New business cards in! Yippee!

So Chris and I both ordered new business cards. Him, because he got a new cell phone with a new number, me, because I ran out! So since I do the posing and stuff with families and babies and he concentrates mostly on couples and seniors, we decided to get totally different backs. Mine features one of the Lambson twin boys - he was smiling so big!!!! His features Damon and Kari Metzner on their wedding day.

Ciao for now!

Tia

Pose for Paws - Spokanimal Fundraiser

Bhhhhttttt - you should have been here!

Today was our annual fundraiser for Spokanimal - the local animal shelter for the City of Spokane. www.spokanimal.org

Each year we have a day where we offer portraits with your pets (and without!) and the discounted session fee goes as a direct donation to Spokanimal. These two little guys belong to Ginny Baxter, are they adorable or what? I'll probably have to make some kind of greeting card out of this! I can see something about age written all over it!

The annual fundraiser helps Spokanimal do all the great things that they do for the animals in the area, mostly dogs and cats, but often other kinds of pets as well. Did you know that Spokanimal also has a pet food bank for those in need? Yup. It's way better to help people keep their pets who are one of the family, than to tear the family apart just because they can't afford food for their pet right now. Spokanimal doesn't want to make a family choose. So if you know anyone who may need temporary help in that way, have them call Spokanimal! By the same token, if you'd like to contribute food or funds, you can call Spokanimal at 509-534-8133 or stop by their newly remodeled digs at 710 N. Napa.

So, wish you were here? Well, we have given Spokanimal a limited number of certificates, so if you go make a $50 donation to them, they will give you a Pose for Paws certificate and you can come to the studio (make an appointment first) and have your portraits taken with your pet, without your pet or just of your pet! Of course you receive a complimentary 8"x10" printed portrait of your choice as well!

Have a great weekend!

Tia

p.s. - you don't have to have pets to donate to Spokanimal and get a certificate! They make great gifts, and you don't have to bring a pet in to do the photos!

Senior season at the Studio

Well, 'tis that time of the year again, the middle of summer and all the graduating senior boys and girls, uh, young men and women that is, needing their senior portraits. I haven't yet figured out why so many schools want the senior portraits by the first couple of weeks of school starting, but they do! So, we photographers have basically just a few short months to get all the graduating seniors in Spokane and the outlying areas done before the middle of October!

I won't lie, it's fun. Each person is so very different, even when you think about the fact that they all want to just fit in. It really is amazing how unique each person is considering everyone has the same places to shop, the same schools, the same books, entertainment, etc.... yet they all come away with something different. Of course we try to give them what they want, but at the same time, you know the parents are the ones that will have the image hanging on their wall for ever, so we have to think about them too.

Okay, back to work now, but enjoy the photo, more to come!

Tia

Only two more hours...

Only two more hours until we are over the 'hump' today. We had a totally chaotic day yesterday here at the studio. Larry was out taking some commercial shots of the Rocket Bakerys (there are multiple locations you know!) for their website (he finished up at the Argonne store today - thank you Julie) Chris started the day with a wedding consult with the sweetest couple (yes they booked us) but that went long because it was supposed to just be an engagement photo consultation that ended up being a wedding consultation, so the Previewing we had set immediately following what we thought would be a half hour consult was late getting started, and THAT ran long, (at least they cried and laughed and loved the photos!) and the phone was ringing off the hook, and people were stopping by to pick up photos and ...and...and....it was all just wonderful!! We like it busy! Just hope we didn't forget something in the rush.

I had one mom that emailed, panicked because while they took their photos just before they flew home to California, and I'd posted them for her, she was waiting for her hubby to get back from DC (military) to make final decisions, but lo and behold, preschool daughters class needed a family photo for school the next day! Of course I sent something, my brother did the same thing to me a couple weeks ago! I remember being panicked when that happened to me when the kids were little. It sucks feeling like the only unprepared and uncaring parent! And we know it's just not true. Sometimes life just happens.

The hubby and I went down to Pullman for dinner with Tohny and his wife Kayla this last weekend. We had a great time, though it was a short visit. Her dad is recovering from quadruple bypass surgery he had over the Christmas holiday. She says he's fine, but I was worried for her and her family. Good to hear he's doing great now. Anyhoo - Tohny and Kayla will head to Omak this weekend and they plan on coming to stay with us next weekend. We'll go see Curtains (the show Chris is in and stage manages) at the Civic theatre and maybe go prowling in some thrift stores or something. Nothing too strenuous or thought provoking, just some fun and relaxation. Larry bought a bed off of Craigslist for the spare room, so no more air mattress! That alone is worth celebrating! (those are just horrible)

Had dinner last night at the Catacombs Pub in downtown Spokane. It's right below the MontVale Hotel. All I can say is "Wow" - we had a bottle of wine, a cabernet from California called Falling Elm or something like that (some tree name) delicious. We had some baguetts with salsa and balsamic extract - again, delicious. Then we had a Mediterranian pizza, New York style they make and bake there in a stone oven. Chicken, garlic, onions, artichoke hearts and rosemary white sauce - totally to die for. Then we had another pizza - this time Barbecue Chicken (per our wonderful waitress Dallas' recommendation) it was such sweet bbq sauce it was almost like dessert.

Anyway, we had a great time, good food, wonderful new friends and then toured the MontVale Hotel. It is such a cool old place, they have it decorated with tons of super cool art. And comfy chairs and tables. I might go there just to sit and play cribbage sometime and enjoy a mocha or something. So add the MontVale to your list of hotels if you have friends coming to Spokane! It's right across the street from the Fox theatre and just around the corner from the Catacomb Pub.

Okay, thats enough for now! I'm hoping to actually get some followers someday...but for now, thanks to the lonely two I have, whether or not you read this, I appreciate your willingness to sign up! LOL Until next time - cheerios and froot loops!

It's Friday!!

I cannot believe Friday is here already! This week has just shot by and not even one post to my blog! On an upper note, I have managed to walk my walk and even managed a couple of additional evening walks with the hubby. I feel better, though not any skinnier! LOL

Curtains, the murder mystery musical playing at the Spokane Civic Theatre, opened to spectacular reviews. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned that my son Chris, is the Stage Manager and has a couple cameo appearances, so if you haven't yet seen it, you better go! It closes February 6th, the day before Super Bowl. It really is hilariously funny, but be forewarned it is filled with innuendos and some bawdiness. If you get the chance, go see it!

Thats it for now, I have work to do people!!! Cheerios and Froot Loops!

The Weekend

As you know, I worked hell week on props and backstage crew for the Civic's production of "Curtains" - which opened last night. I actually got to sit in the audience and enjoy the show! It was so amazing. I can see it being something high schools do with the toned down verbiage.... this ones a little (okay a LOT) bawdy and very inappropriate for young'uns! But it opened to a full house and was spectacular. All the backstage people did a wonderful job and the actors were great! I had fun.

Tonight I'm House Manager, which according to John from the Fox Theatre is pretty much nothing except blinking the lights when it's time to go sit down. LOL....if it were that easy, why do they need someone then? And why am I so darned tired when I'm done? Oh well, I enjoy it and will continue on with it. I was actually not scheduled to manage tonight, but Wendell Banning, who is the senior manager there, is in the hospital, so they called me in. Best wishes to Wendell! I haven't heard an update yet, but I sure hope he's doing okay.

Larry and I both walked our miles this morning, I had oatmeal with blue berries for breakfast and while I got ready for work larry made some delicious chicken, mushrooms and onions with some horseradish sauce, for lunch. It was wonderful.

We had a wedding consultation today, a headshot previewing and one portrait session. So now we're just biding our time until we are done for the day! Weekends are always weird. We'll be changing our policy starting in February, to where we don't do weekends unless it's pre-paid. While this weekend everyone showed up and did what they needed to do, sometimes we have a Saturday booked solid and only half the people show up! Frustrating!

Okay, done for now. Just trying to keep up with my resolution of posting to a blog.....

Cheerios and Froot Loops...

It's all in the timing...

Hi Everyone ~

I'm posting a maternity photo from a recent session. We are in the process of creating a maternity / newborn rack card for our Mall displays. Actually the creating is done, we are just waiting on the malls approval. The Mom to be featured has since given birth to a beautiful little baby girl.

So, what else do I have going? hmmmm...

Only two more days of tech rehearsal before the Spokane Civic Theatres production of "Curtains" opens!

I'm filling in for a friend of mine who is running props for the show. Her and her husband are in Cancun for a week. Unfortunately, I'm also filling in for her husband too! If I knew what I was doing, it wouldn't be as stressful, as it is I just do what I think I need to and take good notes. They come home tomorrow and let me tell you, tomorrow cannot possibly arrive soon enough! This show is awesome and I'm very sad I'm not working backstage the full run though. The cast is so great, I love them all.

On my walking resolution - I walked this morning. Two miles. Larry was just getting back from his walk when I left for mine. I did finish within a half hour though, so that felt good. The bad news.....Larry has lost 10 pounds since we started and I have lost none....but I feel better, so it's all good. Right?

My son Tohny called from College this afternoon. He and his wife Kayla just started back to school again (WSU) after the long winter break. He said he loves all his classes (with a qualifying "so far") and since this is his last semester before he graduates, I am relieved!

Chris is out taking some headshots in the camera room and I'm getting ready to leave for the theatre. Larry is at the house with the plumber fixing broken stuff...

I'm off to get done so I can leave now. Cheerios and Fruit Loops all!

It's quite the challenge

Well, day two. I did in fact walk my two miles this morning. I do need new shoes, because I can feel that my stride is weird and I think it's from the wear on my shoes. (do I NEED a reason for new shoes?)

I am posting to my blog this morning, so the two things on my list are checked! Yay!

So today, right now, we are trying to figure out short and sweet wording for a display ad for Mobius Kids. We are partnering with them to do a year long fundraiser. I know no one knows about this blog yet, so I can't actually ask for help and input, but maybe by writing it out I can stumble onto something that will work.

We are giving the Mobius Kids membership a $50 discount on the session fee (or as we call them Creation Fee) and then the balance of the creation fee ($39) is donated to Mobius Kids. We're hoping to use the donations towards Mobius Kids Santa Breakfast in December to help pay for the Ballroom at the Davenport Hotel here in Spokane where they hold it every year.

We did Santa pix at the Mobius Santa Breakfast in 2009 and will do them this year too. We also did them for Clinkerdaggers and for the Spokane Civic Theatre. Believe me when I tell you the Santa makes a world of difference! The space allowed does too...

I'm posting my favorite Santa picture from this year, it was from Mobius Kids Breakfast with Santa at the Davenport Hotel. I love that Santa snuck behind the chair when the baby was scared of him and then just peeked over when it was time for the shot! What a great Santa! There may have been prettier pictures but the peeking santa was what made it for me.

Cheerios and Fruit Loops until next time!!!

New Years Resolutions 1/6/10

I cannot believe that I've basically grown old with the computer age and I have no real idea how to blog! Yes, I know what blogging is, but this journey to actually do it is almost scary! I suppose I'll know if I'm doing it right within the next day or two, but until then, all I can do is try!

I hope that by joining the 21st century, kicking and screaming though I am, I can have a place to brag about how spectacular my kids are, how great the things I love are and how much fun we are having at our studio. One of my New Year 2010 resolutions was to Blog at least 3 days a week for 10 minutes - another one was to walk two miles every other day - I'll keep you posted on both fronts.

First thing I'm going to try is posting a photo...hope it works! The photo is the last one I edited - it's model Jessica Johnson in a white coat in the snow. It worked and wasn't too painful either!

Until my next ten minutes - cheerios and fruit loops!