Mandy & Sean

New Location, New Direction

I was absolutely sure that 2009 was going to be a defining year for me. And it was, just not in the way I had expected. The last year and a half has brought a lot of changes to our business and family.

One change I was not expecting was to have such a staggering amount of our portrait sessions take place at locations other than the studio. And I have learned that I love it, which was such a huge surprise to me.

Also, we welcomed our fourth child in December of 2009. At a time when we already had a 2, 3, and 9 year old, Leo's arrival took more planning and organizing then we thought, and was actually easier than we imagined. Having four children is more work than three children, but we are learning to adapt to the constant level of chaos and wouldn't change it for the world.

As 2010 moves forward, we have come to realize we need to allow our business to evolve to move forward with the changes within our lives. While we completely adore the beautiful old building that currently houses Appleby Photography, we have decided that it is time to relocate the studio back into our home (and perhaps a bigger one), as it was 6 years ago. This will allow us to more easily work with our clients on location and in their homes, while allowing us to spend our production time with our family.

And knowing that the only constant is change, we are looking to the future with new ideas and directions for Appleby Photography, as we feel we have more changes ahead. We hope you will stay tuned!

New Location, New Direction

I was absolutely sure that 2009 was going to be a defining year for me. And it was, just not in the way I had expected. The last year and a half has brought a lot of changes to our business and family.

One change I was not expecting was to have such a staggering amount of our portrait sessions take place at locations other than the studio. And I have learned that I love it, which was such a huge surprise to me.

Also, we welcomed our fourth child in December of 2009. At a time when we already had a 2, 3, and 9 year old, Leo's arrival took more planning and organizing then we thought, and was actually easier than we imagined. Having four children is more work than three children, but we are learning to adapt to the constant level of chaos and wouldn't change it for the world.

As 2010 moves forward, we have come to realize we need to allow our business to evolve to move forward with the changes within our lives. While we completely adore the beautiful old building that currently houses Appleby Photography, we have decided that it is time to relocate the studio back into our home (and perhaps a bigger one), as it was 6 years ago. This will allow us to more easily work with our clients on location and in their homes, while allowing us to spend our production time with our family.

And knowing that the only constant is change, we are looking to the future with new ideas and directions for Appleby Photography, as we feel we have more changes ahead. We hope you will stay tuned!

New "Mom" Tattoos

What mother wouldn't love to have "Mom" tattooed on her son's arm?

We always knew he loved mom best!

Farm Animals at the Zoo

Madison is very different than the dairy farm I lived on as a small girl. So, I have often wished for farm animals at the Henry Villas Zoo, thinking my children would love to see "regular" animals. I am so excited that will be a reality next summer! The Children's Zoo section will have a new barn, and once complete, will be home to goats, sheep, pigs, alpaca, and other animals. The barn will also have a replica silo, windmill, and tractor for kids to climb on. My kids will love it!

American Girl Images On-line

Thank you for allowing Appleby Photography to photograph your daughter for the Madison Children's Museum's special event, the American Girl Fashion Show! We had so much fun and thought all the girls were very cute!

Proceeds from the sales will help the Madison Children's Museum with their fundraising. Photographs and exclusive special options are available for purchase. We are offering individual photographs and photograph packages, cute little keychains and magnets and several styles of greeting card sets. Exclusive for this event, we have a Couture line of 8x10 and 11x14 photograph and "Print Wraps."

If you have any questions about options or ordering, please let us know.

Thank you for the opportunity to photograph your daughter!

Sincerely,

Becky & Chris

Madison Children's Museum- American Girl

The Madison Children's Museum is hosting an AMERICAN GIRL Fashion Show this weekend, July 16, 17 and 18th. Click here for more information!

We are delighted to help with this wonderful fundraiser. We will be taking photographs before each of the shows, and all proceeds go to the museum! Also, our oldest daughter is thrilled to be a model in the show! :)

In addition to the Fashion show, their annual benefit sale is going on this weekend, and tickets are still available for Sunday. Click here for more information! The sale is great for discounted American Girl items, and the proceeds go to the museum. I have certainly started my Christmas shopping with this sale. :)

Wedding Traditions

Real Simple has a fun article about getting creative with wedding traditions:

Something Old

• A locket containing a picture of your great-grandparents
• A family Rosary for the ceremony
• Antique combs, pins, or barrettes
• A baby bracelet from a family member used around the base of your bouquet
  

Something New

• A key to your new home, if you're moving in together for the first time, hidden in your bouquet wrap
• A lucky penny minted in the year of your wedding
• Everything else!
  

Something Borrowed

• A flower from a loved one's garden, "borrowed" for your bouquet
• Dad's handkerchief, tucked under your bodice
• A fur stole, for a winter wedding
• Any jewelry you've been eyeing on a friend or a family member
  

Something Blue

• The sash on your dress
• A bouquet of blue blooms
• A blue garter or undergarment
• Sapphire jewelry
• A blue pen, for signing the marriage certificate

Gina and Charlie

I loved their reading:

Faults

They came to tell your faults to me,
They named them over one by one;
I laughed aloud when they were done,
I knew them all so well before, --
Oh, they were blind, too blind to see
Your faults had made me love you more.

By Sara Teasdale

Perky Polka Dot Sunscreen Favor

Sunblock is the perfect favor for your outdoor wedding! It's one of those "most needed, often forgotten" things. Now, no burning regrets later!

Perky Polka Dot Sunscreen Favor

Summer Bridal Show

Happy June! This is such a great month- school is done, the weather is warm, weddings are plentiful!

If you are planning a wedding, the Wedding Planner & Guide has a fabulous bridal show this Wednesday, June 9th. They will have a fashion show, prizes and hors d'oeuvres. It's at the Marriott Madison West from 4pm to 9pm. Click here for more info.

Sign up for your chance to win a wonderful wedding- we are including an engagement session in the prize package!

Please come stop by our booth, we are near the door- we would love to say "hi"!

A Verse By Any Other Name....

Saturday's ceremony readings were delightfully fresh to my ears and brought tears to my eyes.

I love when couples take the wedding day and personalize it to make it their own unique event. And the ceremony is a beautiful place to do just that. It is wonderful to get a glimpse into their love by seeing how they express it in front of their family and friends. Bible verses are lovely and traditional, but passages from favorite poems, plays or stories show you the personality of the couple. Peek here for some inspiration. I had never thought about using "The Velveteen Rabbit," by Margery Williams, though I adored the story as a child!

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

I am looking forward to next week's wedding- their reading is coming from a favorite children's book- I can't wait to find out what it is!

Huggies Jeans

Have you seen the new Huggies Jeans Diapers?

We are told these new trendy diapers are perfect for summer. Since we use cloth, we probably will not get the chance to try them out. Will you? :)

"Not So Plain" Jane Fundraiser Event

Janis Makwinja, The Pampered Chef consultant, is hosting a special fundraiser event at our studio, in honor of her sister, Jane, who died of breast cancer in 2003.

The month of May is Help Whip Cancer month with The Pampered Chef, as they join forces with the American Cancer Society to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection programs.

Come to the 1st Annual
"Not So Plain" Jane Fundraiser Event

Wednesday, May 26th at 6pm
Door Prizes! Cooking Class!
$25 Gift Card to Appleby Photography for every attendee

Socialize with your friends, enjoy light refreshments and food,
and Help Whip Cancer!
Feel free to come to the class or just stop in
between 6-8pm if you only need to place an order!
Up to 25% of total sales will be going to the American Cancer Society, as well as $1 for every Exclusive Pink Product purchased.

The Pampered Chef also has a Wedding Registry!
Janis can show you how easy it is to get all the necessities you need!

This event is being hosted at
Appleby Photography Studio
402 E. Wilson Street, Madison
Free parking available in the Wilson Lot, located at E. Wilson & S. Hancock

Please RSVP by May 24 to Janis at 608.824.9995 or janismakwinja@gmail.com
(Orders can be placed until May 28th, www.pamperedchef.biz/janisjane)

"Not So Plain" Jane Fundraiser Event

Janis Makwinja, The Pampered Chef consultant, is hosting a special fundraiser event at our studio, in honor of her sister, Jane, who died of breast cancer in 2003.

The month of May is Help Whip Cancer month with The Pampered Chef, as they join forces with the American Cancer Society to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and early detection programs.

Come to the 1st Annual
"Not So Plain" Jane Fundraiser Event

Wednesday, May 26th at 6pm
Door Prizes! Cooking Class!
$25 Gift Card to Appleby Photography for every attendee

Socialize with your friends, enjoy light refreshments and food,
and Help Whip Cancer!
Feel free to come to the class or just stop in
between 6-8pm if you only need to place an order!
Up to 25% of total sales will be going to the American Cancer Society, as well as $1 for every Exclusive Pink Product purchased.

This event is being hosted at
Appleby Photography Studio
402 E. Wilson Street, Madison
Free parking available in the Wilson Lot, located at E. Wilson & S. Hancock

Please RSVP by May 24 to Janis at 608.824.9995 or janismakwinja@gmail.com
(Orders can be placed until May 28th, www.pamperedchef.biz/janisjane)

Wedding Day Tips, part 3

7. Wear comfortable shoes! Make sure you wear your wedding day shoes around the house to break them in, and don't forget to put scuff the bottom of your shoes so that you don't slip and fall down the aisle. Some brides opt to bring a second pair of shoes (or slippers, flip flops, etc) to the reception so that they can change their shoes after the grand entrance into the reception, which I think is a great idea!

8. Have someone carry your garter for you. Most of the garters that we've seen are really tight and totally uncomfortable. Put it on your leg for a photo during the getting ready process and then give it to a trusted friend (or put it in your purse/touch-up kit) to carry with you throughout the day, and then put it on right before the garter toss at the reception. That way you aren't uncomfortable all day long.

9. Hire a full-time professional photographer. Everyone is looking for ways to save money on their wedding nowadays, especially in our current economic climate, but fabulous photography is absolutely priceless. A professional photographer will guide you through the entire wedding process with ease, know what to expect on the wedding day, have back-up equipment on them, be able to handle all kinds of lighting situations, and know how to pose you to make you look your absolute best. Did you know that by turning your body at an angle and shifting your weight to your back foot while pointing your other foot forward, you can instantly lose 10-20 pounds through the camera? Yep, it's true. A seasoned pro should be able to tell you these kinds of tricks and secrets so that you look AMAZING in your photos.

10. Smile and have a good time! Laugh and let loose in front of the camera; just be yourself and show off that wonderful love that you have for each other. The happiness and affection will show through in the photos that you'll treasure for a lifetime!

A Little Help From Our Friends

We are working hard on some improvements to our studio and we would love your help!

We are interested in your feedback, whether you have used our services yet or not. As we work to improve our services and website, we would like to know your thoughts and suggestions. Your answers will help us to work better as we focus on you! Please take this survey- the answers are anonymous and it will take less than 5 minutes to complete. The more details you are able to provide, the better. We would really appreciate any thoughts that you can share with us, and we look forward to your respoonses! Thank you for your help!!

Take the survey here!

Wedding Day Tips, part 2

4. Avoid salty foods at your rehearsal dinner. The night before your wedding is not the time to begin to feel like you're retaining water! We all know how awful that feels so just remember to keep your salt intake low the night before the wedding so that your dress fits perfectly the next morning.

5. Remember to eat breakfast and stay hydrated! So many brides forget to eat the morning of their wedding or they don't stay hydrated throughout the day. Most people get pretty cranky when their blood sugar is low or they begin to feel dehydrated so don't forget to take care of yourself.

6. Bring a touch up kit with you on the wedding day. We always suggest that our clients include powder, lipstick, lip gloss, a comb and a mini can of hairspray in their touch-up kit or purse. Have your maid of honor be in charge of keeping it nearby in case you need a quick touch-up after the ceremony.

New Wedding Home!

As we prepare for our new website launch, we are splitting the blogs. This will make it easier for both wedding and portrait clients to find the information they need. Our new wedding home is located here. We look forward to seeing you there!

Wedding Day Tips, part 1

1. Do a trial run with your hair stylist & make-up artist before the wedding. Look through the make-up artist's portfolio and really look at each image. Does the client's skin look flawless? Are they shiny in photos? Is the make-up blended well? Do the brides in their portfolios look the way you want to look? If so, then you've probably found a great make-up artist for your wedding day make-up. Have them do your make-up before the wedding though so that you can see if you enjoy working with them and so that there are no unpleasant surprises. Some make-up artists include a trial run in their wedding day fee, others charge extra, but I think it's an extra expense that is well worth it. (This goes for your wedding day hairstylist too) Peace of mind is everything when it comes to your wedding day!

2. Some may suggest airbrush make-up. Brides are seeking airbrush application because not only is it light weight make-up that makes the skin appear flawless, but it lasts much longer than traditional make-up and it helps avoid the forehead shine in your photos. I would suggest a trial run, as a poor application can look caked-on! Also, the thicker layer of make-up can show smudges from too many wedding day hugs, so give it a thorough test.

3. Avoid red lipstick on the wedding day. Unless you are doing a very specific, themed look for your wedding (old Hollywood glam, for example), especially if you like the look of black and white photos. Not many people think about this, but the red pigments in the red lipstick will actually turn your lips black in black and white photography. Just another tip from a seasoned pro. ;)