So…………..I’m throwing around the idea of opening up some more dates to CURRENT clients first, then if there are still spots left, they can go to new clients.  Current clients – please contact me for more information if you are interested.  Since I’ll have to push them into November and maybe even December, they may be structured slightly differently than my current minis. 

In the mean time and especially if you want an outdoor session, I do have some photography friends that are also doing some really great mini session specials!  Please feel free to contact them if you wish to set up an appointment! (and not sure if the slots are full, so hurry! )  In no particular order, here they are:

Jennie Gaskins – http://jenniegaskins.blogspot.com/2010/09/i-have-gotten-quite-bit-of-emails-in.html - early bird minis on Wed 9/22!

Nichole Lee – http://nleephotography.com/blog/?p=870 - she has 3 different mini session dates available – locations vary depending on the date.  Sat 9/11 – Park, Sat 10/2 - urban, Sat 10/16 – park.

Molly Shields – http://www.mollyshieldsphotography.com/blog/?p=958 - Sun Oct 17th at the arboretum in Chaska.

Paula Charchenko & Kelly Jenne – not sure of times/dates/availability – feel free to contact them!  Paula – www.paulacharchenko.blogspot.com and Kelly – http://kjennephotos.blogspot.com/

Jessica Barker – http://jessicabarkerphotography.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/fall-mini-sessions-st-louis-park-photographer/

and since no post is complete w/out a photo – here’s the last 2 card designs in the tempate set I bought. 

notice how this was a baby announcement… but it can totally be turned into a Christmas card!

Very unique designs – especially the TV set one!  You’ll either love it or hate it I’m guessing!  

Just some more options for my lovely clients! 

For starters, starting September 1st, I am going to be renting a studio downtown!  My friend and fellow photog Shelley sweet-talked me into it, so I’m going to try it for 6 months.  The studio is in a really cool old building in the arts district of NE Minneapolis. 

To go along with my cool downtown studio, I thought it would be a GREAT time to launch SoShe – Photography for Girls and Women!  (logo by Karen!  Thanks girl!  You’re the BEST!) 

One of my goals with SoShe Photography is to target fashion-forward girls ages 12-16 years of age.  You know these girls – they are the ones that LOVE having their photos taken….the ones that LOVE doing their hair and make-up….the ones that LOVE posting their photos on Facebook…the ones that LOVE going to the mall!  Unfortunately, a lot of girls this age hardly ever get professional photos taken!  All they get is their yearly crappy school photo or else they hold their camera out at arm’s length and take self-portraits.  If they are really lucky, then maybe they get to have some quick solo pics if their parents book a family session.  Then when they are high school seniors, they get great senior photos taken.  Why wait until your girls are seniors!? 

My goal is to capture great photos for these poor, neglected girls!  haha!  Seriously, my goal is to provide a service to a group of clients that I think is strongly under-represented.  I’m hoping too that parents will be on board with this idea of paying for a session for their girls  (since most kids that age are flat broke – so they need their parents’ $$!!) 

Another goal of SoShe Photography is to focus on those poor neglected MOMS that only get their photos taken as part of a family session!    So to kick off SoShe, I took a day off of work and booked the studio for minis on Friday September 10th!  What a great time for moms to come for a session just for THEM!?  It can be a boudoir session (tame & tasteful of course!) or just some fun new headshots!  Hey, the kids are in school so take a 1/2 day off work, get some fun photos taken and maybe meet your hubby or a friend for lunch.  Doesn’t that sound like a great mom day?  I think so! 

I’m also going to try a new introductory pricing structure especially for SoShe!  Here’s what I’m thinking:

• 20-30 minute sessions.  If you want a longer session, book 2 sessions back-to-back.
• $100 for 10 edited images.  Additional edited images to be purchased at $10 each.  And best yet, you will get to choose the images you want edited!  (note:  if you book 2 back-to-back sessions, the cost would be $200 for 20 edited images.) 
• Once you pick your images, you will be able to download the edited versions when they are ready.  No need to wait for a CD to come in the mail!  The photography release will also be e-mailed to you.
• Especially for Friday September 10th, if you want your hair and make-up done, the cost is $20 and it will be done by the amazing Karen Yang.   You would need to arrive 30-45 minutes prior to your session for styling. 
• Especially for Friday September 10th too – complimentary glass of wine to clients age 21 and over!

Here are the times for September 10th (sorry, all spots are taken!):

• 10:00 – Trayce S.
• 10:30 – Amy P.
• 11:00 – Sara B.
• 11:30 – Darcy F.
• 12-1pm – LUNCH BREAK
• 1:30 – Colette W.
• 2:00 – Amanda

Let me know if you are interested!  I am pretty much booked out for 2010…so look for more SoShe mini session dates in 2011!  If I think I can squeeze it in though, I’d love to do another date yet for 2010 – probably November or early December.

And to clarify, I am just branching out a little bit – I still welcome families, babies & kiddos! 

If these dates/times don’t work out, I’d be happy to give out some names of some of my fellow photographer friends!  I’ll also try make sure to link promotions that they are having in future posts. 

One promotion I know of is a mini session date THIS SATURDAY 5/22 at an awesome apple orchard!  My friends Paula & Kelly are doing it – check THIS LINK for Paula’s site and THIS LINK for Kelly’s.  And here is a sample photo (taken by Paula) which is amazing!  LOVE this photo!  I so wish I had one of my daughter like this! 

 (… keep in mind the blooms are pretty much done by now, but there are still great photo ops around the orchard!)

I am still looking for someone to fill my last purple flowers mini session slot on 6/3!    The time open is 3:15pm.  If you don’t like the idea of the purple flowers, we can do long grass/field/park/nature instead – it’s all in the same area.    I am going to bring along some fun blankets/quilts, an antique doll high chair, an antique baby buggy, some fun chairs, etc.  Or hey, if a senior girl wants to do a mini there, that would be fun too!  (examples here).

I just bought a bunch of cool antique items today with Shelley (she is SUCH an enabler! haha!)  I also started photographing some of my props and studio items (thanks for the awesome idea Jennie!) so you can check them out at this link.  Or if you want to go to my website, go to client proofs and look for the album “Props and studio items” – it’s public so anyone can view it.  If you see things you would like me to bring to your session, just let me know!  I’m slowly but surely going to be adding more pics in there as I have time. 

CLIENTS:  If you have a fun/unique chair (upholstered, vinyl, naugahyde, retro, wooden – whatever!), stroller, wagon, hat, doll, special outfit that used to be yours?, bicycle (vintage!), tricycle, etc. that you would like to bring, please do so!  I’m slowly going BROKE buying all these props!  (kidding………..sorta! haha!)  I guess what I’m trying to say is I get easily tired of using the same stuff all the time and feel like I have to buy more – so if you could bring something – ONE thing – along, it would be UNIQUE for your session and also have special meaning to you. 

That’s all for now.  Peace out! 

I also have 2 spots left for the “purple flowers” minis on Thur 6/3.  I’m going to run these in the afternoon when the weather is a little warmer and hopefully the sun is shining!  Here’s an example of the “purple flowers” from last year – little miss Morgan (so cute!)  And here’s some other examples of photos taken in the purple flowers (click HERE and HERE).

I will probably be adding a “Dog Days of Summer” mini session date in late June.  I have some ideas for that so I have to see if it will all pan out.  Once I know more, I’ll post it under my availability. 

I also have 1 spot left for my Urban minis on Sunday July 18th.  These will be afternoon sessions (ETA = full). 

As always, you can click on the AVAILABILITY tab on the menu bar for the most up-to-date info. 

Thanks to all my clients and I apologize for not having more time available for shooting!   And I apologize if you have inquired about a possible shoot and the times are now full.  I fill up sessions as people commit to dates.  If you need a referral, shoot me an e-mail and I’ll give you some names. 

I apologize in advance if you have contacted me about maybe doing a session and the time you wanted is now booked.  Many people inquire about possible sessions but don’t actually commit to booking a date.  I can only take on so many sessions per month, so I book them as people commit to dates & times. 

If you’ve booked a session and do NOT see your name here, please contact me immediately.  If your name is not on here, I don’t have you booked.  Thanks!

PRICING for fall minis is now on my website under “specials”.   You may choose from the following:

• Option 1 – $225 – this is the paperless package.  Includes the session, uploading to the internet, an e-mail release and a downloadable CD.
• Option 2 – $250 - includes all of the above except you get a CD and release mailed to you.
• Option 3 -$325 - includes the session, uploading to the internet, a CD & photo release, ten 4×6 prints, a holiday card design and either 25 press-printed cards or 40 photo cards.  Additional cards can be ordered at 10% off the prices listed on my website.

For minis, please choose your time carefully since it is hard to shuffle people around once times are taken by others.    To see some mini examples, go to the search box in the menu bar and type “mini session” – or look at that category under “categories” on the menu bar.

September 2010:  is FULL

• Fri 9/10 – NEW SoShe downtown studio minis – boudoir, head-shots, etc. – you name your mini – limit one subject!  SPECIAL promo price of $100/edited 10 images.  Each additional edited image = $10.    10:00am – Trayce S, 10:30am – Amy P, 11:00am – Sara B, 11:30 – Darcy F, 12-1 = LUNCH, 1:30 – Colette W, 2pm - Amanda – contact me for more info or see this post!     
• Thur 9/16 – appt 9:30am – Meighan F.
• Fri 9/17 – appt 9:30am – Kim L.
• Sat 9/18 (rain-out date Sun 9/19) – FALL URBAN MINI SESSIONS – max 6 families (FULL) - 9:00am – Molly S; 9:30 – Ann L; 10:00 – Becky T; 10:30 – Rachel W; 11:00 – Tabatha; 11:30 – Jennifer K.
• Thur 9/30 – FALL COLORS? OUTDOOR/PARK MINI SESSIONS - FULL(note: in case of RAIN or bad weather, these will be moved indoors to my home studio) - max 3 families – 9:30am – Heather R; 10:15 – Jana W; 11:00 – Darcy F

October 2010:   is FULL

• Thur 10/7 – FALL FIELD MINI SESSIONS (note: in case of RAIN or bad weather, these will be moved indoors to my home studio) – max 3 families (FULL) - 9:30am – Amy W; 10:15 – Mandy W; 11:00 – Jill G.
• Fri 10/8 – appt 9:30am – Linda B.
• Sat 10/9 (rain-out date = Sun 10/10) - FALL LEAVES/PARK MINI SESSIONS – max 6 families (FULL) - 9:00am – Christina S; 9:30 – Sarah C; 10:00 – Shelly T; 10:30 – Sarah L; 11:00 – Jessica W; 11:30 – Aimee B.
• NEW!  Thurs 10/21 - MEA Minis! (note: in case of RAIN or bad weather, these will be moved indoors to my downtown studio)- max 3 families - (FULL) 9:30 – Mandy L; 10:15 – Kristine W, 11:00 – Sarah W, 11:30 - Sara N. 
• Sat 10/30 – appt 9:30am – Jessica E.

November 2010:  is FULL

• Thur 11/11 – STUDIO/HOLIDAY MINI SESSIONS (if weather allows – outdoors.  Otherwise plan for indoors) - max 3 families (FULL) - 9:30am – Sara BV; 10:15 – Laura S; 11:00 – Gina S
• Fri 11/19 – appt 9:30am – Sarah S.
• Sat 11/20 – appt 9:30am – Kate C.

December 2010:  none available

Robin

Remember these are possible dates. If something doesn’t work out, for the summer months (when the light is around longer!) I could probably do a Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday evening session if that works out better.

Note: If you have booked a session and do not see your name listed, please contact me immediately!

January 2010: is FULL for regular and mini sessions (unless someone really wants this Saturday 1/16 at 10:30am for a baby mini or adult head shot?)

February 2010: 

Thurs 2/11 – appt 10am - Jena L.
Thurs 2/18 –

Friday 2/19 - appt 9:30am - Sarah C.

Sat 2/20, Sun 2/21, Sat 2/27, Sun 2/28

June 2010:  is full for regular sessions.  Minis remain for Thur 6/3.  I *may* do a “Night at the Fair” thing for either a dating/engaged couple or else a fun, funky family.  Contact me if interested. 

Note: if you have booked a session and do not see your name listed, please contact me immediately.

Christmas is coming soon! Still don’t know what to get someone for Christmas? Or are your parents asking what you want for Christmas? How about a regular or mini session w/ me! Hey, just a thought!

(these are possible dates…I will only be booking 2-3 session dates/month for 2010!)

January 2010: is FULL (unless I add another Baby or “facebook”/adult headshot mini on Sat am 1/16….e-mail me if interested)

Thurs 1/7 – appt. 9:30am – Jena L.
Friday 1/8 – appt. 9:30am (tent) – Kim S.

Sat 1/16 - appt 9:30am - Laura S. (tent. full appt unless minis book up)

Thur 1/28 – “Baby, it’s COLD outside!” morning indoor mini sessions – click here for more info - signed up so far (1) Sara N, (2) Kim M, (3) Dagney V -these are FULL

February 2010: is FULL for regular sessions. Baby minis are still available

Sat 2/6 - appt. 9:30am – Andrea A.
Thur 2/18 - “Baby, it’s COLD outside!” morning indoor mini sessions – click here for more info – 3 spots available.
Fri 2/19 – appt. 9:30am - Sarah C.

March 2010: is FULL for regular sessions. I may add a mini date – theme: Easter? Child model? Adult headshots?

Thur 3/4 – minis?
Thur 3/11 – minis?
Sat 3/20 – appt. 9:30am - Bethany K.
Sun 3/21 – appt. 1:30pm - Christina S.

April 2010:

Sat 4/10
Sun 4/11
Thur 4/15
Thur 4/22
Fri 4/23 – appt 9:30am – Juanita
Sat 4/24
Sun 4/25 – appt 1:30pm – Jill G.

May 2010:

Sat 5/1

Sun 5/2

Thur 5/6

Thur 5/13

Fri 5/14 – minis among the flowering crab trees!

Sat 5/15

Sun 5/16 – appt 1:30pm – Thalia

Thur 5/27

June 2010: (note: I am taking some time off in June – so spots are very limited)

Thur 6/3 – “purple flowers” mini sessions.

Fri 6/4

Sat 6/5 – appt 9:30am – Sonia

Sun 6/6

Sat 6/12

Sun 6/13

I also have a couple “announcements” for 2010 –

• I will not be booking large groups – i.e. families over 6 people or extended family. I prefer to focus on 1-2 individuals or smaller families/groups. I’m just not equipped to handle large groups.
• I will not be renewing the Hopkins studio space (although it was a fun learning experience!) so keep that in mind when booking beyond March 1st.
• I will most likely be booking just TWO regular sessions per month and ONE mini session date per month with certain “themes” – i.e. for May = cherry blossoms/flowering crab trees, for June = the purple flowers, July = beach? So most months I will be booking only TWO regular appointments and ONE mini session date per month.
• I will no longer be doing free designs with my sessions – refer to my website for information. Basically I’m finding I’m spending way too much time on these “extras” and I don’t think people are even printing/using them…? – so they will no longer be included – i.e. storyboards, collages, etc. The exception to this is if you do a newborn or senior session, then you can get a custom design + 25 press-printed cards for $50. Otherwise, order 100 or more holiday or baby cards or spend $100 or more on a print order (i.e. storyboard, standout, etc.) then the design is complimentary.

Thanks! Robin

And speaking of Christmas, don’t know what to get a loved one? Or are your parents asking what you want for Christmas? How about a regular or mini session w/ me! Hey, just a thought!

(these are possible dates…I will only be booking 2-3 session dates/month for 2010!)

January 2010: is FULL (unless I add another Baby mini on Sat am 1/16….e-mail me if interested)

Thurs 1/7 – appt. 9:30am – Jena L.
Friday 1/8 – appt. 9:30am (tent) – Kim S.

Sat 1/16 - baby minis? Contact me if interested….
Thur 1/28 – “Baby, it’s COLD outside!” morning indoor mini sessions – click here for more info - signed up so far (1) Sara N, (2) Kim M, (3) Dagney V -these are FULL

February 2010: is FULL for regular sessions. Baby minis are still available.

Sat 2/6 - appt. 9:30am – Andrea A.
Thur 2/18 - “Baby, it’s COLD outside!” morning indoor mini sessions – click here for more info – 3 spots available.
Fri 2/19 – appt. 9:30am - Sarah C.

March 2010: is FULL for regular sessions. I may add a mini date – theme: Easter? Child model?

Thur 3/4 – minis?
Thur 3/11 – minis?
Sat 3/20 – appt. 9:30am - Bethany K.
Sun 3/21 – appt. 1:30pm - Christina S.

April 2010:

Sat 4/10
Sun 4/11
Thur 4/15
Thur 4/22
Fri 4/23
Sat 4/24
Sun 4/25 – appt 1:30pm – Jill G.

I also have a couple “announcements” for 2010 –

• I will not be booking large groups – i.e. families over 6 people or extended family. I prefer to focus on 1-2 individuals or smaller families/groups. I’m just not equipped to handle large groups.
• I will not be renewing the Hopkins studio space (although it was a fun learning experience!) so keep that in mind when booking beyond March 1st.
• I will most likely be booking just TWO regular sessions per month and ONE mini session date per month with certain “themes” – i.e. for May = cherry blossoms/flowering crab trees, for June = the purple flowers, July = beach? So most months I will be booking only TWO regular appointments and ONE mini session date.

Thanks! Robin