Gift of Portraiture Gift Cards - Birthday Special!

In celebration of my birthday today, I'm giving YOU a present - just in time for the beginning of the holiday shopping season!

TODAY ONLY for the first TEN customers to call!

Purchase a $100 Mikkean Photography Gift of Portraiture Gift Card for a family member, for a friend, or even for yourself and we'll give you a gift of another $100 Gift Card to share or keep for your self! Limit 1 per family.

Purchase a $50 Mikkean Photography Gift of Portraiture Gift Card and we'll give you a gift of another $50 Gift Card to share or keep. Limit 1 per family.

To take advantage of this special birthday offer, be one of the first 10 to call the studio at (904) 485-7110 by 8:00 PM tonight. Leave a message with your first and last name, phone number, and desired amount and we will call you back on Tuesday to process your order.

The Gift Cards may be used toward the purchase of prints and services at our Mikkean Photography Studio in Orange Park beginning in 2013.

Our gift cards make GREAT gifts for Christmas, Hanukkah, Birthday, Anniversary, Just Because, and even a Baby Shower gift for an expectant mom (for maternity or newborn portraits).

Each Gift Card is the size of a credit card, fits perfectly in a wallet and is beautifully packaged and ready for you to give. And, if you'd like, we will even mail it to the recipient for you at no extra charge!

Don't wait! Give a gift that is as unique as the recipient and one that will be greatly appreciated and treasured for a lifetime - the Gift of Portraiture from Mikkean Photography.

"White Christmas" Holiday Portraits and Cards {Orange Park Children Portraits}

Thanksgiving is almost here and Christmas and the holidays are in the air which means it's almost time to be thinking about your annual Christmas cards! Our beautiful "White Christmas" set is only available for your family, kids, or pet's portrait for a very limited time. Appointments are now being scheduled for a Mini Session that includes 25 custom designed cards (envelopes included)!

Call or email us to schedule your White Christmas appointment. We have limited dates and times available between November 24 - 30th. Payment is due at the time of scheduling to reserve your appointment time.

And, as a special gift, if you're one of the first 10 to schedule your appointment, you'll receive a $100 Mikkean Photography Gift Card that you can use on a future appointment or give as a gift to someone special.

Click the image below to enlarge!

 

For little ones, we have some beautiful winter sleighs that look great with this set!

Kutting for Kids 2009 - What an Awesome Event!

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of Kutting for Kids, an annual First Coast event started by Jeannie Blalock of First Coast News, as a drive to get donations for Locks of Love. The hair collected is crafted into custom wigs for children who do not have hair due to medical reasons. It takes six to ten donated ponytails to make just one hairpiece and each ponytail must be at least 10-inches long!

This year again, I had the incredible opportunity to photograph this amazing event at the Orange Park Mall. Seeing all the wonderful people who selflessly donate their beautiful locks. Last I heard, the total amount of hair collected was 7,004 INCHES! WOW!!! This year I was especially proud because my beautiful daughter also donated her hair, although she had it cut a few weeks ago because she wouldn't be in town this week. Her donation put the total over 7,000. Way to go Mikaela!!

A lot of people who donated last year brought back their spouses and children to donate this year! Next year, the last year crowd will be ready to donate again!

I captured over 450 smiles, tears, cuts, styles and expressions this year. These, along with those photographs from the other volunteer photographers, will be posted to the First Coast News website in a few days, as will the before and after shots! Until then, here are just a few I selected to share and a few short stories about some of these wonderful people!

First let's meet some of the beautiful children that these wigs may one day help!



Dorian is shown below with the wig that he already received!

And just a few of those who donated!
First is my little guy. He didn't donate his hair, but he was excited to turn in his sister's hair!




As soon as she saw her ponytail, she had an ear to ear smile. I think she was just a little bit nervous!






I had a blast watching this guy and his buddies. They all came in together and they all donated their hair. They were so funny as they all were taking photos of each other in multiple ponytails! In the second image, you can see the three buddies standing behind their friend whose turn it was to have his hair cut. And, yes, they even measured the one guy's beard - but it wasn't quite long enough! Way to go guys! You're awesome!


Isn't this little guy such a cutie! His mom said he was 4 years old and the stylist cut his hair as mom and his brother looked on. As soon as his first ponytail was cut, the stylist handed it to him and he kept saying over and over again with a HUGE grin, "This is my hair. That's MY hair. Look at my hair." :) What a cutie pie!


This little girl was definitely not sure about her new haircut!

This next three images are from the same family. Mom came out and brought her two daughters. Both the girls got their hair cut first, then when they were done, mom got hers cut. The stylist could sense that mom was a little nervous so she asked the girls to come hold mom's ponytail as she cut it. Mom's tears came right after the cut so I suggested to the girls each give mom a hug. They did and mom held them tight. Shortly after, I asked them to all get together for a family moment with their new "do's".



Mom brought this 3 year old little guy in to get his hair cut. Can you see how long it was? He wanted to have nothing to do with it and the tears were just flowing from his eyes. Poor little man. The stylist finally got his hair into a ponytail and started cutting as mom was keeping him still in the chair - although he was fighting it. After she snipped off the ponytail and showed it to him, he reached back to where his long locks were no longer and realized it was gone - he got quite upset.He then put both his hands on the back of his head and held them there to tell the stylist not to cut anymore. He was fine after a few minutes and the stylist was able to finish the styling. By the end of it all, he was trying to sneak a tiny little smile.


This gentleman was the very last cut of the day. Yeah, the guys look a little funny when they have their hair cut, but they're so proud and we're proud of them, too!

We had some amazingly talented musicians for everyone's listening enjoyment.


Everyone was also entertained by dancers from the Step by Step Dance Studio of Argyle. From little ones like the ones below to the big kids - they all did a fantastic job!

And, of course, the event couldn't be complete with out some extra special fun for the kids! Several clowns entertained the young ones with balloon animals and face painting!

Model Search! Time to Vote!

We are excited to currently have four BEAUTIFUL children entered into the National Charity Model Search and we need everyone's help to vote for them as Jacksonville's Cutest Kid (and America's Cutest Kid) and to raise money for an awesome organization.

In just a few short weeks, this National Contest has raised more than $13,000 for the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep organization.

I know each of these children's parents would appreciate any votes you would like to give them and feel good knowing that each dollar goes directly to the charity! Please click each of their names below to go to their entry.

Miss Kelsey
Miss DarienBrianna
Mr. AlecZander
Mr. Keyan

To see how each child is currently doing in the contest, please click here.

Click the graphic below to enlarge:

Yummy Pizza with Food Processor Crust

If you're anything like me, when you read the title of this, you thought that a Food Processor Crust sounds very odd.

Yes, it is a bit unusual, but I can honestly say that this is the BEST TASTING PIZZA CRUST ever and so simple to make! It's a great family project as you can make two larger pizzas or 4 individual sized and let the kids create their own pizza masterpieces.

Pizza Crust Instructions

One 1/4 ounce packet of yeast (abt 2 1/4 teaspoons if using jarred yeast)
1 teaspoon sugar
2 to 2 1/2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon table salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Combine 3/4 cup warm water (105° to 115°F), the yeast, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the chopping blade; let stand five minutes.

Add 1 3/4 cups of the flour, the salt, and oil; process until a soft dough forms. Add as much of the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, as necessary to make the dough manageable.

Shape the dough in a ball, place in an oiled bowl, turning so an oiled surface is up.

Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 35 minutes.

Use as directed in a recipe or refrigerate for use up to one day later. If refrigerated, bring to room temperature before using.

Makes about 4 individual sized pizza crusts or 2 large pizzas.

For two larger pizzas, split the dough in half and gently spread the dough on a slightly greased cookie sheet. For 4 individual pizzas, divide dough into 4 and spread out two on a cookie sheet.

Top with tomato sauce, then sprinkle on garlic powder, basil, oregano and then top with your favorite toppings (mine are below) and bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for about 15-20 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.

My Favorite Pizza Toppings:

My favorite pizzas are veggie pizzas with little or no cheese and include all of the following of my favorite toppings:

Sliced Plum Tomatoes
Green Bell Peppers
Red Bell Peppers
Sweet Yellow Onions
Artichoke Hearts
Mushrooms
Black Olives

Yum! I hope you enjoy this as much as our family does! Tell me what your favorite toppings are!

Operation Love Reunited Information

The word is getting out about Operation: Love Reunited and we've been receiving an increased number of calls from military families wanting to take part in an OpLove session. That's awesome news! It's such a wonderful organization and I know that I can speak for all OpLove photographer volunteers, that it is our honor to photograph these sessions for our military.

Scheduling

As of this post, there are currently six local photographers who are volunteers for OpLove. Most of us run full-time studios so we can only accept a limited number of OpLove sessions a month. As soon as you think you may want an OpLove session for pre-deployment or mid-deployment, please contact our studio or any of the others for the greater Jacksonville area and we will accommodate you as soon as we are able to schedule you in. If there is a homecoming coming up soon, please call our studio or visit the OpLove website to find the other photographers in our area as soon as as you have finalized dates. Unfortunately, we need to accommodate our paying clients and it isn't possible if we're on a holding pattern for the span of a week. Having been a Navy wife myself, I know dates can change, so when you believe you have actual dates, please contact us!

Number of Sessions Per Year

Since OpLove is still gaining recognition, this may be something that many military families are not aware of.

OpLove only permits two sessions a year for each family - (1) session pre-deployment OR (1) session while deployed of family AND (1) Homecoming session when soldier returns from deployment, upon photographers availability. Using the same photographer for both types of sessions is not required.

If you have called and scheduled a pre-deployment or mid-deployment session with one OpLove photographer OR you have scheduled a homecoming session when the ship or squadron arrives, please don't also call the other photographers unless the photographer you first contacted is unable to accommodate you. We have found that some families have contacted two or more of the area OpLove photographers and we have all put you into our schedule.

Each session that we are contacted for, goes into a database at the time session is scheduled. Taking the time to sort through the confusion when multiple photographers are called means fewer families that can be accommodated. If one photographer commits to photographing your family or homecoming, then they have committed to it. The other photographers are then available to photograph these special moments for the other families. With this being such a huge military city, and a limited number of OpLove photographers, this is of great importance! So, please help us help as many families as possible by only scheduling with one photographer.

If you or your family are in pre-deployment, mid-deployment or have a homecoming in the near future, please contact our studio at 904-403-9553 for more information or visit the OpLove website for other OpLove photographers in our area.

Casting Continues for Jacksonville AND America's Cutest Kid! :: Jacksonville Children's Photographer

We all know that each one of us has the cutest kid ever! Now's the time to show it! We're still casting for the title of Jacksonville's Cutest Kid and America's Cutest Kid and raising money for Charity!

Contest details are in the post below!

Don't wait much longer, time is running out! Schedule your child's 30-minute model session today with the greater Jacksonville area Child Photographer, Keely Deuschle.

Jacksonville's Cutest Kid? America’s Cutest Kid? Your Child Could Be!

Do you think your child is the Cutest Kid in Jacksonville? Or even the Cutest Kid in America? He or she just may be! There's one way to find out!

Mikkean Photography is excited and proud to be an affiliated photographer for the National Charity Model Search to select the cutest child in Jacksonville who could possibly be named “America’s Cutest Kid” all while raising funds for charity.

We’re looking for cute children, boys and girls, between the ages 18 months to 14 years old who may just have what it takes to win!

The Jacksonville winner will be invited to model for the Jacksonville stop of the upcoming Tots2Teens tour presented by well-known child photographer, Sandy Puc', on March 5, 2009 and will be automatically in the running for the national grand prize.

If your child is selected as the national winner, you'll receive prizes including a $5,000 US Savings Bond and a Canon G10 digital camera!

Mikkean Photography studio prizes will be awarded for the studio's top winners, which we hope will be Jacksonville's winner and even the national winner! (Studio prizes to be announced at a later date).

Models Search Special:

There is a $25 contest entrance fee, which includes a 30 minute model session and one image submitted to the national gallery. Special print packages and products will also be available for purchase.

Jacksonville finalists will be determined by online votes on entries from all participating Jacksonville area professional photographers. Anyone may vote and you may vote as many times as you'd like. Each vote is $1, and all proceeds from votes benefit the non-profit organization Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS.org).

The grand prize national winner will be determined from the 50 city finalists and will be selected by photography and modeling industry experts.

For more information about this model search and contest, and/or to enter your child(ren), please call our studio at (904) 403-9553 or email us at modelsearch@mikkeanphotography.com. All Model Sessions must take place between January 1, 2009 and February 21, 2009 to be eligible for the contest.

Limited sessions are available and we're already scheduling appointments, so don't wait another minute! Call now for the best selection of session dates and times! For additional information about the contest, please visit www.sandypucmodels.com.

Happy New Year!

A new year has arrived and we're very excited about many things going on in the studio this year! We can't wait to share them with you!

We've been enjoying spending time together as a family with everyone out of school and Karl on vacation from work while the studio has been closed the last week and a half. While we didn't have any sessions scheduled, we've still been working on some awesome things for the studio, which of course, is always fun!

Our family ended the year with our annual New Year's Eve family tradition - fondue night with Chocolate fondue and strawberries, pound cake, pretzels and apples for dipping, and a scrumptious cheese fondue with French bread, vegetables and apples for dipping. We had some fireworks stashed away from the Fourth of July so we got those out and the kids had a lot of fun. They were all the sparkler type that stayed on the ground, but it didn't prevent us from enjoying them as all around the neighborhood, families were setting off the larger types!

Our little man wanted so badly to stay awake, but by 10:30, he was out. Nothing could wake him, so it was just Karl and I and our daughter to hug and kiss at midnight after which we set off a few more sparklers.

If anyone is in need of delicious fondue recipes, let me know and I'll share the ones that we made!

From our family to yours, we wish you a very happy, safe, and healthy 2009! Happy New Year!

So, what was your

Christmas and New Year Studio Schedule

Can you believe that there are only 19 days until Christmas? This year has flown by. It seems like just last year we were celebrating the turning of the century!

I am very much looking forward taking some time off to spend the Christmas holiday with my family. The kids will be off from school and hubby is even taking some much deserved vacation time, too! It's been far too long since we've been able to enjoy a vacation (at home) as a family!

We will be closing the studio for the holidays beginning on December 18 and reopening in the New Year on Tuesday, January 6. If you're one of our clients who already has a session scheduled the first weekend in January, don't fret! These sessions will be held!

And don't forget! As you're finishing up (or even just starting) your Christmas shopping, we have a free printable blank shopping list to help you as you shop!

2009 PPSNF Board of Directors!

I can't tell you how excited I am and also how honored I am to have been elected to the Board of Directors for 2009 for the Professional Photographers Society of North Florida (or PPSNF as we refer to it).

PPSNF is a local affiliate of the Professional Photographers of America and is an organization of over 100 professional photographers and industry related businesses in the greater Jacksonville area. As a professional guild, we continually work to improve the photographic industry in our area and assist the members with the success of their career through many educational opportunities.

During 2008, I assumed the duties as the webmaster for PPSNF and beginning in January 2009, I will officially be on the board, helping to continue to grow and make this already awesome organization even more awesome. I have learned and have grown so much as a photographer since joining this organization almost two years ago and it's truly an honor to have been nominated and elected to the board of one of the largest and most active PPA affiliates in the US!

Gift Card Sale! My Birthday Present to YOU!

In celebration of my birthday next Wednesday, I'm giving YOU a present - just in time for the beginning of the holiday shopping season!

For a very limited time - today through 5:00 pm on November 28th - purchase a Mikkean Photography Gift of Portraiture Gift Card for a family member, for a friend, or even for yourself and you will receive a 38% discount on the purchase of them!!! (Can you guess how old I'll be?!)



Purchase as many Gift of Portraiture Gift Cards as you'd like and receive the discount on each one. They do not have an expiration date and may be used towards the purchase of products and services at our Mikkean Photography studio.

* A $50 Gift Card is only $31
* A $100 Gift Card is only $62
* A $200 Gift Card is only $124

Our gift cards make GREAT gifts for Christmas, Hanukkah, Birthday, Anniversary, Just Because, and even a Baby Shower gift for an expectant mom (for maternity or newborn portraits).

Each Gift Card is the size of a credit card, fits perfectly in a wallet and is beautifully packaged and ready for you to give. And, if you'd like, we will even mail it to the recipient for you at no extra charge!

Don't wait! Give a gift that is as unique as the recipient and one that will be greatly appreciated and treasured for a lifetime - the Gift of Portraiture from Mikkean Photography.

For your convenience, we accept Visa and Mastercard. Call the studio at (904) 403-9553 to order your Gift Cards today!

Honoring Those Who Serve this Veterans Day

This beautiful day, the 11th day of the 11th month of November, we celebrate Veterans Day. Unfortunately, for many in our country, this day will be unnoticed. But for many is a solemn day to give recognition to those men and women who stand on foreign soils as well as here in the US who fight for all the rights we have been given and for our freedom and protection. It is also the day to give honor to those who gave their ultimate sacrifice and for the sacrifices of their families that were made in support of our great country. To all the soldiers of yesterday, today and tomorrow, my humble thanks for dedicating your life to our wonderful country.

As you may have read in earlier blog posts, on December 25, 2007 one of our own family members (my husband's cousin) gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Iraq - Sgt. Bryan Tutten. To Bryan - you are a true American hero and will be greatly missed. To Aunt Sylvia (Bryan's mom) and to Constandina, Catherine and Garreth (Bryan's wife and children), not a day goes by that I do not think of you. Bryan was a hero and today and every day, I am humbled by his courage, honor and sacrifice. Know that we will always be here for you all. We love and miss you, Bryan.

We Stood For Freedom
by Roger J. Robicheau, Former U.S. Army Specialist Fifth Class

We stood for freedom just like you
And loved the flag you cherish too
Our uniforms felt great to wear
You know the feel, and how you care.

In step we marched, the cadence way
The same is true with you today
Oh how we tried to do our best
As you do now, from test to test
How young we were and proud to be
Defenders of true liberty.

So many thoughts bind soldiers well
The facts may change, not how we jell
Each soldier past, and you now here
Do share what will not disappear
One thought now comes, straight from my heart
For soldiers home, who've done their part.

I'm honored to have served with you
May Godly peace, help get you through
And now I'll end with a request
Do ponder this, while home at rest
America, respect our day
Each veteran, helped freedom stay.

Give the Gift of Memories to Family and Friends this Holiday Season

Have you ever received a gift and cringed a bit, not because it wasn't appreciated or a really cool gift, but because you just don't have the room for one more "thing"? Each one of us accumulates more "stuff" in a lifetime than we'll ever need. This Christmas and holiday season don't give a gift that will end up among all the other "stuff". Give a gift that will capture memories for a lifetime and will be treasured by family and friends.



Mikkean Photography - A Gift of Portraiture Gift Cards are a gift that can be used by just about anyone and any time and certainly won't be returned! Gift cards are available in $50, $100 and $200 denominations and each one is beautifully packaged in a gift card enclosure and provides an area where you may personalize to whom it's for and from. We'll even send it to the recipient for you, if you wish!

Of all the "things" we own, what is the one thing that almost everyone grabs first if they were to have to to vacate immediately? They all grab their most treasured family possessions - the family photographs.

This Christmas season, give your loved ones a gift that they can truly treasure and which will certainly be a gift for a lifetime. Call 904-403-9553 to purchase yours today!


Free Printable Holiday Gift List

We want to make your holiday gift shopping a little easier this year. Click on the image below to get your printable copy of a holiday gift list that you can use to help you plan your holiday shopping.

(This is a PDF file and requires Adobe Acrobat to read. This is a free download.)

Celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As you may know, in a few months will be my 2 year anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and for me, it is so very important to educate as many women (and men) as possible to be diligent about self-exams and getting your mammograms done ON TIME! So, you'll be hearing a bit more from me this month, including a very special project that you all can participate in!

So, to start the month off, here is a Public Service Announcement brought to you by Mikkean Photography:

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month educates women about the importance of early detection. More and more women are getting mammograms to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. As a result, breast cancer deaths are on the decline. Encourage the women in your life to get mammograms on a regular basis. Visit the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website at http://www.nbcam.org for more information.

A Very Bad Blogger!

I've been a very bad blogger the past several weeks. We've had some very busy weeks and I'm going to make sure I update a lot more often! So, stay tuned!

Holiday Cards Are Coming!

We're getting ready for the holidays....yes, already. And we're going to have an awesome collection of beautiful holiday cards for you to choose from. Whether you like traditional holiday reds and greens, brighter colors, or more deeper, richer colors, we have something for just about everyone.

Our cards are not flimsy photographic cards produced on photo paper that you can get from your local mart. They are beautifully printed on fine paper stocks such as dreamy pearl paper, linen paper, watercolor paper, or just simple card stock with or without a glossy finish.

This year we will be offering a nice selection designs for double sided flat 5x7 cards and folded 5x7 cards, and several designs for 5x5 trifold cards. All cards are available in sets of 24 and include envelopes, as well, and feature usually one to three images from your portrait session.

The cut-off for ordering cards will be November 30 to ensure you'll receive them in time to mail them out for the holidays. More information to follow in a few days, but until then, here's a sneak peek!

Tag, I'm It!

Tonight I get to reminisce back to those childhood days where we played a fun game of tag. Why? Well tonight I was tagged in a grown up version by my dear friend Stacy from SLN Studios.

Now on to six unspectacular quirks about Keely:

1. I love to offer help to pretty much anyone who needs it, many times at the expense of time for me.

2. My nickname when I was a child was Corky, affectionately given to me by my dad. Corky's was a 5 and dime store in my town that I always begged to go to, thus the nick name!

3. I'm a self-proclaimed "geek" - between writing computer programs, building e-commerce web sites, and back in college days doing Differential Equations and Linear Algebra problems for fun when I was bored - I actually majored in Mechanical Engineering and minored in Math and Music & Sound Recording.

4. I use the word "actually" a lot. :)

5. I worry….about everything.

6. I love doing Sudoku and logic puzzles for fun (see #3)

Okay so now its my turn to tag someone:

Well, rules say I have to tag 6 people…so tag, you're it Heidi, Melissa, Deanna, Tammie … I'm too tired to think of more! Will have to come back to this!

RULES:

1. Link the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them & leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they have been tagged.

Prayer Needed for My Father In Law

You never know when life may take a sudden turn leaving you to realize how fragile it is and the importance of family and not taking anything for granted. I've been down this road myself and today we had another family scare.

This morning, we received a call from my mother in law that my husband's father was being rushed to the hospital and all she could get out was "it's his heart". We soon found out that he had suffered a heart attack and his heart had taken a pretty big blow due to some blockage in the major artery to the heart. He is in ICU now being observed now because they told us that's the worst artery to have blockage in.

We feel that this morning God was watching over him. He normally gets up very very early to head out fishing on the open ocean for a few hours before heading to work. Had he been at work or fishing, we would have probably lost him. Instead, he slept in this morning and his family was there to call 911.

Please keep him in your prayers. And please give your children, husband, significant other an/or parents a hug and tell them that you love them. Please also remember that the special moments we share with our loved ones and the moments captured in time are some of life's greatest gifts.

Please Stay Safe - Updated

To all of our clients and friends, please stay safe while Fay makes her way through our area.

Due to the weather, our studio will be closed on Thursday and Friday, August 21 & 22.

Be safe!