St. Louis Photographer » A Journal by Holly McCaig

Ever since I went to work full time, on my own, I’ve not really had to deal with “Mondays.” Mainly the reason is because I work pretty much every day. My days can vary from each one and to expect something to be normal is just plain silly.

This weekend, the Internet here has gone in and out. It’s made me crazy! I always seem to have some sort of technical difficulties when I’m busy. This week, being my most busy with three shoots and a meeting to tend to on top of lots of paper work. Last night, I managed to get my Internet working by just going direct from the modem to my computer. Of course, that doesn’t help out the other two computers in the house. Let alone my Vonage phone.

Now, Vonage has been the culprit, I think, of most of my problems. It’s causing a lot of noise between devices and I think it may have fried my router. I’m too tired and annoyed to try and figure that one out. So, I got Vonage because I knew I needed a phone line for my office. I love it. But, over the past week, it’s caused so much static for my clients that I end up having to get on my cell phone and call them back.

Defeats the purpose, eh?

This morning, I go to Best Buy because I was recommended this to get. It helps clear up those static issues and replaces my router. The one I only replaced last fall. It’s just money, right? But, I get no customer service at Best Buy. None. Not until I’m walking out the door, shaking my head. Security asked me if I was helped and I politely said, “No, no I wasn’t. But I’ll just go somewhere else.”

What made matters worse, my gas tank was on empty and I had to make a left back out on Manchester Rd. West County peeps…you feeling me?

So, I ordered my new router online. My office phone is probably going to be down for a few days…I’m thinking I can just forward it to my cell – isn’t that one of the snazzy features you’re supposed to get out of Vonage?

And, I bit the bullet and bought some longer Cat5 cables and a new power surge protector.

Now, if we can just get that sinkin’ U-Verse in my neighborhood. Life might be better. How’s your Monday so far?

Yesterday, we had the privilege of attending the Lot Music Festival, downtown at the Schlafly Taproom, with our Lollipop Smiles business. It was a pretty good crowd, and we had a few people that stopped in to take a few, fun photos! I loved the results from our new Lolli-Snaps option! This is something similar to a photobooth that we’re offering for free to all bride and grooms when they book us for at least an 8-hour minimum wedding coverage. We bring it in to their reception and let the happy couple give their guests something fun to leave behind for them! Or, they can hire us for full-blown Lollipops at their wedding. The cost for them is $650 for two hours of coverage. Be sure to visit the website for details!

And, our big winner of the 2-hour, Lollipop Smiles coverage goes to Abby! WOOT! I met Abby online through Twitter and finally got a chance to meet her and her fella! Abby is a huge dog lover too. So, I’m excited to give them an excuse to have a big party with our Lollipop Smiles! WOOT! Abby, I’ll be in touch! It was a lot of fun to meet our Twitter pals in real life during this event too!

It was tough battling the wind with our backdrop – but we learned a lot to make it better for use outdoors. If you’re planning a reception outdoors, be sure to let us know so we can give you some helpful hints on us bringing this set up into your reception!

Here were shots from the day! If you took a Lolli-Snap at the LOT, you can purchase them online here.

I am in the middle of hard-core packing up goods to take down to the LOT Music Festival. But, also backing up photos from this afternoon’s session with Brady. 9 Months old as of yesterday! He’s growing before my eyes, every time I see him. While making backups, I saw this one – actually, I saw it on the back of my camera during the shoot and couldn’t stop oogling over it.

IS HE JUST THE CUTEST? I swear, he’s one of the best kids I have ever photographed. He’s always happy and attentive to me. I think I might get to see him in Atlanta when I head down in November for One Light. This kid has to be in showbiz!

Tomorrow, Saturday the 29th, we’ll be down at the LOT Music Festival in the Aritst’s Tent representing our Lollipop Smiles business. What is Lollipop Smiles? It’s a fun, wacky, and unique event photography service we provide that engages your guests, getting them more active and having a good time. The pictures are processed with a slick and cartoon feel to them when we go back to the lab.

While we would LOVE to be shooting Lollipops down at the festival, our lighting conditions vary too much outdoors, so we’re opting to shoot a new feature, Lolli Snaps! These are similar to what you take in a photobooth, without really being in a photobooth. We have props and other fun things to take quick and random “snaps” of you. In the future, this service will be free to all our wedding c0uples that book us for photography coverage of their big day. Guests of wedding receptions and other events can come by the Lolli Snaps rig and take fun pictures. The results are hilarious and priceless!

And, you can come by our booth at the LOT Music Festival and get a quick, Lolli Snap taken FOR FREE! When you do, you’re entered into our drawing to win a free, tw0-hour coverage of our full blown, Lollipop Smiles at your next party! That’s a $650 value! Can’t beat that.

People that get their Lolli Snaps taken will be able to come back to our website and click on a link that will allow them to purchase prints of their “snaps” taken at the LOT Music Festival within 24-48 hours. No obligation, but definitely good for a laugh.

The LOT Music Festival again is tomorrow, Saturday the 29th. It starts at 2 p.m. and takes place at the Schlafly TapRoom Parking Lot. It’s free to attend and is family friendly with ice cream, a dunking booth and so much more – oh, and MUSIC!

P.S. We’re building a better website for Lollipop Smiles, but you can follow it on Twitter or join the Fan Page on Facebook.

Listen up, photogs! You don’t have to spend a ton of money on backdrops. In the past, I did a little article for my other website, Pink Ink Studios about something similar. But, I wanted to show you a few things and say, you don’t have to go overboard with studio backdrops.

I don’t do much in the way of full body shooting when it comes to studio work. A) I don’t have that kind of room and B) I prefer shooting on location, outdoors. BUT, I LOVE LOVE LOVE being able to offer something unique and different when I shoot headshots in studio. These are also great ideas for working with kids and babies – especially during the cold, snowy winter months.

Visit your local fabric store! Last night, I went up to my Hancocks and found this beauty 40% off. I grabbed it all. They are only about 45″ wide for upholstery fabrics. BUT, they tend to be more bigger and bolder in patterns. That’s just what I need! And, at that width, it’s easy to do a headshot!

Before that, I got my black and white damask at Artistic Fabrics up the street and used it in this shot of senior, Ashley. See how easy it is to spend a little bit to get a unique backdrop?