Having tons of opened bags in my own cupboards, I ran across this idea and thought it would benefit everyone!  We all buy clothes that come attached to those annoying plastic hangers (i.e. baby clothes!)  Here is a super smart trick:  Break off the clips for chip and bag clips!

I’m so excited to be partnering up with some amazingly talented professional portrait photographers from all around the country in what we’re calling a  ”blog carnival”. The goal is to provide our readers with information about all aspects of working with a custom photographer. So here’s the scoop…. read my article below preparing for your viewing and ordering appointment and at the end I’ll provide some info about the next photographer featured and a link to her blog and article. At the end of her article on her blog you’ll see a link to another photographer’s blog and their article and the fun goes on and on… kinda like a carnival without the feeling of motion sickness from being on the tilt-a-whirl for too long after too many candy apples!  Seriously, you will love what you learn, and the photographers… well, they’re just amazing.

The viewing and ordering appointment is one of our most favorite parts of the entire custom portrait experience!  This is when we get to share the culmination of all of our hard work with you.  Its emotional and amazing to see your family’s images large up on the screen in our cozy viewing room.

Most people have the common misconception that it will be very difficult to choose!  Please rest assured, we will help you make this process smooth and amazing for you but here are a few tips to help make it easier!

1. Measure your walls.  Most people choose custom photography to create art for their walls.  This is one of our specialities and we love to help you create something truly unique.  Its helpful to come in with measurements, or even cell phone photos of possible walls you are considering.  Most people immediately think over the fireplace, sofa or up the stairs, but we encourage you to think outside the box.  We can custom size images and can create something perfect for that hard to fit space such as between windows, over cabinets or in nooks.   By bringing in measurements, it helps to ensure proper scale.
2. Bring all decision makers.  Your ordering will happen at this time so if you will have multiple people involved in the decision process, please make sure they are in attendance.
3. Make a list of anyone who needs gifts.   We can help to determine the most appropriate packages, or best value in ordering based on what images you want, so please bring a list of anyone that may need gifts.
4. Come with an open mind!  This is huge!  Often, particularly if you have not visited a custom photographer in the past, you will expect to find 2-3 images you love and are quite surprised when there are 30 amazing images you simply must have.  We have tons of ideas and products to help you get those amazing images and we will work together with you to find the most appropriate products.  You may have come in wanting a single large image for over your fireplace, only to find that a series of 4 images scaled to the appropriate size will create a bigger impact in your room.
5. Lastly, enjoy the process.  Its a beautiful thing to see your daughter’s beautiful blue eyes smiling at your larger than life– or your little boy’s chubby fingers wrapped around yours.   Custom photography is emotional and touching and the viewing and ordering appointment is your chance to view the lifelong art we have created together.

Next up on our blog carnival is my dear friend Anna Karin Skillen from Louisiana.  She is from Sweden and has the cutest accent. She is going to write an article on how to safely travel with camera equipment. SO Helpful!

http://www.annakarinsphotography.com/annakarinsblog/

In 10+ years a photography studio has not been featured, so you can imagine our delight when Shoot the Moon Photography was named into the “Best Of” Edition of Milwaukee Magazine!  Its in the October issue.. check it out!

I’m a fan of ceviche. Its light, fresh and yummy!

When I was on a photographer retreat we had a chef come and do an interactive demonstration on Raw foods and she made an amazing coconut ceviche where the young coconut tool the place of the fish.  I prefer the fish, and wanted to share my favorite recipe!

Preparation time: 15 minutes to prepare, 3-4 hours to let sit. Always use the freshest fish possible. Make the same day you purchase fresh fish.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lbs of firm, fresh red snapper fillets (or other firm-fleshed fish), cut into 1/2 inch pieces, completely deboned
• 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 red onion, finely diced
• 1 cup of chopped fresh seeded tomatoes
• 1 serrano chili, seeded and finely diced
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• Dash of ground oregano
• Dash of Tabasco or a light pinch of cayenne pepper

• Cilantro
• Avocado
• Tortillas or tortilla chips

During the marinating process the fish will change from pinkish grey and translucent, to whiter in color and opaque.

Serve with chopped cilantro and slices of avocado with heated tortillas for ceviche tacos or with tortilla chips.

Serves 4-8.

Yesterday I was able to spend the day working with a talented photographer from MN who wanted to tweak the business aspect and get some fresh new ideas!  We spent the day (and a yummy lunch!) chatting, brainstorming and coming up with a game plan!  Thank you so much for a fun day!

I had a wonderful testimonial waiting for me in my am email box!  You made my day. I look forward to all of your profitable updates, Christina!

Anyone looking for a fresh photographer in Minneapolis, I would highly recommend!

After wrapping up spending my day working with Joy I am truly inspired. I have met a lot of incredible people but Joy, her ambition, motivation, confidence (but no ego), sassy attitude & sense of humor has to be at the top of the list. I loved her no nonsense, no fluff sense of style and am excited for the next level in my photography business. If you are ready… I highly recommend spending the day with Joy!! I would do it again if she would have me back!

best, Christina McCormick

www.chrissiemariephotography.com

UPDATE:  Christina emailed me less than a week after her private mentoring session to say that she just had her first $4000+ sale! (up 10x her previous average prior to mentoring!)

Shoot the Moon Photography is hosting a workshop at their Mequon studio with photographers from around the midwest, including Ana Brandt from California.    We need models!

We are looking for Pregnant Women who are 7-9 months pregnant on Friday, May 7th. We need one model at 11:15am and a 2nd at 3:30pm.

We also need newborns on Saturday May 8th.  We will need one newborn at 11am, and 2nd newborn at 3pm.  Newborns must be between 5-21 days old  and/or between 6-8 lbs.

Models will receive a complimentary session and it will be a lot of fun! You are welcome to bring along partners and other children, but this class focuses on newborn and maternity and there will be about 15 people working with you, so please keep that in mind with small children who may be overwhelmed.

Please email: joy@stmphoto.com  with the following information:

Name

Address

email

Due Date (maternity)  or Date of Birth (newborn)

Will you be bringing other children or partners?  If so, please list names (and ages of children)

How did you hear about the modeling program?

Do you know anyone who has been photographed at Shoot the Moon?  Who?

Anything else we should know?

Please email joy@stmphoto.com for info or questions or to apply for our modeling spots.

Whenever I get my haircut I always leave the salon feeling so stylish and smelling so clean from all the perfect potions they use on my head.  Not only do I smell good but the stylists at De Riah Salon and Spa in Cedarburg, Wisconsin also massage your head, neck and shoulders!  De Riah has a trained staff that really takes the time to get to know their clientele.  They don’t just put you in a chair, ask what you are wanting done that day and start to cut away.  They listen to what it is that you want, ask how you do your own hair on a daily basis and if you notice anything that bothers you about your hair.  They don’t tell you that its the products that you are using and ask that you purchase their products, they actually train you on how you should do your hair based on the type of hair that you have and the style that you are used to wearing.  When I told my stylist what I had trouble with when I style my hair she actually helped me understand why I was having an issue and then taught me how to fix it.  Yes, I see her using product and I always ask her what she’s using and how she uses it but I never hear that the reason I have trouble with my hair is because of the products that I am using or NOT using.  With me, its user error!  I’m just not that talented with a hairdryer and a round brush.  They also fill out a prescription sheet of all the products that they used on my hair.  That way, I can continue to use what I have but if I want to purchase something, anyone at De Riah can help me.  Its an educational experience that I truly look forward to and one of these days I will walk around everyday, not just “hair day”, as if I just walked out of the De Riah!  However, I first need to get rid of my 2 left hands.  Find out how fun it is to relax, have your hair played with and your shoulders massaged at De Riah Salon and Spa in the historic Wittenburg Mansion in downtown Cedarburg Wisconsin.   deriahsalon.com   262-376-1988  Give them a call and book your spa day just because!

Consumer Workshop: Photography 101

Dates: Friday March 11, 2011 9am – 3pm

Cost: $395

Location: Milwaukee, WI (Mequon, WI)

Two of the top Child and Family photographers in Milwaukee are teaming up to provide an amazing day of education.  Chris and Joy will provide an amazing  one-day program focused on consumers and non-professional portrait enthusiasts. Many consumers are looking for professional learning techniques in photography from how to use the features of their camera, to lighting, posing, and background techniques. This one day program is great for the amateur photographer and hobbyist looking to learn from one of the nation’s leading fine art portrait studios for their own personal use. You will learn to finally get your camera off of automatic! Topics to be covered:

• Basic camera function
• What do all of the buttons do?
• Lens selection
• Metering
• Focusing
• Composition
• Proper light selection.
• What do to when…..
• photo storage and archiving
• Much more…

This class has filled to capacity each time it is offered.  Register today to hold your spot!

Note: This workshop will cover camera instruction and will not cover posing, photoshop or business related things. It is a consumer class. Minimum of 6 is required.

Book a weekday session with Amy at our new Delafield studio and be photographed between June 16-July 3 for no session fee! A great opportunity to get Holiday photos taken early!  Our studio has beautiful natural light, a full studio set up and tons of gorgeous locations within walking distance. We would love to create something amazing for you!

This is a full session for up to 4 people (any additional are $25) on weekdays with our talented photographer Amy.  There is no session fee for this session, however, there is a $250 minimum print order which is due at the time of booking to hold your spot.   

Call the Delafield studio at 262-646-3720 to set up your appointment today before all available times are booked!

This offer is not combinable with any other offers or coupons and expires July 3, 2009.  Special offer is valid with photo shoots with Amy at our Delafield location only. There is no cash value.  Minimum print order is non-refundable but may be applied to a future session should you need to reschedule.  Failure to attend your session without 24 hour notice will result in forfeiture of your prepaid print credit. Ordering must be completed prior to August 1 to receive free session, after that your $250 print order deposit will be applied to a normal session fee. Not valid on previously booked sessions, but we will have a little treat for you too

Check out http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/  At participating alleys, kids can bowl up to 2 games per day for free. Just rent shoes.  And for $23.95 you can add up to 4 adults onto the pass to bowl up to 2 games per day.

Most centers accept bowlers using this pass until 7pm.  A great way to spend some time together!

Joy