And just like the last several years, Beyond Photography is thrilled to be catching Santa as he makes a quick visit to Arkansas. And as far as I know, this will be his last visit for last minute Christmas wishes. If your child has an emergency request, meet us at the Motley Christmas Tree Farm:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd through SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6th, 2011.

In all of our years of shooting portraits with Santa, we’re thrilled to be shooting outdoors for the first time!  Motley’s Farm has been superbly kind to us–they’re opening the Farm to our clients before they are open for the season!  If you’re also looking for a live Christmas tree, you’ll have the first look.

If you have questions about the process, you’re in the right place.  Following are the most common questions I hear . . . .

*I love the idea, but what if my kids don’t like Santa?

1.  If you know that you don’t want photos with Mr. Kringle, we’re happy to photograph your kids and/or family without him.  Please let me know when you schedule your session.

2.  Kids love the IDEA of Santa, but meeting him in person is often intimidating.  Kids also love dinosaurs, but meeting one in real life wouldn’t be so great, either.  If your child doesn’t like Santa, never fear.  By the time Santa arrives in the session for photos, we’ve already captured several great images of your kid(s) on the Christmas scene.  Santa then peeks into the scene, in the background, while I keep your child’s attention away from him.  After this, we then introduce the Man in Red.  If spotting Santa is the end of your session [which isn't totally uncommon], we’ve already captured a great session, and you’ll have ample images for your Christmas photo selection.  Santa is extremely sensitive to a child’s reaction to him, and proceeds slowly with those who aren’t sure of him.

*Do you charge extra to have more than one of my kids in the session?

No.  In fact, we encourage Mom and Dad to come prepared for a few images of the immediate family.

*What clothes should we wear?

Every year, our scene is markedly different from any other scene we’ve created.  We always plan our Christmas scenes with “variety” in mind.  Even though we’re shooting outdoors, don’t be afraid of formal clothes.  Santa will have his elegant sleigh on site, and formalwear will look great.  More than in years past, I think that “dressy casual” will work wonderful this year:  Nice jeans with a dressy sweater, gloves, scarves, etc.

*Can I get Christmas cards?  Do you sell images for printing my own cards?

Not only can you get Christmas cards, you can get a card that will WOW! your friends.  We offer several styles, and we’ll have some examples to show.  We carefully oversee the quality of all of our products–which is why we do not sell images for printing elsewhere.  Please understand that your retainer applies to the purchase of photographs.  We’re glad to also offer Christmas cards, but only after your portrait purchase.

*What is the difference between a “Quick Pic” and a full session?  Why would I choose one over the other?

We’re shooting both types of sessions for Christmas.  Here’s the difference:

FULL SESSIONS

• will allow me much more time to capture much more variety–usually around 80-120 images to view.  I’ll reserve more time for you, and shoot for approximately 45 minutes.  This will give me plenty of time to create a volume of work.
• you’ll have the luxury of returning the following week to view your images.  You’ll see a beautiful slideshow, and we’ll walk with you through the ordering process as you choose your portraits/albums/cards/etc.
• we ask that all full sessions invest in a 20″ print or larger.  If you might like an album, you’ll certainly need a full session.
• your kids will have much more time to chat and play with Santa!
• our Santa Reservation Fee is $500 ($50 Santa Fee & $450 Portrait credit).  This fee is required in order to reserve your time.  Because of our limited sessions, we do not hold appointments without our reservation fee.  If you would prefer to call with your credit card info, feel free — 501.766.5671.  Our Saturday date, November 5th, is reserved for full sessions only.
• our standard price list applies to full session [click here to see our prices].
• understand that the Reservation secures Mr. Bill’s time just for you!  Therefore Santa Reservation Fees are non-refundable.  If you call within 72 hours to reschedule your session, we will do our best to accommodate your request.  If you have a friend that would like to take your appointment, we’ll be happy to assist you.  Otherwise, we cannot refund your deposit.
  

QUICK PICS

• obviously, are much faster.  Our session will last no longer than 15 minutes.  I’ll still shoot with and without Santa, but have much less variety–about 10-20 images to view.
• you’ll select your portraits immediately after your session.  [Sorry, we won't have time to prepare a slideshow.  Images will show straight from the camera--no cropping, color correcting, retouching, etc--all of that work will apply to the prints that you order, you simply won't see it during the preview session.] Prices are listed below.
• our Saturday date is reserved for full sessions only–no Quick Pics that day.
• our Santa Quick Pic Reservation is $216.75 ($50 Santa Fee & $162.56 Portrait credit–all taxes included).
• due to the quick nature of shooting, and ordering in a large volume, Quick Pics are slightly discounted  [see below].  We do allow you to order more than one package!
• we do ask that you purchase a wall portrait [16×20 or larger] OR at least one portrait package when you order.
• we will have many beautiful custom-designed Christmas cards — we do ask for a minimum $269 portrait purchase in order to purchase cards.
• understand that the Reservation secures Mr. Bill’s time just for you!!  Therefore Santa Quick Pic Reservation Fees are non-refundable.  If you call within 72 hours to reschedule your session, we will do our best to accommodate your request.  If you have a friend that would like to take your appointment, we’ll be happy to assist you.  Otherwise, your deposit will not be refunded.

*How do I schedule an appointment?

Please call or email.  We’ll spend some time listening to your “Christmas list,” then schedule you for either a full session or a Quick Pic.  When we set your appointment time, we’ll ask for your retainer.  We can send an invoice via Paypal, or take a credit card number over the phone.  We do not reserve slots without your deposit.  Email us at beyondphotography1@gmail.com, or call 501.766.5671.

If you have any other questions, please post them in the comments section below.  I’ll then know better how to answer the questions that everyone is asking.

Hooray for an AMAZING holiday season!  I’ll look forward to hearing from you soon.  Thanks!

-mr. bill

Santa with Big C

Well . . . it’s over [sorta].  The Santa Portrait whirlwind in Central Arkansas has come to an end [kinda].  We’ve finished our sessions, now it’s a matter of photoshop-ing and delivering.  We enjoyed another marvelous year of sessions . . . and saw even more crying Moms than in years past.  Not that I’m naming names, but I even noticed 2 misty-eyed Dads during the sessions.

I’m sorry that I don’t have time to post more images from the events, but they will come later.  For now, here’s a couple of shots from my eldest–the Big C.

Let the following shot be a warning to you:  Santa tickles!

Merry Christmas.

Santa tickles!

In the meantime, though, let me brag on my hot wife!  She decorates our scenes [as well as other homes], and she’s really outdone herself this year!  Naturally, every host home is different.  The attached photo, though, gives a really clear idea of the concept for this week’s scene.  As I type, listening to Billy Joel & James Taylor, she is putting the final touches on the tree in Little Rock.  She’s using many of these very decorations, and this color scheme.  And yes, we’ll also have a bed in the Little Rock scene.  We saw several kids in P.J.’s, and they looked great with the scene.

I hope that I’ll have the chance to see you soon.  If you want to share this idea with your friends, feel free to post the link to this blog on your Facebook page.

Thanks & Merry Christmas!

-mr. bill

501.766.5671     or email to:  beyondphotography1@gmail.com

Santa & Sugarplums

So I’ve just made a personal vow:  I AM BAKING [yes--they're baked!] SUGAR PLUMS THIS YEAR!

Maybe you’re not thinking too much about Sugar Plums, or Figs, or Christmas, or Santa, or Christmas photos yet, but it consumes me right now!!!  Other than my slight digression into the history of Sugar Plums, my mind has been locked on Christmas photos.  If you’ve been sleeping, it’s only 62 days until Christmas.  And it’s only 13 days until we start shooting photos with Santa!!!  That means it’s only 13 days until you can find the greatest Christmas gift for your family!  It’s only 13 days until you can create a Christmas card that looks better than your friends’!  If you missed the dates and locations:

NOVEMBER 5-6 IN PINE BLUFF

NOVEMBER 7 IN HOT SPRINGS

NOVEMBER 11-14th in LITTLE ROCK

NOVEMBER 20-21 IN FAYETTEVILLE.

You might be wondering about my recent inquiries into Sugar Plums.  No, it’s not an odd obsession.  This year’s theme for Christmas Portraits is “Visions of Sugarplums.”  As always, the scene will be elegant and classy.  This year, though, you’ll see a more whimsical look than last year’s “Norman Rockwell Christmas.”  As always, the scene will lend itself well to formal Christmas clothing, as well as kids in their Christmas Pajamas.

If you haven’t scheduled yet, then now is the time!  Thus far, we’ve booked approximately 1/4 of our availability.  After this week, we’ll easily be at 75% full.  How do I know?  Trust me.  If you know me, you know that I don’t pull the high-pressure, “You better schedule/buy today or you’ll miss out!” Just take my word for it–8 days from now, we’ll be booked pretty solidly.

So call or email quickly.  We look forward to seeing you soon, and creating a memory that will last for you–and your kids–for a lifetime.

Yours,

-mr. bill

501.766.5671   or email:  beyondphotography1@gmail.com

Since most of our clients are repeat customers, it’s vital that Beyond Photography shows a completely new, unique set for Easter and Christmas portraits.  Sheree spends hours–and thousands–shopping for our new Christmas decorations each year, and they’ve just arrived.

Our theme for Christmas/Santa portraits this year is Visions of Sugarplums.  As always, it will be really classy, super elegant, but a little more whimsical this year.

We’re scheduling now for our 2010 sessions:

In Pine Bluff:  November 5-6

In Hot Springs:  November 7th

In Little Rock:  November 11-14th

In Fayetteville:  November 20-21st.

Yes, the phone is already hot with appointments [we've scheduled 2 more just today].  So call or email quickly to reserve your opportune time.  501.766.5671  or email:  beyondphotography1@gmail.com.

If you need more information about the pricing, process, etc., click here for more details.

By the time  you come with your kids for the session, Sheree will have decorated the tree, furniture, etc.  Then you’ll see the “after.”  Here is the “before.”

Sheree in our garage, where Christmas decor just exploded

IN PINE BLUFF NOVEMBER 5 & 6

IN HOT SPRINGS NOVEMBER 7

IN LITTLE ROCK NOVEMBER 11-14

AND IN FAYETTEVILLE NOVEMBER 20-21

Go to the main website-www.beyond-photography.com–to see more of the work, or click here to see specific information about Santa Sessions.  Until then, here are a few words from the supra-famous:

“blahblahblahblahblah.”

“I’m so glad you asked!” I reply.

“blahblahblahblahblah.”

I’ll let you fill in the blanks above.  That’s where I tell you how amazing the Santa Photo Sessions are with Beyond Photography.  Then I tell you how they capture the magic of childhood, you should schedule, we’ve already booked 16 sessions [no kidding], it’s a perfect Christmas gift, etc.

Not that you would EVER tire of hearing my brilliant words, but I’ll let someone else do the talking today.  Karen and Fred brought their 2 boys to see Santa last year.  It was our first meeting ever, and it was an AWESOME session!  [No--I don't think that all of my sessions are awesome.]  Take less than 3 minutes to check out their perspective on last year’s session.  You’ll hear more from their boys soon.

I’ll leave you with this:  We’re shooting in Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Hot Springs, and Fayetteville.  Click here to see the dates and also the details about our sessions. And seriously–the phone is already getting hot with Santa calls.  Do not tarry, friend, call or email quick!

501.766.5671     or     email:  beyondphotography1@gmail.com

The 246 miles actually refers to cities in Arkansas–and the distance between them.  If you’ve ever wanted to schedule portraits with Santa, but haven’t, your excuses are running out.  This year we’ll be stopping in 4 cities for sessions with Mr. Kringle.

“When and Where?”

So glad that you asked:

PINE BLUFF, AR–NOVEMBER 5 & 6

HOT SPRINGS, AR–NOVEMBER 7th

LITTLE ROCK, AR–NOVEMBER 12-14th

FAYETTEVILLE, AR–NOVEMBER 20-21st

Despite still being on Santa’s Naughty List [click here if you haven't read the ugly details], he’s agreed to stop in 4 cities for portraits.  If you’re considering a portrait session, let me exhort you to call or email quickly!  Yes–we’ve already scheduled several folks.

Like last year, we’re shooting Quick Pic sessions and Full Sessions.  If you wonder which is better for you, want to preview prices, see the options for Christmas cards, etc., then click here to check out the Pricing and Process blog about Santa Portraits with Beyond Photography.

I’ll look forward to talking to you soon.  Thanks!!!

-mr. bill

Last week you learned a little about my musical gift . . . and that Santa thinks I’m not using my gift for the forces of good.  This confession is a little more . . . personal.  It’s an timeless tale of forbidden love, and passion gone too far.  I’m certain that you’ll soon see me on the Lifetime Channel, starring in a made-for-TV-movie.

If you know Sheree [a.k.a., "The Hot Chick"] and me, you know that we deeply love each other.  We’ve been married just over 10 years now.  We live together, work together, and now homeschool our kids together.  And we travel a lot together.  And we still like each other!  From the outside, I’m sure that our love story looks like a poem, written by angels, in a cloud.  Yes, life is good NOW, but it wasn’t always so.  Before Sheree, I longed for another love.  Santa reminded me of my faithless heart, and suggested that I come clean.

Ironically, it’s my fault that Santa remembered my former love.  Darnit-to-heck!  Santa found a love poem that I’d hidden away in our chimney.

“Really, mr. bill?  You’re a poet?” you ask.

Yes, as a matter of fact, I am.  Obviously you missed the onslaught of poems when my buddy Jeff had his spleen removed.  Luckily, you can click here to read them.

I won’t bother with anymore explanation–the poem says it all.  Curse my wayward heart!

If only I could/find 2 as good–as we.

Your love I savor!/My heart finds favor–from Thee.

I give you my heart/and you heart my heart–with ease.

My passion you ignite!/My bowels take flight–sweet manganese.

None can understand/when I take you in my hand–I must consume!

I ravenously devour!/Then within the hour–lusts’ foul fumes.

Only fools presume/that you are an average legume.

You are:

THE LENTIL.

the poem and me

I feel especially guilty about the photo above.  Notice the framed portrait of Sheree and me to the right.  I’m sorry, sweet bride.

so beautiful

Stay tuned for more of the ugly details of my private life.

Fortunately, Santa has still agreed to arrive early in Arkansas for portraits!  We’ll be shooting in Little Rock and Hot Springs.  [We're hammering out details of 2 other cities.]  If you’d like to see the information about pricing, and the process, click here.  And if you’re wondering, the answer is YES!  We are already scheduling appointments for Santa/Christmas photos.  Call or email anytime!  I’ll talk to you soon,

mr. bill

501.766.5671       or        beyondphotography1@gmail.com

Tonight is the night when I proclaim my dark secrets to the world.  Actually, tonight is only the first of many nights . . . it seems that I have an extensive list of wrong-doings that I need to clear.

If you’re just now checking in, I’m mr. bill from Beyond Photography.  I’ve lived several years as a professional Photographer, and have enjoyed many of those years photographing children with Santa Claus.  Every year has gone better than the last, including the sessions of my own wonderful kids with the Claus.  This year, however, is sadly different.  I learned this summer that I have been placed on Santa’s infamous Naughty List!  You thought it was a myth?  A scare tactic?  Yeah–I used to be a fool, too.  Believe me–it’s real.  And it stinks being here.  If you’d like to learn more about my awful discovery, and my boys’ disturbing reaction to the news, click here.  Then come back to this blog.

Anyway, back to the present.  After learning that I landed on the Naughty List, Santa then gave me a glimmer of hope.  He reminded me that confession is good for the soul . . . and informed me that I should air my dirty laundry.  I only hope that I will somehow find redemption in this awful journey . . . .

***********

I don’t want to brag or anything, but I am really, exceptionally gifted.  Seriously.  Sure–I can make an amazing salad.  I can make flatulence noises with my palm and eye socket.  I won my 5th grade spelling bee by remembering to capitalize “Asia.”  I know how to slice a banana in half, without cutting or tearing the peel.  I can tell you all day long how cool I am.

What most people don’t know–other than my extremely fortunate family–is that I have been given the gift of MUSIC!!!!!  It’s true! I love listening to music.  If I’m at my computer [which is often], or in my truck, I am listening to music.  Truth be told–there are very few people who can play the radio as well as I can.  Again:  I’m not bragging, that’s just how it is.

Can I play an instrument?  No.  But can I sing?  HECK YEAH!!!

Some folks have the gift of perfect pitch [whatever]. Others have a keen knack for harmony [whatever that means].  A few folks, I’m told, have a tremendous range [like that's important].

“What is YOUR gift, mr. bill?” you ask.  That’s insightful of you to inquire.  Thank you.

God has given me the gift of VOLUME!  For whatever I might lack in training or skill, I can compensate in volume.  Ask my hot wife, Sheree.  She knows.

Like all brilliant artists, I need a muse . . . an inspiration, if you will. When I tap into my inspiration . . . it moves me.  Deeply.

Apparently, that’s where Santa has a problem.  He seems to think that my musical influences are sub-standard.  [That hurts.]

Apparently Santa really does “see you when you’re sleeping, sees you when you’re awake.” In fact, here’s a photo of me.  I’m working on the computer, listening to music.  If you look carefully, you can see the tears on my face, and the tear-stains on my shirt.  My muse speaks to me, inspiring me to greater volume, demanding that I share my gift of loud-singing with the world.

moved to tears

I’m sorry you had to see me in such a weakened state.  I can’t control the emotion that music releases.

You’re most likely wondering–“Does Santa hate music?” No.  Not at all.  In fact, he loves the [crappy], British-inspired,  Christmas carols we sing.  [Admit it--they really are lousy.  When is the last time you hung "boughs of holly," or demanded "figgy pudding?"  How many folks who live near the birthplace of Jesus sing about the beautiful white Christmases?!  But I digress.]

Apparently Santa has a problem with the music that I love.  He scrolled through my iPod and found something unsettling.  He demanded that I confess to the world . . . my musical muse is . . .

my musical muse

Sigh.

When other Jr. High kids were playing sports, hanging with other kids, I was alone at my house, teaching myself calligraphy–listening to Barry Manilow.  “Ultimate Manilow.”  I dare you to listen to Mandy and not cry.  Try it.  You’ll weep.  Then you’ll sing it with unbridled volume!

When Santa confronted me, I tried to weasel my way out of the accusation.  Not smart.  He really does see everything!  He pulled 2 cassette tapes from his pocket . . . tapes that he’d snagged from my truck.

2 other musical influences stared me in the face.  As if Manilow wasn’t bad enough!  Forgive me, kind reader.  Before I show the photo, please let me remind you:

We’re soon photographing kids, all over Arkansas, with Santa.  If you need full information, click here to read the blog about pricing, location, etc.

You’re wondering what might offend Santa more than my man Manilow?

worse than manilow

I’m sorry.  If you can bear to learn any more, subscribe to this blog.  More awful details about me soon.

Mournfully Yours,

mr. bill