Oct 22, 2007

please note - short break for the Open House

Please note: I will need to take a short break from the Open House from 12:00 - 12:30 pm. If you stop by during that time, Kristin will be there. If you can wait, I will be back by 12:30

loving the fall colors

We are truly in a bit of Indian Summer here in Michigan. Yesterday it got to almost 80 degrees. Every time I leave the house, I am overwhelmed by the majesty (yeah, I know it sounds cliched, but it's true) ... the majesty of the beauty God has created. The fall colors are gorgeous. I am enjoying our days of flooded sunshine because I know that all too soon it will fade and we'll be in the grey days of winter. So, for now, I am enjoying the fall. We took advantage of a beautiful Sunday afternoon and met some friends at the Franklin Cider Mill. That place was hopping! But the kids found a quiet place to play and had loads of fun near the water.





Oct 20, 2007

Open House this Wednesday, October 24th

Well, I'm having a Open House (literally) on Wednesday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. I am going to try and have all my rooms picked up and doors open so that you can see how I live with my portraits. I can't guarantee that my son's room will be presentable, but I will try. I decided to host the Open House to help my current clients determine their orders. I think this would be especially useful if you have a family gallery in mind or not even sure what a family gallery is! I will have samples of the coffee table books I offer, too. Not really tons of product to look at, just a chance to peruse my walls and tables to see how I display my portraits in hopes of inspiring you. If you're one of my Holiday Joy clients, let me know you're stopping by and I'll print out a reference sheet of your proofs for us to look at together. But even if you aren't placing an order right now, you are more than welcome to stop by, say "hi" and take a look.

Oct 16, 2007

joy

Well, the Holiday Joy sessions held true to their name. Everyone one an absolute joy to photograph and there are so many wonderful portraits to share. I thought I would use this opportunity to showcase the new beautiful, digital mats. It is really hard to pick just one image from each session, but here goes. I'll post more as I finish proofing.

polka dots


stripes


botanical


crest

Oct 11, 2007

holiday deadlines and panel bracelets

Just so you are in the know.

All orders must be placed by Friday, November 2nd to ensure delivery for the holidays. Any orders placed after this date will incur a 50% rush fee in order to ensure holiday delivery (when possible.) Just this week I have received three inquiries about the panel bracelets. This happens every year. I get calls coming in November and December with people wanting to order bracelets. That is just too late. If you plan on ordering a panel bracelet or know friends who have been thinking about it, please let them know of the holiday deadline to avoid any rush fee and get your order in as soon as possible. And if you haven't thought about ordering a panel bracelet, you really should. They make super gifts for grandmas, teachers, girlfriend and even you!




Six images are highlighted in a classy, antiqued silver finish bracelet. There are three styles: vertical frame, horizontal frame and square frame and three sizes: 6.5 ", 7" and 7.75". There is also a new, four frame style that can be ordered with black beads. Bracelets are priced at $60 each. Shipping is 3% of the total order ($5 minimum) and 6% MI sales tax is added to each order. Rebecca converts all pictures to black and white, sizes them to fit the bracelet, laminates the pictures, and assembles the bracelet. Rebecca is able to use photographs from your session or photographs that you supply to her. All photographs will be returned with your bracelet. If using your own photographs, they must be 8 x 10 or smaller and Rebecca can also work with emailed pictures. If they are copyrighted images, then you must have written permission from the photographer for Rebecca to be able to use them. If you (or someone else) paid for a picture, chances are it is copyrighted. Rebecca has a form that you can present to your photographer to request permission for her to use the images. Most copyrighted images, such as school pictures, will have copyright information on the back of them.


Oct 10, 2007

beautiful mats

I am excited about a new offering for my clients. When placing orders, you can select from a variety of digital mats to enhance your portraits. There are several designs and they all work well with each other. I call them 'modern glamour.' They have a vintage, glamorous look but when paired with the seamless black and white frames I offer, they have an updated feel to them. Most of the mats can also be personalized with names or initials. These mats are printed as part of the photograph. Here are some examples of a few of the digital mats that I've printed for my own portraits.








Oct 9, 2007

totally just a musing

So, if you notice, this blog is a place for me to post "musings." And here is one. Have you watched the new show "Pushing Daisies?" Not even sure what channel it is on because I just Tivo it, but I do know it is on Wednesday nights. Not sure how it will all play out yet but visually, it is just stunning. It doesn't feel like TV. Not quite sure how to explain it, but check it out.

ETA: I googled it and found out it is on ABC. Okay, next post might actually have something to do with my photography.

Oct 8, 2007

hot, hot, hot

So, the weatherman was right and we had record temperatures this last weekend. A big thank you to all of my clients who braved the hot weather in their fall sweaters. On the way home Sunday, I noticed the temperature (according to my car) was 93! I had to document that. So, here is the evidence. Not bad considering I was going about 72 mph at the time. And, yes, I know it was 72 (Hah, as it was pointed out to me, I was actually going about 69 or so. I must have braked and not yet resumed my cruising speed. I know I was making sure that no one was around me in case I swerved a bit. Also didn't want to startle anyone who might see me looking through my lens and not at the road. Anyway the rest of my ramblings still hold true.) because I always use my cruise control. Always. It drive my husband absolutely batty but for me it's just one less distraction while I am driving. I usually have two distractions in the backseat so every little bit helps.

Oct 5, 2007

& Design

So, what's with the Photography & Design, anyway. Well, if you didn't already know it, I really enjoy designing custom work for my clients. This could be as simple as a two story storyboard or as complex as a multi-image collage designs. I have also been known to design a few birth announcements and cards, too. Plus, I welcome the opportunity to help you figure out how to display your favorite portraits. So, what have I been designing lately? Here's a few samples and how you can see how I easily spend too much time on the computer. But it's so fun!

My dad's Father's Day gift. It brought tears to both of our eyes when he read it. But in a good way ... And see that photo of my dad with a camera? (You might need to click on it to view it larger) Well, now you know where I get it from.




Invitation to my son's baseball games... Now he's asked me to do the same for his football games.


Thank you notes for my daughter's teachers...






Simple storyboards...




Custom collage designs ...









and we can't forget birth announcements ...



Oct 4, 2007

so behind in posting

I am so behind in posting. I don't really have an excuse, I've just been really busy with teaching and scheduling all of the Holiday Joy sessions. I am so excited about the weather forecast for this weekend. This is some sort of record.



I will try to make a real post tomorrow and then look forward to sharing from the slew of October sessions.