SUMMERTIME...AND THE LIVIN’ IS EASY………………

Here we are in the middle of Tennessee’s legendary long, hot summer, but…but…, wait a minute! It’s not hot, or humid…no scorched grass, or dried up potted plants! We haven’t had such a cool and wet July since 1877!!

Rain or shine, hot or cool, Erin has been busy, busy, busy. In January Erin took her annual trip to AZ and she made the most of it! Although Erin and Penny always try to attend Imaging USA, the annual Professional Photographers Convention which was held this year in Phoenix, Erin took a few days to play like a vacationer and stayed at the trendy Hotel Indigo in Scottsdale. Known for her appetite for creature comforts, after two days Erin was on a first name basis with the entire room service staff. The convention was fab, as always, and on the final night three exhausted photographers, Erin, Penny and new friend, Faith Blessing, spent the evening enjoying a traditional Irish meal at, where else?....McCaffrey’s Irish Pub! (Must be a distant relative.) She didn’t vacation long though; her next step was Oklahoma City where she spent two weeks doing family sessions as well as the ever popular, La Silhouette Feminine.

"The Stevens Girls - OKC"

ERIN ROCKS! FOR REAL!

In February Erin was back in Oklahoma, this time Tulsa, for an event that was dear to her heart. For those of you who don’t know about Erin’s history and her musical talent, she was the lead singer in her college band. They called themselves, The Jetsons, and became known as the hottest little band in Norman, OK. It was her love of music and performing that set her on the path to California in pursuit of a career in music.

The Jetsons held their first annual reunion concert on Valentine’s Day at the newly renovated Crown Plaza Hotel ballroom. What a Bash! Over 400 friends and fans celebrated those happy, carefree days of college life! This venue was a giant leap from the college scene they remembered. The Jetsons went all out for this event, a great stage and dance floor, spectacular sound and lighting, a cinematographer and photographer capturing everything to make it a Valentine weekend of a lifetime! OU and OSU graduates came in from all over the country in anticipation of seeing their favorite band and once the music started and Erin’s voice filled the room the crowd went wild! Transported for a few hours to “Back in the Day”…, the dancing was immediate and no one sat down the rest of the night. Everyone raved that it was the best party in years.…so it’s not surprising that this is the beginning of many more reunion concerts when, once again, Erin and The Jetsons become Rock Stars for their screaming fans!!

"Jetsons Reunion, Valentines Day '09, Tulsa, Oklahoma"

"Jetsons Band - Roy Dickenson, Robert Mitchell, Bryan Harston, Erin McCaffrey, Chris White, Mike McClendon"

ON THE ROAD AGAIN...

Several weeks after the reunion Erin was back on the road….doing what she is now known for and does so well, portrait photography! Her three city event, Dallas, OKC, Tulsa was another great success with a very full schedule of senior, family and La Silhouette sessions. We feel so blessed to have so many clients that believe in us and recognize the joy and importance of having priceless portraiture to enjoy for decades to come.

"Amanda Pendarvis - OKC Senior Session"

"Elise Humphries - Tulsa"

"The Triskas - Dallas"

LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION!

In May, as our kickoff for our high school senior season, McCaffrey Photography taped its first television commercial on Fox for the popular local show, Tennessee Mornings. Five of our high school senior girls; Alexa Ferarri, Brentwood High, Morgan Jamesson, Paige High, Rachael Mathis, Independence, Madison Land, from Centennial and Mackenzie Campbell from Ravenwood were featured in the commercial which ran for 5 weeks. We had a drawing each week for first callers to win a complete senior package and the response to Register to Win was so enthusiastic we have decided to make it an ongoing thing. Be sure to sign up for it…..because you might be a winner, too!!

"Erin with the Senior girls from our commercial"

"Erin with Tennessee Mornings host Rachael Bernard"

CHANEL INTRODUCES LA SILHOUETTE FEMININE

One of our favorite clients, Allesandra McKenzie, is such a fan of Erin’s beautiful portraiture that she invited McCaffrey Photography to a special event at Cool Springs to introduce some of her lovely Chanel customers to “La Silhouette”. The ladies that participated got so much more than they ever imagined! It was awesome what the Chanel and Dillards staff put together for them, they left feeling pampered and beautiful, and were delighted with Erin’s ease and professionalism. Some absolutely elegant heirloom portraits were created at this one of a kind event! Thank you Allesandra and all the Chanel girls!!

"Kris Griggs - Chanel Event"

"Monica Stiles - Chanel Event"

"April Wagner - Chanel Event"

IT DOES A HEART GOOD

Throughout the past several months, McCaffrey Photography has had the pleasure of participating in some wonderful charity events in the greater Nashville area. Any time we can lend a hand to a cause in need, we do our very best to contribute. Here are some of the organizations/events that we participated in most recently.

• "Hoot Scoot & Boogie" - All proceeds from this fundraiser will go right back into the school in the form of materials and equipment that directly benefit the student body of Oak View Elementary, Franklin.
• The Gardner School - Monies raised benefit The Gardner School. The Gardner School's carefully balanced program features a full day of developmentally and age-appropriate lessons and activities that your child will enjoy. Whether infant, toddler or preschool, their teachers provide lessons and activities that help develop the whole child – physically, emotionally, intellectually, and socially. Understanding that each child is unique, their teaching philosophy incorporates structured activities while remaining flexible enough to foster self-discovery that will help each child explore and learn at their own pace.
• "2009 BrightStone's Annual Songwriters Night" - a benefit for BrightStone. BrightStone provides a comprehensive work, social support, and future residential community for adults with special needs, expanding their potential and helping them develop mentally, physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
• "Jeans and Jewels" - While Junior Auxiliary of Franklin serves as an auxiliary to the community, working with the Boys & Girls Club, My Friends House and various community chest projects (Mercy Children’s Clinic), most of their fundraising revenue will go directly to our own projects, such as Coat of Many Colors and Shoes for Souls, providing individual school-age children with custom fit shoes and coats. Additionally, Junior Auxiliary works with individual families that need some extra help or have run out of resources in their commitment to have an on-going Child Welfare specific project, always keeping the welfare of the children as priority.
• "Legacy Ball" - Monies raised at the gala go will fund services provided by the Williamson County Child Advocacy Center (WCCAC). Established in 2000, the Child Advocacy Center works to combat child abuse by coordinating services to child abuse victims and their families in crisis and by providing community education focused on prevention and early intervention.
  
• "A Night for Visions" - a benefit for Visions Autism Center. Visions Autism Center is a non-profit organization started in 2007 by Executive Director Meshea James and her husband David. Meshea had a vision when she realized how limited educational options were for her 12-year-old autistic son. She decided to open a center for special needs children to provide what public school systems could not.
• "Uncorking for Autism" - a benefit for Visions Autism Center.
  
• "Singing for a Cause '09 - at Rocketown" - benefiting Ashley's Children. The mission of Ashley's Children is to educate and empower youths between the ages of 16-19, in the foster care and juvenile justice system, to make a successful transition to responsible adulthood. Their nine programs will teach them the introductory skills to prepare them for independent living in the Nashville and surrounding communities.

Well, as you can see we have had a blast these past few months! We will continue to keep you updated on other fun things we are doing in the studio! Until next time...

Our 1st Television Commercial!!!!

**A Note from Rachelle**
We are all SO EXCITED to be running our first television commercial on Fox 17!! This is a huge step for our studio and an great opportunity to share Erin's talents with a larger group of people. I keep telling Erin that you know things are going in the right direction when you are able to advertise on television!
GO McCaffrey Photography!!
Yeah ok, so I'm a little proud ;-)
************************************************************************************

Check us out on TV!

Where: Fox 17's - TN Mornings Show
When: Thursday 7-9am (next 5 Thursday's!!)
What: McCaffrey Photography Commercial
Who: Featuring some of the Seniors from the Class of 2009!

Be sure to check us out for a chance to win a
2010 Senior Portrait Package and other great giveaways!!

Forward this news to all Seniors!!!
Here is a great opportunity to win a free session!!
Call us today!
615.595.9021

The Perfect Mother's Day Gift!

Still trying to figure out what to get Mom?

The Perfect Mother's Day Gift!

Purchase a $50 gift card and McCaffrey Photography will sweeten the gift by including a...

*free session fee

and a

*$150 additional portrait credit (that makes $200)

Entire gift is a $275 value, for only $50!!

This gift opportunity can be used for any session style. Some ideas are...
*Mother and child
*Grandmother and grandchildren
*Multi-generational family portrait

We can mail this wonderful gift, or if it is a last minute purchase...no worries, we can email you a gift certificate to print for Mom. Offer expires 5/11/09.
Call us today!
615.595.9021

Happy Easter!

All of us here at McCaffrey Photography would like to wish you and your family a Blessed Easter!

Children's Mini Session

Now offering our Limited Edition Children's Series...

"A Walk in the Daffodils"

Ask for package details on this mini session with Erin.
Gift Portrait Packages for only $199!

Don't live in Nashville? Don't worry...
Erin will be in Oklahoma City, Tulsa & Dallas
March 27-April 5th


This is a great opportunity to get the McCaffrey Photography
portrait that you have always wanted!
Don't miss out...call to book your mini or full session today!
615.595.9021

Rewind 2008!

Erin started 2008 with a bang by attending Spa Portrait Artists Convention with her mom, Penny McCaffrey, at Lowe's Ventana Canyon Luxury Resort in Tucson, Arizona. What a blast! Beautiful weather (in January), spectacular surroundings and talented photographers from all over the country were there. The place was buzzing with excitement as they went from one fabulous setting to another in an interactive environment learning the hottest trends in senior portrait photography! When they weren't shooting, cruising the aisles of the trade show, or taking notes during presentations by top people in the industry...(Jeff and Julia Woods, the Taufers, just to name a few)......there was the food!! The hotel featured the most beautiful outdoor buffets with a Southwestern theme. They were "wined and dined"!! The evenings in the hotel lobby were packed with everyone chatting and sharing ideas and portfolios....and Erin impressed many of her contemporaries when they saw her work. A big surprise for Erin was when she was asked to model for an award winning Canadian photographer, John Ratchford. And as the sun set that final evening they said their goodbyes knowing that friendships were made that would last for many years to come.

While everything was buzzing in Arizona, the Buzz for La Silhouette was spreading. The second year for the Valentine Portrait Event was booked to the max! The launch of La Silhouette Feminine series has been a big personal project for Erin. This incredible portrait opportunity explores the beauty of a woman from every aspect. Erin's exceptional creative talents allow her to capture the most stunning portraits of women of all shapes, sizes and ages in a beautiful artistic way creating fine art pieces that will be cherished. What a wonderful success this has been for Erin and the women she photographs....come be a part of this amazing experience! Do it for YOU...it gives you a confidence you didn't even know you had.

Erin feels blessed to be one of the most sought after photographers in the region. Traveling to several cities in the south/southwest to do special events has always been a big part of Erin's busy schedule. She has clients creating Buzz in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Dallas, and Phoenix. Each year she plans months in advance to meet the requests to do family, children, senior and La Silhouette sessions on the road.

Spring...
Talk about Buzz! Have you ever heard the sound, off in the distance, of teens talking about something or someone exciting?? Even before school was out for the summer our High School Senior program was already in full swing! Our teen reps were spreading the news and recruiting students for their Senior Pictures. McCaffrey Photography participated in the Jeep Giveaway Sweepstakes, a fantastic program sponsored by Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and once again the Buzz of Erin's unique style and attention to detail had the kids lining up! She always knows the hottest trends; she makes each senior feel special and really goes that extra mile to get the look they want. Ask any of them, they will tell you..."Erin Rocks"! If you or any student you know would be interested in the Senior Rep program with McCaffrey Photography contact us...The rewards are amazing!

Summer...
Our studio has a New Look!! McCaffrey Photography has continued to grow and change ....and our quaint little farm studio now has a slight European flair in the reception room which is something that Erin has wanted for a long time. Summer guest and farm helper, John Lindsley, on break from college, shared his remarkable talent as a painter and artist with a warm golden/amber faux finish on the walls. New wall displays and new furniture have been added making the atmosphere so inviting, everyone wants to spend time there!

And, we had another guest come to the farm last summer! "Butterscotch" is an adorable miniature horse who is a delight to all who come by to visit. Erin has created beautiful portraits of children spending time with Butter. He loves kids, petting and dog biscuits!!

Two years ago, when Erin was starting McCaffrey Photography, she attended a conference with her mom called "Imaging USA" held in Austin, TX. It was there she met a young female photographer she could really relate to. (They even had the same decorating/branding style!) It was after hearing Vicki Taufer speak that Erin knew she had found the right career path. Being so inspired Erin looked forward to someday attending "Haven", a workshop for photographers put on by the Taufer studio, VGallery in Morton, Ill. Each year Erin sets aside some time for continuing education and creative stimulation and summer 2008 she treated herself to the week long workshop, Haven. Here is what she had to say about her experience..."Attending Haven was a wonderful experience. I have always wanted to study under Vicki. It really was a thrill and I learned so much!"

Midst all the activity and workload for one little photographer, Erin was asked to photograph Dolly Parton live on stage! Yes, the amazing Dolly Parton!!! Erin and Penny were thrilled to be asked to shoot three of Dolly's shows. Dolly is such a phenomenal performer, and her gracious staff made the experience a pleasure. Then if that wasn't huge enough, Erin was asked to travel to Raleigh, SC to photograph Dolly and family for the South Mountain Resort Grand Opening. Erin, Penny, and Erin's grandmother (she was visiting from AZ at the time) flew to Raleigh...were picked up at the airport in a luxury limo and were treated like family! What a memorable experience it was for them!!

Somehow in that time frame Erin was able to squeeze a few sessions in Dallas, and one of the clients was an old friend from Erin's college days! To be able to reconnect with friends and share in their lives through photography is one of the spiffs of her business. That reconnect went to another level in '09......but that will be another story!

Fall...
No rest for Erin in the Fall!! This is the time our studio gears up for the busy season! Each year the Buzz grows about Erin and our country studio and more and more families are added, not just as clients, but as friends.....all booking appointments for their custom Holiday Greeting cards and family portraits. Every October, PPA sponsors "Family Portrait Month" to benefit the charity organization, Operation Smile. Founded in 1982, this children's charity is dedicated to treating facial deformities such as cleft lips and palates on children all around the world. It is a wonderful charity and we are so happy to be a part of it.

Winter...
With so many sessions booked in Oct and November there was much to be done and it's a mad dash to have all the portraits packed and delivered as gifts under Christmas trees or shipped off to family and friends far away. And then...and only then......Erin (and Mirabella) could take time to get cozy and relax in front of the fireplace.

But only for a moment or two.....because it was almost Christmas! Guests were coming, there was last minute shopping to do, and of course......when Erin’s family and friends gather for some Holiday Cheer someone would say....."Erin, where's your camera? We must get a picture of this"!

Introducing Rachelle...

Yipee! We couldn't be happier that our McCaffrey Photography Blog is up and running! We also want to share how fortunate we are to have Rachelle Sipkovsky on board with McCaffrey Photography. As an energetic and creative force she is a multi-talented addition who fits perfectly into our close knit family studio. We love her and don't know how we ever survived without her!!! Rachelle is heading up the sales and marketing part of our studio, and is designing all of our promotional pieces and our custom cards and announcements. She also has now agreed to take on our Blog to keep you all updated on what's new with Erin and McCaffrey Photography! And what a year it has been! Stay tuned as she is preparing "REWIND 2008".....you may be surprised by all that we have been up to!

Give it up for our very own...Rachelle Sipkovsky!
(and yes...those are her little cuties posted below!)