New Referral Program

In looking back on this past year, I'm starting to plan for 2009.  In doing so, I realize that much of my past year's success is due in part to great referrals, or old fashioned "word of mouth" advertising!  If you passed my name on to someone this past year, I thank you!  Going forward, I would like to really show my appreciation, so new for 2009 is the Lasting Impressions Photography Referral Program!  

Here's how it'll work.  Whenever someone calls to inquire about my photo services, I typically ask how they heard about me.  So, make sure they tell me it was YOU!  After that person books with me, I will send out a portrait certificate to the person (hopefully you) who referred me.  

The photo on the right is of Drew...we used this for our holiday cards this year.  Don't you just wish we all had as much enthusiasm and energy as a 14 month old?!  Oh, and just for a teaser...look for a kids portrait special this spring! 

Snow Day...

So who was prepared for this snow?  I'll admit, it is pretty, but I wasn't quite ready!  In my opinion, unless you like winter sports, large amounts of snow are pointless.  And, due to the fact that I probably won't be partaking in my normal winter activities this year (knee surgery), I'm not really looking forward to additional snow.  Yuck!  

Now that I was able to get that off my chest, here's the holiday ordering update.  Unless you order something by tomorrow (December 10th), I will not be able to guarantee delivery by the holiday. 

When was the last time you had a family photograph taken?  If you're still looking for gift ideas for friends and family, here's a thought...give a gift certificate for a family sitting!  Its the perfect way to celebrate family, gift something practical and can be enjoyed for long after the holidays.  If you're apprehensive about just giving a piece of paper, then give a photo frame with the gift certificate inside the frame.   

New Items...

I'm really excited about some new things that I have to offer, so I thought I'd talk about them here.  

For my maternity sessions, I'm offering a new "Mommy Keepsake Album" with all the sittings.  This album is AWESOME!!!  It feels like suede and will be a great keepsake heirloom for you and your children!  The album is high quality and will hold up for a long, long time!  So, after a maternity sitting, you'll get to pick out your 10 top images, and they'll get put in the 5x5 album for you to keep!  

So, if weddings are more what you're into right now...I've got a bunch of new items.  First, I've got a signature book that can serve as your guestbook.  So, you take images from your engagement session, and they'll be on one side and your guest can sign the other side.  Also, for a different approach than just "signing in", your guests will be able to flip through the book to different headings, like "I'll never forget...", "I knew they were in love when...", etc.  So, you'll not only get your guests to "sign in", but you'll also have a keepsake that you might actually WANT to keep out on the coffee table!  

Also, new for all weddings booking for 2009 or beyond, I'm offering a great Custom Keepsake Proof Box.  It will have a wedding photo, your name, date, etc. on the cover of the box.  When you get it, your proofs will be inside.  However, after you put your proofs into an album of your choice, you'll have this great box as another keepsake from your wedding.  

Lastly, I've got a new album size and style.  I've been offering a coffee table style for a year or two, but now I've got a 10x10 style that is BOOK BOUND!!!  This book bound album will hold up much better than the previous stitch bound albums. 

So, that's what I'm excited about these days.  Check them out online or at the studio if you want!

The Upcoming Holidays...Ordering Photocards & a Recipe

This is just a reminder that if you are thinking about ordering holiday photocards, please place your order by November 17th to have them back by December 1st.  I cannot guarantee that any orders placed after December 1st will be done before the holidays.  So, just plan ahead and you'll be fine!  

Speaking of holidays, I can't wait to hear the holiday music and make holiday treats!  It is by far, my favorite time of the year.  And, I'm really looking forward to the holidays this year with Drew.  I think he'll have so much fun with the lights, trees, presents, etc.  Oh, and not to mention his first time playing in the snow.  But, from the sounds of it, we'll have plenty of that to go around this year.  Argh!   Wha'cha gonna do?!  Speaking of snow...I think I saw some flake this afternoon.

Sorry about my side track on the snow.  Getting back to my holiday cooking...here's a great bar recipe to try.  My family and friends LOVE it!!! 

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cakes

Crust:

1 (18.25 oz) box yellow cake mix

1 egg

8 tbl melted butter

Filling:

1 (8 oz) cream cheese

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

8 tbl melted butter

1 (16 oz) powdered sugar

1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

1 tsp nutmeg (optional)   

1) Combine crust ingredients and mix well.  Pat into the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13 pan.

2) In a large bowl, beat cream cheese & pumpkin until smooth.  Add eggs, vanilla, & butter.  Beat together.  Add powdered sugar, cinnamon & nutmeg.  Beat together.  Spread over crust.  Bake for 40-50 minutes at 350 degrees.  Make sure not to overbake, as the center should still be a little gooey and jiggle when you bring it out of the oven.

3) Serve with whipped cream.

Knee Surgery Update

Knee surgery was on Thursday, October 30th.  It went well.  I had my ACL reconstructed and my meniscus repaired.  

Many have inquired how this occurred.  No, it wasn't while shooting photos.  I actually injured it in high school, my senior year, in track.  I never had it looked at until after I had Drew.  I re-injured it, while I was pregnant, practicing with the Marshall Varsity Girls Basketball team.  After the re-injury, it was never the same and was going out quite frequently.  I finally had an MRI and they confirmed that I completely tore my ACL in high school and the meniscus damage would only continue if I didn't get it fixed.  So, I scheduled the surgery after all the high seniors and weddings were done for this fall, and after my little guys birthday.  

There's the history on why.  Here's the update.  I'm home, doing PT on my own 3x per day, along with official PT once a week.  My husband has been great and is helping with Drew.  I'm already down to using only one crutch...maybe I'm "cheating" as my friend put it.   Other than the pain meds not sitting well with me, I'm feeling good and doing well.  

My baby turns ONE!

On Friday, Drew turns one!  I can't believe it!  He's changed so much over this past year. From laying on a blanket, to running around the house.  From being unresponsive, to laughing or pointing to things he wants.  Actually witnessing him learning new things.  Awww....being a mother is great!  Oh, there have been challenges...fussy months, sleepless nights, teething, tantrums, stubbornness, etc.   But, I wouldn't change anything to get to this point!  I know it'll just continue to get more fun as he gets older.  So, if you happen to see him sometime soon, you'll have to give him a "high five" and wish him a happy birthday!    

Knee Surgery...

As some of you might know already, I need to have ACL knee surgery.  It is going to take place on October 30th.  So, I will not be taking and/or processing any orders from October 30th - November 10th.  If you would like to place an order before I'm out, then try to do so by October 22nd and I'll do my best to get it back to you by the 30th.  Otherwise, wait until after November 10th and it'll be the normal 2-3 weeks to process.  Also, keep in mind that the holiday season is the busiest time of the year for all photo processors, so plan ahead and figure on the full 3 week turnaround timeframe.  Thanks in advance for your patience during this time.  I know I'll be back up and running (literally) soon!  

"Go Red for Women"

Heart Disease is the number one killer of women in America.  To heighten awareness, go to   http://www.goredforwomen.org/.  On the site, you can sign up for free e-news and a free "Go Red" pin.  Pass this info on to grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters and friends, and let them know you care!

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

With the Month of October being recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, The Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation holds its Annual Fund Drive for six weeks starting in mid-September and ending in October.

President Ronald Reagan enacted Proclamation 5890 in October of 1988 to recognize that each year, approximately a million pregnancies in the United States alone end in miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of a newborn child. Reagan stated, "A national observance offers us the opportunity to increase our understanding of the great tragedy involved in the deaths of unborn or newborn babies. It also enables us to consider how, as individuals and communities, we can meet the needs of bereaved parents and family members... " 

If you are in a place to make even a small contribution to NILMDTS, please know that doing so will continue to allow the organization to provide improved resources, training, communication, and other tools necessary in support of our amazing contingent of professional photographers who provide the gift of free remembrance portraiture to families in need.


Your Donations Support the Organization in Many Ways -

* By supporting the continued education of our volunteer photographers
* By allowing us to further our outreach to hospitals and hospices across the world
* By offsetting the costs associated with outreach efforts including Formal NILMDTS Training Seminars
* By supporting the Family Forum which creates a productive and supportive haven for healing
* By supporting the Photographers' Forum which provides a helpful environment for our member photographers to express their feelings and receive advice on the various issues that they face in this noble work
* By supporting the day to day operations of our Headquarters Offices

Follow the link below to donate:

http://nowilaymedowntosleep.org/eventDisplay.php?page=13

Living in Madison...

On Saturday, Josh and I headed to the Badger game against Ohio State, unfortunately not a win, but a fun time nonetheless!  Here is a photo I shot of the capital as my husband and I were walking back to our car.  Sometimes we take for granted how beautiful our surroundings are since we see them so often, but doesn't the capital at night (even in this rushed photo) make you think "Wow...and I live here!"

Behind the Camera....

The photo of the senior dunking the ball, Mike Boebel, on my homepage, was taken laying down on the gym floor.  Talk about guts!  But, I trust Mike!  I also coach him in track.  He's a very talented high jumper for Marshall High School.  Anyways...Mike had great control as he dunked the ball directly above me and managed to not slam the ball on my camera, let alone land on me. It was a great shot and it was fun to do something different!  

Welcome to my blog!

So, if you're new to blogging, so am I!  I've never read a blog, let a long created or written one!  A little scary, but I think we'll manage.  My hope with the blog is to share some photography information, highlight what I'm up to shooting wise, and also throw in some personal flare as well.  I hope you'll enjoy! 

For starters....who's excited for the Brewer's play off run?!  The Bindl's are!  Go Brew Crew!