America’s Cutest Kid – Vote For Me!

This is Zander. I have photographed him since he was just a baby and he is definitely one of America’s Cutest Kids in my book. Zander is participating in the national search for the cutest kid contest. This contest not only awards some really nice prizes (like a $5,000 US Savings Bond – I would love for Zander to win that!), but each vote (only $1) benefits a wonderful organization that is very dear to my heart; Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.

This is the image we select to use for the contest. It is from Zander’s “Model” session we did in downtown Hickory. Zander worked hard modeling for us and we all had a great time. I cannot think of a better way to have spent that morning. Although, I am still waiting on the recipe for Zander’s Mac n’ Cheese using Fruit Loops.

You can help Zander win the city competition by placing your vote here. It is tax deductible so you can use it on your taxes next year. Voting ends April 2nd, so go vote now. Your vote counts!

The Luck of the Irish

Happy St Patrick’s Day!!! Hope you are wearing green today.

I had a slight problem at the studio this morning. A little leprechaun named “Patty” ran around and caused a bunch of trouble. I finally caught him, but not before he had some fun. This is where I need your help.

Patty got into the website and apparently he left some messages for all of you. He has confessed to leaving 5 messages on the website each one on a different page, but he is not saying any more until his attorney gets here. Can you all help me find them so I can clean-up the website again?

A reward has been posted. Find three of them and receive a $50 gift certificate to use at your next session. Find all five and receive the $50 gift certificate to use at your next session and a brag book with 8 images from that session.

All you have to do is find the messages and write them down as they appear and what page you found them on and email them to me. Oh, Patty did say one last thing before he stopped talking. He said the messages go away at 11 pm tonight. Thanks for your help and may the Luck of the Irish be with you!

Celebrate With Me

On March 2nd at the Professional Photographers of North Carolina’s convention; I took the Certified Professional Photographers (CPP) exam. I had been studying heavily for the past couple of months for this exam. While taking the exam the only thought I had was “this is not what I studied.” After finishing the exam I was left with the feeling of uncertainty on how I did; as did the others that took the exam with me. The past almost two weeks has been filled with wondering the outcome. Today I found out the results of the exam. I passed! Big sigh; yeah and even do a funny dance; mostly a big sigh.

Becoming Certified is a goal of mine. Less than 3% of all professional photographers have past the Certification process. It is a vigorous process that requires you to pass a comprehensive exam on the technical aspects and also submit images to a panel of judges for review and approval. I still have to submit my images. The next submission date is May 2nd, so I guess the next couple of months will still be filled with uncertainty.

But for tonight, I am celebrating passing the exam. And I want to share my excitement and make an offer to you. To celebrate I have decide to a have promotion that you can enjoy too. Call (828-397-6055) or email me and mention you would like the “CPP” special and schedule a regular session between now and April 24th and receive a $100 gift card to use on that session. The “CPP” special is only for regular sessions and is not available for Baby Club, Doodlebug Club or Bunny sessions. If you already have a regular session schedule, then contact me and you can still join in on the “CPP” special.

This is a great chance for you to get that session you have wanted to do and to get some images to give as gifts to Mom for her special day and who knows you might just get to be one of the stars in the images I use to submit to complete the Certification process. And that would be pretty cool for both of us.

Is your child America’s Cutest Kid?

Denise Clay Photography is participating in the National Charity Model Search to select “America’s Cutest Kid” and to raise funds for not one, but two charities.

I am looking for cute children ages 18 months to 14 years old to model for a portrait to be entered into the contest. And I know there are some mighty cute kids out there. I have some great ideas for this.

Models Search Special:
$25 entrance fee (all of the entrance fee will be donated to Relay For Life), which includes a 30 minute model session and one image submitted to the national gallery.

Finalists will be determined by online votes. Anyone may vote. Each vote is $1, and all proceeds from votes benefit the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. (NILMDTS.org)

Grand prize national winner will be determined from the 50 city finalists. Winners selected by photography and modeling industry experts.

If your child is selected the national winner, you’ll receive many prizes, including a $5,000 US Savings Bond and a Canon PowerShot G10 digital camera.

If you’re interested in entering your child(ren), please call the studio at 828-397-6055 or email me. For more information about the contest, go online to http://www.sandypucmodels.com/ or just ask me.

Deadline is March 27th.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

That’s right it is time for those cute and cuddly bunnies. The bunnies will be at the studio one day only this year, Saturday March 28th. A new set is ready for this year that is simply adorable and it is perfect for kids of all ages. I can’t wait. It is going to be so much fun. Give me a call for more details and to schedule your time. Session fee is $20 and packages are $75 and portraits will be back the week before Easter Sunday.

First Facebook Contest Winner Announced

Congratulations go out to Shawn Reavis. Shawn’s name was pulled from all of the Facebook DCP Fans and she wins a custom Portrait Art Glass from her next session. All fans of DCP on the last day of February were put into a hat and Shawn’s name was the one drawn. I am looking forward to Shawn’s session and creating the Portrait Art Glass just for her. Thanks Shawn for being a fan!

More fun things are on the way that is specific only to those that are fans of DCP. If you are not a fan and want to join in on the fun, then all you have to do is click on become a fan and you will included on the future promos, contests and specials.

Snow Cancels School!!!!

As most of you know school is out today for the snow. At least through out a good portion of North Carolina. Sarah is at home having fun, but I am not able to be there with her to enjoy it. I am in Raleigh with my second family at the Professional Photographers of NC Convention (PPNC).

I love coming here every year to get to meet all of my old (hehe) photography friends and to talk with them, laugh and of course eat (we all love to eat). But also to learn from some of the best photographers from across the nation. PPNC is known through out the country for having one of the best conventions every year with a line-up of speakers packed with talent. I will blog more about this later.

Right now I am getting ready to go take my Certification exam. It is at 1 today, so everyone send me good vibes. I have been fighting a cold for a while and still struggling with it, but I am rested and I think ready for the exam. I just hope I don't start second guessing my answers and change them. I have a tendency to do that when I take exams.

Sarah is getting a big laugh out of all of the studying I have been doing and the fact am having to take an exam while she is playing in the snow. Well when the warm weather returns I'll get her back.

Let's since I am stuck in here and not able to get out much to play in the snow send me some images like the last time it snowed and a little story and I'll post them on the blog.

Throw a snowball for me,
Denise