Weddings

I have recently added a wedding page to my website. I have joined with a wonderful lab that will allow me to focus strictly on taking pictures. I will even be able to accept credit cards!! If you know a bride looking for a creative photographer, please refere them to my site. If they book with me and tell me you sent them, you receive a free 8x10 with your next paid session, and they will receive 8 free wallets.
I have also become a member of WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers Internation.) With the holidays right around the corner, I know their will be lots of marriage proposals. What a wonderful way to start the new year!

Halloween

Wow, it's November already. Last night was beggars night for us, so we bundled up our little (and not so little) trick or treaters and went to St. Paris. Despite some sickness that have had our girls down, everyone had lots of fun. It's really time to switch gears now and I'm looking forward to some family sessions and a special glamour session with some Mary Kay consultants. But to finish out October, I thought I'd post one of my favorite Costume Cuties. Hopefully next year more of you will join in the fun.

Where did the summer go? The kids are almost done with their first nine weeks and we had snow!! yesterday. That get me thinking about Christmas for my own family. And with that thought comes Christmas cards. Every year I try to do something different. This year I think it will be an angel on a white background. Whichever daughter will wear the wings will get the job. So with this idea, I've decided to give my clients a special pre-Christmas gift of 25 greetings cards with a paid Custom session. This is a $40 value.
Deadline for ordering Christmas pictures or greeting cards is November 25. And I want to thank my friend Julie, for the wonderful gift certificates she created. These are also available for any occasion. They also make a great Christmas gift.

My own design...

This is the purse that has gotten so much attention. I thought I'd better get some info on it up pretty quick since orders are starting to come in. The body is black and the lining is tan. The image can be color or b&w. The hardware is silver and it has a zipper opening. There is a split pocket inside. Size is app. 6" tall, 9.5" wide and 3.5" deep. For me this is a perfect size, but I don't use real big purses. But, you'd be amazed how much you can fit in there. You can choose from an adjustable single strap or double 13" purse handles. The one pictured above won second at our county fair this fall!!

Costume Cuties

For my first Costume Cuties Day, I will be offering the following packages. This session is for Children 6mos to 10 years. For $15 you will recieve, a complimentary session, plus 1-5x7 and 8 wallets. This session is by appointment only. Visit my website for contact information.

First Blog Special

Here it is, my first blog special. To get this special, please mention you read it in my October 2nd blog.

Through October 31st, the photo purse is only $50+tx. Whether you send me your own photo our use a picture from a recent session at Cook Photography, it's the same price!!

Keep watching, there's more!!

Catching up

It's been almost a month since my first post. But boy has a lot happened in that time. I've got my camera room set up again and I've found some great ways of putting up my backgrounds. I've got my business plan in place and my website is up. I can't believe the great responses I've gotten from friends and family. I have so many more pictures I want to get on my site, but so many were taken on medium format and I haven't sent them in to have them put on dvd's.
I've been keeping an eye on a small building outside St. Paris. Right now I need to stay based from my house. But I'd really love to get into my own storefront. Better yet, an old house turned studio would be ultimate.
The end of October is two big kick off days for the studio. This week I'll be doing promo shots of my kids. Great having models right here. Don't forget to call for your appointment.
School pictures were taken at school today. That means I'll be taking my own kids out this week for our yearly "my kids" picture. I love this time of year with the leaves changing colors. I'll also take their individual school pics this year. My kindergartener will probably give me a hard time because I didn't send her picture envelope to school with her. The older ones are used to it. I've never bought school pictures for my daughters, and only 2x's for my son. I've always done theirs myself. I may have to start paying them for referrels.
And on referrels, I have a referrel program for my own clients. Please ask about it. I want it to be something you would definately use, so I'm also taking suggestions. Without you, I wouldn't have this business.
As things pick up here, I'll post more and add blog only specials. For now, thanks for taking the time to check out my blog.

Almost ready to open

Owning my own portrait studio has been a dream and goal since high school. Many detours and much experience later, I am at a point in my life where it is now a reality. I started with a degree in Business Management. I knew I had to be able to not only take pictures, but run a successful business. Shortly after, I graduated from The Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology, specializing in Portrait Photography. This taught me the technical side of lighting, posing, and image making. I worked for Terry Crumley, M.Photog., and gained experience in the behind the scenes work of getting prints ready for the client. I also interned at Younce Photography during my final quarter at OIP&T and learned creative posing and wedding photography. I later returned to Younce Photography and worked at Image Masters developing prints for the studio. There I also learned Photoshop basics and digital retouching. I have won various awards for my prints and have had work published. My goal is not only to give my clients portraits that will be cherished investments, but to teach my children the value of hard work and never giving up on your goals. The next step for me as a photogrpher is to become certified as a Professional Photographer through PPA. With my talents from God, the support of my husband and children and you as my customer, this will be a reality too.