First Impression Portraits

My Christmas Card Vision

I had a vision of my girls wrapping my son up in Christmas lights for the picture for my own personal christmas cards this year.
As I was wrapping Max up in the lights, my almost 5 year old was moaning a complaining about it.
"I don't wanna be all wrapped up!"
"It's just for a minute."
"I can't move my hands!"
"You don't need to move your hands."
"Ooooooooh, this looks stooooooopiiiiiiid."
"No, Max, it's going to be SOO cute. The BEST picture ever. And Daddy is going to LOVE it."
"uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......"

My two year old co-operated for only ONE shot, but we got it:

Later that evening when I had it opened up on my computer, I called Max to come see it.
"Oooooh..." he said grumbly and begrudgingly, "you were riiiiiight. It IS the cutest picture."

Glad he approves. :-)

And if you have a great idea for your christmas portrait or christmas cards, let us know! We'll happily accomodate.

Annual Halloween Photos

We've been working to put together a new theme for our photos this year, and finally have it! We try to do something a little different each year for both our halloween and easter events, but we also want to keep the fun elements that we all love so this year you have two options:

Option #1

Pumpkin Baby - this pose is great for babies and small toddlers. It's undeniably adorable, and was so popular last year we just have to bring it back this year too.
However, it doesn't work so great for older kids or for pictures including multiple kids and varying ages so here's option #2:

Trick or Treaters - Ooooh, my almost 2 year old was none to pleased about posing for me this particular day! I love this set, though, because the steps make it easy to pose the kids, and there are lots of possibilities for those of us with more than one child. Of course, it works well for 1 too:


We're at center court in Southgate Centre October 29-31st.

October 28th we'll be set up in our studio and taking bookings for private halloween sittings at no extra charge. Sometimes you get better pictures at a private session, and sometimes you just don't want to stand in line. Call now for more info or to book your private halloween sitting. 780-435-7421

Happy Halloween!

Autumn Colours - Portraits at the Alberta Museum

Our photo event at the Legislature was so popular that a lot of people who wanted it couldn't get in. They ended up booking for our September event instead.

For this reason, our September event is completely booked up before I even had a chance to advertise it!

If I get enough interest, I'll open up a second day of sittings for this event.
Currently we're booked for Saturday, September 26th. I'm willing to open up Sunday the 27th if enough people want it.
There is already a list started of people eager to take advantage of this.
Add your name to the list!
Send us an email from our website by clicking on "Request A Sitting" or call us at 780-435-7421.
As always, sittings are free. Packages start at $35 and can be viewed on our website.
Great opportunity to get great pics for your holiday cards! (Yes! I said it! The holidays are around the corner!)

And don't forget to Become a Fan on facebook!

 

 

Photos at the Legislature

Last year I took my kids to the Legislature grounds for portraits. I wanted one that I could make b&w, blow up really big, and hang above my couch.

 

My sister loved them and asked me to do the same for her.


Then I started to get requests from other people.

So I've picked a day - August 16th - it's a Sunday to avoid wedding traffic.
These sittings work just like our studio sessions. No sitting fees, packages range from $35-$375. We'll do kids alone, kids together, family shots. You'll view your proofs online within 24-48 hours, and once you've ordered, your prints will be ready same day.

Visit our website here and click on "Request a Sitting", visit our facebook fan page here, or call us during mall hours at 780-435-7421.

Hope to see your there!

Meet us at the Park for Balloon Pictures!

I'm really excited about this.
Except for our Halloween and Easter photo events when we set up in the mall, this is our first time venturing out of our studio!
We decided to set aside 1 day each month for July, August and September to go out into the great outdoors and do something a little different.
As always, there's no sitting fee and packages for these sessions are available at the same prices as our studio packages.
July we'll be celebrating all summer birthday boys and girls with some colourful helium balloons and the backdrop of one of Edmonton's finest  parks.
See our facebook event page here. To keep up to date on all our events and goings-on feel free to join our facebook group here. Back to our website here.
Give us a call or send us an email for more info and to book your time slot.
See you there!

Thoughtful Gifts for Teachers

Remember when a shiny red apple was all it took to show your appreciation to your teacher?
No, neither do I.
I love giving my kid's teachers something thoughtful at christmas and year end, but I'm easily stumped.
My team and I brainstormed some great ideas for teachers and we'd like to share them with you.
You can view and order from our teachers gift section on our website, or place the order in store. Either way, you'll have your gift the same day.
I'm a big fan of the motivational products right now, and the saying that I promoted for the Father's Day items actually works well for Teachers too.

We can customize this to say anything you'd like, and instead of having a print or poster printed you can put it on any of our products.
I gave Max's preschool teacher an 8x10 print, but I think for Charlie's kindergarten teacher I'll put it on a mug and fill it with a bouquet of fresh number 2 pencils and tie it all up with a bow!

And remember, one hour service is our specialty so don't worry that there's only a week and a half left of school!
A week and a half?? Wow! This year has flown! Hoping you have lots of adventures with your kiddies this summer!

Become A Fan!

FINALLY, I've got my facebook group up and running, and I hope you'll become a "fan"!
It's a great way to see what special events and promotions we have coming up. Sales, new props, info on your favourite photogs, and lots of other fun stuff.
Hope to see you there!

We're also on Twitter! My twitter feed is along the right column on this page. Follow me on Twitter!

So many great ways to stay connected, but don't worry - we're always there for you in the flesh when you need us. If you have a question you need an answer to right away, please email us at customercare@photogiftworld.com. While the facebook page is maintained on a regular basis, sending an email or phoning 780-435-7421 assures you a quick response!

Look forward to seeing you there!

Your Father's Day Gifts - Solved!

Did you know that Father's Day is our busiest season second only to Christmas?
That's because our customers are primarily women with children, and everyone knows that women are more creative and thoughtful with their gift giving. ;-)
Just the fact that you're on this page reading this means you're taking the time to find the perfect idea for your Dad and your Husband.
Need a little help deciding the perfect thing?
Check out our Ideas Center. Here are a few that have worked for me in the past:

1.Summer's well on its way, and if your dad is already firing up the grill then a BBQ Apron adorned with his favourite people's faces on it will be a sure-fire way to impress (and keep his summer threads spotless!). Throw in a bottle of his favourite BBQ Sauce or some new grilling tools and he'll be more than happy to cook you up a delicious meal this summer!

2.Your dad loves his ride, so what better way to spoil him this Father's Day then by giving him a voucher for a free car wash or two? Attach a personalized Photo Key Chain to your voucher to make sure dad never forgets this great gift!

3.For an on-the-go dad who loves his morning brew, a Photo Travel Mug is an awesome way to make sure you're always close by. Use it to serve him his coffee in bed on Father's Day - the perfect morning wake-up!

My favourites for this year, however, are the Motivational Posters and the Video Slideshow tribute to dear ol' Dad (or Grandpa).
This is our most popular motivational poster quotation:

If you can't read the small text, it says "A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child."
We can customize it to say anything you like, though, and of course - we use your photo.
The one I made for my husband has the title "Attitude" with the saying "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." I used a picture of my kids outside with their umbrellas. Too cute! He has it hanging in his office, and I made a copy for myself to hang in mine. (couldn't resist!)
Here's a sample of a Father's Day video slideshow (you can view this and other samples on our Videos page of our website.

Tea Cup Portraits

Ok, so I posted a couple of tea cup portraits in my last post, but they were overshadowed by our super awesome Mom Cards.
I'll do them a little more justice now.
For those of you who don't know, every month we promote a new feature themed portrait. Last month it was the live bunny portraits. This month it's Tea Cup portraits.
We have 3 different tea cups. Babies and Kids of all ages work great, boys or girls - it doesn't matter.
We'll choose a simple solid colour background (our specialty) and a simple prop so the focus is their precious face.

Here is little Liam in our smallest teacup in gender neutral colours.

Eloise thought sitting in the teacup was pretty silly and tried to get out, but not before we snapped some cute pictures first!

Our biggest size is large enough for all kids! Charlie picked the pretty purple backdrop herself before hamming it up for these pictures.

Come in for your sitting before May 31, 2009 and receive a free mug with your teacup photo on it with the purchase of any portrait package.
Your sitting doesn't have to be just of teacup photos. You'll receive a full sitting, and lots of proofs.
Click here to book online, or call us at 780-435-7421.

Mom Cards

It's been a long time since I've been this excited about a new product!
Using your favourite photo and a modern design, we'll create a set of business cards that Moms and Dads or anyone else can use to easily exchange info.
Scraps of paper and pens can be hard to come by while you're pushing your child on the swings, or doing up laces after preschool. And there's so much info to exchange now! Cell numbers, home numbers, email, facebook or twitter accounts, your address so they can make it to the playdate or pick your child up for carpool. Who has time on the spot to write it all down...TWICE! You take hers and she takes yours.
Charlie has had several playdates with the same girl from kindergarten this year, and EVERY TIME I've had to send a note through school to go home with the other girl with my info for her mom to call me because I can never find that piece of paper that I originally wrote her info on - I'm sure you're much more organized than I am, but I'm certain these cards could make your life just that much easier.
Have I said it already? I love these cards!

You can purchase just the cards, or add a stainless steel case for only $8 (a definite steal) so they won't float all through your purse.
I'm also offering free cards with every portrait sitting of May's feature theme (click on "feature theme" along the top menu). Until May 31st only. Too cute for words.