Class of 2011 - Graduation PhotoCard Special

Can you believe that I'm already talking about graduation? Well, its only 5-6 months away! If you're a parent, I'm sorry for the reminder. If you're a senior, I'm sure its not soon enough! Are you thinking of sending a Graduation PhotoCard instead of the formal Graduation Announcement? Now's your time!

Order between January 1st - April 15th

and receive $5 OFF every 50 cards you order.

So, order 150 cards & get $15 OFF your order!

Standard PhotoCard templates available on my Senior Portrait Pricelist page,

or I can custom design something just for YOU!

Things you need to know before calling or emailing your order:

1) When & where is the graduation ceremony (if you're including that info on the card).

2) When & where is the party or open house.

3) What photo(s) do you want included on your card. This can also include childhood photos incorporated with your senior photo.

4) Color(s) for the card. Do you want it to be school colors, your favorite color, or colors that will highlight your senior photo?

The Joys of Photographing Your Own Children

As just about any photographer and they will tell you...they HATE photographing their own kids!!! I loved it until they got to be just about a year old and then things started going down the crapper. Until then, they were my happy little models - sitting and smiling for mommy! Around that year marker was when they could not only walk but RUN and would RUN right out of my scene as I was trying to grab my camera! I'm finding that my 3 year old will pose now, but he's only good for a couple of shots...then he checks out.

Another random thought about photographing your kids. We all love (me included) the sweet photos of our kids, smiling and sitting nicely. But, that's not really our kids (or monsters, as I call my own). The bloopers are the ones that are our REAL kids! So, I thought I'd share one of the "blooper" photos with you from my son's 3 year old session. Enjoy!

Random Wedding Tidbits...

I've been thinking of weddings lately and thought I'd share some random things:

1) I highly recommend the book, "Conscious Bride". I read this book myself while I was engaged and have given it to numerous friends. It is a great book that touches on many of the issues many brides have to work though before and just after marriage. Its not about booking the reception site, how to find the perfect dress, whom to invite, how to word those invites, etc. This is about dealing with parents during the engagement process. Realizing that although they are excited for you, they are also feeling mixed emotions about dealing with the "loss" of their daughter. Its also about how to transition from a single individual to a partner in marriage. It helps so that you don't have the huge "let down" after the wedding day. Trust me...a great read!

2) Are you looking for an alternative to the table favors? Who's sick of tying netting around a few kisses? If you feel compelled to have chocolates on the table, so be it, but save all the time and hassle - put it in a dish or scatter it on the table. I was just at a wedding this summer where they decided to do something different. Instead of table favors, they made a donation to a charity of their preference in honor of their guests. At their guest book table at the reception, they had a poster that talked about the charity. What a great gesture!

3) Here's a trend that has been in Minnesota for a while, but hasn't quite made its way to the Badger state yet. Instead of doing a large tiered cake, they do individual cakes at each table. The Bride & Groom have their own cake sitting in front of them at the head table. When it is time for dessert, the Bride & Groom stand, cut & feed their cake. Then the guests can cut their own piece at their table. The guests tables have different kinds of cakes and this becomes a social event at the reception because they can share with other tables so they can try different flavors.

So, if you're planning a wedding...congrats & enjoy the ride!

Outside perspective....

Today I was hanging a new display, located in the Studio FX Salon in Sun Prairie. If you'd like to see it, setup a hair appointment with Misty or Sarah - 837-4177. The salon is at 425 W. Main St. in Sun Prairie. Very pumped about the display!!! Special thanks to the "models" who were used!

As I was working on it, there was a bridal group in there getting their hair done. Wonderful day for a wedding, BTW, the weather was great! Anyways, the mother-of-the-bride (MOB) was talking to the bridesmaids about who was shooting her daughter's wedding later. What she said cracked me up, so I had to share.

MOB - "The photographer shot all the high school seniors when my daughter was a senior and did a great job. He does nice work, but he's a little quirky. You know, everyone in that profession is kinda nerdy!"

The bridesmaids all look at me and we all burst out laughing! The MOB then tries to save herself and says, "Well, not you of course."

I just had to laugh - What a great day!

Fort Atkinson Bridal Show

Attention all brides!

Looking for a free bridal show? The Central Coast Restaurant & The Dance Club in Fort Atkinson will be holding a Bridal Expo on Sunday, Sept 26th from 10am-2pm. There will be a fashion show at 1:30pm in the dance club. There is also a vendor prize drawing for attendees.

I believe this is a free event for brides, but anyone else will have to pay a minimal fee.

Stop by my booth to check things out, say "HI" and see what kind of show specials I'm running!

Central Coast Restaurant & The Dance Club

1905 Central Coast Lane

Fort Atkingson, WI 53538

Fall Family Sessions

Book your fall family portrait session NOW and save $10 OFF your session fee!

Offer is valid as long as it is on the "Specials" page on the website.

Brittnee & Michael's Wedding

See more on the Lasting Impressions Photography facebook page...become a fan!

Previews from Summer 2010

Here are some previews of things that have kept me busy this summer...

Class of 2011 - There's Still Time...

Are you feeling like you're behind the ball and haven't scheduled your senior portrait session yet? There's still time and I can fit you in yet in August! Call or email to see about setting up your time slot.

Class of 2011 - "The Spotlight is on YOU!"

Class of 2011 - Book your senior portrait session by June 15th and be photographed by July 31st and you'll receive a FREE iSenior upgrade, plus (24) FREE wallets. Together that's a $75 value!

There are many new things for this season:

One being the new option for metallic wallets. These will make your photos "pop" and really stand out. They are VERY cool!

Two, to help in determining your outdoor photos, there's an "Outdoor Scenes" guide on the website under Senior Sittings. So, before you come to your sitting, you'll have the opportunity to think about what you'd like for your outdoor "look".

Three, to help families save money, the proof booklet is now an optional add-on to sittings. And, if you select just on-line proofing, your proofs will be ready sooner! But, for those that prefer to be able to look at actual photos and not stare at a computer screen, the proof booklet is still a nice option to have.

Four, some of your proofs will be artistically enhanced. Now, you won't be just getting the straight shot and raw photo. I will be hand selecting some photos to "play" with and show a creative interpretation.

So, with that, I'm really looking forward to the summer and getting started. Book your session NOW to get the added incentives. Also, be watching the website under "Specials" for additional giveaways. Congrats to Kim Neuberger for winning the first giveaway!

Mother's Day Family Gift Certificate Special

Give your mom the gift of family this Mother's Day! All Family Sitting Gift Certificates are 50% OFF when purchased between April 15th - May 8th. Call or email to get one in time for Mother's Day.

Children's Portrait Session

I'm running an Easter Children's Portrait Special. See the main website, under "Specials" for more information. But I quickly shot this photo of my two kiddos this morning with the scene for this particular special. It looks very "spring", which is what we're all hoping sticks around now! I also did another fun shot of my daughter...so cute! (I'm biased of course.)

Also, following up on a previous post...did anyone see me out painting backgrounds in the garage this week?! I'm pretty excited about how they turned out. My husband (also my tax guy) came home and gave me crap for buying "more backgrounds", but I was so proud to tell him that I just revamped old ones! Even he was impressed, which usually takes a lot because he doesn't get the artsy stuff.

Sun Prairie Bridal Fair

I will be attending the Sun Prairie Bridal Fair this Sunday, February 28th...please come check it out! Here's the info:

Bridal Fair 11am-3pm

Round Table

1611 North Bristol St., Sun Prairie

**FREE**

They give away (5) $100 doorprizes for attendees!!!

Also, if you come to the show and book your wedding by March 31st, 2010, you get $100 OFF your coverage fee!

Things that I'm excited about...

Can you believe that the holidays are past us and January is half over already?! Oh my goodness! Time is really flying, but when doesn't it I guess.

Here are a couple of things I'm really excited about and wanted to share them with you (or at least whomever is interested in reading).

1) I'm leaving for the Riviera Maya, Mexico soon to shoot a destination wedding. I'll be sure to post some of the great photos after I return. But, until then, here's an early congratulations to April & Tony who will be "getting hitched" down south in the warmth and have been so kind as to take me along. Also, if you order and don't hear from me for a couple of days, don't stress. It probably just means that I'm in Mexico and I'll contact you as soon as I return. Thanks ahead of time for your patience.

2) I just got in some new wedding album samples. I'm still offering the Contemporary Storybook Albums and the Traditional Mat Album, as I have in the past, but here's another one to add to the mix. Its called the Premier Album and it is also a digitally designed album like the Contemporary Storybooks, but this one offers some great advantages over that one. First, the Premier has a padded leather cover instead of an image cover, with the ability to have it embossed with names. Second, it has hard pages, thus it'll be able to withstand more wear and tear. You'll even let your kids flip through this one without worries of tearing the pages when you're not looking. Lastly, this one will have metallic printed pages, making the images POP and look almost 3D! It is amazing and I highly recommend taking a look when you're at the studio. Obviously it'll be a little more expensive, but I think you'll definitely see the worth of this product!

3) I'm working on new background ideas. Don't be surprised to see Drew running around the front yard, Mya in the Exersaucer in the driveway, and me painting in the garage in the coming months (or maybe as soon as it gets closer to 55 degrees).

4) Track season is approaching! For those of you who know me, I am also an Assistant Varsity Track coach at Marshall High School in the spring. I love this because it gets me outside and makes the spring come a little sooner (or at least hopefully it does). Anyways...I LOVE this and can't wait until March 8th...the first day of practice!

Things to be watching for:

* The Sun Prairie Bridal Fair at the Round Table on Sunday, February 28th from 11am-3pm

* Another children's special this spring