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!

Cool Idea!

This is an idea I saw done by two of my favorite photographer (Kara May & Amanda K). They are both on my side bar and are both awesome photographers. They are two that I found through "Pieces of the Picture" which I blogged about the other day. I think this is the coolest idea and I had to figure it out! I am not sure I did it how they did it but I am happy with how it turned out. I cannot wait to use this idea with some high school seniors.



As I mentioned in the last post, I am now looking for Senior Representatives from all surrounding high schools so if you know of any, please have them contact me. I have also added a Senior Rep. Application to my side bar for anyone graduating next year to fill out. I will be choosing 2-3 from each high school, so... let the bribing begin. If you want me to choose you, you should know I love Starbuck's skinny vanilla lattes! Just kidding!!

I will be posting my senior packages soon and will begin booking session just as soon as it warms up a bit. There are only a few photographers that are authorized to take your yearbook pictures but I can do your fun personalized shots for you. I am working on getting put on the list but for now I will be happy to refer you to anyone of those listed for your yearbook pictures. So until it is time to book your session, go ahead an apply for a Senior Rep. position. If you are chosen, I will email you all the details and explain all your great benefits (in other words... free stuff!)

Even if you are not interested in being a rep., I will be happy to take your senior pictures but only if you are willing to have fun and be yourself! I want your pictures to scream who YOU are. I want you to bring clothes and accessories that represent YOU. Since I will not be doing your traditional posed shots, we will head outside and go to places you love. If you ride horses, guess who will be in the shot with you? If you skateboard, guess where we will go? If you are a dancer, we will get shots of you doing what you love! If you play sports, you can bet we will get some shots of you doing that. Whatever your passion is will meet up with mine (photography)! I want you to look back on your senior year and remember how much fun your pictures were. Remember though, mom and dad have to have a few too! Some different locations I want to shoot at are a railroad, an old warehouse, a field, a covered bridge just to name a few but I want to know where you want to go. Let's make these fun and all about who YOU are!

Thank You "Pieces of the Picture"!!

{Update ~ 3/07/09}

Hey, everyone, I just wanted to let you know that the link to "Piece of the Picture" no longer works. For some reason, the blog does not exist anymore. I just want to say that I did really enjoy it and I wish Tommy, the administrator of the site, all the best!

Thank you Tommy, for the great information and fabulous interviews. Most of the photographers that I follow on the side bar, came from reading your blog. Again, thank you and I pray you and your family are doing well! Maybe in the future we will be reading your blog again and you can bet I will post it here if you ever do decide to blog again! Best Wishes!
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I just wanted to say thank you to the photography website "Pieces of the Picture" for allowing me to be linked to their site. This is a wonderful site that I found for photographers that offers some awesome tips and information. My absolute favorite part about it is the Friday interviews with some extremely talented photographers. Having recently started my own business and being self-taught so far, I love reading about other photographers and how they run their business. I thrive on looking at their images and getting inspiration from what they do and how they do it. I am still trying to define my style and with so many fabulous photographers out there, I am discovering so many differently ways an image can be composed, shot, processed, and presented. I don't want to copy their style just draw inspiration from them as I develop my own. I think it will be awhile before I finally decide what my style is because I love so many different styles! My current favorite is photos with lots of deep, vibrant color and great texture! On my sidebar I have listed some of my favorites (including a link to Piece of the Picture) but remember this is just some. Over the last few days, I have found a boat load of awesome photographers out there that I had no idea existed. I have so much to learn but I hope someday to be half as talented as many of these wonderful photographers. So if you are a photographer or want to be one, I encourage you to check out the link above and just see what the world of photography has to offer. You will be amazed at how incredibly talented some of these photographers are and if you are a client please know I am striving to be that great someday. I know I have a long way to go but thank you for letting me photograph you and your family. I love playing with your pictures long after your shoot. So as I am still building my portfolio, as well as style, please tell your friends about me and let me play some more! I have so many ideas, I just need the clients to use them on! I am currently wanting to start adding Seniors to the mix, so if you know of any High School Juniors who will be graduating next year, please pass on my name. I am looking for several senior representative from all surrounding high schools to enlist to help get my name out there. Don't worry they will get many rewards for their help but so will you if you pass them on to me! Until next time, go check out some great photography!

Here is a picture that was one of the first I ever took with my digital camera. It was the first picture I ever took and thought "Why don't I blow that up and hang it on the wall!" So I guess you could say this is the picture that started it all! I also posted the same picture how I would do it now. Leave me a comment and tell me which one you like better. Do you like the plain one #1 or the one with the texture #2? I am just curious. Some people like the texture and some do not (my daughter for one). As you can see lately, I am really into the texture but I need to know what you think. I will not be offended either way, just curious!

Photo #1


Photo #2

Love is in the Air!

Wow! If anyone drove by Shawnee Park this evening around 5:00, you may have noticed the temperature was a little warmer. Why? I had two people who are very much in love having a photo shoot and let me tell you things got a little heated! I don't usually post two in one day, but I know they are a little anxious for a sneak peek so here you go...
Happy Valentine's Day!

New Location Scavenger Hunt

I had the kids out looking for a new shoot location again and here is what we came up with. I have to go get an antique looking suitcase to take to this location. I think my son holding a suitcase about to jump aboard the train would be so cute. I guess this weekend I am going antiquing...

Happy Valentine's Day Daddy!

This was a fun shoot! It was going to be in the 50s on Saturday so why not schedule a photo shoot, right? Well, unfortunately there was still ice everywhere! I had a shoot scheduled with a family who wanted to surprise daddy with some pictures for Valentine's Day. We got to the park and had to walk over a long, long, long, did I say long, sheet of ice to get to the pavilion where we planned to meet. This is a surprise for daddy, remember, so mommy is bringing her 2 1/2 year old and 17 month old alone to the shoot. Well, what do you get when you have lots of wet, sloppy ice, two little ones, and a stranger that they don't know yet trying to help mommy? A few tears, wet cold pants, and one super mommy ~ that is what you get! The baby is crying, the little girl falls down landing in ice cold water, and mommy handles it all with a smile. I have to say that the little girl was a HUGE trooper! Her pants were soaked with ice water and I kept following her around putting a camera in her face and she still managed to smile and be adorable for the camera.

Because of the snow on every path, we ended up being stuck in the pavilion for all of the pictures but we were able to get a few really cute ones. I hope daddy likes them and realizes how much his family went through to get these for him. Daddy, by the way, gets his turn later in the week. Hopefully the ice will be gone when we do a "Couple's Shoot" for him and mommy in a few days.

I know mommy is probably anxious to see if we got anything out of the day, so here are a few sneak peeks just for her. Mom, I think you will be pleasantly surprised by what we were able to get!

On a Search for the Perfect Location

I need your help! I am putting together a list of cool, fun, beautiful, different, adventurous, urban, rustic locations for my clients. When someone calls me, I want to be able to give them several choices for a great location depending on the look they want. I will take suggestions for indoor or outdoor locations anywhere around the Dayton area. A few of my favorites are...

Shawnee Park
A fun little park in Beavercreek (behind National City)
A cute little park in Bellbrook
Dayton Art Institute
Cox Arboretum
Indian Mound Park on Rt.42
John Bryan State Park
The Market Downtown Dayton
The Greene
Help I need more ...

If you know of another or several, please leave me a comment. Your ideas can be parks, fields, streams, old dilapidated houses, alley ways, playgrounds, flower gardens, cool church steps, brick buildings, barns, cute town streets, anything. Use your imagination! Some places I may need to get permission to be there, so let me know your idea and I will check into that. I am gearing up for the Spring and I want to have many locations at my disposal. I will post all your ideas here and then when someone is looking for a locations, they can come here to see some cool places around Dayton.

My #1 goal is to find an urban location. If you know of a cool, urban location with allies, loading docks, old fire escapes and even a colorful dumpster, I will be forever grateful!


Remember, leave me a comment! Here are two of my favorite pictures at two of the above locations.

Winter Wonderland

I have decided since I keep adding pictures of my kids, that it is okay to have personal photos on here too. I was just using this for my photography business but since my personal life is a big part of who I am, why not put in favorite personal pictures too! If you are tired of my kids, you should be ashamed of yourself! They are so cute! Just kidding. Business is a little slow right now with all the cold weather, so I will fill my blog with some people who matter the most to me!

We have had so much snow lately, I had to put in some snow pictures. I also have been playing with textures and overlays. Some people may wonder why I want my pictures to look dirty ... Well, I really don't know. I think it just looks cool! I am really into the grunge/urban look right now! I have told you already, that I am so anxious to take some urban shoots and as soon as it is warm, I promise I will take some. My daughter is appalled that I want to take her picture in front of a dumpster and graffiti, but that is exactly what I want to do!! So whether or not you are into the grunge/urban look or not, I hope you enjoy the new photos. I have a couple shoots coming up, so maybe soon I will have more to post than my own kids!! But aren't they so cute....

Happy Birthday to my Two Wonderful Boys!

I know I just posted pictures of my boys the other day but I just have to do another post about them. They are both so wonderful but each are also another year cooler! Big "G" is turning 10 tomorrow and Little "B" turned 3 two weeks ago. I cannot believe how time is just flying by me these days. They are, along with their two sisters, just the best things in the world to me. I love watching them all grow up and learn new things.

"G" has developed a love of reading this year that is so exciting to me. This is one area he has always struggled in and as a result has always hated to do. Sitting down to read a book was just torture on the poor kid but this year he has discovered how fun reading can be. I even found him reading once while he had friends over! How cool is that! He is such a good kid and I am so proud to be his mom!



"B" had become so much fun this year. He is constantly making us laugh with all of his funny comments and questions. The other day I found him pouring baking soda on the carpet so he could lay down and make snow angels. (I guess in this case they were soda angels.) Since he is my fourth, I just had to laugh. We are beginning the adventure of potty training now. He has done pretty well so far. Each time he goes, we praise him and he gets a few M&Ms. After a few time, he jumped up and said "I awesome at this mommy! I got this down!" We will see.



Having two boys is an adventure that I would not change for anything! I love you guys and Happy Birthday!

WOW!

You guys are simply blowing me away. I have absolutely loved watching my stat counter for my blog and my website. I love seeing all the different parts of the United States people have been coming from to read my blog but seeing that people are coming form different COUNTRIES is amazing to me! I mean how in the world is someone from Denmark, Brazil, Malaysia, or Trinidad (just to name a few) finding my blog! I would LOVE to have some of you leave me a comment to tell me how you came to find my blog. Being able to communicate with fellow bloggers is so much fun! I commented on one of my photography idol's, Jasmine Star, website the other day and it was so cool to see how much traffic my blog and website got just from people coming to check out who I was. (I just have to say I love Jasmine. She is one of my imaginary best friends. Yes, I have several. She, along with Angie Smith, go out with me to Starbucks and go shopping on a regulear basis. Imaginary, remember!) I know I'm new to this blog world but it just amazes me how small the world really is with the internet involved.

Sitting in church the other day I was thinking about my blog (I know I got distracted, but for a good reason). I was thinking about how I could touch others with my business and with the love of Jesus. I want so very much to be able to make an impact on others and show them that Jesus is the only way to make your life have meaning and purpose. Being a Christian is so much more than just being a follower of Christ but also having a personal relationship with Him! He wants so much to be apart of your life and cares about every detail. I want the life I live for Him to be pleasing to Him. I don't want to just live but live for Him. If you hire me as your photographer, I want to you to know before hand that I adore my Heavenly Father and I hope I exhibit the qualities that show that I do indeed have a personal relationship with Him. If I never meet you, and you just stop by once in awhile to check out my blog, I also want you to be able to see Christ though out my blog. If you ever have questions, please email me and I will try to help. Taking pictures is a passion for me but living for Him is much more than that. I have not always been the best at sharing my faith but through this blog, I hope to change that. If I am having people from all over the United States and other COUNTRIES (WOW!) come and read my blog, than why not share Jesus and who He is. I know this may make some people turn away totally but you know what? Maybe that day when they realize they do need Him, they will remember that blog girl that wrote about Him and come back and check it out. Either way, I hope you come back and see what is going on in my business and hear me share more about my Heavenly Father.

Since no post is complete without a picture, I will give you a few favorites of my kids.









You may have also noticed I have been playing with the look of my blog. Sorry, if you stopped by when I was playing. I know several stopped by yesterday while I was changing it. It took on several different forms yesterday and I am sure I will change it again. If you have not heard, I love change!

Remember, leave a comment and let me know where you are from and how you found me! Feel free to pass my blog on to your friends!

Until next time,
Tammy

Mandisa Rocks!!

My daughter is part of a group that helps promote Christian artists. Mandisa is one of our favorites and she asked if I would help promote her new song "My Deliverer". This single can be purchased from Itunes now but her new album "Freedom" comes out in stores on March 24th. We fell in love with Mandisa on "American Idol" a few years ago and we have followed her ever since. Go check it out and see what you think. I am sure you will love her like we do.

Father and Daughter Session

This was a fun shoot for me to do. It was a father and daughter session. Doing a session like this made me really miss my own dad who passed about several years ago. There is something so very special about the relationship between a father and a daughter. My daughter and I have been talking about this a lot lately. She has that bond with her daddy that I miss with mine. When you know you are your daddy's little Cinderella, nothing can be better than that! My daughter bought the CD of Steven Curtis Chapman singing "Cinderella" for her dad for Christmas. We are definitely saving it for her "Father/Daughter" dance at her wedding someday! (Okay, I have to wipe the tear out of my eyes before I can go on!) That song is what is playing on the blog now! If you have never heard it, you might want to grab a tissue.

Anyway, back to this special session. A friend called and said her brother-n-law wanted to have his picture taken with his daughter while they were visiting from out of town. I loved seeing her look up at her daddy before each shot. We took some outside (in January don't forget) and a few inside but the fun time came when I asked them to get on the trampoline! I thought this might just warm them up a bit. The giggles that came were an added bonus. I love these shots of them falling together on the trampoline in laughter!

Studio News

The website is up and running!! Yeah!!! I am sure there are still a few kinks that need to be worked out but so far my new company has been great to come to my aid. If you see anything that does not work properly, please let me know. I do have a studio news section on my website now that I will be adding news to. For the most part though, this is the place to come for up to date news and recent shoots! Here are a few things I added to that section....

From now until March 21,2008, you can enter your child in a national model search for "America's Cutest Kid". The contest has teamed up with the charity organization "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep"(NILMDTS). NILMDTS is an organization that provides families with photos of their newborns that for one reason or another will not or have not survived birth. Most parents who have to go through this, may never even consider photographing their infant but this organization offers this service free to them as a way to cherish and remember their tiny family member.

When you enter the contest you will receive a photo session from which you may choose your favorite image to be entered into the contest. You will be given a link where others may vote for your child for $1. Every dollar from each vote cast in the National Model Search goes directly to NILMDTS. If your child is selected as the cutest kid in America, you will win some fabulous gifts.

As of right now, I have never been apart of offering this service but I plan to in the near future. I think it will be one of the most heart wrenching sessions I could ever do but one that I think can be tastefully and beautifully done for the parents to remember their precious baby.

If you think you may have "America's Cutest Kid", email me and together we can help this wonderful organization. I will give you all the details that are involved to get started.

Valentine Sessions
I am now scheduling sessions for you to have done with your Valentine. A few weeks ago, I told you in the blog about the wonderful idea of having a session done with your spouse celebrating your love as a couple no matter how long you have been together. These are great for anniversaries but why not Valentine's Day! Call now to schedule that time and start thinking about a special location that means a lot to you as a couple (maybe where he proposed, or your first date).

Senior Representatives Wanted!

I am on the look out for some Senior Representative that can help me get my name out there in the senior portrait market. If you are, or know a senior this year, please contact me and I will share with you my ideas for my Senior Representatives Program. I am going to put them to work for me but in return they can earn some of their prints at a discount or even free! When I was a senior, I was able to work off my pictures with a local photographer and I had a great time doing it.

Until next time... go check out the website and let me know what you think!

A New Year a New Website!!!

Yep, I am making changes yet again! I am so frustrated with my old website and proofing area so I am upgrading. Yeah!! I should have the new site up and running in a few days. I am so excited about this upgrade but with any new change comes lots of work and kinks to work out. Please be patient with me because I am sure it will be worth the wait!

I do have one family waiting for their proofs but I am sure this new and improved proofing area/shopping cart will be a HUGE improvement over what I had before. I did a shoot Saturday for this family while they were having their family Christmas party. This family has been friends of ours for a long time and it was so great to see all of them again. It was a couple days after Christmas but we went outside WITHOUT COATS!! Yes, you read that right. It was 65 degrees outside and I loved it! The little guy of the family was not real thrilled with the idea of me taking his picture at first but when we went outside, he really got into it! He would run up to me and whisper to me that he had a new idea for a shot. He had some really cute ideas too! The grand kids were very cooperative and I had so much fun chasing them down as they ran around grandma and grandpa's property showing me all their favorite places they used to play. We shot in many different locations and we had so many different fun places to shoot at. I think their property is a photographer's wonderland! I think I may have to rent their place for upcoming shoots. :)

I know they are waiting for their pictures and since they have to wait a few more days, here are a few of my favorites from the day...

This one is supposed to look faded like this. It has an "Old World" effect on it!

This one was his idea and I think it is one of my favorites!

I will have the website up soon and you can see them all "N" family! (I guess trying to disguise their name really does not matter if it is on one of the pictures, huh?)