We want to wish all of our fans, customers, friends, family and neighbors a Wonderful and Joyous Christmas! Thank you so much for your loyalty and support in 2009. You have made this a Beautiful year! We have some wonderful changes in store for 2010 that we know will delight each and every one of you. In the mean time, may God bless each of you. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Dawn

Updates, holiday schedule, and Thank you!

1stLite Fine Art Portraits is about to be back up and running for the holiday season. We have moved closer to Yazoo City and, considering this change, I am only offering on-location sessions at this time. Nothing says family more than having your portraits made at home! Discounts are available for some locations! (Call for details.)

The cut off date for new sessions if you would like delivery before Christmas is November 30th - Final order cut off for all sessions and orders old and new is December 5th. These dates are subject to change based on my work load - time is running short! Call to book asap! Your portraits from 1stLite always make a welcomed and cherished gift!

And as always, 1stLite offers the finest selection of holiday cards, each custom designed for you and your family!

I hope you are all having a beautiful fall day. On a personal note, thanks so much to all of my loyal customers and fans, family and friends... I am blessed to have each and every one of you in my life!

Have a Beautiful Day, and remember...
Nothing captures beauty like 1stLite!

Dawn
662-716-7220
dawn@1stlite.com
www.1stlite.com

Family Mini-Sitting Special - September 2009

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!

Family Mini-Sitting Special!
- the Details!

Sitting may be booked for any time or day that is normally available for the month of September. Your sitting fee MUST be paid at the time of booking in order to hold your appointment.

Family Portrait Mini-Sittings, $50 – Up to a one hour sitting, my location (indoor or out). One family per sitting fee, up to 5 people. $10 each additional person. Sitting fee includes:

* One free set of 8 wallets (same image)

* Two 4x6 prints (same image as wallets)

* Option to make individual portraits if your sitting time allows! - This means portraits of your whole family will be made first, and if time allows we will also make individual photos of children, mom & dad, or just the kids together, etc.

* With any additional order over $150, you will receive a set of up to 10 fully retouched images from your proof gallery in 4x6 size on DVD with a personal print release – meaning you will have permission to print or have printed any number of 4x6 or smaller prints for yourself, family, friends, or scrap-booking!

* PLUS - Your family mini-sitting DOES qualify you to become a regular customer of 1stLite Fine Art Portraits, with benefits such as reduced sitting fees for regular sessions, personal web gallery with images from every sitting with 1stLite now and in the future, special offers at various times throughout the year, and more!


PHOTO PACKAGES!!

I am making photo packages available for the FIRST TIME in our new location! Packages are a great way to get all of the prints you want to display or send as gifts, and at substantial savings off my regular individual print prices! These packages are ONLY available with this special, and all PACKAGE orders must be made before September 30th!

And as always, every print you order from 1stLite includes basic retouching at NO additional charge!

You may order as many packages from your sitting as you like, and you may also order from my individual print price list. Package/print orders must be paid for at time of ordering. Each package includes prints from ONE image, unless otherwise specified. Packages are set as follows with no substitutions allowed:


Diamond Package $150 (Save over $120! - This is like getting the 16x20 FREE, and qualifies you to receive your DVD of images with print release as described above!)

*One 16x20 Fine Art Wall Portrait (You may choose a second image for this print in this package)
*One 11x14 Fine Art Wall Portrait
*Four 8x10 Gift Prints
*Six 5x7 Gift Prints
*24 Die-Cut Wallets


Platinum Package $100 (Save over $60!)

*One 11x14 Fine Art Wall Portrait
*Two 8x10 Gift Prints
*Four 5x7 gift Prints
*16 Die-Cut Wallets


Gold Package $50 (Save $30)

*Two 8x10 Gift Prints
*Three 5x7 Gift Prints
*16 Die-Cut Wallets


Silver Package $25 (Save $15)

*Three 5x7 Gift Prints
*8 Die-Cut Wallets



You must call as soon as possible if you would like to book for your desired time and day – my schedule tends to fill up quickly this time of year as is, and that has already begun! Weekday afternoons/evenings, Saturday morning and evening, and Sunday afternoon/ evening appointments all qualify for this special!

1stLite also offers high quality Christmas and Holiday cards, each one custom designed for YOU (no cookie-cutter cards!) and in four different paper options! Additional info on Christmas Card ordering with this special will be posted soon!


*On-Location sittings are not available with this special. However, you may still book this month at my regular pricing if you prefer your sitting to be at your home or other location. See my website, www.1stlite.com , call, or e-mail me for more information on my traditional on-location sittings and why it may be perfect for you and your family!

Your Personal Photographer...

For ALL of your fine portraiture needs -
Nothing captures beauty like 1stLite!

I tailor each session to you and your needs. Below you will find some general guidelines on average sessions - but, you are by no means limited to this! If you would like for me to be your Personal Photographer, feel free to call or e-mail me. We will get to know each other and together we will come up with a session and print package to meet your heart's desires and your wallet's needs!



Family Sessions: Forever preserve the love, devotion and bond your family shares. No time limits, no pressure, no fake smiles or cheesy grins - During your session you will be encouraged to interact as a family - laugh, run, have FUN, and enjoy being YOU! Sessions start at $100 for up to 5 people (and pets!) Every family is special and unique, and your portrait session and images will reflect that.

Mini-Sitting Family Specials- (see Blog or Facebook page to stay posted on when these are available!)

Maternity and Newborn: The miracle of new life defies description with words... Maternity and Newborn packages start at $150 and can include the whole family. Time is of the essence, so please call me to schedule as early as possible.

Children: Moms and Dads know, our children grow too fast - One blink, a newborn - The next blink, a Kindergartner! Each and every session is tailored to you and your child - from 1st Birthday sessions to teenagers. When you next blink, your portraits from 1stLite will remind you of exactly who he or she was at that moment. Sessions for individual children start at $50 for in-studio mini-sessions. On-Location sessions are also available.

Mini-Sitting Specials- (see Blog or Facebook page to stay posted on when these are available!)

High School Seniors: Here stands the Senior at the edge of a giant leap toward adulthood. Capturing this moment is one of the most important steps in that transition. Senior sessions are customized to you, your family and to your Senior's personality and interests. Sessions start at $200 and cover several outfits and/or locations.

Engagement (E-Session): Before the dress, before the I Do's - before you become WE instead of he and she - Your E-Session is the way to tell the world of your love and devotion to each other. Sessions start at $100. E-Sessions include one digital file for newspaper submission.

Bridal Portraits: A session JUST for YOU! Many brides like to use their Bridal Portrait Session as a trial-run for their wedding day. You have the hair, the makeup, the dress - once you put it all together, we have a ton of fun making gorgeous images! A full session will usually cover several locations and settings. Remember to bring along a friend (or a few - every bride needs and entourage!), or mom, or even hubby-to-be. Today is all about YOU! Starting at $200.

Wedding Packages: A variety of wedding packages are available starting at $1500.

Purchasing a wedding package is the best way to get the most for your money. However, you are welcome to call for a free consultation to help you build your own package for Wedding coverage. Call or e-mail for more details.



Have a Beautiful Day!
Dawn

Lily, a new arrival!

Wow, have I ever been neglectful of the blog!! My apologies!

Summer has been in full swing. We took a family vacation down at Orange Beach, AL at the end of June (check my fb page for photos!), the kids have been having fun and lots of company, and I've even managed to get out with the camera here and there! Below are a few images from my most recent shoot, newborn Lily! I just LOVE shooting babies!!! Wait... that did not come out right... but you know what I mean!

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy!!

I had the pleasure of photographing little Lily at her home near Canton. She is such a beautiful and GOOD little girl! Lily's mom and dad are Katie and Nick - you will remember them from the maternity session here at my home studio. Thanks so much, Katie and Nick! I am so grateful to be your family photographer, and I am looking forward to watching little Lily grow!

Monkey On My Back

A high-school friend of mine just made and released a video for a song he wrote. I have followed his musical escapades on MySpace for some time now. Yeah, I'm a fan! His music is really blues-y, and I loooove the blues. So without further ado.....

Here is Monkey On My Back by Joey Cummings ft. Tukaine

Ya'll take a listen!

Jana and Jake's Wedding - May 16th

Just a mini-preview video of some of the wedding images from this weekend. We had so much fun! Congratulations you two!!

Father's Day Sale - Limited Availability!

Coming in June, just in time for Father's Day! This is an event that you WILL NOT want to miss! These Mini-Sittings will only be available to the first 25 callers! Call now to get your name on my short list of folks who will receive a mini-sitting (15 minutes), one 8x10 and 8 wallets - all for only $25!

I will only have 25 spots available for the Mini-Sittings. The dates are June 6th and 7th. Each Mini-Sitting will be 15 minutes and will include one 8x10 and 8 wallet prints from one image. Additional proofs will be uploaded to an online gallery for orders. Each additional order over $100 will include a set of proofs on CD, web size with logo and 4x6 size without logo for you to make your own prints! The cd alone is a value of over $250!!

The 8x10 and wallets will be in before Father's Day! What a perfect gift for Dad or Granddad!

You MUST call now to be sure to get a spot. Only 25 available and they are filling up fast! In order to reserve your spot, the $25 sitting fee must be paid when you book the session. Call now for more information and to schedule your sitting!

Have a Beautiful Day!

Dawn

Please remember you can always visit http://1stlite.instaproofs.com to view and order from my scenic gallery! These also make GREAT gifts for Father's Day!

A Break for Bridal

One of the reasons I have been MIA lately is that I took a little break. BTW - Why is it that catching up after the break always takes 5 times as long as the actual break?!! Oh well, it was fun. For the first time in 8 years (i.e. since my oldest was born) I left the kids at home with Daddy and left the house just for the heck of it! Woohoo, go me!

I did manage to "work" some while I was gone. Shot some bridal images in Union, Mississippi that Saturday. You may recognize this bride - she was my November bride, and her wedding images are on my site. We didn't get to shoot and bridal images before the wedding, so we are making up for it now! Here is a little selection from that shoot. Hope you like 'em! We had SO much fun shooting them!!















Thanks for visiting! Come back soon, I'll be running a special for June and July brides any day now!! Oh, and tomorrow - kitty cats and horses! You won't want to miss it - they are soooo cute!

Have a Beautiful Day!
Dawn

Katie & Nick - Maternity Session

Wow - have I been MIA or what? I'll do my best to do better!

Here are a few images from Katie and Nick's Maternity session. We had so much fun! Check back soon for more maternity! Katie has a cousin who is due about the same time (can you believe she still has two months to go???) and they are thinking of coming in for a double - maternity session. I'm so excited I can hardly wait!!!



















Hope you all had a Happy Easter! TTYS!!

Dawn

Monica's Senior Shoot

Do these slideshows rock or what?!? Monica, you and your family were an absolute thrill to photograph. Thanks so much for choosing me as your personal photographer!

Tupelo, Mississippi downtown E-session

Here are a few more of Jana and Jake from this past Saturday. We only got a few minutes in downtown Tupelo, but we had fun while we were there! Here are a couple images from the area.

More to come...

Jana and Jake E-Session Video

Here is just a little samping of the images from this weekend. I just love these little videos!

Jana and Jakob's Engagement Portraits

I feel so blessed to be the photographer to the most wonderful couple you could ever meet... Jana and Jake are a young, loving, beautiful couple from just outside of Tupelo, Mississippi. I was so glad to finally meet them for the first time Saturday! They were a joy to photograph, and I am looking forward to their wedding in May.

We shot at Mt. Vernon Place, a gorgeous location right outside Tupelo which will be hosting their wedding, and then a few in downtown Tupelo. I left with a ton of great photos! We would have gone for more , but Jake got called in to work. Such is the life of a hero (Jake is a Firefighter AND a Paramedic)! God bless both of you, Jake and Jana. Jake for being the hero the world needs, and Jana for being the heroic woman who stands beside him.

I am nowhere near finished editing this shoot (I have too many favorites!), but I know Jana is dying to see something, and I am dying to share these so far! So without further ado, here are Jana and Jake...

BIG sale to celebrate the first signs of SPRING!!

Tomorrow is a BIG day! I'll be heading up to north Mississippi for an engagement shoot with a super fun couple, Jana and Jakob. I am so excited, and so are they! Of course I will post a preview of their images here once we get back and settled.

Spring is springing, Love is in the air, flowers are blooming... It's a gorgeous time! In honor of the beautiful weather we've been having, and because I feel like giving everyone something awesome, I am holding a sale on Fine Art gallery wrapped canvas prints! 20% off every shape and size I offer, starting Sunday, March 8th and ending Saturday, March 21st. For more info on my canvases you can go to my website - http://www.1stlite.com. If you want to know even more you can call or e-mail me, I'll be glad to hear from you and can help you with any information you need.

Referral Bonuses are a great way to earn free sittings and/or free prints. For each referred customer who purchases a sitting you will receive a $25 credit! After just 4 referrals that is a free sitting OR $100 in free prints!

I have to get some rest (thank the Lord I am not driving in the morning!) so I will leave you with this, one of the first signs of the coming spring in my neck of the woods. Oh, and check back in a day or two for more of this and some of the twice-in-two-years March snow we had recently!



Have a Blessed and Beautiful Saturday!
Dawn

Did you know that Mississippi has the highest rate of pre-term births in the nation?

On Avg. week in Mississippi:

153 Babies are born preterm

27 Babies are born very preterm

96 Babies are born low birthweight

19 are born very low birthweight

I've joined March for Babies because the March of Dimes champions the needs of moms and babies in our community and across the nation. The money we raise for March for Babies will help:

- support all-important research offering preventions and solutions for babies born too soon or with birth defects

- educate women on things they can do to increase their chances of having a healthy baby

- provide comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care

- push for newborn screening and health insurance for all pregnant women and children

Please help by donating today!

It's easy, safe and secure - just click the purple banner on the right to make your donation.

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

March for Babies!!

one day... all babies will be born healthy

today... too many moms and families know the heartbreak of having a baby born fighting to survive

I've joined March for Babies because the March of Dimes champions the needs of moms and babies in our community and across the nation. The money we raise for March for Babies will help:

- support all-important research offering preventions and solutions for babies born too soon or with birth defects

- educate women on things they can do to increase their chances of having a healthy baby

- provide comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care

- push for newborn screening and health insurance for all pregnant women and children

Please help by donating today!

It's easy, safe and secure - just click to make your donation.

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

Today is the Day!! Valentine's Day Bash in Yazoo City!

I'm busy packing up to head to town and set up for photos, but I wanted to send this out to everyone as a reminder. Here's the details...

Today from 4pm to 6pm is the Valentine's Day Bash at the Yazoo City Boys' and Girls' Club in the gymnasium! Cost of admission is $5 and goes to support The Boys' and Girls' Club and Serenity Women's Circle, Inc. There will be a 3-point shootout, a dance contest, and many other activities with prizes, including door prizes and a raffle for two free dinners from Hall of Fame Restaurant or a free photo at the event!

This is going to be a ton of fun, and the proceeds go to benefit two organizations that are working as hard as they can to make a difference in our home and young people. I hope to see each and every one of you there!

Have a Blessed and Beautiful Day!
Dawn

Romance...

"One very important aspect of motivation is the willingness to stop and to look at things that no one else has bothered to look at. This simple process of focusing on things that are normally taken for granted is a powerful source of creativity..." Edward deBono



He'd probably kill me if he knew I was telling you all this, but...

Stanley is a romantic.

Yep, I just said it - out loud and for the world to hear (sorry baby). Our first dates included picnics at the reservoir, late night conversations sitting atop picnic tables, dinner and drinks in fancy restaurants, walks in the park... It was beautiful. There was one moment when I knew, without a doubt, that he was IT.

It was April, and we were taking our first trip together. We were visiting family and friends in Chicago, and one place he said he just HAD to take me was to see the Buckingham Fountain at night. Stanley and I and another couple were riding downtown and around the freeway when we saw the fountain lit up and majestic in the distance. We hurried over, parked, got out - and realized it was dark and still. We had missed it by a few moments, but we got out anyway and walked around. It was so cold! He and I walked together, my wrist nestled snug in the crook of his arm, enjoying the crisp cold air and beautiful lights of the buildings of downtown Chicago.

After taking a closer look at the fountain (is it a seal? a fish? maybe a mermaid? a dolphin!) I heard the sound of gravel scattering, and looked around to see Stanley carving a large
D A W N
in the ground with his heel. "This way you can tell everyone back home your name was written by the Buckingham Fountain in Chacago!," he said. Ok, so that part was kinda corny - but how SWEET was the gesture! I melted...

That was 11 Aprils ago, and he is still as romantic, still as corny, still as amazing... and I am still as in love with him now as I was then!

Today, as we often do, we took a walk down the road that leads to our house. He had one camera with the 17-50 lens, and I had the other with the 70-200. These were on the CF card from his camera when I downloaded them tonight...


I Love You, too!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Finally got a chance to shoot my daughter (haha - always funny to say that) for her Valentine's Day cards. She will always be my little supermodel!

So, without further delay...



Here are a couple more of the shots from today, ones I wanted oh so badly to use here, but alas there was just not enough space!

Thanks for stopping by! Ya'll come back now, ya hear! Oh and if ya feel like clicking that little blog-lovin' button called Comments, I'd be much obliged!!

Dawn