Come In and Play!

Posted on February, 2012 by Mark Turner

Free Portrait Sessions in February

John Servais, from a playful studio session Nights are still long and the days gray. But my Fairhaven studio is nice and warm, with flattering lights and a variety of backgrounds. I’m ready to play with some new photography ideas this month and have a special offer for a few people who are also in a playful mood.

During the month of February I’m offering a few free “Play Date” sessions in the studio. I want to try out some new lighting techniques, experiment with posing, play with new multi-image and digital processing techniques I just learned, and create some new studio samples I can use in my marketing throughout the rest of the year. Continue reading →

Portrait Gift Certificates

Posted on December, 2010 by Mark Turner

Don’t be a Zero — Be a Hero

Dark and rainy days during the winter months aren’t anybody’s first choice to have a family portrait created in a favorite outdoor location. It’s a big challenge to find a day when the weather cooperates at the same time everyone is available.

But the winter holidays are a time when many families are together and thinking about both fond memories of their time together and giving special gifts. Continue reading →

Purebred Pet Portraits Model Search

Posted on October, 2010 by Mark Turner

Mr. Perry, dressed for Halloween We’re getting a good response to our Pet Model Search after the nice write-up in the Bellingham Herald on October 2. Only a few more sessions are available.

Here’s the deal. If you think your dog or cat has the look and disposition to be a model for Purebred Pet Portraits give me a call at 360-671-6851. We’ll arrange a time to meet and if I agree that your furry companion has what it takes then we’ll schedule a pet portrait session at no cost to you. After you view the wonderful images I create you choose one for a complimentary 8×10 gift portrait. You can of course choose to purchase additional portraits, with a 10% discount. But there’s no obligation. In return, I’ll use the portraits of your pet in my promotions.

Some pet sessions will be in my studio and others on location, depending on the animal. Let me know which you think would be most appropriate for your best friend.
These sessions are a lot of fun for your pet, for you, and for me. You’re going to be delighted when you come to the studio and see your dog on our big screen.

Purebred Pet Portraits

Posted on September, 2010 by Mark Turner

What’s a plant nut like me doing adding pet portraits to his business?

Oscar, a Shichon, formal dog portrait Well, I know a lot of you are absolutely nuts about your dog or cat and consider them an equal member of your family along with your children and always make the best choices available for them. Maybe you even have a pet child or two instead of human children. Since your pet is in integral part of your family, you should have a portrait of them in the prime of life so you can remember your good times together and the love you share long after they’re gone.
Continue reading →

Going to the Dogs

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Mark Turner

I hate the bandwagon effect, the idea that just because everyone else is doing it you should be, too. Isn’t that what leads all those lemmings off the cliff? But I’ve been hearing from other photographers across the country how much fun they’re having photographing pets. And there’s a certain profit motive involved here as well. I read a few days ago that people in the USA spend some $35 billion annually on their pets.

Taimi Gorman and Oscar

Dogs (and cats) are much-loved members of the family for many households. They give unconditional love and affection, something that is often otherwise missing in our daily lives.

I’m starting to explore those bonds and relationships between pets and humans in my photography. My latest venture, Purebred Pet Portraits, is an outgrowth of my human portrait photography. I’m getting some marketing guidance from Taimi Gorman, owner of Gorman Publicity and the unfortunately now-defunct Doggie Diner in Fairhaven. That’s Taimi with Oscar in the photo at the right. Madeline the pug, sitting on the wooden chair, is also her dog.
Continue reading →