Holly O'Keefe Creative

New website

2011-01-20T19:08:00.000-08:00

Have you made the switch to the new blog yet?

Have you?

Come on now, you can do it!

Bye bye

2011-01-17T14:41:00.000-08:00

Please update your RSS feeds and bookmarks...the Holly O'Keefe Creative blog has moved to

hollyokeefecreative.com

Yay! All my information is now in one place and I am thrilled.

Senior year is full of fun stuff

2010-11-09T19:24:00.000-08:00

Isn't she gorgeous?

I think so too.

To see more, hip hop over to the Facebook gallery here.

Miss JaNae Students

2010-11-03T17:13:00.000-07:00

Preschool pictures are so much fun!

The galleries are up here. Order forms and the gallery password will get sent home with your little cuties.

Thank you!

I'm still alive and working

2010-10-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

A girl after my own heart

2010-08-31T13:50:00.000-07:00

If you are a tall girl, I'm sure to like you.

More from our session here.

I heart seniors

2010-08-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

Seniors are so much fun! I might be getting ooooold, but I'm still young at heart. And while I liked high school, I absolutely loved college. Chatting and laughing with Liz got me so excited for her! She heads to BYU soon to start her adventure.

To see more from this session, go to the Holly O'Keefe Creative Facebook gallery here.

Emma

2010-08-05T18:47:00.000-07:00

Such a beautiful girl.

Our yearly tradition

2010-07-22T16:55:00.000-07:00

For the third year in a row, I've gotten to take these cute girls' pictures on their birthday.

I missed an entire month or two

2010-07-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

But I can try to do better.

I'm back {St. George Senior Photography}

2010-05-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

Whew! That was a long break. Sorry about that!

I am refocusing my photography work. This summer, I am concentrating on seniors. If you are graduating from high school in 2011 and want free pictures, you need to let me know! See here for more details. I only have a few spots let, so don't delay!

And here's Kami from a recent session.

Some people make it so easy {St. George Family Photographer}

2010-03-05T16:04:00.000-08:00

These are some people!

Senior Models 2011 {St. George Senior Photography}

2010-02-17T16:12:00.000-08:00

I'm trying something new for 2011 Seniors. This year, I'm scouting out Senior Models from each of the Southern Utah high schools.

I'm accepting four seniors from each of the high schools to be Holly O'Keefe Creative models. Each model receives a FREE photography session. You just need to do a few things:

1. You need to become a fan on Facebook. You do. Rules are rules!
2. The session has to take place before September 1.
3. Each senior model will receive 50 cards to pass out to their friends and classmates. The cards will have one of your senior pictures and all of my contact information.

For each senior you refer, you will receive a $25 print credit and your referral gets $10 off his/her session fee. The more each model refers, the more print credits you earn. Essentially, you can walk away with your senior pictures and announcements for FREE! You just need to do a lot of referring. And you need to be okay with your pictures all over my website and marketing materials.

Let me know if you are interested in being a Holly O'Keefe Senior Model for 2011! Text me at 435.773.7392 or email holly_okeefe@msn.com.

Thanks and good luck!

PS-Don't be scared off by the word MODEL!

Coming soon

2010-02-16T19:16:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Photos {St. George Children's Photography}

2010-01-20T19:53:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching! I will have Valentine's Day cards posted in the next week or so. If you want to schedule a quick mini session for the big holiday, you better get on it and get on the schedule. Contact me (holly_okeefe@msn.com) for details on the Valentine's Day specials.

Isn't she a doll?!

Big Sister {St. George Child Photographer}

2010-01-16T15:19:00.000-08:00

Finally!!!

And I'm going to risk getting in trouble here. Here are a few of my favorites of the girls together.

Can't wait to meet their little brother!

Happy New Year! {St. George Child Photographer}

2010-01-12T15:29:00.001-08:00

It is 2010! I enjoyed a couple weeks off in December and have been back to work in January. It feels good to be back! I've missed posting a couple sessions, but I couldn't miss posting a few of my favorites with little Miss O. So cute.

And yes, we got some cute ones of her looking at the camera too!

Coming up tomorrow, her big sister!

Another year, another picture

2009-11-23T19:46:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Jackie, for the opportunity to photograph your family again! Clients who came back this year mean a lot to me. It shows they trust me. It shows they were happy. And that all makes ME very happy.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I'm winding down the season. Officially, I have been booked for over a month. Unofficially, I have been squeezing in anyone who I photographed last year and who wanted family pictures again this year. But after several sessions next week, I will be done until the new year.

And I am thankful (in honor of Thursday) for the people I have met because I have taken their pictures. Thank you everyone!

Looking forward to GRAD NIGHT!! {St. George Senior Photography}

2009-11-17T19:26:00.000-08:00

My favorite thing about spending an hour with Ariel was finding out she thinks she should get a senior discount. I think she is RIGHT!

In the mood for black and white {St. George Family Photography}

2009-11-12T13:37:00.000-08:00

This cute family came up from Las Vegas for their session. And I heard "I love you" so often in our hour together that I couldn't help but come home and want to give my own kids a few extra squeezes. Enjoy your sneak peek, Natasha!

Items of business

2009-11-10T17:30:00.000-08:00

First things first, if you are placing an order for Christmas cards, the deadline is approaching. Officially, there is no deadline, so that last sentence probably doesn't make that much sense. But the cards take about a week from the time they are ordered, so keep that in mind. And the cards don't get ordered until you pay for them, so...Right. You get the drift.

Also, ideas are cooking for 2010. Cooking, I tell ya. There will probably be a price increase at some point next year, but I'm offering a way to guarantee you get your session for the current $150 price. Buy a gift card! Yes, Holly O'Keefe Creative offers gift cards. You can buy (or request the darn thing for Christmas), pay the current price, and use it when the session fee goes up. Genius. And they even come wrapped as a...wait for it...gift.

I was going to start this in 2010, but why not get it going for the last month and a half of 2009? A way to earn free stuff! When you have a session with me, I post a sneak peek for you. I try to get it up within a day or two of our session. I know how hard it is to wait! From now on, if you get 25 or more unique comments on your sneak peek post, you receive $25 in print credits. So, when I post a sneak peek from your session, tell all your friends and family to come check out your sneak peek. When they leave comments, you can earn $25 to be used toward purchasing prints from your session with me. As a disclaimer, I won't count repeat comments from the same person. I'm picky like that.

And now I'll review what we covered in this post.
1. Order your Christmas cards soon.
2. Buy a Holly O'Keefe Creative gift card at $150 to be used anytime next year, if/when the session fee goes up.
3. Get 25 unique comments on your sneak peek blogpost and you'll get $25 in print credits.

Curveball.

I think I'll be doing a Thanksgiving giveaway next week. Because I am thankful for my clients who have been so good to me this year. And if you were a repeat client, I have something special for you. A special thank you. Watch for it!

And an image from a recent shoot, because this is a photography blog and it needs to have some photography. Isn't he a doll???

B Family Sneak Peek {St. George Family Photographer}

2009-11-05T19:47:00.000-08:00

So cute!

Color!! {St. George Children's Photographer}

2009-10-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love the way the mom of these adorable kids dressed them for pictures. Notice the colors don't all match? Notice they are each wearing fun pieces that reflect their personalities? Notice how happy they are?!

You can see more on Facebook. Are you a fan yet? hint hint

Family pictures with little ones {St. George Family Photographer}

2009-10-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

Family picture day is stressful. You have to get yourself dressed to the nines. You have to get the kids dressed. You have to do their hair. You have to keep them clean. You have to keep them happy.

And then you actually have to show up and have the pictures taken.

With little ones, it can be so hard. I know from personal experience, I promise. Personal experience as in I have two little boys of my own who I take in for family pictures every year too.

All that being said, you'd think these parents were ready to scream by the end of our session. Their beautiful little girls are full of energy, just as little girls should be. But the parents and the girls kept their cool and we were able to get the job done.

And while this one might not make the walls of their home, I absolutely love it.

This one's for you Juicy Jani {St. George Family Photographer}

2009-10-15T21:50:00.000-07:00

This is one of those sessions where I can't wait to get the editing done. (Sorry, dear, but I'm heading out of town tomorrow and won't be back until Monday. Editing will have to wait until next week.)

First off, I adore this foxy lady. She makes me laugh and she gets me and I am lucky to call her a friend. But I have to say, her husband stole the show. He probably doesn't even know it. I watched him tonight, as he cuddled with each of his daughters, snuggled into his wife and helped his mother-in-law walk up the rocky path. He is genuine and he absolutely loves the women in his life.

Ahhhhhh.

Now I sound like a freakshow.

I'll just shut up and get to the pictures.

Marathon Day {St. George Family Photographer}

2009-10-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

While over 5000 other people were running the St. George Marathon, I was hanging out on Main Street with this lovely family.

It was one of those moments when I met Tammy for the first time in person, it felt like we'd been friends for a long time.

What goes with school pictures? (St. George Photographer)

2009-09-17T10:19:00.001-07:00

...a back to school card to send to Grandma and Grandpa, of course!

Holly O'Keefe Creative offers a variety of custom cards. When you get your pictures taken, ask me about birth announcements, Christmas cards, Halloween cards, "look how cute we are" cards. You name it, I can make it happen for you.

Cards come in sets of 25, are professionally printed on fine linen paper and include envelopes. For just $40, you can send a greeting to your entire family!

Now THAT is a school picture (St. George Photographer)

2009-09-15T19:55:00.000-07:00

There are the classic school pictures, with the awkward smile and the buck tooth and the crazy bangs flying all over the place. Where you sat on an uncomfortable chair and the camera clicked before you were even ready. Before you got your best smile on. Before you had a chance to psyche yourself into a happy place.

If you didn't have school pictures like that when you were growing up, you are very lucky.

You are also very lucky if you go to Liberty Youth Academy now. Because those kids didn't have to do that for school pictures either. Yes, there may have been some itchy grass. And maybe a few ants crawling up our legs. And the rocks weren't THAT comfortable to sit on.

But heading to the park for school pictures sure beats the yucky flash lights set up in the gym.

Don't you think?

To be a teen again (St. George Photographer)

2009-09-06T18:07:00.000-07:00

I was reminded last week how much FUN it is to shoot teenagers. So I am offering a Facebook only special right now (which means if you want to participate, you need to skip over to Facebook and officially become a fan). The special is simple...next Facebook fan who books a session for a teenager gets $50 off the session fee.

And just to clarify, the session is for the teen alone. Only the teen. Not a teen and the rest of the family. Not a teen and a few other siblings. Just the teen. One on one. For an hour. The teen.

Oh my!! {St. George Photographer}

2009-08-31T20:01:00.001-07:00

This is a fun family! (St. George Photographer)

2009-08-25T17:49:00.000-07:00

We decided to do an "artistic" shot.

And I love the breeze in this one. Breeze does fantastic things for Mom, don't you think?

Christmas Card samples

2009-08-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

I can't contain my excitement! I am really happy with the Christmas cards I will be offering this year and wanted to share just a few designs before I have all of them ready. Aren't they cute?

Christmas cards are $40 for a box of 25 two-sided, linen cards with envelopes, professionally printed. They are lovely! Book your fall session now to get your Christmas cards done before the final rush at the end of the year.

The full gallery of Christmas cards can be seen here on my Facebook page.

I act like I don't even have a blog! (St. George Children Photographer)

2009-08-19T16:55:00.000-07:00

I took a few weeks off to vacation with my family and here it is a month later and I haven't posted anything since I've been back!

First off, I went home to Chicago at the beginning of the month. Would you believe this woman is 64 years old? Thankfully, she is my mom and I hope to have her skin.

And some for the W family.

I am starting to refer to this one as "the Holly." I love this shot of kids. I pretty much do one of these at every session, so get ready for it!

I will be posting samples of this year's Christmas cards within the next few days. Check back soon!

Shut. Up.

2009-07-17T14:39:00.000-07:00

This morning I got to spend an hour with this family. Yeah. Adorable, right? Right. (I'm on a roll with the "right? Right." business.)

Chicago Mini Sessions

2009-07-17T12:14:00.000-07:00

I've had interest in scheduling sessions when I go home to the motherland (aka Chicago... and by Chicago I mean Northwest suburbs...and by Northwest Suburbs I mean Palatine, Hoffman Estates, Barrington area) at the beginning of August and I have decided to open it up to anyone who is interested. If you have already booked your regular session, no worries, this doesn't change anything.

But I'm thinking it would be fun to meet at a location (to be determined) on a morning (to be determined) and take pictures. The mini sessions details are:

...$50 session fee for about 30 minutes of shooting (due that day before we start).

...you can cram as many people (from your family) into your 30 minute slot as you want. Which means, you can do the entire family, one child, siblings, you and your spouse, etc. Just remember, the more you try to fit in, the fewer options you will have.

...3-5 low resolution images in an online gallery for you to use on your blog, facebook, etc.

...all prints/wall portraits can be purchased after you see your full online gallery (about 20-30 images). Prices are on my website.

Doesn't that sound fun? I am leaning toward the morning of Saturday, August 1. If you are interested, please email me or leave a comment and let me know! Because everyone needs an image like above, right? Right.

Something about this girl

2009-07-12T10:09:00.002-07:00

Summer is such a fun time to pull out the camera!

They just keep getting cuter

2009-07-09T18:58:00.000-07:00

Technically, this is the third time I have had these two cuties in front of my camera. Now they are four and impress me more every time I see them. Christin, you have done good!

Grandma and Grandpa!

2009-06-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

First these two were a family.

Then they added a few kids.

And now they have this many people to love!

I'm off!

2009-06-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

I have been super busy this week! Sorry L family and little K, I'll post a few sneak peeks in a week.

I will be out of town next week, so please email me if you have questions or need to get on the schedule. Don't bother leaving me voicemail, I am having Blackberry issues. I can't listen to voicemail...which is more than a little bit of a pain. I hope the problem is fixed by the weekend, I haven't been able to listen to voicemail the entire week.

Thanks again to everyone I met at What Women Want. And a reminder, it is never too early to get on the fall schedule for Christmas card pictures. Anyone who sets their October/November session before August 1 gets a free box of Christmas cards (set of 25 includes envelopes!).

Get cracking, people!!

Sneak peek for the S Family

2009-05-28T07:36:00.000-07:00

The rest of the bunch are very tasteful, of course. I'm just not sure the whole world needs to see them.

I love love

2009-05-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

There is something special about photographing older couples. It is so easy to capture the years they have spent together. I also find it interesting that people reach a certain age and sometimes think they shouldn't get their picture taken anymore. I couldn't disagree more (and not for the obvious reason!). Maybe because I haven't reached that age yet, maybe that is why I don't understand.

But for now, I admire the love I feel when I photograph older couples. They've been around the block. They are comfortable with each other. They KNOW each other. They still adore each other. That is what I am aiming for with Kevin in another 40 years.

Sneak Peek Round 1

2009-05-11T17:59:00.000-07:00

More coming soon from this session!

What Women Want

2009-05-11T14:10:00.001-07:00

Come say hi this weekend at What Women Want! I will be there in booth number 416. I'll have Holly O'Keefe Creative gift cards for sale...perfect for Father's Day! I'll also have a new Inspire Guide for clients on display, something I'm very excited about.

The Inspire Guide is a great way to visualize how to hang your portraits in your home. Each page displays a unique grouping. It is a great way for me to help you get your art up on your walls.

When a dog is your baby

2009-04-21T18:59:00.000-07:00

I get it. I completely understand. My husband and I were married for seven years before we had our first human child. But less than a year into our marriage, we had our first puppy. And a year after that, we got another. And those two were our babies for years and years.

So I completely understand why someone would hire a photographer to take pictures of her doggy.

I have a secret

2009-04-19T10:15:00.000-07:00

That lovely lady, one of my very favorite people in all of Dixie, is...

PREGNANT!!!

You wouldn't know it by looking at just her face. She is DAYS away from giving birth to her fifth baby and I couldn't be happier for her.

Here she is with her girls.

We even lost a first tooth during our session!

I just like that one. But that is it for the sneak peek, I feel like I am going to post the entire session!

What to wear

2009-04-16T07:31:00.000-07:00

People ask me all the time what they should wear for pictures. I am working on some specific ideas/stores/online shops to recommend, but my canned answer is always "something you feel comfortable in." I'm not saying I think you should show up for your family portrait in you pajama bottoms, t-shirt and flip flops because that is "something you feel comfortable in." Unless, of course, you are going for the "just out of bed" or "I'm having a lazy day and I want to document it" looks.

What I DO mean is wear something that you won't be self conscience in. Something that you won't be worried you look fat in. Something that makes you feel confident, sassy, HOT or just plain good. I encourage you to shop. I encourage you to pick something new. I encourage you to bring a few different outfits.

And if you would ever like a little specific help, send me an email. I'm happy to give my two cents and help you find the look that suits you.

Since babies don't get a say in what they wear for pictures, I like to put my baby in a new W shirt a couple times a year. Will (thus the W) got a onesie when he was a newborn and the obsession began for me. As he grows, he gets a new shirt. The shirt isn't wild and crazy. The shirt isn't dressy. The shirt isn't particularly colorful. But it is unique. It will always remind me of when my baby was a baby. And I think it makes for a fantastic photo.

A-dorable

2009-04-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry, but this family was adorable. Why am I sorry? I have no idea. But they were adorable. We tried to meet up way back in November. Then a few tries in December. Then we took a break until Spring. And yay!!!! we finally got to get together.

It was totally worth the wait.

Happy Spring!

2009-03-20T10:34:00.001-07:00

Spring cards are here! For past clients or for anyone who books your photography session soon, the following cards are available for purchase. All cards are two-sided, professionally printed on fine linen paper. A box of 25 cards is $35 and includes white envelopes. Send me an email if you are interested!

Website changes

2009-03-17T12:06:00.001-07:00

I have recently made some changes at the Holly O'Keefe Creative website. What changes, you ask? I will tell you! Although I do think you should actually go to the website too and check them out for yourself.

1. I added a sample session in the galleries. What is a sample session, you ask? I will tell you! The sample session gallery are the images from a recent photo session. The images in the gallery are the images that darling little girl's mom took home on CD. She had all those choices! That gallery gives you an idea of the number of images you receive with a session and the editing I do.

2. Also in the galleries section of the website, I added a gallery called MORE. I will continue adding to that as I have products to add, but you can see what is currently available. If you have questions, please let me know. I am working on a complete price list. But do know this, I have a very fun, very diverse selection of cards for you to chose from. Spring cards. Easter cards. Birth announcements. Birthday announcements. And they are all available for purchase with your photography session.

3. There is also now an easy link to the client galleries. In case you forget how to get to your gallery, you can go to the main website and it will direct you to your client gallery.

Book a spring session!!! That way I can show you the new book and spring cards in person.

Go ahead, lay down on that concrete step!

2009-03-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

New Product for Sale

2009-03-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

Holly O'Keefe Creative now offers custom, handmade refurbished board books! Pick your favorite five images from your session with me and I will make it into this unique book, just for you! Each page is professional printed on fine linen paper and then antiqued by hand.

The books are available for $40 (plus tax) and take about three weeks for completion. Payment is due at the time the book is ordered. Email me if you have questions (holly_okeefe@msn.com). I will also do these books for past clients!

And there you go

2009-03-02T10:49:00.001-08:00

Pricing has officially changed at Holly O'Keefe Creative! Please check the website for updates.

Tutus

2009-02-27T18:57:00.000-08:00

My camera welcomes the chance to shoot little girls!

These sisters had such amazing eyes! Thanks for visiting me today!

Waiting for baby girl

2009-02-24T18:49:00.000-08:00

Big brother and sister are so excited for their baby sister to arrive!

A Photoshop class

2009-02-18T19:07:00.001-08:00

I know a lot of people are interested in learning more about Photoshop. In an attempt to offer more help with photography and Photoshop in general on this blog, I'll share classes, books and tips I find useful.

Here is a class you might be interested in taking. I have never taken this online course, but from what I see in the class description, it is relatively beginner-friendly. Everyone can benefit from learning how to improve their family snapshots.

Happy shooting!

Buttons a go-go

2009-02-18T12:12:00.000-08:00

I have a lovely photographer friend who is creating buttons. I love her idea and I immediately copied. If you would like a button to post on your blog, you have come to the right place. For all Holly O'Keefe Creative clients, I will create a custom button from your session, you just need to let me know what image you want me to use. Send me an email and I'll do it for free, as a special "thank you for being my client" surprise.

If you are not a Holly O'Keefe Creative client (why not?!), you can use this generic button below.

Here's how to add a button (I can only walk you through Blogger, I'm sorry I don't know the other ones):

From your Dashboard, click on the Layout button of the blog you want to add the button to. Click on Add a Gadget and chose the HTML/JavaScript gadget. Insert the coding (below) in the main box, click save, and you are done!

Are you a Superfan?

2009-02-17T17:41:00.000-08:00

If you are on Facebook, hop on over to the Holly O'Keefe Creative page and become a fan. I'll be doing Facebook-only specials, special sneak peeks and the sort. Plus, it makes me feel good and I might just give you something special. I like to feel good.

And in other random news, Holly O'Keefe Creative has an ad on the Spectrum's website this week. Let me know if you see it!

If this doesn't make me want a girl...

2009-02-12T13:58:00.000-08:00

Isn't she a doll? Happy 2nd Birthday Olivia!!!

Coming soon...

2009-02-10T07:13:00.000-08:00

A price increase! Hey, isn't that exciting?

The new pricing officially makes it's debut on March 1, so book your appointments before then and I will honor the old pricing. Does that make sense?

If you book your session for anytime in 2009 before March 1, I will honor the current pricing.

And because this is a photo blog...

Thanks M!

2009-02-05T10:09:00.000-08:00

Cut off

2009-02-03T11:48:00.000-08:00

The order cut off for the mini Valentine's Day cards is today at 3:oo PM MST. They are turning out so cute for those of you who placed your orders already. ADORABLE!!

Personally, I am getting two sets...one to include in the Valentine's card we will be sending to friends and family...the other set is from Connor alone. He will hand that out at school and to his friends, attached to a little box of candy. It acts as the perfect gift tag!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day (early)

2009-02-02T15:15:00.000-08:00

I am fairly late in posting this. Sorry!

If you are interested in a quick Valentine to send to friends and family, here is your solution. These little mini cards are smaller than a business card, perfect to hand out at school or to include in a Valentine's card to family members. They are $15 for a set of 20 cards, you can pick your design and your image. Just remember, the image must be from Holly O'Keefe Creative.

Order a set for each of your children to take to school!

To ensure you get your cards by Valentine's Day, order is due February 3. Geez, that is tomorrow!!! Email me if you are interested.

Welcome

2009-01-24T13:58:00.000-08:00

Every little girl needs a sister, don't you think? I surely do.

Casting Call!

2009-01-19T17:24:00.000-08:00

I am trying out a few new things and need some models. What new things? New camera. New locations. New poses.

Here is what I need:

1. Pregnant woman (preferably in the last month before the big arrival)

2. Couples

3. 16, 17 or 18-year-olds

When you model for Holly O'Keefe Creative, the $100 session fee is waived. Models can buy the digital files or prints they love. Easy as pie!

If you are interested and live in the St. George area, please let me know by email or leave a comment on this post. If you know someone who fits the bill, please send them here. Share the love, people!

It is here!!!

2009-01-09T14:21:00.001-08:00

I am so excited!!!

I am happy to say you can now visit my official website!

New website coming soon!

2009-01-07T19:57:00.001-08:00

I am excited and happy to report Holly O'Keefe Creative will have a real website soon! I have been working furiously on in this week and it should be live in just a few short days.

Keep checking back for the link!

Project 365

2009-01-03T15:39:00.000-08:00

I am doing a photo a day this year to document my family. You can follow along here.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T09:44:00.001-08:00

UPDATE: One spot left! Book your session for 2009 now to receive your free calendar.

Let's celebrate 2009! The first 3 people who email or call to book a photography session in 2009 will receive a FREE desktop calendar! Your 12 months will start with the month of your session. Hurry! This is a limited offer...the first to reply will be the first to get the New Year special.

Each month's calendar fits perfectly in a 5 x 7 acrylic frame. It is a great way to display 12 photos from your session.

Start 2009 off right

2008-12-18T22:05:00.001-08:00

Do you need a desktop calendar with 12 of your favorite photos from our photography session together? Remember these? I barely remembered until a client asked about them today.

For $20, you will receive the completed calendar and stand. Each month is a different textured background. Each month a different image. In fact, I'll let you pick your 12 images if you want to...otherwise I'll pick my favorites. Once it is done, it is done.

I think I suggest you pick your 12 images. Payment will be due before I start work on your custom calendar.

Email me if you are interested. I'll post a picture of the calendar in the stand in the next few days.

A day with my kids

2008-12-18T21:56:00.000-08:00

Apparently if it snows a mere two inches in Dixie, school is cancelled. At first I thought "WHAT THE HECK?!" but then I was quite happy Connor didn't have preschool today. We got to play in the snow instead.

I got the kids bundled and we headed out. I had snow pants, boots and coats for both of them...but no mittens. Apparently, mittens are required.

So I packed them up and took them to the store for mittens. Much better.

Connor built a snowman with Daddy. He insisted on a "carrot nose." I am happy all this Frosty-watching has paid off. He knows how it goes. He wanted a tall magic hat too, but I didn't have one of those.

Then Will took his nap. While he slept, Connor and I had more fun. Gingerbread house fun.

Crazy eyes.

Still pretty excited.

We left after Will woke up to make a run for Al's. I didn't realize my mistake until I was already at the store. I'd left the completed gingerbread house on the counter. When we got home, the dogs had knocked it apart and eaten half of it. Connor cried. I apologized. It wasn't until he realized he and Will could eat the remaining bits that he decided it was okay. Anything the dogs ate from was thrown away, I assure you.

I have a zillion photos from today I wanted to post. You can click here to see more from our fun-filled day.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-17T20:15:00.001-08:00

I am officially on holiday break! Thank you to the clients who kept me so busy this year. I'd love to see how your cards turn out!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I'll be back in January.

Hello twinners

2008-12-15T13:10:00.000-08:00

Look at those eyes!

Peek-a-boo

2008-12-11T14:25:00.001-08:00

Is that fast or what?

2008-12-08T20:55:00.000-08:00

I'm working on it Kristi!

Did you know?

2008-12-08T11:25:00.000-08:00

I'd love to see how you display your pictures in your home. Let me be a little more specific, I'd love to see the pictures I took for you displayed in your home. So send me pictures and I might just share them on this blog. If you don't want me to post them online, that's fine too, but still send them to me so I can see!

Still smiling together

2008-12-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

I love to take photos of couples who have been married for a while. In this case, "a while" is an understatement. What a beautiful thing to witness, love and happiness after more than 60 years together.

Big brothers

2008-12-07T18:56:00.000-08:00

Remember this little doll? I had the opportunity to play photographer with her big brothers last week.

Hmmmm. I wonder what trouble he is cooking up.

This little guy spend the hour looking for a rabbit.

This big brother has a special place in my heart...he is good friends with my three-year-old. Anyone who drives his Jeep down to pick up his buddy Connor is a-okay.

It is no wonder these kids are gorgeous. They have great genes!

I am officially booked

2008-12-02T08:55:00.001-08:00

I am looking forward to 2009. New clients. New products. New ways to make people smile.

As for now, 2008 is completely booked. I am taking names for a waiting list in case I have a cancellation, so please feel free to email me if you want on that list. Thank you!

Feet

2008-11-30T16:18:00.000-08:00

Repeat

2008-11-28T15:06:00.001-08:00

Another family session where I only post a series of one of the kids. That builds the anticipation, right? Right? Right?

I can't decide

2008-11-25T14:25:00.000-08:00

Don't worry, Mommy, I got cute ones of his sister too!

A few of MY favorites

2008-11-21T09:46:00.000-08:00

I like posting sneak peeks for families who check the blog. Looking good M family!

I was only with the family for about an hour, but it seemed to me this guy was one of the more shy members of the group. Which made me like him that much more.

And I love this shot of the girls. Aren't they happy to be sitting on that rock with each other?

Not the typical teenage boy...he laughed! He played with his little sisters! He teased and joked without pushing it too far!

The schedule

2008-11-18T11:26:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in pictures before Christmas, please book soon! I only have a few openings left before the end of the year.

You can call me at 435.773.7392 or send email to holly_okeefe@msn.com to get the ball rolling.

Happy Holidays!

The good half

2008-11-16T16:46:00.001-08:00

Happy happy joy joy

2008-11-13T12:04:00.000-08:00

I was thrilled to spend an hour with this adorable family! They were so genuinely happy to be together. I hope you like your sneak peek H family!

Photography Session

2008-11-12T11:16:00.000-08:00

Come to the Arrowhead Elementary School in Santa Clara Storytelling Festival tomorrow (November 13) for a chance to auction for a Holly O'Keefe Creative photography session. Between 4:30 and 7:00, the festival offers games and food for the whole family. All money raised goes toward building the school's library.

I will be roaming the festival with my boys. I can't wait!

She wanted portraits

2008-11-11T06:57:00.000-08:00

Meet Donna. She's new to town. She loves hiking in Snow Canyon. She grew up a mere 10 miles from where I grew up in the Chicagoland area. I played volleyball tournaments at her high school! Isn't that crazy. And now she's all grown up and decided to have her portraits taken. And they turned out great!

This is Hayley in love

2008-11-09T17:17:00.000-08:00

I couldn't be happier for the engaged couple!

Sisters

2008-11-05T20:19:00.001-08:00

Round 2.

The first of many

2008-11-05T20:13:00.000-08:00

Sneak peek round 1.

She prepped me

2008-11-03T18:56:00.001-08:00

One of my first What Women Want photo shoots was over the weekend. When Jamie booked our session at the expo, she kept telling me her family was hard. She warned me they had a family of little kids. She prepped me for a difficult family session but she was SO wrong.

Does it get cuter than this? Look at the baby watching his parents smooch.

Big brother found a leaf (among other treasures the kids found) and wanted to get his picture taken with it.

Big sister was full of personality.

This little man wasn't into the group shots. But I have several images of him doing his thing, being a boy.

And the baby of the family was asleep by the end of the session, but we got him while he was still awake and happy too.

FAQ

2008-10-27T18:53:00.001-07:00

1. Where do you recommend I get my prints done?
My first recommendation is Print It on Main Street. He does a great job. He is local. He can answer your questions and make any tweaks you need him to make. Nathan is his name and you can reach him at 652.1005 if you have questions.

Regarding Costco, I think they do a decent job up to 8 x 10 prints. But to be honest, I have been less and less happy with them as of late. Call Nathan. He is reasonably priced and does a better, more professional job.

2. Why are you so much cheaper than other photographers?
I quit working over three years ago when I had my first baby. And I am just getting back into the groove of things. My number one job is still to be with my family. So I charge less (for now) because I still feel new and because I don't book as many clients per week. This is part-time work for me. Prices will go up eventually as I feel more comfortable with the balance between working a bit again and mothering my little boys.

3. Can I post my pictures on my blog?
Of course. I retain the right to use the images in advertising and online, but they are your images to do what you want with. You are welcome to post them on your blog, send them in email to friends, etc. I encourage you to share them. I especially love it if you credit the photography back to me.

4. How long will it take after our shoot before my online gallery is up?
It will usually be at least a week before the online gallery is up. But I try to post a sneak peek on the Holly O'Keefe Creative blog within a few days of the session, so check the website regularly!

5. Can I have additional copies of my CD?
For a $10 fee, I will make additional CD's for you. But remember, all the images in your online gallery can be saved onto your hard drive as well. Just click on the Original size setting and Save As.

6. I had a zit on my face for the session, can you get rid of it?

Yes, I will retouch images at a rate of $50 per hour. I will also swap heads for that fee.

Giveaway

2008-10-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

What Women Want. Friday and Saturday at the Dixie Center. Have I mentioned lately I have a booth? I do believe I have. Have I mentioned that I have joined forces with Indulge Aprons and we will be giving away one FREE apron? I think not.

Everyone who signs up for our mailings lists will be entered into a drawing to receive the FREE apron. If you come to the booth from either Indulge's Etsy shop or this blog, please make sure you tell us and you will get an extra entry in the giveaway.

We'll announce the winner next week.

YAY! Come and visit us this weekend!

{image courtesy of Indulge Aprons}

I knew we could do it

2008-10-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

I think these parents were worried we weren't getting pictures of the whole family looking at the camera. We did! And there are plenty more where that came from.

Don't you love that face of the family's big brother?

They are so happy because we were almost done!

One more

2008-10-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

I can't help myself. As I am editing this family's pictures, I am finding images I can't wait to show their mom!

The Parker Family

2008-10-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

Aren't they cute?

4 Girls

2008-10-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

Here you go, Jackie!

Okay, that may not be the one you want for your wall (there are plenty cute ones of her smiling and looking at the camera, don't worry) but I love how happy she is!

And don't forget to go here and pick out what Christmas card you want!

Tips for displaying your family pictures

2008-10-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

Real Simple has some great ideas for turning your family photographs into art. Click here for ideas. One of my all time favorite ideas from Real Simple is the split image. I've never done it, but I think it has fantastic potential.

For sale! For sale!

2008-10-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

I couldn't be more in love. I haven't worked out pricing yet, but these gorgeous canvas wraps are now available to my photography clients. They are canvas gallery wraps, available in several different sizes. Please, if you like the picture of the canvases, make sure you ask to see the samples. They are even better in real life! These will be on display in my booth at What Women Want, so please stop by!

Annie is 1!!! (a while ago, but still...)

2008-10-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

What is better than a session with a happy, smiley, adorable one-year old? Add her three-year-old brother up in the play room with Connor and her happy, smiley, adorable mom to the mix and it is golden.