BIG THINGS HAPPENING IN 2009

I just wanted to let everyone know that there is going to be a lot of BIG BIG BIG things happening in 2009 for Wendy Donaldson Photography. I am excited and can't wait to ring in the New Year to get it all started. I thought I would give you guys a heads up on some of the things coming your way!

-My new website http://www.wendydonaldsonphotography.com/ will debut January 1, 2009!

-I will be debuting my handmade custom tutu's for all those little princesses out there. I will even have teenie tiny tutus for newborns and infants.

-I will be having many contest this year. Here are just a few that are coming your way:

-$500 Scholarship for a lucky Senior

-Sassy Girl contest

-A Year of Smiles Calendar contest (your portrait could be in a 2010 Wall Calendar)

-And MUCH MUCH More!

-I will also have some new policies that will go into effect. They are policies that I have used all along but have been lenient in their enforcement. They will be strictly enforced from here forward. Details will be explained.

So everyone get ready for a fabulous 2009!

Genuine Kindness

This year has had many ups and downs for me personally and professionally. From time to time something happens that makes you sit back and think WOW. That happened to me this morning.

I am always looking for unique things that ad a special umph to a photo. Things like tutus, petticoats, hats, bows, etc. A few months ago I came across this site ( http://www.clips4acure.com
when searching for some special items. I fell in love with the hats and headbands on this site and scoured it to find out what it is all about. Sheridan Savio is the creator of this company, a 13 year cancer survivor and single mom of two little girls. She wants to raise awareness and help to find a cure for cancer. To me this shows an amazing quality. As a single mom myself, I know how difficult it is to find the time and energy to give back. It is a conscious decision you have to make every day. Sheridan gives back by donating 10% of sales from her site to the American Cancer Society & Susan G. Komen Foundation.

I won't elaborate on the personal email I received from Sheridan this morning, let's just say that it caught me off guard and I was floored with her generosity, as if I wasn't already impressed with her as a person.

So I am taking this time to thank Sheridan for all that she does to give back. She does it in so many ways beyond just raising money for cancer research. When you meet someone like Sheridan, it inspires you to be a better person yourself.

A few more for Mrs. M.

Enjoy!

Mrs. M SNEAK PEAK

I had the pleasure of shooting maternity pictures for this beautiful lady. This will be baby #3 and she is 39 weeks and counting. She is absolutely stunning and so much fun to talk with, I laughed the entire time! Did I mention that her husband is hilarious too! They are such a cute couple and their other two children are just as goregeous as Mom, so no doubt that when this little guy gets here he will be a cutie too! I wanted to post this sneak peak before I closed down for the night, this is only slightly edited and it is beautiful. I hope you enjoy it, and I will have the rest for you ASAP. Enjoy!

Yes, I am still alive!

Ok, so some of you may be wondering if I disappeared or wondered off, but nope, I am still here. I have been really busy lately, which is a good thing. I have been working on SFHS Basketball Program photos, following Santa around and taking his picture with the kids on the "Nice" list, working on my new website. (Which I have to admit, I have no clue what I am doing) My goal is to have my website up and running by 1/1/09, so stay tunned! Oh, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Mini Sessions for Christmas

I have had alot of people asking what my Christmas specials are. I know everyone is on a tight budget, as am I. So I am offering the following Mini Sessions as opposed to a full 2 hour session. The Mini Sessions will last approximately 30 minutes, you will receive 5-8 proofs to choose from and be able to choose from the following packages:

Pkg A: (1pose)
1 - 8x10
2 - 5x7
16 -wallets
$50.00

Pkg B: (2poses)
2 - 8x10
4 - 5x7
16 - wallets
$85.00

Pkg C: (3poses)
2 - 8x10
6 - 5x7
24 wallets
20 photo greeting cards
$150.00

A $25.00 deposit is due at the time you book your session, this deposit will be credited towards your package price. Call today to book your session (352) 213-9155. Don't delay so that you can have your portraits back before the holidays!

A few more favorites of mine

First up we have Miss B again, nothing has changed... she is still a CUTIE

Next up we have Mr. H, can we say future GQ model? He was so fun to shoot, he has coolness just pouring out!

Last but certainly not least, we have the lovely Miss K. She just exudes confidence and beauty.

All of these kids are awesome and they just don't know how much I enjoy taking their pictures and hanging out with them.

A Favorite of Mine!

This little doll is Miss B, she is a favorite model of mine! Isn't she just the cutest thing you have ever seen!

It's that time of year again!

The holiday season is fast approaching wether we choose to accept it or not! There are only 56 days left until Christmas! Get your holiday session booked now before time runs out. All greeting card orders MUST BE placed by November 24, 2008. All orders placed after that date will have an additional "RUSH" fee added to your order. Call today to schedule your session!

Preview for Baby Z

This handsome tiny angel is Baby Z. He surprised his Mommy by coming way earlier than expected. Both Mommy & Baby Z are doing great, hope you enjoy your preview.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation

The post below is from the NILMDTS website, the NILMDTS is a foundation for infant loss rememberance portraiture. These portraits are done on a voluntary basis by affiliated photographers across the United States. Parents experiencing a loss can search for a photographer on the NILMDTS website. This organization is a non-profit foundation. NILMDTS is in the midst of their fundraising drive, I ask all of you who read my blog to visit their website and consider giving a donation.

Thank you!

With the Month of October being recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, The Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation holds its Annual Fund Drive for six weeks starting in mid-September and ending in October.

President Ronald Reagan enacted Proclamation 5890 in October of 1988 to recognize that each year, approximately a million pregnancies in the United States alone end in miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of a newborn child. Reagan stated, "A national observance offers us the opportunity to increase our understanding of the great tragedy involved in the deaths of unborn or newborn babies. It also enables us to consider how, as individuals and communities, we can meet the needs of bereaved parents and family members... "

If you are in a place to make even a small contribution to NILMDTS, please know that doing so will continue to allow the organization to provide improved resources, training, communication, and other tools necessary in support of our amazing contingent of professional photographers who provide the gift of free remembrance portraiture to families in need.

Our next project we are working on is an online, interactive webinar version of our Formal NILMDTS Training taught by Co-Founder Sandy Puc' allowing anyone in any country with access to a computer to complete the course online. Donations help make programs like this a reality! Your Donations Support the Organization in Many Ways - * By supporting the continued education of our volunteer photographers * By allowing us to further our outreach to hospitals and hospices across the world * By offsetting the costs associated with outreach efforts including Formal NILMDTS Traingin Seminars * By supporting the Family Forum which creates a productive and supportive haven for healing * By supporting the Photographers' Forum which provides a helpful environment for our member photographers to express their feelings and receive advice on the various issues that they face in this noble work * By supporting the day to day operations of our Headquarters Offices

WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING

Just wanted to let you all know that my website is finally up and running!
Yeah! Check it out and let me know what you think!

http://www.wendydonaldsonphotography.photoreflect.com

We have been out playing!

Ok, so I got my oldest daughter all punked out....she wants to start her own band. We went outdoors and took some pics of my little rocker chick! Let me know what you think. We had fun, she loves hamming it up for the camera.....she does a great angry rock chick look...

Shoot on hold

Well....thanks to the storms out there it is extremely overcast and not at all the kind of weather that you want to have 3 kids out on a lake taking pictures. So ......until now we are holding off on the photo shoot for today. I have been researching and planning so that I can hopefully capture some amazing shots. Stay posted......

Ok, so tomorrow is a big day. I am headed out to my Uncle's lake house to try out the scenery out there. I am hoping that it is a beautiful day. You never know especially with Hanna on one side and Gustav on the other how our weather will turn out. I am going to do pics of my kids, try out some new ideas and see how it turns out. Wish me luck and I will post a few pics here when I get back! For all of you evacuating for Gustav.....my prayers are with you! Be Safe!!

Patience is a virtue!

Ok guys, I am new to this kind of thing. I am computer literate, but also a computer idiot. I am not familiar with designing web pages and all that cool stuff. So I am going to be learning as I do this. However green I may be when it comes to blogging, I am excited none the less. I think it is going to be fun. I will be sharing my photos from various session with you as I go, as well as posting about my experiences. I look forward to hearing from all of you and can't wait to get started.....