Looking Back

FYI - my website is completely down while my new software is installing for me to rebuild it.

Meanwhile, I'm digging through random pics to use on my new site. I ran across a photo of me at Christmas in 1978, just before my 3rd birthday. And look what I got...it's my first camera! I guess that just proves that I've always been behind the lens.  :)

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

Black Friday Updates

Two Reminder Announcements for Black Friday Weekend

First is the Today Show segment, that I was honored to be a part of, about Operation: Love Reunited (OpLove) finally aired this morning. It was a really great story, and I am extremely happy with how well they put it together. The link to the story is here:

I absolutely love how they ended the piece with Denny throwing Dawson into the air on video and then stopping it with a snapshot of Dawson grinning ear-to-ear. I thought that I would be okay watching it but as soon as Denny started talking in the beginning, I started tearing up.  :)

And the second reminder is about my Black Friday Specials available only this weekend until Sunday night at 11:59pm. Most of the discounts are for 50% off sessions and/or prints! Visit my "Gifts" page at the top to purchase these limited time deals.

BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL

Black Friday Specials for 3 days
Friday, November 25th at 12:01am until Sunday, November 27th at 11:59pm

Special A - Family Session + $50 Print Credit for $75 (more than 50% off)

Special B - Boudoir Session + Free Pin-Up Calendar for $75

Special C - BOGO (buy one get one) Prints Only for $25, $50, $75, and $100 denominations

Don't delay...these HUGE discounts are only available for 3 days! Go to the "Gifts" page (link at the top) to secure your Black Friday Special.

Last Chance for Christmas Mini Sessions

It's a *Limited Edition* Christmas

I am starting a *Limited Edition* Christmas Special, for a very short amount of time!! The special includes a bulk family session (up to 12 people) PLUS 25 - 4x8 Christmas Cards/envelopes for $80. That is over 35% savings ($45 total)! Sessions can occur either in your home or in Bricktown around the OKC Christmas tree (when available).

For specific card designs, please visit this link: http://www.ezphototemplates.com/holidaycards_only.php (only applies to 4x8 and/or 5x7 flat card designs). Interested in upgrading to a 5x7 flat-card or folded card as an addition or replacement to the Christmas Special? Please contact me for pricing.

The session must be occur between Oct 22nd & Dec 4th. (taxes & shipping charges not included.) I have a very limited availability, so please contact me ASAP to book your holiday session!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all our friends, family, clients, and colleagues a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It has been a great year, and we are looking forward to what the new year will bring. Stay safe and see ya soon!

- Ang

Book Your Valentine's Day Boudoir Session Now!

Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot quickly!

And to answer a couple of common questions I have received so far:
1) Here are a couple of places I recommend for lingerie purchases: Frederick's of Hollywood and Victoria's Secret
2) Yes, you can bring props or other personal items. They add a great personal touch to the session. I recommend basic items - your man's favorite tie, high heels, candles, jewelry, etc.
3) The shooting area is completely private. The hair & make-up artist will be in a separate room. I will leave the shooting area during your outfit changes. A robe will also be provided during the session.

Addy turns 6-months!

I recently had a follow-up session with Jamie, Sean, and little Addyson. Addy just turned 6-months old, and her adoring parents asked me to do a follow-up session. I first photographed them months ago, shortly after Addy was born, as a Congrats gift from Jamie's friends. We had another great time, and I cannot believe how big she has gotten! As before, it doesn't take long to see how much love there is in this family, and how much Jamie and Sean adore their baby girl! The session started wonderfully - full of smiles and playing. Unfortunately, Addy started having some discomfort from teething shortly after we started. Poor girl was trying to put anything and everything in her mouth.  :'(  We still had a great session, and I got some great shots! Here are a few of my favs:

 

 

Oh, and not to toot my own horn, but Jamie bragged about how many compliments she has gotten from our first session pics hanging on their wall. She said that everyone absolutely LOVES them! It is soooo great getting that kind of feedback from clients, and I can't wait to do her 1-year b-day pics. :)

Anniversary in Sulphur

My wonderful husband and I took last weekend off to celebrate our anniversary (Nov 13th). We slipped away to a cabin between Davis and Sulphur, Oklahoma. It was soooo relaxing and peaceful! We ate like kings, including fresh steak and veggies on the grill. We curled up by the firepit and stretched out in the 8-person private hot tub (I really really need one of those on my back porch). Mike, my hubby, did some fishing and actually caught a few...although it's not the size that matters.  :)   And as usual, I was toting my camera to take pics of anything that caught my eye. I even managed to take a pic of the both of us, thanks to my camera remote and a perfectly located rock, on top of the Bromide Hill. Here are a few of my favs from the weekend. (Oh and BTW...the 4th pic with the rock bridge is called the Lincoln Bridge. It was built and dedicated in 1909 on Abe Lincoln's B-day (Feb 12th), which is also my b-day.)

 

Today is the day...

Want to make a difference today? Thank a veteran! Buy them a cup of coffee, fill up their gas tank, or just shake their hand. Thank them for their support, both foreign and domestic. Thank them for their dedication, to freedom and liberty. Thank them for their sacrifices; "all gave some and some gave all". Thank their families for being the backbone during their trials and tribulations. And always remember, we are the land of the FREE because of the BRAVE!

May God bless every man and woman currently in uniform. May God bless the retired vets that served their country. May God bless every soul that lost their life in uniform serving America. May God bless the wives, sons, mothers, and other family members that lost their beloved. Even without knowing you, each and every one of you are my hereos!! My family and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts!