Tiny Stars Winner!!!

After a consultation with all of the finalists they unanimously voted to leave the voting the way it ended when the poll shut down.

And that leaves us with...Logan And Patrick as our winners!!!

A huge thank you to everyone who entered and voted! This has been a lot of fun and I'm excited to see what the next year holds for the boys!!

And with that I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, enjoy your holidays and have some fun with your kids, I know I will!! See you all in 2013!!!

Tiny Stars Finalists!!

EDIT!! 

 HEY ALL!!

 For some reason the poll shut down at noon instead of nine tonight like it was set to! But no worries, you can still get votes in! ANY vote made in the comments (one per person please, I will only count each persons vote once) with the name of the kids you are choosing between now and 9:00 tonight will count and be added with the poll numbers. 

 Comments need to be approved before they are posted so please don't worry if you don't see your comment before 9 I have all of them but we have some stuff to do today and I will not be at the computer consistently today! 

 I know this is a little more work on your part but I am doing my best to give everyone those few extra hours I promised because I can't defeat the technical difficulties! 

 Thanks!!

We managed to narrow down the list to six finalists for the Tiny Stars Contest!  There was a huge response to the contest and this was a HARD job!  Voting will be open until December 14 at 9 pm, which means you have 2 weeks to get everyone you know to vote for your kids here on this post!!

So here are the finalists (in no particular order) vote in the poll at the bottom to pick your favorite.

Tiny Stars

Who is your choice to win the Tiny Stars Contest? Logan and Patrick K. Charlie and Callie H. Caitlin and Patrick P. Hunter L. Cora, Ginger and Holly B. Victoria C, Current Results

Holiday Availability 2012

The Holidays are sneaking up on us!  Halloween is in just over a week and then my brain goes into full on Christmas mode!!

Session availability for this year's holiday season is very limited.

Presession consults and ordering sessions will be done on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays (mid-day only).  The last day to order your prints in time for Christmas this year will be December 8.   Anything ordered after this date will not be placed until after the new year.  If you will be ordering Christmas cards I recommend booking a session for before Thanksgiving and ordering by the end of November.

Here is a list of the available sessions and times for November.  The last date for sessions in 2012 is November 25.  I will not be available to shoot in December in order to get the sessions processed and ordered in time for Christmas and to allow for time with my family.   A reminder that sessions are booked for 2 hours so please allow that much time in your schedule.

AM   We can start as early as 8 or as late as 9:30
PM   We can start as early as 3:30 and as late as 4:30.  Remember it starts getting dark earlier so we have to allow for enough light!!

Saturday November 3
AM (available)
PM (available)

Saturday November 10
AM (available)
PM (booked)

Saturday November 17
AM (available)
PM (booked)

Friday November 23
PM ONLY (available)

Saturday November 24
AM (available)
PM (available)

Sunday November 25
AM ONLY.  Shoot must be at 8:15 at the latest.  (available)


And what is this?  A bonus gift!  YAY!!

If you book your session before November 5, you get $20 off your session and a free print 8x10 or smaller with your print order.  That's $35 of Christmas present money right there!!  

And don't forget to enter the Tiny Stars Contest!  The last day for entry is Halloween!!

Tiny Stars Update

Only a week and a half left to enter the contest!!!

I also know some people have been having problems with the email not sending.  My business inbox is small and some of you are sending multiple or large pictures, which is fine, but my mailbox can't handle it!!  So if you are having trouble sending it please just include the basic information (included below) to photography@stolenmomentsstudios.com and I will reply with my personal email to send the pictures to!

Thanks so much for understanding!!

What do you get?

- 4 mini-shoots (one for each season) that we can use how ever we think will be fun. Birthdays, Holidays, Family pictures or just because. I will ask that you be willing for at least one session to be a family session. Each mini-session will include a pre-session consult and a viewing session as well.

- A 25% print discount on anything that you would like to order

- A compilation disc, with print release, with a number of favorites from each shoot at the end of the year.

- A proof cd of each session with web-sized watermarked images to share online with family and friends to spread the SMS word., as well as a set of specialized cards with your child(ren)'s picture to hand out. Each referral you send that books a session earns you more pictures on your end of the year print release disc!!!

- A standout collage in the size of your choosing with pictures you choose from each session as a way to recap your year with your Tiny Star!!

What do I need?

Child/Children's Name:

Age:

Interests:

Activities (Dance, Sports, Music, etc):

Fun Facts:

A short write up of why your child/family would be a great choice to represent Stolen Moments Studios in 2013.

A picture that shows your Child/Children's personalities.  If you are entering more than one child, you can submit a picture of each or a picture of both.  

Tiny Stars Contest!

Sorry for the delay on the blog!  As many of you know I am also a Nanny for this cuteness 3 days a week, and along with some family stuff, the last couple of weeks have gotten away from me!

Who can resist her?

But on to the important stuff!  The Stolen Moments Studios Tiny Star Contest!

I am looking for a child/family to be the face of Stolen Moments Studios for 2013!! My kids are cute and all, but so are yours and mine get tired of having to take pictures every time I want to do something fun with the studio!!

I will be accepting the applications for individual children and for siblings. There will only be one winner but the winner may be a set of siblings as opposed to one child.

My family and I will be going through each application and getting a group of top selections that will then be opened up to voting by all the SMS fans!! I am so excited to do this and showcase some awesome kids!!

What do you get?

- 4 mini-shoots (one for each season) that we can use how ever we think will be fun. Birthdays, Holidays, Family pictures or just because. I will ask that you be willing for at least one session to be a family session. Each mini-session will include a pre-session consult and a viewing session as well.

- A 25% print discount on anything that you would like to order

- A compilation disc, with print release, with a number of favorites from each shoot at the end of the year.

- A proof cd of each session with web-sized watermarked images to share online with family and friends to spread the SMS word., as well as a set of specialized cards with your child(ren)'s picture to hand out. Each referral you send that books a session earns you more pictures on your end of the year print release disc!!!

- A standout collage in the size of your choosing with pictures you choose from each session as a way to recap your year with your Tiny Star!!

What do I need?

Child/Children's Name:

Age:

Interests:

Activities (Dance, Sports, Music, etc):

Fun Facts:

A short write up of why your child/family would be a great choice to represent Stolen Moments Studios in 2013.

A picture that shows your Child/Children's personalities.  If you are entering more than one child, you can submit a picture of each or a picture of both.  

If I were entering my kids, this is the picture I would use!

They are crazy.  You all have no idea!

I'm looking for ANY child 12 and younger! As long as you would be able to meet in the Clayton/Raleigh, NC area for the 4 shoots you are eligible!! And remember Stolen Moments Studios is a special needs studio, so don't let the fact that the shoots might be challenging discourage you from submitting your child!!*

Applications will be accepted from October 1, 2012 to October 31, 2012. Fan voting will take place in late November and the winner will be announced around Christmas! Just email the above information to photography@stolenmomentsstudios.com with the subject line "Tiny Stars Contest"

If you have any questions please feel free to ask! I can't wait to see all the Tiny Stars we have!!

* If you would like to tell me that your child has special needs but do not want it disclosed in the voting write ups, that is definitely an option!! I try not to point out my clients who have autism, adhd, down syndrome etc. in any galleries, unless the parent asks or wants to allow me to use them as a representative of that aspect of the studio. It is not their label, and whatever disability they may have does not effect how cute their pictures are!! I have ADHD myself, and I know that it does not define me!

**There have been some problems with the emails not going through.  My mailbox is small, so if you have problems sending your application, send it without the picture and I will reply with my personal email to send the pictures to!  Thank you! **

Your Session: Getting to know SMS and your Pre-Session Consult

I am going to do a series of posts this week filling you all in on how a Stolen Moments Studios photo shoot works from start to finish!  I find it helpful when I am looking to do something to know how things run and what I am getting for my money, so that is what these posts are for!

In doing your research into hiring a professional photographer you have found us!  Awesome, I love meeting new people!  So you email me at photography@stolenmomentsstudios.com or call (919) 261-7400.  I'm sure you have a ton of questions and I know I have a few for you too!  So we talk for a bit and I ask about setting up a pre-session consultation.  I am going to spell out exactly what that is for you in a minute, but most importantly I want you all to know that you do not have to be set on having a session to have a consult!!  This is a chance for me to better get to know you and your family and for you to see if my style and my sessions are right for you!  

Now that we have gotten that out of the way, more about the actual consult!

Binder with session info, price lists and product examples, your take home folder and a slideshow!

We will meet either at your home or at a local coffee place or restaurant where I will get you a snack or a drink.  I will have my laptop and an information packet for you to bring home as well as items for you to look through and learn more about the studio and our sessions.

You will have time to look through the info binder which has a full price list, product examples and a full walk through of your session!

We will talk about you, your kids, your family’s interests and your expectations for your session.

We will talk about location, clothes, props and what your ideas for your pictures are.  We will also look through a slideshow that I’ve made for your consult based on your family, to help you see what we can do with your session.

I will walk you through a typical session as well as wait times for sneak peeks, online viewing and     explaining how our ordering session and accompanying process works as well as looking through the price list.  This will help you be aware of your options for ordering and lets you start thinking about what options you would like for your home, family and friends!

Your take home folder has a price list, my business card and the information we decided on for your session (date/time/location) as well as some tips for getting ready!

This is also when we will set a date, time and  location for your session.  Don't worry about knowing exactly where and when you would want to have a session, I can show you examples of different locations in the area and talk about what days and times are best for the kind of shoot you are looking for.   

Keep an eye out over the next few days for two more posts, one covering the photo shoot itself and one about ordering and delivery!!  

A special thanks to my kids, Tyler and Katie, for taking a few minutes to be stock photo kids today!! 

My stock photo kids!  Katie's dress was made by the amazing and fabulous LilyM Boutique

2013 Senior Reps

With the school year closing in all too quickly (and already started for some of the kids I know!!)  I am looking for some of this year's seniors to do a discounted senior session in exchange for being a "senior rep" for Stolen Moments Studios!   You will get Senior Rep Cards to distribute to your friends and a full disc of web sized images to share on facebook, google +, etc.  In addition to these promotional materials you will also get extra images on your print release disc!   And THREE free prints for every person who signs up for a senior session using your name!

Here is a breakdown of a what a senior shoot involves.

Senior Sessions are $275 + tax.  But remember my senior reps get a discount!

First you have your pre-session consultation.  This is where I sit down with you and your parents and get to know you, talk about your interests and what you would like from your session.  We will talk dates, locations, clothing, stuff to bring and much much more!    And we usually meet some place where I can get you a drink and a snack, and that is always a plus!

Senior Sessions last up to 3 hours.  In that 3 hours we can do as many as 3 locations and as many outfit changes as you would like!  This is meant to be all about you, who you are and who you are becoming, it will be relaxed and fun!

About a week after your session I will have a sneak peak of some of your images on the facebook page.  About a week later, shortly before your full session is ready for online viewing, I will be doing a post here on the blog about your session and some additional pictures!  A few days later you will get a link to your online viewing album and we will set up your order session.

At your order session we go through all of your pictures and get your print order placed and select the pictures for your print release CD.  This is also when my senior reps will receive their rep cards.

Each Senior Session includes a 15% discount on your print order and a print release CD with 3 picture from your session.  Prints will be at my normal prices, starting at just $15.   

Senior Sessions also include a cap and gown session at the end of the year for another $30 (+ tax)  which also includes a web sized proof disc of that session and 2 pictures on a print release disc!

If you are interested in being a Class of 2013 Senior Rep email photography@stolenmomentsstudios.com or call (919) 261-7400!  I will give you all the information on all the bonuses and fun involved!!!

Super Summer Sessions

Saturday Mornings in July and August I am going to be offering special discount rate mini-sessions! There will be two times available each Saturday morning, 8:30 & 9:45. Each weekend the shoot will be at a different location. The last weekend will be a repeat at the most popular destination.

Sessions will be $75 with tax included in that amount and you will also receive 15% off your print order!

July 14 Lake Benson

July 21 Yates Mill Park

August 4 WRAL Azalea Garden OR Raleigh Rose Garden

August 11 Pullen Park

August 18 repeat of the most popular location choice.

Get in contact with me soon to schedule your consult and get your session booked!!

Jack Attack!!

Little Jack happens to be the baby of a very very (like from middle school) old friend!!   When I went to Massachusetts for my sister's wedding last year we managed to get together to do pictures when he was a couple of months old. When she found out I was coming up a couple of weeks ago for my brother's graduation, we again worked some scheduling magic so I could do his first birthday pictures!!

I was the first one of my friends to have kids, so it means a TON to me that Becky asks me to do Jack's pictures when I am up.  It sounds silly but it comes down to she knew me when I was even more ridiculous than I am now and still wants me to work with her kid!  

Anyway, here is her fantastically sweet, cuddly flirt of a little boy!  I can't wait to see him (and Mommy and Daddy!!) again soon!!

Big Changes!

I am so excited about some changes I am making to the site and to your over all experience!  I'm playing around with the format of the website and updating all of the slide shows.   I am going to be starting to use a new print lab which will give you so many more options in terms of your orders as well as a better quality picture!  There are a few more surprises in store for you all, so stay tuned!  February 20th is going to be the roll out date for the new site and I will be filling you in on all the new fun then!  That will also be the day when I give out the information for the spring mini-shoots and tell you how you can win one!!

With the super bowl being this weekend, and my house at war, Katie and I would like to leave you with a very loud GO PATS!!!!