Flixels: Gimmick or Great?

So anyone that knows me, knows that I love watching America's Next Top Model.  I adore Tyra Banks and how much she enjoys learning new things and staying on top of what's new and exciting in the fashion world.  So this season, they are including Flixels as part of their model shoots.  I know that Tyra has invested in this company, so I can see why it is a smart move for her to highlight the product in her series.  But the question is, is this a gimmick or the new wave of the future?

So let me know what you think about the "living photograph" and what impact it will have in the photography world.  Should I offer this service in my high school senior sessions?  Would you want to buy any of these gif images?  Obviously, they only work on computers, so is there a market for this?

And thank you Tyra for giving me inspiration in my work!

NEWEST ITEM!! 4x8 Accordion Albums

You spoke, I listened!!  I keep hearing from my high school seniors and their parents how much they love so many of the images I take, but they really don't need that many portrait prints to frame so what to do?  Of course for those who are in love with at least 18 images or more, I recommend my custom designed albums in sizes ranging from 6x6 to 12x12 (square) or 6x8 to 9x12 (rectangular).  And they typically range in price from $350 to $500 depending on how many images you choose.

So what happens when you have less than 10 images you want in an album?  Fear no more!  We have a great alternate that is large enough to enjoy looking at the photographs but easier on the pocketbook...our 4x8 Accordion Album!  They look great, have a hidden magnetic closure, and typically hold about 8 images.  So how much, you ask?  We will custom design one of these cuties for you at a price of $200, and if you place at least a $300 print order with us, the price goes down to $150.  Need a copy for grandma?  We offer a 35% discount on all duplicates.

We have many different designs and colors so there is something for everyone.  And what a great gift for your high school senior!  It's compact enough to sneak into your purse or backpack, and probably one of the coolest things your friends & family will ever see from senior portrait photography.  Here's a sample layout:

Have You Sent Out Your Graduation Announcements?

Boy, things sure have changed since the days when I went to high school.  Wait, do I sound like my parent right now?  Well, I actually think things have changed for the better!

One of my favorite things that have changed it how amazingly cool graduation announcements have become.  I have a huge assortment of designs which can be accessed at http://www.bluemelon.com/sliceoflife.  But here's my latest addition to these great cards and postcards...

The design is called "Ripped."  If you click on the image, you can see it larger.  Pretty cool, huh?  It can be used as either a double sided flat card or there is a folded card design too.  There are days that I just love my job, and today is one of those days!

How Cool Is This?

I'm always on the look for new things I can offer my senior clientele that are really cool.  Looks like I found one!  These raindrops on glass are amazingly realistic, wouldn't you say?  I'll be offering this service as one of my "H Series" designer options.  (click on photo to see it larger)

Valley Center "Gurls" - They're Unforgettable!

They say that when God closes a door, he opens a window.  Nothing could be more true this year for me with my high school senior business.  Escondido Charter High School accidentally gave out the wrong website address for my company (again!) so I lost a lot of business from that.  But I was happily added to the recommendation list at Valley Center High School!  And wow, that school really rocks!

I am also fond of VCHS because my Junior and Senior years in high school, I lived in VC with my best friend's family on Lilac Road right by Lilac Oaks Campground.  Summers were so much fun out there because we had a huge property and a 3 wheeler.  (This was before they outlawed them because they're kinda dangerous...and trust me they are!  My friend, Tracy, flipped over the handlebars on it one day.)

I did notice one thing about all the gals at VCHS -- they're gorgeous!!  So I just had to put together a compilation video of some of my favorite shots and set it to music.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did taking all these amazing photographs!

Seriously?!?

As I sit at my desk today, I'm feeling rather generous.  Hmmm...who could benefit most from my heartfelt urge to do something nice?  Well then, I think I know just what might fit that bill!

Refer a high school senior to me that books their appointment in the month of September, and receive a $25 gift card to any of dozens of great stores and places.  Yup, you got that right...a whole $25 for just telling someone that A Slice of Life Photography is the best place in North San Diego County for creative and fun senior portraits.  Pretty easy, huh?

Of course there are a couple of little rules.  First, they must put your name in the "referred by" section of the appointment application.  And they must have their session during the month of September.  Last of all, they must order at least $150 in reprints, but hey, who's kidding who?  The photos are so fabulous that it should be no problem hitting that mark!

Okay, get to it.  Text, Facebook, Twitter, email or just plain old call your friends.  Send them to www.asliceoflifeseniors.com and wait for those $25 gift cards to start coming in.  You can mix & match your dollar amounts and you can find a list of cards available on my website under "the 411" section at "earn free stuff."

Peace out!

Congratulations to Class of 2012!!

Today is graduation day around Escondido and San Diego's North County.  I want to wish all those seniors graduating an amazing graduation day, a memorable Grad Nite, and the greatest success in all of your future dreams and ambitions.

Looking back, I realize that it was after graduating from high school the first time I had to choose which path I wanted to take in creating my future.  Every decision I made brought me to this point in my life, some good, some bad, but all extremely important.  Making sure you have a proper education is the most important first step.  So go boldly out into this world Class of 2012, and make us proud.  Remember, you will be the future for all of us in the next 10-20 years because you'll be running the world!

Newest Studio Toy -- We've Got a Ringlight!

Anyone who knows me, knows I like being the first to offer some of the coolest & newest things to my clientele.  Although it's not that new, I recently purchased a ringlight for my studio and started playing with it to see what I can offer in exciting new imagery.  Well here is my first session and I was so pleased to have Tara Fuerst as my "guinea pig" so to speak.  We spoke on the phone and I sent her over a photo of what I had in mind for makeup, and Tara did an amazing job of bringing out her eyes and getting the feel of what I wanted.  Enough already on all the blah blah blah about the session, so here are a couple of my favorite images from the session...

Have a Senior Model Party!

So you're a Junior in high school, have a lot of friends, and love being in front of the camera.  Well do we ever have an opportunity for you!  Apply as a Senior Model on our website at www.asliceoflifeseniors.com (under "The 411" area) and if you're chosen, we'll do a free session with you and several of your friends.  Too good to be true?  Well as they say, there is no such thing as a free lunch.  But trust me, this is a deal that you wouldn't want to miss.

All we ask in return is that you bring along at least 3 of your friends and one parent to the viewing.  We supply munchies and the entertainment (a music slide show of the best images), and that's it.  It's a great way to introduce our services to your friends and family, and heck we always like entertaining people.

Make sure you note that you're interested in the group modeling session when you apply.  There are only a few openings available each year so this isn't open to everyone that applies.  Make sure you don't wait too long!

Time To Order Your Graduation Announcements!

Just a quick reminder that May is right around the corner and so is your child's graduation ceremony.  Don't wait until the last minute to order your graduation announcements, make an appointment soon with Heidi to customize an announcement that features some of the best images taken to send to family and friends.  Sure, the school offers generic cards that you need to spend extra money on for wallet inserts.  But for about the same money, you can create a one-of-a-kind card that you'll get compliments on for weeks!  You can see more design choices by visiting my website at www.asliceoflifeseniors.com and going to the RATES section.  Scroll down for a link to view "graduation announcement designs."

For more information or book an appointment, call Heidi at 760-739-9580.

Ashley Gilbert - Escondido High School

I was so happy to hear that one of my recent sessions, Kimberly Elliott, was a friend of Ashley and that she liked the photographs so much that she called me for her creative session.  Wanting a contemporary look, she booked the Grunge Session and we spent over two hours taking photographs around the alleys of Escondido, a train track, and also at Lake Hodges.  I discovered a really crazy colored wall over there recently and loved it for it's simplicity and bright color.  And there was even a newly painted "graffiti" wall in Downtown that we used too!  Here's a sample of some of Ashley's best images (click to view larger):

New Designs for Seniors!

Bored of the same old frame that holds only one photograph?  Looking for something fresh and new, something that stands out from everyone else's senior portraits?  Then look no more!

 

Heidi, at a Slice of Life Photography, loves graphic design and is always on the lookout for new and contemporary designs.  Her latest find includes three different collections that should look good with just about any session.  They come in 5x7, 8x8 and 12x12 sizes and Heidi can even do the framing for you too!  Let us know what you think.

Refer 3, Get 3 Free!

Seniors, have I got a great deal for you!  Refer 3 of your friends to A Slice of Life Photography that book sessions with us, you can get 3 duplicate 3x3" Accordian Albums with your favorite images from your session.  That's one for you, one for mom, and one for dad...or maybe one for you, one for your boyfriend/girlfriend and one for your favorite grandparent.  You decide!

The albums cannot be ordered until all 3 friends book their session and place a $250 minimum order.  You can choose from 10 different designs and these cool albums even have a magnetic closure on them!  They're too fun and can be carried easily in a purse or pocket.

Don't let this great opportunity pass you by!  Purchased, these three albums would normally cost you $275, so that's a pretty good investment for telling your friends about us.  And when you think A Slice of Life Photography can't get any better, we do!

Our Newest Session...Vintage Glory!

Probably by now you've noticed the latest fad has been all things "vintage."  Vintage items, vintage clothing, vintage finishes, etc.  It's a great look and lots of fun to photograph.  I spent some quality time on eBay and CraigsList finding some old cameras, an old suitcase and even an old looking bike with a basket in the front.  Awesome props for this type of session!

So when a high school senior named Melody had her mother call me to schedule her senior session at an apple orchard, my brain went into overdrive.  What a great opportunity for me to try out some of my ideas and see what happens.  We did a wardrobe consultation one week prior to the session and I had Melody bring along an outfit that just oozed vintage.  And my new "old" suitcase came along for the ride.  So enjoy this small excerpt from our fun session and let me know what you think!

Super Site for Senior Girls for Portrait Inspiration!!

Ladies, please let me introduce you to an amazing site just for fashion advice plus other insights for your senior portrait session, prom, etc.  It's called salt&prep and their website is saltprep.com.

Check them out before your senior session to get ideas on what to wear, skincare tips, even what's new & hot like Pinterest!!  It's my new little addiction and I think you might like it too!

Trash The Prom Dress Sessions in June!

It's that time of year again!  You've bought the perfect dress, wore it at your prom with your handsome date, and had the time of your life.  But now what?!?  You're so sad to just put the dress away in your closet but what else can you do?  Well girlfriend, you came to the right place!

Find at least two friends to book with you and we'll go on location to take some group and individual photographs in your party dress that will make even America's Next Top Model envious.  Bring along some fun props, such as silly string, and let your "silly" side come out.  Sounds like a blast, right?  But how much, you ask.  For the session and 2-5x7's of your favorite image, it's only $50 per person.  Pretty cool, huh?  So call us at 760.739.9580 to get more info.

Morgan Allaband - EHS

Alicia Pollak - SPHS

Okay, I'm just dying to get a couple of these photos up on my blog!  I had so much fun with Alicia yesterday, and she brought along her mother and her BF, Tavia (who you may remember did her session with me last week.)  Since prom was this past weekend, I asked Alicia to bring along her gorgeous prom dress so I could do some beautiful images of her over at Lake Hodges.  You'll see a "before & after" shot of her in her dress, taken on a hillside.  The "after" obviously has had the foliage color change to give it a more dramatic look.  One more reason to book us for your session, since I love to play with images and put an artistic spin on things.

 

Alicia did an amazing job with taking direction on posing and her images are amazing.  I especially love her bright smile in the following image:

 

There are so many more images from both Tavia and Alicia's sessions so stay tuned for a couple of great music slide shows featuring my favorites.  Hey, maybe I'll even combine their photos into one slide show!

Sneak Peek at Tavia Kelly's Senior Session!

Shhhhhhh!  Don't let everyone know but I sometimes like to put a sneak peek photo on my blog the day after a session so that my seniors can get really excited about their upcoming presentation of images that I took.  Here's one of my favorites of Tavia Kelly, a senior at San Pasqual High School.  We took her senior session photographs at Lake Hodges, and I think next week's session will probably be my last there until next late winter when everything starts to turn green again.  I had a great time photographing Tavia and she was my first senior to make it all the way down to the boat docks for photographs at sunset.  So stay tuned to see how some of those turned out...great, by the way!

Hangin' With Your Friends!

I just wanted to share this image from last month's "Couch in a Field" session.  Athena, Jacky, and their friends took advantage of my special one day event and I really loved how this turned out.  If any of you have a fun and creative idea for a one day event, please let me know.  I'm always looking for great ideas!