Inky-Dinky-Do Blog

Spring into Summer Savings!

After enjoying hibernating for the winter we thought we would break out some fun sessions for the Spring & Summer.  We will have a couple featured sets that will be up during the days listed at a reduced session fee!  We can do these sessions at another time at our normal fee, but hey why not take advantage and have some fun!

Session Fees are only $50.  Super cool little twist... The Word of Mom.  We have really enjoyed our clients and who better to share their friends, than the clients we are enjoying!   Check this out!   Fill out the Word of Mom form and email it or drop it off to us and get 1/2 off your session fee! Yep that makes your session only $25.  Now if we book one of your friends that is new to inky-dinky-do for a session too- we will credit your $25 to your order and your session is free.  So, let's recap- 1/2 of the session for sharing friends -FREE session if one of them books as well!  Hmmm maybe this should be the Circle of Friends! 

Call the studio 661-588-1984 to schedule your session early!

April  3rd-6th
Little Mr. Fix It
A fun session for boys or girls.  Best for kids over 1 year.  They can play with our trike or bring their own special bike.  Overalls, jeans, t-shirts- keep it casual and basic for this one!

 

April 17 & 18th
Teddy Bear Wash
Who doesn't love washing a bear?  Great for girls or boys 18 months +.  Keep the clothes simple and the focus on the kids.  Bring a couple of their favorite stuffed animals so they can look back and show their kids the perfect teddy bear!  Be sure to bring a change of clothes because I'm sure we will all end up wet!

April 24th and 25th
Tea Time
Come sit and have a spot of tea with me!  Girls in pretty little dresses and tea- what could be more divine!  You are welcome to use one of the many studio dresses as well for this one!  If they have a very special stuffed friend they would like to have tea with have them bring them along as well.  Babies 6mo-1 year can enjoy tea on the wicker bench, while our older tea goers can sit at the wrought iron table for their tea.

 

 

May 15th & 16th
Mudpies!
Yes, that all time favorite is back!  Perfect for boys or girls over 8 months.  Casual clothes that can get dirty are best for this one!  T-shirts, overalls, simple and solid colors- you know what kids live in!  This isn't your prissy kind of session so move over princess!

 

June 12th
Lemonade Stand
When life gives you lemons... throw them at your photographer!  Well at least some kids do- but even better lets make lemonade.  An old favorite for those lazy days of summer.  So break out your favorite whites and lets get crazy.  Studio dresses in white available as well.

Monday is the last day for the Easter Bunny Days!

OK a few of our kids from this weekend.  Don't forget we opened up Monday so we have a couple spots left.  Feel free to call or email to get an appointment.  661-588-1984.
 

Monday is the last day for the Easter Bunny Days!

OK a few of our kids from this weekend.  Don't forget we opened up Monday so we have a couple spots left.  Feel free to call or email to get an appointment.  661-588-1984.
 

Monday is the last day for the Easter Bunny Days!

OK a few of our kids from this weekend.  Don't forget we opened up Monday so we have a couple spots left.  Feel free to call or email to get an appointment.  661-588-1984.
 

Easter is Coming!

It is that time again.... bunnies, eggs and kids all dressed up!  We a re doing the annual easter photos with our favorite studio bunny Blizzard!  Sessions will only take 15 minutes and we have some great little packages and some extra add ons this time!  We've been listening and yes, you can get a little CD of those images this time with your package! 

Check it all out and give the studio a call to book 661-588-1984. 

Friday March 20th & Saturday March 21st.

 click to see the packages larger!

Today was Powder Puff Day!

I know some of you wanted to see some pictures from today's Powder Puff Game.  Thought I would share a little video.  THe Thunderwoods lost today to the Nowottenators.  This keeps the winning streak for Mrs. O's & Mrs. N's class.  All the students had a great time watching and while those girls were fierce the real entertainment was watching the kids and those boys as mascots!

Click here to see a largerQuicktime version on our site

Out of the office-phone lines and Angela out this week...

Sorry to fall off the radar guys.  During our move we ran int oa couple snags- transferring phone lines and what not.  If you haven't been able to reach us via phone- fear not- email is getting answered- phones are getting sorted out.  We had a great idea to transfer the phone to Angela's cell Friday night- only we didn't anticipate Angela's son ending up in the hospital!  Yes, just what every Mom with a child in the trauma unit needs- a ringing phone.  Since we couldn't un-transfer the phone at that point we had to let them roll.  Now that Max is back home and phone line should be taken care of we will be returning whatever calls weren't lost in translation so to speak!  Again email is a great way to reach me during the move.  The studio is closed until next week and with Angela being out for obvious reasons we are running just a touch behind in getting the studio move settled. 

We do want to thank The Center for Neuro Skills in Bakersfield for being so helpful to us this last week.  They were wonderful at explaining things to Angela's family and giving recommendations.  We are happy to report that Max is home from the hospital and doing much better.  A very big thank you to our clients for understanding and allowing Angela to step back as needed.  Now we all agree that it will be great to have her back soon since I don't even know how to access voice mail!  :)  Yes, it is a good thing that I use the camera and not the phones!

2009 Changes

(new posts will appear below this one so scroll down if this is old news to you!)

2009 is all about simplicity- for us & for our clients.  The kind of simplicity that brings peace, simple joys and sense of family.

I know we have been pretty quiet lately on the blog.  We have been pondering what changes we wanted to make for the new year.  It was worth the wait because we have some serious changes coming your way! 

I have so loved watching all our inky-dinky-do kids grow up and document their lives.  We also have become part of the Bakersfield community since moving here and we aren't too proud to acknowledge that economic times have impacted our area and many of our clients.  So many of you have become like a big extended family for us and of course would love to still see the kids grow and share in the little joys that happen.  So we have reached a decision.  We are opting to close our boutique on Calloway Drive and focus soly on the studio and creating the best value for our clients.  Sure the boutique was nice, but at the end of the day staying affordable to our clients during a tough time is more important.  Angela will still be scheduling and thanks to modern technology she can do that virtually anywhere.  Previews will happen at the studio instead of the boutique.  So the only difference is you get to come back to the studio and visit me twice!  I'll make sure that candy bowl is refilled!   The studio will be as it has always been by appointment so that we may give you our full attention. 

Because we are moving stuff around (you notice there is no photo of boxes piled high!) we are essentially closed until the 9th of Feb.  Now don't panic, orders moved over and we will be checking them in next week, appointments will be scheduled, we are just buried in boxes.  My office is looking suspiciously organized thanks to Kim today!  The studio is getting a face lift and we are getting excited about the new set up.  Sometime, I'll have to tell you all about my trip to IKEA... never been in one and they sent me alone... you can only imagine! 

So in review.... the boutique location is closing and  we are revamping things at the studio to give our clients the best possible value and keep inky-dinky-do portraits an affordable luxury.  Prints are at the studio and scheduling will continue with a slight break for remodeling.  Watch for updates and new stuff to come! 

The path to the studio door.  Ok- when it isn't winter!  The roses should be great this spring!

Wedding's Weddings Weddings

I'm happy to say I'm back from Florida where I had a great time speaking at the SYNC conference.  I hope I was able to inspire some fabulous photographers!

We know the wedding show is this weekend.  With all the travel we decided not to do the show this year, we are however releasing the 2009 pricing guide for our brides.  We decided to keep it simple and make sure it is an affordable luxury for our brides.  You make up your own collection with only what you want.  We know that now more than ever brides love having those negs so we have gone to a system that allows for time+negs.  Have a peek and Angela or Kim will be happy to answer any questions!

** Since a couple people have asked- the pricing does include Stephanie, a second trained photographer and assistant and all the finished images on a DVD.  The same quality you have grown accustomed to don't worry guys!  You can print large prints not just small email ones.  **

Ohh a sale... I can't help but share

We all know I like a good bargain!  Thought I'd share a little flyer that was in my mailbox today... hope Denise doesn't mind... but then why would she!  There was a super cool mirror there that I liked and a table... might have to make a shopping trip- wanna come!  :)

These 8th graders don't just go home and ride bikes anymore...

Conner had an interesting sport- Paint ball.  I was very happy to see he is a responsible guy, hey it might only be paint, but those suckers can hurt.  I had him level that gun towards me and tr usted he wouldn't paint me blue like a smurf.  Luckily he can be trusted, I walked away clean, but I have to admit it does look like fun!

How about those 8th graders...

Adam is the most dedicated Red Sox Fan I've ever met!

Then again Allison, who comes from a musical family,  taught me about Metro Station.  Aparently I've been living under a rock or something... it wasn't bad at all. 

Speaking of music.... Casey plays the violin.  So cool I got a mini concert at my own studio!

Wow where did the time go

This year, well last year has flown by!  So I'd better catch up a little! 
Why not share one of our favorite cards this year....

And the winner is.....

We have our Going for Bliss winner....

Congratulations.......

Hazel & Josh

The happy and oh so sweet couple are winning FREE yes FREE 5 hours of wedding coverage!  We were so impressed with both of you and how much our sweet groom wanted to give his bride the world.  We can't wait for the wedding!  We will talk to both of you soon so enjoy your Christmas and your new present from inkyd-inky-do!  Stay tuned for a litte more about the happy couple around New Years and the plans for their Feb wedding that will take place on their 5th anniversary!

Merry Christmas to you!

We hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.  We fell privileged to be able to share in so many wonderful families all year long.  Don't forget while the boutique is closed email is your best way to catch us.  Angela and I are both checking email as we  can over the holiday.  You can reach Angela via her name (yes Angela) @ inky-dinky-do.com.  info@inky-dinky-do.com  works to reach our general mailbox.  I received an email today from "us" of course it wasn't us - so we have had some email hi-jacked.  So if you get some odd email from our email address I assure you we aren't sending anything about swiss watches, weight loss or well increasing anything! 

Happy Holidays to All!

Super Special Secret 2 Hour Sale!

OK well maybe not THAT secret now!  Just to see who is checking the blog and maybe is a little behind on their holiday shopping... we are having a Special Sale!  So Friday the 19th (yep, tomorrow) Angela will have Gift Certificates on sale 1/2 off.  Yep, you can buy a $100 gift certificate and pay only $50!  Don't worry nobody will know!  Now that is a way to maximize your Christmas gift giving $$! 

All Gift Certificates are good for Sessions and orders placed in the new year.  Stephanie has no sessions left for 2008 other than our 1 day we will open for newborns born over the holiday.  Don't forget to email during the Christmas break since the boutique will be closed. 

So stop by the boutique 1430 Calloway behind PS Audio on your lunch break!  If you give Angela a call she can have your Gift Certificate ready to go!  661-588-1984.

Merry Christmas!

inky-dinky-do client discount!

So this summer I had Virgil Miller at Video Memories transfer all our old 8mm and VHS movies to DVD's!  I hadn't seen many of these since my parents tortured us as children forcing us to watch them every decade or so.  Well now that I'm "older" I can't believe how cool it is to see the backyard I grew up in covered in snow and plastic bags on my hands because I couldn't find my mittens.  Even funnier- my older brother riding a bike in deep snow.  My grandpa dressed as Santa and I can't believe it, but my Mom was hot!  Amazing when you look back not as a child but as an adult.  My parents had the only copies of so many of these memories and 1 fire and they would all be lost.  So Virgil's team made me a complete DVD set and one for my parents.  It is so nice having volumes of these now that I can watch and maybe embarass some family with.  (Yes, the film of my older brother and Ryan, David... all in dresses as little boys could be sold for profit these days I'm sure!)

So because I am so moved by this I talked to Virgil and he is such a cool guy that he has agreed to pass on an exclusive inky-dinky-do discount to our blog readers!  So if you have film that you want to be able watch again then you should check them out.  Here is the film page.  You can get details on how they do this.  Now even better.... my readers can get a duplicate copy for free!  So for Christmas you can make a copy for your family and keep one for yourself.  Now that is good.  :)  Thanks Virgil!  Keep in mind the deadline for Christmas delivery is Dec 15th so I would call him ASAP!  661-398-7075

Holiday Deadines are aproaching!

Don't forget a few important deadlines...
orders placed by December 4th for holiday cards
orders placed by December 10th to be in time for Christmas.
**Orders that require framing or albums may take longer so please place all orders with frames by December 1st to be safe!**

The Boutique is open by appointment only for the holidays. 
Angela is helping with shoots and deliveries which takes her away from the boutique at this time.  Please be sure to call so she can set you up with an appointment and give you her full attentio!    661-588-1984. 
The studio as usual is by appointment only.

The studio will be closed December 18th- Jan 6th.  
Newborns will be photographed around the 29th- we ask that you email the studio or call to set those cute little babies up.  Face it we can't not do those babies on time! 
All other sessions will be scheduled before the 18th or after the 6th of Jan.

The boutique will be closed Dec 24th- Jan 2nd.  Angela will check her email, but no previews or pick ups.  Please make sure you pick up your holiday orders before the 24th or after the 2nd.  We have a tradition of spending much needed time with our own families at Christmas and we appreciate our clients that have allowed us to share in the holidays. 

Email is a great way to catch us during the down time.  You can reach us at info@inky-dinky-do.com.  Or Angela directly by changing the info to Angela@....

Finalist for the Going for Bliss free Wedding Give Away!

We have narrowed it down to three couples!   One of these lucky couples will win  5 hours wedding day coverage &  DVD of images from inky-dinky-do at no cost- Nada, zip, zilch... not even a tip baby!  talk about a cool Christmas gift!  The winner will be chosen by myself and my team of local judges and announced on Christmas Day at noon!  So Stay tuned and be ready to hear all about our winners on Christmas!

Josh & Hazel  02/28/09

Mark & Melissa  5/16/09

Eric & Angela   7/11/09

Congratulations guys!  We will be talking to each of you soon to get more details and make our decisions!  We want to thank everyone who was nominated and everyone who did the nominating!  It was fun reading the stories and while choosing couples was harder than we thought- we feel we came up with some super sweet couples. 

 

Twilight Movie & Teenagers...

So the kids got out of school today early so that means, of course, they all had to go see Twilight!  Paula and I got roped into going to- so there we sat in a theater filled with teenagers.   I would have to say in our group Team Edward was the majority with a few Team Jacob fans in there to mix it up a little.

No judgements on the iPhone photos girls- it is a phone after all!

Twilight Opens tonight... Miss Lumine is ready for it!

We had some fun photographing Miss Lumine who is graduating 8th grade this year.  She LOVES twilight so we could think of nobody better to announce that Twilight is opening tonight.  (Angela will be there so don't expect her in a the crack of dawn!)

FOUND!!!!!

Guthrie is home!!!!  I can't begin to explain how excited Madison will be when she gets out of school.  A super sweet college girl named Macy saw Guthrie and Bronoco out around 11pm Sunday night.  About the same time we realized they broke out and went on an adventure!  Had we turned right instead of left we may have seen them.  There were a few people that tried to catch them and I guess Bronco just wasn't going to have anything to do with that idea.  Guthrie however hopped right into her car when she opened her door.  Yes, that would be our Guthrie.  So she took him home and he has been living the cushy college life ever since!  Luckily she saw one of the flyers and called.  We had to force her to take the reward, but I hope her puppies will have a new toy and college students can always use some extra $$!   Nice to see there are just people that have big hearts left out there!  I hope Macy calls because she has the cutest new puppy that I know Madison will be happy to photograph as a big THANK YOU MACY!!!!

edited to add Madison & Guthrie as usual after school today thanks to his safe return!

Guthrie is missing!

Yes, Guthrie our favorite Golden Retriever is missing.  We are offering a Cash Reward for his safe return.  Guthrie and Bronco wanted to go outside to play and we let them out Sunday night.  Realizing that they usually want back in fairly quickly, we called them.  Bronco must have busted a fence panel again and off they went.  After searching a couple hours we did find Bronco and bring her home around 3am.  Guthrie is still missing.  We think his collar was off, but he is micro chipped, which should lead back to the GRCGLA ,where we adopted him as a rescue dog a few years back.  Please call any hour if you find him 661-246-9510 and we would be happy to come get him.  He is very sweet and does follow commands.  Guthrie is so much a part of our family that we really need to have him back home. 

Link to print out flyer to help out!

Raid the Rolodex that all businesses should see

I started an email for my friends that own and manage local businesses, and in the process realized this really should be a blog post because ANYONE around here that owns a business really should mark this resource. 
Jenee Morris is with Drug Test Solutions here in Bakersfield.  Now, I know what you are thinking- why would I need to worry about drug testing.  Well Jenee was kind enough to explain a little of what they do.  Not only can you test for drugs at the point of hiring for like $8 via a simple swab, but they can do the background check including seeing if they have filed a lot of workman's comp claims.  That could be a big help for some people I know that have been burned by that bad apple after hiring.  Now they can do the more comprehensive  lab test etc, but as she explained to me those are more expensive when you can do a basic test at hiring.  So after a very informative lunch I was completely impressed with what they offer and how affordable it can be.  I personally thought it very cool and CSIish when she told me that they have these swabs even that can go over someone's keyboard and be an indicator that there could be drugs present.  Now that is cool- she did point out that it is the definative test, but how cool would it be to just swab each keyboard or phone or whatever of the 60 employees one day and then only worry about testing those that show up as a potential user?  Of course, I immediately go into Mom mode and have visions now of swabbing every glass that any boy touches that comes to out house to take the girls out in high school! 

And I thought you ate Cheetos!

I love when people think outside the box.  This is pretty outside the box, well bag.