Dog Portrait Day!
Last weekend we partnered with Brekke Veterinary Clinic in Castle Pines for a special invitation-only dog portrait day for their clients. It was so much fun to meet all these beautiful dogs and their families!
This was the first time for many of these dogs to have a professional photo shoot and many of the families were surprised and excited to hear that Mark offers full family photography sessions with dogs.
If you've thought about having pictures taken of your dog(s) and your family, then look no further! Mark works with all dog breeds and levels of energy/obedience. He offers both studio session at his South Denver photography studio and outdoor photo sessions at multiple locations around the Denver area for your convenience.
And, if you live in the Castle Rock or Castle Pines area and need a wonderful veterinarian, then check out Brekke Veterinary Clinic! They are amazing and their clinic is absolutely beautiful.
Special fundraiser for Inside the Orchestra
We are always on the lookout for local non-profits to support who make a difference in our community. It's no secret that we are passionate about causes who help kids and dogs and we learned about an organization over the winter that we've come to love. The mission of Inside the Orchestra is to bring orchestra music to young children in the greater Denver metropolitan community, cultivating music appreciation and enhancing their education through an engaging first-hand experience with the orchestra. We attended one of their "Tiny Tots" programs a few months ago and were blown away with how much the kids loved it and how the orchestra performance with completely designed with small kids (with even smaller attention spans) in mind. The children were encouraged to get up and move throughout the performance and it was just as fun for the adults as it was for the kids!
Inside the Orchestra is looking to raise enough funds by June 30 to send 1,500 local Denver low income kids to an orchestra event (their fundraising goal is $15,000). There are numerous long-term developmental benefits to exposing kids to music at an early age. "Music is a language, and children are oriented toward learning language. Music evokes movement, and children delight in and require movement for their development and growth. Music's melodic and rhythmic patterns provide exercise for the brain and help develop memory." Music also helps improve academic skills, develop physical skills, cultivates social skills, refines discipline and patience, boots self-esteem, introduces children to other cultures and other benefits! Inside the Orchestra is the only organization of its kind in the Denver Metro area that brings music to at risk and low income children.
How can you help? Now through June 28th, book an indoor studio photography session or an outdoor photo session in the Denver metro area with Mark (reserve a session by 6/28 to use by 9/30) and 100% of your session fee will be donated directly to Inside the Orchestra when you mention this fundraiser. You will also receive a $100 credit towards heirloom wall art from your session. Book your photography session with Mark today and help Denver kids at the same time!
TBT - Those baby teeth!
This handsome guy was just learning to run when we met his family for their outdoor photo shoot in Lone Tree. He had the absolute cutest smile with only a handful of baby teeth and he was full of laughter that day. Fast forward a few years and this boy is starting to lose those adorable baby teeth. We're looking forward to seeing him and his family in the studio soon to capture how much he's grown since the last time we saw them!
Come Support Hope Farms Project on 9/30!
We are excited to be attending the Fall Festival fundraiser this coming weekend (9/30) for Hope Farms Project! The founder of Hope Farms Project has been our client for many years and we've been to the farm several times over the years photographing her family with their horses. This is a wonderful organization and we're honored to be a part of this day to help them raise funds for new fencing. At this special event you can snag a mini photography session with Mark + your favorite print for only a $50 donation to the rescue. If you don't come dressed or ready for pictures at the event, then you can book a studio session for a later date (either a mini session or full photo session for your family at our studio or a full outdoor family session) and Mark will donate 100% of your session fee to Hope Farms Project. This is a great family event that supports a good cause - come to see the farm animals, listen to some good music, sample the offerings from the food trucks and update your family picture! The event runs 11 am - 5 pm and Mark will be there to take photos on site from 1-5 pm.
About Hope Farms Project:
Hope Farms Project is a family oriented program offering a variety of programming that is individualized to accommodate each person’s needs and interests.
Our career development program is focused on increasing successful employment for folks experiencing disability or traumatic brain injury. And for people who just want to spend time on the farm caring for animals or tending the garden, we have a place just for you.
We firmly hold that anyone, regardless of ability or disability, should be able to experience the life they choose for themselves. We believe that interacting with nature and animals can enhance our well-being and quality of life.
Our clients learn about nature and animals through study and hands-on experience. They learn how to build healthy relationships based on trust and respect. Clients learn how to care for themselves by first caring for something other than themselves and they explore their potential through physical work, cognitive endeavors and emotional connections.
Happy First Day of Fall
It hardly seems possible, but today's the official first day of fall! Take advantage of the beautiful colors Colorado has to offer in the fall and book an outdoor photo session. Mark has some favorite (secret!) spots around Denver that offer a variety of beautiful backgrounds for your photography shoot. Outdoor fall family pictures are always popular with the families who come see us for their holiday cards and these colorful pictures make beautiful pieces of artwork for your home. Book your outdoor session today!
Moms... be in the picture!
We routinely hear when a client calls to book their session that they only want the kids photographed. Or the kids with their dad. But mom, the person usually setting up the appointment, does not typically want to be in the pictures. I understand the reluctance. Maybe you want to lose weight, don't like your current hair style, or don't like seeing yourself in pictures. We've heard all the reasons! But the pictures aren't just for you. Your kids are going to want to see pictures of you (and you together with them) as they get older. It's easy to put off being in the pictures with "I'll do it next time." But time marches on and life only gets more busy! The next time you book a professional photography session, consider being in at least a few of the pictures. You may not love it now, but down the road you will be thankful to have this time documented.
Candid Pictures
While Mark's goal to to create a beautiful portrait of your family, many times the candid shots captured during the photo shoot are among the client favorites! This little boy giggling with his best dog friend is a great example. These "in the moment" pictures truly capture your family and kids as a moment in time. As your kids grow these pictures will always bring a smile to your face!
Palisade, CO Mini Sessions this weekend!
Mark will be in Palisade, CO on Saturday, August 12th for outdoor family and kids mini sessions. Due to demand, he has extended his trip and now has 4 additional spots available for Saturday. This is a great opportunity to update your family portrait or have professional pictures take of your children. Please call (303) 562-5536 for more information or to reserve your session!
Picking up your artwork
We love showing clients the pictures taken from their session at their ordering appointment, but we especially love showing clients the finished artwork when they come to pick up their order! Whether we are delivering finished museum quality canvases, framed prints with museum glass, or archival quality gift prints, our clients are always blown away when they hold their new art in their hands! Today was no exception with our vet client who came to pick up artwork from his cat + dog photo session. While Akitas and house cats might seem like a strange pair, these two are best friends and our client wanted to capture their bond to display in his home (since they are his fur kids, after all!). The cat rules the house while the dog guards the house. They are the perfect pair and enjoy taking naps together (as long as they don't think their human is watching).
Have you been thinking about having professional pet photos taken of your pets? Don't delay and contact Mark Stevens Photography about booking your custom session today! Mark is happy to work with all breeds and obedience levels of dogs and cats (and horses, too!).
New Custom Frames Available!
New frames are in! We have two brand new lines of frames for gift prints and wall art available including some really fun colors and textures. Returning clients who come visit the new photography studio for a family or dog session before Sept 15 will get the 8x10 or 5x7 frame of their choice to go with a new order (from new sessions only). Here are a few of the favorites. Book your session now to take advantage of this special offer.