Contrary to the rumor mill, I am not dead, haven’t been eaten by whales nor did my kids run off to Idaho to start a new civilization, LOL!!  Oh, and my business has not gone belly up as I heard today.  In fact, things are wonderful and life is great!!

The studio in Old Town Silverdale has been closed.  We moved to a much larger house in the fall and this allows me to work from home for those interested in studio sessions.  99% of the time though, all of my clients request their sessions to be on-locations at one of the many beautiful parks or waterfronts our area has to offer.  Lately, Manchester state park has been a popular location.  Having the studio was fabulous and I loved it, but basically it was an expensive dressing room.  Rarely did I have sessions there.  It was mainly used to change clothes, put on make-up and capture a few indoor-style images.  It was unnecessary overhead for me.  So, cutting back on what’s not needed and putting the focus back on creating unique images each and every time I shoot.  Looking forward to finding unique spots that my clients will love.

Which brings me to my clients….

Right now, I am currently accepting high school senior sessions only.  All family, newborn, maternity and other sessions are being referred to my friend and majorly talented photographer, Andrew Lee.  You can view his work at http://www.andrewleephotography.com He is one of the best in our industry and is sure to capture images you will treasure forever.  I would not recommend him if I did not feel 100% confident in his abilities and talent.

For seniors needing senior pictures…call me!

That’s it for now.  Just wanted to set a few things straight (and also post on my blog that I haven’t posted on in over a year, lol!!).  Take care everyone!

~erika

p.s.

some work from the last few months to show off my gorgeous clients!

To my poorly, neglected blog…I’m sorry.  Just not enough hours in the day!

Currently booking September and October sessions.  Bainbridge high school, yearbook deadline is September 28 and there is still time to schedule your session and have your file to the school by then.  Most other deadlines are late October/early November.  If you’re not sure, give the school a call and they should be able to help you out.

Weekends are slim and go first usually, so if you already know you want a weekend date, CALL NOW, no kidding!

Some recents from the class of 2010 seniors taken all around Kitsap country.  Recognize any faces?  Very beautiful girls!

…more to come to another day

In 4 days, the Mackovjak boys (David, James & John) and their driving partner, Skip, will take off on their cross-country bike trip.

A community send off is scheduled for THIS Sunday, June 28 at 7:45 in Old Town Silverdale at the boat launch.  If you’re a bike rider, you can join in on the fun by riding with the boys from Silverdale to Kingston.

All information about their adventure can be found on their website, Riding 4 Hope.

Donations can be made through links on their site.  Any amount helps!

Class of 2010, great news for you!!!  Schedule your session with Erika Mounts Photography and not only will you receive $75 off your session fee and a free 3×3 mini-brag book, but 5% of your order will be donated to Riding 4 Hope.  Sessions must be completed by August 31, 2009.

A fabulous way to donate to a wonderful cause and also receive something you need in return.  We are soooooo excited about the upcoming graduating class and am very much looking forward to meeting you all.  August appointments are booking quickly, but we still have plenty of dates open in July and weekdays during August.

To schedule, call or text to 360.471.7528 or email erika at erikamounts@gmail.com

Erika Mounts Photography is holding a casting call for newborns 2 weeks and younger and pets.

Newborns:

• baby must be no older than 2 weeks of age
• images will be used for marketing to other portrait clients as well as stock images for art & commercial work for Erika Mounts Photography.
• babies of all ethniticies apply
• sessions offered at our Old Town Silverdale studio only.
• Dates offered will vary depending on parent’s availability.

Pets:

• dogs & cats welcome
• dogs must be leashed with coming to the studio
• good canine manners are a must!
• images will be used to market Erika Mounts Photography as well as used for stock images for art & commercial work
• sessions will be done at our Old Town Silverdale studio as well as Evergreen Park in Bremerton.

Dates available are:

• June 27 from 10am - 3pm in Old Town Silverdale
• June 29 from 10am - 12pm in Old Town Silverdale
• July 2 from 10am - 1pm in Evergreen Park, Bremerton
• July 8 from 10am -1pn in Evergreen Park, Bremerton
• July 14 from 10am - 2pm in Old Town Silverdale

——————————————–

All sessions for both casting calls are made by appointment only.  To schedule, call EMP at 360.471.7528 or email, erikamounts@gmail.com

Newborn sessions will last approximately 45 minutes long and pet sessions will last approximately 20 minutes.

Images will be available for purchase 2 weeks after the session.  Regular retail prices apply.

Any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.  Thanks!!!

Riding 4 Hope

Two area teens, James & John Mackovjak and their dad, David, will be traveling across the country this summer, on bikes, to raise awareness and funds for Wounded Warrior Project and The Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound West Sound.

Their journey starts June 28 here in Washington, traveling 100 miles a day with them landing in Virginia Beach, VA mid-August.  Neighbor Skip Junis will be traveling along side them to capture their journey as their venture their way to the east coast.

There are two ways for you to donate to this wonderful and worthy cause.  You can click on the links above and donate online.  ANY amount helps.  Be it $10, $50 or a $100.

or

If you are a high school senior (class of 2010) and in need of senior pictures, schedule your session with Erika Mounts Photography and 5% of your order will be donated to Riding 4 Hope.  A donation will be given for all sessions that occur between now and August 31.  You will also receive $75 off your session fee for scheduling a summer session.

To schedule, call EMP at 360.471.7528 or email, erikamounts@gmail.com

Best of luck David, James and John.  I love that you guys are doing this.  Creating memories and helping the community.  The best of both worlds.  Love it!

Who wants to photograph me and my kids together?  Really!!  I love when I am able to get parents into the shot with their children.  At home, it’s usually one parent who is always behind the camera (me) and rarely makes it to the front.  And when you do make it to the front of the camera for those snapshots, it was probably an off moment where you’re mouth is wide open or you’re making a silly face.  Again…that would be me.  My husband never catches me at the right moment, LOL!!!

These are from recent mommy & me sessions at the studio in Old Town Silverdale.  Nothing fancy.  Simply capturing the bonds between a mother and child (or children).  Sure to be treasured for years to come!

sidenote… hey moms!  Father’s day is right around the corner.  Not too late to schedule a daddy & me session.  The boutique mini-session date is past, but you can still get on the books to give dad a very special gift.  Portraits of his loved ones.

Recent session with fellow photographer, Andrew Lee.  Him and I decided to band together and really pump up our marketing to local high school seniors.  This session features several upcoming class of 2010 seniors.  Really cool spot that got my creative juices flowing.  I still have quit a few images to process, but here are a few favorites for now.  Enjoy!

and one of Andrew shooting the gang…

Favorites from a recent session…

If Morgan’s face looks familiar, that’s because she’s been on my blog before.  She was one of the winners for the Kids Up! photo contest in March.  I can definiely see why she won “cutest child on the block.”  Just look at that face!!

Not officially seniors for a couple more weeks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start planning.  One of the first things to think about our SENIOR PICTURES!!

In my opinion, it’s best to get them sometime between June - September.  After that, you’re too busy with senior and school stuff to even think about pictures.  Plus, the yearbook deadline for several schools in the area is the end of October.  That means your session needs to be completed by mid-October to make the deadline.

Recognize any?  If so, ask them for a card so you can save $75 off your session fee!

Plus, so excited to finally release this.  I’ve been working on a SENIOR ONLY website since August.  Yes, August!  I’m a little slow, LOL!!!

Still not 100% done, but mostly.  I hope to finish everything regarding my website by next week.  To view, http://erikamounts.net/antonio/index2.php?v=v1 Yes, a few images repeat, but that’s one of those things I will fix soon.

Anyway, start thinking about senior pictures and who you want to have capture this special moment.  I hope it’s me!

This session was so much fun.  I love when parents leave their expectations for a session at home and just have fun with a session.  And most importantly, let a kid be a kid…whether that means giving silly faces or hiding behind trees to avoid being photographed.  It’s those moments that are caught on camera that capture the child’s true personality.

I have way too many great images from this session that I know mom will be thrilled with, but also overwhelmed, LOL!!!  Here are just a few sneak peeks until I have the online gallery ready.  Hope you like them!