Category Archives: specials

UKraine Fundraiser (Winnipeg Photographers)

I am very upset by the atrocities in the war in Ukraine and I want to do what I can to help, so I decided to do a fundraiser with money going to the Canadian Red Cross for Ukraine. Here is the website I will be donating to.

PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM EXTENDING THIS SPECIAL TO APRIL 24th.

https://www.redcross.ca/donate/appeal/donate-to-the-ukraine-humanitarian-crisis-appeal#9cfdcd2b-85a7-4899-ada2-f8bdae8d0939

This special means that you will pay only $50 for a full hour photography session, plus get an 8×10 print of your choosing from the session. That’s a value of  $150 for only $50 and I will donate that $50 to the Canadian Red Cross.

This is in effect from  April 3rd to the 24th (including Easter weekend) and includes up to 4 people.  I welcome dogs so please bring your furry family friends. This special is just in time for Mother’s Day and I know mothers love to get pictures of their families, so why not take advantage of this special and use the print(s) as a gift for your mom?

This special does not include newborn sessions as they take much longer than an hour. 

Other prints and digital images are available. Ask me for prices if you are interested but please note that I do not sell digital images separately from prints. 

Dog Model Call (Winnipeg Dog Photography)

Leave a comment

One of the gifts I received for Christmas is the book pictured here. It is called The Year of the Dog by Vincent J. Musi.

the-year-of-the-dogs

I love this book of dog portraits and stories. It got me thinking about creating my own book of dog portraits, so I am doing a dog model call so that I can get a collection of dog portraits to use for a book. All dogs pictures will be taken in my studio on either a white or a black backdrop and will be compiled into a photo book. 

If you are interested, please send me an email and I will forward an application to you, or click on the link below for an application

 

link for application.

You will need to send a $50 retainer to reserve your appointment. This retainer will be refunded to you or you can use it to purchase additional products (besides the 8×10 print that comes with this offer). Emails can be sent to christina@chrismcwilliamsphotography.com. 

I will need to make arrangements for my dog Zara to be out of the house at the time of doing these sessions so appointments  will be planned around that. I want to photograph most dog sessions on Feb. 1st, but I am open to doing sessions on another date if you can’t make it on the 1st. Zara is very possessive of her house and would likely bark continually if she is here when another dog comes so we need to make arrangements for her to leave. 

Winnipeg Pet Photographers

Winnipeg Free Dog Photo Session!

                         I hope to hear from you! 

November Special! (Winnipeg Family Photography)

Leave a comment

November is the time to get your pictures taken for your family Christmas card. And just in time, I have a November special of NO SESSION FEE. This is good for a one hour family session for up to 6 people (or dogs and people). It does not include newborn sessions.

Please note that digital images and prints are not included.

I’m really excited to use the new winter/holiday backdrop shown in the background of the above image. I used it for this image of my favorite model; my dog.

 

Christmas Special

November is the time to get your pictures taken for your family Christmas card. And just in time, I have a November special of NO SESSION FEE. This is good for a one hour family session for up to 6 people (or dogs and people). It does not include newborn sessions.

Please note that digital images and prints are not included.

I’m really excited to use the new winter/holiday backdrop shown in the background of the above image. I used it for this image of my favorite model; my dog.


Then I added it digitally to this image of these beautiful children:

 

Isn’t it beautiful!

The first 2 people who contact me will also get a free 8×10 print. . I will need a $50 deposit to reserve your spot, which you can use as a credit for a print.
This does not include newborn sessions as they take more time.

Call today to reserve your spot: 204.962.3424.

Newsletter August 2019: (Winnipeg Photographers Newsletters)

Leave a comment

Lights, Camera, Editing, Portraits!

We’ve Moved!

Moving ended up being a monumental task, but it’s all done now. I never had any idea how much “stuff” I had  until I had to pack it all and bring it over here.  But we are moved now and I’m ready to use my new space for some newborn and baby pictures. At this time of the year, most people want family pictures outdoors and I will do those as well in any of the parks in the city. I prefer parks that are closer to me,  like Kildonan Park, Bird’s Hill Park and Kilcona Park but I’m open to going to other parks as well.

I took some quick cell phone pictures of the studio space.

There are also some beautiful trees in the yard that I’m itching to use as backdrops. We have a lot of work to do in the yard: pruning, weeding and mowing, but we both love gardening, so it’s a labour of love.

Free Newborn Session

I’m excited to do my first newborn session in the studio shown above, so I’m offering a free session. I realize that babies don’t come on command and I can be flexible on the dates, but the newborn does need to be under 2 weeks old. Please pass this on to anyone you know who might be having a baby soon.

How Family Portraits Boost your

Child’s Self Esteem!

I recently read an article from a site called Design Aglow (https://designaglow.com/blogs/design-aglow/17493452-how-family-portraits-boost-your-child-s-self-esteemand) and I  wanted to pass along some of the insights that the author offered.

 This image is borrowed from the website listed above.

The author, Chris Cummins, writes about how displaying your family photos on the wall for all to see can help children be more confidence in their own worth and abilities.

He cites the words of some psychologists and social workers as follows:

David Krauss, a licensed psychologist from Cleveland, Ohio says, “I think it is really important to show a family as a family unit. It is so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued and important part of that family unit.”

“It lets children learn who they are and where they fit,” says Judy Weiser. a psychologist, art therapist and author based in Vancouver. “They learn their genealogy and the uniqueness of their own family and its story. When a child sees a family portrait with them included in the photograph they say to themselves: ‘These people have me as part of what they are, that’s why I belong here. This is where I come from.” 

“Displaying photos prominently in the home sends the message that our family and those in it are important to one another, and we honor the memories we have experienced,“ says Cathy Lander-Goldberg, a licensed clinical social worker and a professional photographer in St. Louis, Missouri.

Additionally, Krauss recommends having photographs of that child with their family placed in the child’s bedroom so it can be among the last things they see before sleep and the first thing they may see before beginning their day.

I love the idea of having a child seeing their family picture as the last thing before they go to sleep and the first thing in the morning. What a powerful message of belonging that would send to a child!

Do you have family portraits up on your walls? Or does your child need to turn on a computer to see them? Maybe it’s time to do some wall art! Give me a call if you would like to book a session for family pictures. There is no better time than the fall, when the leaves have changed colours and the heat of the summer is gone.

And Finally

I have challenged myself to do 100 Days of Gratitude on Instagram. You can follow me here @chris_mcwill_photog. I’m on Day 13 today and I think it has made a difference in my perspective. I am feeling more positive and I am more focused on the positive things in my life, instead of dwelling on the difficult “stuff.”  We all have difficulties in life but the difference is not on how many difficulties we have, but on how we handle them.  It’s like whether you see your glass as half full or half empty. Mine is definitely more than half full and I feel truly blessed. This challenge is making me realize that. Just 87 days to go!

Have you ever tried a gratitude journal? Let me know if it made a difference to you.

Yours in Photography,

Christina

Valentine’s Day Savings! (Winnipeg Photography Specials)

Leave a comment

If you’ve been waiting to get a portrait of your child or of you and your honey, this is the special that you’ve been waiting for!

For only $50 you will receive a 45 minute session, plus 2 5×7 prints, including low resolution digital images of those prints.

This is available for a limited time only, so don’t delay. The regular price of a session is $80 and the 2 5x7s are another $80; so this is a savings of $110!!  I guarantee that you will love your pictures and that we will have fun doing the session.

Don’t delay. Call or text me today at 204.962.3424. 

V

2019: What to keep and what to change? (Winnipeg Photographers)

Leave a comment

The beginning of a new year is a great time to assess my business, to consider what what to change and what to keep the same.

What worked:

A lot of things worked well in 2018; most notably my  introduction of In Person Sales (in place of online galleries). I was very resistant to doing IPS, because I am not a sales person. I don’t ever want to feel like I am pushing someone to spend money. But it really is true that the images I show clients sell themselves and the moment when clients see their pictures is irreplaceable. It is empowering and is very gratifying to me.

I sold more products in 2018 and will continue to do so. A  professionally printed print, wall art or an album is the natural end product of a photography session. A digital image is not. Part of the art of photography is to see images printed and see a concrete sample of the image. I will continue to sell products to my clients, but will include digital images as that is what clients want.

What’s new:

I am introducing a new kind of session in 2019; a mini newborn session. I’m doing this for a couple of reasons, but most notably because many newborn moms are exhausted from lack of sleep and don’t want to be in a hot studio for 3 or 4 hours.  A mini newborn session is shorter. It is  an hour and a half, baby is wrapped for all poses and the focus is on baby pictures. Family pictures can be done at the 6 month stage when moms are more rested. I will still be doing full newborn sessions with parent and sibling pictures if that’s what your family decides on. But I think this is a great option.

As an introductory offer, and because Jan is a very slow month, I am offering 2 free mini newborn sessions. If you want a full newborn session for $125, I will deduct $80 from your session fee, giving you a full newborn session for only $45.

Pass this on to anyone you know who is expecting in the next couple of months. Be one of the first people to contact me and get this session free!

Mini Newborn Sessions!

 

Holiday Backdrops! (Winnipeg Family Holiday Photography)

Leave a comment
Winter Snow Scene

I’ve been very busy in the studio planning and making up 3 Christmas Holiday scenes to use as backdrops.

I’m extending my holiday special for another week as times are filling up fast for the first week.

Here are the 3 backdrops that are available:

 

The first one has bokeh lights in gold with a glittery backdrop. Mr. Santa Teddy did me the honour of posing for me!

Holiday Lights in Gold  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one has a wooden backdrop with some toys to make it look rustic.

Christmas in the workshop

The third one has some Christmas trees and some snow in the studio! Mr. Santa Teddy was a very cooperative model for me as you can see!

Winter Snow Scene

Snow Scene

Christmas and Holiday Special! (Winnipeg Photography Specials)

Leave a comment

Christmas Special!

November is the time to get your pictures taken for the family Christmas card. I don’t design or offer Christmas cards, so I am making digital images available without the purchase of a print. That way you can use one of the many templates found online for your cards.

Of course, prints will still be available, but for this special you will receive 2 high-resolution digital files of your choice. We will use 2 backdrops in a 40 minute session. This can include up to 5 people.

The first 3 people who contact me will get an additional savings of $50. I will need a $50 deposit to reserve your spot and then an additional $30 when you come for the session; a savings of $50. Don’t delay, as I will have a limited number of spots available.

This does not include newborn sessions, as it would be nearly impossible to do a newborn session in 30 minutes.

Fall Sessions

I had a very busy fall season this  year and I want to thank all of the clients who booked a session, There are very few leaves left on the trees but if you are interested in an outdoor session in the next couple of weeks, I can find some spots with colourful leaves or evergreens as a backdrop.

Here are some of the images from the fall sessions:

 


 

And Finally,

Many of you have met my dog, Zara. This week, I wanted to try creating a bokeh effect in the studio with some new lights. I didn’t have a model available, so I decided to use my dog.

Our dogs are never  allowed in the studio, so I had to put a leash on Zara to get her down there. The image below shows the look that Zara gave me. It’s the same look she has when she thinks she’s in trouble.

It’s titled “Obedience with Disdain”.

 

Yours in Photography,

Christina

Free Pet Portraits and News of Summer 2018! (Winnipeg Photography Newsletters)

Leave a comment

Finally it’s summer!

This is an exciting summer for John and me because we are  getting married on July 7th! Our wedding will be at Victoria Beach. We hope it will be on the beach and that we will have a beautiful summer day, but it will be a beautiful day one way or another. After the wedding, we are going to spend 10 days in Newfoundland, the only province that John and I haven’t been in.

In the meantime, we are spending a lot of time getting the cabin ready for July 7th. John is finishing the porch and the sun room and I’m painting furniture and planting flowers. In between all of that we are taking the dogs for long walks. They love playing in the water at the beach. It really is heaven on earth and we love it there.

John and I at Victoria Beach.

One of many amazing sunsets at the beach. 

My studio will be closed from July 4th until July 21st. Let me know asap if you are interested in a portrait session this summer so that  I can accommodate you before or after these dates.

Free Pet Portraits

Do you have a professional portrait of your dog? Have you ever thought about getting one? This is your chance!

I am partnering with a local pet shop named Leo and Co Pet Shop. Leo and Co is located on the corner of Gateway Rd and Sun Valley Drive and offers many interested pet products including a $10 pet bath and $10 nail trims on Thursday evenings (6 to 7 pm) and on Sundays (12 to 1 pm).

Stacey, the owner of Leo and Co. believes in offering our dogs the best in food, treats and everything else dog. For example, pictured here is marigold spray which will keep mosquitoes off of your dog, natural organic treats and handmade collars that you can’t buy anywhere else in Winnipeg.

As well you can find every kind of chew: chicken feet, pig’s ears and deer chews.

     

If you are interested in this offer all you need to do is stop in at Leo’s and fill in an entry form. It’s that simple. I am going to choose the lucky winners on June 18th.

Don’t delay. Stop by Leo’s this weekend!

Here are a couple of the adorable dogs that I’ve photographed.

Time

We hear a lot about how important it is to be in the moment and how quickly time passes. The video below is the probably the most powerful message about time that I have seen. I can’t post the video here, but here is the youtube link for it. Please watch it. I guarantee that you’ll be glad you did.
Once we realize how quickly time passes, it becomes even more important to make every day count and to do the things that we love in the time that we have. Taking that a step further, it becomes even more important to document this time in our lives. And what better way to do that than to have portraits of ourselves and our family to look back on. Not only for us but for generations to come. Digital images on your iphone aren’t going to be around in 100 years. Prints will be. Be sure to make prints. I can’t emphasize this enough. We are a generation that takes more pictures than ever before, but they will all be lost and there won’t be a visual record to share with future generations unless we make prints.

Dog Wisdom

John and I love our dogs and when I was looking for a picture for our bathroom I wanted a poster that reflected that. I made this up. I think it has a lot of truisms in it.
I can get one made up for you as well. Let me know if you are interested and I will give you a price.

Yours in Photography,

Christina

Free Pet Portrait! (Winnipeg Pet Photographers)

Leave a comment

I love dogs and have recently started a gallery of some of the dogs that I’ve photographed.

You can see that gallery here:

https://www.chrismcwilliamsphotography.com/PhotoPortfolio/Dog-Photography/

I’ve posted a few of my dog portraits below.

I would love to photograph more dogs, as well as other pets and so I am offering a free pet portrait with a $100 print credit to a few lucky people.

To enter this contest, all you need to do is drop into Leo and Co Pet Shop ( http://leo-co-pet-shop.business.site/) and fill in an entry form. Leo and Co is found at 1501-B Gateway Rd, in the strip mall at the corner of Sun Valley and Gateway. Drop in and fill in the form and talk to Stacey, the owner. Have a look at all the amazing products that she has while you’re there or take advantage of the $10 pet bath or the $10 nail trim on Thursday evenings.

Don’t delay. The end date for this contest is June 18th, at which time you will be contacted if you are chosen.

And here are some of my favorite dogs portraits!