 This will be our 3rd year of collecting Food and Toy donations as part of our Fall and Christmas portrait season. Last year, we collected over 120 food items and 30 toys. It was absolutely amazing to drop off those donations that went to Helping Hand Mission. I know many local children were fed and had a present to open last year all because of my amazing clients.
Changing It Up-- This year, we are changing it up a bit, and will be donating to the Urban Ministries of Wake County. They have slightly different needs, especially for the homeless and hungry, so we will be donating all of our collections to the ministry. You may have seen Urban Ministries and their food drives sponsored by Chick Fil A before. They usually have big cardboard boxes set up in local Chick Fil A restaurants where customers can drop off canned items and toys. A few weeks ago, I visited a local Chick Fil A and happened upon one of the large cardboard collection boxes from Urban Ministries as well as a polite older woman telling customers about the mission as they waited in line. I took a peak in one of the boxes and it had maybe 3-4 small bags of canned items. The toy box had nothing... I asked the woman how long these boxes had been set up for, and she said told me at least a few months. And there had only been a handful of donations? She replied that yes, sadly, their ministry is in need of a lot of things and donations are very slow for them. They pick up slightly around the holidays, but they only hope to do more. This got me thinking--I can help. I can help Urban Ministries of Wake County. Let's support our local community this year and help those who need food, basic supplies, and toys for the little ones. A Little Info on Urban Ministries of Wake County Our pantry provides a weeks’ worth of groceries for families in need and distributes more than 400,000 meals a year. Food insecurity is one of the biggest concerns for those facing poverty, especially during the summer months when children are home from school. Goals include:
What Is Needed & How We can Help The wish list provided for 2016 by Urban Ministries of Wake County is extensive, but I am going to narrow it down to a few specific items and how you can help donate. Listed beside each item is the quantity needed to get you a freebie from Maya Anna Photography. Batteries (AA, C and D): 1 package of 8 or more batteries = 1 digital image Canned Food (no glass please): 10 Canned Food Items = 1 digital image Cereal: 3 regular size boxes = 1 digital image Whole Grain Pastas: 5 boxes = 1 digital image Fresh Vegetables: 10 items = 1 digital image 2 New Small Toys = 1 digital Image 1 New Larger Toy = 1 digital image 1 Baby Item (new items only) (blankets, bottles, socks, onesies, etc) = 1 digital image *You can trade any digital image rewarded via donations for a $10 print credit.* Cash Donation (click here) = $ amount donated = $ amount in credit for Maya Anna Photography (please provide receipt or screen shot of donation amount) **LIMIT OF 5 DIGITAL IMAGES PER SESSION VIA DONATIONS, HOWEVER, YOU CAN DONATE IN UNLIMITED AMOUNTS** We hope that this year brings even more donations than last. Please note that you can not receive digital images via donations unless you have pre-purchased a digital package. These digital images via donation are only "in addition to" the package you will previously purchase. You can score up to an additional 5 images by donating items listed above. You may also receive credits by donating cash via the website listed under cash donation above. That credit can be used to purchase digital images, prints, or a future session. Thank you so much for joining us this Fall and Christmas season! If you haven't booked your fall or holiday session yet, please proceed by clicking here and get on the calendar!
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Our first location review post is on the beautiful Historic Oak View park located just west of Raleigh off of Poole Road. By booking early, you can request Historic Oak View for your fall session--and you won't be disappointed. Historic Oak View is a 19th century farmstead that features antique farm equipment, beautiful white barns, antique fencing along the property, historic houses, a working cotton field, and even goats. If you love the old wood, historic feel, and white picket fences, then you will fall in love with Historic Oak View. And a bonus...shortly after Thanksgiving, Historic Oak View becomes decorated with beautiful antique Christmas decorations and the most beautiful green wreaths you will ever see hanging from every window and barn door. It's a must do on my list, especially if this is your first session. The relaxing atmosphere makes your session one of the best you will ever have. Check out some of my recent sessions at Historic Oak View below.         Do you love this location as much as I do? Book now and request Historic Oak View as your location preference. Hurry, because the first client who books the date is the location decider for the day! Visit www.mayaannaphotography.com and find our schedule now link. Everyone and their brother wants to know..."What do we wear to our session?" I get this question ALL the time, and I am very happy to answer or offer my best suggestions. Some of you may know, some of you may not, our pinterest page has TONS of ideas for families, girls, boys, new moms, dads, and everyone in between. I update it frequently with the season's newest fashion and color themes. I am here today to make it easier for you to pick out your Fall family attire--and please, go the extra mile here, because it really will make your photographs stand out even more. TIP #1: Pick 1 color and spread it throughout. I basically mean to pick a color, and make sure everyone in your family is wearing that color (or a shade of it) somewhere in their outfit, otherwise, they should wear neutral. Whether it be a scarf, ear rings, pants, shirts, or belt. Take the example below, graciously posted by Caralee Case Photography. The color in question is the salmon/pink/coral. Mom has it in her skirt, brother has it in the shirt, and sister has it in the shoes and shirt. Since the color is more feminine, the stylist has left out Dad. And that's ok--he is wearing something neutral that won't clash with the main color theme. Everyone matches, it's not too matchy, and everyone will stand out in the photo.   TIP #2: Go neutral. Don't have a main color that you are in love with? That's fine. Go neutral. Neutral will go eith everything, and will work WONDERFULLY with the beautiful fall backdrop. Neutral will NOT fail you. Just make sure you stay within one color of neutral and spread it around.  TIP #3: Plan ahead. Way ahead if you can. Do NOT wait until the night before, or worse, the day of your session before you run around to every closet in a panic wondering what you will wear. You invested in this session, so invest in the wardrobe if you have too. You don't have to shop at J. Crew...Target has tons of wonderful clothes that will work if you do it right. Also, if you are wearing something that you quickly picked out, it may turn out to be super uncomfortable which will definitely show in your smile.  TIP #4: Dress for yourself.
If you don't wear something that LOOKS and FEELS like you, then YOU won't show up in your photographs. You will look like you're uncomfortable and it probably won't feel like a good time. Portrait sessions are FUN and FRIENDLY; it's time to laugh, share stories, run around, play, and be YOU. This goes for your partner and kids too--make sure they dress to fit their best self. TIP #5: Avoid all white, all black, all jeans, all the same color, and patterns. Patterns are great, but if everyone has a different pattern in their outfit then the focus drastically falls off your beautiful family and in to all those patterns. One or two family members can wear a similar pattern, and everyone else should be solid. Patterns can also be textures. Use them wisely! Never wear the same color. It looks posed, and fake. Avoid all white or your focus will get lost, same for black. TIP #6: Research, Explore, Learn. Again, don't wait until the last minute. Research your options, explore the season's fashion trends, and learn what works for your family. Plan ahead and everything will be perfect! For more tips, please visit our Pinterest Page or search "family photograph wardrobe" on Pinterest.  When the hot dog days of summer dwindle down around mid-August to early September, to a more crisp, cooler day, I like to call this my Christmas card season. It's when everyone starts to get the holidays on their minds and in their hearts, and OH no...Christmas Cards!! Everyone loves them, most expect them, and few send them out on time. Christmas cards are one of the main reasons my clients book a session between September 1st and December 1st. It's a must do in my house, and we love being on the receiving end here too. It's just so fun to see your friends and family on a card and getting to display it for oooing and ahhing all season long. Houses are NOT fully decorated unless Christmas cards are being displayed, am I right? So, let me help you get this 2016 Holiday season off to the right start. The first step you should make is scheduling your portrait session. Anytime after August and before December 5th is prime time! Second, dress appropriately and comfortably, Next, your session will be completed and we can work on designing your cards. After a few days (or hours), you pick out your custom design from a handful of choices and they arrive on your doorstep in less than 2 days. WHAT. Yes, I am telling you there is no scrambling to find pictures to upload to Shutterfly and then having to start over three times because the website fails and is overloaded by other families doing the same thing, and then waiting 2-3 weeks for your cards that MAY or MAY NOT get to your house in time to address and send out. I am telling you that you get 25 (or more) CUSTOM designed Christmas cards with your beautiful family displayed for everyone to oooh and ahhh over in less than a few days after your session with me. but wait...there's more. For a small fee, I can even have your cards ADDRESSED (return too!) for you and mailed promptly after delivery. Yes, i am telling you that you can have your entire Christmas card fiasco designed, customized, ordered, and mailed off without lifting a finger. ACT NOW! Because this offer won't last all season. Once the year starts to pick up, and I am running around like a crazy chicken, I will be limited customization and full addressing orders to only a handful. Book your session here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=11885016 Scroll down and select Fall or Christmas Mini Session. Be sure to add your Christmas Card to your package!! but wait...there's more. Use promo code NEW16 for a sweet little discount now through July 15th. Now, GOOOO! Do it now! Let me help you.
 Fall is around the corner--whether you believe it or not--and some of my clients are already securing their fall date! I have some very important announcements regarding Fall booking--and I know you are eager to hear. One important thing is that the changes being made WILL 100% affect my availability--booking early is the only way to secure your family on my calendar. Once August and even September rolls around--fall booking gets out of control and dates run out extremely fast. I hate turning clients away--but it happens. Every year. So don't be those people who wait until the last minute--because i most definitely may not have anything open for you. Read on for the announcement...
So many of my client's (yes, you) never make or order prints from their sessions! The most common reason is time. We forget, and time passes, and we never remember to get them printed. Second reason is that we just don't know where or how to display them. I have come to the rescue with some of my favorite ways to display your portraits and session images. Nine Large Canvases  My all time favorite way of displaying your session images is a gallery wall of 9 large canvases or framed prints. The image above used 11x14, but any size up to 20x24 would be perfect (also depending on your wall size). This arrangement looks great on an entry wall, stair way, bedroom wall, hall way, or any large empty wall space where lots of traffic may be passing by. Of course, i would prefer canvas over framed printed any day--but framed prints are most affordable. Order in bulk to save more money! Framed prints are also great if you have children--who grow--switch out the print, save the frame. Total Cost of 9- 11x14 prints: $250 plus tax. Pick up some dark brown or white frames from Micheals (use a coupon) and you can make a stunning wall gallery that will definitely stand out and be a talking piece for years to come. I have luck buying beautiful white frames from Micheals when they price them at BOGO free. Score them for as low as $5/each. Small Gallery Wall  This is my second all time favorite way of displaying prints--a small gallery wall of various frame sizes. Usually one large print in the middle followed by 3-4 8x10s and then a variation of 4x6s, 5x5s, and 5x7s. I have had many clients in the past order this particular arrangement. Most popular places are kitchen walls, dining room wall, stairwell, and above a couch in their living space. This gallery arrangement is so easy to hang, you don't even need plan, really. Start by hanging the largest print slightly off center, follow with the 8x10s, and then decorate with the smaller prints around the sides, making sure to leave an inch or two in between, Order this particular arrangement in bulk for roughly $200 plus tax. Score some cheap frames from Micheals, or use frames you already own and mix it up! Although I love canvas, this arrangement is better framed--especially when using thin black frames. Large Gallery Wall  Last, but certainly not least, is a large gallery wall design that doesn't take much design or talent at all. Pick a variety of sizes with 2-3 larger prints spread throughout. This looks amazing in a hallway, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, or even an office. I love the white frames used above, and I love adding extra pieces like the antlers, horseshoe, and some art. This design could work for anyone--especially if you have a collection of frames lying around with no where to put them. Just start hanging in a random order and it will look magical. No one said the frames had to be the same...pattern and color can make any wall decor interesting. I love this look and it's so easy. It will look something like this, for $100-150. 6- 5x7s 8-4x6s 3-3x5s Order your arrangement today and get those beautiful session images on the wall! I looked up the word "mother" in the dictionary hoping for this long extravagant definition of what a mother is...however, I was sadly disappointed. The definition, although short, is "a female parent." Wow, Merium-Webster needs to up their game here. Moms are so much more. I became a mother in February of 2011 in the wee hours of the morning. As my little 7 pound 2 ounce baby girl was being delivered, I felt an immediate change or burst of electricity through my body. Call it what you will, but I knew right then I was different. I had changed. Something inside and outside of me was changed. Becoming a mother was one of the proudest moments of my life. Up until then, there was no comparison to giving birth. I remember telling my husband shortly after she was born, "wow, that felt like swimming the 200 fly 10 times over and over." Swimmers--ya feel me? If you aren't a swimmer, basically this is equivalent to dying and being revived again times 10. It was intense, for sure. Over the next year, I slowly grew into the "mother" persona. I had my second child just 2 years later, and the word "mother" became even deeper, more intense. My plate became fuller. If you were to look up the word "mother" in my personal dictionary of life, it would read something as follows: mothernoun moth·er \ˈmə-thər\
I wouldn't change motherhood for the world--it's what I am meant to be. It's my main hat (besides wife). Here's to all the mother's out there, may you be remembered this coming Mother's Day and all the hats you wear! Some of my favorite mom inspired portraits:                2016 Mother's Day Portraits {May 8th, all day}Book your Mother's Day Mini Session here (May 8th only): https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=11885016
Digital Pricing BreakdownWe have recently increased our digital media pricing for several reasons, and I am here to break it all down for you. Where is your hard earned money going? Let's find out. 1 Digital Image $35 First thing is first, Equipment expenses, repairs, rent, office supplies, gas, advertising costs, permits, licenses, insurance, state business taxes, and varied self-employment costs reduce gross income by approximately 50% every year. That leaves a gross (pre-tax) income from this digital image sale at $17.50. We are not going to factor in timing here, except to say that the product (image itself) took about an hour of my time to get, process, finalize, and upload. However, by giving you this digital image, you will be *assuming* to print the image yourself instead of purchase from my lab. In basic terms--i am loosing money.
$17.50 minus $25 profit of a very tiny print sale instead (bare, bare minimum) already puts me at a negative loss. And the profit made on that print sale is minimum. You are able to print UNLIMITED amounts of images...imagine my negative loss now. Could be up to $1000's of dollars. I am in business to provide for my family, so negative loss on a digital image sale is scary in terms of my business. I could raise the price--yes, I could. But I *want* to be affordable too. So where do I draw the line? It's hard. It's a very tough business decision. No one is perfect, and no one can make the *right* decision all the time. I hope you will take this information to heart and remember this next time you purchase your digital files--more than likely I have lost money. My goal here is to be real. I want to be real with you. I want you to know where your money is going after it's invested here. I want you to know hat you are paying a modest living wage (sometimes less, as in this case) for professional services, and in doing so, your business allows a working-class small-business owner to put food on the table and keep a roof over their family’s head! My last plug: purchase prints from our lab! Not only will you get a MUCH BETTER quality print than Walgreens or Walmart (like x 100), but you will be helping me stay afloat and you will be proud to hang that print!  It's inevitable that my clients, past, current, and future wonder about how I price my photography sessions and where all the money goes. Some clients have no problem investing in what they want; they seem to be able to afford it all. However, most typical clients would appreciate a little understanding on where their hard earned dollar is going when they book a session with us. I am here to break it all down for you and answer any questions that come up along the way!
Amber and James were married among friends and family at the Cary Athletic Lab. They met at the gym in early 2013 and thought it couldn't be more perfect to be married in the same spot. Not your typical wedding venue, but absolutely perfect for Amber and James. And I can not forget about their precious baby girl Violet who stole the show.     |
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