Happy Father's day to all the Fathers, Grandfathers, Brothers and Husbands who are out there each and every day working hard to create an amazing life for his family. I am fortunate enough to have had a father who always believed that I could do anything and then I was even more fortunate to find a husband who lifts up my children in the same way. Dads you are appreciated and loved for all the BIG and the little things you do.

Congratulations to our newest Fathers. These two babies were born just days apart and both were photographed on day 9. This is the second child for both families and it was an honor to photography both of your children. I'm so happy for you both. 

Meet Baby Samuel and Baby Adalyn.

Formal family portraits are NOT old fashioned and in fact - Ellenburg Photography thinks that these timeless masterpieces are on the way back in. Formal family portraits have been hanging around walls since the beginning of photography - Moms, Dads and Children all dressed in their best wear posed and frozen in time for all generations to see. When you think about going over to Grandma's house - it was always fun to look at these wall portraits and decide who looked like who now. That joy can live on for your children with Formal Family Portraits.

Successful formal family portraits are filled with careful planning.

Who will you invite to participate? What will we wear? How do I make sure my brother doesn't show up in socks and sandles? Don't let your head spin with all these pesky details - let the South Alabama portrait experts at Ellenburg Photography help you. Every session at our studio comes with planning. We chat with you about your family. We get to know the groupings, how many people you will be bringing, what you will wear, and if there is any special occasion that we are focusing on. Big or small occasions are a great time to get dressed up and celebrate and document the day with Family Portraits. 

How long will my formal family portraits take?

Time for formal family portraits are part of the planning. Most south alabama portrait sessions last 60-90 minutes, but can got longer if you need it. Daphne Ellenburg prides herself and her studio in organized groupings for maximum fun and efficiency. She will start small and build and build and build until every one is in your portrait, then she will peal away and modify the groupings to the planning you made.  Every formal family portrait session is led with fun around your event. 

What kind of event would be great for formal family portraits?

Any event that would have multiple generations and a reason to dress up is completely perfect for formal family portraits. Events like - your anniversary, your parent's anniversary, the christening of a child, the birthday of a grandparent. These options can go on and on and on - and we can help you all along the way. All of your portraits will focus on the star of your event and include every one you want to have photographed.

If you can find a reason to be dressed up in South Alabama, Daphne Ellenburg can help you create the magical formal family portraits you've dreamed of having. Do you have a special occasion coming up? Ellenburg Photography does not have regular business hours. This helps us to be there for you before or after your family event. Baby Maggie and her beautiful family were photographed together after her Sunday Christening here in Saraland.

Let the experts at Ellenburg Photography help you create a portrait you would proud to have passed down from generation to generation. How will your tiny baby know that she had grandmother's eyes or her long fingers? Close cuddly loving formal family portraits in a fun studio setting is proudly offered at Ellenburg Photography. Call Daphne Ellenburg to plan your portraits today. Don't let the future slip away because you didn't record the past. Cherish the people you love now.

Exist in portraits for the people that love you the most.

Would you like to see what a 60 minute formal family portrait session at Ellenburg Photography looks like? Enjoy this video from Baby Maggie's session at our South Alabama portrait studio.

It's nearly Spring and Mom of the Year has already booked her South Alabama Spring Session. Dad is ecstatic. Now what? We plan. Planning takes the mystery out of Spring portraits. Spring colors are everywhere but those babies grow so fast - they certainly need something new. This guide will inspire you.

If you are shopping for just one baby - the world is your oyster. At every turn there is something that would look amazing on your baby. And...There are tons of wonderful stores that have stunning Easter wear that will not break the bank. First stop...hit the Mall. The Gymboree in the mall just got it's Easter Dresses.  The sequins bunny top at H&M is to die for.

Am I right or what!?! You can't go wrong with gold. And Bow Tied deliciousness is back at Target for boys. 

Shopping for more than one kiddo or the entire family is where you get to use all your shopping skills. Mom, You have trained for this moment your entire life. And I have some great tips to help along the way.

Tip #1: Every store with departments for the entire family, has color-dyed matching color pops that will mix and mingle in every department by brand. So BAM - that gives you the opportunity to pop one or two colors on everyone just a little. Photo above popped the spring orangey pink with blues. You could easily pop yellows or pinks or purples. Think pastel and you can't go wrong.

Tip #2: Got an Easter basket? or a favorite stuffed bunny? Bring it along. Anything you have that makes the Easter Season a tradition can easily be incorporated into your session.

Tip #3: Shoes are optional. There is nothing cuter than baby toes and if you haven't sprung for golden bunny eared shoes yet, you can save a little if you want. And almost no family portrait has started with, "Be sure you photograph my feet." It just doesn't happen. Period.  I run around bare footed at the studio, you can too.

Tip #4 When in doubt, khaki is king. Khaki is the ultimate coordinate to your pastel masterpieces. If you bring your girls in dress and your guys in Khakis - they will mix perfectly with any spring portrait adventure we will have set up for you.

Tip #5: Don't bring your kids dressed in your Easter best gear. Change them here at our cozy studio. Stuff happens on the way to the studio. Babies spit. The backseat can become a snack time war zone. Don't risk it - just dress here. And Bring more than one outfit. The bunny sessions have plenty of time for outfit changes along the way.

Tip #6: Relax. When you book in, we will schedule you in for a consult. We will take all the nervousness out of your session with one magic word: Planning. We will talk about what you want to create and we will Wow you with masterpieces of the people who love you the most. Consults come with a studio tour and product sample viewings. Skip the mystery and keep the Fun in your family portraits.

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This weekend local South Alabama Dads will be celebrating Daddy's Girl with a dance completely devoted to every girls first love, her Dad. There is nothing better than helping your baby girl pick out the perfect dress for her big date with Dad. Daphne's daughter, Madison, discovered this exciting adventure last year. It was so much fun to hear about the planning - there was going to be flowers and dinner and dancing and SHOPPING! Oh, my. Everything a girl could want.

First Baptist Church of Satsuma puts on a first class Daddy Daughter Dance every year held at the local High School here in Satsuma Alabama. Every ticket purchased sponsors the mission trip they take that year. The dance has snacks and music and so much red and pink everywhere that it looks like Cupid himself helps with the decorations. 

Ellenburg Photography is the proud portrait sponsor for this event. Daphne Ellenburg donates her time and talent to events that matter the most to her values - and Family and Children are always at the top of that list. Ellenburg Photography will be Photographing this year's Dads and Daughters from 4:30pm - 8 pm. For every ticket purchased, Ellenburg Photography will donate a 5x7 portrait to each family. And if you want more - Ellenburg Photography will be offering heavily discounted portrait packages. 

This is a special time for young girls. They are learning self value and enhancing the bonds of that special Daddy's girl love. They are learning how they should be treated on a date and how Daddy will always put them first. They learn to love to from Dad. This night is special and we are happy to donate our time to this wonderful event.

For More Information and Tickets, Call 251.675.1280.

It's not too late to plan to attend this Year's Daddy Daughter Dance. Advance Tickets are $20 and are being sold at REL, SHS and FBC of Satsuma. Tickets at the door are $25, and you can add a guest or additional daughter for only $5. Dress up and come out with your baby girl. All her friends will be there and you can watch them spin and twirl and giggle. There will be so much giggling. Don't miss the fun. And stop by and see Daphne Ellenburg for your portraits at the event.

Getting to spend some one on one time with the BIG GUY in RED right here in South Alabama is  a BIG deal to the boys and girls who come in for the Santa Experience. They take this seriously - especially the kids who come every year. They bring a detailed list. Some children draw pictures on the list for Santa too and a couple of kids bring pictures and catalogs so there is absolutely NO question as to what they want Santa to bring them for Christmas. I love when kids get to take out that list and put it in Santa's hand. There is something magical about watching Santa ask them questions about what they want and why they want it. I love that Santa always asks questions. He really assures them that he understands exactly what they are looking for.

10. Legos - batman seems to be in high demand.

9. Dolls - dolls that sleep, dolls that wet, and American Girl Dolls are HOT

8. Nintendo Switch - switch anything would be a win

7. Bike - Shiny Blues and Reds

6. Tablets - they want tiny electronics at all ages

5. Fire Truck - this classic always makes the list

4. Art kits - lots of painting and drawing

3. Slime kits - glitter slime is what they want - but what they really want is for you to make it with them. (keeping it real)

2. Dinosaurs - toys, stuffed, Jurassic Park - all of it is a win

1. Hatchimals - Big or Small they want them all. Last year I made fun of hatchimals, this year I'm buying one. Go Figure.

Remember, no mater what you give or what Santa Brings - never forget the magic of the season. It's so nice to have so many little people so full of the Christmas spirit. They really believe that anything is possible this time of year. Enjoy it. That kind of magic is contagious. Let that magic inside your heart too and try to keep it there the whole year. 

Merry Christmas.

It's not too late to create magical holiday portraits for your family. We are decked out from head to toe with Christmas thru the new year. Reach out to Ellenburg Photography for a magical experience.