Or has it?

Rain, rain and rain mixed with some STRANGE weather. I guess this is what we have to call summer here this year.  And with the arrival of summer it is my duty to remind all past, present and future clients to start thinking about their fall family portrait session. ( I know it truly seems insane to have to start planning for September and October already) But however, since the fall season is so limited here, the available session times are very limited. So if you are, will be, or have been thinking about getting some family portraits in the fall, please contact me sooner than later, so we can get your family a confirmed session date.

with that in mind, one single image today. to snap us back to the reality of our wonderful summer!

this contest is a good one.

what can you win? 2 yes TWO free sessions with me.. (one session is for yourself, and the other session is to GIVE AWAY to whomever YOU decide!) and 2 digital files(from each session) with a full printing release.  Total Prize valued at over $1200.

Sessions must be booked and completed BEFORE September 2010.

How do you enter?

Well this is the fun part.. you must submit 2 photographs.

What are the photographs of?

They are of fun local locations.  I am always looking for fun and different locations to shoot sessions at. I spend many hours driving around Red Deer on the hunt for the Perfect location. I know that many exist.. but I unfortunately have not found them all!.

The details.

#1 you MUST submit directions and up to 3 photographs of the location. Email me at info@deannahallphotography.com

#2 the location MUST be within a 30 minute drive of Red Deer.

#3 The last date for submission of entries will be June 15th, 2010.

You guys know what I like.. but incase you need a reminder here is a list of words that will help you in your hunt.

• colorful
• old
• rusty
• cars/trucks
• wood
• texture
• rock
• buildings
• symmetry
• architecture
• abandoned

An ideal location would contain several different things which would enable me to shoot a full session at just the one location.  I would love to find an abandoned farm house with colorful out buildings and some rusty old cars etc in the yard.

now go and search.. I know many of my clients are in rural areas, and I also know many of us pass wonderful potential locations EVERY day. Infact many of us probably have family and or neighbours that have these wonderful gems hidden behind a row of trees, or behind the barn.  The winning entrant will have their session take place at the location they entered, so we can see it in action! You can enter as many different locations as you wish! ( just make sure they are actually a different spot. 3 places in one farmyard will count as one location.)

and again.. the most important part here is the permission…trespassing is not something I condone,  and I always always get permission BEFORE I enter a location for a session.

the entry deadline is June 15th, 2010. That gives you plenty of time to search around, photograph and email me the pics!.

just email me at info@deannahallphotography.com with your images and the direction to the location.

Don’t be scared.. just send in the photos! what do you have to loose? They don’t have to be anything super fancy.. a few from your phone, or your point & shoot camera.  Don’t sweat the photos at all, just send them in!

I have a whole bunch of sessions in the next few days as I madly try to get caught up before I take off to Montreal for a few days, so I thought I had better post this up as soon as possible!

But before I go, I wanted to share with you all a new idea I have for a contest..

this contest is a good one.

what can you win? 2 yes TWO free sessions with me.. (one session is for yourself, and the other session is to GIVE AWAY to whomever YOU decide!) and 2 digital files(from each session) with a full printing release.  Prize valued at over $1200.

Sessions must be booked and completed BEFORE September 2010.

How do you enter?

Well this is the fun part.. you must submit 3 photographs.

What are the photographs of?

They are of fun local locations.  I am always looking for fun and different locations to shoot sessions at. I spend many hours driving around Red Deer on the hunt for the Perfect location. I know that many exist.. but I unfortunately have not found them all!.

The details.

#1 you MUST acquire written permission from the location OWNER to be and photograph their property.

#2 you MUST submit full directions and up to 3 photographs of the location. (As well as full owner contact information)

#3 the location MUST be within a 15-20 minute drive of Red Deer.

#4 You guys know what I like.. but incase you need a reminder here is a list of words that will help you in your hunt.

• colorful
• old
• rusty
• cars/trucks
• wood
• texture
• rock
• buildings
• symmetry
• architecture
• abandoned

An ideal location would contain several different things which would enable me to shoot a full session at just the one location.  I would love to find an abandoned farm house with colorful out buildings and some rusty old cars etc in the yard.

now go and search.. I know many of my clients are in rural areas, and I also know many of us pass wonderful potential locations EVERY day. Infact many of us probably have family and or neighbours that have these wonderful gems hidden behind a row of trees, or behind the barn.  The winning entrant will have their session take place at the location they entered, so we can see it in action! You can enter as many different locations as you wish! ( just make sure they are actually a different spot. 3 places in one farmyard will count as one location.)

and again.. the most important part here is the permission…trespassing is not something I condone,  and I always always get permission BEFORE I enter a location for a session.

the entry deadline is May 15th, 2010. That gives you plenty of time to search around, photograph and obtain permission.

just email me at info@deannahallphotography.com with your images and the direction to the location.

I totally am excited to see what you guys find!

Here is why I am going! IF you know of anyone in the Montreal Area, please be sure to direct them here! This is an amazing opportunity for some portraits by 5 amazing photographers!

Five phenomenal portrait photographers from across Canada are being hosted in Montreal, by Natacha Silber Photography, for a fun-filled weekend of camaraderie, collaboration and most importantly….lots of photography. This unique three day event (April 10-12th, 2010) requires a variety of models, ranging from expectant mothers to teens, specifically:

Saturday April 10th from 9:30am – 3pm

Newborn babies (5-10 days old)

5 models needed, If you are due near this time please send your inquiry and we will contact you with further information.

Sunday April 11th 9:30am – 4:30 or 5pm Toddlers, children, and teens.

3-4 models  needed (2- 15 yrs old) . Sessions maybe held outside at a chosen location.

Monday the 12th 9:30-noon Pregnant women (33-36 weeks)

2-3 models needed. Sessions maybe held outside at a chosen location.

Please send one photograph only for each model interested in participating to gabfest2010@gmail.com. Successful applicants will be contacted with further information and specific event details.

This is the list of attending photographers:

Amber Shereen Ottawa, On.

Natacha Silber Montreal, QC

Deanna Hall Red Deer Ab.

Stephanie Robin Burlington,On.

Tanya Shields Halifax, NS

here is the email

I’m writing this with tears in my eyes,my fam and I came down here to Wales,United Kingdom for a short vacation unfortunately we were mugged at the park of the hotel where we stayed,all cash,credit card and cell were stolen off us but luckily for us we still have our passports with us.

We’ve been to the embassy and the Police here but they’re not helping issues at all and our flight leaves in less than 5hrs from now but we’re having problems settling the hotel bills($2,000) and the hotel manager won’t let us leave until we settle the bills,I’m freaked out at the moment….Let me know if you can get help to us rigth now.

Thanks

Deanna

I assure you all I am NOT in the UK, and we are all just fine.. or well.. other than this to deal with today.. we are hoping to enjoy a great family day weekend!

BE SUPER cautious about any contact with my profile right now. At one point this morning they were even chatting with a fellow photographer on the FB Chat! trying to convince them, they were truly me!

I have taken the steps needed ( I hope) my yahoo email hack has been reported and is in total lockdown for 24 hours. I have also reported my facebook account so its under investigation. Because they hacked in via my yahoo email, I was unable to just request a new password.. ( I wasnt able to log into my account, and they are good. I immediately went into my secondary email account (listed off my yahoo one.. which went to a hotmail account.. I can see that at 1:50am this morning someone added a new email address to my yahoo account. and then also went back in and deleted my secondary email from hotmail. )

they have also went in and changed my phone information on my facebook profile. so for now.. i guess just ignore most of the contact you have from me.

for some reason I am still able to update my facebook status via my twitter.. but I have no idea how long that will work for, or if maybe and hopefully they have given up on my account.

here is a cool link with info on all the facebook scams, and several ways to be preventative that this wont happen to you! http://www.switched.com/2009/09/15/5-popular-facebook-scams-and-how-to-avoid-them/

I had over 50 people playing along, tagging their friends, and then putting the names in the comments.. in the end we had over 750 people tagged! thank you all so much for playing!

and now on the winner.. who receives a free session with me! (valued at $250). The session will take place in June, when the grass is green and the leaves are out!

look down below.. see if its you!

Red_Deer_Photographer

Congrats to you Christine!
Christine pop me an email atinfo@deannahallphotography.com and we will start looking at possible dates!

So last year I was fortunate enough to be involved with Giving is Awesome. Last year internationally over 500 photographers donated over one half a MILLION dollars in custom portraiture.  2009′s goal is to hit the 1 million mark!

So if you are a photographer, please go visit the site and sign up! It is the most amazing thing in the world. Last year I had to give away 2 Giving is Awesome sessions, because I just couldn’t decide between 2 entries! And they were some of the most rewarding sessions I have done!

If you are NOT a photographer, but live in the Central Alberta area and know of someone who deserves the gift of custom photography, or of someone who would love to afford it, but simply cant. Please keep on reading below for all the details!

If you do Not live in the Central Alberta area, visit the Giving Is Awesome website and click on the map to find a local to you photographer that has signed up!

Here’s the details!

You know someone.

You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances.

You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season.

You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – $2000 worth, to be exact. The winner will receive a complimentary photo session, the high resolution digital negatives for every image in their gallery, PLUS a complete set of 4×6 prints to match those files.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $250 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Central Alberta. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : info@deannahallphotography.com

Deadline for entries is December 24th.

The winner will be announced on my birthday (January 3rd) –  so get nominating!  I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thank you for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Deanna

We are pleased to tell you that Studio Pilates has become a Retail Partner with Lululemon Athletica. We will be retailing Lululemon at our Riverside Studio. For the month of June we’ll be open 2 days a week for shopping:

Wednesdays 10 – 4 and Saturdays 10 – 2 beginning Wed June 17th

The hours will increase in July. We have a selection of pants, tanks, and jackets.
The address for the Riverside Studio is #9, 4699 – 61 Street in the Riverside Industrial Area. If you are heading north on Gaetz Ave (towards Parkland Mall), you turn right just after you cross the river. You’ll get to a stop sign – proceed straight until you see 61 Street (you’ll see TBS Team and Corporate Store on the corner where you turn). The studio is about half way down the street on the right hand side. When you see the Riverside Kennels sign, we’re across the street.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Its open from 10-5 pm! I think the last time I talked with Jennifer..she mentioned that the silent auction items are AMAZING! and I the shopping spree’s were some where in the $250 value range!

Here are some more ‘official’ details!

This Sunday, Moms On The Go will be hosting our 4Th Annual Moms On The Go Spring Trade Show, at the Sylvan lake Community Centre from 10am-5pm.  The Moms On The Go Trade Show will be in support of The Weekend To End Breast Cancer.   Something new this year will be the Silent Auction with 100% of the earnings going to the Weekend To End Breast Cancer.

The silent auction will consist of

1. The Ultimate Baby Shower Gift
2. The Ultimate Father’s Day Gift
3. A day of Romance in Sylvan Lake
4. A day of Luxury
5. A $200.00 Gift Certificate for Deanna Hall Photography
6. Meals for a week for a family of 4

And so many more being added daily

Entrance to the show is Free! Anyone that donates to the Weekend to End Breast Cancer at the door will be entered into a draw for one of two $250.00 trade show shopping sprees!!

First 100 families to enter the show will receive a early bird prize:)

A BBQ selling hot dogs, hamburgers, pop and water will also be set up as a fundraiser.

In addition to all of the above there will be a jumpy castle for the kids, over 50 mom owned businesses to check out, prizes to be won and so much more. The show is open to all and would appeal to men and women of all ages. ATM machine on site.

Check out the great mom owned businesses that will be taking part in the show:

phew and a PILE of them have websites…it took me forever to make them all clickable! LOL! so be sure to check a few of them out!

Angel Art Ornaments

Arbonne

Avon

Bath Hoodz

Best OG Coffee – Distributor for Organo Gold Coffee

Care Clothing

Cataclip Creations Ltd (I have some of these..and they are SOO CUTE! I LOVE it when they are here!)

Chaos…Simplified

Children’s Education Funds

Creative Memories

Deanna Hall Photography - (hey! thats me! LOL!)

Discovery Toys

Doggy Doo Yard Care Too

Ecuathentic

Epicure

Everyday Style

Healthy Homes Plus

Isagenix

It Works! Marketing

Jo Dumont Fitness Training (Jo is hosting some great outdoor mommy and me fitness classes all over Central alberta this summer! I can’t wait to get in on the ones in Sylvan!)

Kidsmart Shop

Krazy for Kakes

Mary Kay

Mode Jewelry

Natural Options

Nikken

NuSkin

OnlyGreen

Party Lite

Passion Parties

Plata Pura

Polished Living

Pottery Verve

Raspberry Runway Children’s Fashions (LOVE LOVE LOVE Raspberry Runway… Great brand names..and SUPER prices!)

Red Deer Chiropractic and Laser Centre

Scent-Sations Inc.

Sparkling Baby

Squeaky Shoes (LOVE these too! I have a few pairs!)

Sugar Soul Studio

Suzie Q Crafts

Total She

Transcending Threads

Trendy Totes ( I have been able to resist these bags..but barely.. I love them…bold colors..lots of dots…perfect for me! LOL)

Tupperware

Universal Mortgage Solutions – Tracy Hall

Usborne Books

Weekend To End Breast Cancer

Word To The Wall

Xocai Healthy Chocolate

More being added daily…

the address is 4725 43 St Sylvan Lake.  haha if you get lost call me @ 403.391.9233 I will direct you there!

and here is a mapquest map to the community centre

Dont forget to stop in at the Central Alberta Mommy forum, to keep in the know of all the local events! There is a small group that get together once a week and do a great stroll around bower ponds..to help us all drop that last 10 lbs! NOt to mention lots of moms that just love to chat, share stories, swap recipes, you name it!

Be sure to stop by and say hi!

Its frustrating for me, to spend 2 hours checking out all the various links and sites, just to see what fun things people have planned, or some cool ideas, or even some moms willing for a playdate! How Great would it be to have one spot to find ALL that information?

While I was TTC (trying to conceive) I was on several mommy boards, but more often than not, I was the only Canadian there, so it meant a lot of frustration, when my US friends would get together, or find a new gadget (which of COURSE is not available in Canada). Oh how I dreamed of a good forum full of local women..

With that in mind Jennifer decided to create the Moms on the Go Central Alberta Mom’s forum.

The intent of the forum is so that we can have one major place to go to find out all the goings on around near Red Deer and the surrounding areas. Networking with other moms in your area, for help and for fun!

Of course there are areas for ttc &pregnancy advice, parenting help, recipes, health, crafts, you name it. Its small at the moment with only 60 or so members, but I am very confident that it will grow to be a big mommy board full of fun mommies! (not that the ones on there now aren’t fun! LOL!)You will see that there are a few real chatterboxes on there! (myself included? maybe?)

So on this snowy WET day in May, why not pop over to the board, introduce yourself, jump right into some of the conversations, post a question, check out the events forum.. I think Jen has a contest running right now? And seriously, from one web addict to another…what ELSE are you going to do today?

see ya there! arg…im trying to make this lovely logo clickable…and its DRIVING me BONKERS! I WILL Not stop until I win! LOL!