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.

Dream - Discover - Create - Display (2 minute read)

Over the years, I’ve come across a lot of moms who stress over all the things about getting ready for their photographs:  the clothes, the background, the kids, the partner… so much to manage!  No wonder so many Moms of Two think to themselves, “Oh, there’s so much going on, I’ll just do it Next Time.”

Before you know it, Next Time comes, and goes, and guess what?  It keeps getting pushed away, with a vague sort of intention.  Eight years and two children later, there are no photographs on the walls of the whole family, when your second child was two.

Moms of Four now have no photographs of smiling parents and children, gathered together in the safe haven of a loving embrace, on the wall, for everyone to see.  Do the younger children ever wonder if they were just dropped off one day?

Moms, I give you permission to dream about having a beautiful family photography experience.  I give you permission to stress less over outfits and locations.  I even give your partner permission to enjoy the time together.

Discovering what is most important to you is the beginning of your journey.  Take this time to savor each family member, and soak them in.  Reconnect with your partner, discuss more about life than the bills.  Coming together as individuals who interact with each other genuinely will be more evident in your artwork when approached in this fashion.

Planning your photography experience, photographing exactly what you want, and creating artwork that is perfect for your home are the next steps.  This is necessary, because without this crucial part, all we have is a potpourri of photographs that we don't know what to do with, and then it becomes a mundane moment.  The magic can only come when the steps are followed.

Finally, the best day comes, and that is when I deliver your artwork to your home.   As you open each piece and lovingly touch them, you'll recall what it was like that day, with the warm sun on your shoulders and your children’s giggles ringing on the breeze.  You’ll fall in love with your family all over again.  As the artwork goes up on your wall, you'll fall in love again.  And every time you pass it by, you'll fall in love again, and again.

You see, the artwork on your walls can truly impact your life, and each of your family members' lives.  Let this artwork be a guide for your family, to remind you of how you love each other, even when times are tough. With artwork, it's easy to be able to feel that love, every single day.

And that's all that matters, right?

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.

Fall Leaves Family Photo Sessions!

Call today, limited times available!  Enjoy your session, enjoy your beautiful images, enjoy redecorating your home with priceless memories of your family!  What are you waiting for?  Call me today! 240-245-0416!

I'm adding MORE sessions! WOW!!!

The $100 Anniversary Special has been so incredibly popular, that I'm adding 5 more sessions for this month.
It's a half hour studio session for up to 3 people, and you get 4 images!  Four of them!  This is a great deal for maternity sessions, and one-year-old sessions, and if your baby gets his first tooth, or if your daughter loses her first tooth...!  The possibilities are ENDLESS.  Oh, you can also do a TEDDY BEAR session for this as well.  AWESOME.

Coming up REALLY soon is my "STAR SPANGLED SESSION".  I am creating the set in the next two days and I am conducting a Casting Call.  I'm looking for one little boy between 3 and 5, and one little girl, same age range, to model for me and receive the session for free PLUS 2 images each.  If you are interested, please call me asap; I need to do these sessions and have them back to the families in time for Independence Day.  I'll be offering the session, actually, between June 25 and July 2.

The "STAR SPANGLED SESSION" is categorized as a Seasonal Session, and will follow the pricing guide as such.  Sessions for up to 3 children is $40 and includes a beautiful 5x7 portrait, as my gift to you.  The best ages for this session are ages 6 months to 7 years.  I will post the pricing guide for this when I make the official announcement.

Please remember that specials cannot be combined.  These sessions are one per family and scheduling is subject to availability.

Time is running out!

Time, indeed, is running out!

If you wanted to enter your child into the Cute Kids Contest, now's the time to do it!

Last day to enter is June 14, one week from today!

Play it NOW. June 2014 Promos That You Shouldn't Miss.

June 2014 Anniversary specials

Play it.  Play it NOW.

Upcoming Auction for Family Photo Sessions for this Summer

Hello Fans and Friends!

We are coming up on the first Anniversary for Honey Bee Photography's official opening, and we are excited!

One way that we will be celebrating is by doing an online auction, right here on my blog!

This is how an auction works.  At a given time, I will announce what the auction is for and will start taking bids at xyz amount.  I'll hold the auction for 6 minutes so that it gets really exciting.  I will let you know at the end of bidding one of two things:  either that a person won the auction, or that the reserve was not met.  The winner gets contacted by me personally, right away to make the payment and talk about scheduling.  I will probably do 4 auctions in an hour's time, a few nights during the week of June 1, 2014.

I did an auction several years ago in 2010 when we lived in Anchorage, and it was extremely successful  I want to do this again!

BUT I NEED TO GET THE WORD OUT.

How can I do that?

By asking you, my fans and friends, to spread the word, and send the link to this blog post to everyone!  There are a few things they have to do to participate in the auction.

1. They need to go to like my page on Facebook.
2.  They need to check out my website and find a favorite image of their's and share it on FB.
3.  They need to be present at the auction at the time it starts in order to participate.
4.  Have fun!!!

5.  I will be doing sessions and packages as well.

I will be holding the auctions on the following evenings.  Don't worry, I'll be sending reminders!

Monday, June 2 at 7:30 pm.
Wednesday, June 4 at 8:00
Friday, June 6 at 7 pm.

That's 12 auctions we'll be doing!  How exciting!  Stay tuned for more information!

What Is In Your Life?

Have you ever asked yourself that?

"What's in my life?"

When you go to the grocery store, what is your main purpose of going?

Most people would reply, "To get food. Duh."

I hear a lot of the same things about grocery shopping.  "I hate going to the store".  "It feels like a tropical vacation when I go without my children."  "I only go for 3 things and end up spending $50".  "What did I just spend $100 on?"

My thoughts are this:  a person goes to the grocery store to get food for his or her loved ones.  That could be your family, as in, your children or pets.  Your mom.  Your cousin.  Your siblings.  Your neighbor.  Your best friend.  The children you babysit.  The people next door that you don't know well, but they need a meal because of a tragedy.

Food is a natural reason for people who love each other to get together.  Fixing a meal for someone is an expression of love for many people.  When you were a child and you went to Grandma's house, what was the first thing she said to you?  It usually had to do with some kind of baked goodie or a snack that she said she had in her kitchen.  You knew that that was how Grandma showed her love for you.

I know that food shopping is a stressful thing for most people to do.  Food is expensive and even when there's a deal, you feel like it could be better.  When you are feeding a crowd of 15, exactly how creative can one get with pasta, sauce and cheese?

When you find yourself in such a mess, try to remember one thing:  that you do this because you love your family.  Food on the dinner table is a way to make sure everyone comes home at the end of the day.  It's a unifier of souls.  It causes conversation ("Mom, this is so yummy!").  It causes quiet moments because everyone is enjoying the delicious meal that you've prepared. It gives reason for people to wake up in the morning, because they know pancakes are on the table.

The fact that you have your loved ones in mind at the grocery store speaks volumes about what is in your life.  The next time you look at your cupboards in your kitchen and you sigh, try to remember all of  your beloved faces in your family when you cook for them.  THAT is what the main purpose of going to the grocery store.  To create memories and special bonds with your family.

Here's a great article to help you save money at the grocery store.  My favorite is the playing your favorite upbeat music.

Here's a new cutie that a certain new mom gets to go to the grocery store for! <3

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.

Spring Photos are officially being done at Honey Bee Photography!

It's the first Saturday of spring and signs of it are everywhere.  I've seen robins and heard woodpeckers, and all kinds of chirping out there.  There's more, too...

We are officially celebrating spring here in Bowie with our Chicks 'n' Bunnies sessions, perfect for Easter gifts and cards.  These images are beautiful, simple, and allow your child to explore these little guys and gals without worry.  I know it sounds crazy, but it's true:  These are not real animals!

Every time I show folks the images from these sessions, they just can't believe they are not real!

Here's the story.  Many years ago, when we were in Alaska, I asked around and found a young lady who was raising bunnies.  We worked out a reasonable deal and her mom brought her over, and she was my official bunny wrangler.  We spent more time trying to get the bunny to stay in her cozy basket, she loved to hop!  At one point, she pooped during a session and made the little girl cry.  It was too much, and of course we laugh about it now....

I knew I needed another solution.  And I found these wonderful stuffed animals!  

Yes, they are made with real fur.  Yes, they were originally raised for their meat; their fur is an added bonus.  The bunnies are made with bunny fur and goat fur.  The chicks are made with synthetic materials.  They are very light and realistic looking.  

Now I can also have the chicks, too.  My favorite is the one leaning down to eat.

Oh, and there's me!  This is how this year's set looks.  I have a couple of other items to add.

Want to book a session with me?  Simply call me at 240-245-0416 or contact me through the website!

Thanks for stopping by.