The 411 & Kickstarter Project

With the holidays fast approaching and pies to be baked...cookies tins to be filled and client gift bags to be made we thought we would share out latest update before times gets away from us.

First off, things are going well for us at the studio.  We are getting calls, inquiries and best of all BOOKINGS!  We have sat down and are really worked hard to put together a strong marketing plan for 2011.  Looking at  how to stand out from other photographers in our area while providing quality service with great pricing.  We had a great time shooting a local elementary schools Halloween Bash as well as many fall family sessions.

The one advantage is that we do not offer the standard traditional sessions that you can get at Olan Mills or Sears.  We also have a couple of areas that we prefer to stay away from and refer you to a fellow photographer that handles this type of work.  For instance weddings and commercial print work.  We love attending weddings, just not shooting them.  We are also willing to pass a client on if we cannot accommodate their request or schedule.  The photographers that we network with we feel are upfront and honest.  I am more worried about the clients needs then the photographer stealing business.  We work with photographers that have high standards and strong values.    

One exciting side note, we are working hard to be able to offer in the new year is a creative studio project.  The project is going to take a lot of work, marketing, networking and dedication.  We hope to have it funded through Kickstarter.com.  We are currently in the approval process and if approved we will start campaigning for funding right away.  Not to give to much of the idea away right now, what we can say that if we are successful this would be a huge self-confidence, positive attitude and personal inner growth builder for those that need it most.  Networking will be key and support will be important to the projects success.

So, that is the latest 411 on {SAPP}.  With everything that has been happening with the studio and in our personal life...we are so thankful for our clients, friends and most importantly, our family.    

The Women of Petticoats, Mayham and Seduction

Better known as The Women of P.M.S.

Every woman knows that at some time during any given month we can go from Dr. Jekyll to Mrs. Hyde.  During this time our minds can snap and another person can seem to take over our bodies. 

During this time who knows what might happen...

{ SAPP } is doing a 5 print black & white series.  Each print will represent a woman and her P.M.S. altered ego.  Each will also have a man who will have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Or possibly have said the wrong thing at the wrong time.  Who knows?  What we do know is that he is the victim...or is she?  Only The Women of P.M.S. know the truth :::wink:::

Here are the topics for the series:

1. Poker Game
2. Romantic Dinner
3. A Gift
4. Valentine's Day
5. Night on the Town

• Each photo/topic will have a location (either studio or on location)
• We will discuss with each model/rep to go over outfit/costume and shoot ideas so everyone is comfortable the day of shoot
• We are working on clothing props (hats, scarves, jewelry) however, due to different shapes and sizes we are asking each model to bring their own outfit
• We will provide hair & make-up

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A NON-COMMISSIONED/NON-PAYING SHOOT
You will receive a copy of your photos along with the edits on a CD

We are circling for the shoot to begin October 23rd.  When we speak to each person we will work a schedule around your availability and location availability.

We look forward to working with you and appreciate your help in making this a successful shoot.

{ SAPP }

The Sound of Music

It's beautiful days like today that leave my creative side struggling to get every idea that I have onto paper and out of my head.  Today's creativity seem to revolve around music.  I must say, that this does happen often in my world and all because music is a large part of my life.  I could not imagine what it would be like to never hear a musical note again.  Or to have never had the pleasure of ever hearing one note. 

I am thankful that I can hear and feel the beat of a drum or an electric riff bleeding from a guitar.  I even wrap myself in the sultry sounds of an acoustic rhythm guitar or a haunting violin.  It's music in general that I fancy.

So today's topic with myself as I was driving home from dropping my sons football gear off at the school was...what song sings your name?  Not really sings your name but, what song can you relate to when it is played on the radio.  What song has friends saying, "OMG, that is so you!"?  What about a relationship song?  Is there one song that makes you smile because it is all about your passion and love for someone?  Or that song that brings back a memory whether good or bad? 

Then there is the music that speaks to our intimate side...our romantic side...our altered ego.  Yeahhhh...you know the one!  That one song that brings out the animal in us during the heat of intimacy ::smile::

I find that music is a must during a photo session.  Music can set the mood, ease the comfort level and enhance your over all experience.  We have collected a wide genre of music and when we sit down and do our One-on-One consultations one question we ask is what type of music would you like to listen to during your session?  Even kids have a keen ear for music and again, we want everyone to feel comfortable and at home when visiting the studio. 

So whether you song of the day is an island feel with Bob Marley drifting through the air or the screaming guitar of Pantera.  Music creates memories just like the "click" of a camera.  No matter what your ear is tuned for we will make sure to have it playing when you walk through our door.

"Let the feel of the music feed your soul and embrace your heart. Let the tune tap your toes and snap your fingers. Let the music create a memory." - Me :)

To be or not to be...we have OUR answer...

It use to be that when you spoke of "traditional" photography it meant you were comparing film vs digital cameras.  Now, traditional mean a lot more in the world of photography. 

You are now just entering the world of Theme Photography.  This is the direction...we have been working diligently on to set our studio outside the traditional world of strictly portraits, weddings and everyday photographs.  With that being said, please do not get us wrong with the last comment.  We treasure doing portraits, senior pictures and engagement session...what we are simply saying is that aside from the "traditional" world of photography we want more options for our clients, our photo-friends.  We want our photo-friends to be just as creative and inspired as we are.  We relish in the thought and idea of a photo-friend coming to us and tossing something that might be way in left field for some, but right in our own backyard for us. 

As we begin branding {SAPP} as a "theme" studio with both traditional and non-traditional traits,  we are with complete understanding of ones level of comfort.  We are also happy to up the level of creativity if one is comfortable with pushing the bar just a little; or a lot.

{SAPP} will always be here to do traditional work and will be just as excited to shoot your family portrait as we are with a carnival themed engagement session.  Really the job of a photographer is not only to stand behind the camera and operate the shutter, but it is to tell a story through photography.  It is to listen to our photo-friends and hear their ideas.  It is to capture the moment that will last a lifetime whether it be traditional or themed.

HAPPY CLICKIN'

Washington has a piece of my heart...

Back from vacation feeling rejuvenated, clear mind and ready to do some creative editing with the photos we were ale to captures.  Clicked over 500 times in 5 days. 

If you have never been to the Pacific Northwest (PNW) you need to make it a stop on your "places to visit list".  It is breathtakingly beautiful, kind & friendly people, great local fare, quality crafted Native American Indian treasures. 

The air is clean, the views are memories that will never be forgotten.  A hiker, camper and outdoors lovers paradise.

We will post more photos soon.

My mind is like a cotton candy machine...

What I mean exactly is that my mind just spins around filling with ideas and building.  It's like a cotton candy machine creating sweet sugary clouds desirable goodness.

However, one fault that I possess is that of let my brain take over the creative side of my life.  To better explain, my brain thinks on a creative level that I have a hard time keeping up with it.  Does that make sense?

I will wake up in the middle of the night with an idea.  Or I will be driving along and have to pull over to write the idea down.  I have even placed an app on my iphone that is a pocket recorder so with the click of a button I can record my ideas.  But, what hurts my bean head even more is that I over think my ideas.  I think it is part of that adult OCD that all the experts say we adults now have.  I actually have to laugh at some of things that I do and just giggle thinking about working side by side with my daughter at the studio.

Now, my daughter has lived with me for 20 years, but she has never worked with me  and that is a whole different world.  She will get to see all of my crazy little disturbed tendencies.  Like everything having it own place or items placed a certain way and never leaving a desk messy.

It's not like I walk through a door a certain way or flip a light switch 6 times.  I just have the little crazy things that I do.  It keeps me grounded and on track.

But for now my brain is working in overdrive developing a business plan, marketing ideas and a price structures.  It's all meshed together right now, but I promised myself that I would have it all nice and neat on the computer by next week.  Maybe...

Nevertheless, I am beyond thrilled over the ad"venture" and look forward to the success with high expectations.  Even if right now it looks like a sick version of a twisted traveling carnival...it is gonna be one hell of a ride :)    

Today's the day...

Am I nervous? Hell yes!  Am I excited? Hell yes!  Will we be successful? Hell yes!  Because failure is not an option on this ad"venture".

There comes a day in every ones life when you just need to take the leap.  As scary as it might be...life is to short.  I would rather be on the list of those who tried instead of the list of those that only wished they had. 

Creating a studio with my daughter makes it that much better.  Knowing that I have someone who shares the same interests, dreams and passion for art as I do really make me smile.  I also am thankful to have someone to be an extra set of eyes, extra brain and extra creative power to jump any hurdles that might get in our way.  Even better, someone to share the success with.  The support from my husband and the rest of our family is like a positive and continuous hug letting us know that things are going to be great and that we can do it!

We have a lot planned for the studio and will continue to evolve to remain fresh with our craft.  As for this very moment, with the creative wit, current know-how and drive to "never give up" we can assure you that sneak .a. peek PHOTOGRAPHY is going to be around for a long time...

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

I must admit that things have been slightly busier then normal around our household.  Between life, football, family, photo sessions, editing and working on the studio's to-do list...I feel the need for a clone.  One that is maybe 30# less & younger looking ;)  However, we continue to smile and forge on with our day.  All while thinking of new ways to market sneak .a. peek.

While shopping at our local farmers market this morning we found this guy who makes metal signs by using a plasma torch.  Ahhhh Ha! The light bulb was flickering bright above my head.  He is going to do our official sign for us!  We are going to find the perfect piece of rusty metal and he is going crave away.  Plus, he is going to make a hanging yard sign for our sons football.  And what was even better...he is extremely reasonable.  Once we have the sign we will post it and definitely share his information.  THEN....I found a lady who is going to custom make a basket for our vintage bike...double yeah!  Saturday was a good day :)

I think that is what we are enjoying most with getting everything together...it is the marketing side.  We love coming up with new ideas, projects and networking partners.  We are learning that networking partners are a fantastic source of advertising.  With each package that we design we are looking for whom and where we might travel to promote it.  I know our brains are working in overdrive and putting a lot of miles onto the Thought Process Highway!  With all that we have been working on, we are very excited about rolling out the new products, themes and "layout of the land"...in other words...we are getting really excited about sharing all of this with you. 

It might be early for this Sunday morning...and we still need to fill in with some Zzzz's...but, today will be a day of edits and packing props.  One step closer! 

A super special THANKS for all of the support from all of you.  It really means a lot to us :) 

What lurks in the darkest of dreams...

I am not certain if it is an obsession or a curiosity, but we love all things creepy, dark and mysterious. 

This could be why we really want to start working on mastering theme photography.  Whether it is movie theme or childhood fairy tale, we are really looking forward to capturing more of the side that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up and our blood tingle.

Recently, we had the pleasure of working with Andrea and Vivian on the back lot of our new studio.  Hair and make-up was provided by Miss Liz.  The girls really stepped into the role of a dark and demented soul.  Miss Liz did a great job assisting in transforming the girls into their dark altered egos.  This was the first attempt at doing a theme shoot and aside from the bloodsucking mosquito's, tornado warning and hundreds of bats flying overhead, I think that it went well.

So if you are looking for something different and you want to play Little Red Riding Hood or be a escaped lunatic...let's have fun with a photo session that brings to life what fairy tales are made of or what our dreams can do to keep us from shutting our eyes to slumber.

Making our dreams come true...

As many of you may already know, my daughter and I have been working on opening up our own small photography studio. A studio that is a little different, maybe edgy, maybe odd, but always upbeat and fun for all that pass through our doors to stand in front of our cameras.

Well, the time has come for us to dive feet first into our new (ad)venture and see if we can conquer the world of "theme" photography. I will get into the concept later and explain what "theme" photography is.

STEP 1: Finding the ideal location for our studio

After looking at a few different locations, all offering something different and unique, the winner was the historic La Salle Winery in Farmington. The La Salle Winery was built in 1898 by the Detroit Railroad as a powerhouse for the electric trolleys coming in and out of the city. In 1930 it was purchased by La Salle Winery and converted just as prohibition was coming to an end into a winery. Sometime in the 1970's the winery closed shop and was purchased by St. Jullian and the building sat lonely and empty. The White Family purchased the building and property and started renovation to convert it into office space for businesses. It also has operated a local haunted house over the course of 20+ years.

I must admit that I have pondered the idea of opening a business in this building for several years. The idea always made it to paper and never any farther. Until now...

We would like to introduce sneak .a. peek PHOTOGRAPHY! We are elated to be able to take this step and see only good things coming from what we have to gain. The support from friends and family has been overwhelming and we count our blessings each and every passing hour.

We look forward to all that will be helping on this wonderful journey and excited about all our new friends that we will have the opportunity to meet.

Here are a couple of photographs of the original building and the building to date.