Key Photography Blog

Our New Blog Is Coming Soon!

2009-08-13T14:28:00.002-04:00

I haven't posted much lately but wanted to let you know that our new blog will be up and running soon. Don't worry ... you still will be able to access our old blog. We are working very hard on the blog so don't go anywhere and come back soon! Have a very blessed day today and everyday!

Wedding Videos for You To Enjoy

2009-08-04T16:16:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to share some new slideshows with all of you. I have been working on slideshows that we can share with some of you on Facebook as well as our blog and website. Here are a couple of them. Hope you enjoy the videos. It was quite fun going through images of Alex & Lisa's wedding and Anna & Matt's was great as well. They are both beautiful and sweet couples. Come back for more as we bring you more previews. I hope you enjoy these clips and maybe even reminisce about or look forward to your own wedding day as you watch these clips.
Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter so you can keep up with our upcoming events and specials. Have a blessed day!

Fine Arts Camp - Part 2

2009-07-20T10:51:00.011-04:00

In part 2 of the update on camp here are some more of the images that we took at the North Lanier Baptist Church Fine Arts Camp. When I posted the first images we hadn't yet gone to the production or the picnic and rocket launching as well as a messy event. The messy event I am talking about was a competition of girls vs. boys to see who could raise the most money to help a church in Venezuela fund a VBS program for children. It was done in pounds of coins and not dollar bills. The girls won but the total that the children raised was $1,781.97. As a result of the competition between the girls and boys the winners got to chocolate and feather one of the staff for the camp.

We posted on the blog about our special for NLBC Fine Arts Camp attendees. Each of the participants at the Fine Arts camp received a flyer for a free session. In addition to the free session flyers that were given to each child attending we are giving a $50 credit toward the purchase of photographs. So if you received a flyer or attended the Fine Arts Camp, call the Key Photography Studio to schedule your free session with your $50 credit.

Fine Arts Camp Rocks!

2009-07-17T09:11:00.032-04:00

North Lanier Baptist Church in Cumming, Georgia, has held its 2009 annual Fine Arts Camp this week. Keith was asked to teach a photography class for the kids and our kids have also been attending. They have ALL had a blast and Keith has come back talking about how great an event that it has been.
Thank you North Lanier for asking us to participate in such a wonderful camp and being a part of such a great time.
Today is Friday and they are having their last day which includes final productions from the classes that the kids have been participating in. My kids have been building rockets, doing arts and crafts, studying early American history through the lives of the historical American Girls, as well as learning new dance moves to such songs as one of my favorites called "Shackles". They wish it didn't have to end but it always ends with a fun time launching rockets, doing dance productions, and having a picnic for the parents to be a part of seeing what the kids have been doing during the week. Don't forget to check them out for next summer if your kids are looking for a great experience to enhance their summer. We definitely will participate next year. Since our family is always trying to make life a learning experience ... it definitely falls in this category.

In Keith's photography class the kids looked at some of their surroundings and took photographs of things that included the alphabet. Above are the images that they all found. Here are a few more images from some of their experiences this week but come back later to see more photos of other events that took place.

Check back later today to see a special that we are having for NLBC Fine Arts Camp families. Call the Key Photography Studio at 770205.5275 to inquire about our July special or to schedule an appointment for your senior, family, child, or other photography needs. Have a blessed day and hope to see you back here later today.

Railroad Crime Scene

2009-07-02T16:58:00.001-04:00

Check out the Key Photography page on facebook and become a fan! We posted a new video of a session that we did by the tracks. Also check out our new spotlight gallery at the Key Photography website to see the images a little larger. Be on the lookout for our new blog that is upcoming. We are working on it so don't forget to come back to this blog for now to find out about upcoming events and discounts. Here is the link to the facebook page for Key Photography so don't forget to become a fan and keep up with some of our work and things we are doing to partner with people in the community. The family that we photographed in this session is great and Kerri does my hair at Salon 369. Don't forget to check them out or schedule a hair appointment with them. They are awesome. Have a great day and come back soon.

Let Freedom Ring with Key Photography!

2009-07-02T13:39:00.004-04:00

What better way to celebrate our country's freedom than by giving you something for FREE! Before summer slips away, schedule time with us to capture this moment in time ...

Free Sessions!

Call our studio at 770.205.5275 during the month of July to schedule a session during the month of July for FREE! In addition, we will also choose the best 13 images from your session to be posted on Facebook. Why 13? In honor of the 13 original colonies of course!

It's hot outside, but the Key Photography Studio is air conditioned and perfect for formal portraits or just kicking off your shoes for some casual family fun. We'll meet you down by the river, on the lake, or anywhere that your family loves to spend those lazy summer days within a 10 mile radius or the Key Photography Studio. You can also take advantage of this offer for your senior portraits before that hectic senior schedule kicks in this fall but keep in mind that senior sessions for this event are a limited session time and not our normal senior sessions.

Sincerely,

The Key Photography Team

Key Photography, Inc.

770-205-5275

* a minimum purchase of $200 is requested
* sessions must be booked by July 31, 2009 and take place during the month of July

*free facebook images will be posted to your account after a friend request is initiated with the Key Photography page

Wedding and Babies! Wow!

2009-06-20T10:03:00.023-04:00

I started looking over some of the sessions that we have had and realized that we have been so blessed to have the opportunities of photographing several weddings and later have those couples come back to us to photograph their children and families. It has amazed me at those wonderful relationships. Some of them have great stories and they all have beautiful children. Thank you all for allowing us to develop a relationship with you all and watch your children and families grow. Reminiscing is so much fun! I have had a blast looking at some of these families. It's almost like looking through our own family photo album. I'll share a few with you. Enjoy and come back soon to see more. Visit the Key Photography website and sign up for our newsletter to keep up with upcoming news and events in and around the Cumming, Forsyth area as well as Atlanta.

Portrait Party Time

2009-05-30T17:21:00.013-04:00

Last year, Keith mentioned that we should have a portrait party to one of our friends. When he did, our good friend Jennifer heard those words and was willing to run with it. It was a hit!

Here is how it worked. Jennifer called a few friends and invited their families to her house for a backyard cookout/portrait session. No one paid a session fee, everyone received discounts on their portraits, and the hostess received some heavily discounted portraits and some free "stuff." It was a blast!. Each family took a turn having their portraits done ... approximately 20 minutes per family. Then we schedule a time the following week for each family to come in to the studio to review their images and choose their portraits.

We even had one dad admit that he had a great time since having four children it was difficult to get everyone together, clean, and happy, but he loved the whole party concept. It was easy to keep the kids happy through the whole experience because they were there to play with their friends. We would slip in each family's session in between the kids play times. The parents were relaxed, the kids were relaxed, and the photographs turned out great. Thanks Jennifer for helping to kick this idea off to a great start last year. You were a gracious host and were great idea and making it such a fun night!

This year we have only limited sessions available to schedule portrait parties so if you are interested in hosting a Portrait Party call the Key Photography Studio and we will be glad to schedule your party and help you in planning your evening of fun with your friends.

If you would like to sign up for our monthly newsletter Key Happenings go to our website and begin receiving updates on our monthly specials and discounts. Thanks for visiting our web and blog. We hope you will come back regularly to see what is happening with Key Photography and other upcoming events in the area. Thanks for being such great friends and may you all have a blessed day.

New Work

2009-05-05T11:21:00.025-04:00

Welcome to our blog and thanks for stopping by. We have been working on some new designs and are beginning to explore some new areas of creative photography.

If you would like to sign up for our newsletter please fill out the form and submit it so that we can keep you updated on our news and upcoming events. We are very excited to be challenged and striving to be more creative in our designs that will complement our own style of photography. Have a blessed day and stop by again soon. See you next time.

May Mud Pit Madness

2009-04-17T16:20:00.020-04:00

We sent out an email to our newsletter subscribers about our upcoming May Mud Pit Madness on May 15-16. I hope you received your newsletter letting you know about this upcoming fun. If you didn't and would like to receive our newsletter for upcoming specials and information go to the Key Photography website to sign up now so you can be updated on all of our current news.

We did this special last year and it was a hit! It was great to see the kids arrive in clean clothes and taking photographs of them all nice and neat. Then to see them look at their moms as if to say "You're telling me that you WANT me to get dirty?" Then were the images taken during the playful mud fights, ending up with smiles on their faces and covered in mud. They had a great time revealing how dirty a child can truly get ... all with smiles included. This year we are bringing back the fun! Don't miss your chance to play in the mud and watch your children have a blast. Sessions are limited and are filling up quickly so call the Key Photography studio at 770.205.5275 to inquire for information or schedule your session now.

Destination Weddings

2009-03-29T20:23:00.021-04:00

Keith and I have always enjoyed a wedding on or at the beach. We just arrived home from a wedding that was to take place on a private beach in Florida but when we arrived in Florida the plans had to be changed. After arriving on Thursday during heavy rain, and with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes continuing through Friday, the venue had to be changed. The venue ended up being a beautiful facility in the Windmark Beach Resort. Everyone pulled together to create an environment for an indoor wedding and the result was beautiful. The guests and wedding party had a lot of fun in the process.

Even though it was a quick transition and coming up with alternate plans, the ultimate goal was accomplished ... photos on the beach and a whole lot of fun. We had a break in the weather that allowed us to have some great photographs on the beach around sunset with the bride, groom and wedding party.

It was awesome to see that God allowed the couple their hearts desire ... to have beach photos at their wedding. Here are just a few that I took ... not Keith! You'll have to wait to see some of those a little later. The happy ending was experienced no matter the weather.

Flowers for Sale or Rent

2009-03-26T13:59:00.006-04:00

Last weekend's Bunnies and Barns went great. The weather was a little cold, but the sun was out and the bunnies were warm. Part of what made the day a sucess was the multitude of flowers we had on hand all thanks to the greenhouse of No Longer Bound. For a VERY modest fee, they allowed us to rent baskets of flowers for the two day event. When we were done with them we had two choices. We could either return them or sell them and help out the ministries of No Longer Bound. You know us, we want to help when we can. So, if you were thinking of buying some hanging baskets consider purchasing one of these. They are $15 and 100% of that goes to No Longer Bound (look for an upcoming spotlight post on all they do). We are going to take what is left over back to the greenhouse early next week. If you want one, leave a comment on this post with which you want and we will contact you to arrange pick up. #1 is the yellow, #2 is the purple, and #3 is small white blossoms. I think there are 2 of each left. Each basket is about 34 inches around and 8 inches tall.

Spotlight: The Foster House

2009-03-23T19:37:00.015-04:00

When our family first moved to Cumming I thought it was such a shame that we had a beautiful old home right in the middle of downtown that was in such bad shape. It wasn't long (only a couple of months actually) before I started noticing work being done on that corner. Brush was cleared out, the roof was redone and soon the old house was restored and reborn into The Foster House Restaurant. The home, which was originally built in 1887, is truly a southern show piece. The venue is owned and operated by a mother and daughter team, Patricia and Amanda, who make the best of the best in homemade recipes for any occasion. During the week the home is open to the public for breakfast and lunch and then again on Sunday for brunch.

Every time I drive past this historic location, I always look to see what kind of event might be happening on the great brick patio in the back. I have seen Red Hat Ladies lunching, wedding receptions, and mysterious tents that I can only imagine what fun and flavor was being had inside. When you go inside the restaurant you find a great antique home that you can't help but want to wander around. In there I have seen showers, both baby and wedding, informal business meetings in their own private room, and some of the most interesting history in the city.

The next time you have a gathering to plan ... be it a wedding, or just lunch with the girls, we ask you to consider our friends at the Foster House. They are a great venue to host whatever your event may be. Check them out on the web at The Foster House or call 770.887.9905 to schedule your event.

Spotlight: Autism Speaks

2009-03-16T09:30:00.003-04:00

Every 20 minutes a child is diagnosed with autism.
Last year our neighbor, Locke, was one of those children. Locke's mother Kristen tells me, "It was rough at first, but with the love and support of our friends and family, as well as Autism Speaks, we have come a long way!"Now the whole Gamet family wants to find a way to support and help the families that will be faced with this diagnoses. They are joining the thousands of others walking in the 2009 Georgia Walk Now for Autism.
" The money raised at Walk Now for Autism supports Autism Speaks mission to finding the causes, effective treatments, and a cure for autism through funding essential biomedical research."
Please consider helping them reach their goal by making a donation or joining their team walking on May 3rd. If you would like to know more, please visit their team page, "The Locke Ness Monsters" ,and from there you will see all applicable links.
All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law, and may qualify for matching donations through your employer .
Autism Speaks 501 (C)(3) Tax Id #: 20-2329938

I also have an update to last week's spotlight. The Cumming branch of Treat the Troops baked and packed 3,000 cookies this month to be sent to our soldiers overseas. Way to go Crumbs!

Spotlight: Treat the Troops

2009-03-09T09:28:00.004-04:00

This weekend Sandy and I talked about adding a new feature to our blog called "Spotlight". The goal is to highlight a different charity, ministry, or local business each week.
For our first post I'd like to draw your attention to Treat the Troops. This organization bakes cookies and packs them up with other goodies to send to our men and women serving overseas in the military. This was started by Jeanette Cram in 1990 for people serving in the Gulf War. Local chapters started springing up and now the organization has shipped well over 1.5 million cookies. A few years ago, our friend, Debbie Hudson, was so moved by this cause that she inquired about starting a branch here in Cumming. With the help of the community the Cumming branch of Treat the Troops is now the second largest one in the whole country. Almost every month the "crumbs", as they are called, get together for a packing party. Everyone brings in cookies, magazines, candy, and whatever donations they can round up and work together to prepare the boxes to be shipped. I have had the honor of attending a few of these parties, and I have always come away feeling blessed and in awe of what this group is doing. You can read more details about the group on the national web page for Treat the Troops.
This month's packing party is the start of something new for them. It will be this Friday (March 13th) at Coal Mountain Elementary School starting at 7p.m. (6 for those helping with set up) . This is a new location and time for the group, so if you have been before, please take note of the changes. If you would like further information on how to get involved with our local Treat the Troops chapter please email Debbie Hudson at dcanoli@comcast.net

Only 2 left!

2009-03-03T09:39:00.005-05:00

When we sent out the Bunnies & Barns email we also included a limited offer for 20% off your purchase from Strasburg Children at the 400 Premium Outlet (that's right, you get the outlet price PLUS an additional 20% off). Well, we are down to 2 coupons left, which also means that spots are beginning to fill up. Call the Key Photography Studio now at 770-205-5275 to get in on this discount just in time to purchase the perfect Easter outfit to wear to your session.
770-205-5275

Don't Miss the Bunnies & Barns Special!

2009-03-02T12:34:00.013-05:00

Get dressed in your Easter best and join us in celebrating the arrival of Spring. We are getting out of the studio, going on location to The Foster House, a historic site in Cumming, and bringing with us some of the cutest bunnies you have ever seen! Because of the special location and the use of live rabbits we must limit this special to be Friday and Saturday only.

As always, we will be scheduling exclusive appointments, which means no waiting in lines or being rushed through your session. Call the studio at 770.205.5275 now to schedule your time and to get details on our special location. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to capture a precious moment of your child with these beautiful bunnies. We look forward to hearing from you.

*Our Price: $89.00 which includes your private session and a $50.00 gift card to be used toward your choice portraits from the Bunny session.

*Special fee is due at the time of your session. Appointments for your in studio portrait review will be made at the end of your session. Dates for review have been made available to insure your selections will arrive before Easter. A 7% GA sales tax will be added to your purchases.

Some Bunny Love

2009-02-19T07:58:00.009-05:00

Some days I really love my job. It's not often you hear your boss ask "Would you mind spending more time on Facebook?", or as was the case this week, "Can you do some research on bunnies?" I put my nose to the grindstone and googled images of rabbits. Did you know that there are actually 47 recognized breeds of rabbits? I have narrowed down my favorites to 3. First, you have the lop. These are your classic floppy eared bunnies.

Then, there is the mini rex. They look like a typical rabbit, but miniature.

Last, but not least is the lionhead. These are the super fluffy faced bunnies with short ears.

Hopefully you are wondering why I was looking at bunnies all day. Well, it was research for a spring special like none other. I know rabbits have been done, they have even been done by us, but not like this. I'm not going to give you details just yet, but I will leave you with these words: historic, nostalgic, and adorable. If you can't wait for the upcoming information you are welcome to call the Key Photography studio at 770.205.5275 to inquire. We are still getting all of the information together before we send it out. We can't wait for you to hear about it and plan for your own session. Have a great weekend and come back next week to check on the details.

All images are from Cuteness Overload, a site that lives up to it's name.

Be CentsAble Workshops

2009-02-14T07:58:00.009-05:00

How many of you cut out, print out, and collect coupons? I am totally scared of all of the mania that is going on with the coupon hype. Okay, I have to admit that I am scared because I can only imagine the time (that I don't have) it takes to work on this whole thing. I have a friend on facebook who does all of this and is actually going to teach a class on coupon savings. The class will be held on February 28 from 10:00 - 2:00 at the First Baptist Cumming Youth House to help those of us that are skeptical or fearful to learn more about how to accomplish these kinds of savings. They are selling tickets in advance for $3 each to cover the cost of getting everyone newspapers to work through during the class.
She posted a clip from abc on her facebook that gives good information on the savings that we can get by saving coupons. I am beginning to get interested. If you want to check it out you can go to these sites and watch video clips on this topic.

Check out:
Coupon Parties
Supermarket Savings
The Coupon Game
Be Centsable Mission Statement

Thank You!

2009-02-11T20:28:00.002-05:00

I realize that this is coming a bit delayed so please forgive us. I received a delayed "thank you" from the single mom that you helped over the holidays. She sent her huge gratitude to all of you that sent things to her via the Key Photography studio. We really appreciate helping us to accomplish the goal of providing she and her girls with some of the needs that they have had. She let us know that she is doing better but as you all know when you are trying to get on your feet that sometimes it is slow. Please continue to pray for she and her family. They are very gracious and grateful for all that everyone did for them. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our studio at 770.205.5275. Thanks again and may God bless you.

A Short Senior Video

2009-02-11T14:46:00.004-05:00

This is just a little something new I'm trying out.

Happy Birthday Sandy!

2009-02-10T09:40:00.003-05:00

I wanted to sneak in really quickly and post that today is Sandy's birthday. Like most women over the age of 21, Sandy is not a big fan of her own birthday. This has not stopped me from celebrating it anyway. This morning I stopped by the Laughing Elephant and picked up a "death by chocolate" cupcake, added a candle, and of course made it's picture. Sadly, all I had on me was the phone on my camera (how ironic). I'm hoping to get a better shot of Sandy eating it later, but I'm not holding my breath. Happy Birthday Sandy! I hope you have a great day and a fantastic year.

More Outdoor Studio Updates!

2009-02-09T21:12:00.008-05:00

We are trying to get everything ready for the spring. I can't wait! We have again been working on the outdoor studio with more hardscape, landscape, grading, etc. It looks like a complete mess but I guess you have to make a mess sometimes before you can clean it up. Here are some shots of more progress.

Don't forget to read our blog on a regular basis so that you can keep up. It sure is fun around here watching all of the progress and trying to have sessions, do production, marketing, etc. Spring is coming and our sessions are scheduling fast. We will be sending out our schedule for upcoming specials very soon. We have some incredible ideas so don't miss out. Call the Key Photography studio at 770.205.5275 to schedule your weddings, family, maternity, newborn, children, seniors, and other sessions you might be interested in having photographed.

Playlist

2009-02-05T10:48:00.004-05:00

We decided to add a little fun to the blog. To your right you will see our Project Playlist music player. We add the songs in and you control the player. You can skip to the next song, repeat the last song, or pause it all together. It is set to shuffle so that you will hear something different every time you visit. I have loaded a couple of dozen songs to get us started, and I am now taking requests. If there is a song you love and want to share with our readers, please post it in the comments section of this post and I'll add it into the rotation.

Senior Romp

2009-01-29T10:50:00.009-05:00

Our Senior Ambassador Taylor booked a Senior Session to share with her friends. Keith and a group of Taylor's friends wandered all over Atlanta having fun and capturing memories that they will have long after graduation. I really don't have the words to express how much I love these images. I'm just going to have to let the shots speak for themselves.

If you are interested in booking a Senior Session for one or for a whole group, please call the Key Photography Studio at 770.205.5275. Don't wait until the weather gets warmer to make your appointment. We are already booking Spring sessions.

Outdoor Studio

2009-01-23T11:25:00.034-05:00

At the end of Fall 2008 we were blessed with being able to complete the indoor studio for Key Photography with a few minor things to finish. With many thanks to all of you - our friends - we had a wonderful 2008 year. After completing the indoor studio, we still had the task of creating the outdoor studio; but while we were completing the indoor studio we were also working on the first phase of the landscaping for the outdoor studio - to have the hard scape built. Most of that has been completed with the exception of a few things.

After Christmas we acquired 13 trees of various species along with other plants that sat in our driveway waiting to be planted. This happened in the midst of this freezing weather that we were having and Keith and I were wondering how in the world are we going to get these trees into holes in the ground so that they could get acclimated to the soil and not die from the freezing weather. Acquiring these trees allowed us to begin the second phase of design for the outdoor studio.

Thanks to friends of ours, Lance and Paula Walker, who own a bobcat and Lance, who owns his own business, were more than gracious to volunteer to help with planting those 13 trees. You can reach Lance if you need any work done by calling Curbco at 678.776.3590. Thanks again Lance.
There will be other phases of landscaping to be done, which will include a beach and various natural and manicured areas for photography that will help us to provide unique photographs for you - our friends. We are very excited about the progress. There is still a good bit to do but check out our beginning. Come by the Key Photography studio to see us and the progress we are making and let us know if there is anything we can do to serve you. Have a blessed 2009!

Virtual Reunion

2009-01-22T11:11:00.007-05:00

For some reason my graduating class did not have a 10 year reunion. As a result, many of the people I went to school with, including me, have gone to Facebook for a sort of virtual reunion. We get to find out where everyone is, see pictures of their kids, and not have to worry about losing 15 pounds to fit into a dress we paid too much for to impress people. I have really enjoyed it. I especially love that I was able to post images from the family session we had with Keith this year. I have gotten so many compliments on them. Here is my personal favorite.

Getting those images was not a perk of working here. All anyone has to do is ask. Keith is happy to burn low resolution copies of the images you order from Key Photography. So, if you are having a virtual reunion of your own, or just want to look your best in your profile picture, be sure to ask for an order images disc with your next order.
If you haven't already, be sure to join our Facebook group the next time you are on. This will help keep you up to date on Key Photography studio news and an occasional FB only specials.

Like Father Like Son!

2009-01-10T19:45:00.014-05:00

As 2009 has already begun, I was doing the usual trying to get organized to begin a new year with a little more structure when I ran across more old photos of our kids. When our 7 year old, Carmen, was born Keith's parents brought Jordan and Candler to the hospital to see their new sister and we caught a glimpse of our son following in his dad's shadow. These were candid shots taken by some of our family members - so don't expect these to be the quality of work that you get when you come to us - but I did want to share them. As I sit and watch my children there are many times that I wonder what God designed them to be - maybe and architect, an artist, or maybe even a photographer. Who knows - but it sure is interesting to wonder and watch them grow. I look forward to seeing what they will turn out to be when they grow up but pray everyday for their safety and desire to follow God's path. All of this being said - please pray for the Gardner family here in Cumming as their daughter is missing. Cherish those times with your children and pray for them daily. The Key Photography team will be praying for each of you and your family this year. If there is anything that we can do to serve you please feel free to let us know. May God bless you all during the 2009 year.

It's Cookie Time!

2009-01-08T11:28:00.002-05:00

I always look forward to that special time of year when the Girl Scouts gather outside of stores with those pretty boxes of yummy cookies. My grandmother use to buy a ton from me and would freeze them. She would space it out just right to insure that she would have Thin Mints year round. I'm not a Girl Scout any more, but I do have the inside track on this years cookies. Preordering has started, but first you have to know a Girl Scout. It just so happens that Key Photography has 2 in house Girl Scouts. That's right, portraits AND cookies. We truly are full service.
Here is a link to Meet the Cookies
Give us a call at the Key Photography Studio if you'd like to get on the preorder list. This will save you from fighting over the last box of Tagalongs in front of Walmart. 770.205.5275

Relationship Portraiture

2009-01-07T19:00:00.000-05:00

Life is all about relationships for each of us. Our own special relationships may be different for each of us ... it may be with our parents, children, spouses or friends that are cherished and treasured. Keith and I have decided to make January and February months that are focused on relationship portraiture since February is known as a month related to love and the ones that we cherish.

I have very few photographs of Keith because he is usually behind the camera rather than in front. Because this is the way it usually is in our home you can understand why it was very meaningful to me when Keith decided to surprise me for my birthday with "Relationship" portraits of he and our children as a gift.
In the image above of my childrens feet I could not have chosen a better way to capture an image that will help me remember my children's faces and foot measurements at a specific moment of time in their lives. I wanted to share some of those portraits with you so that you can see how meaningful they are. Because they hold such meaning, we wanted to offer the opportunity for you to schedule some of these fun and special sessions in our studio during January and February so that you can cherish that same experience.

Your relationship session can include your children, parents, spouse, or other family members. Life is short and we all get too busy and sometimes we forget to stop and cherish those special times and memories before they slip away. We would love to capture some of those cherished moments for you and help you create memorable relationship portraits for your home.
Call the Key Photography studio at 770.205.5275 for more information or to schedule your relationship portrait session. Visit our website at www.keyphotography.com to view more of our work and to visit our Key Elements blog.

MISSING

2009-01-07T13:58:00.006-05:00

This is Kristen Gardner and Kevin Black. Kristen and Kevin went missing between midnight and 2am Sunday morning. If you have seen them or have any information that could help locate either of these teens please call the Forsyth County Sheriff's Department at 770.781.2222. We are praying for both of these young people and hope for a safe and swift return home.

If you'd like to help spread the word there is a Facebook group you can join. It is called Kristen Gardner & Kevin Black

Gingerbread Party

2008-12-27T22:12:00.002-05:00

While the holidays were chaotic around here with trying to get orders delivered and our own Christmas shopping began the day before Christmas Eve we had the wonderful invitation to do another "portrait party" for some wonderful friends. They were having a few families over to see the children decorate gingerbread houses.

While we were there Santa made a surprise visit for the children. We had a great time getting to know everyone and sharing in the Christmas spirit.

We hope you had a wonderful and joyous Christmas season and pray that you have a very blessed and safe New Year.

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-22T23:59:00.006-05:00

We would like to wish all of you a happy and very blessed Christmas. We thank each of you for the opportunity of getting to know you and pray that you will have a wonderful and meaningful season. Amongst the busyness of getting ready for the holidays, cherish the moments with your families. Also remember the real meaning of Christmas ... Jesus. May God richly bless you all during this wonderful season and may you have a wonderful new year.

Going Home Again

2008-12-22T08:23:00.004-05:00

Whoever said you can't go home again obviously never met my family. This week we will all be gathering together in my home town of Jackson, TN. My family has lived in this town for many generations so it is not unusual for me to run into Walmart and see at least 3 different people I am either related to or have known for the majority of my life. We talk about how much our children have grown and changed and how we all look just like we did in high school (yeah, right!).

In the guest room I am staying in, my mother has all of our old photo albums. I could not resist going through them. I quickly noticed a theme to every family picture we had. First of all, they are all off center and badly lit. Second, there is a Christmas tree in all of them. The last time my family had a professional family portrait was 1980, and even that one was for a church directory. This is why every year since my daughter was born my husband and I have dressed up the kids and had a professional portrait done. After looking through the albums at my parent's home I am determined to work them into the next one.

On a funny side note, I found an old envelope that my 4th grade school portrait came in. On the back of it was written, "Your Key to Tomorrow's Memories". I couldn't help but think of Keith and Sandy and how Keith would probably roll his eyes had I suggested that as a motto for the Key Photography Studio.

Our New Look

2008-12-17T16:19:00.010-05:00

As you may have noticed, we have been making a few changes at www.keyphotography.com and everyone seems to love it. However, we still have a few adjustments to make before we are completely finished. We have been working with a great designer which allows us the opportunity of having a more objective eye for our style than our own.
God has a great way of creating paths that bring people together and it is quite interesting how He introduced us to a wonderful person that has a great eye for design and style. Her name is Madie and she is awesome and her family is as well. We are very excited about the new look of Key Photography, and equally excited to introduce Key Celebrations, our official wedding site. You can check us out at www.keycelebrations.com to see our wedding images. It is in the beginning stages so please be patient as you see changes and updates to both sites. We would love to hear what you think of the new logo for the Key Photography website as the launch of our wedding site.

The Wells Fargo Wagon

2008-12-12T11:08:00.005-05:00

I realize that unless you are a musical fan like I am, you might not understand the title of this post. Let me explain. It means that packages are coming everyday to the studio. Yesterday the delivery man brought something special just for me. Today might be your turn. We are checking in orders, putting together albums, breaking glass - I mean cleaning glass. Okay, I confess, I broke one very large piece of glass while I was getting a frame ready. I think my spirit shattered more than the glass did. I had to get right back on the horse and have cleaned several pieces since then without a single problem. The glass in question was returned to the shop and a new piece cut. Someone other than me will be cleaning it this time.

Checking in orders may be my favorite part of this job. It is the fruits of our labors and seeing it all put together is so exciting. The best is when people come in and they see their portraits for the first time printed and framed. More than once we have had to have the tissues on hand, and yes, one time it was for me. Since I tend to get misty eyed putting together other people's slide shows, you can imagine how emotional I get when the subjects are my own children. Speaking of my own children, I wanted to share one of my favorites from this year. A special thanks to Keith for capturing this unforgettable moment.

This was taken in the Key Photography studio during our Santa Experience.

Busy Day

2008-12-05T20:24:00.010-05:00

Today was the annual Christmas packing party for Treat the Troops. They pack and ship cookies to soldiers just about every month, but this is the last shipment before Christmas. They always pull out all the stops in December, and once again the Crumbs did not disappoint. I was able to grab a shot to share. That line of tables at the top of the image is covered from end to end in homemade cookies waiting to be shipped to the men and women serving our country overseas.

Another exciting part of my day involves a birthday. My husband's brother is visiting with us. This year he took a job in China and it has been 6 months since we have seen him. His wife had to stay in China this trip so it was up to me to make sure he had a great birthday complete with cake. My daughter had the idea of writing "Happy Birthday" in Mandarin on the cake. Thanks to Google I found what it should look like. Here is my attempt.

Since I wasn't able to go to the studio today I am hoping Sandy will fill us all in on how the Sleigh Ride is going. I'm looking forward to seeing the Key Photography Studio winterized.

Tea Time

2008-12-03T09:13:00.004-05:00

Wasn't the snow on Monday gorgeous! It was just enough to be beautiful and not enough to cause a run on milk at the grocery store. It certainly put me in the Christmas spirit. It didn't hurt that Sandy and I also spent the day getting ready for the annual First Baptist Cumming Christmas Tea. There is nothing like watching the snow fall as you are setting a table with Christmas dishes and decorations. I am so sorry to say that in all of the excitement, I forgot my camera. So, I will just have to describe it all for you.
My table had a candy cane theme, and Sandy's had the most amazing topiary made up of hundreds of little beads. All the ladies went above and beyond, as always, to make their tables beautiful. Tam's Backstage catered, and let me just say, it was fabulous. Our speaker, Kay Dekalb Smith, was hysterical. On the second night of the tea I had the honor to be sitting at the same table with her. It turns out that her daughter is a photographer in Nashville and her other daughter is engaged to be married. Photography, weddings, and a Tennessee/Alabama background! We could have chatted all night.
The other great thing about the snow was that it put us in exactly the right mood for the big Sleigh Ride Event in the Key Photography Studio this weekend. That's right, I said THIS weekend. If you haven't booked your session yet, please call right away so that we can work you in. We are shooting both Friday night and Saturday morning, but the sooner you call the studio at 770.205.5275 the more likely we will be able to get you in at the time you want.

Happy Thanksgiving from Sandy Key

2008-11-27T22:41:00.005-05:00

Isn't the beauty of God awesome? Sometimes the beauty of nature is overwhelming to see. It just makes me thankful for all that we are blessed with. On the note of thankfulness ... we just wanted to wish all of our friends a Happy Thanksgiving.
This a great time of year ... one of our favorites. I know that Thanksgiving and Christmas are not one holiday but I love to have everything decorated for Christmas and enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday all at the same time. I hope that we all are thankful for what God has blessed us with and that we can always remember that our blessings are to be passed on to others. I hope that you will join our Key Photography family by trying to pass on some of those blessings to the family that we are trying to help during the holiday season.
As we wrote before about a family we are trying to help get on their feet ... not unlike many others during this same time. It can almost be overwhelming to try and decide who to help and how. If you are led to do so, please call us and let us know that you are willing to help this family or come by the studio to bring things to help this family. They are in need of almost anything that you can think of ... from household items such as pots & pans, or even toiletries or clothes. Gift cards are also helpful for them. There is nothing too small that you could give that might bless them and help them to have a better holiday season.
Oh well, know that the Key Photography family is very thankful for each and every one of you and we hope that you have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

Sleigh Ride Details

2008-11-26T09:28:00.004-05:00

The Sleigh Ride Special will be held Friday December 5th and Saturday December 6th only. The session fee for this special will be $79, which includes a $50 credit towards your purchase. This will allow you to build your own package from our full line of print sizes, postcards, and even custom Christmas cards. Hurry now to book before the slots are full! The Key Photography studio number is 770.205.5275.

Sleigh Ride

2008-11-19T09:59:00.000-05:00

Saturday with Santa was awesome and every other positive word you can think of, but take a look at our next special event.
We are creating a special "Winter Wonderland" set for your family to have beautiful Christmas photos for cards and portraits. There will be snow and trees and warm blankets to complete the feel of winter inside.
This is the perfect set for those of you who only wanted family Christmas portraits with a winter season feel.
This is a limited time only special set for Friday, December 5th and Saturday, December 6th just for winter portraits. These are the only 2 days for our Winter portrait special so don't miss out on this special Sleigh Ride event. These will make a great Christmas cards or portraits for everyone. Call the Key Photography studio at 770-205-5275 to schedule your own personal Sleigh Ride.

Checking His List!

2008-11-10T15:41:00.031-05:00

We had a great time with Santa and the experience was priceless!! It was fun to watch the children have their own special time with him. Each family had a special fun experience being able to relax and get to spend some one on one time with Santa. We tried to create a relaxed morning for parents as well as the children. While the children were having their time with Santa their parents were able to have muffins & hot cider while watching their little ones have fun finding their names on Santa's Christmas List and getting to tell him their Christmas wishes.

He arrived at our studio around 8:00 am and shortly thereafter I was unable to find our 7 year old Carmen. After looking for her I found her in her jeans, a t-shirt, barefoot and unbrushed hair sitting in his lap just talking. It was great and so wonderful to watch my children as well as the others having such a relaxed and fun time with Santa. Those of you who missed your time with Santa ... he left his sleigh for us to use for your own personal Sleigh Ride portraits.

Our upcoming special for December is a Winter Sleigh Ride scene for you to be able to get your order in for Christmas cards ahead of the holidays and in time for your friends and families to enjoy your wonderful smiles. Call us to schedule your photos and order your photos from your recent sessions so that you can get those cards out in time for the holidays. You can schedule your sessions by calling the Key Photography studio at 770.205.5275. We'll look forward to hearing from you and thanks for checking out our blog. Come back very soon and we'll have upcoming news on the Sleigh Ride!

Sincerely,
The Key Photography Family

Election Day!

2008-11-04T09:15:00.007-05:00

Just a friendly reminder (as if you needed one) that today is election day. I'm proud to say that I took advantage of the early voting to do my civic duty but if you have yet to go, I thought I would provide a very helpful link for you today.

Forsyth County Voting Information

Forsyth County has an excellent website just to help voters. There is information on where you go to vote, and a sample ballot. With all of the presidential and senate talk you might not be aware of just how many local issues there are on the ballot today. I always like to look it over at home before I go to vote so that I can get through the whole thing quickly while I'm at the polls.

After you vote, put your sticker on and head to Starbucks. They are giving away tall cups of brewed coffee to people who voted today. Also Ben and Jerry's (the one at Winward) is giving away free scoops between 5 and 8 tonight, and if you are going past a Krispy Kreme you can get a star shaped doughnut with red and blue sprinkles on the house. Wow, voting and blowing your diet for free all in one day, isn't our country awesome!

God Bless America, and please pray for our leaders no matter who wins today.

this blog posted was made possible by Lynn.

I'm Lynn Dotson and I approved this message

It's Begining to look a lot...

2008-11-03T09:28:00.003-05:00

...like Christmas! It seems like only yesterday that I was looking at the beautiful fall colors and enjoying the crisp morning air. Come to think of it, I guess it was yesterday, but that is behind us now. When November starts it is officially no longer too early to be thinking about Christmas. All of the stores are changing their orange and yellow decor to reds and greens. We are following right in step. With Santa coming this week, and a surprise new winter set to follow (oops, pretend I didn't mention that), the studio is primed for a holiday make over.
Stay tuned for details.

SanTa Baby!

2008-10-16T10:57:00.013-04:00

If you are on our email list or a member of our Facebook group then you have already heard that Santa is coming to the studio November 8th. If you are not in our email list, please sign up through the site with the link that reads "newsletter". It is the best way for us to let you know what specials and events we have coming up.

There are a few things that the announcement did not cover that I wanted to address here. First of all, as you can hopefully tell by the image above of our SanTa, there will be no fake beards and padded tummies here. This is the real deal.

We are setting up the studio with a comfortable feel to welcome your family in. Naturally, there will be cookies and such. What would a Santa experience be without cookies? There will also be no rushing. Your little ones will have plenty of time to present their full wish list to Santa.

When it comes time to review your images, you won't be limited to choosing just one shot. As a mom, I know it can be impossible to choose between your favorite shots, so we don't want you to have to choose. We also don't want to limit you to just prints. We have arranged our pricing especially for Santa so that you can have personalized Christmas cards even in our smallest packages. This will let you share your experience with all of your friends and family.

Party of Characters

2008-10-13T16:44:00.004-04:00

The studio was crazy Friday night. All of the reoccurring characters from the Kid's Town drama team came over for dinner with a photo session on the side. I guess you could call it our first in house portrait party.

I can not remember the last time I laughed so hard and was still allowed to call it work. These are just a taste of the fun that was captured that night. I can not wait to see the finished product hanging up in Kid's Town.

Too Much Fun with Charley! by Sandy

2008-10-02T17:21:00.015-04:00

We had the opportunity of photographing Lance, Paula, & Charley for their family Fall session last year and for Charley's 2 year session. We fell in love with them and have grown to watch them grow from a family of 3 to now a family of 4. Now we have the blessing of also getting to know Addison and have already had 2 sessions with her. She is as beautiful as Charley and also as sweet.

Today we had another great session in the studio with Charley for her 3 year session! Keith and I always have a blast when she walks into the room. She is such a beautiful girl and a great ham for the camera. Here are a few of our favorites from her session. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have.

Thank you so much Paula and Lance for bringing the girls in and allowing us to share in some of your special times. We love watching them grow!

Opening Day at the New Studio by Sandy

2008-10-02T15:40:00.010-04:00

FINALLY ... we have officially started shooting in the new studio. Hurray!!! There are still a few small things to complete such as hanging the projector and screen, setting up the production room, and putting the finishing touches on the wall with beautiful portraits of our friends.

We had three sessions today in our new studio. The first was a newborn but what was so special for Keith and I was that we had the opportunity of photographing the parents' wedding several years ago and it was so exciting to see them again ... with a beautiful new life!

Congratulations Christian & Kelly on your new blessing and thank you for giving us the opportunity to share in the experience of a photo session with you again ... but with a new addition to your wonderful family. "Everett is beautiful!!"

Happily Ever After

2008-10-01T13:55:00.004-04:00

As you hopefully know by now, we have been in the middle of a HUGE project. We are building a new studio. With every new level of the remodel I have taken my humble little camera in to capture "before" pictures. On more than one occasion 1 or more of the people working (usually Sandy) would say, "I'm tired of before, I want AFTER!" Well, I am extremely excited to announce that I finally have "after" shots.

Please pardon my dusty camera. You need to see the studio in person to really appreciate this transformation. (hint hint). The seating is so comfortable, and every time I walk on the carpet I just want to take my shoes off and run around barefoot like a kid.

This is my desk. Get a good look now because you will never see it this clean again. I've already completed a couple of projects sitting right there. Later this week the rest of the production team should be moving in, but for now I have a really big private office.

We still have a few things left to do such as hanging some of our favorite work, and setting up the whole media center, but that is all icing on the cake. The real news is that our first studio shoot will be first thing in the morning and I can't wait.

Ladies Night

2008-09-24T08:12:00.003-04:00

Last night, First Baptist Cumming had a great Ladies Night movie party, and all of the women of Key Photography were there. We had so much fun, I just had to blog about it.

The evening was planned out by the Women's Council. Holly Stewart went all out with the decorations. There was even a red carpet at the front door. Jennifer Lamb set up the best concession stand ever. Not only did she have popcorn and nachos, but also just about every candy known to man. I forget which of the ladies came up with the idea of the coffee bar, but it was a good one.

These were the only two men allowed in the building, and the only reason they got in is because they could make a mocha that looked like this:

They were from Mocha My Day. There was every favor of coffee known to man and hot chocolate and vanilla chi and mocha and cappuccinos. They were awesome.

After we all had our snack the movie began. What can I say? I laughed, I cried, and I learned things about friends that I never knew. The next time you see Kelli Chitty you have to ask her where her engagement ring has been.

My part in planning the evening was small but fun. I made bookmarks for everyone to take home. I designed them to look like a film strip and inside the cells I included special bible verses that were mentioned during the movie. There was Joshua 1:9, Jeremiah 29:11.Philippians 4:6-7 and Psalms 30. I'm going to be a bible tease and make you look them up for yourself. ( here is a link to Bible Gateway for you).

Too Good

2008-09-22T12:33:00.003-04:00

This shot was just too good not to share.

Party Night #2

2008-09-22T11:11:00.003-04:00

In order to have plenty of time with each family, we stretched Jennifer's party into two nights. The second night was made more interesting by a couple of special guests to the party.

I have to say that I was very impressed with how still Chip could sit, and how Mia seemed to smile right along with the rest of the family. Both of them did great. The flexibility of bringing along the furry members of your family turned out to be another great perk of the portrait party. Also, there were plenty of people around to take care of the dogs while the rest of their family took turns being featured.

*On a side note, I wanted to mention that if you don't have a place in your yard that you think would work as a good backdrop, you can still host a party. We can set up at Poole's Mill Park, your neighborhood clubhouse, or another one of the many scenic areas in the area.

P-A-R-T-Y

2008-09-19T21:45:00.008-04:00

It is fun to try new things. Sometimes you'll hit on an idea that turns out to be even more fabulous than you could have imagined. For example, Keith mentioned one day that we should have a portrait party. Then, our good friend Jennifer heard those words and ran with it. Tonight was the very first Key Portrait Party. We had so much fun that we are planning for many more.

Here is how it worked. Jennifer called up friends and invited them to her house for a backyard cookout/portrait session. No one had to pay a session fee, everyone received a discount, and a fun time was had by all. Each family took a turn changing into their dressy clothes and having their portraits done.

We had everything set up so that people could view the results right at Jennifer's kitchen table. Everything flowed so well and all of our guests were really excited with the results.

We even had one dad admit that he is usually anti-family portrait. With having four children (that's right 4!) it was hard to get everyone together, clean, and happy, but he loved the whole party concept. It was easy to keep the kids happy through the whole experience because they were there with friends. He was relaxed, they were relaxed, and the photographs turned out great. I can't wait to get the images to the studio so that I can show you the final product.

Thank you Jennifer for being such a gracious host and taking such a great idea and making it such a fun night! You are great!

If you are interested in hosting a Portrait Party call our studio and we will be glad to schedule your party and help you in planning your evening of fun with your friends.

If you would like to sign up for our monthly newsletter go to our website and begin receiving updates on our monthly specials and discounts. Thanks for reading the blog. We have received so many comments on the progress that is taking place at our new studio. Thanks for being such great friends.

Painting the Town

2008-09-15T08:07:00.005-04:00

Okay, so we are just painting the studio, not the whole town, but you wouldn't know it by the number of paint buckets that entered the studio this morning. Kemptner Painting arrived bright and early today to get started. They have been great. It's not fair to keep such talent to ourselves, so if you need any painting done, inside or out, we'd recommend Mark Kemptner. His number is 404-304-8976.

The hard part for us was in choosing the colors we wanted.We knew we wanted a little brown and needed some gray for the production areas, but what we didn't know was which of the 6,000 browns was the right one. Obviously I'm exaggerating a tad, but when you are standing in front of all those paint chips, it might as well be in the thousands.

We finally settled on a cup of "Java", a nice "Trusty Tan", and a very "Proper Gray". Don't you just love paint names. I often wonder whose job it is to sit around and name different colors.
were are using the fabulous Duron paint for the walls and you can see the swatches like we have above using this really cool paint color visualizer.

Fire House Fun

2008-09-11T17:31:00.004-04:00

It's September 11th, or as it is lesser known as, Patriot's Day. To commemorate the day, the kids and I took brownies to the firehouse in downtown Cumming. We were treated to the full tour. The kids climbed on the truck, turned on the lights, and even saw where the firefighters sleep. It was awesome.

As we were headed out I noticed that there was an old flag collection box. I had no idea it was that easy. I thought you had to hunt down a responsible Boy Scout or something, but no, you just have to stop by the firehouse.

By the way, while we are talking about firefighters, a friend recently gave me a great safety tip. Make sure you have a smoke detector in your garage. There have been a couple of house fires lately that started in the garage. By the time the house alarms went off the house was in a full blaze.

Here is a great link to a slide show made of images from 9/11 2001. Remember 9-11

*Warning* It will make you cry - A LOT, so you might want to wait until you are alone to watch it.

Key Radio

2008-09-05T15:16:00.004-04:00

Normally I like to think I am a productive influence around the studio, but today I slipped. I suggested that Sandy use one of my favorite sites to provide music for while she is working. As it turns out Sandy had never heard of Pandora, and now she has a new web obsession.

Pandora is a web based radio station. The great part is that you get to build your own stations using the type of music you most enjoy, and it's all free. You can share your stations and find out what your friends are listening to. On my personal page I have a station just for Christmas music, another for Oldies, and about 4 others built to suit my moods. Sandy wanted music to work by. So, I built stations for each of us. Sandy selected several artists and songs to get started. I quickly set one up for myself with about a dozen favorite artists, some with conflicting styles. Then I asked Keith what type of music he wanted. He shrugged and in typical Keith fashion said, "I like Jimmy Buffet." Not much to go on, but the station seems to have a really good mix.

I noticed that since I left the studio, someone has added profile information and added in several new stations, and it wasn't me. Is this going to be worse than the Facebook addiction?

We would love to share our stations with you. Just visit the site and search for user "sandy 951" or click on this Pandora link.

Two White

2008-09-03T10:04:00.008-04:00

We actually have two new additions to the studio this week. The first was an anniversary present to Sandy from Keith that we all get to enjoy.
Her name is Sophie and she is a Maltese. She loves having her tummy rubbed and is already learning how to pose for the camera. Again, this picture was made my me instead of the professionals, but I know it won't be long before her portrait is made and gracing the walls of the new studio.
Speaking of the new studio, that brings me to the second of the two whites (now is when the title makes sense)
To the untrained eye this may look like a plain white square, bit it is actually a plain white square of dry wall that now hangs in the studio. This means the hard part of the studio build is over and the dry wall has been hung. We'd like to thank Eric, Dawn, Noell, Holly, Charlie, Mindy, Eric, Mitchell, Farise, Julie, Bruce, Lauren, Dee, Kevin, Jerry, Sandy, Kelli, Stacy, Mickey, Lynn (the other one), Doug, and I am sure there are others that I have missed that Sandy will no doubt be adding in later. Without the help of all of you this massive undertaking would never have gotten done. We feel so blessed to have each of you as part of the Key Photography family.

Meet Lauren

2008-08-27T20:03:00.007-04:00

The production room at Key Photography is a fun place. It is the room where your great photos become the most fabulous portraits you have ever had done. This is thanks in no small part to Lauren. She is a college student/artist/photoshop whiz who has been doing great work retouching (among other things).

Please excuse the bad lighting and angles in this picture. I (Lynn) took it, and as I have said before photography is not a skill I have acquired. One of these days I know Sandy will talk Lauren to getting in front of their camera and then we'll have a real photo to post instead.

Aside from making everyone look younger and well rested, Lauren is a very talented artist. I managed to catch a glimpse of her sketch book the other day and was very impressed. I may have to see about posting some of her drawings here. Maybe I can even talk her into posting regularly.

Happy Birthday Baby!

2008-08-25T10:38:00.004-04:00

In continuing with my series on making the most of your session, today we will be covering 1st birthdays. By this time your little one is probably mobile in some form or fashion. That means it is time to get them out of the studio and into nature. Don't worry about the time of year, if the weather is bad we have some great indoor alternatives.

Kids are going to look adorable no matter what you put them in, so make it comfortable and easy to move in. As always, solid colors work best. We usually suggest warm tones that compliment skin tone.

Always pack a change of clothes. If there is one thing I have learned from my son it is that children (especially boys) are magnets for anything wet and sticky. Personally, I love the portraits of children with dirty feet and wet pants, but the grandparents usually like to see the children looking like angels who have never been near a speck of dirt. We love to have the option of capturing both of those looks.

Jessica+David Columbia

2008-08-22T15:18:00.005-04:00

As promised, here are some of my personal favorites from the South America wedding. As you can tell from the picture above, the bride was a bit more relaxed this time around.

I LOVE this garden area and the house. We could not have asked for a better place to photograph the happy bride.

The flower girls got a little more carried away with the petals this time around. I think it wore them out.

This was part of the entertainment at the reception. I wish I could hear the music that went with that twirl.

Speaking of music, these guys played up a storm the night before, at the rehearsal dinner. The next time the Keys have a destination wedding, I have got to find a way to tag along.

Jessica+David in America

2008-08-21T16:59:00.006-04:00

I have been waiting and waiting for my first chance to post a wedding. My patience has paid off because not only do I get to post 1, I get to post 2 for the same couple. This first post covers Jessica and David's beautiful fairy tale wedding in Georgia. The second one follows up tomorrow with pictures from the Bogota, South America ceremony.

I love it when you can catch a bride and groom with that look of love in their eyes.

The detailing in the dress was too beautiful not to include.

Sparklers are such a great send off!

Tune in tomorrow to see the happy couple as they celebrate in Columbia.

Someday Soon

2008-08-21T16:31:00.005-04:00

Sandy asked me to post a quick update. The dry wall guy is scheduled, the church directory pictures are coming up, and there is a lot less mud in the future photography garden. Keith has been doing a different kind of shooting today, this time with a nail gun. I'll give you a hint, it involves a big stack of old red wood and a barn door, that's all I'm saying.

Sandy is planning on posting here as soon as she gets a free moment. She is dying to share about their trip to South America. In the mean time, I'll be posting a few of those pictures soon.

Growing and Changing

2008-08-18T08:41:00.005-04:00

Isn't it amazing how much a baby can change in 3 months? They shed that newborn look and develop tiny personalities. They have started sleeping more, and hopefully, so have the parents. This means it is time for your next session.

To contrast the black and white newborn session, the next session is typically done on a white backdrop. The baby will be front and center for this session. They do not have to be dressed in all white, but lighter colors do work best. If you notice the picture above, the blue jeans, when paired with the white, really brings out the blue in the baby's eyes. Above all we want the baby to be comfortable. It is also smart to bring a back up outfit. When you are dealing with light colors and babies, it is a given that something is going to get spit up on.

Meet Taylor!

2008-08-13T10:47:00.003-04:00

Taylor is another very important member of the Key Photography family. She is, for lack of a better word, our intern. We are teaching her important lessons that will carry her through life such as, how to make coffee the way Sandy likes it, and how to time your day based on Fed-Ex delivery schedules. I'm only kidding. Taylor has actually been teaching us a great many things about seniors and the cool hip things that senior like. She has been a great asset to our team and family. Thanks for all of your help Taylor!

When we aren't taking up her time, Taylor is a competition cheerleader and our senior ambassador to Central High School (Go Dawgs!). Make sure you pick a program at one of this year's games, find our ad, and get Taylor to autograph it for you. Bring it with you to your next session, and we'll work up something special to reward you for your school spirit.

Newbies

2008-08-12T13:26:00.008-04:00

I thought the best place to start with session tips is at the beginning with newborns.

There is nothing sweeter than a newborn baby. We suggest photographing them the way they entered the world ... bare and beautiful. To really showcase your newborn, we set them against a black backdrop and photograph in black and white.

We encourage the rest of the family to join in this session. They should all be dressed in long sleeves shirts that are black or a color that will appear black, such as a dark navy. Comfort is an important thing to consider, so we often suggest blue jeans be worn to help you feel relaxed. Not only will you be more comfortable, but the baby will take their cues from you and feel more at home as well.
Be sure and let us know if you want to change things up. We are always willing to be flexible to your needs. If you want to work with a family baby blanket, or some sort of heirloom, just let us know.
After the precious pictures are done, don't be afraid to get cute. Bring a football for your future quaterback, or a pompom for the little cheerleader.

Back to School

2008-08-11T08:28:00.003-04:00

Today is a big day in Forsyth County if you have school aged children. It is the first day of school, but for those homeschooling like the Keys, it's Monday. The big topic in my house last night was what my daughter was going to wear for the first day of 4th grade. She wanted to look her best while also being comfortable. The same can be said for people getting ready for a portrait session.
I could give you a one size fits all list of what to wear and bring to your session with us, but I have noticed that we have a wide variety of people coming through the studio. This requires a wide variety of tips.
I thought we would start with the youngest and move our way up. I'll be posting tips for newborns, children, seniors, engagement/bridal, families, and back and white. If I don't cover an area that you have questions about feel free to email me and I'll throw that in too. You can reach my inbox by emailing lynn@keyphotography.com

The Music

2008-08-04T19:16:00.004-04:00

People have been asking who it is singing on the main site and where we found her, and what good is a blog if not to answer burning questions such as these. Her name is Christa Black and we found her on MySpace. She is from Nashville and has won us all over. In addition to her amazing singing voice, she is also the talent you hear playing the violin.

If you like what you hear, head on over to MySpace and be her friend. Better yet run to i-tunes and buy her songs like we did.

It's only right to give credit where it is do, and although we'd love to take credit for her MySpace picture (seen above), it is actually the work of a Nashville photographer named Tec Petaja.

See Christa in action in this You Tube video in which she sang backup and played violin for Micheal W. Smith at a Billy Graham event in San Diego. The song is "Above All"

Lessons Learned

2008-08-04T08:44:00.000-04:00

A few days ago we sent out our very first newsletter, Key Happenings. If you didn't get one it is because we don't have your email address. Be sure to go to our main site and click on "newsletter" to sign up. We include specials and studio updates, so you really don't want to miss out. This month's special is a free session and 8x10 to those who book a session in August. As long as it is scheduled in August you will get the special, even if the session doesn't take place until later in the year.

I learned a few of thing with this first newsletter that I hope will help me perfect future ones.

1. "Official" has two "i"s in it (thanks Sandy!)

2. Spell check can only do so much

3. It helps to place a link to your website in the email

4. Ask separate people to proof content and design

5. Do not assume that the template has the right date. It is 2008, no matter what the form says

Several of these were caught and fixed before it was sent, but a couple weren't. After that button is hit there are no take backs, so I've had to take the approach of just laughing at my mistakes, and plan to do better next time. So, tune in next month to find out what word I learned to spell this time.

In all seriousness, I do really appreciate the great response we received after the newsletter went out, and how welcomed I feel into the Key Photography family. Thank you all for the nice things you have said, and I hope to see you all in the studio soon.

The Sounds of Progress

2008-08-01T16:21:00.000-04:00

While we are building out the new studio we decided to also transform the area behind our studio into an outdoor photography garden. At times it has been hard to see how the amazing sketch we have is going to become a reality, but everyday we inch closer.

The past couple of days has been a rather loud inching. At first we thought we were suddenly on the flight path of a fleet of heliocopters, but as it turns out they were just packing and leveling the ground. Can you imagine? A flat yard in Cumming! That is just the start.

Did you know there was a lake back there? Well, you will know it now. This is another one of those teaaser posts where I show you the "before" but not the "after". The wait is going to worth it because it will knock your socks off.

Meet Lynn

2008-08-01T16:20:00.003-04:00

My name is Lynn, and I take pictures about as well as your grandmother, complete with chopped heads and bad lighting. This is why you will never see me holding a camera unless I am handing it to the professionals. I am more of a Jack (or Jill as the case may be) of all trades around here. I deal with details like emails, newsletters, and a little design work from time to time. I will probably write most of the posts on here for now.
Weddings are my specialty, and how I first started doing business with this great studio. In addition to my work with the Keys, I also run a popular wedding resource website called The Handcrafted Wedding. I am the nationally recognized wedding expert and writer for Handcrafted: the cure for the common wedding.
To top it all off, my husband and I have been blessed with two wonderful children. How do I do it all, you may ask? Well, my house is never clean unless my in-laws are in town (so call first), and "take your children to work day" comes a lot more often than once a year.

We're Home!

2008-08-01T16:20:00.001-04:00

In case you haven't heard, the Keys have decided that a studio away from home just didn't feel like home. So, they have packed their boxes and once again set up shop out of their house, but with a few new tricks.
Although the Keys missed their house, they did enjoy the flexibility of a studio, so they have brought the studio home with them. There once ordinary basement is being transformed into a studio with a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere. We want you to feel like you have stepped out of your crazy hectic world, and into a place where you can feel at home and let your best self shine through.
Building the ideal studio doesn't happen overnight or even over a week of nights, but we know the time and energy will be well worth it. Part of the reason we started this blog was to keep you in the loop with the growing process. So, I want to start off with a "before" picture. I can not wait for the "after".

The Starter Post

2008-08-01T16:18:00.000-04:00

Blogs can be kind of tricky. If you post too much you can burn out really quickly, too little and people lose interest. I'm going to start with a couple of days a week and see where we go from there.
For the most part this blog will be pictures (no surprise there), but I hope to also include some tips on making the most of your photo sessions, studio news, and maybe even some random office fun. So, check back every week and see what we've been up to.