Fashion Finds #4 {Central New York Photographer}

Posted on October 30, 2009 by Kim Hill

This week I had a chance to go shopping at Hobby Lobby.  What a great place that is!!  A total time sucker-upper, though.  LOL  I was surprised to see 6 aisles dedicated to Christmas decorations already.  Wow – not even Halloween yet.  I suppose it's inevitable, though.  And for photographers, having the holiday decor out now is almost a necessity.  Really!  So of course I had to pick up a few new tree ornaments.  Can never have too many, right?  🙂

After my trip there, I stopped by The Gap and Old Navy to see what they had available for holiday wear.  I'm going to be doing my kids' holiday portraits in the next week or so and want to be sure I can find things that coordinate nicely.  Of course, I have the added challenge of making sure I get something green for Christopher and something red for David.  They are such sticklers for wearing their favorite colors.  Ha ha ha   Well, I'm pleased to report that I did find a lot of items that would work well.  But now I have to go back with the boys just to be sure they will fit into the items I picked out.

And while I was there, I picked out a few items that I thought you might enjoy too!  In keeping with the holiday theme, I decided to go with a very traditional color combination of red, black, white and gray.  Notice how there are several different patterns here?  That's totally okay!!  They work well together because the colors are harmonious.  So don't be afraid to try some patterns when getting dressed for your portrait session.  It will create additional interest and make you look just that much better than you already do.  🙂

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Now go back to your Halloween festivities and have a fun fall weekend.  Cuz we still have LOTS of time left before we really need to be thinking about snow and Christmas, right?  🙂

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Accordian Mini Books – Great Gift Idea!! {Central New York Photographer}

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Kim Hill

Hey all.  As we approach the date for our holiday mini sessions, I just wanted to show you one of the great gift ideas you can give your family this year.  These accordian mini books hold a total of 10 images and fit nicely in your purse.  Each is only 3 inches square, but they really have a lot of oomph and wow factor.  There are a few different options for the cover – leather, fabric or we can even use one of your photos.

Your family will LOVE you for giving them such a unique gift.  So when you come in for your session, be sure to ask me about these and I’ll show one to you.  🙂

KMH_MiniBookSample

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Weird Mushrooms & Fall Leaves {Central New York Photographer}

Posted on October 23, 2009 by Kim Hill

Good morning!  Thought I'd share some personal pics with you today as it's not often that I actually take the time to do that lately. 

The other day, as I approached the house after retrieving the mail, I noticed what looked like white eggs under the Japanese Maple tree in the front lawn.  I scrunched my eyebrows down, thinking "this is just not possible to be eggs – they are too big and too perfectly straight up".  As I got a bit closer, it became clear that these were actually mushrooms.  Now we've lived in this house for 10 years and have had our fair share of odd things pop up now and then – including mushrooms.  But these I've never seen before.  As it was already 4:30 pm, the sun was fading fast but I just HAD to get out there and snap a shot.  So I cranked up the ISO, laid on the damp grass and grabbed this shot.  Aren't these neat looking?  They look really rough and scratchy, but are actually quite soft to the touch.

KMH-9492_Web

So yesterday it warmed up a bit and I decided to get a start on raking the leaves out back.  We have about 4 acres and most of it is tree-covered.  So the small area of lawn gets buried fast!  The bulk of the leaves are yellow, having fallen from the birch and cherry trees up on the hill.  It's actually quite a beautiful contrast to the dark green grass once it's all raked up.  While the boys were at school, I managed to get a decent size pile put together for them to play in.  And as soon as they saw the pile, they were super eager to run and jump and play.  I perched myself on the steps and took so many shots – trying so hard to get one of the leaves falling around them, but most attempts failed as the leaves completely covered their faces.  So on this shot, I told our youngest to hold the leaves out to his side and then throw them in the air.  That did the trick!  Leaves are seen falling and I can still see his smiling face.  SUCCESS!!

KMH-9511_Web

So if you made it this far, I want to thank you for humoring me as I rambled on about the pics.  I hope you can get a chance to play outside in this nice fall weather.  🙂

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New Templates for Photographers – Cards & Albums {Resources 4 Photographers}

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Kim Hill

With the holiday season well underway, photographers are looking to speed up production of all the fun gifts their clients are ordering.  Luckily, we’ve got your back!

Today, I’ve uploaded two new template packs.  The first is a set of ten 5×5 cards.  Each has a 1/4 inch border making it compatible with most of the pro labs.  And since these are set up as flats, you have the option to mix and match them to create your single fold or trifold cards.  Each card is layered, allowing you the flexibility to move the photo openings and greeting.  Of course, there is a simple PDF tutorial included to help you out, too!

5x5 Card Templates Set 1

Next up is a set of ten mix & match 12×12 album templates.  Each template is layered, allowing you the flexibility to move the photo openings and accent papers.  The neat part is that you can rotate these around to create more looks than the initial ten simply by flipping vertically or horizontally.  And since I know you want even more choices, I’ve included a resizing action so that you can size the finished pages down to 10×10, 8×8, 5×5 or 3×3.  How cool is that?!  Of course, there is a simple PDF tutorial included to help you out, too!

Mix & Match Album Set 5

Now go have a fun and creative day.  🙂

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Fall Fashion Finds #3 {Central New York Photographer}

Posted on October 21, 2009 by Kim Hill

This weekend I put together some more outfits from The Gap to help give you some ideas of what looks good together for your fall family portraits.  This time, I approached it a bit differently and started with the little girl's top as the jumping off point.  I used the top to pull similar colors for choosing the rest of the family's outfits.  The unifying color throughout is gray in various shades from really light to very dark.  The accessories for the girl and mom are fun, too!  Take a look at that cute hat for the girl.  I just LOVE it.

Fall-Fashion3 

Hope you have fun putting together your own outfits.  🙂

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Matilda Jane Casting Call {Central New York Photographer}

Posted on October 11, 2009 by Kim Hill

Last week I entered for a chance to be one of a select few photographers to be able to photograph one article of clothing from the fall clothing line at Matilda Jane.  I’m sure hundreds of photographers entered and I honestly did not think I even had a chance at this.  But guess what?  I was selected!  Take a look at this blog entry from today showing all the photographers who will be doing this.

MatildaJaneAnnouncement

I am so excited cuz I’ve loved the clothing for a very long time and have wanted to have a trunk show but just don’t know enough people with little girls to justify holding one.

So I called my sister to see if her daughter would like to be a willing model for me.  She’s 6 years old and quite a ham in front of the camera.  She’s been practicing her posing techniques since birth – honest!  LOL

And if anyone else in my area wants me to photograph their own daughter in this same outfit, please contact me and we’ll set something up.  The child must be size 6/7.  At the moment, I’m not sure when the outfit will arrive nor do I know how much time we will actually be given to do the photography.  Also, anyone who I photograph will need to sign a model release allowing the child’s image to be displayed on the web and possible other marketing materials by myself and Matilda Jane.  So please keep these things in mind before you decide if you would like your child to be involved with this project.

Okay – I’m off for now.  Hope you have a terrific Sunday!!

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New Holiday Cards & Papers at Resources 4 Photographers

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Kim Hill

Hey there!  :)  Today I put up 8 new holiday cards, each of which is 5×7 and in layered PSD format.  These are so simple to use and I've included the instructions in the zip file.  There are also 2 new paper packs with holiday themes.  One set is bright and vibrant, the other set is darker and more traditional.  These papers can be used with any of my horizontal card templates, or even the vertical card templates, as well as album templates set 1, set 2, set 3 and set 4.  Of course, you can also use them with another designer's products of your choice. 

Click on any image to be taken directly to the shop.  🙂

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KHILL_HolidayPapersSet2_350

KHILL-HorizHC-5x7-9_350 

KHILL-HorizHC-5x7-10_350 

KHILL-HorizHC-5x7-11_350 

KHILL-HorizHC-5x7-12_350 

KHILL-VertHC-5x7-9_350 

KHILL-VertHC-5x7-10_350 

KHILL-VertHC-5x7-11_350 

KHILL-VertHC-5x7-12_350

Thanks so much for your support.  I hope you have a terrific weekend!!  🙂

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Mini Portrait Sessions {Central New York Photographer}

Posted on October 5, 2009 by Kim Hill
This year I am offering one day of mini portrait sessions at a reduced price on
Wednesday, November 11th (Veteran's Day).  All sessions will be
limited to 30 minutes and you will receive one 8×10 gift
print and a set of 25 personalized folded greeting cards with envelopes. If you
would like to order additional prints or greeting cards, you will receive 10%
off a la carte pricing.  This special is 30%
off my normal pricing.

These mini
session times will fill up super fast and I know you don't want
to miss out on this.  So I urge you to call or email me ASAP to reserve your
appointment time.  Once your time is scheduled, please drop a check in the mail
to me in the amount of $90 made payable to Photos by Kim Hill.  Payment must be
received no later than Friday, November 6th.

Mini-Session-Holiday2009
Here is a glimpse at the custom holiday cards I am offering this
year.  There are 4 vertical and 4 horizontal design choices.  You can also
choose to simply have your photo cover the entire front of the card.  The inside
can be personalized with a holiday greeting of your choice
or you can simply leave the inside blank.

2009-Holiday-Cards

After your session,
a private gallery of 3 to 5 proofs will be set up for you to select from and I
will email you the gallery link with login and password.  In order to ensure
that you receive your printed order in time for mailing holiday cards, we will
need to have your image selection no later than Sunday, November 15th.  All
orders will then be available to pick up here at the studio just before
Thanksgiving.


Appointment times are for Wednesday, November 11th only at
9:15 am, 10 am, 10:45 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:15 pm, 3:00 pm and 3:45 pm.

Have a marvelous Monday!!  🙂

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October News for Resources 4 Photographers Customers

Posted on October 2, 2009 by Kim Hill

Octheader-template

The designers at Pink Ink Studios are excited about fall and the winter holidays fast approaching. The store is
buzzing with lots of new holiday products and there are more in the works. Come
check out Pink Ink Studios this month.

PRODUCT FOCUS
Our
October Product
Focus is on Holiday Cards/Christmas. Be sure to get 10% off these
products and watch for articles all month featuring them.

PRODUCT SALE!
All
products in the Cards>Christmas category of our store are 10% off the list
price for the entire month of October.  Sale prices will be displayed once you add the item to your shopping cart.  🙂

CONTEST
Get in on
this month's photo contest! It's "THINK PINK" time and we want you to do just
that. We have three prizes to give away.   Contest ends October 25, 2009.  Visit the Pink Ink Blog to learn more about how you can enter to win. 

BECOME A FAN!
Thanks for
following us on Twitter and Facebook too!

To
visit the Pink Ink Studios website, please visit us at pinkinkstudios.net!

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More Fall Fashion Finds {Central New York Photographer}

Posted on September 30, 2009 by Kim Hill

As promised, I did some more scouting for coordinating outfits.  This week, I went over to Old Navy.  As mentioned last week, first I picked out the base "neutral" color which, in this case, was gray.  Then I picked a beautiful raspberry color for the accent.  Here is a set of simple outfits, all of which could be layered up now that the cool fall weather is upon us.  For example, at The Gap there are several beautiful patterned scarves and even a beautiful pair of gray heels from Piperlime which would coordinate perfectly with the dress for Mom.  Now for Dad, I found this easy to pull on pair of loafers at Piperlime and a wine colored t-shirt from Old Navy which can be worn underneath the button-up shirt.  Take a look around and it's amazing how quickly these outfits can be pulled together.  🙂

Fall-Fashion2 

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!!  🙂

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