome sessions lined up for this week, but not before I attend AiH-N's FABULOUSSSSS fashion show, first!! Will post pics from that as well! You're not going to believe these pieces the designers have come up with! One word: AH-MAZING!





oh oh, btw. If you haven't figured out by now, my mind is totally random, and I pair THE oddest thoughts together. LOL So with that being said...the meaning of my title just in case you were wondering:

"Shake" -- We all KNOW every graduate does SOME kind of dance after recieving their hard earned diploma! At least, I know I did! LOL
"Rattle" -- well a very special present from God is on his way, of course!
"Row" -- Santiago's new workout regimen! =]

LOL




-XoXo

You're Invited!

*Jr Ayala: Entered Fatherhood on October 31st, 2006*

I'm super ecstatic to announce my very first Daddy & Me mini sessions!

I dunno about all you lovely wifey's out there, but after just 4 years of being with the hubmeister, I STILL have trouble finding THE perfect Father's Day gift for him. He's not a gamer, isn't into tools, and well, he's already got more shoes than I do, so that is really not an option at this point. haha But I've found its the simpler gifts he appreciates more. You can ask him, and there's never been a year where I don't give him some sort of photo-gift. Last year for Valentine's Day, I made him two 16x20 (30 picture) collages, which we now have hanging on the walls of our bedroom. All images are black and white, and I must say they're stunning, and even though I've seen these pictures a zillion times, I always catch myself fixated on those precious past memories...memories that will last a lifetime. Brings a smile to face. :)


Let's admit it ladies, daddy's really don't get the same attention us mommy's do. I mean who gave birth, right??? haha! After all, we are ALL daughters of a King, so why not do something a little extra for our daddies, grandfathers, and hubbies, who He so lovingly blessed us with? This year why not give him a little heart warmer...or perhaps a small tear-jerker? Images that he and the rest of the family will treasure forever. This is why I have decided to have Daddy & Me Mini Sessions. =)


I hope you will come out and join me in celebrating the creation of man! The creation of fatherhood! And the creation of unconditional LOVE.

Times Available Are:
-- 4:30(BOOKED) 5:00pm(OPEN) -- 5:30pm(OPEN) --6:00pm(OPEN) --6:30pm(OPEN) --

<3>

Calling All Hot Mamas!

**UPDATE: I'VE FOUND MY 2 FABULOUS MATERNITY MODELS! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR INTEREST!**


Seeing as I am just starting out, and always looking to expand my work and creativity, I am hosting my first online casting call!!! Weee-hooo!!! Very excited about this, and even more excited about photographing a glowing mommy-to-be. For whatever reason, I, unfortunately, didn't have my maternity pics done while I was in Preggersville, sooo I shall live vicariously through my clients! THANK YOU! haha

*** Looking for HOUSTON HOT MAMAS!! ***

CLICK ON THE FLYER BELOW FOR DETAILS!
ONLY 2 SLOTS AVAILABLE, SO DON'T MISS OUT!
CONTACT ME ASAP IF YOU'RE INTERESTED.

If you know of someone that would be interested, spread the word, and receive $25 OFF your next portrait session! (*does not include mini sessions)

Btw. If you haven't added Casey Ayala Photography to your Facebook, don't forget!!! Facebook referrals are always a plus! Thank you! =D

PS. DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE "LOVE BIRDS" COUPLES CONTEST I HAVE GOING ON NOW THROUGH THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2010!!! EMAIL ME YOUR ENTRIES ASAP, AND VOTE YOUR TUSHIE OFF TO WIN A FREE SESSION!