All together now, sigh of relief. :::sigh::: The blog is done. I had a few offers by HTML and CSS geniuses to help me out (thank you), but I really wanted to figure this out on my own (especially because it really shouldn’t have been that hard). I think I just might have done that!
So, come on over to the new home of Anna Lynch McClary Photography’s blog.
http://blog.annalynchmcclary.com
Goodbye old blog!
-alm
It isn’t opening day, but it is the next best thing… first spring training game! While I enjoy watching basketball, football and hockey, it just isn’t the same as baseball. The end of October leaves me counting down until this very day. My beloved Rockies have their first game today down in Arizona. Here’s hoping this is the beginning of a much better than 2008 season!
Baseball is a way of life in my house. In fact, if it weren’t for baseball we’d probably be living in a cardboard box since it is responsible for Mitch’s paycheck. Last year I joined my two loves and had the opportunity to shoot baseball. While it was a good experience, I think the two are better left separated. Because of the crazy and demanding schedule I missed out on most of wedding season and only got in a select few sessions.
Locally, we’re gearing up for the start of the TinCaps season here in Fort Wayne. Opening day isn’t until April 16th, but the longer hours are starting for Mitch, and I’m hearing more about fertilizer programs, equipment, grass, and dirt. Single game tickets went on sale yesterday and it sounds like it is going to be a packed house that first night. I can’t wait!
The best part of all of this… spring is right around the corner! I’ve been eyeing a new bike, and thinking that I can’t wait until it is nice enough for me to ride down to the ballpark.
We were with a short season team last year, so this opening day wasn’t until the middle of May. The crazy part was that it was COLD that night!
Mitch doing what he does best, playing in the dirt and grass working on the field.
My parents flew in for a weekend and I had a day off. What did we do? Well, we watched baseball of course. By the way, you have no idea how hard it was to get someone to take this picture… can’t say Cubs fans are the friendliest around.
Welcome back baseball!
-alm
I promise that once I get through all of this computer work this week I will actually post up some new photos. I’m the type that if I took an hour break to go out and shoot, that hour would then turn into another couple of errands, grabbing lunch, maybe another couple of errands, and then I’d finally go back home to work and would need to do a couple loads of laundry, start dinner, and well you get the point. So, this past month has been a lot of buckling down and staying in my man made cave to ensure that the not so fun business stuff gets done.
I have scheduled my next two trips back to Colorado. The first will be March 26- April 01 and the next is April 21-27. I have a group of wait listed clients that I am going to start contacting today, once they’re all scheduled, appointments will be offered to those on the mailing list (email me at anna@annalynchmcclary.com to get on the list), then I’ll post up on Twitter and Facebook, and finally right here.
With all of the time I’ve spent sitting in front of the computer, I think my kitties were feeling a little neglected (yeah right!). So Griffey, being the attention starved one has taken it upon herself to make sure that she gets plenty of my love.
There is barely enough room for her on my lap while I’m working, but she makes due. This has turned into a daily habit, but I don’t think she realizes that she is growing, thus taking up more and more of an already very limited space. Unfortunately, I don’t think she cares, in fact I think she thinks my work is completely secondary to her. (FYI, the picture was taken with the PhotoBooth on my Mac.)
-alm
Changes are coming to the blog. This past week I’ve been staring at my computer screen even more than I would in a normal week. I’m working on redesigning my blog and even moving it. I’m planning to have it good to go by next Friday, so check back often.
I did miss What A Deal Wednesday this week. However, I’m implementing a deal today that isn’t going to expire next week, next month, or anytime soon, so I hope it will make up for it. I love giving back to my clients and I appreciate more than anything that 99% of them come to me via word of mouth from previous clients. So, I’ve started organizing my referral program and my recent clients will be getting a little mail from me, keep an eye on your mailbox.
Every client will receive eight of these referral wallets (if you run out, I’ll be more than happy to get you more) after their session. That way you can show off one of your images and for every person who books with one of your cards, you both will receive a $25 print credit for a portrait referral or $100 with a wedding referral. If five of your referral’s book, your next session fee is on me!
Thank you again to all of my clients!
-alm
When Twitter started getting attention last year, my first reaction was, “Do I really need another social networking site?” Because of that I resisted and resisted. Well, Saturday I finally caved and signed up. I haven’t had time to do much with it yet, but I have big plans for it. Click here to find me and follow me! I can’t wait to find more people to follow, it really is pretty cool.
Along those same lines I also created an ALM Photography Facebook Fan Page and an ALM Photography Facebook Group Page. I’m planning on using these new avenues to promote specials and share even more work with everyone. If you haven’t signed up for Facebook or Twitter yet, don’t pull an Anna. Stop resisting and sign up!
All of my new links to Twitter, my Fan Page, and Group Page are available on the right side of the blog here.
-alm
My walls are covered with photographs. In fact, thanks to us practically being professional movers, we don’t have space for some of my prints. It kills me that I have these awesome big prints and there isn’t enough wall space in our new apartment for them. Someday though, someday there will be!
I absolutely love when my clients order 16×20’s and bigger. In fact, most days when I know I have a big print coming, I stalk the windows looking for the UPS man. They make such an awesome statement. On top of that, a big print is sometimes all that will really work on a wall. Let’s say you have one of those white walls that you’ve been looking for the perfect decorations for. Why put up the latest trend from Pottery Barn when you can show off your kids, family, or how beautiful you were on your wedding day?
To encourage you to take the big print jump, the deal this Wednesday is another 2fer for those who have placed their first order. A little different this week though, this week it is a BOGO deal. If you order a 16×20 or larger print you will get to pick out another 16×20 or larger print, all for the price of one! Valentine’s Day is coming up quickly, so think about how much your parents or grandparents would love a beautiful print. Or, maybe that wall you need to fill would work better with a whole wall arrangement than just one really big print. Either way, this ‘What A Deal Wednesday’ gives you a reason to get moving on that blank canvas now! Just enter the coupon code ‘2fer’ when you are completing your order in your gallery, or email me at anna@annalynchmcclary.com if you want me to put it together for you.
I also wanted to give a little bit of a sneak peek into one of the projects I’ve been working on. I’m a people person, so obviously portrait and wedding photography just kind of jumped out at me. However, my love for photography doesn’t stop with people. I love shooting for myself. The only problem is, I’ve found that I’m filling up hard drives and it is kind of silly for those images to just sit on those drives and no one see them. So, in the near future I will be launching some of my ‘Decorator Series’ prints. Here is a sneak peek, with more details for follow in the near future!
-alm
Sorry for being a day late. I ended up in Cincinnati yesterday and didn’t get home until a little after midnight. I figured as long as I get it up today, most of you won’t mind! To welcome in February I’m going to run with a 2’s theme. This week is a crazy deal with any 4×6’s being $2 through next Thursday! This is good only for those who have previously placed an order. To get in on this deal just shoot me an email at anna@annalynchmcclary.com.
About the email… it is still down, well, partially. I can now view my emails but can’t reply yet. So, if you get a reply from me at a gmail address, that is why. I’m hoping to get this crazy email mess taken care of by the end of the day, but at this point I am not holding my breath. Please, tech support gods smile down on me! 
-alm
I’m working on putting together a few pictures from our trip last week, but in the meantime thought I’d share something new. From here on out Wednesdays on the blog will be known as What A Deal Wednesdays. I’ll post up a different sale or promotion. Some will only be good that one day, some a week, a month, or really as long as it says.
To kick off WADW I’m going to offer up a special to all of the Class of 2009 seniors. You’ve all made it half way through your senior year, so you shall receive half off your session fee. Is the yearbook deadline looming? Don’t wait any longer. My next couple of trips back to Colorado are getting close to full, so shoot me an email ( anna@annalynchmcclary.com ) today and I’ll get a price list moving your way and we’ll get the details worked out.
Fort Wayne and Indiana seniors the deal is going to get even sweeter for you. For the next week I am completely waiving the session fee! Free senior pictures session!
Have you already had your senior pictures done? Well, girls, let’s do a Rock the Dress session in your prom dress. Guys and girls, I would be willing to bet that your sports and hobbies pictures could be made even cooler. Don’t wait and risk missing out on this chance.
Class of 2010, keep your eyes on the blog. An upcoming post is going to explain an awesome deal that’s only going to be available to a limited time!
If you’re on Facebook become a fan of Anna Lynch McClary Photography just by clicking here and be the first to find out about the promotions.
-alm
I couldn’t believe how lucky I was. I woke up the morning of this session to sunshine and a relatively warm day, at least for December in Colorado. The session was scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m.. At 1:30 Mitch and I headed over to Fleming to scout out some locations. At that point it was a little overcast, but there was blue sky right behind the few clouds, so I wasn’t too worried. About 1:45 it started to sprinkle on us, but I convinced myself and maybe even Mitch, that in 10 minutes it would be gone. After all, there was tons of blue sky and even if the clouds didn’t clear up, as long as it didn’t snow we’d get beautiful light and everything would be okay. At some point between then and D.J. and I walking out in a pasture, the blue sky had completely disappeared, the wind picked up to lower the temperatures to frigid, and then the snow started lightly falling.
At that point rescheduling wasn’t really an option. D.J. was on a tight yearbook schedule and we were leaving to go back to Indiana in a few days. I should add that this wasn’t our original date. We had planned for a week earlier, but it never got above ten degrees that entire week. D.J., cold as he may have been toughed it out. I only had to retouch flakes off of him in a few images and eventually we moved in for a little break for the wind.
When D.J. pulled out his cowboy hat, I knew immediately that I wanted to get a nice silhouette.
There isn’t much I love more than some good, moody lighting.
He is planning on rodeoing in college, which only makes sense since he has his whole life up until now.
Did I mention that I kind of like moody lighting?
Thanks again D.J.!
-alm
I’ve been busy lately. Funny thing is, before last week it wasn’t even with a camera. I’ve had card designs and album work, essentially tons of computer work to get caught up on that had to be back in time for Christmas.
I have gotten a few sessions in, however. In fact, this last Saturday I did a Christmas Mini Session for Lauren. I have to say that I luck out with seniors. Not only have my seniors all been beautiful girls and handsome guys, they are all super well rounded students. Right after we finished this session Lauren was off to her choir concert (talented, too). I still can’t believe how many shots we got in about 45 minutes!
I think Lauren looks like she could have just crawled out of an Abercrombie ad in this shot.
One of my favorite parts of a session is scouting out the locations I may use. Nothing beats finding an old rusted out wall that makes the perfect backdrop and that no one would ever suspect.
I love golden light and sun flare. Right before Lauren had to run for the concert we jumped into this field, right at sunset.
We completely lucked out and got one of the prettiest December days we could have asked for. I hope you enjoy these Lauren!
-alm
