What better time to work out your creativity than Summer? That's what we're looking forward to this summer and we'd love to involve you! Hence Blindvisions Studio's Creative Challenge Summer! Each week we will offer a new challenge with a different theme or task.
To get started, our first challenge will be fairly simple, but your options are limitless so turn on your creative juices and let's see some originality. Think about colors, composition, lighting, depth of field, angle, etc and not JUST about your subject - although you can get very creative with your subject as well. If you don't know what all those above terms mean, it's okay. We're here to help that creativity grow. We will give frequent tips here on the blog and on facebook so be sure to follow us there as well. Be sure to watch for our workshops coming this summer that will dive deeper into these topics and help you really learn to use that camera you own and give you a chance to play with some our gear as well!
Creative Challenge #1
Photograph something (or someone) you love! Then post the image on our FB page or email it to us at contact@blindvisionsstudio.com and we will share our favorites each week and give feedback to help you develop your creativity even more. You may submit up to 3 images for this challenge. We can't wait to see what you come up with!
Well, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start shooting what you love! Don't forget to come back and share your favorite images with us when you're done.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month?
Nutritional and Easy Homemade Baby Foods your Little One will Love
Avocado
Serve fresh, mashed with a touch of garlic salt. If you’re feeling fancy, add finely diced tomatoes.
Peas
One cup contains more protein than a tablespoon of peanut butter! Steam or boil until tender and puree. Tastes wonderful with steamed and pureed carrots as well!
Squash
Many varieties are perfect for one of baby’s first foods. Roast until tender, puree and voila! Stir in some applesauce and a pinch of cinnamon for a delicious dish.
Peaches and Pears
You can use fresh or canned peaches and pears. Simply slice, mash and serve for a yummy treat any time.
Remember – You should always consult your pediatrician about all dietary choices for your baby. Be sure to allow a week after you introduce a new food, before you introduce another. Use clean hands and utensils when preparing baby food, and be sure that foods are at a comfortable temperature before giving them to your baby.
Bon’ appetite!
Avocado
Serve fresh, mashed with a touch of garlic salt. If you’re feeling fancy, add finely diced tomatoes.
Peas
One cup contains more protein than a tablespoon of peanut butter! Steam or boil until tender and puree. Tastes wonderful with steamed and pureed carrots as well!
Squash
Many varieties are perfect for one of baby’s first foods. Roast until tender, puree and voila! Stir in some applesauce and a pinch of cinnamon for a delicious dish.
Peaches and Pears
You can use fresh or canned peaches and pears. Simply slice, mash and serve for a yummy treat any time.
Remember – You should always consult your pediatrician about all dietary choices for your baby. Be sure to allow a week after you introduce a new food, before you introduce another. Use clean hands and utensils when preparing baby food, and be sure that foods are at a comfortable temperature before giving them to your baby.
Bon’ appetite!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
March is American Red Cross Month
Did you know?
The American Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network – 97 million volunteers helping in 186 countries. In this country, the Red Cross helps change lives seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
• 200 times a day, American Red Cross volunteers help a family who has lost everything in a house fire or other disaster.
• 475 times a day, the American Red Cross connects deployed service members with their families.
• 21,000 times a day, a patient receives blood through the American Red Cross blood program.
• 43,000 times a day, someone receives life-saving American Red Cross health, safety and preparedness training.
Imagine how many people the American Red Cross help in just one year. Whether you want to make a donation, volunteer, give blood or become even more involved in responding to disasters, there is always a way to make a difference.
Learn more at http://www.redcross.org/en/volunteer
The American Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network – 97 million volunteers helping in 186 countries. In this country, the Red Cross helps change lives seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
• 200 times a day, American Red Cross volunteers help a family who has lost everything in a house fire or other disaster.
• 475 times a day, the American Red Cross connects deployed service members with their families.
• 21,000 times a day, a patient receives blood through the American Red Cross blood program.
• 43,000 times a day, someone receives life-saving American Red Cross health, safety and preparedness training.
Imagine how many people the American Red Cross help in just one year. Whether you want to make a donation, volunteer, give blood or become even more involved in responding to disasters, there is always a way to make a difference.
Learn more at http://www.redcross.org/en/volunteer
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Go Green - with shamrocks and leprechauns
Celebrate the luck of the Irish with these adorable crafts and treats!
Rainbow Cupcakes
Add some rainbow or shamrock sprinkles for a fun finishing touch.
http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/tast...pcakes-842128/
Shamrock Paper Chain
This is a cute decoration for almost any decor.
http://fourflightsoffancy.blogspot.c...-grown-up.html
Leprechaun Trap
Set this up with your kids and see if you can’t catch a leprechaun. If you can’t find a pot of gold, just use a small dish full of lucky charms!
http://thecraftingchicks.com/2011/02...day-ideas.html
Rainbow Jello
This looks too good to eat!
http://glorioustreats.blogspot.com/2...bow-jello.html
Shamrock Tee Shirts
Your little ones won’t get pinched with these adorable shamrock tee shirts!
http://icandyhandmade.blogspot.com/2...rock-chic.html
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Blindvisions Studio!
Rainbow Cupcakes
Add some rainbow or shamrock sprinkles for a fun finishing touch.
http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/tast...pcakes-842128/
Shamrock Paper Chain
This is a cute decoration for almost any decor.
http://fourflightsoffancy.blogspot.c...-grown-up.html
Leprechaun Trap
Set this up with your kids and see if you can’t catch a leprechaun. If you can’t find a pot of gold, just use a small dish full of lucky charms!
http://thecraftingchicks.com/2011/02...day-ideas.html
Rainbow Jello
This looks too good to eat!
http://glorioustreats.blogspot.com/2...bow-jello.html
Shamrock Tee Shirts
Your little ones won’t get pinched with these adorable shamrock tee shirts!
http://icandyhandmade.blogspot.com/2...rock-chic.html
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Blindvisions Studio!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Some cute wedding traditions
Here are some charming ideas to incorporate into your wedding day to
make it extra special for those who are nearest to your heart.
Mother
A double frame makes a wonderful gift for your mother. On one side, use a picture of you and your mother when you were a little girl and on the other, a picture of you together on your wedding day—hugging, getting ready together or something like that. For an extra-special touch, have the frame engraved to read, “I’ll always be your little girl.”
Father
If you wear a blusher veil, it is traditional to give it to your father after your wedding day, as a memento of that moment in your lives. A shadow box is a cute way to display this gift, along with a portrait of you walking down the aisle or having your father-daughter dance during the reception.
Fiancé
Secretly do a boudoir portrait session in your bridal lingerie and frame your favorite portrait. Hide it for him to find on your wedding morning with a little love note. This will be a wonderful surprise for him to enjoy that day and for many years to come.
Maid of Honor
A framed portrait of you together on your wedding day with a necklace or a gift card to a spa is the perfect thank you to your maid of honor. Have each bride’s maid sign the sole of your shoe before the ceremony for good luck. Whoever’s name is darkest by the end of the day will be married next.
Best Man
An engraved flask, a box of cigars or a nice set of cufflinks are all thoughtful gestures to give to the best man in your wedding. Be sure to get a portrait of all the groomsmen and the groom doing a toast. This makes a wonderful framed gift to give to each, along with a handwritten thank you card.
Flower Girl
An engraved locket is a wonderful gift for your flower girl. Alternately, a charming music box would also be cherished for years to come. Take a picture with your flower girl, and wait until her wedding day to give it to her, along with a heartfelt message about how proud you are to see her grow into a beautiful woman.
Future Children
Save a few bottles of wine from your wedding (depending on how many children you plan to have) and box each one up with a picture of you and your husband on your wedding day, as well as a heartfelt, handwritten message. This makes a wonderful gift many years down the road on your children’s wedding day.
Anniversary
Save the top tier of your wedding cake and freeze it until your one year anniversary. This makes for a wonderfully romantic memento from your wedding day.
For that big 25, use one of those bottles of wine that you set aside for your kids, if you have extras!
For your 50th, go to the place you were married and renew your vows in front of your closest and most dear family and friends. Be sure to save your shoes, veil and dress, wrapping them in linen and storing them in an airtight, watertight place. If you don’t end up renewing your vows in them, a daughter or granddaughter might love to wear it again.
Mother
A double frame makes a wonderful gift for your mother. On one side, use a picture of you and your mother when you were a little girl and on the other, a picture of you together on your wedding day—hugging, getting ready together or something like that. For an extra-special touch, have the frame engraved to read, “I’ll always be your little girl.”
Father
If you wear a blusher veil, it is traditional to give it to your father after your wedding day, as a memento of that moment in your lives. A shadow box is a cute way to display this gift, along with a portrait of you walking down the aisle or having your father-daughter dance during the reception.
Fiancé
Secretly do a boudoir portrait session in your bridal lingerie and frame your favorite portrait. Hide it for him to find on your wedding morning with a little love note. This will be a wonderful surprise for him to enjoy that day and for many years to come.
Maid of Honor
A framed portrait of you together on your wedding day with a necklace or a gift card to a spa is the perfect thank you to your maid of honor. Have each bride’s maid sign the sole of your shoe before the ceremony for good luck. Whoever’s name is darkest by the end of the day will be married next.
Best Man
An engraved flask, a box of cigars or a nice set of cufflinks are all thoughtful gestures to give to the best man in your wedding. Be sure to get a portrait of all the groomsmen and the groom doing a toast. This makes a wonderful framed gift to give to each, along with a handwritten thank you card.
Flower Girl
An engraved locket is a wonderful gift for your flower girl. Alternately, a charming music box would also be cherished for years to come. Take a picture with your flower girl, and wait until her wedding day to give it to her, along with a heartfelt message about how proud you are to see her grow into a beautiful woman.
Future Children
Save a few bottles of wine from your wedding (depending on how many children you plan to have) and box each one up with a picture of you and your husband on your wedding day, as well as a heartfelt, handwritten message. This makes a wonderful gift many years down the road on your children’s wedding day.
Anniversary
Save the top tier of your wedding cake and freeze it until your one year anniversary. This makes for a wonderfully romantic memento from your wedding day.
For that big 25, use one of those bottles of wine that you set aside for your kids, if you have extras!
For your 50th, go to the place you were married and renew your vows in front of your closest and most dear family and friends. Be sure to save your shoes, veil and dress, wrapping them in linen and storing them in an airtight, watertight place. If you don’t end up renewing your vows in them, a daughter or granddaughter might love to wear it again.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Clean for Spring…
First, go through your house in sections. Go through all the bedrooms. Gather clothes, toys and housewares that are no longer being used. This is also a great time to store winter clothes and get out warmer weather clothes. Then do the office, kitchen, storage and garage. Organize as you go. Once you have done that, sell anything you can through consignment stores, have a yard sale or donate it to Salvation Army or Goodwill.
Use your sale money to hire someone to deep clean your house, OR…
Start high and go low. Do the upstairs rooms first, then go down. Start with walls, shelves and fixtures and then do the floors. This is a great time of year to target tile, crown molding, ceiling fans, baseboards, blinds, windows, screens, doors, light switches and out of the way corners and nooks.
Be sure to dust and clean your picture frames. If the glass needs to be polished, be sure to remove it from the frame to avoid damaging your portraits. Use a clean, cotton cloth and some glass cleaner. For dusting, use furniture polish or a damp cloth. This can really extend the life of these products and make them look new.
Move furniture to get everything clean and then steam your carpets or clean and wax hardwood floors. Have your grout cleaned, either professionally or rent a steamer and do it yourself. For smaller areas, grout can even be cleaned by hand with some rubber gloves, grout cleaner and a sturdy brush.
Change your home’s air filter. You’ll be amazed how much dust and dirt can build up over the winter.
This is a great time to check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries, if needed.
Pressure wash your decks, driveway, and even your home’s siding, if needed.
If you have a pool, have it cleaned and stock up on chemicals and a water-testing kit.
Fertilize and irrigate your lawn. Prune trees and shrubbery and get ready for any spring gardening you might want to do.
Remember – This doesn’t have to be a one-person job. Recruit children, husbands and friends to help you get this done. A neighborhood yard sale is one way to make cleaning and de-cluttering fun. This also doesn’t have to be a one day or even one week process. Take your time, make a to do list and check things off when you can. The finished result will be worth the effort!
First, go through your house in sections. Go through all the bedrooms. Gather clothes, toys and housewares that are no longer being used. This is also a great time to store winter clothes and get out warmer weather clothes. Then do the office, kitchen, storage and garage. Organize as you go. Once you have done that, sell anything you can through consignment stores, have a yard sale or donate it to Salvation Army or Goodwill.
Use your sale money to hire someone to deep clean your house, OR…
Start high and go low. Do the upstairs rooms first, then go down. Start with walls, shelves and fixtures and then do the floors. This is a great time of year to target tile, crown molding, ceiling fans, baseboards, blinds, windows, screens, doors, light switches and out of the way corners and nooks.
Be sure to dust and clean your picture frames. If the glass needs to be polished, be sure to remove it from the frame to avoid damaging your portraits. Use a clean, cotton cloth and some glass cleaner. For dusting, use furniture polish or a damp cloth. This can really extend the life of these products and make them look new.
Move furniture to get everything clean and then steam your carpets or clean and wax hardwood floors. Have your grout cleaned, either professionally or rent a steamer and do it yourself. For smaller areas, grout can even be cleaned by hand with some rubber gloves, grout cleaner and a sturdy brush.
Change your home’s air filter. You’ll be amazed how much dust and dirt can build up over the winter.
This is a great time to check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries, if needed.
Pressure wash your decks, driveway, and even your home’s siding, if needed.
If you have a pool, have it cleaned and stock up on chemicals and a water-testing kit.
Fertilize and irrigate your lawn. Prune trees and shrubbery and get ready for any spring gardening you might want to do.
Remember – This doesn’t have to be a one-person job. Recruit children, husbands and friends to help you get this done. A neighborhood yard sale is one way to make cleaning and de-cluttering fun. This also doesn’t have to be a one day or even one week process. Take your time, make a to do list and check things off when you can. The finished result will be worth the effort!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Bellies to Babies
It seems as if everywhere I look I see another blossoming belly on another glowing mom-to-be. I love a large, pregnant belly (as long as it's not mine) and I especially love the look in the eyes of the parents-to-be as they talk about their plans for their new little one. In honor of all these moms who can barely bend down to put on snow boots this winter (and thankful I'm not one of them this year!) we've decided to offer a special deal for these marvelous women:
Get a FREE Maternity (Belly) Session when you book us for your little one's newborn photos.
A newborn session includes the following:
- A complimentary 30 minute in-hospital session
- A 2-4 hour in-home session
- 3 Baby brag books
- An online gallery of images to view and order prints
- A DVD of high resolution images to print and share.
Now for a little more explanation because I know you're bursting with questions!
The in-hospital session. The idea for offering this came from my extreme disappointment with our hospital "photographer" when my first son was born. Simply put, they were terrible and very blah. They lacked creativity and just did not speak to me.
We offer this complimentary service (meaning, if you want it and we're available, we'll be there, but if we happen to be out of town or photographing a wedding, etc it has no monetary value or "trade" value. It is exactly as stated, a complimentary service - but I will do everything in my means to be there. I promise.) because I want new moms (and new moms again) to have images they absolutely LOVE of their little one before they ever leave the hospital. We then post a sneak peek to facebook for tagging and sharing your bundle of joy with all of your loved ones.
The hospital session usually lasts about 30 mins. I usually focus more on the incredible love shared with the new family addition that is unique to the first few days after birth and leave the more time-consuming "sleeping" photos for the newborn session.
The newborn session. This usually occurs within the first 2 weeks because that's when baby sleeps the most and is easiest to "mold" into the adorable newborn poses we all love so much. Around that 2 week mark, they also don't curl up into the fetal position as tightly - meaning their legs won't stay tucked and shots of the cute bottom in the air become much more difficult.
You may wonder why newborns can take up to 4 hours photograph. The answer is simple - newborns are unpredictable! Believe it or not, I haven't met 2 that were the same yet. The time varies so much because it depends on your baby; her mood, if she's hungry and needs to be fed, needs a diaper change, is sleepy and cooperative or just plain cranky and takes a while longer to make her happy, contrite and fall back asleep. This leads me to why we do this in your home - baby is happiest and most comfortable in a familiar setting. I don't care if you have a gorgeous mansion or a humble little cottage. I don't care if you are exhausted and it's not spotless. I've had 2 children - I understand. We'll work with it. Don't stress about it. Let me work my magic and give you images you will fall in love with and cherish forever.
Brag Books. These are adorable and one of my favorite products. This is a super cute little accordian-style fold-out book, approx the size of a wallet. It includes about 10-12 of your favorite images and is custom-designed by the most incredible designer I know - Carl. :) You will absolutely LOVE these books and because you get 3 of them, they're perfect as gifts for grandparents as well!
Online gallery. After we work our magic on your images, they are uploaded to a private gallery with our lab, Pictage. You will have a private link to share with friends and family from which you may order prints of various sizes.
DVD of images. You will receive a DVD of all of your edited images - from the hospital and your home. Keep this DVD safe and treat it like you would film negatives. One little perk over old film negatives, though, is that you will be able to print these from home computer or you may take them to a professional lab of your choice. You will be given a copyright release for personal use.
All of this for your little angel is only $300. But if that's not enough of a bargain on it's own, take advantage of the FREE belly pics now (a $200 value). This includes 2-3 hours of photography in your home or at another location of your choice. The best time for these photos is approximately your 7th or 8th month, or when you're already nice and round, but not so close to the end you are totally exhausted and not wanting photos. Include the baby's father and any siblings as well. What a GREAT way to remember this time of your life. The glimmer in your eyes and the anticipation on your face (even if you don't think it's there) will shine in your images and you will love and treasure them.
As with all of our lifestyle sessions, this is about you and what's important to you. We never limit the number of participants in the photos, but we do require that if it's belly pics the mom-to-be actually be in the photos or newborn pics, we must include the baby in the photograph. Aside from that - include grandma, grandpa, siblings, etc. Take advantage of this opportunity to update your family photo as well! Please keep in mind, the more participants involved and the more onlookers present, the longer it often takes to coordinate and capture the perfect picture and you may receive less images. Let's keep things simple. We like it that way.
I am including a few images here for you to view and fall in love with, but please, take some time to view our website gallery at www.blindvisionsstudio.com and check out some of our most recent work on facebook at www.facebook.com/blindvisionsstudio.
Get a FREE Maternity (Belly) Session when you book us for your little one's newborn photos.
A newborn session includes the following:
- A complimentary 30 minute in-hospital session
- A 2-4 hour in-home session
- 3 Baby brag books
- An online gallery of images to view and order prints
- A DVD of high resolution images to print and share.
Now for a little more explanation because I know you're bursting with questions!
The in-hospital session. The idea for offering this came from my extreme disappointment with our hospital "photographer" when my first son was born. Simply put, they were terrible and very blah. They lacked creativity and just did not speak to me.
We offer this complimentary service (meaning, if you want it and we're available, we'll be there, but if we happen to be out of town or photographing a wedding, etc it has no monetary value or "trade" value. It is exactly as stated, a complimentary service - but I will do everything in my means to be there. I promise.) because I want new moms (and new moms again) to have images they absolutely LOVE of their little one before they ever leave the hospital. We then post a sneak peek to facebook for tagging and sharing your bundle of joy with all of your loved ones.
The hospital session usually lasts about 30 mins. I usually focus more on the incredible love shared with the new family addition that is unique to the first few days after birth and leave the more time-consuming "sleeping" photos for the newborn session.
The newborn session. This usually occurs within the first 2 weeks because that's when baby sleeps the most and is easiest to "mold" into the adorable newborn poses we all love so much. Around that 2 week mark, they also don't curl up into the fetal position as tightly - meaning their legs won't stay tucked and shots of the cute bottom in the air become much more difficult.
You may wonder why newborns can take up to 4 hours photograph. The answer is simple - newborns are unpredictable! Believe it or not, I haven't met 2 that were the same yet. The time varies so much because it depends on your baby; her mood, if she's hungry and needs to be fed, needs a diaper change, is sleepy and cooperative or just plain cranky and takes a while longer to make her happy, contrite and fall back asleep. This leads me to why we do this in your home - baby is happiest and most comfortable in a familiar setting. I don't care if you have a gorgeous mansion or a humble little cottage. I don't care if you are exhausted and it's not spotless. I've had 2 children - I understand. We'll work with it. Don't stress about it. Let me work my magic and give you images you will fall in love with and cherish forever.
Brag Books. These are adorable and one of my favorite products. This is a super cute little accordian-style fold-out book, approx the size of a wallet. It includes about 10-12 of your favorite images and is custom-designed by the most incredible designer I know - Carl. :) You will absolutely LOVE these books and because you get 3 of them, they're perfect as gifts for grandparents as well!
Online gallery. After we work our magic on your images, they are uploaded to a private gallery with our lab, Pictage. You will have a private link to share with friends and family from which you may order prints of various sizes.
DVD of images. You will receive a DVD of all of your edited images - from the hospital and your home. Keep this DVD safe and treat it like you would film negatives. One little perk over old film negatives, though, is that you will be able to print these from home computer or you may take them to a professional lab of your choice. You will be given a copyright release for personal use.
All of this for your little angel is only $300. But if that's not enough of a bargain on it's own, take advantage of the FREE belly pics now (a $200 value). This includes 2-3 hours of photography in your home or at another location of your choice. The best time for these photos is approximately your 7th or 8th month, or when you're already nice and round, but not so close to the end you are totally exhausted and not wanting photos. Include the baby's father and any siblings as well. What a GREAT way to remember this time of your life. The glimmer in your eyes and the anticipation on your face (even if you don't think it's there) will shine in your images and you will love and treasure them.
As with all of our lifestyle sessions, this is about you and what's important to you. We never limit the number of participants in the photos, but we do require that if it's belly pics the mom-to-be actually be in the photos or newborn pics, we must include the baby in the photograph. Aside from that - include grandma, grandpa, siblings, etc. Take advantage of this opportunity to update your family photo as well! Please keep in mind, the more participants involved and the more onlookers present, the longer it often takes to coordinate and capture the perfect picture and you may receive less images. Let's keep things simple. We like it that way.
I am including a few images here for you to view and fall in love with, but please, take some time to view our website gallery at www.blindvisionsstudio.com and check out some of our most recent work on facebook at www.facebook.com/blindvisionsstudio.
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