Skye & "Pawsitive Pets"

One of my recent posts was about a previous wedding client (from over 4 yrs ago) that had her dog in the wedding party. Well, I got to meet up with Brandi again and their dog, Skye, at Lake Hefner on Monday morning. Brandi owns a business called "Pawsitive Pet Services" that does pet sitting, dog walking, and training. She was needing some pics of her and a 4-legged critter for her website. Yayyy, she contacted me!! She brought her hubby's dog, Skye, which is an absolutely beautiful canine! She received numerous compliments from random strangers that passed by within our 45-min session. I'm a big dog-lover, so me & Skye hit it off immediately! And I learned a tip from Brandi...string cheese does wonders for getting a dog to pay attention!   :)  Here's a few pics from our session...

For more information about Brandi's services, please visit: www.PawsitivePetsOKC.com or email her at: pawsitivepetservices@cox.net! She is awesome and certified, registered, bonded, insured...and I'm pretty sure she's had all her shots too.  ;)

Help our Marine Corps

One of my beloved clients, who is also an OpLove photographer that gives back to other military families, has a hubby that recently deployed. She is hosting a "Dam Run" to raise money to buy and send care packages, specifically food, for the 18 Marines from Oklahoma's 1st Battalion, 25th Marines Anti-Tank Training Company Broken Arrow Reserve Unit.

Details...
Name: Operation: Dam Run
Date: Saturday October 20, 2011
Time: 7:00-11:00pm  (last registration at 9:59pm on Oct 20th)
Location: Canton Lake Dam @ Sandy Cove Beach in Canton, OK
Registration/Donations: http://www.active.com/running/canton-ok/operation-dam-run-2011

Even if you cannot attend, any donation amount is greatly appreciated. 100% of all donations and proceeds go directly to this Marine Unit! My hubby and I will be attending to support them (as walkers, not runners due to medical reasons), and to snap tons of pics of the entire event. If you can attend the event, or possibly even donate a dollar or two, it is sooooo greatly appreciated! Every little thing makes a difference! This is a very special event to help a few of our proudest men in uniform. Semper Fi!!!!
- Ang

 

Brandi, Robby & Pups in Tow

I first met Brandi during our wedding consult several years ago. I photographed her marriage to Robby on March 10, 2007, which was just amazing! They met in elementary school and stayed close throughout their life. Even the groom's cake had their elementary pics & brief little note to prove their continued dedication. That alone was very unique, but they added a special twist that really hit home to me. One of their official wedding party members was Sonny, their dog. It was the first and only wedding that I have done with a dog in the wedding ceremony. It was amazing how well behaved and disciplined he was. I have two rescued dogs, and they are a mess 24/7 (one is the 105lb rescued Lab "Tucker" and the other is the less than 3lb Yorkie "Brewster"). Brandi & Robby seemed to be a perfect match from the beginning! (And Brandi is such a sweetie with a big heart for critters, like me.  :)

So the point is, I am sooo happy to have her as one of my "repeat offenders". Brandi has started a business for pet sitting & training (http://www.pawsitivepetsokc.com/) and she needs some pics. I am honored that she came back to me for her needed pics. I cannot wait to see what dog she will bring as well as how married life has treated her & Robbie over the last 4.5 years. (WOW, I can't believe its been that long!!!).

 

This first pic (above) is of the groom's cake. It is topped with their elementary pics, a little note, and their pre-wedding pic.

The above pic is on Brandi & Robby's wedding day. Sonny did such a good job during the entire ceremony! Unfortunately a couple years after the ceremony, Sonny passed away. Brandi contacted me to ask for permission to use the above photo for an article/announcement about his death. It was such a touching piece, I cried just thinking about him and my brief encounter with him. He was a good dog!!!

 

 

 This last pic is one that surprised both myself and Brandi. There were about 3 people helping to adjust her dress between the ceremony & reception (she has a dress malfunction, unlike Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl). I was snapping pics at anything & everything worthwhile, but I do not remember taking this shot and she didn't know I was taking it at the time. It was one of those priceless photos that happened at just the right time. She's absolutely beautiful!!!

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.  :)

Two Homecomings & Tons of Smiles

In the process of my getting caught up, I am posting two of my recent homecoming sessions. The first was for Sandy, Johnathan, and the kiddos. I met Sandy and her kids, Ally & Matthew, at the airport for the long-waited arrival of daddy. Everyone waited in anticipation, including myself. As soon as Johnathan walked thru the gate, everyone started crying including the waiting passengers! This loving family immediately clutched each other in a huge embrace and fell to the the ground. Tears, smiles, words, kisses, and hugs all came flooding out. Even as we were leaving, no one wanted to let go of their beloved hero. It was a true privilege to meet this wonderful family and to capture such a special day for them.

The second homecoming was for Michael. His wife, Michelle, contacted me just 24 hours before his return. Luckily, I was able to reschedule a dentist appointment and meet them at the airport despite the last minute notice. Michelle, their kids (Beau, Jack, & Julie), and I were able to get to the actual gate for his arrival. The family anxiously awaited for his arrival and planned their "attack" as they saw the plane approaching. Michael barely made thru the door before he was swarmed by his loving family. After they all got their immediate needs of hugs & kisses filled, we walked to the security checkpoint. Once there, Michael's mom as well as other friends & family were waiting to welcome him home. It was a great homecoming reunion, and I was so grateful that I was able to attend!

The "Oh, Baby!" September Special

I am attempting another shot at running monthly and/or seasonal specials. I know I've been lax on setting my promos and specials for the last year. I really wish I had more time to promo my own biz but instead life, kids, and OpLove seems to have taken precedence yet again. So, here is my latest attempt to get back on track...my new special for September..."Oh, Baby!"

September 2011 is "Oh, Baby!" month. This special is for pregnant women in their 2nd or 3rd trimester who want a Maternity Session. All sessions must occur in the month of September to receive the promo despite the actual booking date. Immediate family members are welcome to attend/participate in the session. So what do you get?? A FREE maternity session at any location you choose within the Metro area, in addition to 10% off any prints or products ordered. What's the catch?? Nada, Nothing, Nil, Zip, Zilch, Zero!!! And here's an added bonus...booked sessions will also receive an entry into the drawing for a free birthing session and a free 3"x3" Brag Book. PLUS for every $50 spent on prints and products, you will receive an additional entry into the drawing (held on Oct 10th).

Interested?? Contact me to schedule your session. Sessions are booked based on availability, and space will fill up quickly. So, show me your best "Oh, Baby" belly.   :)

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!  

A Family Reunited

Last week, I had the pleasure of going to Ft Sill, OK for one of our military homecoming ceremonies. The family is a previous client of mine from when I did Justin's pre-deployment session last June. It was such an honor to see him coming home. Amber and J.J. met me on base at 2:30am (yep, the ceremony was actually at 3am). J.J., who is about 5 years old, was sooo emotional! Before the soldiers arrived, he cried in disbelief that his daddy was actually coming home and clung to his "daddy doll". Finally, all the soldiers marched into the stadium. After a few quick words from the COs, they were dismissed. Everyone started running in every direction - searching and embracing their loved ones. We searched and searched the gym but couldn't find Justin. I called his cell phone repeatedly to find out where he was, but he never answered. Finally, Amber got a hold of him. Suddenly, like in a movie, the crowds parted and there he was! J.J. took off like a rocket and jumped into daddy's arms. Everyone started crying, including myself. It was an amazing homecoming that was full of tears and smiles and hugs...despite being in the wee hours of the morning. I even got a big hug from Justin in appreciation for coming to support his family. Just awesome!!! Here are a few pics from Justin's homecoming and his family finally reuniting.

 

 

Oyyy!

Ok, it's been over a month since my last post. So obviously once again, I am behind on my blogging duties. But that is just a given for me, especially at this point! It is now almost 1:00am. I have to stay awake until 1:30am, which is when I can start getting ready for a 3am homecoming ceremony at Ft Sill. (Yes, I am that dedicated to our military families!) So none-the-less, I am sitting in a hotel room...alone...in the middle of the night...trying to stay awake to provide a free homecoming session for an OpLove client. I'm trying to stay busy because if I fall asleep, even the loud wake-up call via the hotel won't wake me. I did 10 sessions today, all before 4pm, so I am dragging butt!

Last Sunday, I hosted an Oklahoma OpLove Photographers Meet & Greet Party. It was at the Bob Hope Pavilion at Stars & Stripes Park on Lake Hefner. We didn't have many photogs show up, but I was grateful for those who were able to come! I was able to meet a few new photogs, which is always great. I also got to see a fellow OpLove photog, who is also one of my clients. She gave me updates on her hubby's deployment status, which I always appreciate! It is such an honor to work with so many dedicated people...I am truly grateful for each of them!

I have attached a few pics from our Meet & Greet party!

The Goodie Bags for each of my OK photogs.

Our Grill Master Mike, and helper Peyton (aka Bubba).