Some of what's coming in 2014!

          We are heading into our 2^nd year at the studio and I am so very excited to see what 2014 will bring DJMdesigns!  So much has changed and so much will change after the first of the year.  We hope that you all come in and join the fun that will be happening!  Some of the changes, to name a few, will include the Birthday Club, The Special of the Month Club, and Santa’s Helpers.  Each of these will have special perks for our returning clients and hopefully help people to know what is what each month (Details about these will be offered soon).

          The look of the studio is changing as we move the desk to open up the studio and perhaps let stay where we are for a little longer.  We love our little studio and our landlord, so we are happy to stay where we are.  We are realizing that we are outgrowing our space though and it will be a bittersweet thing when the time comes!  It is our hope that we will continue to grow as time goes on.  Along with the look of our studio changing, our website will be changing as well and hope that everyone takes the time to stop by and check it out when it is done.  Some of the major changes on our site will include the Senior & Grad title, which will become Teen & Grad (we are choosing Juniors that will grow into Senior Reps), Couples & Weddings, Family & Pets, Maternity to First Year, The Santa Experience, Hangin’ at the Patch, and Springtime fun.  We have big plans and bigger goals.  We hope that everyone can join us for this new leg of the journey.  We are so excited!  I cannot wait! 

          New people are coming in just to help me out and hopefully I can offer a part-time position to someone after the first of the year, but with that means some changes in rates.  As many of you know I really want to keep my prices low for families, but Christmas really showed me just how much help I need!  I was booked so back-to-back I couldn’t even answer my phones or check messages until after 9pm.  I did my best to get back with everyone, but it made it super hard to do with almost no time to do it…especially while I was so sick.  I had to take more time off than I normally do which just threw everything way off.  I am a one woman show these days doing it all and I love it, but the reality is it makes it hard to make sure that everyone gets what they need.

          The holidays were rough and I am afraid some people left unhappy (just another sign that help is needed), for this I am a little sad.  I am a very accommodating person and love being able to make sure everyone gets what they want in a timely fashion.  So with that being said, after several requests (almost 100) we will be starting Santa two weeks before Thanksgiving so that people can get their Christmas cards in.  However, Santa will only be available on the weekends and in the evening until Black Friday.  Three prices points will be added to Santa since some people didn’t want the full experience.  Times are tough and payment options will continue to be offered; but a deposit will always be required for sessions and will not be a separate charge from the entire package.  Some people were worried that it was an extra fee; it isn’t and will just hold your date.  We are in very high demand with people making appointments (especially at Christmas) months in advance out.

          Thank you all again for taking the time to read through this and coming in and supporting us!  We strive to keep our prices low, our studio casual, and the atmosphere one that will keep you coming back again and again!  Keep your eyes peeled for what is happening in 2014.  I do not think you will be disappointed!

 ~Doni, Owner of DJMdesigns

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Santa Claus…Santa is more to me than a fellow in a red cap sporting a white fluffy beard.  He is the embodiment of childhood which is a time when all seems possible, the world still seems like a good place to be, and there is a tiny inkling of magic lurking in each crevice of a season marked by joy, hope, love, and peace.  Last year was the very first Annual Santa Experience (even though we hadn’t decided to call it that at first) and was something that we thought could be a fun thing to do during the holiday season.  We never imagined it would become its own entity far outside that of DJMdesigns Photography and what my vision originally was…instead it became something much bigger than the entire business.

The Santa Experience is something that will embody a full one-on-one interaction with Santa and that will involve more than just a few moments on his lap in an over-crowded mall somewhere.  With our Santa there are no lines to be waited in (and as we no small children LOVE waiting in line for a long time), there is no rush, and best of all no pressure to sit on Santa’s lap at all.  It is our goal to let children be who they are, acclimate to Santa in a way that they can feel comfortable, and walk away with a positive experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives.  But most of all, we want them to want to come back and see us year after year and perhaps someday their children, too.

That isn’t all though, our Santa is accepting wish lists and letters with the intention of writing back.  We want this to be about community, family, and all that is important about Christmas.  We want our Santa to pave the way for a positive fun-loving experience that is just a little something more than a five second moment on his knee and a “see you next year” sort of deal.  We want it to be magical; we want it to feel real…and we want children to get a chance to be children in a time when sometimes it doesn’t seem possible for that to happen.

There is just one more thing that we think is really we want everyone to know about our drawing each year that will land some lucky families a visit from Santa on Christmas Eve right at their front doors just as one more thing that makes us part of this community!  So stop on by our reservation links or call ahead to see when you can come pay your deposit for your child’s special time with Santa.  We would like to become your new tradition each holiday season!  Please feel free to visit our website and click on The Santa Experience tab where you can find the reservation links:

http://www.djmdesignsphotos.com/

 

Changes, Changes, Changes!

It feels like ever since I opened the doors to DJMdesigns' Studio that there have been nothing but one change after the other as I learn what works and what does not.  It has been a tremendous journey, for sure.  I am so grateful for all of the new people that have come through out doors and all of the wonderful friends that have managed to come into my life since my family embarked on this endeavor.  There is a lot to be thankful for, for sure! 

In about two weeks time, it will be my First Anniversary since moving in and in all of that time I never imagined just how quickly that time would fly by and with the new anniversary comes a great change...we will be setting up a new system for Fieldtrips and Promotions which will be ready by then end of August.  We are excited because it will help us stay organized, it will keep us from losing appointments/double booking, and it will let all of you know when you are supposed to be participating in your sessions!  The test run was fairly successful with the only glitches occuring in the people using their cell phones...but that is a small thing really in the spectrum of it all.

Next, we will be switching the times again to accomodate for the slow season...we will of course honor anyone's request for an appointment so long as it doesn't fall on one of the scheduled days off.  The biggest lesson I have learned is that I have to be able to take some time away from the studio to revitalize, clean my house (it has been fairly neglected over time), and to spend time with my boys one-on-one.  The business was oringally stared with them in mind and I want to make sure that I can fulfill my end of the bargain and be there when they need me.

Finally, I have said it once, twice...many times I am sure!  But I wanted to make sure to thank all of you that have come in and embraced my sons as part of the business.  They are pretty special guys and to have so many welcome them has been very heart-warming and wonderful.  It is amazing to feel so welcomed doing something that I thoroughly enjoy and knowing that my efforts benefit my family!  Thanks again and keep on coming in!  I love you all!

PS There are more changed coming!  Keep your eyes peeled! 

A new facebook page emerges...

After several brides seeking out samples of my work on facebook and surfing my many, many albums have expressed just how difficult it is to find what they are looking for in all of those other albums!  So it has come to my attention that I needed a fresh page.  With all of the many things that I do with the business my first photography love just so happens to be weddings. Weddings mark a beginning...a beginning of two lives together, the beginning of future children, and the beginning of a journey that starts off with the best of all things:  Love.  What greater time to capture those moments than at the beginning of it all on that special day in which two people decide to share the rest of their lives together. 

It is my goal to make sure that each time a couple looks at their wedding pictures that they are reminded about what made them decide to get married in the first place...what that magical time was like twenty, thirty, even sixty years later I want those moments to be forever captured for their use and enjoyment.

The expression, "Pictures tell a thousand words," does not adequately show just how much this is true...each picture is a moment in time and tells something important that happened.  It is my job to take that moment (memory if you will) and seek out what is beautiful, precious, and wonderful about it. 

With that being said, here is the link to the new fanpage that will be dedicated solely to weddings, engagement, and bridal pictures so that those future brides can find something that they did not even know that they wanted until they see it!  Check it out and like it!  :)

https://www.facebook.com/BridalWeddingAndEngagementByDjMdesigns

Alaskan Friends: Arxotica

Some of you may already know that I have lived in a lot of different places in my life before I ended up in Shelton.  Most of my childhood and adolescent years were spent moving from place-to-place as my father found another position with another hospital throughout most of the west coast.  Each town, city, or village had its own specific uniqueness that I found appealing; however, of all of the places that I had moved to, I would have to say Bethel, Alaska was by far the most unique, fun, and interesting of them all.  

Never had I been somewhere that was as small as it was, but filled with such amazing diversity of cultures and people.  By far, the seemingly desolate sparseness of the little village that lay nestled roughly somewhere 400 miles Northwest of Anchorage.  It lies in what is known as the lower Kuskoquim Delta and I can easily say that it offered so much more than just snow and tundra.  What I found during my time there was a community full of amazing people with a wonderful perspective on life.  The friendly and beautiful Alaska Natives with their enchanting way of traditional life to the teaming expanse of settlers from various countries far outside even those of us from the Lower Forty-eight.  Although I can honestly say I do not miss the cold isolation that was winter there, I do miss the people...many of whom I still value as friends twenty-and-some-odd-years later.  It is the people that meant the most and still do. 

With that being said, I am so proud to introduce a company that is manned by a trio of sisters who I used to look up to in high school and are now paving the way to better skincare while respecting and using the elements of the place where they are from.  I see them as amazing entrepreneurs who I respect and admire for their hard work and passion in a time when many are too afraid to make their dreams of a business come true.

Below is an excerpt that one of the sisters, Michelle Sparck, wrote to me when trying to explain just where they came up with their ideas for this amazing skin care company.  Take a look at what she has to say and then check our her company's webpage to see their products are:

Early on in our research, we followed trends in the Cosmetics & Toiletries Industry where they were scouring the earth for ingredients with an edge, not just as a 'magic bullet' but with a story to it also. They were moving more toward naturals and even before organic labeling took hold, the more unique and exotic the better. Not just C&T, but look at Snapple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zoh0tHRXOvE) and snacks carried at places like Wholefoods with exotic fruits and grains like goji berries, açaí and quinoa - oh my!
They were going to the Himalayas, the Amazon and other parts of the equator for good stuff. We realized we were sitting on it in our own back yard. As you know, we are at America's fringe, little would people recognize it as part of the union, but we have untold wealth in cosmetic ingredients. So in the best of both worlds, we are exotic AND American - we make every effort to be Made in the USA even though so many have pushed us to do everything in China.
Rigorous R&D allowed us to assess the antioxidant levels of our high nutrient flora. To make an excellent formulation even better, we use glacier water from Eklutna and extra virgin, cold pressed salmon oil for the Omega factor. With the assistance of a cosmetic chemist (with the proviso that our products not carry parabans or be artificially colored or fragranced) we created a very potent topical skin serum with Arctic super-foods that nourishes your skin for health and wellness. Our little boutique brand may not be well-known, but we are made in the same house as powerhouse names like Chanel and Elizabeth Arden.

 As many of you know, I really and truly believe that supporting small business is the way in which our economy is going to get better...each small business is the way to increasing the value of our dollar...small business owners are future employers to others.  So check out their website:  http://www.arxotica.com/

I love that they use resources from Alaska to create their products!

Just another little contest...

Just another little contest in the DJMdesigns repitoire...April was an amazing month and I feel pretty blessed as I walk into May and another special.  I wanted to give a special thanks to Sew Now Studio for the amazing wardrobes that you shared with us and to all of the people that participated!  I am relishing each moment and each session as I meet more and more people along this journey. Our winner won with 193 likes and I loved just how how to the leading two contestants were and of course the kids were just adorable!

More over than that, I want to say just how much magic there really is in the wonder that was in each child's face as they used their imaginations and had a good time playing!   

Let's Make Believe...

As a continued effort by DJMdesigns to keep photography for kids a good experience full of positive and engaging  memories, we are calling this month's $10.00 special:  "Let's Make Believe..."  For April 2013, we have decided to focus on what makes children so amazing...their imaginations!  

In order to do this we have teamed up with Shelton's very own Sew Now Studio (location details to follow)!  They have shared with us some great re-purposed play clothes such as: fairy wings, tutus, super hero capes, hats, and dresses!  We have also supplied a few other props and accessories for your use; however, if your little one has his or her own favorite dress-up outfit feel free to bring it in! 

Let's create artistic and beautiful memories during a time that we all know is a fleeting place in time...childhood!  Although we are having another facebook competition for 4-8 year olds (details at the bottom of this blog post)...this special deal is open for everyone!  So don't miss out!    

This outfit came from Sew Now Studios.  Be sure to watch for upcoming workshops!

Just a little something about Sew Now Studio!  If you are crafty and love to learn new things, check out Sew Now Studio's upcoming workshops via their Facebook fanpage:  https://www.facebook.com/SewNowStudio?fref=ts (go be a fan!)

 You can also email them at:  sewnowstudio@about.me

OR better yet visit Sew Now Studio and see what they have to offer:

321 S 1st Street

Shelton, WA  98584

360-790-3976

 

Contest Details:

For ages 4-8 years old...you must promote your photo!  Albums will be posted, but you won't know which picture that will will chosen for this contest until the very last week of April.  At which time you will promote your photo!  Winners will be announced April 30, 2013.

Discovering what really matters...

 This last week was wonderful during my Birthday Bash Special...I love all of people that were new to my camera and some of the ones that weren't so new to it, too...but this was a week of many challenges for me and one of the greatest was not getting to see much of my family while I buzzed along.  It really made me realize just how lucky I am to have the opportunity to have my sons at work with me every day.

With that being said, just imagine just how happy I was when I got to spend an entire day with my oldest son...just him and me.  It was magical!  Some of you may or may not know that both of my sons are on the autism spectrum, and those of you that know me really well know just long the journey has been...the kids have always been easy.  It has been dealing with all of the other things that have come along the way that have been difficult, but photography has allowed me the ability to be where I was needed when my boys needed me most... 

 Photography has given me a lot and with the studio coming in it has given my kids an idea of what it is that I do.  With that new understanding, my son Seamus has decided that he wants his picture taken all of the time now and so we had a little mini-session when it was just him and I...It was while I was taking pictures of his smiling face that I was reminded me of why I started doing portrait photography in the first place...I take pictures, because I love my kids.  

My son showing me just how much he has grown since those days so long ago...

Long before I realized that I could make something of a career out of taking pictures, I knew that the two amazing special boys that I had were not 'traditional studio' friendly.  They were not 'the sit down and take pictures sort of kids' (even now my eleven year struggles with sitting more than a few moments at a time).  Just like every proud mom, I knew that I wanted nice pictures of their special faces to hang on my walls.  I knew that those other 'sit-down' places weren't going to give me the pictures that I wanted of my sons, because those people didn't see what I saw when I look at them...so I just started taking their pictures myself.

I was thinking about this tonight while I waited for my other sweet little red-head to fall asleep...I am so glad that I took that first picture of them so long ago with that tiny little film camera.  I might have been a fair photojournalist back in the early stages of my career...but my sons are who made me a great portrait photographer in this stage of it.  I am feeling especially sentimental tonight as I get ready to post this blog with a sample from my oldest son's mini-shoot from earlier today (Saturday, February 23, 2013)....  

  

Easter is in March...really?

March is the double-whammy month...but as usual, I am surrounded by the best in people and the best in fun!  There is a new company out there folks...Rockin Chocolate and the owner is one of my longest and dearest friends!  What a great opportunity to unfurl some great flavors during one of the biggest candy times of the year.  This woman's confections make a mouth water...her truffles are $20.00 per dozen or $2.00 each and let me tell you they are worth every stinkin' penny!  I was so privileged to get to taste a few of these treats right in my studio along with doing a fun little session with these tasty morsels.

The delectable Turtle Cheesecake Truffle (signature flavor)...
check out Rockin Chocolate on Facebook!

So what are we doing this upcoming month?  For St. Patty's we will be unveiling a new Rockin Chocolate flavor in honor of the Emerald Day...we will be doing this Saturday, March 16th since St. Patrick's Day falls on a Sunday.  Starting March 1st all St. Patty's themed or green pictures will be $5.00 (5 images in a downloadable gallery) and on March 16th we are giving a single free digital image for each person that decides to come in and visit us!  

 AND We are having a drawing for Easter, which falls on March 30 this year.  We are offering folks a chance at a three different prizes (that will be named later, but will include some chocolates and picture sessions for sure...and maybe a surprise, too!)  We will be offering Easter-ish pictures starting the first week of March.  I have some prepping to do, but I assure you the pictures will be everything spring!

Watch out for bunny pictures as I get our Easter Bunnies out for their own photo session some day this week...this is going to be a super fun Month of Pictures...

Love is in the air...

Valentine's Day was the 14th (as we all know) and for the last ten days I have been doing a lot of different things in the studio that say love, hearts, and romance. On Thursday, Valentine's Day, DJMdesigns embarked on cross-promotion with Giannis Cucina just around the corner for us for folks to get some free pictures with their sweetheart on their special date night. We only had one couple show up; however, they were great people though!

It didn't really matter to me who came in or how many...it was about how fun it is. Certainly these promotions offer a certain amount of attention or recognition, but they are above all fun. What better way to spend a Holiday then with my little family in my studio doing what I love with people that I love around me.

Thanks to Giannis for partnering up and thanks to the one couple that took us up on our deal! It was fun and who knows...maybe next year people will realize just how wonderful capturing those special sweet moments with their sweetheart can be.

Ladies Makeover Fun Photo Events...

...starts this Month at DJMdesigns.  Although, this first week isn't as well organized as I would have liked it to be, I still think that these are going to be really fun events!  I have gotten together with a vendor, someone to do makeup, and me to do the pictures.  The idea is this, women coming together, having fun, and supporting small businesses and independent sales representatives.  There are a lot of bugs in this, but I am hoping that by next year we will have enough of the kinks worked out to really make a difference.  It is my hope that we can create something amazing, beautiful and fun for women to be a part of...Not to mention what a great gift to give your sweetheart on Valentine's Day.  What a wonderful way to share something special and something that will make you feel absolutely amazing when it is all said and done.  

Anyways, here's the scoop:  People will be charged a $20.00 cover charge that will include make-up, the USE of jewelry (there will be jewelery that you can purchase to make your picture uniquely you), and a disc with your images on it.  There will packages if you want me to order prints available to you.  There will as well as a representative from Paparazzi Jewelry, Meredith Hartman, with items for sale.  We will have someone here doing makeup.  I tried to bring a Mary Kay or Avon consultant in and could not find one...but there is always next year!  

We need to have an actual headcount of ladies so that we can make sure to have enough goodies here.  There will be music and laughter, too, so be sure to bring yourself dressed in your very best and we will have a very good time!

Any questions?  Call 360-285-3566 or email me at sales@djmdesignsphotos.com.  

We will be doing these three different dates this month:  the 11th, 17th, & 26th.  

Book Now & Save on Your Spring or Summer Wedding....

Ever since I began doing photography professionally, I have always floated under the conventional and standard package rates of many photographers out there.  Why?  Because I am just like everyone else.  I love nice things, but I don't always have the money to get them.  Weddings hold a special place in my heart, since they were all that I ever did when I started out.  I love to tell a story and what greater story is there than  that moment when it all begins. Why wouldn't I love helping capture those future memories in 'the right here and now.' Weddings are joyful, full of love, and one of the single-most important events that we will participate in.  They are the beginning of something amazing and the journey that they start usually involves much more than the exchange of rings and vows...it is the start of a new family.

The old adage that 'pictures speak 1,000 words' is not an exaggeration; it is a truth that allows us all to hold onto a time that without them might not be as easy to remember in the future.  They are reminders of a past that is worth remembering.  I love that I am able to help capture that for people and perhaps one of the most rewarding experiences of this job.

With all of that being said and because I like to keep things affordable, I am offering for this January 2013 only:  

• 25% off any Spring or Summer Wedding Date Booked before then end of this month, plus a free Engagement Session ($100.00 value) with any Wedding Package (regardless of price).  

20% off the package is due at the time of booking, but is deducted from the original price total.  Payments are taken with payment plan.  All moneys must be paid in full within a year of contract.

 

Hooks and Knots + DJMdesigns = Lots of Fun....

January is going to be the month of events and collaborative promotions!  So you will have to watch for the other blogs to follow, but for now I thought I would start off with this month's competition.  This is a collaboration with Hooks and Knots by Fawn Pivowar.

So here's the scoop:  If you own a Hooks and Knots wearable item (hat or scarf, etc.) OR would like to use one of the various items that we have in the studio, you are eligible for a free downloadable image taken by DJMdesigns that will be posted on DJMdesigns' Fanpage.  Once your image is posted, it is up to you to have all of your facebook friends to stop by and vote on your image if you want to win!  Adults, kids, pets...they are all welcome to be part of the competition.  There is one person allowed in each image and a series of three images will be taken and used for this event and placed on a single graphic for friends to vote on.  Your free image will be placed in a folder in the DJMdesigns' Professional Gallery that I will email you a link for along with a password to access your download (or pay $10.00 and get all of the images on a disc).  

So here's where this gets good!  This is what our first, second, and third place winners will recieve: 

• First Place Prize:  1 Hour Session (includes 25 proofed images on a disc and choice of photo location) worth $100.00
• Second Place Prize:  30-minute Mini In Studio Session (10 proofed images on a disc) worth $50.00.
• Third Place Prize:  One Custom Order of your Choice from Hooks and Knots (and trust me, she can make just about anything!)  :)

Now here are the rules:  We will be allowing pictures to be taken from January 3, 2013 until  January 24, 2013 at 3pm.  Images will be posted on January 24, 2013 at 8pm in a single folder.  You will then (if you want to earn votes) share your image with your friends.  How do they vote?  They just go to the link and 'like' your image.  The image that earns the most likes wins.  When does voting end?  January 31, 2013 at midnight (any posts after midnight are monitored via Facebook timeline and will not be counted).  Winners will be posted on facebook February 1st, 2013 and contacted via telephone shortly there after.  

*All images will be used by DJMdesigns & Hooks and Knots for advertising to promote their work.  This is a cooperative event that is hosted by both parties and both will offer more information if it is required.