Bill's Blog

Did you know that Sugar Plums aren’t always made of Plums?  Shocking, isn’t it?  In fact, the recipe that I just found calls for dates, or figs, or cherries.  Not plums.  I feel like I’ve been deceived all these years.  Thankfully, my research has confirmed that yes, “figgy pudding” is actually made from figs.  But that’s a lousy consolation prize! “Sugar Plum” sounds wonderfully delightful and delicious!  I love the plum!  “Figgy-Pudding?”  Seriously?  Sure, I love the fig . . . but figgy pudding?!  Really?  I can promise that you’ll never find me at your door, singing some song where I “demand” (DEMAND!) “figgy pudding.”  [I did, however, once enjoy some figgy-wine, thanks to my buddy Steve, and it was superb.]

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

I just couldn’t wait to post my first “Christmas” photo of the year.  The UPS man has been to our house a few times this week, so for Sheree, it’s Christmas in October.

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

Quick question:  What do Nickelback, Starbucks Coffee, and Ponca, AR, have in common?

Simple:  I’m listening to Nickelback while drinking Starbucks, and now writing my final blog about Ponca, Arkansas.  Otherwise–I’m not sure.  Let me know if you think of anything.

Yes, this is the final blog of the year about the amazing Postcard Portrait sessions in Ponca, AR.  If you’re just now tuning in, we’ll be shooting [and vacationing] there OCTOBER 21-24th.  Check out a few of the previous blogs to see some of the photos from Lost Valley [the waterfall] and the Buffalo River.  Today we’re showing off Whittaker Point, also known as Hawksbill Crag.  If you’d like to see a few more details of the area, I just stumbled on a great description of some of the local trails:  http://theozarkmountains.com/hiking_trails.htm .

Whittaker Point

Get away for a weekend with your family, enjoy the greatest time of the year, and create some great memories in Ponca.  I hope to see you there.

-mr. bill

501.766.5671    or     email:  beyondphotography1@gmail.com

As promised, I have a few more images from Ponca, Arkansas.  My family will be visiting there soon–October 21-24–to celebrate the birthdays of my first and last-born.  While there, of course, we’re scheduling photo sessions in one of the State’s most spectacular locations.

Enjoy a few more images from a few years ago.  I’d be honored for you to provide me the chance to create some more soon–with your family.

-mr. bill

Log on to snag a great cabin

The Big C at Lost Valley

the other woman in my life

Big C again

Your groans have reached my ears!  What kind of sorry photographer brags about one of the ultimate portrait locations–Ponca, AR–and then doesn’t post photos?  Inexcusable.

If you missed the memo [previous blogs, the website calendar, smoke signals, carrier pigeons], Beyond Photography is creating family/children portraits in Ponca, AR, October 21-24th.  Where is Ponca?  you wonder?  It’s right between “Holy Smokes!” and “I’ve-never-seen-a-place-like-this!”  More specifically, it’s next to the metropolis of Jasper, Arkansas, on the Buffalo River.

I have 2 session times still available.  So if you’re interested, it’s time to invest in a portrait that makes your friends jealous.  Call or email anytime, and we’ll hope to see you soon!  Until next time, enjoy a few shots from previous years in Ponca.  I’ll post another blog tomorrow with more images.  Soon thereafter, I’ll post a blog about Photographers . . . and how so many of us are full of manure.  I started it this morning, but it’ll take me a few days to get this one worded correctly.  Talk to you soon!

-mr. bill

mr. bill's brood

the Big H