Holiday Hang-over SALE!!

OK, now that everyone has done all their shopping, and today is the last day of the year, we are offering an opportunity to purchase all of your digital files (a.k.a "negatives").  These files are the full-size files!  You can have them for safe keeping, use them to make your own prints or life-sized wall posters, ...anything. 

One session = $200
or
Purchase any and all images from any and all sessions = $500.


This offer only lasts for a limited time. 

If you have been coming to us for a number of years, this is a GREAT way to get all of your images at once and save $$$.

If you want action photos because your child is graduating and you want to keep those memories, this is your chance!



Please call 253-709-1196 or email to get in on this rare offer!




Fine print: some restrictions apply, never spit into the wind, etc...

Week off

Alright, I had been trying to take a week off, but of course that is not happening.  I should have known better!  I did get most of Christmas eve off and all of Christmas day, but then it was back to work. 
This week has been moderately busy with a few different things:  I did a session for a whole family (4 generations) which is not my normal gig, but everyone was fun and easy to work with!

The 4th generation is only two kids, but they were adorable!

This group of "goofy goobers" (as Robbie says) is in the 3rd generation of the group photo.  I did the senior photos for the two older girls Tiana in '08 and Chandra in '09:

 

Here is a great shot of the youngest and oldest generations from the group:

Thanks to the Leverenz family, I hope you enjoy!

 So that was not the only thing we did.  It is wedding show (bridal fair) season and we are the preferred vendor at the Twin Lakes Golf and CC in Federal Way.    We were commissioned to make some display banners for their booth at the Wedding Expo this weekend in the Tacoma dome.   Here is an example:

And with mixing in a drive to the airport, seeing my grandma and spending a little time with my kids, I also took some action photos.  Auburn Riverside girls (I do their team photos) are ranked #1 in the state for 4A.  They were playing the #2 ranked L&C team from Spokane.  It was a rough game, a possible preview of the state playoffs and a WIN for AR!  Good going girls!

So, today I have to go to TLG&CC to take some photos of the New Year's party location.  Then...HOPEFULLY, I'll be able to take a little more time off before going back to crazy time!

Holiday Crafts

Every year since the kids have been old enough to handle a tool or knife, we have tried to do crafts.  Some years it is making ornaments, other years it is making melting snowman decorations or these fun styrofoam snowmen:  

And every year we decorate Christmas/Holiday cookies. Sugar cookies dominate, but Treena and the kids like peanut butter cookies (YUK!) with hershey's kiss squished in the middle.  This year, because we were crazy, the kids did the cookies while Treena and I worked.   I stopped long enough to take a few photos, if nothing else as a way to argue that I was not involved in their Christmas tradition. 

And of course Rob was eating just as much (or more) then he was using on the cookies!!

This, along with Christmas music is really making me (finally!) feel like it is Christmas time!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Holiday Hours

OK, so we have been running around like chickens with our heads cut off!  People are getting gifts printed and picking up orders... there is not a lot of time left.  Our kids have been complaining that we "always have to work" and are hoping we'll be able to have some time together for the holiday.
So, we are going to take orders until Wed for next day printing and Thursday if you come and have an order printed on-the-spot.  After Thursday at 3, we are not going to take any more orders (or print any more) unless you have the best sob story I have ever heard or if you plan on spending over $1000 (then I'll even print for you on Christmas morning and hand deliver...but dressing in Santa suit will cost you extra!).

Then we will remain "closed" until Jan 4th to spend time with our kids. 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays...

Steve

Poker Tournament

Ok.  I'm being a guest blogger :-)  This evening we received an email from our daughter's fastpitch coach and attached was a flyer about a Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament the Acer organization is putting on.  It will be held at Washington National Gold Course in Auburn on Jan. 23rd, 2010.  The cost is $65.00 to buy in.  This also gets you a buffet dinner and no host bar.  The doors open at 5pm, a tutorial at 5:45 and the tournament runs from 6-9pm.  Re-buy for "Sit and Go" tournaments $30.00.  There will be raffles for prizes and a spot at the final table.  Also an auction for a spot at the final table.  Prizes are 1st place: $800.00, 2nd place: $500.00, 3rd place: $250.00, 4th place: $150.00, 5th place: $75.00 and 6th-10th place: Gifts.  If anyone is interested please give me a call at 253-709-9899.  Thank you, Treena
P.S. I tried to upload the flyer, but I'm not as good as my husband with computer stuff :-) and I don't know anything about poker.....so hopefully I have included all the important stuff about the tournament.

Last few days for the holiday sale

So, this sale is for all the husbands/fathers out there!  I am offering you a FREE (no sitting fee) portrait session.  You just purchase the prints you want.
If you are like me and have not purchased anything for the mother of your children, this is your opportunity to give her a GREAT surprise.  In about one hour you can have photos and order any prints.  I can even help you with framing!
This sale goes from today until Tuesday 12/22.    Call for details.

One week to go until Christmas...

Family Portraits

So, we have some friends in town for the holidays and they planned to have grandkids all together for a portrait session.  We don't do too much of this stuff anymore (indoors anyway), but it was a fun hour or so. Here are a few images from the session. 

So, if anyone is interested in surprising grandma, call me.  Or if you are like me (and most guys out there) and have not started shopping yet, bring your kids for a quick session!  In one hours time, you can have a GREAT gift for you wife that she will NEVER suspect!

Sale:Seniors

Seniors, if you have not yet had your senior portraits...or if you have but have not purchased any prints, here is a sale for you:
Purchase any senior package in the next 24 hours and receive a DVD slide show of your images FREE. ($250 value)  This offer does NOT apply to any packages purchased before today and is only good until 12/16.    This is a great way to display your images on your big screen at home, to post on your facebook page, or to show at your graduation party! 
Call/email if you are interested.

10 days of shopping left....

"Snakes....why did it have to be snakes"

OK, so I was sent this video from a friend and I have almost wet my pants each time I watch it!  Those of you that know me, know that I am terribly affraid of snakes!  This video is of a TV newsguy that is interviewing a guy with a snake.  Well this guy obviously doesn't like snakes either because he is a little squirmy.   Well, there is also a lizard on the table near the snake and that is what makes this video funny!!Watch (and listen to) the newsman's reaction when the lizard jumps.
youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqGqGwRaILg

If you want a better version, email me and I can email you a .wav file. 

The worst part of this whole thing for me, is the fact that I TOTALLY understand the guy's reaction!!  I would do the same.  And it is not even the lizard that is the problem, it is the deatly fear of snakes that would cause that for me too!

Have a laugh at this guys expense!!

DVD Slideshow SALE

On sale today is a slide show DVD of your session.  Spend $400 on a print order and get a DVD slide show (with the images from your session, set to music) for only $50 more.  That is a $200 savings! 
Offer good on orders placed today.  You can also purchase a gift certificate and the deal applies!

One last week of busy time before a short break.  If you want prints, gift certificates, etc. there is still plenty of time to get it before Christmas!  Call or email and we can print on-demand!

Get one Give one

Today's sale is not just for you, but for someone else too! Purchase a sitting for yourself, and receive a free sitting to give to someone else.  Purchase a coffee table book for yourself and get one for someone else.  Etc...
This would be perfect if you are going to get something that you can then give to grandma and grandpa!!

This is posted late so the sale includes today and tomorrow (Sunday 12/13) but a new sale will start Monday.

Less then two weeks left for holiday shopping....

Holiday Sale continues

For today's sale we are offering a free upgrade on wall prints.  Purchase any print, size 11x14 or larger, and get upgraded to the next size up for FREE.  So, 11x14 is upgraded to a 16x20; 16x20 is upgraded to a 20x24, 20x30 upgraded to a 24x36, etc...
Orders must be placed today 12/11/09 (or before the next post tomorrow).

Tree family

So, last weekend while up in the mountains we found a strange family living in the trees. They needed a family portrait so....

If you are ever up in the mountains, bring them some food and toilet paper.

Gift Certificate BONUS

Yesterday's holiday card sale is now over. 

Up on the sale table for today are Gift Certificates. You can always purchase gift certificates in any amount for any service we offer, but today you'll get more for your money! For every dollar you spend on a gift certificate, you'll receive two dollars on said certificate. So, buy a $200 certificate for only $100, or a $1000 certificate for only $500!!  

This sale is for today only.  Can be purchased by calling 253-709-1196

SALE!!

We don't usually do the sale thing, but after the whole "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" craziness, I thought we should try it. 
So between now and the end of the year, I will post a random blog that includes a sale of some sort.  The sale will only be good for one day so you'll have to check back often.  You'll be able to get the deal for you or to give as a gift. 

TODAY'S SALE:

"Plus 50%" on Holiday greeting cards.  Custom designed to meet your specs (or use a template...you decide).  Buy x number holiday cards and get 50% more free.  Buy 10, get 15; Buy 20 get 30; buy 50 get 75, etc... 
Offer good today only (12/9). 
Call for questions.

Here is the design I came up with for our cards last year.  Hand made.  :-)

And one I made but didn't use:

Watch for another sale coming soon.....

Holiday season

OK, now that I have been out in the woods cutting (killing) trees, I feel like I can start to get into the holiday mood....I even played some Christmas music yesterday!!
One of my favorite Christmas CDs is Harry Connick Jr.'s  "When My Heart Finds Christmas".

You can buy it from Amazon   It is about 15 years old now, but still pretty good!  It has become a tradition at my house.

Another "get into the season" thing I like to do is think about snow.   And, if you are from WA like I am, you know it doesn't snow much, but one way I like to think about snow is to make cut-out snowflakes.  Here is a link to an online snowflake cutting website.  It is pretty neat!  And, you are not killing any more trees!!

http://snowflakes.barkleyus.com/index.html?taf=receiver

"Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas...."

time passing by...

Man, I can't believe I have not posted for about 10 days!!  After Thanksgiving we normally have a slow down in business....not this year!  We always get holiday prints and christmas card orders, but this year we are also having fall sports banquet orders too.  Posters, team photos, action photos and online ordering.... they are all hitting at once.  Don't get me wrong, it is good to be busy!! 

So, winter season is now under way.  I have been at Auburn Mountainview, Sumner, Auburn Riverside and three middle schools.  With the start of the new seasons, begins the new rush to make media guides.  Team or programs guides, whole school guides, etc...  Here is a look at SHS' team photo (with no logos, frames/boarder, etc...)

We also have some family business too!  The kids have started playing the new sport (basketball) and have practice a few days per week each.  Megan also was in a holiday parade for her soccer team.  We lucked out and had cool but sunny weather!    

Then, if you can believe it, I actually took one day...one WHOLE day to not do anything business related!!  I had to, my wife insisted we get a christmas tree.  Last year for the first time we got a permit from the WA state forrest service to cut down a tree in the mountains and we had fun.  So, this year we did it again!  Our friends came along to bail us out when our minivan got stuck in the snow (luckily we didn't need it!).  But, after turning off the highway on forest service road number 70 (way the heck out there!!), we drove uphill, switch back for 5 miles.  We got WAY up there.  And, the temp guage said it was 19 degrees.   There was snow, but not on the road.
After hiking a ways into the hillside full of trees, we found one we all agreed on:

 After bringing it home we got it upright and in place, but now have to decorate it.  Maybe there will be time before Christmas.....
Which brings me to my last point:  I was looking around in the garage (for lights, ornaments, etc..) and I came across a box of stuff from when I was younger.  Inside was stuff like photos, old baseball cards, etc..  It was fun to look.
Here is one taste of what I found:

I had done a little bit of water skiing when I was younger.  This image must be from about....oh...I would say...1986...?

And here is another one from the next year:

Hard to believe that is me! You know that expression "twice the man...", well, I think I can safely say I am twice the size and more then twice the age! 

Sheesh!!  Time really passes by fast!

Until next time...

Tags:  Photography, Sports Photos, Action Photography, Senior Photos, Senior Pics, Senior Photography, Auburn, Sumner, Bonney Lake, Buckley, Kent, Puyallup, Portraits, Pierce County, King County, League Photos