CONTEST WINNER....

The winner of the $25 gift certificate for dreaming up the most words using the phrase Dream Capture is the Durham family coming up with over 450!

Congratulations!!!

A sweet little Angel...

This little girl is just as angelic as she looks. Just 10 days old, she was so tolerant of being moved and adjusted...

Complimentary Session ~ Loyal Customers

Loyal Customers days are here again!!! Loyal Customers will receive a complimentary portrait session!

June 27th and June 28th will be devoted to my Loyal Customers! We'll be going on location for a session without any session fee! A family or an individual, it's up to you!

There are still a few sessions times available so don't miss out! Email jill@dreamcapture.com or call 859.967.6685.

This offer is extended to customers that have had a private portrait session within the past 12 months. Exceptions may be allowed if scheduling permits.

A new Big Brother!

This little man not only became a Big Brother recently but he came to visit me on his very own 4th birthday!! I'm not sure which is more exciting!!

Website difficulties resolved!

Yay! It seems as though the website issues have been resolved. If it appears that is not the case please send me a quick message to my personal email address at jillsegura@yahoo.com . That would be wonderful!!

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES...

Apparently, my main website www.dreamcapture.com is experiencing technical difficulties due to a power outage somewhere in cyberspace.... They've been working on it since this morning and the hosting company says that it should be up and running any time now.... Sorry!

Daycare Picture Sneak Peek...

Here are just a few pictures that I took at the daycare last week... There's something to be said when a little kid knows you well enough that they flash their "picture smile" at you when they see you. This little girl gives me this smile every time I look in her direction with my camera. It's only when she's not paying attention that I get the real stuff...I'll post those later...

Usually both of these boys are just a blur through the lens! On the go and always adorable!

If you know this kid, you know that it's expected to see a sweet picture, he just doesn't take anything but!

The individual viewing galleries for the daycare will be available for online viewing May 28th through June 4th at www.dreamcapture.com.

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!!

I'm so frustrated with all the talk about Superdelegates and the assumption that everything has already been determined before we even get a chance to cast our vote here in Kentucky! We MUST get out and vote today!!

(Adorably fierce tough guy for added effect)

Regardless of who you support, be heard now...otherwise you won't be heard when you complain! At least, not by me!!!

P.S. I, too don't like mixing politics, religion, or anything divisive with business so if you don't appreciate seeing this on my blog, I'm on your side...I don't appreciate having to do it.

The Latest

It's been quite a while since I've been able to post an update! After some hard drive difficulties, I'm finally able to recover some files that I had thought may have been gone forever. Not a good feeling... I finished up the Summer Newsletter and it can be viewed by clicking here. Lots of current info there. I'll be at the St. Joseph East Maternity Fair this Saturday, May 10th. The maternity fair is from 8:30am - 12 noon. Be sure to bring some address labels if you come, this will save you from filling out all those entry forms that all the vendors will have. I'll be sponsoring Dr. Nancy Bishof's talk on introducing siblings and pets to the new baby! I have taken my kids to Dr. Bishof for years and I my kids like her better than any other doctor they've had!

Complimentary Maternity Session!!

May 18th will be a day dedicated to maternity sessions only!! I'll be offering complimentary maternity sessions to those who registered at the Central Baptist Maternity Fair. Sessions will take place in the studio using both black and white and color to create your baby's first heirloom!

Limited availability so call 859.967.6685 or email jill@dreamcapture.com today to reserve your time!

I Feel Sad ~ James Kavanaugh

Here is one of the writings of James Kavanaugh.

This was published back in 1982

so some of the references

may seem dated, however,

the issues remain the same in a

roundabout way if you

substitute one country for another, etc.

Please keep in mind

that these words do not come from myself.

So, while I appreciate this message as a whole,

there may be parts that I don't necessarily agree with.

Sad that needs to preface this but I think it does.

I Feel Sad

I feel sad about my country lately

When damn near everyone I know

thinks it's okay to take money away

from the disabled and the old

as long as we increase military spending

and are certain beyond all paranoia

that we can take Russia out

faster and more completely

than Russia can take us out.

My buddy Danny tells me

that we're getting rid of the freeloaders

and I know damn well

he doesn't mean the rich people

who invest in feed lots

they don't see or want,

or get oil and mineral

and agricultural allowances

they don't need or deserve.

I confess I've occasionally wondered

about some of the people I see

with food stamps

and I suppose I've griped

my share about welfare.

But, I do notice

that the most expensive restaurants

are still crowded,

the Mercedes are as common

as VW's once were,

Fifth Avenue and Rodeo Drive

seem as active as ever,

while the aged and the poor

seem shabbier and more defeated

than I've ever seen them in my lifetime,

too intimidated and nervous

even to whisper of revolution.

I feel sad about my country lately

because it lost it's morals

somewhere between

Korea and Watergate,

and lost it's heart

somewhere between this recession

and the last.

Now the strangers

buy our banks and

the immigrants our fast foods

and we take any dollar

or ruble we can get

to satisfy an appetite

as insatiable as the fear

that creates it

content to build cheap barracks

and call them homes,

content to widen the massive gulf

between rich and poor,

content above all

to defend a country

with the expensive

nuclear trinkets of a paranoia

bred of greed and fear

and most unmanly men.

I never knew a brave nation

could be so reprehensible,

that a dollar could mean so much

or a life so little,

and I'm very sad.

-James Kavanaugh

from the book Maybe if I Loved You More

**BUYER BEWARE**

BUYER BEWARE WHEN BUYING PERSONALIZED PRODUCTS FOR YOURSELF OR YOUR CHILDREN OR, IN MY CASE, A BUSINESS! I had submitted my logo and font information (which I have purchased the rights to) in order to get a quote and sample proof for an item on Ebay. This was an item that I would give to my clients at the maternity fair or in addition to the burp cloths that I currently give to my maternity/newborn clients. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330226790047&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=014 Apparently another admirer, this girl has decided to use the information that I sent to her in order to promote her own online business. I just don't get it, my friends...is there no moral compass anymore? Why would someone solicit business and then use what you send them for their own business purposes? Is it just me? Am I just being a little too OCD over this? I just would never do this and maybe that's why it seems unacceptable to me. I'll change my logo and font as some may have noticed already and re-register all over again. It's just so un-fun! And, of course, I haven't heard back from the girl either.

The Linda ~ $139

This is a delicate looking piece but it's made of quality, solid sterling silver. More of an oval shape and just a bit smaller than The Mallory, this is a wonderful addition to any jewelry box.

The Neilsen Heirloom Bracelet ~ $369

This is an absolute favorite! You cannot go wrong giving this as a gift for any occasion and, especially, for Mother's Day! Made of solid sterling silver this heirloom bracelet includes 8 charm links to display your beautiful family. Some bracelets like this are bulky or gawdy but this is elegant and feminine, making it wearable for even a petite lady. There is no question that this will become an heirloom and cherished for lifetimes we don't even know about yet.

The Mallory Necklace ~ $159

Okay, this is simply beautiful! I love this piece! It's modern and traditional all rolled in to one.

Cell Phone/Camera Charm ~ $25

Tell me these aren't adorable!!

A little charm that you can attach to your cell phone or camera. Made of solid sterling silver. Your choice of frame style.

Mother's Day!!

Mother's Day is just around the corner and if you haven't gotten her a special gift now is the time!! Ladies, if you haven't hinted as to what you want then this is for you!! Custom portrait jewelry can be ordered through Monday and it will be delivered in time for Mother's Day. This is the absolute deadline so please don't wait to do your taxes and then call. Priorities Please!!! If you know the image that you want placed into your jewelry then you can just send me an email or call me with a credit card. I'll post the jewelry on the blog throughout the day so you can see the various items. So, check back and find the one just right for you!! P.S. If you see your child as the image for the sample, I'll give you 10% off!

Lexington Cemetery

Oh, I so needed an outdoor session today and this was the best place to be this week. The Lexington Cemetery is so beautiful this time of year and I love being out there. Unfortunately, there are usually so many other people there or the sun is so bright and since it closes early it's kind of limiting. So, today with the impending rain and freshly blooming flowers it was wonderful!!

If you haven't been to the cemetery for a portrait session during this season, I highly recommend it. The trees are already losing the blooming flowers and it will turn into bright green leaves so this color only lasts for about a week. Other colors will come and some will remain so it's not like you miss out altogether.

If you're interested in scheduling a session, contact me at jill@dreamcapture.com and let me know your daytime availability. The cemetery closes at 5pm but it's worth the effort!

ONE FROM TODAY...

Here's one from a session this afternoon and I just thought these were sweet. This little guy is cracking up at his Mommy dancing. He thought that was great! This one was the final shot of the session and it is almost always the case that the final shot is one of my faves. True again.

I HAVE ADMIRERS!

Apparently, I have some admirers in the area! Flattered is how I should feel but why do I feel differently? I spend 16-20 hours per day researching, creating, thinking, etc...if only I knew that we were sharing. I believe that anyone and anything can evoke some kind of inspiration. A color, a smell, a special t-shirt, another artist, whatever....but take that inspiration and create something of your own. Define yourself with what you can do and create something that speaks to that. That is one reason why I don't work in a chain photo store, it's the same lighting, props, and set up. The offers are the same and the promos are the same. Ugh! I can't stand it! So, I try to always think up new and different things. Maybe people like them, maybe they love them. You never know, but that's the risk that I love.

I take time to get authorization for my music and pay the fees that need to be paid to "rent" them. I develop ideas that I think are my own after spending countless hours changing and tweaking little things here and there. My logo, taglines, etc. All of those. I've changed them in the past due to this issue and I just don't get it, I guess. When people visit my site and then another with the same music and general content it isn't a good thing. Or, vice versa which is what probably bothers me the most. To know how much I put into everything and to imagine that a potential client thinks that I am not creative enough to do what I've been doing for so long, is a gut wrenching feeling. Until I know that this has stopped, I will limit the information that I put on my web and this blog. Feel free to contact me directly for information on some of the new and unique products that are now available. Or, better yet, stop by the studio and take a look!!

In the mean time, I will try to be flattered...