Smiles Between Miles

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  It’s a really special time in my family when we all get together (this year 22 of us) and enjoy each other for the entire weekend.  We do all of our corny traditional things that no one would think of giving up...from our family football game (everyone plays - always ends in a tie), to our Friday shopping and lunch for the girls, and poker for the guys (that game NEVER ends in a tie).

I have been thinking about how lucky we are to all be able to get together, and how hard it must be for families that are separated by military service during the holidays.

In an effort to give back just a little to all of those brave men and women who serve our country and are separated from their families, we are instituting our “Smiles Between Miles” program.  We are offering a FREE sitting for the family of anybody serving a military deployment.  We will do a full photosession, planned and created just for you, and even include a short video greeting from you to your loved one.  We will then combine that, with photos from your shoot, and include them in a slide show set to music, that you can share with them in an email, on Facebook.  We will also give you your slideshow on a DVD .

This is just a small way for us to say THANK YOU!

Please pass this on to to anyone you know that has a member of their family currently serving a military deployment.  I am really excited about this, and think it is not only a great way to keep in touch with those who are serving and sacrificing, but it should be a lot of fun too!

Call us today for more details and to make an appointment, or get us in touch with someone we could have the honor of serving.

540-722-7199
or email me at:
shellpix@me.com

Not Quite Famous . . . but

I am a firm believer that entering photography contests is a good way to hone your skills. . .it does varied things about your ego however, depending on the results.  My graphic design business taught me early on that there is no room for ego in art.  Sometimes I thought I had designed the perfect logo, or ad for a client, and they would ultimately pic the one I hated.  Art is so subjective.
Often when I would get a bad result from a competition entry, I would stop entering for a while.  One can only take a limited amount of rejection!   But I am excited about my recent venture into the world of competition.  Every year, my favorite magazine, "Professional Photographer's" has a cover photo contest.  I decided to enter one of my favorite photos, one I took of brand new little Jackson asleep on a football that his dad was holding.  I thought his expression, and body position were just perfect...and besides, he is so damn cute!

About two months ago I got an email that I was a finalist.  I was over the moon excited, and about a month ago I found out I got an honorable mention, and my photo would be in the November issue of their magazine.  Not quite over the moon, but still pretty stoked.  Today, the magazine arrived in my mailbox, and once again . . .over the moon.  It was so exciting to see my name in the magazine, and in the presence of some really great photography.

Lately I have been finding myself entering more contests....

Passion Photography

I’m always trying new ways to market my photography. Recently I have been toying with the idea of updating my brand with a new tag line for my logo.

         When I thought about what message I wanted to convey, “passion photography” came to mind. It encapsulates what I try to do with every client — capture the emotion and the memories in every photo I take, whether it be an engaged couple gazing into each other’s eyes, a mother-to-be looking down lovingly at her pregnant belly, or the priceless grin of a little toddler.

         By combining techniques of photojournalism and creative portraiture, I capture the spontaneous moments — a burst of laughter, a sudden smile, a flirtatious look — so this way the photos look natural and unstaged. That raw emotion is what makes my clients laugh, and sometimes cry, when they see their photos for the first time. I also give the photos a personal touch by coordinating colors in the scenery and outfits with the décor of the room where it will be displayed.

         With new technology, I can superimpose the photos onto other  photos supplied by clients of rooms and walls inside their homes and then add images of the contemporary and whimsical style frames that I sell through my studio. The ability to coordinate the color scheme and frame style to complement the room, truly makes the finished the photo a work of art.        

         I also offer coffee table books as a unique option for showing off a multitude of photos taken at a special event. I help select the images that tell the tale of that special moment, such as a wedding or the first year of their child’s life, and then coordinate the design and printing of the book.

         While I enjoy all the production that goes into creating the finished product, I look forward to the photo shoots the most because that’s where I get to know my clients and share in the excitement of their lives and what they are celebrating at the moment — I feel so privileged to be a part of that.

         I have developed a lot of relationships with past clients over the years and continue to keep in touch with them. Some of them will come back for photos to document the next stage of their lives, from engagements to weddings, to pregnancy, to each stage of their child’s life as they are growing up.

         I guess that’s why “passion photography” is the perfect tagline. It says it all — I have a passion for filling my clients with joy at the sight of the images I’ve captured on film. I want them to cry, laugh, reminisce, and smile with delight every time they look at them and recall that special time in their lives.

         

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Photography is the way we remember the great events and milestones of our lives.  Have you ever walked into a friends home and stared at all the family photos plastered to their refrigerators?  Facebook is just a small example of how fixated we all are on photographic memories.  Our cell phone takes pictures, our cameras are tiny.  Everything gets documented these days.  Excuse me, but we are even posting pictures of our food at restaurants on facebook!!

The problem is, that along with the convenience of everything having a camera on it, comes really poor quality photos.  Sometimes, we tend to loose sight of how great, really good photography is.

October is Breast Cancer awareness month.  I was thinking that maybe by making people aware again of the value of investing in quality photography as art in our home, we can all make a little difference in even  bigger way.  So for the entire month of October, I will donate $50 from every session fee to Breast Cancer Research.

I figure it's worth the investment all the way around!  Call me today for your October photo session and together, we can help make a difference.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

It is April, and the wedding season is just about here.  I am really looking forward to working with this years group of brides.  They are ALL fabulous.

Weddings, which  while being the most beautiful and important day of your life, also come with it's fair share of stress.  How this stress is handled makes so much difference in. . .well just about everything.

As thephotographer, I get to be on the inside of all that goes on on your wedding day.  It's kind like reading posts of your friends on Facebook - you find out alot!  I have thought about this and have come up with a top ten list (doesn't everyone do a top ten list?)

Top Ten Things to Consider When Planning Your Wedding:

1. Don't spend more than you can afford.  I know everyone wants their fairy tale wedding, but going into lifelong debt to do so is hardly worth it in the end.  There are so many creative ways to put together a beautiful and memorable wedding.  The cost of your wedding in no way equates with the success of your marriage. 
2. Prioritize.  Think about what is really important and splurge on that.  Don't scrimp on your photography.  (Well said by a photographer)  I think it is kind of like buying a house.  You get more bang for your buck, if you buy the smallest house in the nicest neighborhood.  Choose a quality well experienced photographer, whose style matches yours, but you don't have to get their most expensive packages.  You can always add the book later.  But getting those photos documented in the best way possible is paramount.
3. Stuff happens.  Let it go and move on.  Don't dwell on the stuff that down the road isn't really going to matter
4. Organize.  Keep folders and make lists. I say very little about this, because it is where I usually fail:) - but I know it is important, and promise to figure it out one day.
5. Make your decisions carefully, and then move on.  Indecision will make your crazy.  When you find "the dress", stop looking at dresses....same for everything else
6. Have a professional do your makeup.  There is a difference between a natural look and no makeup.  You will thank me when you see your photographs.  
7. Make sure your hair-do matches your face...and personality.  If updo's are the thing, but it doesn't flatter you face, DON'T do an updo.  Listen to the suggestions of your hairdresser, hire someone your trust, and do a trial run. Once again, you will thank me later. 
8. Consider seeing each other before the ceremony for your romantic shots.  I know this is very controversial, but if you want the romantic pictures that you probably hired your photographer for, that is your best shot at getting them.  Here is how it can work:  Pick a spot to meet.  Do it way before any of the guest arrive.  Have him be there, and you walk in...just like for the ceremony, but now it is a private moment between you two.  I promise that when you walk down the aisle, you both will still have that oh my gosh feeling and emotions.  Here is my other reason for doing this before the ceremony.  You are spending a lot of time and money on planning your wedding, and I promise you that you plan for a year or so, and it all goes by in a heartbeat.  Why do you want to miss one minute of it?  If you are taking your pictures during the cocktail hour, you are missing out on that part of your wedding.  That is also the part when you are freshly married and and the excitement is at its' peak.  Just something to consider
9. Interview and feel comfortable and trust all your vendors.  You are going to be spending a lot of time with your photographer.  Make sure your personalities mesh, and you are on the same page.
10. Now this is the most important tip.  Keep Your sense of humor.  Laughing is the best medicine.

Enjoy, remember, and celebrate!

Until next time...

Shelley

BOUDOIR IS BACK...AND IT IS HOT!!

Boudoir photography is back, and it is back with a vengeance.  It's sexy, it's hot and it is anything you want it to be.   And it really IS for everyone.  At any age or any body type, we all want to feel live a diva.

7 Great Reasons to take advantage of our "Unleash The Diva" Valentine's Day Special:

1.  Glamorous and sexy photos help women rediscover their beauty.
2.  Who wouldn't want to spark a little romance with their "significant other."
3.  Seeing the results of how sexy and beautiful you really are is a huge confidence booster.
4.  Let us prove while all women are beautiful, no matter what their age, shape or size.
5.  It's cold outside and it is really nice and warm in the studio, so you can come out of the cold.
6.  It really is fun to dress up (or down) and get sexy.
7.  It is only a few days from valentine's day, and you haven't gotten anything yet for your sweetheart.

Okay, so with all that being said, there really is no reason not to take advantage of our little sexy gift card.
Email us, facebook us, call us, send up smoke signals, but don't pass this one by.

Website, Resolutions, and other Random Thoughts

Well, I got my Christmas orders finished and we embarked upon our much needed vacation at our condo in Myrtle Beach.  We love it the "Beach" and really enjoy our condo here.  We bought it around the same time we bought our commercial property that I talked about in my last post...you know, that place that is now The Studio in the Valley.  Okay, so we may not have the best real estate timing sense, but at least we really love it here in Myrtle Beach, and are perfectly willing to wait this one out until the market turns around...I mean I could think of worse places to wait out a real estate downturn.  

Anyway, part of the plan here is relaxation and getting caught up for the upcoming year.  So it is somewhat of a working vacation. Considering how much I love what I do, working is a relative word.  Besides, the weather has been too cold for golf for the last few days.  First order of business was revamping my website.  I wanted to incorporate more of The Studio into my photography website, and make my blog more visible.  I also updated my gallery. . . so some of my recent brides and parents, look for the updated pics.  You probably made the website.  I would love to get everyones opinion of the reworked site.  I think one of the first thing I do when I get back to The Studio, will be to take a new photo of me.  I am not sure how I feel about my picture on the splash page of my website.  I mean, that is one of the reasons, I am BEHIND the camera!

So here is the splash page from my new website.  Whatdaya think?

Next on my agenda is to actually get my bookkeeping and financial management system in order.  YIKES.  Did I just say that?  It's kind of like starting a diet.  Once you start, you realize it is a marathon, not a sprint.  I even went to a business coaching seminar, and am thinking about using this business coach that taught the seminar. Maybe I will actually find out if I made money this year, and learn to run my business like all my photographer idols say I should.  

Last year perhaps the most influential thing I did was to attend Imaging USA.  For all my non-photographer friends, that is an annual photographic convention and trade show, that is attended by about 10,000 photographers, and is 3 intensive days of seminars and trade show.  I implemented some of the things I learned there and it really changed my photographic life in a huge way.  I resolved then, to attend either Imaging or WPPI (a similarly huge show held annually in Vegas).  I just made my reservations to Vegas in February.  I can't wait.  I also resolve to always learn more.  It keeps me fresh and helps give my work the edge I need to be the kind of photographer I always wanted to be.  There is always more to learn.

So I hope to get back to Virginia, caught up with my jobs (there is always more jobs to complete, even after the holidays), and a little better at golf.   The chances of getting caught up on my work, is much better than improving my golf game however.

In the meantime, I reflect on what a great year this was, and how grateful I am to all of my wonderful clients, for entrusting me with your wedding days, newborns, and  lifelong memories.  I am indebted to you all and totally humbled by your trust and confidence.

I wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.