I am in the mood to spice things up a bit on my blog and facebook fan page, and see some fresh faces and new perspectives! In order to do this, I am hosting an awesome contest! Here’s the deal…

1. Have a little photo session with a child in your life (or you can submit a recent picture, if you prefer!)

2. Send your ONE favorite picture to me via email, sarah@maddiedean.com, I will then post them to a special contest album on my facebook fan page. (You MUST include your name and phone number, and the child’s name and age with the picture. The ONLY thing published will be the child’s first name)

3. Join my facebook fan page, either by searching for “Maddie Dean Photography” on facebook, or by the link found here

4. Send people (your friends, family, co-workers, etc.) to join my facebook fan page and VOTE for their favorite picture (i.e. YOURS!)

5. The winner will be announced on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2009, based on the total number of votes for each entered image. Votes are counted as comments on each individual image/entry. A person must be a fan of my facebook fan page to vote. Votes from people that are not fans will not be counted!

RULES!

- Entries must be submitted by WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 at MIDNIGHT! I will post all entries on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, and the voting will begin immediately!!

- ONE entry per person.

- ONLY separate comments to a picture that state “vote” will be counted as a vote. Simply clicking “like” by the picture will NOT count as a vote!

- ONE vote per person!

- Voting will continue from NOVEMBER 19 through DECEMBER 2. Winner will be announced on DECEMBER 3, 2009!!!

- Submitted images must be of a child or children under the age of 18.

- For obvious reasons, photos taken by professional photographers will not be accepted.

THE PRIZE!!!

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a complimentary portrait session with me and a CD with the best shots in full-resolution, with a print release! That is a $1000 value!!!

ALL entries will receive a complimentary 11×14 with a paid session ($55 value)

The session must take place in the HOUSTON area between JANUARY 1, 1010 AND MARCH 1, 1010. A signed model release will be required prior to the session.

(I can’t leave out my biggest fans at home, so Canadian & Perryton folks may enter too! Should someone from either place be the winner, we will work out details. The session can take place during my next trip home)

Let the fun begin!!!

A fellow photographer wrote this and I couldn’t have said it any better myself. Every word is so true and I feel that I need to share it with my clients, family &  friends. You can see the original article Kristy Lynn Photography.

I know you have heard it said, and it could be considered a cliche, but the powerful words, “there is no day like today” rings so very true during this time of cutting back in the American economy.

I have thought about it a lot. Our family, like any other, is going through our priorities and reevaluating what we consider important enough to invest our money into. Everyday new challenges are presented to us and we carefully consider how we will handle them in light of our own financial situations. So I know what it means when clients and friends say that they are trying to be wise when making decisions about photography.

However there is something unique about photography that is not true about a lot of our other expenditures. A lot of the things that we buy will be around tomorrow and next week and next year for us to buy. That new flat screen television will still be at Best Buy (given that Best Buy is still in business, lol!) next year. In fact if you wait you may even get a better model. And that new couch and loveseat set will still be at the furniture store next year or you may find one that you like even better for a better deal later this year.

But your children, and family will not be the same later this year. Your newborn baby will not be as small as he or she was the first 10 days of his or her life ever again. Your one or two year old will not be a toddler forever. You will not be pregnant 9 months from now with the child you are now carrying (THANK GOD, right?). And your wedding day is a once in a lifetime event. The exact make up of your family as it is today will never be the same. Kids grow, situations change, dad’s lose their hair… like it is said, there is no day like today.

So here is my point. When you are reevaluating your budget and choosing your priorities, please do not under estimate the value of having the moments of your life captured by a professional photographer. Your baby girl’s smile is priceless, get a tangible memory of that up on your wall as art. Your family is beautiful. And as many of our possessions are becoming less of a priority in this economic time, the value of family increases. Today is the day to turn your memories in to art.

And here is the deal. If you mention this blog post to me in an email and then you go on to book a full session with me before August 30, 2009, you will receive a $50 print credit for making your family’s memories a priority during these tough times. It is my challenge to you to make sure and treasure the moments of your life, and to let me be a part of capturing those moments.

*Cannont be combined with any other offer. Credit is non-transferable*

I’m excited to announce some fun new products at Maddie Dean Photography! All of these will be added to the website & shopping cart shortly. If you have already placed an order for a recent session, but would like one of these new add-ons, just send me an email!

Custom Wall Calendar
This isn’t your mama’s wall calendar! It’s a dry-erase calendar with your favorite image behind it! Topped off with a custom frame! How cool is that? Want to know something even cooler? Once you purchase the set, additional low-opacity images will be available at a special price!! So, you can change the background out for each season, holiday, or however fits your mood! This comes in a 16×20 only & includes: the calendar glass, image, custom frame & fine-tip dry-erase marker! I will work with you to select the best frame for your space! Told you it was fun & fresh! (pricing details available upon request.)

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Leather Brag Book
This is a great add on to any of my packages. You have a choice between black or brown leather & both covers have a cameo insert on the front. It holds up to 12 of your favorite images from your session and can be tied with satin ribbon, your choice of color! They make excellent gifts for Grandparents or just keep it in your purse so you can always brag about how adorable your family is!! Told you it was fun & fresh! (pricing details available upon request)

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Tavertine Tiles
These awesome tiles are 6×6 Travertine tumbled tiles. The back is the same rock and the corners and sides are left naturally rough. Your full 6×6 photo will be sealed on to the tile, distressed and perfectly displayed on a fold out black easel. You have the choice of full-photo or embellished. You can choose color, b/w or allow me to choose what I feel would fit the image the best. If you have a theme or certain colors you would to be used for the embellishement, let me know and I will incorporate that. This would make an EXCELLENT Mother’s Day Gift. The order deadline for Mother’s Day will be fast approaching, so book your sessions now! Told you it was fun & fresh! (pricing details available upon request)

So, there ya have it! 3 exciting new gifts from Maddie Dean Photography! Love them? Book your session now so we can capture that perfect image! Spring & Summer sessions are limited, so don’t wait to schedule your family portrait.

Alrighty, time for another give away! I’ve mentioned before that I’m a frequent tester for YCMT so I always have little projects laying around. Most of the time, it’s clothing that I’ll use for Aiden or MJ. Well, my latest test was a purse. I have a closet full of purses I never carry, so this one needs to find a new home!!!

Want it to be yours?? All you need to do is leave me a comment saying that you want it. Really Really want it?? Do a shout out on your blog and link back here. Leave me a 2nd comment with the link to your blog. (Yes, you are welcome to swipe this image to put in your blog if you’d like!) Super duper have-to-have-it? Become a follower!

So, there ya have it! 3 easy-peasy ways to win this handbag. I will draw a winner on Wednesday, March 18th. Maybe it’ll be your lucky day!!

I’m so excited to offer a new line of photo jewelry and other gifts, and just in time for Christmas, too.

You can select one of the 4 necklaces offered that best suits your style - Hodge Podge, Tiny Treasures, Classic or Ms. Cleaver - or just go nuts and buy all 4! Choose your necklace length from short (17-18″) or long (19-20″).

Each soldered charm is attached to a sterling silver toggle and is made from two 2mm glass pieces and comes in 3 sizes: 1 1/2×1 3/8 (shown), 1 1/2 x 1 or 1×1.

Also available are 6×6 travertine tiles and 2×3 custom ornaments. You could do soccer teams, sonograms, newborn pictures & announcements, wedding invites and Christmas cards from years past; the possibilities are endless!

For a limited time, booking a session for September will get you 10% discount on any boutique item! But Wait! That’s not all! I have more jewelry and gift options coming soon - so be sure and check back to see the one-of-a-kind gifts Maddie Dean Photography will be offering!

-Sarah-

I have made the decision to add birth photography to my portfolio. For your “session” I will be on-call one week before and one week after your due date. During your time in the hospital or birthing center I will be in the room discretely recording your amazing journey with respectful, tasteful, artistic and beautiful pictures of your labor, delivery and imediate post-partum. If you are interested, please call or e-mail to discuss the options available.

I need some fresh faces for the new Maddie Dean Photography. I’m looking for expectant mamas, newborns, toddlers, tweens, seniors and families. If you’d like to be a MDP rep and earn some prints and other cool stuff, contact me for more information!

I’m excited about the changes coming to my photography. Most noticably is my new name. Designer Doodles Photography no longer fit my style and clients. Maddie Dean is the new look. Stayed tuned for even more updates and Maddie Dean specials! I’ll post when the new website goes live!