Drama, Drama, Drama

Yep, it has been nothing but DRAMA lately! In case you haven't heard, we had to abruptly move out of our rent house in north Edmond. My family and I have been staying in an extended stay hotel in OKC for over a month. Every thing we own is in storage other than a few needed biz files that need urgent attention. I promise that I am working as fast as possible with what I have to get everyone taken care of, but it has proven very difficult lately. Please hang in there with me while I work through all this. We are currently house-hunting, and we put in an offer on a home around I-40 & Choctaw Rd. It has beautiful acreage, so I am super excited about making a beautiful outdoor "studio" and a fabulous office area for my clients!

So in light of that, I have had to greatly restrict my sessions. Please see below for the sessions that I am accepting:
1) OpLove - only current/previous clients for predeployment or homecomings
2) Boudoir - at your location choice only. No marathons will be planned at this time. See my other website Desired Assets
3) Maternity/Newborn
4) Real estate through my secondary company OK Photo Tours.

If you have submitted an order and received a confirmation, please be assured that I have gotten it. Everything has been delayed because 1) it was sent to my old address and never forwarded to my new temporary one, or 2) I had to wait until I had a current mailing address to order it. Either way, I promise that I haven't forgotten you!!! There were several orders sent to my old address (or lost in the mail to you from there) that I have had to re-order. The hotel does not allow package or mail delivery, so I am having to send everything to a family members house to ensure delivery. If you have not received an order confirmation, please email me asap! The internet here is horrible, at best, when there is connectivity. I will go to a local internet cafe to check your order status and email you an update. **Please do not message me through my Facebook biz page! I cannot access them from my phone or tablet, so I am only able to check them every 2 weeks or so.**

So with all the updated info I mentioned above, I guess that I am ultimately asking that you to please be patient with me during this chaotic transition period. I promise to be back on track as soon as possible! Please pray for us, keep your fingers crossed, and hope for my good karma to come back to me soon. Thanks everyone & I'll talk to you soon!!!
- Ang

Session Giveaways

Yes it happens very rarely, but I am giving away 8-Mini Sessions for FREE to be held on April 21, 2012. Spread the word to all your friends and family for this very limited time offer.

Details:
Date: Saturday, April 21, 2012
Times: 9:30am to 7:00pm (see registration form for specific time slots)
Location: any public location in Edmond, OK
Includes: a FREE Mini Session, online private gallery for 30 days, a $30 print credit, and up to 5 images to be posted on my Facebook biz page for you to "tag" yourself. There is no obligation or pressure to purchase anything additional.
The Catch: you must complete the Model Release form allowing me full use of your photos for my portfolio and advertising. Also, a portion of your session will be focused on certain new session ideas (see Registration From for more details).
Registration Link: www.angela-wilkes.com/machform/view.php?id=12

Now for the "Why" behind this full day of Free Sessions that I am offering. Several of my colleagues, family, and friends are questioning that very thing. Well to the you the truth, there are a couple of reasons. One is that I have been soooo swamped with bookings lately that I haven't had the chance to consider or try the many new creative ideas that keep me up at night. Another reason is that I work so much with our military (OpLove) clients that it has seemingly taken over my creative processes. Which leads to a third reason...being stuck in a rut! It happens quite often with us creative mind people. Even with different people in different locations, it's still just the same thing...point, focus, click, & repeat. I can get the "popular poses" in the "popular locations" without a single thought. It has become automatic, which is why I closed my studio in the first place. It happened when I did mostly weddings, corporate, and now mostly military (OpLove) sessions. I am very busy, and for that I am truly grateful. However, my creativeness seems to be hiding lately. I have tons of fabulous ideas but no chance to test them. So here we are...8 Free Session Giveaways on a single day. You will be my test models, and I will provide incentives for allowing me to use you as such.

Smiles in Edmond

Just before New Years, I had a mid-deployment session with Amy, Jeremy, and their 2 kiddos Kayley and Kobe. They were such a fabulous family to work with. Not only did they drive down from Enid to an Edmond Park for the session, but they also agreed to be a part of a local news story about my work with OpLove. Anyone that has had a news cameraman and reporter follow them during a photo session knows that it can be...difficult at times to focus on the task at hand rather than the people following you around. I always feel like I am looking over my shoulder to see what they are doing (no butt shots, please).   :)

Everyone was great! We took pics, did interviews, took pics, did interviews, and then took more pics. I brought a package of crackers, so I got to spend some alone time with Kayley and Kobe feeding the ducks while their parents were changing clothes. They are such sweet kids! When Amy & Jeremy were being interviewed, Kayley came over to give me a big hug and then looked up at me and smiled. I just about cried as my heart swelled with such happiness. I also got teary-eyed when Amy briefly cried during the interview. And watching the segment, that was the final straw for me. Tears were streaming down my face as I heard Jeremy & Amy talk about their appreciation of my dedication to my work with OpLove and my military families.

In case you missed the news segment, here is the link: Freedom 43 News. It originally aired on Freedom 43 on Dec 29, 2011. KFOR Channel 4 also re-aired the segment the following morning. I've posted a few of my fav pics from our session below:

To Jeremy, Amy, Kobe, & Kayley - you are all such an awesome family! I am happy that I was able to meet and photograph you all. Thank you so much for your service and dedication, not to mention your patience!!!

Christmas, News, & Updates

There are many things that I haven't blogged about yet, but it's the holidays so I've been a bit preoccupied. Here is the run-down version of what's been going on...

UPDATE: I am in the process of completely rebuilding my main website. I will no longer be using a "photographers template", but instead it will be built from scratch. I was originally going to launch it on Jan 1st, but alas I need it to be done sooner than that.  :(   With some new publicity (TV & newspaper) coming over the Christmas holidays in the OKC area, I want a fresh new look when potential clients stop by to visit.
UPDATE: In addition to a new main website, prices for certain sessions and products will be changing. Some higher, some lower, and some entirely new items. Print & product prices are only changing because of my lab updating their prices.
UPDATE: My Desired Assets boudoir website will likely launch over the next week, within days after Christmas. I am still building the gallery, but I hope for it to be 90% done when it goes public. The website link will be here: www.DesiredAssets.com
NEWS: Today, I interviewed with Bryan Dean of The Oklahoman newspaper. She is working on a story about my participation with OpLove. After the interview, she mentioned that she was hoping to have it run this weekend...on Sunday, Christmas Day, on the COVER of the Metro Family section. She's not sure if that will happen with it being such an important weekend, but she is hopeful. I am too, but I am truly grateful for any publicity about this wonderful org!
NEWS: I set up the interview & filming schedule for Freedom 43 (tv news in OKC). They will be filming interviews & part of my client session on Tuesday, Dec 27th at a local park. It is still unsure when it will actually air on tv, but myself and my clients are very excited.
CHRISTMAS: Just in case you hadn't noticed...Christmas is this weekend! I was so busy getting last minute client orders to the various labs that I totally spaced out on ordering my own business Christmas Cards. Once I sent in my own order, the lab politely responded that they won't be ready until AFTER Christmas. Grrrrrr on me! So for all intended good thoughts and holiday wishes, here is the design of the card that all my clients would have received.   :)

Check back soon for more updates and posts! Meanwhile, I personally want to wish all my clients, fans, and colleagues a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR! Stay safe in your travels, and I look forward to seeing you next year!!!

Winter Market

I just finished the "Fancy! and Friends Winter Market" at the Edmond Museum. It was the first year for the show, but I thought that it seemed to go smoothly! I met several great vendors, potential clients, and got to reunite with some old neighbors that I grew up with. :) I also got to brag about OpLove and all our recent publicity! I made several new contacts in that regards. And a big CONGRATULATIONS to Joy Murphy for winning my free family photo session during the event drawing! I look forward to hearing from you about our 2012 session!!!

Note to Miss Shandee: I received TONS of compliments on your photo! Numerous people said that it was such a great photo. Then they said, "She is just beautiful." Of course, I was very proud at that point because 1) it is a great photo, even if I do say so myself,  and 2) you are beautiful (which I already knew, but am so happy that I got to show others too). Then a few people commented on what I took as the Pièce de résistance...they asked, "Is that your daughter?" Really, OMG & LOL! I was very proud that it was my photo and very proud that I displayed your beauty in its truest form, but then to be complimented enough that they also thought I was your mom...WOW, that must mean that they think I'm pretty "easy on the eyes" too! I was on cloud nine for a few mins.  :)  Your parents must be sooo proud to have raised such a beautiful daughter - on the outside, but more importantly on the inside!

Luckily, my dad came to see me today, the 2nd day of the show, and helped me put my banner up. (It was too tall for the table and there was nothing to rope it to around the sides.) So, lots of scotch tape to the rescue!!!! My booth looked 100 times better with it up, but alas it fell about 10 minutes after daddy left. I tried everything to put it back in place but no luck!   :(

I do want to thank Kristin and Angel for inviting me to the market. It's been a few years since I agreed to do a show, but I was happy to be a part of this one! And to anyone that is in the market for an Event & Party Planner...check out their website here: Fancy Like That!. I also met a local lady that does some fabulous crochet (I got an awesome headband/ear cover thing), so I can hook you up if you are in the market!!!

Be sure to stop by and see me at the Winter Market this weekend!

Don't forget to enter my drawing for a FREE family session in 2012, as well as picking up some free promo items. I will also have Gift Certificates, Photo Snow Globes, and Mini Photo Ornaments available for immediate purchase.

Fancy! and Friends Winter Market

EVENT DATE/TIME
Dec 9, 2011 to Dec 10, 2011
Friday, Dec 9th from 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Saturday, Dec 10th from 1:00 - 4:00 pm


DESCRIPTION
Hosted by Fancy Like That! This sale offers jewelry, fine art, photography, massages and more!


Features photographer Angela Wilkes who was featured on the Today Show & NBC Nightly News highlighting the organization, OpLove, which photographs soldiers and their families before and after being deployed.


LOCATION
Edmond Historical Society & Museum
431 S Boulevard
Edmond, OK


ADDITIONAL INFO
Phone 405-401-0736
Contact email FancyLikeThat@gmail.com

Boudoir at a B&B

At the beginning of this month, I met Lady G (a pseudonym for Lady Gorgeous) at a local bed & breakfast for a boudoir session. I was running a few minutes late, but she was fashionably worth it!  :)  She was absolutely beautiful, especially with her hair & make-up done all fancy-like!! Her initial nervousness at the time of our consult was definitely resolved by the time I arrived and started snapping pics. We talked, laughed, and had a blast. (Hello, Mr Bubbles...LOL!) Our session will result in some smokin' sexy gifts to her betrothed, either for Christmas and/or as a wedding gift. Because I totally respect her privacy and the fact that it'll be a surprise gift, I'm only going to post one pic from our session. She has this awesome Audrey Hepburn kind of classy-look to her, which looks fabulous in B&W!.

Pics for Daddy

Last week, I met Abbie and her 18-month old son, Garritt at a local Edmond Park. Abbie brought her father along to help with Garritt because she also has a "baby-on-board". Her husband, Eli, is currently deployed overseas, so we did the OpLove session as a gift for him. Little Garritt was such a cutie! He didn't want to smile or talk or even look at me during the first part of the session. A few small American flags, some little army guys, and funny glasses in my backpack helped break the ice though.  :)   It also turns out that Garritt is ticklish and likes to play in the water, which helped get some smiles from him. And Abbie was just...glowing and beautiful, despite the hot, muggy morning. These two were so adorable together; I can't wait to see the entire family together at Eli's homecoming! And maybe, I'll have the chance to photograph her with a big belly and/or a newborn session.  :)

Wanted: Senior Reps

I still need a few Senior Reps in some of the local high schools (Edmond, Deer Creek, Guthrie, & NW OKC). Free Senior Session for you, good compensation for your hard work, and a perk or two throughout the year!!! For more info and a list of schools, visit my site (currently being updated) here: http://www.angela-wilkes.com/site/#/seniors/sessions/  and here: http://www.angela-wilkes.com/site/#/seniors/senior-reps/

I do not discriminate on race, religion, sexual orientation, or anything else. If you are personable and outgoing based on your app, then you will make it to the interview stage at least. Any applicants of interest will be contacted for an in-person interview, which will be very relaxed. (I hate formal, stressful situations myself.) If you are selected as a Rep, parental consent is required via an in-person meeting or a phone call just to ensure that everyone knows all the specific expectations and compensations.

This is basically the "last call" for Reps before the final "Last Call" of sessions for the 2012 Seniors. Good luck, and I look forward to meeting & working with you all!

Surprise...I'm Still Alive!

Believe it or not...I'm still alive! One week in the hospital in ICU ward from exhaustion/heat/diabetes, second week on bedrest to recoup, and third week in Dallas with father-in-law who had heart attack and in ICU. The fourth week (last week) storms hit, and we lost power 3-4 days. It took out abt 30 trees and 1/2 our roof. We lost everything in the fridge and freezer. This week...get house back together and kiddos ready for school to start Friday. Not to mention getting caught up on new photo orders, processing pics from previous sessions, and prepping orders to mail to clients. Oh, and to reschedule all my clients from being off for a month. That's not to mention that my school finals start this Sunday, and we have to go pick up our side of beef on Saturday, which is half a state away.

Needless to say, it has gone from chaos to near-total anarchy in my life! I will try to post pics from my last several sessions in the next day or so. I've been off work for almost a month, so it'll take me a bit to get caught up on processing everything business-wise. Good news though...I am back to booking sessions and all orders have been 1) sent to lab, or 2) mailed to clients.

Here is a quick video that I recorded with my phone of our front yard storm damage. This is only the front yard, not the back which is 2-3x as big as the front. It also doesn't show the back patio, limbs that fell on our new boat, roof damage, etc.    http://youtu.be/BSzCMvPoAYU  

So, I guess I'm letting you all know that I'm still alive and kicking as well as why I've been MIA for a month. Please have patience...I promise to get caught up asap!  

Interesting Session

This morning, I had quite an interesting session. I met a lady, who is a painter, at a local church. Her task...to paint a copy of one of the paintings hanging on the church wall. My task...to photograph the huge painting - in whole, in part, and up-close so she can use the photos to replicate it. Sounds kinda simple, huh?!? Oh heck no! They lowered the painting so I could properly access it. They turned the lights on, so it was illuminated accordingly. My and my trusty tripod, obviously sans flash, went to work. The catch is that the paining was very detailed, yet not so much. There were parts of it that you don't notice with the naked eye, but you can see in the photographs. There were parts you can see with the eye, but it didn't photograph properly. It was more challenging that what I was expecting, and I've photographed paintings before.

I wish I could post a pic of the painting for you all to see, but alas I cannot. It is going to be a surprise gift for a spouse of my client, so I don't want to be the one to ruin the surprise. :) However when we left today, the painter said that she would call me when she was done with her rendition so I could see and photograph it. Here is a section of the painting that is only a 1/9 piece of the whole.

My Sweet M&M (Makayla Malia)

Yes, anyone that knows me also knows that I am the very proud aunt to my sweet, ornery, and beautiful Makayla. She actually calls me Agggiee (pronounced by the letter...a-gee-e), which is closer to my name than "Geeee" that she was calling me (not that I care one little bit)! I actually got to spend some time with her recently but only brought my camera on one day. When we weren't playing drive-thru Sonic with my tator tots, she was in the tub...which she loves just about as much as eating my Sonic tots!!! So of course, I snapped a bunch of "naked baby in the tub" pics. The funnel was hilarious to her, and she had a blast funneling water onto her tummy.

I am a stickler about not posting naked baby pics that show any private parts that could be used in an inappropriate way by inappropriate people, so I do not post anything of the sort online to be accessed by the public, whether it is my family or a client. However with my sister's permission, I edited out a few things that were inappropriate for public viewing, and I kinda played with some new cartoon-effect actions. Here is my final result...and yes, feel free to oooh and awww over her cuteness as much as I do.  ;)

Winter Cold

We had the first real winter storm of the season and definitely the first for 2011. In less than 24 hours, we had approximately 18-inches of snow at our house...and it was real snow! Not the typical ice junk we normally get. Unfortunately, we also had up to 50 mph gusts of wind in single-digit temperatures, so it was really really cold. Me and the family tried to venture outside to play, but it didn't last too long. Mike, my thrill-seeking husband, jumped on the 4-wheeler and took off in the yard. He quickly discovered that it was too deep, and he could barely maneuver it around. April, our 8-year old, bundled up in hopes of making a snowman. She got preoccupied with eating the snow and chasing the dog, so no snowman. I, of course, grabbed my camera on a mission to snap some great shots. That proved to be difficult because the lens fogged up faster than I could clean it. Tucker, our faithful lab, had a blast! The cold didn't phase him one bit. He took of sprinting and jumping across the yard. He wanted to play, and roll, and run, and play some more. Here are a few pics I took yesterday.

Mitchell Family

I met the Mitchell family at the Oak Tree Country Club for our recent session. They were great to work with, even outside in the blistering cold wind! Luckily, we wrapped up the session in front of the fireplace, so we were able to warm up again quickly.  :)  Here are a few pics from our session.

It's not hard to see that she's a "daddy's girl".