Christmas in July with Santa at the Beach!

Sand. Sky. Beach. Bubbles. Fun. Santa.

If you’re a beachy, summer-lovin’ family, who happens to be die-hard Santa fans, then this is the event for you!

No elves on shelves will be attending, by the way. We hear they are not fond of sand.
Your children will be delighted to visit with Santa at the beach!

Imagine how they’ll feel: visiting Santa in the middle of summer, with the sand between their toes, laughing over a special sandy snowman, and blowing bubbles to their hearts’ content with the big guy himself.

You’ll have photographs, cards, and gifts that are quite different from anything you’ve ever had for the holidays. Nobody else you know will have such clever and unique holiday photos!

Now, for only $99, you’ll see that this is a fantastic value. First, we’ll hop on the phone and have a great chat about what you love about summer and how fun it is to visit with Santa in July. Then, we’ll schedule your experience for July 13, and your children (up to 4 kids) will have 10 minutes to spend with Santa. During this time, they’ll do a couple of quick, fun activities, and go home with a special, autographed bottle of bubbles from Santa.

Your experience continues later on with a design consultation with your photographs; either at our studio location in Bowie, or in your home. The $99 also gives you 2 more wonderful things: a 5x10” dry erase board (valued at $60!) for your refrigerator at home so they can talk about seeing Santa at the beach every day, and $40 towards your purchase of one of our special holiday packages that start at $65.00.

Location is TBA very soon, and we’ll also be offering a rain date in August. We know that you’ll love this opportunity to have fun photographs that we know you’ll cherish all year long!

Why It's Important to Coordinate Your Photographic Artwork with Your Home's Decor

One of our FAQs is "What should we wear?" and "Do you have a place you like to photograph at?".

OK.  There's matchy-matchy, like back in the 90s when it was very popular to wear white button down shirts and blue jeans, and either barefoot or birkenstocks, and be photographed at the beach, or on the white background at the mall photo studio.










Then there's complementary, like when your daughters love the color purple and you get them dresses for their session that are really pretty, and go really well together, in a purply sort of way, in a field of lavender.






Now there's coordinated, which means we take into consideration, many things, such as your lifestyle, your decor style, and the colors in which you decorate your home, and your favorite places in which you feel most connected.

For instance, if a family had a light and airy farmhouse style of home, then I would suggest wearing fabrics that are natural colors, like creams, tans, greens and blues, in cottons and other natural fibers, and then photograph them in a beautiful field with which they are well-acquainted, at 7 am when the light is pure and clean.  I wouldn't suggest them dressing in vibrant, jewel tones and photographing them in front of modern architecture at 5 in the afternoon.

If a couple had really quirky tastes, with colorful splashes everywhere, then I'd suggest photographing them at their favorite county fair, wearing fun colors and photograph them about an hour before sunset, when the lights start blazing on, the sky looks great, and it's very festive.

If I worked with teens who played string instruments and their parents had a very traditional home that is quiet and peaceful, I would get permission to photograph them at their favorite art museum or local conservatory, and have them dress in dresses and suits in soft colors to enhance that tranquility.

If a mom approached me with very energetic children who were being "unschooled", then I'd ask her what some of their favorite activities and places to visit are, and choose colors in their home that work with that theme.

As you can see, no two families are the same, so neither should their photographs be. 

We believe, so strongly, that everything that goes into a photography experience and artwork should represent that family, exactly.  We believe that artwork that shows a family who they are, where they are coming from, and where they're going, can create such an impact on that family, every day.

Let's face it, we're humans who are visual beings.  We are affected by our environments.  When our homes are tidy and clean, it affects everyone in such a way that they behave a little bit more carefully with keeping it tidy and clean.  When our homes are cluttered, this environment tends to make everyone pretty cranky.

Purposeful photographic artwork of your family does the same thing.  The impact of symbolic artwork of a family reminds each member that they have a place in the family, they are loved, and they are (fill in the blank).  What does it mean to siblings in middle school, whose mom and dad just divorced, and they come home every day to an empty home, because mom is now working full time... and they see photographs, every day, on the wall greeting them as soon as they walk in the door, to remind them of how very much their mom loves them.  To remind them to never give up.  To help them on the hard days when they miss the former chapter of their lives before the divorce.  To actually feel their mom's love as she sacrifices precious time with her kids so that they have a home and a good life.  To know their mom has their backs all of the time.  That despite their new normal, they can depend on their mom.

Do you want an experience like this, to help you and your loved ones remember who you each are, where you are all coming from, and where you're headed?  Erin and I will help you through the experience, every step of the way, with the location for photography, choosing colors and styles of clothing, and finally the emotions that you want to relive again and again for years to come. 

It's definitely a different experience, but one that we know will impact your family for years to come.  Call us today at 240-766-8966 for your first, complementary discovery call, to see how photographs of your family can impact your life.


 *Please note that the photographs used in this blog post are stock photos.  Thanks.

An Unusual, but Most Useful Gift

This time of year is the time for gift giving to so many people.

Graduates from high school and college (and their parents).  Special teachers.  Dads for Father's Day.  And so much more!

Sometimes, gift giving is easy.  However, you don't want to give something that someone else might give also.  Here's the perfect idea!

An experience and photography from Honey Bee Photography.  We offer a couple of different kinds.

College graduates need a good headshot.  Their college or university will probably do a headshot deal before graduation, but it's generic and it looks like all of the other students' headshots.  I offer an experience for these graduates with headshots that make a difference.  We believe that a great headshot on a business card can help your grad when he or she is networking and out there hustling to pay off those student loans and start their life.  Our Business Bee Personal Branding Kits for graduates start at $150, and what a STEAL, too!



Teachers really do spend a lot of time with their students, and helping them to succeed for the future.  This also means hours spent away from their families as they grade tests, read through papers, and stay after school to tutor.  Weekends are so busy for them, too!  Why not give them a gift certificate for an experience and artwork as a constant reminder of the love and emotional connections family members have, even when they are busy.

Dads who work all the crazy hours and travel for business appreciate these experiences and artwork, too.  We offer products that are perfect for hotel room bed-side tables, as well as desks and bookshelves in offices.  Snapshots on the phone are nice, but to have a piece of his family in his favorite photograph that is physically there to greet him can make a huge difference in his day.

And finally, for parents of those graduates.  Before their children fly the proverbial coop after college graduation and finding their partners and getting married, this is probably the last time families with kids ages 9-24 will get family photographs done, until the weddings start.  Wedding photos are fun, but it doesn't really represent who the family is.  Let's give them an experience that they will enjoy, and help them to reconnect and rediscover what they love about each other.  After all, getting kids through high school and college isn't easy, and beautiful artwork on the wall can help those frazzled days get better.

You can purchase a $400 family photography experience gift certificate for ONLY $99.  What you are really giving them is more than just a pretty photo on a bridge;  you're giving them an opportunity to reconnect and rediscover what they truly love about each other, and be able to see that every single day, even on the hard days.

Call today to find out more about our gift certificates!  240-766-8966

Summer is almost here! 5 fun things to do when you hear "I'm bored!"

Ahhhh summer break.

It's the end of the school year.

It's pool time.

It's the beginning of summer vacations and trips to see extended family.

It's the awesome summer holidays, celebrated with fireworks.

It's the time of year that drives parents to wonder if they are really ready to deal with this time of year.

Wait... what?

The first couple of weeks are exciting.  If you and your partner work, then it's a routine of day camp and day care and everything in between.  Trips to the library and the pool are necessary for everyone's sanity.  If you get to stay home with your children, then you know very well the words:  "I'm bored!".

Here are my top 5 things to do in the summertime that are cheap, easy, and fun (in addition to the library and the pool).

1.  Go to the park!  Here in AA county, we have so many different parks to enjoy.  They have swimming and fishing and boating areas, trails, concerts,   Take a picnic lunch and have fun exploring.

2.  Watch baseball!  Bowie has their very own minor league team, the Bowie Baysox.  Their ticket prices are family friendly and on weekend games, they show fireworks at night.

3.  Ride bikes at dawn!  The air is cool and the smell is green and refreshing, because of the dew on the grass and plants.  It might be a little bit hard to get everyone moving, but how awesome will it be to start the morning watching the sun rise.  There are plenty of places to go visit on your bikes for breakfast.

4.  Stargaze and catch fireflies!  Here's a printable constellation map to help you locate all of the constellations.  Get some empty jelly jars, punch holes in the lid, and put some grass in the bottom of the jar.  Catch fireflies and watch their lighting patterns.  Please be sure to release them before you go back in the house. A bonus is to build a fire in the fire pit and toast marshmallows.  Remember the bug spray so the mosquitoes don't get at you.

5.  Camp out in the living room on a Friday night, pop some corn, and watch movies.  Build a fort with sheets and dining room chairs and use flashlights to tell scary stories (age appropriate, of course!).

There you have it!  I hope that your summer is full of adventure and fun.

The Photo You Didn't Get to Take

Here on my blog, I work hard to keep it positive.  Today, however, I want to talk about the photograph that you didn't get to take.

So often, getting photographs done is something that we push off.  The reasons are usually, "we're too busy"... "I need to lose 20 pounds"... "It's too hard to get everyone together"... "It's too expensive"... "my cousin's aunt's grandchild is a photographer and so we're good"...

We know that life is short.  We know that we need to live in the moment, reminisce with joy over the past, and look ahead to the future.  That unknown future could change at any time, though.

Do the photos now.  Take all of the pictures that are meaningful to you.  Be in the snapshots with your children... with your aging parents... with your best friends from college... on your family summer vacation.  Above all, even if you don't choose Honey Bee Photography to create a 3-generation experience for you, hire someone to do group photographs with everyone, along with all of the special breakups so you have that legacy to enjoy for decades to come.

Trust me, you'll be grateful so much later when the years slip by and you have photographs on your walls to enjoy all of the time, as well as the memories and emotions associated with them.

Take the photos before it's too late.

If you are interested in creating a family legacy for your children and generations to come, including artwork that you'll enjoy for years and years, call Megan at 240-766-8966.

Bee in love with the artwork of your life.

The top 6 photos you don't want to miss this summer.

Ah, Summer.  The magical, long, hot days, the cool, breezy nights, and everything in between.  It's time for get-aways, games, special meals with special people in your life, and all the memories.

Now, it may seem that taking photos during all of summer, especially vacation time, may seem obvious, but there are some photos that later on, you'll wish you'd remembered to take.  Here are my top 6 photos you don't want to miss this summer.

1.  Getting in front of your child while they are running away from Dad or Grandma.  Too often, when we are chasing our kids and all we see is the back of their heads, we hear them laughing, but we can't see their expression.  Let me tell you... those expressions are so sweet and so gleeful, because while to us, we're thinking, "My darling child, Mommy doesn't have time to chase you down", they think it's a game and it's so much fun.  So... set yourself up to be in front of your child, while your partner plays chase, so you can capture that beautiful moment, that I know you'll treasure forever.

2.  Eating a big smiley slice of watermelon.  Nothing is cuter than cutting a cold, juicy slice of sweet watermelon, handing it to your three year old, and getting some adorable photos while she enjoys it.  Her smile will be the same shape as that slice, and imagine juice on her chin, and her eyes shining brightly as she enjoys one of life's simple pleasures.

3.  Photos of you with your furbabies.  Make sure that you get someone to take photos of you with your sweet furbaby, because all too often, we moms get our kids and the dog, our partner with the cat, but we don't get photographs of us with our sweet furbabies.  Selfies are fun, but there's only so much you can get with that.  Hand over your cell phone to a friend and ask her to take photos of you with your baby... our fur babies are only around for a short while.

4.  Use light to your advantage on detail photos.  Backlighting things like fruity drinks will make the glass sparkle. For fabulous photos at family reunions, set yourselves up so you can use open shade without harsh sunlight to get the very best photos that are well lit.  You can also use sunshine to your advantage to sculpt your subject in flattering ways.

5.  Get the grandparents with each individual child.  It's awesome to get all the grandchildren together with your mom and dad.  That's always a fun and memorable time!  However, the oldest child always gets those individual photos, and as more offspring and cousins come along, it's usually group photos of everyone with grandma.  Each child will feel special having their very own photo with their grandma and grandpa, and it becomes a legacy to treasure in the future.

6.  Finally, be in the photos with your kids.  They aren't going to care that you don't have makeup on, or that you feel you need to lose 20 pounds before you allow photos of yourself... The most photographed generation will end up not having photos with their moms because of these reasons.  Be in photos with your kids.  They will treasure them in years to come.

My final pro tip is to print your photographs.  This is the only way to preserve your memories.  Having your photos in the cloud is great, but you need to turn on a device in order view them... and it's easy to forget about them, too.  Remember going through albums as a kid and enjoying those photos of you and your family when you were young?  Don't deprive your children of that joy!  Print what you want to preserve.

If these ideas sound wonderful, and you'd love to explore having your very own experience and artwork to treasure forever, call Megan today at 240-766-8966.

Bee in love with the artwork of your life.

You Spoke, We Listened

You spoke, and we listened!

As you know, we believe in celebrating our loved ones.  We have a mission to help families reconnect and rediscover what’s really important to them, and help create an impact with artwork for your homes, so that every day, your loved ones are reminded of who they are, where they come from, and where they’re going. 

EXPERIENCE (ex-PER-i-ence)

1. (N) The content of participation in an event.

2. (N) An event as apprehended.

3. (V) To go or live through.

4. (V) To undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind.

Remember, you always receive the awesome experience we give you.  Your phone calls to plan for your photography date are insightful and help you to really pinpoint the things you love most about your family.  Your photography date is fun and low-stress for everyone, because everything is planned.  We know exactly what we are doing.  Then, we come to your home, or you can visit our studio, to celebrate your photographs by watching your Premiere and participating in your Design Consultation.  Finally, the most exciting part of your experience, is when I deliver your artwork to your home, and help you to install it.

Here's the different mediums we’re using:

·         Good    

o   The smallest version of the collections, printed on professional paper, mounted on a stiff board to protect the prints from denting and preventing wrinkles, and sprayed with a beautiful gloss finish to protect your investment from moisture and fingerprints. (frames not included).  These collections start at $399.

·         Better

o   The medium sized version of the collections are a huge surprise!  We print your beautiful photographs onto museum-quality canvas, and they are stretched and adhered to blocks to prevent sagging.  These are then sprayed with gloss spray, complete with UV protection, so you can enjoy these for years to come.   They include easy-to-use hanging systems.  This version of the collections start at $599.

·         Best

o   The original sizes are big and beautiful and meant to create a daily impact on your family members.  Printed on aluminum, colors pop and the glossy finish makes your artwork very eye-catching!  These collections come with an easy-to-use hanging systems that also uses a support to prevent bowing.  Rubber stoppers protect your walls from your gorgeous artwork.  These collections start at $999.

Here’s what the Rose Collection looks like in the “Best Version” in a room.

Here’s a chart that shows the differences in products, sizes, and pricing.

	Good	Better	Best
Collections
The Rose Collection 1 large and 2 squares	1-16x20 2-8x8s $519	1-16x20 2-10x10s $749	1-30x40 2-15x15s $1499

For more information, just give us a call at 240-766-8966.