Friday, May 10, 2019

The Photo You Didn't Get to Take

Here on my blog, I work hard to keep it positive.  Today, however, I want to talk about the photograph that you didn't get to take.

So often, getting photographs done is something that we push off.  The reasons are usually, "we're too busy"... "I need to lose 20 pounds"... "It's too hard to get everyone together"... "It's too expensive"... "my cousin's aunt's grandchild is a photographer and so we're good"...

We know that life is short.  We know that we need to live in the moment, reminisce with joy over the past, and look ahead to the future.  That unknown future could change at any time, though.

Do the photos now.  Take all of the pictures that are meaningful to you.  Be in the snapshots with your children... with your aging parents... with your best friends from college... on your family summer vacation.  Above all, even if you don't choose Honey Bee Photography to create a 3-generation experience for you, hire someone to do group photographs with everyone, along with all of the special breakups so you have that legacy to enjoy for decades to come.

Trust me, you'll be grateful so much later when the years slip by and you have photographs on your walls to enjoy all of the time, as well as the memories and emotions associated with them.

Take the photos before it's too late.

If you are interested in creating a family legacy for your children and generations to come, including artwork that you'll enjoy for years and years, call Megan at 240-766-8966.

Bee in love with the artwork of your life.

The top 6 photos you don't want to miss this summer.

Ah, Summer.  The magical, long, hot days, the cool, breezy nights, and everything in between.  It's time for get-aways, games, special meals with special people in your life, and all the memories.

Now, it may seem that taking photos during all of summer, especially vacation time, may seem obvious, but there are some photos that later on, you'll wish you'd remembered to take.  Here are my top 6 photos you don't want to miss this summer.

1.  Getting in front of your child while they are running away from Dad or Grandma.  Too often, when we are chasing our kids and all we see is the back of their heads, we hear them laughing, but we can't see their expression.  Let me tell you... those expressions are so sweet and so gleeful, because while to us, we're thinking, "My darling child, Mommy doesn't have time to chase you down", they think it's a game and it's so much fun.  So... set yourself up to be in front of your child, while your partner plays chase, so you can capture that beautiful moment, that I know you'll treasure forever.

2.  Eating a big smiley slice of watermelon.  Nothing is cuter than cutting a cold, juicy slice of sweet watermelon, handing it to your three year old, and getting some adorable photos while she enjoys it.  Her smile will be the same shape as that slice, and imagine juice on her chin, and her eyes shining brightly as she enjoys one of life's simple pleasures.

3.  Photos of you with your furbabies.  Make sure that you get someone to take photos of you with your sweet furbaby, because all too often, we moms get our kids and the dog, our partner with the cat, but we don't get photographs of us with our sweet furbabies.  Selfies are fun, but there's only so much you can get with that.  Hand over your cell phone to a friend and ask her to take photos of you with your baby... our fur babies are only around for a short while.

4.  Use light to your advantage on detail photos.  Backlighting things like fruity drinks will make the glass sparkle. For fabulous photos at family reunions, set yourselves up so you can use open shade without harsh sunlight to get the very best photos that are well lit.  You can also use sunshine to your advantage to sculpt your subject in flattering ways.

5.  Get the grandparents with each individual child.  It's awesome to get all the grandchildren together with your mom and dad.  That's always a fun and memorable time!  However, the oldest child always gets those individual photos, and as more offspring and cousins come along, it's usually group photos of everyone with grandma.  Each child will feel special having their very own photo with their grandma and grandpa, and it becomes a legacy to treasure in the future.

6.  Finally, be in the photos with your kids.  They aren't going to care that you don't have makeup on, or that you feel you need to lose 20 pounds before you allow photos of yourself... The most photographed generation will end up not having photos with their moms because of these reasons.  Be in photos with your kids.  They will treasure them in years to come.

My final pro tip is to print your photographs.  This is the only way to preserve your memories.  Having your photos in the cloud is great, but you need to turn on a device in order view them... and it's easy to forget about them, too.  Remember going through albums as a kid and enjoying those photos of you and your family when you were young?  Don't deprive your children of that joy!  Print what you want to preserve.

If these ideas sound wonderful, and you'd love to explore having your very own experience and artwork to treasure forever, call Megan today at 240-766-8966.

Bee in love with the artwork of your life.

Thursday, May 9, 2019

You Spoke, We Listened


You spoke, and we listened!

As you know, we believe in celebrating our loved ones.  We have a mission to help families reconnect and rediscover what’s really important to them, and help create an impact with artwork for your homes, so that every day, your loved ones are reminded of who they are, where they come from, and where they’re going. 

EXPERIENCE (ex-PER-i-ence)
1. (N) The content of participation in an event.
2. (N) An event as apprehended.
3. (V) To go or live through.
4. (V) To undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind.

Remember, you always receive the awesome experience we give you.  Your phone calls to plan for your photography date are insightful and help you to really pinpoint the things you love most about your family.  Your photography date is fun and low-stress for everyone, because everything is planned.  We know exactly what we are doing.  Then, we come to your home, or you can visit our studio, to celebrate your photographs by watching your Premiere and participating in your Design Consultation.  Finally, the most exciting part of your experience, is when I deliver your artwork to your home, and help you to install it.


Here's the different mediums we’re using:
·         Good    
o   The smallest version of the collections, printed on professional paper, mounted on a stiff board to protect the prints from denting and preventing wrinkles, and sprayed with a beautiful gloss finish to protect your investment from moisture and fingerprints. (frames not included).  These collections start at $399.
·         Better
o   The medium sized version of the collections are a huge surprise!  We print your beautiful photographs onto museum-quality canvas, and they are stretched and adhered to blocks to prevent sagging.  These are then sprayed with gloss spray, complete with UV protection, so you can enjoy these for years to come.   They include easy-to-use hanging systems.  This version of the collections start at $599.
·         Best
o   The original sizes are big and beautiful and meant to create a daily impact on your family members.  Printed on aluminum, colors pop and the glossy finish makes your artwork very eye-catching!  These collections come with an easy-to-use hanging systems that also uses a support to prevent bowing.  Rubber stoppers protect your walls from your gorgeous artwork.  These collections start at $999.

Here’s what the Rose Collection looks like in the “Best Version” in a room.



Here’s a chart that shows the differences in products, sizes, and pricing.

Good
Better
Best
Collections



The Rose Collection
1 large and 2 squares
1-16x20
2-8x8s
$519
1-16x20
2-10x10s
$749
1-30x40
2-15x15s
$1499

For more information, just give us a call at 240-766-8966. 

Fun Holidays to Celebrate in May

Every day is a reason to celebrate, and our calendar is full of holidays that may be lesser known, but still fun to observe and celebrate.  Here are, in order of dates, the holidays of May.


May 1 May Day
May 2 World Password Day  We are celebrating this holiday a little late by cohosting a Facebook Live on May 15, talking about the importance of passwords with Rodney Buckingham with Phoenix Computing Strategies.
May 5 Cinco de Mayo  La Tolteca in Gambrills is finally open, and their food is amazing! 
May 6 National No-Diet Day  Just days after Cinco de Mayo and Hoagie Day!
May 25 National Wine Day   I will be joined by Linda Senne of Senne Wines for a Facebook Live to talk about wine!
May 27 Memorial Day  We'll be at the annual Memorial Day Parade in Bowie, photographing it.  Find me and you'll receive a prize!
May 31 World No Tobacco Day

If these sound like fun, and you'd love to explore them for a photography experience, like International Family Day and celebrate it in June, call me at 240-766-8966.