Be a fan and win a year of portraits!

All because of my friend Christina, I've been sucked into the land of Facebook. I was never one for MySpace or other sites like that so when she said, "oh just join it", I did. I was surprised to find that it wasn't juvenille like I thought it would be - and now I'm hooked. Thanks a lot Christina!

Oh I kid!

So anyway, Rain Avenue Photography and Rain Avenue Photography Seniors have pages of their own. If you have a session with me, I will post some of the images so you can use them for your profile (of course only if you want them posted).

Then that got me to thinking -- it'd be fun to have a little contest amongst my current clients & Facebook fans as well as new people who join as fans.

I am giving away a YEAR OF PORTRAITS to the person who refers the most people to be fans. Who could pass that up?

If you want to get in on the contest, you must sign up as a fan of either:

The Rain Avenue Photography page

or

The Rain Avenue Photography - Seniors page


The pages have the full details of the contest. Good luck!!

Spring Portrait Sessions!

Whether you celebrate Easter or the coming of Spring, this bright and fresh set is perfect! It works well for dressier clothes or jeans. Don't forget to bring your favorite bunny if you have one!

March 17th (very limited times available)
March 19th (very limited times available)
March 21st

The creation fee (a.k.a. session fee) is $30.00. This session lasts 20 minutes and includes one outfit. Add $10.00 to the creation fee for each additional person.

For these special sessions, we are offering packages:

Package A: $198.00
One pose
1 - 8x10
2 - 5x7
4 - 4x6
8 wallets

Package B: $116.00
One pose
1 - 8x10
2 - 5x7
1 - 4x6

Package C: $68.00
One pose
1 - 8x10
1 - 5x7

Package D: $46.00
One pose
1 - 5x7
1 - 4x6

To schedule a session:

give us a call at: 952-913-7677

or email at: jenny@rainavenuephotography.com

Brian Taylor benefit

Coming up this Sunday, March 8th in Watertown, there is a benefit for the Taylor family of Watertown. Brian Taylor was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma in 2006 and has been battling ever since.

There will be a pasta dinner (by D'Vinci's - yum!) and a silent auction, which there will be a couple gift certificates up for auction from us.

Bid away and help the Taylors!!

Check out www.taylorbenefit.org for additional details, or to make a donation if you can't make it this Sunday.

Senior Rep program -- Applications being taken!

We are taking applications from this year's juniors (class of 2010) for Rain Avenue Photography's Senior Rep program.

If you are chosen to represent Rain Avenue Photography, you will get a FREE all-out session done the Spring of 2009. This is so you can show off your images THIS year to all of your friends and family. You'll get customized rep cards (it's like your own business card) to pass out and you will earn credits for every person that completes their session with me!

And if you decide you'd like to have more current pics for your senior year, you'll get 50% off your session for your senior year.

And there's more! But we'll keep those little details a secret for now!

Applicants must possess the following:

excellent people skills

reliable

trustworthy

absolutely must love having your photo taken!

DEADLINE: Monday, March 2nd

If you are interested in an application, send us an email: info@rainavenuephotography.com

Good-bye

Today we said good-bye to my husband's grandma. She was the last grandparent that my husband and I had left. It was a tough service to attend (of course they all are), but to me it was hard because Granny Velma was so much like my grandmother who has been gone for over 2 years now. It was kind of like it happening all over again.

At Granny's service, the pastor read a poem, to which I was surprised I had never heard before given the number of funerals I've been to in my life. I thought it was so perfect -- at life and death. Hopefully we can all strive to be better people....to be like the Granny Velmas and the Grandma Neumanns.



The Dash
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man, who stood to speak,
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone,
from the beginning, to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth,
and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all,
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time,
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her,
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars... the house... the cash.
What matters is how we live and love,
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough,
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand,
the way other people feel.

Be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more,
and love the people in our lives,
like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash,
may last only a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read,
with your life's actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say,
about how you spent your dash?

Drum roll please!

On Saturday, I stopped by the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter to present the funds raised from the 2008 Holiday Pet Portraits.

I am very proud that we raised $425.00 - and all thanks to YOU out there!

That equals out to roughly:

28 days worth of food

OR

giving 8-9 sick animals a visit to the vet

OR

providing a spay/neuter to 5-6 animals

Just think - it costs over $400.00 to feed the animals - that's not even for a full month! And, that doesn't include the special diet food that some animals need to be on. I'm sure you can see now why it's so important to give to this organization (or others that your heart is with).

Some interesting information I found on the internet (and all sites varied a bit with the stats but pretty much are all very close in details):

CATS

Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3
Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4–6

That means in seven years, 1 female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats.

BY FIGURING OUR DONATION WITH THESE STATS,

WE PREVENTED POTENTIALLY 2,352,000 UNWANTED CATS!

DOGS

Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2
Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6–10

That means in six years, 1 female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs.

BY FIGURING OUR DONATION WITH THESE STATS,

WE PREVENTED POTENTIALLY 375,200 UNWANTED DOGS!

Did Hell freeze over?

Wow, it's cold out there! I don't understand why the dogs keep wanting to go outside either. I think it takes me a good 20 minutes to warm up just from opening the door.

I had planned on posting more since the madness of the holidays is over but then Carver (kiddo) was sick, then I was, then Travis (hubby)...not to mention Dodger (dog) has a ruptured ear drum and now Playdoh (dog) is limping. And just moments ago, Carver says his head is cold. Now I realize it is chilly outside, but when he of all people asks to put something on his head, somethings a'brewin'.

Off for now to try to stay warm and will post more soon!