New Year Give-Aways from Marcia Todd Photography!

Let's ring in the New Year with some Give-Aways because I love paying it forward!  

• One  lucky person will win a Free Session + their Digital Images ($350 value)
• Runner Up will Receive a $150 Gift Certificate**

• 2 People will receive a $100 Gift Certificate**

• 3 People will receive a $50 Gift Certificate**

 **Gift certificates are redeemable for any product or digital file, but are not valid toward session fees.

To be eligible for the give away, post the following link on your non-private blog, facebook wall, flickr account or Twitter account:

http://marciatoddphotography.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-year-give-aways-from-marcia-todd.html

THEN, Post the URL to your link(s) in the comments below on THIS entry anytime between January 1, 2011 and January 3, 2011 at 12pm, with your New Year Resolution!  You can enter up to 4x (4 separate comments)

Winners will be announced  January 3, 2011 between 9-11pm.  I will use Random.org and use your post numbers to choose the winners.  Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting.  The winners will be contacted within 24 hours of contest's end to claim their prize.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!






UPDATE: You must post the link to this blog on your facebook, twitter, etc. then come back to this blog and  comment here that you’ve done so with the link to your facebook wall.    – each entry requires its own separate comment. 

ATTENTION: I cannot notify you if you are a winner if (1) I don't have a link to your facebook, twitter, etc. (2) you leave a comment as "ANONYMOUS"  Please leave a comment below by using your Google account or "Name/URL"   

If you do not follow the directions correctly – your entry will automatically be disqualified.

You can enter / post up to 4x......You can enter/post up to 4x......You can enter/post up to 4x!!

You have four chances to win, but only one chance PER OPTION – please do not post the same link multiple times. Duplicate links will be removed. Each entry requires its own separate comment to have multiple chances to win!

Out with the Old & In with the New: Marcia Todd Photography

Thank you Jesus that 2010 has definitely been the best ever for Marcia Todd Photography.  I absolutely love & appreciate my clients - they allow me to have the photography side of life that is in my heart and soul.  I have the best family and friends who is the greatest support system a Photo Gal can only dream of.  They are so encouraging...thanks guys you help me to appreciate myself!
I'm excited to see what 2011 has to offer and I'm ready....so BRING IT!

I'm revealing the 2011 Pricing Plan - Drumroll please....

Me & My Camera....We Click!

I admit it...I like to stalk other photographer's blogs and their facebook pages.  It's what sometimes inspires me along with numerous other things.  There are some pretty terrific photographers out there & it drives me to be better at what I do.  Thank you!

I saw where a photographer buddy of mine had ventured out in his hometown and snapped some photos while at a laundromat.  Yes, a laundromat.

*LIGHTBULB*

Yesterday, while some snow was still in the shadowed parts of my yard, I walked around outside and just snapped what I thought was neat and photo worthy.  Okay, I'll share.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Wow, a week without a blogpost...you can tell that my camera has been M-I-A huh?  That, and the fact that Christmas is just a super busy time of the year - everyone is ready for cards and photo gifts so I don't really get that much time behind the camera anyway.  I'm pretty sure that I am going to coin the term that "busy" is just a lifestyle now....my lifestyle & I'm sure you all can relate.

**************NEWS FLASH********* she's baaa-ack!  That's right people, this camera lady is back in business.  Well, not officially, but starting December 26, it's back behind the camera for me - literally.  I have a shoot scheduled the day after Christmas!  I'm actually pretty excited about it.

I promised that I would post our Christmas card for this year.  All mine have gone out so the cat's out the bag....this is it!

I love it, but I think I'll go with something different than a 5x5 next year.  It's not a "standard" size so it cost 20 extra pennies to mail it and man, $0.64 does add up when you have to mail to half of Horry County!!  ;-)

Got our first round of gifts this past weekend while my twin sister and her family came home for 5 wonderful days!!  Spending time with Janet makes my heart sing with pure and utter JOY & we act like we're 10 again when we are together....it's terrificle!  Here are some pics from our Christmas celebration with my side of the family.  

Here's a quick introduction of the clan from left to right, my sister with her husband and two kids, my brother and his fiance, mom & dad, me and hubby & our children.

It's the most wonderful time of the year....
#1 - God's son was born. Happy birthday Jesus!
#2 - Robert & I celebrate our wedding anniversary on December 23rd!  This time 10 years ago, we were getting ready to make a public proclamation of just how much we loved each other in front of a small church full of family & friends.  2 days before Christmas 10 years ago - it was COLD, I had long hair, Robert had hair (giggle), I was around 8 weeks pregnant with Morgan, my sister was planning her wedding that followed 3 months & one day later.  We vowed to love each other & stay together until we enter God's kingdom where we will be husband and wife until eternity because I'm positive that we were created specifically for each other and for our children.  I really am such a lucky gal.

Lots of fun planned from now until Christmas including some snow tubing and more family time.  More pics to come!
I pray that everyone really enjoys this Christmas season and remembers to send birthday wishes to our wonderful Savior, even share the gift of love by exercising a small, random act of kindness to someone - it feels so good!  It's no wonder our God is so gracious!

O Camera Where Art Thou?

This week marks three weeks since I shipped my camera to Nikon for what I thought was a simple repair.  A repair I even considered trying myself...why didn't I??
According to their repair service (on their website) they are waiting on a part to come in. According to technical support over the phone, the part was supposed to be there today, they would fix it and ship it back to me overnight.  Anyone want to place a bet?


My dear friend & cousin-in-law, Rachel, was so generous to let me borrow her camera this past weekend so that I could snap some shots of my hubby playing football, my daughter/gymnast at her meet & a top secret session.  It. felt. GREAT!  Thank you, thank you Rachel....MUAH! 

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

Maybe I should change the business name to Marcia Todd Photography & Design?


More of my creations...

The Creativity Juices Have Been Flowing!

It's been 2 weeks now without my camera and like I said before, a blessing in disguise.  I have been nonstop creating Christmas cards, processing orders, designing storyboards, and the list goes on!

Thought I would share a few of my creations & when I get cleared to share more, I will. 

I am smitten with what I came up with for my family Christmas cards this year, but can't show you just yet.  I will, however let you see last year's card...

...7 Years...

December 4, 2010 my youngest turns 7. I can’t believe it. SEVEN.


His legal name is Robert Eugene Todd, III, but he has been called Ret since he entered this world. (I cannot believe I'm already starting to tear up - INHALE....EXHALE)


I have been searching for photos of him because a blogpost is pretty boring without images. (This is where I need to add GET PHOTOS MADE OF YOUR KIDS - you will cherish them forever!)  I would love to share one from each month of his life, but let's not get crazy! 


Funny, from day one he has had the same wonderful cheeks (so kissable), born with a head full of black hair that changed and blue eyes that never will change and a personality that is sure to keep us laughing for the rest of our lives. 


In the last seven years we have had the chance to experience the world through his super inquisitive eyes, giving me a perspective on life I could NEVER have gotten without him. (Sure glad there are no hidden cameras right now - I'm sure the snot & tears are very attractive)


HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sweet, gorgeous blessing of a 7 year old. I'm constantly thanking God for sharing you with me. You add so much to my life and our family and I couldn’t be more grateful to experience life with you.  I love you.

The Waiting Game.

It's been a week since my Nikon left me to take her journey to the Nikon Service Center.  I haven't heard from her, I'm sure she's okay...

Even though I had to cancel some sessions, this time away from her has given me a chance to process some orders, work on some special requests from some extra special clients (you know who you are) and focus on my own walls.

I was so happy with the way the photos of my kids turned out.  I was certain that they were going to be completely uncooperative & I would sit and stare at the images in disgust.  But to my surprise, I like them...I REALLY like them.  I decided to replace some frames on my walls with canvases - 4 canvases of my camera hogs ;-)
I went to a photography workshop a couple of weeks ago and one of the speakers said "Why wouldn't you want to replace that print from Pottery Barn or Pier One with a beautiful portrait of your own family?"  You have to admit, she has a point!

So here's my vision....

Yes, one 20x32 & three 10x13 canvases have been ordered.

As you know from this prior post, I've been experimenting with my studio/photography packaging.  Here's an update on that situation.

Loving my bags from Hobby Lobby.  Yes, I stocked up & bought every one they had in Florence & Columbia (giggle).

Jingle Bells have been attached to my Christmas card orders this year.  Gotta love the $1 Stop at Target!

And I am smitten with my thank you tags.  They are the mini moo cards from www.moo.com.

DECK YOUR HALLS & WALLS!

THANKSGIVING & BLACK FRIDAY SALE

20% OFF CANVAS PRICES!

Counting My Blessings

If you are a friend of mine on facebook or keep up with the fan page on facebook, you know that I had a bit of a crisis today.  I was scheduled for two shoots today (1) Newborn & (2) Family.  I was packing my things, grabbed my camera and a memory card, popped my memory card in my camera and something wasn't right.  My camera would not detect the card.  CRISIS!  I contacted Nikon.  My camera is on its way to the Nikon Service Center in New York as I type this post.
I'm considering my crisis just a blessing in disguise.  There's a saying that "God doesn't give you more than you can handle"  AMEN TO THAT!   I'm pretty sure that my prior plan of having this week free was supposed to stay that way and this morning was just another example of why I need to slow down!

I took full advantage of my day "off".  I got caught up on my editing (YAY ME!), designed Christmas cards for some clients, replied to emails, returned phone calls, folded laundry, cooked dinner and thought about my plan for Black Friday shopping ;-)

Thanksgiving is just a couple of days away and I'm sure we all have the same problem of countless blessings.  There's just not enough time in the day sometimes to do everything we want to do or everything we think we have to do.  So today I'm thankful for the time I was given to do what I did with the time I had.  I'm also thankful for 2 of the people that are at the top of "My Blessings" list and that my camera held on until today so that I could get some pictures of them last Sunday.

Yep, these are my two...my inspirations....my blessings.

Ret....my handsome, soon to be 7 year old.

Morgan...my beautiful, mature 9 year old.

Sorry kids....those gummy smiles come straight from your momma :-))

Several of these will be displayed as beautiful canvases on my wall....I can't wait!

Click HERE to see the rest of our session and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!