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Change is GOOD!

What an adventure we have been on! In January of 2019, we had an investor interested in purchasing our 2 buildings in downtown Frisco. We were not trying to sell our studio. We had been in this location for 27 years and our business was solid. Over the years there had been several people who wanted to buy but the timing never seemed right and the offers didn’t seem real. This time was different. We knew this offer was legitimate and possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity for us and the future of The Rail District.

The more we thought about it, the more excited we got to make the change. We had been doing things the same for a really long time, and change is good. We already had a studio space in our home that we built in 2001. We built it thinking we would shoot in both McKinney and Frisco, but it became apparent early on that going back and forth didn’t work out well. We turned the space into a game area and never used it again for photography but we knew that down the road when we were OLD we could use it again for a studio space. Well, we aren’t really OLD (does 54 count?) but, on June 28, 2019, we closed on the sale of the downtown buildings and officially began operating in McKinney on July 9, 2019. Our “new” space includes an indoor camera area, a dressing room/sales and design room, and gorgeous areas in the front and backyard including a dry creek area, stone wall with antique door area, lush landscaping, rocks, walls, arbors, etc. In addition, our home is located across the street from a large green space with lots of trees, grasses, seasonal wildflowers, etc. In reality, we have more to choose from than we had in Frisco and we have some pretty cool locations around the area that we regularly utilize.

Change is good. It’s been lots of hard work, but things are going well thanks to our amazing clients who trust what we do. We have kept the things that worked the same…….Kurt is still the ONLY photographer, Marilyn is our creative designer and retoucher and we still do in person sales sessions. We even have the same phone # 972-335-3686! We’ve made some modern changes too……we now ship orders directly to clients alleviating unnecessary trips back to the studio. Sales/design sessions are with KURT – he is the expert and can help in making the best decisions. Since we are in a home setting, our clients can see our products in a similar environment as their own.

Be sure to follow us on all of our social media channels and our website to stay updated on the happenings at Innovative Images. The adventure continues!

Senior Model – Peyton Harwell

As a seasoned basketball player, it makes sense that his favorite quote is, ” You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Peyton Harwell has been playing on the Varsity basketball team for 3 years at Liberty High School in Frisco.

When it comes to High School traditions, Peyton is a huge fan of Homecoming, and loves the basketball Pep Rallies. So far, his most treasured high school memory is when he got to go to state playoffs for basketball. Doesn’t get much better than that!

When he’s not playing basketball, you will find him playing PS4, hanging out with friends, or indulging in his favorite movies, the Harry Potter series.

Peyton is an outgoing guy, he’s got a unique style and is a lot of fun to be around. Curious about what music gets him pumped for the game? Tee Grizley’s music is his, “go to” playlist

Peyton has his sights on college after high school. Congratulations Peyton! Enjoy your Senior Year!!!

Client Spotlight – Madison Mainer

Meet Miss Madison Mainer – 2019 Senior

Madison’s schedule stays pretty full as a soccer player, and Cheerleader for Legacy Christian Academy. When she’s not on the field, you will find her relaxing with her cat Lulu, drawing, or working out.

Her style is trendy, which lends itself to her favorite high school tradition, of wearing jeans on Friday. Being that the rest of the week she has to be in uniform, getting to express herself through fashion on Friday has become extra special.

As for now, Madison’s favorite memory she will take with her from her time in high school is Prom! We are certain that during her senior year she will make many more memories that she will cherish.

Post Malone tracks fill her playlist, and, “Legally Blonde,” is the movie you’ll find on replay at her house. She draws inspiration from Blake Lively, and the scripture, 1 Corinthians 16:13 13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

Madison dreams of having a career that involves art and fun (of course)!  Congratulations Madison!!! We wish you all of the best!

Client Spotlight- Rex Collins

Rex Collins is a 2019 Senior at McKinney Christian Academy, and one of our awesome Senior Models!

This outgoing, personable young man, has a heart of gold – and a smile to match. His favorite high school memory this far, was watching the family in Guatemala, that his team built a home for, accept Christ.

Rex’s favorite movie is, “Urban Cowboy.” This photo shoot perfectly captured Rex’s inner, “Urban Cowboy!” When it comes to his favorite musical artist, it’s a tie between Waylon Jennings or George Jones. As you can see, Rex’s style is casual, but he always makes sure he’s looking good.

Maxbeau, the precious white lab, is Rex’s buddy, and companion. You can feel the love and connection they share. Maxbeau is often with Rex while he is doing the things he loves, like fishing, talking on the phone, reading the Bible, and finding ways to help the people he loves.

Post high school goals for this authentic guy? Helping people in their faith, and having a good family, is what success means to him, qualities and goals that have likely been instilled by the person he looks up to most, his, “Pop.” Drawing inspiration from his favorite quote, “Life is too short to get in a hurry,” will surely fuel his well lived days.

Congratulations Rex! We are excited to see all of the wonderful ways you impact the world!

Family Portraits Boost Self Esteem

Experts say Family Portraits have a Positive Effect on Children’s Self Esteem

We all love having family portraits adorn our walls, however, experts say hanging portraits on your walls is serving a much higher purpose.

An interesting, and rarely discussed aspect of family photography, is how it instills our children with more confidence, and self worth. When asked,  How can family portraits assist in boosting a child’s self-esteem?, Dr. David Krauss, a licensed psychologist from Cleveland, Ohio said,  “ It is so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued, and important part of a family unit.  A photographer’s job is to create, and make the image look like a safe holding space for kids, where they are safe and protected. Kids get it on a really simple level.” Krauss is one of the earliest pioneers in using people’s personal photography and family albums to assist in mental health counseling and therapy. He co-authored “Photo Therapy and Mental Health” in 1983 that is considered a founding text for the use of photography in therapy.

Additionally, Judy Weiser, a psychologist, art therapist, and author says, “It lets children learn who they are, and where they fit,”  Weiser has spend more than 20 years  using photography to aid in treatment for her clients. She is considered to be the foremost authority on a treatment technique called PhotoTherapy. “They learn their genealogy, and the 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.’”

Digitals or Prints?

Which will have the greatest positive impact for your child?

 It has become more common for us to enjoy, and store our portraits and photographs solely on our digital devices. So, we are left asking ourselves, Do digital images have the same positive impact on a child’s self esteem?  In response to that question, Dr. Krauss states, “My bias is very simple. I think they (family portraits) should be on the wall. I am very conservative about self-esteem, and I think placing a family photo, someplace in the home where the child can see it every day, without having to turn on a device, or click around on a computer to find it really hits home for that child this sense of reassurance and comfort. They have a certainty about them, and a protecting quality that nurtures a child. It lets them know where they are in the pecking order and that they are loved and cared for.”

The importance of printed photographs displayed in your living space was echoed by other experts.

“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 and the director of Photo Explorations, which offers workshops to girls and women using portrait and journaling for self-reflection.  

Additionally, Dr. 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. “It says we love you, and care about you. You’re important.”

Client Spotlight-Claire Carney

Meet Miss Claire Carney – Senior Model 2019

Claire is entering her senior year at Allen High School, and she is not just another pretty face! She spends much of her time serving others. This summer she went to Haiti, on her third mission trip to help the children and churches there. She will spend her senior year being a member of PALS, a group that mentors elementary students. Claire is also excited to be a part of, “Blessings in a Backpack” for the third year. This wonderful group packs 90 bags of food per week for children at local elementary schools to take home on the weekends to ensure they have food to eat.

Claire keeps her style casual, and she loves her dog Miles. Her friends describe her as kind and funny. When she’s not out helping others, you will find her on the soccer field. To date, going to the playoffs with her soccer team has been her favorite high school memory.

When it comes to High School traditions, Claire is like the majority of Texans, and LOVES Friday night football. Imagine Dragons are at the top of her Playlist, and the she can’t get enough of the the movie, “The Internship.”

Claire finds inspiration from her parents, and loves hanging out with her friends.

 

 

Congratulations Claire! You have already blessed the lives of so many! Looking forward to see where life takes you!!

 

 

Celebrating Milestones

Time seems to be flying by at an increasingly uncomfortable speed. Holidays, birthdays, EVERY DAY seems to be passing by, almost un-lived. This frenzied pace has made those moments, hours, and days, that we reclaim our lives, and do something intentionally-incredibly liberating.

As the Director of Sales at Innovative Images, I get the opportunity to assist clients in preserving moments in the most beautiful way. We have the privilege of freezing time, giving people the opportunity to revisit a time period, a milestone, a moment… forever. I have passionately pursued being a part of companies who produce products, and experiences that I truly value, and hold dear. Photography, is no exception to this rule.

This summer, my family celebrated a Milestone Birthday. My lovely mom turned 60!.

My mom flew here, to Texas, from Utah, my sister came from Virginia, and we let the busy-ness of what life has become, continue on without our participation. It was such a fulfilling experience, to carve out time, and intentionally make space in our lives to honor the woman she is in this moment.

 

We went on new adventures, enjoyed slow mornings- with long talks over coffee, and were intensely present with each other.  I chose to celebrate this occasion with a photo shoot, as I want to be able to revisit this time in my life, forever. I am so incredibly happy that I did. Every time I look at these portraits, I am whisked back to this summer, laughing with my precious mom and sister, and time stands still.

This portrait session will forever be one of the best ways we have celebrated, and the portraits produced will be the gift that keeps on giving.

 









 

 

 

Client Spotlight – Ashley Cooley

Say Hello to Miss Ashley Cooley- Senior Model 2019

As a varsity cheerleader at Wakeland, Ashley’s favorite memories of high school have been cheering under the Friday night lights of Texas Football. She loves the themed student sections at football games!

Ashley also participates in Frisco ISD’s Health Science Program, where she gets to shadow nurses and doctors at local hospitals. She has been able to earn her CNA (Certified Nurses Assistant) license as a part of her training in the Health Science Program.

Ashley enjoys volunteering at local philanthropies, including Ronald McDonald House, Sunrise Senior Center, and Frisco Family Services as a member of the Frisco Chapter of the National Charity League ) a mother /daughter service and leadership organization).

As a former member of Wakeland Legacy Line Drill Team, and a member of the competitive dance team at Power House Dance- it goes without saying that this girl loves to dance! Her spare time is spent hanging out with friends, playing with her little dog Sophie, babysitting, or watching her favorite movie, “The Notebook.”

 

 

Ashley draws inspiration from her mom and sister, and finds encouragement and strength in Isaiah 41:10- Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Ashley is doing wonderful things in this world. She plans to attend Baylor or Clemson in the fall, and pursue a degree in nursing.

Congratulations Ashley!

 

Client Spotlight- Kacey Fought

Say Hello to Kacey Fought – Senior Model 2019

This kindhearted girl is a senior at Wakeland High School. She is a Cheerleader, and member of NHS, NCL, NTHS, DECA, and Student Council! And when she’s not participating in one of these many extracurricular activities, she’s working at the D-bat, batting cage.

 

Kacey’s favorite high school tradition is Carnival, and cheering at football games. She keeps her style classy and on trend, loves hanging out with old friends, and making new friends.

 

Kacey draws inspiration from her parents, and loves the verse, Proverbs 3:5-6 :

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.a]

After high school, Kacey plans to go to college, and get a degree in business.

 

Congratulations Kacey!!!

 

Photograph vs. Portrait

Photograph vs. Portrait

Both photographs, and portraits, are wonderful ways to preserve our memories, however, they do not serve the same purpose.

 

 

A photograph is a quick capture of a special moment;

A portrait is timeless, it is planned, and prepared for.

 

Photographs are deleted from you phone after your storage is full;

Portraits are handed down from generation to generation.

Photographs float in invisible clouds;

Portraits proudly hang on the walls of our homes.

We’d love to create your portrait.

Your Life, Your Love, Your Legacy. Innovative Images.