September 2020: What's Coming Up

 

What's going on at Honey Bee Photography?

Plenty!

Halloween

We know that Halloween is going to be very different this year; however, that doesn't mean that you still can't celebrate.

I remember that, as a child, it was a very important decision as to what I was going to be for Halloween.  I loved putting together my costumes, and feeling myself becoming that person.  When I was 7, I was a princess, with a gossamer gown and the most beautiful sash and golden paper crown.  When I was 8, I was an "old fashioned girl" aka Laura Ingalls Wilder.  When I was 11, I was a bum for fun.  When I was 12, I was a witch with a black, pointy hat and a borrowed college graduation cape.  

For weeks before, I would think about my costume, and if I were really that person, how would I be?  What would I sound like?  I would wax philosophical and do what I could to become the person in the costume.  In my mind, I was the effervescent princess, the pioneer girl crossing the prairie, the bum hopping on a train, or a witch, ready to ride her broomstick at midnight against the full moon.

These days, though, kids get their costumes much earlier, and then they find ways to "try them on".  As parents, if we purchase them, we get them early, like in September, after back-to-school shopping is done, so that we make sure they get that costume.  Or, we start buying fabric in September to have their costumes ready by October 1, to make sure they fit and all of that good stuff.  

"Mom, I want to try on my costume, to make sure it fits."

"Daddy, can I be a princess in my Halloween costume for a little bit?"

By the time Halloween comes around... the costume is a hot mess between the trying on, the playing in, and the costume parades and parties.

Again, this year is going to be different, but the desire for the cool costume will still be there.  We here at HBP have a fun family activity for you!

We are having a food drive on Sunday, Sept 27, and Saturday, October 3!  It's so easy to participate.

1.  Schedule which hour you're going to come.
2.  Come with 10 cans of food.
3.  Get your photographs done.
4.  Receive a complementary photograph, 1 per family, and purchase extra digital photographs with volume pricing.
5.  These will be studio photographs, and you'll be able to choose a themed digital background for your photographs.  Your digital photographs will be perfect for greeting cards, decoration around the house, and to show off on social media!

Not your regular photographs, we'll have all kinds of fun photographs from which to choose, so be prepared to want them all!

No cameras or cell phones may be out while the session is taking place.

We will be observing COVID protocol with social distancing, sanitization, and masks/gloves.  You'll be able to view and order your photographs shortly after your session on the porch.  We will have a team to assist you on that day.

Your digital photographs will be sent to you, retouched, within the week.

Fall Sessions

Due to COVID this year, parks in the area are coming down hard with how we can use them for photography sessions.  That's why I'm doing some things a little bit differently.

Who do you know who, 1. loves fall... 2. has the prettiest backyard... and 3.  would love to earn incentives for purchasing family photographic artwork for themselves, while inviting their friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, acquaintances, and the dog walker down the street to be photographed as well?

The DATES:  October 24 and 25, November 1, 7, and 8th.  

WHEN:  In the morning and early afternoon time between 9 and 2 pm.

WHAT:  Each family will receive a lite version of our photography experience, which includes excitement and discovery calls, the session, and a Zoom-based ordering session, plus delivery of artwork to your home, and help with installation.

We will have special incentives for purchasing, and help you and yours make wonderful memories and help you relive those beautiful emotions for years to come.

Interested?  For more information, call Megan at 240-766-8966 or email at megan@honeybeephotography.com.

Recent Happenings!

I had the opportunity to work with Jen Mabe of Rommell Harley Davidson for their 22 for 22 rally, which is for suicide prevention for Vietnam Veterans.  Here are some photographs from that day.

Did you know that here at HBP, we specialize in helping you combine the love you have for your family with the activities in your life that are dearest to your heart?  If you have a specific lifestyle, like riding cycles, horses, or 4-wheelers, or you love to boat or fish, or hike, or shop, or ski... any of those things, we can create artwork of your family that will make an emotional impact on your entire family for years to come.

Until October, Bee You, Authentic!

What's New at Honey Bee Photography!

I have broken toes!

The PA told me that I'm down for at least 4-6 weeks.  That means that I can't do backyard sessions until around September 10.

What kind of gift do you give to a person who has everything?

In the meantime, the holidays are coming very quickly.  What is a great gift for parents and grandparents, ages 50+?

Slides and negatives digitally transferred, and photo restoration.

Yes, I can do those services.  I've been doing it for years, I just didn't say much about it.  Check out some of these before and afters of slides and photo restoration.

With slide and negative digital transfer, I crop, color correct, and sharpen your photographs.  

Here's a recent photo restoration project that I completed.

My client was very, very happy with the work that I did with this.  I'm able to work on all kinds of damage, whether faded, torn, water damaged, cracked, etc. I offer hand-tinting, too.  Prices vary according to damage, size of photograph, etc.  I also subcontract super-8 and video transfer to digital.

 Backyard portrait parties

I expect to be able to do these again after Sept 10, 2020.  Many families have turned their backyards into oasises ( oases? oasi?) because they are now spending time at home.  With COVID-19, families have been spending more time together, and according to those of you that I've spoken with,this have been a huge gift.

Celebrating this kind of love is really important.  The closeness you're feeling now may dissipate in time, and trying to remember what it really felt like will get harder as the years go by.  

I'm looking for 5 families who have the following criteria:  1.  A beautiful backyard.  2. The willingness to let me use said backyard for their friends and families who would love the opportunity to do a limited edition session. 3.  Credit towards artwork based on the sales of your friends and family.

Our beautiful, luxury products are available with special savings ONLY for these events.  The only theme is that it's fall, so these would be done on these specific dates:  October 24th and 25th; November 1; November 7th and 8th.  Of course, if you wanted a week day, like a Monday or a Friday, we can certainly accommodate.  

Disclaimer:

There is a requirement of 5 additional families.  I will help you with asking around as I have a one-sheet for you to share with everyone, so that you will have 5 families.  These five additional families cannot be part of your immediate family.  All 6 families will have a full experience, and will get to see their photographs the same day and make their order.  

All safety precautions will be followed, including masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer.  We will not be providing any refreshments, that is up to you to bring those.  Remember, it may be warm on those days, so having water and other refreshments is imperative on those days.  I will be waiving the session fee, but there will be a non-refundable $100 retainer to be spent towards your purchase.

Pets with Santa sponsored by BowieCLAW and Calvert Brewing Company

Here at Honey Bee Photography, we've been working with BowieCLAW for years now, and we want to keep the tradition of Pets with Santa, as well as a special themed In the Leaves Day in early October.  We're manifesting that we'll be able to do the photographs outside, and orders inside in a room that is easily accessible.  We're in the middle of negotiations now. I may put up a survey of some sort on my Facebook Page to get some excitement going.

Motorcycle fall sessions

Who do you who loves the open road in the fall?  I am reaching out to bikers who take advantage of spring, summer, and fall with their Harleys, and in the winter, ride on those days that are 50° plus.  

I have the perfect solution for you!  I photograph my clients authentically, according to their lifestyle, not who I think they should be.  So if you love the freedom that your motorcycle gives you, let's talk.

I do have a project coming up with a local dealer, so watch out!

Costume sessions

With Halloween being an uncertainty this year, I know that you want to try to give your kids some kind of happiness and fun with their costumes.  This year, I'm doing a food drive on Saturday, October 3 from 10-2 in my studio home.  My home will be sanitized for safety, and all safety measures will be followed.  The session fee is 10 pieces of non-perishable food items, cans, or boxes.  You'll receive a 10 minute session and a digital photograph of your choice, which you'll be able to see with my assistant on my front porch.  Volume priced packages will be available, including trading cards, greeting cards, and other fun pieces.  You'll have beautiful photographs of your child's fresh costume to enjoy for years to come.

Why You Should Consider Artwork to Celebrate Your Love with a Forever Session (4 minute read)

Why You Should Consider Artwork to Celebrate Your Love with a Forever Session

Marriage is certainly one of the hardest things to manage in most people’s lifetimes.  Because it consists of two people who are very different from each other, who are trying to learn to compromise and serve each other, and who sometimes just fall short of the other’s expectations, rough patches can be tough on the relationship. 

This doesn’t mean that It will always be tough.  There are plenty of beautiful moments that help to soften those rough patches, that loving couples soak up and savor.  As most humans are very visual creatures, they are most influenced by visual media.  Having small mementos of recent adventures around the house is fun, especially on electronic devices, and being able to see it at the push of a button is delightful…  until your device breaks, or falls into a puddle.  Or the media corrupts.  Or the Cloud rains.

When a couple has been together, and married, for twenty-plus years, the tendency is to put the children first with school and sports, to work hard, and to create a savings account to live well after retirement.    As the years go by, time becomes more and more precious for parents as they navigate through a multitude of schedules.  It’s difficult for most couples to get a romantic weekend away, let alone a Friday night date of dinner and a movie.

Time is cherished by such couples.  Taking the time to celebrate your relationship through artwork will help oft-busy couples reconnect with each other, especially during periods of business travel, or opposite schedules.  Because of the presence of such poignant artwork, the reminder of love you have for your partner is always visual.

Why, yes, you did have wedding photos done, and yes, there’s the token snapshot of you, together…  but do they convey the emotional part of your relationship, as it is now?  Wouldn’t you love to have a bit of time together, to soak up everything you love about each other, and really have that moment to treasure for years to come?  Wouldn’t that be amazing, to share, during your experience, these beautiful sentiments with each other, and attach that admiration and desire for each other to your artwork?

Every time you walk past your artwork, how incredible would it be to feel those feelings?  To fall in love all over again?  To imagine you are feeling his embrace, or smelling her perfume, every time you see it in the corner of your eye?  It’s an amazing experience to be able to relive again and again.  As much as the words I use to describe this experience, the only way to know for sure is to go through your own photographic experience.

Finally, the artwork that you display in your home of you and your partner should be a celebration of the love you share with each other.  This is a milestone that you have in your life, and it’s just as important as the milestones your children enjoy.  You have every reason to celebrate! 

Be in love with the artwork of your life.