Mother's Day Gifts

Sunday, May 8th, is Mother's Day this year and it's only a few weeks away.  Mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and other special women in our lives will be celebrated.  If you're looking for a gift, here are three ideas:

First, support www.steveschainofhope.org by purchasing one of these hand-made benches for only $30. Here's a great idea-- roll paint onto the kids hands and put their prints on the top of the bench.  Easy and customized!  They come in pink, blue, lime-green, and buttery yellow.  The tops can be painted in gingham as in the photo to the right.  Contact info@steveschainofhope.org for more info.  Benches can be picked up at Clear Creek Farm on Highway 171 (between Hot Springs and Malvern, Arkansas) or arrangements for delivery can be made in the Little Rock metro area.  We'll need approximately 10 days to custom build/paint your bench so get your order in ASAP for Mother's Day.

Idea number two, a mandyshoptaw.com gift certificate.  For new moms or mommies to be, consider a maternity shoot so you'll always remember this special time and your "baby bump" or you may wish to document your little ones hands, fingers, toes, and nose with a baby-parts shoot.  Baby-part shoots are ideal around 1-month.

Mom can use the gift certificate for one of our late summer-early fall specials shot on location at Clear Creek Farm.  These shoots are perfect for Christmas or holiday cards.  Besides just printing great photos, we can also use your images to make custom stationary, coffee cups, t-shirts, and other gift items.  Think of it this way-- your Mother's Day gift card could help you with your holiday gift giving too!  Contact me at mandy@mandyshoptaw.com for more info.

Speaking of late summer/early fall, here's a sneak peek... we are planning five or so set ups on location at Clear Creek Farm including a girls tea party area, a canoe with antique oars and a barn and/or rustic building facade.  The farm is a wonderfully natural area and ideal for family, couple and children photography.  The shoots will take about 1 hour and clients will get to pick three of the set ups.  We are so looking forward to welcoming many guests out to the farm for what will prove to be a visually inspiring shoot fun for the whole family.

OK, now, the last gift idea: I've been making these initial canvases and they have been getting nice reviews.  They work well as a decorative door hanging or as wall art and for $20 you can have one.  They make great gifts for mothers as well as classroom, music or other teachers.  Let me know your background color and any preferences about the letter design.  Shipping is extra but they do ship well in post office padded envelopes.  48 hours is needed to complete the design.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read all of this and here's wishing everyone a happy and safe spring!

Best Wishes,

Mandy

www.mandyshoptaw.com 

mandy@mandyshoptaw.com 

Photo Book of Baby Girl

Click here to view this photo book larger

Will be doing some newborn photos soon and wanted to share this book I created last year for a special family.  This is a "baby parts" book.  Years ago my photographer friend Heather Williams created one of these for my baby boy and I have treasured it.  I'm so glad that I have been able to do these for others. 

Updated Spring Shoot Schedule

If you'd like to book, please contact me at mandy@mandyshoptaw.com or at 501.766.1879.  These are spring mini-shoots which last 30-45 minutes, are $75 and YOU GET A DISK of your images.  More details at mandyshoptaw.com.

GARVAN WOODLAND GARDENS

Saturday, March 26*

Garvan Woodland Gardens 

Hot Springs, AR

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30

Admission prices to the garden to be paid at the Visitor's Center Garvan Gardens: Visitor Info

*I have to book at least four sessions in order to keep this date

ARGENTA NEIGHBORHOOD

Saturday, April 2**

Argenta Neighborhood, Main Street

North Little Rock 

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30

Sunday, April 3**

Argenta Neighborhood, Main Street

North Little Rock 

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 BOOKED, 4:30 BOOKED  

**The tulips may be running EARLY this spring-- if so I will contact you for alternate dates

CLEAR CREEK FARM

Saturday, April 23 (Saturday before Easter, ideal for families) 

Clear Creek Farm, Highway 171

Between Hot Springs and Malvern

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things (this week anyway)

From time to time I like to share some of my favorite things.  This week I wanted to showcase four things that have made me smile recently.  


First, Mac cosmetics... my friend Shawn Berry is a Mac expert based in Little Rock's Park Plaza Mall and I finally went up one evening and let her show me some awesome stuff.  Well, I'm sold.  I don't even like to wear lipstick but I can't help it-- when I put on this Mac 'Lustre' that is a nearly nude shade it's heavenly.  I love that it really stays in place and after you smile it's not all over your teeth.  I also got some Mac Select Sheer Pressed powder and I love it too.  It's good to have a make up artist as a friend!  

Arkansas weather has been crazy.  Recently we had a warm spell and a lot of the girls pulled out their sandals.  I haven't had a pedicure in a while but I needed some quick color on my tootsies.  At the grocery I saw a "new" product by Sally Hansen called Color Quick Fast Dry Nail Color Pen.  It reminded me of those nail paint pens I used in the 1980's so I thought, what the heck, I'll give it a try.  It was really cool.  Think of a paint pen but with a polish bottle's bristles.  It went on easily and has stayed nice for about a week.  Ideal for quick fixes and the snap tight cap will travel well in purses or pool go-bags.  

My Facebook friend Hannah was talking about the old TV show Quantum Leap (NBC, March 26, 1989 to May 5, 1993, for five seasons) the other day and my hubby suggested that if I wanted to see some episodes that I just watch them online.  I did some research and found that I could get to them at:  TV.com Quantum Leap Show.  


Last but certainly not least, Lipton's Vanilla Caramel Truffle black tea.  This is a great low cal after dinner treat and perfect when the temps dip at night.  Yum!!     

Hope you'll try some of these favorite things and share some of your favorites with me!

Spring Shoots Announced

Announcing the Spring 2011 

Mini-Shoot Schedule 

Argenta Neighborhood, North Little Rock, Spring 2010

Each client gets 30-45 minutes of photography for just $75 (plus tax; does not include admission fees if applicable at shooting location). Client will get a disk of images, password protected online gallery where photos can be printed and shared PLUS the option to pick up to 5 photos for additional photoshop editing. Remember YOU GET A DISK OF YOUR IMAGES with the rights to reprint and upload to social media (as long as mandyshoptaw.com is given credit). Turn around time from shoot to finished product approximately 2 weeks.  More info at mandyshoptaw.com including inclement weather policy.

GARVAN WOODLAND GARDENS

Saturday, March 26

Garvan Woodland Gardens 

Hot Springs, AR

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30

Admission prices to the garden to be paid at the Visitor's Center Garvan Gardens: Visitor Info

Sunday, March 27

Garvan Woodland Gardens 

Hot Springs, AR

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30

Admission prices to the garden to be paid at the Visitor's Center Garvan Gardens: Visitor Info

ARGENTA NEIGHBORHOOD

Saturday, April 2

Argenta Neighborhood, Main Street

Argenta Neighborhood, Spring 2010

North Little Rock 

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30

Sunday, April 3

Argenta Neighborhood, Main Street

North Little Rock 

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30

CLEAR CREEK FARM

Sunday, April 17 (Palm Sunday, ideal for families)

Clear Creek Farm, Highway 171

Between Hot Springs and Malvern

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30

Saturday, April 23 (Saturday before Easter, ideal for families) 

Clear Creek Farm, Highway 171

Between Hot Springs and Malvern

9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30

BOOK TODAY

Call or Email me:

Mandy Stanage Shoptaw

mandy@mandyshoptaw.com

501.766.1879

mandyshoptaw.com

My Valentine's Day Wish

This Valentine's Day I won't be thinking about chocolate hearts or roses, I will be thinking about my uncle, Steve Lane, Sr., a father, grandfather, businessman, and a regular guy who is now facing the fight of his life.  That's why I am asking you to send a special Valentine this year to Uncle Steve by  making a $1 (or greater) donation to Steve's Chain of Hope. 

I saw Uncle Steve last spring at a baby shower for my cousin, Whitney.  Part of my contribution to the party was taking photos for my family since so many of us were together.  Uncle Steve had come up from Texas to this event so that he could see his sisters and mother. His brother, Joe, was serving in Iraq at the time and everyone was very aware of how important the bonds of family are knowing that Joe was in danger on a daily basis. Joe came home safely a few months later but what no one knew during the baby shower, not even Uncle Steve, was that Steve was also fighting an enemy: Cancer. 

Steve Lane is no stranger to hard work and long hours so when he started to feel a little run down both Steve and his doctors initially thought it just a normal reaction to stress and his body fighting off different common ailments like a stomach bug or a cold. However, as Steve’s condition worsened his doctors became concerned and started running tests. His kidneys were failing and his body shutting down. As more and more tests were preformed over two weeks it was determined that Steve has Blood Plasma Cancer (Multiple Myeloma) that has metastasized to the bones (Bone Cancer) and Kidney Cancer (End Stage Renal Disease or ESRD Stage 5).

Uncle Steve is a businessman who owns a catering company in Longview, Texas, and works as much as his condition allows; still, at the end of 2010, Steve’s “past due” medical bills rose to more than $100,000. Steve says that although the prognosis is not good, survivability is much better with a Stem Cell and Kidney Transplant. Each transplant costs $250,000 or more.  

Until a transplant is possible, Steve is on a routine of dialysis and chemotherapy. He is being treated in both Longview and in Dallas at Baylor Medical Center and will soon be making a visit to Little Rock's UAMS. 

Part of Steve’s disease is called Light Chain Type K with 17th Chromosome Destruction which is why we are forming a “Chain of Hope.” Please send your prayers, your thoughts and good wishes as well as your financial contribution and become a link in Steve’s Chain of Hope.  Thank you!!  

Visit the website and learn more by clicking the below link:

Steve's Chain of Hope

Favorite Shoot Locations updated 12/27/2010

I prepared this PDF for a potential client who is looking for a place to shoot during the winter but, of course, this is helpful to others as well.  Enjoy!  If you have a favorite place to take photos let me know.