toby

Meet Toby, the newest member of our family.

He’s a 10 week old Collie. Our last few dogs have not been all that smart and certainly not athletic, nor long haired, so this this is a change and them some and we’ve only had him for 2 weeks. Our last dog, Charlie, was a Great Dane and before him Tarmac, a female pug we had for 12 years.

Smart – he knows his name and knows the smell of bacon – and where it comes from (the stove). He can open the kitchen cabinets too. He’s a got a great nose but some bad habits too, or, well, interesting ones. He’s very tolerant of the kids and the way they play with him. See, he can go upstairs but won’t come down – he just stands up there and barks (another new thing for us – the last few dogs were very quiet) until we carry him down. Guess how a 6 year old carries a dog? Yeah you got it, and he doesn’t seem to care one whit!

Another adjustment is he’s not wanting to be a lap dog, which is probably good but kinda sad as he’s cute and cuddly but would rather lie at me feet than on the couch with me. We’ve taken him outside a couple of times – the weather has not been conducive to taking a pup out. Today he went out and LOVES the snow – it’s deeper than he is tall and he just loved it. This outdoor loving dog thing is another new thing.

I’m not sure who’s got more to learn – Toby or us!

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2010 is off to a great start!

January certainly felt busy and indeed it was – business is up 20% over last January! I guess the word is out about us.  I’ve been dropping some hints that we’ve got lots of New Stuff happening at the studio and it’s time to pull back the curtain!

Invitations!

We are now carrying Stylart and Carlson Craft Invitations and Bridal Accessories.  I’m really excited about all the fun, creative items we have for you now!

A Quick Look at our Seven Oaks Bridal Show booth display.

StylArt are photo-based invitations that are just awesome and they also offer Holiday Cards, but I’m not ready to talk Christmas just yet.
Carlson Craft is the largest invitation business and have been around since 1948. In addition to wedding invitations, they have shower invites, thank you cards, save the date items and graduation cards, birth announcements and more.

One of the most exciting things is what’s in that little teal and gray book  lying on the table in the picture above. It’s full of all the ‘details’ I shoot at weddings – champagne flutes, cake cutters, guest books, unity candles, aisle runners, flower girl baskets and ring bearer pillows, garters and a WHOLE  LOT more!

Investing in the future

We also this past week got a large format printer, a Canon ipF6100 that will allow us to offer all sorts of new products once I read the manuals…yes, manuals. There are 2 for set up, 2 on specs, and then more on disk. It’s a 24″ wide printer and can do regular prints, canvas, fine art papers, banners for inside and outside use and more.  I expect a steep learning curve but the results will be well worth it!

With the addition of another Canon 5D2 our wedding coverage for this year will be better than ever! Mindy will now be second-shooting with state of the art, top of the line camera and L-lenses.  Last year I moved to all full frame bodies and migrated to L-prime lenses and it has really improved the look of our images, both at weddings and with potraiture, particulary the senior work we do. Using the best lenses and cameras available does indeed make for better art and I can hardly wait for our next wedding!

Bridal Shows

This past Sunday was the Times Bridal Fair at Seven Oaks Country Club and it was a big success! Mindy and I love talking to the brides to be. We (ok, Mindy) overhauled the look of our booth and wow, it looked Fantastic! Here’s a quickie shot of it before the show opened at 10 am.

Our Bridal Show Booth at 7 Oaks.

I got to display my First Place award and folio (I hope that impressed some of you that were there! )

2010 is booking up fast – faster than the last couple of years. I really don’t like to tell anyone their date is booked and watch the disappointment on their face so if you’re thinking about choosing us (or anyone) to shoot your wedding don’t delay – reserve your date ASAP. Remember, we’re also booking 2011 at today’s prices. And all your invitations and accessories can be had at up to 20% off as well!

How to Choose A Photographer

For those of you in the market for a wedding photographer I have some great information. Drop me an email and I’ll send you How To Choose A Wedding Photographer. We may be the best out there, but I know we’re not for everyone and may have your date booked – so then how do you go about finding the right photographer for you? I want to help because I feel your wedding memories are too important to leave to chance.

Miranda 2010

While summer and fall are the busy time for senior pictures you can come in any time of the year. Miranda is in theatre arts at Lincoln Park and was great to work with – she wasn’t afraid to let her personality show, to put something of herself into her pictures.  Notice the crescent wrench in a few pictures – it’s significant to her, and she also brought her teddy bear and we did some ‘cowboy’ pictures beacuse she’s originally from Montana. Her pictures are a great record of her at this time in her life – leaving the security of being a kid, becoming a woman, perusing her dreams.

If you’re a member of the Class of 2011 it’s not too early to come in for your pictures – especially if you want something in the snow. Of course as I write this the forecast of for neary 50 degrees, but we’ll get some now in February I’m sure.  And we can split you session – get some snow photos now and summer pictures later!
We’re also looking for a few more Models and Reps! Drop us a line or call if you want more info.

we now offer wedding invitations and more!

I am very excited to announce that we are now offering StylArt and Carlson Craft invitations and products!

StylArt products can incorporate your photos on your invitations for your bridal shower or wedding!

With Carlson Craft products you have a very large selection of styles from classic and traditional to trendy and edgy and everything in between. In addition we’ll also have a variety of personalized products such as napkins, cake cutters and thank you gifts for your bridal party!

Of course if you choose us as your wedding photographer you’ll receive a discount on your invitations.  If you’d like more information drop me a line!

Happy 2011!

2011? Yeah, this year’s going fast and I’m not keeping up with my blog entries so I figure I’d get a jump on next year!

Wow, 14 days into the new year and it’s like Christmas around here – snowy and busy too!

I have just implemented a new system so I can keep up on my blogging and this post well, it’s not really part of the new system, it’s just a post to let you know that I’m still alive and not hibernating!

Since my last post we’ve shot 2 seniors and 2 family portraits and a wedding, plus did a bridal show at The Fez.

On the personal front  I’ve had to replace the frame on my van, repair my furnace, replace a drill and a mixer in the kitchen and I’m still putzing with a computer that just died the week of Christmas. And shovel snow just about every day!

I will get caught up on postings soon – I’m only behind by six seniors, two families and three weddings, posting wise.  So check back and I promise to catch up!

Merry Christmas To All!

We’d like to wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Chris & Mindy

come and meet us in person! (at some bridal shows)

OK, it’s not like we’re celebrities or anything, but you are invited to come and meet us (me and mindy) at The Bridal Experience at The Fez on Sunday January 10 and on Sunday and at the Times Bridal Fair, January 31 at Seven Oaks Country Club.

We’ll have candy, our newest album which is really cool, gallery wraps, prints, Save The Dates and all the good stuff! We may even have a surprise or two – we’re still working on that in the back room, all very hush-hush at this time.

We’ll have some special deals for those that come out in the January weather to make the trip worthwhile!

Here’s a recent shot Mindy took at Nicki and Skip’s wedding last month.

Christmas is a comin’!

It won’t be long now! Only 18 more days till ol’ St. Nick comes down the chimney with gifts for all, well, all that have been good anyway.

I don’t know about you but this season is just flying by! With shopping, parties, decorating and work, plus 2 birthdays in my house this month (and 3 parties…) it’s a challenge to just get 6 hours of sleep a night let alone 8!

I know I’ve been slackin on posts here, but I promise to make that up to everyone! There’s been several familes, kids, 3 or 4 seniors, lots of pets and a couple of weddings and a few sports leagues through the studio in past 2 1/2 weeks, plus we’re trying to get everything possible done for the elves to give to Santa.

Here’s a cheery, ok, cheering pic if you insist, from yesterday (see, I’m almost caught up!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I’d like to apologize for not posting much of late, but it ’tis the Holiday Season and we’ve been busy with Holiday Pet Portraits, fall sports, family potraits and seniors trying to get their senior photos in before the deadline hits and they have to live with their school ID picture forever.

Mindy and I would like to wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!