She came into the world a few months early, and looking at her now (at 14 months) you’d never know it!

©2008 MMP

©2008 MMP

©2008 MMP

©2008 MMP

©2008 MMP

©2008 MMP

Wow!  What a busy summer…not only busy with sessions, but busy with preparing for CHRISTMAS!  I have a fabulous ’signature’ Christmas background on its way (samples will be posted soon!), I have all new marketing materials - brochures, business cards, postcards, mailings, web updates, album samples, sample canvas!

Been working hard to get it all done in time for the Christmas season which will begin the next to last week of October and run through the 5th of December.

I will once again use Just Pay Half on the WJAC website in conjunction with the Christmas sessions.  Pay $50 for a full session and $99 package!!  There will only be 25 available.

I have finally gotten my profiles complete on MySpace and Facebook.  Look me up - I’ll add you as a friend!

I’m looking forward for school to start next week, will give me a chance to regroup and get some other updating done on a regular basis.

Thanks for reading!

Chad Mearns wrote the following article featuring me in my role as the Vice President of the Greater Johnstown Camera Club on the club’s annual exhibit at the Arts Center.  I have six pieces there through August 9th.

http://www.ourtownonline.biz/articles/2008/07/25/
entertainment/entertainment_news/sample153.txt

“Michelle Misner

Vice President, Greater Johnstown Camera Club

Through Aug. 9, the Community Arts Center of Cambria County, located at 1217 Menoher Blvd., is displaying over 80 examples of local photography with “Through the Lens,” an exhibition compiled by members of the Greater Johnstown Camera Club.

According to club vice president Michelle Misner, the exhibition is showing steady progress from the inaugural showing last year, which included more than 60 photographs.

“We have also had many new members join us since last year, and much of their work is on the walls for this exhibition,” explained Misner, who has her own photography studio in Southmont.

“Through the Lens” expected to be is the camera club’s only exhibition of the year and only the second in club history.

“Just as last year, it’s an impressive collection of photography. It’s always great to learn about people you spend time with through their photography. You get an insight of their personality, talent, and passion,” said Misner, who joined the club three years ago.

The exhibition, she said, includes examples of landscapes, portraits and urban candids, which are candid snapshots of public settings.

“In my mind it mimics a lot of Life magazine from the ’50s,” Misner said.

Samples of macro photography, which according to Misner use special lenses “that allow extreme magnifiation to allow you to photograph minute details such as within a flower or of insects” are also included.

Misner said “Through the Lens” could offer viewers a few surprises.

“Human beings are very visual creatures and photography is always such a draw for the public because one never knows what they may see. There truly is something for everyone to look at and enjoy because of the diverse nature of the pieces,” she said.

The Greater Johnstown Camera Club is open to anyone 18 or older with an interest in photography. The group includes more than 40 members of various ages, skill levels and styles. For additional information, visit www.inphocus.info.

1) When did you develop an interest in photography?

I was born into photography as my father began his photographic studies when I was born. Growing up it has just always been a part of my life and I’ve never known anything without photography. My children’s births gave me the push to take on studio photography, as my father had done when I was younger and it continues to branch out into other styles of photography.

2) They say that kids and animals are always the toughest subjects to photograph. Which one is tougher?

Haha! Well, I have tackled both and they are equally as challenging. A play on Abraham Lincoln’s quote: You can engage some of them some of the time, but never all of them all of the time. Some animals listen better than kids, just as some kids listen better than some animals. The slate is clean with each and every session and you never know what will come through the doors and what the end result will be…that’s the magic of what I do and why I love it so much.

3) Whose work do you like better: Ansel Adams or Anne Geddes?

Both inspire me for very different reasons, so I can’t say that I prefer one over the other. I have had much more exposure to Ansel Adams than Geddes through my lifetime so I am naturally drawn to his work and much more in awe of the wilderness that is most often displayed in his work.

4) What local landmark do you think makes for the best photo?

For a ‘landmark photo,’ I would have to go with the tried-and-true Inclined Plane. For photos WITHIN a landmark, certainly the Grandview Cemetery. There are fascinating things to photograph there, if you look for them.

5) Digital or film?

I shoot all digital, but learned SLR photography on a film camera - and I’m very glad I did it that way. Film is fun, but getting much more expensive to use. The upfront cost of digital SLR photography can be hefty, but is much quicker study as you have your results instantly.

6) Pick a song: Def Leppard’s “Photograph” or Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome”

Kodachrome - it’s a classic!

7) If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be doing?

I would be doing the same thing I am now and that’s being a full-time mom to my daughter and son.

9) What other hobbies do you have?

I’ve designed websites for about 12 years now and I have a few that I maintain for people in the area, as well as keeping mine as up-to-date as I can.”

I’m in the midst of a bunch of recent sessions…be on the look out for some sneak peeks!

I now have the comment feature enabled, so feel free to leave me a note anytime! All comments will require approval, so don’t resubmit it if you don’t see it right away.

I look forward to hearing from you!

I’m happy to announce that I have some $50 gift certificates on WJAC-TV’s ‘Just Pay Half’ site that are selling for $25! These are good on any current package.

Certificates went on sale this morning! Buy one today!

The Greater Johnstown Camera Club will be showcasing its members talent during its annual Summer Exhibition “Through the Lens.”  Opening reception will be on Monday, July 14th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Cambria County Community Arts Center on Menoher Boulevard in Westmont.  ALL are welcome to attend!

I will have 6 pieces showcased this year.  Last year’s was a success and we had a lot of people attend the opening reception.  The pieces will be displayed through the beginning of August.

I hope to see YOU there!

You can download the new portrait guide and pricing booklets here:

Portrait Guide
Portrait Pricing
Wedding Pricing

I have taken great care in simplifying ordering to 8 fantastic new collections! Collections start at $99 and I guarantee that there is something for everyone in there!

All session fees are now included in the collection price!

New collections feature storyboards and collages, storybooks, and canvas art prints! I am very excited to release these!

I now have a better system for keeping client information and signed releases up to date - and it only requires you to fill out one form ONCE! Once your form is complete, subsequent visits only require you to verify that the information is correct and then you sign and date the verification sheet.

Less paper waste, less for you to fill out!

I’m in the process of indexing all of my recent clients to the new Client Information Center!

Click here to get there.

This portion of the website allows for password protected information pertinent to my clients and their sessions.

Included for every client is their scheduled session date and time, any balances due, directions to the studio, required forms to read over, online gallery access information, along with the current portrait guide and pricing booklets!

All conveniently one one page - including a handy link to easily bookmark your page for future reference.