My Schedule & Maternity Leave

As most of you probably know, I am expecting my first child in January. I am very excited and anxiously anticipating her arrival. I am planning to work until December 17th and then be off until after the new year. I have been extremely busy and plan to take off as I normally do to enjoy a couple of weeks of Christmas!

I am tentatively planning to work for the first week (or two) in January, unless she arrives early for some reason. I am not really booking appointments, but I will be able to work on last minute orders before going on official maternity leave. After I go on leave, I will not be in the studio or working on any orders. I plan to be on leave until April 1st, giving myself ample time to recuperate and adjust to being a new mom.

I am currently booking sessions for April, May and the summer months- to finish up graduating Seniors and various other sessions (family, babies, etc.) I will be back in full force in April- business as usual! If you're interested in booking a session for the Spring, please let me know and I will be glad to set up your session. I will randomly be able to check voice mail and emails while on maternity leave, but will only be able to reply as I can. I don't plan to truly "work" while on maternity leave- that would kinda defeat my purpose of spending time with my baby girl!

I can be reached at 662-305-5687 or by email at emmie@1kwordsphotography.com

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year! I look forward to seeing all of you in the Spring of 2010!

Customers, Please Read...

As most of you probably know by now, I am almost 23 weeks pregnant, but I am still working and taking pictures! I plan to work through my normal Christmas season (mid-December) and then, the waiting game of baby girl Jaclyn's arrival begins.

My due date is January 26th and I plan to be on maternity leave from the studio until late March. This will allow me roughly 6-8 weeks to recover and adjust to being a first time mommy.

Having said that, any ordering, whether it is Seniors or babies, must be placed by November or the first of December. I will not be working on orders during January-March. So, if you need prints, you MUST get them to me prior to this time.

I will resume my studio duties and sessions late March. Unless something unexpected arises, I will be back in the studio no later than April 1, 2010. This will allow me time to finish up any Senior portraits, proms, etc. before school is out.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 662-305-5687!

Fall & Halloween Specials

I am not going to be offering the "It's Fall Y'all" and Halloween "Spook Shoot" this year. I already have a very busy schedule lined up with Seniors and babies and do not have an available weekend for either. (I will be out of town during Halloween.)

But, good news...as always, Winter Wonderland is set for December 1-5th. It's best to set up your appointment now in order to get the spot you want. Sessions this year will be a little longer (20-30 minutes), so that means fewer sessions/day! Mini-session fees and pre-purchase of packages will still be the way this special works. (One outfit only)

Winter Wonderland is also the only time that I will have a holiday set up of props.

If you desire a more in depth holiday session (family, infant, etc.), please schedule a regular studio session beginning in October or early November. This will allow enough time for proof viewing and ordering.

New Online Proofing Site

Just an update to the proofing at the studio...

Beginning September 5th, I will no longer be using the Zenfolio website for online galleries. I will be using Collages.net for a trial run! I think this site is exactly what my customers have been wanting- ability to zoom on images, compare side-by-side, even put your favorites in a folder!

After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to still offer online galleries. But, there are some new rules in play...galleries will remain online for 10 days only- there are no exceptions! Once your gallery expires, they will not be available online.

Also, on the day of your appointment, we will agree on a date for you to come place your order. This date will be within 14 days of your session. In order to keep offering images online, this will be my new method! This way, orders are placed in a timely manner- making everyone happy :)

If you have questions about this new system, please call me at 662-305-5687!

Wedding Pricing

As I stated in earlier posts, I am now booking weddings! I have wedding prices available by request only- they are not on the main website. If you would like information on weddings, please contact me directly at either 662-305-5687 or via email at emmie@1kwordsphotography.com

New Policy for Online Proofing

Beginning on August 1st, I will have a new proofing policy at A Thousand Words Photography. I am trying this method to see if this will better help my order turn around with customers. Currently, I leave the gallery online for 2 weeks, usually longer. Sometimes, orders are placed within this time frame; however, more often than not, it takes customers an average of 3 months to place an order. Please understand, that when orders are not being placed, I am not gaining any profit. I understand that things come up and people forget, but in order to better help the studio, I must try something different.

The new policy will be: when I give customers the online web address and password to view proofs, they will also be given a date to come to the studio and place their order (within a 2 week time period). I feel that 2 weeks is ample time for friends and family to view proofs and decide what prints they want to order. The date for ordering will be agreed upon between the customer and myself. I am going to give this method a trial run for 2 months. If this method doesn't help, I will then go to having all proofs viewed strictly in the studio, not online. Most professional photographers in our area and beyond only offer proofing in the studio- you don't have the advantage of seeing your proofs online in the comfort of your own home. I don't want to go to this method, but if this new way doesn't work, I will have to.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding this new method of proofing. Nothing is greatly changing, except that you will have to place your order after the 2 week time frame.

Thanks~

Big Changes Planned for The Studio...

Fall 2009 will bring new and better changes to the way A Thousand Words Photography operates! One BIG change, is that I am seriously considering venturing into the wedding business. I receive calls every week regarding wedding photography- and up until now, I have not been interested in this avenue of photography. However, I feel that I have a lot to offer weddings in our area! I am considering booking one wedding/month, which will not hinder me from still photographing babies and seniors (my favorites!). I am still working out the pricing details and will continue to update customers as things progress. An added asset will be that I will be joining forces with another local photographer! This will make the wedding coverage even better! Different angles and different perspectives will offer brides/grooms a wide variety of images.

In August, I will have a small price increase for studio portraits. I will also be offering portrait packages to customers that prefer this type of service. You will now have the option to purchase a package or still buy a la carte. We will also be accepting credit cards by August as well!

The biggest change for the studio will be that I will no longer be putting images in an online album. The new method will be for customers to come to the studio to view images on a big screen television. After viewing your images in the studio, you will then place your order. Online proofing is great, but it doesn't seem to be working as far as customers ordering in a timely manner. I generally leave albums online for 2 weeks, which I believe is ample time. Usually, I leave them online even longer. However, when orders are not placed in a timely manner, this potentially hurts my business. Viewing your images in the studio will be an adjustment, but overall, will be beneficial for all. For family members that live out of town and are not able to view them in the studio, I am still working on that aspect. I am very aware of my customers needs and want to help and be accommodating in every way that I can!

I know change is not always a good thing, but I believe these changes will help my photography business flourish even more. I want my customers, new and old, to ask questions in regards to any of the new developments that will be taking place!

Please Notice- Galleries Will be Expiring June 3rd

Please Notice that if you have not placed an order for portraits, all galleries taken this Spring will expire on June 3rd! I was extrememly busy this spring and offered to let galleries stay online longer than usual. This was also to help out busy Senior students and parents. I cannot keep these galleries online any longer, so if you plan to order anything further, please let me know ASAP!

If your gallery expires and you decide to order after June 3rd, there will be a $35 re-upload fee. Please make sure and place your order prior to this deadline!

Thanks~

Summer is here!

The heat and humidity have arrived in MS! It's hard to believe that summer is here already. June is approaching fast and before long, it will be another school year!

I had a wonderful vacation at the beach. The weather was a little cooler than normal, but it was nice to have a break for a few days. I had the most fun with my sister's family and especially my niece, Anna Maclaine. I purchased a tutu pettiskirt at LaLa & Company (www.lalaandcompany.com) to use as a prop at the studio. I took it for Maclaine to wear on the beach for portraits. She had a blast! We captured some great images and I wanted to share a few~

Upcoming Senior Specials- Stay Tuned!

I will be offering 2010 Senior specials beginning this Summer. Please continue to check the blog and website for more details. You could possibly win a chance at a FREE senior session!

TuTu Fabulous Session

TuTus are very popular these days and make GREAT portraits for infant girls, toddlers and even young girls. I purchased a couple of different sizes at LaLa & Company here in Amory (125 North Main)- they are adorable in portraits. Visit them in person or on the web to learn more (www.lalaandcompany.com)

I am looking forward to a beach tutu session this upcoming week. More post to follow!

Trashing the Dress

Trash Sessions are popular with Senior girls- and they are so much fun. A "trash" session is where we literally trash a dress (prom or wedding) in water and/or mud. It sounds awfully silly, but it is so much fun!

What a Spring!

I absolutely cannot believe that is is almost May! This spring has literally flown by. It seems like it was just January and I couldn't wait until the Spring flowers would start blooming. Now, May is upon us, with graduations and summer vacations!

I have been very fortunate to have been extremely busy this year! This is partly why I haven't updated the blog in a while. As I have said before, I am so very thankful for the busy I receive. It is difficult having your own business and the financial stresses that can sometimes accompany it- especially, when we are so unsure of our economy. But, thankfully, my business has not decreased- if anything, it have flourished! I have gained many new clients, as well as worked with those that support my photography several times throughout the year! Thank you in a HUGE way!

I have been in the new location for about a month now- and I love the new building. I have added several new backgrounds and new ideas to my style of photography. I work very hard to make sure my images are unique and most importantly, priceless to my clients. It seems that every photographer finds their niche- and mine is definitely with babies and seniors. I chose not to partake in photographing weddings from the very beginning. And I receive calls for wedding business every week. There is money to be made in the wedding business, but it's just not for me. It's not about how much money I could potentially make shooting weddings. It's about the love of it. And I love those babies! I enjoy my baby and infant sessions so much. I love getting down on their level and seeing what they will do. And working with Seniors, I get to have fun and be creative. It makes me remember how fun it was to be hip and stylish.

All this being said, I find myself at the start of another summer and extremely thankful for the business that I have. This fall, I will mark my 5th year owning A Thousand Words Photography. When I first began, my accountant told me that if I could make it to year 5, I would be doing great. Well, that milestone is right around the corner. And I truly appreciate the people that have helped me get there!

New Location...Finally! And Bunny News!

Well, it's official- I have moved the studio to 212 Main Street, Amory. I am so excited to be in this building- it has lots of style and character and has been updated in so many great ways. The former studio was a great starting point, but I am happy to have moved locations. We are working on having the new sign placed on the building but that may be another couple of weeks before it is ready. So, until then, please look for me between Shirley's and Curves!

Not only is the new location home to my photography studio, but also Tina Robbins with the Robbin's Nest Frame Shop and Colleen Conger of Amory Photo & Desgin. Tina was formerly across the street from me and I had all of my framing done there. She has since moved in with me and will be offering framing here! Colleen has been in my office for the past couple of years and has now opened Amory Photo & Design, specializing in graphic design and photo restoration. Colleen is a great compliment to my photography! So, we are now a one-stop shopping experience!

On another note...live bunnies are set for this Friday and Saturday. I did not run an ad in the paper this year because the word got around and ALL the time slots are full! I am still getting calls to make appointments and I am just encouraging people to stop by and hope that I can get them worked in! If you don't have a set appointment time, please stop by and I will do my very best to work your child in for portraits.

Spring is here and this is a great and busy time of year for me! I hope to see all of you soon in the new location!

Live Bunnies & Baby Lamb Portraits

It's official~ bunny pictures will be held for 2 days only- Friday, March 27th and Saturday, March 28. This year, we will not only have live bunnies, but a sweet newborn lamb as well! I am so excited and can't wait to see the children's faces when they see these sweet animals.

There are limited sessions available- so please contact me at 662-305-5687 if you would like to book a mini session.

Here is how the sessions work:

~20-30 minute mini-session
~$15 session fee
~You must pre-purchase your package ($17 and up, includes tax)
~You will be able to view your child's images in an online album within 2 days of your appointment. Simply call or email me with the image YOU choose for your package!

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me!

Updates to the New Studio and Bunnies

March is here and I am so excited that Spring is just around the corner. I love Springtime and seeing the grass become green and flowers bloom. It's also a great time of year for outdoor pictures.

We are still planning our move to the new location at 212 Main Street, Amory. We had planned to be moved in already, but with construction and renovations, things never seem to run on course. So, we are still another 2 weeks from moving in and I will continue to post and let people know when we will be there! Fortunately, my current landlord has let me stay in our location until the new building is ready. So, we are still taking pictures every day!

I am still trying to find bunnies for the live bunny pictures! If anyone has bunnies that I can use, please let me know at 305-5687. If I cannot locate any bunnies, we will not be able to take these this year, so please help! :)

Here are a few highlights from recent sessions...

Charity Ball 2009- Living Ads

This year, I photographed the young women selected to represent area businesses as living ads for the 2009 Charity Ball. It is always a creative and fun challenge to try and come up with 17 different ways to compose a basic "head shot." I had fun working with each of the girls!

Here is a highlight of the young women (Seniors from area high schools) that will be participating. The event will be held on Saturday, March 21st in Amory.

Valentine Highlights

February has been a short but busy month! I had fun working with the students at the AMS and AHS Valentine Dances this past weekend. I wanted to share a couple of highlights from the evenings. I chose to keep the background very elegant and simple. I think it worked out well with everyone's Valentine colors!

Photography Comes to Your Home!

Another new addition to our services in 2009: Home Photography!

We are now offering our photography services in the comfort of your home. If you've ever wanted to have your infant or children photographed without having to leave home, now that can happen!

I first photographed a newborn for a client in their home nursery over a year ago. It was the mom's idea and I thought it was a great one! We used the nursery as our backdrop for portraits. Since then, it has come to my attention that more clients may be interested in this type of service.

For a customized session in your home environment, please contact Emmie (662-305-5687) for more information or to set up your home session.

Updates for 2009

I am looking forward to a great 2009! After an enjoyable holiday break- and having revived my creative spirit, I am happy to be back to work!

There are going to be some great changes taking place within our business. I have completely redesigned my website (same web address at www.1kwordsphotography.com) and we will also be relocating our studio to another site on main street in early March.

Another great change is that we will be joining forces with 2 other businesses to become a one-stop shopping experience! Not only will photography be available, but framing and graphic design! We think this will make it more convenient for our customers and generate an even more growing clientele.

I am still working out of my current location (233 Main Street) and will not be closed during any time. More updates will be available soon as to my new location opening date!

I look forward to capturing images for you in 2009!