Second, I want to thank all of my readers who came by to have a peek, to get inspired, and who left love for each blogger.  I know, from comments on the blog as well as emails to me, that this project has been a jumping off point for many people to get their photos printed out this year.  That makes my heart sing.

Third, I was also inspired by all the wonderful ideas from the project.  I shared a few of them on Tatertots and Jello yesterday, where I will be a monthly contributor this year!  TT&J is a mecca of fabulous DIY, craft, home, and life ideas.  If you haven’t ever been, stop over and roam around.    I shared a sneak peek at one of my wall projects I’ve been working on.  And I wanted to share the rest of them today.  As is the case with many of you, my walls are still a work in progress.  I have a few more ideas I didn’t get to this past month but have every intention of finishing soon.

I am definitely creating a memory book for 2011… eventually… but for now, I found this free template from Paislee Press and created a 12×12 print full of images from the year.  I framed it in a 20×20 with a simple white matte from Aaron Brothers.

In the same room I framed several pictures of my kids and our family in black frames, some with mats, some without and included a star and a couple of signs.

In the same room above the fireplace I printed a 20×20 canvas through Black River Imaging of one of our Project12 photos from last year.  I love it because it’s totally us, with no pretenses.   (BTW, does anyone know what kind of paint to use to paint out the brass on my fireplaces???)

I loved the clipboard idea so I bought several, painted them with chalkboard paint, and hung them in the kitchen.  I love the fact that you can change out the photos so often and easily.

Up the staircase I decided to do a wall gallery of black frames with white mats.  I’m planning on adding to it little by little and including some of the kids’ artwork as well.

In the living room I have two ledges from my last house that I’ve propped a few larger mounted prints on.  I love that I can change those out often as well.  (Printed through MPixPro, except for the flag picture which is a metal printed through BRI)

And finally, in the same room I have cathedral ceilings and I knew whatever I hung had to be big!  And indeed that is just what I did.  I had four 30×40 canvases printed (Black River Imaging) of my kids and hung them right above my entry table.  It’s the first thing people see when they walk in our home.  I love them!  I’ve posted them on the blog before and have had several people comment that they are bigger in person than they look in pictures.

I wish I could incorporate all of the ideas that were shared into my home, but I don’t have that many walls!  I’m still hoping to create some sort of ancestor wall like Sara Tegman shared, a beautiful photo box like Gretchen Davis has, a beautiful bulletin board for snaps like Rachel Chaney’s, and an inspiration board like so many of you all have.  And that should cover all my remaining walls at the moment.

This has been such a fun project!  I’m considering doing something similar in the future so get those walls ready!

AND FINALLY…

The winner of the 16×24 standout is…

Staci Bailey!!!

Congratulations and everyone who entered the giveaway will be emailed a promo code for your next print order from MPix!

Happy Wednesday!

MPIX is a the consumer lab I recommend to all of my clients who order digital images. They not only offer fantastic print quality,  but they have a huge selection of products as well.   Their customer service is amazing and they are FAST!  Orders are usually sent out within 24 hours after ordering (if received before noon, they can go out the same day).  To help you in your printing endeavors, I’m thrilled to announce this giveaway!

GIVEAWAY:

Mpix is giving away one 16×24 foam-mounted standout!  (an $80 value)  I love standouts because they are ready to hang or to prop on a shelf, and they are lightweight and easy to display.  

HOW TO ENTER:

1.  Check out their website and leave a comment HERE about your plans to print and display your photos this year.

2.  ”Like” Mpix on Facebook.

3.  ”like” Wendy VonSosen Photography on Facebook.

4.  Share this giveaway (on your blog, your favorite forum, FB, Twitter)!  Tell me how you did it in the comments.    

Please leave a comment for each of the above.  One entry for each.  

Please leave a valid email address so Mpix can contact the winner AND they will be emailing a print discount to ALL who enter!!!

You can enter each method once a day each day until the contest ends on Tuesday January 31 at 8:00 PM PST.  After the contest ends, I will be randomly choosing a winner who will be announced on Wednesday morning! 

Good luck!!!

I think it’s the adrenaline of waking up early or maybe it’s the thrill of the deadline or it could be the excitement of calculating just how much money I saved in the end.  Yep, I think that’s probably my favorite part.  Saving money.  Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the Day-After-Christmas Sales are my favorite.  Standing in line in front of Crate and Barrel with my parents and sisters early the day after Christmas with hot chocolate in hand ready to bound through the doors with the hordes of like-minded deal-seekers.  That’s one of my favorite holiday memories.  Don’t judge.

So in the spirit of like-minded deal-seekers, I’m offering a one-day only special on two of my very favorite sessions!!!  Newborns and Seniors!!!

What’s included?  Newborn Session Special $500* (Regular price $1500).  Included 2-3 hours at your home within the first 10 days after birth.  I will edit your gallery with at least 20 fully edited images.  You will choose your favorite 10 images and I will put those on a CD with a print release allowing you to print them yourself as many times as you’d like and gives you the peace of mind of having these precious images forever.  

What happens when I book? When you book your newborn session, I pencil in your due date on my calendar. Once baby is born you notify me ASAP (while you are still in the hospital) so I can block off a window of time for your session. The best time to photograph baby is under 10 days of age, so the earlier you contact me after baby is born, the better.

How do I book?  Shoot me an email at wendy@wendyvonsosen.com or call 801.913.3930. Your full session fee of $500 (plus CA sales tax) must be paid today to qualify. I will require a PaylPal email for the deposit invoice.  Expiration date will be one year from today. Please contact me if you have any additional questions.  Gift cards also available.

*8.25% Sales tax will apply to all sales.

What’s included?  Senior Session Special $800* ( regular price $1950).  A pre-session phone consultation to brainstorm and finalize ideas.  This year I’ve included a full professional make-up application and hair styling appointment for all of my senior girls!  We will then spend 2-3 hours at our predetermined destinations photographing with as many wardrobe changes as needed.  Approximately two weeks after the session, we will have an in-person ordering session where I will share with you your gallery of 25-30 images and you will choose your favorite 20 to be put on a CD with a print release so you can print the images as many times as you’d like.  

How do I book?  Shoot me an email at wendy@wendyvonsosen.com or call 801.913.3930. Your full session fee of $800 (plus CA sales tax) must be paid today to qualify. I will require a PaylPal email for the deposit invoice.  Expiration date will be one year from today. Please contact me if you have any additional questions.  Gift cards also available.

Available  to clients in the San Francisco Bay Area.

*8.25% Sales tax will apply to all sales.

This deal will expire at 11:59pm CST. Your email must be sent by 11:59 pm CST to qualify.  I take a limited number of sessions per month, so this special will be on a first-come, first-served basis. So please hurry!!

And…

Happy Black Friday!!!

Here’s just one from my first family last weekend.  Seriously.  Who looks that good after four kids?!  You may recognize Baby Harris from his newborn session a while back.  They are truly the sweetest and happiest family.

There are still a few slots open for my second day of mini sessions, November 5th.  These will be held in a grassy field on an antique wrought-iron bed.  I am so excited!!!  Contact me if you want to snag one of the two remaining slots!  wendy@wendyvonsosen.com.

Happy Wednesday!

I know.  I know.  It’s only August and if you’re anything like me, it’s shocking to already see Halloween costumes lining the aisles of Target.  But believe it or not, it’s not too early to start planning your holiday pictures!  The leaves will be changing before you know it.

I’ve had several inquiries for fall family sessions requesting just a handful of images for cards, so I decided to hold holiday mini sessions this year. Mini sessions are a great way to experience custom photography, and an easy way to update the family photo for holiday cards & gifts!

There are only 12 spots available, so if you’re interested, contact me soon!

*Due to time constraints, mini-sessions are not available for newborn sessions or groups larger then 6.  For groups larger than 6, please book back to back sessions.

*To hold your spot for either date email wendy@wendyvonsosen.com.

*The mini-session fee of $250 | $350 is required to hold your spot.

*Sessions will be booked in order of payment received.

*Each mini session will be presented with a gallery of 10 images to choose from.

*The CD of all images from your session will be available at a special rate.

*All prices are subject to California Sales Tax.

It’s coming up.  It always seems to sneak up on me every year.  Somewhere in my mind I think I have a free pass to just enjoy the holiday because I am “the mother” and for once I don’t have to be “in charge” of a holiday.  But then I remember that not only am a mother, but that I HAVE a mother that I get to honor.  But by that time, I’m running late on time and short on ideas.  (Don’t tell my mom!)

If you’re anything like me, I’ve got a fantastic solution to the Mother’s Day gift giving dilemma that will not only save you time, but will put a huge smile on your mom’s face.  Not to mention this would be a fantastic gift for yourself.  Just forward all the info to your kids or your spouse!

I’ve always felt passionate that every woman should feel as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside.  Instead of rewriting my thoughts, please go HERE to read about my philosophy on being a Hot Mama!

I’ve teamed up with the amazing people at The Fringe Hair Salon and Spa here in Danville to offer a day of pampering! When you come in, the Fringe hair team will style your hair to take you from everyday to extraordinary.  Then the phenomenal girls from Belleci Cosmetics will give you a professional make-up application to add to the Va-Va-Voom!  Once you’re feeling like the hot mama that you are, you will be my model for a mini photo session to document your outer beauty.  Within two weeks, you’ll be provided with  5 of the best images to choose from.  Your favorite will be given to you as a mounted 5×7, a full resolution digital file to have and print from forever,  and a web-sized watermarked file to share online.

Sounds wonderful!!!

Contact me or The Fringe Hair Salon and Spa for pricing information and to book a session for yourself or the mom in your life.

Can’t wait to meet you!!!

These casting call sessions will:

• Be complimentary and include 3 digital images (however a disc of the session may be purchased at a special rate).
• Be targeted towards capturing a single image /pose / prop  (but if time and patience permits, additional poses and images will be attempted).
• Require a model release permitting the images to be used on the blog, website, and Facebook as well as on other marketing materials for Wendy VonSosen Photography.
• Be held in the convenience of your home .

The current casting call is for:

• Newborns 10 days old or younger at the time of the session.
• Clients who live within 15 miles of Danville

If you are expecting or know someone who is expecting (between now and the end of March) and are interested in this opportunity, please email me with your due date, if you’re having a boy or a girl, and your phone number and we can discuss further details. wendy@wendyvonsosenphotography.com

Portraits will be ready for pick-up at Dandelion after November 6th.

I’m in Utah this week visiting family and friends, taking a son to baseball camp,  and enjoying the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.  Photos to come when I get home this weekend.

This week’s 20 on Tuesday was on vacation with me, but it’ll be back next week with another inspiring fellow photog.

We’re headed back “home” to California in a few weeks to visit friends and family.  I can’t wait!

While I’m there, I’m teaming up with my sister’s fabulous boutique, Flaunt in Danville, for some mini sessions!  If you’re in need (or want) of some fun pictures of the  kids  for holiday cards, gifts, or frames around your home, head on over to Flaunt and sign up for a 20 minute session or two.

When:  Friday August 13 from 9-12

What:  20 minute mini session

Cost:  Prices and packages from $50-$350

Stop by Flaunt to pick up more information and get on the calendar.

‎140 E. Prospect Ave
Suite 101
Danville

Can’t wait to see you!!!

I don’t know about you, but I never have a pen in my purse when I need one.  I’ve been caught off guard too many times when I’ve met someone new and needed to write down my contact info and I haven’t had a pen or a scrap piece of paper to write it down on.  What I really needed was a 411 card I could hand to them.

These are the 411 cards I designed for my Senior Reps this year.  They have an image from our session on each side as well as their phone number, email, and facebook information.  The cards are 2×3.5 inches, small enough to stick in a wallet or a back pocket.

And seniors aren’t the only ones smitten these cards.  Moms, Dads, and little brothers and sisters love sharing them with friends too.  The sky’s the limit on what  info you could include on them.  Address, blogsite info, ages of your sweet kids, birthdays, and even a list of your hobbies!  Anything you’d like to pass along to friends and family.  Consider them your own unique business cards!

Since I love them so much, I’m offering 50 free custom designed 411 cards to every paid session booked during the month of June.  Your session does not have to take place in June, but it does have to be booked in June.  I will include these sweet cards when your paid order is delivered!

Email or call me to schedule your session!