Spring-time Tulips

One of the things that I really love about living on the east coast (and although my heart stayed in Alaska, I do find things here to love), is the spring-time flowers.  It seems like there is something popping up every single day!

Today, as I came to my studio, in one of the little beds, I came across this:

I was on the phone (safely with a bluetooth) with my friend, and I gasped, and said, I have to take pictures of these gorgeous tulips!

When I grabbed my camera, I said, I'm changing lenses, I really want macro images.

There was radio silence as I knelt.  Finally, I said, "Oh, I want to get these back-lit, I'll have to squeeze in behind the bushes!"

I'm pretty sure that I looked HILARIOUS stooping in between the bushes while I photographed these tulips.

I will do what it takes to get the shot, even if it means I have to sit in damp mulch.  That's with tulips, children, dogs, families, and whatever else my clients might send my way to photograph!

Here's my favorite image!

I hope you have a splendid week.  Keep your eyes open, because you never know what you might come across!

What Is In Your Life?

Have you ever asked yourself that?

"What's in my life?"

When you go to the grocery store, what is your main purpose of going?

Most people would reply, "To get food. Duh."

I hear a lot of the same things about grocery shopping.  "I hate going to the store".  "It feels like a tropical vacation when I go without my children."  "I only go for 3 things and end up spending $50".  "What did I just spend $100 on?"

My thoughts are this:  a person goes to the grocery store to get food for his or her loved ones.  That could be your family, as in, your children or pets.  Your mom.  Your cousin.  Your siblings.  Your neighbor.  Your best friend.  The children you babysit.  The people next door that you don't know well, but they need a meal because of a tragedy.

Food is a natural reason for people who love each other to get together.  Fixing a meal for someone is an expression of love for many people.  When you were a child and you went to Grandma's house, what was the first thing she said to you?  It usually had to do with some kind of baked goodie or a snack that she said she had in her kitchen.  You knew that that was how Grandma showed her love for you.

I know that food shopping is a stressful thing for most people to do.  Food is expensive and even when there's a deal, you feel like it could be better.  When you are feeding a crowd of 15, exactly how creative can one get with pasta, sauce and cheese?

When you find yourself in such a mess, try to remember one thing:  that you do this because you love your family.  Food on the dinner table is a way to make sure everyone comes home at the end of the day.  It's a unifier of souls.  It causes conversation ("Mom, this is so yummy!").  It causes quiet moments because everyone is enjoying the delicious meal that you've prepared. It gives reason for people to wake up in the morning, because they know pancakes are on the table.

The fact that you have your loved ones in mind at the grocery store speaks volumes about what is in your life.  The next time you look at your cupboards in your kitchen and you sigh, try to remember all of  your beloved faces in your family when you cook for them.  THAT is what the main purpose of going to the grocery store.  To create memories and special bonds with your family.

Here's a great article to help you save money at the grocery store.  My favorite is the playing your favorite upbeat music.

Here's a new cutie that a certain new mom gets to go to the grocery store for! <3

Special Event Just for Ladies Coming Up

Are you looking for a Lady's Day Out?  I am putting together a team of a hair and makeup person, Belinda King, and a PR consultant (yes, they do *those* parties) and maybe even a couple of other shopping opportunities to check out for the month of May.  Together we are going to bring you the Blanc Boudoir Event, based on the gorgeous images of Marilyn Monroe.

If you'd like more information, just let me know!

240-565-0361

Fundraisers for your school or organization

Have you been searching for a fundraiser for your school or organization?

It's really stressful, the stacks of fundraiser opportunities that fill your mailbox and inbox.  You just never know if pizza kits or chocolates will be a good fit, or if wrapping paper is just easier to avoid calories.  

I offer a fantastic fundraising opportunity that will provide the folks who purchase the fundraiser with years of happiness and great memories:  photographs.

Yes, photographs.  This fundraiser is so great, that I only offer these a few times a year.  The first 3 school or organization directors who call me to schedule a chat to get more details will receive a special gift from me.

The lowdown:
The product is a half hour studio session and 5x7 portrait for ONLY $50.  Your organization gets 50% of that.

Yes, you get $25 from each sale.  If you sell 100 of them, you will make $2500.

As you can see, this can be extremely profitable.  If you'd like more information about my fundraising opportunity, pick up the phone today and call me at 240-565-0361.  I'm friendly and easy to talk to.

Head Shot Fridays!

Introducing Headshot Fridays! 

There are two ways to do it: 

1. Make an appointment for your Executive Session on the first Friday of the month. Finger foods and drinks are served during the 3 hour monthly event. You'll have a 15 minute session and 2 fully retouched images, perfect for social media and business cards, for only $75. Bring a friend and receive a gift. 

2. The 2nd and 3rd Fridays of the month are available for me to travel to a small business and photograph your entire staff as a group and individually. Call for details.

Do your executives need updated headshots for social media and business cards?  This is a GREAT way to get them all done at once.  

Call 240-565-0361.

April Showers bring HUGE $AVINGS!

Happy April, Fans and Friends!  Have you survived the Ides of March and leprechauns looking for your pot of gold?  March was pretty fun with the crazy weather and even though I LOVE snow, I do not like it in Maryland.  When we were in Anchorage, we just kept going; here, life literally STOPS and it takes forever to re-start. 

Ah well, enough of that. I'm so excited that spring is finally here.  Birds are singing and flowers are blooming.

This brings me to an AMAZING announcement.  I have a professional goal of photographing 10 families in the month of April.  

Yes, you heard that correctly.

I want to photograph 10 families this month with the gorgeous cherry tree blossoms or at a favorite park such as Kinder Farm.  I'm really excited, because I'm totally sweetening the deal for my potential clients.  

Oooohhhh!  

This offer is good for families of up to 5 people.  The youngest must be at least 6 months old.  All rights reserved and is subject to availability.  Only 1 purchase per family.  Session must be used between now and April 30th.  If you would like to upgrade to a further place than 15 minutes away from the studio, it is $0.50 per mile each way.  If you would like to add more people, it is $15 per person.

Call 240-565-0361 for more details.

Spring Portraits: Date extended!

There are just a few more Chicks 'n' Bunnies Sessions available for sale through my Living Social deal.  Here's the link.

Talk to you soon!

First Anniversary Family Photo Session Auction Celebration!

It's so exciting!

This is how we celebrate our upcoming 1 year anniversary of officially celebrating in the Bowie, MD area.

Starting in May, we will be having a few auctions on sessions for the month of June to help us help YOU celebrate family!

What?

Yes.

A few years ago, when we were in Anchorage, I actually did a few auctions through Facebook when it was still legal.  I haven't done any since because, well, 1) we've moved a few times since 2010, and 2) Facebook no longer allowed auctions without the use of an app.  

Now that we are in a great area with wonderful clients who are spreading the word about HBP, I'm ready to start my first Auction in May.  I also want everyone to see my awesome new website, so this is how it'll go.

I will be announcing dates and times for the auctions really soon.  It's really important that you arrange to be here virutally, as I'll be doing it on my blog.  I'll probably do 3 sessions per auction, several times a week.

Each session will be started at a lowered price.  It may be for a studio session, or for an on-location session for families.  It might be for a pin-up session or Blanc Boudoir session.  It might even include product.  I'll be sending out the information in the monthly newsletter and weekly updates soon.

Bids will be accepted in $10 or $20 increments and will last for 5 minutes each.  Bidding will take place here on my blog.  When the time is up, the person with the highest bid will win that particular session, and I'll be contacting said person right after to take payment and set the date and time.  Please note that this will be a non-refundable purchase and if you need to reschedule, you'll be able to reschedule only once.

All of the rules and regulations will be posted soon.

Who's excited to win an auction???