I'll take a shack on a rock...

Over a castle in the sand!

You may be wondering why I am posting so late at night.

It is because a very SCARY thunderstorm just about uplifted my house and I'm just taking some time to calm my nerves before I go to bed.

Many of you in Arizona experienced (or heard about) the huge storm that came through the valley last night. Huge trees were snapped in half, roofs were torn off, and thousands were left powerless. Thankfully, I live in the West valley and we didn't get much of the storm. Just a few lightning strikes and wind.

But tonight, we in the West valley got a little taste of Mother Nature in one of her moods!

I came home at about 10:30, and although there was some heat or 'cloud' lightning in the distance, they sky was pretty clear and there didn't seem to be any type of storm headed for our direction. So, I went up to my room, clicked on my computer and was about to go through some e-mails.

Then, the wind started to pick up. I could hear it getting progressively louder, and could hear a little bit of thunder, but nothing too big or scary. 

I decided to call my boyfriend, since we had just discussed the fact that we didn't think we would get any of the storms they had predicted earlier. He lives about five minutes away, and it was storming like crazy at his house. I could hear loud thunder going on in the background, and it sounded like a mad house! 

Pretty soon, the storm reached my house.

It seemed like all of a sudden, sheets of rain were coming down and blasting our windows. The wind was at an unbelievable speed, and there was so much lightning. Every time there was a flash, it light the house as if it were daylight. Soon to follow were very loud crashing thunders, the kind that make you cringe, which were also setting the car alarms off on the street several times.

When the lightning would flash and you were looking out a window, it looked like a hurricane. Seriously! I've always seen the videos on the news, and it was identical. All you could see was a sheet of rain being tossed by high winds, and pretty much no visibility. We couldn't even see the roof of my new door neighbors house! (Trust me, her roof is pretty dang close!)

The wind was so strong, it sounded like the tiles on our roof were about to fly off. I was afraid the windows would shatter in. And the constant lightning and thunder made it so very scary. 

I am very thankful to say, I think the storm is over. We still have a little drizzle and thunder off in the distance, but for the most part, the storm has passed. There has been no visible damage, and we are all okay, besides my dog who may have some psychological issues for life.

Well, I hope everyone is out there safe, and with power! I don't know how, but we didn't lose ours. That is very good, for spending a summer night in Arizona with no air conditioning, is, well, CRAZY!

Contest!

Hello everyone.

It's time to announce my first of many contests! Here are the details:

The Contest:

Simply submit a paragraph of why you would like (or need) new pictures! It can be pictures of anything: senior portraits, family, engagement, baby, newborn, or anything you'd like (excluding weddings)! 

Hint: explain why it is important to have new pictures. Were your last family portraits boring or disastrous? Do you really want pictures of your new baby but are only spending money on the necessary items? Or maybe you haven't gotten pictures taken lately and just want something fresh and new? Tell me what your heart feels :)

Submit your paragraph to liz@elizabethkimball.net 

I am accepting entries now through September 20, 2008!

The Prize:

-One free photo session (scheduled the date of your choice)

-One free 8x10 print

-One free photo book (6x8, softcover)

This prize will be awarded to one winner, and will be notified via e-mail about one week after the contest ends. 

Submit your paragraph now!

Remember, contest ends September 20, 2008!

Good luck, and have fun! :)

Flash is so pretty

For those of your who haven't viewed my site in the past few days, VIEW IT NOW! :)

I upgraded my website big time - and it's awesome. You just have to see it to believe it!

www.elizabethkimball.net

That explains the title of this post. This is also what my "big announcement" was that I posted about a week ago. A new flash website, with royalty free music. The music might not be the best, but hey at least I don't have to worry about Copyright issues :) 

Speaking of music, I am in the process of searching for a good local band willing to supply music to my website. I still have not found "the one" but am trying. I will keep you posted.

Anyway, one of my favorite features of this site is the client proofing section! It is everything I have hoped for - a private, password protected gallery for my clients to view, and a shopping cart so they can order their photographs right on my website. How easy and awesome is that! Well, I think it's pretty swell. This is my solution for now - hopefully in a year or so I can join Pictage, and really starting using a fantastically-functionally easy online ordering system. But for me right now, THIS IS AWESOME! (Note the upper-case lettering. That's me very excited).

Onto the personal side of this blog posting,

My sister Ali has started a fabulous business. It's called Green Chic Mama, and she hand sews baby items using natural and organic fabric. It's functional, 'green', and CUTE! I highly suggest checking out the blog for her business by clicking here. You will find pictures of her products, pricing, and more information. Way to go, Ali!

I will be starting school this Monday. 19 credit hours worth of school - YIKES! That means I will be a very busy girl. So, if you notice a shortage in blog postings, or a little longer e-mail reply, this is why. But, I am working as hard as my body can, so please bear with me :)

Another note- I am saving up my money to purchase a new camera. A Nikon D300 to be exact. This camera is simply amazing. I would LOVE the new Nikon D700, but this is a full frame camera that requires full frame, FX, lenses. At this time, I only have DX lenses that will not work with the D700, so for now I will just have to settle with the D300 until I can have enough to save for a new camera body, and a whole new set of lenses. Ouch. That will pretty much put me in debt. But I'm sure it will be worth it :)

So, to save for this camera, I am buying absolutely nothing that I would usually buy. This includes cutting down on my Starbucks runs. And, I'm selling pretty much anything and everything I find of value on Craig's List and Ebay. I searched my entire house the other day for anything I could sell and came up with a lot of stuff. Sadly, much of this stuff sells for no more than $20. But hey, that's $20 I didn't have before! One of the things I am selling is my video camcorder. It's a little sad to let this guy go, but I know it'll be worth it to have a D300 :) and in a few years, I can save up for a HD camcorder, so I can make super amazing home videos.

So, this post is a little long, and I apologize for any rambling that may seem to occur. It seems the vanilla latte I had at 3p.m. is still in my system. I love Starbucks.

Oh yes, and one more thing. I plan on posting a contest either tomorrow or Sunday, so check back for that. You will not want to miss it!

Everyone, Mark Your Calendars! Don't miss out on this

I am thrilled to announce that I will be hosting an amazing all-day event projected to be Saturday, February 28, 2009.

This day will be unlike any other- I will be in Anthem's Community Park from 8a.m-4p.m. filling one-hour time slots for photo sessions of any & all types. 

But, here is what makes this day so special.

On this day, I will donate 75 % of your session fee to the US Autism & Asperger Association, which is a non-profit organization providing research and educational assistance to families and individuals with autism spectrum disorders. You can visit their website here for more information about their organization. 

This is an opportunity I wouldn't want anyone to miss. Spread the news and tell your family and friends. We can make a difference! 

The first one-hour session will begin at 8a.m, with the final session of the evening starting at 4p.m.

Any & all photo sessions will be accepted: Senior, Family, Child, Engagement, and everything in-between! Simply meet me in the Community Park in Anthem, arriving 15 minutes prior to the start of your session.

This day will be held in late February, as it will be perfect timing for senior portraits, away from the Holiday rush and winter chill, but still cool enough for the whole family to be out in the middle of the day.

On November 2, I will announce the finalized date of this event, should there be any changes. I will begin accepting reservations for this event on November 2nd! They will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you have a specific time you would like your session, book on 11/2!

If you have any questions, just ask. More information to come.

*If you are a photographer, or know a photographer that would be interested in joining me, please send me an e-mail at liz@elizabethkimball.net *

New addition to the family...

Yes, I have a NEW addition to the family!

A couple of days ago, I received my Lightroom 2! It is still the amazing Lightroom, but with a few new features the first Lightroom did not have, such as brush tools. I am super excited to start all my editing on here. It will make my life so much easier :)

Of course, Photoshop will not be forgotten. 

I was just on my ASU website, and I saw a banner that I thought was really funny, and pretty much describes the situation of having both Photoshop and Lightroom. 

If you imagine Photoshop and Lightroom being in the list rather than the ASU terms, this would be picture perfect :)

**Within the week, I will be posting a big news update, and contest! Let's just say the contest will include a free session and photo book! Check back for updates!** 

Have a great day :)

I [LOVE] the olympics!

The Olympics really excite me. Not too long ago I watched Michael Phelps win yet another gold medal! He is amazing! I swam year-round competitively for 10 years, and let me tell you, swimming is nowhere near as effortless as he makes it seem. He just blows my mind! Congrats, Michael!

Did anyone watch the men's 4x100 freestyle relay last night? That was CRAZY! and AWESOME! Go USA! Not only in swimming, but in every sport [with a shout out to USA Softball, and May & Walsh beach volleyball!]. 

It's been a few months since I've been in a competitive sport (softball is starting back up in September), and I miss it! This summer I've been so busy with summer school and this business I feel like I've been locked in front of a computer! Watching the olympics makes me want to go out and play so bad (minus the heat), but hey, all this 'office' work I'm doing is sure worth it.

If there were a multi-tasking competition in the olympics, I would be a gold medal winner. I am currently typing this on my laptop, but I am right next to my desktop where this Blogger site is also up. Only my desktop is uploading a new banner I just whipped up in Photoshop. Speaking of which, I need to change the sizing on that. I'm not exactly Photoshop savvy. Thankfully, I use Lightroom for the majority of my photograph editing!

Or perhaps if there were a Rock Band olympics, I wouldn't do too bad in that event either. Brad, Shelby, and I sure bring it on those guitar and drums. I wish there was a keyboard instrument in Rock Band (Hint: Wii, make a keyboard for Rock Band!). That would seal in the gold.

I hope everyone is having a great week, and is having fun with the olympics. It's a great time to bring the family together and get the adrenaline rushing.

GO USA!!!! :D

I have something up my sleeve...

This is a BIG something (or possibly little, depending on your view of photography). I'm excited to say this 'something' should be made public in 1-2 weeks :)

Clue: It has to do with my photography business, and it will change the way you see and hear Elizabeth Kimball Photography.

I'm also excited to say I am using a new lab, so my print quality just jumped up a notch. But, don't worry, my print pricing will stay the same! Everyone will notice a great change in their prints, for this company is a professional lab and uses the best print technology. Exciting! With this lab, I am also able to offer new, amazing products. 

Products available:

-Fine art gallery canvas wrap: These babies are amazing works of art to proudly display around the home! It's a really elegant and modern way to display your favorite photographs. Canvas wraps are available starting at $70, which is very reasonable considering their high quality! And, what's best is they come ready to hang. No money spent getting your photographs framed, for we all know how expensive that little task is.

-Cards: Whether it's a holiday card, invitation, or announcement, I can create a beautiful card to display your photographs while informing your family and friends. Different sizes and printing finishes are available, starting at just $40 for a pack of 25 cards. 

-Albums: This is a high quality, professionally designed album of your photographs. Albums are designed and printed on thick hinged paper, with your choice of a leather or photo cover. Albums start at $100. 

-DVD Slideshow: Set all photographs in your gallery (30-50 images) to music and special effects! Slideshows are a great way to display your photographs to friends and family, and are a hit at graduation parties. You'll smile as the crowed says "aw" at your countless amazing photographs. The price is $50 for two DVD copies, and $20 per additional DVD copy (Hello, party favors!)

-Calendar: Turn your photographs into a customized photo calendar! This 12-month calendar can be customized to start and end and months of your choice (March-March, January-January, etc.), and will include several photographs from your session. You can even send me a list of dates (birthdays, etc.) to be added and printed directly on your calendar! Calenders are a great investment at $40. 

If you have any questions or would like further information on any of these products, send me an e-mail! If you have something in mind not listed, contact me and I'll see what we can do :)

Baby C

My nephew Cameron is now four months old! Here are just a few of the many photographs we took in his thirty minute session this past week.

As you can see, he is a very happy baby! Throughout the shoot he was very interested in rolling over, so it was a bit difficult to capture this fast moving kid, but that's what makes my job so great :) natural movement.

Gift Certificates Now Available!

I am happy to announce I now offer Elizabeth Kimball Photography Gift Certificates!

What a great and creative idea would it be to get your loved ones a photography gift certificate!

It's a great way to surprise mom on her birthday, or dad on father's day that the family will be getting new pictures.

Or how about a friend that just had a baby? Give them the gift that will give back, that they will truly enjoy for years to come. I'm mean seriously, baby clothes are cute, but how long will they last!?

Gift Certificates are available in any denomination of your choice, and can be used for photo sessions and/or photograph prints and special orders.

For more information, or to order your Elizabeth Kimball Photography Gift Certificate, contact me in one of the following ways!

-E-mail me at: Liz@elizabethkimball.net

-Comment here on my blog

-Visit here

I hope everyone has a great day, and remember to take it easy with the excessive heat warning!

Revamped Website: Launched!

Hello everyone! I just would love to share my enthusiasm with you all that my newly updated website is launched and up for viewing! If you tried to visit my webpage the past couple of days, you may have noticed it was down :( my apologies. But now, it's working and ready for your eyes to see!

I have updated a couple of pages on the webpage for simple viewing, as well as updated my galleries with recently taken photographs. But of course, always stay tuned with my blog for my most recent work!

You can visit my official website by clicking here!

More news:

My blog is fully and successfully labeled! Meaning, at the end of every blog post will be a list of categories the blog post falls under. You can click a category name (business, personal, portraits, etc.) to be taken to a page that shows you all posts that fall within that category! That will make viewing the blog very easy when you'd like to view all posts with portrait photographs, etc., or be directed to a post you may have seen in the past.

Thanks everyone for keeping up with my blog, and I look forward to posting more pictures from San Diego on here within the week! Stay tuned.