Santa pictures are back!

Due to high demand, we are bringing back our ‘Santa holding a frame picture’. This year we will have two options… one horizontal photo and one vertical photo option. Each option sample is below.

How it works:

-Send us your personal photo and an e-transfer to: memoriesbymandy@shaw.ca for $11.10 ($10 plus taxes). Please note in the etransfer who this is for, if your email name and banking name don’t match.

-We will then put your image into Santa’s frame for you. (Sorry, we don’t offer any retouching to your images).

-If you prefer the horizontal frame Santa, please send me a horizontal photo and vise versa.

-We will email it back with your image in Santas frame within one business day of receiving payment. Price includes the digital copy only.

-Cut off day is December 22nd at 11:00pm.

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COST: $11.10 (includes taxes)* Please e-transfer to: memoriesbymandy@shaw.ca

*$5 from every purchase will go towards purchasing hygiene products and food for Riversdale Community Fridge, right here in Saskatoon. Thank you for your support!

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Horizontal option

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Vertical option

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Saskatoon award winning photographer

This image won two awards in PPOC-SK awards late last year!! Most creative and a judges choice award. I’m beyond thrilled and have been secretly celebrating over here over the last few months . I love to enter PPOC competitions because the judging is HARD, there is only one winner per category, and it’s the best of Saskatchewan or Canada depending on which one you enter.

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While I’m beyond thrilled with the awards for this image, I’m not sure my images was fully understood, which is OK too, I’m still thrilled with the awards it’s received.

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The story behind the image:

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TW -Suicide: Titled ‘She loves me not’ was inspired by a news article about high rates in male suicides and a flower near the end of its life in my living room. I thought about ways to depict this news article through this flower. I placed it on my driveway because in movies this view is often associated with death/suicide and I wanted it to look like it was hung it upside down, which is why I went with this composition. The title was a way to tie in the death theme and the flower.

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The feedback I got on the image was the background is too busy, it should be more plain (the judges obviously didn’t get my story here, as I purposefully chose that for a backdrop, but that’s ok.)

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That is the beauty of entering competitions. The judges may not understand the image or maybe they misinterpret it, similar to life it’s self. Not everyone is going to understand you, and that’s ok. Keep doing what you love, despite what others think.

Happy Canada Day!!! How to photograph fireworks.

Happy Canada Day!!!  If you are looking at how to photograph fireworks over the weekend, HERE is a great blog post we did a couple of years ago.  Wishing everyone a safe and fantastic long weekend!  If you drink, please don't drive.  

National award winning Saskatoon Photographer

Somebody pinch me!!! I just won an a NATIONAL award for my image titled 'Fallen Angel' at the 2018 Professional Photographers Of Canada awards banquet!!! These images are judged by nationally accredited judges next to the highest level in Canada!!! CANADA!!! This image has won two awards provincially and recently picked up 'Best in Wedding Portrait Class' at nationals. Only one of these awards are handed out each year.

I remember going to my first awards banquet my first year in business, thinking how on earth will that ever be me?  The quality and ideas of these images were far greater than anything I could ever produce and the photoshop skills were out of this world!  Fast forward 11 years, and here I am, accepting my first national award.  There is only one award greater than this and that would be winning "Photographer of the Year".  While these awards aren't handed out lightly, it's always great to have some goals right;)?

I would like to give a huge shout out to the PPOC, without this organization, there would be no precedent for photographers in Canada.  I have learned so much through this amazing organization and continue to do so even after 11 years in business.  I came home from this year's convention and awards banquet feeling so excited about what's to come.  I have so many great ideas I want to implement in my business, and I think our clients are going to LOVE them.   

Photo credit:  Sébastien Lavallée

"Best in Class award" - Wedding Portrait

Cheers to 11 years!!! - Saskatoon Studio Photographers

Holy crap!!!  11 years!  It’s funny to think that I learned photography in the dark room back in high school, and relearned it about 7 years later in photography school, with my first form of backing up a wedding was on a disc in my closet. As I sit back and reflect on the last 11 years in business, I have so much to be thankful for.  First, I would like to thank my amazing husband, who over the last 11 years has supported me throughout my photography journey.  Without his support right from the start, I would not be living my dream.  He has truly been my biggest cheerleader and I can’t thank him enough!!!  To my family and friends, thank you so much for your continued support and especially sending your friends and family my way.  I always appreciate when anyone spreads the word about this little business.  

This path has allowed me to be creative and it keeps me excited, allows me to meet new people (hands down my fav part of the gig!) and has allowed me to have a lifestyle that has me exactly where I should be.  Being a business owner in Saskatoon certainly has its ups and downs, but having clients who trust me to bring my vision of their family to life is truly one of the most amazing feelings in the world.   

This brings me to my wonderful, fantastic, amazingly kind, beautiful clients.  Without you alone, I would not be able to do what I do.  I think about you and your children often and truly feel like your children are my nieces and nephews.  Thank you for trusting me with your families’ memories over the last 11 years.  I can’t wait to watch you and your families continue to grow over the next 11 years. 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your continued support.  It truly means the world to me.    

With love,

Mandy     

To celebrate 11 years in business, we are offering $11 laminated 8x10's (that's over 80% off, and way below cost!) for all sessions booked in May, 2018, including those already in the books.  ***Very limited sessions available***

We will also be posting our favorite images over the last 11 years over the entire month of May over on our facebook page .  We also love instagram!  Feel free to give us a follow. 

I leave you with an image from my first ever wedding I shot solo (my mom was my assistant!).  Thank you to this wonderful couple for trusting me at the start.... 

Image from our most recent wedding season, this image was entered into our most recent provincial image competition and was accepted into the show!!!  It was not accepted into the show at national salon. 

But these three were accepted into the PPOC NATIONAL image salon!!!  Such a huge accomplishment!!!  So proud of how I did overall.  I think I'm going to need to buy the album if 3 of my images are going to be featured in it:).   

Thank you, again, to everyone who has followed me along with my journey.  Even popping by and reading my blog, a like or follow on social media, means a lot to me.  Thank you Saskatoon.  

Puppy Love: Dog Portraits for New Hope Dog Rescue

Welcome!
Thanks for your interest in our Puppy Love Dog Day with Joi Photo and The Mutt Hutt in support of New Hope Dog Rescue on January 21st 2018.

The sitting fee for Our Puppy Love day is $50.00 (per session/per dog) which goes directly to New Hope Dog Rescue

We have some adorable photo-packages available for purchase right after your session!
The Mutt Hutt has kindly donated a coupon for each dog booked in to get pampered before his/her big photoshoot and each pooch will go home with a treat from Critters!

PACKAGES AVAILABLE: 

PACKAGE A:
2 – 10×10 matted prints $199
*Add a memory box for $50
*Add (2) digital files for $60

PACKAGE B
3- 10×10 matted prints $289
*Add a memory box for $50
*Add (3) digital files for $75

PACKAGE C
4 -10×10 matted prints with memory box $429
*Add (4) digital files for $80

RECOMMENDED:
Dogs that are participating should be comfortable in new situations, and should know basic commands like ‘Sit’, ‘Stay’ and ‘Down’. A nail trim/grooming is recommended a few days beforehand and on the day of your shoot, make sure your pooch has been for a walk and a potty break!

PLEASE NOTE: 
Dogs must be on-leash when arriving and leaving the building and photoshoot area.
Our backdrop is as pictured above :)
Dogs of all sizes and breeds are welcome
Group sizes for our furry friends will be capped at three dogs.

FAQ

How do I book? 
Please email us at hellojoiphoto@gmail.com ! A credit card number will be required to hold your appointment time, but will not be charged unless you miss your appointment. 

What is the address to the Mutt Hutt?
7-320 Jessop Ave (back building) 

How long will my shoot take?
This totally depends on your pooch! Some dogs will nail their shots in the first five minutes and others will take longer. Plan for approximately 15-20 minutes. Keep in mind — sometimes these shoots get better results when ‘Mom & Dad’ wait just out of sight.

What should I bring?
Bring your dog’s favourite treat or toy! 

Can I be in the photos too?
Sorry! For this event it’s pups only — though both Memories By Mandy & Joi Photography offer lifestyle sessions with pets.

Is there an option to purchase digital files on their own?
We strongly believe prints are the way to go, but understand the value of owning digital negatives. If you would prefer to forgo the package options listed and just purchase digital files they are $80 each.

What types of payment do you take?
Debit & Credit will be onsite!

How soon until I see my photos?
Right away! We’re set up so you can view your photos and decide on which package you’d like only 10 minutes after your dog’s shoot!

What if I need to Cancel? 
Please give us 48 hours notice if you need to cancel your appointment.

Photography Mentorship registration is open

As our 2016/2017 year comes to an end (in July), I'm having some bitter sweet moments.  It has been an amazing year teaching our mentorship students and I'm feeling a bit emotional as the year comes to an end.  With that being said, I'm so excited for a new year to begin and the new people I can train and mould into successful photographers in their areas.  Our 2017 mentorship program is half full.  Our two remaining spots are for photographers at least 100km away from Saskatoon, and be passionate about photography and running a business.  Here is what Brandi said about being in the class this last year:  

"My favorite part of the course has been meeting others that I can bounce ideas off of and get advice from. It's also been so amazing to witness the evolution of my peers in their business ventures. Although getting pregnant and having a baby threw a bit of a wrench into my business timeline, I have started building a foundation for the future and learned things that I will build upon when I am able to jump into photography with both feet. Mandy is so knowledgeable and has been completely transparent - she has been such a great mentor and has laid out all of the failures and successes she experienced along the way. With Mandy's guidance and the support from the girls, I have become more confident in my abilities and have learned to value my work and my time!"

If you are interested, please email us for an application form!  Thank you so much!

10 years in business!!!

Sometimes I still pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming.  It's been 10 years coming up in May that we opened Memories by Mandy Photography here in Saskatoon, and looking back it's truly been an amazing 10 years of my life, personally and professionally.  The people I've met through this journey have truly been the icing on the cake.  I would like to sincerely thank each and everyone of you who have been in front of my camera and those of you who maybe haven't, but have stopped by our website/blog to see what we've been up to.  My heart is exploding with gratitude!!!

To celebrate 10 years in business, we are offering TEN $10 family sessions for 2017 (regular price is $175)!  Only TEN of these are available, and they won’t last long!!!

Small print:

-Sessions are for immediate family sessions only.  Sorry, no extended families, no newborns, no grads or no weddings, no head-shots, etc. are included in the promotion. 

-$10 includes the session fee only.  Prints/products/digital files are additional.

-Session must be booked at the time of signing up for the promotion.

-Session must take place in 2017 (please note we do have limited availability for the rest of the year).

-Sessions may be done in studio or on location.

-This amazing deal is extended to all immediate family sessions already in the books for 2017:). 

-Sorry, this offer can not be combined with any other offer including gift card donations to silent auctions. 

Please contact us if you have any questions!  Please email us to take advantage of this amazing offer:  memoriesbymandy@shaw.ca.  Thank you Saskatchewan for the last 10 years!!!  We are so excited for the next 10 to come!!!

xoxox

Mandy

We're moving!!!

That's right, we are moving, but not to worry, we are staying right here in Saskatoon.  We are just moving to our very own photography studio space. 

It has been an incredible year sharing a Saskatoon photography studio with Joi Photo, but to see the growth we plan for our company, we decided to get our own space! I will certainly miss the beautiful building we are in right now, but I am so excited to move into a brand spankin' new studio space! If you wanted to get in on one of our last sessions in the beautiful 100 year old building, our last booking in our current studio will be January 13. Our new studio will be up and running by the end of February. Thank you so much to Crystal at for opening your doors to us one year ago, it has been a pleasure to work alongside Joi Photo in your beautiful studio.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support! I'm so excited for what's to come!!!

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas! Xmas Minis!!!!

Now that Halloween is over we are finally in the Christmas spirit!  We are holding a couple of days of Christmas Mini's at our Saskatoon Photography Studio!!! 

November 11 & November 12!!!

FAQ

What do we wear? 

-We suggest wearing festive clothing. (However, no big logos or busy patterns!  Plain always looks best)   Feel free to dress up in your pretty Christmas outfits or come in your Christmas PJ’s.  It’s up to you!  (As long as it matches Red, as our set has just the right amount of pops of red!)

Is the session fee just $50?  What does that include?

-Our session fee for the mini’s is just $50 and that includes your 15 minute session.

When do I place my order for my preferred package?

-Orders can be placed before the big day (to get your images quicker), or within two days from your session day/time.

What type of payment do you accept?

-We accept Cash, cheque, email money transfers, Visa & Mastercard  (Credit cards must be swiped in person)

What do you require to hold our day/time?

-We require the $50 session fee as your non refundable retainer.  If something comes up and you aren’t able to make it, your session fee is transferable.

Can the parents be in the images too?  Or is this just limited to children?

-The whole family is welcome!  Depending on the ages of the kids, we suggest the sessions for families of 5 or less due to the size of the set.  Please ask if you have a special situation! 

What is the deal for your clients?

-All of our past/present clients will receive 50% off our session fee!  So if you’ve ever purchased a session fee with us (weddings included), your session fee will be just $25!!!

I am not a past/present client?  Any way I can get a deal too?

-Well, we are feeling quite generous!  All orders that come to $200 or more (including session fee) will receive a free mini framed photo to adorn your Christmas Tree!  These baby’s are CUUUTE!  And if that’s not enough?!  The first two families to sign up will also receive 50% off their session fees, no strings attached! 

How do I book?

-You can book your session by emailing us at:  memoriesbymandy@shaw.ca , or through our website:  memoriesbymandy.ca.  

I think that covers it!  If you have any other questions, please contact us through email:  memoriesbymandy@shaw.ca!  Cheers!