Giving Thanks

Well, this should have been my Thanksgiving Day blog entry, but a bout of the flu had me down midway through the day. After reading another photographers blog, I felt moved to blog today. Her's was on the wastefulness of the United States. And I agree somewhat but, I'm an optimist, not a pessimist. I see the good in everything and have been accused of seeing the world through rose colored glasses. I don't think that is a bad thing. I have a lot to be thankful for.
I'm thankful that I got to spend the day with my family on Thanksgiving. We had enough food to eat and yes, the kids may have wasted some, but I didn't see much on the dog's scrap plate (which is just wrong to feed to a dog). I'm thankful, my business is going in the direction so that I can give back to other areas. Currently the pet portraits for abused, neglected and homeless cats, dogs and other four legged domestic creatures. I'm thankful that my children attend a public school that has received academic excellence and still allows the parents to be very involved. So much that the studio is able to give back to the PTO, PAC and the Academic Boosters.
I'm thankful for organizations who help people this time of year and year round with food and those who give to these organizations. Such as the Angel Food Ministries, the food pantries and area churches.
There is so much good in this world and especially right here at home. I think when we fail to see it and focus on the bad, things just fall apart. This is the time of the year especially, to really focus on others around us. Give thanks for what we have and give in whatever way we can in helping those less fortunate. Sarcasm and pessimism don't create change. Positive focus, good deeds and good will do.
So, especially during this holiday season, bless those around you with a good healthy dose of optimism and a smile.

Sneak Peak

A couple cuties from a recent session.
Even though they really wanted to be playing with my daughters!

Pet Portraits

I am so far behind on my blogging! I really want need to get this event up. It is November 29th 9 to 5pm at Wag 'n Tails in St. Paris

You must sign up at Wag 'n Tails for this event. Cost is $25 due at your session time. You will also receive a complimentary 8x10 from your pets session. Please, no people in the portrait. This is pets only. And no Santa! These are professional studio pet portraits.

10% of the sales from this event will benefit neglected and abandoned pets at a local sanctuary by providing food and supplies during the winter.

Your help is needed and appreciated.

You can call the studio for more info, but I can not sign you up myself.

Also, walk ins will have to wait for an open spot if any are available.

If you miss this event. I do photograph pets in your home. Session fees are regular portrait fees with travel fees applying outside a 15 mile radius of the studio. 10% of each pet portrait order will be donated to His Extended Hands.

Please help support our furry friends!

Christmas Pictures

Just an update to those interested in Family Christmas portraits. At this time I am completely booked for the rest of the year. After November 25th, I can not get portraits back before Christmas. I had such a huge interest in Family Portraits for Christmas after yesterday's M.E. Holiday Bazaar, I wanted to update this information asap.

I am booking sessions for Jan 2009. These times will fill up quickly, so if you want a family portrait with Cook Photography, please plan booking 4 weeks in advance of the date you want.

I am will also be booking 2010 seniors for studio spokes models. I am limited to 2 senior reps per school. These will also fill up quickly. If you are interested in being a studio spokes model, please contact the studio. After January I will not take anymore applications. I absolutely can not take 2009 seniors as spokes models. It is too late in the year. Please don't ask to be a spokes model if you graduate in 2009, I do have to turn you down.

Spokes models receive:

discounted session, studio and location

all previews in a preview book

your DVD slideshow

cash money for each 2010 senior who orders their senior portraits from Cook Photography

senior spokesmodel cards

And remember Miami East families who book with Cook Photography help support PAC or the Academic Boosters for the 2008/09 school year.

Miami East Educational Foundation

Yep, the pictures on the Speical Events page were taken by my studio, more specifially, me! The event, held in the spring, helped raise money for the foundation. The studio donated a family studio session and 8x10 as part of the silent auction.

I was there to help take mascot pictures, but when my turn was over, I was able to enjoy the style show and awards ceremony.

They did forget to credit me/the studio as the photographer, but wanted to share my published images!

http://www.miamieast.k12.oh.us/MEEF/2008%202009/Vikingfest%202009.htm

And also wanted to mention, I am helping the jr. high PAC and high school Academic Boosters with an ongoing fundraiser for the rest of the 2008/09 school year.

When you have a session held at the studio, 20% of your order, goes back to the one of the above. Please help support these organizations with school, family, senior, pet, or children's portraits by having them taken at Cook Photography. They in turn help our Miami East students.