Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus!

If you have never read it before, please take a minute and read this awesome story! Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.



Santa Claus will be here at the portraits shoppe all this weekend and next, Dec. 4th and 5th - just call us up or make an appointment on the web to get your children's portraits made with him!

'Twas the Week before Santa

‘Twas the week before Santa and all through the Shoppe
The photographers busied themselves setting up...

The costumes were hung in the studio with care,
In hopes that the children would like them to wear;

The backgrounds were ready, the lights metered right,
The props were all set and packed in rather tight.

And Shelly and Ashley arranged the décor
While Ryan called clients, and Michael swept the floor.

When all of a sudden we heard the door, “Jing!”
We looked and we saw the most wonderful thing,

A charming old man in gold colored robe
With a cloak and some slippers topping off his wardrobe.

With a head full of hair that was billowing white
And a beard set to match he was really a sight.

The glasses that sat on his nose were just fine
And upon his head was a wreath made of pine.

And we turned and cried, “Santa! We’re so glad you’re here!
We haven’t seen you since this time last year!”

And he laughed and he stretched out his arms open wide
And he gave us a hug, pulled us in to his side,

And he said, “Oh, my dears, I’m so glad I’ve arrived,
For being with you makes me feel so alive;

But the kids—oh the kids! Now they’re really the reason
That I come to the Portrait Shoppe each Christmas Season;

I love how they smile, how they laugh, how they play,
And the innocent fun that they have every day!

There’s no greater joy that I keep for my part
Than a young girl or boy who feels loved in their heart.

So bring on the children! I can’t wait to see
Who comes here this year to sit on my knee!”

Then laughing he went in the back to prepare
For the kids who’ll be coming to visit him there.

Now he’ll be here two weekends, but only those two
(for as Christmas approaches he’s got LOTS to do):

On the 27th and 28th days of November,
And also the 4th and the 5th of December.

So don’t miss the chance for your own kids to come
And see Santa before he will visit your home.

To make an appointment just reach us by phone:
Call Two, Double Seven, Six, Six, Seven One (277-6671)

We’re awaiting your call, so with Santa we’ll croon,
“Merry Christmas all, we’ll see you here soon!”

Christmas is for Love

Christmas is for love. It is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for reuniting with family and friends, for tinsel and brightly decorated packages. But mostly, Christmas is for love. I had not believed this until a small elf-like student with wide-eyed innocent eyes and soft rosy cheeks gave me a wondrous gift one Christmas.

Mark was an 11 year old orphan who lived with his aunt, a bitter middle aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister's son. She never failed to remind young Mark, if it hadn't been for her generosity, he would be a vagrant, homeless waif. Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child.

I had not noticed Mark particularly until he began staying after class each day (at the risk of arousing his aunt's anger, I later found) to help me straighten up the room. We did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day. When we did talk, Mark spoke mostly of his mother. Though he was quite small when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent much time with him.

As Christmas drew near however, Mark failed to stay after school each day. I looked forward to his coming, and when the days passed and he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, I stopped him one afternoon and asked why he no longer helped me in the room. I told him how I had missed him, and his large gray eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, "Did you really miss me?"

I explained how he had been my best helper. "I was making you a surprise," he whispered confidentially. "It's for Christmas." With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room. He didn't stay after school any more after that.

Finally came the last school day before Christmas. Mark crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back. "I have your present," he said timidly when I looked up. "I hope you like it." He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palms was a tiny wooden box.

"Its beautiful, Mark. Is there something in it?" I asked opening the top to look inside. "

"Oh you can't see what's in it," He replied, "and you can't touch it, or taste it or feel it, but mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, warm on cold nights, and safe when you're all alone."

I gazed into the empty box. "What is it Mark," I asked gently, "that will make me feel so good?" "It's love," he whispered softly, "and mother always said it's best when you give it away." And he turned and quietly left the room.

So now I keep a small box crudely made of scraps of wood on the piano in my living room and only smile as inquiring friends raise quizzical eyebrows when I explain to them that there is love in it.

Yes, Christmas is for gaiety, mirth and song, for good and wondrous gifts. But mostly, Christmas is for love.

Author an Publication Unknown

Sneak Peak: Paw-traits 2010

We specialize in photographing kids. But something we’ve grown into in the last couple of years is taking portraits of the furriest children…that’s right, pets! Last year the Portrait Shoppe introduced its first annual Paw-traits modeling contest: a chance for your dog (or dogs) to come to the Portrait Shoppe and show off their goods with the chance to win some cool prizes. Well, it was such a hit last year that we can hardly wait to start that up again and see more of those adorable canines! Here are some of the basics about the contest:

1) You must be a dog to enter.

2) Your owner must think you’re cute (or pretty, beautiful, handsome, dashing, etc.)

3) You must come to the Portrait Shoppe to have your portrait taken for the contest.

4) One image per session will be chosen and entered into the contest.

5) You may chose to enter into either the Reality or Imagination category, or you may enter both and give yourself double the chance to win!

6) Winners are chosen based on size (small breed, medium breed, large breed) and category, so there are six category winners!

7) All judging will be by PetSuites of Lexington.

8) Contest begins Jan. 1, 2010!

If you have questions, please call us and ask (yes, we speak “woof”). Pets truly are simply furry children, we can’t wait to celebrate them this season! We’ll see you soon!

Christmas time has arrived!

Christmas time is here again!

Christmas '09 is shaping up to be AWESOME here at the Portrait Shoppe! We've got Santa coming back right after Thanksgiving, we've got a brand new background, and even some staff changes from last year!

Be sure to be on the lookout for a Christmas Postcard in the mail from us with all the details on how to book your Christmas Session. Keep in mind: Call us early to get the day and time that's best for your family! The later it gets the busier it gets, so call now and get it scheduled while you can.

Also, in the meantime, keep reading our blog and looking for updates on Facebook and Twitter! Thanks so much for following us there - we've really enjoyed it! See you on the web and in the studio!

Halloween Fun - Angels and Hippies

We had a BLAST on Halloween! We had a few great sessions, and all in costume, baby! Check out these awesome images from one session with 3 little angels, courtesy of their mom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 3rd little angel isn't in these shots because she's only 2, and she wasn't quite up for playing with us. The portraits turned out great, and (as you can plainly see) we had an awesome time! Thanks to Jill for providing us with the pictures from her own camera!

P.S. What do you think of Ryan's hippie outfit?