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I am officially pooped!  This year, in addition to the big mini session I had on the 6th of November, I also did my first “private” mini session, which is basically when someone offers to get together at least 5 families for a mini-day at the location of their choice. All the mini rules & deals apply, but you call the shots.  If you are interested in having your own mini-day, any time of year, just let me know.  It’s a great way to take advantage of the mini-deals if you can’t make the annual day.

Anyways, after 12 families last weekend and five this past weekend, literally thousands of photos, editing into the wee hours of the morning, and going on way too much caffeine, I can officially say I am done!  Oh wait, that is until the orders start rolling in - then there are images to process, print orders to place, organizing, sorting, packaging, and mailing….but I’ll worry about that next week.

I’ve got a few more peeks to share.  I really, genuinly had a fabulous time meeting and spending time with all of these amazing families.  Since our move, I’ve slowed my photography down to a grinding halt to focus on my kiddos, my husband, and our new home.  And while the slow down has been by choice, it has still been an adjustment not having my much needed creative outlet.  I find myself dabbling in other areas to get my creative fix, writing, music, drawing with the kids, I guess I need my daily dose of create.  These sessions were a wonderful way for me to dive back into photography and remember why I love it so, and also remember why I decided to slow down…..over the last 2 weeks my mommy duties have sorely suffered.  And while my kids managed to get bathed and fed, I can’t say my dusty tables or crumby carpets were so lucky.

I’m pretty much done for the year, nothing else scheduled and that’s just fine by me, although I may be available if anyone is interested.  Keep checking back though, I hope to keep posting.  Hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving and a fabulous holiday season.

Our mini session day was a HUGE success!  I wasn’t sure how it was going to go, with so many families back to back, but it went surprisingly fantastic!  Only my fingers were freezing from being outside for 10 hours, other than that, the day flew by.  Everyone was so nice, the kids were so sweet, and it was just a glorious fall day.

I have over 3000 photos to sort through, select, edit, post, and much, much, more behind the scenes work to finalize everyone’s photos and galleries, but I had to post a few sneak peeks.  Here is just a small tidbit from our fantastic day.  Enjoy!

It’s back!  With the holidays approaching (yes, they will be here before you know it!) it’s time to start thinking about your family photos for holiday cards and gifts for Grandma.  Last year’s sessions went awesome - check out the highlights here.

The Mini Sessions are a fabulous, cost effective way to get annual family photos.  I’m excited to offer a few different options this year.

On Saturday, November 6th, I will be scheduling 14, 30 minute mini-sessions throughout the day at Buffalo Rock State Park near Utica.

This year, I’m offering 3 different price point options, depending on what you are looking for.  All options are at significantly reduced rates and still include custom photo editing, touch-ups & enhancements, and a private password protected online ordering gallery where you can view your proofs and choose your free digital image, as well as order additional prints if interested.  Prices listed are for up to 4 people.  There is an $25 charge for each additional person.

• $100 Session - Includes 1 free digital image of your choice
• $150 Session - Includes 2 free digital images of your choice
• $200 Session - Includes 5 free digital images of your choice.

I’m scheduling the sessions on a first come, first serve basis in 30 minute increments from 8:00 am to 11:00 and from 1:00 to 4:00.   To alleviate some problems I encountered last time, this year I am requiring the full session fee, as well as a signed contract, be sent in advance to secure your time.  Doing this will also save time at the session and let us get more photos!

Also, as a special incentive for you to share the information with your friends and family, if all 14 spots are filled, I will throw in an additional digital negative for every family!

If you are interested in scheduling a mini-session or have additional questions, please email me at emilie@emiliekarun.com.  I hope to hear from you soon!

P.S. The rain date for the mini-sessions is set for Sunday the 7th

BONUS!!!!!  Also, please check out the most recent post regarding the Jerry Pyzksa Benefit.  If you purchase a ticket through me or donate a minimum of $20, you will also receive a $30 credit on your account that can be applied towards your next print purchase!

Hey everyone!  I know the blog has been pretty dull lately, okay VERY dull, but in all honestly, photography  has taken a backseat to my family at this point.  We just moved to a new area, my oldest started Pre-School, and my life has revolved around all the changes and adjustments.  I do hope you’ll continue to check back often, as I am planning a few sessions for this fall.  I am also considering doing another mini session day, but details for that will follow.

Right now I want to talk about something very dear to me and I hope you’ll take a moment to listen.  My husband’s uncle, Jerry Pyszka, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and is currently undergoing treatment. His wife Leeann was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a few short years ago and is also unable to work from the debilitating effects of her disease.  Needless to say they are really struggling right now and can use a helping hand.  I thought her words summed up their situation better than I could ever say, below is a poem she wrote and shared with some of us a few months ago:

A benefit is being held for Jerry to help defray some of the all the costs they’ve incurred fighting this disease.  If you can attend, we’d love to see you there!  If you can’t attend, but would like to make a donation, you can let me know or you can contribute to the Jerry Pyska Fund held at the Illinois Valley Credit Union.  Also, if you or anyone you know would like to donate drawing or raffle items (such as a gift baskets of any kind, gift certificates from your business, anything!) they would be so appreciated.  Please let me know if you’d like to help.   It’s going to be a fun night out - We hope to see you there!

Jerry Pyska Benefit
Saturday, October 2nd
5:00 - 10:00 pm
Knights of Columbus in LaSalle

$20 per ticket in advance or at the door
Chicken dinner provided, cash bar, 50/50, raffles, and live music by 3 Day Weekend

P.S. I will be donating a free session ($125 value) up for raffle!  You can use the session gift certificate however you’d like, for a family session for Christmas cards, give it as a gift, whatever!

Not only is Sarah absolutely beautiful, but she is an amazingly talented writer and blogger (check out her hilarious blog at http://moxiefab.blogspot.com/).  Working on her first book, a memoir about pregnancy, childbirth and everything mother, she needed some head shots in her search for a book agent.  Although she had some initial nerves about staring into the camera and being “glam” I think she knocked it out of the park!  Given the fact we needed actual “head” shots, and not full body ones, we didn’t have a ton of variety but did get a good sampling for her to select one or two to use.  Sarah you look awesome and I hope you remember just how beautiful, talented, and hilarious you are, even on the days the little ones make you forget the “old” you (or really we should say the new and improved you)….here she is, remember her!

My old neighbor’s little girl, Emily, came out to play for some photos on a very windy day last week.  She was so sweet and so cute but so not giving me an inch in the smile department.  I must say, I really liked her spunk. ….Emily keep that strength and “know what you want” attitude, it will serve you well in life, especially when dealing with the boys!  Seriously, I really did have a blast with her and her mom…Melissa, she is something else!  Although we didn’t get the smiles we hoped for, I think we got some really cute serious faces showing just how absolutely stunning she is.  What a beautiful little girl!

I had a fantastic morning and a wonderful time shooting Carlee’s senior photos this past weekend.  After our recent moving to Bloomington and a chaotic few months, I’m happy to be back snapping and had so much fun with Carlee.  She is unbelievably beautiful and was up for anything.  We did some more of the urban style photos downtown LaSalle and then a few down by the canal. Although it was early (7 am shoot!) and freezing, we had gorgeous light and a great time.  I really really enjoyed shooting your photos Carlee and I hope you love them…you look amazing!

In the spirit of tomorrow’s big holiday, I’ve decide to have a super Merry Christmas sale as a big thank you to all of my wonderful customers.  I’ve been in the photography business for over 2 years now, and cannot believe how time has flown and how many amazing opportunities I’ve had to meet and photography so many wonderful families.  I am truly grateful for all of our sessions together as well as the generous referrals you’ve provided to your friends and family.

With a new year approaching and the holiday spirit in the air, I’ve decided to offer an unbelievable, unprecedented holiday sale to say “Thank you!”

I have thousands of digital files I am getting ready to archive, and thought I would offer one last chance to purchase these files before they are deleted (I will be implementing a new file retention strategy next year to better manage the mass amount of data, but right now it’s time for me to clean house.  In the future, I will only be keeping photography session files for 60 days after your session.  At that point, they will be archived, and then deleted shortly thereafter.)

Digital files can be used in cards, announcements, family websites, blogs, just about anything you can imagine.  They also can be printed and saved in baby books or family photo albums.  I’ve decided to give them to you at a super steal, around 80% off the normal rate, it is the Christmas season after all.  I am requiring a minimum order of 5 files, but with these super low prices, you’ll want more than 5 anyways.  The price for these digital files will be:

• 5 photos for $100
• 10 photos for $195
• 20 photos for $375
• All photos you can carry (that’s pretty much everything!) - $500

If you missed getting all of the photos you wanted from your session, now is your last chance to get them at a great steal before they are gone forever!

ACTION REQUESTED
If you’ve had a session with me, and are interested in viewing & purchasing some digital files from any of our sessions together, please send me an email at emilie@emiliekarun.com.  Once I receive your email, I will reactivate your gallery and send you a link  The galleries will only be active for 2 weeks so don’t delay!  The offer expires January 31st.

It was a success!  Although I had a few last minute cancellations and went from 10 sessions down to 6, I was still slightly terrified at being able to actually pull them off in one day, 5 back to back, and in only 30 minute increments (I’m used to at least 90 minutes).  But the weather cooperated, the kids cooperated, the sun was generous, and it was, indeed, a success.  Everyone was so in the mood to enjoy the beautiful day and be in the leaves and fresh air - everybody really seemed to have a great time, I know I did.  I was down right pooped after it all and am now faced with TONS of work editing, uploading, preparing galleries, etc. but I think it was worth it all and I hope you agree!

I will probably do something similar to this in the future.  I’m also considering offering “create your own” mini day or something like that if you can get 5 families together to participate.  I’ll have to noodle that one for awhile but stay tuned…you may be hearing more on that topic.

While I’m still editing, I had to select some of my favorites from the day to post as sneak peeks.  My over ambitious goal is to have all the photos up and ready for my mini clients by the weekend (since I am going away on a  much needed escape), but I can’t make any promises. I hope it was a great day for everyone too and you love your photos!

Senior sessions are just so much fun and I was lucky enough to spend a beautiful afternoon at Starved Rock with Becky.  Beck was so sweet and put up with me well…I like to try all sorts of crazy things.  Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t, but taking the risk and thinking “outside the box” is the way I roll.

I hope you love your photos Becky!  I loved taking them for you.