Friday, June 20, 2008

Nonstop...

Sommer called me to do her daughter's 15 month portraits, so we went to Tule Springs Park. This little sweetheart was nonstop for the whole photo session! First she was chasing birds...
then climbing stairs...
then playing "upside down baby"...
then running away from daddy!
finally, at the very end, she got very snuggly on daddy. Must have been time for naps :)

I had a wonderful time at our session, Sommer! Your full gallery will be online very soon!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Schedule Update

Hi everyone! I just wanted to give a little schedule update so you know what is going on at Speckled Bird Art.

The office will be closed June 21-29. Emails and phone calls will be returned ASAP (usually within 24 hours - unless we can't get internet service), but no appointments will be scheduled for that time.

July is booking now, and we are down to just two weekends available... the weekend of July 19 and 26. There are still a few weekday appointments... call for availability!

The office will be closed August 1-10. Emails and phone calls will be returned ASAP (usually within 24 hours, as long as internet service is available), but we will not be scheduling appointments at that time.

August dates are booking now! Contact Jessie at 219.8166. Schedule your appointment for Christmas card photos early and receive your third set of 24 cards (a $105 value!) absolutely FREE! Appointments must be scheduled before September 14 for this offer to be valid. We will be unveiling new Christmas cards in August as well. Can't wait to show you the new, fun designs we will have to offer!

The Hunt Family

Tamra called me to do some family photos... her son was leaving on his 2 year mission soon and she wanted some group shots before he left. Here's the missionary himself:
And the rest of the brood. As you can see, they have a full house!
We even got the puppies in on the photo, which was no small feat, let me just say!

Of course, Tyler could not be controlled.

And here's Austin, the missionary himself, all cleaned up...
He will be riding his bike around Florida for the next 2 years, so I decided we needed a shot of him in his bike helmet too. This is my favorite shot ;)

Tamra, your family was so much fun to photograph! Thanks for letting me capture a glimpse of your life.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

For Sale - 2000 Ford Expedition XLT 4x4

Looking for a great family car that can tow your toys? Have I got the vehicle for you!
We are selling our Ford Expedition to a good home - for well below book value!

$7250 or best offer






2000 Ford Expedition XLT 4x4 Triton V8

Towing Package included

7 passenger (removable back seat)

125,300 miles

DARK tinted windows

Tilt Wheel

ABS (4-Wheel)

Dual Air Conditioning (front and rear)

Cruise Control

Power Steering

AM/FM Stereo with cassette, 6 CD changer, and premium sound

Roof Rack

Power Windows

Power Door Locks and keyless entry

Dual Front Air Bags

Running Boards

Alloy Wheels


High blue book is $8520 and Mid-range blue book value is $7855. It looks and runs great and has been well maintained. Whoever buys it will get a great deal. If you know anyone interested in buying the car, have them call Jessie at 219.8166!

Monday, June 09, 2008

Images of Hope, call for models - and GRANT UPDATE!

SO many exciting things to share! First of all - I HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS A FINALIST for the Idea Cafe Small Business Grant! This grant will help fund my Images of Hope in Las Vegas campaign, which is detalied more below. Now it is up to the public to vote. Please check out the finalist page above and CAST YOUR VOTE by June 22, 2008! (you have to sign up but it's for a good cause! And you can cancel at any time.)



The Images of Hope in Las Vegas campaign was inspired by a photographer named Lisa McSpadden that did a similar project for a hospital in Arkansas. When I heard about what she had done, I knew we needed something like that here, and so Images of Hope in Las Vegas was born.

(below is an excerpt from some of my promotional materials, detailing the project)

I have had the honor of recently photographing a client whose daughter was born 9 weeks early and spent over two months in the NICU. Those two months were extremely hard for the family because they were surrounded by other sick babies born too soon. They had to watch other babies go home after several weeks and they also saw some babies that never got to go home at all. Over the course of their daughter's stay in the NICU, the one thing that gave them a sense of hope was a little corkboard in the room that held snapshots of children who were former residents of the NICU - now happy and healthy and thriving. They talked about it being their goal one day to be one of "those families" that could share their story of triumph after leaving the NICU. Just last month I was able to take photos at their daughter’s first birthday party, where she, too, was a happy and thriving toddler. They have become a success story – and they want to be sure their story is shared with others.

I would like to create a photo gallery wall in or around the NICU at one or more local hospitals entitled "Images of Hope." It will include large, captioned, professional portraits of different NICU "graduates" - the seven year old who was born 10 weeks early that now loves to go to gymnastics class, the three year old who was born weighing only two pounds and now chases his dog around the neighborhood, or the linebacker who spent the first 8 weeks of his life under the care of NICU doctors. I would use these "Images of Hope" to artistically portray the success stories that come out of the NICU. They will enhance the otherwise ordinary hospital walls with artwork and will also provide a much needed reminder to those parents who spend their child's first weeks (or months) in that hospital ward that there will be life and hope beyond those sterile walls.

The name of the campaign was perfect - little Hope is a perfect spokesmodel (well, she can't speak yet... but her mommy and daddy sure can!) for NICU graduates! Shortly after beginning this project, I contacted Hope's mommy who put me in touch with the director of Program Services at the March of Dimes in Las Vegas. She is just as excited as I am about doing this, and we have recently put out a call for models so we can build our portfolio of images to include in our displays! If you or anyone you know anyone who fits the bill, let us know ASAP!

IMAGES OF HOPE MODEL SEARCH
Do you (or someone you know) have a child that spent the early part of his or her life in the NICU? We are looking for children and teenagers, ages 1-19, who would like to be photographed for an upcoming display that will feature NICU graduates. Participants in the FREE photo shoot agree to have their images on display, and will receive a complimentary 5x7 image from their session for their willingness to participate. The first session will be held on THURSDAY, JUNE 12th at 4 pm at UNLV. For more information or to sign up to participate, contact Jessie at 219.8166 as soon as possible! We would love to see you there!

And remember... the money from the Idea Cafe grant will specifically help fund this program - but I do need your votes! If you are so inclined, let others know! Together we can do something very special.

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Absolutely irresistible

Jessie called me to take some family photos since they added a new member recently...
He was absolutely irresistible. Actually he wasn't the only one who was. His big sister was completely precious, and I loved getting to know mom and dad.
Of course there was a moment in the middle of the session where Big Sister didn't have her cup of raisins, and a tear was shed...

And some sweet closeness between dad and son...
Big sister got over her crying when she was able to proudly wave the Australian flag for her daddy and me...
And mom got a chance to spend a little quality time with her little guy...
And, finally, we ended up on the bed in the Master Bedroom, where Big Sister counted everyone's toes (she's only two! She is amazing!).

Thanks so much, Jessie (have I mentioned I love your name?? hee), for allowing me the opportunity to get to know your family. It was an honor to get to know you for a little while and give me a glimpse into your life. :) Your entire gallery will be up this weekend! Until then, enjoy your preview!

Monday, June 02, 2008

More Glenn!

Had to share the rest of the photos fron Glenn's mini session! Glenn just got his rep cards, so if you see him, ask for one... it's good for 16 free wallets at your senior photo session with us!









If you are a member of the Class of 2009 and would like to be a model for Speckled Bird Art, contact Jessie at 219.8166 as soon as possible! We are still recruiting models from various local high schools!