Monday, June 24, 2013

5 Tips for Designing Senior Announcements - Maryland Senior Portrait Photographer

I love designing graduation announcements for my awesome clients! (Seriously, I have had the greatest high school seniors come in for their photos and we have so much fun creating styled portrait sessions, from edgy grunge to fashion looks!) I've learned a few things through the years and thought I'd share some of my favorite tips for creating great announcements.
  1.  Keep it simple - Elaborate text, a ton of colors and all kinds of graphics will end up making your cards look chaotic and confusing.
  2.  Remember the rule of 3 - Fonts that is. You should avoid using more than 3 font types in any piece you design. If you want more variety, try bolding text, using italics, or changing the font size or color.
  3. Heavy is best - Light weight paper, such as computer paper, doesn't feel nice. It always gives a
    less expensive appearance.
  4.  Go big - One large image creates so much more on an impact than 25 small ones. I recommend going with no more than four images on the front of the card.
  5. Get help - I am always happy to design announcement cards using any images my seniors have purchased in at 8x10 size or larger at no charge and will be happy to quote prices for professional printing, as well. If you don't have a photographer who provides design help, you can usually find a nice template through a printing service. (I recommend MPix to my clients who want to print their own, as they do a good job with providing quality work.)
Didn't have your photos done yet? I provide on location styled senior portraits in Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania, as well as in studio sessions in the historic town of Port Deposit. Contact me at 410-378-4521, e-mail me, or message me on facebook to talk about setting up your boutique portrait session.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Maryland Newborn Photographer - Simply Elegant Baby Portraits - Port Deposit Maryland Family Portrait Studio

It is so enjoyable to work with little ones in my new family portrait studio in Port Deposit, Maryland. I was honored to be able to create some simply elegant baby portraits for a sweet new girl the other day.

 
As a newborn photographer, I feel that the beautiful images I capture of your new addition should simply be about his or her tiny features and expressions. I have quite a few props, but love knit blankets, bonnets and other pieces that will still look wonderful in portraits passed down to your new baby's children and grandchildren. My favorite poses also always end up being those that have a classic, heirloom feel.


Looking for newborn portraits of your precious new bundle of joy? I recommend booking your baby's session for the week of your due date, as the best newborn photos happen during the 7 to 10 day time frame. However, as you can see from this sweet girl's session, we can still get some lovely newborn images of babies up to 6 weeks old if you've missed that time frame. We probably won't get sleeping baby in basket poses, but these classic portraits are still quite beautiful.

To schedule your Maryland newborn photography session, either on location or in studio, call 410-378-4521, email me, or message me.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

July Special Portrait Sessions and Promotions - Maryland Portrait Photographer

For those of you may have missed the announcement, Katelyn Thomas Photography has opened a  family portrait studio location in historic Port Deposit, Maryland at 20 South Main Street. Of course, I still offer on location portraits to Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania area clients, as well.

There are some really exciting sessions and promotions coming up in July! Don’t miss out on these great ways to create beautiful memories of your family.

Birthday Sessions - Celebrating your birthday this month? There's an amazing package just for you!
Get a 20 minute session, a happy birthday timeline image perfect for posting to facebook, a 5x7 print of the image of your choice from your image gallery and a digital file of that image so you can create invitations, birthday posters, etc. Only $50!

Deployment Thank You Offer - As you may know, I am proud to be a part of Welcome Them Home, a program that documents the return of armed forces members who were serving overseas. I'd like to expand this service to offer those who are about to deploy a complimentary family portrait session and 11x14 portrait. (Please show active military id when booking your session.) These sessions are just my small way of saying thank you for your service!

Family Picnic Session - The family picnic session is an outdoor family portrait session, held at a local park. We've got prop baskets and picnic blankets, but I highly recommend that you also pack a cooler or picnic basket of your own and staying after your session to enjoy the grounds and to eat lunch outdoors with your children!

You can dress this session up, but I recommend that you have a more relaxed feel to the portraits by dressing in your favorite jeans, flannel shirts and cotton dresses. This is a great option for younger families, since it lets children run and play a bit between shots. It is also a wonderful choice for large families, as the park grounds provide wonderful depth to even the largest of group poses.


New & Forever Family Sessions -  Celebrate your new addition to the family with our breathtaking newborn portraits. I recommend that Mom, Dad, brothers and sisters all are a part of this sweet newborn session, giving you precious memories that you will cherish for years to come. The first week is the best time to capture those tiny hands and sleepy baby poses of a newborn, so please consider scheduling your session the week of your due date for best results.  These moments with your newborn are so fleeting—hold them in your heart forever!


Shower Party and Album - I'm so excited to be capturing every detail of an on location baby shower this July. I will capture posed and candid moments of the party and provide an edited image gallery for all the guests to view and share. After the event, I'm gifting the mom to be with a gorgeous album with custom messages from the guests. It is the perfect way for your dear friend to enjoy these cherished memories of a baby or wedding shower for many years to come.

Availability for these exciting new sessions is limited, so call to reserve yours today! 410-378-4521

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Enchanted Fairy Portrait Session - Maryland Children's Photographer - Port Deposit

A few times a year, you can come to the studio here in Port Deposit, Maryland for enchanted fairy portrait days. These special sessions are priced at $79 and include your session fee, the use of my costumes, wings and props and an 8x10 mounted print of your choice from your image gallery. If you'd like to have your child experience the magic of make believe, I am holding a fairy portrait weekend on June 15th and 16th.

One of the things I love most about being a children's photographer is creating a stress free, enjoyable environment for their portrait session. When, as this sweet fairy did, they say they aren't ready to leave and want to play in the studio some more, I know I've delivered on my promise to provide beautiful portraits of your child in a fun and kid friendly way.

Sometimes, you just fall in love with a sparkly crown and need to channel your inner princess. A quick outfit change and there you have it.


Oh, and if you're thinking, "But what about my boys?" I promise I haven't forgotten them. I am looking for costumes that would work for a Robin Hood theme to go along with enchanted fairy portrait days in the future!

To reserve your child's session slot on June 15th or 16th, contact me at 410-378-4521, email me or message me on facebook. 

Things to Do With Kids in Cecil County This Summer

Wow! After that long, chilly spring, the summer is shaping up to be a real scorcher, isn't it? I have been looking for fun things to do with kids in Cecil County over the break and thought I'd share them with you all.

First, it may not be free, but it is a really great deal and all of our guys absolutely adore it. Yup. The Boys and Girls Club of Cecil County has a fun and entertaining program that is really budget friendly - only $50 a week! I love that parents who are worried about school age children being home alone during the summer have an affordable solution. We've done the Rising Sun chapter for several summers and have always been happy with the way the program was run. The North East and Elkton units also offer the Summer Fun Club. There are a few field trips, but from what the kids say, it is mostly like we grownups remember summer - sweaty, silly outside fun and board games and movies when it is too hot out.

If you aren't in need of a whole day, week long program, then you'll want to check out the free programs at the Cecil County Public Library. This year's theme is Dig Into Reading and there are a number of great science related programs perfect for families that homeschool year round. Some of the ones we are looking forward to are MD ZOOmobile: Fear: Friend or Foe, Mike Rose's Magic You Will Dig and Who's Your Mummy. For younger children, We Kids Rock with Bill Currier, Movers and Groovers and On My Own are some programs that look like fun. Oh, and don't forget to sign up for summer reading. There are some chances to win great prizes!

Want to cool off? Kilby Creamery has some of the best ice cream around. If you are new to the area, you'll want to check out this kid friendly business. There are animals to pet, a really nice little playground and some occasional pottery classes. (And if you are thinking of throwing a birthday party, we really loved our party there a few years ago.)

Regal Cinema has the Summer Movie Express program again this year. They aren't in Cecil County, but People's Plaza and Bel Air are both pretty easy to get to. Admission is only $1. The movies aren't super new and you might even own them on DVD, but it is nice to sit somewhere air conditioned on a super hot day and see a family friendly movie on the big screen.

Plumpton Park Zoo is a special place that has really been through some amazing changes the past few years. The new owners are always doing something new and wonderful for the animals. Kids love that the zoo is smaller and cozier than the big state zoos. They feel like the animals are their friends and will go back to visit them over and over. Especially the donkeys and lions. And Jimmy the Giraffe!

 Many of the area churches have wonderful Vacation Bible School programs that are free to the community. I don't know if everyone realizes that they don't have to attend most churches to do Bible School. I know there are great programs at Pleasant View Baptist Church and West Nottingham Presbyterian Church. I noticed a lot of other churches holding VBS last summer, too. If you don't have a home church or your home church doesn't offer programs, just give one of the ones near you a call. The kids got to do crafts, play fun games and learn songs for a recital at the end of the week.

Also, keep an eye out for family friendly church events. Restore Church has a lot going on, as do many of the other area churches.

Love music? Then you'll want to check out the free concerts through the Cecil County Arts Council in North East and Chesapeake City.

Don't forget our local museums! You can visit the Paw Paw Museum, the Upper Bay Museum and the Bainbridge Naval Museum. Admission to museums is free and you can learn so much about local history.


The Charlestown wharf s a great place to take children who want to learn to fish. It is a permit free location, so your only expense is a pole, hook and bait if you don't already have fishing gear.

Did I miss an idea for summer activities for kids in Cecil County? Please let me know. I love being able to let parents who are new to the area know about our great resources!