My new Adventure: Kids Birthday Parties!!!

So, here's the deal.

This is something I have been contemplating on for a while.

Kid's birthday parties.

I am thinking for around $250 for a maximum of 8 kids, you would get to use my studio for your child's birthday party that would include the following:

Dress up time and pictures!

I will have a room full of dress up clothes and accessories for boys and girls! They will then take pictures separately or with their friends.  I will have a green screen so we can make imaginative photos in outer space, or fairy tale garden, or wherever!

Each parent will be given the web address at time of the party where they can view and order prints if desired. The birthday child would receive a package of pictures that is included in the price already.

We will provide decorations, cake & punch, plates and napkins. (unless you prefer to bring your own for a more "themed party").

"Goody bags" will include a coupon for a free 8x10 from the party pictures that will be posted on a webpage for viewing.


So, tell me what you think? Would you think kids would enjoy this? I think as a parent, I would enjoy it.

Thanks for reading, now to go take a shower while Julien naps and get ready for a very busy (and loud) evening. I am taking Alex and some friends to see this "back to school" concert in Alexandria tonight.

Peace
Kelly Airhart

Half off portrait sessions for the months of August and September!

Lol. I feel like I'm a used car sales man...or I guess used car woman.

(You have to read the following in an annoying used car sales man voice that echoes on the radio commercials, or it just won't have the same effect.)

"Come on down and book your session between now and September 30, and you'll get it half off! That's right! Half off regular session price!"

So how much is that?

Quick! Grab your calculators and divide $75 by 2.

Your answer should be $37.50.

Wasn't that fun? lol.

Anyways, this isn't a joke.

I am seriously booking sessions for $37.50 between now and the end of September. You will still get your 2 hours, and a personalized webpage included in this.
(This deal does not include senior portraits, bridal portraits, or weddings...sorry).

So I hope you jump on this incredible opportunity to get some fantastic portraits that unlike anything you have hanging on your wall right now.

ORRRRRRR..../ANNNNNNDDD....

You can still sign up for fall portraits (if you haven't done so already).

This is also a FANTASTIC chance to save and get beautiful photos.

Fall Portraits will be held Sept 4, 2010 in the Courtyard of Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchitoches, La.

You will pay $45 and that covers your "sitting fee" and a nice little package of pictures: one 8x10; two 5x7's, two 3x5's and 8 wallets.


I really hope that you guys take advantage of these deals and spread the word for me! Repost this blog on your facebook page. Print it out, and hand it out to people you know!

I appreciate everyone's support. I know in time my photography business will bud into something I can be very proud of.

Alright, if you need to contact me do so via facebook message, kellyairhartphotography@gmail.com, or call me at 318-332-6607.

Peace out!
Kelly Airhart

Kelly Airhart: Oh blog, how I have neglected you.

Kelly Airhart: Oh blog, how I have neglected you.: "So, I had originally planned to write in this blog everyday. I made it 3 days. And now its been over a week (I think), and here I am forci..."

Oh blog, how I have neglected you.

So, I had originally planned to write in this blog everyday.

I made it 3 days.

And now its been over a week (I think), and here I am forcing myself to commit to it again. And maybe this time for longer than 3 days.

Why? Because somewhere down the line, I believe (for some reason) that it could really help me in my various assortment of career ambitions.

Looking at a job description on Disneyjobs.com, I found a blogging position. It required a bachelor's degree, which I am working on, and 2 years experience in "blogging" or (equivalent experience in writing).

The trick is, I will need more than 3 followers. lol. Especially since one of my followers is me.

Nothing to fret over, apparently  I still have 2 years before I can try to become a Disney blogger. And even if that's not what I am meant to do, which is okay really, I should continue to write. Right?

(Random thought: I really want a chocolate shake right now...)

Anyways, yes I should continue to write, and not ramble...Which I am totally rambling right now. My apologies, I am just in a funk creatively today.

I am about to head back to the studio where I will stare blankly at the computer screen some more (without internet..boo...) and sort through thousands of images while adding keywords, editing, deleting, and getting my stock library completely organized so maybe I can sell some pictures... one day...

Peace
Kelly Airhart

Feel the burn...

So, I did it.

I went to the gym last night.

I only survived 20 minutes, and it was all on an exercise bike.

About 16 minute in my boob started to hurt. lol. I felt like either it was going to fall off, or I was going to die.

So, I made it to 20 minutes, and then took the walk of shame to the exit.

The lady who was on the stair stepper when I arrived, was still on the stair stepper. I felt like such a wuss.

But,  I am going to try to go back tonight.... I think.

I will quote Garth Brooks by saying, "I'm much too young to feel this d*mn old."

ANyways..

I ended up not going back to the studio last night. So I don't have pictures yet. But I will this evening.

But right now, I need to go shower and get ready to pick my oldest son up from his stay with his great granny.

I am so excited to see him. Its been too quiet without him....well sord of... lol.

Peace
Kelly Airhart

Really? Free pictures! Come on.

So, I have decided that all the effort I am putting into my new contest is not paying off yet.

Boo.

I have 2 adorable children entered, and I am sure there will be a fun little battle to see which one will win free pictures, but I was kind of hoping to have at least 5 or 7 or 10 kids. lol...

Blah blah blah...Kelly quit being a pessimist. I know.

I would have thought people would jump at the chance to get free pictures of their children. I know I would. (you know..if I wasn't a photographer.)

So then the questions start running through my head:

Do I suck?

Am I really that horrible, that no one wants pictures from me? (even if they are FREE)

Are people just not into free pictures?

What am I doing wrong?

Uff..

I have no patience. That's whats wrong.

There is nothing wrong with the people who I am desperately pleading to to enter.  There is nothing wrong with my pictures. (right?)

All this to sit and think about while I wait for my son to finish his nap.

I suppose I could go paint that coffee table, so I can bring it up to the studio after he wakes up. That would be much more productive than me whining and complaining.

Blah...I guess I will go be productive now.

I will post pictures tonight of my "make over" that I am doing to my studio. Its coming along quite nicely I think.

peace
Kelly Airhart

Wow...that was some sporadic blogging...

Dear Blogspot,

You have managed to confuse me in so many ways these last few days. So much so, that I am now following myself, after trying to request to follow a friend.

Oh well, now I have two followers instead of just one (thank you Jenny for being the other)...lol.

That is all,
Kelly


Okay, well maybe that's not all....

I woke up this morning feeling old.

Not mentally, but physically.

Everything on my body was aching, and I could barely sit up.

I am way to far out of shape.

Yes, I have a gym membership, and yes it is paid in full for the year. But the gym terrifies me. I don't know how to use most of the equipment. And when I get on it, I feel like the idiot that everyone is watching and thinking, "she doesn't know what she's doing..ha ha."

Okay, I know, people at the gym are probably more self centered than that. (And I mean that in the nicest way possible.)

Anyways, I feel like I need to use my membership. So tonight, I will go.

I am not setting any goals. I am not promising that I will go every day of the week.

But I will go tonight, and use the treadmill thing, and the bike (walk and ride a bike..both things I could do without a gym membership..lol.). And I will try to enjoy it.

My stomach is now growling at me...it's smoothie time!

And then after smoothie time, I will be going to my studio sometime this morning, to work at making it feel less empty, and more approachable. After all, I am starting regular hours in about a week or so.

I really hope that helps things, and I really wish the Episcopal Church would call. It looks like I am going to have to make plans elsewhere for fall pictures. booo.

Okay, off to make things happen!

Kelly Airhart

Julien's first bday pictures

Granted, these images are not the best of the best in technical photography terms. The focus is soft, so there is a little bit of a blur, and some noise.

But hey! You try to take a picture of a one year old (and cake) without any help from another adult. Or any help from anyone for that matter.

I have to say that no matter how the pictures turn out, they are still perfect. Perfect because he is perfect.

So I present to you Julien Daniel Eldridge as a one year old (mommy loves you):

Well, I hope you enjoyed! I'm off to make dinner interesting...and hopefully tasty!

Kelly Airhart

This is what I want to do..

This is my inspiration for the day: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/author/gvaughan/

This is Garth Vaughan.

This is my dream job.

Mr. Garth is a photographer for Disney. He makes his money by hanging out in Disney and taking beautiful pictures. 

Amazing.

I am desperately searching for his email address, which he has so cleverly hidden, so I can ask to shadow him..lol.

So if you just happen to have Garth Vaughan's email address, I'd appreciate if you'd hand it over....please and thank you!

Anyways, today I am going to practice first birthday shots with my adorable one year old. Cake and all! I'm sure he will enjoy it. 

I will be posting pictures later.

Have a great day!

Kelly

I'm not complaining...

So this week has been like no other.

I would like to start with Monday, but I honestly can't remember it. 

I feel myself wanting to complain about all the bad things that happened in these last few days: my car dying; Levi's car having a blow out; Levi's car having another flat tire the next day; My dad telling my car would need a $1500 repair (after a $400 repair earlier this week..oh there's a Monday memory for you); and now my dad being admitted to the hospital . 

But I guess I am not going to. 

No matter how bad things get for me, there is always someone who has it worse. 

This morning, I went to my studio (which I have been neglecting because of pure pessimism, and laziness...which has to stop immediately) and after feeding my wonderful little studio kitty, Mystery, I walked outside and locked the door. While I was locking the door, a lady called out to me, "Hey pretty lady," she was standing outside a church door. "Is there anybody in there? Will they be there today?" 

"I think so," I told her. I mean it was Sunday morning after all.

"Can you read what the door says to me?" she asked, without any hesitation, no shame.

"It says they meet at 3:00 on Sundays." (odd I thought, but whatever...)

"Oh," she then looked down at her dirty feet, "Do you have any change I could have?" 

And there it was, the shame had set in. I felt awful, but I had to tell her no. I really didn't have any change. All I had was my debit card. 

"What church do you go to?" she asked, still looking for an answer to her dilemma I suppose.

Quickly I blurted out the name of the church I was married in 4 years ago, but hadn't attended since, "Holy Cross Church. It's over by the campus."

Then I opened my car door. I didn't know what else to do. She proceeded to tell me she was going to wait and see if someone would come by this church. It was only 10:30 this morning. The sign on the door said Sunday at 3:00.

I left, but said a prayer for her. I pray that someone has the heart to help her. Someone comes by, and opens that door. Someone offers her some companionship. 

But then I stopped and thought a moment. All the things that I had been complaining about now seemed so insignificant...well except for my dad being in the hospital. That's still pretty significant.

While I have to admit, this has not been a great week, I will never stop being thankful for the underlying good in it all.  

I am blessed with a family who loves me. I am privileged to be educated, and to be continuing my education. I am lucky to have many talents to explore. 

Even though times are rough right now, I am not giving up. 

I have sent off manuscripts this week. I have started another contest for my photography to hopefully draw more attention to my work. I am going to continue to do what I love, because I love it, and because I have all the support I need from my wonderful family.

Well, thats it for this morning. I have a disaster of a house that needs cleaning, and I tend to clean my best when I am worried.

Please keep my dad in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you

Kelly Airhart