So you think your kids are bad?

Everyone has their own experiences to share when taking their kids to be photographed. It doesn't matter where you bring them .... if they don't want their picture taken - they will make it known. And let me tell you - a photographer's child is probably THE most difficult to photograph. They've been plopped infront of a camera and studio lights more than the average kid - and they're sick of it!

Exhibit 1: The "Look what I can do!" pose

Exhibit 2: The "I don't want to!" pose

Exhibit 3: The "I don't want to wear this STOOPID hat! Aren't we done yet?" pose

Exhibit 4: The "I can't take it anymore!" pose

See -- I too have that child who doesn't want their picture taken!

Thought I'd share a recent senior session ... Justin and his family were great to work with. His session was a lot of fun and I've got to hand it to him - he was kind enough to hold his laughter until I was gone, I'm sure. You see, we were at the revamped dam and as it's full of huge rocks. It's a very cool place to photograph -- not the best to manuver -- especially when trying not to drop your camera on the rocks. Well, down I went right on my butt and he didn't laugh (not in my face at least!). It was quite amusing and no cameras were harmed - phew!

Rejoice - Hwy 7 is open!

WHOOO HOOO!!!

Thanks to everyone who came out while 7 was closed. No more detours to get to me - finally!

The Emmys

Congratulations to our friend Luke who was part of the team from KSTP who won a regional EMMY AWARD for website design! He is so modest and we barely knew about it.

Here's a huge CONGRATULATIONS to you!!

Web Site Design/Usability – Affiliated"Twin Cities Live Website", KSTP-TV, St. Paul, Melissa Sweeney, Senior Graphic Designer, Project Manager, David Arago, Web Developer, Lucas Tordsen, Web Developer, Don Riepe, Web Developer, Amanda Grosser, Executive Producer, Kate Bendell, Project Manager, Curt Cruz, Art Director, Andrea Creech, Marketing Director, Bill Langley, Director, Information Services

Twice as Nice

These sisters were the epitome of perfection. When we got them snuggled up in this blanket paired with the toasty warm heating pad underneath - they were in heaven.


And can you stand it -- how cute are they! I wonder in 16 more years when they start fighting over boys (oh heck, who am I kidding, probably more like 12!) - if they'll feel that special bond that they were feeling during this photo!??

Holiday Portraits

To benefit the animals at the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter, I am offering special holiday portraits of your furry friend, and yourself too!

Call to book an appointment on any of these dates:

Thursday, October 30th

Friday, October 31st

Saturday, November 1st

Session and a 4x6: $35.00

This price covers one subject. Additional pets and/or individuals will be $10.00.

The two different scenes shown here will be offered for the sessions (stone wall/cabin and Santa's workshop).

Be sure to book early as these sessions are bound to fill up quickly!

Upcoming Pet Portraits

O.k. -- the dates are set! Session fees will be donated to the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter here in Hutchinson.
http://www.heartofminnesota.com


Holiday-themed portraits of your beloved pets (you can be in the photo, too!) will be available by appointment only on:

Thursday, October 30th
Friday, October 31st
Saturday, November 1st

This weekend I intend to post some samples as well as the details of the packages.

If you want to be sure to reserve a spot, give me a call at 952-913-7677 to schedule a session and I'll get you the details if I haven't posted them yet.

Mr. B

Don't you just want to curl up and take a nap? I always get that way when working on images of newborns. They're all bundled up and get to snooze the day away. Then of course there is the flip side -- party all night!



Benjamin was such a sweetie. Once he fell asleep, he did so good. As those of you who have seen me photograph newborns before, I move them around quite a bit.....I think at times I should really have a lazy susan to put them on!!



A big thank you to Benjamin's family for braving all of the detours! Hwy.7 is closed....then there's the detour (although minor compared to Hwy.7) in Glencoe -- it's been a crazy year for road construction.

After all of that, I'm sure they all went home and took a nap, right?

Playdoh!

As if having a pony as an indoor pet (a.k.a. Dodger, our Great Dane) wasn't enough, we are suckers and adopted another dog. Meet Playdoh.

This guy isn't quite as large as Dodger .... thank goodness! He's about 63# (compared to Dodger's 125#) and is a sweetheart. Him and Dodger were instant pals. We saw Playdoh (originally named Plato) at the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter. We brought Dodger to meet him and they did great. We took Playdoh home yesterday and the dogs have been going non-stop (other than a little rest from Playdoh's "operation").

It's odd, but he's nervous around cameras, so he took some shelter behind his pal. Playdoh did warm up a little bit more though to the camera after a bit.


The two boys love to play. To some non-dog owners, these may seem like mean looking dogs--but I assure you, there was nothing but some good old play time going on!


Check out all of the pets that need a good home at:
http://www.heartofminnesota.com/

And -- I'm VERY excited to announce that I will be offering holiday-themed pet portraits to raise funds for the shelter coming up, so stay tuned for more details!

To the Moon!

Here's a little something for Chase's mommie to get through her first day back at work!!

Tu Tu cute

If you are looking for something unique for a birthday gift, dance recital, cool Halloween costume .... or something adorable to wear for your next photo session : ) ....check out Angel Babes Tutus. Kimberly the owner, creates such adorable tutus that every girl I've photographed in them just LOVES wearing them! If your little girl gets a little nervous or shy when getting her photograph taken -- seriously consider having her wear one of these -- she will instantly smile!

http://www.angelbabestutus.com/

Check them out!

Here we go - again

I'm again plagued by bad technology luck. My email is currently out of commission so if you have emailed me and haven't received a response - it's waiting out there for me - I just need to get it!! In the meantime, I can be reached with this temporary email:

jenniferheinrich@mchsi.com

Ending with a hugh SIGH!!!

Thanks again!

Calling all bacon lovers

I like finding places that offer some, well, uh.....unique items. Goofy stuff. Not that I have purchased anything...yet...but you never know when it will be the one time when you need something completely off the wall.

Well, I have found a place just for those special occasions. The place is called Archie McPhee. http://www.mcphee.com/

I am featuring some of their bacon collection here. And no, I am not getting any kickbacks (but if I were....the wallet is pretty snappy. Too bad they don't have a bacon purse to go with it).

Starting off is the bacon wallet. No doubt one should start their bacon collection here, because you will certainly get attention when you whip out your wallet to buy future bacon purchases. Sure beats duct tape .... and you get the all of the bacon goodness without the grease!

I'm thinking the next step would be your bacon lunchbox (since they don't have a purse). You need a place to hold all of your bacon treasures.

Now keep in mind, I have not included all of the bacon treats, but this one should be in your shopping cart.....bacon flavored jelly beans. I don't think Jelly Belly has this in their flavor guide.

Now, after you've consumed some of those tasty treats, you won't want to be caught without some bacon floss....your dentist will thank you!

Then after those pearly whites are flossed, don't foget minty fresh bacon laced mints, compliments of Uncle Oinker.

Yes, sadly all good things come to an end. But don't get too down. You will always have the wonderful bacon aroma lingering anywhere you choose with sizzling bacon scent.

Reese A Roni

I could just squish his cheeks! Reese has such big, bright blue eyes.....and then there are those cheeks!

Reese with his good pal, Bailey. I giggle everytime I see this picture!

Welcome to the world!

This little guy put my good friend through quite a bit when deciding whether or not to enter the world! Everyone is thrilled to finally have him here.

Back to a time when dudes wore more makeup & used more hairspray

I'm finding myself doing exactly what I used to do in my early teenage years on a Saturday night........working (well back then it was babysitting -- now working on photos) and watching videos. Obviously I can't do much watching right now, but I found a good substitute to the old Headbangers Ball ..... VH1 has Metal Mania on Saturday nights. I still love the music but I am finding most videos now seem pretty funny to watch. There's some BAD acting in some! Then there's the syncronized head banging..........ahh, the good old days!

This one is after my babysitting days but still a great one from that time and there's no cheesy acting....
Queensryche, "Silent Lucidity"
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1543889&vid=99086

Now for some more classic 80's style videos....
BonJovi, "Runaway"
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?artist=1044&vid=157649

Dokken, "In My Dreams"
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?artist=6130&vid=46501

Cinderella, "Nobody's Fool"
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?artist=4530&vid=108117

Judas Priest, "Turbo Lover"
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?artist=1301&vid=231437

Def Leppard, "Photograph"
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?artist=604&vid=253887
(how could I not include that?)


Check out the VH1 website where you can search your favorite artist's videos!

Technology is great?

When it works!

I've been "off-line", shall we say, due to some technical problems. I'm getting everything up and running again. I have contacted those of you who have placed orders or were waiting on proofs from a recent session. If however, you have not heard from me, please call or email me right away!

I have to give so much praise to my clients who have been so patient. A huge THANK YOU to my awesome clients - you guys are AWESOME!

Some local shopping - check it out!

If you love a good antique store / shabby chic / boutique store --- check out Kathie's Finds in Maple Plain. Kathie shop is located in an old creamery -- I love that building! Her store is currently in the front porch area and sounds like sometime in the future she will expand further into the creamery. Until then, don't let the smaller space fool you. There is a lot of cute stuff to see and definitely check out what she can do with custom gift baskets. They are NOT your typical wicker basket with a bunch of filler.

I found a great gift that I bought for Mother's Day!

http://www.kmeadesigns.com/

Miss Jayelynn and her pal Easton

Jayelynn's grandma and grandpa were the silent auction winners at the benefit for the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter.(http://www.heartofminnesota.org/)

What a great way to support the shelter and to document the bond their granddaughter has with Easton.

Jayelynn was such a sweetheart and always full of smiles! And I certainly can't forget Easton who was so well mannered! (I'm so used to a crazy, almost 4 year old boy and a 125# "puppy" running around!)

Thank you to Jayelynn's family for supporting the animal shelter!

New Website!

Our internet went down on Saturday and we weren't able to get a tech out until today. I apologize for anyone who sent emails during that time and for the delay in getting back to you!

So with the internet up and running again, I was able to put up the new website - finally!

I hope you like it!

WANTED: High School Senior Ambassadors

If you (or someone you know) will a senior with the class of 2009 and would like to apply for consideration for a Senior Ambassador position, here are the details.

A Senior Ambassador is someone who will represent Rain Avenue Photography. I will choose 1 to 2 Ambassadors per school depending on the applicants. I will photograph your senior session for FREE (yes, that's right!). Shortly after the session, I will provide you with custom referral cards with some of the images from your session as well as a hard-cover book of all of the images from your session to show off. Show it to friends, family, anyone that you know that will need senior pictures done for 2009. Give them a referral card and when they complete their senior session with me, they'll turn in the referral card you gave them. You get an instant credit of $50.00 to go towards prints from your session! (Only good for prints, not valid for cash). And the person you referred will get 8 free wallets!

Also, if you refer 5 people (who of course complete their senior session), you will get 5 web-sized images to use for your Myspace/Facebook page!


AND - if you refer 15 people who complete their session, you will also earn a book with some of your favorite images to use as a guest book for your graduation party!


Email me at: info@rainavenuephotography.com


I will email you an application. Fill it out, sign it, along with your parents signature and mail it to the address on the application.


The deadline for applications is May 1, 2008.


Some important items to keep in mind:

• You have to love being photographed.
• Typical sessions take 2-3 hours but because we may do more for the Ambassador sessions, you may need 2 sessions.
• You need to be outgoing. No -- you don't have to be the most popular -- this is not a popularity contest. But you cannot be afraid to talk to people --- because you're ultimately testing your selling skills!
• You need to be open to trying whatever crazy idea I have in mind. (I'm thinking a field of mud would be pretty cool!)

And since I'm still working on the new website, here's a little preview of some of my past seniors.
http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow.html?fl=2963615&alb=0

Upcoming Benefits

Two benefits will happening on Saturday, April 19th for two area children. Their families are looking for support from the community.

Emily Hanson of Mayer was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Her benefit will be from 4:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. at Fred W. Radde & Sons, Inc. in New Germany which will include a Pulled Pork Dinner and silent auction.

Nathaniel Venske was diagnosed with Glucose Transporter Type I Deficiency. His benefit will be at the Chaska Community Center from 5:30p.m. - 8:00p.m with a spaghetti dinner with a raffle and silent auction.

You can read more on their stories at: http://www.waconiapatriot.com/articles/2008/04/10/carver_county_news/news/news03.txt

I wish all the best for these children and their families.
(We have donated gift certificates for the silent auctions so be sure to show your support!)

Welcoming the Rain!

....or the snow?

Alright, so while the new website is being finished, this is the place to be! I hope to have the revised site up sometime in May. And, even after the new site is up, this is where you'll want to check in for little surprises!

Back in March I was at the Hutchinson's Ladies Expo and met a lot of great people -- attendees and vendors.

The gals from Hutchinson Area Health Care who put it all together were THE BEST! Not to mention those that helped me get my giant moon inside....good thing for double doors!