Stay Tuned for Fun and Funky

I'm trying to update my website and blog with lots of new images and ideas.  My photography is undergoing some major changes ~ trying new styles and new post-processing techniques.  Lots of fun stuff coming and I can't wait to share.  I'm still LIMITING my photo shoots because I have this tendency to over-book and go a little crazy being way too busy.  Since my Daddy died a few months ago, I've really been trying to spend more time with my family and not constantly shooting pics of everyone else's family or working on my school work from OU.  I'm trying to put my family first. I'm only taking two classes this summer and not going on any huge conferences.  I'm still keeping up-to-date with some of the latest edgy looks and products.  OH I CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE (And get some new things for my house too).  So stay tuned ~

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

WHAT SIZE OF PHOTO DO I ORDER ??

If you're having trouble deciding which size of portrait or art work to order, here's a chart to help you. Many people order 8x10's thinking that's a "wall" portrait, when in fact it's a table top or desk size photo. This chart will help you quickly decide what size is right for you but the best way to determine size is to measure. Use a measuring tape to accurately measure the area you plan to hang your new portrait or artwork and that's what you should order.

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com


graphics from http://pinterest.com/pin/226939268693028219/

Cadillac Wagon vs Ferrari ~ Wow

The Cadillac Wagon vs Ferrari ! All I can say is WOW !

Tips for Great Holiday Photos of your Children by Shelly Perkins Photography

Can't afford to hire a professional photographer for this year's custom portraits? Well, let me give you a few tips so you can have some great photos to share with your loved ones this holiday season.

Christmas time is the one time when grandparents and extended family expect to see a new photo of your crew. This especially holds true for those older relatives who don't "Facebook" or do everything through their iPhone. So don't fear, I will give you a few tips to shooting new portraits of your kiddos that you'll love.

I have been photographing children for, dare I say it?, nearly twenty years. Wow! I just felt really old but it's one of the things in my life I continue to love and have never lost a passion for capturing new shots. I absolutely love children and I absolutely love to capture the bright eyed looks and smiles of the innocent. I am an artist and love to make custom portraits that aren't like those you sit on the X while employee #87 takes your picture for your $9.95 package.

I really try to put a lot of work into each and every shoot I do. Often times I scout locations for several hours, looking for a new place or a great new background for your custom portrait. This is something that you can do also. If you don't have time or extra fuel to waste, then look around your house or yard. You have different looks and little corners that other people don't have and you can use this to your advantage when taking your photos.

Get down on the same level as your children. Try several different angles and views for your pictures. If you shoot down upon your children, they'll look small and child-like. This is great for a certain look but also don't forget to get down on their level. This will provide a better view of your child.

When taking photos of your child and you tell your kids, "Just One More" then only take one more. I am so guilty of this but limit your photo time so your kids don't begin to hate having their photos taken. I was so proud of myself when I took photos of my children and my sister's children on Thanksgiving. I promised them I wouldn't take more than five minutes to make their portrait and that's exactly what I did. I had them all wear jeans and shirts in the same tone and let them go outside to play. It was windy and freezing, so I worked quick and they didn't complain too much this year. All the while, I got the great shots that I wanted.

So your kids absolutely will NOT take any kind of picture for you this year? Go to your computer and look through your photos you've snapped throughout the year. I bet you will find some great shots that you can put together to make a collage and copy to printer paper or make into a greeting card. So what if your kids were all wearing mismatched clothes? Convert your favorite color shots to black and white and it won't matter, plus it makes for a timeless look. Pull out several of those photos you've taken throughout the year to show a visual update of your children growing and changing throughout the year.

These are just a few tips and have lots more for taking great holiday shots of your children.

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

Thanksgiving Weekend Photo Tips

Thanksgiving Weekend Photo Tips ~
Check out this link to taking better Thanksgiving photos.



http://photodoto.com/thanksgiving-photo-tips/
Photo and article by John Watson

MINI PHOTO SHOOT on Black Friday

Here's a little promo I'm doing ~ If you follow my posts or know my work you know I've gone back to art school at the University of Oklahoma. I'm having a great time at school but with my crazy schedule I've had to limit the number of shoots I'm doing. I've decided to do a few Mini Sessions this month and next to allow for those who want me to shoot their portraits some time with me as well as get an incredible deal. I'm going to offer a mini session photo shoot with the digital downloads of five of the images taken.


My first available date for this shoot is on Black Friday, November 25, 2011. So let your kiddos sleep in while you go shop ~ then come back and meet me in Norman for a quick, fun photo shoot. Like I said, THESE ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED ~ so call to reserve your spot ASAP.

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

Every One Helps One Scholarship Campaign at the University of Oklahoma

If you're looking for a good cause to donate your money during the holiday season please consider the University of Oklahoma. Every One Helps One Scholarship.

To Beautify or Uglify

Check out this great link~ How to Beautify or Uglify a Face with a Camera Lens

http://gizmodo.com/5857279/this-is-how-lenses-beautify-or-uglify-your-pretty-face?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

Portraits taken by Stephen Eastwood

Shelly Perkins Photography is on TWITTER

Are you on Twitter? Do you Tweet?



Follow us~ http://twitter.com/#!/perkphotography

Meers Longhorn Burgers at Meers Store and Restaurant

Wow, what a great burger joint we discovered in the southwestern part of Oklahoma near Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. This place is located in an old gold mining town called Meers and is pretty much all that's left of the town. Meers Burgers are quite famous in its parts and as we discovered from the many articles hanging around that it's actually famous nationwide. Several newspapers and foodies have been there and trumped it, even including the New York Times, Travelocity Editor's Pick, Tulsa World, made a list on Man Vs. Food, and has been included in a documentary.

Getting to Meers Store and Restaurant is half the fun. Traveling just a little over an hour southwest from Oklahoma City on I-44, you'll head to Lawton. Hungry patrons will find it located in a little spot in the country near the Wichita Mountains, which is hidden but easy to find. You'll discover the fun decor which makes you feel like you've stepped back in time going out for a bite with your grandpa. Meers is a place where people can put their business cards up for those who made need your services or where military members hit up the doors with their "zaps" from their squadron. My husband, a retired Air Force pilot, noticed a sticker from his New York squadron zapped proudly on the men's room door.

When you look at the menu you'll notice that everything is made to order. Served in gold panning plates, the HUGE longhorn burgers are cooked well done and the "cowboy burgers" include mustard. However, for all of you ketchup lovers who eat "yankee burgers" or the mayo burgers which are "sissy burgers," you can order them up also. Our family ordered BBQ brisket, a Meers longhorn burger, a chili cheese dog and even cheese fries. They were served with several sides of potato salad, cole slaw, beans and a hot roll. Everything was delicious. Our drinks were served in glass mason jars which my daughters thought were cool and wanted to take home. We really didn't have room for dessert but when we found out they have IBC root bear floats and cherry cobbler a' la mode made with real homemade ice-cream and served in giant bowls, we HAD to have some. We left with full tummies and headed for a drive up to the top of Mount Scott in the Wichita Mountains. My kids had a great time at Meers Store and Restaurant and I'm sure we'll return again.

www.meersstore.com

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

Liberty Belle B-17 Down ~ Lost a piece of American History Today

Being married to a pilot, especially one that loves old war planes, this is such a sad event. Today one of the few remaining B-17's in the world, Liberty Belle made an emergency landing and then was destroyed by a fire. The crew did a great job landing and thankfully made it back on the ground safely. However, America lost a little piece of history when the Liberty Belle went down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Mi9WoQD_4

Tristan & Trinity ~ Kid Pix by Shelly Perkins Photography

Had a great time with Tristan and Trinity ~ These are two of the coolest teens around. Here's a little sneak peak of our shoot.

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

the Horseman

Wanted to share this little shot I made with a negative process. I guess I'm enjoying monotones and black and white at the moment.

the "Horseman"
Oklahoma Cowboy

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

Rooster Shot

Something fun I wanted to share ~ My "Rooster Shot" was taken during a trip my husband and I took to Kauai. I have never seen so many chickens and roosters running freely in one place. This guy just posed so nicely for me. I just wanted to share a fun little collage.

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

Insightful Innovations LLC photographed by Shelly Perkins Photography

I had the opportunity to work with an amazing Oklahoma business called Insightful Innovations, which is an independent consulting company that offers coaching and personality testing to businesses and individuals in need of lasting change. They specialize in human resource, communication, and diversity issues. For more information you can go to their Facebook page at


http://www.facebook.com/insightfulinnovations



Thanks Sterlin and Aaron for a fun photo shoot~

"The Disembodied Eye" by Artist Shelly Perkins of Oklahoma

"The Disembodied Eye"

by Oklahoma Artist

Shelly Perkins

http://www.shellyperkins.com/

10-10-10 Photography SPECIAL from Shelly Perkins Photography

This is a once-in-a-lifetime, well, actually WORLD HISTORY event. 10-10-10 will NEVER be REPEATED!

On Sunday, October 10, 2010 Shelly Perkins Photography of Oklahoma will have a SPECIAL for you!!! If you are a client who has had your photos taken by Shelly in the past year or are planning on having your photos taken over the next year, you will want to drop by her FB page or this blog to learn of a super great deal. Well, what the heck, let me tell you a little more about it. I just can't keep it a secret any longer.


SHOT BY SHELLY OVER THE PAST YEAR??
4x6 each for only $2 ! ~ NO LIMIT !

Shelly Perkins Photography will be making a special from her lab available to you on that day, 10-10-10 ONLY. If you are still needing to order prints from a previous sitting, this will be the day to do it. Orders must be placed on that day through the website with a credit card. No phone in orders or check orders accepted. You will need your link and your password from your shoot to access your photos online. Your personal web proof page that was created for you is where you will find this special. 4x6 regularly at $6 each will be $2 ! I can't believe my lab is doing this. It's a special through my lab, that's why you must make your order online with a CC. (THIS PRICE is NOT GOOD FOR PREVIOUS ORDERS and will only be honored on 10-10-10 through the perkphotography.com proof site. The lab will also charge you for shipping.) If you no longer have your link & password, contact me on Friday the 8th or Saturday the 9th via email so we can email it to you. I know a couple of my brides who had family that were still trying to decide what photos they wanted to order, Sunday is the day to do it!!!

GETTING SHOT BY SHELLY OVER THE NEXT YEAR??
GIFT CERTIFICATES ~ HALF OFF !!

If you are planning a shoot with Shelly over the next year, you will want to come back here for a link. You will be able to purchase GIFT CERTIFICATES at HALF PRICE. These gift certificates will be good for ONE YEAR and can be used for Sitting Fees, Senior Photos, Prints, Albums, Greeting Cards, Birth Announcements, ANYTHING that Shelly Perkins Photography offers. You will have to use your credit card through the PayPal link to purchase these. This link will be up live for 24 HOURS ONLY!

THIS OFFER WILL NOT BE REPEATED!!!! So if you are needing any reorders for Christmas gifts, now is the time to do it. If you're planning on having photos taken for photo greeting cards, now is the time to get your GIFT CERTIFICATE for your photos. Looking for a gift for a new mother or Christmas gift for your family, we got it. Can you believe it, HALF OFF??

$500 gift certificates for $250 !
$400 gift certificates for $200 !
$300 gift certificates for $150 !
$200 gift certificates for $100 !
$100 gift certificates for $50 !

These will be valid from 10-10-10 to 10-10-11. Don't miss out on this amazing, insane promotion.

Email me at perkphotography@aol.com if you have any questions or call me at 405.229.2671. I'm working really hard this weekend to make sure everyone has a chance to participate in this special.

Shelly Perkins Photography
specializing in Oklahoma Children's Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

10-10-10 SPECIAL PERK from Shelly Perkins Photography

Stay tuned for more info. You won't want to miss this.

If you've had photos taken by Shelly within the last year, this is for YOU!
If you're planning a shoot with Shelly over the upcoming year, this is for YOU!
This special PERK will NOT be repeated.


Shelly Perkins Photography specializing in Children's Photography traveling throughout Oklahoma.

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

Oklahoma Fall Fun

Looking for something to do with your kids this weekend in Oklahoma? Check out this link from AmeriKidz Magazine and you will see there are plenty of happenings around the state to keep you and your kiddos busy.
What better time to break out your camera and shoot some scrapbook photos of your family than in the fall? Fall festivals and pumpkin patches make the nicest backdrops. Everyone have fun and stay safe.
http://amerikidz.com/ok/calendar.htm#oct

Horsin' around in Kauai ~ Shelly Perkins Photography

Okay, if you know me, you know I have a thing for horses. I just love horses. I have owned horses, but we currently live in the city and I'm pretty sure my homeowners association would not appreciate me having horses in my backyard.

In February my husband and I were blessed with a trip to Kauai, Hawaii. It is known as the healing island. We have now been to four of the islands and plan on returning again.

On an afternoon drive through the mountains and lush gardens of Kauai we found these horses. I yelled at my husband to stop the car and immediately jumped out. We were driving a convertible and I can't really remember if I just jumped out or actually used the door. Anyway, I ran up to the horses and just fell in love. One fella really enjoyed me petting him and everytime I went to another horse, well he followed along and was a little jealous. He had some adorably large ears, may have been part donkey, I'm not sure, but gosh he was the neatest guy. I have an image that I shot that day of my new horse buddy. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making the image that beautiful afternoon in Kauai.