Victoria Grattan Photography

Stacy and Jason

2013-01-27T17:43:00.000-08:00

Rain or shine, snow or sleet, or 30 degree weather didn't stop Stacy or Jason from braving the cold for their engagement pictures. If you don't know what cold is, then you have never been to Connecticut. Home of freezing winters and random snowfalls. It was cold outside but Stacy and Jason kept each other warm and bundled for their engagement shoot. Check out their pictures from today's session!

How To Make a Cheap Studio Set Up

2013-01-18T12:22:00.002-08:00

If you follow my other blogs, you know by now that I will do anything to save a dollar. So when it comes to my photography I don't spend hundreds of dollars on my backdrops and floor drops when I don't have to. I do not consider myself a professional photographer in any way, but after three years of doing it as a side business and a hobby I do consider myself a pretty decent photographer. When I have a new idea, my children are my guinea pigs until they get old enough to tell me to take a hike, but until then I use them. Plus they will be make great black male pictures when they are older :)

With it being so cold outside I am unable to go outside and take pictures, so I have been improvising and using what I have in my house. I received my studio light set for Christmas but didn't have any backdrops or floor drops to use with it. So instead of spending a ton of money on something I could make myself was silly to me. So instead I make three set ups for under $25.00.

I bought $0.50 heart Valentine Day wrapping paper and tapped it the wall for my first set up. I already had the bean bag, you can use any chair or blanket you want. For my wooden look I bought one large piece of paneling that was originally $14.00 but a small piece was broken on the bottom so they gave to me for 50% off. I then had them cut it in half, not thinking it would be for a wood on wood look but just so it would fit in my car. Good thing I got it cut! The last look I made was made out of discounted Wall Paper! It is textured and very vintage looking. Here are some of the shots I got from my cheap and do it yourself studio setup.

Shopping in the clearance section of Lowe's, really pays off! :) If you have an idea or creative way to capture a great shot, leave me a comment. I love hearing from my readers!

Tracy and Mark Engagement

2013-01-13T11:43:00.000-08:00

If I didn't know what being in love looked like, I do now. I shot Tracy and Mark's engagement session in Chester Connecticut at Cedar Lake. A place you would normally bring a towel and your swimsuit. Not today! What do you get when you combine a motorcycle, laughter, and two people madly in love? An amazing engagement shoot that's what! Here are a few shots of today's session!

Army Babies

2013-01-09T16:35:00.000-08:00

My husband served in the Army National Guard for over 20 years. As a Christmas present this year and way of saying Thank You, I took these pictures of our Children in his Army gear. I know there are many Fathers who don't get to see their children because they are deployed fighting for our Country. I am extremely blessed to be able to have my husband home every day and be able to be with me and our children. To all the men and women who serve our Country I want to personally Thank you for all your hard work and services. Our Country is a better place because of you. Thank you and God Bless.

Fun with Studio Lights

2013-01-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

Little kids play with their Christmas toys and so do big kids. This is Christmas I got the all time gift, a studio light set! I was so excited to try it out. I love doing photo shoots outside and where ever there is natural light, but sometimes I like to try new things inside especially when it is cold outside. I had my first opportunity to work with my studio lights with my new baby girl and my cousin's girlfriend. It was so much trying different lighting with different backdrops. I still have a lot to learn but the experimenting part was fun. Here are some of the shots I got with my new lights!

Baby Craig

2013-01-01T18:12:00.001-08:00

A New Year, New Beginnings, and New Babies! Baby Craig was my first shoot of 2013 and I couldn't have asked for a better baby to bring in the new year. Baby Craig loved the camera and loved posing for it too. I was so honored to have him be my first baby of 2013. Check out Baby Craig and his family!

A Look Back at 2012

2013-01-01T18:01:00.001-08:00

Moving back to Connecticut has not only brought me closer to my family and friends, it has opened a new door of discovery in photography. There are no rights and wrongs in photography, there are only the moments the photographer See's with their eyes and hearts. I have had such an unbelievable first year back home and my photography business had an even better year. I loved every moment that I have gotten to capture unforgettable pictures. My photography has come farther than I ever expected it to. I am so grateful and blessed to have amazing clients and people in my life that support my work. I thank everyone that has made Victoria Grattan Photography possible. Happy New Year! Wishing you and everyone a new year of self discovery, love, ever lasting happiness. Here is a look back at all my work from 2012! Can't wait to capture 2013!

Meghan and Dan Beach Engagement

Valentine's Day 2012

Spring Showers Bring May Flowers

Summer Loving.....Had Me a Blast.....

Everything is Falling into Place

Its Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

Thank you to all my family,friends, and clients who made 2012 a memorable year. I can't wait to see what 2013 brings for Victoria Grattan Photography!

The Tassel's Worth the Hassle!

2012-09-20T14:45:00.000-07:00

A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that "individuality" is the key to success. ~Robert Orben

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

Your schooling may be over, but remember that your education still continues. ~Author Unknown

There is a good reason they call these ceremonies "commencement exercises." Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning. ~Orrin Hatch

All that stands between the graduate and the top of the ladder is the ladder. ~Author Unknown

Victoria Grattan Photography

Children Make Your Life Important

2012-09-20T06:38:00.000-07:00

You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance. ~Franklin P. Jones

Children make you want to start life over. ~Muhammad Ali

Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing. ~Phyllis Diller

If you haven't time to respond to a tug at your pants leg, your schedule is too crowded. ~Robert Brault

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million. ~Walt Streightiff

A Mother's Heart is a Patchwork of Love

2012-09-20T06:06:00.001-07:00

There's nothing like a mama-hug. ~Terri Guillemets

Mother is a verb, not a noun. ~Proverb

Mother, the ribbons of your love are woven around my heart. ~Author Unknown

God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers. ~Jewish Proverb

All mothers are working mothers. ~Author Unknown

A Father Carries Pictures Where His Money Used to Be

2012-09-20T05:49:00.000-07:00

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. ~Author Unknown

Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad. ~Author Unknown

A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again. ~Enid Bagnold

Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance. ~Ruth E. Renkel

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. ~Author Unknown

Families are Like Fudge; Mostly Sweet with a Few Nuts

2012-09-17T20:53:00.002-07:00

Having a place to go - is a home. Having someone to love - is a family. Having both - is a blessing. ~Donna Hedges

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu

Family: A social unit where the father is concerned with parking space, the children with outer space, and the mother with closet space. ~Evan Esar

A family is a unit composed not only of children but of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold. ~Ogden Nash

To view more of my work go to facebook and like my page at Victoria Grattan Photography or go to my website at www.VictoriaGrattanPhotography.com

He Stole Her Heart So She is Stealing His Last Name

2012-09-17T20:29:00.001-07:00

It started with a kiss, then turned into a love, and will end with a ring that will tie two souls together forever. Below are an assortment of engagement pictures and couples that make the word love look good!

Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Victoria Grattan Photography

When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start

as soon as possible. ~Nora Ephron

Victoria Grattan Photography

To view more of my work find me on facebook at Victoria Grattan Photography and "like" my page today or go to www.VictoriaGrattanPhotography.com

Every Baby Needs a Lap

2012-09-17T20:08:00.000-07:00

Below are a collection of the babies I had the honor of working with. They aren't always in the best moods but are abled to be captured at their best when they are at their worst. They start out so little and grow so fast, so its moments like this that melt the heart and stay in our lives forever.

Victoria Grattan Photography

A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on. ~Carl Sandburg

Victoria Grattan Photography

People who say they sleep like a baby usually

don't have one. ~Leo J. Burke

www.VictoriaGrattanPhotography.com

Before you were born I carried you under my heart. From the moment you arrived in this world until the moment I leave it,

I will always carry you in my heart. ~Mandy Harrison

Family Forever

2012-09-12T04:10:00.001-07:00

When it comes to family, they come first and are there forever. No matter what happens in life you have your family is by your side. Whether your changing your last name, adding a new member to the family, or celebrating a new journey, family is forever. When it comes to family, compared to my own the Sagnella family is one I hold close to my heart and am blessed to call them friends. We turned down town Wallingford into a shoot that made us laugh until we cried and will always remember. Here are some shots from The Sagnella and Guisto family.

October Snow

2012-09-12T03:46:00.003-07:00

There is nothing more unpredictable in life than the weather. People say that Kansas has the most craziest weather, well they haven't been to Connecticut yet! After relocating back to my home town of Wallingford Connecticut in early October and getting settled, we were shocked when we were hit with a snow storm in the end of October. While most people were picking out and carving pumpkins, we were shoveling snow. Instead of complaining I took advantage of the weather and dragged my good friend Natalie out in the snow as my snow model. Snow isn't just for little kids. Not only did I get to watch the snow come down, I got to capture these great shots of her.

Time To Catch Up

2012-09-12T03:32:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in months and after all of my recent work I decided it was time to catch up! Since my last blog post I have relocated back to my home town in Wallingford CT. I have had more time to capture breath taking moments that last forever. Here are just a few pictures since I have been gone. I have done so much work over the past few months that is is hard for me to pick my favorites. Here is a collection of weddings, engagement, babies, families and more. Stay tuned for posts on each session.

Erika and Chris's Wedding

2011-09-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

September 17th, 2011 was a day that two became one. Erika and Chris joined their friends and family at The Studio in Hayesville Kansas, becoming man and wife. Through rain and shine these two didn't let any kind of weather or mother nature alter their day one bit. Erika and Chris's special day marked a very special day in their lives and allowed everyone to watch them join together, even a couple angels watching them from above. Check out their special moments from their day.

Annabell's 6th Rock Star Birthday

2011-09-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

If anyone knowns how to party like a Rock Star, it is Miss Annabelle Grace! Annabelle celebrated her 6th Birthday in style and class as she rocked and rolled with her friends at her Rock Star themed party. This girl was the star of the show and let everyone know she knew how to get down with her bad self. The party began with tatoo's and bling for all of her guest. Then they sipped sparkling grape juice in fluted glasses as they partied the night away. Check out these great shots from her party!

Tennille and Todd's Wedding

2011-06-22T11:56:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like a little love down at Cow Town in Wichita Kansas. Tennille and Todd became man and wife on June 17th. What I love about Tennille is that she was the funniest brides, she was down for anything and had the most fun with all her pictures. Tennille and Todd were such an awesome couple to shoot. Tennille is also a very detailed woman and what she wants is what she gets. She made very single cake and at her wedding and did every detail. Tennille's work is amazing and she is beyond talanted. My favorite shot from their wedding was when Tennile lassoed her new husband while he sat on a fake bull. Check out their fantastic moments!

Friends may come and go but Family is Forever

2011-06-21T07:49:00.000-07:00

The saying blood is thicker than water becomes very true to the family that I had the honor of shooting with last week. I joined forces with the Zimmerman Family and all their extended family to say goodbye to Taylor as he is deployed. The bond that this family displayed was very clear in their photos. When working with little kids it can be a challenge, but I was able to round up all 8 grandchildren and get them to pose for the camera. It was a beautiful and memorable shoot. I wish nothing but the best for Taylor and his family. I pray for his safe return home. Your services do not go unknown or unappreciated. Thank you for all your loyalty to our country.

Mandy and Billy Wedding

2011-06-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I shot Mandy and Billy's wedding at an old school house in Augusta Kansas. The building itself was amazing and unique to take pictures. There was so many places to take pictures it was hard for me to pick. Mandy and Billy became man and wife on the stage of the school house. They were joined by close friends and family. It was a very special day for their daughter especially, she turned 1 and was part of her parents wedding. Mandy and Billy's wedding was an amazing shoot and I was honored to take their pictures. Here are their first moments as man and wife.

Tu Tu Girly Party Studio

2011-06-07T14:06:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to go take pictures at Tu Tu Girly Party Studio located at 4065 N. Woodlawn Blvd., Wichita, KS, 67220. The theme of Princess was taken to a whole other level!! At Tu Tu Party Girl not only does your crown await you but the best party and fun you have ever had awaits you. I had the pleasure of taking pictures during a 7 year old birthday party and her 15 fabulous friends. The birthday princess arrived to be greeted with her own Tu Tu and and bedazzled in beads and bling. Once all the other princesses arrived and were jeweled head to toe, they had their faces painted, their hair, make up and nails done. The best part of the party was at the end when the birthday girl got to have a father daughter dance with her daddy. It choked me up it was so cute! At Tu Tu Girly Party you are pampered and taken care of from the minute you arrive to the minute you leave. Every party need is taken care of from the invitations to the food. Your party needs and event awaits you at Tu Tu Girly Party Studio. To learn more about Tu Tu Girly Partys or book your next party go to http://www.tutugirlypartys.com/ Here are some of the moments I captured at the best Princess birthday ever!

Adventures in St. Louis

2011-06-06T08:53:00.000-07:00

This Memorial Day weekend my family and I packed up and drove to St. Louis, Missouri. We arrived Saturday morning and our first adventure began at the St. Louis Zoo. The best part about this attraction it was FREE to get in. The first stop was the Sting Ray exhibit where we were able to touch live stingrays and other sea life. The zoo was so large it took us over 4 hours to walk around. My favorite part was the Butterfly exhibit. They were beautiful and free. They landed right on your hands. The St. Louis Zoo is a place for the whole family and fun for every age. Here are some of the great animals and attractions we got to see.

Our next stop was the Gateway Arch, or aslo called the Gateway to the West, is an arch that is the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. At 630 feet (192 m), it is the tallest man-made monument in the United States. We traveled up with tall masterpiece in a small egg that holds up to five people. It was an adventure to remember. My seven month old son decided to have an accident on me on the way up and peed out of his diaper all over me! I was having some anxiety about going up in the arch and after that experience and laughter I had no problem going up at all. Here are the sights from the arch.

Our next stop was Grant's Farm. Grants Farm gets its name from our 18th President, Ulysses S. Grant. In the 1850s, Grant founded and farmed a portion of the 281 acres. Today, this land is home to Grant's Farm and is preserved as a living symbol of the Busch family's love for animals and Anheuser-Busch's commitment to wildlife conservation and preservation. Admission to Grant's Farm is free to all ages. Grant's farm has over 900 animals representing more than 100 different species. My favorite part of this trip, not only that it was FREE but the baby goat exhibit. My son absolutely loved petting them. They were adoreable and one goal like my husband especially.

Our last stop of the trip was The Magic House. The Magic House is dedicated to engaging all children in hands-on learning experiences that encourage experimentation, creativity and the development of problem solving skills within a place of beauty, wonder, joy and magic. The Magic House is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that was developed by two St. Louis women, Jody Newman and Barbie Freund, who volunteered three years of their time to create a institution that would be both educational and fun. The Magic House is a place of fun and education for all ages. You can have a tea party with the Mad Hatter or learn about electricity. The amount of learning you take in is unbelieveable and the amount of fun you have is out of this world.

Yogurt Xplosion....You Guess It You Get It!

2011-05-19T13:36:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to go into Yogurt Xplosion and taste the best frozen yogurt I have had in my life! Yogurt Xplosion had it's grand opening on May 4th on N. Rock Road in Wichita Kansas. Not only does Yogurt Xplosion have awesome frozen yogurt it has unbelievable toppings such as mini cheesecake bites, Oreo cookies, M&Ms, and more. Some of their toppings were very new to me, the mochi balls, fruit juice filled balls that explode a mouth full of flavor when you bite them. I tried the orange ones they were delicious.
While I was enjoying my Red Velvet flavored frozen yogurt I also learned that Yogurt Xplosion's frozen yogurt is actually healthy for you. All of their flavors are made with non fat or low fat milk and has less sugar than regular ice cream. That is always a plus when you are trying to diet like me! :)
Yogurt Xplosion's prices are great too, its is $.39 an ounce and the best part is if you guess the weight of your frozen yogurt you get it for FREE. I know I like FREE and you will too. but if you don't get it enjoy all the wonderful flavors they have like Cake Batter, Cheesecake, Pomegranate, Brownie, Strawberry, Coffee Lovers and more.
Here are some shots I got of people enjoying their frozen yogurt at Yogurt Xplosion.