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