Tell Us What You Like/Dislike About Downtown Farmville

Town of Farmville Consumer Survey

The Longwood University Small Business Development Center is conducting an independent, confidential survey of shoppers, residents, business owners, and students. This survey will only take 15 minutes of your time and will result in a market analysis of Farmville's shopping areas, including downtown. The project will provide information necessary to attract and expand businesses in our area! Tell us about the businesses you visit and the ideas you have for new businesses in Farmville, and you will be entered into a drawing for a $100 VISA gift card!


TAKE THE SURVEY

Photography for a Cause: Great Images of Special Kids

Jenifer and I both love our kids to death, like any moms. I revealed in my last blog post how the two of us have both struggled with our children's illnesses. My daughter Casey has Juvenile or Type I Diabetes; Jenifer's son Tony has epilepsy.

Many people assume that because there's medicine to treat these diseases that it cures them. That's not so. These are disease for which there's no cure. There's hope, but no cure.


We love our kids and want to support parents who also have children with special needs. That's why I'm offering a free portrait session for any families with special needs kids. Whether your child has a chronic illness or another serious medical condition, as parents of children with similar problems, we want to help.

Please call the studio for your free portrait session appointment. Call 434-392-3550.

Insulin & Pills are NOT a CURE!

Special Portraits for Special Kids and Parents

Today I'm going to share with you something personal – and hopefully, you'll get something out of it too.

Last year, my daughter Casey got very sick. She was finally diagnosed with Type I or Juvenile Diabetes. Learning about this incurable autoimmune disease and helping Casey adjust to the lifestyle habits she'll need to stay healthy has been a long journey this past year. I'm thankful she's doing well and her doctors diagnosed and treated her condition early. Although there's no cure for Juvenile Diabetes, with good care and careful monitoring Casey's diabetes is under control.

Strangely enough, not long after Casey was diagnosed, my assistant photographer Jenifer learned that her 15 year old son, Tony too had an illness and was diagnosed with epilepsy – another incurable disease.

Insulin is NOT a cure for diabetes and pills are NOT a cure for epilepsy.

Both of our children are managing quite nicely. But that got me to thinking about the many other children out there and their parents also dealing with life-threatening illnesses. And I wanted to do something special for them.

Starting July 1, we'll be donating a free portrait sitting fee to any family with a special needs child. Call the studio and make an appointment.

As moms of kids with incurable illnesses, we know how disheartening it can be. We'd love to give you something special to help you celebrate the beauty of your child.

Call for a portrait session today.

Also, as a way to bring awareness to Juvenile Diabetes and Epilepsy as well as other childhood illness we will be sharing with you some images we have captured of our children in recent months and tell you more about both illnesses.

www.crystalimagephoto.com

Now's the time to book your senior portraits!

Get ALL the Ready to print images on CD with the copyright release! Don't settle for the same boring portraits that everyone else at your school has!

We can provide you with ALL your senior portraits from inside casual, outside and on location casual and the drape and tux portraits needed for your yearbooks!

CALL US TODAY! We have some GREAT SPECIAL UNDERWAY NOW!

Senior Portraits mark a milestone in your life or your child's life. Many parents have baby and school portraits taken over the years to mark the passage of time. Everyone wants wedding images to capture their special day. Senior Portraits also capture a special time for young men and women as they prepare to leave high school and embark on their new endeavors. Don't let this moment pass by - schedule an appointment for portraits now. We take studio portraits or on location images, candid or cap and gown photos, and much more. Call us today and make an appointment.


Call us today for more details at 434-392-3550 or visit our website for more information on Senior Portraits.

Now's the time to book your senior portraits!

Get ALL the Ready to print images on CD with the copyright release! Don't settle for the same boring portraits that everyone else at your school has!

We can provide you with ALL your senior portraits from inside casual, outside and on location casual and the drape and tux portraits needed for your yearbooks!

CALL US TODAY! We have some GREAT SPECIALS UNDERWAY NOW!

Senior Portraits mark a milestone in your life or your child's life. Many parents have baby and school portraits taken over the years to mark the passage of time. Everyone wants wedding images to capture their special day. Senior Portraits also capture a special time for young men and women as they prepare to leave high school and embark on their new endeavors. Don't let this moment pass by - schedule an appointment for portraits now. We take studio portraits or on location images, candid or cap and gown photos, and much more. Call us today and make an appointment.


Call us today for more details at 434-392-3550 or visit our website for more information on Senior Portraits.

Limited Time On Location Newborn Portrait Special

Expecting a baby? Schedule your portrait session now!

We know how busy new moms and dads are, so we're introducing a brand NEW portrait special - On Location Newborn Portraits. Our last sessions offering this service were such a hit that we've decided to offer this Limited Time Special to ALL of our customers!



Now for a Limited Time Only, you can schedule on location newborn sessions for just $160.00. The photographers come to you at your home or another location. This price also includes all the images, ready to print, on a CD with the copyright release. You can print as many images as you like from the CD or if you prefer one stop shopping, we can provide you with professional quality images with a complete portrait package including professional prints, albums and framed portraits for an additional fee.

So make your appointment today. Call us now even if you're expecting in a few weeks or a month or two - don't delay. Take advantage of our special offer today!

Call us at 434-392-3550 or visit Crystal Image Photography's website and complete the contact/interest form online.

The Value of Professional Prints

When you hire a professional photographer such as Crystal Image Photography, the professional touch doesn't just begin and end with the images themselves. It extends to the entire package, the prints and the albums too. Many times, I get calls from people who want my expertise as a photographer but who want to print the pictures themselves, or send them to a regular vacation-snapshot printing type of service to have them printed. I know what's going to happen next; several months later, I'll get a frantic call from the same person who is now very unhappy with the quality of the prints. She'll call me to fix them and she'll end up spending twice as much money to have them printed later.

A professional photographer hones her craft through many years of hard work and study. When I take images, either in the studio or on location, I'm thinking about lighting, angles, background and position of the subject. When I sit down with the final images, sometimes they need a little color touch up here or a crop there to make them perfect. I have access to the best laboratories in the country – places only professional photographers go – to print your images. And the results are beautiful albums and portraits that you'll enjoy for a lifetime.

So while it's fine to drop your vacation disk off at the drugstore or email them to an internet photo lab to be printed, don't take chances with your wedding, baby's first pictures, or senior portraits. Choose professional services from start to finish and you'll get professional results every time.

Class of 2011: It's Senior Portrait Time!

Now's the time to book your senior portraits!

Get ALL the Ready to print images on CD with the copyright release! Don't settle for the same boring portraits that everyone else at your school has!

We can provide you with ALL your senior portraits from inside casual, outside and on location casual and the drape and tux portraits needed for your yearbooks!

CALL US TODAY! We have some GREAT SPECIAL UNDERWAY NOW!

Senior Portraits mark a milestone in your life or your child's life. Many parents have baby and school portraits taken over the years to mark the passage of time. Everyone wants wedding images to capture their special day. Senior Portraits also capture a special time for young men and women as they prepare to leave high school and embark on their new endeavors. Don't let this moment pass by - schedule an appointment for portraits now. We take studio portraits or on location images, candid or cap and gown photos, and much more. Call us today and make an appointment.


Call us today for more details at 434-392-3550 or visit our website for more information on Senior Portraits.

Tuesday Tips: Planning the Perfect Wedding

After the initial elation of announcing your engagement, you may wonder "What's next?" Planning is the key to a successful wedding. It also takes a lot of the stress off of you, your future spouse, and your families.






The first thing to do is decide on the wedding date. If you're getting married at a church or house of worship, make an appointment with them to discuss wedding dates. Depending on the month, you may need to book that day very far in advance. Next, research and book the reception site. Whether you choose one of the local restaurants, a fine manor home or another elegant setting, or another venue, be sure that both the church or wedding site and the reception facility are available on your special day.

After you've got those two biggies done, it's time to find a photographer. Don't wait until the last minute. Make an appointment with the photographer. Make sure there's a meeting of the minds with the photographer and that your personal style meshes with his or hers.

The dress, the bridal party clothing, transportation, flowers...all of that comes later once you get the big things reserved.

I'd like to invite you to make an appointment with us to talk about your wedding photography. Now's the time to book your 2010 and 2011 weddings. Visit our website today to learn more.

Tuesday Tips: Memorable Images of Children

Puppy Days in the Park is coming up fast! If you haven't signed up yet for your child's spring portrait, now's the time to contact us for an appointment.

Before taking your child in for his or her portrait, keep a few tips in mind for great images of children. These tips will help make Puppy Days in the Park fun for you and your child! They're also good tips to keep in mind for any portrait session of your child.

• Show up for your appointment a little early so you don't feel rushed. Leave plenty of time to travel to the appointment.
  

• Try a "dress rehearsal" with a new outfit so your little one gets used to new clothes. Better still, dress your child in a nice outfit that feels comfortable so he or she can play and act naturally in front of the camera.

• Puppy Days in the Park naturally engages children. After all, what could be more fun than playing with puppies? If your child frets or complains about going to get his picture taken, emphasize the fun. Think about a little reward after the session, too.

Remember, for the low fee of $85 you get a disk with all the images on it from your sessions to print as many photos as you like. That's a wonderful value for professional images.

To make your appointment, call us at 434-392-3550. This special portrait event only occurs on two days, March 20 and 21, so make your appointment now.

Tuesday Tips: Saying Thank You

When you're planning your wedding, you're trying to think of a million and one details at the same time. The dress (!), the shoes, the hair, the jewelry, the bridesmaids, the church, the hall, travel arrangements for family, the flowers...the list seems endless. Hiring a professional photographer such as Crystal Image Photography takes a lot of stress out of your wedding day. We always say we offer "photography from a woman's point of view" because like you, we've been brides ourselves and we KNOW how nervous you can be on your wedding day. Because you can count on us to stay calm, cool, collected, friendly and professional, it's one less thing to worry about.

Amidst all the things to keep in mind, one thing is often overlooked: thank you notes. Yes, it's still important to write personal thank you note for your wedding gifts. It may seem old-fashioned, but people still respond to a hand written thank you note. Including wallet size prints of your favorite wedding portrait is also a lovely touch.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when writing thank you notes:

• Hand write them: Even though it will take longer, it's both a personal and a loving touch. Try writing a dozen per day in the evening. It shouldn't take long to get through the entire list that way!
• Be sincere: If you love the gift, say so. Offer a personal note such as "Thanks so much for the lovely toaster. It will really match our new kitchen." By the same token, if you dislike the gift, just offer sincere thanks for the thought. "Thank you for the toaster. We really appreciate it and it was great to see you on our special day."
  
• Send them out within a few weeks. Don't let thank you notes wait months and months. If you're sending wedding thank you notes out and your first anniversary is coming up, you've waited too long!
  

Don't forget to tuck wallet size prints into the thank you notes to share your wedding images with friends and relatives. We offer prints like this in several wedding photography packages, or you can always order extra.

Tips for Choosing a Photographer

Whether you're looking for someone to take a portrait of your pet or capture your wedding day, doing your homework before signing the contract is as important for you as it is for the photographer.

So when you're considering photographers, think about the topics below. Be sure to read all that the photography studio offers - their website, brochures and more. Ask questions. Do your homework. And relax. Once you've chosen a professional, feel confident in your decision!









Tips for Choosing a Photographer

• Meet in person: Make an appointment to meet the photographer in person. I like to meet with customers in person about their wedding and bridal photography, for example, because I want to be sure that we're a good match for one another. A pro wants to be as comfortable with you as you are with him. If you feel uncomfortable when you meet the photographer in his studio, and you don't like his attitude, do you really want to spend hours with him on your wedding day? If he rubs you the wrong way now, chances are you'll only feel worse about him when you're nervous and excited, which is what most brides feel like on their big day!

• Ask questions: Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. Look on the photographer's website and any brochures you might have first off. Then make a list of your questions to address during your appointment.

• Have a list of any special requests ready: I don't know about other photographers, but I don't mind special requests. I just appreciate knowing in advance that you want to jump into a fountain or ask your pet to sit in a costume for his portrait. It helps me think about the images ahead of time and prepare, so do let your photographer know in advance of any special requests.

• Understand what you are buying: You certainly wouldn't buy a car sight unseen, nor would you rent an apartment without checking it out first. The same goes for photography services. Really look through the images in the photographer's portfolio. Know how many hours of coverage you are contracted to get, how many photographers will be sent to the event, and what types of images you will receive. Understanding what you're buying prevents miscommunications!

Over the next few weeks, we'll have more tips for you. Most will focus on photography services (of course!) but some will be about weddings and events in general. We want to become the best resource for YOU so that you'll have images you cherish forever.

Puppy Days In The Park - Spring Portrait Specials!

Our annual spring portrait sessions are just right around the corner!
This year we will be featuring a Spring Portrait Marathon on Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21.

Puppy Days In The Park
We've created a new spring portrait scene with a park like setting and
puppies! Gather up the kids and bring them by our studio for a unique
portrait opportunity! The kids will love playing with the puppies and
we'll capture some great memories!

Get ALL THE IMAGES from your session!
For only $85 you will get all the images we take of your child and the
puppies with the full copyright release so that you can print your own
images. Print packages are also available for those who don't want to
do there own printing and start as low as $70. Click Here to request a
price guide.

Book Your Session Soon!
Because this is a 2 day only event we encourage you to book your session
as soon as possible. You can book your session online by Clicking Here

Thanks to Paw Patch Pets in Victoria for the use of there beautiful
puppies and to Holden Hughes for being this years model!

www.crystalimagephoto.com

Bridal Expo Update

We had a great time at the Richmond Bridal Expo this past weekend. It was our first Richmond area wedding photography expo, and we met over 100 brides. I hope you had a chance to stop by and meet Jenifer and me, but if not, give us a call or an email. Information about our wedding photography services is on our website. Remember, if you don't see a particular package of services that suits your wedding day, we'll create a package just for you. I'd love to talk to you about your ideas for your wedding photography!

Our next bridal expo is coming up soon. We'll be in Charlottesville at the Kluge Estate Winery on March 13. Stop by and pick up some information, meet the photographers and get to know us. If you're looking for affordable, professional and courteous wedding photography...I know you'll be pleased by what you find with Crystal Image Photography.

Meet Baby Kensley!

This week I was blessed to photograph a newborn session for two more of our very loyal customers.

We have created portraits for Tracy and Danny since 2003. From their wedding day, both maternity sessions and portraits of their now 2 year old daughter.

Yesterday I got to meet baby Kensley! I had a great time photographing this little newborn and it was also our first on location newborn session ever! After 15 years of photographing in the studio it was a little different going outside of the studio to photograph a newborn but I think the images turned out great and I'm ready to try more on location newborn sessions! Welcome Baby Kensley and thanks Tracy and Danny for your continued support!

-Crystal

For more info on newborn photography Click Here

www.crystalimagephoto.com

2 Free Tickets to Richmond Area Wedding Showcase!

If your planning a wedding and will be in the Richmond area this
weekend contact us. Crystal Image Photography will be an exhibitor
at the Forever Yours Dream Wedding Showcase this
Sunday, February 21 and we have two free admission tickets
and four $2 off coupons.
Show hours and location:

1PM-4PM

Richmond Marriott West

4240 Dominion Blvd

Glen Allen, VA 23060

Tickets are $10 at the door; $7 with advance purchase
Click here for more info

Crystal Image Photography will be showcasing some of their award
winning wedding and bridal photography during this bridal expo!

Stop by our booth to view our award winning wedding
photography and new wedding albums and register
for a FREE 16x20 bridal portrait.

For more information on our wedding and bridal photography services
click here

Crystal Image Photography is a Virginia based award winning wedding photography and portrait studio available for nationwide and destination wedding coverage.

www.crystalimagephoto.com

Planning Your Wedding Day? - Come See Us At This Sunday's Bridal Show!

Planning your wedding day?

Join us this Sunday, February 21 for the
Forever Yours Dream Wedding Showcase

1PM-4PM

Richmond Marriott West

4240 Dominion Blvd

Glen Allen, VA 23060

Tickets are $10 at the door; $7 with advance purchase
Click here for more info

Crystal Image Photography will be showcasing some of our award
winning wedding and bridal photography during this bridal expo!

Stop by our booth to view our photography and new
wedding albums and register for a FREE 16x20 bridal portrait.

Come with your wedding thoughts & leave with your wedding planned!
Both Crystal and Jenifer will be available to discuss your wedding photography needs.

We hope to see you there!
- Crystal

For more information on our wedding and bridal photography services
click here

Crystal Image Photography is a Virginia based award winning wedding photography and portrait studio available for nationwide and destination wedding coverage.

www.crystalimagephoto.com

We LOVE our loyal customers!

There is nothing like having loyal customers and Mandy and Jamie Redmond are just that. From their wedding day, maternity portraits, their first child, (who's now 3) and now their second child we have created a portrait time line. I had the pleasure this week of photographing 3 month old Maycie Redmond. Welcome baby Maycie and thanks as always Mandy & Jamie!

Click here to view more of our children and newborn photography

Contact Us to request information on child and newborn photography

www.crystalimagephoto.com

Award Winning Portraits on Display

New Website Launched

We've had a lot going on in the studio over the past few weeks. Our new website went live over the weekend and we are very excited about the new look and design of the site. In addition, I hope that the new site will be more user friendly to those who visit.

Portraits on Display

Also, last week several of our award winning portraits were placed on display at a Richmond hotel. If your in the Richmond area and want to check out some of our wedding portraits they are on display at the Holiday Inn Select, Koger South 1021 Koger Center Blvd. Our thanks to Heavenly Haven Productions for setting up our display!


If you would like more information on our wedding photography service please contact us

Wedding Demo

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2010 Brides Choice Winner!

We got some good news this week!

WeddingWire.com, a wedding planning website, announced that we won the 2010 Bride's Choice Award for Photography for the second year in a row. The award is based not on a panel of judges but completely on customer feedback. Brides and grooms voted Crystal Image Photography number one for the second year in a row based on excellence, quality, value and professionalism.

We're so grateful for our brides and grooms, and especially grateful that they loved their wedding images! If you'd like to read more feedback from them, please click here.

Welcome to the Crystal Image Photography Blog

Welcome to our new blog! We hope to share with you here all the wonderful goings-on at Crystal Image Photography.

For those who don't know us, we're a woman-owned photography studio located in historic Farmville, Virginia. We offer "photography from a woman's point of view" - images that capture the essence of the subject, whether it's a bride on her wedding day, a newborn baby, a proud senior before her graduation, or a family reunion.

Jenifer and I have a lot to share with you about our work. We love what we do, and we believe it shows in our images. We'll be sharing with you special images from our portrait sessions, ideas to make your own images great, and specials.

Thanks for visiting!

- Crystal