Getting ready for the Valentine's Special

We still have a few openings on Saturday afternoon (January 31st) for our Valentine's Special!
We brought red and pink props and fabrics over to the studio in anticipation of our fun Valentine's portraits! $125 includes a short session with a framed 8x10 portrait.
Call today to book one of the few remaining sessions: (239) 263-7001

Valentine's Special January 27-30

Looking for that special gift for your Valentine? How about a stunning portrait of yourself, your kids or the dog!?
We're having a studio special! $125 includes a short session with a framed 8x10 portrait!
White backdrop in our studio on Linwood Ave.
Short session (one outfit, 20 minutes or so),
up to three people and/or pets (add $25 per extra person or pet).
At the session, you'll have your choice of selected beautiful 8x10 frames.
The best image will be given to you in the frame you choose.
Call or email for your appointment! This special is available for only five days; January 27 through the 31st, 2009. Call Helen or Peggy 239-263-7001

Here are some pictures from our recent ads (beach sessions are extra). Click on the picture to enlarge it:



*Cannot be combined with other specials.
** Other products and print sizes are available too!

Gift Certificate Special

Gift Certificate Special
Holiday gift giving is so difficult sometimes! What do you buy for those who already have everything they need?

Portraits make fabulous gifts!

15% Discount
off of Gift Certificates valued at $300 and up.
Must be purchased December 1 through December 22, 2008
Cannot be combined with other offers.
Gift Certificates are valid all through 2009
These gift certificates can go toward the session fees and portrait prints.

They are redeemable starting in January.

Not redeemable on weddings.

We package them beautifully so you can just present the gift certificate as is. Call today!

239-263-7001.

V-Bot

I've been SO swamped lately that it's been tough to blog! But today I got a new robot vacuum so I have the need to share!! When I moved, I brought the two stray cats with me and made them indoor cats. So keeping up with the cat hair has been impossible. I ordered the V-bot from Amazon.com for less than $70.

The cats don't care for it but so far I LOVE IT!!!

I'll upload pictures to some of the recent sessions soon. It's definitely family portrait season and I've also had more weddings and corporate events than usual. We ran another studio special in November so things are really hopping here at Avant-Garde Images!

Keep your eyes open for a new special that starts December 1st. Think Holiday Gifts.......

In other news, my son's band, Fake Problems, signed with a new record label called "Side One Dummy". The single "The Dream Team" will be officially released on January 20th but you can hear it on their MySpace now: www.myspace.com/fakeproblems.

$99 MiniSessions for a VERY limited time

Studio mini-sessions will be held for six days only; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, November 11, 12, 13 and 18, 19, 20.

Please call 239-263-7001 for an appointment. Late afternoons and evening appointments are available.

The $99 Minisession includes one 8x10 and two 5x7s of the same image.
Please arrive dressed and ready. Each minisession will last about 15 minutes.
We'll use our seamless white background and have some simple props available.
Up to four people/pets. $25 each additional person.

Portraits make fabulous gifts! Call to schedule!

239-263-7001

United Arts Council

My job as the cover photographer for Southwest Florida Retiree magazine allows me to photograph such interesting people! Look for these local famous people on the November cover!
Annabelle Johnson - Naples Artcrafters, Elaine Hamilton - United Arts Council Ginamarie Pugliese - Naples Art Association, Jim Rideoutte - Naples Players.

So many pictures!

I love newborns! Here are three generations of beautiful women:

Sexy and sweet Jim and Christen at the engagement session on their engagement day!
Lori and Chad had a gorgeous beach wedding!

And here are a few of our fairies!

And now it's Family Portrait Season. Schedule yours now!

Dinosaur Playground Exhibit

Dinosaur Playground has allowed us to display an exhibit of some of our portraits in their awesome parent room! Check out the pictures to see if YOU are in any of them!

http://www.dinoplayground.com/ Dinosaur Playground is an indoor playground for kids. The parent room has a monitoring station so you can watch your child while you sit in a nice relaxing room with leather couches and a big TV! You can also rent Dinosaur Playground for birthday parties. How fun!!

Fairy Special, Operation Smile

Next weekend is our popular Fairy Special! There are still openings! $99 includes a minisession, one 8x10 and two 5x7s. Call or email Peggy today to reserve your date and time. Friday and Saturday, September 26 and 27.
Last week we sent out letters to area dentists to see if they would help promote our fundraising effort for Operation Smile. Not only have many dentists allowed us to display information, but Dr. Cheryl Malick of Dental Excellence http://naplesdentalexcellence.com/ donated $240 to the cover the entire cost of one cleft palette surgery! Thanks Dr. Malick! Check out our sidebar to the right of this post or www.familyportraitmonth.com.
Here are a couple pictures from sessions this week:

The big flood

Condo living!
My next door neighbor's pipe burst so my entire studio flooded Saturday afternoon.
I rescheduled my afternoon appointment, bought a Shop-Vac and spent five hours
cleaning up the mess. This is one way to really get a thorough cleaning! I moved all the furniture, the big vinyl backdrop and threw away the carpet padding to clean and dry everything. I feel so badly for real flood victims. I can't imagine if this happened at my home.

October is Family Portrait Month!

This October, Avant-Garde Images, Inc. Portrait Studio will participate with an elite group of photographers around the country in a very special family portrait promotion. This national fundraising effort will benefit Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Avant-Garde Images, Inc. has pledged to contribute 25% ($50) of each October family portrait session to PPA Charities, which has chosen Operation Smile as its charitable partner. October is an ideal time for families to have their portraits created, because the holiday season is just around the corner. Few gifts are appreciated as much a portraits of family members. And when families participate in Family Portrait Month, they are making it possible to truly change the lives of children who would otherwise face a lifetime of pain and rejection.

Call Peggy today to schedule your family portrait! (239) 263-7001

Nikki's Bat Mitzvah!

Nikki did SUCH a great job at her Bat Mitzvah! She sang and read the Torah flawlessly throughout the two hour service. Nikki had a short time to prepare and you would never know it. She is one determined gal!
Nikki has the most loving family you've ever seen. Her sister Erika put together a photo and video montage that brought tears and laughter to everyone who attended the party. Nikki's mom and dad put on the wildest party! Every detail was perfectly thought-out and implemented!

Thanks to everyone who visited us at the Chamber of Commerce Trade Show at the Naples Beach Hotel! It was fun to watch people look through the pictures and recognize so many of their friends. Most of our display was made up of local families. The winner of our drawing for the gorgeous frame set was Kathleen Leavesley of Fifth Third Bank! Congratulations Kathleen!

Saturday's Expo

If you are on my email list, I am sorry, I forgot to tell you where the Expo is this Saturday, August 9!
The Collection at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt and Airport, across from Tiburon
The Expo is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Please come see our display and bring the family for lots of fun!
More info: http://neafamily.com/

I had a GREAT sunset session this week but the pictures are a surprise so I can't share them. I can share two of my fun studio sessions:
I love girlie girls!!
Khloe:

Ruth's maternity session was SO much fun! Her daughter did highjack some of the session. Liora was really into being photographed. She is SO cute! I hope to see you all at the Back to School Expo on Saturday!
Peggy

August & September Specials

We have SO MUCH going on! We've listed our events and specials for August and September on the right side of the blog. We have SIX mini-sessions scheduled - come to one or all of them!
Each includes pictures and you also have the option of ordering wall prints, books, albums, photo jewelry, etc.

We are also exhibiting in two trade shows. August 9 Back to School Expo at The Collection at Vanderbilt (new shopping center at Vanderbilt and Airport) 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
August 21 Chamber of Commerce Trade show at the Naples Beach Hotel. Come visit!

Family Portrait in the Studio!

Portraits with children or pets are almost always a challenge! We had a crazy time trying to get all the kids in one place for a nice portrait. But wow! We ended up with some awesome pictures!

Sometimes, we just photoshopped the others out.....

And sometimes, the picture just worked!