Tuesday thoughts about back-to-school

 It's a beautiful Tuesday!

What are you doing on this gorgeous day?

Thoughts of back to school are on everyone's mind.  We're in the middle of no tax on school supplies and clothing this week, and everyone is shopping.  

Young adults are getting ready to leave for college. High schoolers are finishing up their 40 hours of volunteer activities. Middle schoolers are gearing up for the awkward wonderfulness of the first day of school. 

The elementary school kids are getting their school supplies and are so excited!

Moms are worried about bussing and transportation.  It appears that there are a couple hundred bus-driving jobs available in AAC, because the students will all be starting school at the same time.  I see the wisdom, but it's a hard thing to deal with when you don't have those positions filled.  And no, I don't want to do it LOL.

With that being said, here are some REALLY great tips for getting your kids to school on time, written by Marissa LaScala and Caroline Picard of Good Housekeeping.

• Have a designated spot for all of their stuff.  You could do this easily with an Ikea trunk to sit on, and a couple of hooks.  This way, they have a place for jackets, bookbags, shoes, etc.
• Have your kids help pack their lunches the night before.  It helps to set the routine of getting to bed.
• Make it easy for them to know the time everywhere they go.  You can put one on the bathroom wall, the hallway, their bedrooms, the kitchen, and anywhere else you can think of.
• Simplify breakfast.  Have on hand cereal and fruit, granola bars, overnight oats, or frittata muffins in the freezer.  Just pop those babies that you made on Sunday night, and a bacon egg and cheese bite is theirs for the taking.
• My favorite one:  add incentives for getting out the door on time by saying on Friday afternoon, we can stop by that bakery and each of us gets a treat!

I think that these are great ideas and so easy.  I wish I had thought of these 15 years ago!

Happy Back to School, y'all!

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.

Bee You Beautiful Session Experiences: This Is Me

Your Authentic, Beautiful Self

Every woman deserves to feel beautiful, at every age, in every season, and even when she looks in the mirror to study and criticize every fine line and blemish.

"Don't you know you're beautiful, Just the way you are?!"

Okay, okay...  So we all need help with our eyebrows and brightening the circles under our eyes... insomnia and the stresses of every day life are just NEVER fun.  Worrying about your teen's college career and scholarships, your partner's job promotion, your beloved pet's old age problems, and so much more, can make you feel less than beautiful, especially after a night of low-quality sleep.

This, in turn, can make you lose sight of who you are, as an individual:  a woman, talented, skilled, intelligent, and loving.  We women have a tendency to care for everyone else, first, and leave ourselves for last.  Here is where the disconnect begins, and we want to help you to reconnect to that woman you really are.

My team and I are excited to introduce a brand new session experience to the Honey Bee Photography species of styles:

Are you a woman who has gone through a recent transformation, and feeling more empowered and confident than ever?  Perhaps you’ve been working out and you’re proud of how far you’ve come! 

Perhaps you’ve gone through a change in your relationship with someone and you’re starting to heal and ready to embrace this new chapter in your life! 

Could you be going through something right now and you need a break and a breather, and you need to stop and rediscover who you are?

Looking in the mirror, you’re surprised to see someone who has been through a lot and you see a person who is a little different, a bit wiser, bolder, and certainly more beautiful, inside and out.  All of your recent experiences and how you’ve handled them has imprinted upon your heart, and the way you see yourself now is so different than you used to.

Your essence, your authentic self.  This is who you are now.  It’s time to express yourself and enjoy an experience that will reflect who you are and the hope that is now blossoming within you.  It’s time to celebrate You with a “This Is Me” Experience.

Together, we’ll discover what you love about yourself, and what you want to remind yourself of who you are.  Strong, empowered, beautiful, sexy, elegant, bad-ass, you name the characteristic, and we’ll design a session for you, that is authentic to who you are right now.  Together, we’ll create artwork that you’ll be proud to display in your favorite space, where you’ll be reminded every day of who you are.

Our prices for sessions start at $195 for the session and MUAH fees.  Please click below to enter your email address and we'll send you  a free guide on Three Tips on How to Prep for a Bee You Beautiful session along with a mini-pricing guide.

To be in the know about all the recent photography we've been doing (shared with permission, of course), giveaways, and encouragement and empowerment, please join our private Facebook Group.

Guest Blog Post: Liz Hostetler with Le-veL

 Meet my friend, Liz Hostetler.  She's a consultant with the Le-Vel company, and has been using their Thrive Experience for over 18 months.  I have watched her become much more energetic, happier, and I know from her stories, it's helped her family, too.

I invited her to say a few words about her product, because even though we just celebrated the holidays, including New Year's, Valentine's Day is in six weeks... And you know what that means!

We are going to be photographing all kinds of Lovelies for three different types of sessions:  "This Is Me", "Blanc Boudoir", and "Bee Burlesque Pinup".  When I spoke with Liz about how her product could help my clients, she said that her clients could get started right away and start seeing results with decreased belly bloat pretty quickly. 

It’s that time of year when it seems everyone is looking at their current health situation and starting to make resolutions to “fix” it.  Making a lifestyle change is what can really make a difference. Diet plans, especially ones with time frames, are temporary “fixes”. Most people fall right back into old habits when the time period ends.

Thankfully, I was introduced to a simple, three-step process that is completed in the first 30 minutes of my day that has made an incredible difference in how I feel each and every day. I used to do very restrictive diet programs combined with intense workouts two or three times a year that had good results each time, but I was not enjoying life.

 

Now I can enjoy life – have that glass of wine (or two), eat that brownie or have a piece of cake – and remain healthy, active and full of energy. Now I know - it all starts with your gut.

GUT health matters!

 Why am I so tired (gut health)
 Why do I keep getting sick (gut health)
 Why do I toss and turn at night (gut health)
 Why is my mood low (gut health)
 Why is my digestion irregular (gut health)
 Why do I hang on to weight around my waist (gut health again!)

They say our GUT is our second BRAIN for a reason! 

How can you create a happy, healthy gut?

Add Thrive to your daily routine!

Thrive is an easy, three-step system that can fit into anyone’s life and provide amazing results. Thrive is about filling in the nutritional gaps in your daily routine by supplementing your body with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and probiotics it needs to function at a premium level.

 

Adding Thrive to your morning routine will help prepare you for a Bee You Beautiful session. You will notice your belly bloat will decrease, your mood will elevate, and your energy will improve resulting in a more confident, comfortable you.

When you start using Thrive you are not alone. As your coach I will guide you. We will have a conversation to discuss what Thrive can help you with (increased energy, improved sleep, mental clarity, etc) before you start. We will then stay in contact each day as you begin to discuss how you are feeling and to help with any questions that may arise. I am here to help tailor the product dosage to your specific needs. I will coach you throughout your journey to a healthier, happier you.

Liz Hostetler 

240-508-7589 cell

Lizhos.Thrive2Point0.com

If you would love to contact Liz to discover more about her product and how it can help you prep for a Bee You Beautiful session, please give her a call!

Bee in love with the artwork of your life!

Authentically yours,
Megan

The Secret Sauce

Sounds simple enough, right?  It really is... And my secret sauce is delicious and fun and fulfilling.  I know you'll love every minute of it. 

If you know that you would love to have a very different photography experience, give me a call.  I'd love to speak with you and find out all of the amazing things about your family that makes your heart sing.  My number is 240-766-8966.

The Way I See Things (3 minute read)

There was a song back in the 50s, called The Twist.

Chubby Checker taught the world a new kind of dance, and it was a sensation overnight. 

It’s still a fun dance.  When one hears the song, one can’t help but get up and start dancing.  It will never get old.

In a similar way, I help my clients “twist”… or, as I affectionately like to call it, “The Way I See Things”.

My client says, “When I get home from work, I’ve already stopped at the store, so I’ve got grocery bags, and my purse, and the minute I step in the door, the kids are all over me.  It’s exhausting.”

I TWIST it, and reply, “Isn’t it wonderful that your kids miss you so much, that they are so excited to see you, that when you come home they can’t help but come running to you, wanting to hug you?”

My client says, “I stay at home with my children, so to bring in extra money, my husband drives Uber on the weekends.  I never see him anymore.”

I give it a little TWIST, and say, “Isn’t it amazing that your husband cherishes you and the kids so much, that he doesn’t want them to be in daycare, and he sacrifices his time with you by taking on extra responsibilities?  I’m positive he misses you guys on the weekends, but it sounds like he knows that this is what he needs to do, so you can stay at home.”

My client says, “I’m a work at home mom, so when the baby goes down for a nap, I hurry to get my work done.  It feels like just as I’m getting into it, he’s waking up.  I wish he’d sleep a little bit longer.”

I hear the wistfulness in her voice, and I know she is looking for validation.  I TWIST her perception by saying, “Isn’t it wonderful that you can work from home?  Isn’t it wonderful to be the one your baby sees when he first wakes up from his nap?  What do his eyes look like when he sees you?”

“Oh, he’s so happy to see me!  His eyes are big and his smiles are wide!  He bounces with excitement when I pick him up.”

“Isn’t that beautiful? How does that make you feel when he reacts that way?”

“I feel loved and wanted.  I never thought about it that way.”

“So, when you think about it like that, what does that mean to you?”

“I feel like I can successfully be a work-at-home-mom with a baby.  It’s all worth it.”

“What would you do with a photograph of your son, looking so excited and happy in your arms?  What would that mean to you?”

“Oh, I’d put it by my desk so I could see it all the time while I’m working.  It would mean so much to see that every day!  It would keep me going!”

Do you want a TWIST, a new way to perceive your life?  Just like Chubby Checker performed The Twist and all of America started dancing in a new way, I would love to help you see things differently.   I’d love to speak with you and find out what’s most important to you, so that I can photograph that for you, and you can love it every single day.

Recently, Danielle LaPorte quoted, “Life is art”.  I say, “Be in love with the artwork of your life!”

Valentine's Day Extravaganza Event January 30, 2016

Stay tuned for more details!

Are You Looking For Something a Little Bit Different?

Are you sporting a new look?  Did you just lose some weight and get toned up and you want to celebrate your beautiful figure?  Are you looking for a boost to lift your spirits and discover the real beauty you possess inside and out?

Honey Bee Photography Presents Starlet Sessions.

This is a transformational experience that you'll always remember.  Every time you look at your photographs displayed, your confidence will soar and you'll smile, knowing that you look as gorgeous today as you did the day of your Starlet Session.

What's a Starlet Session?

A Starlet Session is a fun, dress-up kind of session for adult women who want to have photographs of themselves that are fun, flirty, fashionable and show off your personality.  Done from the waist up, you can bring in several tops in which you can change your look.  Ladies bring a variety of clothing:  evening wear, something sexy, favorite tops, or they prefer the bare shoulders look.  Sometimes they'll bring a little bit of everything, and also change their hair a little to go with their outfits, add different accessories, or change their lipstick.

In the camera room, I'll help you pose, dance a little, shake your shoulders, and make you laugh.  If you have long hair, we'll give you a little bit of wind.  If you are figure-conscious, I have all kinds of tricks in the camera room as well as in post-production to help you look your best.  I can promise you, we'll have a LOT of fun.

When you get to see your photographs, you'll be amazed at your transformation!  You'll choose your favorites, which will be all of them, (of course!), and be thrilled with your selection.  The anticipation of what comes next is hard to bear.

The next part is the best, though.  When I deliver your artwork to you, you'll be dazzled by your prints.  Whether you choose beautiful Metal Portraits for your home, an album, a Treasure Box*, or one of my many other products, you will enjoy these for years to come.  It's like a holiday morning when you get to open your gifts to yourself!

Are you excited about the possibilities of seeing yourself in a new light?  I'm excited to help you! Give me a call at 240-436-2169, and let's talk about you and what you are up to.  I'd love to hear your stories and help you find out what's most important to you.  Then we'll get to work, and prepare for your session.  I have some hair and make-up artists to whom I can refer you.  

Let's do it!  Let's uncover your true beauty, inside and out.

For an example of a Treasure Box, please visit here:  http://www.honeybeephotography.com/thehiveblog.html?b_blog=P4O9d+kaqNjaCwUadkW9rtWnMvVIYW7a2l8TS/sddeEgOJlFjyYAk+tcwYcZA8Y=

Just Released: Magical Maternity Artwork

I interview a lot of beautiful women every week, some of them happen to be expecting and are so excited for the next chapter of their lives.  When I ask them how they feel about their pregnancy, usually the first thing I hear is:  "I hate how I look."

My reaction is:  "Let me show you how very radiant and beautiful you ARE."  For when I see a woman, in her maternal glow, blossoming with child, even with her uneven gait, I see a woman with secret dreams of holding her sweet newborn, blissful, and filled with joy.

The smile that plays upon her lips, when you know she's thinking about the babe who is growing within her.

Her hands that unconsciously touch and hold her belly every chance she gets.

The tired but satisfied sigh she gives when she sits down to put her feet up at the end of the day.

Her hair that has grown and has increased in strength and shine due to her pre-natal vitamins.

Her peaceful glow that just emanates from her, and lights up the room.  It is tantalizing and contagious, causing all who love her to gather 'round to feel the baby kick.

That's just some of the beauty which I see.

Let me help you see it.

When I spoke with Lauren about her session, I knew that we were a perfect fit.  She drank her water from the same type of water bottle that I do, AND she loves blue hydrangeas!

I had the opportunity to speak with both her and her husband and they were so excited to have their sweet baby.  He spoke of his love for his wife and unborn child.  Tomorrow or the next day, they will get to meet their sweet girl.  Finally.

This baby has two siblings already, Sadie the Yellow Lab and Bandit, the sweetest little black lab mix EVER.  She will be protected by these two and I can foresee a lot of playtime in the future.

As we planned her session, I had the most incredible vision, and I told her about it. I suggested making a maternity gown that resembled a blue hydrangea blossom.  She said:  "It sounds magical!"

Here are some of the four of them together.

Bandit and Sadie

Mom and Dad

The rest of the blue Hydrangea set.

Just incredibly beautiful.

Thank you so much for asking me to photograph your family.  I can't wait to meet your baby!

Easter Photos start as early as March 1, 2015!

Spring is just around the corner.  I know that you are as excited as I am!  As much as I love snow, I'm just about ready for spring.

Last week, I came across these in my side yard!  I was so excited!

These are hyacinths and daffodils!  I can't wait to see them again this spring!  I did check today, while I was shoveling, and yup, they are still doing well.

See what else is making it's appearance this coming week!

These little guys are so cute and fuzzy! 

They aren't real!

They are perfectly perfect for your child to play with.  Your child's eyes will shine with pleasure as he or she plays with these chicks and bunnies while being photographed.  

Call for your reservation, today!  240-436-2169.