Now that Christmas has come and gone, I am very excited to show these photographs.

Sisters Valerie & Kayla came to me to get their portraits taken for their parents as a Christmas gift. I thought this was such a great idea, and was happy to help them out. These portraits were taken on a very cold, wet day at the end of November–a very similar landscape and weather that we are experiencing right now. These sisters weren’t posing in the most comfortable conditions, but I don’t think anyone can help but smile when they see the images created that day.

The goal of the photographs is what make these images so charming–a surprise for loved ones on a beloved holiday.

I know you’re still a junior, and still a few months away from being a senior, but it is time to start looking for your senior portrait photographer to help you create that lasting impression before you embark on a journey to adulthood.

Emily Bee Arts is proud to announce its Class of 2013 Senior Representative Program. What does this involve, might you ask? Where do I begin with the benefits….

• Your session is free. FREE. I will photograph you at a location of your choice for 1-2 hours. And yes, to the fashion-minded–you can bring/wear as many outfits as you like. Bring your boyfriend, best friend, dog, sister, tennis racket, horse, spaceship….whatever. The possibilities are endless, and I am up for anything.
• DVD of images with logo for facebook, and as well as a high-res image file of a photo of your choice for the yearbook.
• Five friends get 20% off their session fee. You will get 5 rep cards, and you can hand these out to your friends. If they show me your rep card upon booking, the discount is theirs.
• If you manage to book 2/5 friends through your referral, I will give you a 25% product discount.
• If you manage to book 5 friends you get a custom pack of Jones Sodas with your senior portraits on them! Um….delicious!
• Any friend after 5 still is eligible to receive the standard 10% referral discount.
   

It’s a really awesome deal, right? But how does it work? At the bottom of this post, I will list a few questions. All you have to do is copy & paste those questions directly from this post into a new email message to info@emilybeearts.com, answer them, and send the email. After that, I will get back to you in 24-48 hours and tell you whether or not you’ve been accepted–which really depends on if the spot is available for you at your school, and perhaps some other factors.

Some things to keep in mind are your yearbook submission deadline, and can you complete the shoot deadline of May 31. To apply you must also ask your parents’/guardian’s permission if you are still under 18. Application deadline is March 31, 2012. I’m looking forward to possibly working with you, and I can guarantee your shoot will be fun, laid-back, and all about YOU!

SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE APPLICATION QUESTIONS

1. Name?
2. Phone?
3. Email?
4. Parent/Guardian names?
5. Parent/Guardian phone?
6. Parent/Guardian email?
7. What High School do you go to, and what city is it in?
8. Why would you like to be a 2013 Senior Rep for Emily Bee Arts?
9. Do you have any ideas of what you would like to do in the future?
10. What are some extra-curricular activities you are involved in?
11. Do you have any favorite bands/music?
12. What are some other hobbies&interests you might have?
13. Are you an indoor or outdoor person?
14. Do you prefer city life or being out in nature (if you HAD to choose)?

Wisconsin has looked really boring lately. If it snows, the next day it melts away to reveal the same dreary, wet, brown, depressing landscape under a solid gray sheet of sky. The chances of having that classically acclaimed idea of a “white christmas” seemed rather doubtful at this point.

It was Christmas Eve Eve when I spent an hour of my afternoon at a lovely home not far from my parent’s where I am currently staying. This home belongs to the Nadolski family, and despite what it looks like outside–inside is a storybook, picturesque Christmas scene. It was at this same scene where I photographed them.  Despite gathering their smiles into imagery for cherished memories–they educated me on some traditions I had never experienced myself in the 24 Christmases I’ve lived. Like many Wisconsinites, they look for the pickle–and despite the demands of Dylan, Alex, and Cole–the pickle could not come out until Christmas eve. If the children misbehaved, their grandparents and parents warned them that “Chuck is Watching”–a tiny elf that dwells in the household that works as an extra set of eyes for Santa Claus himself. Perhaps the most interesting tradition I learned of was the peppermint pig–supposed to be broken with a tiny silver hammer and thus bringing goodwill and luck to the household on this holiday.

Merry Christmas to all, and remember that Chuck is Watching.

Today I finally got to meet Nico.

The Caballero Family came all the way from Boston to celebrate Christmas in Wisconsin. Karen & Michael do this every year, but for Nico this was the first time ever. Word on the street is he handled the plane ride wonderfully (I had no idea they let babies ride for free like on a public bus–thank god some things of value are still free), which might explain why he was an absolute joy to work with in today’s photoshoot. Naturally adorable, super happy–I’m a lucky photographer…and cousin! That’s right, Nico is my cousin…and today was my first time meeting him EVER.

There was nothing about this session that wasn’t perfect to me. We were cozy in his grandparents’ house, with a burning fireplace and a fantastically decorated chrismas tree glowing. The snow may have melted to leave the most depressing landscape, but inside there was a different kind of sunshine. These notes of cliche “Christmas cheer” may make one gag, but there are moments like these amongst the now heavily commercialized holiday with too much stress to make it worth it. This is why it is worth it. This is what Christmas is all about (Charlie Brown).

Here’s to love (And summer vegetable dinner).