COTTON CANDY COSMOPOLITAN NEW WEBSITE UNVEILING PARTY! [a great excuse for a girls' night out 
wink, wink]
I have been waiting for another reason to have people over to the studio for cotton candy cosmos, wine and snacks…..here is our chance! On JUNE the 12th at7pm, BELLA BAMBINO PHOTOGRAPHY will be hosting a LAUNCH PARTY for the NEW BELLA BAMBINO WEBSITE!! As many of you know, I love and crave change. My current site has been up for almost a year….and it is TIME FOR A CHANGE! The new website, which is currently under construction, is going to KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!!!!! Please join us for some fabulous beverages and treats as well as AMAZING DEALS and GIVEAWAYS [of course]! Promptly at 7:30, the website will be unveiled on my big screen for all past clients to see if their kiddos made the new site [which, I promise, MANY of them did] and for new clients to get a good look at my current portfolio! This will be the FIRST time that anyone sees the new site, so it is the official WEBSITE PREMERE! Like during the open house extravaganza, if you bring a friend that has never had a Bella Bambino Session, you will pull a prize from the fish bowl! Whoever brings the MOST friends will receive a CRAZY prize and there will be amazing specials for anyone who books a session at the party! There also will be a drawing for a fine-art print! Please try to attend and bring your friends, the cotton candy cosmos, which will be created by my amazing NASHVILLE photog, Stephanie, will be worth the evening out! =) HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
WHAT: Cotton Candy Cosmopolitan New Website Unveiling Party!!
WHEN: Friday, June 12th at 7pm
WHERE: Bella Bambino Studio- 115 N Water St, LOFT 103, Cape Girardeau
WHY? Um…..because Sheri is serving unique drinks, giving away crazy prizes and showing you her new website before anyone else sees it!!
RSPV: sherigrippo@gmail.com or call the studio 573.651.4408
Ok- so, for those of you who know me skip down a few lines, because you are well aware of my deficiencies in the kitchen/home. For those of you who just know me as Sheri the photographer, let me present you with my background as a “domestic”. I am not. PERIOD. I mean, I absolutely, positively am missing the stereotypical “womanly” gene of being a natural house-keeper, home-maker, baker, cook, etc. When I was built in that department, I was certainly built more like a stereotypical man [ie: I would like to come home from the studio and say "I'm STARVING, what's for dinner and my how nice and clean the house looks!"] Unfortunately that is just a fantasy and I need to accept that I am supposed to fill that roll because… I am the mom and the only parent at home. SO….what have I always done in the past?? YUP…..HIRED IT OUT! Oh, yes, previously, I paid someone to clean and do laundry etc. The only thing missing was an actual chef, but I skirted around that by eating out, grilling cheese, making tomato sandwiches and serving cereal [only the most organic, health conscious versions of all of that, of course]. Regardless, my children have never….EVER….known me to cook. I once baked a cake from scratch….ONCE….and NO ONE in my family could believe it. It was like a miracle actually occured in front of their eyes. SO…have I set the stage…are you getting it? I am not proud of my lack of domestic skills or desires to be domestic, but it just is what it is! I have been blessed with certain skills and certain weaknesses…..and cooking/caring for a household in general- WEAKNESS! So over the past week, I have decided that I have had ENOUGH! I am a 27 year old mother and it is about time I start cooking! It is about time I start doing my own laundry and cleaning! Why can’t I do it all?! I should be able to have a full-time career, run 4 studios, and…..COOK! So….I sent my mother to the grocery store for me….[is that cheating? YES, I also HATE the grocery store] and this morning was my first day of being a cooking woman. Of course, I am health aware- so all of the recipes that I chose include…flax seed/whole oats/etc etc! PS- I eat half a large pizza last night before I started my new healthy cooking this morning! OK….back to the story. I awoke and shouted proudly to my children “WHO WANTS PANCAKES!?” Aslyn and Coleson yelled in unison “WE DO!” Then Coleson said “YAH! BOB EVANS!!” I said, ” OH, NO Coleson, mommy is making pancakes!” A worried look overcame his beautiful little face. So, I took the recipe, and pulled out all of the ingredients which included [whole wheat flour, fat free cottage cheese, fat free sour cream, sugar free jam, and 3 eggs] Well, like I have seen on the cooking channels, I just threw it all together in the bowl….mixed it up and put it on the grill. I BEAMED WITH PRIDE! Then after they were golden brown, I cut one in half to check the middle and it stretched with goo…..did not look like a pancake should. So, I decided to actually read the directions. =) Supposedly, I should have done all of these special things….in a certain order….folding the whites in…and beating the yolks with something else….and all kinds of nonsense!! WHO would have thought!? Then….the kicker….the jam and sour cream were supposed to go on-top instead of inside! HAHAHAHAHA!!! Needless to say…..my poor children, bless their little hearts….tried them…spit them out, AS DID I, and we all ended up with a chocolate donut in our hands! SO MUCH FOR MY FIRST ATTEMPT at being a domestic goddess!! =)
It is memorial day and what am I doing….working! HUGE SURPRISE for those of you who know me, I am sure! I am kid-less this holiday because MIM MIM and POP POP took my two munchkins to Branson. So….I awoke half-heartedly with a throbbing headache this morning and reluctantly got myself ready at 8am to do a shoot for an out of town couple before they left today! As I welcomed this couple and grandmother into my studio, I caught a glimpse of my subject and suddenly, all was well in the world again! =) I suddenly forgot that I had a massive headache and had to be in the studio at 9am on a holiday, because this baby is a photographer’s dream come true. This baby’s unique look, the perfect twist of asian and caucasian qualities, made him a mini muse for me this morning. I have spoken of shoots that are- well….inspiring….and this certainly was one. Because of the couple’s travel back to their homeland some 6.5 hrs away today, I had to race home, edit their images and come back in for their ordering session! I could not bear to force them to see their images on a small computer screen at home! SO….here he is….MY MEMORIAL DAY MUSE…..THAI.
Thai and his grandmother…I know I will get in trouble for calling her that, but I can’t remember the thai word for grandmother in which she refers to herself!
So- I have utilized the Bella Bambino Gives Back program a few times in the last few months. Considering the circumstances in which I have shot for this program, I wish it were less; but with my desire to do give back, I would love to do more. These beautiful children below have been forced to deal with suffering that none should have to. Their strength should be a lesson to all of us. When I was at a benefit for little Katelyn, her mom said that someone told her that God would only allow the children who were strong enough to endure something like this. They are warriors and I am blessed to have been able to capture their precious sprits. 2 of the 3 of these children are patients at St. Judes. If you would like to donate to ST. JUDES to help babies such as these click on the link below. When I explained the program on the blog back in the day I know that I described how fortunate I feel that I am on so many levels, but very much so because this gift that I was given allows me to do what I love….everyday….and call it my “job”. I have always had a strong desire to help people- now I have a tool that I can utilize to bring joy to families that could use it the most. I would love to use my program more, so again, if anyone knows of a family that you believe would be a candidate for the BBGB program, please contact me. With all of this thought about my program and the recent pro-bono work that I have done and yearn to do- it reminded me that we all need to do a little more giving back. I believe that sometimes we get so caught up in the trials, tribulations and even joys of our own lives that we are too busy to stop and realize that there are an awful lot of people that could use our help. Even if we help on a small scale- we are doing our part. In a time when the economy is as shakey as it is, we all fear releasing our wallets- so even if it is your time and or talents that you donate that is better then not donating at all. I am listing below a few of the charities that are close to my heart and that I have some affiliation with. I will also permanately have these charities in the LINKS section of my blog. Please check them out!
www.stjudes.org www.drawnfromwater.org www.mochaclub.org www.planusa.org www.roomforonemorechild.org www.heartforafrica.org
Beautiful Baby BELLA who was adopted from Guatamala and then diagnosed with Leukemia shortly after coming to America.
Little Miss Katelyn
The sweet ROBBIE and his little bro MASON. This little man loved his baby brother so much it was unbelievable. I don’t know that I have ever seen such a protective and loving big brother in quite some time.
And who can forget the amazing MIKE HAYDEN who is battling with cancer as well. Check out my previous post about his family to learn more about his story.
So, here is what has been going on in my life beyond the work that I do. My kids have been busy….crazy busy! As all of you parents know and understand, the end of the school year brings much excitement and anticipation for the fun in the sun that begins the first day of summer vacation. Coleson, who just completed his first year of school (oh, yes- my first born is a kindergarden graduate), acted as though he has endured a year of captivitiy and had just been released! He says he loves school, but still, he was like a wild animal leaving the zoo for a long break today! Aslyn couldn’t care less. She is just happy that now that she doesn’t have to go to “real” school every day (she just finished what she refers to as K3) I will permit her to wear her faded princess light up shirt and mismatched blue gingam shorts every day! So, as my kids’ last day of their school year draws to a close, I will share a few images from their final few days of the year. Aslyn is up first. Her images are from her PLAYDAY at school. This is a day filled with relay races, icepops, a giant jumping thingy and one fabulously talented face-painter affectionately knows as Miss Cathy. Coleson’s images are from his Kindergarden Graduation. For the record, I was very proud of my little man that night, but I am not one of those tear shedding, “my baby is growing up” weaping moms (although I certainly admire that type of mom! =) I am more of a….YES! 1 year closer to my kids being able to help me do laundry- mom! =) ENJOY!
Aslyn and her best friend Erykah
Intently awaiting her face-painting turn….
and….she’s been butterflied!
Azzy’s hat race with her teacher Mrs. Jackson
Coleson celebrating with his best friend Trystin!
And….of course the girls had to get in on the fun!!
Hi! This is Candice writing my own post! Sheri wanted me to personally create my own post this time and I couldn’t think of any other shoot to post besides this awesome senior… I know she is gorgeous!!! This is Toni my senior rep from Washington High School… She has a lot of personality and obviously photographs beautifully!!! Enjoy!
So, when my pastor came to eat at the infamous MARIO’S PIZZA in…..yup….Advance, MO (on a farm no less), I just so happened to be there eating and hanging out with my fam behind the counter. Over a calzone and soda, the Pastor asked if we could “hook up” his headshots- (no…he didn’t actually say it in those words, but that is what he asked in his pastoral way! =) Anyway, I said OF COURSE and that I would love to shoot his entire family, in fact! I had already had the chance to shoot an amazing headshot of his youngest, Rachel for her band- and I had been dying to point my camera at her beautiful older sister Emily! So….we did just that! Below are a few of the images of the pastor and his girls. I was unable to persuade the sweet Lois to join in on the fun….but I will keep working on her!! ENJOY the images of this amazing family!!
This last weekend, my brother (an L.A talent agent) flew in to St. Louis to meet with Nelly. He recently signed him and had some projects to discuss. Of course, I drove to St. Louis and met with my brother and his collegue, Joe. I was also pretty excited about meeting Nelly and doing some shooting at his Charity Basketball Game! The weekend was certainly eventful to say the least! Joe is one of the most charismatic and comical people that I have had to chance to spend time with! A LOT of laughs were had from start to finish! At the charity basketball game, I was fortunate enough to be able to shoot on the court side by side with an amazing urban-celebrity photographer- known as KING YELLA www.kingyella.com. I also had court-side seats during the game. The environment was lively and excited. NELLY is certainly viewed as a superhero in St. Louis! For the half-time show, we were entertained by rapper PAUL WALL and a new rap group from Atlanta named FAST LIFE YUNGSTAZ. Also- the REF was Olympian Gold Metal winner Jackie Joyner-Kersee!! It was a great time and I just wanted to share a few of my images! ENJOY!!
REF- Olympian Gold Metalist – Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Rapper- Paul Wall
My Bro- Michael (Agent to Nelly) and JOE DOLAN
My first encounter with the Hayden family took place a little over a year ago when a sun-shiney beautiful woman and her hilarious and vivacious mother graced my studio to consult with me about their wedding. I knew within 60 seconds that I would love to be a part of their wedding and that it would be- if nothing else- a GREAT time! Needless to say, we bonded right away! We shot Roni and her fiance Mike’s engagement session first and it was exactly what I expected out of these two goof-balls! It was 2 hours of entertainment! Next, I shot Roni for a boudoir session for a surprise for Mike and her mother attended. Between her having to hold up a sheet to cover her daughter in my main street open front studio and our mail-man walking by and waiving mid-shoot and her mother falling on the floor in laughter for over 5 minutes- we had a ball. The day of Roni and Mike’s wedding, I met the whole fam and we spent the entire day and night together. I had the honor of meeting her super sweet father and her very beautiful sister. Just as expected, the day began with momosas and ended with Mike pulling a bunny out from under Roni’s dress on the dance floor! The entire family exuded such joy and love that it was actually inspiring. The connection between each member of the Hayden family was very visable. After the wedding, the entire family attended my open house party and then came to see their wedding images and every time that I was in the presence of this family- my stomach would ache because of the intense laughter that occured. While I was in San Francisco last month, I received a phone call from Roni. Roni asked that I shoot her family at their farm and then proceeded to tell me that her father had been diagnosed with a very agressive form of cancer and they were uncertain of the length of time that he had left. I was left speechless and in shock as I am sure was his entire family. This sweet man with such a gentle spirit seemed absolutely fine when I saw him just a month before. Of course the shoot was scheduled. The morning of their shoot, my stomach was in knots because I was just sure that the intese sadness that I would encounter would be overwhelming and I would inevitable lose the focus of the job that I had to perform that day. I threw up a quick prayer that I would be able to set my own sadness aside and would be able to give this family a gift of properly capturing the amazing spirit and connection. I entered the home not knowing what to expect and what I encountered was not only mind-boggling, but absolutely inspiring. The atmosphere that I was expecting was sad, tear-ridden and dark- instead, it was the exact opposite- it was cheerful and bright and accepting. It was strong, spiritual and inspiring. The strength and humor that the family demonstrated was intoxicating. We had as much fun on this shoot as any other meeting that we had. I left confident that I accurately captured who this family is and what they mean to eachother as well as their strength, spirit and hearts. Please take a look below at a few of my favorite images from the session.
and one from the wedding……….
There will be a benefit held honoring Mike Hayden on Saturday, May 16th- appropriately named the MIKE HAYDEN BENEFIT HOEDOWN! It is gaurenteed to be a great time!! Please attend if you are able.
Mike Hayden
Benefit “Hoedown”
May 16, 2009 6-11:30 pm
Bavarian Halle, Jackson, MO
Dinner from 6-8 pm
Furnished by Bayou Bar & Grill
Live music by Mark Rees
50/50 Drawing
(Must be present to win)
Silent Auction
$20.00 per ticket
Donations may be sent to “The Mike Hayden Benefit” c/o Montgomery Bank.
For more information, call McDowell South and ask for Dawn or Carol at 573-204-0800. You may also contact me, Kari Hoehne, at karihoehne@gmail.com.
So….I had a blog critique the other day from a past client/fine friend who told me that I need to post more personal stories etc. So….here goes, some random factoids about your photog. I plan to feature my photogs from the other branches as well in the upcoming week….so keep your eyes peeled to find out more about them! Below my randoms are a few images of me that you may not have seen as well as my family that I talk about in my below list! You already know Aslyn and Coleson pretty well, so i will leave them out!
25 Random Things About Me………..
1. I have an obsession with Rocky Balboa. Not Sylvestor Stalone. Rocky. It’s pretty serious.
2. I absolutely HATE to fly. What I do to cope, is befriend anyone I think looks like a possible terrorist….so that if he takes the plane down he might say, “Lets save that girl, she’s really cool!” I also befriend anyone that has a wing pin on their chest….like they could save me as well!
3. I love icecream more then most things.
4. My favorite thing to do (besides my job, of course) is watch TV. Seriously. I am almost embarrased to say it, but its true. Often when I am doing something else, I am thinking about what show I am missing!
5. I think that my kids have the prettiest eyes I have ever seen…even though their eyes look completely different from one another.
6. I notice and remember people’s feet. I do not necesarily like feet, I just remember them. I could identifly anyone by their feet…..even if I only saw them once!
7. I think that I have more stereotypical male characteristics then stereotypical female characteritics (personality-wise that is!).
8. I believe in true love, although I think it is rare.
9. I think flowers are a waste of money…..I would rather have something I could eat.
10. I think I am the only person in the world who listened to slow emotional music when I work out. No, seriously…..if you tap me on the shoulder and pull out my headphones before I get a chance to switch it, you very well could hear kenny rodgers…..or josh grobin……or boyz to men ballads. I know….you thought I was cooler then that!
11. Twizlers can almost always make me feel better.
12. I think my parents are the coolest people I know.
13. I rarely wear shoes that don’t have 4 inch heels….unless I am at the gym, of course.
14. I spend at least 10 hous on my computer a day…..and I love it!!!
15. I am embarrased at how little I know about politics and our government.
16. I love coffee so much that I actually look forward to going to bed sometimes so that it will be legal for me to have another cup when I wake up.
17. I am amazed at how closely my daughter’s personality mirrors my own.
18. I hope that when my kids grow up they like me as much as I like my mom.
19. My best childhood memory is of my and my brother and sister playing kickball with a stuffed hamburger in our basement.
20. I can eat an entire large pizza all by myself.
21. I would love to pay someone….a lot of money….to get up in the morning for me.
22. I actually have to force myself to go to bed by 1am however.
23. I buy books….ALL THE TIME….even though I know I will NEVER have time to read them.
24. I think that people complain too much….about the small things.
25. My favorite quote is ” Be kinder than is necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.”
Yup….sometimes I just stand in my studio window and pose like this and wait for someone to take my picture….
My Dad and Azzy and Luke the Dog
My Mom and Gus
My younger sister Angi
My older bro Michael
