Our very own {Family Portraits}

For all of those photographers out there, you know how hard it is to get a family portrait of your own family.

Everyone else's family? Piece of cake! But getting your own family together and finding someone

willing to take your portraits is another story!
We're lucky enough to have a family full of photographers. Our amazing-wonderful-talented cousin,

Betsey of Betsey Walton Photography, spent Thanksgiving with us and we traded roles for the afternoon

to get family portraits of each of our families.

They turned out perfect. Honestly, we didn't know we looked so good!

For those of you in the Redding area make sure to look her up!

Thank you Betsey for our beautiful family portraits!

Have you been good this year?

We know how much you want to avoid the mall this Holiday Season.
So we made things a little easier for you. We gave Santa a call and he was so excited to come to our studio again this year!

He'll be here Friday, December 17th and Saturday, December 18th.

For those of you that want your own private session with Santa we'll be scheduling times just for you all day Friday, December 17th. And for those of you that want to drop by at your own convenience we'll have a set amount of time for you too! Drop by the studio any time between 10am-5pm Saturday, December 18th.

The cost for your session with Santa is just $25 and includes 1-5x7!
(We will have other print sizes and packages available for purchase. And since we print right away you'll even have them for Christmas gifts!)

So come in your Christmas best with your list in hand!


Call now for an appointment and stay tuned to our blog for more information as Santa's visit gets closer!

Cowpoke Fall Gathering 2010

This week is Cowpoke Fall Gathering
and has been declared Western Week here in Loomis!
Businesses were invited to decorate their store windows in true western fashion

along with the theme, Tough Enough to Wear Pink.

The first place winner would receive a basket including the grand prize,

a commercial on the country radio station 101.9 the WOLF!!

(valued at more than we would ever be able to afford)

Everyone in town competed and had amazing window displays. Some even had real live critters in their windows! We had a great time putting ours together with everything from a door off our own barn to my own saddle and tack. We included some of our western style portraits along with the old stuff from the barn. :-)

The judging took place this morning, and wouldn't you know it, WE WON!!

The founders of Cowpoke Fall Gathering came and surprised us with the first place winning basket!

We have so enjoyed being a part of this amazing event and are so grateful to the Brauns and Brenda Newsom!

And yes.... we ARE tough enough to wear pink! :-)

Halloween Charity Food Drive!

Calling all Ghosts, Zombies, Princesses and Fairies!


Come by Simply Portraits
Saturday 11am-6pm
or Sunday 3pm-6pm
and get a FREE 4x6 PORTRAIT
with at least 2 cans of food per kiddo!

Moms, besides getting an adorable picture of your little pumpkin or cowboy what a better way to show your kids how to give back. Before you take the kids trick or treating this weekend bring them by the studio to get a free picture and drop off something to eat for someone less fortunate in our community.

These are just a few of our favorites from last year!

Every costume was so fun,

from the pea eating sweet pea,
to the oh so lovingly silly brothers.

We can't wait see you all back this year!

Holiday Mini Sessions!

The Holidays are just around the corner!

(I know, we find it hard to believe too!)

But to help you with the busy time of year we're making things easy by offering a day of mini sessions!

You can bring in the family for a quick, 20 minute session and have cards and gifts for the grandparents just in time for the Holidays!

Sessions are limited, so make sure to call right away to schedule your session for Saturday, November 20th!

Eggplant Festival 2010 Winners!

Thank you everyone for coming out to the Eggplant Festival this year!

We had a great time and enjoyed meeting so many of you.

And now let me introduce you to our drawing winners!

Our $50 Gift Certificates goes to....

Josh G. of Citrus Heights

and

Julia B. of Loomis

Our $100 Gift Certificate goes to...

Melissa K. of Lincoln

And our Grand Prize valued at $516 goes to...

(....drumroll please....)

Andrea P. of Loomis!

They are so excited and are already planning their sessions! Can't wait to share them with you!

Don't forget to use your coupon before it expires in December! It's a great savings and we want to make sure you take advantage of it!

And for those of you that weren't able to come see us here's a little peak at our booth.

THANK YOU!!! Best of the Best TWO years in a row!!

We seriously have the best community EVER!!

Thank you Loomis for voting us BEST of the BEST two years in a row!

YOU guys are awesome!

And to show you how awesome you are we have something for you in this week's Loomis News! ;)

So make sure to check the special pull out section and while you're there you can check out the other Best of the Best winners!

Love you guys!!

-Amanda and Tina

We are loved

We have fans. It's true. And they love us. And know us well enough to get us fruit.
I mean, what's not to love about a bouquet of fruit!

I'm pretty sure chocolate covered granny smith apples are my new favorite thing.

We also received some very beautiful red tulips. They are now soaking up lovely
(and much awaited) sunshine in our lobby! :)

(And no, these are not from our husbands. I know that's what you were thinking. Oh, and please excuse the over-excited face. I haven't seen strawberries that yummy looking in MONTHS. And yes, it was a coincidence that we are both wearing red. We tend to accidentally match more frequently than we'd like.)

So Happy Valentine's Day to you all! Go give someone a hug and tell them how much you love them.
You'll so make their day :)

Angels and Tutu's

I know, she's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen too....

Doesn't this just make you want to 'mooch those baby cheeks??

We are in the middle of planning a Valentine's Day Special so stay tuned for more info!

And a huge thank you to our beautiful model, sweet Raegan! She was such a good sport and just as beautiful as always!

Cha-cha-cha-changes!

We have some exciting changes happening around the studio. We can't wait to share them with you!

We will be showcasing some of our new products, props and other goodies in the next few weeks.

If you want to take advantage of our current prices you have until February 12th and all changes are going into effect February 15th.

We hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!

We haven't fallen off the face of the earth... I promise!

It's been brought to my attention that I have neglected our little blog. I'm sorry.

*hangs head in shame*

But we're back, and I won't let it happen again! December was crazy, and for any of you that came by the studio I know you can vouch for that! Here is a little tiny sliver of a glimpse of what's been going on here at Simply Portraits while the blog took a little vacation.

And of course, SANTA came!

For those of you that have asked, I've already talked to Santa and he said he would be able to come back the same weekend this year! So mark your calendars, he'll be here and he's bringing Mrs Clause too!

Yes, we dressed up like elves and helpers. (But clearly not everyone was as cool as Kara, Carlene and myself) And yes, I included my own "child" even though he didn't get to "see" Santa. He still needed his Christmas picture taken!

Overall 2009 was an AMAZING year! It would not have been the same without YOU! So thank you for being a part of our 2009 and we can't wait to see what 2010 has in store for us!

-Amanda & Tina

Santa Claus is coming to town......

Santa Claus will be here in TWO DAYS!!!!!!!

So I hope you've been good and have your list ready!!

We still have appointments available so give us a call to secure a time slot.

Or of course you can drop in Friday or Saturday from 1-5.

UPDATE: We just got off the phone with Santa and he is SOO excited! He's even bringing Mrs. Claus with him!

And don't forget, we're collecting toys for the Loomis Basin Toy Drive! So if you have time stop and get a new, unwrapped toy to bring with you!

We hope you've been good this year!

We know how much you want to avoid the mall this Holiday Season.

So we made things a little easier for you. We gave Santa a call and he kindly agreed to come by our studio!

He'll be here Friday, December 18th and Saturday, December 19th.

For those of you that want your own private session with Santa we'll be scheduling times just for you from 9am-Noon. And for those of you that want to drop by at your own convenience we'll have a set amount of time for you too! Drop by the studio any time between 1pm-5pm. The cost for your session with Santa is just $20 and includes 1-5x7!

(We will have other print sizes and packages available for purchase)

So come in your Christmas best with your list in hand!

We will also be collecting toys for the Loomis Basin Toy Drive and donating a portion of all proceeds to the Toy Drive.

Call now for an appointment and stay tuned to our blog for more information as Santa's visit gets closer!

Halloween Charity! FREE 4x6 PORTRAIT!!!

Don't forget to come by TOMORROW
FRIDAY between 11am-6pm
or SATURDAY between 11am-Dark
and get your FREE picture
with your can of food!!

Parents, that means you too!
So bring your own can of food and join in the fun!

Sweet or scary,
Soft or hairy,
Big or small,
We take them all! :)

Second Annual Halloween Food Drive!

Calling all Ghosts, Zombies, Princesses and Fairies!

Come by Simply Portraits

Friday 11am-6pm

or Saturday 11am-Dark

and get a FREE 4x6 PORTRAIT

with a can of food!

Moms, besides getting an adorable picture of your little pumpkin or cowboy what a better way to show your kids how to give back. Before you take the kids trick or treating this weekend bring them by the studio to get a free picture and drop of something to eat for someone less fortunate in our community.

Stay tuned this week for more info.

We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

(And here's a trick, the more treats you bring the more we may treat you to extra goodies!)

Eggplant Festival Winners!

Thank you everyone for coming out to the Eggplant Festival this past Saturday! We had such a great time and really enjoyed meeting so many of you!! As you know we had a free drawing and we are so excited to announce our winners!

drumroll please....

Our $50 Gift Certificates go to:

Sarah J. of Rocklin

Kasie S. of Roseville

Michelle A. of Lincoln

Rocio P. of Loomis

Tina E. of Roseville

Our Second Grand Prize goes to Lea U. of Loomis!

And our Grand Prize goes to Tammie G. of Loomis!

She is SOOO excited!!! And so are we! :)

Congratulations again to all of our winners!

More Eggplant pictures coming soon!

And by "Eggplant" I mean Eggplant Festival. But you knew that! :)

Eggplant Festival Tomorrow!!

Come to the Eggplant Festival in Loomis

Tomorrow, Saturday October 3, 2009

from 10-5 Free admission and parking!

Make sure to stop by the Simply Portraits booth and studio!

We will be selling Gift Certificates Custom wrapped for Fall, a Baby Shower or Christmas!

And while you're there enter in a FREE drawing for

your chance to win one of these amazing prizes!

GRAND PRIZE

Perfect for families!

16x20 Matted Custom Frame

with 11x14 Print

Package of custom Christmas or any occasion cards

Sitting fee

Valued at $307!!!

SECOND GRAND PRIZE!!!

Perfect for Seniors!

16x16 Matted Custom Framed

Series with 6 Prints

Package of Custom Cards or Announcements

Sitting fee

Valued at $256!!!

WE WILL ALSO BE GIVING AWAY

FIVE $50 GIFT CERTIFICATES!!!!

Happy Autumn!

Dear God,
Thank you for Autumn and everything it brings us.
Crisp evenings.
Football.
Apple cider.
Crunchy leaves.
Pumpkin pie.
Scarves.
Pumpkin carving.
A time to be thankful.
I will enjoy every day of it. :)

Eggplant Festival

Happy Autumn!! It is finally staring to feel like fall here in Loomis. I know you are just dying to find something to do on this crisp autumn weekend and I have JUST the thing for you!

The Loomis Eggplant Festival!

Loomis is such an amazing community full of history and rich culture. There are so many wonderful reasons why you should come this Saturday, October 3rd to the Eggplant Festival. I even made you a nice little list with the:

Top 10 reasons to attend the Eggplant Festival!

10. Wild Chicken Coffee and Tea will be hosting chicken races. Yes. Chicken races. So bring your own or borrow one from the 4-H kids.

9.The Del Oro marching band will be performing along with other local bands. If you've seen them yet this year you know how good they are!

8. Free rock wall! Free underwater balloon scene! Free parking! Free admission! Free shuttle! Free Free Free!! (I could have stopped here for some of you, but keep reading for even better reasons!)

7. Firefighter pancake breakfast. There is no better way to start your morning. But come early. They start serving at 7 and it is so worth it!

6. An amazing wine garden featuring local vineyards and wine makers. Come try some from the grape growers themselves. You can even get ahead on you Christmas shopping by buying local wine!

5. Amazing food. You can start smelling it a mile away. You can learn some great eggplant recipes to make for those vegetarian friends. And even some great eggplant appetizer recipes for those delicious autumn dinners. And then invite me over for dinner. If you invite me I might even bring you something from reason #6.

4. You can meet very talented local artists and even purchase unique pieces for your own home.

3. There will be entertainment and performances all day including a dance from our very own Carlene Raibley.

2. We'll have candy. We'll also have drawing for free portrait sittings and products. AND If you're ready to get on top of your Christmas shopping we'll be selling gift certificates for family portraits, senior portraits and baby packages.

1. You get to see US! I know we're not the main highlight, but we'd like to think that is why you're coming! We will have a booth near the wine garden and when you're walking back to your car feel free to stop by the studio too!

We look forward to seeing you this Saturday!!

Who made the front cover? We did!

Make sure you pick up a Loomis News today

and check us out on the FRONT cover!
And if you don't live in the Loomis area

and don't want be left out, you can see it here.

And make sure you take a peek at the Eggplant Festival insert.

It's got lots of good stuff in it, including an ad from yours truly.

Happy Thursday!