Easter is hopping right around the corner and here at Personal Touch we are getting ready for our children’s portraits Easter “Quick Takes”. We have ordered the ducks and they are on their way–who knew that you could mail order ducks! Anyway, we are very excited to once again offer special children’s sessions.
There is no session fee for our children’s Easter portraits; however, we would appreciate a donation of dry cat or dog food to donate to a local animal shelter. Our packages begin at only $25 and yes, you may have more than one child in your portrait if you would like. Give us a call to schedule your appointment on Sunday afternoon, March 14th. We will be photographing our Easter sessions from 2 PM – 4 PM.
Click on the attached link to download our package price list. Packages are ordered at the time of your session.Prices
Ducks and Bunnies
February 24th, 2010Spirit Challenge Video
February 12th, 2010Check it out!
What’s Happening At Personal Touch?
January 22nd, 2010We recently got back from Professional Photographers of America National Convention in Nashville, TN. Brian was awarded his degree of “Photographic Craftsman”. How did he receive this? Brian received merits awarded by PPA for speaking, teaching, and for prints that receive a certain score in judging. For the past couple of years, Brian and I have been working very hard traveling around speaking to other professional photography associations, teaching photography here at our studio and in other states as well as teaching marketing. (I am now pushing him to go for his “Masters” degree.
We have photographed several cheer squads and dance teams and are finishing up the last of the groups this Sunday afternoon. Many of you are familiar with the “School Spirit Challenge” (formerly known as the “Cheer Challenge”), where we raise money for Simon Youth Foundation for scholarships. This years composites will be on display at the Tippecanoe Mall from February 20th through the 28th. Please come out and show your school spirit and support by making a monetary donation to your school or team’s bucket.
Brian and I are also getting ready to leave and go to “SYNC” to learn more new, creative, and cutting edge senior portrait photography. We will be entering a couple of our past year’s high school seniors in the folio contest as well. Looking forward to trying some new techniques and backgrounds this year as well as introducing a brand new session option!
Our baby and children’s photography continues to increase as people become more aware that we also do this and how creative we like to be. We just photographed three babies this week; so much fun!
Hope you all have a great weekend as we watch the Colts play on Sunday and hopefully have a victory over the NY Jets. I think we are Super Bowl bound!
“School Spirit Challenge”
January 7th, 2010As always, it will be a lot of fun, complete with pizza, pop, and cookies for all participating groups. It is totally complimentary and costs you nothing but a little time. Since this is a fundraising event for Simon Youth Foundation, we are asking all participating groups to pledge a minimum of $50 to Simon Youth Foundation. We would encourage you to pass around a bucket at ballgames to collect as well as encourage people to visit Tippecanoe Mall during the 10 days that we will have all the team and squad posters on display (should be the last week of February, but call for details). People vote for their school and show school spirit by placing a monetary vote in their school’s collection container. The 40″x60″ display print is then given to each school to proudly display. There will be two winners: the group that collects the most money overall and the group that collects the most money per student body (high schools only). The winners receive a trophy and a Pizza Hut gift card to have a pizza party at a time that is convenient for them.
What does “Simon Youth Foundation” do? Simon Youth Foundation awards scholarships to students who would otherwise be at risk for not being able to obtain continuing education in a college or trade school. They also provide tutoring for high school students who are “at risk” and cannot afford help. Google “Simon Youth Foundation” a charity of Simon Malls for more information. (www.syf.org)
We hope to hear from you as soon as possible as we are accepting only the first 24 cheer squads or dance teams to register to participate. Please have a few possible times for either date that may work for you. Thanks so much and show your school spirit!
Happy Holidays
December 18th, 2009Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays
Well, I can’t believe that it has been almost a month since we wrote anything on our blog. The time is passing so quickly; I mean, can you believe that we only have 7 days til Christmas? Thankfully, this year I am a little more on top of things with the shopping completed and packages wrapped and under the tree. The only thing I really am behind on is shipping gifts out of state–should have done that probably a week ago!
There are many things to do this holiday season and families have lots of traditions. Our family goes through the Living Nativity at Faith Baptist Church on State Road 26 East (unless of course our schedule allowed us to participate, which is even more fun). This is the last weekend for the nativity and it runs through Sunday evening. Walking through is much more enjoyable and interactive than driving through but either way, you are sure to enjoy it.
We also like to drive around and see the light displays; two of our favorite being the farmer’s house in Rossville and the TPA Park in Frankfort. If you take SR 26 East to SR 39 S, you will be on your way to the Cottrell’s farm. I am not sure the road number but there is a farm type store on the Left hand side of the road where you will turn left and just keep going—you can’t miss the lights. Then if you head back to SR 39 and go South, you will get to Frankfort and the park is awesome.
The other thing I love about Christmas is the laughter and wonder of children at this time of year. Yes, I understand the true meaning of the season but you can’t help but laugh when children get so wide eyed and giddy when they talk about Santa Claus. Just think back to when you were a child and the excitement you felt as you very impatiently waited for Christmas morning. Of course, children do not have the feeling of the hustle and bustle that this time of year can bring with shopping, cooking, attending festivities… I encourage everyone to just take a deep breath and slow down a bit and enjoy the holiday season. (It doesn’t have to be that “perfect” Norman Rockwell type of Christmas that we all conjure up in our heads. Sometimes, the simplest, most spontaneous Christmases are the most memorable. Take a moment and see Christmas through the wonder and eyes of a child.
Brian and I and our staff would like to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas (Happy Holiday) and a safe and Happy New Year.
What I Am Thankful For:
November 24th, 2009
Hello to all of our friends. I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is in just 2 days. Most people will be gathered around a table with family and friends enjoying the traditional Thanksgiving food. For our family (The Miller and The Crussel families) it will look something like this: Turkey and Ham, Mashed potatoes, homemade noodles, sweet potato casserole (I have tried to do just one kind of potato but it is not worth the grumbling masses–LOL), stuffing, green bean casserole, a relish tray, deviled eggs, a variety of vegetable and fruit salads, yeast rolls (of which Brian makes the best–YUM), pecan rolls (which Brian’s mom makes), and a variety of pies (pumpkin, pecan, and sugar cream).
The scenario following the meal is the men in the family room watching football, kids playing, women talking and trying to clean up the kitchen a bit. This year, we (Brian and I) will be combining both sides of our families for the first time. We will also have an additional guest, “Bob” from Canada who is here visiting my parents on his way to Florida. Bob’s wife passed away this past year and so we are looking forward to extending our table to Bob. There will be 23 of us gathered around our table this year and although there is a lot of preparation and it will be crowded, I look forward to all of us being together.
As we look back over the past year so far, there have been many blessings and many hardships. Roger and Diane (Brian’s brother and sister-in-law) and their son Nicholas, from St. Louis will be trying to celebrate a holiday even though they recently lost their second child at 7 months gestation. How does one celebrate when you have had such a loss? This is where we celebrate our faith and know that God’s plan is perfect even though we may not see the “Big Picture”. This is also where family coming along side each other helps to bear the sorrow and helps us remember the blessings rather than fixating on the not so pleasant events of life.
I am so thankful this holiday season for many things: 1.) That God provides even in tough economic times. 2.) That he has given us family and friends to surround ourselves with and share the good and the not so good. 3.) That we are able to worship and have freedoms not allowed in other countries. 4.) That we have men and women that are willing toto serve our country in various armed forces and risk their lives for the freedoms that our forefathers fought so hard for us to enjoy. 5.) That we have had many wonderful people cross our paths over the past year and we have grown and become better people ourselves for having met you. 6.) That words are just that, they are words, even though some are sharp and can cut you to the core. Words are spoken sometimes without people even thinking what their effect may be. Words can hurt and yet there are words that can heal. Thank you to those of you who are healers in this world, and who have been there for us. It is those of you who are so kind and offer words of encouragement and healing that allow us to enjoy each and every day of serving here in Lafayette.
This Thanksgiving, take a moment to reflect on what and for whom you are thankful. Keep your focus on the positive, as we together finish strong the remainder of 2009 and look forward to a brighter 2010. Happy Thanksgiving!
“Visions of a Victorian Christmas” Update
November 17th, 2009
O.K., so we want everyone who would like to come and have Santa pictures to do so. We have had people express concern about the $25 session fee. The session fee is being donated to “Christmas For Everyone” ran by the American Red Cross to help make children’s christmas a little brighter for those families in need. However, we understand that this has been a hard year for all and although the session fee will remain a donation to CFE, we are asking for a donation of $5-$25 depending on what you feel you can do. Hope this helps many of you! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We have added the link now to download the package prices. Packages start at only $25.
Many Thanks To Our Fans & Friends of Personal Touch!
November 13th, 2009We want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who took the time and voted us as “Best Photographer” in Lafayette in the Journal & Courier’s “Reader’s Choice Awards”. We are so honored and humbled that you have placed your confidence and trust in our studio.
We will be celebrating our 25th year in business this January and we could not have done it without you. Many of you have blessed us with your words, actions, and friendship and we cannot begin to thank you enough. We can honestly say that most everyday, we enjoy going to the studio and serving the people of Lafayette and it’s surrounding areas. Many of you have brought smiles to our faces and have sent us kind words when we have gone through some difficult times in our personal lives.
We have also been blessed with some very fine staff members through the years, some of whom have come back to help us even recently for assistance with dances or events. You have no idea how great it is to have such wonderful people as this, that even when they leave to pursue other ventures in life, still think highly enough of us to come back and help us—this speaks volumes and is good for the soul! Thank you to our current staff and those of you who come back! We even had one of our past seniors come and help us–how great is that!
Through the years, we have learned many things: improving our photography, improving our service, and how to run a business responsibly to make sure that you stay in business to take care of people year after year. Again, we have been so blessed and we hope that we have been a blessing to you as well by providing you with beautiful, quality photography that has helped to capture moments in time for you to enjoy for many years. We hope that we have helped to create heirlooms that your family can pass on from generation to generation.
Brian, I and our staff (Jodi, Ryan, and Carol) would once again like to thank you for your kindness and support.
Blessings to you,
Deb
“Visions of a Victorian Christmas”
November 3rd, 2009“Visions of a Victorian Christmas”
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Where has the time gone! Wow, we are already into November. Soon we will all be celebrating Thanksgiving and then Christmas. I haven’t even started my Christmas shopping yet, nor have I started thinking about my Christmas cards! Now is a great time to think about getting that special Christmas photo and having some really wonderful keepsake cards made for the holiday.
Bring your child/children to Personal Touch Portrait Studios for special portraits with Santa, dressed in his vintage finest. Mrs. Clause will also be here to pass out candy canes to the children. Dress your children in their finest, their pajamas or dress them in our vintage children’s clothing. We have boys and girls clothing available in sizes 1/2 – 7/8 for boys and 3-8 for girls.
The session fee is only $25 and payable to “Christmas For Everyone”. “Christmas For Everyone” is local churches partnered with the American Red Cross to service local families who without this assistance could not provide Christmas gifts/clothing for their children. Please think about helping local families while creating wonderful memories for your own family in pictures.
Packages start at only $25 and Christmas cards of many designs are also available for ordering. Please call the studio to schedule your appointment soon as we expect that these sessions will fill up quickly. We thank you for helping support our local charities and for helping make other children’s Christmas a very special time for them.
A Personal Note from Brian and Deb
September 28th, 2009We will not be in the studio on Friday as we will be attending a funeral for Brian’s brother and sister-in-law’s baby. The baby was actually not due until January 1. We appreciate your prayers for them and for both sides of the family as they work through this very emotional time.
Thanks so much,
Deb