I am so happy to announce that I am in the running for WDIV’s 4 the Best contest again this year.  I would be honored, excited, happy, humbled and pretty much over the moon if YOU could clickity click your way over to WDIV’s page to vote.  Last year you all voted me into 3rd place (WOO HOO!)…..let’s see if we can push Mishka Photography up two slots to Number One this year.  And while you’re there, vote for your other favorite local businesses….I know I’ll be voting for Niki’s Pizza for my favorite pizza joint!

If you are inclined to spread the word about Mishka Photography and the WDIV contest, feel free to share this link with your friends:  ttp://ctvr.us/mishka

And because a photo blog is nada without photos, this guy was taking a sprinkler bath in my front yard a few weeks ago. 

I returned from vacation late last night (well, *technically* this morning) and I think sand has either seeped into my noggin or I’m still on margarita time.  I’m offering all clients who have visited me so far this year an exceptional deal.  If you had a session with me any time between January 1, 2010 and May 1, 2010 you’re in for a treat!  Obtain all of your high resolution files from one session for only $400.  That’s just crazy talk!  So let’s say you had 20 images in your gallery - you’re saving $400.  If you had 50 images in your gallery, you’re saving $1600.  No matter how many images, you’re saving moolah.  Not to mention you receive rights to print and reprint and print again.  I will not be offering these sweet savings again for….like….maybe…..ever.  Deal ends 5.31.10. 

*The fine print:  Final price of disk is $424.00 to include Uncle Sam’s cut.  $7 for shipping, pick up at no additional cost.  Offer is not valid on pending orders - - offer applies to sessions that have placed and paid for session orders.   

If you’ve been waiting to schedule a session with Mishka Photography, now is the time to call!  Don’t forget to tell your friends and family about this opportunity!!  Please call or email to schedule your time slot. 

Well.  I’ve left you all hanging.  I posted back in December about securing studio space and have not kept you all updated on what its become!!  The inspiration started with the peacock feather and the peacock chairs and took on its look from there.  I absolutely love how its turned into something so clean. so fresh. so friendly. so inviting.  While I can shoot studio/lighting work, I can also shoot natural light all year around.  The natural light that peeks through the massive amount of windows is simply divine!  I could not be happier with form this space took on and I’m so excited to call it my home away from home.

An announcement will come later this week about a grand opening promo.  You’re not going to want to miss this opportunity as significant savings are involved!!!  Because, without you - -  my clients and friends - - the studio would not exist.  I’m excited about the opportunity to reciprocate.  Stay tuned for the announcement!

I was recently approached by Metro Parent to shoot the covers for Metro Baby.  Metro Parent and Metro Baby are publications for Southeastern Michigan parents.  The magazines carry a wealth of information on a variety of topics and also include calendars for each month of local activities for your families and little ones.  For information on Metro Parent and Metro Baby, where to pick up copies of the publications, etc., visit their site: http://www.metroparent.com/.

I took a plethora of photos and, while I am unsure at the moment which images will be used on the covers, here are a couple from each shoot.

Meet Oscar…..

And here’s Emmanuelle…..

At a loss as to what to buy for Aunt Beth or Cousin Jimmy this Holiday season?  All gift certificates for Mishka Photography are on SALE - 15% off - until December 15th.  So a $200 certificate goes for $170, a $500 certificate for $425….you get the jist….its one of those “the more ya spend, the more ya save” type of deals!!  With 15% off, you could even buy one for yourself and stuff it in your stocking! 

**Gift Certificate valid for one year begining January 1, 2010 through January 1, 2011.

One of my most popular selling boutique items are storyboards.  I just thought I’d share a few that I’ve created so current and future clients can see what the big deal is about!  Each storyboard is unique and custom created - they can be clean and modern or a bit funky with patterned backgrounds.  They range in size from 8×10 up to 30×30.  Prices start at $40 for the smallest size (8×10).  Storyboards over size 11×14 come mounted on matboard to insure longevity of your special photos.  Please note these are only samples of boards I’ve previously created - each storyboard is unique!

20×20:

20×16:

8×10:

10×10:

 20×10:

I’ve been working like a maniac on mastering sunflare.  Not the typical “golden hour” sunflare which is fairly easy to capture, but mid-afternoon-blinding-sun-awful-shooting-conditions-sunflare (kudos if you made it thru that run-on!).  It has been very challenging for me and I think I’ve finally nailed it with consistentency.  I learned that some of my lenses do not produce the results I want, while some offer just the right touch.  Downtown Detroit provides the perfect backdrop to practice as the buildings are tall enough to position the sun just right.  Minimal processing to this image - just sharpen for web and a frame! 

Nestled between Grand Boulevard and Gratiot in the City of Detroit is a little block of eye candy for photographers.  Tyree Guyton’s Heidelberg Project.  If you’ve never been, visit his website - you will be intrigued - and head to the city to see it in person.  Tyree’s vision is ever changing, his views with regard to improving lives through art, however, remain the same.  Tyree started the project in 1986 when he took it up on himself (along with some help from family) to clean up a block of Heidelberg Street.  He transformed the refuse into art.  Interesting stuff. 

I headed Downtown a few weeks ago (yes, I’m blogging tidbits from a month ago) with a fellow photographer to walk around the city.  I’ve been to Heidelberg many times but wanted to show it to my new photo buddy.  I think she was shell shocked to see bicycles hanging from trees, boats full of stuffed animals, polka dots painted on a home, discarded telephones, a vaccuum graveyard. . . . .but she appreciated it, from a photographer’s standpoint, and took it as art.  What do you think?  Art?  Garbage?  An eyesore?

Insert squeeky Barbie voice here ——–> “Hello, Ken? Yes Darling, I’m not even close to being ready for tonight.”