Happy 2nd Birthday Maternal Lens!

Stop on by The Maternal Lens, and check out all of the exciting things going on in celebration of our second birthday!  Big giveaways and lots of love to share! http://www.thematernallens.blogspot.com/

{2010 Halloween Mini Sessions}

What: A 20 minute session with your child or pet in their Halloween Costume. Remember those photos your mom digs out, of you when you were a youngster in your Halloween costume. Remember the feeling you get when you see it? Either, I can't believe you made me wear that, or Ahh, look how cute I was! Regardless of the feeling it provokes, it is nice to capture each year's costume, and what better way than professionally, in a mini session.

When: Saturday and Sunday, September 18th and 19th

I'm scheduling early this year for two reasons. Last year it was absolutely freezing, and this year I have 3 wedding booked on Saturday's during October.


Times: Saturday - 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, or 10:30 a.m

4:30, 5:00, 5:30, or 6:00 p.m.

Sunday - 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, or 10:30 a.m.

4:30, 5:00, 5:30, or 6:00 p.m.

Where: Location TBD, I will be checking out some locations and update when the location has been determined.  Possibly Ward Meade Park.

Cost: $25 per 20 minute session due at the time of your session.
If you have more than one child you might want two sessions.

Special Mini Session Packages:

3 edited digital images on a disc for $50 (normally priced at $120) You can order more than one of these packages too if you wanted more digital images.


and/or

Mini Session Print Package-all from one pose for $35 (normally priced at $71) You can order more than one package if you’d like more than one pose.

8 minis

4- 4X6’s

2- 5X7’s

All other prints can be ordered at my standard a la carte pricing.

I will edit the best 5-10 shots from our session for you to view in a private online viewing gallery. Orders must be placed within 10 days upon completion of your gallery.
Since spots are very limited, you need to make sure that if you sign up for a spot you will definitely be there. There will be a $15 cancellation fee if you do not show up or cancel within 48 hours of you session. If I have to cancel due to weather you will not be responsible for this fee, obviously. I will fill the spots in the order that I receive requests, put down your first and second choice for a time slot and I will try to accommodate you as best I can. Please send me a personal message or e-mail to reserve your spot.
If the weather is not permitting, I may re-schedule as many as I can during the following week, and following weekend

Exciting new products and specials!!!

Check out these adorable Mini Cards.

I am pleased to introduce a new product to my line. These are the cutest little cards in town. You'll have to see them in person to fully appreciate just how special they are, ask me at your next session. Printed on thick paper stock with a laminate finish, these double-sided mini cards are sure to be a hit. They measure 2.76 in. X 1.1 in., they are tiny but mighty. I offer a number of designs, customized to meet your needs. Perfect "Mommy Cards" printed with photos of your children to pass out to friends and family. Or better yet you can customize them as thank-yous, birth announcements, or tuck them into Christmas cards. The creative possibilities with these are unlimited. They hold 1-3 photos per side, depending on the design you choose. With some you can add text, and the color blocks can be changed to match your design. You will receive 100 mini cards from the design you choose, priced at just $50 a pack.

My other announcement is that I'm now offering two new specials.

With a print order over $300, I will include a disc with 10 photos of your choice, sized for web and watermarked with my logo, for use on your blog, Facebook, etc.

With a print order over $500, I will include a disc with all edited digital photos from our session, sized for web and watermarked with my logo, for use on your blog, Facebook, etc.

These digital files are not meant to be printed. They are meant to be shared via the web, and are sized and sharpened to look best on the web. They will not print in high quality, and will be watermarked. Print orders need to be all from one session and household, not including the session fee to qualify.

See the Pricing section of my website for more details on these new products and specials.

{New 2010 Prices and Policy Updates}

I have updated my website to reflect my 2010 prices and some new policies. Please read the Getting Started section on my Pricing drop down menu, as well as the Pricing drop down with the slight change in prices. I have also added some packages that are discounted compared to the a la carte prices.

Fall is definitely here!

Fall is in the full swing of things. I have been very busy, with Fall 2009 being my most busy season to date. This is terrific for me, but also brings slight delays in the editing process, as I go through each photo from our session, custom editing the photos that are worthy of being put in your gallery. I estimate I have gone through about 6600 photos since August from clients' sessions, not counting any photos I have taken of my own children. I work diligently each evening preparing your images for viewing. I apologize for any delays, and am planning ahead for a different approach starting next Spring to try and stay caught up. Thank you for your patience.

I ♥ Faces - Guest Judge

I was honored when Angie and Amy at I ♥ Faces asked me to be the Guest Judge this week over at I♥Faces website.
Check out their feature of me here.
I will have a big job ahead of me, going through hundreds of entries to pick the top 10 winners this week in the "bubbles" theme.

I Won! (Again)

I took First Place again in the I ♥ Faces weekly photo contest. This week's theme was Pouting, there were 401 entries, but I had a photograph in mind as soon as I saw the theme. You can check out their website here, www.iheartfaces.com

2009 PriceList

The 2009 updated pricelist is now current on my website, www.treesandbeesphotography.com
I've also added a few new options like albums and digital packages. The digital package is highly sought after in the photography world these days. It is hard to come by, most photographers don't offer your photos on CD for obvious reasons, some offer them at very high prices. My digital packages are priced fairly, being offered unlike some and not completely out of the question expensive like others, although they are not cheap.
I will also be updating the photos on my site, with some of my favorites from past sessions. Enjoy!

Also a remindered that my Spring weekends are filling up, so book your Spring session now!

A Little Recognition

I was pleasantly surprised to be informed that I had won another photo contest this week. A few weeks back I won Greeblemonkey's February Photo Contest, and last week I won 3rd place in the I ♥ Faces Adult Category, but this week I took first place in the I ♥ Faces Children's Category. The theme was B&W Children's photos and my photo was chosen out of hundreds as this week's winner by a professional photographer. To see the photo and the rest of the top 10 photos click here.
Then this morning I was informed that another photograph of mine was chosen as the featured photo on Shutter Sisters' website as the daily click, you can view that here.

Gearing up for Spring

Although I am still on maternity leave, with a baby who has been through a lot, undergoing open heart surgery when he was two weeks old, I am looking forward to getting back into the full swing of photographing your lives.

Spring is just around the corner, and I am starting to book Spring appointments for evenings and weekends. There are lots of beautiful places for photo sessions in the Spring, the grass is so green and all of the flowers and trees are in blossom. Spring and Fall are my favorite times of the year for photos. Contact me now to book your photo sessions for this Spring. I am already starting to fill up quickly.

My prices will be changing just a little, so stay tuned for my 2009 Pricelist.

I have been practicing my photography skills all winter, indoors mainly, except for the occasional warm day. I have been getting very familiar with my Nikon d300 which is an exceptional camera. I also purchased a new editing program to compliment Photoshop called Lightroom. It can do new and fun stuff, think high contrast black and white photos and bright vivid colors. Another little business venture I have in the works is a collaboration with a fellow photographer friend of mine. We are going to come together to shoot weddings. You get two professional photographers with styles that are both different and complimenting. Two different angles, perspectives, camera brands (she shoots Canon, I shoot Nikon), and editing styles. Although I have to say, we are very similar in our visions. Business plans are currently underway and we will be launching our blog and website soon. If you know somebody looking for a wedding photographer (or two in our case) that is reasonably priced compared to other photographers in town, direct them my way and I can give them a sneak peek at our pricing and packages. I am looking forward to another successful and exciting year of photography.

Contact me today to book your Spring session.

Black Friday Special ~ Favorites Album

One time special, orders must be placed by Sunday, November 30th. I am offering a super savings special. A Favorites Album, featuring 24- 4X6 photos, photographers choice (although you can specify 5 “must have” photos that will be sure to be included,) from a past photo session in a cloth fabric covered, archival album. Makes a perfect gift for grandparents, spouses, to be given to your children at a later date (think wedding day or birth of their first child), or perfect to be left out for display on your coffee table. Or maybe you were just wanting extra copies or more choices from a past session.
Starting in 2009, I will be offering these at a cost of $150, but one time only as an introductory price I will offer these for orders placed in the next 4 days (by Sunday, evening 11:59 p.m., November 30th) for $75 + tax. That is a major savings on prints, plus the album is included. Just send me an e-mail letting me know which photo session to choose the 24 photos from and if you have 5 images that you know you specifically want included. I will pick the rest from my favorites, but you will get 24 different photos, plus the album cover photo. I currently have black and red albums available but could possibly get blue or green in, just not guaranteed. Offer open to your friends and family as well, so spread the word, maybe somebody would buy you one for a Christmas gift. Offer not valid on previously placed orders (including orders submitted, being processed, or awaiting payment/pick-up.) Happy Thanksgiving!

· Bright Cloth Covers with Frame
· Holds one 4"x6" photo per page
· Album Capacity: 24 photos
· Includes dust jacket
· Clear pockets with black mesh background
· 2-3/4"x3-1/2" photo frame on cover
· Dimensions: 5"Wx6-5/8"Hx1"D
· Archival, acid free, photo safe

My Mom Shoots People

I have been super duper busy, and I'm not complaining, I'm happy to have so much business! But I have been falling behind on the blog. I thought I'd share a few recent photos of my little "cheese" burger, and some of her sporting her new shirt that reads "My mom shoots people." I can see the headlines now, "Toddler gets sent home from pre-school for wearing violent message." We'll maybe just wear it on the weekends.

Recent Favorites

Favorites from a mini vacation in Branson.

At a playdate:

From a recent photo session:

Angel

Spend all your time waiting. For that second chance. For a break that would make it okay. There’s always one reason. To feel not good enough. And it’s hard at the end of the day. I need some distraction. Oh beautiful release. Memory seeps from my veins. Let me be empty. And weightless and maybe. I’ll find some peace tonight. You’re in the arms of the angel. May you find some comfort there. -Sarah McLachlan

When it rains...

...put on your rainboots and jump in the puddles.

...or catch a few raindrops on your tongue.

...or kick the water droplets from the grass.

...if all else fails, have a good scream!