A Helping Hand
Tags: Professional Portraits
2011 Senior Model Search!
Application Deadline for the Senior Model Squad is now over. We are no longer accepting applications for the Class of 2011!
Thanks to everyone who applied. It looks like we’ll have a great bunch of models to work with this year. It’s really sad that we can’t accept everyone who applies. But, it is only fair to the chosen models who have to work to earn their perks and rewards, to limit the number of competing models in each school.
Check back here often as we announce the members of the 2011 Senior Model Squad and share their images. We’re ready to have some fun and create some great photography!
The model squad members will appear in our advertising campaign, become official ambassadors of Dennis Kelly Photography, and receive special incentives when their friends come to Dennis Kelly for their senior portraits!
Participation is fun and exciting, and allows you the opportunity to earn rewards and benefits by representing Dennis Kelly Photography to your friends and classmates.
We only choose a limited number of squad members from each school. The application deadline is February 1st, 2010 and we will make our preliminary selections by February 10th.
Senior Model Squad Competition Criteria:
- Must have an outgoing personality, great attitude and be involved in school activities (we do not choose our models by looks!)
- Must be a high school junior graduating in 2011
- Must have parental consent and sign a senior model squad agreement
- Must agree to actively participate according to the requirements of the program.
Benefits of Joining our Senior Model Squad:
- 2-hour senior “Blow Out” session valued at $249.
- Designer album of 30-40 of the best session images – chosen by the Dennis Kelly Photography team and custom designed to showcase your session (a $300+ value)
- 50 Model Squad Cards customized with your name and image and offering a special incentive for your friends (each friend that turns in a card provides you with a CASH reward!)
- Six images for use on your Facebook page (must tag our page and use as your profile image for at least one week)
- A slideshow video of your images to use on your Facebook page
- Your images will be used in our advertising and on our Facebook page – many of our 2010 Senior Model Squad members became local ‘superstars’ by appearing as our profile image
Plus many additional incentives and the ability to earn cash rewards toward your senior portrait order.
For complete information about how to apply to become a member of our 2011 Dennis Kelly Senior Model Squad, download the complete brochure. 2011 Senior Model Squad.
Follow the link on the last page to submit an application. Or, once you have reviewed all the information and received your parent’s permission, go to our Online Application Form to apply.
If you know a high school junior who will be graduating in 2011 and feel they would make a great Senior Model, pass this information along!
Tags: senior models, Senior Portraits
Maternity and Newborn Portraits
From time to time I like to review our website and blog stats to see what people are looking for that brings them to our site. I was surprised to see that among search phrases that people typed that brought them to our website and blog, “Maternity Portraits” and variations thereof, were number one… by far! So, lots of people are interested in them!
This was kind of surprising to me, because frankly, while we do several of these every year, they are not really a mainstay of our business, as senior portraits and families are. What this is telling me, is that there is a LOT of interest in maternity and newborn portrait studies, but, for some reason, many people seem somewhat reluctant to actually call and book a session.
This is kind of sad, because if there is ONE special time in a woman’s life that is deserving of a special, sensitive portrait done by a professional, THIS is it. I mean, you may graduate more than once… you may even get married more than once! But you will only be pregnant with THIS child one time in your life!
So, I thought I would write a little blurb here and maybe clear up some of the questions and doubts people may have about maternity portraits in the hope that it may encourage more women to have them done.
So, here’s my list of Frequently Asked (or thought about) Questions about Maternity Portraits at Dennis Kelly Photography.
How much does it cost?
A typical maternity session is $80. This can be of you alone, with daddy, or even with other siblings, depending on what you are interested in. Portraits prints themselves can really run anywhere from about $100 to several hundred, depending on the size you prefer. We have clients that spend less than $300, and clients that spend over $1000, and pretty much anything in between. One thing is sure, there is something for almost any budget.
Do I have to be naked?
Of course not! The goal of a maternity portrait is to show the “baby bump”, so most women opt to at least have the belly exposed. But attire is completely up to you and your comfort level. Some women are photographed (discretely) nude, others wear a robe or nightgown, others maternity clothing. The choice is entirely yours.
What about those “progression” portraits? How do they work?
We can do a maternity progression series that involves coming in 4 to 6 times over the course of your pregnancy to document the “baby bump” as it grows. The final session is 2-4 weeks after the baby is born and will include individual portraits of the newborn s well. This service costs $200, and most people will invest in a larger wall size display print for the nursery.
What is the best time to have a maternity portrait made?
Progression portraits need to start almost as soon as you know you are expecting, so we can document the entire progress of your pregnancy. If you are only interested in a single session, 7 to 8 months is ideal. That’s when the belly is fullest, but before the baby has “dropped” prior to the onset of labor.
What about stretch marks and stuff?
We’ll retouch anything that is unsightly or you find objectionable. No problem.
What will I actually do with these portraits?
Most people will choose to display a wall portrait in the nursery or bedroom. It’s a wonder way to remember this wonderful time of your life. You’ll want to document all the changes and developments in your baby’s first year of life, and a maternity portrait is also the perfect way to start your “baby’s first year” photo album. They also make wonderful thank you cards for shower gifts and such, and can even be included, along with your baby’s first portrait, on birth announcements.
Can Dad be Included?
Of course! You can include daddy in your maternity session, and newborn study too. The important thing, no matter what style or look you’re after, is to have it done before this special, important time in your life is over!
If someone you know, is expecting… send them a link to this article! It may help to answer some questions they have about this important and beautiful style of photography! Of course, you can always call us at the studio with any questions or concerns you may have. We’re always glad to help!
Rambo
This little guy was too cute not to share! He had his portrait taken by Dennis as a Christmas Gift for his Mom, but because it was a surprise, we couldn’t share it until after the Holiday.
Pets are so much a part of the family, it’s a pleasure when we get to record their personalities. Many of our family portrait clients opt to include their beloved pets in the sitting too! We’re glad to oblige!
Rambo
Season’s Greetings to Everyone from Dennis Kelly Photography
It’s the time of the year, once again, to look back and say “Thank You” to all the wonderful friends and clients we have had the pleasure of serving over the years.In my 30+ year career as a professional photographer (yes.. I started when I was 5) I have yet to encounter the person who has said to me, “You know, I wish I didn’t have so many beautiful pictures of my family and kids as they were growing up!” In a time when the products we embrace so much as a society become worn out or obsolete in months rather than years, it’s a great source of satisfaction to know that we provide a product and service to our customers that becomes more and more precious as the years go by. Enduring and lasting value, rare indeed.
Happy Holidays From Dennis Kelly Photography
Remember, portraits of loved ones make perfect Holiday Gifts.
Gift Certificates are available too!
New Website Launched
We’re proud to announce that after a LOT of work, our brand new studio website is now up.
The brand new flash site features hundreds of new images in many new galleries! Please check it out and see who you know!
Dennis
Tags: new website
Some Favorite Images From Our Children’s Model Search!
We wanted to share some of the images we shot on our special Children’s Holiday Portrait Model Search.
We sure had some cute kids… Tell us which you like the best… we love comments…
If you’re not on our mailing list, but would like to receive information about upcoming studio specials, sign up here:
Dennis
Ok, Jack the dog isn’t EXACTLY a kid. But he looked so cute we had to share!
Thanks to everyone who participated!
This beautiful, turn of the century brick fireplace is actually in the lobby of our studio. I don’t know why it never occurred to us to use it for portraits before! It certainly makes a beautiful Holiday setting.
Our Special Holiday Sale on Family and Children’s Portraits will be Friday and Saturday November 27th and 28th!
Update! We currently have no openings left for the weekend portrait sale!
But, it’s not too late to still get portraits in time for Christmas! Call us at 856-228-4399
Our special, ONE DAY ONLY SALE of Family Portraits will be hosted at Dennis Kelly Photography on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, November 28th.
Family Portraits scheduled for Saturday, November 28th will be photographed with NO SESSION FEE (an $80 savings!) and specially discounted packages. Portraits and Holiday Greeting Cards will be finished in time for Holiday Gift Giving. Available session times are very limited. Call TODAY to reserve your spot. 856-228-4399
The kids will be home from school, and Portraits make the perfect Holiday gift for yourself, Grandparents, and Family members. So, take advantage of this special limited sale and get that special family group portrait you’ve always wanted. Don’t Miss Out!
On Friday, November 27th, we will be holding our Children’s Holiday Portrait Special. This ONE DAY ONLY sale will feature our Special Holiday Theme set with a real fireplace, full of warmth and charm.
Don’t wait in an endless line at the Mall for cookie cutter style portraits. Dennis Kelly offers individual appointments, personalized service, and timeless quality!
Children’s portraits on Friday, November 27th, will be photographed with No Session Fee and specially discounted portrait packages. Portraits and Holiday Greeting Cards will be finished in time for Holiday Gift Giving. Available session times are very limited.
Call TODAY to reserve your individual appointment. 856-228-4399.
Some Images from Our Family Model Search
We had so much fun shooting images for our upcoming family portrait promotion that we couldn’t wait to share some of them here. Please, leave us a comment below and tell us what you think!
We had a terrific response, and while we’re not yet done all the sessions, it’s clear we’ll have a great selection of new images to use in our ad campaign. Thanks to all our great clients who participated! We offered each of them a Free session and $100 Gift Certificate to use at the studio. We got great new images to display, and they got a chance for some significant savings on portraits they will cherish forever!
BTW, we will be running our Holiday Portrait Special this year on November 27th and 28th. Watch your email for details. If you’re not on our mailing list, but would like to receive information about upcoming studio specials, sign up here:
Here are some of the wonderful images we will be featuring in our upcoming ads: The Carey Family was so much fun to work with. I loved the one of them goofing off and acting like the real spirited family they are!
The Ertle kids were fun too. They had to beg and plead, but they finally got Mom to join in for a few shots too!
We had photographed Brenna as a high school senior not too long ago. We were glad she came back to have these special portraits made with her boyfriend.
There is nothing quite as special as the bond between Mother and Daughter, and what an honor it is to be asked to record that special bond, as we did with the Hamlyn’s!
This was a great idea! The Kausers decided to get all the GRANDKIDS together for a group portrait. What a perfect Holiday Gift for Grandmom and Grandpop! Can you think of anything they will cherish more? 
We have photographed Kathy and Jeff since their high school senior portraits, uh, we won’t say how many years ago.. but, they are always fun to shoot, and now have 2 beautiful girls! Thanks guys!
The Muhlbairs were also past clients, and it was a joy to photograph the special relationship between two sisters. We were also able to talk Mom into a few as well. I’ll bet the girls will be glad she agreed.
Christine Phillips and her fiance’ were not past clients of ours, but where recommended by someone who was. Client referrals are the very lifeblood of our business… thanks!
Jessica was another of our senior portrait clients that recently got engaged. They are buying their first house! Congratulations!
We had such a blast reconnecting with past clients, meeting new ones, and creating so many memorable images. Thanks to all who participated! To those who missed out, remember there is still time to get significant savings on that Dennis Kelly Portrait you’ve always wanted during our Holiday Portrait Sale, Thanksgiving Weekend, November 27th and 28th. The kids will be home for the Holiday, and Portraits are the ONE Holiday gift only you can give… and one that will be treasured forever. If you’d like to see even more images in our special “Relationship” style, watch the video!
We are also looking for just a few more kids to photograph for our upcoming Children’s Holiday Portrait promotion. If you know someone with cute kids between the ages of 1 and 12, send them to THIS Page on our blog for information on how to participate!
