MIA blogger

Well, if you can even call me a "blogger".  As you can tell, I haven't posted a blog in a long time.  Since Oct 21st to be exact.  I'm sure everyone was sitting there biting their nails waiting for my next post....yeah. 

 

So I've had several sessions that I've done since my last post.  I've also gone ahead and changed my logo again.  Yessir, I did.  I know you're probably not supposed to do that, but I don't care.  It all comes down to what I like, and if I want to change my logo 700 times, and confuse the heck out of everyone, well, it's my decision and I have to live with it.  This photography thing (hobby?  side job?  I don't even know what to call it anymore), is fairly new anyway.  I think when you start a small business, it takes a while to know exactly what you want as far as branding goes, anyway.  And I think it's normal for logos to evolve with the business, yes?  Either way, here it is:

I still kept the same concept from before.  It's supposed to represent several things.  First off, the camera is a no-brainer.  Ra-Visions stands for "Rachel's Visions", so I thought it necessary to show some sort of "vision" in the lens of my camera.  Inside we have 3 birds sitting on a telephone wire.  The 3 birds represent my kids (hence the 3 different sizes).  The telephone wire represents where me and Randy met (the phone company, where we work).  I used the original birds from my first logo, but made them different sizes, and kept the flowers and camera, but just changed the camera and flowers.  The colors are pretty much the same palette.  I loved the original logo, but I don't know if it's just because I'm so fickle, but I wanted a change.  I love to draw (though I hardly ever do any more), so I like how this camera looks like a sketch.  Plus, it was just fun to make changes.   Hopefully I'm done, because now my business cards/labels don't match.  I just got them, too.  I plan on using the rest of them before updating, too, because I'm not going to be wasteful in the name of business purposes.

 

OH!  I made an instagram account for RaVisions Photography.  It will have the occasional photography-related photo, but really, it's just for entertainment (if you can call it entertaining).  I have a pinterest, too.  I would post the link to my pinterest board, but it's so unorganized that I'm ashamed of it.  In order for me to get it organized and beautiful like some of the others I've seen, it would take me weeks.  I am not a very organized person, and I don't want anyone being witness to that.  I'm one of those people where once I DO actually organize, then I have no idea where anything is.  I do just fine in my little unorganized bubble.

Busy bee....BUZZZZZZZ!

Hi guys n' gals!  I've been SOOO busy lately (thank you!), that I haven't done a blog post in some time.  I just wanted to share a little bit about what I've been up to!

I'm in the midst of busy season...FALL!  Everyone loves to get their photos done in the fall with the foliage. I'm hoping I can keep up the momentum though, and convice some off my "fall-owers" to try a spring or summer session next year!  I personally am a summer person.  I like the fall colors, but I'm one of those pessimistic types I guess, where along with the beautiful colors, I also can't shake the imminent feeling of winter coming.  I hate winter in Maine. Brown snow, cold, wet, muddy, lots of windshield washer fluid, coats, the list goes on.  Sorry to burst your happy fall bubble.  But yes, I'm definitely in my happiness prime in the summer!

With all the sessions lately, I've been so busy editing and posting previews on the facebook page, that I've neglected the blog.  So here's a peek of the latest session I completed.  It was for one of my favorite little guys to photograph, Kamdon.  This is my third year photographing him, and I'm so grateful.  I love being able to compare his photos to the previous years, watching him grow, as well as seeing how my photography skills have grown with him!  

Here's some from our session.  We went back to the same location where we did his first year photos:

And the winner is.....

I just want to say a big THANK YOU to EVERYONE who liked my facebook page www.facebook.com/ravisionsphotography !!!  I wish I could give away a mini to everyone who liked it.  However, since there can only be one winner, I did a random drawing on Oct 6th.  By that date I had 312 likes!  I think my next big giveaway will be at the 500-like mark!!  Sounds good to me!  Anyways, to stop beating around the bush,  the winner of the free mini session is..... Angie Fortin-Williams!  Congrats, Angie!  I've sent her a message, and we're going to be doing a winter-themed mini session in November.  Who knows, I may even make a day of minis with this theme!  Stay tuned! :)

Julianne - Central High School Class of 2014

Wow, I've been SUPER lucky this year during "busy season"!  The weather has been GORGEOUS this fall.  I can't remember a time in October when we had a 75 degree day in Maine!  This year, though, we've had several of those!  For Julianne's session, she really wanted some photos with her horse.  So, I headed on over to Nag-A-Bon Acres, the stable where she rides.  I've gotta give her credit - this was a great place to have her senior photos done.  I really like it when my seniors request photos that reflect who they are and hobbies they enjoy.  It changes the photos up!  We also made sure to get a few photos with her mom, her boyfriend, and her special dog, Brandy, too!  For a peak at the FULL session, visit her gallery at www.ravisionsphotography.com/Clients/Senior-Portraits/Julianne

Fall Mini Sessions!

Mmmm, don't you just love the smell of fall?  And what's better in Maine than leaf-peeping with a hot DD pumpkin spice coffee?  NOTHING!  The leaves are finally starting to turn colors, too!  I'm seeing lots of yellow and just now seeing spots where the reds are coming out!  The red leaves are my favorite!

I'm going to hold a day of FALL MINI SESSIONS on October 19th!  Rain date will be October 27th.  I'll have 6 slots open that day, and will hold them in the Bangor area.  Exact location to be determined...I'll decide soon!  If you want to scoop one up, send me an email or facebook message and we'll work out a time for you!

Mini sessions are $80. You will get a 30 minute session (up to 5 people), 10 digital images on disc, and a print release so you can print where you wish!  I will still include your photos in an online gallery on www.ravisionsphotography.com so you will also have the option to print professionally, as well.

Oh yeah, and if you still want to be entered for the 300-like mini giveaway, go like my facebook page at www.facebook.com/ravisionsphotography.  Urge your friends and family to go like the page to be entered as well!  That mini session will be held in November.

Keep in mind, Christmas is coming soon, and that means beautiful holiday cards!  Also, photos make WONDERFUL Christmas gifts!!  Just in time!!  Get a slot soon!

"They Like Me...They REALLY LIKE ME!! (I think)" ...and Pumpkin Pie Donuts!

YAY!  300 likes was reached last night on the facebook page!  But, like I said, I'm not choosing the winner of the mini session until October 6th, so if you haven't liked the page yet, go do it so you'll be entered into the drawing! 

I'm procrastinating badly today.  I've got my cup of coffee, and my computer, but the dang internet is too tempting today.  I'm in photoshop, and I'll hear the "ping" of a facebook notification, and hop right over.  Every time.  It's not like it's not going to be there in an hour or two.  Maybe I need to log out...but that's just foolish-talk for a facebook addict. 

This is my 3rd blog post in 24 hours.  Not too shabby.  Maybe I'll end up blogging too much, but oh well.  Oh, and I want to apologize for my punctuation attempts.  I like to think I'm really good at using proper grammar and punctuation, but looking back at the things I post, I'm under the realization that I use way too many commas, therefore, creating gigantic run-on sentences.  Like that one.  As my 10 year old would say..."Whatevs".

Not really anything to do with photography, but I wanted to mention this yesterday.  If you haven't tried the pumpkin pie donut from Dunkin' Donuts....don't.  For the past 24 hours, I've had the taste of varnish, yes, varnish in my mouth.  I brought Ava to the doctors yesterday, and rewarded myself with a Dunkin' coffee...mmmmm.  I know what you're thinking, "why does SHE need to be rewarded when AVA's the one who got the shots?!"  Well, if you're a mom (or dad), you know shots are way more traumatic for the parents than the baby.  So anyway, I get up to the order box thingy, with intentions of just getting a coffee.  Well, I saw the picture of the limited time only pumpkin pie donut.  Without even thinking, I tagged on "and a pumpkin pie donut".  Now, I'm really NOT a donut person. Put a cinnamon roll in front of me, and that's another story, but donuts...meh.  But I think it was the thought of eating pumpkin pie.  Kind of like the same thing that tricks you into buying Almond Joy coffee creamer.  You know it's not going to taste like an actual Almond Joy, but it's just the thought of it.

 So anyway, like a madwoman, I fished that donut out of the bag before I could pull out of the parking lot.  Hey, I was hungry!  So, I bite into it and can't help but be disgusted by the look of the "pumpkin pie" filling.  It literally looked like it came out of Ava's diaper, if you know what I mean.  The color was atrocious.  The initial flavor of the frosting filling was ok, but it was the AFTERTASTE that got me!  VARNISH.  Actually, the first thought that came to mind was, "this tastes like paint".  I guess they would probably both taste the same.  I can't help but think that they actually made the frosting the color of baby doo with real paint.  What's worse is that the taste lingered.  So, yeah.  Dunkin', stick with the regular stuff.  All this foo foo fall stuff is getting out of hand.  Hopefully I don't get blasted for trashing the pumpkin pie donut, but I really feel the need to save the next unsuspecting victim.

I just finished editing this mini shoot Saturday evening.  Thought I'd post a few photos.  Plus, I really just wanted to try posting a blog collage to see if it works and looks good! :)

300-like giveaway for a free holiday mini session!

Whew!  Second post of the day!  I told ya I have a lot to say!  So a little over a week ago (9/22), my facebook page was at 212 likes.  Call me crazy, and focused on the "little things", but I think my hard work deserves way more "likes" than that!  I don't know why it really matters, but it makes me feel better to know that more people are seeing my work.  So, I decided that if I could get to 300 likes in 2 weeks, I would do a giveaway for a free holiday mini session!  To be entered into the drawing, you have to have "liked" www.facebook.com/ravisionsphotography.  Now, I swear my friend Melanie has deemed herself my personal cheerleader with this!  She's determined to get me to 300 likes.  I think she's done more work trying to get the word out than I have!  Awesome!  Thanks Mel!

With a mini session, you will get a 30 minute session for up to 6 people, 10 digital images on a disc, and online gallery, and printing rights.  Not too shabby, right?  Christmas is coming up, and photos always make great Christmas gifts!  So even if you don't win the drawing, you can still be a real winner by booking a session with me! ;)

I only have 12 more likes to go!  The drawing will be held on 10/6, so even if I reach 300 before then, there's still time to like the page & be entered to win!  (My friend Nikki just informed me that I had the drawing as 9/6)..oops. It's corrected now...what can I say?  I'm sleep-deprived with a 4 month old! Haha!

Rules:

Winner will receive: 30 minute session for up to 6 people ($80 value)
                                  10 digital images on disc
                                   Online Gallery and Print release

•The session will be held November 2nd, with a rain date of November 3rd. 
•Winning session cannot be transferred.  If you are unable to use the free session,  let me know and  I will randomly draw the next person. 
• Session will be held in the Bangor area

Thanks so much guys, for all the love and support!  I really appreciate it!