New Blog Address!

Hey everyone, I have moved. Our blog has a new home that I am very excited about. Come check it out and make sure you bookmark the new address.

New Blog Home

See you over there!

The Fun Has Begun!

I started playing with all my senior goodies today! I love when I get to play with different card, album, and story board ideas. I bought some fun new stuff to play with today and I am including a little sneak peek at what this year's seniors have to look forward to. You know by now I am really into the grunge look, so these have a bit of a grunge feel to them. Okay, they are oozing with grunge but I love them! I promise for all of you who aren't into the whole "pose in your prom dress in front of a dumpster" kind of thing, I will come up with some cleaner and simpler designs. But for now, it is all about the grunge! These are some of the Spokes Model cards that they will pass out for me {they will have my info. on them instead} or you can purchase them to pass out to friends with your contact info. on them. How cool is that?

I also want to let all of you juniors who are thinking about modeling for my casting call, as soon as the weather warms up, I will start shooting! If you are wanting to be one of those brave, "guinea pig" models {oops, did I really say that}, then go ahead and shoot me an email so I can put you on the list to call when the weather cooperates for us. If you cannot get a group of friends together, don't worry. I have several wanting to go out and we can all meet up together. We can have some fun and meet new people! What could possibly be more fun than posing and acting goofy in front of perfect strangers? So let me know if you are interested and I will let you know when our photo shoot is on! You can definitely still pull together you own group of friends, and we can go out separately if you would rather!

Senior Model Casting Call

Okay, what is the best way to fill an empty website? By having a model casting call, that's how! So I am currently looking for juniors who will be graduating next year {2010}. I need both girls and boys to display on my website and in advertising material.

The models will receive:
~ a free session with unlimited clothing changes and location choices{$125 value}
~ 3 web sized/watermarked images to be used on Facebook, MySpace, or blog
~ free 8x10 {for mom and dad, maybe}
~ the opportunity to purchase additional pictures if they decide
~ 1/2 off their regular senior portrait session held later in the year {if they decide to go with me for their senior pictures ~not required}
~ the option to be a 2010 senior rep {again, not required}
~ afternoon of fun with me and a couple of their friends

These model must have a model waver signed by a parent/guardian before the shoot, allowing me to use them on my website and in advertising material. These models will be used for advertising purposes only and will not be required to purchase anything unless they desire to do so. They will also not be required to sign a contract stating I will do their senior pictures in the future. If they decide to go with another photographer, I will remove them from my site in order to not cause any conflict with their new photographer. If they do decide to use me later, I will give them half off their regular session fee as a thank you for helping me now.

These models will be the first offered a senior rep position but are not required to do so. If they do decide to be a senior rep, I will discuss with them the requirements and rewards.

When shooting these sessions, I am hoping to have a group of 4-5 friends doing it together. We will have fun scouting out different locations and coming up with different poses. I need their help in knowing what this years up and coming senior will be wanting for their pictures. Their options and suggestions are definitely wanted and requested. I want these pictures to be different and not what everyone else is having done in studios.

So, if you have a group of friends and want to be models for the day, email me at tchavies@woh.rr.com and also check out my senior site {without pictures}. I will send you a model waver for you to have signed and a guide for you when choosing your clothing. This is not your senior session but we will call it "Dress Rehearsal" for both you and me.

Studio News

I just wanted to let everyone know that starting March 1st I will begin charging a session fee. I have debated whether or not it was time for awhile now, but have decided that if I want my clients to take me serious as a photographer than I need to start taking myself serious. I want to thank all of my clients so far who have let me "practice" on them in exchange for not charging a sitting fee. I have learned a lot and have definitely made mistakes. By charging a session fee now, I am in no way saying "I have arrived!" or that "I know everything there is to know." Quit the opposite, I know I still have so much to learn but I am also realizing that my time is valuable.

I am going to start charging a $100 session/artist fee which covers the time I spend at your shoot and the time it takes me to process your pictures. I am also going to include a $50 print credit for you to use when ordering. I know to some, this may seem like a lot and to others not enough. Here is an article about why custom photography cost what it does. While I may not charge what some of these photographers charge, I do feel that I need to start charging more for my time.

So if you are one who would rather go to the mall and have your pictures taken there, please know that I am fine with that! You can get some great quality shots from them and yes, you can spend a whole lot less. I think, however, that my style is different from what you will get there and I hope you come away from your time with me having had fun and maybe even made a new friend of the family.

As a way to say thank you one more time, and to ease you into this new change, I am going to run a special for the next 2 weeks where I will cut your session fee in half if it is booked by March 14th. You do not have to hold your session by then, just have it booked. So if you have been thinking about having your pictures taken but have put it off, now is the time to book it! After March 14th, I will begin my new session fee of $100 with $50 print credit.

So for the next 2 weeks, you will only pay a $50 session fee and get a $25 print credit!

Spokes Model & Regular Session Details

Spokes Models will receive the following...

~No sitting fee {$125.00 Value}
~2 mini sessions {one now and one later in the summer/fall}
~50 Rep cards with their picture on them to pass out to friends
~Proof Book to share with friends and family
~10 web sized/watermarked images for MySpace, Facebook, blog or emailing
~Photographs featured on my website, blog, and advertising material
~$20 print credit for every booked referral
~A few extra freebies thrown in for fun.


Regular senior session prices and info...

Session fee ~ $125
This includes my time, talent and a $50 credit toward your prints.
You will have unlimited clothing changes and up to three different location choices.

Half of the session fee is due upon booking your session in order to reserve your spot. This amount is non-refundable but I will be happy to reschedule for you if you need to. The other half will be due at your shoot. A print credit of $50 will be applied to your order.

I am still working on some cool products and the collections that I will be offering.

It really is too early and cold to begin shooting senior sessions, but it is very important for me to find my reps NOW. I want to get your mini session done soon, so you can have your rep cards and proof books in your hands before school is out. So if you or anyone you know is interested, please fill out the application on the side bar. Remember, I am only choosing 2-3 from each local high school! I have also included a planning survey for anyone planning to book a regular session with me now or in the future.

Soon to be in a New York Art Gallery!!!

I just had to share with you the latest art work from my 3 year old. I am thinking of submitting it to some fancy New York art gallery because I think it is just fabulous!!! This was originally created on my bathroom wall hidden under my sink vanity with chalk. I think maybe he was hoping I would not find it, but I am so glad I did! I just love it! I have refused to clean it off but it is a little low on the wall and a little too hidden to frame so I had to show it off here instead. We call this "Granny & Her Purse". Do you see it?!! How precious is that?!!

I wish it were this easy!

This is my son's solution to his mess! I wish it were this easy to clean things up around here! I asked my boys to clean up their messes and the 3 year old figured this would be the quickest way to get the job done. Since starting my business, my house has suffered for it to say the least. I would rather find new photographers on the internet and draw inspiration from them than clean the toilets. I mean come on who likes to clean toilets? My goal for this year was to find balance with everything and let's be honest, I am failing. I am growing as a photographer, yes, but I am failing on the home front. Do you know how many loads of laundry six people can generate over the coarse of a week? Let's just say - A LOT! (I love watching John and Kate Plus Eight just to make myself feel better!) Anyway, I wish getting things in order was as easy as bringing in a big power tool and bull dozing over it. Oh well, enjoy the photos as I go clean a toilet or two (but I don't have time for three...)









By the way, these pictures were done with my new 50mm 1.4 lense... LOVE IT!