Wee Bit Wednesday

seriously...what happened to wee bit wednesday last week?  Um...dunno.  So this time I REALLY added a reminder to my yahoo calendar each week.  :) 

{one} if you were granted three wishes, what would they be?1. sugar wasn't bad for you2.  everyone was a bit more understanding of each other3.  my son to start sleeping through the night again.  :) {two} who is your favorite author?janet evonavich.  read the stephanie plum series for a serious ab workout. {three} what crowd were you involved in during high school?the 'i'm just myself, doing the best i can, keep my nose clean, no drama for me, lay-low' crowd.  i'm not sure very many people knew me; even though i was on swim, track, and cross country teams. {four} what is your favorite thing to do when you have time to yourself?read (which includes blogstalking), crochet or take a hot bubble bath. {five} do you have any hidden talents?i believe the photographer in me was revealed.   {six} can you fake any accents?german.  its pretty easy, just pretend you're clearing your throat, right?!  i did take 5 years of it! 
{seven} have you ever been mentioned in the newspaper?yup, when my dad's cousin was running for office and results from track/cross country/swim meets. {eight} have you ever been arrested?nope.
{nine} what is your favorite job you’ve had?the one i have now.  :)  mom, husband, and photographer. {ten} do you have any scars?don't we all?!  probably the two most noticeable are the one on my elbow i got from scraping it on a rock pile and my knee...countless times from falling during hurdles practice.

Amanda Mitchell Photography's *NEW* Additions!!

That's right, we're growing!  On Baby A's post you may have briefly read about my new props.  Well, I had a chance to give them all a try!  Take a look at how I'm incorporating my hobby of crocheting with photography...

Newborn Nest

Elfin hat (more colors to come!)

Cacoon and beanie

(more colors to come!)

I'm even contemplating taking special orders for colors.  Of course,  I would need ample time to purchase materials and create your special prop. 

Some other props on my wish list...

Wooden Trenchbowl

Galvanized Tubs

Various baskets

Tis the Season to Giveaway and Share

Giving and sharing is what this season is all about, right?!  I'm here to share some gift giving ideas you can use with your Amanda Mitchell Photography images.  Oh yeah...and the 'giveaway' part of my title...you'll have to read to the end to find out more.  :)  In involves YOU sharing your ideas as well. 

Many families give the gift of memories for the holidays.  Just like with any gift, you take great care in selecting quality gifts that will last forever.  That includes your precious memories...PICTURES! 

If you're a customer of mine, you know I always recommend Shutterfly to print your images...and that's why I use Shutterfly's ProGallery for customers to view and share their images from our sessions.  And if you're not a customer, well...listen up! 

From my experience, Shutterfly has provided superb quality of prints, photobooks, and cards.  How do I know?  Well, because I've tried other photolabs.  Comparing Shutterfly to Clark Color Labs, Snapfish, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club...Shutterfly provides richer, more vibrant colors without going overboard.  The same goes for their photobooks.  Not only do the colors of your images stand out in photobooks, but the quality of the book will as well.  Shutterfly photobooks, compared to those of Clark Color Images, just FEEL sturdier.  The binding and stitching feels tighter; giving a sturdy feeling, rather than loose and floppy.  The pages of their photobooks are heavier, or thicker one might say.  What about cards?  The SELECTION!  I've never seen more of a selection for cards, stationary, or invitations than at Shutterfly.  You can also find an array of styles: traditional, modern, artsy, sophisticated or simple...and of course colors galore!

But you're not a professional photographer...or you don't have editing software.  No big deal!  Shutterfly also provides limited editing tools like....
*fix red eye
*image cropping
*effects such as black/white, color tone, saturate color, or soft focus
*add borders such as simple, seasonal, text, and color.

So let's focus (pun intended...ok, maybe I'm the only person who found that funny) on the holiday cards for a moment.  I have quite a dilemma...choosing a Christmas card!  Shutterfly has SO many options...below you will see three cards I'm choosing from.  If you like Shutterfly's card design, click the link and it will take you directly to it!

What is so unique about these cards is the way to customize the INSIDE!  That's right...not only do you get to show off your family on the front, but the inside as well!  Some designs offer a TIMELINE highlighted with images from this year.  Tired of typing up the annual Christmas letter...how about figuring out the margins of the stationary you're using?  What about folding a bazillion letters?!  Solution: Think of a few significant events from 2010, pop in a picture to illustrate it and VOILA...a Christmas card, letter and mini album ALL IN ONE! Some of the card designs offer a simpler approach, add a few pictures to the inside, and the bottom has a premade message, like most boxed Christmas cards.   Take a peek from Shutterfly's site.

timeline

images and customized message

So once again...here's what we're thinking about for our family Christmas card.  You'll also notice they aren't my family.  You wouldn't want me to ruin the surprise of our Christmas card picture, right?!  ;) 

Pretty Poinsettia

Starlight Joy

Oh What Fun Christmas

(oops...disregard the 'click to edit')

Ok, so you clicked on the links and now you're wondering which adorable card you want to send out.  So now you can check off Christmas cards off your list.  What else can you do with your images? GIFTS!  Grandparents ALWAYS love to show off their grandchildren!  Don't forget Dad...have something to remind of his family while working at the office.  Mom can keep kids close to her heart with a necklace while they are busy at school.  Baby's first Christmas...how about a collective ornament?!  Here are just a few gift ideas:

*prints
*canvas wall art
*mugs
*ornaments
*mouse pads
*magnets
*coasters
*keep sake boxes
*desk organizer
*puzzles
*playing cards
*notebooks and notepads
*jewelry
*tote bags

Pewter Ornament

Desk Organizer

Jewelry and Accessories

Now what to do after you've opened all the gifts....THANK YOU NOTES!!  Many of the holiday cards have coordinating thank you cards...and return address labels.  Who doesn't like everything coordinating?!  :)

Thank You Cards

So Shutterfly can make it all even sweeter...

For a limited time...
Save 20% on mugs, pewter ornaments, mouse pads, magnets, notepads, notebooks, and canvas prints.
Save up to 30% on books and cards
FREE shipping on orders $50+
Happy shopping for your memories!! :)

And because I'm helping to promote Shutterfly's holiday collection and other photo gifts, I will hopefully receive 50 free cards.  :)  Have a blog?  Still need your holiday cards?  Click here for more info.

Now...what you've been waiting for...the sweetest deal...Amanda Mitchell Photography's Holiday Giveaway!

Giveaway #1 
Help the Mitchells decide which Christmas card to choose!  Scroll back up to view our three options.  Cast your vote by simply commenting on THIS post with the name of the card. {only one vote per person per giveaway}  The card design with the most votes is the one we'll send out!  What's in it for YOU????  Your name goes in a drawing for a FREE one hour session AND cd with printing rights.  Use it for whatever you like...birthday party, kids yearly picture session, newborn session, family session...GET CREATIVE! 

Giveaway #2
I think my blog needs a few more followers!  I have two subscribers...and I KNOW more people view my blog.  (I really doubt my 2 followers are clicking here 200+ times a month).  For every person who joins as a follower (and current followers), your name goes in a drawing for one of these three fabulous prizes...
*Free cd with printing rights when you purchase any new session booked in 2011.
*Half off any new session fee (not to exceed 2 hours) booked in 2011.
*Free 20 page 5x7 Photobook from Shutterfly with any new session booked in 2011.

*new session means any session not previously booked.

Giveaways open NOW and close on Friday, December 17 at 8am.  So what are you waiting for?  Set your Outlook and Yahoo calendars with a reminder! 

So how will I do these drawings?  Your name is on a piece of paper...tossed into a bowl, hat, basket, etc and I'll let my dear husband select the papers.  Winners will be announced on our blog Saturday the 18th.

Good luck!

Baby A: newborn

I first met Baby's A big brother during my Fall Frenzy mini sessions.  Baby A hadn't made his appearance yet, but soon enough I got to meet him.  And was big brother a PROUD big brother when I came to capture the new bundle of joy. 

For this shoot I made (yes, that's right, I MADE) a few props.  I was inspired by an artist I found on etsy, Mad About Colour.  You'll see Baby A wrapped in a newborn nest.  I elaborated a bit and added the toggle buttons.  Baby A was my experiment and well...I think my nests to be a bit larger.  :)  You'll also see Baby A sporting one of the elfin hats.  More to come about my creations at a later date...I'm still adding to my prop collection.  Who would've thought my hobby of crocheting could be incorporated into my photography biz! 

Christa & Jacob

Christa was a bridesmaids from Katie & Ryan's wedding (look back to find her!).  At Katie's wedding she asked me for my contact info...she was engaged to Jacob and was interested in doing an engagement session.

Christa and Jacob challenged me...hey, that's a good thing!  They wanted to go downtown Lex for their session.  They wanted to get pics on the old Rupp Arena floor, Triangle Park, and downtown.  I had fun playing around with exposure...slowing things down a bit to get the water fountains to blur and using the street lights which casted dramatic shadows.  Oooh-la-la. 

C Family

The C Family were the lucky winners of the YMCA Campaign for Kids silent auction held back in February.  Meeting the family with the three boys reminded me of my husband's family...three boys!  And I'm pretty sure our little family will be the same...err...except for 2 boys.  ;) 

Anyhoo...the two oldest brothers were a kick!  So photogenic and willing to participate...hence the awesome snapshots!  :) 

At the end of our session Mrs. C asked if I ever eat at Mellow Mushroom.  Well, you see...I used to live on Lexington Ave...which is right there next to campus, so we frequented the local pizza parlors.  Come to find out they own the place!  Mmmm....now I'm reminded of the soft pretzels...ahhh.....

Wee Bit Wednesday

Wow...Wednesday ALREADY?!

{one} what kind of camera do you have? Canon Rebel xsi

{two} you just won $1000 and you have to spend it on yourself on one item. what do you buy?
One item?  Probably some tricked-out lens.  :)

{three} if you had to choose, would you rather live with your parents in the same house forever or 5000 miles away? 5000 miles away.  I love you mom and dad...but f-o-r-e-v-e-r is a lo-o-o-o-o-o-ng time.

{four} is your Christmas tree up yet?
Yup, right after Thanksgiving.  We'll see how long it stays up with a crawling baby.  :)

{five} do you bring reusable bags to the grocery store?
Of course!  Gas points for Kroger...HELLO?! 

{six} which would be worse: listening to the same song on replay for the rest of your life or having to eat the same meal everyday for the rest of your life?
Same meal...food is just fuel for the body...so they say...

{seven} name 3 things you are thankful for this season.
my husband, my son, and ....I'll get back to you...

{eight} do you dye/highlight your hair? if so, do you do it yourself or have it done at the salon? No.  Did it before....too much maintenance.  Maintenance = $$$  I'm too frugal  :)

{nine} would you rather watch a movie at home or at the theater?
Home.  Snuggled up in bed next to hubby.  :)

{ten} would you rather win $1000/week for life or $5 million all at once?
Well, I did the math (dork, I know).  If I took the $1000/wk option then I would have $5 mill in about twenty years.  Then again...if I took the $5 mill we could get a dream home AND I could get my studio...sooner than if we took the $1K a week.  I'd say the $1k/wk for life...I'm pretty good with delayed gratification.