Easter Sessions

This is always one of my favorite times of the year. Spring flowers are beginning to poke up through the ground and the trees are starting to show off their blossoms. At the studio we get to spend some time with the bunnies.

I love the bunny sessions at the studio. Watching the kids play with the bunnies and the joy in their eyes. The bunnies are cute, but the kids are cuter (is that even a word?).

The bunnies were a bit active this year; which made the sessions a bit interesting. Especially for Sarah who had to chase the bunnies down during the sessions. But we had a great time and created some great images. I posted some of the ones from the bunny sessions on the facebook fanpage. I will try to post more a little later.

Easter Sunday is April 4^th and is a special time to rejoice and honor our Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful for what He has done for me and for all of us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Spring is hoppin’ in

I know, I know – lame pun. Seriously, spring is just around the corner and I know I am ready. It is almost time to plant the veggie garden and enjoy the pretty flowers blooming in the flowerbeds.

Spring starts this Saturday and to celebrate, we have the bunnies here at the studio for Easter sessions. Here is a portrait of the bunnies for this year. Aren’t they just too cute?

If you haven’t scheduled your session, give the studio a call or email me and we will find a time for you.

The bunnies are back

With all of the snow we have had this year, I am ready for spring. Beautiful flowers and sunny days is what I am wishing for. I definitely need to get out and start working in the flower beds.

Spring starts Saturday, March 20th and the bunnies will be back at the studio to kick off spring. A new set is being designed for this year’s bunny sessions.

The bunny sessions are some of my favorite. I love seeing the excitement of the kids (and parents) when they first pet the soft and cuddly bunnies. The joy in the kids’ eyes is precious.

Session fee is $25 and special bunny packages are only $75. Portrait packages will be back before Easter.

Don’t forget that if you refer a friend and they come for a bunny session, your bunny session fee is on me.

Stephanie’s tips on helping your child succeed in school

EOG testing is sneaking up on us fast. It is hard to believe that March winds are already blowing. I am fortunate to have many wonderful educators as friends and clients. So I asked one for some tips on how we as parents can help our kids do better in school and on the EOGs.

I asked Stephanie Eddings to share some of her tips. Stephanie is a fifth grade teacher at Ball Creek Elementary School.

David Letterman has his top ten, but we have Stephanie’s top nine on how to help your child succeed in school. Thanks Stephanie for your tips. I know I will be using them with Sarah.

Stephanie’s top nine tips on helping your child succeed in school:
1. Get a good night sleep and eat breakfast every morning.
2. Have your child explain their homework to you. It is a good indication on whether or not they understand what they have learned in school. If they have no homework, have them explain what they have learned that day.
3. Read all the time. Magazines, newspapers, books, etc. and ask questions about what they read. It's also a good idea to set up times to where everyone in the house reads. This helps your child to develop a love for reading because they see their parents wanting to read also.
4. Be on time to school everyday and keep the absences to a minimum.
5. Communicate with your child's teacher on a regular basis.
6. Have high expectations of your child and make sure they know your expectations.
7. Make a place where your child/ren go every day after school at the same time to do their homework and read.
8. Limit the amount of TV and video game time to provide opportunities to use their imaginations.
9. Play math games with your child to help them master addition/subtraction facts for the lower grades and multiplication/division for the upper grades.

What happen in Durham…

Last week I attended the Professional Photographers of North Carolina (PPNC) convention in Durham. The theme this year was a play off Vegas – Viva PPNC!

Like my time in Vegas, there was very little sleeping that occurred, but a whole lot of learning and getting inspired. There were some great times with some of my photography buddies as well. Around 400 of them attended the convention.

PPNC is one of the strongest photography associations in the nation. We always have on of the best conventions each year with the top photographers from the country speaking.

But the learning and inspiration I get while at the convention is just the start of what I receive as being a member of PPNC. The greatest treasure I receive from being part of PPNC is the friendships I have developed with other photographers.

To be a member of PPNC you must be a professional. So if for some reason I am must refer you to another photographer, then I will refer a fellow PPNC member. I know they are a professional and not just someone with a camera and that they will do a quality professional job for you; just as I would do.

But back to the convention. While at the convention I was honored to be sworn in as a Board member for PPNC. I take this position with the greatest honor and the vow to do the best job I can.

PPNC has meant so much to me and has helped me develop into the photographer I am today. I am reminded of a quote by W. Clement Stone; “If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.” Hopefully I can give back to others what I have received.

On to more fun things. I did get a lot of ideas that I want to play with. Yes play – ‘cause we are going to have fun with these. At the same time we (oh btw, I volunteered you to help me with this) will be creating images needed for me to earn my Masters. To do this I must earn merits in print competition.

I have lots of ideas already of images to create. Some will be during regular sessions, some I will be doing model searches for and some I may even run special limited time only sessions for. We have less than a year to create the images and have them ready for the print competition. Guess we better end this blog post and get busy.

Thanks for your help with this.