You have the CUTEST kid EVER!!!!

If you've ever been told this, or if you just KNOW your kid is the cutest kid EVER and you happen to live in the Shoals area... have I got a contest for you!!!

Danielle McCann Photography's Cutest Kid in the Shoals Contest is kicking off RIGHT NOW!! If your cutie is 12yr old or younger, send a picture of him or her (or them!) to danidmccann@yahoo.com ASAP. Include name(s), age(s), and hobbies. Entries will be accepted until March 1st. I will then place entries on my Facebook Fan Page (located here) for voting.

Winners from each age category will win a free session along with an 8x10 and a DVD Slideshow of your little cutie in action!!! Please enter each child only once, but you may enter as many children as you wish. :)

Don't forget!!!!!!

May 1st Brides!!

If you are getting married on May 1st, I'm available!!! I've just had the day open back up and I want to extend the offer of that date to you by giving a $500 discount on any package that you choose. Hurry!!!

I have a new baby!

I do. She's beautiful and perfect in every way...

The only thing is, she's not human. She doesn't even breathe. She's a new, gorgeous, wonderful camera body, and I love her!!

In honor of my new baby and some of my new baby props, I would like to extend an offer for one free newborn session. The catch here is that I would love to have twins!! So if you or anyone you know has twins (or triplets... am I pushing my luck!?) and would like a free newborn session, please contact me ASAP at danidmccann@yahoo.com or by leaving a comment here!

First Time EVER!

For the first time ever, I'm offering CDs by themselves at a much lower price than normal! This special will start on November 15th and go through December 31st, so if you're stuck on Christmas gifts... this could cure all! These CDs are available for any session that took place in 2009.

Portrait Session CD with up to 100 images, 4x6 size - $150 ($1.50 each!)
Portrait Session CD with up to 100 images, 4x6 and 8x10 sizes - $250 ($1 each 4x6s, $1.50 each 8x10s!)
Wedding CD with up to 500 images, 4x6 size - $500 ($1 each 4x6s!)
Wedding CD with up to 500 images, 4x6 and 8x10 sizes - $750 ($.50 each 4x6s, $1 each 8x10s!)

If you have had more than one portrait session with me this year, you can COMBINE sessions! Pick your favorites from each one to total the 100, or just use one entire session.

These may be printed through www.mpix.com to ensure better quality. Mpix's current prices are $.29 for a 4x6 and $1.99 for an 8x10!! This will be much, much cheaper for you in the long run and you will be able to print off as many images as you'd like!

Even better... if you order your CD between November 15th and November 25th, I will give you a 10% discount on the CD order!!

Taylor's Wish Stocking Project {North Alabama Children's Photographer}

Although I have yet to meet Taylor face-to-face, this girl has touched my life already. I was contacted by her mother several months ago for a photo session through Littlest Heroes Project. I was pretty excited, as this was my first LHP session and I love helping where I can (although usually I'm not sure exactly how I can help, but I can always take portraits!). Taylor's mother, Tammy, and I were in touch back and forth for weeks. It seemed like every time we would schedule an appointment, something would come up. Not just those little things that you or I are accustomed to (such as "Oh no! It's raining!" or "I just don't feel well today")... but REAL things. Things like a funeral for a child who had such a short life, doctor appointments hours away... things that are a daily part of this thirteen-year-old's life.

I've copied this from Tammy's facebook events page to share with you all...

Sept 5th 2006, Taylor Hendrix was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma.

She spent so much time at Children's, between surgery, chemotherapy, trips back and forth from home weekly for 10 months. Taylor was cancer free for 18 months then in Nov 2008 relapsed with a spot in her right lung.

Taylor had lung surgery and 9 months of chemotherapy again. During all this treatment, Taylor thought so much of the other children going through what she had gone through and wanted to do something for them.

In Dec 2007 Taylor started "Taylor's Wish Stocking Project". The first year she filled and took over 80 stockings to the cancer floor.

She did this on Christmas Eve, when most families are home celebrating Christmas with their family. Taylor knew this is when she needed to be there, because those kids could not be home with their families to celebrate, instead they were at the hospital having treatment. Taylor wanted to do something to brighten the day for them, if only for a short time.

We could not have done this on our own. Without the help of so many kind friends, like each of you, it would not have been possible. SO many people we have never met, but out of the kindness of their hearts wanted to do something to help, to be a part of "Taylor's wish" .

If you find it in your heart to help, we would appreciate it and feel Blessed to have you be a part of "Taylor's Wish".

I am going to do my best to help. Aside from the personal donations that I can try to make, I am also donating 50% of proceeds from every holiday session booked between right now and November 15th. I will deliver the proceeds to Taylor, along with whatever else you guys would like to donate (toys, books, anything!), at that time.

Book now!!! Your holiday session will come with a $50 print credit, 25 custom Christmas cards, and the joy of helping Taylor as she brings happiness to the children at Children's Hospital.

I'm about to go nuts!

So I get up this morning and check my email... I have several emails from blogspot, saying that I have new comments on my entries. GREAT... except the comments are from foreign names. They're leaving comments about airfare and traveling to India. Hello?

It appears to be some automated system spamming my blog, because I'm not sure what actual person would sit here and comment on every blog entry I have with different names and leave the same message. So... if this causes any of you inconvenience, I apologize. First and foremost, don't give this person the satisfaction of going to their link so that they get NO business from me!

Unless you're planning a trip to India soon? HAHAHA!

Halloweeeeen....

Boo, Hoo... Rattle, Rattle...

I always think of that song when I think of Halloween, and to those of you who don't know it... well, you probably never had Mrs. Gray as a music teacher in elementary school!

HALLOWEEN is coming up!!! Seriously, I can't believe it either. I stocked up on Dollar Spot goodies in the red store yesterday (my favorite place in the whole world) and I've been mulling over what Charlee will wear for her 2nd Halloween. I've got it narrowed down to either a sock monkey or a big ice cream sundae... of course, that probably means that I'll change my mind last minute and she'll be something crazy like a Power Ranger. No, I really wouldn't do that to my baby. LOL!

All of this Halloween stuff got me thinking about Halloween portraits, of course. Last year I did a few portraits that were an extreme hit of my sister and her husband dressed as vampires... creepy stuff. Anywho. This year, I would LOVE to set up somewhere and do a day full of mini sessions to accommodate all of you crazy (umm, wonderful!) parents who will be getting out and collecting candy and, thus, pulling your hair out by the end of the night from your children's sugar rush. Just sayin'!

I will be offering mini sessions for $30 on Halloween day -- Saturday, Oct. 31st. They will be 30 minutes long, one family each (up to 5 family members -- bring the pets too!), and include your choice of 6 4x6s, 2 5x7s, or 1 8x10. You will have approximately 10-20 proofs from the mini session. Of course, I'll also provide some treats for the kiddos and goodies for the parents as well!! :)

The session will take place at a good friend's family barn in Tuscumbia. It's just 2mi off of Hwy 72, very easy to get to, and hopefully not out of anyone's way!! With this being on Halloween day you can just dress up, come out for pictures, and go straight to trick-or-treating! You could also treat this as a family fall portrait. We will have hay bales and pumpkins galore!!! Don't miss out -- BOOK NOW!!

I will be taking 15 spots for mini sessions, starting at 9am and going until 6pm. There will be a few minutes between each mini session. If you want to bring friends along, please book a mini session for each family involved!! This way you all get the time that you deserve, as well as enough proofs and prints for everyone!

my second first!

Is it possible to have a second, third, and fourth first? If it is, yesterday was my second and I plan on many more!

First Fridays, a wonderful event that occurs on the first Friday of every month in downtown Florence, was a BLAST last night!! Several of my awesome clients came to see me and there was a great turnout despite the start of football season. I took my camera with me this time to get a few quick shots of my set-up before things got nutty. Enjoy! (And next time... you better be there!!)

my newest love(s)

For those of you who don't know or realize by now, I'm a part of an online community called CafeMom. All of you mamas out there should definitely join!! (www.cafemom.com)

A lady in one of my photo groups recently posted that she started making cell phone holders. I was intrigued to have my own customized cell phone holder (much better than a generic one that I could pick up at the mall), so I asked her if she would consider customizing one for me with the theme I've been going with -- black & white damask with a hint of green. She said sure, and within a day or two was sending me photos of the fabrics she had gotten, asking me if they were okay. They were FABULOUS!! Well, then she put up another post about a memory card holder. Whaaaat!? I MUST have a memory card holder to match my cell phone holder!! So... well... I got one of those too. They came in today, and I'm floored at how gorgeous they are and SO stoked at how well she matched my green!!!

What do you think?

To see more from this incredible woman or to hound her so that she'll make you something wonderful and unique, visit www.craftyandunique.etsy.com!

Only One Saturday...

Whew. If you had asked me a couple of weeks ago how my September was panning out, I probably would've given some sad, pitiful face and a pathetic "I'm pretty much open except for one wedding..."

Thankfully, my clients don't disappoint!!! In the past two weeks I've booked up my September. If you want in before October, get in, get in, get in! The last September Saturday is my only free one, and several weekdays are booking as well. I'm trying to keep my website calendar updated, but it takes longer to do that than it does to create a blog entry. ;)

For the next few days, I'll be processing like mad trying to get all of you guys taken care of before my September Madness begins. I've got a wedding along with bridals & engagements for the wedding, two OpLove shoots (www.oplove.org), a couple of model shoots for www.born2impress.com, a boudoir/pin-up shoot, seniors seniors seniors, and a 6yr old!! I'm pretty excited about all of these, but I wanted you guys to know so that if you've been putting off family portraits or school portraits, you know now not to put them off any longer! :)

Also, don't forget about Photographers After A Cure (www.paacteam.blogspot.com) and my promise to YOU if you bring me lids, found here. :) If you've had a session with me recently and are still interested in helping but not in the form of another session, contact me about it!! I'll be more than happy to transfer the lids into discounts on orders!!

This will also be my last call for baby girls, 0-12mo!!! PLEASE -- if you know ANYONE with a baby girl, no time is too late to email or call me and say "Heeeey, we'll be there Wednesday/Saturday!" I've got a few promised babies and a few maybe babies, so I would love some more. The free sessions with free 8x10s will be THIS Wednesday and THIS Saturday!!! More information here. {No, it's not a typo -- I AM accepting 6-12mo as well, just not as many!!}

Photographers After A Cure

Hello all!

I'm sure you've all heard of Yoplait's "Save Lids to Save Lives" in which Yoplait gives money towards breast cancer research for every lid sent in to them. Well, CafeMom is now in on that and is saying that they will donate up to $2500 ($1 for every CafeMom member that joins the CafeMom Team for the Cure group ). A fellow photographer in one of my photography groups is heading up a team for this!

In order to help us, bring me your lids!!! Even better -- I will be giving you things in exchange for these lids!!

10 lids -- 1/2 off of a session

20 lids -- 1/2 off of a session and an 8x10

30 lids -- (above) plus 15% off of all orders
50 lids -- 1/2 off session, 8x10, 30% off of all orders

100 lids -- free session, 12x24 print, 30% off of all orders

Get those lids!! Get your free session!! And most importantly, help breast cancer research! :)

The event will take place between August 31st - December 31st. Christmas portraits, anyone?

To visit the Photographers After A Cure blog, click here!

SURPRISE!!

I just realized that I haven't done this in a while, so here I am! I'm surprising all of my clients with a promo code discount!! Enter "august" at the checkout and receive 15% off of your $50 or more purchase.

The code can be used as many times as you like, but not together with any other codes. It will expire on September 1st. Enjoy!!

I need babies!!!

If you or anyone you know has a baby girl, age 0-6mo, you could qualify for a free session!!

Details:

~ Child must be a girl, newborn to 6mo.

~ Parent and Child must be available for a session on September 2nd or September 5th at 5pm on-location at the location of my choice.

~ Parent must sign a model release.

This session is to model various hair accessories for http://www.born2impress.com/. Upon signing the model release, your baby will be modeling the hair accessories for this website! In exchange for the cutie's talents, you will receive a free 8x10 and a discount on all image purchases.

Leave comments here if you're interested!! I'm only taking a select number of babies!

Only Three Ladies....

...will have the chance to do a Vintage Valentine photo shoot. You'd better hurry and book NOW!! I'll be accepting sessions for January 10th, 11th, and 17th ONLY. This is due to the fact that I need to have orders placed by February 1st to be to your hunny by Valentine's, and I'm booked for January 24th and 31st.

I may even give one lucky lady a shoot for half off... Just leave me your name and e-mail address, or e-mail me at danidmccann@yahoo.com

Remember: no matter how many imperfections you see in yourself, your man loves you just the way you are and he would be ecstatic to receive a gift like this!!

***PLEASE note that this half-off shoot MUST be done within 20 miles of my home. If you cannot make it on the 10th, 11th, or 17th, please do not enter. Contest is for half-off only, no freebies!***

Also, there is a fantastic salon right by my house that does awesome pin-up hair AND make-up!!!! They did the work on the girl below. :) If you don't have the time or don't know where to look for outfits, just ask me!! I also have an outfit add-on... let me do the shopping for you so that you get pampered in the process of giving your man the best gift ever. :)

Valentine's Day...

Well, well, well. Christmas is over... New Year's is approaching... and what next? VALENTINE'S Day!!!

If you ladies are anything like me, you struggle with this holiday every year. Even if you HAVE a man, what do you get him?? Well, I may have the perfect gift for you. This year, I'm offering a Vintage Valentine package. It consists of you getting to dress up in fun, vintage '40s clothing and giving your special man a book or prints of his pin-up girl!

If you're interested, leave me a comment with your email address or email me at danidmccann@yahoo.com and I'll send you all of the details and some examples of a past session. :)

OH NO! You missed it!!!

The Christmas deadline, that is. :) From now until Christmas, I cannot absolutely 100% guarantee that your photos will be in for you to give as gifts on December 25th. However, if you have a family get-together on the 30th, well... I suppose that's a different story all together!!
If you haven't had your holiday photos made, take advantage of my $30 mini sessions going on until December 31st.
Once January 1st comes, I've got a brand-new price list hitting the scene! It's fun, it's fresh, and it includes more packages and more options for you!!

FREE!!!!!!!

I knew that'd get your attention. ;) Here's the deal! I've got a funky, creative session all lined up with NO ONE's name on it. I'll be drawing TWO names this time, and I'll be drawing them in THREE DAYS on the 10th for a photo session in the following week. Put your name and e-mail address HERE for me to send you the info. :)
Don't forget the e-mail!

Christmas Deals!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Mine was anything but traditional for me, but I had a blast. :)

I thought I'd drop a line to let you all know what my Christmas Specials are going to be until New Year's!

Mini-Sessions
How Much: $30 total, due at the time of booking
How Many: up to 8 people
How Long: up to one hour
Where: Anywhere you want! Parks, Houses, Downtown, my studio -- you name it!
How To: Call or e-mail me with your available dates & times and we will schedule an appointment!
What Goodies!: You will receive a 20% discount on all web orders until January 31st!!

Portrait Parties
How Much: $100 total; $50 deposit to hold the time & date
How Many: Anywhere between 5-10 families. You supply the families; I'll supply the invitations and pictures!
How Long: up to 5 hours
Where: Anywhere you want! Parks, Houses, Downtown, you name it!
How To: Contact 5-10 of your closest friends & family to get them on board. If you can't gather entire families, we can do individual or children's shots! Once you have at least 5, call or e-mail me with a list of names and ages and where you would like to have the party! Once I have the deposit fee, the date and time is yours!!
What Goodies!: As the host/hostess, you will receive $15 worth of images free! All of your guests will receive a free sheet of one pose of their choice. (One sheet equals 8 wallets, four 4x6s, two 5x7s, or one 8x10!)

Family Get-Togethers
How Much: $125 total; $50 deposit
How Many: As many people as are in your family!
How Long: up to 5 hours
Where: Wherever your family get-together is located -- I'll come to you!
How To: Call or e-mail me to get the ball rolling! I will be at your holiday family gathering, unintrusive, capturing moments that you would otherwise miss or forget.
What Goodies!: As the host/hostess, you will receive a $20 credit towards prints or a photo book! You and your family members will all enjoy a 20% discount until January 31st on all web orders!