So I’m watching a television show and one of those “we’re the best” commercials comes on… I don’t recall what it was for, but that they were claiming to be the best. I kept thinking, “certainly your competition would like to have a say on that.” And then I starting thinking that you see “the best” everywhere.
Who determines that? And are they right?
Photographic coverage of your wedding or family events is a personal decision. Often what truly drives your decision to hire a specific professional photographer is based on three simple things: 1) whether or not you like their work, 2) how well you get along with them, and 3) that they are a professional (there are a myriad of factors involve in this one, which is another entire post). Whether or not they claim to be the “best,” as you’ll notice, is not a factor.
Claiming to be the “best” in anything is typically a hype word for marketing purposes. The implication is by claiming you are the best is that you are better than everyone else. That’s a pretty mighty claim, and one that should not be taken lightly. So, if you really want to find out if someone is the best, ask them to show you how they are better than everyone else. If they can’t, well… they aren’t really the best then are they?
I can honestly say that we try hard to DO our very best. And we sometimes stumble. Yes, we’re humans (though I have been accused of being from another planet at times). And while we do try to give you the very best we have to offer, we are by no means the “best” at anything. If we are qualifying based on the “three simple things” list above, however, we have literally thousands of clients who like our work, have a great disposition and approach to customer service and try to maintain a professional demeanor at all times. As a result, we get lots of new clients, repeat clients and have maintained a studio in this area for over 15 years. That has to count for something.
Anyone who claims they are the “best” either has no idea what they are implying, or truly believes their own hype.
Enjoy your week… looks like another week of beautiful days. 🙂
It’s just so great to see so many clients for whom we’ve done other types of work. Whitney was a dancer with one of our favorite dance studios. When she contacted us about doing headshots, we were honored. Not only that, we got to really catch up on what she’s been doing since starting college. Apparently she is very involved in theater productions, and wanted headshots to use for many different types of those performances.
This was a mutual favorite.
Pets are family, too!
And we’re holding an event that will bring out the best in your pet… their portraits!
All you need to do is call and make an appointment. We have openings from 10am-5pm. The cost is $35.
But here’s the best parts:
- A portion of all session fees goes to benefit Briggs Animal Adoption Center in Charles Town, WV.
- Kim Carter from The Grooming Room in Kearneysville will be on hand to give your clean pet a little touch-up (at no cost) and is offering free bandana to all your little friends.
- We will have special sets for your pets, and you’re welcome to be in the pictures, too!
- More fun keeps coming our way as the days go by… so stay tuned!
Call 304-263-3100 to make your appointment now! Time slots are already filling up, and if you wait you will miss out!
Some people are born to be certain “types”… you know, intelligent, good-looking, brawny… whatever.
I hope you’ll agree that William was blessed with more than one “type”. 🙂
Well, here’s egg on my face. 🙁
I had blogged all the entries into the Most Beautiful Baby contest… except Vivian, whose portraits we did a week ago today. In fact, her mother traveled with Vivian from Greensboro, NC to have portraits done. The thing is, I just didn’t get around to putting her pictures online.
BUT… rest assured that she was included in the judges selection panels. So they all saw her, in addition to all the other entries.
So, without further adieu I give you Miss Vivian. 🙂
… but first, a few kind words.
This is our seventh year with this contest. We’ve enjoyed them all. Half the fun is meeting new people, and the other half is all the great kids we see.
As many of you know, the contest awards prizes for first, second, and third places, and two honorable mentions. Here they are, in reverse order:
Brennan and Grant are 9 months and 22 months respectively. They were both a lot of fun, and just seemed to shine in front of the camera. Our Honorable Mentions:
Grant
Brennan
Our third place winner has been here a few times already, including for Easter Portraits, Halloween pictures, and holiday portraits. We’ve gotten used to seeing her around here, so when she showed up for the contest, she was a natural. Introducing Miss Morgan:
Morgan
Moving on to our second place winner, I need to first say that she was probably the most friendly baby almost instantly. Even her dad said “I can’t believe she is this cooperative.” And she was a lot of fun, because she was just so ready to play and have fun. Our second place winner, Miss Brylee:
Brylee
<drum roll noise>
Pretty much before she set up the portrait sitting, our first place winner’s mom told us “this is THE most beautiful baby.” Well, everyone says that… and they were all beautiful babies. Really. But because our judges are independent and chosen almost at the last minute to do the judging, we know that they are being fair in their assessment for the photos submitted. With that little disclaimer (sorry 🙂 ), I give you the First Prize winner of our Seventh Annual Most Beautiful Baby Contest, Mister Ethan:
Ethan
Prizes for this year’s winners were generously provided by the following. Please support them for supporting our fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital:
- Reverend Di’s Weddings
- Summit Community Bank
- Purple Iris
- Hair Cuttery
- Blockbuster Video
- Shoney’s
- JayDee’s Family Fun Center
- Pikeside Bowling
- Chick-Fil-A
- Hoss’s Steak & Sea House
- Hair Designs
- China Kitchen
- Hair Central
- Clydes Karate
- 9West Hair Salon
- Tupperware
- MVB Bank
- Around The Panhandle Magazine
- Pampered Chef
- Orchidstrated Designs
- Regal Cinemas
We also want to thank all our judges, the wonderful parents, our incredibly patient staff and especially Suzanne who got the ball rolling on vendors back in November. This has been another great year with the contest, and we look forward to it again in 2011.
Another competitor in our Most Beautiful Baby contest, Brylee was ready to go pretty much straight out of dad’s arms. She spent a few minutes looking around and then easily decided this was a fun place and was smiling and having a great time shortly after that.
Julie’s little boy is turning three years old. We’ve been photographing him for several years, of course, but we also photographed Julie’s wedding to Woody. The really cool part about photographing the same child over a period of years is that they are almost instantly comfortable with us. Coleton was much that way, quickly warming up and playing peek-a-boo pretty much the entire time he was there. He even created a couple of his own posing ideas (including the trunk you’ll see below).
We always look forward to seeing Julie, her parents, and of course Coleton.
Our Day of Beauty, discussed in this thread, has been changed. It’s now being held on March 20. Please call now for your appointment… remember it is first come, first served for appointments, and you MUST have an appointment. It’s great fun, and great images. Call now!
Miss Layla is something of a celebrity around here. After all, she won last year’s Most Beautiful Baby contest. Well, she’s ba-aack! That’s right, the defending champion still qualifies for the contest and is looking to give all the other contestants a run for their money. We’re looking forward to what the judges have to say. Contest ends on Saturday!
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