Saturday, November 10, 2012

Local First!

Today was the Local First Arizona 15th Annual Fall Festival and was so much fun! I love street festivals and this one is always one of the best for me, celebrating our local merchants and creating awareness for keeping more money in Arizona by spending it here in our state. As a member, I know how important that is...after all, did you know that for every $100 spent locally $73 stays in our state while non-local business purchases only generate $43 that stay here? This festival creates awareness for that in a fun way. Here are a few pics from the day. Hope you enjoy.

A Big Kiss From Elmo

One of my donations to the silent auction.

Loose Canons Blues Band.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

I Ran Away With The Circus

For much of our lives we keep going down the same path, day after day, year after year and then something happens to cause us to explore a different direction for a while, altering the course of our lives forever.

For me this was the year I ran away with the circus. If you could have told me at Christmas that I would be where I am today, I would have laughed myself silly....how little we know.

Believe it or not I have always had other interests besides photography. A bold statement because most people know me as very passionate and committed to my art and my art only. But there was always something in the distance calling me.

The days after Christmas are always quiet for me. And in those cold desert days I received an opportunity to explore a hidden dream. I was offered a chance to assist a world renowned Hypnotherapist and his partner with their Hypnotherapy Certification Course. I have always been intrigued with human potential and held this man in my highest esteem for years, studying with him personally when I could and enjoying his radio show from afar. So for a week I spent early mornings setting up for a small group of wellness practitioners to have what they needed to focus for their class sessions, made coffee, organized cds for sale and took the dog for his morning constitutional. Once class started, in between supporting the instructors and students, I was able to train, too. As the days passed, the slow realization came that I was rather good at this and it would be a way to be of service with a skill that is becoming more needed in our community. I found a passion for hypnosis that was as fired up as my first years as a photographer and loved the changes I could help others make to add brilliance to their lives.

The class ended, and as that door closed, many more opened in a way I never dreamed. Hours of additional training were balanced with canyon walks and a tent by a lake. I learned to kayak and conquered my fear of boating. I always dreamed of  horses and a chance came to work in a barn caring for horses so that disabled riders could have lessons.  I've gotten to love on a herd of 16 horses with all different personalities and needs when all I dreamed of was just one. I read voraciously and found myself exploring so many of the things I had denied myself for so long. I traveled across the country and found myself on lonely roads in the Deep South savoring roadside peaches, running a sorrel pony down an island beach, paddling through swamps and salt marshes and meeting people over BBQ and Fish Frys.

And still more doors opened. Adventures closer to home and saddle sore from lessons that magically came my way. Singing for a bunch of Cowboys in an old Roadhouse along a rural Arizona road. I found the time to sketch and my poet's voice found me again. Sleeping hard and working hard to bring even more play into my life...and in between it all creating portraits for those that sought me out but staying quiet in that space of bringing new business in.

So I sit here with you today, writing to let you know the adventure goes on but I have not forgotten. It's time again to pick up the reins that adulthood brings  and ride on back to the commitment and business of photography. I so appreciate your continued support of Marcia The Art Of Photography and am committed to bringing you the best in family photography. Please look forward to some enticing special events as we make our way through to the 2012 Holiday Season as I look forward to working with you and your family.

"It's A Never Ending Circus Ride, Faint of Heart Need Not Apply" ~ Pam Tillis, Mi Vida Loca

 

Friday, June 01, 2012

It's Raining Babies! Big Sale In Progress Now!

I love photographing babies in window light. I love how the softness of the light caresses their faces and lights up their eyes, and summertime in Arizona is made for these beautiful indoor portraits.

As I write this, the temps are predicted to hit 112ยบ today and it's comfy cool in my gallery where I set up a mini studio for the tiny ones so I thought "Why not a Summer Sales Event?" From now until August 31st, 30 minute mini-sessions including prints starting at $195. A beautiful way to decorate your home with the most beautiful art you've ever created, your baby.

©Marcia Mauskopf 2012

Friday, May 04, 2012

Sneak Peek ~ Bully(s) For You

I recently spent a just delightful afternoon photographing two bulldogs in the Willo neighborhood of Phoenix. I'm not sure what I enjoyed more, the home and surrounding streets or playing with the dogs and their owners. Willo is an historic district of beautifully landscaped cottages and bulldogs, well let's just say they are characters...here is a sneak peek of that lovely afternoon.

©Marcia Mauskopf 2012

©Marcia Mauskopf 2012

©Marcia Mauskopf 2012

Friday, February 10, 2012

New Props ~~ TuTu to You!

You know, I am a sucker for soft props...I always love to work with different things to create completely new images. I found this beautiful brand new Newborn size Tutu and got it for a steal, so couldn't wait to tell you about it.

I found it at Kid To Kid on Tatum and Thunderbird in Phoenix. I've driven by for years and never gone in, so it was a wonderful treat to find such a large and well organized re-sale kids store. Best part? They have a huge selection of headbands, flower clips, and the cutest tutus in a variety of sizes. The staff was so warm and helpful and I really enjoyed my visit there.

As you may well know, I make most of my own soft props to ensure originality for my clients, but I have to say that I will definitely visiting back here...
.....because a girl can't have too many tutus.

©Marcia The Art of Photography 2012

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Wildflower Portraits

©Marcia The Art of Photography 2012
I love photographing wildflowers. There's something about the fleeting season that pushes me to get out in the desert, lying on the ground, looking for design among the petals.

One of the most beautiful ways to photograph children is taking them out to play in the flower fields. I'm looking forward to the sessions I get to do this month in flowers like these.

Make the most of our short wildflower season with a portrait of your child amidst the blossoms.

ACI 2012 National Child Portrait Contest in progress now. Grand Prize: $1500 Mastercard Gift Card. Up to 12 years old eligible. Contact Marcia The Art of Photography for details and to reserve your child's Limited Edition Session.

Monday, February 06, 2012

Limited Edition? Premiere Portrait? What's The Difference?

Photographer's price lists differ as much as photographers styles, so it's important to understand what you are getting when you shop for your family portrait.

Here at my studio, I offer two different levels of portraits. Because customers so often become clients for life with me, it's important to know the difference in these levels and what works best for your family.

Premiere Portrait Sessions allow for up to two hours photography time, giving you the opportunity for fully exploring all the different family relationships and multiple clothing changes and/or locations. Premiere Prints offer full retouching and finishing from hard mounts with texture and protective spray, to the most luxurious and contemporary options in home decor.

Limited Edition Sessions are offered during sale events through out the year. It is a way to have the photography you love at a price you'll adore. Limited Edition sessions are generally 30 minutes photography time to capture the basics for your family portrait. Prints are offered as package priced economy prints, with basic retouch only.

Our current Limited Edition Offer is in conjunction with the ACI ADORABLE Child Portrait Contest, February 2, 2012 - May 1, 2012. For children 12 and under,  $89 Limited Edition Session and automatic entry into contest. ACI is offering $7500 in prizes throughout several categories with top prize of a $1500 Mastercard gift card. Please contact Marcia The Art of Photography for full details.

©Marciaphoto.com 2011



Wednesday, February 01, 2012

2012 ACI ADORABLE National Child Portrait Contest Starts NOW!





It's here once again! $7500 in prizes nationally, entry included with every child portrait booked here at Marcia The Art of Photography during the contest period. Special pricing, too. Doesn't get much better than that, huh!

Hope to see your child in front of my lens, soon ;-)