Happy Thanksgiving!

Heidi Kreitz Photography will be closed from Wed - Sunday in order to celebrate Thanksgiving with family. Be safe, be happy, and give thanks!

Happy 11-11-11!

In honor of 11-11-11, I am running a special!

A studio mini-session, four gift-size prints, and an 11% discount off any other items you purchase... all for just $111! This offer is valid January-March of 2012, but must be booked today.

Happy 11-11-11!!

Fall 2011 Mini Sessions

I have finally set dates for this year's fall mini sessions! I have had several people asking about these, and here they are.

I am trying something new this year... I am giving clients the option of going with a traditional session that includes a few prints and holiday cards, OR receiving a few edited, high-resolution files instead. These files can be used to print your own holiday cards, make prints of your choice, etc. I do have recommendations for online labs that are good, as all photo labs are definitely NOT created equal!

There will be limited numbers of sessions available on each day, so call or email soon to reserve your spot. Locations have not been determined yet (suggestions welcome!) but will be in the Wilmington/Joliet/Kankakee/Channahon area again.

Hope to see you in October!

BIG SALE ON CANVASES TODAY!!!

BIG SALE ON CANVASES TODAY!!!

Past clients, now is the time to get that canvas from your session at a great price. Current clients, pre-order a size now at the sale price and decide on the pose later!

11x14 or 12x12: $150 (save $50)

16x20 or 20x20: $200 (save $75)

20x24: $235 (save $100)

20x30: $285 (save $115)

This is a one-day sale only... contact me by tonight to ca$h in on the savings!!

Cute family session in the park!

Oops... just realized a month has gone by with no activity on the blog! Sorry, I tend to forget... but I do have a few shots from a fun family session to share:)

This family was so sweet... Dad arranged it for Mom to have some family photos taken on her birthday. Extra points for being thoughtful... :)

Here is one of the whole family...

And the two little guys, Mr. J and Mr. L, were too cute!!

Finally, one last family shot... isn't this adorable?!

Hope you enjoy your preview, K and R!! Thanks so much for letting me be part of your birthday and capture these special memories for you!

Sizzlin' Hot Summer Special!!

This week is going to be crazy hot - we're talking heat advisory weather!! Since this is not ideal for outdoor photography, I'm going to run a promotion now to be used when the weather is nicer :)

The Sizzlin' Hot Summer Special goes like this: book a session this week (through Friday, July 22) for August or September, and receive a $75 credit towards any product of your choice. Yes, this includes canvas, prints, accordion books, AND the new framed prints I am offering from JasperLilly!!!

Hot deals like this are too good to pass up, so call 815-354-7408 or email today :)

New Framed Prints Available!!

I am SOOO excited to be offering frames from JasperLilly for sale with my prints!! Their frames are just beautiful, as you can see by the display I recently hung in my studio. Check it out... aren't they gorgeous??!

The frames are available in 8 different designs, and 33 colors!! Sizes range from 5x7 (as shown in emerald and sapphire), 8x10 (shown in tanzanite and garnet), 11x14 (shown in pearl and onyx), 16x20 shown in moonstone, as well as 24x36 (not shown).

Here are a couple closeup photos so you can see the details further... they are just fantastic! They all come with hanging hardware and little pads to protect your wall.

5x7 Clover in Emerald

11x14 Lilac in Onyx

Prices for a framed 5x7 start at $45... call 815-354-7408 or email me at heidi@heidikreitzphotography.com for more details! Mention this blog post and receive a 10% discount on any framed prints you order (offer good through September 30, 2011).

Happy Father's Day!

I just wanted to wish all the dads out there a very Happy Father's Day!!!

Here are a couple of my favorite daddy/newborn shots in honor of all the wonderful men who make a difference in a child's life!

Cutie at the Beach!

Oops... just realized it's been a month since my last blog entry. I'm SOOO bad about this sometimes! It's been a busy month... kids finishing up school, taking baseball team photos, taking some photos for an orthodontists' office, and just enjoying life!

I had a session on Monday night that I was very much looking forward to... this little doll was only 6 days old the last time I photographed her, and now she is one!! Amazing how the time flies. We met at a local club with to get some outdoor and beach photos... what a beautiful night and a fantastic location!

Here is sweet little Miss C...

and then we added big sister Miss I in for a few shots. This one just makes me smile!! Diva in training:)

And of course, I'm a sucker for an eyelash shot... love it!

And who can resist chubby baby toes in the sand?! Not us:)

I hope you enjoy your sneak peek... I'm having fun editing these, but thinking about laying on a beach is distracting :) Thanks for letting me record this special time in Miss C's life... she certainly is a sweetie!

Mother's Day Mini-Session

Last week I had a quick mini-session with these two little ones as a gift for their mother. It's always interesting when Dad is the one getting the kids ready (note to all: you may wish to rethink blue cotton candy as a treat on the way to a photo session!! LOL) but we got them all dolled up and ready to go!

These two were full of energy and definitely kept me on my toes! But look at this cute shot of the two of them... they look so sweet and innocent:) I love C's little smile, and big sister H is hugging him so nicely here (we had to explain that hugging TOO tightly looks like choking - HA)!!

And this was actually one of my early-on test shots for my lighting - what a keeper though! How perfect is this one :)

Thanks, J, for bringing the kids over for a quick Mother's Day shoot. Hope Mom loves them all as much as you did!!

Spring Means... Prom!!

It was so fun to take some photos before prom of my lovely neighbor H and her boyfriend H!! We weren't sure if we'd have time, but I'm so glad we were able to squeeze in a few.

Her dress was BEAUTIFUL (one of my absolute favorite colors!!) and with her blue eyes, it was a stunning combination! She truly was a princess:) And her boyfriend was so cooperative, even if he wasn't as into taking pics as she was! LOL

Hope you had an amazing time, and enjoy these memories of your Senior Prom!

Win a 16x20 canvas?! I'm in!

MCP Actions, who has some awesome Photoshop actions for photographers (as well as great tutorials) is having a contest where you could win a 16x20 gallery wrap canvas!

Hmmm.... it would be so hard to choose between printing a personal photo that I love, or a photo of a client to display. Maybe one of my 2010 seniors?! If I win, I'll have a tough decision to make!

Check out her contest here:

http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2011/03/23/giveaway-win-a-16x20-framed-gallery-wrap-floating-canvas/#comment-73837

CRAZY Canvas Deal!!

Current AND past clients: my canvas company is coming out with some CRAZY deals this month and I want to pass them on to you! Order before 5pm tomorrow (3/17) and you can get a 16x20 gallery wrap canvas for the AMAZING low price of $150!! That is a savings of $125!! Shoot me an email or call if you'd like to place an order... this is only a 24-hour sale!

Spring Studio Mini Sessions!

I decided to try something new this year... just in time for Easter and Mother's Day!

I am offering a mini-session in studio, which will include the digital files with print release!! This is something new, so be sure to sign up soon if you are interested.

Be sure to tell your friends about this fantastic special, after you reserve YOUR slot, of course!

Intensity...

This was the first basketball session I have done, and I wasn't sure what kind of poses were "basketbally" poses! So I asked P, and she told me that they are supposed to protect the ball with their body when they get it. I asked her to show me what she meant, and she put on her game face!!! Love the intensity...

We also took a few in her track uniform... she's not posing "tracky" for me here (didn't have room for her to jump hurdles in the studio LOL), but she looks great!!

Thanks, P, for letting me document these athletic memories for you :)

It's all about the accessories...

I had a session recently with this just-turned-1 year old little sweetie, and we had so much fun! Mom and I absolutely clicked with our ideas... she brought a pettiskirt, leg warmers, cute bows, necklaces and adorable little silver shoes. How could I ask for more?! And she just LOVED the damask backdrop I've been dying to use again. Yay!!

Put it all together, and you get Miss A all decked out and ready to go!

Here is an adorable shot of the family... I just love Miss A's little expression here. She was so excited to be getting all the attention and sit on mom and dad's shoulders!!

So thank you, E and R, for allowing me to capture these adorable shots of Miss A and your family! I hope you enjoy your sneak peek :)

Are You a Fan on Facebook?

Heidi Kreitz Photography is trying to develop a larger presence on Facebook, and create a larger fan base. If you are not a fan already, stop by http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heidi-Kreitz-Photography/32179020635 and become a fan. If you are a fan already, be sure to spread the word to your friends. The 250th fan AND the person who referred them will both win a $75 credit for a free session fee!!

So spread the word... and maybe win a session with Heidi Kreitz Photography!!

President's Day Special!

Today is President's Day.... and the kids are home from school. This could go one of two ways... the kids are whining and fighting and driving me crazy, OR they are happy to have the day off and being nice and helpful. Surprisingly, they are helping me clean the house without complaint, and I am in a great mood because of it!

SOOOOO, in honor of my good mood, I am running a President's Day Special! Book today, and receive 50% OFF your session fee!

I don't run specials like this often, so take advantage and call or email to reserve your spot today. (And be sure to thank my lovely children... you are benefiting from their hard work!!)

Snow!!

I could have also titled this "The Day I Discovered I Cannot Handhold My Macro Lens at 1/80", but I figured more people would be interested in "Snow!"...

Last Thursday morning, I was very pleasantly surprised that it snowed for a little while. And when I say snowed, I mean the big, beautiful fat flakes that just make you happy!! So I decided to try to capture a few of these wonderful snowflakes with my macro lens and see what I could get.

I discovered that 90% of the shots I thought were OK... really weren't. Here is one of the best ones I got that day... unfortunately, it is not an award winner by any means. So let's chalk it up to experience and just say "wow, beautiful snowflake" because it sure was!!! I really didn't notice the texture on this fabric until after I took the photo... next time I will look for something a little smoother to showcase the snowflakes more...

So, what is the moral of the story? I now have a new item to add to my wish list: a new tripod, because the flimsy one I have really doesn't support my camera and any heavier lens well at all, and I obviously am WAAAAY too shaky to handhold! Lesson learned!!