Well, my 15 month celebration ended last evening with a “Champagne & Cupcakes” party. As many of you might know I have been in photography for 30 years now and as you might know, I am a huge Disney fan! I have been to Walt Disney World in Florida 10 times and I was wondering how I could celebrate such a milestone in business and it came to me – I’d give away a Disney trip!!!! Since most of my clients are young families, I decided that I would give a trip for 4 to Walt Disney World in Florida. I asked my friends and clients, Leanne Unger and Ilene Goschke if they would help me with this and they both jumped at the chance! Leanne and Ilene both are part of Travel Professionals International. They are also a huge part of this fabulous trip of a lifetime!
Well, I was originally going to be drawing the winner of this trip at the end of the year – but I thought that it might be a fabulous Christmas present and decided to give it away at the beginning of December – that was yesterday – December 5th. All those that qualified received an invitation to the party (but they didn’t need to be in attendance to win). We had 388 tickets in the draw, so the chances were great to win this prize!
We had cupcakes from Sweet Impressions and they were fabulous – everyone mentioned how great they were! Krista at Sweet Impressions was wonderful to work with and when I walked into their business at noon yesterday the aroma of chocolate permeated the air – it was wonderful! The cupcakes were fabulous looking – and tasting.
Look at their clever way of using the logos as little cookies on top of the cupcakes! They used the TPI logo and the ‘M’ from Marlene’s Designer Portraits!
Anyway on to photos of the event! I don’t often decorate a lot for Christmas – but this year I decided it was necessary for the party! Look at some of what we did!
I opened my home for people to wander around and look at some of my art pieces on the wall – and I had a little “Charlie Brown” tree set up in the dining room.
This is what my front entrance to my home looks like…the walls are painted “Neon Red” and showcases some of my artwork as well. It has somewhat of an Asian theme.
As I mentioned earlier, Sweet Impressions supplied all the cupcakes and they were presented in beautiful boxes tied up with red ribbons! They really know how to package their product!
As well as making a beautiful presentation, the cupcakes were delicious!
Albert Wiebe (husband to one of my past employees) was the first one to sample the cupcakes and he definitely approved of it!
This is a photo taken early in the evening. It features Janie (on the left), my baby sister and co-ordinator of the event (she’s amazing) and Frieda (one of my previous employees), Barb, who recently left to pursue a job that she has always dreamed of and Heather, my newest employee! I’ve been so blessed with some wonderful employees!!
Throughout the evening we gave away door prizes (you needed to be present to win). Following are the winners of the prizes given out.
Oh yes, I can’t forget the guests that brought in a tin of food or an unwrapped toy for the Southeast Helping Hands “Feed the Need” campaign and “Christmas Toy Drive”. Here is a photo of their generous support – Southeast Helping Hands supplies over 500 hampers at Christmas time to families in need during the Christmas season!
The winners of the Disney Trip were not present, but I’m thrilled to announce that Craig & Nicole Miller were the winners of the trip! I called them this morning to let them know they were going to Disney World and they were thrilled! Craig & Nicole just moved to Landmark a short time ago – before that they were living in Brandon, Manitoba, where Nicole worked at a lawyer’s office – okay – this gets a bit long and complicated – but Nicole worked for Henry Carroll who is a great friend of Inge Skliros (my best friend and another photographer in Brandon). Inge photographed Nicole and Craig with her first pregnancy and then when Piper was born and when she found out they were moving to Landmark – she told them they had to come and see me if they needed photographs! Nicole and Craig soon found out they were expecting another child and I had the privilege of photographing their maternity session as well as newborn session of Davilyn!
Congratulations to the Miller Family! When I called Craig this morning he said they would definitely be back to see me again…. thank you – I can’t wait to photograph your precious family again!
At the end of the evening, I took a few more photos and captured Janie and Barb and Heather just relaxing and chatting. I’m so lucky to have such great people believing in me and helping me in my business!
I have to say that I have had some wonderful people working with me in the past 10 years (before that I thought I could do it all on my own). Joyce Loewen was my first employee, Frieda Wiebe came after that, and then Barb joined the staff here and most recently, I’ve welcomed Heather Warkentin! All of these ladies have been a huge part of my success and they have all contributed in their own way and I want to just say how much I appreciate them all and wish them well in their new jobs. And Heather is just very new (since the end of October) and is already proving herself to be a great asset!
I want to end this with a photo of a wall hanging I came across several years ago. When I saw it, I knew I had to buy it. It sums up what Christmas means to me.
“Ingredients for a Merry Christmas”…. Family, Giving, Memories and Friends and I think the most important is the Memories. I hope and believe that what I am giving to my clients is “Memories” that can never be replaced or taken away. Memories of happy times – photographed and captured forever. A story they can share with all those viewing the images. Of course “Family” is the most important. Without a wonderful family – our lives would be lacking so much. “Giving” – giving of yourself to others. That’s important as well! And “Friends” – I truly believe that all my clients are my friends. I would never have met many of these people if they wouldn’t have come into my studio and I hope that when I have created a lasting memory of them and that they too, will feel we are friends.
Thank you to all those that have come to see me and trust me to photograph their families over the past 30 years and I hope to see you all in the future. 2009 will bring some wonderful new elements in my business and studio and I invite you all to come and see my new vision!
Merry Christmas to all!
