Follow along as I highlight client sessions, offer tips, and share glimpses of my life. Grab a glass of sweet tea and sit for a spell. I'm so glad you joined me!
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Mark your Calendars Now!!!
I want to invite you an exciting Family Festival taking place! On October 20, Camp Puh'Tok, in Monkton, will be hosting a Fall Fest! There will be so many fun things for families to participate in that day! Games, food, live music, pumpkin painting, nature zoo and horse-drawn hayrides are all on the agenda! They will also be having a silent auction and guess who was thrilled to be asked to participate in that??? ME!!
Check it OUT:
Doesn't that sound like a great item to bid on? I was honored and excited when they asked, and of course, I had to ask Kim at Night Owl Custom Design to get in on the fun! Head over to Camp Puh'Tok on October 20 and tell all of your friends and family! It's the place to be!
"Hey! Wouldn't THIS be a great location for portraits?"
Does anyone else drive around and think, "Hey, wouldn't this be a great location for portraits?" No? Just me? Huh.
Everywhere I go, I look for lighting and backdrops. I passed this field/bridge for 2 years, every day, morning and afternoon, and drooled. After 2 years, I got up the nerve to ask permission to shoot there! The owners were completely gracious and said, "yes!"
When a client asked for an old barn and a stone wall, I knew the perfect spot - and screwed up my courage to ask the owners' permission to shoot there (are you sensing a theme in my bold behavior? ;) Again, the owners obliged.
(Side note: If a super-cute family brings out their shades and looks adorable, go ahead and shoot into the sun. Otherwise, this shot is a no-no;)
This summer, I took a big deep breath and e-mailed a local business that I pass everyday, The Jackson House Bed and Breakfast, in Railroad. Almost immediately Pam, the owner, e-mailed to say she thought it was a wonderful idea for 2 local businesses to support each other! This morning I went to The Jackson House where she served a fantastic eggs benedict breakfast; her guests and I chatted; and, we talked about working together. I have just scheduled my first session there in early October, and I can't wait to share it with you! Please take the time to click on the link to her B&B. It is beautiful and the food is wonderful. I didn't get to try out the hot tub, but I'm guessing it's great;)
If you drive by a beautiful spot, let me know. I'll breathe into a bag ask for permission to shoot there and we'll create some gorgeous portraits!
Who Needed a Makeover? Me!!!
From the time I began to dream of having my own photography business, there had only been two names I considered. And, when all was said and done, "Front Porch Photography" was the perfect choice. I look at both of my children and know that their names suit them perfectly. My business name is no different! I believe it articulates the feelings and emotions I try to evoke in my portraits.
The "brand" for my business, however, is a different story. Certain stores call to me when I shop for my son or daughter. When they model the outfits I bring home, the style "fits." And, friends and family know the style and are quick to say, "That outfit/shirt/skirt/etc. looks like you!" I appreciate that they can recognize me in my children. Unfortunately, I didn't feel that way about the brand I had created for Front Porch Photography. The design was exactly what I asked for, but it wasn't who I wanted my business to be! So, after just a few months of being in business I contacted 2 companies and together, they put together a brand and logo that look like me! I'm so excited to introduce you to the new Front Porch Photography!
Isn't it lovely? It's clean, bright and classic - all of the things I hope you think of when you look at Front Porch Photography's portraits! I am so thankful to Sarah Harris at Studio 160 Design for happily making ALL of my requested changes and for exceeding my wildest dreams!
And, my right-hand and biggest cheerleader in this business has been Kim Williman of Night Owl Custom Design! She has created gorgeous custom templates and card designs for my clients. But she has also redesigned my FB timeline cover and will be helping me rotate it on a more consistent basis to showcase more of my beautiful families!
Oh, how I love this! The colors are perfect and the portraits just pop! This one will be around for a little while and then wait until you see what she has designed for the holidays!
As I write, my husband is upstairs in my studio spackling and sanding so that he can paint it this weekend. Then, I'll be able to hang all of the portraits of YOU and the indoor studio will be open for business as well! Can you guess what colors my studio will be??? Leave a comment for me:) And, check back soon to see the before and afters of my studio! I can't wait to share them with you!
It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas in Southern PA and Northern Maryland!
I promised a more frequent presence on the blog, and I'm delivering! First up, a reminder that yes, Christmas really is just around the corner! Now is the best time to schedule your portraits, and have your cards created! Won't it be such a relief to make your December "To Do" list and realize that is one thing you can already cross off?
Did you miss me much?
5 months have passed since my last blog post! I could ask where the time went, but I think I know: I officially became a business on May 4 ("officially" meaning the state of PA and the IRS now know about me and expect timely checks;) and then I turned around and it was summer vacation! This was a very busy summer, too. 2 trips to the Gulf Coast; camp for both kids; VBS; photo shoots and lots of "unscheduled" fun!
Knowing that you were most definitely having your own fun and making amazing memories instead of checking your computer for blog posts (and therefore, not missing them!) makes me feel so much better. But, with summer over and the kids back in school it is time to get back to business!
I have so many things to share with you in the next few months. And, I promise to post frequently and consistently! Photo sessions will continue to be blogged - lots of those I need to share already. And, I also plan to teach tips and tricks to help you prepare for a professional photo shoot, or to take better snapshots of your loved ones.
With so much to share, I'll get busy writing posts and leave you with a glimpse of some of the memories my family made this summer:)
My niece, Haleigh, in her preferred mode of transportation on Gulf Shores, AL.
My nephew, Caden, is looking for shells. He's using daddy's coffee cup to collect them:)
Jack, surveying the kingdom at Dutch Wonderland.
Andrea, getting the llamas to eat out of the palm of her hand at the Wildlife Adventure in Louisiana!
It was a wild, fun, family summer and I'm grateful for that time with my husband and kids! I hope your summer was filled with memory-makers and that you remembered to take your own snapshots!