Wings of Eagles Fundraiser

Only a couple more days before our annual Wings of Eagles Fundraiser at Wings of Eagles Ranch and Therapeutic Riding Center. This is our 3rd annual fundraiser for this ranch. We firmly believe in what they support and look forward to raising money for them each year.



The fundraiser will be held at their ranch this Sunday afternoon (November 1st). We're reserving 15 minute location sessions for each family.



We talked with Christine Cronin (founder of WOE) today. She's very excited about the fundraiser and she has alot of great ideas this year. She mentioned that they have a 1870 wagon cart that is beautiful. They just landscaped their new pond and she said it's absolutely gorgeous with the reflection of the colored leaves of the fall! They even have an old red tractor that would be fabulous for a family portrait.



Wings of Eagles has many horses at their ranch. We let each family/child pick which horse to be photographed with - big or small.



The weather is supposed to be PERFECT on Sunday - warm and sunny! The leaves are colorful. This is a perfect chance to support a WONDERFUL cause, have some unique portraits taken, and save 25% off your portrait order!!



With a $50 donation, each family will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and 25% off their portrait order. But you only have until Friday (October 30th at 2pm) to reserve your session! Don't wait! Call us today - 704.933.5600.

To take a look at some more favorites from last year's Wings of Eagles Fundraiser, click here.

Client Showcase: Miranda Cook & Mark Zoltanski

Why we chose Irresistible Portraits:

Foremost, I just want to take a few moments to say how thankful I am to be sharing this story and for the grace that God allows us to see in all things. When people ask where I am from; my answer is simple, "Here." "My parents are from here, my grandparents are from here, even my great-grandparents are from here." Yes Kannapolis; a small town full of character and history. Even our background is simple; It was here that my grandfather began our family business back in September of 1960, and it was Kannapolis where my father and my grandfather continued to build our business within this small town of friendship and hospitality. We have become the insurance family; busy protecting and advising what we consider to be the most important aspect of every family's past, present and future.



My boyfriend of seven years (Mark Zoltanski) proposed to me back in February. We were both, and still are, overwhelmed with happiness and the most wholesome feeling of gratitude for life and family we have ever experienced. Little did we know we were about to begin one of the coolest intertwining journeys we have ever attempted together- we had to plan a wedding. I had it all figured out. It was going to be easy and things were going to happen just like I had always imagined.



It only took a few months to realize weddings were not that easy- people who own business just like my family did not seem like they were really interested in our love story or our passion for family. But why not, they work in the wedding industry? After plenty of heartbreaks and ego-busters I finally realized that planning a wedding was not as simple as everything else in life. After four months I had no venue, no cake, no dress, no DJ- none of the stuff that everybody else has after four months.



I swore off wedding planning for our fourth of July weekend. Mark and I were having lunch by Lake Norman that weekend, and I remember looking at Mark and saying, "Why can't things just be this simple on our wedding day, no time lines, no expectations, just me, you and the family?"

We both happen to glance at the party boat on Lake Norman, and we both looked at each other and we pretty much knew what the other was thinking, but we just looked and didn't say anything... remember I swore off wedding planning for the weekend.

Since I have the patience of a five year old, I was the first one to be filled with excitement and basically blurt out the simplest plan you could ever imagine... let's take a cruise! In one fell swoop I had just eliminated the need for a cake, a venue, a DJ, and all that stuff people say you have to have. But there was one thing that we did need, a photographer.



We wanted someone who could capture our love and our youth- for these pictures would be passed down generation after generation. I made an appointment with Irresistible portraits just to see- since everyone has always said, "Oh, Karen's good." (lol, they really do)



At first I was hesitant that this would be like every other cookie cutter experience, "where's your venue, what's your date," etc. The difference was that Renda truly listened to what I was trying to create for our vision and took notes the entire time. I knew I was going to call her back, if it was only for those notes she took. Like most brides, the first decision helper I called when I left was my mother, Karen was a no-brainer for Mom. As a matter of fact, she said Karen was who she wanted the entire time. Our decision to go with Irresistible Portraits was the first step in our wedding planning process. I felt a true comfort knowing that things were going to be simple, just like our business. Listen then create a product; advise and then perform.



There was no way to know going into this that things really have turned out to be simple for Mark and I. We have fallen in love with the style and grace Karen and the IP staff have provided. Mark and I have said on multiple occasions we are so relieved and glad that we have chosen Irresistible portraits. Mark and I felt truly free to be together during our engagement session; together like we are at home or anywhere. My father, mother, and grandparents are completely ecstatic about the IP staff sharing this time with us. It is truly a warming experience to know that our memories are in the hands of Karen, Renda, Jessica and the entire team at Irresistible portraits. We have shared so many wonderful moments so far and I can not wait to build the happiest day of our lives with my family and friends. This will be a wonderful occasion and I Thank God for all of the happiness we have as a family. Cheers to keeping things simple-Cheers to meeting someone else who helps create a past, present and future of memories, and Cheers to everyone that is from "Here."



"People may not remember your name, but they remember how you made them feel."- Anonymous

God Bless and Warmest Regards,
Miranda Cook, Mark Zoltanski, and The Families

The 2009 Projecting Hope Film Festival

No plans this weekend? Check out the website for this Film festival. IP is featured as a "Friend of the Festival" under sponsors for a donation to their cause.

Seems like a GREAT event and it's FREE.... just spreading HOPE!

Wishing we could be there but our weekend is full of walking (Avon Walk), Redskins games, and weddings. Enjoy!

Fall Fundraisers

We've held a couple fundraisers in the past few weeks. The first was for our Avon Walk. Karen photographed about 25 families on a Sunday afternoon in quick 10 minutes sessions and raised $1500 to donate to Focused on a Cure's Avon team - Digital Divas! Then last Sunday, she photographed families from Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church. This church has a group of missionaries that goes to Kenya each year. Last week's fundraiser earned $1000 towards this year's mission trip!

Here's a few of our favorites from both fundraisers...

Ponds-Gregg Wedding

Tara & Renda had a double hitter last weekend. On Sunday, they were there to capture the big day for Alicia and Tyrone. This was a very unique wedding with an old hollywood theme. They had feathers, hats, and pearls adorning the wedding party.





Ty and Alicia saw each other before the ceremony. This is one of our favorite images of all time. This was the moment when Alicia turned around to see Ty for the first time! How priceless?!



They walked the streets of downtown Salisbury to find the perfect places to photograph. This couple knows how to work the camera... that's for sure!



Ty and Alicia are so much in love. When they look at each other you can tell that nothing else in the world matters to them at that moment.





The wedding party walked down the soul train line as they were introduced to the party goers. They had some moves up their sleeves!



Sugarman, Alicia's brother, even partied his way his way down the line!



To kick off the open mic celebration that was Alicia and Ty's reception, Alicia sang to her man a little diddy by one Miss Erykah Badu, "Call Tyrone." And boy did she sing it! The guests continued to party even after Tara and Renda left, and with a crowd like that - who knows - the party may STILL be going on!



This is only the beginning of Alicia and Ty's STUNNING images. We cannot wait to show you the entire day! All the images from their big day will be posted online for viewing and ordering November 14th through December 12th. To access those images, go to our website, www.irresistibleportraits.com. Click on weddings, then client images. Enter gregg (all lowercase) as your password. Enjoy!

Burch-Griffin Wedding

Lindsey Burch and Trent Griffin made it official last Saturday in Greensboro, at her parent's house. Although the rain threatened all day, it held out for the ceremony and the rest of the evening.



The girls wore lime green dresses and shoes, which were fabulous for pictures. They traded them for flip flops down the aisle to ensure that no one had to make a visit to the emergency room due to a twisted ankle!



The groomsmen piled into the golf cart (the shuttle from the parking lot) for a quick ride around the yard while Tara and Renda photographed some silly images.



The guests were asked to write blessings on stones as they also signed the guest book. Trent and Lindsey's cairn (a pile of stones traditionally used to mark a place of significance in a journey) grew remarkably over the night. Trent and Lindsey will definitely live happily ever after with the cairn they had!

Something you don't see very often is a wedding band of white ceramic. While Lindsey chose a beautiful diamond band, Trent chose something a little less traditional.



Lindsey is a daddy's girl which made for a few emotional moments throughout the day.



Trent and Lindsey make a beautiful couple and their wedding party was a fun group to work with.



We wish them years and years of happiness!



Trent and Lindsey's images will be posted online for viewing and ordering from November 7th through December 5th. You can access those images by going to www.irresistibleportraits.com. Click on weddings, then client images. Enter griffin (all lowercase) as your password. Enjoy!

VPPA Meeting

Karen traveled to Danville, Virginia, last week to share a marketing seminar to a VPPA guild meeting. She recently shared her marketing ideas with most of these photographers at our PPNC Proshare Class earlier this year, so she was pressed to come up with some new topics. Her solution: Inspire photographers to separate themselves from their competition. Motivate them to push harder and maintain the "WOW" factor!

The economy is struggling. The industry is struggling. Photographers are downsizing and some even closing their doors to make ends meet. But that's not a reason to save money on marketing or to give up. That means we should market harder and more consistently. "WOW" the customers to that they don't want to save money by going to the amateur photographer down the street.





Karen got some great compliments on her seminar. Take a look!

"Your program was so helpful. We are busy applying what we learned."
Thanks, Jack & Debbie

"I loved Karen's presentation! She is such a down to earth person with a lot of natural creativity. Who could not come away inspired?"
Teresa

"It's nice to have someone sit and share HONESTLY what's happening and how hard her studio works to keep things rolling! Karen was fabulous and we appreciate all she shared with us at our meeting!"
Lisa

"Just wanted to let you know I enjoyed your presentation at the VPPA meeting. You are a great inspiration to all others."
Alice

"Just wanted to drop you an email to thank you for coming up to the VPPA meeting lastnight. I really enjoy hearing from professional people who are so passionate about their work! I have been wanting to attach myself to a cause and do more local benefits. Your work with Focused on a Cure is simply amazing and inspiring. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and your faith!!"
God bless,
Jeff

Cromer-Ward Wedding

Last Saturday, Alyssa Cromer and Zach Ward tied the knot! They were married at Central Baptist Church in Kannapolis where they grew up together. Photography was high on Alyssa's list of priorities, so they decided to see each other prior to exchanging their vows. Tara and Renda were there to capture their special moment.



Alyssa looked stunning in her gown from Hope's Bridal Boutique and check out the groom. He's working his way up to the major leagues. He currently plays for a AA baseball team owned by the Cincinnatti Reds.



How cute is this? Zach wanted to get a practice run of the kissing pose, but the trial run was just as cute as the "for real" pose!

The reception was held at the Rowan Museum in the heart of Salisbury. The traditional architecture was the perfect setting for unique portraits.

Their special day was a beautiful success. Zach is a stickler for being on time, which made Tara and Renda's job a lot easier! They are an adorable couple and we wish me all the best!

Zach and Alyssa's wedding day images will be online from October 31st until November 28th. You can access those images by going to our website, www.irresistibleportraits.com. Click on weddings, then client images. Enter ward (all lowercase) as the password. You can select favorites and even place portrait orders through this site. Enjoy!