Silent Auction: Beginning Photography Class - Raleigh, NC

You have the opportunity to win my Beginning Photography Class at a silent auction in Raleigh, NC this Thursday. My friends, Shannon and Lee, are adopting at baby girl from Taiwan, and they are having a fund raiser at Chick-Fil-A at Falls Village March 22, 5-8 pm. If you would like to help support them, eat some chicken, and win some cool stuff (like a Beginning Photography Class from me) you should GO! 

Here is the link to Shannon's blog that has all the details about auction items (and details about their adoption if you peruse through recent blog posts): http://www.dinglefest.com/

And for info about the fund raiser Thursday click this link: http://www.dinglefest.com/2012/03/eat-mor-chiken-to-help-bring-zoe-amanda.html

And to see the facebook page, and rsvp if you'd like, click this link: http://www.facebook.com/events/344343232275711/

You'll need to print this flyer and take it with you if you're going to the fund raiser to eat Chick-Fil-A. 

Please let me know if you have any questions about the event or auction.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! - Studio 310 Photography

Merry Christmas!! Thank you to all my awesome customers for a great year. Have a wonderful Christmas day!

the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12
 

Guest Blogging at Great Smitten

Go check out my guest blog post over at Great Smitten. You can view my article with tips for improving your photographs of your kids HERE.

After you peruse the rest of Faith’s blog, stop back by here and let me know what you think. Or leave a comment there; that would be awesome too.

NEW WEBSITE - North Carolina Wedding and Portrait Photography

I have a new website. I'm super excited to share it with everyone. I started working on the new site a long time ago, mmmmm, like over a year ago. But I finally decided to finish it up in the last week. I love the photos from a lot of my shoots recently, so I think that's what helped me get to work finishing the site.

This blog is still going to be my home page, but I'll keep a link at the top of the blog for the website that will include my portfolio, the 'about me' section, pricing info, client proofing, and a few other things.

I'll be adding new photos to the portfolio, and I'll add a section with info about classes in the next couple weeks.

Head over there and let me know what you think: Studio 310 Photography Portfolio

Announcing: Photography Classes - North Carolina Family Photographer

I'm so excited to announce that I'm going to start offering Photography Classes. We're going to start out with beginner group classes, as well as one-on-one classes that we can cater more to the needs of the student (beginner, advanced, and everything in between).

I'll be able to help you learn more about your camera and take better photos of your kids and friends. Here's some of the stuff we'll cover:

- 10 tips for Taking Better Pictures

- Introduction to Exposure

- ISO

- Shutter Speed

- Aperture

- Using your Camera's Basic Settings

- Lens Overview

I'll schedule some classes, but you also have the option to get your friends together for a night out, or a daytime class while the kids are at school. The three hour group class is $100 per person with a minimum of three participants. Each person will receive a textbook to keep as a reference.

The classes will last 3 hours for 3-5 people, and can be extended to 4 hours for over 5 people (due to the extra questions that may come up for a larger group size). 

One-on-one Classes are great for people that would like to learn more about their specific camera. In a beginner one-on-one class we'll cover the basics of what goes into an exposure, go over the features of your camera, and help you learn when to use certain features of your camera to all you to take better pictures. We'll cover the differences between different lenses and which lens is best during different circumstances. A three hour one-on-one class at your home or mine is $250.

At the Ham & Yam Festival tomorrow I'll talk to people interested in classes to get an idea of some good dates for group classes. If you'd like to schedule a one-on-one or a group class for you and some friends please contact me with some possible dates/times that work for yall, and we'll coordinate a class. Or if you'd like to jump in on a group class that I schedule let me know what kind of scheduling works for you: morning, evening, weekend, certain night of the week etc.

Email me here or call me at 919.915.2231 to discuss dates and times or reserve your spot.

Amanda Dengler

Ham & Yam Festival - May 1-2, 2010

Go to the Ham & Yam Festival in Downtown Smithfield this Saturday!! I'm going to have a booth in the Art Station--which is going to be in the road right in front of my studio--East Johnston Street, between Third Street and Fourth Street. I don't know exactly where I'll be out there, but that isn't too big of an area so look for me!! I'll be out there.

Smithfield, NC has an awesome street festival every year. We'll have over 150 exhibitors and vendors, and 3 stages with free concerts all day. Go get your ham biscuit for breakfast and barbecue sandwich for lunch and enjoy the music and exhibitions.

I'm going to have applications and sign-ups for kid models and for next year's high school senior models. So families interested in a free photo session for their kids--3 year olds thru 6th graders--come fill out an application. I want to expand my kids portfolio. I have tons of babies and brides, but I want to photograph more kids. Kids that are accepted as models will receive a free session; a $200 value. 

This year's high school juniors can apply to be models too. I need students to represent Studio 310 to their friends for senior portraits. Class of 2011 students that are accepted as senior models will receive a free session, nice cards to give to friends, and some other sweet goods.

AND, I have one more very exciting thing to announce, but this post has too many words already, so I'll have to save it for another post. Look for it soon--like tomorrow. I'm excited!

Easter Bunny Portrait Sessions

Happy March. I can't believe it's already March, and Easter is just a month away. I'm excited about Easter Portraits with Bunnies at the studio in Smithfield, NC again this year. We're going to have a new set / backdrop for the photos that will look super cute for photos with the bunnies, or photos with just your kids in their Easter clothes or any cute outfit without a bunny. And I know lots of my customers like my neutral backgrounds--this one is neutral too, and awesome. Get excited.

Here are the details: similar to last year, $50 for the session and a complimentary 5x7. If you order additional prints within 1 week of your session, you will receive 20% off your print order.

Easter Bunny portrait sessions are available March 23 - 31, 2010, including that weekend March 27 and 28. You can schedule your session during the day, after school, or in the evening.

Call Amanda at 919.915.2231 or email here to schedule your session.

Here are my favorites from the last two years.

 































































 Studio 310 Photography

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Portrait Sessions with Studio 310

PinkFact: 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.



Today is the first day of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Studio 310 is joining with other wedding industry professionals to help fund awareness, outreach, education and research for breast cancer through Pink Initiative.

During the month of October, proceeds from all portrait session fees will go to Pink Initiative to help fund a cure for breast cancer.

Also, to say THANK YOU to my customers for supporting this cause, those who purchase either a digital or print collection will receive 50 custom Christmas cards. Click here to see a couple examples of cards from last year.

October is a busy month at Studio 310, so please call or email me now to book your session. Thanks for considering partnering with Studio 310 Photography and Pink Initiative.

PinkFact: About 85% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer do NOT have a family history of it.

Studio 310 Photography

Website Sneak Peek - Raleigh, NC Wedding Photography

I'm working on my new website, so anyone trying to see my main website and portfolio is temporarily being redirected to my blog. I hope no one has been confused by this.

It's been fun and tediously time consuming looking through images and getting them ready for the website. I've been doing a lot of freelance shooting for other studios lately, and I don't always look through the images immediately. I'm almost certain I've never posted any on my blog. So, I'm challenging myself to post one new image a day on the blog. That will give you blog stalkers some fresh material everyday and get a sneak peek of what I'm working on for the new website. This will also help me get moving on finishing the website.

Bride and groom from a wedding I photographed with April in Downtown Raleigh.


Studio 310 Photography

Senior Class of 2010 - North Carolina Senior Portrait Photographer

Yea yea, summer is here, and it's time for the new senior class to start thinking about portraits. Studio 310 has awesome specials again this year. Here are the deals:

•• We need students to be models this summer, so if you book your session before school starts back in August, you'll receive 50 free cards to give to friends when you head back to school.

•• These free cards are really good for you, because for every friend you refer to Studio 310 that books their session with us, you'll receive $25 off your order.

•• AND for every 3 friends you refer that book sessions, you'll be entered in a drawing for an iPod shuffle. (If you don't need the iPod, we'll figure out something equivalent for you--like a gift card.)

•• We'll probably have some runner-up prizes too--like iTunes gift cards--depending on how many people end up in the drawing.

So check out the video with senior portraits from Studio 310 and contact me if you'd like to book your session or you have any questions.



In case the video isn't showing up for you, or you're looking at this from facebook, here's the link: Vimeo
And if you want to see some blog entries with senior portraits, look here, and here. (the second link is a family session that we did along with a senior session.)

You can use Twitter too

You might have noticed at the top of the right-column of this blog is a section titled "twitterings." That's my made up name for my twitter update. I think I first became conscious of twitter late last summer. I had probably seen twitter updates on others' blogs, but ignored them for a while. I looked into starting an account for myself around that time, but was completely intimidated by it--but now I don't remember why--maybe the thought of keeping it updated? I finally decided I was going to do this thing at the start of 2009. It's totally not scary, just sign up.

I'm going to the WPPI convention (that's Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) on Sunday, and I'll be back late on Thursday. It's in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand--sweet. I'm not going to try to blog while I'm there, but you'll be able to follow what I'm doing through twitter. Which is the whole point of this post--you can use twitter too.

So what is Twitter?
Twitter is real-time micro-blogging. Users update and share whatever they are doing in 140 characters or less. You could share what you are doing, your plans, your thoughts, the music you're listening to, what you're eating, who you're meeting, ask questions. . . It's good to join in conversations too. You can respond to what others are talking about. This is one of the times where your two cents (in 140 characters or less) is always welcome! Since I know a lot of my blog audience is facebook users, I can compare twitter to the facebook status update; not exactly, but it's similar.

Once you're signed up, you find people to follow. You'll receive their twitter updates. And people will follow you. They'll receive your twitter updates. You can choose to follow people you know, people you know of, lots of businesses use twitter, follow people that are interested in the same things as you. I follow wedding photographers, wedding planners, and other wedding vendors; people I know in real life, people that are very wise about marketing, and a few businesses I like. My friend Lisa is one of the trainers at my gym--it seems that she is networking through twitter with others interested in health and fitness throughout the US and Canada. You could get hooked up with others in your industry, your hobbies, your family, your friends. . .

People will follow you. I'm much more of a one-on-one friend person, not so much someone who has lots and lots and lots of girl friends, so when I signed up for twitter I only found a few people I knew in real life. But since I've been using twitter, I've developed a network or twitter community of people I can learn from and talk to.

You can update as frequently as you like. Some people post updates throughout the day, everyday. Some update once or twice a day. Some people update once a week or so, or less. And I think some people use twitter just to update friends and family about whats going on when they are out of town or during a big event. So you can use it however you like.

I hope this info has been helpful for you. Let me know if you have any questions about twitter; I'm happy to help.



Amanda Dengler

Belk of Smithfield Hosts Bridal Expo

Belk of Smithfield, NC is hosting it's bridal show and expo Sunday, February 22nd. It will be from 2-5pm at 1231 N Brightleaf Blvd. I'LL BE THERE!!! I participated for the first time last August, so I know a little about what you can expect. Food--Casey's Catering and Florist will likely be there with plenty of reception food samples, cake, and punch. You'll have the opportunity to meet local wedding vendors, and register to win prizes. There will probably be a gift just for showing up--it was really nice last time--and you can start a wedding registry at Belk if you'd like. If you're from Johnston County you might as well start a registry at Belk because you know all those old ladies from your church are going shopping for you at Belk.

I know some couples are recently engaged and don't necessarily have a date set for the wedding, but you can go anyway. It's a great way to do some preliminary research, and WIN STUFF.

**BIG HINT** on registering for prizes: the way it worked last time was the brides had to speak to each vendor and check off or get them to check off that she had spoken with them--there aren't too many vendors so don't get intimidated. But some vendors aren't as, mmmm, outgoing as others, so some brides didn't meet everyone because the vendors weren't taking the initiative to introduce themselves. SO, either make an effort to speak to all the vendors, or come see MEEE and I'll make sure to introduce you to everyone. (cause I love you and I want you to win!!! Yea!)

All the wedding vendors are asked to give something for a door prize. My give-away will be an engagement session and you can choose from a 16x20 print or a coffee table photobook of your proofs. It's a $300 value, so come to the show so you have a chance to win it!

I've set up this show as an event on facebook. If you're a facebook member you can click this link to RSVP or invite others to attend. I think there is some way to set up events on facebook for the public to see, but I don't know how. If you have any tips let me know. You're always welcome to be my facebook friend or become a fan of Studio 310.

Win a Gift Certificate from Wedding Paper Divas

I love paper. Probably because I studied graphic design in art school with a bunch of paper loving professors. My typography teacher creates beautiful hand pressed books, and he occasionally spent time in class showing us his work and explaining the letter press and book making process.

Because of all the time and work that goes into designing and creating these items, they are generally outside of my budget, so I was excited to hear about a contest Wedding Paper Divas is having right now. Brides (or grooms, what an awesome surprise for the bride) can submit their engagement story through February 22nd for an opportunity to win a gift card for wedding invitations, response cards, and thank you notes. Awesome!! Check out the website, their designs are gorgeous.





Studio 310 Photography

Photos for Valentine's Day Cards

I'm excited to offer new Mini Sessions for Valentine's Day cards. You get the option of ordering 16 custom wallets for your child to give to friends and classmates, or 6 larger 4x6 Valentine cards. Both options come with envelopes.

Thanks for helping me out by letting family and friends know about these fun photo sessions. Call me or send me an email to schedule a session for you or your child.



Studio 310 Photography

the blooming tulip

I photographed the Nick, Dana, their pooch, and Nick's bigger family before Christmas for some family Christmas card photos and gifts. I think the plan was to do photos outside at their house but it was one of those ridiculously cold and windy days in November, so there was no question for them about moving the session indoors.

Dana owns a graphic design business, and she designed their Christmas card. Check out The Blooming Tulip online.



Studio 310 Photography

Merry Christmas

I have enjoyed working with all my awesome clients this year. Thank you all for inviting me to be a part of one of your most important days!! Have a wonderful Christmas.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Studio 310 Photography

Update

1. Jonathan and I have been married just over one year. One year and almost two weeks. On Nov 14th last year we woke up in an awesome bed and breakfast on Lake Como in Italy and got on a train and headed for Milan where we went shoe shopping. hehe. The next day we flew back to Raleigh.

2. I started missing Italy this year when the weather started getting cool. We had such an amazing honey moon traipsing around the country.

3. On Nov 14th this year (that's today) we close on our house we're selling. Big huge deal. I'm really excited our house sold so we can live closer to work and get our lives back, but wow, I'm so sad to leave our house. I think it will be better when we have a new house to live in. A new home.

4. I finally have portrait customers. YEA. My business has been (literally) 10 times better this year than last with weddings, but the portrait side had been kinda slow all year til now. I have been praying for a more balanced schedule--that God would provide portrait shoots like He has provided weddings--and He answered "yes". Not what I would have chosen my schedule to look like, but this certainly works too. Praise God.

5. I'm excited about my family and kid sessions over the next couple months.

6. I'm excited about photos with Santa next week. We still have spots available. Contact me if you want to come.

7. I love how well all the Harvest and Halloween Mini Sessions went. All the parents were super chill, which is sooo helpful when photographing children, and it made my life much sweeter. You can see all these cute kids on three different posts. here, here, and here.

8. My fall mini session customers helped with a food drive. I dropped off the food today with the soup kitchen at First Baptist Church in Smithfield, NC. They'll deliver the food that they can't use for their ministry to food pantry in town.

9. Last week I cut my finger well enough to require stitches--and they are through my fingernail. This has made work interesting and it's been super inconvenient for packing to move. The constant pain is very draining too, which might be helping to magnify being sad about leaving our house.

10. Tomorrow I will (probably) get my stitches out, at which point the PA treating me will show me how to use super glue on my nail and finger until the nail grows out. Lovely.

11. I bought super glue gel yesterday.

12. I'm working hard on a wedding from late October, so you'll get to see some new wedding photos soon.

That's all the life and work updates for now.

Amanda Ward Dengler

Dates Extended: Christmas Sessions

The Christmas Mini Session dates have been extended. If you want your cards ready by Thanksgiving, you'll still need to schedule your session for this week. But if you're just looking to have your cards and portrait gifts ready in a timely manner for Christmas, you can schedule through November 26th--that's the day before Thanksgiving.



Studio 310 Photography

Fielder's Choice

Time to feature another entrepreneur family member. This month you get to learn about my cousin Caitlyn and her store: Fielder's Choice. CUTE NAME*. Caitlyn and her husband both teach middle school (bless their hearts) in Wayne County, NC; Caitlyn teaches Family and Consumer Sciences (formerly known as home ec). She enjoys cooking and sewing and hopes to one day turn this love into her own full-time business, and she's starting out with this online store. Fielder's Choice was inspired by her son, 7 month old Fielder.

Fielder's Choice features cute baby accessories including handmade bibs, burp cloths and appliqued onesies. Caitlyn uses high quality, contemporary fabrics that are 100% cotton. As a mom she understands that even though those fluffy minky fabrics are oh so soft and cute, they just don't do the job absorbing the messes for which bibs and burp cloths are made. Caitlyn has great introductory prices, so if you're interested in getting a shower gift, or something for yourself, now is a great time!

burp cloth


coordinating bib


*Caitlyn is from a baseball family so the name Fielder's Choice is cute because it's her son's name as well as a play on the term used in baseball stats. Fielder's choice indicates (basically) that the batter reached base when he could have been thrown out, because the fielder chose to get a different runner out. This still counts against the batter's average--like he'd gotten out.

You're welcome. Anytime I can help broaden your knowledge of the Great American Pastime, I'm happy to help.

Amanda Dengler

Belk Bridal Show

I had such a busy weekend, but it was all fun. It started early on Friday at 3:00 for the Raleigh Street Painting Festival. (That was so eventful it gets its own post.) I shot a wedding with April Saturday afternoon. It didn't even hit me til the next day that it was a nine hour shoot—probably because it was in Raleigh so we got home "early" at 10:30. That was the wildest wedding reception I've ever experienced. And Sunday after church, Jonathan and I headed to Smithfield for Belk's little bridal show.

They had a nice show with a few area wedding vendors and some nice gifts and give-aways. But I guess it was poorly marketed because the attendance was very poor. This was the first year I participated, and I'll continue to go to their shows because I think it was such a lovely event, and I want it to be bigger and better next time. One of the brides that attended the event had already booked my friend Brandi for her wedding day photography, so that was cool to get to make that connection. Even though I didn't get to talk to many brides, it was a great opportunity for me to network with others in the wedding industry. Other vendors that were there:

Casey's Floral & Catering Service. Casey's has locations in Princeton, Smithfield, and Four Oaks. They provided the refreshments for the show including a delicious cake.
Frankly Yours Garden Gifts & Antiques. The name doesn't really tell you what they do, but they offer traditional wedding day flowers, arrangements, and traditional decor like white columns, urns, and ferns.
Clinique. Part of the gift for attending was from Clinique. Nice. I got one too. I love their stuff because it's fragrance free and great for sensitive skin—or really any skin type. That's one of their big marketing pushes; they work to match your makeup to fit your skin type. Clinique is also really good about giving free consultations and letting you try their out their stuff before you purchase.
Jimmy R. Wallace Photography. A super traditional photography studio in Smithfield. If you're looking for 100% posed wedding day photography, Tim at Jimmy R Wallace Photography can provide it.

Next time I'll take some photos of our setup. The bridal consultant ladies at Belk had set up an area to look so pretty for the show. I took some big ol' prints, and Jonathan set up my laptop with a monitor on one of the tables to show a slide show of engagement photos, bridal portraits, and wedding day photos. Next time too I'll help more with getting the word out about the event.

I'll be posting new wedding photos in a couple days from a recent wedding I photographed in Wilmington.

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