So Many Blessings February 26, 2009

I just finished watching yesterday’s Oprah, and it was on tent cities around the country.  Middle class Americans who have lost everything in these tough times.  Families torn apart when the women and children are forced to go to shelters, and the men of the families have to find somewhere else to go.  Many shelters only take women and children, I assume for safety reasons.  Or tent cities where middle-aged adults refuse to tell their grown children about the situation they are in.  Part out of shame, and part because they don’t want to burden them. 

Again, it just brings life into perspective.  My husband and I still have good jobs.  Our home is safe, payments are made on time.  Our lifestyle, though monitored more carefully now, has not had to change all that much.  Hey, we are all pinching here and there.  Going out less, having more potlucks instead of dinners out.  Renting movies instead of going to see them.  Working a little extra.  But lets all take a moment to again be thankful that our bills are getting paid.  That we have a roof over our heads, that our families aren’t forced into shelters, or tent cities.  Be kind to the homeless, be gracious to those who have less than you.  Hand over a dollar, or an apple, or a blanket.  Be blessed, and bless others when you can.

SDP and Matts’, a Perfect Pairing February 21, 2009

I am so very proud to announce a partnership with Matt’s Rotisserie and Oyster Lounge (http://www.mattsrotisserie.com/ ) .  You may or may not know that in addition to photography, I have been in the restaurant industry for most of my life.  It is second nature for me, and I am an employee of Matts’ part-time.  Matts’ has an absolutely beautiful Private Dining Room, that is the perfect place for hosting a rehearsal dinner.  There is NO ROOM FEE, which in your search for the perfect casual fine-dining restaurant, you won’t find elsewhere.  Summer Dawn Photography and Matts’ is offering a double 10% discount!!  For couples who book both Matts’ Rotisserie and Summer Dawn Photography, they will receive a 10% discount on their rehearsal dinner at Matts’, as well as a 10% discount on all album orders from me!  This can easily add up to hundreds of dollars, and who doesn’t like to save a little?? 

Please contact Summer Hopkins www.summerdawnphotography.com or Marie Ferris www.mattsrotisserie.com for more information

Q. How does Pictage work? February 20, 2009

A.  Pictage is the on-line hosting service I use for all of my wedding and portrait clients.  For my portrait clients, it offers on-line proofs, that my clients can view in the comfort of their own homes at their own pace.  By simply clicking on the star at the bottom of the image, it is added to their favorites folder.  Once they are happy with all of their selections, I use that folder to create their album, and CD.  Friends and family can register to view the images as well, and I even offer a small gift certificate towards prints if they register BEFORE the images are ready for review!

For wedding clients, Pictage is even better.  Again, friends and family can register to view the images.  They also get a small gift certificate if they pre-register.  And one of the coolest features is that Pictage will send an e-mail with a direct link right to every pre-registered guest so that they know the exact moment the images are available!  Each guest can create their own favorites folder, and they can purchase directly from the site.  They can even change things like borders, cropping, and tint.  Plus, Pictage serves as an off-site storage center.  So even if my home office (God forbid) goes up in flames, your images are protected. 

Pictage is simple to use, and my brides have enjoyed the freedom it brings them.  No more collecting print orders and money, those days are LONG gone.  Simply let me, and Pictage do the work for you!

Karen & Radu: a page in history February 11, 2009

                                                Check out this beautiful page out of Karen and Radu’s wedding album.  This is one of the fuller pages, many of them have much more negative space, and are kept simpler.  But I love the way this page gives you a glimpse into the reception and cocktail hour.  Fun and whimsical, with a few highlights of the food and beverage that was so carefully planned by the couple.  I have the pleasure of delivering the album to Karen on Friday, and I can’t wait for her to see the album in person.  She and Radu have been troopers working through this first project with my new design team.  Thanks again you two for your trust and patience!

What Do We Wear??? February 10, 2009

One of the main questions I get from portrait clients planning a family shoot is:  WHAT DO WE WEAR???

Well, you have a couple of options.  For one thing, the idea is not that the entire family wear the exact same outfit, so you look like drones.  The idea is that you pick a theme, and stick with it.  First of all, decide how dressy you want the overall feel to be.  My first choice for any family shoot is outdoors at a park, the beach, a field or river, etc.  So for most of those places, dressy casual is perfect.  Then, you might pick a color scheme, or an attire scheme.  So you may want everyone in neutrals, or you may want the boys in collared shirts with sweater vests, or you might want the whole family in their winter coats with scarves, or everyone in jeans with a colored solid shirt on top, or frankly my favorite and the standby I use with my own family, is denim or Khaki on the bottom (pants are best, but you could do a mixture of skirts, shorts and pants) and a white shirt.  I love the look of white button downs on boys, and a nice tank, or any cute white top for girls.  Keep away from prints, because they are just too busy, and if only one person has on a print, they will stand out in every picture, particulary the black and whites.   You CAN use prints to your advantage if you are mindful.  For example, maybe the kids are all in plaid and mom and dad in solids.  Or everyone has a similar printed scarf, etc.  Keep it simple is the best rule to follow.  And moms: don’t let this stress you out.  Keep it simple, solid and comfortable.  Oh, and don’t be afraid to bribe at the shoot!  Bring a little bag of fruit chews, or something small and not too messy that you can promise and use to work with them while we are shooting.  It is totally worth it!

Calling all Walkers February 9, 2009

The RACK WARRIORS is taking aplications!  WEll, so you don’t actually have to apply, just want to walk 60 miles in three days with a very fun and dedicated group of women on September 11-13!

Our fearless leader Abby, is getting ready to have the first meeting for our team, and anyone with the desire to help end breast cancer is more than welcome to attend.  Simply comment here, or contact me at sumhopkins@netscape.net for more info.  This is a great opportunity to finally “do more”.  I don’t know about you, but I love to donate money to good causes, but frankly donating is a little difficult right now.  I’ve got less expendable income, therefore I must donate less.  You could  volunteer, which again is a big commitment.  There are any number of things you could do to “do more”, and this 3-day walk is one great option.  The cause, is of course the core, ending breast cancer by increased education, increased research, and programs that aid women in getting mammograms.  But think about all the other amazing benefits: the community of women and men coming together for a common cuase, the statement of the simple act of walking 60 miles in three days, the friendships that will solidify, and form, and the knowledge that this year, you finally did more.

Come join us!  WE would love to walk with you.

www.the3day.org

Shedding February 8, 2009

So I am almost done with the Shack, and although I know this book just isn’t for everyone, I think alot of what it teaches us can be universal, whether or not you are a spiritual person.

For one thing, a very central lesson in this book is the idea of relationships vs. roles.  When you are acting, and expecting others to act as they should, according to their roles,then you are basically setting yourself, and the other person up for failure.   What a person “should” do, may not be what they actually do.  You are asserting power over that person by the desire to punish them if they don’t meet your expectations.  You may punish them by getting upset, acting disappointed, telling them they are irresponsible.  Now, on the other hand, if you are living in a constant relationshipwith that person, not the role that person is playing (friend, husband, brother, sister, etc.) then you don’t have any debilitating expectations, that inevitably at one time or another, will not be met.  We are human after all, and simply can’t be perfect, acting in the perfect way to every situation. 

In short, the idea is that without expectations of what your husband, for example should do, and while trying to focus on the relationshipwith the man you married, you are lessening the likelihood that your husband might let you down.  Think about it:  you didn’t marry a fictional all knowing being called husband.  You married a man with a personality, with emotions, with stresses and expectations coming from every direction.  And you married that person for who they are, not for the role you might one day want them to play. 

Basically what I have learned from the Shack, is that by shedding the expectations of the roles you want people to play, you are opening up your heart to continually accept them for who they are.  Which is the truest, and best form of love.

No one is perfect, we all make mistakes.  And I think we all deserve to be treated, and treat one another with the deepest love we are capable of.  And maybe, just maybe, that means focusing more on the person and the relationship, which is always a two-way street, and less on the ROLE we think they are supposed to be fulfilling for us.  Just something to think about

The Shack February 6, 2009

  WOW!!!  Although this isn’t an official book club pick, (we’re still finishing Revolutionary Road, and gearing up for our watch the movie, have happy hour, discuss day) I just wanted to say anyone who is looking for a bit of a spiritual, okay a major spiritual journey, should check out the Shack.  I haven’t blogged in a few days, and frankly this is why.  My husband noted that I carry it with me everywhere, just in case I have a moment to spare.  I am almost done, and have loved my time with this book.  I’d love to hear from anyone who is also reading this one!  And I’ll try to finish it quickly so I can have more time for blogging!!!