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Oh my gosh, I can't believe that I am nearly two MONTHS late in releasing this issue of my quarterly newsletter! January into early spring is usually the slowest time of the year for me. But if the last few months are any signal at all of what's to come in the rest of this year, I am going to be running around with my head cut off...whew! So with all of the newborn, family, and engagement photography sessions, and corporate events and weddings that I've been working on, it's been hard to find time to sit and focus on my spring newsletter. But I'm in control and still still gung ho and rearing to go! I've also gotten heavy into the design work, and am really enjoying it, as my custom-designed, press-printed classic and storybook albums are becoming super-popular. In fact, the majority of my couples and families are now investing in both wall art portraits and albums. Yeah for them! |
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FEATURED PHOTO
In honor of spring and the approaching steps of summer, this quarter's feature photo (above) is called, "Lilies of the Water II." In just a few weeks, the water lilies at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens will be in full bloom. The land of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens was initially bought by W.B. Shaw, who farmed water lilies in the marshes as a hobby, eventually turning it into a large commercial endeavor and developing many new varieties of lilies through hybridization. When Shaw passed away, his daughter, Helen Fowler, continued the business. In the 1920s and 30s, with her permission for visitors to view the lilies on Sunday mornings, the farm began to receive up to 5,000-6,000 visitors in a single day. Eventually, she donated the land to the National Park System, and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens as we know it today was born.
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is a very unique location for an engagement photography or other portrait photography session. See some ideas from my portrait session with Megan in the Water Lilies here and here. Now is the time to make an appointment for your summer portrait photography session! In honor of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and its seas of fine water lilies, a fine art photograph of "Lilies of the Water II" is on sale at 10% off (use discount code LILIESWATERII at checkout).
What's more, purchase any two pieces of nature fine art photography, and receive 15% off your ENTIRE FINE ART ORDER, with discount code NATURE.
Don't wait too long! Fine art photography makes for a special and unique gift for a loved one or treat for yourself, and these terrific offers expire in just one week on June 18, 2011, and are exclusive to readers of my newsletter!!!
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THE 5 FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF WHEN SELECTING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
You know, sometimes, selecting the perfect photographer for your wedding, event, or portrait session can be a daunting process. Often, you might not even be completely sure about what it is that you want, and with so many options, you might be nervous about making the right choice. So I've been working on a guide to help you through the process. My goal with this guide is to help you think through what I view as the 5 fundamental questions to ask yourself when selecting a photographer. Here's a little sneak peak summary of the first question. The question is:
HOW IMPORTANT ARE THESE MEMORIES TO YOU?
Your photographs aren't simply "pictures." Rather, they're memories, and they're priceless. Of course, not all memories are equally important. So the question is, whatever it is that you want photographed, how important are these memories to you? Because the more important they are, the more important it becomes to select the "right" photographer.
You know, often people think that all you need to get a great photograph is a great camera. So buy a professional camera, and poof! You'll now be taking professional photographs. Well, if it were only that simple... The truth is that there's a WHOLE LOT MORE to photography than the camera, and there's a whole lot more to selecting the "right" photographer than the kind of camera the photographer uses. Plus, the "right" photographer for you may not be the "right" photographer for your neighbor. Download the guide to learn how to figure out who is the "right" photographer for YOU, and to find out about the other four fundamental questions. I promise you that thinking through these 5 fundamental questions will make your decision 5 times easier!
Are you looking for a photographer for your wedding, event, or family portrait session? Click here today to schedule your complimentary consultation. |
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NEW TESTIMONIALS
Over the past year, I've also been thinking a lot about my values as a professional photographer and small business owner, and what it is that I "stand" for. And what I've realized is that my goal isn't to simply "take pictures." Rather, my goals is to create beautiful works of art that are destined to become family heirlooms, cherished from generation to generation. Photographs that will make your heart stop a beat or bring a tear to your eye everytime you look at it. Photographs that are more than just "pictures," but that are memories. Priceless memories that become more and more important, significant, and valuable with the passing of every year. And I've realized that the three things that I care about most as a professional photographer are these:
QUALITY - ARTISTRY - CARING
Many of you might know that photography is a second career for me. I worked for 15 years in international development and humanitarian aid before transitioning to photography full-time. And I didn't leave behind a successful career in international development to produce photography that I'm not proud of. Rather, I want every image to be the very best it can be. And so I can truthfully say that while photography is my full-time endeavor, it's not a job to me. I put heart and soul into every single image I create, and I GUARANTEE that no other photographer will care about your images the way that I will.
So with all that said, I'm honored to have worked with numerous couples and families this year to help them document some of their most special moments. Below are just a few of this year's testimonials. I'm proud that they show that I've accomplished my goals.
View more images from Maggie Victoria's newborn photography session.
View the Willards' 40-page custom-designed, press-printed storybook album here.
View more photographs of Leigh & Garrett's Key Bridge Marriott wedding here.
View Grace Laura's press-printed newborn photography album.
And by the way, as a little aside, Brian Willingham - Grace's proud dad above - is a mortgage loan officer with Fitzgerald Financial. If any of you are thinking about refinancing or buying a home, check out his Facebook page here. He recently did a webinar on how first-time homebuyers can get up to $10,000 in assistance towards their first home, and you can check in with him to see when he'll be doing his next webinar. (Tell him that I sent you!) I connected one of my friends to Brian for her refinance, and he did a great job for her. (I've got another note about refinancing and home buying below, so scroll down too!)
Are you looking for a photographer for your wedding, event, or family portrait session? Click here today to schedule your complimentary consultation. |
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NEW HONORS & AWARDS
If you've been following me on Facebook, you'll know that earlier this year, a little, nondescript e-mail popped into my inbox with nothing but BIG news. I've been awarded the 2011 Bride's Choice Award from WeddingWire! I am just SO thrilled that my brides and couples have spoken out and chosen little ol' ME for such an important award. I love every wedding that I photograph, and I treat every wedding as if it were my own. It's been an honor for me to have the opportunity to participate in such special family events, so I'm just so pleased to be honored with this award. To all my couples, THANK YOU!!! And if you've been following me on Facebook, you'll also know that I spent a week at the beginning of May in Cape May, New Jersey attending the annual conference of the Mid-Atlantic Regional School of Professional Photography (MARS). MARS is an affiliate school of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), one of the professional associations that I belong to. Each year, MARS puts together a lineup of some of the best professional photographers from throughout the country, ranging in disciplines from portrait photography to wedding photography to nature photography to digital photography and more, and each year in May, professional photographers throughout Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey converge on Cape May.
This was my first year at MARS, and before attending, other long-time professional photographers told me that I would learn a lot and make lifelong friends at MARS. I'm happy to say that it was much more than I could ever have imagined. I learned so much from the instructors and the other students. It's a community, and now I understand why the same professional photographers attend the school year after year after year.
I'm also extremely grateful to MARS for their support to first-time students like myself. This year, I benefited from a MARS/PPA scholarship that paid nearly half of my tuition. And I am so excited to say that I was also awarded the Milt Techner Memorial Scholarship, which is a full scholarship for 2012. I can't believe I have the honor of receiving this scholarship! The school also depends greatly on the support of vendors and partners in the photographic community, and I want to express my appreciation and support to them for being there for us. THANK YOU!
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OTHER NOTABLE BLOG POSTS
Here are a few more notable posts that you might be interested in: |
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On Exhibit
I want to put a shout-out thank you to Chris Patt and Whet Hutton, the partners over at Hutton Patt Title & Escrow in Potomac, Maryland. Fourteen of my fine art pieces are gracing the walls of their new office, and it's been great working with them. Chris and Whet also handled the refinance for the same friend I mentioned above, and she had only great things to say. So again, if you're refinancing or buying a home, check out Hutton & Patt for your title insurance. Let them know I sent you! Or...if you'd like my assistance, I'd be happy to help you connect, so just let me know! (And if you're looking for a realtor, check out Richard Prigal of the Prigal Brothers.)
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CONNECT WITH ME
On My Blog(s)
I love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to leave me comments on the blog! I also promise to do my best to answer any questions that you post!!!
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Many, many, many thanks to all of you, my supporters and customers, for your support - your positive e-mails and attendance at my exhibits have really meant a lot to me. And to those of you for whom I've photographed portrait sessions, events, and weddings, it's been an honor to have had the opportunity to witness and take part in such special moments of your lives. Thank you!
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| Save up to 15% |
Or, get an even better deal by purchasing any two pieces of NATURE fine art , and get 15% off your ENTIRE FINE ART ORDER (discount code NATURE ). Fine art photography starts at just $123.25 after the 15% discount for an 8x10 fine art print matted to 11x14. Want a larger size? Print sizes of up to 40x60 are available on a variety of media! | | Offer Expires: June 18, 2011 |
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