Wanna Pretend to be a Model?

Seems like I'm always getting some new idea that I want to try. Sometimes it's because I got inspired by a seminar or magazine article, or maybe I bought a new prop or backdrop, or sometimes it's just because I got some out-of-the-blue-hair-brained idea that I want to try. Or maybe I'm working on an idea for a painting or fine art photograph.

Now, I'm a portrait photographer all the way down into my heart. If I'm going to play with a new idea, it almost always involves having someone in the photograph.

So what do I do? Often I pull up my "Little Black Book" of people who are interested in being my models and call someone to offer a free session and a copy of my favorite image when we're done. Kinda like planning a play date. (By the way, that's also where I look first when a commercial client needs someone included in their shot with their product.)

Well--here's the problem. It's been two years since I updated my "Little Black Book" for models, and that's waaaay too long. I've got several ideas percolating, and it's just plain time to update things.

If you're interested, here's the plan. Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 from 10am to 5pm we're having an open casting call. No appointments, just pop in whenever you can. There will be a couple of forms to fill out and an model release to sign (must be 18 or signed by parent or legal guardian) and we'll do a quickie head shot for our book. That's all there is to it.

No need to dress up, no pressure. After you get called for a full-fledged session that's when we'll get all gussied up and stuff. Of course, there's no guarantee that you'll get a call to come, but if you don't get into the book it's a pretty sure bet you wont. If you REALLY want to be part of this, but you have to be outta town that day, call us and we'll fit you in some other time.

FYI: I might submit a favorite image to a background or prop manufacturer, and they could end up using it in their next catalogue or on their website. That would be super cool!

Models Needed for Projects I'm Working on Now:

Newborns 1-10 days old for new crochet snuggies, slings. (Expectant mom's can register their babies for our book with just a due date and a model release)

Babies 1-3 months old for new crochet baby hats and toboggans I'm making.

One through seven year old girls to show off our NEW COLLECTION of the cutest tutu's from Peach Tea Couture. They're adorable, and I have the entire collection, so I need a bunch of adorable girlies to come play dress up with me.

Families to pose for sample shots for marketing materials for our new division that offers Church Directory photography.

Princesses, fairies, or little boys who love frogs to be photographed in our castle arch outside. Our fab faux painter has painted us a wall to go behind the arch, and the vines are finally starting to grow up it a little, so it's ready!!!

High School Juniors from all the Triad High Schools: Trinity, Wheatmore, Randleman, Central High Point, East Davidson, Southwest Guilford etc. We're looking for Senior Spokesmodels for next years senior portraits. If you're part of the Class of 2012 and wanna earn some cash--we need to talk!

Teens with hip urban style, or toddlers with farm themed outfits for a new set we're getting ready to install. It's made of aged tin from an old barn roof. Rhonda risked life, limb, and husband to get that stuff, it's gonna be a really cool backdrop.

Expectant mom's with a sense of adventure. I wanna play with some ideas for maternity portraits that are different. ;-)

Pets of all kinds, housebroken, well loved. Working on a display and updating website photos.

Christmas Shopping...fa,la,la,la,laaaa...HELP!

Do you feel the same way about gift shopping that I do? Of course I enjoy shopping, hey, I’m a girl, it’s part of my genetic makeup. And I certainly enjoy making the people I love feel special and valued. Spending money, that's a mixed emotions kinda thing for me. Enjoy the spending, hate the counting up the totals afterward, he-he-he.

But (you knew there was gonna be a “but” in there, didn’t you?) I face the same challenge every year, finding thoughtful gifts that the folks on my list will enjoy and appreciate. Some years I feel like I do pretty good, others leave me feeling less confident. The real winners are gifts that get used, talked about or enjoyed long after the Christmas season is over.

That’s one of the reasons we started offering Gift Certificates at Memory Lane Portraits. Everyone knows how precious a great portrait is. It’s a wonderful memory that starts with the session and lasts for a lifetime. (You know something is valuable if folks are still hanging on to it years later.)Every year we get calls from folks saying their mother told them all she really wanted this year was a great family portrait for her wall.

Keep an eye out, tomorrow we’re starting a Limited Time Special on our Gift Certificates from Memory Lane Portraits by Rhonda Lester. If you’re one of the smart folks who signed up for our mailing list, you’ll get an email with details.

Also, if you're wondering, yes, we're gonna be taking sessions the week between Christmas and New Years--so get the gang together and let's plan a new family portrait for you. Growing, changing families often need new portraits every year, and everyone else about every 4 or 5 years. How long has it been?