Life Unposed

{Studio Closed for The Roth-Reeves Wedding Today}

It has been a stressful day already and I haven't even started with the wedding pictures.  When I arrived to the studio, all of the ducks and my daughters two chicks were M.I.A.  I have a carpenter in the studio today working on a project in back and I ran up to him and before I could say anything he said, "I found a home for your ducks and chickens".  His intentions of course were very nice, but I still need those ducks and chicks.  He went and bought me new ones. When Madeleine came to visit the chicks she started crying that they no longer liked her - the other two chicks had grown attached to her. We never told her anything.

I had a engagement viewing session today and I really had so much fun with Jenny and Shifty (the nickname I have given Ben). When we laugh a lot during a session I know there is photographic magic happening.  See their slideshow below.

Come back tomorrow for the wedding previews!  Happy Easter!

{More Ducks and one family}

Another day with the ducks and some more kids.  I have been photographing the kids with and without ducks.  When I picked the grey background I picked it for a reason.  I wanted it to look like a Gap ad.  Take a look below - we had some fun today.

the twins acting like roosters on my "inspired by the Gap" background.

And the boy that truly belongs in a gap ad because he can WORK it.

And I had a family session today in the midst of all of this today.  Take a look at this sweet family!!

The Baby Ducks Are Coming!!!

Easter is coming early this year and the baby ducks won't be hatching until next week.  I will be taking limited appointments March 20th-27th.  Mini sessions are specially priced at $50 plus tax for the first child.  Each additional child is $10.  Fees are due at the time of booking.  Due to the popularity of the sessions there will be no reschedules and refunds for missed appointments. I'll be glad to offer a spot in a future mini session.  Mini sessions also include 2 5x7's and 8 wallets with that special price (all prints of the same image).  The sessions are short, no longer than 10 minutes and you will be able to view and select your image from an online gallery consisting of 5-10 images in a weeks time.

I'll be sending out a mass e-mail late tonight.  Tell your friends to call and book their appointments.  The spots will go fast.

Be Good!

Marie Q

{I'm Quitting the Business}

I just received this e-mail and I can not believe how lucky I am that they chose ME. 

My Dear,

It is my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which I and my Son Collins, intend to establish in your country.

Though I have not meet with you before but I believe,one has to risk confidence in other to succeed sometimes in life.There is this huge amount of ($6,000,000.00) million U.S dollars which my late Husband kept for us in a Bank in Abidjan before he was assasinated by unknown persons.

Now I and my son have decided to invest these money in your country or anywhere safe enough outside Africa for Bank and political reasons.We want you to help us claim and retrieve these fund from the Fiduciary Fund Holders and transfer it into your personal account in your country for investment purposes on these areas:

1). Telecommunication
2). the transport industry
3). Five star hotel
If you can be of an assistance to us we will be pleased to offer to you 15% Of the total fund

I await your soonest response

Respectfully yours,

Mrs. Rita Camara.

... It's 12:30AM .... It was a nice thought. 15% is only $900,000.  That won't even pay off my debt.  I'll stick to selling 5x7's.

Marie Q

{Inspired}

Over the past two months I have attended three different photography seminars or workshops focusing on seniors, babies and children and weddings. Sometimes it is just confirming my ability as a photographer - but most of the time, I leave truly inspired.

I spent 14 hours in a workshop yesterday and drove home through the Dallas Blizzard last night.  I think I may have lost my cell phone in the process - or it may still be in the abyss known as my car.  Either way if you are trying to contact me today - please call the studio line: 972-937-9511.

I was talking about this image with one of my clients this morning.  Being a photographer's child can be pretty tough sometimes.

Be Good!

{Please be my friend}

I have no idea what I am doing, but I am creating a myspace and facebook page.  My myspace page is www.myspace.com/marieqphotography and I am using my work e-mail marie@marieq.com for Facebook. Please be my friend :(   How cool is that? 

I don't know how long I will be able to get away with using a camera as my personal picture.  I need to find someone to take a picture of me.  Or I can always use my timer.  That would be quite a site through my studio windows.

{And the Winner is......}

Let me first begin by saying this week has been one of the most gratifying weeks for me.  This was one of my sleep deprived, late night ideas that stemmed off of different ways of "paying it forward".  My husband is the best at doing this.  When we are at the airport and he sees someone in uniform - he goes and buys them a coffee and thanks them for serving our country.  When we run into people we know at dinner - he almost always grabs the waitress and asks to pay for their check. In the starbucks drive thru line he often pays for the person behind us.  I wondered how many things I could do in a week that could be a random act of kindness, or seen as paying it forward.  My little give aways, my specials and my final free session with goodies were all little things I did gladly. 

So if you have read this far.. I thank you.  My judge didn't get to reading the submissions until late tonight.  I have shared with my husband and he was touched by several of them.  It was definitely a hard decision.

The winner of the complimentary session with the DVD Slideshow goes to the person Peggy Rice submitted in her touching selfless e-mail.  Thank you for sharing this person with me!

"My first instinct was to nominate myself.  However, better judgment took over and I cannot get one individual out of my mind.  While working at local spas in Ellis county I have had the pleasure of meeting some really great people.  However, there is one individual that I think could use the magic of Marie. 

Susie (named changed until I have permission to use it) lives in Ellis county and suffers from a brain tumor.  She is a very petite lady with a strong spirit.  She has had three surgeries to date and the tumor will just not give up, but neither will Margret.  Before each surgery her daughter gives her a "big girl" present.  Often, the gift is a necklace or something to give her strength and to let her know they will see her when she gets out.  However, I think the best "big girl" present would be a family photo shoot with Marie.  Marie has a way of capturing the spirit of people and I think it would be great for Margret to see her own strength through Marie's lens before her next surgery. "

I hope this week of love project inspires some of you to pay it forward.  Good Karma is contagious!!! Thanks to all of you who submitted entries.  I know it was very difficult to choose.

Be Good!

{Friday 2.15.08}

 

I listened to this cutie's mom ask her daughter to keep her hands out of her mouth. Guess which was my favorite.  The one with her hands in her mouth.  I'll be using her for my upcoming ad in the Waxahachie Daily Light.  When I saw her earlier in the week, I knew I had to have her.  She'll be in the paper on the 24th in the downtown insert.  Thanks Holly for letting me borrow her.  This is exactly what I wanted!!

I will be out of the studio on Friday.  Those of you who are ordering tomorrow or have questions, please call me or send me an e-mail.  I will get back to you on Saturday and honor the discount. Don't forget to get your entries in for the complimentary session in by noon of Friday.  Any submissions turned in later will not be included in the voting process.

Be Good!

{Happy Monday- Lunch for two info below}

***Congratulations to Lindsay Markert - Winner of Lunch for Two at the Dove's Nest!!****

Today's "feel good" is not photography related.  One of the best things I like about working in Downtown Waxahachie is being able to step away from the studio and have lunch with my friend Carolyn at The Crafty Scrapper.  Our favorite place to order from...... The Dove's Nest.  So I am sharing my favorite lunch spot with the first person to send me an e-mail at marie@marieq.com .  This person will receive lunch for two at the Dove's Nest (a $25 gift certificate).  Once I have a winner,I will update the blog!

Be Good!!

{Studio News}

The studio will be closed for the next three days so that I can go learn some new stuff!!  I'm super excited to be taking an intensive three day workshop from a nationally recognized photographer.  I'll be back in the studio on Wednesday, December 19th.  I will be arriving early to package up all those last minute orders for you to pick up.  I'll give everyone a call as soon as I am done with your orders!

Be Good!!