The great digital file back up has begun (and the digital file sale should begin next week — stayed tuned!) I have a 2 terabyte hard drive that will no doubt get filled with the TWO THOUSAND photo sessions I’ve done since Fun Prints began.

Today I got through the first year of my photography business – 1999. Bill Clinton was president. And we all thought airplanes were going to fall out of the sky at the millenium due to the Y2K computer glitch. Emily had just been born, and I wanted to do something where I could work from home.

I opened my doors in October that year, so I only had 22 clients for whopping sales of $3000. My books show me in the red by quite a lot with the purchase of lights, some drops, and about 80 rolls of film that I went through trying to learn how to set up the studio. I took out a teeny tiny ad in the newspaper, and the first few moms started coming.

Looking at the rolls, of those original 22, I still photograph several of those families 11 years later!

Sadly, it looks like about 6 clients’ images are non-recoverable. Don’t rely on CDs, people! But here are a few of my favorite shots from 1999.

I wish I were the sort of photographer who got a chance to post shots from every session — maybe soon I’ll hire someone to keep this up for me. But I took a quick moment to put together just a few of my most recent baby photographs.

Meet our newest member of the Baby Plan. And at the bottom, a baby plan graduate.

Don’t despair if you are realizing the big day is this Sunday and you haven’t thought of anything clever!
You don’t have to schedule a shoot for any of these, just pick a picture from any of your sessions!

Photo KeyChain
$15
Holds two photos, one on each side. Heart shaped or teardrop. Hefty acrylic. I can have these ready to pick up same day.
I will contact you for style and photo information.

Rear View Mirror Ball (awesome for hanging from a lamp in the office too!)
$20
Holds four photos. Comes in metallic silver, black, white, red, pink, blue. I can have these ready to pick up same day.
I will contact you for color and photo information.

Private Lessons: Two hours for the price of one (photography or Photoshop)
$65
We can meet anywhere–park, studio, your house. I can email a gift certificate instantly with a credit card or PayPal purchase.

If you want to avail yourself of overnight shipping or head to the stores, here are two tech gifts that he is sure to love:The Eye-Fi Wireless Camera Card
This is what Deanna uses to wirelessly transfer her pictures to her computer, no cords, no card readers. This card will GeoTag your location on vacation photos as well. You can set it up to transfer your images to a Flickr account or online. *This is an SD card. Make sure to get an adapter if you use compact flash. (I do.)*
$47
View on Amazon

The PlaySport Waterproof Digital HD Video and Still Camera
Take it to the beach or on vacation, get 5 megapixel stills and HD 1080p (full res) video, even underwater.
$110
View on Amazon

I have a mission.

This mission is to make sure every one of my little clients has a photo BY  HIS OR HERSELF with Mom. No brother mucking up the shot. No mean ol’ sister. Just mother and child.

We so often forget how important this is. When our children are older, when we, as their mothers, are lost to them, they need at least one picture that they can hold on to, one that is only theirs, and isn’t just a picture, but a memory of a good day.

We’re going to take that picture.

And we’re going to donate all the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to fight breast cancer, so that the day that picture comes out isn’t before its time.

• Saturday, May 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• $10 per child
• You go home with a 4×6 print of you with each child, done on the spot.

Just tell me the hour range you plan to stop by so I can plan. I’m planning on these being outdoor shots unless the weather is bad, in which case I’ll prepare a pretty indoor set.

We’ll snap your shots, then you’ll get to do a craft with your children (and have a snack!) while we print our favorite of you with each child, retouched and ready to frame.

You can order more later if you need them.

If your friends can’t normally afford to go to a pro, tell them this is the time! It’s all for charity, and it’s all to freeze a moment in time, to remember a really good day.

I will also be making a video of all the images, dedicated to both our moms and all the women in our lives who have fought breast cancer, so please let me know any names you’d like to be a part of this special tribute. 

Dress casual, dress up, dress silly. It’s up to you! Just remember, this special is about you and your little one! We won’t be doing individuals or groups photos on this day. Try the spring special (post below) for that!

Email me or call 512.347.0081 to let me know you’re coming. I can’t wait to see you!

I hope you enjoy this video of a wonderful family whom I just met with the birth of precious Mia. Little Mia’s sweet aunt was my daughter’s kindergarten teacher, and all of this family is very special to me.

Follow this link to see it in true HD if you have a beefy video card.
The Oosterhouse Family from Deanna Roy on Vimeo.

The special will run  May 16-23.
With video $145
Stills only $95
I’m not posting a schedule because video slots are longer than non-video ones, and I’ll rearrange my times based on the type of shoots we’re doing.

Call me at 512.347.0081 or email me to let me know which weekend day you’d like. 

To do a photo shoot that includes a video on DVD,  I will mail you your DVD and the video will have your song choice.

Both options will have full galleries online to view images and big prints (16×20 and up) will be 25% off, because I really think you’re going to get that family picture you’ve always wanted.

The first spot I’m using for bluebonnets 2010 is amazing! Shoots have already begun!

Here is the schedule:

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR A GREAT YEAR! We’ll do this again in 2011!

If you’re on my mailing list, you’ll get a notice.

Sittings this year are $75 and include one picture any size up to 8×10.

I’ve been photographing bluebonnets professionally for TEN years! See my favorites in this video! Are YOU in it?

So many sweet little faces came in early this year for pictures. I haven’t been able to keep up with them all!

All these babies are on the Baby Plan, so I will get to see them lots — except Chase and Boston, who have graduated

I could never keep up with all the amazing pictures that have gone through my hands in the last few weeks. Here is but a sample:

I love Christmastime! It gets a little crazy at the studio, but I get to see all the big kids who only come once a year, and we get whole families to take their pictures together.

Always wanted that cute “Christmas morning” shot of kids in their PJs, but didn’t have the matching PJs? I’ve got them! Cute little fitted unisex pajamas with red and white stripes in sizes 2T through 12! Elizabeth is modeling them  on the left, one of my long-time clients are showing it on their card.

And is your child naughty? Or nice? You get to pick with the new props!

I have lots of new card designs, but mainly I’m custom designing many new cards based on what we get at your photo shoot. Come with your ideas, favorite cards, and color schemes and we’ll create something just for you!

Here’s the schedule. I keep it as updated as possible. Call 512-347-0081 or email me to reserve a slot. The sitting fee is $75 and we book two-hour slots, so you won’t be rushed.

I can’t wait to see you!  

Many of you know that Elizabeth spent several days at the children’s hospital this year, waiting on her diagnosis of heterotopic gray matter, a congenital brain defect. She’s doing so well, and we were so grateful for her amazing care there. I decided this holiday season to do something extra special to raise money for their special services, the things outside of basic health care that make the hospital such a healing place for children, who I wish never had to go through painful tests and fear.

So I created the most beautiful scene imaginable with trees, a custom-painted snow forest, and my wonderful sleigh. My dad is delighted to play the role of Santa for the weekend, and we’ll take a wonderful series of images that will make incredible holiday cards.

A $50 donation reserves your slot.

Learn more about the special with my video. Feel free to pass it on!

Should you be unable to make it that day, the donation will apply toward a rescheduled regular sitting. Baby Plan members may participate on an add-a-session basis so that the hospital can still get their donation. 

Images will be posted to a special online gallery for ordering. Additional items that benefit the hospital will be available for purchase, as well as special discount packages and deals!