HURRY... There's Still Time, But It's Running Out!

Hi there! We're at the beginning of the holiday season, but you still have time!

We have ONLY 10 SPACES AVAILABLE for holiday cards this year.

Call today to book your session and get ready to create the holiday cards you've always wanted! 240-766-8966

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.

Safety First: A Photographer Explains Why to Take Clear, Identifying Photos and Videos of Your Child.

It’s back to school time for families all over the US, and especially here in Maryland.  One thing that parents forget to do is to update the ID packs for each child.

With all of the smart phones that the average family has, and thousands of photos and videos on each phone, it’s hard to remember that updating ID packs for children is super important to do.  So, after you put a reminder on your calendar to do this this weekend, read over these tips to help you put together a packet that will help you, just in case something happens to your family members.

•  Have an Inking Party!  Get a stamp pad, easy to find at any craft store or on Amazon,  and have each child line up to do finger and thumb prints on paper.  There’s a template at the bottom of this newsletter, easy for you to print, and fill out.
• Handwriting assignment!  Have your child write a paragraph on the same page, that has their handwriting, with their signature/handwritten name, and have them answer a couple of basic questions, like what their favorite color is and favorite animal.  Older kids can write about their favorite music or shows on tv.  Take a photograph of the page.
• Have a photo shoot!  Getting down to your child’s eye level in a well-lit area, take some photos of your child with different expressions.  Have him or her give you a happy look, a sad look, a mad look, a thinking look.  Have him or her dress in clothes that they would wear regularly, a school uniform, or their outerwear.  If there is an unusual birthmark, scar, or other “mark” on your child, photograph that as well.  Remember, this should be updated every 4-6 months, as kids grow quickly, get their hair cut, get glasses, etc.
• Create a video production!  This should be fun, and then saved in DropBox, OneDrive, or some other cloud-based product, so it’s easily accessible.  Like the photos, these should be updated every 4-6 months for the same reasons, a growth spurt, a hair cut, or new glasses.  The direction that you should give your child is to tell a story, so you can get a basic speech pattern.  Then tell a couple of knock knock jokes to show how that child interacts with something funny, have him or her sing, and then video him or her walking, running, tumbling, sitting down, standing up, going up and down the stairs.  You never know what kind of movement your child does that will help to identify your child in the case that something happens.
• Next, print the photos of your child, and place in a page protector along with the sheet that your child filled out with writing and fingerprints. 
• Take the photos and video that you have created and place in its own album on your smart phone.  This way everything is together and easily accessible.

This is something I came up with many years ago, after my son and I were separated at Six Flags back in 2005.  One of the scariest moments of motherhood is to lose a child, so I turned this experience  into a great lesson.  This happened before digital cameras were a real thing… but I used my camera to photograph him, my video camera to take video of him, and did his fingerprints and had him write his name and… well, I never needed it, but I had it.

It is my wish that you have this page and use it as often as you want to update.  I hope that you’ll never have to use it, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you have this done.


I hope that you have a wonderful beginning to the school year.

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I Hate Going to the Dentist (5 minute read)

What do you hate doing?

I hate going to the dentist; I admit it.  There’s always been a fear of going.  My mom used to call it “visiting the dentist”, as if changing that one word was going to make going sound like a fun time.

I do NOT feel like sitting in a dentist’s chair, with a person holding metal tools, peering into my mouth, is fun.

Now, I’ve had a couple of really great dentists!  My dentist in Anchorage, Dr Christiansen, was so fantastic. Once, I had developed an ulcer on the roof of my mouth, so I went to him to have it lanced;  in my memory, he’s the Dr. Pimple-popper of dentists!  We also had a laugh over my bovine implant in my gum at another time.  We shall never forget that episode.

So aside from those stories, let me tell you this:  I will STILL do everything I can to avoid going to the dentist, especially those who don’t use laughing gas.  Breathing in that gas that just makes everything seem hilarious, even when the hygienist is poking around.  But here’s the thing about avoiding the dentist; at some point it could be too late, and you could lose a tooth, all because you avoid going to the dentist.

I hear this about being photographed, too. 

“I know we should do a 3-generation session, and we will, but I need to lose about 50 lbs first, before I get in front of the camera.”
“I know I need to bring my 10 year old dog and 2 teenagers in to be photographed, we’re just so busy, I can’t find a good time to do it.”
“I hate getting my photo done, but I know that I need to be in a photograph with my husband and kids.  Can you hide me behind them?”

And here’s the sad part:  getting around to losing those 50 lbs may take too long, and you might lose a parent.  Dogs have much shorter lives than we do, and how sad is it that that photograph might never happen?  Your kids are going to get older, and you and your husband will, too.  The magical ages of young childhood last for only a certain amount of time, and then all of a sudden they are 10+ years and going every-which-way, and you’re the one driving them to their activities.

I understand that the thought of taking a photograph is risky for a lot of adults.  “What if I lose weight next year, then I’ll have photographs of me at this weight forever! Ugh, I can’t stand to see that!”

What if I told you that by working with me, together, we’ll create the family photographs of your dreams?

My answer to that is, “When we plan your photography session, we’re going to plan outfits that are flattering for everyone, including yourself.  I’ll pose you to ensure that you look great, and my camera angle will be at a place that will make you instantly look like you’ve lost 8 pounds!”

What would it mean to you to have a photograph that YOU LOVE of your family?  Not a photograph where the kids look cute, and that’s good enough for you.  But one where you look stunning, your kids look like they are having fun, and your husband looks like he’s enjoying himself, too.

What would it mean to have a photograph of you, your siblings, and your parents together?  A photograph that, every time you see it, years from now, you’ll remember what it was like to embrace your dad and smell his aftershave?

What would it mean to you to have a photograph of your kids and your dog, one that pulls at your heartstrings, and helps you to grieve a little easier when he ventures on to Rainbow Bridge?

Just like avoiding the dentist and losing a tooth, avoiding getting your photographs done with great intention of doing it someday may result in never having done it, and I can tell you that the regret can be enormous.  Snapshots are great, but artwork that you display on your walls that tell a story of your family is so very important.  You’ll get to see these photographs every single day in your family room, and so will your guests and loved ones.  They are conversation starters and will help you to relive the experience of when you reconnected with your husband and kids, when you talk about them to your friends, and then you’ll fall in love with them, all over again!

And how good does that feel to know that you entrusted such important photographs to a photographer who cares about your photographs just as much as you do?

 

It feels as good as it does to know that my dentist cares about me and my fears as much as fixing my tooth, and that my mouth will feel better when it’s all done.

Make the goal, this year, to get your family’s photographs done, with purpose and meaning.  If you have a pet in your family, or 2 or 7, I’d love to offer you a gift certificate that will help save you money, contribute to a worthy cause, and create lasting emotional attachment to a moment in your family’s history.

Rescue My Heart: A call out to all who own rescue pets (5 minute read)

Calling all Rescues:  Cats, Dogs, Horses, Bunnies, Birds, and Reptiles

There are so many kinds of rescue stories:  Foster Failures, Shelter Adoptions, Found in the Street, Rehoming, Appeared out of Thin Air, etc.  There are as many variations on these stories as there are animals! 

Every time I hear a story, which is always touching, about how a human’s life has been touched by a rescue pet, my mind goes directly to the following question:

Indeed.

Those who share their stories about how they fell in love with their rescues, often end up saying a similar statement:  “I don’t know if I really rescued my dog; I think she rescued me!”

I want to celebrate that and create awareness that rescues are wonderful creatures, and make wonderful family members.   

That’s why I’m working with Rude Ranch Animal Rescue and The Spay Spa and Neuter Nook.  These two organizations believe deeply in the joy of rescue and have made it their life mission to help these creatures.  Kathy and Bob Rude own and run both of these organizations, and you can find out more about them at www.ruderanch.org and www.spayspa.org.

Together, we have the goal of raising $10,000 to provide well-deserving families assistance in spaying and neutering their pets.  Our fundraiser has two parts to it, and both are celebratory in nature and fun!

Part one:  The LUXURY Photography Experience.

Interested families who love their rescues can purchase a $400 gift certificate for ONLY $50.  A whopping $40 of that goes to Rude Ranch/Spay Spa in their name.  Each family receives a full experience, which means that we get to find out exactly what you love about your rescue, how having them in your life has brought joy, and of course, we get to know all of your family members, too.

Then the day of your session arrives, which is fun for everyone!  Since we’ve planned your session, we photograph exactly what you want for your artwork.  Your session is guaranteed, so you know that I’ll help you prepare for every detail, and I’ll work hard with you to ensure that we get it all.

Soon after, we roll out the red carpet and show you your photographs with a cinematic presentation, and you get to design your artwork AND order at that time.  We can do it about 1.5 hours after your session, or if it’s better, we get together within a few days to have a party and ooh and ahh and shed some tears of joy.  I guarantee you’ll love your photographs, so do be prepared!  We accept all standard forms of payment; diamond earrings, pints of blood, and arms & legs are also acceptable. (not really! Lol) (Note:  a prosthetic leg costs about $22,000.... so you know you won't be spending that much on artwork!)

Within just a couple of weeks, the VERY best part happens:  The Unveiling of Your Artwork!  I deliver your artwork to you and together, we relive the beautiful experience that started at the very first phone call!  I can help you install them, but with our two largest collections, I have a professional come to install your artwork, while we watch and enjoy.

Doesn’t a LUXURY Photography Experience sound like something you would cherish?  All of that, plus $200 goes towards your purchase of your artwork.  AND, if you schedule your session Monday-Thursday, you’ll get your entire $400 deducted from your artwork purchase. 

5-10% of sales also goes to Rude Ranch and Spay Spa, depending on which collection you fall in love with.

Part Two:  The Celebration

Once we have finished with all of the families, we’ll be compiling all of the stories and a matching photograph into a GORGEOUS coffee table book!  Each family gets their own page, with a story of how their rescue enriches their lives.  Our goal is 100 families and their rescues; it’ll be a big book!  Proceeds from the sale of these books will go towards Rude Ranch and Spay Spa.

But wait, there’s MORE!

As you know, we are celebrating rescues and their families… so what better way to release this book than to have a celebratory dinner, complete with a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle?  All proceeds go to Rude Ranch and Spay Spa.

That’s right!  What better way to celebrate than to gather together to show off our rescues, be it canine, feline, fowl, rodent, horse, or reptile?  After all of the fun work we’ll be doing together, we’ll be able to enjoy our book and eat delicious food, and celebrate the important work that Rude Ranch and Spay Spa do for Ann Arundel County and neighboring areas.

Don’t delay! if you have a rescue that you adore and you simply must celebrate your relationship with him or her, call Megan today to get more information at 240-7766-8966!  You won’t regret it!

Gift Certificates are on sale NOW.  These make great gifts for Valentine's Day and birthdays!  Celebrate your rescue pet by calling today to purchase your very own gift certificate now.  Early Birds receive an extra $100, making the value of their gift certificate $500 for ONLY $50!  240-766-8966 is the number to call!

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!”

Talking to your mom and dad about a multi-generation session and photograph

I talk to people all of the time about their families and the special connections that they all have.  

When I ask about their moms and dads, their voices change.

“My mom sacrificed everything for us growing up.  I love her more than anything.”

“My dad was gone a lot for work, but when he was home, he played with us and did projects with us.  I was really lucky.”

And then I ask them about now.  What do they mean to them?

“My mom and dad love each other so much.  They’ve been married for 47 years and I think that’s wonderful.” (For the record, so do I!)

When I bring up doing a multi-generational session, the first words are usually, “Oh, my mom won’t do that.  She hates photos of herself anymore.”  Now, this makes me sad, because we all age, and that’s a celebration in itself!  To have a beautiful photograph, surrounded by the most important people in one’s life, your progeny, is an amazing thing!

I want to mention something here.  The 3-generation photograph is not necessarily for the grandparents.  Of course, they’ll want one.  But do you know who the photograph is really for?

The grandchildren.

It is for them.  It is for them to look back on and remember that day, if they can, with misty eyes and have a moment in the sunshine, where they played in Grandma’s yard and helped pick veggies from her garden.

That photograph is going to be treasured and cherished long after Grandma and Grandpa have crossed over.  This is a photograph that the grandchildren’s grandchildren will look at and wonder that they were ever that age.  They will see it proudly displayed on the wall, and feel that legacy of ancestry, that where they came from and who they look like.

So when I talk to someone about these multi-generation photographs, I give ideas on how to speak to them.  The first thing is celebration, married for 47 years, all the kids and grandkids are there, and it’s a reason to celebrate.  The second is capturing those moments, where Grandma is holding her youngest grandchild on her lap, and surrounded by her beloved grandkids.  The third is memories, because photographs help trigger memories, keeping them fresh and alive in their thoughts. 

There’s a beautiful story behind every meaningful photograph, and such a photograph will mean much more as the years go by.

I want to encourage you to really consider what a wonderful gift you are giving yourself and your kids when you tell your parents what you’d love to do and why you want to do it.  And, when you display your artwork on your wall, in a place you’ll see it every day, you’ll be able to feel those emotions all over again.

Bee in love with the artwork of your life.