Inky-Dinky-Do Blog

It is time again.... The Annual Scavenger Hunt!!!

You spoke- we listened!  I know we have a lot of teachers that play and complained about the timing so this year no excuses!  Not to mention lots of crazy fun!  Watch the blog this week for rules, the items and a fun little twist because we can!

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!

Can't wait to see everyone tonight!

Wedding Show today!

We just got back from the wedding show.  We had a great time meeting some fun brides.  Kim (wedding director for inky-dinky-do) in black on the right, Angela on the left and myself were hanging out!  Kristen took the photo on my iphone.

We were excited to show off the new banners that are available for our inky-dinky-do brides (look above our heads) and you will see Erin & Scott's banner.  What a great way to say the party is this way!

Kim & Kristen were excited to launch Plan B today!

Plan B was a hit!  What is Plan B?  Well think of all those brides that can't get inky-dinky-do for their wedding day because of either availability or maybe budget- well time to go to Plan B!  This is the fabulous trained staff that are up and coming photographers that are going out on their own (well under my close supervision!)  The price tag is appealing at $850-$1400.  I know that is a killer deal!  Even better... you can book Plan B for your wedding day and still do the fancy Couture Sessions like we do for magazines that are so hot!  The perfect combination!
Photo by Angela on the iphone

Of course we couldn't resist sharing a quick iphone grab of Miss Anna who I've photographed since she was a little girl with her banner from a shoot for Ladies & Gents!  She did the fashion show as well and even survived her first backstage zipper mishap.  Welcome to the world of fashion Miss Anna. 

By popular demand we are also giving brides the link to our resource page about how to select a wedding photographer- even if it isn't inky-dinky-do!  We know this is a big decision and who knows what to ask unless you do this all the time.  There are some pitfalls and even photography has some deceptive things (like using photos from workshops instead of their work, or display albums that aren't their work...) this should help you navigate it all and make the best decision for you!
Questions to ask your potential wedding photographer!

A couple lucky men won Valentine Rendezvous Sessions for their brides too!  Angela will be calling Tuesday to set you up!  Take me to more information about the Valentine Special Please!

Thanks for a great day guys and while it was fun to snap these on the iphone... don't worry we wont be using iphones at weddings!

Vantine's Day Special

Valentines is Coming!

Book your inky-dinky-do Valentine Rendezvous Special Session now! 

Valentine Special Feb 2-4th!  Only $150 for a 30 minute session and 8x8 gift portrait for the one you love!

So pick out your favorite Valentine look- sexy vixen or perhapsa little pin up.  This special is all about pink & a Valentine's day inspired setting with chocolates and flowers.

All of these great outfits and shoes are from intimate details on Rosedale and Calloway.  Call Marianne or stop in soon to make sure you get exactly what you are wanting for your session.  Don't forget the little things like shoes, jewlery and stockings.  Show just a little or all of those curves!  Don't worry about that extra holiday pound or two we can do our famous "digital lipo" to make sure you look nothing short of perfect!

Limited to 15 clients so book now!  inky-dinky-do butique 661-588-1984.

Thanks to Miss Candice for sharing some for her recent Rendezvous session!

Don't forget you can book a Rendezvous Session anytime with any theme that might work for you.

 

 

 

Happy New Year to Everyone!

2007 has been such a great and crazy year for us personally and the studio.  I hope that the treated everyone well and that 2008 is even better.  Our wish for everyone this year is time with Family & Friends.  I think that will be me only real resolution for 2008 more time for my family & friends.  I don't regret one minute that I spent with them in 2007 so it seems like a good goal!  Come to think of it we took on a lot of community projects this last year and I feel great about those as well.  While it was nice to receive the Humanitarian of the Year at the Beautiful Bakersfield Awards, I think the families I met during the year that brought me to that award mean even more.  Of course the Relay for Life was our first year and we are already raising for 2008!  We had a great time and this year I wont be in a wheelchair for it! 
My only real regret for 2007.... at some point during the year I turned around and my kid grew up.  Just wasn't ready for that to happen.  Mike and I are now looking at two beautiful young ladies that are going to dances and actually care if what they are wearing matches.  For those of you giggling and thinking ha ha boys are next- stop!  I'm looking into convents as I type.

So because I feel so blessed this last year, and maybe those prescribed pain killers make me a little loopy.... let's have a little thank you bonus for my favorite blog readers!

Here you go....
From 12:01 am Jan 1, 2008 to 11:59pm-Jan 1,2008  Pacific time....

The first 5 people to send us your favorite photo YOU took this last year will win a fun little "artist has gone mad and is bored session".
Hey, I bought a bunch of stuff and haven't gotten to play with any of it yet!  Besides, you all kept me so busy this last year I never did do my Artist Mondays!  So let's have some fun and be a little crazy and just to sweeten it up a little.... we have a special new something for you as well... can't tell you that yet, but you will like it.

:)  Happy New Year!

December doesn't have to be chilly!

  Rendezvous clients can be sure to warm things up with a session ranging from fashion sexy to knock me out sexy! 

Don't forget that  we can set you up with hair and makeup as well so you are sure to look your best!

What is better than a gift her NEVER thought you would do?  It is also cheaper than superbowl tickets and easier than shopping for weeks!

Call Angela for details.  We do recommend booking by Dec 1 for Christmas!  661-588-1984.

How about a little pin up?

Meet Miss Candice

Just thought we would share a little fun session with Miss Candice.  She is not only stunning, she is very fun to hang out with as well.  Don't forget now is the time to book those Rendezvous Sessions for Christmas gifts!
Don't forget we can set you up with a great stylist for the hair and makeup as well.  If you keep putting it off until you lose that last 10 pounds... don't forget we can do that magical digital lipo that we know you all love! 
Call Angela at the inky-dinky-do boutique for more details and pricing information.  661-588-1984

Goodbye Miss Dayna you will be missed...

It is with happiness and a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Miss Dayna.  She has become a part of the inky-dinky-do family and will be greatly missed.  Dayna has come to find her true path in life and the first step on the path...  the Navy.  Yes, we said the Navy!  So Dayna is off to boot camp!  I sure hope she used that gift certificate for a mani & pedi before she ships out!  She will definitely be the bubbliest recruit at boot camp!
We wish Dayna great success and thank her not only for her great work at the boutique to the very end, but also Thank You for stepping up and keeping us free and safe.  As much as we will miss you we are so proud of you for taking the next step in your life.  We hope to hear updates on Dayna often and if she agrees, share them as well.  (OK, really I would pay for a shot of her in her fatigues after a few weeks at camp!)
Since Thursday is Dayna's last day we simply must share the last (for now) inky-dinky-do photo of Dayna for a little while....

WOW!  Those sailors wont know what hit them!

Best Wishes Dayna! 

Love Stephanie, Mike, Madison, Victoria, Tracey, Jennifer, Kim, Kristen, Little Michelle & Angela.