Uplate.

I apologize for my absences. I am very sad that I was not able to take a graduation job at MSSU. However I am going to be out of town for the weekend. The very nice gentlemen keeps asking me if I have found him a back-up. *sigh*

Tomorrow I am going to work on editing/fixing a picture from a wedding that a lady from my church gave me (a month ago!).

Also need to have Jeremiah and I get our Christmas pictures taken....

And get some pictures printed for Doyle's book. He's our preacher and is leaving at the end of the year. He has served our church for a good 12 years. Almost half of my life. He married me, he baptized me. He will be missed.

Well that's it for an update.

Good night world!

Alyssa = 2011 Senior

I really enjoyed getting to work with Alyssa. Her smile was so incredibly bright and we got to share a lot of laughs. I was also impressed with not only her sense of style but her amazing purse collection! She is one awesome person!

David is a Senior!!!

Last Sunday I had an enjoyable time getting to know David while we took pictures. I think the most fun we had was teaching him how to smile! =]

Enjoy!

November Specials

It's perfect weather for family portraits! Any family that books with me now through December will get 15% off of their package AND a holiday greeting card that is personally designed just for you!

Updates: look forward to David Schultz Senior Pictures!

Kyree Nicole Choate

I want to congratulate Karly and Preston Choate on their precious bundle of joy. Kyree was born on Saturday the 4th. She is healthy and doing well. Stay tuned; pictures will be taken next week!

Tanya + Matt = Married!

I have been lucky enough to have known Matt and Tanya for a few years now. I was honored and privileged to make the road trip adventure (with good friend Brianna Brown) to St. Joseph, MO to capture this one of a kind wedding! I personally enjoyed taking their wedding pictures for their love for one another is so deep, you can see it in their eyes, you can see it in how they hold each other. It's truly a blessing to be apart of such a fantastic ceremony, such as theirs. Below are some of my favorite pictures from the event. Their marriage is going to be blessed with several years to come!

xoxo,

MJ

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=220696&id=61769986324 there are a few more photos from their wedding!

September is coming, Prices are FALLING!

Just like the temperature, the leaves, and the length of light in a day..... MJ's prices are falling.

Everything is 25% off!! HOWEVER for seniors only everything is 40% off!! So get your senior pictures while you can. I am still doing a referral program for seniors. For each friend that takes picture with MJ studios, you will get a $15 credit! Have enough friends, you could pay for your own session.

These special will run from September through October.

To Do:

Hey everyone! I am sure, if you are reading this, that you have noticed I a posting blog after blog after blog. Mainly because it's actually slow at the bookstore (which was a surprise to us).

However, my organization, planner, get all my ducks lined in a row... attitude is kicking in.

Now, that summer school is over, a new semester is about to begin, I feel as if I should start nailing down some dates for some events. Hopefully here in a year this "To Do" list will not only be accomplished but other shoots will have taken place by then too!

Seniors: Rien Cacopardo, Bailey Brown (?), Jacob Spencer, Jacob Wright (kohls), Heather Williams, Doug.... and add some more!

Families: Eliza and sisters, Derek Collier and Family

Newborn: Preston and Karly's bundle of joy, Emily Garner's lovely, Phil's baby boy, Crystal's baby.

Engagements and Weddings: Shaylynn (May 1, 2011), Cacopardo (July 1, 2011), Beth and Todd (June 1, 2012 wedding!) Amanda and Cliff (December 18, 2010 hopefully... I'm in the wedding, so might pose a challenge) and Dani White and Corey Reyonlds (engagement for sure)! Black and Casandra soon to be Gazaway.

That looks like a pretty good list of possibilities, some clients I want to personally work with and give them their best product.

Ariel's Wonderful Business

My friend Ariel has started her own invitation business. We are currently working to see if maybe we can start working together more; possibly offer other discounts. She is such a great person and her work is fantastic. I strongly recommend checking out her site and giving her a try!

Go to: http://www.genesisinvitations.com/index.html

xoxo,
MJ

Update on MJ

Summer was a bit crazy for me. I took 9 hours of summer school; and pleased to announce that I made all A's. But I was also working two jobs still (along with the studio).

I am ready for September. I won't be working as much at the bookstore, and I'm ready to start some more classes. I'm taking 16 hours this semester. As well as still working at the bookstore, Kohls, the studio, AND now I am also tutoring! I'm really excited about tutoring (haven't gotten the job officially yet, but feel 98% confident that I will).

I am also excited about getting ready to go to Europe. And will be starting a blog for that as well!

Well, I think that's it for now. Just enjoying life!

xoxo,
MJ

Cacopardo Wedding!

I am sorry to just now be posting a few of these pictures. I grew up knowing Britt (and even went to high school with his now lovely wife) I babysat his younger siblings. I was honored that they asked for me to help them share their special day. They are such a fun and cute couple. You can really see their love shine!

We took some "engagement" pictures as well!

Thank you two for letting me capture your loving day! If you would like to see more, check out their favorites at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joplin-MO/MJ-Studios/61769986324?v=photos&ref=ts#!/album.php?aid=189183&id=61769986324


xoxo,
MJ

Weddings, Weddings, Weddings!

I want to personally apologize to all of my clients, and my family for being so behind and cranky! This summer has put me in over my head, to say the least. I will always remember the summer of working two jobs and taking 9 (that's right, NINE) hours of summer school.

Not only is my "to do" list lengthy in homework and dates of actual work but I need to finish a few touches of Matt and Tanya's pictures as well as finish Brit and Kaitlyn's Wedding from earlier this month. Sister Joe from church is also keeping me busy with restoring old family photos for her collection.

So please bare with me. I want to take pictures for everyone, of everything, but time is limited so please book early. If not, I will find a way to get you the greatest pictures possible!

There are 9 more days of summer school. I promise, by then, pictures will be done (for now!)

Love you all and God Bless,

MJ

Back To School Specials

Back to school specials!

Get them why they are hot!

Everything is 50% off! That's right. Get what you want for half the cost!

Pretty simple, isn't it? These specials will run through the end of August. Book today, save later.

If you need any other requires, please let me know. I want to make sure you are happy in your pictures, and your wallet is happy too! My goal is to give you classy artsy fun photography for an affordable down to earth price!

Hope to be capturing you soon!

XOXO,

MJ

June Specials!!

Class of 2011 it's not too early to get your senior pictures. Get them done early so you can have them before anyone else does. You can use them as Christmas gifts as well. Have them done this summer so it's one less thing to worry about during your busy fun year. Book today and pay only $100 for your shoot and a CD of all edited images! The best pictures at an affordable price that still maintain the same great quality.


June specials are for the rest of the public: 25% off of everything!! Get it while it’s hot!

Anniversary Weekend

Jeremiah and I got to spend our two year wedding anniversary in Branson, MO. We had a lot of fun, spent time with family and our Lord, as well as adventure and do many other things. Here's the link to our facebook album http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/album.php?aid=2040273&id=1295070034&ref=mf if you would like to check them out.


Tanya and Matt's wedding pictures (from the 22nd) are coming soon! Thanks again to Brianna Brown for her help and companionship! Couldn't have done it without her.

Can't believe it's already June.... time for some new specials!

Busy like a bumblebee!

Hello!
I am sorry for the lack of updates lately. I have been very busy with school (finals are next week) and both jobs have been keeping me on my toes as well.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I updated my website about prices.

May special are still 50% off of everything, so book it while it last!

And the best news yet. Matt and Tanya's wedding is in 12 days! I can't wait! Lucky enough, my friend Brianna has chosen to venture out with me on this journey. It is going to be a great road trip, fantastic wedding, and fabulous weekend all together!

Hope everyone is doing well!

April Showers Bring May Sales!

Just a heads up, for what I'm about to say is going to blow the April specials out of the water!

In May we are doing 50% off of .... EVERYTHING! All sitting fees, CD, packages and travel prices are slashed in half!

Get those engagement pictures done, some late (or really early) senior pictures captured, or just have a fun day getting some updated photos for the frames in the house!

Hope everyone is having a good spring! Can't wait to hear from you!

xoxo,
MJ

Copy Right Information

I found this post from another photographer friend. I understand her outrage and that sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. Although I give edited images to my clients on CDs (it actually saves you a lot of money in the long run) I feel as if this can still be a piece of valuable information.

When I do give you, my lovely amazing client, a CD I trust that you will be responsible in how you use your images. I do say it's okay for you to post them on-line, without cropping and with a link to my site. Feel free to print any of the images, any size you want, anywhere and any time you need them. Just please respect me, the art, and the time I put into those images.

Here is the link to her blog:http://www.kimkravitzphotography.com/blog/ for I did ask her permission to post this.

Copyright Junction City, Ks Photographer

March 26, 2010

It is with a heavy heart that I actually have to write a post like this. Today I want to talk about copyright and your images. Copyright by definition is as follows: “Copyright is the set of exclusive rights granted to the author or creator of an original work, including the right to copy, distribute and adapt the work. These rights can be licensed, transferred and/or assigned. Copyright lasts for a certain time period after which the work is said to enter the public domain. Copyright applies to a wide range of works that are substantive and fixed in a medium. Some jurisdictions also recognize “moral rights” of the creator of a work, such as the right to be credited for the work. Copyright is described under the umbrella term intellectual propertypatents and trademarks.” If you would like to read up more on copyright feel free to check outWikipedia.

Now, you may be wondering where this random post is coming from. I happen to be browsing on Facebook and happen to stumble upon this:

As you can see, the image that that baby is holding has my watermark on it. Unfortunately, this image was copied from this clients viewing gallery and printed out. This is a HUGE no no! This violates copyright and is stealing. I understand that the economy sucks right now and times are tough but when something like this happens it is taking money out of my pocket and off of my dinner table. Doing this would be like going into Dillard’s and walking out with a shirt without paying for it.

This is, also, a big no no:

I take pride in my work. I do not give anyone the right to edit my work as they please.

Other HUGE no no’s include: scanning your prints and printing more, scanning your prints and posting them on the internet, trying to print the images I post on facebook and here on my blog, using your images for other purposes than personal purposes, trying to sell your images for profit, taking pictures of your prints with you phone and posting/printing them, etc. If it has any of my watermarks on it, then it’s not meant to be printed.

I do my very best to provide you, as the client, the very best product and service I possibly can. When things like this happen, it is very discouraging. If you are booking me as for an OpLove session or a Think Pink session, then please be grateful for the FREE gift you are getting. I volunteer my time for these two organizations and provide free products to you. They are free to you but not to me. I have to pay for your products out of my own pocket. You, also, get an additional discount on products you do order. I never expect a sale off of these two types of session. What I do expect is that you are grateful and appreciative of my gift to you. I don’t really know what else to say on this topic. I try to give back to deserving people and a few bad apples who have screwed me over, are possibly ruining it for everyone. This is not the first time something like this has happen, but I do have to say it will hopefully be the last time.

The images on Facebook are there for you to use on the social networking sites you belong to. I have no problem with that. The only thing that I ask for in return is that you do not crop out the watermark. To me, that is a pretty fair trade.

I hate having to do a post like this, but I feel like it is necessary. I don’t blame anyone who does this. I guess I look at it with a naive eye and hope that people who are doing this are just uneducated about the subject and aren’t trying to screw me over.

WEBSITE!!!

I am so please to announce the grand opening of MJ Studios (the online version)!

Spring specials are coming soon, so please stay tuned to either here or the website!

Thanks so much for visiting, comments are always welcomed =]

xoxo,
MJ

Savanna = Senior

I had so much fun hanging out and taking pictures with Savanna. She had no problem getting in front of the camera and giving it her all; and you can really tell. I was so excited in the fact that so many pictures turned out great! Here eyes are so beautiful that they capture all the light!

Good Friday!

Today is indeed a very GOOD Friday. My site is done! I'm never been more excited in my life. I feel so proud to have accomplished this, on my own. Although it would be up today, it is indeed good Friday, meaning it won't be up and runnnig until either Monday or Tuesday.

Then there will come the business cards.
After that the clients.
Than more smiles to share!

Although it's raining outside, I'm thrilled for today. God has truly blessed me, and without HIM, my friends and family, this wouldn't be possible!

Have a Happy Easter Weekend!

xoxo,
MJ

April Fools: Site's a Joke?

It's late cyber land, so please forgive me for any type-os that I might have.

I'm currently working on my website; making sure all the kinks are ironed out before I go live with it. Still have picked out any music for the pages, so if you have any suggestions, please feel free to share.

I am so excited to be so close to, well, everything!

So close with this semester being over, so close to my husband and I's second wedding anniversary, close to summer, and close to following my dream of being a photographer and a writer!

I think that's it. I really should be heading to bed. Just stated in a previous entry that I would have a site by April first, well that's a joke, thanks to some technical difficulties it probably won't be until the second. I'm going to try very hard to work with the company to finish it tomorrow, but I would love for it to have music with it! Oh.. the decisions!

xoxo,
MJ

Common Questions and Concerns

How many people or props can I have at a session? A wedding session does not have a limit of people in your pictures. For a portrait session you can have up to six people (or animals); after six there is an additional charge of $10 a person. For larger groups (family reunion, church events, etc.) there is a flat fee of $100. Props are fun, they can tell a story without using words! So bring what you would like and I will do my best to incorporate them into your picture and style.
What should I wear? Please wear solid color clothing; clothing that does not have any distracting writing on the front. Feel free to bring uniforms and other individual pieces to senior sessions. Also keep in mind to have coordinating colors when doing sessions with multiple people; you don’t have to match, but wearing the same color scheme is typically pleasing to the eye.


Do you recommend that the bride and groom see each other before for the ceremony? I do strongly suggest that the bride and groom share their special moment alone before the ceremony. We will allow enough time to capture the first sight (without the hundreds of guest seeing you first too) making the moment truly special, unique and personal. Taking pictures before the ceremony allows for the wedding party to spend time with the guest, instead of taking pictures.

Can you tell me more about the CD of images, proofing, and editing? I choose to offer a CD over prints for it allows easier access to prints. Each CD will come with a copy release form, allowing you to print the images where you would like to and when you need them. A CD enables you to get your images back quicker. I offer great turn around edited pictures. I don't keep my customers waiting. I do not offer proofs because of the CD; if you do not like how an image was edited all you have to do is let me know through e-mail or phone and I will change the picture immediately and then send you an e-mail with the corrected high-resolution image.
What would you consider your style to be? Leonardo DaVinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.” I feel like not only is that a good rule to live my life by, but I apply it to my style as well. I don’t over edit a picture for many reasons, but the main reason is that an over edited picture takes away from the important subject matter, you. I want an image to look good, be free of blemishes, is creative in its own way, but not so overly done that people can’t tell who is in the picture. I also believe that the client should get what they want, so if you want something to be highly altered I can do that accordingly, but the edited images I give my clients are clean cut, typically bright, and most images will be duplicated in black and white.

How long is a shoot? A normal portrait photo shoot will average around an hour to two and half hours long. The more people that are in a session the longer it will take to get them rearranged. I feel as if the time shouldn’t be a factor while capturing a true memory. Weddings average about 6 hours of shooting time.

Where will we go? Locations are very important. Portrait sessions will take place at one or two locations. If the second location is more than 20 miles away from the first there will be an additional fee of $25. The time to travel to our destination will not take away from your session time. Destination weddings are amazing! I am willing to travel, and in fact I enjoy taking road trips (take me anywhere), please feel free to ask about a quote.

What times are best? Indoor shoots can be booked at any time of day well into the evening; being a night owl myself I have rather flexible hours. If the shoot is to be taken outside I try my best to be out either at the twilight hours. Meaning a few hours after the sun is up or a few hours before it sets. High noon the sun produces such harsh lighting and dense shadows. Times during the day can be arranged if location is well shaded or if there is an overcast.

Do you have payment plans? What about the deposit? Yes! I do offer payment plans. I understand how difficult it can be to just ‘drop’ money. I am willing to work with you to find a plan that fits your budget. The CD will be delivered when session and all cost are paid in full. However, each session does require a 10% non-refundable deposit to lock in your date and location. This retainer fee can be moved to another date if I am notified about a change in plans at least two weeks prior to the session.

Can you buy prints from your galleries? Most definitely! The pictures that are in my galleries can be purchased for pure enjoyment.
Do you charge tax or shipping? There is no tax or shipping on sitting fees or when mailing a CD, they are already included in your cost. If you order prints instead of a CD the tax and shipping will be what I pay to send them off to a quality lab.

If your question was not answered please feel free to contact me at mjstudios@hotmail.com and I will get back to you as quickly as possible.

A great site about this art!

Props to the author!
http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2009/11/just/

The Investment!

Portraits: Senior, Engagements, Family, Children, Babies and Maternity: $100
One and half to two and half hours of shooting
Two locations
Unlimited outfits, within reason
Up to 6 people
Time of editing
CD with high resolution images (up to 50 images)


Mommy and Me Package: $200
3 sessions: maternity, new born, and infant with family
CD of edited images from all three sessions
One 8 x 10 collage of baby

True Memories: $300
Pre-wedding consultation
Up to 4 hours of wedding and reception coverage
Time of editing
CD with high resolution images (up to 150 images)

Ever After: $450
Pre-wedding consultation
Engagement or bridal session
Full coverage of wedding and reception
Time of editing
CD of ALL edited high resolution images from both sessions

Restoration or creative editing: $15 an hour and cost of prints

Image Investment:Photo books, gallery wraps, single prints, or packages are available. However, CDs allow you to print what you need, when you need them.

Please note:If the session site is 30 miles or more away from the Joplin area, I will charge a $0.25/mile for total round trip. This is to cover gas and time lost driving expenses. Each session requires a 10% non-refundable deposit to secure your date and time of session.This retainer fee can be moved to another date if I am notified about a change in plans at least two weeks prior to the session.

*****Discounts are available if you refer a friend, are a teacher, or in the armed services*****

Prices are subject to change, please ask about our current specials or click here to view the special prices.

Website Ideas

Hey there! I know many people don't read this.

I am trying to figure out my website address. I currently am at www.mjstudiosphotography.com However, I feel like that's too long. Do you think mjsphotos.com would be okay? Or do you have any other suggestions for MJ Studios. Unfortunately it's a very common studio name (even for recording studios).

Thanks for all of your help. Can't wait to have this posted!

xoxo,

MJ

Welcome to the world, MJ Studios

Here it is, the studios blog. I am going to try my hardest to update this on a regular basis.

After I get everything going I'll be sure to update about me, contact information, prices, and specials!

Website is coming soon! Which I'm very excited about!

xoxo,
MJ