It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Can you believe Christmas is just a few short months away! Do you know what that means? It means it's photography season for me! I'm changing things up a bit this year so here's the deal. Looking back at 2011, I learned a lot about my photography business. Sometimes learning comes through trial and error and I took a lot of notes at the end of 2011 about what not to do during this years busy season. So here are the changes for 2012:

1. I will only be doing photos on 12 different dates. I'm calling this KandidsbyKorri's 12 days of Christmas! The dates are as follows:

Sunday September 30th 

Saturday/Sunday October 13th & 14th 

Saturday/Sunday October 27th & 28th 

Saturday/Sunday November 3rd & 4th 

Saturday/Sunday November 10th & 11th 

Saturday/Sunday December 1st & 2nd  

Sunday December 9th 
***Please email me at mkjca95@cox.net for availability.***
(Lesson learned last year- I was too busy and missed out on enjoying some of the pre-holiday season with my family.) 

2. I will only be offering 45 minute sessions between the hours of 8 a.m and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m and 6 p.m. on the above dates. So when you schedule with me on the above dates, you have 4 starting times to choose from, 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. The 5 p.m. sessions have to start on time because the light starts to fade by 6 p.m.

(Lesson learned last year- I don't need a full hour to do family photos and lighting times are crucial to get good pictures.)

3. I will only be taking photos at specific locations. Locations are as follows:

Mesa Center for the Arts
Scottsdale Arts Center
The Grove (only specific dates for this location, date tbd by interest at this particular location)
Tempe Town Lake Park
*to see these locations simply click on the location on the sidebar of this blog and it will bring you to the photo shoots I've done at that particular location. Labels are listed as Mesa CFA, Scottsdale CFA, The Groves, and Tempe Beach Park.

 (Lesson learned last year: 1. don't ever take pictures at locations I've never been to, there is a learning curve involved with new locations and I don't have time to figure it out during our photo shoot. 2. It's not worth it for me to drive 30 to 45 minutes to meet you at your favorite location with gas prices and my limited time.  3. Some locations are just not that pretty so I chose my favorite ones that are guaranteed to look great! thank you for understanding!)

4. If you need to reschedule after you have already booked, I will be charging a $5 re-booking fee due at the time of your photo shoot in addition to the price of the photo shoot.

(Lesson learned: I had many people who had to re-schedule last year and it made it difficult on my schedule.) *this does not apply to weather related re-scheduling or medical emergencies. 

5. My prices are still very reasonable, I will be charging $60 for all returning customers who have had pictures taken by me before and $65 for all new customers. This will include a 45 minute photo session and you will receive a disc with all of your edited pictures in both color and black and white. CD's are usually ready for pick up or mailing within 3 to 5 days after your photo shoot.

So there you have it, let the KandidsbyKorri's 12 days of Christmas begin! I can't wait to see you and bless you with some great family photos! I'm booking now on a first come first serve basis.

Shutterfly

I have ordered from Shutterfly in the past and have always been very pleased with the results. Every year for the past several years I have used them to print our family Christmas cards. This year I read about a great incentive where I write about Shutterfly on my blog and in return I get 50 FREE Christmas cards! That's right, 50 FREE, that's FREE people. And you can do it too if you have a blog and want to write about them in a blog post.
In all honesty I wasn't planning on purchasing Christmas cards this year for my family but after hearing about this, I think I have changed my mind. I know many of the families I have photographed this month might be interested in this as well. After browsing Shutterfly's website I will use this card design for my free cards. I love how it says, "And I think to myself, what a WONDERFUL world!" And of course ours will have a "R" on it and the subjects will not be these subjects but myself, my dear husband and our three darlings.

Take a look here to check out Shutterfly's many different designs. You won't be disappointed!

Thank you Shutterfly for this Freebie!

Christmas photos anyone?

Are you interested in having family portraits done before Christmas? Maybe you want to hand them out as gifts or use a family favorite for a Christmas card? Watever tickles your fancy, I would love to be your families photographer this Holiday season! I have a special going on you won't want to pass up so get ready to book your photo session with KandidsbyKorri.
I am doing 30 minute sessions for $35. This will include a DVD with all of your edited pictures in Color and Black and White. I will be doing sessions at Mesa Center for the Arts/(Mesa Center for the Arts ), Freestone Park (Freestone Park), the privacy of your own home(if you live in the East Valley), or Tonto National Preserve. To view pictures I have done at these locations please click on the location and it will bring you to the photos I have taken there. My time is limited so please let me know if you are interested so I can get you scheduled. I hope to hear from you!
To contact me you can email me at mkjca95@cox.net or leave a comment on here and I will be in touch!

KbK monogram

I finally did something tonight I have been wanting to do since I launched KandidsbyKorri! I have been wanting to stamp my digital pictures with a monogram and I finally figured out how to do it. I am so thrilled, and I figured it out all by myself with some help from a tutorial online. So I have given myself a pat on my back and now I can have my KbK stamp on each photo with the directions "do not copy". I am still playing with it so I will figure out exactly how I want it, the only drawback is I have to do it with each picture and that will add a little extra time when I blog the photos. But it really only takes less than a minute to do so that's not bad. I just have to figure out how big I want the KbK. Here is a little look!

slowing down but ready for more

November and December were certainly my busiest months so far with several photo shoots. Since I won't be doing much photography during the hot months, I am hoping to get some bookings between now and May. I plan to take off June through September and start up again in October. I have many ideas on some spring photo shoots and can't wait to have some takers. I found this great place in Gilbert that offers so many gorgeous views. It is called Gilbert Risparian Reserve. It would be a perfect spot for a family who loves the outdoors, doesn't mind doing a little walking, and enjoys plants and birds native to Arizona. I would also like to do a photo shoot at the Phoenix Zoo. This would be perfect for a family who had an annual pass and enjoys nature! I have so many ideas on where to take pictures there and can't wait to give it a try. For a more contemporary family I think Tempe Marketplace would offer some fun backdrops and bring a unique feel to pictures. And there is always several parks to choose from, the Mesa Center for the Arts, and your own backyard. So if you are looking to start the year out right with some new family photos, please give me a call. I look forward to taking your picture!
My hours are as follows:
Any weeknight between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. (depending on when it gets dark, I prefer shooting the hour before sunset when lighting is at it's best.)
Saturday mornings between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. or Saturday evenings between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday evenings between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
My photo sessions are generally an hour long.
You can view my prices in the sidebar.

Drumroll please!

The winner of the KandidsbyKorri! free photo shoot is...........
Brooke Pickeral who left this comment:
"I am Megan Fischbeck's sister and would love nothing more than a FREE family photo session!! Brooke Pickeral, pickeral@q.com"
I have sent Brooke an email and can't wait to get something set up. I did videotape the drawing and I will see if I can download it onto here. Congrats Brooke! I can't wait to meet you and your family.

Free photo session

I have had this idea in my head for some time and would love to give back because I have certainly been blessed so far in the launching of KandidsbyKorri! I have not been lacking for clients and have been fortunate to have such dear friends who have spread the word about my photograpy. My family has certainly been blessed this year with gaining some financial peace (thanks to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University) and seeing firsthand God provide for our every need. It is because of this that I have the desire to give back and give the gift of a free photography session before the Holidays. The way this is going to work is that I need you to leave a comment on here. This coming Wednesday night December 2nd, I will print each comment, place them in a hat and draw the lucky winner. I ask for nothing in return, just let me bless your family with having some family pictures before the holidays. Please spread the word and tell your friends about my little give away! If you win, this is what you will get:
45 minute session
Location TBD
Free disc with edited pictures in color and B & W
Individual and family portraits included

So leave your comment right now!

pictures coming soon!

I have several photo shoots lined up so I will be posting pictures soon. Tonight I will be doing homecoming pictures, in a few weeks senior pictures, and then family pictures for Christmas cards. I plan to update this blog as I get them edited. I love my job!