Chickadoo Expressions

Black Lab Pet Portrait - Pet Portraits in Ontario

2012-02-22T11:34:00.000-08:00

This piece is a gift for the clients husband who lost this gorgeous working dog. It's not too often that I get to do a portrait of a true working dog, and this one was in her element out in the field with her owner - a hunter through and through. 8"x10" coloured pencil - Black Lab.

www.petportraitscanada.com

MAFE and Milton Mompreneurs Meet Up - Portrait Photography in Ontario

2012-01-31T07:56:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of capturing one of the monthly Milton Area Female Entrepreneurs and Milton Mompreneurs meetings last week. Both groups promote women in business with fantastic networking opportunities, support, friendship and a chance to get out and promote yourself and your business.

If you are interested in joining either group please visit http://www.facebook.com/groups/301063329073/ for MAFE on facebook and http://www.facebook.com/miltonmompreneurs for Milton Mompreneurs on facebook.

Thanks to Oxygen Yoga & Pilates Studio for hosting the event.

To see all the images please visit Chickadoo Expressions on facebook at:

www.facebook.com/chickadooexpressions

For information about our photography or if you would like to book a portrait session, please visit www.chickadoo.com.

In the Art Niche - Portrait Photography in Milton

2012-01-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

No children were harmed in the making of this photo. ;)

Madjam Fitness in Milton - Milton Ontario Photographer

2012-01-21T09:48:00.000-08:00

This was a change from family, couple and pet portrait photography, and I quite enjoyed it. You can still capture meaning in commercial photography. This was a small shoot to showcase the new Madjam Fitness Studio here in Milton on Bronte Street. If you are looking to get back in shape this new year, check them out!! Lots of classes, lots of options and lots of motivation.

Lola is Complete! Pet Portrait Artist in Ontario

2012-01-19T06:46:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to share my latest commission, Lola the Schnauzer. This 8"x10" pencil portrait was so much fun to complete, and she had such great character to capture in the drawing.

If you are interested in a portrait of your pet, please feel free to contact me at info@chickadoo.com and visit the website for more details:

www.petportraitscanada.com

This is Awesome!!! Portrait Photographer in Milton

2012-01-17T07:58:00.000-08:00

"I can't believe she let me hold the leash!!"

www.petportraitscanada.com

Dreaming of Spring - Portrait Photography in Milton

2012-01-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, January hasn't even ended yet, but I can always hope that Spring comes early this year.

www.chickadoo.com

Milton Business Showcase Flyer is back!!

2012-01-11T17:24:00.000-08:00

Our Milton Business Showcase flyer featuring businesses in and servicing the residents of Milton, is back for the New Year!

This is an awesome opportunity to showcase your business to thousands of Miltonians.

We have fantastic advertising rates and require no commitment, so no need to pay $100's up front to get decent advertising. Our ads start at only $50.00!

Though we don't require a commitment, there is a rule that it takes about 3 times for your ad to be seen in order for someone to act upon it, so keep that in mind for any of your advertising champaigns.

Please visit www.advertisingmilton.com for more details and contact info@chickadoo.com if you would like to reserve a spot for this run.

Ad deadline is the last week in January.

Get your business in-home exposure and grow your client base!!!

Happy New Year!! Milton Ontario Pet Portrait Photographer

2011-12-31T12:10:00.000-08:00

Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year!! May all your dreams come true and may 2012
be the best year yet!!

www.chickadoo.com

New Feature Sheet Templates!

2011-12-29T07:20:00.000-08:00

We've got some great new feature sheet templates for your real estate business. Awesome new single page styles that are eye catching and beautifully designed.

These templates are a cost effective way to market your new home listings to potential buyers and sellers. Don't forget that feature sheets are a very important part of marketing your real estate business and they allow you to stand out in the competitive world of buying and selling real estate.

Real estate agents, if you are interested in utilizing our template designs please feel free to contact info@chickadoo.com and visit www.facebook.com/chickadooexpressions to see all of our templates that are available.

And please visit our official website for more details www.realestatefeaturesheets.com

Merry Christmas from Milton Ontario Portrait Photographer

2011-12-24T11:27:00.000-08:00

Chickadoo Expressions would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday season. Happy New Year too, and may all your dreams come true!

Black & White Day - Pet Photography in Milton

2011-12-18T07:39:00.000-08:00

Just playing around with some black and white photography filters. Love the look and feeling that black and white photography conveys. And almost everything looks great in black and white!

Black and white is the way to go for sophisticated looking pieces that fit any decor. In my opinion black and white photography seems to capture a story more-so than your typical colour photos. It is very pleasing to the eye, and very artistic in nature.

Please contact info@chickadoo.com to set up session for some awesome black and white photography and visit the website for details www.chickadoo.com.

Buddy's Kitchen - Pet Portrait Artist in Ontario

2011-12-16T06:26:00.000-08:00

We are thrilled to announce that Chickadoo Expressions artwork will be featured in Buddy's Kitchen gallery for a period of 6 weeks.

With both acrylic pieces and pencil portraits displayed, we are happy to be able to get some good exposure from their many clients for our unique, hand painted/drawn pet portraits. And a big thanks to Buddy's Kitchen for giving us the opportunity.

Buddy's Kitchen is an up and coming cafe for dogs and their owners in Aurora. They serve locally produced, high end food to our four legged friends, and have an awesome facility that we were delighted to tour. If you want a high quality diet for your pooch, check them out at www.buddykitchen.ca.

If you are interested in an original portrait of your pet, whether pencil, acrylic or coloured pencil, contact us at info@chickadoo.com. They make excellent and unique gifts for home or office to cherish for a lifetime all while supporting a local artist in your community.

Family & Pet Portrait at Lowville Park - Pet Portrait Photographer in Halton

2011-12-09T12:25:00.001-08:00

I just realized that I'm falling behind in the blog world and a proper update of photo sessions was needed.

These shots are from a session a few weeks back at beautiful Lowville Park. Another cold, windy day, but on the bonus, the sun was out.

A nice family and a nice pair of dogs to shoot - what more could you ask for? Here are some of the results from the session.

If you are looking for a family and pet portrait photographer in Milton or the surrounding areas, why not contact us at info@chickadoo.com and visit our website for details www.chickadoo.com. We specialize in natural light pet portrait photography.

Breeder Showcase Portrait Sessions - Dog Photographer in Milton

2011-12-05T12:08:00.001-08:00

Check out our latest offering for our doggy clients!

These sessions are geared towards breeders looking to showcase their breed stock either on web or in print. A picture is worth a thousand words, so why not make sure that your pictures are the highest quality and most flattering possible?

We offer an hour session for up to 6 dogs for only $170.00!! This is the #1 best way to show your potential puppy adoptors and other breeders your breeding/show/performance dogs that are part of your kennel.

Many breeders don't put enough effort into the images on their sites, but we want to help them change that.

Contact us today to book a session for your kennel info@chickadoo.com and visit our website for details and samples of our work www.petpotraitscanada.com.

Christmas Pet Portrait - Pet Portrait Artist in Milton

2011-12-04T06:17:00.001-08:00

A gift for a client's sister, this 11"x14" pencil portrait was a lot of fun to complete. It was nice to pick up the pencil's again and create. These pet portraits make excellent gifts and keep sakes.

If you are interested in a pencil or acrylic pet portrait please contact info@chickadoo.com or check out the website for more information www.petportraitscanada.com.

Three Dog Day - Pet Photographer in Milton

2011-11-25T05:31:00.001-08:00

I'm a sucker for challenges, and three dogs in one shoot outside is certainly a challenge!

Another excellent Lowville session, with great, sunny weather and a fun crew. Sometimes it's hard to get three dogs to stay in one place when there is so many distractions around, but we managed it quite nicely.

These are just a few of the results from the shoot.

If you would like to book a session for your dog, or dogs, please contact info@chickadoo.com - we love working with the canines, and where others are hesitant with shooting pets, we embrace all the furry, feathered and scaled creatures!!

www.chickadoo.com

Customizable Christmas Cards - Milton Ontario Graphic Design

2011-11-22T05:34:00.001-08:00

Yes, it is that time of year already. Time to start thinking about sending out your holiday wishes to everyone on your list weather naughty or nice.

Keep in touch with your clients as well this holiday season with these great customizable Christmas Cards. Perfect for real estate agents and small businesses. Customize the back with your business information and chose from one of the great designs shown in the flyer.

These are a fantastic way to stay on top of your contact list over the holiday season.

Contact info@chickadoo.com to order.

www.chickadoo.com

Family Portrait Session - Portrait Photographer in Milton

2011-11-15T12:42:00.001-08:00

We did the engagement shoot, now it's the family, including to the doggies!

Another nice day for a portrait session, though a little on the cool side. This was a highly entertaining shoot, with wonderful people and two dogs that I hadn't seen for a very long time (too long).

If you are looking for a portrait photographer in Milton check out Chickadoo Expressions and book a time with us! Natural light photography, capture your moment!

Christmas Town Mountsberg - Milton Ontario Portrait Photographer

2011-11-13T17:27:00.001-08:00

This is the first time we've ever attended Christmas Town at Mountsberg, and if you have little ones, I highly recommend it!

The elves (staff) were excellent, Santa and Mrs. Claus were fantastic and our transportation was second to none.

I'll let the pictures do the talking from here - but if you are interested in signing up for next years Christmas Town Tour visit Christmas at Mountsberg - this year is fully booked!!

Our Transportation

Our Tour Guides

Best Santa ever!

The Claus'

Christmas Pet Photography Sessions in Milton

2011-11-12T11:58:00.001-08:00

Save the date for your furry friend!

Chickadoo Expressions has teamed up with Send Out Cards to offer this fantastic deal for our clients. Christmas Pet Photography Sessions for only $30!!!!!

We still have some spaces available on the 27th of November, so contact us to reserve yours info@chickadoo.com.

Sessions will last 15-20 minutes and include a high-res CD of 5 photos, one printed 5x7 and 5 personalized photo greeting cards.

Check out our website and this blog for samples of our work www.chickadoo.com

Beautiful Baby Girl - Portrait Photographer in Milton

2011-10-25T04:29:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of photographing this little beauty, only a few weeks old. It is amazing how helpless newborns are and how quickly you forget that when you have a strapping 25lb bulldozer of a 1 year old.

This session was donated for the Joshua's Journey Charity Golf Tournament which raised over $30,000 to support the fight against childhood cancer.

If you are interested in a portrait session do not hesitate to contact info@chickadoo.com and visit the website for details www.chickadoo.com.

Fantastic Photo-Shoot! Portrait Photographer in Milton

2011-10-18T17:37:00.000-07:00

What a great day for a portrait shoot at Lowville Park! Mid-October, 20-25 degrees, sun shining, birds singing and tons of colour in the trees still.

This wonderful couple are celebrating their engagement. We met through training our dogs and have stayed in touch ever since, so I was delighted to be able to capture this special occasion for them. These two were lots of fun to work with and so very photogenic.

These are just a few samples from the session - hope you enjoy them.

If you are interested in having an engagement or family photo-shoot, please don't hesitate to contact Chickadoo Expressions and we'd be happy to set up a time for you info@chickadoo.com

www.chickadoo.com

www.facebook.com/chickadooexpressions

Thanks Milton!!!!! Portrait Photographer in Milton

2011-10-07T17:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks Milton for voting for Chickadoo Expressions in the
Canadian Champion Reader's Choice Awards!!!

Platinum Award Winner for Favorite Photography Studio
Platinum Award Winner for Favorite Photographer

Check us out at
www.chickadoo.com
www.facebook.com/chickadooexpressions
or email to book your session
info@chickadoo.com

Crawford Lake - Photographer in Milton Ontario

2011-10-02T11:55:00.001-07:00

I usually make it out to all of the Halton Conservation Areas during the fall to capture the beauty of this season. Though the colours aren't quite in full splendor yet, I decided I would start at Crawford Lake yesterday. The wind was cool, the air was crisp, but the sun was warm and inviting.

This is a fantastic time of year for outdoor portraits as the colours add so much more to all of the images.

Even with dog and baby in tow, I was able to capture some decent shots (well, dog is always easy, it's hungry baby that makes photography a little more challenging).

We are booking for fall/winter portrait sessions, so gather the family or pets and come on out and take part in this beautiful season.

Contact us at info@chickadoo.com for more information and visit the website for details www.chickadoo.com

Milton Business Showcase Flyer - September Edition

2011-09-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

Another successful run of the Milton Business Showcase flyer!

Advertising starts at $50 with no commitment required.

If you are looking to promote your business in Milton, this is the flyer for you.

Contact advertising@chickadoo.com for more information or visit the website www.advertisingmilton.com

And remember, we can design flyers for your business as well!

25% OFF Dog Portraits!! Pet Photographer in Milton

2011-09-05T18:36:00.000-07:00

Chickadoo Expressions is offering 25% off Dog Portrait Photography for the month of September 2011.

If you'd like to book a session with your best friend, please email us at info@chickadoo.com or visit the website for details www.chickadoo.com.

Fall is a great time of year for natural light photography, excellent colours, beautiful backdrops and fantastic weather. Book a session with us today.

And don't forget to like us on facebook www.facebook.com/chickadooexpressions

Thanks Milton!!!!! Portrait Photographer in Milton

2011-08-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks Milton for nominating Chickadoo Expressions as your favorite Photography Studio and favorite Photographer in the Milton Champions Reader's Choice Awards.

We would love your votes, so please visit the below link and make sure to vote all of your favorite businesses.

http://www.insidehalton.com/community/milton

Click on the link above, then click the link on the top right hand side of the page. A multiple choice screen will appear. We are #71 and #165.

Great Day for Group Photos! Photographer in Milton

2011-08-25T10:23:00.000-07:00

I've really lucked out with the weather so far this year. Another great day for photos, this time at Lowville Park out Burlington way.

This mommy's group requested group and individual shots of the kids, and what fun this session was!

Below are just a few of the photos from this group session.

If your parent's or kid's group is interested in group photos, why not try Chickadoo Expressions? Email for more info at info@chickadoo.com or visit the website www.chickadoo.com.

And remember to LIKE us on facebook www.facebook.com/chickadooexpressions

Milton Business Showcase Flyer - Advertising in Milton

2011-08-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

The Milton Business Showcase flyer has gone to print for it's inaugural run and it looks great! Nice eye catching design and excellent quality prints make this a great way to get your local business recognized.

A big thank you to all the participating businesses.

We will be opening up spots for September's flyer next week, so if you are interested in advertising at great rates with no long term commitment, please email advertising@chickadoo.com and visit the website for details www.advertisingmilton.com.

Milton Ribfest 2011 - Milton Ontario Photographer

2011-08-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this is nothing official, but since we were going to Ribfest on Sunday, I thought I'd let the camera tag along.

If you are looking for good food, good entertainment, good company and a relaxed atmosphere, be sure to check out Milton's Ribfest next year - highly recommended.

Here are a few unofficial shots from the event.

I have no idea who this guy was, but he wanted his picture taken ... how could I resist?

Family Photo Session - Family Portrait Photographer Milton

2011-08-10T12:03:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share a shoot from a week or so ago. Another fantastic day for pictures, though it sprinkled rain for a moment or two, everything cleared up and we were able to get some gorgeous images of this great family. And of course, the Mill Pond was a great back drop once again!

If you are looking for a family portrait photographer in Milton, why not contact Chickadoo Expressions to capture those special moments info@chickadoo.com or visit the website www.chickadoo.com for more details.

Milton Business Showcase - Advertising in Milton, ON

2011-08-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

Looking for a cost effective opportunity to showcase your business to Miltonians? Our full colour, double sided, Milton Business Showcase flyer will be having it's initial run of 5,000 this month to be distributed in the Milton Canadian Champion. Get your business exposed in home with this flyer.

For details check out the websire www.advertisingmilton.com. As a bonus, if you buy an ad, we will list you on the website for free!! And for more exposure, we will be featuring the Milton Area Female Entrepreneurs networking group on each flyer issue, so those that belong get double the exposure!

Please email if you are interested in featuring your business advertising@chickadoo.com. Ads start at $50, and with a run of 5,000, each ad works out to only 1 cent! Very cost effective marketing.

The Mill Pond - Photography in Milton

2011-07-25T17:01:00.001-07:00

Just some shots while passing time before Sunday's photo shoot. What a great spot in down town Milton for an awesome backdrop for family portraits!

www.chickadoo.com

Baby JLO - Baby Photographer in Milton

2011-07-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday was a special session with beautiful baby JLO.

Adorned in pink, and though not my typical subject, she lit up the room and the lens. She maintained her composure throughout the session, and I ended up with some fantastic photos. She wasn't even bothered by the flash or lighting. Although, when her hat made an appearance on the scene, she wasn't too pleased.
Over all a great shoot and I thoroughly enjoyed the time with her and her mom.

Interested in having a portrait session with your little one? Please visit my website for details www.chickadoo.com or email me at info@chickadoo.com.

Engagement Session - Photographer in Milton Ontario

2011-07-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

I love that the weather has been co-operating so well for outdoor photography!

Below are some images from an engagement session taken two Sunday's ago. R & T are getting married in September and I wish them all the best! A great couple, had lots of fun with this shoot.

And how could I forget the new puppy! A cute little Bernese Mountain Dog that is going to be absolutely huge!

If you would like to book a session feel free to email info@chickadoo.com or check out the website for more details www.chickadoo.com

2nd Annual Joshua's Journey Charity Golf Tournament

2011-06-25T17:28:00.000-07:00

Please take a moment and visit the below page. Joshua's Journey Golf Tournament is a charity game in support of raising funds to help battle childhood cancer. The goal of $35,000 will go to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario and McMaster Children's Hospital.

Joshua was a little boy who was taken from this earth far too soon. No parent, family or child should have to suffer through such a devastating situation. If you are looking to support a truly wonderful cause, in memory of a special little boy, please donate through the below website.

www.joshuasjourneytourney.com

Chickadoo Expressions will be sponsoring this event with a auction/raffle donation of a 1 hour family, couple, individual or pet photo shoot, including a printed 8"x10" and a high resolution CD of the photos from the session.

The golf tournament is sold out, however tickets for dinner are still available for purchase. Let's try and help put an end to this terrible disease.

Handsom Jackson - Pet Portrait Photography in Milton

2011-06-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

I met Jackson and his owner on a day that the Weather Network was calling for rain. With clouds in the sky and fingers crossed, I drove out to meet up with them on a beautiful apartment grounds for a late morning photo shoot.

Apparently crossing your fingers really does work. The clouds disappeared and the sun showed up making for a gorgeous morning.

Jackson is probably the biggest lab I've ever met, but as most labs go, a true softy with a friendly, happy-go-lucky attitude.

Here are a few images from the shoot.

If you are interested in having some portraits of your pet taken, please feel free to email info@chickadoo.com any time, or visit the website www.chickadoo.com for more details. It's a great time of year for natural light photography!

Keep It Simple with Logos - Milton Ontario Designer

2011-06-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

This is a great article from the Globe and Mail about the ins and outs of logos for your business.

Keep Your Logo Simple But Smart

And remember, if you are looking for logo design or branding for your company or as an independent realtor please don't hesitate to contact Chickadoo Expressions info@chickadoo.com or visit the website www.chickadoo.com to see how we can help.

Family Portraits - Portrait Photography in Milton

2011-06-13T18:23:00.000-07:00

Another wonderful day, clear skies, without a rain drop in sight, set the mood for some fun family photos with E, L and the girls.

The two little ones had energy to burn, and made for a highly entertaining afternoon of laughs and great shots.

Thanks for the opportunity E! I had a great time photographing your family.

If you are interested in a family portrait, please visit my website for details www.chickadoo.com or feel free to email me at info@chickadoo.com for more information.

Let's hope this good weather stays!

Photo Shoot with Moxi - Pet Photographer in Milton

2011-06-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

It was a relief when the weather turned better and the rain stopped being so relentless. After a cancellation due to rain, and a reschedule, I was finally able to shoot the beautiful Moxi, a spunky little Jack Russell/Pug cross.

Those eyes tell all!

Morning Visitor - Photographer in Milton Ontario

2011-06-02T18:42:00.000-07:00

Well, this gentleman showed up on my door step this morning, so we had a quick photo session because I couldn't resist. I'm hoping to get out somewhere "interesting" with this guy for a really unique shoot, so stay tooned for more Storm Trooper Extrodinair!

Single Page Feature Sheets - Milton Ontario Graphic Designer

2011-05-31T08:16:00.000-07:00

Single page, 8.5"x11" front and back feature sheets are the way to go for smaller listings such as condos, town homes or semi-detached. You can still display enough relevant information and images, as well as having an eye-catching design, all while keeping your marketing costs down. Add your MLS listing for the complete package to ensure that you clients and potential buyers get all of the important information.

Though a feature sheet will not sell a house, a well designed, clean look will definitely help you market your listed properties.

Use Chickadoo Expressions to design your marketing material. Excellent prices, great turn around times and friendly, knowledgeable service. www.chickadoo.com

Lightroom Editing - Milton Ontario Photographer

2011-05-27T18:25:00.001-07:00

Hmm, what more can I say than Lightroom offers some awesome options for "finishing" photos. Though it can be finicky, with patience and persistence, you can achieve some wonderful effects with this program.

I am new to this software, but am trying to utilize it for "developing" many of my photos and am enjoying experimenting with this visually creative program.

If you are looking for a portrait photographer, why not check out www.chickadoo.com. Great rates, friendly service, and though specializing in canines, I am open to all other types of portrait photography.

Summer Solstice - Milton Ontario Designer

2011-05-26T08:33:00.000-07:00

I love working with small business owners to help them create marketing material for their businesses or upcoming events. With so many design options, the possibilities are endless.

One of my clients, Simply the Best Planning, is holding a Summer Solstice Holistic & Wellness Expo in June, and I was able to work with her and create a flyer for this event.

Check out the website holisticwellnessfestival.webs.com for more information or contact Adina from Simply the Best Planning for information on becoming a vendor summersolsticeday@gmail.com.

If you are interested in having some design work completed, please feel free to contact me at info@chickadoo.com or check out my website for more information www.chickadoo.com

Positive Thinking

2011-05-19T05:30:00.000-07:00

Positive Thinking Creates Positive Results

Article originally written for a former website.

In life, for most of us, opportunities are not handed to us on a silver platter. Most of us have had to work hard for the things that we have achieved, and continue to work hard to maintain the lifestyle that we currently live. Hard work and dedication are two major roles played helping us to get ahead in todays competitive world. However, there are quite a few people who overlook another very important factor that helps us achieve, and can create great results for us in our working and everyday lives. That is, positive thinking.

Positive thinking defined literally from Webster's Dictionary is as follows:
Positive - firmly laid down; definite; absolute, unquestionable; over confident; not negative
Thinking - have one's mind at work; reflect; hold an opinion; conceive or consider in the mind

Positive thinking as a combined definition is the act of creating a positive mental thought process in order create change in a persons life by making positive mental statements and suggestions to help achieve an affirmative result.

What does all this mean to an average person, business owner, employee? Changing your thought process can have a huge impact on your mental as well as physical and psychological condition. Changing a thought process from negative to positive can help to ease stress, can help to put us in a better frame of mind, and can help achieve results that we never thought possible.

By utilizing the method of positive thinking in day to day activities including work, sports, school, home life, etc. we can achieve a better "state of being", if you will, and our positive thinking will have obvious results on those around us as well. When you are negative, stressed, angry or tense, you affect those around you. Though you may think that your mood or mind set has no impact on others, all one has to do is look at a parent child relationship, and see how the parents mind set affects the child.

So on days when you feel the world is out to get you, or if you are feeling stressed about an upcoming presentation, job interview or just need a pick me up, take a 5 minute break, visualize a positive outcome, mentally reassure yourself that you can achieve what you need and want, and you will be surprised at what you can accomplish with this type of attitude and mind set.

Remember the old saying, "you catch more flies with honey than you do with manure" ... honey is the positive, the flies are your goals, dreams and furture accomplishments, the manure is, of course, the negative, and look where that gets you. If you need more flies, honey is the way to go!

Black and White Days - Photographer in Milton Ontario

2011-05-10T09:14:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I prefer my subjects in black and white. There is something about the lack of colour, the higher contrast and the feeling that you get from a black and white image.

I suppose, by far, it is my favorite type of photo. Black and white enables you to remove blemishes without retouching, adds depth and a sense boldness, yet softens the image.

There are many different "styles" of black and white photography, and I like to experiment per the subject to see what works out best, what really brings out the individual in the image.

And, you don't need a super expensive camera to make black and white look good. The above photos were taken with my Canon digital SLR, used in all my photo shoots, however, the below self portrait was taken with my older point and shoot, Kodak Easyshare camera (the door jam coming out of my face, well, that leaves a bit to be desired on composition, but over all, the shot works, especially for a hand held selfie).

Booking natural light, on location portrait sessions for the summer - for more information, please check out the website at: www.chickadoo.com

Marketing - Milton Ontario Designer

2011-05-06T16:55:00.000-07:00

Helpful Hints, Tips and Knowledge About the Real Estate (And Small Business) Marketing Game

Article originally written for a former website

Many people seem to take marketing very lightly in the overall scheme of their businesses. They give no thought to changing colours, fonts, graphic and pictures on their materials each time they begin a new campaign. Little do they know that this can have an effect on marketing your business that is not always positive. This is especially true of real estate agents looking to farm a certain area on a regular basis, creating ad cards, feature sheets, and even photography in their materials. I like to give the advice, keep it simple ... the word "stupid" should fit right in here, but if it's positive results you want, it's best not to call names. Keeping it simple and consistent is the key to marketing in the real estate business, or any other business for that matter. This helps to "brand" yourself, let's potential clients get to know you, and people start to recognize you just by your marketing materials. In this article I've compiled a few points below to steer you in the right direction on your quest to market yourself in this very competitive industry.

Keep marketing materials similar - brand your self.

I see way too many people with different themes on almost all of their materials, pink feature sheets with scroll fonts, black ad cards with Arial type fonts, business cards with red and blue using Times type fonts, and so on, making if confusing to a potential client as to who is offering the service.

Changing a design from one feature sheet or one ad card to the next can be detrimental to your marketing campaign. If people get used to seeing you use the same design, they get to know you by your material, and you become familiar to them, meaning the more likely they will call because they "know who you are". Changing your design, colours, fonts and styles each time you create a new card, feature sheet, brochure etc. just doesn't lend itself to a solid marketing campaign. Unless you are going for a full over-haul of your "look", constant change doesn't make sense if you are trying to let people get to know you and your business through your marketing materials. It would be like dying your hair, and changing your looks everyday - people begin to wonder who you really are. Familiarity in business marketing is very important, and it is how potential customers begin to notice, recognize and become familiar with you and your company.

Use a single feature sheet, listed/sold, brochure, business card, ad card etc. design.

Similar to what was stated above, through the process of distributing ad cards (solds, listeds, coupons, intro cards etc.), people get to know who you are by keeping the same design each time. They see that design and say "oh that's so-and-so" just by the style, fonts or colour on your material that you have been sending to them on a regular basis. This helps with recognition of your name in your particular field of business, especially in the real estate sector. If you changed your design each and every time, you loose that ease of recognition, especially since a good many of these types of marketing materials go straight into the blue box, leaving you with only seconds for the potential client to take a fleeting look at the item. The consistency of cards that you are sending out allows for recognition in the second before the item is tossed. This is extremely important to remember when creating distributed advertising material.

Feature sheets should be designed once, as a template, and that design utilized for all of your listings. There are certain instances that a larger, more detailed sheet may be needed (Ie. For homes over $1,000,000), however, all that is necessary is to tweak your original design to fit a new sheet. Keeping the same design makes things simpler for you, easier for the client to understand, and creates a more professional look - something that you can take to an initial meeting of a potential client and say "this is what I have to offer" without having to fumble through samples, looking for a new design, seeming as though you haven't a clue what you're doing in that regard. I like to recommend sticking to either the 11"x17" folded style, or the 8.5"x11" front and back. Both of these can be made to look very professional, stylish and can be made to follow the same themes as your other advertising material. The former be used for a more detailed sheet, for a home with many upgrades or features to talk about, while the latter can be used for simpler homes, focusing on photos rather than wording, keeping both in the same style as each other, making them interchangeable, but easily recognizable.

Keep it simple.

Bogging down advertising with too many words looses peoples attention. Simple statements like "Sold in 1 day for 99.9% of asking", "We're here to help" or "Call for an estimate" are simple, to the point, and grab attention. Writing paragraphs and adding to much information to an ad card results in loss of interest, and the material being discarded without even being looked at. No one wants to spend hours reading about your house sale, your business plans or every single service that you offer on an ad card. Straight forward, to the point and simple is the best plan to follow. Catch their interest with your initial statement, and then draw them in to either your phone number or your website where they can find out more information. I find drawing potential clients in to your website the best way, as they feel no obligation when going to a site, they are more at ease, there is no pressure and they can find out all about you, your business and what you have to offer on their own. Yes, there is the risk that you may never make contact with them, however that is a risk that you must be willing to take.

Brochures and other such material that you plan on distributing or handing out should follow the same lines as above.

CMA information should be simple, informative and interesting to the potential client.

CMA's really don't have to be 50 pages long and presented like a novel. You are not trying to sell a publisher the next best selling non-fiction, you are tying to convince your potential client that you would be the best fit for their needs. Make them simple yet informative. Outline what you specifically have to offer, talk a little about you, about the company you work for, and some stats that prove your worth. Include a sample of the marketing material (feature sheets and ad cards) that you produce that are relevant to that clients area. Use images! Images catch and hold attention longer that row after row of text, but, of course, you must use relevant high quality photos or artwork that will attract your client.

Have a CMA designed that you can print for yourself or something more generic that you can keep copies of for when you need it. Relying on others to print your CMA for you can leave you stranded when you have a last minute presentation at 4:00pm on a Sunday.

Keep your CMA design similar to the rest of your marketing material. This helps to tie your while business together, shows professionalism and makes things simpler for you. Bind your CMA for the presentation or have it presented in a folder. Know where the pages are that you will talk about to the potential client. This keeps things organized, proficient and makes you look like you know what you're talking about, which is a very important first impression.

Full page flyers are too much reading.

Full page flyers and newsletters (8.5"x11") tend to be to much reading for farm areas and potential clients. If sending newsletters out is part of your farming routine, add some statistics for the area. People who are even remotely thinking about selling their home will be very interested in statistical information specific to their area. If sending out full page flyers is part of your routine, to catch attention, showcase all of the homes that you have sold in that particular area. Make it very picture heavy so that there is not a lot of reading to do. On both types, ensure that your name is large, bold and easy to read, along with your picture (if you use it in your marketing material). Once again, keeping with the same suggestions as above, keep these items similar in design to your other materials for ease of recognition.

Black and white versus colour.

Statistics prove that colour advertising is much more effective and eye-catching than black and white. However, colour can be very pricey, especially when you are working a farm area on a continuous basis. Because of this, you need to keep in mind that 95% of the ad material that you send out gets immediately tossed into the recycling, regardless if it's colour or black and white. So a well-designed black and white piece might be more feasible in certain situations and if money is an object in your marketing campaigns. Something with your name very prominent (preferably white on black), your website, brokerage/business name and contact information all legible, but kept in the same style as the rest of your materials. This way you save money, but you are still getting your name out there, relying on the similarity of your material for that 1 second of recognition time before you-know-what happens.

Paper ads that don't tie in.

Many newspaper real estate advertisements or small business ads in general don't flow or keep together as they should. The header of the ad ends up looking like a totally separate entity from the body, causing confusion for those perusing the publication. Try and have your ad designed so that it looks like it's tied in altogether, and that it doesn't belong to the persons ad beside or under you. Use a single colour boarder to "contain" everything, one that matches the header, or a single background colour that is similar in keeping with the rest of your marketing material, again matching the header of the ad.

Have a professional or someone who knows what they're doing take photos for you.

There is nothing worse for a buyer than looking for listings on the MLS, or a client searching through a catalogue and the photos are poor quality, too dark, grainy, focusing on the wrong subject, showing only a couch or a bed, etc. (remember real estate agents, you're trying to sell the house not the furniture). People get turned off a listing or product when they see that type of poor quality. Spend the little bit of extra money and have someone who knows what they're doing take the photos for you. Too many self-shot home photos are dark, dreary, leave the house looking small, and not attractive, in turn, making your brochures and feature sheets look very unprofessional. This is not how you want your clients home to come across to potential buyers.

If you insist on taking your own photos NEVER have the date stamp on while photographing. Make sure that you have a adequate flash. Never shoot towards a window, that creates a backlit image, and the window becomes very bright, and the rest of the room very dark. Try and do the shoot in daylight hours, preferably when it's nice and bright out, and turn the lights on in the house, even if it is during the day. Keep in mind however, that incandescent lights throw yellow, so may affect the colour of your images. Never ever take pictures with your blackberry or any other low resolution camera. Point and clicks are great, but when you want a professional looking photo, nothing beats a digital SLR.

Website - why, what, who?

Now-a-days, with so many people constantly connected to the web, it is a very good idea to have an up-to-date, informative, eye catching website for potential clients to visit. Your website should be highly visible on all of your marketing material. Your website should be easy to navigate, and be kept up to date on all your current listings, solds, products, sales and other pertinent information. People like to do their own research before they decide upon an agent, a house etc. so having a website allows potential clients to check you out before they contact you. Hence the reason to keep the site up-to-date at all times (a good idea is to have a date stamp that is posted on your home page, informing clients as to when the site was last worked on and up-dated. There is nothing worse then visiting a site for a business you are interested in, and finding that it hasn't been updated since 1995. Make sure that all page links are working, and test this on a regular basis. If your internal site links don't work, and no one can negotiate your pages, there is no point in people visiting it, and it is very frustrating for those who are interested in what you have to offer. Keep the site in the style of your marketing material (if you can) so that they recognize who you are when they visit. Use high quality images for your site, and if possible, have a professional create it for you - they know sites in and out, how to optimize it for searches, what placements work best and where, and will give you a unique, interesting site that potential clients will be happy to view. An eye catching, information filled website can work wonders for a business now-a-days.

Over all, whether you are marketing yourself, a service, a product, your business etc., it is imperative to keep things simple and similar. Recognition is key, especially in the real estate industry, and when you create marketing materials that are of the same style each and every time, you gain that recognition, in turn allowing people to "get to know you" through the items that you distribute. Once people "get to know you" they become more comfortable with you or your business, and are that much more likely to choose you over the other business who isn't following this same procedure.

Julie Deans is an artist, a honours graphic design grad, the owner of Chickadoo Expressions (design & photography), and has many years of experience working in the real estate design sector as well as the administrative field. She utilizes the knowledge she has gained through her experiences by writing articles in hopes to help others gather information and become more successful in their careers, or business ventures.

The Importance of Good Photography - Milton Ontario Photographer

2011-04-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

How Important is Good Photography?

Article originally written for a former website.

This is a question that should enter the minds of every single real estate agent before they begin their career. However, often times this all important topic is overlooked, and agents fail to see the relevance in it. Photography can make or break the way your potential clients view your professionalism, it can be the difference between turning people off your listings on mls or creating interest in the home you are trying to sell, and it can greatly enhance or badly ruin any of your marketing materials. The number one most important tip that I tell my clients when they are contemplating photography, is to have a professional, who knows what they're doing, take the photos for them. Although many take this advice, there are still a high number of agents who insist upon capturing their own images, and this article is here as a simplistic, easy to read, non-technical aid to help those "stubborn" ones become more skilled at the task of taking interior and exterior house and building photography.

Type of Camera

The first issue that needs to be over come is the type of camera that is being used. If you insist upon taking your own photos, then it is time to invest in an adequate camera to get the job done. There are many good quality point and shoot cameras on the market today, from Nikon to Canon to Kodak and everything in between. Many of these can produce decent looking photos for everyday use, however, none can compare with the quality of the digital SLR's that are available to us now. Often times the flash on the point and shoots is inadequate, and megapixels are too low, the zoom is lacking, and there are no extra lenses that can be added, such as a wide angle, which is important in this type of photography. The best advice I can give is to either spend the money and purchase a good quality Canon or Nikon digital SLR, or make sure that you purchase a high-end point and shoot such as the Canon S3 IS or it's equivalent in another brand. These high-end point and shoots (S3 IS) offer many advantages over the lower quality one's and even allow for extra lense ad-ons, however, the digital SLR's are the way to go if you are looking at creating professional quality photos. There are many different lenses, flashes and other ad-ons available and the quality produced by these is unsurpassable.

Take A Class

Once you've decided upon your weapon of choice (digital SLR - hint hint) you need to seriously consider taking some classes in order to learn the proper operation of the camera, it's settings and the nifty little features that it comes with. Even a short seminar is better then nothing, enabling you to become familiar with basic procedures of operating your camera.

Tips for the Amateur

These are tips that may seem obvious to some, but are lacking by many when it comes to real estate photography.
Good lighting - Lighting is extremely important for any photography, and shooting indoors can have it's challenges. Decent natural lighting from outside is always helpful. Open curtains and blinds to enable the full benefit of the sunlight. Remember to never shoot directly at a bright window with open blinds. Angle the shot, so that it is not directed squarely on the light source. Shooting directly at a bright window will creating a glowing effect on the window itself, and everything else in the shot will come out very dark. If there is no other way to shoot but directly at the window, close the blinds, utilize the flash and the interior lighting of the home. Turn on the interior lights, even if it is during the day. Keep in mind though, that incandescent bulbs can throw off a yellowish tone, so depending on the amount that are used, the photos can take on a yellowish hue. Invest in an extra flash. This can be extremely helpful in houses that have dark interiors, small amounts of windows, and those lacking exterior light.
Use a Tripod - If you think that you are at all unstable while shooting, set up a tripod and utilize that for your photo shoots. A tripod will keep the camera from moving during a shot (unless your too rough with it) and reduce the "blur" that movement causes in a picture.
Pay Attention to the Layout of the Shot, Take Your Time - Many agents fail to actually look at what they are shooting, and just "point and click" to get the job done quickly. Take a minute to look through the camera at what is and isn't in the shot. Move around the room and try different angles to see what will work best. If you need to, move items that are in the way, such as a nick-knack on a coffee table, or a chair that looks out of place. Hopefully you've had the house staged so that you will not have to take too much time rearranging, but there are still little things that will pop-up that will need to be removed in order to make the shot look better. Don't shoot directly at a piece of furniture - you are selling the house, not what's inside of it, and many agents make this mistake. Shooting directly at a piece of furniture ends up making the room look extremely small, and shows no other details besides the offending couch, chair or table that you just snapped. It would be wise to invest in a wide-angle lens. These lenses are wider then the standard ones, and can capture a larger amount of the horizontal image, enabling you to create a better, "wider" field of vision photo of the room you are shooting.
You've Got a Digital, So Look at the Shots You've Taken Before You Leave - You have the ability with a digital camera to scan through the photos you've taken while you are on-site. I highly recommend viewing them on your camera before you leave the home. You don't have to scrutinize every single one, however, it is good to take a quick look to first of all make sure you've captured all of the rooms that you wanted, and second to make sure that the pictures that you've taken are good enough to use in your marketing materials. Many times I've seen shots come in from digital cameras, and they are out of focus, or there is a ton of movement creating a horrible image that shouldn't be used on any print or web material. This could have been avoided by simply previewing, and re-shooting if need be.
Horizontal or Vertical for Small Rooms - Have a good look at the room you are shooting. Is it a large family room, a medium sized bedroom or a small powder room? View the room through the camera and observe how much will fit in the shot. If the room is medium to large, a horizontal image (the typical way a photo is taken) will work best. If the room is small, like a powder room, or tiny bedroom, flip the camera on it's side so that you are shooting vertically, and test that angle. In small rooms, using a horizontal shot will most likely show too much wall, door or other unwanted item. Because you will probably be standing outside of the room in order to get the shot, you will need to flip the camera so that you can shoot through the doorway. And if you are confused about standing outside the room, the further back you move, the more of the room that you are able to fit into the photo, hence shooting through the doorway. If the small room is not terribly important to the house, skip the shot, do not put it in your marketing material, these shots, unless taken by a professional, never quite turn out good enough for presentation on printed promotional items.
Stage, stage, stage!- Staging is so important in being able to market and sell a home. Homes that are staged look a lot more attractive, less cluttered and more "professional" then one's that aren't. Staging is extremely useful when photographing the home as well. The pictures convey the above through your marketing materials when the home is staged properly and looks it's best. Staging helps to showcase the home properly in your marketing materials as well as in person. Have a professional stager complete this job for you, and this is redundant but because I've seen it happen, I will mention it anyway, take the photos once their job is complete, never rush and take them before the house has been beautified.

Overall, keep in mind that you are "showcasing" a home, and to do that correctly, the photos need to be of high enough quality to impress the home owner, as well as the potential buyers. Using the tips above will help those agents who want to take their own photos become a little more adept at the task. However, once again, it is in your and your clients best interest to have a professional photographer capture the home, and I highly recommend using one for this type of work, but good luck to those who are brave (or stubborn) enough to tackle home photography on their own - it can be a real challenge.

Julie Deans is an artist, a honours graphic design grad, the owner of Chickadoo Expressions (photography & design), and has many years of experience working in the real estate design sector as well as the administrative field. She utilizes the knowledge she has gained through her experiences by writing articles in hopes to help others gather information and become more successful in their careers, or business ventures.

Happy Earth Day! Milton Ontario Portrait Photographer

2011-04-22T07:28:00.000-07:00

www.earthday.ca

Antiqued! Milton Ontario Canine Photography

2011-04-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the sun is perfectly positioned ... I wish all days could be like that.

Sometimes it's just a matter of capturing the perfect moment, that natural, casual shot which displays up the subject perfectly.

Sometimes it's a reflective pose, pondering the day with that far away look, or in the above case, pondering the child on the floor.

What ever the case, I really enjoy "antiquing" my subjects. It brings a different feel to the image, one of almost serenity, that tells a story about the individual. It can be done in many different ways, and each photographer will have his or her own preference. Mine lies in the tonal range of yellow to brown, with colour still hinted at to create a very artistic piece.

If you are interested in having a photo session for your dog, please contact me at info@chickadoo.com or visit my website at www.chickadoo.com for details.

Logos by Chickadoo Expressions - Designer in Milton

2011-04-15T08:01:00.001-07:00

We can create a logo and branding for your business at exceptional prices! Don't pay thousands to brand yourself. Work with us and we'll get you what you need in a timely, cost effective manner.

The Look of Disgust by Milton Ontario Photographer Julie Deans

2011-04-14T21:20:00.000-07:00

He realizes that the box has been removed. The box that he decided he would try and stand on. The box that now presents a hazard to moving babies.

Saturday Maternity Photo Shoot by Milton Ontario Photographer Julie Deans

2011-04-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

Finally, a day we could call spring. Saturday was probably the first day that actually felt like the current season. Bright sun, warm weather and willing participants make for a great photo shoot.

So, with camera and lenses in hand, my good friends and I headed out to the Mill Pond on Martin Street for their Maternity photo shoot. I am honoured that they asked me to shoot this most important time in their lives.

Below is just a tiny selection from the Saturday session. Their due date is swiftly approaching and I wish them all the best for this new and exciting chapter in their lives.

Go Ahead, Brand Yourself!

2011-04-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

But why? You might ask, what's the point?

Branding can be a very valuable marketing tool for real estate agents. It ties all of your marketing material together in a way that you are recognizable on each piece sent out or displayed to potential clients. Branding can make you who you are in the business world, and greatly enhance your business if done correctly.

Branding should consist of a logo of some sort, which can be an image or even your initials fancied up for the part. It should also consist of marketing materials such as feature sheets, cma's, sold/listed cards and newspaper ads. All of these items should somehow tie in together, utilizing your logo, colours and fonts that have been chosen to represent you. What this does is essentially turn you into a recognizable brand, a household name if you will, and it will enhance your marketing because people come to recognize you by just your colours or logo alone.

Let Chickadoo Expressions help brand you - we don't charged $1000's like some companies do, and we work with you throughout the process to get the look that will really enhance your business.

Check out our website at www.chickadoo.com or email info@chickadoo.com with any questions.

Capture a Moment by Photographer Julie Deans

2011-03-31T06:09:00.000-07:00

Capturing a moment if what my photography is all about. Capturing a moment and creating a memory that will last a life time. I achieve this through the most natural way possible. Though I do have some studio equipment, my preference is to work with natural light, in natural conditions, taking a more photo-journalistic approach, thus avoiding the stiff, forced smiles and poses in some studio shots, there for, enhancing the subjects true spirit and personality.

Though I do an abundance of canine portraits, I also offer my services for other pets (from horses to chameleons) as well as families, couples, children, individuals and even garden photography.

Why not book a session, capture your moment in time, and create a lasting memory for your family for years to come.