Fun Prints Photo Blog » Photography–Fun Stuff

Fun Prints Time Machine – 1999

Deanna — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 22:16:29 +0000

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.

And Kierra wins!

Deanna — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:37:33 +0000

Kierra is the winner of the “I Make Naughty Look Good” photo contest. She got 157 votes.

Her family will receive a $100 Target gift card and $300 worth of photography.

Congratulations Kierra!

Time to vote for who Makes Naughty Look Good!

Deanna — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:44:26 +0000

In the posts below we have 12 big contestants for Deanna’s search for the model who will lead off the “I make naughty look good” page. This kiddo will be featured in advertisements for my business and will also win $400 in prizes (which includes $100 from Target for TOYS! Or whatever Mom chooses…)

You may vote for as many children as you like, but you can only comment on each child one time. I’ll be looking for valid email addresses–but I have no use for them–no spam from me, I promise!–and they are not visible. I am also watching IP addresses –if your comment is not appearing, I may be hanging on to it because too many comments for the same child are coming from the same computer, and I am checking its authenticity.)

It was a great group and we had a blast taking the photographs. All the moms who participated got a gift certificate to order copies of the images, and the big winner will get a $300 gift certificate to use for any pictures or sittings she chooses over the next year.

Your comment is your vote! So vote! The contest ends July 31!

Does YOUR child make naughty look good?

Deanna — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:53:12 +0000

For this campaign, I am looking for children between the ages of 12 months (who can stand unassisted) and nine years. I need their craziest outfits EVER. I mean COLOR! I mean overalls and bandanas and cowboy hats and feather boas and mama’s high heels–whatever fits your child’s personality!

The sessions will be about 15 minutes and are free (of course!) For your trouble in dressing up your kiddo and dragging them to my studio, you’ll get a $25 gift certificate you can use any time with me.

The big winner will be featured all over the place in my promotional materials, and will win a $100 Target gift card and a $300 photography credit.

Email or call me at 512-347-0081 to arrange a time to come by. No pressure, no posing, just fun! It all ends June 30!

Scavenger Hunt: Day 5 — This is the last one!

Deanna — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:37:33 +0000

The prize: A free session during Deanna’s Santa Claus and Sleigh special in November.

The question: In the “No Boys Allowed” Clubhouse picture, what card is the little girl holding behind her back?

Be the first to give the answer in a comment (click on “Leave a Comment” below) and claim the prize!

Comments do not appear automatically, as they have to go to moderation for a spam-check. So even if no one has posted yet, it’s possible someone is ahead of you with the answer. I will email the winner!

You do not have to be a current customer to play!

Don’t forget, June is my model-search month. $400 in prizes. Free 15-minute sittings in a crazy outfit that fits the personality of your child! Everyone gets a $25 gift certificate for coming in. The theme is “I make naughty look good!” Call or email to book a slot!

Scavenger Hunt: Day 4

Deanna — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:27:22 +0000

The prize: 25 announcements or holiday 4×8 cards (worth $75)

The question: What image of Emily got Fun Prints started?

Be the first to give the answer in a comment (click on “Leave a Comment” below) and claim the prize!

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY OF THE HUNT! Come back on Tuesday to try the Day 5 question! You do not have to be a current customer to play!

Congrats, Michelle! You got it right! Did you realize you’ve been coming to me for SIX years! Wow!

Scavenger Hunt: Day 3

Deanna — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:57:40 +0000

The prize: A Fun Pack! (Three units of pictures. Worth $75!)

The question: What is Deanna’s next photo class?

Be the first to give the answer in a comment (click on “Leave a Comment” below) and claim the prize!

Come back on Monday to try the Day 4 question! You do not have to be a current customer to play!

Our winner: Lisa M!

Scavenger Hunt: Day 2

Deanna — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:04:25 +0000

The prize: A free session during Deanna’s Santa Claus and Sleigh special in November (which might sell out).

The question: What type of pictures are in the sample gallery for client proofs?

Be the first to give the answer in a comment (click on “Leave a Comment” below) and claim the prize!

Come back on Sunday to try the Day 3 question! You do not have to be a current customer to play!

Our winner: Ashley!

Scavenger Hunt: Day 1

Deanna — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:02:46 +0000

The prize: A free 11×14 (worth $65!).

The question: What song does Deanna say works with two-year-olds AND gruff CEOS?

Be the first to give the answer in a comment (click on “Leave a Comment” below) and claim the prize!

Come back on Saturday to try the Day 2 question! You do not have to be a current customer to play!

Camille, you got it! Way to go!
A new question goes up at a random time on Saturday!
The prize: A free sitting during Deanna’s Santa Claus and sleigh special in November!

High Dynamic Range Images — Wowee!

Deanna — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:36:56 +0000

I want to make a shout out to local pro photographer Carlos Austin who turned me on to another amazing sensation in photography — High Dynamic Range imagery.

The concept is pretty easy. Often when we take a picture, we sacrifice something. To get faces to be well exposed, the sky is blown out white. Or to get the pretty blue horizon, other things are in silhouette. Statues are especially difficult to capture.

During my Photography Walking Tour of UT Class on Saturday (what fun students–one of my best classes of all time!), I got a chance to take a few shots myself, specifically over and underexposing my images so that I could test them out with Photomatix, software designed especially to combine your images to get the best exposure from each.

Here are the three shots I took of a statue on the South Mall.

And here is the resulting combined HDR image. What a difference!

Download the software and try it yourself. The trial version is free.