I Hate Going to the Dentist (5 minute read)

What do you hate doing?

I hate going to the dentist; I admit it.  There’s always been a fear of going.  My mom used to call it “visiting the dentist”, as if changing that one word was going to make going sound like a fun time.

I do NOT feel like sitting in a dentist’s chair, with a person holding metal tools, peering into my mouth, is fun.

Now, I’ve had a couple of really great dentists!  My dentist in Anchorage, Dr Christiansen, was so fantastic. Once, I had developed an ulcer on the roof of my mouth, so I went to him to have it lanced;  in my memory, he’s the Dr. Pimple-popper of dentists!  We also had a laugh over my bovine implant in my gum at another time.  We shall never forget that episode.

So aside from those stories, let me tell you this:  I will STILL do everything I can to avoid going to the dentist, especially those who don’t use laughing gas.  Breathing in that gas that just makes everything seem hilarious, even when the hygienist is poking around.  But here’s the thing about avoiding the dentist; at some point it could be too late, and you could lose a tooth, all because you avoid going to the dentist.

I hear this about being photographed, too. 

“I know we should do a 3-generation session, and we will, but I need to lose about 50 lbs first, before I get in front of the camera.”
“I know I need to bring my 10 year old dog and 2 teenagers in to be photographed, we’re just so busy, I can’t find a good time to do it.”
“I hate getting my photo done, but I know that I need to be in a photograph with my husband and kids.  Can you hide me behind them?”

And here’s the sad part:  getting around to losing those 50 lbs may take too long, and you might lose a parent.  Dogs have much shorter lives than we do, and how sad is it that that photograph might never happen?  Your kids are going to get older, and you and your husband will, too.  The magical ages of young childhood last for only a certain amount of time, and then all of a sudden they are 10+ years and going every-which-way, and you’re the one driving them to their activities.

I understand that the thought of taking a photograph is risky for a lot of adults.  “What if I lose weight next year, then I’ll have photographs of me at this weight forever! Ugh, I can’t stand to see that!”

What if I told you that by working with me, together, we’ll create the family photographs of your dreams?

My answer to that is, “When we plan your photography session, we’re going to plan outfits that are flattering for everyone, including yourself.  I’ll pose you to ensure that you look great, and my camera angle will be at a place that will make you instantly look like you’ve lost 8 pounds!”

What would it mean to you to have a photograph that YOU LOVE of your family?  Not a photograph where the kids look cute, and that’s good enough for you.  But one where you look stunning, your kids look like they are having fun, and your husband looks like he’s enjoying himself, too.

What would it mean to have a photograph of you, your siblings, and your parents together?  A photograph that, every time you see it, years from now, you’ll remember what it was like to embrace your dad and smell his aftershave?

What would it mean to you to have a photograph of your kids and your dog, one that pulls at your heartstrings, and helps you to grieve a little easier when he ventures on to Rainbow Bridge?

Just like avoiding the dentist and losing a tooth, avoiding getting your photographs done with great intention of doing it someday may result in never having done it, and I can tell you that the regret can be enormous.  Snapshots are great, but artwork that you display on your walls that tell a story of your family is so very important.  You’ll get to see these photographs every single day in your family room, and so will your guests and loved ones.  They are conversation starters and will help you to relive the experience of when you reconnected with your husband and kids, when you talk about them to your friends, and then you’ll fall in love with them, all over again!

And how good does that feel to know that you entrusted such important photographs to a photographer who cares about your photographs just as much as you do?

 

It feels as good as it does to know that my dentist cares about me and my fears as much as fixing my tooth, and that my mouth will feel better when it’s all done.

Make the goal, this year, to get your family’s photographs done, with purpose and meaning.  If you have a pet in your family, or 2 or 7, I’d love to offer you a gift certificate that will help save you money, contribute to a worthy cause, and create lasting emotional attachment to a moment in your family’s history.

Rescue My Heart: A call out to all who own rescue pets (5 minute read)

Calling all Rescues:  Cats, Dogs, Horses, Bunnies, Birds, and Reptiles

There are so many kinds of rescue stories:  Foster Failures, Shelter Adoptions, Found in the Street, Rehoming, Appeared out of Thin Air, etc.  There are as many variations on these stories as there are animals! 

Every time I hear a story, which is always touching, about how a human’s life has been touched by a rescue pet, my mind goes directly to the following question:

Indeed.

Those who share their stories about how they fell in love with their rescues, often end up saying a similar statement:  “I don’t know if I really rescued my dog; I think she rescued me!”

I want to celebrate that and create awareness that rescues are wonderful creatures, and make wonderful family members.   

That’s why I’m working with Rude Ranch Animal Rescue and The Spay Spa and Neuter Nook.  These two organizations believe deeply in the joy of rescue and have made it their life mission to help these creatures.  Kathy and Bob Rude own and run both of these organizations, and you can find out more about them at www.ruderanch.org and www.spayspa.org.

Together, we have the goal of raising $10,000 to provide well-deserving families assistance in spaying and neutering their pets.  Our fundraiser has two parts to it, and both are celebratory in nature and fun!

Part one:  The LUXURY Photography Experience.

Interested families who love their rescues can purchase a $400 gift certificate for ONLY $50.  A whopping $40 of that goes to Rude Ranch/Spay Spa in their name.  Each family receives a full experience, which means that we get to find out exactly what you love about your rescue, how having them in your life has brought joy, and of course, we get to know all of your family members, too.

Then the day of your session arrives, which is fun for everyone!  Since we’ve planned your session, we photograph exactly what you want for your artwork.  Your session is guaranteed, so you know that I’ll help you prepare for every detail, and I’ll work hard with you to ensure that we get it all.

Soon after, we roll out the red carpet and show you your photographs with a cinematic presentation, and you get to design your artwork AND order at that time.  We can do it about 1.5 hours after your session, or if it’s better, we get together within a few days to have a party and ooh and ahh and shed some tears of joy.  I guarantee you’ll love your photographs, so do be prepared!  We accept all standard forms of payment; diamond earrings, pints of blood, and arms & legs are also acceptable. (not really! Lol) (Note:  a prosthetic leg costs about $22,000.... so you know you won't be spending that much on artwork!)

Within just a couple of weeks, the VERY best part happens:  The Unveiling of Your Artwork!  I deliver your artwork to you and together, we relive the beautiful experience that started at the very first phone call!  I can help you install them, but with our two largest collections, I have a professional come to install your artwork, while we watch and enjoy.

Doesn’t a LUXURY Photography Experience sound like something you would cherish?  All of that, plus $200 goes towards your purchase of your artwork.  AND, if you schedule your session Monday-Thursday, you’ll get your entire $400 deducted from your artwork purchase. 

5-10% of sales also goes to Rude Ranch and Spay Spa, depending on which collection you fall in love with.

Part Two:  The Celebration

Once we have finished with all of the families, we’ll be compiling all of the stories and a matching photograph into a GORGEOUS coffee table book!  Each family gets their own page, with a story of how their rescue enriches their lives.  Our goal is 100 families and their rescues; it’ll be a big book!  Proceeds from the sale of these books will go towards Rude Ranch and Spay Spa.

But wait, there’s MORE!

As you know, we are celebrating rescues and their families… so what better way to release this book than to have a celebratory dinner, complete with a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle?  All proceeds go to Rude Ranch and Spay Spa.

That’s right!  What better way to celebrate than to gather together to show off our rescues, be it canine, feline, fowl, rodent, horse, or reptile?  After all of the fun work we’ll be doing together, we’ll be able to enjoy our book and eat delicious food, and celebrate the important work that Rude Ranch and Spay Spa do for Ann Arundel County and neighboring areas.

Don’t delay! if you have a rescue that you adore and you simply must celebrate your relationship with him or her, call Megan today to get more information at 240-7766-8966!  You won’t regret it!

Gift Certificates are on sale NOW.  These make great gifts for Valentine's Day and birthdays!  Celebrate your rescue pet by calling today to purchase your very own gift certificate now.  Early Birds receive an extra $100, making the value of their gift certificate $500 for ONLY $50!  240-766-8966 is the number to call!