For all those orders placed so far this year, the community thanks you.  Here’s what we’ve been doing with some of our hard-earned income…

* We supported Kendall Elementary.  We bought a $100 ad space in their PTO student directory.

* We supported Fabra Elementary.  We bought a $100 ad space in their PTO student directory and donated $250 to their upcoming hay maze fundraiser.

* We’re supporting Curington Elementary.  We bought a $200 ad space in their PTO student directory, donated $330 to their upcoming Walk-a-Thon event/fundraiser, and we will be donating a few hours of photography time and hundreds of digital files from that Walk-a-Thon.

* And we’re supporting Ben’s soccer team in the Boerne Soccer Club.  Nathan volunteered to be the coach, and I signed up to be a sponsor.  Thanks to our $250 donation, we helped purchase their jerseys.

Thank you for supporting so that we can give back to these local schools and organizations!

*Accompanying portrait is “Lovely” (a favorite from Abby’s session).

Curington’s 8th annual Walk-a-Thon is coming up, and we’re looking for sponsors to help us raise money for our PTO…

The details: Ben will walk the track with the whole school on the morning of Friday, October 10th. He will have a tally card that gets punched every time he completes a lap, leading up to mileage. Every mile that he completes earns the school money from pledges that we are counting on you to make.

We know everyone’s struggling to pay bills just as we are. But please consider sponsoring Ben for this event, since this is the only time this year we will be asking for help. There will be no cookie dough sales, no wrapping paper sales, no sales pitches at all!

So let us know if you can help us raise this much-needed money for Curington (either a flat donation or a dollar amount for each mile he finishes). Anything you can give is much appreciated.

*Portrait with blog is “My Boys” (my favorite from a quick session yesterday).

Okay, so Alice has already written about Heather Bohman’s book club and Laura Serratos’ new preschool.  And in the past I’ve let you in on MOPS, the Hill Country Women in Business, and Marli Carollo who runs a PartyLite business, among other clients and friends who are doing things in our community.  So why not keep spreading the word?

Have a business you want to let other clients know about?  Have a fundraiser at your child’s school you want people to support?  Want to shout out some great news you’ve received lately?  Have a FaceBook page you want to use as a networking device?  Just let Alice (alice@shutter-happy.com) or I (amy@shutter-happy.com) know about it and we’d be happy to post some info for you.

As far as me, you all know me well as the photographer.  But want to know our family personally?  We have a website- www.texasandersons.org.  Stop by any time to see what we’re up to and see what we’re all about.

*Accompanying portrait is “Fresh and New and Lovely” (a favorite from Kenzie’s newborn session earlier this week).

We hear it every day on the news- rising grocery costs, soaring gas prices, suffering economy.  Time are tough.  And we as small business owners, we’re struggling to get through what we hope is just a short rough patch.

How can you help your community?  How can you keep your friends and neighbors in business?  BUY LOCAL!

Shop at the boutiques on Main Street for your clothing needs.  Don’t forget your local HEB and farmers’ markets for your grocery needs.  When you’re wanting to go out for dinner, look no further than our local restaurants.

And if you’re considering portraits this holiday season, give us a ring.  Not only would you be supporting us as a local small business, but you will also be receiving exceptional customer service, a unique session and pampering experience, and beautiful quality portraits that no chain or department store in San Antonio can give you.

Want more reasons to GO LOCAL?  Read on- click here.

*Portrait with blog is “Family” (a favorite from Steven, Melinda, Maddie, Kate, and Lauren’s family session this summer).

We wanted to extend a big “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” to one of our Watch Me Grow portrait club members- Robert Carollo.  Robert celebrates his third birthday tomorrow, and we hope he has a wonderful day filled with lots of fun and laughter!  Happy birthday, Robert!

*Attached to blog is “In the Creek” (one of my many favorites from Robert’s session last week).

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT THE BENEFITS OF OUR PORTRAITS CLUBS, PLEASE VISIT THE SAVINGS PAGE OF THE WEBSITE!

We wanted to extend a big welcome to our newest Their First Year portrait club member- Connor Chandler.  Connor was born on August 1st at _ in San Antonio.  He weighed in at 6 pounds, 5 ounces and was 19.5 inches long.  He is welcomed by his father Patrick, his mother Karen, and many friends and family.We cannot wait to see this little guy grow up in front of the camera!

*Portrait with this blog is “Comfy” (a favorite from Connor’s newborn session a couple of weeks ago).

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT THE BENEFITS OF OUR PORTRAITS CLUBS, PLEASE VISIT THE SAVINGS PAGE OF THE WEBSITE!

Whether you like sweet smiles, gummy grins, or big laughs, we photographed them all over this past year.  So vote for your favorite!  Review the following portraits and click on the Survey button to cast your vote.

Participation rules:
Contestants were taken from children’s sessions only (no portraits from newborn or family sessions were eligible).  Only sessions taken within the past year were used.  No family of Amy’s or Alice’s were able to participate.

Voting rules:
You may vote just once for your favorite overall.  Or you may vote up to three times (one vote in each separated section).  One voting opportunity per e-mail address.  All extra votes will be dismissed.  By submitting your e-mail to vote, you are agreeing to be added to our e-newsletter list, but you may unsubscribe at any time if you are not happy with our services.  Voting begins on September 1st and will run through September 30th.

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a fun morning!  We got up, got dressed, and headed to the parade line-up on Main Street.  We decorated for a good hour and then proceeded to work the crowds.  The theme was backyard bbq.  So on the trailer was our picnic table, our big umbrella, a picnic basket, ice chests, and Nathan standing at the grill.  The kids riding on the trailer threw out candy while Myk, Alice, and I walked alongside to hand out cascarones, pamphlets, and t-shirts.  It was hot, we got tuckered out, but it was a blast.  And Cheesy Jane’s for lunch was just perfect for the tired crew.

THANKS so much to everyone who helped today- you have no idea how much I appreciate your support!

Trailer rental- $40
30 dozen cascarones- $55
T-shirts- $200
Candy- $60
Lunch at Cheesy Jane’s- $100
A fun morning and a great marketing opportunity- Priceless

PS- If you’re ever needing a trailer to rent, give Eagle Trailer Sales a ring.  Between the fantastic price and their friendly service, we were very happy with our decision to do business with them.

With the addition of our son in June, we were due for new portraits.  First we took individuals- one of me to be used on the website, one of Nathan to use as he pleases, and the boys together and alone for albums and for the grandparents.  And then we had the task of putting all of us together, having all of us looking at the camera, and trying to have all of us smiling.  With my dad behind the lens, my mom making funny noises next to him, and my ability to do a headswap on Ben, attached is my favorite…

I’m always finding cool things on the internet.  Here’s another- Wordle.  Type in words, choose colors, pick a layout, and wait for a “wordle” to be created…

Trustworthy, reliable, caring, loving babysitter needed for Evan (currently two months old) possibly one morning a week while I take a session or print consult, help at Curington, or run errands.  Pay depends on experience.  References a must.  Please e-mail your name and phone number to amy@shutter-happy.com so we may then speak over the phone (as I do not want to give our home phone number out over the blog).

*Attached to article is “Night’s Slumber” (one of the oh-so-MANY favorites from baby Carter’s newborn session last week).

Are you keeping up with what’s going on around town?  Heard about this new website?  It’s Boerne Today.  I’m not only checking up on happenings on the site, but I’m also busy taking part in their surveys and submitting our events to their calendar.  Great place for the community!

*Portrait with blog is “Family” (a favorite from Andy, Leigh Ann, Kayla, and Peyton’s family portrait session last week).

I want to tell you about a new preschool in Boerne I heard about recently that may be just what some of you parents of preschoolers are looking for.  When my three oldest daughters were preschoolers in the community we lived in most preschools were small businesses run in the homes of the preschool teachers.  The advantages over the bigger programs were smaller classes, lower cost and a familiar environment. 

The school I just found, Little Learners Preschool, will be run by Laura Serratos, a mother of a kindergartener and a preschooler herself.  There will be hands on learning, local field trips, and the curriculum will include letters, numbers, colors, shapes, letter sounds, math, science, music, etc.  There will be about six children in each class.

The classes are divided by age and there will be two options for each age:

3 year old classes: T & Th 8:30 to 11:30am  & 12:15 to 3:15pm with the option to stay through lunch and both classes (talk to Laura for details).  $60/mon

4 year old classes: MWF 8:30 to 11:30am and 12:15 to 3:15pm with the same option as above.  $70/mon

Classes start at the end of August and are located at 32127 IH10 West in Boerne.

To enroll or get more information call (210)296-7335.

Every one of our children are different and some of them do better in smaller groups and a more home-like environment.  If you know someone else who might benefit from this information please pass this on. 

Have a great new school year!!

*Portrait sketch attached is “Bath Time!” (a favorite from Morgan and Landon’s session with their new puppy Bella).

Blog Special- Place a $100+ qualifying print order from now until November 15th and mention this special to receive a FREE pewter snowflake Christmas ornament as a gift from us!

We wanted to extend a big welcome to our newest Their First Year portrait club member- Lillian Carollo.  Lillian was born on July 4th at _ in the morning in San Antonio.  She weighed in at _ pounds, _ ounces and was _ inches long.  She is welcomed by her father John, her mother Marli, her big brother Robert, and many friends and family.We cannot wait to see this sweet little girl grow up in front of the camera!

*Portrait with this blog is “Held, So Loved” (a favorite from Lillian’s newborn session a couple of weeks ago).

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT THE BENEFITS OF OUR PORTRAITS CLUBS, PLEASE VISIT THE SAVINGS PAGE OF THE WEBSITE!