My Latest Obsession

My fellow photo enthusiasts, I would like to introduce you to a new website called [FRAMED]. I somehow stumbled across this site about a month ago and I've been completely hooked ever since. Every Tuesday they post a new video featuring photographers of various specialties from around the United States. I have always loved documentaries that allow me to watch other photographers work and talk about their passion and philosophies about what they do, so this site is right up my ally!

[FRAMED] also has a lot of great giveaways, and this week I've decided to throw my hat into the ring. Episode 8 featured photographer Carlin Sundell, who is known for telling elaborate stories with his photographs. Therefore, [FRAMED] is asking people to submit a photograph that also tells a story. I am submitting the following photo, which I put together just before Halloween of last year for a 365 project I am currently working on. A few of my amazing friends volunteered to play my "victims" and were such great sports. (Thank you Lauren, Kristy, Courtney, and Kristin!)

Be sure to check out [FRAMED] and become a fan on Facebook and Twitter! (Click HERE if you'd like to see a larger version of this photo.)

February Copyright Release Offer!

For the first time in seven years, but for the month of February only, Courtney Bell Photography is offering you the opportunity to ADD A COPYRIGHT RELEASE to the Exquisite and Lovely wedding packages!!! (This also includes a full-resolution disc of images if added to the Lovely package.)

Previously, the written copyright release statement has ONLY been available when purchased with the Divine package because it is such a huge value. With your copyright release statement, you will be able to have as many prints, enlargements, photo books, or other photo gifts made at ANY photo lab you wish! This could save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars!!!

Normally, the written copyright release is valued at $425.00. However, during the month of February only I am offering this addition at the very special LOW price of only $350.00!

Call today to book your wedding date, or to purchase a disc and/or copyright release from your past wedding shot by Courtney Bell Photography. Don't let this opportunity pass you by! 304.522.7747

New and Improved. Now with TWICE the Courtney's!

After almost seven years of working alone, I have finally taken on an assistant! I'd like for you all to meet Miss Courtney Holschuh (pronounced "whole shoe"). Courtney and I met a couple of years ago, but I was aware of her work as an amateur photographer for a couple of years before that, thanks to Flickr.com. She is silly, fun, has a great eye for photography, and she is also EXTREMELY organized, which is exactly the kind of assistant I need! We have already shot several weddings together and I feel very confident that she is going to be a great asset to Courtney Bell Photography.

The "other" Courtney and I will be at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena this Sunday (Jan. 16) from 11-5 for the 2011 Bridal Expo. In honor of Courtney H.'s first year as my assistant, I am offering a 20% discount off the Divine and Exquisite wedding packages if you book your wedding with Courtney Bell Photography by January 31, 2011! Feel free to stop by and say hello, ask questions, or just check out our booth. Hope to see you there!

And the Communication Problems Continue...

Just when I thought my telephone woes couldn't get any worse, I lose my iPhone. This one is perhaps the most frustrating because I distinctly remember putting my cell phone underneath my pillow as I fell asleep last Saturday night. However, when I looked under the pillow the next morning to retrieve it, it was gone. Just...POOF! I immediately called my phone from a land line, but it went straight to voicemail (the battery was low when I went to bed, so it must have died during the night).

Believe me, I have turned the bedroom upside down looking for it. Actually, I have turned two different houses upside down trying to find my phone! I have retraced ALL my steps. I have dumped out my purse, searched cars, porches, yards, you name it. I plan to do yet another extremely thorough search later today, but as of right now my cell phone seems to have vanished into thin air. Please continue to contact me via email at cbellphoto@frontier.com if you have any questions or need anything at all.

Communication Break Down!

First of all, I would like to apologize to anyone who has been unable to reach me in the last several months. It is literally almost unbelievable the amount of problems I have had with both my phone line and my email! I will spare you the long explanation and just cut to the chase:

The best way to reach me right now is via email, which has recently changed thanks to Verizon switching over to another company called Frontier (hence, the cause of my email woes). My new email address is cbellphoto@frontier.com. Please note, however, that my Spam filter through Microsoft Outlook is VERY sensitive and sometimes email that isn't spam gets filtered there. I try my best to check it often, but sometimes emails can slip by me and end up in the Spam folder. Therefore, if you haven't received a reply from me within a few days, please feel free to send another email.

Again, I cannot apologize enough to those of you who may have been trying to reach me recently. I'm still working on the phone situation, but for now the email problem seems to be resolved (minus the sensitive Spam filter issue). Please do not hesitate to contact me at the email address mentioned above if you have any questions or need anything at all.

New Year, New Outlook

Hello Friends! I know that I've been MIA recently as I have struggled to get through my first set of holidays without my husband, so I just wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who have sent me kind thoughts and prayers to help me get through this very difficult time. It has not been easy, to use the understatement of the year, but I am slowly gaining momentum and trying to get back to life as I once knew it.

I also wanted to take a moment to talk about my goals and plans for Courtney Bell Photography in 2010. Obviously, last year was the most difficult year of my life and it has really made me step back and re-evaluate a lot of things in my life. As far as my business is concerned, I have decided that in 2010 I will probably focus mainly on my two favorite genres of photography - weddings and boudoir. Some of you may find that to be an odd combination, but I would really love to see boudoir photography "take off" this year. I feel there is a demand for it in the Huntington area, as evidenced by the number of bashful inquiries I have received and the very successful Boudoir Day event I held last summer, but I think a lot of women are still timid and simply unaware of how rewarding these photo sessions can be (for both you and your significant other!). I would love to book more boudoir sessions in 2010, so if you or someone you know has been thinking about booking such a session please let me know! Get your girlfriends together, bring a bottle of wine and make a night of it at my very private studio. I promise you will have a blast!

As for weddings, this has always been my favorite genre of photography. Weddings are like the photography Super Bowl to me! However, because I have been so overwhelmed with trying to catch up my 2009 clients' wedding packages, I have decided to scale back my wedding packages for 2010. This will come as very good news for many of you as the prices have dramatically decreased from the 2009 packages. However, this is because I am no longer including as many "goodies" in the Divine and Exquisite packages, such as the wedding coffee table books or wedding DVD's. All such items ARE still available, though, if you would like to add them to the package of your choice. A list of all the items I offer can be found under the heading "Additions/Substitutions" on my wedding pricing page.

As I mentioned above, I will mostly be focusing on weddings and boudoir photography this year, but I will still consider booking family portraits, children's portraits, and Senior portraits on an individual basis. It will just depend upon how busy I am at the time you request a session, but please do not hesitate to call and inquire.

Again, thank you to everyone who has been so extremely supportive and patient with me as I have been working towards getting both my business and personal life back on track. I know it hasn't been easy for some of my clients and for that I truly apologize from the bottom of my heart, especially since I have also been dealing with the added headache of a phone/voice mail issue over the last few months, but I am slowly and surely getting everything taken care of. In fact, I am happy to report that the phone issue has been resolved! Hooray! So, please do not hesitate to call (304) 522-7747 to inquire about your photography needs. Here's to a very positive 2010!

2010 Wedding Packages

I spent all morning trying to figure out how to update my wedding package prices on my website, but finally had to email my website designer to give me a hand. So, while he works on that for me, the following are my new wedding packages for 2010:

DIVINE PACKAGE

• Engagement Session with 20 4x6 prints

• Bridal Session with 20 4x6 prints

• Wedding day coverage:

• Four hours of photojournalistic-style pre-wedding coverage

• Group photos and individual photos of the Bride & Groom (these can be done either before or after the ceremony according to your preference)

• Full ceremony coverage

• Full reception coverage (candids, traditional moments, detail shots of decorations, etc.)

• Travel up to 100 miles to your wedding location

• All 4x6 prints arranged in a personalized proof album

• $150 certificate towards wedding re-prints/enlargements

• CD-Rom of all images with copyright release!

$2,500.00*

EXQUISITE PACKAGE

• Your choice of Engagement or Bridal Session with 20 4x6 prints

• Wedding day coverage:

• Three hours of photojournalistic-style pre-wedding coverage

• Group photos and individual photos of the Bride & Groom (these can be done either before or after the ceremony according to your preference)

• Full ceremony coverage

• Full reception coverage (candids, traditional moments, detail shots of decorations, etc.)

• Travel up to 50 miles to your wedding location

• All 4x6 prints arranged in a personalized proof album

• $75.00 certificate towards wedding re-prints/enlargements

$1,700.00*

LOVELY PACKAGE

• Full ceremony coverage

• Group photos and individual photos of the Bride & Groom (these can be done either two hours before the ceremony or immediately after, according to your preference)

• Up to 1 hour partial reception coverage (only traditional moments photographed, i.e. cutting of the cake, bouquet and garter toss, etc.)

• Travel up to 30 miles to your wedding location.

• All 4x6 prints from your wedding day presented in a black photo box

• $50.00 certificate towards wedding re-prints/enlargements

$1000.00 *

* A 30% non-refundable deposit is required to book your wedding day. The remaining balance is due one week before the wedding.

You may choose to add certain elements to your wedding package, such as the popular wedding coffee table books, or you can even make substitutions within your package if you so desire. A list of the Additions/Substitutions can be found on the wedding pricing page of www.CourtneyBellPhoto.com.