Gift Certificate Special Benefiting Team Breanna

Recently, The Chronicle Telegram ran a powerful series on Breanna Sprenger which was also followed up by a local television station airing her story. If you’re not familiar with her story, Breanna is a bright 10 year old girl with a passion for swimming. That may not sound unique, but Breanna was born with a left arm and no legs. Herindomitable spirit has helped her overcome many surgeries, and she is currently working towards her goal of becoming a Paralympic swimmer. She trains several times a week to meet this goal and currently swims on an all able-bodied swim team.

We had the opportunity to meet Breanna when photographing her family at the end of last year, and have been inspired to do what we can to help her meet her goals. She is raising money to enable her to continue to travel for swim meets and training purposes. For more information, you can check out her Team Breanna page on Facebook. If you’d like to join us in supporting Breanna, Becky’s Photography will be donating 50% of our gift certificate sales through April 30th to Team Breanna. We have $50, $100 and $200 gift certificates available. Other amounts are available by request. Certificates are good towards new sessions only. If interested in purchasing certificates, please email us at beckysphoto@yahoo.com or call us at 216-973-0156.

Wedding Special

At Becky's Photography we LOVE weddings. Whether it's capturing the groom's expression as the bride walks down the aisle, the joy of the couple once they've officially said "I do" or the partying fun at the reception - we look forward to it all, and never take for granted the honor we have been granted when chosen to photograph this day in our clients' lives.

We're offering a limited time wedding special. Book your wedding by April 30th (paying your $500 confirmation deposit) and you can choose your choice of:

$500 off our Click and Burn Package

OR

Complimentary Disc with All Wedding Images and Copyright Release ($800 value)

Email us at beckysphoto@yahoo.com for details on wedding packages or to set up a meeting.

11-11-11

Have you heard? Becky is getting married on 11-11-11! She wants to share a portion of her happiness with you - her valued clients. As her "wedding gift" to you, we're offering a few amazing deals available only on 11-11-11!

From 11:11am to 11:11pm on 11-11-11 you can purchase:

1) A session fee for just $11.11 (up to a $75 value)

OR

2) A $200 Gift Certificate to Becky's Photography for only $111.11

You can purchase more than one, but the offers can't be combined or used in combination with any other promotion. They are good on sessions from January 11, 2012 through June 11, 2012.

Becky will obviously be very busy on 11-11-11 so here's how to take advantage of this great deal:

Email us at beckysphoto@yahoo.com between 11:11am and 11:11pm on 11-11-11 with how many of each type of special you'd like to purchase (the session fee or the $200 gift certificate), your name, address, phone number and if you're mailing a check or prefer we contact you next week for your credit card information. If you'd prefer to send a check, please make them payable to Becky's Photography and mail to 268 Dowd Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035. Only those who email us during this window of time can take advantage of the special so don't forget!

Outdoor Family Portrait Mini Session Special

Due to many requests we've decided to hold another weekend for outdoor family portrait mini sessions! Sessions will be 20 minutes long and will be held:

Saturday, June 4th at a local park & Sunday, June 5th at the beach

You receive a disc with the retouched images from the session and a copyright release so you can print them for $250 (plus tax). Due to the popularity of the sessions we'll be collecting a non-refundable $100 deposit at the time of booking. The remainder will be due at the session. We'll also offer 11x14's at the great value of $75 (plus) tax if ordered within 2 weeks of receiving the disc. Sessions are intended for immediate family members. If you'd like to have extended family members included, we'd be happy to accommodate. We'd just need to schedule 2 sessions.

Email us at beckysphoto@yahoo.com to schedule soon!

Spring Children's Events & Portrait Packages

We're very excited about our child model search program. As of right now we have 30 children signed up to come in and help us in the next two weeks with some new props and backgrounds that we have for the studio. Many are new faces to our studio and we can't wait to meet them all.

It's shaping up to be a busy spring! We have two other events for children on the schedule for March and April that we're looking forward to.

Vintage Days on Sunday, March 6th - Allow your children to play dress up with an old trunk, hats, neckties, necklaces and heels. We'd love to capture them in all their dress up glory!

Live Bunnies on Saturday-Sunday, April 2nd-3rd - Yes, that's right. We're going to brave little ones and live rabbits too just in time for Easter! We have already begun booking for this special event, so if you would like to get in for this event contact us soon! Due to the popularity of this event, the minimum package price listed below is required as a deposit to confirm your appointment.

To schedule either event, please contact us at beckysphoto@yahoo.com or 216-973-0156.

For the model search program as well as these two events, we'll be offering the following special packages:

Package A - 2-8x10s, 2-5x7s, 16 Wallets from 1 Pose - $95
Package B - 3-8x10s, 2-5x7s, 24 Wallets from 1 Pose - $150
Package C - 3-8x10s, 2-5x7s, 4-4x6s, 24 Wallets from up to 2 Poses & Disc with Images and Copyright Release - $195
Package D - 3-8x10s, 4-5x7s, 6-4x6s, 32 Wallets from up to 3 Poses & Disc with Images and Copyright Release - $250

Add a mini accordion album (below) for half price at $37.50 to any package purchase. They're wallet size and perfect to fit in your purse.

We'll also offer customized cards for Easter or any occasion at the great rates below:
25-4x6 Photo Cards - $37.50
25-5x7 Flat Pearl Cards - $62.50
25-5x7 Folded Pearl Cards - $75.00

Model Search for Children - Newborn thru 8th Grade

Have you been told your child or children are cute enough to be a model? Now you have the opportunity to show everyone they're right! We're excited to announce our children model search program. We're looking for children from newborns through 8th grade to be models for some of our new studio props and backgrounds. The last week of February and the first week of March we'll be offering FREE 20 minutes sessions and photo credit of $25 to any new children to our studio.

The models will be called upon occasionally when we have new props or products in the studio for images to use in promotional materials. Children who have been photographed as part of our hockey or sports leagues ARE still eligible for this as long as they haven't been photographed by us outside of those league settings. The sessions are limited and will fill quickly, so contact us quickly at beckysphoto@yahoo.com to schedule your session today!

Valentine's Day Children's Special

We're excited to offer a children's Valentine's themed special on Sunday, January 30th. Mini sessions will be 20 minutes in length and packages available are listed below, including custom designed Valentines to pass out in school or to loved ones. Contact us today at beckysphoto@yahoo.com or 216-973-0156 to take advantage of this great special!

Package A - $95 2-8x10s, 2-5x7s, 16 Wallets
Package B - $150 3-8x10s, 2-5x7s, 24 Wallets
Package C $195 3-8x10s, 2-5x7s, 16-4x6 Custom Designed Valentines, Disc with Images & Copyright Release
Package D - $250 3-8x10s, 4-5x7s, 30-4x6 Custom Designed Valentines, 24 Wallets, Disc with Images & Copyright Release

Annual Children's Holiday Package Special

It's that time of year again! Thanksgiving is already this week and soon it will be time to send out those holiday cards. Join us with the kids from December 1st through the 3rd for sessions at Pandy's Garden Center in Elyria to take advantage of our annual Children's Holiday special.

The following packages will be available:

Package A - $50 1-8x10, 2-5x7s, 8 Wallets*
Package B - $95 2-8x10s, 2-5x7s, 16 Wallets
Package C - $150 3-8x10s, 2-5x7s, 24 Wallets, Disc with Images & Copyright Release
Package D - $225 3-8x10s, 4-5x7s, 24 Wallets, Disc with Images & Copyright Release

*Package A is only available on sessions with 1 child in the portraits.

Call 216-973-0156 or email beckysphoto@yahoo.com today to make sure you can get in for these great deals!

Fall Family Mini Sessions

Fall is a perfect time for family pictures!

We'll be hosting our annual fall family mini sessions in Avon near our studio on the weekend of October 23-24th. The holidays will be here before we know it and this is a great chance to get updated pictures for those holidays cards or to give as gifts. We're offering a 20 minute session with your retouched images on a disc with copyright release so you can print the images wherever and whenever you'd like for the awesome deal of only $200. Appointments have been filling up quickly, so contact us before will fill up with this popular special at beckysphoto@yahoo.com or 216-973-0156.

Winner for Attitude of Gratitude Contest

We appreciate all those who took the time to submit nominations in our Attitude of Gratitude contest. The stories shared with us were all very touching and many required us to have the Kleenex box handy as we read through them! Just reading the entries made us realize what great people there are in our community living their lives out of the spotlight, but making our world a better place by the lives they live. It was a pleasure to get to read about each person.

Since we wanted the decision to be unbiased we had a committee that didn't know any of the nominees select the winner. They each said the same thing - "It's so hard to choose!"

They ultimately did choose Lyndsey, a 16 year old whose unselfish ways have made an impact on those around her. She has helped to be a caregiver for her single mom through medical difficulties, taking on responsibilities that adults would often find challenging. She has also been a great help with her younger brother that has ADHD. Instead of focusing on herself, she is motivated to do anything she can for her family all in a spirit of love, and looks for ways that she can contribute to her family's well being.

There were several others nominated that we'd also like to recognize for all that they bring to our community.

Sherri and Tim's family has been a shining example of contentment and love. They have shown what family is all about to over a dozen foster children over the years even while struggling with medical problems that prevented them from being able to work and the financial difficulties that brought along. Even in the challenging circumstances they have found themselves in, they are content just being together as a family and living life a day at a time. That sweet spirit has been infused in their children as well.

Kathi has been both an inspiration and God send for her family. She went back to school and became a doctor while raising her family. She graciously allowed members of family to live with her when their living arrangements were uncertain and continued to give of her time by offering childcare for them even while she was battling cancer.

Bobbie lost her mother too soon to cancer and vowed to do whatever she could so that other families wouldn't have to suffer the way her family had. For the past 16 years she has been a driving force in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Lorain County as her way of fighting back against this atrocious disease. The lives she has touched are too numerous to count as she has helped to raise funds for research, offered a hug or held a hand of someone fighting their own battle or been there at the luminary ceremony with survivors to stand with them to say "we will prevail" for another year.

From a young age Shelly became a caretaker of her large family due to her mother's medical issues. Even when grown with a family of her own she still continues to offer herself - her time and her resources with her extended family "all with a smile" and without expectation of anything in return or to even take time for herself. Shelly has also known the heartache of losing her stillborn daughter, but still has been able to see the joy in life and lives hers out in a way which instills admiration and pride in those who know her.

My heart is full just looking back at each of these stories. We hope you'll be as inspired by their stories as we were. May we all live each day with an attitude of gratitude.

Congratulations to Lyndsey for winning the $500 worth of custom portraiture and to Tonya for nominating her and winning a free session and $100 worth of custom portraits!

New Business Portrait Offer

Are you always trying to get ahead of the curve in business? Looking for those little extra touches that help to personalize and make you or your business stand out from all the others?

Let us help you get that "something extra" that can help you stand out. Becky's Photography is now offering professional business portraits at a great value. You'll get a color and black and white professional retouched digital image to use on business cards, your website, signs, etc. and it will only take minutes out of your busy day. Come in to our studio conveniently located in Avon on a Tuesday for even bigger savings along with a to-go-lunch. Special arrangements can be made for on location shoots or team shots as well.

In this challenging economic market having that personal touch of a professional portrait as your email signature or on your business card can be that something extra that gets you that call back from the client you've been longing to acquire.

But don't just take our word for it. Here's just one testimonial from a satisfied client:

"Becky Workman has an amazing talent as a photographer. I was so impressed with her work, I asked her to be the photographer for the members of Working Women Connection, a quickly growing networking group for women. The women in WWC, including myself, believe that Becky captures both the inner and outer beauty of the people she photographs making those moments last a lifetime."

Bonnie Gladish

Founder, Working Women Connection

Contact us today at 216-973-0156 or email us at beckysphoto@yahoo.com to schedule your appointment for a professional business portrait!

Beach Photos

Trying to make these last days of summer last forever? Capture the essence of summer in photos on the beach! We still have a few openings for either children or family pictures this Sunday, August 22nd at Main St. Beach in Vermilion. Call 216-973-0156 or email beckysphoto@yahoo.com to get in while you can!

Attitude of Gratitude Contest

Just knowing them is inspirational. What they do or who they are has encouraged you, made you long to be like them or moved you to tears with empathy for their courage and strength in a time of testing. You appreciate them for their grace under pressure, the way they give of themselves without anything expected in return or for the little things that they do without thinking anyone else is watching. But it makes a difference. To you. To your family. Maybe even your community.

In this busy world we often don't stop to let people know how much they have meant to us or inspired us simply by living their lives. We think it's time to slow down and have an "Attitude of Gratitude" for all of those people who enrich our lives, challenge and inspire us. We're asking you to join us and help us to show our gratitude for the people who make this world a better place to live, sometimes regardless of the circumstances they find themselves in.

Please help us to give back to a deserving person or family. Becky's Photography is offering a conest to offer a free portrait session and portrait order valued at $500 to the winning nominee. Help us give the gift of custom photography that can be treasured for a lifetime. Oh, and the person that nominates them also received a free photo session and a portrait order valued at $100. It's WIN-WIN!

The Rules -

Who can be nominated? You can't nominate yourself, but the nominee can be anyone who has inspired you, given back or is just generally deserving of a year round reminder of their family's strength, beauty and love. The nomination can be due to financial hardship, but it doesn't have to be. The nominee must live in Avon, Ohio or the surrounding northeast Ohio area.

How can you nominate someone? Simply send us the person or family's name and the story of how they have been an inspiration to you along with contact information for both of you to beckysphoto@yahoo.com. Please be aware that we may share excerpts of these stories to inspire our readers, but will use first names only.

We'll be taking nominations through September 15th so get in that "Attitude of Gratitude" state of mind and start thinking about who you should nominate. We all know people that should be nominated. We guarantee it.

New Employee!

Hi! I'm Heidi. That's me in the picture to the left with my husband Bryan and our four children. The picture was taken last fall by Becky. Shortly after that photo shoot Becky and I met and discussed having me join her business. Just about a month ago I finally made the transition, and I'm loving working for Becky! No, I'm not a photographer (I couldn't even come close to the amazing quality of work that she does) - I'm the new marketing, sales, whatever Becky needs at the moment assistant. I was born and raised in Oberlin and several years ago my husband and I returned and built our home on the outskirts of town. We were blessed with the adoption of our sons Eli, Joey and Justin as newborns. Having been touched by adoption I'm a passionate advocate for it. Our daughter Lydia was our little surprise and she completes our family in a special way. With four small children life is always busy, but when I can take some time away I love to escape to the library in our house to read, and in cooler weather, to turn on the fireplace and read while sipping a hot cup of tea. I also enjoy cooking and baking for my family and others. I've been known to crank up the music to sing and dance around the house like a crazy fool with my kids, but typically am more reserved. I couldn't live without chocolate, my daily planner or nap time! It's lovely to meet you.

Oh, and now that I'm on board we're going to be getting more active in our blogging so stay tuned for a fun contest that we'll be posting soon!

Announcing our New Children's Club "A Year in the Life"

We are proud to introduce our new children's club. Members enjoy a 25% discount off of portrait orders. Select from 2 of your favorite monthly themes above plus a session for your child's birthday. Contact us today at 216-973-0156 or beckysphotography@yahoo.com to capture those precious moments of the year in the life of your child. The first 10 members receive $25 off the membership fee!

October 17th Family Portrait Day Milan Villa

Becky's Photography is offering a very special opportunity for anyone interested in family portraits for the holidays.

There are only 25 sessions available (many are already booked). I will photograph the whole family, childrens individuals and parents together. You will receive a dvd with a copyright release (minimum of 20 images) for $225.

Every family photographed will be entered into a drawing to win 2 prizes:

1st Prize : Overnight stay at the Milan Villa

2nd Prize: 25 Free Holiday Cards

You can schedule your session by calling Becky @ 216-973-0156 or e-mailing me @ studio60portraits@yahoo.com or send me a message on Facebook.

Directions and info about the Milan Villa available at www.milanvilla.com.

Feel free to forward this info on to family and friends!!

Milan Villa Pics

One of the guest rooms

The master guest room

The grand staircase

The kitchen

Milan Villa Pics

The family room

The lake

Fall mums everywhere

The entrance

Trevor for Treasurer

So stinkin' cute! Trevor is running for the position of treasurer of the Student Council. He needed to create his campaign posters and wanted me to snap a few pics of him with cash. If I could vote, he'd have mine! Good luck, Trevor!!

Today...

My day in a nutshell:

1) went to breakfast and threw my credit card away.
2) got bit by my cat on the lip...blood!
3) spilled my drink all over my leather couch
4) locked myself out of the house at 11:30 when I took the dog for a walk.

This day I do not consider to have been a success. Let's try again tomorrow...