Recent Session Highlights

I wanted to share a few highlights from recent sessions!

Babies Galore!

There seems to be a baby boom in our area! I have enjoyed all the new infants that have graced my doors over the last couple of months! Newborn sessions are always fun, especially when we can incorporate mom, dad and siblings. For a newborn's first session, I like to schedule this around 2 weeks if possible. At this early age, I like to capture the infant's "bits & pieces" (hands, feet, nose, mouth, etc). It's amazing how fast these tiny features will change. During this first session, we can't really expect smiles or laughs. But, some of these newborns have really surprised me at 2 weeks of age! If a 2 week session is not possible, 4 or 6 weeks is great too.

Here are a few highlights from recent sessions! Hope you enjoy...

A Very Busy Season...

This fall is in full swing! I am thankful that this season is keeping me busy; however, I am afraid that I will run out of appointments for those considering Holiday/Christmas portraits. If you are interested in booking for holiday portraits, appointments need to be made NOW. It is best to start taking these portraits in October and early November. I will not be taking any holiday shots (those to be given as holiday gifts) after December 6th! I will continue to work until the week of Christmas, but I will not be guarantee any prints to be back for the holidays if taken after December 6th.

To schedule an appointment, please call me at 662-217-8523!

Thanks~

Ordering Portraits

Since this is a busy time of year, I am allowing myself extra time to work on customers' orders. Generally, I would work diligently day and night to get orders back to customers within a 2 week period. However, this is extremely difficult with the amount of work I am taking on.

So, to keep me from going crazy and to allow ample time to process your orders, I am expecting that orders will take 3-4 weeks to complete. I feel that this is still a reasonable amount of time to receive your order. This time frame does not pertain to holiday specials! You will still receive those quickly- especially during Winter Wonderland!

(If you are in a hurry to receive an order, there is a $50 rush fee plus overnight shipping charges from the lab.)

Thanks in advance for your understanding!

Facebook...

After prolonging this...I have joined my friends on Facebook. I was a little hesitant because I thought it was more for the younger crowd since Kathryn was using it. But, when friends and even my sister were joining, I gave in. I am having so much fun catching up with friends from high school and college that I have lost touch with. It is a great way to communicate with others...although, it can become addictive and keep you from working! I spend what little "free time" I have (late at night after everything else is done)- reading the flair! Those little buttons make me laugh!

It's also another venue that I can answer questions from customers. The vast majority of information is always available on the website www.1kwordsphotography.com but as I have seen, there are many people that frequent facebook.

(You can find me listed as Emmie Taylor McDaniel)

Send me some flair!

It's Fall Picture Time!

It's that time again- "It's Fall Ya'll," children's portrait special. This special will be held on Thursday October 2nd - Saturday, October 4th.
(You do need an appointment for this event.)

Here's the way the specials work: you pay a $10 mini session fee (generally the sessions are blocked for roughly 15-20 minutes). Then you pre-purchase a package (these start at $17 and up). You do not get the option to proof images with these specials. I am responsible for picking the absolute best image and printing your package. General sessions in the studio are more one-on-one and you have the option to see proofs; however, with these specials at a reduced rate, we cannot offer the same services. If you would like a more in-depth session, please contact me for session fees or visit the website at www.1kwordsphotography.com under "New pricing."

I debated about having this special outdoors, but with our hurricane weather, I don't feel that is a smart option. We will take these portraits indoors and will use real mums, greenery, pumpkins, etc. for the fall "feel."

If you would like to make an appointment or have general questions, please call me at 217-8523.

Let's get ready for Fall weather!

(These images are from last year's event!)

New Online Proofing!

I have changed the way you will be able to view your online proofs! This method will be easier and will not require you to have an email address- only internet access. This site will be linked directly to my home website (a link will be listed on the first page you come to). You will be given a link to your personal album and each album will be password protected. This way, only you and whomever you choose can view your session.

The web address to view current sessions is: http://athousandwordsphotography.zenfolio.com/

Continue To Pray for Lacey

As I wrote in an earlier blog last month, this young woman was in a severe MVA in mid August. She is hanging in there and fighting like a champ, but she is still facing many obstacles. From circulating emails I have received from a family friend, she is suffering not only from a head injury, but now pneumonia and a staph infection in her blood. Lacey is a strong young woman as shown by her continued fight.

I have no doubt that the many prayers have helped her- but she still has a long fight ahead. Please don't stop praying for her recovery and for her family's strength. They need our community to pray and do whatever we can to save this young life. Lacey touched my life in the few times I was fortunate enough to photograph her. This beautiful girl was always so gracious and thankful during our sessions- and that is what I remember most about her! I do not personally know Lacey's family, but in some small way, I feel that asking others to pray for her is my way of helping.

If you would like to keep up with her progress, a family friend has started a care page for Lacey- visit the website at www.carepages.com.

Please pray, share her story with others and ask them to pray as well. Continue to pray until Lacey is well. God has the power to heal and he is working miracles for Lacey.

Seniors Portraits 2009!

School is back in session and Seniors are ready for portraits. If you are interested in great portraits at affordable prices, please visit us online at www.1kwordsphotography.com. Generally, with Seniors, I like to take both indoor and outdoor portraits. If you have a specific preference on where you would like your outdoor portraits taken, please just ask! I always encourage people to look around their homes or neighbor's and see if there are good spots for portraits. I have several locations that I use, but I am always looking for somewhere new.

Blood Drive TODAY for Lacey

I just received an email that there is going to be a blood drive held at the Masonic Temple on Main Street today in Amory (Friday, August 22nd) from 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. for Lacey. I think they are preparing to perform surgery on her ankle. If you are able to donate blood, please make it a point to go TODAY! The Masonic Temple is located directly on Main Street right next door to The Cottage Boutique. Please spread the word. God is working wonders!

Emmie

Please Pray for Lacey

I don't know how many people actually read these blogs, but in this case, I am hoping that tons will! This young lady graduated from high school in May and Saturday night was in a severe automobile accident. From information I have received in circulating emails, she is in very critical condition with a head injury. I photographed Lacey on a couple different occasions and this girl is photogenic-the camera loves her! Lacey was always so very sweet and kind during our sessions. I truly don't think she knew how beautiful she was inside and out.

Please continue to pray for Lacey and her family during this difficult time. Pray for GOD to give her strength and fully recover from this accident. I think that GOD can and does work miracles. And the power of prayer can do so much. You don't have to personally know her, just please pray for her. Please share with others and ask them to pray as well.

Emmie

Too Cute Not To Share

This was from a session this week and I thought it was too cute not to share with others. It reminded me of that song, "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!" As bad as we wanted her to dig into that cake, the more we tried, the more upset we made her. When she made this face, it was just too cute and I had to laugh!

Advertising 2008- You could benefit!

I am interested to see where my advertising dollars are best being spent. Since I will be advertising in several different places this year, you could benefit if you bring in one of my ads! If you bring in an ad during a session, you will receive a FREE 8x10 when you place your order ($25 order minimum). Only one ad can be used per session.

So, keep your eye out for some of my ads in area football programs and the newspapers!

A New School Year- Seniors 2009!

A new school year is upon us and Seniors are already calling! In order to reserve the time of year you want to have your portraits taken, book now by calling me at 217-8523 or send me an email at emmie@1kwordsphotography.com

I am always asked when is a good time to do Senior pictures- and ultimately, it is your decision, but here is what I like! During the Fall season, the lighting outdoors is great for portraits. It is softer and not as harsh as the lighting in the summer. It's also generally not as hot and humid! Add in the changing of the leaves and you've got a great backdrop for portraits!
Here are a few of my favorite fall pictures!

It is extremely hard to predict when the leaves will actually change here in MS. Since our weather is very unpredictable, we try to gauge it as best we can. Sometimes, we have a good early Fall, and other years, we are waiting until late November to see any leaves change. So, keep this in mind when scheduling your appointment. We will do the best we can, but we can't control mother nature!

Where Has 2008 Gone?

Where has this year gone? I was so busy during the spring through graduation that I didn't have time to look up! This summer has actually been busy as well- usually this is my down time to regroup and get ready for a busy fall!

I have enjoyed my summer, but it has flown by. I am preparing for my upcoming children's portrait specials which are always a hit! We have the Fall Special coming up in September and a tentative Halloween special set. I have also reserved extra days this year for the Winter Wonderland event. It never fails that we always have people wanting appointments that we just don't have room for. So, this year, I am offering 5 full days of appointments! Hopefully, this year, we don't have to leave anyone out.

Please check out my website for details on the portraits specials: www.1kwordsphotography.com

I also have updated my website with new information and pictures. As always, the big online photo gallery has been updated and maintains well over 300 images (see it at www.1kwordsphotography.com/galleries)

Emmie

Some of My Favorites...

As a photographer, I am always asked my opinion of what I like when working with a client. I always give my opinion when it is asked for, but I also stress for my clients to tell me what they like--And what their personality is. I can spend 2 hours working with someone and giving them poses or suggestions, but that may not be what they truly like. It may not be his/her personality.
It is very important in this business that a client convey what they like and don't like. Be honest when it comes to backdrop and outdoor location choices. Be specific if you have an idea of a pose or certain shot that you want to try. I welcome ideas from my clients! It is very difficult to work with someone one time and know everything about them. That is why I ask things about you- and why I like to preview your outfit choices. This can help get a "feel" of a client's personality.
So, since I am so often asked what I prefer in pictures, I am sharing a few of my favorites with you...

Where are the Bunnies?

I have had several, several calls recently, wanting to know if I am taking any bunny pictures this year! Unfortunately, due to an already hectic schedule and Easter falling early, I am not taking the live bunny shots this year. It is generally a very big hit- and the kids have a great time (not so much fun for the bunnies though), but it is also a lot of work. I hope after taking this year off from bunny duty, I will be ready for them again next year! Here is a shot from last year's session.

Decorating for an Event...

These are a couple of highlight pictures from the last two dances I participated in. The picture on the left was from the Winterfest dance, which was a very hard theme to decorate for, but it all came together in the end using the snowman and tree. Valentine's Day is always fun and easy to decorate for- using the reds
and pinks of the season. When working in the studio, I do not use props this excessive, but during the themed dances/proms at the schools, the students want to be able to remember what picture is from what dance. Dances and proms are fun to decorate for- it tests my creativeness and each year I change up the props and backdrops. So, it keeps me on my toes! I am looking forward to the next proms I have lined up- A Black Tie Affair (Hollywood) and A Night Under the Stars.

How I Got Started...

I have been taking pictures for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I always had a camera. During high school, I was responsible for taking yearbook snapshots. It was during high school that I received my first "good" camera. At different holidays/birthdays, I would get another lense or a flash attachment. I always had tons of pictures of friends and family- more than I knew what to do with!

It was my nephew's birth ten years ago that I really began taking pictures. I loved photographing him! At this time, I knew I had an "eye" for photography. Slowly, my hobby was turning into my passion.

A few years ago, an opportunity presented itself and I decided to take the plunge into my own photography business. I decided to give the studio a name other than my own (Emmie Taylor Photography). So, I went with "A Thousand Words Photography." Because, that is what every picture is worth! I thought I was being very original- until I googled it and saw how many other studios across the US had this same name! But, mine is unique to me since I included my dragonfly tattoo on my logo. Dragonflys are very special to me- they represent good luck.

So, through extensive reading, trial and error, and experimentation, I developed my craft and opened the doors of my studio. It has been three years and my business continues to grow. I learn more with each year and gain more clients and respect in this field. I hope to continue growing in my talents while my studio business grows as well.