Win a Natural Mama Photo Mini Session

by Glenni Lorick, IBCLC
Jessica Molepske is an amazing photographer! I met her about a year ago when she first moved to Huntsville for her husband's job with the Boy Scouts of America. She had actually gotten in touch with me before they moved here to let me know that she would love to get involved with photography here. We already knew several terrific photographers here, but I was looking forward to meeting her and helping her get comfortable in Huntsville.

Jessica was a sponsor of Miles for Midwives.

When Jessica arrived in Huntsville, she came in to meet me, and we hit it off immediately. She got involved with the Alabama Birth Coalition and very quickly became a part of the ANM community. In Texas Jessica had a thriving business. When she moved here, she had to start all over, but by reaching out and offering great photo packages, she has built quite a following here, as well!

Recently, Jessica agreed to be part of the team that is helping raise the money to publish Fed by God's Design, the first faith-based breastfeeding resource written by an experienced IBCLC. Those who contribute $500 to the campaign will receive, in addition to other things, a special breastfeeding photography session with Jessica, and at least two of the pictures will be published in the book!

On September 6 Jessica is offering Natural Mama mini-sessions for just $75. You can have breastfeeding, baby-wearing or cloth diapering pictures taken, or even combine them during your 15 minute session. You will receive a CD with the photos. Space is limited, and this is a terrific opportunity to get some beautiful pictures of you and baby! She is also raffling off one session to help raise money for the publication of Fed by God's Design. Each entry is $10 payable via Paypal to anm@knology.net. The winner will be drawn on September 1. You can enter below or at A Nurturing Moment.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Donate to ABC and Receive Birth Photography!!

Recently photographer Jessica Molepske moved from Texas to Huntsville because of her husband's job. Jessica's work has been featured in the online Newborn Magazine. Before moving here, Jessica contacted me a couple of months before the move to let me know she would like to meet me and to offer a promotion for our customers in order to begin meeting people here.

A couple of weeks ago, I actually met Jessica in person when she came by the store to introduce herself.  We talked about what kind of promotion she wanted to run. Today Jessica came in with information to begin the promotion!

Win a Free Newborn Photo Session

For every $50 you spend in the store between now and July 20, you will receive one entry for a free newborn photo session and photo package. It is a $300 value! The more you spend at A Nurturing Moment, the more chances you have to win.  Jessica likes to do the Newborn Session within 12 days of baby's coming home from the hospital because babies are so sleepy and do very well in a variety of precious poses.

Donate $100 to ABC and Have Your Birth Photographed!

About a week ago, I received this message from Jessica via Facebook:   

Hi Glenni, 

I just recently realized that it's illegal for a midwife to attend a

 homebirth here in AL?? I am so heartbroken over this! I read that article you posted the other day..and I'm wondering is there anything I can do? I wouldn't really know where to start..but this is a change I would like to see! 

Jessica

I suggested that the most important thing she could do is get in touch with the Alabama Birth Coalition. She did just that, and has agreed to photograph the Walk for Midwives this fall. Today Jessica announced that she is offering something VERY special to help raise money for ABC.  Between now and the date of the walk in November, Jessica is offering to photograph your birth in return for a minimum donation of $100 to ABC!! Of course, if you feel led to donate more, that is wonderful. But Jessica is offering her services as a way to support this cause.

We have many amazing photographers here, and Jessica is excited about meeting and working with them. Take just a minute to friend her on Facebook, then come on by and enter to win your newborn session. If YOU aren't pregnant, you can give the session to a friend. What an amazing gift that would be!!

Celebration of Smiles

Can you imagine what it would be like to know your baby needs surgery but not be able to afford it? That is the plight of many mothers in third world countries whose children suffer from cleft lips and cleft palates. Imagine being the grandmother of a beautiful little girl who was rejected by both her parents  because of her cleft lip. Then imagine the intense relief and joy you would feel upon learning that your precious little one would get the needed surgery at no cost to you.

It seems somewhat incomprehensible to us here in the states. We have insurance and Medicaid for those who can't afford insurance. But that isn't the case everywhere. That's why Operation Smile has been sending surgical teams around the world for 30 years. They have changed countless lives and brought smiles to over 200,000 children and their thankful parents.

Now you have the opportunity to be part of this incredible adventure of healing. On April 21 photographer Darlene Korab of Lagniappe Photography will be at A Nurturing Moment as part of the national Celebration of Smiles events. For just $24 you will receive a mini-session and a 5X7 portrait of your child. Southerland's Photography is providing the printing services, so every penny of your $24 will go directly to Operation Smile.

It only costs $240 to provide one cleft repair! We're hoping that our ANM family will provide for 3 cleft repairs!! Make your appointment today by calling Darlene at 256-679-1038, then stop by our event page to let us know you're on board!

Important Safety Tip for Moms

Did you know that that online predators can track you via the pictures you take with your Smart Phone and post on Facebook or anywhere else. This video is an eye-opening report from a news station in Kansas City.

What mother doesn't love taking pictures of her baby? It's wonderful to let grandparents who don't live nearby keep up with baby's milestones. How about those first steps? Or your daughter's first dance recital? Or your son's T-ball game? Unfortunately, free software will allow anybody to find out exactly where those pictures were taken unless you know how to protect your pictures!

It' really simple to go into your Smart Phone location settings and disable the geocoding on photos. It just takes a moment to do it, and it will provide you a layer of protection. Simply follow the instructions in this video, and you will have one less worry. Of course, it's also a really good idea to make sure that only people you know have access to your photos on-line.

So take just a minute right now to make sure that those precious pictures you're snapping won't end up leading a predator to your little one. Better safe than sorry!

Win a Free "A Child Is Born" Session

It does seem early to start thinking about Christmas, but before you know it, you'll be sending out your Christmas cards. What a terrific time to send everybody updated pictures of your growing family. We appreciate Mary Ellen Pollard of Lighthouse Photography for helping us create a beautiful, traditional option for your Christmas picture this year. You may include your whole family or just feature your children. It's entirely up to you!

We are so excited about our unique Christmas pictures that we want to give one of our families the opportunity to win a $75 package! Or you can choose to apply your winnings to a more expensive package. All you have to do is call the store to book your photo session, then you have 3 other options for entering as well!. If you've already booked your session, then you can mark that as done and enter using the three other options.

Another thing that makes these sessions so special is that a portion of the proceeds go to benefit the MOM Foundation. This non-profit is dedicated to helping low-income and teen moms breastfeed successfully. They are partnering with the Village of Promise to bring breastfeeding support to Huntsville Public Housing areas.

We do ask that you prepay when reserving your spot, but the winner will receive a refund on the day of the photo shoot. Call today to reserve your spot and enter to win the $75 package!

Christmas Pictures That Capture the Meaning of the Season

For many parents, Christmas pictures involve little Sally sitting on Santa's lap. They are adorable and sweet, but sometimes you just want something different. Sometimes you want to get back to the heart of Christmas by focusing on something other than the jolly old chap in red.

This year A Nurturing Moment and Lighthouse Photography are thrilled to present "A Child Is Born" Christmas pictures. The traditional setting will feature a nativity scene and Christmas decorations in muted Christmas tones, You can have one child or your whole family in the picture. The package prices include sitting fees, and are really reasonable!

• Package A - $75 (session fee, 1 unit, online gallery to share & picture ornament) 
• Package B - $150 (session fee, 2 units, 9 custom Christmas cards, online gallery & picture ornament)
•  Package C - $300 (session fee, printable CD for 3 poses, 25 custom Christmas cards, online gallery and picture ornament) 
•  A unit is 1 8X10, 2 5X7''s, 3 4X6's or 8 wallets 

 If you think friends from your church or moms group might be interested, please share this with them. We are scheduling pictures for Saturday, Nov. 5. If we need to add an extra day, we will! We still have slots available, so call today to reserve your space!