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).

Piedmont, OK Tornado Devastation

I had to go to Piedmont for a real estate shoot today, less than 24 hours after a deadly tornado ripped through the town. On my way back, I ran into some of the homes that were damaged and/or destroyed by the twister. The tornado was about a half-mile wide, and was on the ground for a very long time! There is still a 3-year old boy missing. He was hiding in the bathtub with his family. The other family members were taken to the hospital and treated, but there is still no sign of the boy. My heart and prayers go out to this family, as well as everyone that has been affected by the recent tornadoes.

I did take some pics out the window while driving north up Hwy 4 and east across Simmons Rd. I have posted them below.

I love the above pic with the American flag that is tied to a tree with rope (or what's left of a tree anyway).

 

Notice the big tree is uprooted, but the house and some of the smaller trees are in tact.

Yep, I drove over probably 30 downed-power lines.

I think this one is the best pic that I got. The house is pretty much destroyed, yet the two kids (right side) are playing - a boy on a 4-wheeler and a girl with a hula-hoop. It seems to say, "You may take my home, but not my spirit."

The above pic blows my mind. The roof is gone, yet some of the windows and the glass door do not even have a crack in them.