Supporting Missions Trips

My pastor and a friend will be heading down to Brazil next month on a short term mission trip. I'm so excited for them! And want to support them in whatever way that I can. So... I'm offering several different ways for others support them with their portrait orders.

For the rest of this month and ALL of next month a portion of every order will go to support their trip! I'm very excited about this and already have some money to donate!

For those who have had portrait sessions (or even weddings) with me in the past.... There will be absolutely NO processing fee (normally $25 if ordered after 30 days of proofing session) for the month of November and December. This is a great opportunity for you to order gift prints for family and friends. And if you ask me - portraits make the best kinds of gifts. Especially for parents and grandparents!

We also offer custom photo cards. Get your orders in for Christmas cards ASAP! Or thank you cards, baby announcements, etc.... We have a variety of sizes and types of cards available!

(A 4x8 flat photo card with envelopes - minimum order of 25)

(This is a 4.25x5.5 folded card... the bottom half is the front and the top is the back. Minimum order of 10.)

I'm also offering gift certificates, good until December 1, 2009, for portrait sessions and the ENTIRE creation fee will go to support their trips! So... if you or someone you know needs a portrait session within the next year, purchase your gift certificate before December 31st! (These also make great Christmas presents!)

Finally, for those of you who don't live in the area and would like to support their trip... You can order from my predesigned cards..... Again these are 4.25x5.5 folded cards with envelopes. The insides are blank.

Predesigned cards are $2.25 each or 10 for $20 plus shipping. Currently I'm only offering two designs as I've never done this before and would like to see how it goes before offering more designs....

These and other photos I've posted online could also become prints.... If you are interested in any of those, feel free to contact me (fotoimpact@verizon.net) about prices....

I hope to have some stories to share with you all about their trips when they get back!!!!

TESTIMONIALS....

The finished portraits made me feel wonderful. Michelle captured what we wanted and more. When I showed my husband the finished products he got the biggest smile on his face and said, "Oh Wow!"
--Abby Hanson, Walworth, NY

While I love my Sears photos I can not compare the two because the sessions were so different. Sears was posed and with Michelle it was very relaxed. We really liked that we could just do whatever and there wasn't a lot of stiff poses. I loved my photos and Michelle. She is a very kind person and really does her very best to get the pictures that her clients want. She is also very accomadating. I would love to have special moments captured by Michelle again.
--Ajaleah Bobowski, Williamson, NY

I didn't ever realize how pretty I looked! I was hoping to have a decent looking photo of me that I could put in th eyearbook, and I didn't want it to be embarrassing years later because for some people that's the only way they'll remember me. I was more than pleasantly surprised when the majority of the pictrures came out looking beautiful. And I definitely will have a great picture in the yearbook.
--Shannon Gillen, Webster, NY

When I saw my finished portraits for the first time I felt like I wanted to cry -- they were so beautiful! We have used Sears, JCPenney, and Walmart for portraits in the past. Although the cost is higher with White Rose, the service is far better and the quality is on a whole different plain - WAY better!
Marlene King, Marion, NY

Tagged by Martha....

I was tagged by Martha.The rules…

Find the 6th folder in your pictures directory and post the 6th photo in it.

So here are the instructions:* Go to your sixth picture folder then pick your sixth picture.*

Pray that you remember the details.*

Post it on your blog.*

Tag 5 others, leave a comment to let them know they’ve been tagged.

So.... I wasn't quite sure what to do because I have a picture folder on 3 different hard drives. I opted to go with the drive on my laptop.... Not at all knowing what to expect. And this was the 6th picture in the 6th folder.....

Bet you weren't expecting a picture of your beautiful Grandson were you Martha?!

I'm not sure how old Josh was when we took this picture (Bethany?). We had waited and waited hoping his cord would fall off... We finally gave in and did the photos and it was a simple solution of making sure he was on his belly for the picture!

I love this photo... It was taken at Bethany and Adam's house on their bed. The bedspread was PERFECT with all the lines leading right to little Josh's adorable face. Of course with a face like that - well it's not hard to take a nice picture. Even if he really wasn't happy being on his belly. And probably wanted some clothes on!

I had this photo blown up to a 24x36 (I think) on canvas that I use for a display piece.... That's how much I like this portrait of Josh.

We did a couple more photos after this with Bethany in the picture... and that was when Josh decided it was time to go! hahahaha!!!

So... not sure who I can tag.... I'm not all that active on this blog anymore. Anyone want to volunteer? Just leave me a message! ;)

I'm trying to pop in here every once in a while....

First a quick update...

Some of you know from reading my Facebook that I have been going out on the streets on Monday nights to minister to anyone who will let us. It has been a GREAT experience for me. I'm getting bolder about talking to complete strangers and asking them if we can pray with them for anything. And most people are totally cool with that! And I'm also learning that it's really not a big deal when I am rejected. Most, however, seem to appreciate that we want to pray with them and listen to them. And we've seen God heal people on the spot! One woman was totally set free from neck pain and another from pain she had in her feet. It was really cool!

I'm still behind on my work - mostly now because of computer troubles. *sigh* I hate it when I get behind and can't even try to get caught up! It seems to be one particular set of files that is giving me trouble. Brett has been working hard to get a solution... What would I do without my own personal computer wiz?!

My mom, Jessi and I are planning a trip to Florida in early December. We are working on a photo project. I'm really looking forward to that! I will have TONS of pictures to share I'm sure. :)

Here's a few recent (and some not so recent) pictures....

These are from a wedding way back in September.

She had an absolutely GORGEOUS veil!!!! Kind of had an antique look to it....

This is my newest model - so you will be seeing more pictures of her for sure! She's an absolute doll!!

I finally finished up Meg's senior session. We've been trying to set up her studio session for quite some time now and she finally came in on Tuesday. :)

Heather has been after me to get some new pictures of her! She saw some of a senior I did this summer and wanted some similar ones. We finally did a few last night...

More Doggie Torture...

He's supposed to be a cave dog... but he wouldn't sit up and so it doesn't do the costume justice... but it's still hysterical! He kinda looks like a punker! BTW, we bought him a big old bone to go with the costume - but he got too excited and wouldn't pose for pictures when we brought that out. I had to call Heather down to take it away or he might have bitten my hand off!

This one just cracks me up! He looks so.... Proud to be an American!

We tried and tried to get Teena to sit up... but she kept sliding down. Oh well, we take what we can get sometimes!

The dogs do well in costumes IF they aren't forced to wear hats or wigs! That's when it gets difficult!! Teena's hat kept slipping down over her eyes and she couldn't tell where she was going. It was sooo funny! Although I don't think she agrees. hahaha!! But when the hat was off - she was totally cool playing Mrs. Clause!

Trick-or-Treat!

My kids don't do Halloween... but our dogs do! hahaha!!!

Sgt. Romeo

Doggie Diva

Sleeping Babies

I had a newborn session tonight. She mostly wanted to EAT... so we didn't get much in the way of variety. I'm going back tomorrow morning and hopefully get a photo of her with her big sister! But she's the sweetest little baby girl!!

Mike's Amazing Cakes

Check 'em out here!

Yes, Martha, I'm Awake Now!

Sorry it's such a long time between posts. I have just been sooo busy with life. I haven't learned how to balance it all just yet. hahaha!! So, a quick update...

Hmmm... where to begin....

I turned 40 back in September. I've been gearing up for a mid-life crisis. Trying to plan out some big, fun, crazy thing to *celebrate*... I'm afraid I didn't follow through cuz either it was too expensive (like getting a Mustang, or travelling the world!) or something I just didn't want (like a tattoo or a bellybutton piercing). Instead I went to the Olive Garden with some friends and my hubby. That was about it!

I've been attending some revival services that are being held in the area. They have been incredible as far as getting my focus back on the things that are truly important. And I feel like I'm finally being changed... my attitude, my outlook, etc... Something I have been wanting for years and yet... well, it just seemed like I constantly was battling the same things without any victory. My husband even said he sees changes in me. :)

I still haven't caught up with all of my work. Partly cuz of the revival services which have taken up so much of my time and partly cuz of regular life which seems to get in the way! I'm sooo thankful to have such wonderful and patient clients! :) But I am making progress... I've almost completed the wedding album for the August wedding. Then I have a few sessions that need a bit of editing, then another wedding (but I got smarter and will do things differently and speed the whole process up!).... Plus I *think* things will start to slow down. Senior pictures need to be turned in so no more senior pictures until next year probably! I've decided not to do weddings anymore. Though I love doing them... I have major stress about them! And also they are a ton of work and I then fall behind on my other sessions...

Hubby is all better. He had another scope which revealed that the ulcer was completely healed.

Oh, last night I went downtown with a couple of young people to minister on the streets. That was an adventure! They've been going out every Monday evening and have been trying to get me to go with them. I finally went in spite of all the work I felt like I was supposed to be doing! Let me tell you, it's a whole different life out there!! Many were drunk or high. Lots of homeless... So many teens just bored and looking for excitement. It was sad! One of the guys that I went with bought a bunch of candy bars from Walmart and when someone was hungry he'd give them several. Then we would pray with them and give them an encouraging word... I plan on going again next Monday.

I have a few more sessions lined up... But here's a few photos from previous sessions that I haven't posted yet...

I took Meg out yesterday - a BEAUTIFUL fall day for pictures!!! The first two pictures were taken at a nearby cemetery which is quickly becoming a favorite spot for me!

This is what I call my *tween* look. It's a photo that I converted to sepia (brown tones) and then added back a hint of color. For this photo I also brought back more color to her eyes.

These last two pictures were taken right in her backyard. They have a lovely backyard - perfect for photos!

A family session...

This is Krissy. She's hoping to break into modelling. We had a mini session and will be doing a regular session later....

I thought it was fun doing a photo of her in her winter coat with the beautiful summer flowers behind her. It actually was quite toasty out this day! Krissy did a great job pretending she was freezing! hahaha!!

The next pictures were my first attempt at a full fledged maternity session... It was a lot of fun and a great learning experience for me. I actually treated it more like an engagement session only was sure to include the belly! :) I wanted to capture the love between the couple as well as the excitement of becoming parents for the first time.

Another senior... This is Zoe! She actually was one of my Senior representatives. And she has been particularly patient with me! (THANK YOU ZOE!!!!)

Another at the cemetery. I just LOVE that door!!!!

That's all for now! I hope I didn't bore everyone!!!!

Living From a Place of Dreaming

Living From a Place of Dreaming

This is why I love Graham Cooke! (Excerpt taken from Living from a Place of Dreaming audio recording)


**********************

What if the Gospel is so good, it’s too good to be true?
What if it’s so good it borders on fantasy?
What if the gospel is so astonishing and amazing you have to go to a place of beyond thinking into dreaming in order to articulate what it’s really, really like to be a Christian?

I sat on a plane going from one place to another place…. And I sat next to a guy and I’m reading my Bible and he said, “What’s that your reading?”

I said, “Oh, it’s a cook book.”

He said, “No it’s not! It’s a Bible.”

I said, “Dude, there’s no getting anything past you, ‘eh?”

And then he starts disparaging me because I’m reading a Bible. He said, “You’re one of those Christians?” And he’s really contemptuous.

So I turned around to him and I said, “You’re not a Christian???? What the hell is wrong with you? You’re not a Christian?! How can you live?!!! Do you have something defective in your brain? You’re actually sitting here telling me your not a Christian??? Oh my God! I’ve never met anyone like you!”

And he’s like really shocked. And I’m thinking, “Yeah right. Have a taste of your own stuff pal.”

“How can you live with yourself? Your not a Christian? Oh my God!!! You poor guy, would you like to be one? Can I tell you why I’m a Christian?... He is the most amazing, brilliant person I know. He’s the kindest person I know. He’s astonishing, He’s outrageous, he’s funny, he’s delightful, He is so huge in terms of his heart for me I tell you I can hardly stand to live through each day. The row of seats in front suddenly all tilt back. And you can see an ear sticking in between the seats and you look behind you and the guy behind you has got his nose in the crack and he’s listening. I said, “Let me tell you about Jesus. Oh my gosh.” And I start to tell him what my story is. How God is with me. How much God is for me. How much God loves me. How in all of His thoughts he has great thoughts about me….


*****************************

Why are we not ASTONISHED when someone isn't a believer?! Could it be that we are not living in wonder and awe of who God is????

Nan and Friends

Shhh! I'm not putting these up on thepurplevan.org site until the slideshow goes up. I should really wait to put them up here... but I know everyone is anxious to see the fantastic job Nan and Chrissy and Leah did! (Thanks Nan for letting me know your fantastic helper's names!)

I just love the Z's they had all over the room. (The first letter of the Kim's new last name.)

She also had some of Kim and Jason's engagement pictures out as you can see on the wall and behind the shoes.

Lights, candles, flowers and flower petals, etc... beautifully adorned the entire room!

Because the hard work and thought that these ladies put into decorating the dressing room, detail shots like these were a SNAP! Beka and I hardly had to think. The light/candles added soooo much to the photos.

What a gorgeous background to go with such a gorgeous bride!

That's Kim's parents in the background.

And just one more for fun!

Now, you will just have to wait for the slide show for the rest! hahaha!!!!

So again, thank you Nan and Chrissy and Leah! You made my job much easier!!!

***Edit*** Okay, I couldn't resist... I put the pictures (along with a couple extras) on my facebook.

Looking for Good

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.

But the optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.

--Winston Churchill

He who diligently seeks good seeks favor...

Proverbs 11:27

Finally, brethren,

whatever is true,

whatever is honorable,

whatever is right,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is of good repute,

if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise,

dwell on these things.

Philippians 4:8

But examine everything carefully;

hold fast to that which is good;

1 Thessalonians 5:21

Lord,

I again ask for forgiveness for looking for

and dwelling on the negative

in situations and in people

rather than all the GOOD

that you have blessed me with

and the good that you have placed in others.

I thank you for your goodness to me!

I thank you for friends who love me and accept me - shortcomings and all!

I thank you for the people you have placed in my life who challenge me to new levels in you.

I thank you for my family.

And I even thank you for the struggles.

For I know that you have taught me many valuable lessons

as I have walked through them.

And I thank you for your perfect love!

A love so deep and true I cannot comprehend it!

You are GOOD!

And I declare my commitment to looking for the GOOD.

CONGRATS!

Today Kim and Jason were married. They are a very sweet couple!! When I first met Kim and asked her how she saw her wedding she said, "Simple Elegance" and that is exactly how her wedding was! Here's a few pictures from their special day....



(Just a little aside... Kim went to school here and so she grew up playing on this playground! There's more playground pix coming.)

(They are getting ready to build.... so we took advantage of the equipment for some fun shots!)

All the girls had different shoes. So of course, I had to do a shoe shot!

More pictures coming soon!

The thing that always amazes me about each and every wedding is how helpful EVERYONE is - and this wedding was no exception. People went out of their way to help me. And when it's all over I honestly feel like I have made lots of friends in the process and it can be hard to say goodbye.

But today's wedding... I got to see an 'old' friend that I met at Ashleigh and Kevin's wedding back in January... HI NAN!!!!! :)

Nan was in charge of the girls dressing room. I knew it was in good hands... but I was still completely blown away with how BEAUTIFUL their dressing room was. WOW!!!!! Sorry, no pix today... but there will be some in the slide show!! A special thank you to Nan for a job well done! (And I really do want to meet up sometime! Even if I am busy - I will make the time! :)