i just can't help myself....

Well, we're back! We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

I've been editing like a MANIAC over the break and I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel-- which means, if you don't have your photos posted here yet, you should VERY soon! :)

While editing Dianna & Eric's wedding, I came across this gem....

Seriously, is she not GORGEOUS? Dianna, take it from me, you made an amazing bride! :) You looked fabulous!

Stay tuned for more from Dianna & Eric's wedding, as well as Brian's Senior Portraits!

Davis Family [12.19.09]

Being a photographer is hard work. Don't get me wrong, I love it. I love every single minute of it-- editing and all. But man, there is a LOT of pressure when you do what I do. I want every photo to be perfect, I want my clients to feel comfortable around me, I want my clients to look back at their photos and think "Wow. I still love these pictures. And I had such a great time taking them." I want all of those things. I pray that that's what I can bring to the table. That's who I want to be. That's what I want Folks Photography to stand for. Oh...the never-ending pressure!

But then when I go on my shoots, all that pressure melts away. Our clients are the best clients around. And I mean that. They make my job so worth it in every way. I can't describe to you the feeling of looking into the lens and knowing that during that "click" I got the perfect shot. Or that feeling when I see who are clients really are-- their true selves. Those candid shots that are taken when they feel that nobody is watching. My camera is always watching. Those shots make my heart melt. Those shots make my job the best job in the entire world.

Being a photographer is a hard job. And I wouldn't give it up for anything....

On that note, I would like you to meet some of these amazing clients I was hinting about above. This month, we did a family shoot with the Davis Family -aka- the family that rocks our world. Their personalities are so individual and yet, when you get them all together, they just blend so perfectly. I can't put it into words. I'm not a writer. Instead, let me show you in photos-- I hope these photos speak to you the words that I cannot describe. We love you Davis Family! Each and every one of you! Never ever change-- you're too fabulous <3

I love these guys....!

Innocence at it's finest

Sorry Krystal, I couldn't help myself :) It's just too dang good!

more BIG news!

this is another personal post-- I super dooper promise that I have some amazing wedding and family pics coming your way :)

But as for today...you get to hear about our little one! Today we found out what "it" is....and it's a... (drum roll please)...

B.O.Y!

Oddly enough, I already knew that-- don't ask me how. It's felt like a boy from day 1, so today wasn't too much of a surprise. I just got to actually see it! Here are some pics from the eventful ultrasound. We even got a DVD of the whole ultrasound session but me learning how to convert that into a little nice and neat uploadable file may take a bit of time :) There's a reason I do "still photography" and not motion pictures-- I'm just sayin...

Anywho here are some pics from our session today. AND I'll be posting new belly pics on here (as well as on facebook) because apparently my preggo tummy exploded this week (18 weeks, 4 days). Or so I hear from the hubster.

Meet our little Folks man:


Profile view, with brain and all :) I can already tell he's got my nose and chin. Ah shucks.

As if you doubted me, voila. Proof of our little boy. Imagine the camera from below, right side is the buttox. You get the idea :)

Unmistakably a foot with 5 little toes!

and the winner is...

after a LOT of voting (THANKS GUYS!!!) and much intense discussion and debate, we've decided on a logo winner. Millions of -thank you's- to all of you who helped us out with this! We love you <3

i love presents!

I just can't help it. As soon as December hits, I just want to spread a whole lota cheer in the form of PRESENTS!

Well...discounts in this case :)

So here's a new one for all you younger clientele out there that we love just as much (if not more :)


For a limited time, Folks Photography would like to offer 5 absolutely FREE Senior Portrait Sessions. Seriously. Free. Why are we doing this you ask? 

Well, we know how expensive these things can cost, and we want to be able to help a few families out in the area.

So what's the catch? Well, here's what we're asking for:

1. We ask that all FREE sessions are taken in Santa Maria or Lompoc. Either city is fine, we just can't afford to drive down to LA on our dollar.
2. We would like the lucky high school seniors who are selected by Folks Photography to act as our "High School Reps." This consists of just getting the word out about our business, our work, and our REALLY cheap pricing.
3. We're only accepting 5 high school seniors for this LIMITED TIME offer. The offer expires FEBRUARY 1, 2010. So if you would like your Senior Portrait Session, RESERVE YOUR DATE FAST! These slots will be filled quickly!

And that's it! Pinky swear :) Visit FolksPhoto.com to learn more about us!

To sign up for your FREE Senior Portrait Session, please email MelissaFolks@FolksPhoto.com
Please include your:
Name
Age
High School
City
Phone Number

And that's it! The first 5 emails I get will receive a free session INCLUDING a high-resolution CD of all the edited photos with copyright releases!

Let the emailing begin!!

And just a reminder, for all other clients out there, we got somethin' hot n' spicy for you too! Reserve your next event with us by January 1, 2010 and you'll receive a FREE high-resolution CD of all your edited photos, complete with copyright release! All you have to do is RESERVE by January 1st-- your event can be later :)

Click here to reserve your date!

Logos, Take 2!

Ok, so the preliminaries are over. As a result of your amazing votes, we've narrowed it down to 6 (ok, give me a break, that's about half of what I posted yesterday...6 is a good number, right?!) AND I got a great suggestion to put those logos on a photo so that you guys can see the final product easier.

You guys are brilliant. What can I say ? :)

Anyway, so here are the final 6! If you've already voted, feel free to vote again. Now that it's on the photo, you might change your mind. Ya never know!

Due to our extremely busy schedule over the next week, I'm going to leave the voting open until we get finished with all of our shoots and get transitioned from one house to another. So we'll probably decide on our brand new logo by the end of next week (with your help, of course...). Spread the word until then! We would love all the input we can get!

PS. Just so we stay consistent, I've numbered the logos the same as from our last logo post :)

VOTE AWAY!

#1:

#3:

#5:

#6:

#8:

#11:

...and a Happy New Year!

Ok, no, I'm not just skipping over Christmas. Don't you worry. I'll be Christmas-ing it up just dandy this year! :)

However, I would like to give all of our blog followers a little heads up about some of the changes we will be making with Folks Photography come 2010! This will include our colors, our blog, our website, AND last but definitely not least, our LOGO! Awwwwww YEAH, that's right! You heard me!

Since we're going to be super, mega busy over the next few weeks with all of our last minute shoots as well as our moving to our new house, I thought I would get a head start on what I deemed our "Logo Vote-a-Thon". Kind of has a ring to it, don't you think ? :)

Anyway, here's how it works. I've posted all of our new, possible logo options below. And we are allowing you, to honor your for being such amazing blog followers and committed clients, (and because we just love ya so dang much!) to VOTE on your fave logo!

And please do vote! Seriously...I'm so indecisive. I NEED you! Please only vote on your very very favorite, but if you HAVE to have 2 favorites, go right ahead :) But no 3-zies. If you vote on 3, I'll just never be able to make up my mind :)

We love you guys a ton! Don't forget about our AMAZING discount going on right now! For more info, visit FolksPhoto.com or contact me!

So here we go! Time to get your vote on! (Just leave your fave # in the comment section, pretty please!! :)

#1:

#2:

#3:

#4:

#5:

#6:

#7:

#8:

#9:

#10:

#11:

And there you have it! Do your worst! Voice your opinion! Let your voice be heard! Make your vote count! Ok, you get the idea...Thanks again everybody! You're really helping us out a ton!

'tis the season...yet again!

i L.O.V.E. December.

Everybody is happier (despite all of the stressful things they have to get done), the weather reminds me of those past holidays all locked up nice and warm in the house with the fam, all the houses are glowing for as far as the eye can see...

but what makes December ESPECIALLY awesome for any photographer are all of the last minute shoots and specials we get to offer all of our past, present and future clients :)nothing warms my heart more than that last wedding shoot of the year, or that last family portrait squeezed in JUST in time for Christmas cards. OR the last minute discounts!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that this December is no different! We have so many incredible shoots booked for this month as well as an incredible offer that's just too hard to refuse!

For anyone who needs a photographer for their wedding, family, senior pictures, etc., if your reserve your event with us BEFORE JANUARY 2010, you will receive a FREE High Resolution CD of all your edited photos WITH copyrights. Did I mention that it would be FREE?? That's a $250 value! All you have to do is reserve your event with us before the New Year (you shoot doesn't have to be by then...just reserved) and you'll automatically get a free high resolution CD of your photos. Now that is a good deal....

Click here to reserve your your event or contact me!!

Melissa Folks

805.245.9193

Email: MelissaFolks@FolksPhoto.com

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

my confession...

that's it. I'm the WORST blogger in the whole entire world! WORST! I haven't blogged for 4 weeks.

My many apologies go out to those who follow our blog. Please don't give up on us! Keep on reading! We have so many amazing things coming up for you!

So why have I put off blogging for so long, you may ask? Well, I'll tell you my dear friends...

Once upon a time, a perfectionist named Melissa was born. And one day, the beforementioned Melissa, realized that her next blog post was her 100th post!!! That's right! 100! Thus, she knew it had to be big. It had to be spectacular. It had to be off the chains! So what did I do?!

I just didn't do it! I couldn't think of anything that deemed itself worthy for my 100th blog post, so I just kept putting it off, week after week. And now the guilt has finally caught up to me and I know I just have to DO IT! Nothing will ever reach my perfectionist expectations for such a monumental post.

So alas, here we go!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!! We FINALLY got all of our Christmas cards out, and just in time too! We're moving next week! Not too far though, just about 10 minutes away. Why you may ask? Because we bought a HOUSE! :) Yes, yes we're all grown up now. The house is just perfect for us right now, PLUS we're going to be building a studio in it. So get ready world! Folks Photography is taking over Central Cali! :)

So I guess that goes without saying, we're going to be pretty MIA over these next few weeks. On top of our moving, we have multiple weddings to shoot (some requring plane trips :) AND we're finding out the sex of little baby Folks. So we're gonna be pretty jam packed.

But you guys know how much I love you, so no worries. Now that I have that whole "100th post" pressure off my back, I'll be able to post some off-the-heezy wedding photos :)

And because blog posts aren't nearly as cool without pics, here's our Christmas card for 2009! Happy Holidays everyone!

OH and PS. I know I've reminded you all a million times, but if you are reading this and haven't yet reserved your next event with us (family, wedding, engagements, etc.) scurry on over to FolksPhoto.com and reserve your date NOW! Seriously, I'm telling you, we're booking fast! :) Ok, you guys get it. The end....

farewell teddy....helloooooo cletus!

so you know it's a bad sign when you walk into your hallway, and you see this....

poor little guy didn't even stand a chance....

And THEN you walk into your living room, and see the REST of the masterpiece...

Lucy, looking triumphantly over her work...

By the way, mucho mucho apologies for the poor quality photos above. Turns out, my point and shoot just doesn't cut it like the good ol' Canon. Hence, my logo is not on any of them....feel free to steal as you feel necessary. Although you stealing pictures of my dogs and their messes is kind of weird....but whatever......

in HAPPIER news! Those of you who are already friends with me on Facebook probably already know a thing or two about our new surprise (by the way, if you're not friends with me on facebook yet, you really should be. I'm a hoot of a buddy. At least I'd like to think so....Melissa Jennifer Folks-- add me today!). But I thought I should officially announce this on our blog now that we have PHOTOS! That's right. You know where I'm going with this one...

We've got a bun in the oven!!!

Say hello to Cletus the Fetus (artistically "named" by our dear friend, Sally Van Orden....)

This is the little one waving to the world. In this lovely photo, we see a foot and hand.

I'm not sure what the doc said he/she was doing here, but I think if you look VEEEERRRRRY closely, you can see he (or she) is sticking his (or her....man that could get old) tongue out at us. ANNND it kind of has a big nose. He or she got that from me if that's the case. Sorry little one!

And this is the last pic of the feet kicked up and just relaxin...we got the hearbeat here-- 170 bpm.

So for the record, I'm just now getting out of the first trimester. I'm about 13 weeks this Friday (WOO HOO!). And to answer some questions-- YES I am deathly ill with morning sickness. Hence, the lack of blogging lately. Very sorry about that. Turns out getting sick 6 times a day just doesn't lend me much time to do anything. And NO we're not actually planning on calling the baby Cletus. Although Matthew still kind of thinks Rocky is in the running. After the infamous Rocky Balboa. I thought it was cute and clever at first....I'm not so sure anymore. We'll update you more on that later...

BUT YES WE ARE STILL DOING SESSIONS! Please do not hesitate to book a session with us as soon as possible. Our dates are filling up very quickly due to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and we would absolutely love to come and capture whatever event you feel needed. Click here to reserve your date or to see some of our past work!

Oh, and we'll probably know the sex of the little one in about 6 weeks, so we'll keep ya posted! Hooray for good news!

Have a good rest of the week everyone!

chili's baby back ribs....BBQ SAUCE!!!

Man, that song just never gets old, right? :)

Anyway, onto bigger and better news. On November 10th, you have the opportunity of a lifetime to help a local charity! What do you have to do? EAT!!! Now that's my kind of charity...

In Our Own Quiet Way (Quiet Way), is a global non-profit organization dedicated to helping impoverished or underdeveloped regions around the world develop practical, long-term solutions. Quiet Way accomplishes its mission by investigating and responding to the greatest needs of suffering communities, as defined by these communities, and then organizing a cooperative effort with other non-profit organizations, businesses, governments and community groups, consolidating funds and resources, and directing them to serve the greatest good. Quiet Way is committed to ensuring its efforts are resulting in positive change, and thus maintains close contact and accountability to those in need, as well as to social investors.

On November 10, 2009 you can go to any Chili's in Utah and eat their delicious food – and Quiet Way will get a donation from Chili’s! Bring the flyer (attached) with you and ask your server to staple it to your bill. When that happens, 10% of your bill will be donated to Quiet Way! There is no extra cost put onto your bill, it all comes from the Chili’s restaurant. It doesn’t get any easier than this!
The Quiet Way flyers will be accepted at ANY Utah Chili’s location.

We want every Chili's to be packed with our friends, fans and supporters! Bring a date, bring your mom, bring your neighbor and bring all of your friends!

Now, we know our photography business is no longer located in Utah, but we've still got our Utah pride! In Our Own Quiet Way has always been a very special charity to us, and we think Ron Hatfield and his crew are just the absolute most caring people anybody could ever meet. They've done amazing things for other people/countries, and yet they still continue to give. We can't thank them enough for being so incredible.

So you heard 'em Utah-- get out there and eat! November 10th is the big day! Don't forget to invite all your friends too! Let's show this charity what we're made of :)

This is the flier that you will need Chili's to attach to your bill when you go to eat on NOVEMBER 10th! For more information on this charity, click here.

Happy chowing everyone!!

'tis the season!

Hey everyone! Just a friendly reminder to get your sessions booked early for your holiday family photos! Our dates are going fast! In addition, our prints will be going on super-mega sale before you know it, so get your photos taken before that huge discount hits!

To reserve your date, click here.

Oh, and Happy Halloween everyone!

Love, Us

i don't cry at weddings...

Usually when I attend weddings, I don't cry. Why, you may ask? Is it because I'm totally void of sentiment? Man, I hope not! Usually it's just because I have so much to think about as the photographer, I just don't have a lot of time to think about what an incredible moment in time I am witnessing. Now this doesn't mean I don't get a little tiny bit misty-eyed at almost every single wedding I go to, but that's really another subject :)

But recently, I went to a wedding I bawled at. I seriously couldn't stop crying. I was just so happy. My little brother, Matt, got married! And to such an amazing woman! I'm just so happy for the both of them! Without rambling on for too long, I present to you, Mr. & Mrs. Ficker!

Congrats again you guys! We love you both so much!

Those two diamonds on the side of her ring were from earrings given to her from her grandma. My brother got them put into her ring, and then added that huge sapphire stone. Man, does he know how to pick 'em!

My all-time fave photo of these two! It was raining/snowing a little and I LOVE that added detail in this pic!!