Sandy Keys Photography

Book Your Spring Session Now!

Sandy — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:37:19 +0000

** Updated Session Availability ** 2/25/12

Spring is in the air, can you feel it? Truth be told, it’s been in the air for a couple of months now! lol It’s time to book your SKP spring session! Spaces are limited so be sure and book early to ensure you get a slot!

Spring is the perfect time for outdoor photography! Everything is lush and green with new foliage and flowers blooming everywhere. The colors just pop! It’s not too hot and the humidity is usually lower than the dog days of summer. Spring pics are just gorgeous!

Babies and children look fabulous in bright colors tucked into flower beds or just frolicking on a nice lush lawn. Families all squished together in the shade of a beautiful tree – perfect. Getting married this summer? Spring is a great time to get those engagement pics done! You’ll cherish them forever!

Class of 2012 Seniors, it’s not too late! I’ve got two seniors scheduled for April, but have space for more! If you’re a 2012 Senior graduating this June and are wanting unique custom pictures, then I am the photographer for you! Bring a carload of clothes and accessories, bring all the things you love, pick the location and we’ll have a blast creating one of a kind pics that all your friends will be envious of! My only requirement: If you are wanting pics back in time for June graduation, sessions must take place prior to April 15th, to ensure time for editing, selection and ordering. As of this post, there are still plenty of spaces available. Contact me pronto if you’d like one!

Check the dates below and see if there is one that will work for you! Some weekday and evening sessions available as well. Email me at sandykeysphotography@gmail.com or give me a call 828.464.6242. A $100 non-refundable session fee is due within 4 days of booking to hold your date.

MARCH

Saturday, 3rd

Sunday, 4th

Saturday, 10th

Sunday, 11th

Saturday, 17th

Sunday, 18th

Saturday, 24th

~~Sunday, 25th~~ (Booked – Family Session)

Saturday, 31st

APRIL

Sunday 1st

Saturday, 7th

Sunday, 8th

~~Saturday, 14th~~ (Booked – Senior Session)

Sunday, 15th

~~Thursday, 19th~~ (Booked – Senior Session)

~~Friday 20th – 24th~~ (Closed)

Saturday, 28th

Sunday, 29th

MAY

~~Saturday, 5th~~ (Booked – Family Session)

Sunday, 6th

Saturday, 12th

Sunday, 13th

Saturday 19th,

Sunday, 20th

~~Saturday, 26th~~ (Booked – Family Session)

Sunday, 27th

Questions? Shoot me an email at sandykeysphotography@gmail.com or call 828.464.6242. I’d love to talk to you! :)

Calling All Seniors – Class of 2012! There’s Still Time!

Sandy — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:30:21 +0000

Meet the SKP 2012 Seniors!

Meet the SKP 2012 Seniors! I have had such a blast working with them this year. They are an awesome bunch of kids. I’ve got two more scheduled this spring, but have room for more! If you are a Class of 2012 Senior and are wanting senior pics as awesome as these, then check me out at www.sandykeysphotography.com. There’s still time! I look forward to hearing from you soon! ~ Sandy

To watch full screen click on “share” and then click on “visit URL”.

Also booking for the Class of 2013! It’s never to early to schedule your session!

All SKP Sessions come with a FREE timeline cover for your Facebook page!

Email me at sandykeysphotography@gmail.com

or call 828.464.6242

Either way, I can’t wait to hear from you!

The New Wall Guides Are The Best!

Sandy — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:11:03 +0000

So, yesterday I spent a few minutes photographing my neighbor’s granddaughters (see post below). “Mimi” has a project in mind and she needed a nice head shot of each girl. When going down the stairs to her basement there is a huge wall right in front of you that extends up to the ceiling. A huge blank wall. Mimi saw a really cool picture of a wall display on Pinterest (have I told you lately how much I love Pinterest?) and wants to replicate it on this big, blank wall. With my new Wall Guides I am able to give her an idea of what her pics will look like on her wall!! Is that not the coolest thing? Although it’s not exactly what she’ll be creating, it will help her to visualize what her images will look like together. I love that I can do that for my clients! Here’s a look at what her images will look like…

Sisters

Sandy — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:54:10 +0000

I’ve known these little girls since the oldest one was just a toddler. They’ve graced my blog many times over the years. I’ve completely enjoyed watching them grow over the years. Their “Mimi” is my neighbor. Even though they weren’t completely thrilled about having pics taken today, they played along and look what we were able to capture! Just beautiful!

Thanks girls! xoxo

SKP Facebook Timeline Covers

Sandy — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:55:29 +0000

So a couple of weeks ago Facebook switched my personal page over to the icky timeline template. I do not like it at all. It’s so cluttered looking and it’s hard to find anything I’m looking for. And now I hear that they are going to switch the business pages over as well! sigh… If you haven’t gotten switched over yet, all I can tell you is it’s coming. The one thing I do like about the new template is the timeline cover. The large panoramic picture that goes at the top is awesome! So let’s play it up? From now on all SKP clients will be receiving a free timeline cover to show off their new pics! I’ve done quite a few over the last couple days. Here’s a few examples! If you’re a past SKP client and would like a timeline cover give me a hollar! :)

The Magic Of Pinterest

Sandy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:03:57 +0000

For the past few months my friend Libby never misses an opportunity to tell me how wonderful Pinterest is and how I should join. How I would love it. How it would be a great place to “collect” things for my business. I just kept poo-pooing her, telling her I did not have time for Pinterest. That it was a time-sucker. blah, blah, blah…

But everywhere I turn I see photographers using Pinterest or articles talking out how fantastic Pinterest is for your business…. So I decided, what the heck, I would give it a try. I really thought it would not be something I would really use. After all I tried Tweeting once and it just did nothing for me. I was sure this would be no different. Boy was I wrong!

I LOVE PINTEREST!

I am the queen of the post-it note. The hoarder of hundreds of printed papers full of things that inspire me, poses I love, fantastic garden ideas, quotes I love, etc., etc. This paper literally takes over my life at times. But Pinterest is like a giant digital bulletin board! A place to store all those beautiful images, favorite ideas, household ideas, diy activities and recipes! I shouldn’t need another cook book for the rest of my life! lol

Because of Pinterest I’ve learned how indispensable white vinegar and blue Dawn dish soap is. I’ve collected more quotes and sayings then I could ever Google on my own. And I’ve got enough “recipes to try” stored away that we should be eating good for the next couple of years!

It’s the perfect place to store the poses I love, as well as fantastic what to wear ideas. And it’s so easy for clients to just hop over and take a peek. Cool!

I can honestly say that I don’t waste hours a day on it. I generally pop on first thing in the morning and do a quick look through and again in the evening. I don’t spend hours searching for a particular subject. It’s funny how most of the people I follow have the same tastes as I do. So I’m perfectly happy just looking through their stuff. It’s great fun. Thank you for hounding me Libby. I love it!

If you’d like to check out my board, you can find me here: http://pinterest.com/sandykeys/

I’m Still Here! Promise!

Sandy — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:55:59 +0000

Oh my goodness, I have been such a BAD blogger! To all my loyal blog stalkers, I apologize. I promise I have been working hard on tedious, but necessary, things like accounting software, a new price guide, a new newsletter, welcome guide and a BRAND NEW CART!! Good stuff! Learning new software has almost been the death of me, but it’s all working out just splendidly! I’m so looking forward to this year. Being organized is going to make things so much better for you and for me!

Something else I have in the works: WALL DISPLAY GUIDES! A great way to see YOUR pictures on the wall in a variety of styles and configurations. No more fretting about which pictures work well together. We can mix and match BEFORE you purchase! Awesome!

CLASS OF 2012 SENIORS!

If you are interested in a spring session, please let me know soon! Availability is limited and dates are starting to fill up! There’s still time to get your senior pictures made. Sessions must be concluded PRIOR to April 15th in order to guarantee delivery before graduation. Contact me at 828.464.6242 or sandykeysphotography@gmail.com if you’d like to book a session!

Introducing The All New SKP Newsletter!

Sandy — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:10:11 +0000

Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. the all new Sandy Keys Photography Newsletter will be hitting lucky inboxes! I’m so excited! A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into this inaugural issue. I had such a hard time learning the newsletter interface. It was crazy! I’m not usually so dense. Maybe I was just tired…. But after I got a grip on myself and switched to a different service it all started coming together. I have to say that I’m pretty tickled with the end result. :)

Newsletters will be rolling out on the first of each month. Each issue will include general info and upcoming events at SKP, a product spotlight, featured clients and a photo tip. If there’s something in particular you’d like to see in future newsletters just leave me a comment below or send me an email. I love input!!

Here’s a quick peek at tomorrow’s newsletter! If you’d like to get on the list just fill out this quick little form.

I hope ya’ll enjoy it! =)

PC Peekers

Sandy — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:15:34 +0000

I went to the eye doctor this morning with my usual list of complaints, dry gritty eyes, eye strain and a crick in my neck and shoulders from having to crank my chin up in the air to view my computer screen. Cursed progressive lenses. So after my yearly exam and only a slight change, my doctor recommended a couple of options for me. One is “office glasses”. These are separate glasses that are made for wearing while working on the computer. The drawback, you have to change them out with your normal glasses – back and forth, back and forth. But definitely an option.

Then the lovely lady in the optical department suggested PC Peekers. Whaaaaat?? I was skeptical when she pulled out these funny little glasses and told me to pop them inside my glasses. ?? Strangest things ever…. but I did what she said and HOLY COW I could see the paper she was holding at computer height through the TOP of my glasses. I didn’t have to crank my chin up at all! And they only cost $20! I was sold. $20 vs the cost of another whole set of frames and lenses, they were certainly worth a try. I’m wearing them right now! They take a little bit of getting used to, but I just know my neck and shoulders are going to thank me.

If you’re suffering from neck and shoulder hunch from having to view your computer screen through the very bottom of your glasses, I encourage you to give PC Peekers a try. I got mine from Newton Vision Center in Newton, but I think they’re sold in a lot of stores as well as online. Here’s their website: PC Peekers

And here are my awesome little Peeks. They are a little odd looking. My eyes are so irritated and tired right now, I’m going to reserve judgment for a couple of weeks, but I’ll be sure and report back!

I’ve no doubt that Kelly will tease me relentlessly about these.

Joscelyn (6 months)

Sandy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:05:53 +0000

Check out little Miss Joscelyn! Already 6 months old! Last time I saw her she was just an itty bitty newborn. Love her big caramel-colored eyes and cute little lips…

So, shooting indoors has always been just a little bit out of my comfort zone. I have to push myself to practice and get better when I can. I’ve also shied away from high ISOs. Not a big fan of grain. But, what I’m discovering is that I kind of like a little bit of grain. It gives a depth and realness to a photograph. More like old film pictures vs. the smooth digital pictures of today.

Josceyln’s mommy was gracious enough to let me come play, take some pics of her adorable little girl, all the while working on my indoor shooting skills. Josceyln had me cracking up. She would be all smiles, until I ducked behind the camera to snap a pic. She would go from a smile to no smile in a split second. I need to invest in one of those cute little playful critters that go around the camera lens to keep a baby’s attention! All these images were taken inside with a small window light and a big reflector. Most of the ISO ratings were 1250! Go me!!

Check out the many faces of Joscelyn. So cute!