Shooting the Breeze Blog

Switching over to Facebook

Trista Blouin — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:31:25 +0000

I am in the process of streamlining my online presence and switching my blog over to a Facebook page. You can find me there, just search for Look Who Just Blouin Photography or click on the link over on the right side of this page.

Thanks for the Great Week!

Trista Blouin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:21:53 +0000

If I haven’t emailed or called you in response to your participation last week, I will do so shortly. I am trying to catch up after a really crazy and fun week. Thanks to everyone who participated and I look forward to working with many of you this spring.

Here are a couple black and white photos from the past couple of months…

This lovely piece is now a giclee on this client's wall. What a great sight to see when arriving home everyday!

This piece was purchased to display as an art piece along other conceptial black and whites. "Sheer Abandon" is the title.

Ordered as a larger wall piece.

Snuggles and Unconditional Love

Nuzzling Up

Jovial!

Melts Your Heart

~Trista

March Madness – Day 5, Final Day! It’s the Double Dipper Today!

Trista Blouin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:26:59 +0000

So today is when I get a little mushy. I can’t put into words the level of kindness that has been shown to me by my friends, colleagues, and clients over the last 8 months. I went through a major life altering event and it shook me to my core. It was a good thing, like that butterfly having to struggle to get out of the cocoon, but it was VERY difficult. Then on top of that, I had to deal w/a computer failure at the peak of my holiday season. To say that people have demonstrated love to me is an understatement because there really are no words to describe all the amazing things that been said to and done for me. I keep on asking myself how I can possibly repay all the goodness that has been shown to me and friends just look at me and tell me that you don’t keep track of good deeds, you just turn around and help others. I vow to continue to be the very best person, giving everything I can to my girls, friends, clients, and community. I will not rest until they lay me in the ground, I promise.

I did this promo last year and it was a HUGE success that was appreciated by many. It is my double dipper deal. So here is how it works. The first five people who contact me, I will give them a certificate for double what they pay me to use by the end of August 2010. So if you pay me $500, you get a certificate for $1000. Stipulations: this is only for clients booking new sessions, it can not be combined with any other specials, and this will only be offered today. I will take the first five people who contact me via phone or email (850-712-1513 and trista@lookwhojustblouin.com).

Trista

Photos Submitted by Readers Showing the Uniqueness of Their Child

Trista Blouin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:00:24 +0000

Thanks for sharing ladies!

Trista

March Madness – Day 4! What Makes Your Child Unique?

Trista Blouin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:35:50 +0000

Quick Review… Look Who Just Blouin Photography is shifting its volunteer effort in 2010 to promote the local arts community. I’m looking for two Senior Spokesmodels for the 10-11 school year. I just started doing environmental business photo sessions. Now on to today…

Today’s announcement is more of a refresher in a few keys parts of my children and families division. There are many photographers out there who do portraits and I wanted to highlight a few things that make working with me unique because sometimes trying to figure it all out can be very daunting.

It’s personal. That’s just not my tag-line, it does have meaning. Who else do you know has an initial consultation asking you about your child’s personality and what you like to do for fun as a family? I want to create a custom session that caters to your style and enables me to produce artful photographs that have meaning to you.
I shoot on-location. Again, I go back to the custom element of working with me. Most of the time I’m photographing at your home incorporating elements from your home in the session. When you look at those photos I want you to feel a deep connection to them and not feel like your child was plopped in a foreign place and given a toy that had been played with by 100 kids prior to them.
I do in-home ordering/design sessions. This has become the biggest part of the process that I get thanked for. Just last night my client was saying what a relief it was to have had my help in choosing the appropriate photos for various locations in their home. Because I project the photos on the wall, you get to see exactly what that photo will look like in various sizes hanging on YOUR wall. When you make a financial investment in photos, it is reassuring to know you choose the perfect items for you.

So for fun today, I would like to see photos of your children that show what makes THEM unique. Do they love brussel sprouts? Let’s see a photo of them chowing down. Do they have emerald green eyes? Let’s see ‘em close-up. Do they like to slide across the floor on their behind instead of crawl? Snap away! Send me the photo in .jpg, preferably in a smaller resolution. Send it to trista@lookwhojustblouin.com. I will put up a gallery tomorrow of all the submissions.

Spring has sprung, so let’s take advantage of this gorgeous weather! The first five people today who book a weekday session in March or April will get the session and an 8×10 from the session for $100 (small additional charge for areas outside Pensacola). You must email me (trista@lookwhojustblouin.com) your interest today and I will call you to get all the details and payment info.

~Trista

March Madness – Day 3. Special to First 15 Respondents plus a Digital Treasure Hunt Game!

Trista Blouin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:34:07 +0000

Just a reminder to tell your high school juniors to apply for being my spokesmodels. This is a great chance for them to get some amazing photos for free and to develop a skill set that will help them in the business world.

So did you know that I just opened my adult photography division? Some of you may have been able to attend the unveiling of one facet of that at the Pensacola Museum of Art last month (boudoir/fine art). I am also doing business environmental photo shoots. What is that you may ask? Well, have you ever noticed that many career individuals’ headshots look like they were all produced at the same studio, on the same background, wearing the same business suit? I don’t know about you, but if I am going to succeed in business I need to STAND OUT as different than the flock. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So why not use your business photos to convey what makes YOU unique in business (location, style, personality, etc.)? This trend will continue to grow and will replace the standard headshot on the gray background as the market grows tighter and tighter, I’m starting to see it more and more among business leaders.

To introduce this new venture, I am offering the first 15 people who book me an environmental business photo session, 5-10 retouched, digital proofs to choose from, and one digital photo file for business and digital use for $75. This must be booked and paid for today. This is less than 1/2 the normal price so I can’t offer it past today’s March Madness event. The session must take place by the end of April.

So what kind of game do I have in mind for today? Let’s go on a digital treasure hunt!! Go out on the internet and bring back a link to a really unique environmental business headshot. Share it in the comments section of this website. If you have any problems posting it, just email the link to me: trista@lookwhojustblouin.com and I will post it for you. I’ll take entries until five today and then we will pick our favorite. The winner will get the session mentioned above for free!

Here are samples to show you what I mean:

http://www.dallasheadshots.com/dallas-headshot-photos-10.htm

http://www.dennisdavisphotography.com/#a=0&at=0&mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=11&p=1

~Trista

March Madness – Day 2. CASTING call for 2010-11 HS Senior Spokesmodels

Trista Blouin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:22:32 +0000

I am now taking applications for the 2010-11 high school senior spokesmodels. I am looking for a girl and a boy from Pensacola or Gulf Breeze to be the faces of my high school senior art photography division.

You should apply if…

You are outgoing, friendly and are active in the community and extracurricular activities.
Will be a senior in 10-11 and attend either a Pensacola or the Gulf Breeze high school.
Are photogenic (must submit photos w/application).
Are willing to promote Look Who Just Blouin Photography through handing out your custom rep cards to your friends, sharing your slideshow on your FB and/or MySpace pages and by sharing your experience of working with me as my official HS Senior Spokesmodel.

What do you get?

Spokesmodel Photo Shoot. This will be in April w/multiple outfit changes and locations.
Custom rep cards with your photos on them.
A digital slideshow of all of your photos.
25% of ANY of my senior prices on photos and products.
Prizes for bringing in referrals who book with me. As you reach each level you’ll get these items: Two referrals: $50 ITunes gift card. Five referrals: an evening out package (Mellow Mushroom gift card and Rave Theater tickets). Ten referrals: Two floor tickets to a headliner concert at the Pensacola Civic Center (you get to choose which one).

How do you apply?

Email me trista@lookwhojustblouin.com and ask for the application.
All applications must be filled out completely and emailed back to me by this Thursday at midnight. Friday afternoon I will announce the winners.

~Trista

Thanks to the Participants of Day 1!

Trista Blouin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:20:06 +0000

Even though there wasn’t a second winner on day 1, I appreciated all the efforts. The answer to the fifth question was Organ Pipe National Monument. My hint about how it made me want to sing didn’t give it away? I hope it was fun for all of you.

Congrats to Teresa Z who won the photo session.

Today’s theme is related to high school seniors, so all of you juniors and seniors make sure to get ready. I will be posting mid-morning.

Thanks again for participating!

~Trista

March Madness Has Begun – Day 1!

Trista Blouin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:52:51 +0000

Time for some fun and games at Look Who Just Blouin Photography. Are you ready to play? If you remember the last two years, you know we have a total blast this week (although this year we’ve shifted to March instead of February).
I love to help, sometimes too much, but I give it everything I can. I’m proud of the fact that for the past five years I’ve chosen a theme to focus on in my efforts to help for that year. I hope to inspire others to use their talents to help local organizations as well. Let’s play some trivia. All of these answers can be found by anyone. The first person to answer all five of the following questions correctly wins a free Pensacola photo session for a family of four through May 2010…

1. What was the name of the campaign that I founded in 2009?

2. What was the first book project I participated in here in Pensacola?

3. Name one of the two organizations I’m partnering with for 2010.

4. What was my focus in 2008? (Hint: it culminated w/an exhibit the week of MLK Day.)

5. This is a freebie: Name one cause/issue/concern you think I should support in Pensacola.

The announcement for the day is found in one of the trivia questions, I’m sure you can figure out which one. Have fun!

~Trista

ETA: The first person to respond got it right. I guess I’m too much of an open book. I guess that’s a good thing?? Okay, so I need to up the ante I guess…

Here is another set of trivia questions… these are advanced hard and require digging… but if you are the first person to get it right, you’ll get a session and a free 8×10.

1. Where did I grow up?

2. As most of you know, I don’t do wedding ceremonies. However, I have done one wedding for a dear friend. Where did it take place?

3. What was the name of my photo that was chosen to be part of the traveling international photo exhibit (if you don’t know the name then describe what it looked like)?

4. I received an honor in April 2008 for my book A Slice of Life, Vignettes of Five Families Dealing with Autism. What was it?

5. This is really tough… if you can guess this one you are a sleuth! What was the name of national park I did some shooting at back in January 2009?

ETA: Here is a hint for #5… the place I went is part of the national park service and was so beautiful it made me want to sing.

March Madness Next Monday

Trista Blouin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:01:36 +0000

Mark your calendars (or just watch for the announcement on Twitter or Facebook). We will be having our third annual week of surprises on this blog. The first year we won a national award for such an innovative concept. Last year was just as fun. This year we are going to mix it up but I’m not going to spill the beans. You’ll just need to visit every day to see the fun and surprises we have in store.