Summer Availability: June-August 2013

Availability for the Summer is from June to the end of August. We are taking three family trips this summer, so there are a few weekends already unavailable.

Please choose 3 dates/times to provide to me when working to schedule your photo shoot, just in case some have been booked and I haven’t yet had the opportunity to update the list.

Availability is weekends only because I’m a work-from-home-mom (with a writing business, too) and accommodating my husband’s work schedule. However, should my current schedule fail to accommodate your schedule, special arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, my husband’s set work schedule periodically (every 2 years or so) changes, in which case I will do my best to get a babysitter and accommodate sessions already on the books.

All times listed below are for outdoor pictures – most evening sessions are during the “golden hour” which is just before sunset and the best possible lighting available. Indoor pictures for newborns and smaller children are an option with more times available — contact me for scheduling.

To book a session, please email me at michelle@eternalimage.biz or message me through my Facebook page (be sure to “like” me while you’re there).

JUNE

• Friday, June 14th @ 8:30am
• Saturday, June 15th @ 8:30am and 7:30pm
• Sunday, June 16th @ 7:30pm
• Thursday, June 20th @ 8:30am
• Friday, June 21st @ 8:30am
• Friday, June 28th @ 8:30am and 7:30pm
• Saturday, June 29th @ 8:30am and 7:30pm

JULY

• Friday, July 5th @ 8:30am and 7:30pm
• Saturday, July 6th @ 8:30am and 7:30pm
• Sunday, July 7th @ 7:30pm
• Friday, July 12th @ 8:30am
• Saturday, July 13th @ 8:30am
• Sunday, July 14th @ 7:30pm
• Friday, July 19th @ 8:30am
• Saturday, July 20th @ 8:30am and 7:30pm
• Sunday, July 21st @ 7:30pm
• Thursday, July 25th @ 8:30am and 7:15pm
• Friday, July 26th @ 8:30am and 7:15pm
• Saturday, July 27th @ 8:30am

AUGUST

In honor of my oldest starting school, look for a special event in early August – 30 minute mini sessions for kids entering kindergarten done at their school!!

• Friday, August 2nd @ 8:30am and 7:15pm
• Saturday, August 3rd @ 8:30am and 7:15pm
• Sunday, August 4th @ 7:15pm
• Friday, August 16th @ 8:30am
• Saturday, August 17th @ 8:30am and 7:00pm
• Sunday, August 18th @ 7:00pm
• Thursday, August 22nd @ 8:30am and 6:45pm
• Friday, August 23rd @ 8:30am and 6:45pm
• Saturday, August 24th @ 8:30am
• Friday, August 30th @ 8:30am and 6:30pm

2013 Photo Contest Winners – Most Mischievous Kiddo

Winners were determined based first upon judging from the members of my photographers group. “Likes” played a factor in determining position for those that were too close to call. And those with significant numbers of likes were certainly considered.

Prizes in each category will be as follows (to be redeemed within 12 months of the contest end):

• 1st Place: A free portrait session* session for the child with 5 image files
• 2nd Place: A free birthday party** session for the child
• 3rd Place: A free 16×20 image (from a previous or future session)

* Portrait Sessions include up to 1 hour at 1 location – prints are not included
**Birthday party sessions include me taking pictures at the party for up to 2 hours and a CD of up to 150 unedited images from that party

And the winners are…..

0-11 Months

• 1^st – Aubree
• 2^nd – Bridgett
• 3^rd – Sawyer

1 Year Olds

• 1^st – Clara
• 2^nd – Aubriana
• 3^rd – IT’S A TIE!! Sophia & Kadyn (b/c  your number of likes were outstanding!)

2 Year Olds

• 1^st – Annie
• 2^nd – Sydney
• 3^rd – Korben

3 Year Olds

• 1^st – Silas
• 2^nd – Trace
• 3^rd – Brooklyn

4 and Up

• 1^st – Logan
• 2^nd – Landon
• 3^rd – Wyatt

Congratulations to the winners! I’ll be contacting each of you via email to confirm your prize within the next week. Or, feel free to contact me first at michelle@eternalimage.biz. If you’re looking to do pictures soon, check out my Spring Availability for March through May  (please keep in mind that these times are for outdoor portrait sessions and I have more availability for parties and indoor pictures).

Spring 2013 Session Availability

Availability for the Spring is from March to the end of May. Photo shoots prior to March are scheduled on an as-needed basis.

Please choose 3 dates/times to provide to me when working to schedule your photo shoot, just in case some have been booked and I haven’t yet had the opportunity to update the list.

Availability is weekends only because I’m a work-from-home-mom with a writing business too and accommodating my husband’s work schedule. However, should my current schedule fail to accommodate your schedule, special arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis.

All times listed below are for outdoor pictures – most evening sessions are during the “golden hour” which is just before sunset and the best possible lighting available. Indoor pictures for newborns and smaller children are an option with more times available — contact me for scheduling.

To book a session, please email me at michelle@eternalimage.biz or message me through my Facebook page at http://facebook.com/EternalImagePhoto

MARCH

• Saturday, March 2^nd at 8:30am
• Thursday, March 7^th at 8:30am and 5pm
• Friday, March 8^th at 8:30am and 4:45pm
• Saturday, March 9^th at 8:30am
• Friday, March 15^th at 8:30am and 6:15pm
• Saturday, March 16^th at 6:15pm
• Sunday, March 17^th at 6:15pm
• Saturday, March 23^rd at 8:30am and 6:15pm
• Sunday March 24^th at 6:15pm
• Saturday, March 30^th at 8:30am and 6:15pm
• Sunday, March 31^st at 6:15pm

APRIL

• Thursday, April 4^th at 8:30am and 6:30pm
• Friday, April 5^th at 8:30am and 6:30pm
• Saturday, April 6^th at 8:30am
• Friday, April 12^th at 8:30am and 6:30pm
• Saturday, April 13^th at 8:30am
• Sunday, April 14^th at 6:30pm
• Saturday, April 20^th at 8:30am and 6:45pm
• Sunday, April 21^st at 6:45pm
• Saturday, April 27^th at 8:30am and 7pm
• Sunday, April 28^th at 7pm

MAY

• Thursday, May 2^nd at 8:30am and 7pm
• Friday, May 3rd at 8:30am and 7pm
• Saturday, May 4th at 8:30am
• Friday, May 10^th at 8:30am and 7pm
• Saturday, May 11^th at 8:30am and 7pm
• Sunday, May 12^th at 7pm
• Saturday, May 18^th at 8:30am and 7:15pm
• Sunday, May 19^th at 7:15pm
• Saturday, May 25^th at 8:30am and 7:15pm
• Sunday, May 26^th at 7:15pm
• Thursday, May 30th at 8:30am and 7:15pm
• Friday, May 31st at 7:15pm

Available Photo Shoots for October & November 2012

Please choose 3 dates/times to provide to me when working to schedule your photo shoot, just in case some have been booked and I haven’t yet had the opportunity to update the list.

Availability is weekends only because I’m a work-from-home-mom with a writing business too and accommodating my husband’s work schedule. All times are for outdoor pictures – most evening sessions are during the “golden hour” which is just before sunset and the best possible lighting available.

Indoor pictures for newborns and smaller children are an option with more times available — contact me for scheduling.

To book a session, please email me at michelle@eternalimage.biz or message me through my Facebook page at http://facebook.com/EternalImagePhoto

October

Mini sessions are available October 6th and 7th — they are heavily discounted and include photo Christmas cards and 5 FREE image files. Click here for more information.

• Sunday, October 14th @ 3pm
• Friday, October 19^th at 9am
• Saturday, October 20^th at 9am
• Friday, October 26^th at 9am and 5pm
• Sunday, October 28^th at 3:30pm

November

• Saturday, November 3^rd at 9am and 5pm
• Sunday, November 4^th at 4pm (daylight saving shift)
• Saturday, November 10^th at 9am and 4pm
• Sunday, November 11^th at 4pm
• Thursday, November 15th at 9am and 3:45pm
• Friday, November 16^th at 9am and 3:45pm
• Saturday, November 17^th at 9am

November 17th is the latest date for a session in order to have prints in time for Christmas. Photo Christmas cards must be ordered by the first week of December.
Prices for cards and prints can be found here.

DISCOUNTED Fall Mini Sessions (for Christmas Cards)

In light of my very busy writing business, and the fact that it is a main source of income for our family, I have pulled back on my photo shoot availability.

With the understanding that October is my busiest month of the year because everyone wants fall pictures for Christmas cards (and who could blame you – I do the same thing!), I know that my weekend availability won’t be enough.

So, in light of this, I will be offering mini sessions for two days in October in order to fill this need. They will still be on the weekend, but there will be more opening available to accommodate more people. Location TBA based upon how the trees look at the time.

Mini Sessions are $100 ($75 discount) and include:

• 30 minute session for up to 6 people ($40 value)
• 5 full resolution digital image files ($75 value)
• 40 size 4×6 custom designed photo cards ($60 value) – see samples

Sessions must be booked by August 31^st. Available dates/times are as follows:

Saturday, October 6^th

• 3:45pm
• 4:30 pm – BOOKED
• 5:15 pm – BOOKED
• 6:00 pm – BOOKED

Sunday, October 7^th

• 3:00 pm – BOOKED
• 3:45 pm
• 4:30 pm – BOOKED
• 5:15 pm
• 6:00 pm – BOOKED

Photo Shoot Availability for August – October 2012

Please choose 3 dates/times to provide to me when working to schedule your photo shoot, just in case some have been booked and I haven’t yet had the opportunity to update the list.

Availability is subject to change due to my husband’s work schedule. For now, he schedule is set indefinitely and changes only if they have a shortage of employees. All times are for outdoor pictures. Indoor pictures for newborns and smaller children are an option with more times available — contact me for scheduling.

August

• Saturday, Aug 11^th at 9am
• Sunday, Aug 12^th at 7pm
• Saturday, Aug 18th at 9am and 7pm
• Sunday, Aug 19^th at 5:40pm
• Friday, Aug 24^th at 9am and 6:45pm
• Saturday, Aug 25^th at 9am

September

• Saturday, Sept 1^st at 9am and 6:30pm
• Sunday, Sept 2^nd at 6:30pm
• Monday, Sept. 3rd at 6:15pm
• Tuesday, Sept. 4th at 9am
• Saturday, Sept 8^th at 9am and 6:15pm
• Sunday, Sept 9^th at 6:15pm
• Saturday, Sept 15^th at 9am and 6pm
• Sunday, Sept 16^th at 6pm
• Friday, Sept 21^st at 9am and 6pm
• Saturday, Sept 22^nd at 9am
• Saturday, Sept 29^th at 9am and 5:45pm
• Sunday, Sept 30^th at 5:45pm

October

See post on mini sessions October 6th and 7th

• Saturday, October 13^th at 9am and 5:30pm
• Sunday, October 14^th at 5:30pm
• Friday, October 19^th at 9am and 5:15pm
• Saturday, October 20th at 9am
• Friday, October 26^th at 9am and 5pm
• Sunday, October 28^th at 3:30pm and 5pm

Availability for July 2012

Please choose 3 dates/times to provide to me when working to schedule your photo shoot, just in case some have been booked and I haven’t yet had the opportunity to update the list.

Availability is subject to change due to my husband’s work schedule. For now, he schedule is set indefinitely and changes only if they have a shortage of employees. All times are for outdoor pictures. Indoor pictures for newborns and smaller children are an option with more times available — contact me for scheduling.

July

• Monday, July 2^nd at 9am and 7:30pm
• Tuesday, July 3^rd at 7:30pm
• Friday, July 6^th at 9am and 7:30pm
• Saturday, July 7^th at 9am
• Monday, July 9^th at 7:30pm
• Saturday, July 14^th at 7:30pm
• Tuesday, July 17^th at 7:30pm
• Sunday, July 22^nd at 7:30pm
• Thursday, July 26^th at 9am and 7:15pm
• Friday, July 27^th at 9am
• Saturday, July 28^th at 9am
• Monday, July 30^th at 9am and 7:15pm
• Tuesday, July 31^st at 7:15pm

Why You Have to Wait to See Your Pictures

This post is somewhat overdue. But I have to preface with the fact that the purpose of this is not to be a witch or whine about my life, but to inform my clients.

After all, I get pictures done of my family too and I know how hard it is to wait to see them. I hate waiting too!

Here’s the thing. My photography business is my passion, but it’s not my source of income. I don’t make enough off of this to support my family. In fact, everything I make goes back into the business.

Which means I have to do other things to help make ends meet. I have two other businesses, a freelance writing business and I recently started making lovies to help boost our income. Not to mention the fact that I’m a stay-at-home-mom with two boys ages 4 years and 18 months. They’re starting to spend time playing together, which means I find some time to get a little work done, but I try very hard not to work while they’re up (and even through the trying, sometimes fail).

So, I literally only have 2 hours a day (during nap time) to be able to do my writing work — the main way I supplement my husband’s income in order to pay all of our bills so that I can stay home with my boys. That means I have to edit pictures in the evenings, which I’m only able to do about 4 evenings a week while my husband is working. That leaves one night a week to work on the lovies and two nights a week to spend with my husband (which often becomes only one night a week and sometimes not at all so I can get caught up).

So, as much as I hate to make you wait to have your proofs so you can place an order, the soonest I can have them done is 2 weeks from photoshoot date, and, depending on how busy I end up getting with shoots, can be up to 3 weeks. It takes up to 3 evenings to edit one single photo session (because, by golly, I want your pictures to be as perfect as I can make them!), and I do them in the order taken. That’s why I provide you with sneak peeks of my favorite images. I edit a few to hold you over (as I would like the same for myself) so it makes the wait just a little bit easier.

I’m sorry it takes awhile and I’m sorry the wait is hard. But it would mean a lot to me for everyone to be patient and understand that, I too, am working my tail end off to help support our family. There isn’t a free moment that I’m not working on something and there are times I can barely keep my head above water, but I certainly LOVE what I do in all respects!

In lieu of this point, I’ll now be offering rush processing. For $100 paid in advance, I will move your images to the front of the line and process them within a week of photo shoot date. 🙂

Thanks, as always for your support, encouragement and for valuing my work enough to have me take your pictures — it’s a privilege I truly feel honored to have!

2012 Availablity for May-July

Please choose 3 dates/times to provide to me when working to schedule your photo shoot, just in case some have been booked and I haven’t yet had the opportunity to update the list.

Availability is subject to change due to my husband’s work schedule. For now, he schedule is set indefinitely and changes only if they have a shortage of employees. All times are for outdoor pictures. Indoor pictures for newborns and smaller children are an option with more times available — contact me for scheduling.

I am not available at the end of May because of a family vacation.

May

• Thursday, May 3^rd at 8:30am and 7pm
• Friday, May 4^th at 8:30am
• Monday, May 7^th at 8:30am and 7pm
• Friday, May 11^th at 8:30am and 7pm
• Saturday, May 12^th at 8:30am
• Tuesday, May 15^th at 8:30am

June

• Saturday, June 2^nd at 8am
• Monday, June 4^th at 8am and 7:30p
• Friday, June 8^th at 8am and 7:30pm
• Saturday, June 9^th at 7:30pm
• Sunday, June 10^th at 7:30pm
• Monday, June 11^th at 7:30pm
• Tuesday, June 12^th at 8am and 7:30pm
• Sunday, June 17^th at 7:30pm
• Monday, June 18^th at 7:30pm
• Tuesday, June 19^th at 8am and 7:30pm
• Monday, June 25^th at 7:30pm
• Friday, June 29^th at 8am and 7:30pm

July

• Monday, July 2^nd at 9am and 7:30pm
• Friday, July 6^th at 9am and 7:30pm
• Saturday, July 7^th at 9am and 7:30pm
• Sunday, July 8^th at 7:30pm
• Tuesday, July 10^th at 9am and 7:30pm
• Saturday, July 14^th at 9am and 7:30pm
• Sunday, July 15^th at 7:30pm
• Tuesday, July 17^th at 9am and 7:30pm
• Sunday, July 22^nd at 7:15pm
• Thursday, July 26th at 9am and 7:15pm
• Friday, July 27^th at 9am and 7:15pm
• Saturday, July 28^th at 9am
• Monday, July 30^th at 9am and 7:15pm

Spring Availability 2012

This calendar is no longer accurate. Please check here for current availability through July 2012.

These times are for outdoor shoots. Indoor shoot options are available more frequently by request.

MARCH

• Thursday, March 8^th at 9am and 5:45pm
• Saturday, March 10th at 9am
• Monday, March 12th at 9am and 5:45pm
• Friday, March 16th at 9am and 5:45pm
• Saturday, March 17th at 9am
• Sunday, March 18th at 6pm
• Tuesday, March 20^th at 6pm
• Saturday, March 24th at 9am and 6pm
• Sunday, March 25th at 6pm
• Tuesday, March 27^th at 9am and 6:15pm
• Saturday, March 31st at 9am and 6:15pm

APRIL

• Sunday, April 1^st at 6:15pm
• Thursday, April 5^th at 6:15pm
• Saturday, April 7^th at 9am
• Monday, April 9^th at 9am and 6:15pm
• Friday, April 13^th at 9am and 6:15pm
• Saturday, April 14^th at 9am and 6:15pm
• Sunday, April 15^th at 6:15pm
• Tuesday, April 17^th at 8:30am and 6:30pm
• Saturday, April 21^st at 8:30am
• Sunday, April 22^nd at 6:30pm
• Tuesday, April 24^th at 6:30pm
• Saturday, April 28^th at 8:30am and 6:30pm
• Sunday, April 29^th at 6:30pm

MAY

• Thursday, May 3rd 8:30am and 6:45pm
• Saturday, May 5^th at 8:30am
• Saturday, May 7^th at 8:30am and 6:45pm
• Friday, May 11^th at 8:30am and 6:45pm
• Saturday, May 12^th at 8:30am and 6:45pm
• Sunday, May 13^th at 6:45pm
• Tuesday, May 15^th at 8:30am and 6:45pm
• Saturday, May 19^th at 8:30am and 7pm

I am not available the remainder of May due to a (much needed) family vacation. 🙂