Addison

Addison has a lot to say about Abraham Lincoln, not to mention her first day at kindergarten. You'll definitely want to tune in and hear her explanation about our beloved 16th (is that right? I should have asked Addison!) president's assassination! Who knew kindergartners could be so darn smart? 

Matt and Addi

I may be a little biased, but these two are just adorable. Thankfully they're a little more talkative around me, but I heard a rumor that Addi didn't stop talking about kindergarten all day. Yet, she didn't have that much to say to me! Even still, I love to hear about school from their perspective! 

My cousin Emily

This is Emily. 

She is absolutely stunning! She is sweet, graceful, kind, respectful and intelligent. And yes, she is pretty on the outside -- only more so because her inner beauty just radiates through her smile and her eyes. I am so proud to call her cousin! Although if I'm not careful, I'll call her my niece because she's so much younger. :-) 

I am flattered that she wanted me to shoot her senior photos, and we had a wonderful day in St. Louis hitting some cool spots to showcase her personality. Here are the highlights from our session: 

Meet Annie

What a pleasure to meet Annie and her siblings -- talented, ambitious, polite, sweet, smart, amazing kids! Such a blessing to photograph her! And...she broke a track record at her school. How cool is that? We had fun downtown and around Auburn, and especially trashing the prom dress. Well, it was fun for me. Maybe a bit yucky for her! 


Check out the video of her sessions: 

Celebrating Change!

Click HERE for the pricing information. 

Happy Father's Day

Sometimes...all you need is a photo.

Want your business to succeed: Don't just brand it, position it!

Positioning and branding: I couldn't have said it better, so I won't. This is a great article. Soak it up!  Read the whole article HERE. 

Some of my favorite points:

* Your target customers really feel your business is not only different, but better.

* It is important to note that your business may already be positioned (favorably or unfavorably), in the minds of your customers based on their existing perceptions about your business, products, services, or industry. You are “branded” whether you do anything proactively or not. You do, however, have some control; be thinking about how you can actively influence how your business is positioned in the marketplace.

* Your brand is not just your logo. Your business is being branded all the time, each and every day, and in many ways over which you have no control.

* You NEED a Positioning Strategy, Unique Selling Proposition and a Positioning Statement that clearly identifies what your business does, the result customers can expect, and how you’re going to achieve that result.

Summer, summer time!

Yesterday I asked for images that scream summer or children for a contest. 


Allison submitted this one of her son and sent this note: 
"I remember as a kid playing in the warm summer rain. This is lane discovering rain for the first time. Although I didn't get a straight on shot you can still see the excitement and surprise on his face. It's so fun seeing my children enjoy the things I have so many memories of as a child."

Great photo. Great expression. And a special shout-out to Allison, whose oldest is 6 today. That means she's celebrating six full years of being a mommy! Congratulations!!

I know I can't win the prize in my own contest, but I had to add this photo. A favorite of mine from last summer! I just LOVE this. There is something about kids and water.

And this is me, my mom, a friend and my sister (in the front) on the log flume at Six Flags. This also makes me think summer and my own childhood! 

Have an image to share?

Email me your photo (adenney02@yahoo.com) that reminds you of childhood or summer. I'll post finalists on my blog for all to enjoy and then pick a winner for a gift certificate! 

True Life Stories

I read the blog post below earlier today, and it sums up exactly how I feel -- and what I KNOW to be true -- about videos and marketing. In fact, you don't even need to hire a professional to make a good story video. What you do need is this: 


Be authentic. 
Tell a story. 
Offer something compelling (NOT a sale or a deal or a promotion but INFORMATION!). 
Be emotional. 
Make relational connections. 
Connect the dots/explain something. 
Show your expertise in whatever it is that you do. 


I am so excited about the potential of video in marketing, because it helps you bear the heart and soul of what you do. It helps you explain what motivates you. It helps you tell the stories of your clients. It helps you gain more supporters to your cause. It helps you BE REAL. And right now it's still unique.


Just one case study about how well videos work: Our church showed a video tour of an orphanage in Africa the week before our special Easter offering to build a new orphanage. The goal was to raise $5,000. The video showed how small the space was, the mattresses crammed onto the floors with small bags of clothing for "dressers," no kitchen, one very small common living space for dining/Bible study/living area and crude outdoor toilets. The offering came in at $9,000! Praise God for video! Amen!


I just finished my first real video projects for Lifegate International. Afterward, I realized right away what I could and will do better next time. But they definitely help tell a story. Let me know what you think. There are four videos posted right now at lifegateinafrica.org. 


And here's more about videos and why they're useful: http://info.storytellermn.com/blog/bid/142141/inside-video-production-why-real-video-stories-work?source=Blog_Email_[Inside%20Video%20Product]. Read this if you want insight to a fast-growing segment of online marketing and how you can do it the right way!

Blowing bubbles

I just love these photos from a recent session. What a reminder of the days when my own children would dunk the bubble wand, struggle to blow them just right and be so pleased when even the teeny tiniest bubble would emerge. Those cheeks and lips...so familiar and yet so distant a memory. 

Cherish these days mom, for they are so fleeting! But it's equally delightful to treasure the phase and developments your children are living in, too! 

Email me your photo (adenney02@yahoo.com) that reminds you of childhood or summer. I'll post finalists on my blog for all to enjoy and then pick a winner for a gift certificate! 

Metal signs

Metal signs make an impact! Personalize one with your family name, favorite scripture or quote. Pricing is listed below.

These two designs comes in an ornate cut (as shown in the illustration below), with custom wording. Color can be changed. Proof will be emailed. Payment by check or Visa/Mastercard. The sizing available: 

8x8	$45
8x11	$50
11x16	$70
12x12	$65

ORNATE CUT:

Below are the rectangular metal print designs with rounded corners. They come with standoff cleats for easy hanging. 

Custom wording is available for monogram signs and scripture sign. Proof will be emailed.

Bottom two signs are handmade chalkboard designs, and imperfections in shading and intensity are part of the handmade look.  Payment by check or Visa/Mastercard. The sizing available: 

Size                    Price

8x10                  $45

11x14                 $60

12x18                $80

16x20               $100

Social Marketing Etiquette

I get frustrated when I see small businesses exclusively using social media and even email marketing to announce sales, offer coupons, boast of deals, etc. 


The 80/20 rule is that social media should be 80 percent non-promotional. What you post -- the type of content -- should be consistent with your brand. So if all you ever do is desperately ask your audience, friends and clientele to spend money that's ALL you're known for. Congratulations, you've just branded yourself. Sadly, you might brand yourself right out of your business, because that's NOT why people tune in on social media.  (Unless your small business is a coupon blog!)


Guess what else? People will tune you out and turn you off if everything you do appears self-promoting. Congratulations, you just lost fans and potential business. Because if it looks or smells like an ad, it just went in the garbage. And because you sound like a broken record. Desperate. Uncaring about the relationship, which is really what matters when it comes to connecting on social media. 


What else can turn off people from your social media posts and email newsletters? Stock photos and graphics and flashy images that look like....ads. 


Marketing isn't advertising. Marketing is relationship-building and storytelling. Marketing is editorial. 


Keep tuning in! I'll be publishing tips on how you can tell stories, build relationships and keep your clients and potential customers tuned in!

Art for Africa

Click on the image to go to gallery of images.

Some interesting facts about small businesses

Small businesses. I have a passion for them. Even before I began working on my own for myself and understood the hardships firsthand. Maybe because they represent so many of the wonderful things about America and the potential to live out your own dream. Or because I have watched with fascination as friends became entrepreneurs. Or because I love good ideas and hard-working folk. Probably all of the above and more. 


Did you know, according to the Small Business Administration: 

-       There are 27+ Million Small Businesses in the US.

-       Between 60% & 80% of all new jobs created in our country can be attributed to Small Business.

-       But sadly nearly half don't survive five years. 

What can we do about it? Support small businesses. Encourage others who have small businesses. Be a client. Be a customer. Be a cheerleader. 

Lauren

I met Lauren about a year ago, during a photo shoot for the Sacred Heart-Griffin POMS squad.

This week, I shot her senior photos. I had a great time, and I hope she did, too! I love that Lauren is outgoing, friendly toward everyone and always smiling! I can tell she is a strong, determined young lady with a great faith and a good big sister. Her mother is sweet and caring, and I enjoyed getting to know the three of them! 


Here are my very favorites from our session: 

What photojournalism looks like...

Shortly before I left for Africa, I spent the morning with this family in Raymond. They purchased one of my two photojournalism packages and planned out a very typical family fun day that incorporated them doing all the things they love. Donny barely knew I was there most of the time, and the images were a great representation of my vision for family photography. Here's a few that I got from that day. Drop me a line and let me know what you think!

Operating trains!

Jumping the track!

Genuine fun at home!

On a call with mom.

Flying a helicopter.

Being silly with dad!

Exploring in the yard.

Swinging!

Ready. Set. JUMP!

Going to bat at the community sports complex.

Swing!

You can't get me out!

And he slides safely home!

A quick family photo on the pitching mound.

Stopping to pick flowers for mom. 

Excuse me. I have to take this call, and it's noisy around here!

Fun on the swings!

Snuggle time!

Making lunch...

...and enjoying the sweet fruits of labor!

Praying before mealtime. 

Thanks for letting me hang out with your family! I had a great time!!