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!