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HugBug Line Launch

It is our mission for this portrait line to provide an oasis for the busy parents.

Our studio is in our home.

We are dedicated to making this experience a relaxing and fun one for both you and your children.

We are offering longer session times, a place for you to relax, we have a fun and safe environment, lots of smiles and even more patience.

Money back guarantee.

Best yet - 50% of the session fees go to our favorite charity.

The first 50 sessions will receive a free HugBug plush toy, so book your sessions now.

This line is only available until the end of May. Appointments will fill fast, so book early.

Moms and Dads, what to bring:
For you - a nice book, you can sit outside and read; a great recipe and ingredients - enjoy an hour of cooking or baking; anything you would like to relax with.
For the kiddos - a few changes of clothing, colorful outfits, you know what makes them adorable. We will adapt our sets and backdrops to them.

There is no rush, no hurry, no checking of the watch. We play and have fun and capture those expressions nearest and dearest to your heart.

Hope Haven Photography
http://www.hope-haven.net - book your session right online.

Thinking Outside the Box

How often do you think "my pictures are starting to look ho-hum or average"? Spend a few minutes each day dreaming about weird and exciting images to photograph. Keep a journal and one a week choose the most exciting idea from the list and give it a shot.

Some of my idea have been:
Shooting smoke
Odd shapes that resemble everyday items.
Water drops
Milk drops
Coffee Foam
Bubbles

A Photographer, etymologically speaking, is one who 'writes' (graphe) with 'light' (photo).

The key is to see things others do not see.


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Location:Summerville,United States

Comments from the WEDJ Cruise

From: Devorn Blueitt [mailto:bluenupe@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2011 12:46 PM
To: denise@hope-haven.net
Subject: Wedj crusie & Diamond Productions Disc Jockey's


Greetings Denise,

I am Devorn Blueitt with Diamond Productions Disc Jockey’s & Karaoke Service from Indianapolis Indiana. It was a pleasure meeting you on the Wedj cruise last week. It's always great to network with other wedding and entertainment professionals. I always value other people’s perspective and appreciate any input and ideas that will better my business. Allow me to thank you for your time and ideas and it was great to get another perspective on my business venture. If there is anything I can help you with in the future don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an e-mail. Also you gave a great seminar keep up the good work. You have a great story to tell.

Thank you


--
Devorn Blueitt
Owner/Operator
Diamond Productions Disc Jockey's
"Where Quality Is Our Priority"
317-258-4445
bluenupe@gmail.com
http://djdiamondproductions.net


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St. Augustine, Florida

Day 1 of our week long photographic journey started in St. Augustine Florida. A place I have wanted to visit for quite a while. I was very thrilled to find it was a great stopping place for our drive to Miami. We rose at dawn and went to our place, we scoped out the night before for shooting. Freezing in the cold we waited for the first glimmers of light. These images will be combined into a HDR image in photoshop later.

We also visited a nearby pond with large white birds, my daughter will help me identify later. :-) They were so tame and would let me approach even with a camera clicking at them. A great start to our trip.

How did you get that shot?!?!

I have been asked that so many times. It is simply not a case of serendipity. It is studying the surroundings before you ever pick up your camera. Can you imagine asking a Quarterback of the winning team how he managed to get the ball to the end zone? It takes planning, and lots of practice.

We almost always will attend a wedding rehearsal. This gives us the opportunity to scout the area and to witness the flow and timing of the ceremony.

The key here is to see things that others do not see. During rehearsals you look for those shoots. Walk around as much as possible and take notes on the angles, lens you might want, and the light you would like to use. Pushing the button on the camera is not nearly as important as composing the shot prior to the snap. No self respecting Quarterback would ever start the play without a plan, neither should we.


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Location:Summerville, South Carolina

Portfolio Review

I have found that an excellent source of feedback for my work is a portfolio review. A portfolio review is conducted by a photographer who is further along in their mastery of the craft than you are. Typically someone who has attained their Masters from PPA. These reviews are offered at larger conventions such as Imaging put on by the PPA in just a few weeks. To get ready for a portfolio review you really need to do your homework.

1. Edit your work. Look critically at each piece, the highlights, shadows, DOF, clarity, what is the subject, does the background enhance or distract?
2. You will not have much time with your reviewer so choose your work carefully. If you are showing more than one theme (weddings, portraits, ect), group each theme together and do not show more than three themes.
3. Set clear goals for your review. Be sure to have given thought to the specific things you are hope to learn from your reviewer.
4. Do prior research on your reviewer. Who do they shoot for? What type of work do they do? What are their credentials?
5. Last but certainly not lease is to show you work to your best advantage. If you are using digital media - do NOT rely on the internet connections. If you are showing prints, steer clear of the plastic sleeves. Print them with the highest possible quality in a bound volume or in a loose box works best.

Be sure to take advantage of these excellent learning opportunities. Look forward to seeing you at PPA's Imaging.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Summerville,United States

Looking for great wedding traditions from other countries?

http://www.worldweddingtraditions.com/locations/west_europe_traditions/french_traditions.html

This is a great resource.


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First SC Family Portrait Day was Great

We had a whole lot of fun at our first family portrait day here in SC. We utilized the community club house of our apartment complex as a studio. It worked out great.

Vista Sands Apartments

1001 Bear Island Road

Summerville, SC 29483

Right Behind Dicks in the Azalea Shopping Center

We covered the pool table and showed off some of our wedding albums and children's portraits. We served the much coveted Hot Spiced Cider. If you haven't tasted this yet...you are in for a treat. One visitor called it "dessert in a cup". :-)

All in all we received over ten toys in donation for Toys for Tots.

Our next Family Portrait Day will be December 5. From noon until 9 p.m. We will again serve the Hot Spiced Cider. We are shooting against a plain backdrop, allowing our clients to choose from over 50 digital backdrops. We will again offer prints for toys (1 Toy = 8x10) and 5 toys (or $50 donation to Toys for Tots) equals a high resolution CD of two images with printing release.

So come out and join us. You can reserve your spot right online. http://hopehaven.bookmonline.com/schedules

Tis the Season

November 20 and December 11 - Hope Haven Photography will be available for Family Christmas Portraits at Vista Sands Apartments in Summerville, SC. BRING YOUR PET!!!

Address: 1001 Bear Island Road, Summerville, SC 29483 - Located behind Target Shopping Center and Dicks. We will be at the community center right as you enter the complex.

From 8:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. we will be photographing families for their Christmas Portraits.

Sitting fee of $10.00. Want free prints???? 1 Gift for Toys for Tots = 1 Free 8x10 or 2 4x6's or 8 Wallets.

Bring 5 Gifts for Toys for Tots and get your high resolution images on disk for creating Christmas cards. Toys for Tots accept only new, unwrapped toys.