I met up with this gorgeous family for their first family portrait session yesterday.  I knew it would be crazy chaotic energetic with 3 children of this age for a mini, but with some patience, humor and bad singing (mine) , we had a good time and got some laughter and smiles in such a short time.  Enjoy the mini sneak peek M!

I laughed so hard when I saw these last two images back to back (note the second head that suddenly appeared!! :)

I’m just about caught up, so I have opened up some immediate availability!!  I can squeeze in a couple more sessions or mini’s this weekend for those still needing holiday portraits:

Tomorrow (Sat 11/28):  morning and afternoon spots available.

Sunday (Sun 11/29): 9am mini-session at Watters Creek and a 3:30pm full session local.

Dec 5th (Saturday):  get a minimum of 3 families booked for this day in a.m. or p.m. and I’ll hold mini’s in Allen.  (Full prepayment required.)

HERE is the Mini-Session info if you missed it.  FYI, I am taking off most of December and January, so if you need a full last minute spot, email me now!  I’ll have premium rates for dates past December 6th.

Anyone still shopping on Black Friday?  If so, I (humorously) think you are certifiably crazy.  I detest crowds, sales (mobs of people). Ugh.  I tried it once to get a ‘deal’ on pima cotton sheets a few years back.  Never.Ever.Again. I think I saved $12 and stood in line to checkout for 45 minutes.  I realized that my own personal time is worth far more than I saved that day.  It’s just not fun for me like it is some folks- like those of you I saw camped out at the electronics store 24 hours in advance.  I’m one less person you have to wait behind :)

So, on to the details…  Here’s my “I Hate Black Friday Sale”.

-Book a Standard or Senior session now for a date in Jan, Feb or March 2010 and get a $100 print credit added towards your order.  Not valid on mini-sessions and the session fee must be paid in full before the sale ends this Sunday (Nov.29th) at midnight.

Send me an email:  info@rhondaduronphotography.com to request your (tentative) date and what type of session you need.  Be sure to pass it on if you know of others needed a session in the next few months!

Requests must be emailed to me by this Sunday 11/29/09 at 12midnight!! (OFFER NOW EXPIRED)

You know someone.

You know someone who’s experienced a life tragedy, has a terminally ill and courageous family member, someone who is raising kids while holding down more than one job after their spouse has passed away, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would truly cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who really deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty. You know that person- the one someone always says- why them?  They are such a good person, so why does this have to happen to them?

You know of someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them complimentary custom photography — over $2300 worth, to be exact.  It’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.  They will get a free session, all the final 25+ digital images to keep -and the First Edition 5×7 prints to go with each of those images.  They will also receive a 5×5 brag album, a 16×20 wall portrait and several desk portraits of their choosing.

Oh, and the other cool part?  The person who nominates the winner receives a free session and my Digital Top Five Collecion (five digital images and the five matching 5×7 prints), a set of 3×3 albums and a 5×10 desk storyboard- a $1005 value. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be?

OK, those are the goods, so here are the rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services and would wholeheartedly appreciate and accept the gift. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as a sincere financial need. I will be very choosy with who wins and I need several to choose from.)

* The nominee must reside within 25 miles of Allen, TX and the session must take place by January 15, 2010.  Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include email and a phone number as a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story to me at info@rhondaduronphotography.com. I will have tissue on my desk.

The deadline to nominate someone is Saturday December 19, 2009 at 10pm.

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve. So get nominating!  I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.  I am beyond proud to be a part of this world-wide movement to give custom photography back to my community.

With love,

Rhonda

I’m just thrilled to be getting so many High School Senior requests.  I’m equally tickled to have another Senior guy in front of the lens like I did this afternoon.  He and his mom showed up and I saw his gorgeous eyes and I knew he was going to rock the session.  He was serious, debonair and very calm.  I can get used to this :)

Enjoy the sneak peek D!  Lots, lots, lots more to see soon.

Well, as I heal up and start feeling better, now my three year old son is ill.  He was coughing really bad this morning and started breathing rapidly right after that.  We took him to the doctor, got him breathing better and xrayed and he has walking pneumonia -and an ear infection.  Penicillin, Motrin and breathing treatments are in order for a while until he’s all better.  Needless to say, for the next couple of days, I’ll be scarce.  If you call or email me, I will get back to you asap.  He’s never been this ill and only had colds in the past, so we’re watching him closely.  Please keep him in your thoughts for a quick recovery!!

I want to thank so many of you for the heartwarming emails over the last few days. I’m about 90% better now and getting my strength back for the busy weekend ahead.  Being sick on and off over the past 2 months, I guess I never got completely well, so it took it’s toll on me last week!

Just an update on new availability:

Sun 11/22- two spots open for mini sessions; 8am and 8:30am or one Full session in a.m.

Mon 11/23- mini session at 9:15 a.m.;  full session at 3ish

Thanks  :)

I am typing from bed to tell you I am sick and put to bed for at least the weekend.  My work phone is turned off and I am checking email now as well as wrapping up a few things that are do-able in bed.  I haven’t felt this bad in… I don’t know when I last felt this bad.

If you are a new inquiry, do NOT leave a voicemail- email me and I will email you back as soon as I am better.  I’ll book in order of receipt of your emailed booking request.  I have a few openings later this month, but not many.

p.s.- no, it’s not the swine flu thankfully.  It’s a rib infection and pulled muscle (from coughing so much) that has spread and is got my entire body aching from head to toe.  Just wanted to clarify that since I just had contact with clients, but both flu tests came back negative today.

Thank you!

Rhonda

Update 11/13/09 5:00pm  I am truly lucky to have such amazing clients and friends.  Thank you for the sweet emails checking on me.  I feel much better today and am still taking things very easy.  Thanks and many ((hugs)) to all of you :)