CI BLOG Up and Running....Again

After a few setbacks, the Captivating Impressions Blog is functional! It is my intention to continue blogging on a regular basis to help clients, and potential clients, understand the wonderful world of professional photography, as well as share current and upcoming promotions.

In the meantime, if you are on Facebook or Twitter, follow Captivating Impressions and always be up-to-date on the latest news and offers. When you are ready to book your dream wedding, newborn photos or senior portrait session, call us at 281-435-6618.

More to come soon....

~Tonya

What Brides Need to Know about Wedding Photography

The digital age of photography has made it easy for just about anyone to pick up a camera and take some snapshots. It's also made it so that people think it's an "easy" way to make money, and to do it "professionally."

The economy has made people more aware of their spending and priorities have shifted...this is not a bad thing. We are seeing this with weddings as well, and quite honestly, while your wedding day IS important, the more important part is the days, months, and years that follow the day.

Perhaps you have heard, "I'm photographing now, I can do your wedding,"or "I'll

take the pictures and just give you a CD" or "It's easy, let me take your pictures for you."

Those are red-flags that should give you pause. It's your wedding day, and you do want to preserve those memories. So, we have some tips when looking for a photographer:

1. ALWAYS ask for references, or to see samples of their work. If they can only provide a limited amount of samples, you may want to consider, a little more thoroughly, as to whether they are the photographer you want/need.
2. Beware of those who will snap the pictures and "give" you a CD. Be sure you know what quality image and print size you are getting.
3. Is your photographer insured?
4. Do they have backup equipment? This is VERY important. IF a camera, or a flash isn't working properly, do they have an extra camera, or flash so that you still get your images. This is not the time when you want someone to find out that their camera is not working, this the person capturing your memories, they must be prepared!
5. How did your photographer learn their craft? Have they taken classes, seminars, attended training? The industry changes constantly, and it is important to be knowledgeable about your trade.
6. You get what you pay for. I'm not saying you have to break your budget for a photographer, but you do need a professional, and if you settle for the lowest priced, sometimes, your portraits will represent that.
7. Be sure that you and your photographer have a great working relationship. You want to make sure that you are at ease with this person, because they will be part of a special day that requires communication.

I can tell you that photographing a wedding takes a lot of time and hard work.

• It starts with meeting with your client meeting with your client, taking the time to explain to them everything, and then answering the questions that come later.
• It's photographing any sessions prior (such as engagement and bridal) and having those ready for the wedding day.
• It's the two hours prior to the wedding to pack, load and check all of your equipment so that you are prepared.
• Then there is the four to six hours that you photograph on the wedding day.
• Carrying the 25+ pounds of equipment.
• It's going back and unloading, and checking all equipment back in.
• It's converting the images and making adjustments.
• It's uploading all images so that you are able to share your wedding day with family and friends.

And that's just to photograph.

If there is an album, there is the processing of each image that will go in the album. It's color-correcting, cropping and placing to make sure that everything flows to tell the story of your day. Then there is placing the album online for review, and then making any necessary changes, before sending it off for completion.

Weddings are wonderful events. They are what RoseAnn and I love photographing the most. We are invited into our client's lives to be a part of something so beautiful, and then sharing their story with others. It is truly a labour of love for us, because we are so incredibly blessed to be able to do something that we love!

Until next time, have a wonderful day!

-Tonya & RoseAnn

Something BIG!

I hope that everyone is enjoying the FABULOUS weather today! Perhaps this bleak weather will make for a wonderful spring in a few months. And of course that means PORTRAIT TIME! There is so much going on right now, and where to begin...

Let's start with Senior Portraits! If you haven't made your appointment, you may want to do so. Weekend slots and afternoons start to fill up as everyone makes their last-minute push to book their session. Be sure to get the time and date you want by booking your session soon.

Ok, next, we are so excited! We have our new 2010 Wedding Prices available! Our brides are the best, ever. And we know that each one is unique and special and she wants her own wedding, not something that we think she might want, but what SHE wants. So, our packaging is simple, it's called "My Wedding." You choose exactly what you want and we put together the package based on that. Sounds simple, but...

The best part, it starts at $1600! So, what do you get for $1600? You get:

Four hours of wedding-day photography

Two photographers

(1) 16x20

(1) 11x14

(2) 8x10s

(4) 5x7s

AND

a Printable DVD with a limited license release*.

(*This means you can print your images wherever you want!!)

From there, the options are limitless! Click the image to the right for a better view. If you, or someone you know, would like additional information, give us a call at 281-337-2697 or email info@captivatingimpressions.com

Hope you have a great day, and stay dry!!

-Tonya

Connie's Fight with Breast Cancer

We have been hearing alot about Breast Cancer and the research. And the sad truth is that we can name at least one person who is going through this. Last night, our friend, and very courageous woman, Connie Andrews, spoke to Channel 2 News about her battle with not only Breast Cancer, but Medicaid. To view the complete story, please go to this link:

http://www.click2houston.com/video/22222742/index.html

Four years ago, Connie found a lump in her breast while breastfeeding. She went to the doctor and was referred for a thermoscan where she was told that it was fibroadenoma and "nothing to worry about." While pregnant with her third child, she told her ob, who referred her for an ultrasound. Valentine's day 2007, she was diagnosed with Stage IIIC Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Her treatment started with a chemo that would not cross the placenta, so that her baby would be ok. He was born at 32 weeks, but was healthy and remains so today.

Today, Connie is a 32 year-old mother of three beautiful children, and in Stage 4 Breast Cancer and was notified in November of 2009 that she was dropped from Medicaid with no reason. She contacted everyone that she needed to contact, and was told she would be reinstated by December 1, 2009. However, December 1 came around, and she still was not reinstated.

After many phone calls and run-arounds, all while being sick, she told that the reason she was dropped from Medicaid was because she was receiving social security disability. The reason that she was receiving this was because she was directed by someone at Medicaid that she need to apply for the social security disability. A doctor said that this happens alot with Medicaid because they know full-well that once the patient takes this step, they will be immediately dropped from Medicaid.

Connie is a fighter, she wants to beat this, but she's in need of help! She's in need of nine more chemotherapy treatments, but at $12000 a treatment, she's unable to do this. If you can, and would like to donate to help Connie Andrews beat cancer, please contact Kay Roberts at Capital One Bank at 713-435-7077 and make your donation for Connie Andrews.

No matter what, she needs our prayers to stay strong, to get healthy and beat this horrible disease! Please pass this on to everyone that you know!

Thank you,

Tonya

Gift Ideas - DVD to Music

I want to start this week's BLOG with a huge CONGRATULATIONS! Happy Anniversary to my mom and dad, Greg & RoseAnn. Today, they celebrate 33 Years of marriage! They are truly a wonderful example of what marriage is, and I thank them so much for showing all of us over the years that marriage takes love, patience, kindness and God, and that it is so worth it.

Okay, back to business, It's DECEMBER!!! There are only 20 more days to get your Christmas shopping done. So to help you out, our newest gift idea to share is a DVD to Music. The way this works is, we take your images and create a beautiful show set to music. You collect the images that you want included and we will edit and do all the necessary things to make sure that the finished product is fit for your loved one. It is a wonderful way to show someone how special they are to you.

This is not something I can really tell you about, you just need to watch:

Until next time, have a wonderful weekend, and enjoy the snow, if you have it!

-Tonya

Gift Ideas - Custom Coffee Table Albums

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This week, we will be celebrating with family and friends, which, of course, includes food an fun. Before the holidays officially kick-off, we wanted to share with you another great gift idea! Custom Coffee Table Albums

Captivating Impressions has been creating custom coffee table albums for years. Brides use them as guestbooks, using images from their engagement session, others use them to document their child's first year. Whatever the reason, custom coffee table books are fabulous!

These books are hard-bound photo cover albums and have a minimum of 20 pages (front and back). We design your album and send you a link to view the final proof. Once approval is received, we send it off for binding. When it is done, you have a beautiful book to share with everyone.

When you are ready to order your album, call Captivating Impressions and we will get started. These books are perfect for moms, grandparents, and even children.

We wish you and your family a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving Holiday!

Gift Ideas - Custom Heirloom Photo Jewelry

The countdown to Christmas has begun, and if you haven't started shopping yet, let me tell you that there are only 39 days left until Christmas! Can you believe that? Well, that just means that it's time to get moving.

Have you created your shopping list? Let's think about this, you probably have to buy for mom, or grandma, or fiance (maybe all three). So what do you get for someone who means so much to you?A sweater? A picture frame? Perfume? Those are all "nice," but what about something that would take her breath away?

That perfect gift would be Custom Heirloom Photo Jewelry! Available in necklaces, bracelets, rings, business card holders and so much more, these pieces are gifts they will treasure forever!

For instance, if grandpa passed away, perhaps grandma would love a necklace to wear with his image to keep him close to her heart. Or maybe, dad doesn't always carry pictures of his little ones in his wallet, but a money clip or business card holder with their portraits would surely always be with him.

The custom photo jewelry can be created from images from your session with Captivating Impressions, or one of your own personal images. Whatever your choice is, these pieces are sure to last for generations. Each piece is created with solid sterling silver that are sealed and waterproofed to last.

If you would like more information on Custom Heirloom Photo Jewelry, contacting Captivating Impressions and we will be glad to answer any questions that you have. Until next time, happy shopping!

-Tonya