Back from San Diego

I got home yesterday morning at 3:30 AM.  My flights from San Diego were delayed and fortunately both were delayed.  Michael had his first airplane ride and made friends with all the neighbors sitting around us...and promptly fell asleep as we were airborne.  I honestly do not think a happier baby exists.  And yes...I've paid my dues with 2 colicky kids so I think it's about time a happy one came to visit me!

Thanks to all of you who are patiently waiting for me to edit your images and process your orders.  I'm back now and will be working in the next few days to get caught up.  We've got some great ideas coming in the fall.  And a Christmas party in December.  I'm so excited that we finally have a window that can have a candle in it!

First Studio Session

On Wednesday before we even had our grand opening, the Fullers were my first guinea pigs.  Here are a few images from their session.  I was kind of concerned about not having enough available light at 7pm, but I think I'm liking it!  Of course when you have cute kids to work with, it's not hard to get a great shot!

THE INCENTIVE

So...you took a chance and booked a session because I said the incentive was sweet...  And now I'm sure you're wondering what the incentive is.

Well, it's an image box filled with 10 5x7 mounted images from your family session.  The image will have one of your images wrapped around the box.  I fell in love with the box when I discovered it a month ago.  If you don't think it's sweet, give it to a grandmother for Christmas and you'll have someone checked off your list.  I'm sure she'll eat it all up!

And if you are one of those who are now kicking yourself because you didn't book a session, I have a consolation offer for you.  If you send me an e-mail or call by midnight on Sunday, August 10, you can have the image box with your session.  But you've got to fill it with prints yourself.  Don't get huffy with me...I warned you ahead of time!!

If by some small chance you're reading this and it's still Saturday, you can send me an e-mail by midnight and you can have the entire enchilada.

So call your friends and tell them to book!  And you can still get the $10 referral credit for each person who books!

We're open!!!

Thank you to all of you who came to our Grand Opening today!  We hope you enjoyed the tour.  The highlight of the day had to be Mr. Bert Geddy's visit to our new studio.  For those of you weren't able to come to our Grand Opening today for the tour, our studio is located in an old farmhouse.  While no one knows the exact date the house was built, it is the oldest surviving house in Toano and was built in the late 1700s or early 1800s.  Mr. Geddy grew up in the house and it was neat to find out why the upstairs had a kitchen and what the different rooms were used for.  It is because of Mr. Geddy that the house wasn't torn down and because of Mr. David Hertzler that the house was restored.  As for us, it is still a work of progress as we still have some painting/wallpapering to do.  I've never had a "real" studio before so it will be fun to explore how to capture your moments while in a studio setting.  Here are some images from the day....  Enjoy!!  And I'll post more later...  Thanks to Mooretown Road Chick Fil A for the awesome food and to Critters Crittendum for the face painting, pony rides and bounce house!!!!

And Craig, I'm glad you have a day job because I think you would be competition for me!  Thanks for the great images you captured of our day.  I'm hiring you for my next event gig!  

The Cuccinelli/Davis Family

It was a pleasure to meet the extended Davis clan this week.  I felt right at home with so many girls around! They came here to vacation from as far as Alaska so it was an honor to photograph their family reunion here in Williamsburg.  

Grand Opening Special

I decided that since Saturday might be a little crazy and a lot of people are on vacation and it's hard to remember to e-mail while on the road, you don't need to wait until Saturday to book a session to get the incentive.  So....for all sessions booked between now and Saturday at midnight (either in person at the Grand Opening or via e-mail), you will receive the incentive.  I still won't say what it is, but I think you'll like it!

Referrals

Word of mouth advertising has been a huge part of my business and in Williamsburg, it seems that everyone knows each other or you know someone who knows someone. To thank you for spreading the word about my business, I am offering a $10 gift certificate for every person you refer and who comes to the grand opening. The person you refer must be a new client and only one person gets credit for each referral. (For example...if you and 5 friends all know "Jane" and "Jane" comes to the grand opening, only one of you gets the $10 credit for "Jane" coming and not all 6 of you.)

Grand Opening Schedule - 12 days to go!!

Here's a quick rundown on the grand opening on Saturday, August 9...

All events are free...

10:00 - 12:00 Take a ride on a pony and take home a black and white fine art print. (Pick portrait up at studio two weeks later.)
10:00 - 12:00 Mini bounce house
11:00 - 12:00 Amazing Race Williamsburg Edition (Anyone under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. You must have a camera phone and transportation to participate.)
11:45 Ribbon cutting ceremony
12:00 - 3:00 Free Chick Fil A food from Mooretown Road Chick Fil A

Studio tours will be going on all day. If you can't make it to the grand opening, come on by the following week during 9AM - 12PM and 1:00 to 5:00PM for a tour.

Book a family or children's session at the Grand Opening, pay the $150 session fee and receive a SWEET gift from me. (And I do mean SWEET!! And it's not sugar related, either.) Check the blog first thing on Sunday, August 10 to see what you will receive. HINT: It may be related to a new product to be unveiled at the grand opening... (I promise you'll kick yourself if you don't book a session! It's that SWEET!!) Again, the session MUST be booked and paid for at the Grand Opening. No exceptions. If you can't make it to the Grand Opening, you can send me an e-mail on Saturday, August 9 and pay via check or credit card, but I must receive the e-mail on August 9 for you to get this incentive.  The session must occur by November 1, 2008, to receive the incentive.

After the grand opening, the studio will be open by appointment only.

Meet Laylanie

We were able to meet 2 new nieces on our trip.  Here's our youngest niece, Laylanie, enduring the first of many photo shoots to come...  

An old Ford

We were able to see my family in Oklahoma on the way to Lindsey's wedding in Texas and of course I just had to hunt down an old Ford.  My dad was a good sport and let the kids dress him up in all kinds of things...  Along the way, we saw the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile in Lexington, Kentucky and we also picked up a few things for the studio on our trip.  Never mind that we were all squished for the rest of the trip!!  My family often complains that they don't get enough pictures of my kids.  I take the pictures...I just don't distribute them often enough.  So here you go, guys!  You should be good to go for the next year or so...

Lindsey & Greg - Sneak Peek

It was an honor to photograph Lindsey and Greg's wedding this past Friday in Waxahacie, Texas. Welcome to the family, Greg!  More to come as soon as I can keep my eyes open without toothpicks...

Anita and Taylor's Wedding - Sneak Peek

We traveled to Nag's Head in North Carolina to celebrate Anita and Taylor's wedding on the beach on June 28. Here are a few images and more will be posted in the next couple of days with a slideshow link.

San Diego Portraits - August 16 & 17

I will be in San Diego August 16 & 17. I would like to try to do the sessions on August 16 but can do a few on August 17 if need be. For those who prepay $150, you will receive a $25 gift certificate. For those who prepay $300, you will receive a $50 gift certificate plus 25 custom Christmas cards! E-mail me with 2-3 times of your choice. I will update this sign-up list every day. I think University of San Diego will be a great place to hang out. If not there, it will be close to that area.

Saturday, August 16
9:00 A.M. Booked - Webb
9:45 A.M. Booked -Serrano
10:30 A.M.
11:15 A.M.
12:00 P.M. Booked - Jessica
1:00 P.M.
1:45 P.M.
2:30 P.M.Booked - Savage
3:15 P.M. Booked - Floyd
4:00 P.M. Booked - Pisoni
4:45 P.M. Booked - Miller
5:30 P.M.  Booked - Anderson
6:15 P.M. Booked - Boykin
7:00 P.M.

Carrie & William

Carrie and William's wedding was especially unique because the Fifes and Drums played during the wedding as William was a member of the Corps for a long time.  You can view their wedding photos here.

Leslie & Jason's Wedding - June 14, 2008

Leslie and Jason were married at Resurrection Church and the reception was at Kiln Creek Golf Resort, both in Newport News.  For the first time in the 8 years that I've been photographing weddings, I had security called on me while at the salon, which was inside a mall.  How was I to know that cameras are not allowed in that mall when it's not posted anywhere??  Despite that bump, their day was beautiful and they are fun to be around!  Here's a link to their wedding images. (Click on the word "link".)