GIFTS ... For Me!!!

My neighbor just got home from Mardi Gras and look what she brought me! Beads!! Lots and lots of beads! She says if she never sees another parade, it will be too soon! LOL

Kids will love these. They're so bright and colorful! They'll be great additions to photos. "M" told me she brought back 50 pounds of beads!!! WOW!

Thanks "M"!!! I love them!

Food For Thought ....

After being in business a little over a year and getting a feel for what people like and what they tend to buy, I've come to some conclusions. I realize that almost everyone wants all, or almost all of their images! And in an effort to purchase all, or almost all, of their images they are limited to buying very small prints, usually 4x6s. This makes me sad.

Believe me when I say I completely understand! I remember when my first born was a tiny baby and I would take dozens of photos of her in the same position. Then I would send these all to my mom (who lived in another state). She would say "Are these all the same???", to which I'd reply "NO! She has a different expression in each one!" Well let me tell you, looking back now, they were basically all the same!

I've learned something over the years. Out of a batch of photos I generally have 2-3 images which are my favorites. And alot of the ones that I thought I just had to have, I actually don't really like now!



I'm like alot of you. I line all my tabletops and, yes, even my walls with framed prints. The largest being an 8x10. They are taking over my house! And the ones that don't make it into frames, well, they just live in a cardboard box. But then last year I splurged and bought my first large print, a 24x30 gallery wrap! It was an image of my three kids to hang over my fireplace. I LOVED IT! It was so ... WOW! So, WOW, in fact, that when my Dad and Stepmom came to vist last fall they stole it and took it home with them, leaving a blank space over my fireplace once again. So, of course, I had to purchase a new one. This time I filled that space with a framed gallery wrap, even bigger this time ... a whopping 24x36! This new image is of all 5 of us and it looks fantastic up there. The bigger size was even better ... a better fit. Now when I look back at the wall over my couch which has a large collection of small frames, mostly 5x7s and 8x10s, it looks cluttered. So, I've come to a conclusion. I am going to spend this year redoing some of my all time favorite images of my family ... BIG! Now they may not all be 24x36! But there will be nothing smaller than a 16x20. I can't tell you how much more enjoyable a photo is when you can see it across a room. It just draws you in and fills you with emotion. Something a tiny little print just can't do.

So what about all the images that you just can't say no to? I've decided to offer a proof book. This will be a small 4x6 spiral bound book containing 15 of your favorite proofs. These will be offered at a very economical price (that I will be posting soon) so that you will have some money leftover to purchase yourself some wall art, if you so choose! Trust me, once you try it, you'll never go back!

The images above are a few of my faves from 2008 that I played around with this morning. I added some Venetian paper mats and frames so that they can be popped right into a wall frame and really make a beautiful piece of art! All three are sized to 16x20. I'm going to play around with several more of my faves over the next couple of weeks and see what other creations I can come up with. I've decided to do up a couple of these for each photo gallery for 2009. They will be in a section called S. Keys' Originals. If you have a photo from a past session that you'd like to see turned into an S. Keys' Original, just send me an email and let me know which photo you'd like to see. No purchase necessary. Because these pieces are meant to be art for your walls, I will design no images smaller than a 16x20. If you'd like to see something larger, then by all means, say so! Email: skeysphoto@yahoo.com

These pieces will be beautiful framed or as gallery wraps, where the image is printed on a fine art canvas and wrapped around the sides of the frame. Gallery wraps require no framing and have a clean, modern look.

As I add to my new collection at home, I will photograph the different styles for everyone to see. Also, you will be welcome to come to my home and see them in person, so you can get a feel for size, style and just what a large print looks like in a home setting. Course, I've got a long way to go! But I'll get there! I ordered my first one today. A large print of my youngest daughter and our beloved 15 1/2 year old dog, Elliott, from two years ago. It's always been one of my absolute fave pics. It will hang in our dining room. I can't wait to get it!

Please feel free to comment on these ideas. I'm always interested to hear what ya'll think or what you'd like to see!

WANTED: TWEENS & TEENS

I'm looking for a few tweens & teens to do some modeling for me. I need 3 boys and 3 girls, between the ages of 10 and 18 to help me test out some new locations and equipment. All shapes and sizes welcome!

All I ask is that models are willing to follow directions, be adventurous and try new things and, above all, have fun!!

All models MUST have a model release signed by their parents so that their photos may be used on S Keys Photography websites and marketing materials.

Each model will receive 3 complimentary 4x6 prints of their choosing, as well as 20% off any additional purchases.

Please email me at skeysphoto@yahoo.com if you are interested or need more information.

HURRY! I anticipate these slots will fill up fast!

The Cutest Little Brag Book!

These babies are the cutest little books you ever saw! Just 3"x3", they are the perfect size to tuck into you purse or your pocket and share with all your family and friends!

Each book holds 10 of your favorite images which folds up into a pocket-sized square. How cool is that? One of the kids pictured here said that it was like carrying his photo gallery around with him. Love that!




There are several cover options - many colors to choose from. You can also get a cover with a photo on it. I'm in the process of creating one of these and will post it for ya'll to see soon. I did these in royal blue to match these kids' high school colors.

The Accordian Wallet Books are available to order at $15 each. (There is a minimum order of 3 required. It's the lab's rule, not mine.) But what a fun and unique little gift to surprise a loved one with! So keep these in mind the next time you place an order!

Just One For Now...

This is "Precious Baby's" mom. Isn't she something?! I don't know what it is about this particular photo, but it just calls to me. I absolutely love it. Probably one of my all time favorite horse pics. I think it's the way she's standing so patiently while her little guy gets a drink. Or the way she's got her brow furrowed just so. Or perhaps the way she's silhouetted against that beautiful blue sky ... I can't say what it is exactly. I just know that I love it, and I may have to order myself a large print of it!

Another Precious Baby!

I know, you're thinking "She's a portrait photographer" so what are all these animals doing on her blog??" Right? Well, being an outdoor portrait photographer there are a couple of months, namely January and February, when business is pretty slow, or even non-existent. People just don't want to go outside when it's freezing and get their portraits made! LOL But, animals, well they're always available! I love them and will never pass up an opportunity to capture them on film! So why not share them with YOU! I hope you enjoy seeing them. :)

This little beauty is my friend, Lisa's, second baby in just a couple of months! At just two weeks old, he is the cuuuuutest thing I've ever seen! He came running out with mom just a'talkin' to everyone and everything! He was so curious and really not very skiddish at all. I got some adorable photos of him and will be sharing them with you soon. This is just a sneak peek of what's to come! And check out his beautiful blue eyes!

Portrait of a Squirrel

This little guy was camped out on my deck railing having a sip of water (that I did not put out for him, but for the birds) when I spied him. So I ran and got my camera, popped on my long lens and "shot" him through my kitchen window.



I know, you're thinking "awwwwwww, how cute!" I used to think that, too. But no more! These cute little critters with their sparkly eyes, tiny little ears and button noses are one of my greatest nemesis!



They eat every bit of bird seed that I put out. They eat my neighbor's bird seed, too! They eat our house!!! The siding! Just nibble at it and leave these ugly bare marks! They eat my neighbor's house, too!



I have to confess that when they run out in front of my car, I sometimes have evil thoughts. But you'll be happy to know that the angel in me usually comes out to save the little pests. :)

And this last one, well he's just mocking me here. Knowing that I'm inside and he's outside. And that by the time I could get around to the door he would be long gone up in the tree laughing down at me.

Their only saving grace. They are cute! And very photogenic! :)

I Feel Kinda Famous!

Last fall I was asked to take some photos of some local town "flavor" to hang in a brand new Family Practice Clinic in Lincolnton, NC. I had a blast trying to capture interesting architecture and scenery that I thought might look good hanging in their beautiful new clinic. To my surprise and delight, they chose 12 large prints to adorn their new walls!

I finally got to see the prints hanging in their new home a few weeks ago. Wow! I can't tell you how cool it is to walk through a large building and see your artwork everywhere you turn! BIG, too! It's just ... well .... really, really COOL! Makes me feel like I have my own little art gallery. :)



The Doctors of Family Medicine Associates, Dr. Dan Koch and Dr. Mark Kiefer are as nice as they come. Dr. Dan and his wife, Kelley, have become dear freinds of mine. I just adore them. There will be another doctor joining them in a few months as well. Dr. Tom Hatten.



I didn't do a very good job of getting a nice pic of the good doctors to share with you ... but here's Dr. Dan and that little glossy head, that's Dr. Mark. :) I think he was hiding from me! Can't say that I blame him. I can be a bit of a pest with my camera sometimes. LOL




Their new clinic is just lovely, inside and out. I love the colors that they chose. They're so warm and inviting. Just like being in your own living room. I'm sure their patients will be very comfortable.



This next one is my personal fave shot of the day! I just love the happy little skeleton with his sporty knit cap. He just makes me smile! Kelley told me this was Dr. Dan's contribution. Having photographed Dr. Dan and his beautiful family and being exposed to his quirky sense of humor, this didn't surprise me one bit!

Thank you everyone at Family Medicine Associates for letting me be a part of your beautiful new clinic! It was a real pleasure and an absolute thrill to see my artwork hanging on your walls! I wish you great success in your new space! ~ Sandy