NC Family Portraits, Baby Portraits, Senior Portraits, Pet Portraits...and More!

Just catching our breath...we've been as busy as little elves, creating portraits and some fantastic Christmas cards for some of the nicest people in NC! The more we get to know our clients, we feel so fortunate that our lives can be enriched by these special relationships.
This year has been challenging, sometimes stressful or even difficult for many families we meet, but one thing I have noticed is how those situations can draw people to what is really important. It seems that people are taking inventory of their lives more than ever... treasuring the relationships, memories and the simple joys that happen in families everyday.  It is usually not the most spectacular occasions that bring us our favorite memories of family or friends and we are lucky to get to share in a bit of that everyday...

 

 Well...I could go on and on..that's all I have time for now, but there is more to come...

Portraits in Words...Stories From Our "Studio Family"

As most of you know, we consider our clients more than "just another portrait session". While we do appreciate their business, we are truly honored that they have chosen us to of photograph their families, their memories and their lives. We have made so many friends and they become part of our studio family.
Over the next few months, we will focus on some of their stories to touch your heart, encourage you, bring awareness to other people's causes or maybe just bring you a smile.
This first story about a beautiful princess named Olivia is a little long because there are many chapters, some yet to be told.
We use the word "Princess" often around here, but Olivia had no doubt about her "princess" status. The bumper sticker on her mom's van even read, "Yield To The Princess"!

The first portrait (on right) we made of Princess Olivia was in 2004 at her school when I was creating images for my Special Kids Photography certification.
Later in 2005, she came for a high fashion black & white session at the studio (shown here with her mommy, Karen). They were both DIVAS!

Even though we had a chance to visit her in 2007, the last portrait session in 2008 was her most "princess" session ever...she was soon to be leaving this earth to live with the King of Kings. This time when we went to visit her, all of her "adoring subjects" had gathered around making her feel very special. Again, she was getting in touch with her Princess-ness with everything princess from her blanket and pillow to her watch and her ring while wearing a princess dress and even holding a princess toy puppy. Oh, so much pink surrounding her..and so much love. Her Daddy is holding her hand here while he hugs her close to him.

As I write this, it still seems so sad that her life here was so short, but fast forward to 2010... I see her mom again, making a life for herself after enduring over 2 years of coping with overwhelming grief. She says it is "only within the last few months that she is more than a shell and learning to experience happiness again". After reading Elizabeth Edwards' book, Resilience, she wrote Elizabeth a note telling her how much the book had meant to her. That led to a series of events that ended up with Olivia's story being told on the Nate Berkus Show.  The production crew came to the studio to get permission to use Olivia's images on the show and ended up filming Karen by our pond for part of the show  (pictured above)....

and if you could read VERY fast we were even in the credits at the end of the show!
It was exciting for us, but mostly we were glad to see an uplifting tribute to a sweet little angel princess and those who love her.
On the show, it was fun to see Nate give Karen a special gift of new living room furniture and Elizabeth Edwards speaking with her.
As an update: just today Elizabeth's sister surprised Karen with a little gift!
Olivia's life still matters so very much...

It's Time to Plan Your Christmas Portraits!

Our Christmas Portrait Packages start at only $129 with NO SESSION FEE ...and something for everyone!

For a more contemporary look, we will have Santa Bits on Monday, November 15. It is a stylish way to have portraits with Santa, but still  keep your child(ren) as the main subject. Many children are overwhelmed by the big stranger in a red suit, so we can even have a parent wear the costume and not have to reveal that in the portrait since it just shows "bits" of Santa. In this image, you can see how effective this was with my own grandson and his father!

Then on Tuesday, November 16 we will have a Warm and Natural look with warm, earth tones and a touch of holiday greenery. This would look great from the very casual to a more formal look, but could also be used as a portrait on display year round.

Oh, Baby ... A special maternity portrait session!

At Anne Grant Photography we have been anticipating a very special gift!  Denise and husband, Ben are expecting their first child, a son, who should arrive just after Christmas.

Most of you have met Denise (our wedding photographer and portrait design consultant) on visits to the studio or when we are at events in the community...and you know how special she is to us.
We would like to invite you to drop by the studio on Sunday, November 14 anytime between 2 pm and 4 pm for a "Diaper Shower". This is a "floating" drop in event, so come by and bring a pack of diapers (any size) and/or baby wipes, or just a few encouraging words of congratulations. We love our studio family and we welcome any of you who would can come to share in the joy of this occasion.

Free Facebook Profile Pic by Anne Grant Photography

Today, Thursday, October 21 is the day for our 2nd All About You For ALS!

 There is a lot for you to enjoy at this event, but for those of you needing a new Facebook Profile Pic ...you know who you are :-) , come on by the Broyhill Conference Center between 4 PM and 8 PM.


You deserve an evening out for you...

.....and our friends with ALS deserve all the help we can give them, so come on out!

Snapshot of Summer 2010

Fall always reminds me of, "Tell the class what you did this summer". Of course, we did a lot of portrait sessions here and at the beach, but a few things we did in our spare time were...

At the Dash Baseball Game with Rotary Club

"Nolan the Exterminator" protecting us from a BIG Copperhead snake!

The Grants (and more, including 6 of our grandkids) came to W-S for a Christmas Tree Convention (Nolan's dad and brother are tree farmers in GA)

We had T-shirts and even a theme song for Grandad's Tree Trimmer that he invented!

Denise and Anne kayaking during a camping trip with big group of friends and their dogs at Lake Hartwell.

Nolan said it was one of his best birthdays when we went hiking and picnicking @ Hanging Rock SP 

At N Myrtle with our our youngest grandchild, Carter...he started calling Nolan "Pa" this summer!

Family Portrait Month...The Best Time To Update YOUR Family Portrait!

This October, we will participate with an elite group of photographers around the country in a very special family portrait promotion. Throughout the month, we will celebrate our 6th Annual “Family Portrait Month”. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to update your family portrait, and at the same time help to support Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

5 Reasons Why There's No Better Time Than Family Portrait Month To Update Your Family Portrait:

1. FREE Portrait Session *          
2. FREE Bonus Gifts
3. The holidays are the perfect time to share portraits
4. Saturday and Evening Sessions available (these book up quickly, call soon!)
5. You are a part of changing a child’s life!

*There is a suggested donation of $25 payable to Operation Smile, instead of the Session Fee  ($99 Value)

Christmas Card Preview Sale! FREE Portrait cards..ONE WEEK ONLY!

Back To School

The buses are rolling, the book bags are full and lunchboxes* packed...so we know school has started!

These girls have been coming since they were tiny babies and their mom is one of those "super portrait moms" who brought her 2nd and even 3rd daughter in for all the portraits the first one had. You can imagine (or maybe know from experience) what a big challenge that is. Please Note: This is NOT a judgment on those who are mere mortal moms, like myself and don't get "it" all done...I admire all moms for all they have to do!

Anyway, each year when they are just about to start Kindergarten, we have photographed them in the same outfit, right down to the little ruffled socks for their back to school portrait session. 

I know I say this a lot, but one of the greatest joys in what we do at The Village Photographer is watch the children growing up...through the lens, resulting in portraits that will be treasured by their children.

*Are there still lunchboxes? I had a pretty sweet metal lunchbox with all the Beatles on it in 2nd grade!

Love Stories...Revealing Treasures of the Heart

Remember all those kind, loving thoughts that you don't take the time to say to your loved ones?
Let us take you on a journey that will add dimension to those expressions of love.
We have been working with Matt Hall of 201 Media Productions as our videographer to create a unique, personal production for you. Using the fusion of video, music, portrait art and words (both spoken and written) we have a wonderful new product that will illustrate those thoughts, words and feelings.
It is simply called ...Love Stories.
 
It begins with a visit to the studio so we can hear your story, learn more about who you are and what you like to do together. We will plan your production and portraits, all the while leaving a lot of room to let the story tell itself as we go to the next step...
 

During the video and portrait session we will guide you through a series of questions to help you share your feelings with your loved one, reminisce and just get lost in each other...you'll forget we are even there!

  
After you have had that time together, you will find yourself appreciating that person for who they really are... at that very moment. So that is the perfect time to write a love letter to the other person with words that come from that special moment in time where you are most connected.
 

At your portrait presentation, you will see a video with moving and still imagery, set to music. You will read what the other person wrote in their love letter to you and see a beautiful art piece with a blend of your sensitive, emotional images.
This is not only for couples, but could be for a parent and children, a grown man with his beloved grandfather,  a young woman and her mother right before she gets married...there are so many love stories..we look forward to hearing yours!
Call 336.766.8367 or email to arrange for an appointment to discuss the many possibilities and to take advantage of our Introductory Offer.

75% Off Senior Elements

Design your Senior Portrait Session
by choosing the looks YOU like
with 75% Off of our Senior Elements.
Be one of the first 8 to call for a FREE SESSION!
(See Below for our “Be The First” Offer)

What are Senior Elements?

Combine as many Elements as you want
to design your perfect Senior Portrait session.
There are too many choices to list here...
click here for the Senior Elements Flyer.
Be The First!

If you are one of the first 8 callers to book your
Senior Portrait session, you will receive
one FREE Element. That’s a FREE Portrait Session!*
*Offer good through August 31, 2010

Thanks To YOUR Vote, We are #1!

We nailed it!
What a thrill to see that once again, we were voted as Winston-Salem Journal Reader's Choice
Best Photographer for 2010-2011.
Seriously, it means a lot that you took the time to give us a "thumbs up" to express your confidence in our studio and what we have to offer.
Since there was no interview for the write up on our studio, it apparently came from the writer's impression of our website. I was especially pleased that it mentioned my love for the business extends to our valued employees, because the integrated effort of the Team at AGP is  truly what makes the portrait experience as they described... "positive, fun and memorable."
But only with the BEST clients and friends can we even be considered for the BEST Photographer and we thank you for that!

Family Night, Date Night or Girls' Night Out...Don't Miss This One!

Did you ever wish you could see the Andrews Sisters, Neil Diamond, Carol King, Patsy Cline and Elvis in concert all in the same night? 
This is your chance to fulfill that wish... and the wishes of many NC children who have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses.

Join us at the Eleventh Annual Benefit Festival and Concert for Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Central and Western North Carolina this Saturday, July 31. It will be held at Shallowford Square in Lewisville and run from 5:00pm till 9:00pm.

For a $10 donation you will receive dinner from the Golden Corral and a festival tee shirt (both while quantities last).  It is a family friendly event including a very special live music program with a cast of "tribute performers", a magic show, games, an Arts Expo for the kids and a great silent auction and lots more. Even Cinderella will be making a special appearance at 6 PM (bring your cameras for this "photo op").

Please share it with anyone you think might be interested in attending the event so more dreams can come true and lives enriched.  For entertainment and silent auction details and updated festival information, visit the Make-A-Wish Festival web page.

As the official photographer for the event, we expect to make new friends, but we want to see ALL of our friends "through the lens"!

Would You Like To Be One Of Our "Test Models"?

We heard you!

If you saw our recent survey, you know we are considering offering quick, simple portrait sessions and...Wow... did you have a lot to say!  In the survey, you told us you were busy and sometimes don't need all that we typically offer to have portraits made, so you have gone to the photo chains and have been pretty disappointed overall. Of the respondents, 91.8% said they were interested in seeing us offer a "Quick Takes" style of photography.

 
Now it's time for the next step!

We would like to to hear more of your opinions as we take the next step - conducting a test of this new product. You can be a part of our R and D (research and development) Team!

There will be an opportunity for you to be one of the first to try it out as one of our "Test Models" on  Saturday, July 24, Monday, July 26 (with after work hours), and Tuesday, July 27.

The Portrait Packages start at $129 and we will have Portrait Sheets for as little as $24 each. This style of photography will give you a chance to have quality photography as often as you like...at affordable prices! In addition, you will have the opportunity to purchase low resolution digital files with a purchase of $259 or more. (This is great for scrapbookers, Facebookers or even your digital frame.)

 All you have to do is go to our online scheduling site (See? it's already easier..you can do this at midnight in your PJ's!)

After you schedule your Portrait and Ordering session, we will send an email to let you know what to expect. We'll take care of the rest..you could even come on your lunch hour!

 

Our studio is known for the attention to detail, and all that goes with it, when we create your portraits. For those who have had the Anne Grant Photography experience, the best results come when we spend time planning your perfect portrait before the session. Then there's the session, with unlimited time followed up a week later with all the time you need for making your selections with our portrait design specialist. Our clients appreciate all the time we spend with them when they have made the decision to invest in a custom designed, beautiful wall portrait collection.

But what about the times when you really want something quick and easy?
It may be just a fun idea or only have one purpose, such as:

• Your child in their "First Day Of School" outfit  
• A nice image for your Christmas Card (every mom I know dreads taking their own family pictures for their annual Christmas Card, but it makes for funny stories!) 
• An updated image for your business card
• Something really cool for your Senior page in the yearbook
• A few great images to use on the "important" pages as you are scrapbooking 

        ...And all of the other simple moments in your life!
 
Your response to this initial offering will determine if we will be able to add this type of photography to our current style of customized designer wall portrait sessions, so we look forward to a great turnout!

 

My Daddy, My Hero

About a year ago a cute couple that had just gotten married came to our studio wanting some portraits of the two of them to commemorate their wedding. Matt "Tucker" is in the Army and both him and his wife Kayla were ready for any creative ideas we had for them. Of course during their session and throughout the last year we have grown pretty close to the whole family. Kayla's mother would call us throughout the year to let us know where Tucker was stationed and how things were going, we were so excited to get the phone call last fall that they would be expecting their first baby in June!

Tucker is now stationed in Afghanistan and has been home on R&R for the last two weeks. While he was home he was fortunate to be here for the big day! Summer arrived on June 28, 2010. They have been trying to put as many things into 2 weeks (336 hours) as they can and we were blessed to be able to spend three hours of that time with them today. We would like to show you a few of our favorite portraits from Kayla and Tucker's wedding session and also a few from today's session. Tucker sadly has to leave this Sunday morning and head back to Afghanistan until December. What a wonderful husband, daddy, and soldier he is to make this big of a sacrifice for our freedom. Thank you Tucker and family! We are thankful to have you all in the Anne Grant Photography family.

Survey Says...Free Gift for your Opinion!

We would like to invite you to participate in a quick survey to determine your interest in a new product line we are considering ... simple, fun and affordable portraits with quick sessions for the busy family.

When we sent this survey to about 800 people just this week, were we ever surprised at the excellent response and, more importantly, the detailed answers we received. Thanks to all who have responded so far, we have learned a LOT about what people want (and don't want) in their portrait photography!

We read descriptions of their good & bad portrait experiences and even suggestions for future promotions...so if you would like to be heard, we are listening!

Now, we have earned our reputation by offering the finest portraits available with a multi-faceted portrait experience. This includes a portrait design consultation, a session with multiple settings/clothing changes/groupings of subjects and a multi-media presentation of the images on a large projection screen. When we are creating wall portraits and custom designer portraits for our clients home decor, we have found that each element of this process is what they expect to give them the most choices and achieve the best results.

This style of photography will continue to be what "defines" Anne Grant Photography.

One thing that we picked up on from the survey is how much people LOVE the portraits we have done for them! So please note that this concept is in addition to the extensive, detailed service we have always offered.  Thank you for your encouragement..we are feeling the love!
(We know you are busy, but we value your opinion, so we will give you FREE gift from us if you take just a few minutes to complete this survey!) 

Take The Survey

We value your opinion and truly care about how we can meet your needs...Let us hear from YOU!

We LOVE Ice Cream at CARVEL!

It has been so... HOT this week that we decided to go for some delicious ice cream at Carvel in Winston. If you haven't been there before, they are located on Hanes Mall Blvd next to Moe's Southwest Grill.
While we were there we even put up a new display of portraits showing people having fun eating ice cream. It is so cute... you have just have to run out this weekend and see it. (and get some ice cream too.)

We will be continually changing this display, so if you are interested in being a ice cream model be sure to let us know. Brian and Anita Sondey (pictured here) are the owners and we even got them to come in and model.
What is better than having your portrait taken at Anne Grant Photography? Having your portrait made AND eating ice cream at the same time.

"No Limits" Formal Dance

Recently, we had the pleasure of being a part of the No Limits II Formal Dance. We photographed over 500 special people. We had four stations set up to help in speeding the process along so the guests could go and enjoy their fun filled night. Our Anne Grant Team was there along with two other professional photographers from the North Carolina area. We had such a wonderful time!

In December of 2002, No Limits II was started at Sunrise United Methodist Church in Lewisville. No Limits II is a monthly social opportunity for mentally and physically challenged adults (18 years or older) where they can come and enjoy a night of dancing and socializing. On the second Friday night of each month, the family life center is transformed into a dance club complete with a DJ, dancing, refreshments, door prizes and bingo. The party starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. When they began in 2002, they had about 25 people in attendance. Over the years, they have continued to grow…..and now they have anywhere from 400 to 500 in attendance each month. They outgrew the Sunrise facility in 2005 and therefore had to look for a new home to continue their dances. Over the summer of 2005, they held dances at the West Forsyth YMCA. In August of 2005, Pinedale Christian Church (at 3395 Peters Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem) graciously extended their facility and volunteer support to No Limits II.

No Limits II is a great opportunity for some very special people to have a wonderful night socializing together. The monthly dance is currently sponsored by Pinedale Christian Church, Sunrise United Methodist Church, Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network, personal donations and several other local contributors. As the attendance has continued to grow over the years, so have their needs. In addition to the 25 to 30 volunteers that are needed each month, the financial needs have grown as well. On average, it costs approximately $500-$600 per month to provide everything that is needed to make a No Limits II dance happen. Information is mailed out quarterly and themed dances are planned throughout the year. People travel from as far away as Statesville, Elkin, High Point, Greensboro and Lexington to be a part of No Limits II. It is a very special way to bring a lot of happiness to people each month. Some people come to dance, some people come to eat, and some people come to just socialize and play bingo. It is free to all guests and is a night that no one wants to miss!!!

If you have any questions or would like to help in any way, please call Melinda Gentry at 924-6507 or e-mail at mailto:scootbee@windstream.net.

Anne Grant ~ Certified Professional Photographer

Anne Grant ~ The Village Photographer, now also known as Anne Grant ~ Certified Professional Photographer, is giving you yet another reason why you will be glad you chose our studio for your photography!
The art of photography is what has pretty much defined my career and a good bit of my life for almost two decades, but our industry is very different than when I first started. There are more photographers than ever, all at vastly different levels of expertise.
 
When it comes to creating your family's photographic history, I know you want all the reassurance possible when you choose your photographer.
You want to feel confident you have made the right decision when you are overwhelmed with choices.Often times I hear people say that it is hard to know who to trust for any type of services they may need. Even though our studio has always had a 100% guarantee that you will be thrilled with your portraits, it is a well known fact that the public recognizes certification as a sign that one is an authority in their field.
 

From the Professional Photographic Certification Commission website  
"A Certified Professional Photographer designation is awarded by Professional Photographers of America (PPA) to those who pass a comprehensive written exam to measure technical capability, successfully submit a body of work to a panel of judges for review and approval, and abide by a professional code of ethics. This offers you that assurance, not just of quality, but of technical skill and artistic expertise."
  
This process was no easy task!
But when I learned that only 7% of all the members of PPA earn the Professional Photographic Certification and that I am one of only 3 Certified Professional Photographers in Forsyth County, it gives me a sense of pride to be among those who set themselves apart from the masses so I can offer more to my clients.