St. Louis Photographer » A Journal by Holly McCaig

Ahh, Seniors! My favorite. I have so much fun photographing them, and I have SO many amazing ideas to tackle in 2010 with them. I’ve got a lot planned and a lot going on. This is totally a marketing post so be prepared – and don’t miss out on a THING!

Facebook Fan Page for Seniors

I created a separate Fan Page for Facebook just for my senior portraits. I’ll still be sharing some of that over on the main Facebook Fan Page, but this is more for the seniors to come join. It keeps them more interested in what I have in store for this portion of my business. You can join too, if you want! For seniors that join and book a session in the studio for January or February, they can get it for just $99! This is for the Elements Session that is normally $150. Seniors can text us at 314.315.6387 (or call us, or visit the website to use the contact form). Take advantage of the colder, and less busy months in the senior portrait business and get in early! Spaces during the summer are very limited as it’s our most popular time of the year!

Our Senior Model Program

We have chosen our Senior Elite Models (exclusively chosen by the studio) and now, we’re looking for Senior Class Models! These applicants (if chosen) can come in for a free, 30-minute modeling session before March 1! Just follow the Fan Page for links to details on what this entails and how to apply. Talk about a way to save BIG time on your senior portraits. This is currently for our 2011 class.

2010 Packages and Pricing

Our new Senior Portrait packages for 2010 have been posted on the website. We offer three, amazing session packages and the option for some add-ons or travel! If you have a creative and innovative idea for your senior portraits, we’re the right studio for you. We’d love to consult with you and talk about your ideas to give you the best senior portraits ever! For information on our pricing, you can complete the form on our senior portraits website and we’ll email  you that!

Don’t forget, you still have time to enter our Boudoir Contest and sign up for our Marathon Boudoir Session going on next month. And, our Valentine’s Day Mini Sessions are starting to book up. Also, we have a Lollipop Smiles studio session set up! Reserve your spots for these sessions and read more.

Wow. What a year. What a HUGE year. It was one that left me with many emotions regarding my business. I made some amazing friends, and I was taken for a few rides that were quite the learning experiences. I guess it’s what life is all about. You will grow, you will stumble, you will figure it out. I think I’ve always been a resourceful person. I get mini panic attacks when I think I won’t be able to make ends meet, but I pull myself up and somehow always make it work. Because, after all, this is what I love doing. I don’t want to stop it. I want to do it forever, until my fingers can’t push that button anymore on the camera, or until my hands are no longer steady enough to use my Wacom to edit photos.

This year, I struggled with trying to do it all to my focus and love of photographing what I’m passionate about, and that’s high school seniors. I announced this fall that I would continue shooting other types of photography subjects, you just won’t see a lot of it marketed by me. That was the biggest leap of faith I’ve made. I still market a few things here and there, for peace of mind. My ultimate goal is to continue growing towards what makes me happiest. And, in order to get there, I had to do all of this…

Thank you, to all my amazing clients, friends, and people that have come into my life to make this all so worth while. Enjoy the Best of 2009 (which is really just me randomly selecting a little over 100 images from the year – minus any Lollipop Smiles).

Lots and lots going on. I know this studio will be a work in progress as I can soon afford to do more and more. But, for now, this is just a peek in the back that is currently in shambles while I work on things on the walls. I heart my vintage chairs. Swoon.

Don’t forget! Our studio open house is January 10th (Sunday) from 2 to 4 p.m. – if you’d like to receive an evite to help us with our count and directions to the location, please shoot me an email!

I freshened up the blog a little bit. I want to do an overhaul, but for now this will do. I just updated my header so it now rotates with my favorite senior images. Plus, I’m addicted to white wash, shabby peeling paints. I would love to be in an entire room of just white like that. Dreamy.

Just a few reminders:

1. You can still register to win a spot at our boudoir marathon. Visit this post to leave your comment. Then, if you want to book your session, also contact me today to do that so you don’t lose a spot! Session is just $499 and an AMAZING deal with full makeup and hair by Elisabeth Cutshall!
2. Valentine mini session bookings are taking place now. Visit this post to learn what you get when you book a V-day mini session in the studio.
3. and, I’m having a Lollipop Smiles open session. Come on by the studio on January 27 (actually, you need to book and prepay for your session):

We celebrated our family Christmas last night and it was nice. Except for eating WAY too much, I think we all had a great time. Santa brought me the ever so cool Fuji Instax Mini – now to load up on tons of extra film. I have so many plans for this camera with the studio! Some pictures from yesterday:

For those seeing images of my dogs in crazy “get-ups” no fear. They don’t stay on very long. Unless it’s a sweater to keep them warm when it’s cold outside.

That’s Jake & Andrea’s gianormous dog, Pirate.

OMG – best dessert ever. Chocolate Truffle Mouse Cake. Yah, I said that.

Poor Andrea was sick.

The camera – and some funny pictures. 10 film packs go fast!

My brother’s beer – gotta love Schlafly! Too bad we didn’t have any Christmas Ale.

This afternoon we are heading out to St. Charles to my uncle’s home. The extended family will be together. This year, we opted to do no gift giving except to the little ones. I’m so glad for this. It helps keep the focus on family and enjoying company rather than feeling pressured to buy gifts for so many people. I like keeping things simple.

Merry Christmas.