Does Your Social Media and Print Marketing Need a Makeover?

I know, I know.  It's barely Autumn.  It isn't even October yet.  Or, what I like to call, ROCKtober.

Blink, and the holidays will be here.  They start NOW, with prepping for Halloween.  I mean, I picked up the CUTEST Halloween shirt up today.  It's soooo sparkly!

Anyway, now's the best time to do your headshots, because everyone's pumped up that the leaves are changing, fun times will be had, and the whirlwind holiday prep is coming!  In January, you'll want to update your website, your social media, and your print marketing.  Don't wait til January to get your headshots done.  Do you know why?  Because most people indulge a bit over the holiday season, and put off doing photos for their websites, because they feel like they need to lose a couple of pounds.

Coming off of summer, now is the best time to do your photographs, because you still have a slight tan, the kids are in school, so you can focus a bit more on yourself, and you just colored your hair.  Or  you're about to color your hair with that gorgeous color combo you've been eyeing for bayalage, and you just can't wait to make that happen.

So, October 17 is the day, and boy, do I have a great deal for you!  I'm teaming up with Adam Santavicca of CBay Advisory on October 17, because he gives a FREE monthly seminar to the members and community of Crofton at the Chamber of Commerce office, and this just couldn't be MORE PERFECT.  

This date is by appointment, only.  Before your session, we'll talk on the phone, and discuss what you love about what you do, what your why is, and how you want to portray yourself in your photographs.  We'll also talk about your current logo, and any updates you'll be doing in the near future with the branding of your business.  We'll talk colors, clothing style, accessories, props, and many other things that will help your headshot session be successful.  I also have resources for you, if you need help with your hands looking smoother for your session, or your lips looking chapped.  I've got you covered!!!

The day of the session, we'll take 15 minutes to do about 10 different photographs.  You're welcome to have a second outfit, as long as you can get into it quickly.  You'll get to be with my assistant straight after your session to look at your photographs and choose your very favorite ones. Within five (5) business days, you'll receive your beautifully done headshots via dropbox/email, retouched, and you're looking your absolute best!

I know you are dying to know how much this is, because there's SO MUCH VALUE packed in this.  With all of this amazing service, you'll receive your first 2 headshots for only $150!  After that, they are $100 each. 

Now, I know what you're thinking:  What a GREAT DEAL!!!  I'll be so confident and excited to get my photograph done, and I can't wait to see how they turn out!  Depending on when your appointment is, you'll be able to network before and after Adam's presentation, and we are providing light refreshments for all to enjoy.  Bring PLENTY of business cards with you, so that you'll be able to trade with other professionals that day.

In case you're wondering... here's what I've done in the past.

Here's what Leslie, from Severn Bank (bottom row, 2nd from the left), had to say about her experience with getting her headshot done with HBP:

"Megan was really good about helping me feel so comfortable in front of the camera.  I'd just had photos done with my company, and I just hated them.  Megan knew exactly how to pose me, helped me to relax and smile, and the way she retouched me looks so natural!  I really love my photograph!  She also photographed my family, and I'll tell you, she did an amazing job.  The colors she helped me choose goes with my decor, and my adult children even love them!  They are not easy to impress.  Anyway, I'm so glad we have Megan as our photographer.  I wish I could take her with me on my vacations!"

For more information, give Megan a call at 240-766-8966 to find out more about how to have a successful headshot done.

Upcoming Special Events

It's Fall, and you know what that means!  Sipping hot cider, going on hayrides, creating memories.  Blink, and before you know it, it's Thanksgiving.

This fall, at Honey Bee Photography, we've put together a variety of Special Events to help different families to reconnect and rediscover what they love about each other, ending with artwork that will impact your family and draw you closer together, during the best time of the year.  Listed below is our calendar of events.

Honey Bee Photography Upcoming Events

10/12 This Is Me Sessions, Samhain Edition

Do you celebrate the change of seasons and harvest with a pagan tradition?  This is the session for you.  This Is Me sessions help women to reconnect, and rediscover things about themselves that daily life has kept them from with education, career, and family.  In this, we'll explore what you love about Samhain and how it relates to your experiences.  

As this is a Special Event Date, our sessions are :45 minutes long, and will be in studio for convenience.  Basic props will be available, and we'll discuss what to wear, and what you'd love to bring with you.

If you are looking for a session that is outside and more organic, we can do a full experience with hair, makeup, and 100% bespoke to you.

10/15 AA Schools closed Special Magic of Fall Sessions

Our Magic of Fall sessions are fun, festive, and family friendly!  (Did you see what I did there? So fabulous!)

We are opening up 3 Special Event MOF experiences and sessions just for families who have children who attend school in Anne Arundel County.  Bonus pricing is available only for these sessions.  You'll receive a Lite Version of our full experience, including a couple of discovery calls about what you love about being a mom, and fall, and recommendations on clothing, collection purchasing, etc.  These sessions will be held at one place, in the morning only.  Call today to schedule your appointment.  We have ONLY THREE (3) available. 240-766-8966. 

Note:  we will schedule your design consultation to be held within 1 week after your session to review your photographs and help you design your collection, album, greeting cards, and more! 

10/17 Headshot Day at Pongo’s Learning Lab

When you look at your headshot, do you have to kind of squint a little because it was done 10 years ago, and it doesn't quite look like you, anymore?  Or is it one that was "free" by your HR department manager, because she has a camera?  Or finally, is it a selfie in the driver's seat of your car?

 We're teaming up with Adam Santavicca of CBay Advisory, who gives a monthly presentation to the Crofton Chamber of Commerce members on better ways to grow their businesses.  As the Chamber's office is two doors down from Pongo's, it's very convenient to have a no-stress headshot session done, and then get to do some networking with lunch and learn something new.  

If you get your head shot done in the morning, you'll be able to network and head over to the chamber, for the 11:30 am presentation.  If you come for the 11:30 presentation first, you'll just head over to Pongo's, where we'll be, and do your headshot then.  It's a total win-win situation.

Adam and I are providing lunch, so you'll be able to nibble and enjoy your time together with new networking friends.

Your head shot experience includes a phone consultation to talk about how you want your audience to see you in your most authentic light, your 15 minute session with me, then you get to sit with my assistant to go over your favorites, and purchase them.  I'll retouch them lightly, and get them to you within a week.  All of this, PLUS 2 of your favorite photographs, for only $150 (a $200 value).  Each additional photograph is $100.

   

10/18 PG and Howard Schools closed Special Magic of Fall Sessions

Our Magic of Fall sessions are fun, festive, and family friendly!  (Did you see what I did there? So fabulous!)

We are opening up 5 Special Event MOF experiences and sessions just for families who have children who attend school in Prince George's and Howard Counties.  Bonus pricing is available only for these sessions.  You'll receive a Lite Version of our full experience, including a couple of discovery calls about what you love about being a mom, and fall, and recommendations on clothing, collection purchasing, etc.  These sessions will be held at one place, in the morning only.  Call today to schedule your appointment.  We have ONLY FIVE (5) available. 240-766-8966. 

Note:  we will schedule your design consultation to be held within 1 week after your session to review your photographs and help you design your collection, album, greeting cards, and more! 

10/27 Magic of Autumn Special Event 9-2

According to the experts, we'll be in peak fall foliage, and so this date is the PERFECT day to do your family portraits.  We are photographing ONLY 5 families this day (45 minute sessions) and these are going to be held at a specific spot where there is plenty of gorgeous color.  You'll receive a Lite Version of our full experience, including a couple of discovery calls about what you love about being a mom, and fall, and recommendations on clothing, collection purchasing, etc.  These sessions will be held at one place, in the morning only.  Call today to schedule your appointment.  We have ONLY FIVE (5) available. 240-766-8966. 

Note:  we will schedule your design consultation to be held within 1 week after your session to review your photographs and help you design your collection, album, greeting cards, and more! 

11/2 Magic of Autumn Special Event 9-2

According to the experts, we'll be in peak fall foliage, and so this date is the PERFECT day to do your family portraits.  We are photographing ONLY 5 families this day (45 minute sessions) and these are going to be held at a specific spot where there is plenty of gorgeous color.  You'll receive a Lite Version of our full experience, including a couple of discovery calls about what you love about being a mom, and fall, and recommendations on clothing, collection purchasing, etc.  These sessions will be held at one place, in the morning only.  Call today to schedule your appointment.  We have ONLY FIVE (5) available. 240-766-8966. 

Note:  we will schedule your design consultation to be held within 1 week after your session to review your photographs and help you design your collection, album, greeting cards, and more! 

11/9 Fundraiser Bowie CLAW Pets with Santa

This event far surpasses any other opportunity your pets and family has to spend with Santa!  Our Santa loves pets, kids, and everyone in between, so you'll have posed and candid with Santa, as well as some others that will show off your pets' sweet and cheeky ways.  ONLY one date, by appointment only, at Calvert Brewing Company.  240-766-8966

11/17 Studio Holiday Card Sessions:  Christmas, Hanukkah, and Yule

These sessions are for families who love the holiday spirit AND want their kids to look really great for their holiday cards.  This experience includes your Excitement phone call, where we talk about what you and your family loves about your holiday of choice, and together, we'll plan your photographs and card design, so on the day of your session, you're all ready to go.  Your session will last for a half hour, and you'll see your photographs directly afterwards by my assistant.  We are offering bonus pricing on this date only, so please plan to spend about an hour with us.  We have time for ONLY 8 FAMILIES on this day. (Santa Baby sessions are unavailable this year, sorry)

11/23 Studio Holiday Card Sessions:  Christmas, Hanukkah, and Yule

These sessions are for families who love the holiday spirit AND want their kids to look really great for their holiday cards.  This experience includes your Excitement phone call, where we talk about what you and your family loves about your holiday of choice, and together, we'll plan your photographs and card design, so on the day of your session, you're all ready to go.  Your session will last for a half hour, and you'll see your photographs directly afterwards by my assistant.  We are offering bonus pricing on this date only, so please plan to spend about an hour with us.  We have time for ONLY 8 FAMILIES on this day. (Santa Baby sessions are unavailable this year, sorry)

11/24, 11/26, 11/27, 11/29, 11/30 Family Legacy Sessions, for 3+generations

Thanksgiving is a time for families to gather, and with our global living these days, sometimes a family can only get together for a couple of days during that one crucial week.  The experts don't say that Thanksgiving week is the most highly traveled week out of the year for nothing!

This year, we are offering something so incredibly special for these families, and there's SO MUCH VALUE, that we just can't fit it all on here.  Please note that we are very limited on the number of families we can work with, as these sessions do take time, and you'll be able to see your photographs projected on the wall right after your session.  Your family members will receive the full experience, to help you all rediscover what you love about each other, and reconnect with each other, because let's face it.... some siblings are more excited than others to have family photographs taken.  We're able to get everyone on board and excited to do family photographs. 

(If I tell you here how I do it, it wouldn't be so successful!  You'll just have to trust me!)

Please visit this blog post for pertinent details!  Thanks! 

 12/1 Last Minute Studio Holiday Card Sessions

These sessions are for families who wait til the last minute for their holiday cards.  This experience includes your Excitement phone call, where we talk about what you and your family loves about your holiday of choice, and together, we'll plan your photographs and card design, so on the day of your session, you're all ready to go.  Your session will last for a half hour, and you'll see your photographs directly afterwards by my assistant.  We are offering bonus pricing on this date only, so please plan to spend about an hour with us. In order for your cards to arrive in a timely manner, you have to do your order on this date.  We have time for ONLY 4 FAMILIES on this day. (Santa Baby sessions are unavailable this year, sorry)

Megan's 5 Picks for Family Fall Festivals

It's that time again!  It's autumn, finally, and with it comes bonfires in the back yard, warm mulled cider and wine, and pumpkins everywhere!  However, it isn't complete without a couple of Fall Festivals.

Here are my 5 picks for October!

The 5 best Family fall festivals of 2019.

 Knightongale Farm, located in Harwood, MD, will be hosting it annual Fall Festival on the following weekends:

September 28 & 29
October 5 & 6
October 12 & 13
October 19 & 20
October 26 & 27. 

They have amazing activities for kids of all ages, and many vendors to delight you and yours.

Amanda Wisley of Bubbles Productions will be offering face painting and balloon sculptures.  Her skills are amazing, as are her team’s, as well. 

Together, her team can add exactly what you need to make any party or event very festive!  You can have your very own superhero, princess, or character come to visit your child’s party!  For any event entertainment, they can provide balloon twisting, face painting, telegrams, and even magic. And for those who CRAVE carnival food, they offer concessions that can be added on, or booked solo:  cotton candy, popcorn, and Megan’s favorite, snow cones!

Here are some recent photos of painted faces, shared here with permission.

Burgers and Bands Annapolis is hosted by Burgers and Bands for Suicide Prevention, and it’s founder, Anne Brennan.  This community event, (is) a party, and a wildly fun time. But most importantly it is an event with a purpose, to show people in Anne Arundel County, no matter what your age, you are not alone. There is help, there is hope, there are people who will step up, there are resources. #youarenotalone

Please join us for our first ever Burgers and Bands Annapolis event at Byzantium event center. Think Burgers, Bands and Baklava.

Featuring:

Kelly Bell Band
The Great Heights Band
Mojo Bozo's Electric Circus
Mac + Blue
Area-301
D'Vibe & Conga
Dan Haas
ZEE Band - A Priddy Music Academy Band
and more...

DON’T MISS Sunday, October 20.

 

      Also on October 20 is FALL Festival:  Halloween on the Avenue

50 years strong--Maryland Avenue's Fall Festival hits the Avenue on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20th! Food, Vendors, Music, Entertainment, and the Halloween Pup Parade. We can't wait to see you here! More details to come.

      October 12 at Kinder Farm Park:  Fall Festival at Kinder Farm Park

Come on down to the farm and join us for a fun-filled day of activities for the whole family. Activities will include: children’s games, scarecrow making, antique tractor display, pumpkin painting, farm animals display, blacksmith demonstrations, food concessions, live music, hayrides, and much, much more! Local vendors will be on site to sell their paintings, jewelry, glassworks, and more!

Call the Park Office at (410) 222-6115 for more information.

      October 5 2019 International Edgar Allen Poe Festival and Awards

Poe Baltimore invites you to darken Poe’s chamber door at the second annual International Edgar Allan Poe Festival and Awards, October 5 & 6, 2019. This free, two-day outdoor event will feature Poe-themed performances, art, vendors and food, celebrating Poe’s life, works and his influence in the arts. The festival will take place directly across the street from Poe House at 203 N. Amity Street in Baltimore, in the newly-built “Poe Park” at Center/West.

The festival includes Poe-themed performances, vendors, booksellers and music, plus family-friendly activities, poetry and art.

Did you know that we are booking for fall and holiday sessions? At Honey Bee Photography, we guarantee your experience, your session, AND your artwork. Call today for more information!

Thanksgiving Week for Extended Family Sessions

Legacy Family Experiences

As a young child, a favorite activity was to pore over old family photo albums, and hearing stories from my mom about each person.  I loved the smell of the albums, the way the pages sounded when turned, and the feel of the photo corners that had been carefully licked and placed for each photograph.

 It’s because of similar experiences, that the oldest generations in your family hate to get photographs done.  Other complaints are that everyone looks stiff.  The thing I hear the most is “I hate myself in photos; I never look natural!” from these generations.  It’s because they were standing there, waiting for the person to take the photo, with the sun in their eyes, and not being quite sure when the photo was being taken, so they had their photo smile pasted on.

I’m here to tell you that it isn’t painful, these days, at all!

How much sentimental value do you place on the photos in your grandma’s photo album?  With the years gone by, specific details in your memories fade, but photographs always help you to relive the good times.  Those old photographs become valuable with each passing year, because let’s face it, the cycle of life does end, and when that happens, photographs of loved ones are often all we have left.

I consider Legacy Family Artwork to be an essential gift.  I have a photograph, done at Olan Mills, of my sister, my mother, and my grandmother.  It’s beautiful.    Because of unusual circumstances, I was not able to be a part of this photograph.  I truly wish I had.  It would be a gift to see the four of us together like that. 

When I think of 3 or 4-generations of a family that are alive, or even 5, I think of how amazing that must be to have all of that love, wisdom, all of those shared experiences, in one room.  

How marvelous is the opportunity that when your grandchildren have children, they will have these pieces to hand down to them, share with them special stories to make the people in the photos come alive! 

Consider this young boy, Ethan.  At the tender age of 6, he knows of his grandfathers on his dad’s side, simply because he loves boxing.  This boy is the youngest of generations of boxers, who have left a great legacy for him.  These photographs help him to remember who he is, where he comes from, and to where he’s going.

That’s the kind of artwork that we produce here at Honey Bee Photography.  

Photography that creates an impact every time you walk past, even on the hard days, because you relive those feelings every time you see them. 

If a family can walk past a collection like this every day at home, and feel that love, imagine what a collection will do for a family with three or more generations, together…  It’s an amazing addition to your photographs that you already display, and will complete the story of who you all are.

We know that Thanksgiving week is a time for families to gather, and it’s never long enough.  That’s why we’re offering a special opportunity, the week of Thanksgiving, to help families with multiple generations to be photographed together.  We can do in-studio, or on-location for these families.

The premium experience that we provide includes the following for only $99:

• §      A $400 gift certificate
• §      A series of phone calls to help you, and yours, to reconnect and rediscover what is loved the most about your family, and planning of the entire session, down to clothing, colors, and location of the session.
• §      The session itself, which will take approximately 2 hours.
• §      A cinematic presentation of your photographs, for all of you to enjoy, right after your session, where we’ll sit together to create the collections each family within the main unit wants to purchase. 
• §      Each family unit will save $200 with the purchase of a collection starting at $600 or more, or 10% off, whichever is more.  We offer 3 pricing platforms in Good, Better, and Best.  All artwork is created with premium products.

§      Local members of the family will have their delivery and installation done by me.  Families out of town will receive their artwork directly from my vendor via UPS, with instructions on how to install.  Our 2 largest collections, in the best category, come with installation by a professional, who will be vetted by me, through a vast networking community to which I belong, at the family’s convenience, whether in the area, or out of state.

Slots are available on the following dates and times:

Nov 26 at 10 am

Nov 27 at 10 am
Nov 29 at 8:30 am and 3:00 pm
Nov 30 at 8:30 am and 3:00 pm

Expect that the session, starting on time, to each family unit ordering, will take about 5 hours.  Please make time for that, so that we can serve everyone there.

How do you style your brand, anyway?

Studies show that prospective clients respond more positively to actual photos on websites of local businesses, as opposed to stock photos.  The photographs and videos that you use on your website, blog, and social media contribute strongly to your brand, and help to tell your story.  Stock photos make your brand impersonal and cold.

According to Catherine M White, Business Development Strategist and author of Overcoming Roadblocks to Success, the parts of a brand are defined as follows:  a connection and relevance to your audience; to know your mission, and have a mission statement; having a vision statement; know your why; who your perfect customer is; and a lasting impression.

“When you style your website, keeping in mind the ultimate outcome is important.  I believe decisions are made with emotion, and so to stimulate that, your content must evoke emotion, and be clear, concise, and descriptive.”  Staying true to your story only makes your brand stronger, and therefore, more apt to make an impression on your audience.

Your business’s photographs are immediately apparent to your audience.  You can think of photographs as a “psychological primer” on your website, influencing your audience to imagine what it would be like to use your product or service.

Stock photos, with humans in them, are very staged and impersonal. The generic styling of them can be helpful, but unnecessary.  Therefore, staying away from stock photos will help your brand’s consistency and keep your viewers on your site longer.

On the other hand, having professionally done photographs for your site will tell a story of who you are, show what your company’s mission is, and create a connection with your prospective client.  Using photographs of your employees or team, in the area in which you work, provides a sense of pride in what you all do together. 

Adding photographs of your products, of delivery of your products to your clients, or even your products on display in your client’s environment, on  your blog and social media, will entice your audience to imagine what it would be like for them to have your product in their lives.

At Honey Bee Photography, we take personal branding very seriously.  We coach our clients to help them create a portion of their brand with photographs.  We take into consideration the type of business you have, your logo, your colors, and the ultimate goal you have for your clients.  All of this, and more, will help your photographs convey who you are, what your business is, and what your WHY is..

Contacting us for a consultation is easy.  You can call us at 240-766-8966 or email megan@honeybeephotography.com.

Easing back into a routine AFTER school begins!

     There are all kinds of Getting Back to School Lists.  No matter how many times you get to go through it, those first couple of weeks are just rough; getting used to a new morning routine, hoping the bus driver remembers to pick up your child, after school snacks and activities, dinner, homework, and bed.  There are also the weekends.

What’s a mom to do?  You have to navigate through all of this WHILST maintaining your personal routine, and pray that your children sync with you, and not the other way around.

     

     1.Start off the morning with easy, fun breakfasts.  Here are 35 delicious dishes that you and your kids can pre-make for the week.  Some are even awesome for after school snacks.

     2. Pick simple clothes to wear.  I know you did back to school shopping, following the rules that the school sets, and you know you love those first back to school outfits.  Hopefully you set these out the night before with your children’s help.

     3. Bus, walk, or carpool?  If you’ve never put your kids on the bus, it can be a little bit anxiety-inducing, especially if you experience the bus completely forgetting about your kids.  Make sure you know where the bus stop is, and the best walking route.  If you carpool, make sure you know where the drop off area is, and make sure that your kids are ready to jump out as soon as you stop. 

4.  After School Snacks can be easy to make, delicious, and full of nutrition.  Here are 16 awesome snacks you can make with your kids, and so much better than snack cakes and chips.

5.  After-school schedules depend on your work schedule, and the personalities of your kids.  Some kids do well by coming home, getting a snack, and getting right to homework, so they have the rest of the evening to relax.  Other kids need to run and play hard right after school; all of that sitting and learning has made brains ready to explode because they need to move.  A snack, a physical activity, dinner, and then homework is a schedule that might make more sense. You’ll figure out pretty quickly what works for you.

6.  School night dinners can be pretty daunting.  I found that meal planning helped so much… Thinking about dinner 5 minutes after work is too much.  However, I know that not everyone plans their menus.  Here is a website full of possibilities, and I don’t think one needs to have kids in school to make these.  So many look sooooo delicious!

7. Evening routines can be so crazy.  Scouts, church night, sports, music lessons, and so much more can run havoc on those evenings.  Those are the nights you want to make your schedule as easy as possible.  Leftovers for dinner, clothes set out for tomorrow, and quick showers will help the next morning be easier, because your chores after dinner will be less.

8.  School lunches.  Crazy time, amirite?  So on the nights that look like the described ones in tip #7, plan for your kids to get school lunches.  Did you know that making lunch for your kids is a silent reminder of your love for them?  If you’re looking for something beyond the #basiclunches of #PBJ, this website is something you want to check out.  Easy to put together the night before, and so much fun to eat.  A simple love note on a post-it makes an extra touch.

9.  Homework is everyone’s favorite thing to do!  What do you mean, you’d rather be hung by your toes and have your leg hairs plucked individually from a scary buffalo-head-wearing salsa dancer?  LOL.  Having a distraction free area helps, but giving a 45 minute time period of working, and then 15 minutes of fun time, like a dance party.  Playing music with binaural beats can help focus; there is plenty from which to choose on YouTube.

10.  Time management is not an easily achieved skill for many people.  Helping your child put a schedule together is helpful in a kid version planner.  It may help the arguments as well, when you work with them to set up their schedule.

I hope that these different ideas help.Let us know!