Val Stone Photography - Through My Eyes

Summer Specials and Discounts!

Well, things are going great here!  Little Kylan is growing so fast... I can't believe she's already seven weeks old.  We're definitely savoring every moment.  Here's a few photos...

 
 
 
If you plan to book a session later this year, I will be back at work by the end of August, early September.  With things heating up outside, I thought I'd throw some cool deals your way!  For those thinking ahead to fall and the holidays, it's a great way to get ahead on your holiday shopping!  All the specials must be booked by July 31st.  Book by July 15th, and save an extra 5% on any of the deals below by mentioning this discount!

10% off all Portrait and Digital Collections
Prepurchase your Collection when you book your portrait session, and save 10% off both!  Discounts range from $100-$400 depending upon the collection chosen.  Collections can be seen here.  Terms:  Sessions must be booked and collections prepaid together by July 31, 2011 and must take place weekdays during regular business hours by October 31, 2011. 

Digital Daze Package - Session Fee and Digital Jpgs for one low price!
$600/studio       $650/location
Add a set of 4x6 color or b/w proofs of your whole session for just $150!
These days almost everyone is interested in purchasing high resolution digital images.  Here's a special that should make you smile.  For one low price, you'll receive up to one hour in the studio or on location for your session and five of your favorite images on CD in high resolution for personal use!  Plus save 10% on any prints or portraits purchased (canvases and cards not included).  If purchased ala carte, that's over a $1000 savings!!  This is a perfect special for parents of babies and young children who want to share images with grandparents and relatives, as well as for those who want to get their Christmas Shopping done early. Terms:  Package (including proof set) must be booked and prepaid in full by July 31, 2011 and must take place weekdays during regular business hours by October 31, 2011.  A limited number of packages are available at this price.

Oh Baby! Package
$275/studio
Have a new baby at home that is less than 12 months old?  This special studio offer is just for you!  It includes a 30 minute studio session, a $275 print credit, and 10% off any additional prints purchased (canvases and cards not included).  Terms:  Package must be booked and prepaid in full by July 31, 2011 and must take place weekdays during regular business hours by October 31, 2011.  A limited number of packages are available at this price.

Newborn Love Package
$500/studio
Oh, how I love squishy, squashy precious newborns!!  Moms, I know you're exhausted, feeling crummy and just muddling through the day, but don't forget to document this special time with photos!  It goes by SO fast.  This package, especially for your newborn, includes a 45 minute studio session, your favorite image on disk as a high resolution jpg (perfect for birth announcements and gifts for the grandparents), a $400 print credit for you, and 10% off any additional prints purchased (canvases and cards not included)!  Valued at $845!  We recommend scheduling your newborn session BEFORE your baby is born in order to insure availability. Terms:  Package must be booked and prepaid in full by July 31, 2011 and must take place weekdays during regular business hours by October 31, 2011.  A limited number of packages are available at this price. This package is for newborns up to 6 weeks old.  Certain poses may include mom and dad.  Siblings may not be included.

Also, keep an eye out for our annual Arboretum Mini Sessions... dates, prices, and great special packages will be announced soon!  Starting at $50, these 20 minute mini sessions will be held at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh.  They are a PERFECT if you need just a few great holiday photos and updated portraits.

If you haven't already, please show us how much you LIKE us on our Val Stone Photography Facebook Page!

Last September, I had the opportunitiy to document the baptism of two very adorable little girls!  Here's a few images from their special day...

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

I'm Still Here!!

Hi everyone.  I know, I know!  My blog hasn't been updated since last August!  YIKES.  Every week I had the intention of posting an update, and time and energy just slipped away.  However, I have a VERY good excuse.  :~)  Last September, I found out I was pregnant.  For those that know me well, you know that pregnancies are hard won for me, and also not so super easy.  So, I spent the next five months pretty sick with hyperemesis (which is a severe form of "morning sickness," morning, noon and night).  After that, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and then pre-eclampsia.  Wow, what a journey it's been!  But, the end result is OH SO WORTH IT!!!

Kylan was born three weeks early on Mother's Day, May 8th, 2011, and is absolutely perfect in every way.  We are SOOOO blessed and couldn't be happier. 

Over the past nine months I photographed so many awesome babies, children and families, a baptism and a wedding, and I promise to update the blog this summer with some of my favorite images.  I will be on maternity leave until September, but look forward to getting back to work this fall.  If you'd like to schedule a session for the fall, please email or call, and we'll get it on the calendar.  Please also keep an eye on the blog for our fun photo days this fall, as well as our Arboretum mini session dates.  Thanks to all of you who have already sent your congratulations, and thanks to all my clients who understood my circumstances over the past nine months!

Here's some photos of our precious baby girl!

Two days old in the hospital:

 

Nine days old, back at home:

 

 

Mini Sessions at JC Raulston Arboretum

 

A mini portrait session with Val is the PERFECT way to update your children's portraits or get a jump start on your holiday gifts and cards, without the time, stress or expense of a full location session!
  

Once again, we will be scheduling these special mini sessions at the beautiful JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh.  We've had a LOT of interest in our mini sessions, so please call as soon as possible if you have questions or would like to reserve a time for your children or family!  919-267-4744

Dates, Prices, and additional Information... 

Each mini session will last 30 minutes.  On-line proofs will be provided in a private shopping cart approximately one week following your session.  Portraits and products will be available for pick-up within 2-3 weeks of placing your order.

 

Dates and Times
Thursday, September 9th, 2010

Sessions will be scheduled throughout the morning and late afternoon.

 

Session Fees    
$50 (1-2 siblings)

3-4 siblings or immediate family up to 5 people will need to schedule two mini session

Portraits and Products

Special Mini Session Packages starting at $275, or order prints and products ala carte!

 
 
  
  

Christmas In July Specials!

I hope you are all having a great summer so far!  We're gearing up for a fantastic 4th of July holiday weekend.  And in honor of my two favorite holidays it's that time again.  Time for our...

Christmas in July Special

OH BABY! OH BABY! 
(There are a FEW sessions still available at this discount.  Act Fast!)
An AWESOME Special Offer just for the BABIES.
Between July 1st and September 15th, book a location session, full studio session or mini studio session for your baby 24 months or younger and receive 40% off.  That's right, you'll receive 40% off your session fee.  Fine Print:  Sessions must be booked and take place by September 15, 2010...with one exception... newborn moms may book their baby's session in advance through November 15, 2010.  There are a limited number of sessions available at this discount; first come, first serve.

REFER A FRIEND 
(THESE SESSIONS HAVE BEEN SOLD OUT AND ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.) 
Book a session for you and one for a friend, and both of you will receive 40% off your session fees. Fine Print:  Sessions must be booked by July 31, 2010 and must take place by August 15, 2010.  40% discount on session fees will only be given once both sessions have been booked. There are a limited number of sessions available at this discount; first come, first serve.

Also, keep an eye out for our Arboretum Mini Sessions... dates, prices, and great special packages will be announced soon!  Starting at $50, these 20 minute mini sessions will be held at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh.  They are PERFECT to get some great holiday photos and updated portraits, especially for older children and siblings.

If you haven't already, please show us how much you LIKE us on our Val Stone Photography Facebook Page!

I loved this little cutie who was already in the spirit a few months early!

Remember to call soon and take advantage of our OH BABY and REFER A FRIEND specials!

 

 
  
For those of you who visit our Christmas Tree Lot each year, please go to our Neighbor Boy blog for more information on Christmas in July Christmas Tree savings, as well as lawn care and landscape specials.  Neighbor Boy Blog

Watch me work! Check out this video...

While I primarily specialize in babies, children and families, we also photograph weddings and work with commercial and business clients.  Recently, I had the opportunity to work with a commercial client, Garman Homes, to help them transform their logo!  We had a great time, and working with Jim, Alaina and their crew was a blast.  Check out this video to watch me work and see the logo transformation (not sure how long it will be up, so I apologize in advance if the link doesn't work).  Transformation Video.  Also, here's one of my favorite images from the session:

Father's Day Fun Photo Day - June 2nd

With June around the corner, so is Father's Day.  We'll be having a Fun Photo Day all day here at the studio to celebrate on Wednesday, June 2nd, with NO SESSION FEES!  Call now to reserve your spot.

There's no better way to honor DAD than with the gift of photos of his most precious loved ones!  Plus, Dad won't balk at the price tag... With no session fees and reduced print and image prices, our Fun Photo Days are always a great way to purchase new photos for any purpose.  Prints up to size 8x10 are 20% off and prints 11x14 or larger are 10% off.  High resolution digital images are 50% off, priced at just $137.50.  Digital images come with a release form for personal use, and are perfect for using to make an awesome photo gift for Dad.  And don't forget Grandpa!!  Digital images will be emailed to you by Saturday, June 5th and prints will be ready for pick up on Tuesday, June 15th. 

The Fine Print:  All images will be shot on a black background, and available in either color or black/white.  We'll capture 2-4 images within about 5 minutes, and show them to you immediately after the session right on the camera.  Prints must be ordered on-the-spot.  Available to a limited number of clients per half hour, so please call as soon as possible to reserve your spot.  There are no minimum orders or obligations to purchase. 

Just imagine Dad's delight when he opens his Father's Day gift to find his favorite faces smiling back at him...

 

 

 

May Special Offer

So, last May we had this great sale at The Peak Fest in Apex, and had many requests to do a special again this year.  But.... we weren't able to get a space at this year's festival.  So, in order to stick to my promise, instead of a Peak Fest Special, we're offering a Facebook Friend Special.   

For the rest of May, book a location session, full studio session or mini studio session for 40% off!  That's right, you'll receive 40% off your session fee.  Fine Print:  Sessions must be booked by May 31st, 2010, and must take place by August 31, 2010.  You must also be a Facebook Friend.  There are a limited number of sessions available at this discount; first come, first serve.

To qualify for this offer, you simply need to become a Facebook Friend at our Val Stone Photography facebook page, if you're not already, and then contact us to book your session.  We're really not hip on the latest facebook updates.  But, apparently, facebook has done away with Fans, and now you simply become a friend by showing that you LIKE a page.  So, visit our page and show us how much you like us by becoming a friend, and save on your session at the same time!

And, of course, some recent favorites...

The last time I saw this little guy, he was two years old.  Time flies, and now it's his sister's turn for two year old portraits!

This is the third time I've had the opportunity to photograph this little man, and every time I just want to pinch his adorable cheeks!!!  He just gets cuter at each session.

And seriously... How adorable is she?? 

And, finally, two cuties in the studio...

 

Spring Has Sprung - Special Offers

I know...I know!  I've been terrible about keeping up with my blog, and I apologize that you've not had any new photos to peek at in a while.  I'm trying to make up for it today!  It's been a whirlwind several months, as usual.  First, of course, the fall was super busy.  Then we ran right into our busy Christmas Tree season.  Christmas trees, you ask?  Well, not all of you know that Dave and I also own a Christmas tree lot and full service lawn care and landscaping company. www.NeighborBoyinc.com  Anyway, to continue with my excuses ;~) ... Then in January, we were traveling quite a bit, some for work and some for pleasure to visit my family in Florida and Dave's family in Minnesota.  And the rest of January and February was spent gearing up for our busy seasons with both businesses and, as you'll see below, photographing what seemed like dozens of newborns!  

If you haven't taken a look at my website in a while, we invite you back to read what's new.  www.ValStonePhotography.com  We have some great new photos in the gallery, a new package that includes a print credit, and new Portrait Collections. This year, there was a slight adjustment in our session fees, but no increase on our print prices which have remained the same for the past three years.  As always we're offering some great specials this spring to celebrate the arrival of warm weather!  I know spring hasn't actually sprung yet, but with the weather forecast looking fantastic this weekend, and after so much cold, I'm even more excited to get outside.  So, on to the specials...

Arboretum Session Special - 50% of your session fee credited towards your print order!
Book a weekday location session at the JC Raulston Arboretum this spring and 50% of your location session fee will be credited towards your print order.  The spring calendar tends to fill up quickly, especially once the warm weather arrives, so book your session early.  A limited number of sessions and spaces are available for this special offer. Terms;  Session must be booked for the JC Raulston Arboretum by April 15, 2010 and must take place by May 31, 2010. 

Studio Digital Daze Package - Session Fee and Digital Jpgs for one low price!
$600
These days almost everyone is interested in purchasing high resolution digital images.  Here's a special that should make you smile.  For one low price, you'll receive your studio session and five of your favorite images on CD in high resolution for personal use!  If purchased ala carte, that's over a $1000 savings!!  This is a perfect special for parents of babies and young children who want to share images with grandparents and relatives, as well as for those with older children who won't change too much before December, and want to get their Christmas Shopping done early. Terms:  Package must be booked and prepaid in full by April 15, 2010 and must take place weekdays during regular business hours at Val Stone Photography studio by May 31, 2010.  A limited number of packages are available at this price.

And now for the eye candy!!  I could have gone overboard because I've had so many awesome sessions and there are SO many great images to choose from.  Please forgive me if I didn't include yours.  I am limited for each post!

Newborns, newborns and more newborns this winter!  What was in the water 9 months ago?  But, you've got to admit, they are ADORABLE!  Here's a few I fell in love with:

Here's some more recent favorites...

How cute are these twins??  Do you think they were holding hands in the womb?

This little one has SUCH a playful personality.  We had a great time exploring her house and backyard together.

 I totally fell in love with this baby and her hat.  

Lucky for me, this high school senior missed getting his photos taken last fall, and still needed to have them done.  We even got mom in on the action for a few.

 
  
 

Destination Wedding: Manhattan, NY - Is it really a wedding without the cake?

I've heard people say that it's not a real wedding without wedding cake. Lisa and Karl might disagree.  At Val Stone Photography, we specialize in smaller, intimate or destination weddings.  Lisa and Karl's Manhattan wedding fit the bill on both accounts! Held on the 14th floor at the artsy Astra overlooking the twinkling New York City skyline, it was a beautiful and intimate affair enjoyed by family and a few close friends.  And despite the fact that guests were served this delicious dessert instead of cake (which, by the way, was totally better than any wedding cake I've ever tasted), it was very much a wedding!  Here are a few fun images from the event.

Lisa and Karl, both lawyers, were married by their boss...a NYC judge! 

Sharing a few quiet moments on the balcony, overlooking the city.

A proud "Papa" shares a dance with his daughter.

I was thrilled to catch a few great shots of the couple walking to the hotel at the end of the evening!  I was going to share just one of these, but couldn't decide which was my favorite. 

Congratulations, you guys!  I wish you a long and happy life together. 

Dave and I had one extra day for snooping around NYC.  We were totally lucky to catch this great shot of the Empire State Building at sunset, taken from the Top of the Rock.  (OK, it wasn't all just luck... haha)

 
 

Destination Family Session: Catskill Mountains, NY

If you're looking for Santa Photo dates and information, please click here.

During the first weekend in October, while temperatures were still a balmy 82 degrees here in NC, we got an early peek at fall.  I was commissioned by Porter and Serena's parents for a family portrait session at their getaway home in the beautiful Catskill Mountains in New York. We had a wonderful time with them over the course of two days, and due to a glitch with our flights, were able to stay an extra day and take in the local sites.  They were such an awesome family and the children were ADORABLE!!  I'm posting just a few of my many favorites from the session, along with some amazing scenery.  The scenic prints are available, if you'd like to purchase a piece of fine art work for your home.  If you are interested in a destination session for yourself or your family, please contact us for additional information.

 

 
  

Look at the amazing sunrise over the valley that the family sees right from their own front porch... much different from the views from their Manhatten windows, I'm sure!

Some other beautiful local sites... 

Make Love, Not War... just prior to sunset at Bethel Woods, NY - The site of Woodstock!

 
  
While working, we stayed at the charming Old North Branch Inn.  I highly recommend it, if you're ever in the area.  It's great to relax in the rocking chairs on the front porch, or take in the views of the stream out back.  There's even a restaurant and cafe right downstairs.