Official 2011 Star Kids Modeling Contest Winners!

Summer is turning the corner into Fall, and with the changing seasons came the end of our 8^th annual Star Kids Modeling Contest.  We raised an awesome donation for the UK Children’s Hospital through the contest, thanks to all of our participants and generous sponsors.

We are beyond excited for this year’s group of winners:  there were 21 category winners and two overall winners for each age group (0-3yr olds, and 4-14 yr olds).  Our Star Kids Winners joined us at Kids Place last Tuesday night where we revealed the winners, handed out prizes and goody bags, and celebrated the money raised for charity!

 

Here are this year’s grand prize winners (drum roll please….)

Hampton: 4-14yrs Overall Winner!

Samantha: 0-3yrs Overall Winner!

Guess who turned the big ONE?

Last week, my wonderful little boy turned one! It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything about Wells on the blog & I couldn’t resist updating all of our reader’s on his latest milestone. 

A few weeks before his big day, 

July 25^th, Wells took his first step and almost immediately became a pro at walking.  He’s so inquisitive now! He attempts to get into everything- cabinets, magazines, drawers & basically anything else within his reach.

His vocabulary now consists of DaDa, MaMa, NaNa & light (which he pronounces “ight”)  I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anything other baby having “light” as one of their first words, but then again, he isn’t just any other baby : )

He’s funny, adorable, stubborn, smart & spoiled rotten, & I wouldn’t change a single thing about him for the world.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WELLS! We love you!

~Kallie

Little Girl... Big Voice!

We discovered little Miss Lilly earlier this week when she visited Portrait Shoppe for professional head-shots. From my office, I heard Lilly telling Michael and Karyl she would be trying out for the musical Annie in a few weeks.  After hearing about her upcoming audition, of course Michael had to hear her sing. 

Next thing you know I hear this amazing voice coming from the lobby- this little girl could sing!  If you only hear her voice, you would never believe she is only nine years old.  In fact, her Annie audition is on her upcoming 10^th birthday!

Good Luck Lilly! We’ll be rooting for you here at Portrait Shoppe : ) 

~ Kallie

Portrait Shoppe's Newest Addition

     They say, “Good things come to those who wait…” and that’s exactly how our search for a new photographer went here at Portrait Shoppe.   

     After months of waiting for the perfect candidate to fill Ryan’s outrageously large shoes back in December, we were beyond thrilled when Karyl walked through our doors with her contagious smile and sweet personality!  We wanted to get to know a little bit more about the newbie around here so I did an exclusive, spotlight interview with the fabulous Karyl Mullins! Enjoy…

Where are you from originally?  I was born and raised near Pikeville, and lived there until I was 18.  After living in North Carolina for a few years, I moved to Lexington in 2001 and have been here ever since.  I love living here in the horse capital of the world, and the home of the Kentucky Wildcats!

Tell us about your family!  I have been blessed with an amazing family.  I married my high school sweetheart.  We have been together for 17 years, married for 14.  We have two beautiful children.  Our daughter is 13 years old and loves skating (especially ice skating) and reading, and our 10-year old son loves to play football, soccer, and video games.

Do you have any hobbies (Besides photography of course!)?  Amimals!!!  I help foster animals whenever possible.  I will share my home with them if they are sick or homeless, and enjoy finding them a ‘forever’ home.  Our latest addition is a 4 week old kitten that we found abandoned at Beaumont Centre when it was less than 2 weeks old.  We have been bottle-feeding her and watching her grow! 

What’s your favorite book?  Anything by Jonathon Kellerman.  I haven’t read all of his books, but Monster is easily my favorite of his books. 

What’s your favorite movie?  Dirty Dancing has been my favorite movie since the 4th grade.  I was Swayze Crazy!  I introduced the movie to my daughter a couple of years ago, and we have watched it together at least a dozen times since.

Have you been anywhere out of the country?  Does Canada count?  Other than Canada, the closest I have come to being in another country is  Oktoberfest in Disney World!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Germany : ) To visit my brother and his family.  My family is planning a vacation there sometime within the next year. 

Are you a dog person or more of a cat person?  I am definitely a dog person.  Dogs are loving, faithful companions.  I have two dogs (Lola, a pug and Ellie, a Yorkie-Poo).  They greet me at the door each day and are like my shadow whenever I am home.

If you could pick one color to describe you, what would it be?  Yellow.  I try to be a happy and positive person.

What’s your favorite or most inspirational quote?

"Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." (Mother Teresa)

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?  Chocolate

Do you go by any nicknames?  The normal…mommy, sissy, honey…

What are you most excited about as the newest PS photographer?  Other than working with an amazing group, I’m excited because it gives me the opportunity to be uniquely creative with the people I photograph.  I am very happy to be part of the Portrait Shoppe family.

Feel free to swing by and meet Karyl! We are so excited to have her!

~Kallie

Calling All Models! It's time for Star Kids...

I don’t know about all of you readers, but I’m tired of waking up to rainy days! The bluegrass has been full of rain, tornadoes and flooding for weeks now, but there is sunshine in our studios!

How, you may ask…

Well, our STAR KIDS modeling competition is finally here!  Being as I just started at Portrait Shoppe in October, I have yet to experience our Star Kids Modeling so I have been anxious for this time of the year to roll around! 

We have worked alongside Images Modeling Agency for eight years now raising money for the University of Kentucky Children’s hospital through our Star Kids competition.  We are bound and determined to make 2011 our most successful year yet!

The overall winner will receive a full scholarship to Images Modeling Agency and all participants and category winners will receive goody bags and other prizes donated by participants in our community!

Last year's 0-3yr old winner!

So, do you have an aspiring model at home? Or, simply need a good excuse to bring the kids in for portraits? Call the studio and schedule your appointment, or sign up online!

See you in the studio soon : )

-Kallie