Best friends!

I want to thank Katie Taylor for allowing me to share some of her special images.

I am a dog lover and understand the connection of humans and their animals.  However, there is something really special in the relationship of a human and a horse. I was privileged to photograph this lovely lady and her horse, Phoenix as a surprise to her hubby for their anniversary. We met at Gables Run where she keeps her horse - and it was a perfect day. You can see in the images the connection Katie has with her horse.

 I love this image - the way Katie's dress falls, how she leans on her horse's neck - and his ears are perfect! Sometimes you can have a great images and the ears are back, not alert and forward. 

Beth Anderson walked out to the pasture to assist in the session - and what a great help she was.  Photographing horses can be challenging - and full of surprises.  I have had horses in the past chase me around the corral - trying to show me who was boss!  Not so with Phoenix, he had the best temperament - so gentle.  A tribute to Katie.

 
And his owner, Katie - a mother of three children - just look at her!  So beautiful - and just as beautiful on the inside. I had such a good time with her. 

Bridal session at Tryon Palace

 I always wanted to photograph a bridal session at Tryon Palace, it is such a beautiful venue and so much history there!  In May this year, it finally happened!!  One of my dear clients from Goldsboro has a daughter that wanted her bridal portraits created at the Palace.  I was thrilled and so the planning stage began.

And it took a LOT of planning - May was a pretty rainy month and we had to reschedule three times because of the weather.  But it was so worth it - Brooke looked so awesome - and the weather was perfect!









Our concierge was so helpful - we started in the stable - I love the contrast of the rustic interior and the elegance of Brooke's gown.



Then we started through the gardens, stopping along the way to capture images. So many great locations!







I have always loved this arbor pathway - and the lighting was just perfect for this image.

I love this in black and white!

 At 5:00 we entered the palace itself, and had access to the foyer and the floating staircase.  This images were a "must have" for our bride!

Now, back out to the gardens for a few more images before we lose the "sweet light". A perfect ending to an absolutely perfect session.  

GONE FISHIN' SPECIAL EVENT

Gone Fishin' Special Event June 14th!

Our popular Gone Fishin' is coming up Saturday, June 14th!
Just look at this great scene.

Wonderful props - bamboo fishing poles, old time fishing basket - and frogs and turtles!

All this scenery in air-conditioned comfort of our studio......and no mosquitoes!


                                         
Give us a call 252-633-5558 
or email preciousportraitsbydarco@gmail.com 
to reserve your time.

A deposit is required to hold your appointment so have your debit/credit card ready.  You can pick out your portraits right after
your session - or come back another day - just let me know!  I look forward to this event - lots of fun!!!

February newsletter

Here is the link to our February newsletter! Enjoy!

http://mad.ly/4d9474?pact=20153927285&fe=1

Summer 2013 Newsletter

Here is the link to our Summer Newsletter - full of fun summer facts, activities and lots of specials for portraits!
http://mad.ly/4c1fc3

Sophie the bunny will be back!

Sophie had such a good time with the children that she has asked to come back after Easter!
On April 4 in New Bern and April 5 in Goldsboro she will be ready to have fun, fun, fun again!
Give me a call or send us a message to get your special appointment with Sophie!!

Easter Portraits with Sophie the Bunny

Getting ready for Easter!

Thursday, March 14 in Goldsboro, Sophie will be ready to help create some super Easter Portraits!
Then on Friday, March 15th she will be in our New Bern office.  She told me she is looking forward to some fun times with all the children.
Here is a picture of Sophie - she is so sweet!





 

Last week, we had some Little Models help us test out the scene in Goldsboro - and things are ready to go!

 

These guys are ready to go on the Easter Egg Hunt - aren't they adorable?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Sophie's "stand in" with another cute little guy.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 Sophie says that if you don't have your Easter outfts ready now - just let her know - she is planning on coming back during Spring Break for a couple more days of photo fun!



M. H. Wesley

Several years ago I created some family portraits of this sweet lady and her boys. They were such sweet children, and she was so nice and kind - I felt a special connection to her.  As time went by, I wondered where she was - as she wasn't at the place she worked, and I hadn't heard from her again.

Well, a couple weeks ago she called me to do some business portraits for her.  I was so thrilled to hear from her!   She shared that she was now an author of inspirational books.  We talked and shared all through her session - it was so nice to catch up on her and her sons lives.  I think she came into my studio again at just the right time.

I visited her website www.mhwesley.com and wanted to share it.  Please visit her site and expect a blessing!  You will get to hear her testimony and also can purchase books and CDs that will bring encouragement.

Hi - thanks for checking out our blog!

Our latest studio newsletter has all sorts of great information about recipes and Valentine facts to share.
And of course, some great specials!  Valentine QuickTakes and Easter QuickTakes for the kiddos.
Special Intimate Portraits for sharing with your special guy for Valentine's day (or a birthday, or anniversary!) thru February 8th and also 50% off portrait reorders and custom framing.
Call me today so we can get together! 

Feel free to share with a friend - we love to meet new people!!
Terry

A special gift

Celebrate YOU with an intimate portrait session...........with a great special offer in time for Valentines' Day

If you look up the definition for “boudoir”, you’ll find it means a lady’s private sitting area or bedroom. When you combine boudoir with the word photography, it takes on a slightly different meaning - I like to call it "intimate portraiture".

Intimate portraiture can be glamourous, sexy or even pin-up style photography that celebrates the beauty of a woman.  Think of how special you feel when you put on your favorite dress..........or nightie. This feeling you can share through images with a loved one, spouse or significant other in a very intimate way.  It is a reflection of style, love and intimacy.

There are many reasons to have an intimate photography session.  The first reason is to celebrate yourself and to capture the beauty of every woman.  The images are also perfect for a Valentine Gift.  A bride loves the idea of providing boudoir photography to her new husband on their wedding night. Or anniversary. Or bring that same creativity and lighting to a maternity portrait –what can be more powerful and intimate than showing off your baby bump days or weeks before the big event?

A cherished album meant “for their eyes only” can be a thoughtful, personal celebration of love. 
Here is our special offer......
Now through February 8 - $250 gets you an intimate photo session and 10 retouched and enhanced digital files with permission to print. 
Through January 25 - we can have a hard-cover album made for you in time to present for Valentine's day- GREAT for someone with not enough time to put it all together.

Our Christmas Newsletter

Here is our Christmas Newsletter - check it out!!  Lots of fun Christmas facts and of course, some specials!!

If you have family coming in during the holiday season, and want to have portraits done while they are here, give us a call!  We have a couple of great offers - both for in-studio and on location family sessions. 

Enjoy the newsletter - and enjoy this special season.  Merry Christmas to all and God bless us everyone!

Our fall newsletter

Here is the link to our fall newsletter with great ideas for saving money around your homeand a crockpot recipe that is sooooooo good.
Also information about our fall/halloween QuickTake and some super specials!
Enjoy!!

Have a great fall - and be sure to call about our Fall/Halloween QuickTakes!!

 

Updating the family portrait

 



I photographed this family several years ago - and Heather had a great collection of portraits on display in her home from the session.  Well, sometime after that, they added a new member to the family - the little blonde sweetie in the middle of the family.  When little Isabella got old enough to realize she was "missing" from the portrait collection, she began to ask "where am I?' to her mom.
We donate a portrait annually to the St. Mary's Catholic Church Auction - and Heather and Greg purchased our donation.  Her phone call to me got the process going.  Isabella would soon be on the wall in the family portrait grouping.



 Here is one of the images of the children - don't those big brothers look proud to have a little sister?  And they are so good to her - I just loved to see how they took care of here and were so thrilled with her in the portraits.  They were more concerned with her expressions than their own!

And now a photo of Mom and Dad - such a nice couple.  They are raising such wonderful kids.  When Heather came in to pick out the portraits, she brought all 3 children with her.  They were so "in tune" and helpful - even picking out the favorites simultaneously with their mother.  Wow!

Family portraits in the fall







 

 

 



Fall is the perfect time for outdoor portraits.  It isn't too hot, and the insects aren't as plentiful!  Inland, the landscape has amazing color.
At the beach, there aren't as many people milling about.  All these advantages make for a great combination of circumstances!

One of the most importrant photographs you'll ever have taken is a family portrait - and beautifully designed outdoor family portraits make fine wall decor.  Why?

Stop and think about your family room or living room.  We invest thousands in fine furniture, window treatments, and carpet, yet most of us give little thought to what we put on the walls.  This is the weakest area of home interior design.  Most wall art options are purdhase off-the-rack at a store and are chosen mainly because they coordinate with the colors in the room.

Imagine, instead, a nicely designed outdoor family portrait created in soft evening light with expressions that reflect a pleasant moment in your lives.  The clothing and setting can be considered to coordinate with your decor colors, and the resulting wall art is much more personal in your home.

     When family portraits are taken to the level of wall art decor, your guests will spend more time raving about your portrait than they will your new sofa or leather chair (which cost a lot more than your outdoor portrait).  More importantly, in years to come, your portrait will provide more enjoyment than that old sofa!

We are extending and expanding our Summer Family Portrait Special through the fall!
Portraits can be taken on location, in our portrait gardens or in the studio till September 30th!
With the purchase of a 16x20 or larger portrait get a 5 pose digital package FREE, a $250 value!
Call today!  This special is not good with other specials, offers, or fundraising donations.

Gone fishin' QuickTake!!

Our GONE FISHIN' Quicktake is back!  SATURDAY AUGUST 25th is the day!!

Everyone loves this setting - it is so beautiful - and so FUN!

And best of all - it is a QuickTake - only a $25 session fee and packages starting at $69.95.  We'll even include an image for online sharing with your purchase. Another bonus - with your package purchase, if you would like to add on a Signature Wall portrait - the wall portrait is 1/2 price! 

As you can see from these images, great for boys and girls!!

We have all the accessories so all you need to provide is your child!  Give Terry a call at 252-633-5558 to schedule your special appointment.
The first 5 callers will receive 2 portrait magnets free with their order, so call today. 

Here is our Summer 2012 Newsletter - lots of good information for summer fun and safety - and some great specials for family and children's portraits!!  Enjoy and share with your friends!

http://mad.ly/5115f2

Great garden session

I just wanted to share some images from a recent session we had in our garden. I have enjoyed watching these girls grow up since they were babies, so it was really special to have their mother choose to come to our yard for their recent family portrait.  After the session, the girls enjoyed popping our Balloon Flowers - I think they popped them all!  Don't worry the flowers still bloom!! Thank you Tammy and Brian for letting me share your beautiful portraits.

 

                                                       

Kids are morning people!

Here is a common question...."what is the best time of day to have my children photographed?"  90 % of the children we see come in the morning. Kids begin the day with fresh excitement and a natural curiosity. In fine children's portraiture and family portraits with youngsters, we seek to entertain, excite and amuse children in our effort to get the happiest and relaxed expressions you see every day. When your kids come in fresh and have some real fun, the resulting portraits are more natural and beautiful!

It works the same with babies - most of the time, morning is the preferred time.  We set aside plenty of time for infants.  Diaper changes and feedings take time, and we want to make sure the little ones are content.  A dry, well fed baby is usually a happy one.  

Spring Newsletter - and Happy Mother's Day!

Click on this link to enjoy our latest newsletter.
Great ideas on things to do in May - and a super Beach Portrait Special!
Check it out!

http://mim.io/57bb82

Then and Now!

It is such a thrill to watch kids grow and change over the years.  Recently, I had the privilege of photographing this beautiful young lady.  The first time she came to our studio she was only three months old.  The first one is her 9 month portrait - and now, just look at her!

   
It is a wonderful experience to watch your own children grow and change over the years.  Be sure to treasure their time with you.  In the blink of an eye, they are going out into the world.  We always think we will remember everything about when they were little - but time does fade our memories.  That is why you should take lots of pictures at home - but don't neglect professional portraits - you need both. Capture life's moments.