Please help save Jen!

I don't ask for much from my readers...I come here as often as possible...I write words to you,  I scramble most days for content to help you be a better business person and a better photographer...I find pretty things to inspire you...and I'm now asking for you to return the favor...and it's not something big...it will just take a minute. 

It's money...yep...I'm asking for you to donate money... and it could help save a life...Jen's life! 

We have followed her intense battle over the last 9 months with ovarian cancer...we cried for her and smiled for her...but now, I will beg for her!

PLEASE give a donation to help fund her clinical trials that will hopefully save her life. It can be a small amount...any amount will do! How about if you told that next client placing their order that you were donating the proceeds from their portrait purchase to help save a photographer friend fighting for her life. They would know they were also helping...spare one shoot for her? 

I know that's a lot to ask...and if that's not possible, then how about giving up a venti latte? We can all spare $5...can't we? Please donate to help her...help those two little boys in the picture above...they need their mom! 

The doctors gave her 12-18 months to live...let's give her more than that...let's help save her life.

To read more about Jen and her battle, click here.

To donate, click here.

Thank you!

What a star struck Sunday

Yesterday I had the honor of attending the Spelman College Commencement Ceremony. The guest speaker was the one and only, Oprah. Amazing to hear her speak! She encouraged the graduates to "Always do the right thing even when nobody knows. You will always bring the right thing to you." And my favorite quote from Miss O.... "Let excellence be your brand". 

I love that! As photographers and artist, we are always trying to define what our brand is...let it be excellence! Love that!

I was also a proud wife when my husband was on stage introducing the three graduates who were commissioned as Naval Officers. I must say he did great. (thousands were there!) And looked great in that uniform! 

I met Star Jones and had my picture made with her...but no one will ever see that (full) picture because I'm smiling so big I look like a fool:)  

I was told no cameras were allowed...so I followed the rules and didn't bring a camera. Just my iphone...and EVERYONE had cameras! I can't believe I didn't bring one. So... I have no pictures of Oprah...just tiny iphone pics that you can't even see. 

This is us...stuck in traffic trying to get there. Smiling through our irritation of being late.

summer...summer...summer!

It's Thursday...and tomorrow is the day...the last day of school! It will be a glorious day in my house. I start singing "School's out for summer"...you know the one by Alice Cooper that my kids have never heard and wonder what I'm singing. Just googled the words and realized maybe it's not the best song to sing...I need a new "school's out" song! 
I really do enjoy my kids being out of school. I enjoy the lazy pajama days. I love being able to hop in the car and take a trip whenever we desire. I LOVE the games of Rummikub with my boys. I love staying up late with the kids watching movies. Our new neighborhood has a pool and I'm excited for my kids to get to hang out with their friends all day soaking up the sun. I'm ready...bring it on.
The lazy days of summer also make work a bit harder. So please be patient if the post here aren't as often as normal. I have big plans of spending quality time with three little people (who aren't so little anymore...one is taller than me and the other will probably be soon after sumer...but they are still my people). 

(image from The College Prepster)

I just saw this on Pinterest and thought what a fun summer project this would be. Each week make a set of Instagram photostrips from images during the week...and then I thought how fun if my readers wanted to be a part of the fun..."The Twelve Weeks of Summer" project! Want to join me? 
I'll post more about it soon...and I hope you want to jump in on the fun for a week or two...or twelve!


There is a fabulous "how to" on making these photostrips on the wonderful blog, The College Prepster. Her blog is full of pink, green and preppy! A girl after my own heart...love her blog and the great tutorial you can find here! 


I'm looking forward to getting to "meet" you all on instagram! Follow me there... @savvyphotographer 

do you have an office space you love?

Oh dear...could these spaces be any more perfect?

I love looking at the workspaces of others...and wonder if they always look that neat and tidy.

I wouldn't dare show you my messy desk right now...I hoping this will inspire me to straighten it up a bit.

All of the images above are from Better Homes and Gardens Online. It's a decorators delight.

So many great ideas in one place...enjoy! 

Happy Mother's Day

I'm wishing you all an absolutely wonderful Mother's Day. I hope it's filled with the best homemade cards and gifts from your little (or big) ones. 

Just in case you want to buy yourself a little something, we are having a sweet sale to honor all the Mother's out there.

Use the code momsale to save 50% off all the digital products in the Savvy Store. The code expires Monday night at 11pm.

And you can also save 20% off the Savvy Flooring using the code mom. Expires tonight at 11:59pm.

Have a wonderful day!

a super duper grand prize for the pet category

I have a few more prizes to tell about for the Savvy Images contest.

I've mentioned the amazing prize donated for the grand prize winner of the pet category...the Unleashed Pet Photography Workshop! Unleashed Dallas 2012 will be 2 days of hands-on shooting and creative inspiration with photographers Teresa Berg and Bev Hollis. The prize includes a copy of DOG SHOTS | Tips & Tricks for Pet Photographers and a follow up 2 hour online class.  

Topics will include: Natural lighting outdoors, kids + dogs, studio lighting, natural light shooting indoors, as well as business discussions on products and pricing, marketing, social media and SEO and developing your personal style. The Aloft Hotel in Plano will be home base with studio shooting held at Teresa Berg Photography in north Dallas.  Check out the Unleashed Blog for more information!  www.unleashedworkshops.com  

The value is $1200...what an awesome prize for someone!

The two runner ups in the pet category will also get a copy of the DOG SHOTS book.

 

Have you had your shutter hugged?

Our friends over at Shutter Huggers are also donating a prize to the Grand Prize winner in the Children, Family and Pets category. The winner chooses their favorite! 

meet the judges for the Savvy Images Contest

Alice Park is a documentary child photographer in Atlanta known for her storybook folio books. She effortlessly blends herself into her subject’s world of make-believe and lets their imaginations soar. Photo sessions become play dates, and the connections she makes with them transform into stunning images that depict who he or she is at that age. Alice documents the little things with the big picture in mind: their magical stories.

Alice and her dashingly handsome and brilliant husband Kyu started Alice Park Photography together in 2006. They founded the National Association of Professional Child Photographers soon after.

Nashville based photographer, Mandy Johnson of Mandy Johnson Photography is passionate about preserving memories through the art of photography. Her award winning work is displayed in fine homes across the country.  Her clients include numerous celebrities who value her genuine & modern esthetic. Mandy's work has been featured in People magazine, seen on the Today show, The View & the Rachel Ray Show.

Anne Siller is from Houston Texas where she has been photographing families and children for over 16 years.  Her career began as a black and white film artist where she was drawn to capturing the true emotion and spirit of her subjects. Since her transition to digital she still tries to maintain the honesty and uncontrived nature of her original film work. To see more of her work, visit Anne Siller Photography. 

Portland based Family Photographer, Leah Remillet is world recognized for the experience she creates for her portrait clients. Specializing in children and families. Leah's passion is in creating beautiful wall art and a wonderful experience.

Leah Remillet is the also the creator of the popular photography blog, Go{4}Pro .

June Kuiper has been a Grand Rapids family and child photographer for over six years. Her work has a modern style and an artistic, casual appeal. She is the co-founder of Photographer Cafe, and is mom to two girls.

Mary Beth Vreugdenhil is also the co-founder of Photographer Cafe, has been a child, family, and wedding photographer for over seven years, and is a busy mom of four.

Courtney DeLaura is the joyfully silly photographer behind the camera of Peachtree Studio and the computer screen of Get Schooled Photo. With her laughter and dedication to helping young women feel beautiful during an otherwise insecure time, Courtney has grown her senior portrait business to blessed heights. She lives for snuggles while watching zombie movies and her heart leaps for joy when she can bring a bunch of photographers together for education, encouragement & support!  Courtney lives in Knoxville, TN. with her best friend/husband, their two amazing children and the two fur-kids.

Leslie Kerrigan is the owner and operator of Leslie Kerrigan Photography in Greenville, South Carolina.  She is also the creator and owner of Seniorologie.com, an inspirational blog dedicated to the study of high school senior portrait photography!  When she is not blogging or taking photos, she is hanging out with her husband and two young boys, running or shopping!

Justin & Mary Marantiz are internationally traveled destination photographers, who call New England home. Justin is a 2003 graduate of the highly-acclaimed Rochester Institute of Technology, and Mary is a 2006 graduate of the Yale Law School.

They are also the creators of the Spread the Love workshop.

Bev Hollis: Pet photographer, veterinarian, guardian of two dogs.  My life has always had dogs wrapped about it. I wouldn't have it any other way.  I feel honored to spend my life studying, watching, healing, and photographing pets - mainly dogs.  With a particular interest in the human-animal bond, my goal with my work is always to elevate animals to the work of art they are so worthy of.

Teresa Berg is a graduate of the Elkins Institute of Photography and a member of the Professional Photographers of America and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals. She is a nationally recognized photographer and author. She specializes in artistic baby, family and pet portraits.

Bev and Teresa will be leading the Unleashed Pet Photography Workshop in Dallas 2012. (see blog tomorrow for more details.)

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To learn more about the Savvy Images contest, check out the info here.  And to hear more about the amazing prizes, click here. 

more vendors= more goodies to win

Today we are introducing three of the vendors who are donating to our winners for the Seniors category...thank you all for being a part of this! 
Tomorrow we will introduce the judges and tell more about the huge grand prize in the Pets category!!

Seniorologie 

LCH Design

Senior Portraits Forum

fabulous vendors

We have two more days of introducing the wonderful vendors that have donated to the prize packages for the winners of the Savvy Images Contest. There is still time to enter your images...for more information on entering, 

go to the post, Savvy Images Contest. 

On Wednesday, I'll introduce our judges! We have six teams of judges...each team has a category to judge...and they are all fabulous!

Now for more of the vendors who make our prize 

packages rock!

Go{4}Pro 

Life-n- Reflection Design

The Posing Guide 

Flourish 

Michelle Tiek Design