BEST KID EVER

Today we launched our first ever Facebook contest. The contest is searching for the "best kid ever." Yes, its a photo contest, but unlike many many photo contests. A short and sweet word-portrait of the kiddo is submitted along with mom's favorite image that I photographed.

I'm not after the little models, or perfect little barbie dolls (or bratz I guess is more current). I want moms to show off the shining character of their little ones. I want to hear what makes their kid interesting, and special, how they make their parents laugh and how much the entertain grandma and grandpa.

In a Facebook world of APPEARANCE IS EVERYTHING, I am rebelling against just that. Appearance is virtually NOTHING. I know the term "appearance is just skin deep" is a bit cliche, but is is so true... Looks are merely a shallow veneer on top of the masterpiece that God created. Lets show THAT off!

Woodworking at its finest

I am thrilled to my core to have this art piece in my collection...

This platter is a cross-section through the root-ball of a California redwood tree. Anywhere in a tree where a branch splits off from its trunk, or where roots join to form the trunk, the wood grain is curly and curvy and irregular and flat-out BEAUTIFUL. The grain is a rich, saturated, red, and appears almost pearlescent as the grain turns around itself.

The artist created the piece to be subtly concave on the top, while maintaining a flat side on the reverse for variety. The concavity prevents the subjects of this photograph (the babies) from "competing" with the wood for the focal-point of the finished photograph. The light from the left side will fall only on the small, irregular wood edge, then the babies' faces, which are the highlight of the photograph.

The finish was chosen to be glossy enough that the deep colors of the grain would not be muted, yet not mirror-like so that I don't labor over avoiding uninvited reflections in the piece.

All-in-all, it's wonderful.

The piece was crafted by the one and only, Ed Brown, MY DAD!
Thanks, Dad, for your time and energy you poured into this platter. I love it love it love it! And I know my clients already do too. I also can't wait to enter this in competition! It's perfect. Thank you!

ROBIN ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY BABY REGISTRY

Well it's about time, right!?

You can now register with Robin Allen Photography for family and friends to purchase credit toward your newborn photographs! Moms who have already scheduled their newborn session are automatically enrolled in the Baby Registry Program.

HOW DOES IT WORK? The mother to be doesn’t need to trek around a store and scan her desired items; instead, a credit is build up with Robin Allen Photography and will be used toward the newborn session’s prints or products. It’s as if Mom is given lots of gift certificates to spend.

Family and Friends choose their gift amount in increments of $50. They simply call us at 859-685-8516 and let us know their gift amount. We can accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover Card over the phone, or they are welcome to drop a check in the mail to us.

TO THE GENEROUS GIVER… If there is at least a week until the baby shower you may wish to order a personalized gift certificate for the mom-to-be to open! This works beautifully if you are planning on giving her a picture frame along with her gift certificate! Just let me know what size frame you have chosen and we’ll order that size. These photographic gift certificates are $10 and include shipping or delivery to you.

branching out

Every so often I leave the studio and branch out in to the rest of the clients home. (By studio, I mean where the lights are set up) This was particularly awesome last Tuesday because of how awesome Joy and Kurt's house is! It felt so warm and eclectic. So it only made sense to pick up the couple's colors in the photographs. Art FITS when is looks as though the room was decorated around the piece of art. This was definitely a success. I can't wait to see what the finished products look like on the walls!

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Simply Love Studio!

I am so excited about this endeavor David and I have happened upon... Robin Allen Photography is now a preferred vendor at the new Simply Love Studio opening later this month!

Simply Love is best described as a "bridal fair slowed waaaay down." I'm sure every bride out there knows that bridal fairs can be great places to collect information, but they're also very overwhelming and busy and confusing! I remember when I was engaged, we paid to attend a bridal fair in Louisville. We migrated from booth to booth receiving fliers and doing our best to avoid the small talk with the hopeful vendors. For my mom it was an endless line of telemarketers-in-person. At the end of the day I honestly couldn't remember a single vendor. They all ran together.

Simply Love is exactly what every bride needs. Over the past several months they have really been doing their homework. They have scoured Lexington looking for the best caterers, videographers, florists, hotels, djs, musicians, and photographers, and the list goes on and on. Each vendor is pre-selected, interviewed, and must be approved. Simply Love makes their selections based on overall style, experience and their ability to go above and beyond for their clients.

Once the store opens March 25, brides will be able to sit down with a friendly guide to help you muddle through many choices brides have to make when they're planning a wedding. They will listen to what you and your family wants for the wedding, your budget and help educate you! In my opinion, this is grrreat for brides because the Simply Love Studio is not compensated by the vendor if a bride chooses one of the preferred vendor. The staff at Simply Love really are the bride's advocates! The staff are not salespeople! oh and one more thing... ITS FREE TO BRIDES. She and her family wont pay a cent for this awesome service!

One of the best things about this (for us anyway) is that we wont have to meet at places like Starbucks anymore. We'll meet downtown at the Studio! Just think - quiet, relaxed, my albums and information will already be there waiting for me! No more carting around my luggage! We can also talk more intelligently with our brides about the photography. She can go up to an image on their wall and say, "Please don't do this kind of thing," or "I LOVE this. Can you do this!?"

I invite you to come out to the Stuido on March 25th from 6-9pm for a glamorous grand opening. And brides - you should definitely book a complimentary appointment if you're planning a wedding. Say goodbye to planning stresses! It's a thing of the past! For more information about Simply Love Studio, visit their website at http://www.simplylovestudio.com/

I love this kid.