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

Top Dogs of 2011

Now that Paw-Traits 2011 has come to an end, it’s time to announce the winners!  The Paw-Traits Party earlier this week was a success and PetSuites and Portrait Shoppe are proud to announce we donated over $1,250 to the Canine Caner Foundation. 

The Paw-Traits contestants enjoyed doggy pizza and dessert from the Barkery and strutted there stuff down the red-carpet while at PetSuites during their party.  The winners were revealed and pretty much the rest of the party consisted of doggy play-time!

Now, what we've all been waiting for! Here are the winners … (drum roll please…)

Teddy: Overall Winner, Large Breed, and Fan Favorite

Ralph: Medium Breed Imagination

Romeo: Large Breed

                                                                                                     

Jake: Medium Breed Reality

Josee: Small Breed Imagination

Red: Small Breed Reality

Thank you to all of our participants! 

~Kallie

Hello Again Everyone!

I have learned quickly, through the hustle and bustle of parenthood, it’s easy to get wrapped up in simply maintaining a daily schedule, opposed to living (and truly ENJOYING) each day.  It’s important to relax, sit back and laugh along the way. 

It may be easier said than done, but it’s something I am personally working on in my own life, and I thought I would share it with you readers. : )

So how will we laugh today?

I found this article via a friend’s Facebook page. These, “Parenting Tips” took me on a stroll down memory lane, and reminded me of the silly things people told me before the baby, when he was a newborn, and even now that he’s an 8 month old. Enjoy!

The Ten Most Irritating, Least Helpful Parenting Tips Ever 

~Kallie

Olympic Gold Medalist Dives into the Portrait Shoppe!

It was just a normal day at the Portrait Shoppe when a sweet lady walked in while I was typing away at the front desk.  She mentioned needing headshots taken to go on brochures for a conference she would be speaking at next week.  I scheduled her portrait session and asked for a number we could reach her at, etc., when she just ever so modestly handed me her business card that read, "WORLD OLYMPIAN ASSOCIATION," ... 

Hmm... I thought, "there's no way," but, sure enough, she was a real-life Olympian! (actually, a two-time Olympian...)

She told me a little bit about herself and answered all of the questions I had for her at the time- after all, I had never met an Olympian before.. let alone a GOLD MEDALIST.  She has an amazing Olympic story!  She is such an inspirational woman and we truly feel honored she visited us here at Portrait Shoppe. Thanks Micki : )

Micki King with her Gold Medal: 1972

Micki King visiting Portrait Shoppe: 2011

Here's a tiny snapshot of Micki King's Olymipic story, courtesy of her personal bio...

Micki King, is the 1972 Springboard Diving Olympic Gold Medalist. King, a retired US Air Force Colonel, served 26 years on active duty.  Her second career was Assistant Athletic at the University of Kentucky where she served 14 years.

The gold medal she won in Munich is one of the Olympic Games’ most exciting comeback stories.  In the 1968 Olympics at Mexico City, King was leading the competition going into the final three dives.  On the second of her remaining dives, a miscalculation caused King to hit the board breaking her left arm.  Despite the mishap she gallantly tried her last dive, but dropped from first to fourth.  No medal.

During the four long years between the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games, she did double duty with her Air Force job and her intensive training program.  She earned 10 national US diving titles on the way to her second Olympics.  It was in Munich, where Micki King captured her gold medal doing the same dive she did with a broken arm four years earlier.

We also had the privilege of interviewing Micki exclusively for you blog readers...

Where did you grow up?

 I was born in Pontiac, Michigan and lived there until I left for the University of Michigan where I studied Journalism and Physical Education. 

Through out your travels, what is your favorite city?

 I’ve been around the world several times over and it’s easier to name places I don’t like, than to pick a single city I like “best.”  However, a place that remains special to me over time includes Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the first Olympic Games.  This inspiring, historic city is a passionate experience for all visitors, but for Olympians, all of whom are truly connected to the deep history this site holds, it is especially touching.

On the other side of the world, I fell in love with Sydney, Australia during the 2000 Olympic Games. Then there is Shanghai, China (wow) and, I’ll never forget visiting the Principality of Monaco where I met Princess Grace and was invited to a “pool” party in the Royal Garden.

Still, all said, Munich, Germany, where I won my Olympic Gold Medal will always be most special in my heart.

Do you still dive and swim today?

 I love a dip in the pool on a hot summer day, but I don’t swim serious laps or dive from a board for fun any more.  I’ve discovered it’s easier to remember the good ole days than try to re-live them.

What is your favorite book?

 I do love to read, but admit reading takes a back seat when I’m running crazy with several projects at once.  However, I’ve discovered audio books and now I “read” more than ever!  My all time favorite book is “Hunt for Red October.”  I’ve read it, listened to it, and seen the movie many times over.

What is your favorite color?  

  Chartreuse

What are your hobbies?  

 I play tennis three or four times a week.

 

What is your favorite Olympic memory? 

 Each Olympic medal at the Munich Olympics was engraved on the thin ledge with the winner’s name.  I quickly checked this out.  My Gold medal was engraved “Nicki” King.  They spelled my name wrong!  I was escorted to the engraver who spoke very little English.  So, I slowly explained … my name is “MIC-ki but my medal says “NIC-ki” and could he change it??   

He was clearly upset by his mistake.  After a long moment, he lifted his eyes to mine and said in broken English, “much easier for you to change name, than to change medal.” And, it reads Nicki King to this day.

What words of advice do you have for others? 

 I live by the motto “Make it better for those that follow.”  This philosophy has guided me for a long time and it applies to everything I do – big or small – ranging  all the way from lobbying Congress for women’s sports and Title IX, to pushing a stray shopping cart from the parking lot back to the store.  Opportunities are there everyday for every one of us to simply “…make it better …………”

Thanks again Micki! We can't wait to see you again soon.

~Kallie