Celebrating summer!

Summer is here. It's now. It's not even half over. But pool toys are half off at the drug store. And some retailers are selling Christmas on their shelves. I can't handle it! We are living in a central Illinois HEAT ADVISORY at this very moment and browsing for Christmas tree ornaments in check-out lanes. 

Life is strange sometimes. I can't handle all the weirdness sometimes. 

So I turn inward, where my mind says, "Stay in this lovely moment. Don't let your kids grow another inch, have another mature thought, grow out of their shoes (again) or blow you away with how much they've changed (again) without snuggling them and smothering them with kisses until they protest." 

That moment passes quickly. They can only stomach so much sentimentality. 

But this pausing in the moment, this reflection, this soaking up life...that can only mean one thing. We should still be celebrating summer!! 

I'm going to do it with backyard BBQs, sunblock and swimming, late nights chasing fireflies, driveway chalk drawings and....

A special offer for you to celebrate the joys of family and summer with a portrait spectacular! 

Here's how it works:

1. Call or text me to book your appointment and either option A or option B. 217.801.7464. 

2. Put on something fancy, cute or comfortable. Be yourself. Enjoy. Live. Love. Capture. Treasure. 

3. Sorry...you can't use this offer with other offers, coupons or gift certificates because it is special pricing! You can only use for families and child/ren. It doesn't apply to senior portrait sessions.

TWO OPTIONS: 

A.  Me shooting portraits and candids for about one hour at a location within 30 minutes of Athens. $150. You will be able to download all digital files free through my web site one time, as well as buy prints and all kinds of other fun gifts through my lab at reasonable prices. 

B. The same as A, except with a custom-designed keepsake CD of all the images with a copyright release. $200

If you want to add extra time, the cost will be $100 per hour. 

Meet Sarah

One fun morning, we took Sarah's senior portraits. It was...an unforgettable experience that started at sunrise. And it was beautiful... 

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: 

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!

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!!

Little Picassos Fundraiser

This is a little impromptu, but as I'm relaunching my photography business and starting a new freelance writing venture, I'm also planning a mission trip to Sierra Leone. I need to raise some more funds for my trip -- and quickly. But I didn't want to be impulsive, because that tends to get me in trouble! LOL! 


So I thought and prayed and had a brilliant idea. We just painted a huge chalkboard in my studio and haven't done a darn thing with it yet. So, if you have a child who loves to draw or create, this will be the PERFECT opportunity for you to get beautiful candid and posed imagery AND help a great cause. 


Here's the 411. 


Little Picassos Session: 2 hours
Includes one 8x8 coffee table book of all the best images. 
1 8x10
2 5x7s
1 set of wallets
Retail price: $600 per family
Special fundraiser price, with ALL proceeds going toward my mission trip: $400
(can include siblings and/or parents; please don't wear super nice clothing!)
(you may drop off child/ren or sit in the studio while they are creating their masterpieces...the choice is yours!)


This will be available for the next two weeks ONLY! Call (217.636.7383) or send me a message (adenney02@yahoo.com) to schedule a session. 


P.S. So you can get a little visualization....here are a few photos of my daughter creating some sketches on the chalkboard, and she intentionally put chalk all over her face for the dramatic effect...she's silly that way! It's not quite that messy!


P.S.S. We're painting the "board" all the way down to the bottom of the wall, so there won't be a stripe of orange anymore either!

The relaunch of Denney Photography

Here I am....again!


Six months ago, I took a risk. I entered the workforce as a full-time professional. I didn't close my business, but enough people knew my time was limited that Denney Photography might well have died.


When I decided I needed to come home, to serve my God and my family first, I wasn't sure what would become of Denney Photography. I prayed and prayed. Dan and I discussed it, and as usual, he brought me to a place that made sense. I'm not sure if my business will survive. But there are a few things I do know:


1. Some of you were amazing supporters, and I don't know that I did a very good job letting you know how much your business meant to me. That will change! Denney Photography will be more about building relationships than scheduling photo sessions.


2. I won't "give myself away" anymore. In the past, I sacrificed more time than I should have for sales averages that were too low to justify the cost to my family. My family, my faith and my mission work deserve better, so I have a pricing strategy that will do two things. First, it eliminates customers who are price shoppers. They weren't loyal, and they cost too much of me personally to justify the artwork I really want to create. More importantly, the new pricing strategy actually rewards my loyal customers by putting packages together at wonderful discounts. 


3. I will no longer "sell out" for a paycheck. When I built my business, I took odd jobs, all jobs and never said no. I thought that was the wise way to establish my business, but I couldn't have been more wrong. There was no strategy, no branding, no identity. Instead of investing myself wisely, I was just investing myself -- sometimes in people who bought nothing from me. That was my fault! I shouldn't let anyone rob me of time away from my family! This time, I am putting my vision into practice. For more than a decade, I worked at newspapers -- reporting the news, watching it unfold. And that's exactly what brought me to photography. Not the posed shots. Not the studio work. LIFE. Relationships. In all their vividness and complexities and joys. So I've structured my collections for families to be an experience. It will include photos and videos. And while it can certainly have some posed shots, I want your session to be more about making memories together! Nobody is expected to behave in a certain way. They are required to just be themselves...doesn't that sound like a fun photo session! The camera will disappear, and you will simply live your life while I capture it in a documentary style. That's why my premium collections include a DVD slideshow of photos and video fused together, so that it will be a moment, a day, memories that you will cherish forever -- presented in a story-telling format that reflects the value of my time and your memories. Something to last. A treasure that is much more than a print in a frame.


I am SO EXCITED to present this concept to you. Anyone can grab a camera and take "decent" photos. But if you really want to see your life through the eyes of a journalism professional and artist, if you want a real treasure, a gift of a storytelling for your family, then my collections will be a perfect fit for you. I can't wait to get working on a project just for you and your family. Let's get started!