I Won a Gift Certificate! What's Next?

What is a Gift Certificate Competition?

Every once in a while, here at HBP, we love to celebrate relationships by offering competitions.

A competition is different from a contest.  A contest is usually a drawing of some sort.  A competition is based on specific content, and here is where you get to share your heart, and tell us what you love most about people like,

                                                                 Your family

             Your siblings

                                                        Your parents

                    You and your partner

                                                                         Your children

                                                                                                        You!

Wait, what?

My team and I go through the entries and choose the very best one for the grand prize winner.  A winning entry might go something like this:

My sisters and I grew up together with a lot of love in our home.  We are now separated by miles due to marriages and careers, but we get together every summer at the shore.  I’d love to celebrate the fact that we are now all in our 40s with a photo shoot so that we can remember how awesome we are!

Sometimes, the competition is very specific.  I’ll look for families who never get to spend quality time at the dinner table any more due to kids at sports, mom and dad pursuing education and careers, all the while juggling visits to Grandma’s house every 2 weeks.  That’s just one example of so many!  All of the entries should be themed around something in this statement that resonates with the person entering the competition.

Next, we’ll go through each entry, and choose the ones that make our hearts sing.  Then we’ll decide on and call the grand prize winner, and the first place winners as well.  Together, you and I will discover some really wonderful things about who you want to include in your session.  We’ll also talk about what your gift certificate covers, and how you can use it.

Our session is going to be unlike anything you’ve experienced before with a photography session.  Together, we’ll have fun, we’ll savor the moments, and we’ll soak it all in.  Every little bit.  Because your session is about those moments that we create together, so that every time you look up at your artwork, you’ll relive those moments and feel those same feelings again and again.

Next is our party!  We’ll get together at your home with a Premiere and Design Party, where we go over your photographs and put them together in designs that are meant to impact your lives every single day!  It’s the first time you get to relive those moments from our session, so having everyone, present,  who was photographed is important.  It’s a beautiful part of the experience because it gives you just a quick taste of what’s to come soon after!

Finally, the moment arrives for our second celebration:  when I come to your home and deliver your artwork to you!  This is like Christmas morning, where your anticipation bubbles up and you feel like a kid again, as you can’t wait to open your artwork!  Having everyone there for the delivery is also important, because experiencing this together is a bonding moment, as everyone soaks the artwork in.

We think that this is the perfect way to celebrate relationships, and are certain that you think so, too.  Keep your eye out on FB for our next competition, and start thinking about what you might say to get that winning entry!

Expecting Number 2!

These guys are adorable.  Remember this image from last year?

Here are the beautiful maternity images for this beautiful family!

Cute Kids Contest! The Month of June, 2014

As another way to celebrate our first anniversary, we will be running a children "Cute Kids Contest"

Please read the rules and regulations below.  This contest will be done through the blog of my website.

Rule #1: Entries are limited to one snapshot per family. If you have more than one child that you would like to enter, please consider the siblings category for ages 0-18 years. 

Rule #2: Photo MUST be a snapshot. Retouching is NOT allowed. If you take photos of your child and do anything more in Photoshop or any other editing program than resizing and sharpening, your submission will be invalid. The snapshot must show surroundings and not depict a backdrop.

Rule #3: One vote per person only. You must be 18 or older to vote. Any suspicious Facebook accounts will be checked into. Cheating is NOT allowed and will result in immediate deletion of image and therefore your entry. 

Rule #4: You must be a Facebook Fan of Honey Bee Photography and remain so through the duration of the contest

Rule #5: How to Vote:  Each contestant will have his or her own entry on the blog.  During the times of voting, a person will be able to vote ONCE.  You will type VOTE under that person's photograph.  Please be honest by voting only once and don't create several accounts for your children and yourself.  That will not be tolerated.

Rule #6: Negative or disparaging comments will not be tolerated and you will be removed from the contest. That said, comments in the albums begging for votes will result in disqualification as well. 

Rule #7: If these rules cannot be followed by entries and voters alike, your entry will be disqualified and removed. Please advise your family and friends to keep their comments to themselves and just vote. 

Rule #8: Drama will NOT be tolerated. I have the final say on every aspect of this contest as I am the owner of Honey Bee Photography. 

Rule #9: Anyone who has won a session with HBP in the past 6 months may not combine winnings with this contest, or with any other discount. 

Photos are to be submitted by email ONLY to meganmartineau6@gmail.com. Photos posted on my page will not be accepted/entered into contest. Photos must be received no later than 11:59 pm June 14, 2014.. When you email your image, please include the name and age of your child(ren), as well as YOUR contact info as a way to get in touch with you if you are a winner. If this information is not included, your submission is invalid. 

The categories are as follows: 1. 0-18 months. 2. 19 months to 4 years. 3. 5-10 years. and 4. Siblings 0-18 years.   Albums will not be created and displayed until voting is supposed to start. Snapshots must portray the child's/children's current age. 

Voting will begin at midnight 12:00 am East Coast time on June 20, 2014 and conclude at 11:59 pm East Coast time on June 25, 2014

As a warning:  There may be some twists and turns along the way with the voting, as this is definitely a GAME.  Please expect that there will be at least one thing that will happen. 

. 

There will be 3 levels of winners. The first level is the over-all most votes in any category. The second level will be category winners with the most votes in each respective category. The overall winner will NOT be included in the category winner level. The third level is the category runner-up. 

Prizes will be as follows. Grand Prize will go to the over-all winner and includes a one-hour regular family photo-session including 4 people (if more than 4 are in the family, winner is to provide payment for additional subjects at $10 per person), and a $200.00 print credit. Anything ordered over $200.00 will be paid for by the winning family along with all shipping costs. The Grand Prize is valued at $250.00.

Category winners will each win a half hour session of the winner (meaning the person(s) in the snapshot entry) and your favorite image in an 11x14. This prize is valued at $110.00

Category runners'-up will receive a half-hour session of the winner (meaning the person(s) in the snapshot entry). This prize is valued at $40.00. No portraits are included. 

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???

Spring and Easter Portraits with Baby Animals

Spring has sprung at Honey Bee Photography!

We have baby bunnies and chicks bouncing around the studio, nibbling on carrots and feed.

OK, maybe not really, but  don't they look like they are about to jump in on the fun?

These animals aren't real!

Did you know that photographers who use live animals for props this time of year need to have a licensed handler from the SPCA to ensure that no animal gets injured or hurt, or hurts a human?  Safety is the number one prerogative in my studio.

That's why I invested in these gorgeous life-like stuffed animals.  They look so real and they are very lovely and touchable.  For those concerned, yes, the bunnies are made with real fur, but they were used first for meat, and then for taxidermy purposes.  I made sure of that when I invested in these guys.

Please visit my Living Social deal and save!  This is the only place where you can get this fabulous price and there are only 12 Chicks 'n' Bunnies sessions left.

Are you interested in further purchases?  Here's the Pricing Guide:

Packages:  We offer packages to help you get started on your purchase.  If you would like to add on to your package, you are able to do that.  Our packages start at $59.00, so they are affordable.  They come from the Nobility Line pricing, which is full retouching, but your portraits are not sprayed nor mounted for enlargements.  If you would like to add mounting or spray, please see below for details.

Collection A (one image)
1-8x10 and 8 wallets $59.00 ($17 in savings)

Collection B (2 images)
1-8x10, 2-5x7s, 2-4x6s $99.00 ($49 in savings)

Collection C (4 images)
1-11x14, 2-8x10s, 2-4x6s and 8 wallets $139.00 ($85 in savings)

Collection D (6 images)
1-11x14, 1-8x10, 2-5x7s, and 6-4x6s $189.00 ($119 in savings)

Add-ons

1 sheet of 8 wallets   $30
1-4x6 portrait   $20
1-5x7 portrait    $23
1-8x10 portrait  $30
1-11x14 portrait $45

These add-ons are fully retouched, printed on luster paper, but no spray for longevity nor mounting for stability are included. 

If you would like to have your portraits sprayed/mounted, please see the following:

To add on spray for 8 wallets: $10 extra
To add on spray for a 4x6:  $5 extra
To add on spray for a 5x7:  $5 extra
To add on spray for an 8x10:  $10 extra
To add on spray and mount for 11x14:  $20 extra

As always, sessions at Honey Bee Photography are guaranteed.  If you don't absolutely love your images that you see at your Premiere Viewing, I will cheerfully refund your session fee and give you an 8x10 portrait, completely free, of your favorite image.  

Questions?  Comments?  Please comment below, and then go to Living Social to pick up one of these for your children, or call 240-245-0416 for more details.

It's March! Spring is just around the corner!

Can you believe it's March already?  Spring is just around the corner and it's time to get out in the yard and spruce everything up! Barnyard babies are being born and new life is being celebrated with oohs and ahhs.  Delight appears in every corner of the yard and garden while bushes and trees begin to bud.  It's a time of renewal and rejuvenation.  I love that about March.

Spring Portraits are on everyone's mind these days!  With that, I have a fantastic Spring Special that is perfect for your children.  March 22-April 5 is time for Chicks 'n' Bunnies.  Your children will be delighted to play in my studio with realistic chicks and bunnies while I photograph them in a 20 minute session.  You'll get to see your images right away to make your order.  For more details, please click here.

As you can see, I've changed my logo for HBP.  I'd love to hear your thoughts about it.  You are welcome to comment below.  That's just one of many things that I've spruced up for this year.  I've created a brand new Pricing Guide, and have produced four levels of service from which to choose.  You could say that I've been bitten by the Spring Cleaning bug.  Or bee. You know what I mean.

Speaking of Spring Cleaning, here is a GREAT site that shares wonderful tips for deep-cleaning your kitchen.  Having a well-organized kitchen that is easy to keep clean is such a time saver. I thought that I knew about a bunch of tips, but some of these are ones of which I never knew.  If you are overwhelmed by the thought of doing that much cleaning, call my friend Eddie from Lila Sparkle, LLC.  His website is here.  Eddie and his staff are friendly, prompt and fantastic at what they do! Your home will sparkle!

In this newsletter, you'll see a great article about my friend, Jodi Schulman, Massage Therapist, whom I like to think of as a Massage Artist.  She owns Galaxy Massage, where your massage is "out of this world".  Here is an article about her, complete with photographs of her giving a massage.  She does a fantastic job, and her clients leave with such a relaxed demeanor.  One of her clients recently commented, "Jodi's touch is firm and warm.  Touch is very important to me, and I felt really warm and relaxed after my massage."  What a great testimonial!

Spring Photos Pricing Guide for Chicks 'n' Bunnies

Chicks 'n' Bunnies is the theme of my Spring Sessions, complete with a cute little group of realistic bunnies and baby chicks.  This session is perfect for children ages 6 months to 7 years.

  
I've recently come up with a new Pricing Guide for my Seasonal Sessions and Childhood Dreams Sessions.  Here it is.

Honey Bee Photography’s Limited Edition Sessions are the premier in helping you to celebrate an upcoming holiday or season.  At HBP, we strive to bring you the cutest images for Fall, Christmas, Spring/Easter, and Summer.  We offer great sets and quick service, that is great for your children and for your pocket!  These sessions are offered at specific dates only; however, if you’d like to host a Portrait Party, we’ll get them out just for you!  Ask for more details about hosting a Portrait Party.

Pricing Guide

Session Fee:  The Session Fee is $59 for a 20 minute session for up to 3 children, plus a beautiful 5x7 portrait of your choice.  These sessions are great for children ages 7 months to 7 years.

Check out the kinds of Limited Edition Sessions that are offered:

Valentine Memories
Chicks ‘n’ Bunnies
Blooms For Sale
Fall Leaves
Santa Baby

Packages:  We offer packages to help you get started on your purchase.  If you would like to add on to your package, you are able to do that.  Our packages start at $59.00, so they are affordable.  They come from the Nobility Line pricing, which is full retouching, but your portraits are not sprayed nor mounted for enlargements.  If you would like to add mounting or spray, please see below for details.

Collection A (one image)
1-8x10 and 8 wallets $59.00 ($17 in savings)

Collection B (2 images)
1-8x10, 2-5x7s, 2-4x6s $99.00 ($49 in savings)

Collection C (4 images)
1-11x14, 2-8x10s, 2-4x6s and 8 wallets $139.00 ($85 in savings)

Collection D (6 images)
1-11x14, 1-8x10, 2-5x7s, and 6-4x6s $189.00 ($119 in savings)

Add-ons

1 sheet of 8 wallets   $30
1-4x6 portrait   $20
1-5x7 portrait    $23
1-8x10 portrait  $30
1-11x14 portrait $45

These add-ons are fully retouched, printed on luster paper, but no spray for longevity nor mounting for stability are included. 

If you would like to have your portraits sprayed/mounted, please see the following:

To add on spray for 8 wallets: $10 extra
To add on spray for a 4x6:  $5 extra
To add on spray for a 5x7:  $5 extra
To add on spray for an 8x10:  $10 extra
To add on spray and mount for 11x14:  $20 extra

As always, sessions at Honey Bee Photography are guaranteed.  If you don't absolutely love your images that you see at your Premiere Viewing, I will cheerfully refund your session fee and give you an 8x10 portrait, completely free, of your favorite image.