Video/Slideshows...

For All Slideshows, If you are having trouble playing, hit pause, let it run through it's course (you will see the grey line pass through) and then hit play........

Email

If anyone has emailed me Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of this week and I have not responded to you, it's because I did not get the email. I was out of town for a photography conference and Time Warner Cable/Roadrunner quarantined my modem at my business, stating suspicious activity. I had no idea it was shut down. Needless to say, it is all resolved now. Please contact me if you have not heard from me and was looking for a response.

Thank You!

P.S. Cant wait to share some Vegas photos!

High Resolution Digital Negatives Sale!

2009 and before Digital Negatives are for sale till January 30, 2010, with limited copyright released! High Resolution Digital Negatives! You can print what you want, share, you just can't sell or market them as your own, as they still remain the product of Photos By Design. Restrictions do apply, so inquire about this AWESOME sale. Includes all portraits, weddings and events! 304-838-2844

Holiday Photo Tips!

Hello Everyone! I want to thank each and every one of you for following me throughout the year and for giving me the opportunity to photograph your memories! I am giving away some FREE photo tips on Facebook! 12 photo tips for a countdown to the 12 days of Christmas! (Yes, I gave myself a few extra days, just in case :)) I am already up to day 3! Become a Fan of Photos By Design to get your FREE photo tips and make your holiday photos a little brighter ;)

Other....

Well, I have survived last week. My main computer crashed on Monday! Thank goodness, I am "obsessive compulsive" in this department and have triple back up! Two on external hard drives, and one online, just in case!

I thought I would share about my online backup. Everyone should have this! For $5 a month, www.backblaze.com backs up your computer and you don't even have to think about it. It does it automatically and here is the best part, IT DOES NOT SLOW DOWN YOUR COMPUTER! For everyone, we all have cameras, and pictures of our families, etc. Should a major disaster hit one's home, this is a blessing! Buy it today, and sacrifice a coffee or two in a month. It's worth it!

The trick to this backup is to make your own "My Pictures" folder, or any other folder and store it right on your C: drive. It will not back up things on the operating system, so don't use your computers "My Pictures" folder, etc. Make your own on the C: drive and you can't loose!

TIP ABOUT MAILING PHOTOS

Saw this tip about mailing photos, so I thought I would share!

Take the keeper of light bulbs and flatten it. Slide your photos of loved ones in it, place in envelope and send to other loved ones! Wrinkle-free photos mailed safely!

Family.....

I photograph so many things throughout the year and there is nothing like family. Starting an heirloom at the beginning of marriage, having babies, growing them to young adults and giving them wings to venture out into this world. Making memories to pass on and on…..there is nothing like family…..a inter-twine of a rope, bonding everyone together.......Meet the Dubberke's. Great Job Janna and Lance!





A Second Note:

I have been really crazy with pictures and VERY thankful for that....My poor blog is lacking....wanted to share some spring time pictures of my daughter....

Different Way to Color Easter Eggs....

I saw this last year and think I may give it a whirl this Easter...Coloring Easter eggs with silk ties, boxer shorts, etc....They looked really KWEL!....


www.marthastewart.com/article/silk-tie-easter-eggs


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17819250/

if the links do not work, copy and paste to your browser....you will really like these, VERY PRETTY!

Photos By Design Birthday Special! It will make you splash cake all over your face, in a good sort of way!

Let me tell you, Photos By Design was born through the heart of several people who believed in me. My Mom, (of course) and a good friend Debra Armes! I REALLY REALLY MISS YOU Debra! (btw, her dad was “Hook Man on Hawaii 5-O”, Really ;) ! Debra and I spent so many days in a dingy basement, working together and dreaming of things that were impossible for most, knowing it was never impossible for us…….

I can also say, Photos By Design was born with the discouragement of others, and I am thankful for their not so sought out advice, as it is with them, that made me who I am today. So to this I say, discouragement is good……..

Today, I reflect back to where I started and where I am going. Let me say, for those of you on my calendar, I AM SOOOOOO EXCITED TO PHOTOGRAPH ALL OF YOU! I have so many new ideas, and ideas I can’t wait to find! For those of you thinking about getting on my calendar, BOOK NOW!

To Celebrate Photos By Design this March 5th, 2009 I am offering:

Book your wedding for 2009/2010 this Month of March and SAVE!: (This does not apply to anything previously booked, but I have something for you guys below!)

Receive $100 off the first package

Receive $150 off second package

Receive $250 off third package

Please contact me for package information.

Okay now, I know that is not fair for brides and grooms that have already booked me, so for you guys:

Refer a bride and groom and if they book me in the month of March, you get an additional $250 print credit or album credit!

For brides/grooms, families, babies, children, and seniors and anyone else I photographed, get $25 off your order on any order over $150 in March!

Oh and did I mention the previous special going on? WOW! Big Print Special! Add that to the previous……WOW WOW WOW!

This special will only be good through the month of March, so order now or book a session and I promise to get your pictures up quickly to order if you book early enough!

I am SO INSPIRED, and INFLAMED with new inspirations! I CAN’T WAIT TO PHOTOGRAPH ALL OF YOU!

Happy 7th Birthday Photos By Design!

I am thinking specials for this birthday! Stay tuned tomorrow as it will be Photos By Design's 7th Birthday!

Las Vegas and WPPI Pictures

Here are a few pics from my Wedding Portrait Photographers International event recently.....All these were taken with my point and shoot, the canon G9.



I stayed at "The Signature of MGM" which is right beside the MGM Grand, where the conference was held. Here are the signature lions of MGM....




The next two were taken at M&M world. My Ean would have loved it here....4 stories of nothing but M&M memorabilia!



Baby, you can drive my car......



And for my Mica, I had to walk down to the Hard Rock Cafe and get her some guitar souvenirs! This picture Rocks!



Let me just say, this conference was AMAZING and I AM SO SIKED to photograph all of you this year.........The things I learned, the products to offer, just WOW.....JUST WOW.....

Big Print Special on 11x14's and 16x20's

And just a note: 11x14's and 16x20's will crop so make sure there is space on the top or bottom. Why do they crop? There is a cropping ratio if pictures are out of proportion to: 2 by 3. Lets say you order a 4 by 6. Since this is an exact match to the cropping ratio, 2 by 3, the 4 x 6’s do not crop. 11x14's and 16x20's are not an exact ratio of 2x3 so it crops. Hope this make sense and if you have concerns before your order, call me or email me! I will be happy to assist to make sure your print is picture perfect!

Two Smiling Faces

January is a time for me to clean up files, business stuff, and just think about new things. Well, as I was doing this, I found this abstract drawing my daughter made. To be cursed with a mother who lets her play in photoshop at random! But she truly has a gift..... Mica calls this "Two Smiling Faces". I am going to make a canvas print of it, I love it!

Saving Money! Get ths FREE book by Susie Orman!

I found this link on Oprah. Susie Orman has a 2009 action plan for your money! I love Susie, she is so honest and even entertaining. I love to hear her advice for millions of people! If you have not heard of her, you should, you will love her!

You can download her book, 2009 Action Plan for FREE at www.oprah.com until January 15th! I had a little trouble downloading but ended up just right clicking on the PDF and clicked "Save File As" and that worked for me. Enjoy!

Holiday Cut Offs

For Albums, the latest to order is Now, Now Now, but I still don't guarantee because they are in the mercy of FedEx.

For prints, the latest is Thursday.

My studio will be closed from December 19th through January 5th.

Enjoy this link of Gloria Estefan: "Christmas Through Your Eyes"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKrkam2oESs

Copy and paste this to your browser to listen to a beautiful song......

This Christmas, my kids are 9 and 7 and still believe. I want to see Christmas through their eyes. Please respect my time with my kids and family and I look forward to photographing yours in 2009!

Yellow Belt and Mica!

Another Proud Moment for me, Milestones for Mica. She got her yellow belt the other day. Guess Mom with camera and photo op in hand = MUST BLOG about the things we love......



This is my favorite below! She is doing a front down kick, (Sorry Sensei, if I don't get the kick right!, but I love how she knocks him down! (and this picture is as is, NO enhancements!) spelling P-R-O-U-D, definition = MOM!

Holiday Cut Off's

I will be taking orders up through December 18th. Any paid order will be processed if ordered by this date. After the 18th, all orders will be processed on January5th.

How Do You Pop Your Bubble?

http://www.bubblewrapfun.com/

I am a:

Stomp-Popper

Extroverted, Self-Motivated - You like interesting and varied work and are not afraid to take risks. You are ambitious and eager to play an active role in events.

More than likely you will have an aggressive career as a professional wrestler or stunt person. (it also drives Reese, the dog crazy, and he so does need attention!0

I am also a :

Prepared Popper - Love to get the kids involved, so sometimes, I can wait......

Peaceful, Well-Balanced - People consider you warm and down-to earth. You are admired for your ability to anticipate the needs of others. You may be regimented yet ready for new challenges.

My little Reese Cup!

My little Reese just loves to look out this window! I love how he is anticipating, almost as if he is waiting for Santa Claus!

By the Way....

You will find this heading north on Route 19. The main road from Clarksburg to UHC, but in the other direction. If you get off the VA Bridge and turn right towards town, you will see this. Had to share.....WAY TO PROUD! We will be in the Parade tonight as well!

Customized Chirstmas Cards

It is still not too late for customized Christmas cards or other items. If I have photographed you already this year, please call me by Monday if you are interested in personalized gifts such as cards, photo books and more!

I just love the simplicity of this card! It can be a flat 5x7, or a folded 5x7 with more guts and details inside and back.