Taking Care of Business

Well - I balked on posting twice last week like I thought I could! I never made it back to the blogspot after the first time! It was a terrific week; I went last Tuesday night to see David Jay, a TOTALLY ROCKIN' wedding photographer from CA. He has started speaking in various cities on what he has labeled his Freedom to Succeed tour. It was a lot of fun, and I definitely got some cool new ideas. Click on his name above to link to his site...his work will totally blow you away. He does lots of destination weddings, so he travels and really enjoys shooting nothing other than weddings. We were able to meet with one of our wedding couples to plan their album last Friday, and it is going to be simply GORGEOUS!

This week is chock full again! Getting proof deliveries done plus some sessions thrown in...we have a very exciting location this weekend with a senior. She has been wanting some unique senior photography that stands apart from her peers, and she has come to the right place! Above you see one of the sessions that we are delivering this week - Delaney! She is a complete cutie-pie. Her short & sassy haircut and polka dot shirt really show how fun and easy to work with she is. I know her mom is stoked about seeing these proofs. We had a great time outside in the private garden, and Delaney really loved seeing the koi pond. I am not sure whether to be glad or sad that summer is coming to a quiet close...

c-ya!

Sweet Sixteen

It doesn't get any better than this...here you see an orange furball that has been near and dear to me since I was 19. He goes by lots of nicknames: The Big Orange (go vols!), Orange Pumpkin, and my personal fave is the Notorious T.I.G. His given name is Tigger, and he turns 16 this month. It was love at first sight the first time I saw him (he was already nearly two), and not long after that I brought him home to my parents' house without asking permission (I guess this is where I should say thanks mom & dad for not making me take him back!). He may have a slightly ornary personality as John and Peyton will honestly tell you, but he is my sweet kitty nonetheless. Last night before bed, I was working on my laptop and going over notes when he decided to join me. We normally don't let him just lounge around up there because he is so furry, but on occasion I will let him sneak a nap. His tendency is to rest on whatever it is that I need, and so here you see him stretched out on my binder...and I couldn't resist grabbing the closest camera and getting a quick shot. He is beautiful for sure... There are days that I look at him after all these years (the whiskers are getting gray and he keeps dropping weight), and I think to myself what a physically beautiful creature he is. Before John and I met, he was my constant companion and roommate...and I will always love him for it.

Last week we got some over-the-top gorgeous images from the sessions we booked. Every single one of those sessions was so enjoyable! I will try to post again this week to show you all some of those images! It is awesome to be able to work with the nicest people...thank you to everyone who made last week so terrific!

ZZ Top - Live in Milwaukee

Last week my husband, John, took a vacation trip with 6 other guys to the 105th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He left on the motorcycle last Monday and got home yesterday. It was a well-deserved trip for him as he has really worked hard this year and needed a good getaway...

Soooo-what did all those bikers do at the celebration? There was a H-D museum, lots of checking out cool motorcycle stuff at the dealerships, and concerts every single night. On Thursday night, they got to see Sugarland and Kid Rock. Friday night was ZZ Top; I could tell they loooooved ZZ Top - who wouldn't? - they are legends after all. The grand finale was Bruce Springsteen on Saturday night. My stepson, Peyton, just started college. He said, "Man, Dad is having more fun than me this week!!!"

I know the question that some of you are probably dying to ask...and yes, I do gear up and ride the motorcycle with John sometimes. So watch out for the motorcycle riders when you are on the road! It might be me on there! LOL!

Babies All Around

Isn't he beautiful? Meet Holden...his mom and big sister brought him in for a newborn session recently. This morning it was wonderful to be able to share the proof portfolio with his family...we created some really gorgeous portraits of this special time in their lives.

It must be the season for babies! We have scheduled several sessions this week with new moms! It is so exciting to meet these little ones for the first time and get to know each family. One of the best parts of this business is getting to meet new faces. If you are a current client and know someone who is looking for a portrait & wedding photographer, keep in mind that we send awesome referral credits to our current clients as a way to say thanks!!!

So what else is new at Harper Photography? It is hard to believe Labor Day is MONDAY; it seems like one week ago was Memorial Day. It was so nice to see lots of you at the Wilson County Fair! It was definitely a success, and we had a sign up sheet for those interested in our most recent addition - a newsletter. In case you didn't know, we started the first of August sending out a newsletter to all of our clients via email. This email will keep you up-to-date on the latest and greatest at Harper Photography plus some photo tips that you can use at home. If you didn't get the August edition and would like to sign up, just go to the Contact Us page on harperphoto.net and shoot me an message to add your name!

One last note before we sign off the blog for this week - anyone interested in fall portraiture needs to call ASAP. The dates are narrowing down to a close...so if you'd like one done this year...no kidding...HURRY!

C ya!

Only Four Fair Nights Left!

We have seen so many of you at the Wilson County Fair this week - too many to try and list!!! We have loved it. Thank you so much for scouting us out to say hello...it is such fun to see everyone enjoying our county fair AND the beautiful nighttime weather we've had since last Friday. It has definitely been a juggle keeping the business side of things operating and also staying out late every night, but it was been worth it! Before the week passes by, I want to send a shout out to my wonderful fair assistants who have kept me company at the booth this year: Mary Jo, Fran, and Sara. Hugs & Kisses to my girls!

We didn't schedule many sessions this week on purpose because we always want to be focused mentally and physically when it comes to your professional photography...so in lieu of a client shot, we snapped a few night shots of some things always seen at the fair after the sun went down last night especially for those of you who may not get a chance to attend. Don't judge the quality as much on this one - I took these with our runaround point-and-shoot camera. I just cannot bring myself to take any of the studio cameras out in the hustle, bustle, and dust! And who wants to fight cleaning dust out of a camera anyway - yuck.

We've got some catching up to do the rest of this week and next week, and then following Labor Day we will be right back on track and getting ready for our busy autumn and holiday seasons!!! If you want to get in on the photographic fun we'll be having then - CALL EARLY!

C Ya!

Come & See Us August 15-23!

It's Wednesday already, and this week is really just getting started for me! I just got back today from the TPPA Annual Convention where I was able to soak up lots of new ideas and hear some fantastic speakers like Kirk Voclain from Louisiana and Stephanie Clark from Kentucky! Look out, world - Harper Photography is getting ready to take it up a few notches!

We are thrilled to have a booth again this year at the Wilson County Fair; we will be setting up tomorrow and Friday preparing to see all of you in the crowd! I have an exciting new way to show off your portraits called gallery wraps, and WOW! I got to open them from the lab this afternoon, and it was like having Christmas all over again. They are SPECTACULAR! These displays are awesome canvas portraits stretched around a wooden frame ready to take home and hang...no framing necessary! I even have some in neat designer colors that the moms are just going to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Speaking of moms and their babies, check out Ashton in this precious portrait. I can hardly believe it has been a year since she made her big debut; we had a great time getting in her final panel session last week. Thanks to her entire family for choosing Harper Photography!

Prince Charming Wears Overalls!!!

Yesterday we met with Kai and his mom to do our first outdoor session together! Kai has come to the studio for different specials and a studio session, but this was awesome. He was definitely more in his element being outside with nature and getting the chance to show me he is all boy! I couldn't have had more fun capturing his handsome smile! And let me tell you - he is quite comfy on his side of the camera as you can see in the photo above. I cannot help but love it when the clients his age show up ready for action! Close to the end we were laughing and cutting up with each other when he looked up with those big eyes and said, "Am I your favorite one?" He is sooooo sweet! I will definitely be looking for Kai when they visit the Wilson County Fair!

This week we have had more studio sessions than outdoor sessions due to the hot weather! It has been a very good week this week, and I am looking forward to all of the learning and meeting other photographers at the state convention early next week. Then of course the fair starts on the 15th - and I am really, really, really, really hoping for cooler weather!

See you soon!