pay it forward to Matt at Pavel Studios

Recently my family had our pictures taken by Rebekah and Daniel Stanfill of Southern Charm Portraits as part of the Roadside Families Project.  It's a pay it forward project that was created by photographers for photographers.  I'm always behind the lens so it's nice to actually be in a family picture because those are too few and far between.

Anyway to make a short story long, we had 30 days to pay it forward to another photographer and that just happened to be Mr. Matt Pavel of Pavel Studios in Kingston.  Our session was in downtown Knoxville and let's just say that it wasn't near as warm as they said it was going to be.  We froze our hineys off!  Even in spite of the cold, Austin kept us laughing and entertained the entire time.  I think we all lost it when I was shooting away and he just looks up at me out of no where and said, "so, whatch you guys doing for president's day?"  I'll never look at president's day the same.  From now on, I will have plans every year.  We had a blast and it was wonderful meeting you and your family.  I hope Ella is feeling better :)

da da da dollywood

We love Dolly Parton at our house.  Sophia wants to write her a thank you card every month when she gets her book and Mac, well he was a breast fed baby :)  Anyway! Every year we buy the Gold season pass to get in both Dollywood and Splash Country and the same this year as well.  To tie in my point here, I'm going to be doing shoots at Dollywood! Think about it!  Get your picture on the swings in action!  Grab some shoots in the fifties or on the merry-go-round!  These would be perfect for engagement sessions or senior sessions.  But these shoots will take some planning so if you're interested, give me a call asap and let's get planning.  

You will have to purchase a ticket or have a season pass to get it.  However, if you're a senior and planning to come down to the prom expo, I will be having a few give-a-ways and there may be a ticket floating around in there some where.  Who knows!  

Check these out!!!

We are planning a trip to Disney World for Sophia's birthday in March.  I've been so excited about the trip, but even more excited about the shirts I had made.  I spoke about Polka daisies before and here's some of the work.  Becky is very crafty and talented at anything she decides she wants to do.  I'm so excited to show my shirts off.  I stole these pictures from her site.  Sorry Becky :)  Go check out the rest of her goodies at www.polkadaisiesblog.com  .  Thanks Becky for such a great job.  You have helped make our trip a little more special.

shout out to makenzie and alicia

Thanks girls for wanting to be my senior representatives.  I can't wait to get started!  I've got some crazy ideas (crazy in a good way).  I'm still looking for a brave guy so get the word out!  Wa hoo!

seniors in the old city

I am going to be offering full sessions (1 1/2 to 2 hours) and short sessions (30 - 45 minutes) for seniors in the old city beginning in the next few weeks on the weekends.  Feel free to use your discount from the prom expo or the free sitting fee and free 8x10 with this session.  This is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to shoot.  I have some pictures on my site at www.sophiemacphotography.com that I recently shot downtown and in the old city.  I will be posting more very soon.  If you are interested, please shoot me an email at bethanyandrob@comcast.net or give me a call at 423.494.9065.  

senior reps

I'm looking for 2 upcoming seniors that are willing to trade a bit of time for pictures.  I am offering a SWEET deal to anyone interested in letting me take your senior pictures but we have to do them a bit earlier...like springish.  I am offering 2 free senior sessions per rep, 25% off prints and anything else ordered, and another free sitting fee for you and the family before you go off to college.    The first boy and girl who contact me will be chosen.  You can email me at bethanyandrob@comcast.net or leave me a message on my website through the link at www.sophiemacphotography.com.  

relay for life prom expo

I just wanted to throw a quick reminder out there about the Prom Expo saturday, March 7th at Caryville Elementary.  Doors open at 1:00 and the fashion show starts at 3:00 followed by a dress auction.  Please remember that this is a RELAY FOR LIFE FUNDRAISER.  I'm really excited because there is going to be anything that you need for prom all right there under one roof.  I'm going to be there and I'm offering 25% off prom sessions AND senior sessions to anyone who books that day.  I will have some cool products there to show off so come by and see me.  

miss kim

If you keep up with my blog at all, you know about Imagine Dance Studio.  I'd like to introduce you to Miss Kim. At least that's what Sophia calls her.  She is the brains and the brawn behind the name.  I have been wanting to take pictures of her for a while now.  

Hands down, this picture is my absolute favorite of all time!  I don't have them all edited, but I had to put some up because I'm so excited.  Thanks for such a great time taking pictures and hanging out afterwards at Market Square.  I had a blast!

let's make a good thing out of this! {free proof disk}

I just had an idea.  I'm not really sure how this will work, but here goes.  For the next few weeks, I will take suggestions on what I need to do about the "untouchables".  The most creative commenter (is that a word? I don't look right) will get a free proof disk with a paid setting fee ($35.00).  Here's a few rules:

*No profanity

*No breaking the law (bending the law acceptable)

*Leave your name and email address

I will travel but a travel fee will be charged. Please see website for prices.  I can't wait to see what you guys come up with!!

touching the untouchables (no this isn't nasty! get your head out of the gutter!)

Let me start by saying that this has nothing to do with pictures.  However, I have to vent! I, a mother of two got escorted out of a store in Knoxville today.  Let me start from the beginning.  Sophia is taking dance from Imagine Dance Studio here in Jacksboro.  She loves ballet and told me that she wanted to wear the big ballet shoes (point shoes). So I told her that she has to stick with dance for a while and get really good and get a little taller.  A pretty good long term goal for a 3 year old.  So she dances on to get reach her point goal.  So back to present day.  She outgrows her ballet shoes and I went to go purchase her some more.  As we look around, Sophia has a huge smile on her face and starts yelling for me to come quick.  As I look to see what she's so excited about, I see she's found a pair of point shoes.  She says, "Oh mom, look.  These are the ones I've been talking about." As she is beginning to say, "aren't they beautiful!", the sales lady cuts her off and yells in the meanest tone, "Put those down!  Don't touch those"!  Ok, if you know me at all, you know that you better not mess with my children.  I'm not above having someone else correct them if it's handled correctly, but I don't talk to my children that way and certainly no one else is.  So, I tell her to put the shoes we were going to try on up.  I walk over to the point shoes(which were in a plastic bag mind you) and ask Sophia.  Are these what you wanted to see?  Then.......oh.......then the girl told me to put them down.  *big smarty pants smile* I told her that I wasn't going to open them.  I'm only going to let her look at them.  She's been wanting to see them for a long time.  Then she told me to put them down or leave.  

So at this point, I'm weighing the options of my child hearing profanity coming out of my mouth.  I don't cuss, but I really wanted to this day.  I didn't cuss, but I let it rip. Then another associate comes over.  I think it's to my defense.  Boy was I wrong.  She begins in the lashing and opens the front door for me to leave.  I'm not going into detail of what I said, but I think they know how I feel about them and their untouchable shoes in the bag.  

So please, I beg of you.  Don't shop at the dance shop beside p.f. Changs.  I may loose picture business over this, but I am a firm believer in treating people with respect and doing business with people who have respect for their clients.