Yes it is true…our Bridgeport studio is moving down the road!!! We are excited for the move for so many reasons, all which will be beneficial to our business, our community, and most importantly to YOU our clients!!

Where: We will be moving just a few blocks West down Dixie Hwy, into the Historic Downtown District of Bridgeport. For those of you familiar with the area, we will be in between Buttercrust Bakery and Bearcat Cutz; across from Hungry Howies. (If you know us, you know we are very excited about the food selection surrounding our new digs!)

When: We have the Grand Opening celebration slated for July 17^th, 2010. In the meantime, our current location in Bridgeport will be fully operable through July 2^nd. (Our Shields location will not be affected by the move and will accept appointments throughout the transition.)

Why: There are many reasons that factored into this decision, but it ultimately comes down to being able to provide our clients with the best experience possible with a new ‘boutique’-style studio. When we use the word boutique, we mean it in the sense there are many elements to the new studio that will provide you with a more personalized, unique and pampering experience!

If you have a few minutes, feel free to take a journey through the design of our new studio…….

Reception area: A welcoming desk area will be located just inside the door to ensure immediate personal attention. We will do all of our editing from this area, so unless we are photographing or assisting with an order this is where you will find our smiling faces!!

Two Dressing Rooms: We like the idea of each client having a space to call their own during their experience at the studio. There are two spaces designed with specific amenities in mind. The high school senior dressing room will have lots of hooks for lots of outfits =). It will also have a place to do make-up and hair touch-ups. This room will be fun, comfortable and functional…even photographical in some cases!! The family dressing room will have a changing table, children’s toys, and a sofa where the family can rest comfortably and where Mom can feed baby if necessary. This room will be cozy, realistic, functional…and still cute of course!

Family viewing area: A comfortable and cozy space will double as a lounge and a family viewing gallery. The whole family should be able to gather to view their portrait options on a large wall-mounted flat panel. The coffee will be on, and we’ll invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

Private viewing room: Smaller groups, one-on-one viewing appointments, and sales will take place in an office-type setting where you will be up close and personal with your images on a computer screen. We will be able to compare images side-by-side, zoom in on facial expressions and manipulate images. Aaaaaand… if you wanna send hubby out to the lounge to enjoy some coffee, he won’t be able to hear when you add on some boutique frames and extra goodies (they just don’t understand sometimes) ;).

The Camera Room: This is the place where your session will take place and where custom artwork will be created!!! From a technical standpoint, starting with a blank pallet will allow us to arrange our lighting in a more efficient and mobile manner. Design-wise, the open space means a lot of room to create new backgrounds! We have a very boutique style in mind for both our high key and low key ends which will consist of hardwood floors, chair rail moldings and nicely finished walls. We will also be rebuilding a slightly varied version of our barn wood scene. There will of course be many other canvas, muslin and paper backgrounds hung throughout; and our ginormous white vinyl will be coming with us so we can still accommodate large families and sports groups indoors!!

The design of the studio was created by Divine ReDeZine, and the logistics and the final move will be possible thanks to lots of help from our families!

APRIL FOOLS

To all of you who wanted pictures with worms, we are so sorry to have had to break the news that that promotion was an April Fool's Joke! We must be a bit too good at marketing (pat, pat on our own backs LOL). Apparently a few people thought it would be appealing to take portraits with worms. Well, um if you'd like to we can make arrangements for that but we'd recommend maybe a puppy or kitty if you're interested in living things in your pictures...and there is always next year's bunny portraits around Easter time!! =) Happy April Fool's Day!

Appreciation is such a great feeling, and it is in the air!!

We love what we do and have fun every day...for others to appreciate our work and much as we appreciate them for allowing us to create it is simply amazing to us!!

We often thank our family, friends, clients and higher power for everything we are able to do and for the creativity and artistic views we get to express! But sometimes we don't thank you all enough, so we would like to extend a huge appreciation back to you for all of the support!!

We are so honored to have been awarded "Business of the Year" by the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, and given a special tribute from the State of Michigan and our State Senator, Roger Kahn! We look forward to many more great years!!

(Pic of the team with Senator Roger Kahn at the awards banquet)

2010 Bunny Portraits

We are so excited that Bunny Portraits went so well!! The kids were great and the bunnies only got lifted by their ears a couple of times! =) The bunnies are back in thier Alpha Psi Hillier Classic Pink Bunny Caddy on I-75 headed to the West Coast where they'll spend Easter at a spa getting paraffin ear treatments and eating tofu! Thanks to everyone for celebrating the season with all of us!

Bunny portraits

LOOK OUT!! The bunnies are on their way...they're rolling in their '57 Alpha Psi Hillier Classic Pink Bunny Caddy and they'll be here soon!! They still have a few sessions open tomorrow, so book now! (Disclaimer:The bunnies may look slightly different after their makeovers this afternoon!...oh yeah and this photo is compliments of Google Images) http://hillierstudio.bookmonline.com/schedules/Easter2010

Here comes Stefanie Cottontail

Hoppin' down Hillier Studio's Sidewalk,
Hippity hoppity, she is on her waaaaay (to work)

Bringin' her big ol camera bag
with a smile upon her face
She can't wait to get to work

She works with the coolest person

That person's name is Christina (her fans call her Chris)

and Stefanie is lucky to get to work with her....

Written by Chris

To the tune of Peter Cottontail with some slight aversions.

New Sisters!

We are so excited to have some new sisters in Alpha Psi Hillier!! Our Rush Parties were awesome! We got to meet some new faces, and see some old friends. There were pink cupcakes, pink cookies, different pink cookies, pink lemonade, and chips (not pink). We have expanded our family by 7 sisters, and we are so excited to start this year's festivities!! Our new sisters are: Allie, Ashley, Ashley (that's not a typo...there are 2 Ahleys), Chelsea, Kelsey, Jazmine and Stephanie. If you want to join, we are accepting open applications until March 31st...email to get the scoop!! =)

Alpha Psi Hillier and Operation Smile

Yay!! Another step in the process of Alpha Psi Hillier has been completed! We finished decorating the front room in the Bridgeport Studio (which is the official sorority house)!! It looks great!! I bet you want pictures.....well....this time we're gonna make you stop by and see it!! =) We want to see you, so it's our way of subtle bribery. =)

Speaking of more steps in the sorority process being complete....here's one we're VERY proud of: We have chosen a charity to benefit from sorority support and we have officially partnered with Operation Smile!! For every new sorority member, we will donate $25 to Operation Smile! Besides raising funds for the charity, another of our goals is to spread awareness of this GREAT organization....check it out! http://www.operationsmile.org/about_us/who-we-are/index.html

XOXO, Crystal

What a fun session today!! Crystal rocked some super fun, super girlie, super cute outfits!! We were inspired by her (and by some recent sale table finds) to try some new ideas for her portraits! She brought the sequins and the mic stand... and we pulled out the gems, pearls, and funky chairs! We moved the production into the dressing room where she brought even more inspiration with her lipstick...she left an impression on us and a diva stamp on the mirror!! Thanks Crystal!

Alpha Psi Hillier

Many of you have inquired (or have been silently inquisitive) about Alpha Psi Hillier....

For those of you who read our blog, you are privy to the "inside scoop"...here it is:

WHAT: Alpha Psi Hillier is a local sorority that we have founded this year and will be officially active beginning February 1st!!

WHO: There will be 2 chapters of the sorority. The Senior Chapter is for high school juniors who are preparing for senior portraits. The Women's Chapter will be for women 18 and older.

WHY: There were many factors that played into the decision to form a sorority..all equally important. In random order, here are some of the 'whys':

- To step our senior portrait modeling program up a level in order to provide our seniors with more of an 'experience'.

- To provide a program that boosts self-esteem in girls, teens and women of all ages through portrait modeling, sisterly bonds and community and charitable events.

- To open the opportunity for all high school girls to have amazing senior portraits by a professional studio. Senior portraits have evolved and thus the investment has as well. This program provides ways for seniors to earn significant discounts on their portraits.

- To enhance cross-community sisterly and mentor bonds between girls, teens and women.

- To support a charity that reaches people on a broad spectrum...from local international. We have chosen "Operation Smile" as our charity and will donate $25 per new member to the organization, which provides funds for surgeries to children with clef pallet, clef lip and other facial deformities.

- To provide a means for high school juniors/seniors, collage-bound students, and active community members to participate in community service. We will hold several events that will raise awareness and support for Operation Smile and other community and charitable foundations.

WHEN: Once the sorority becomes officailly active on Febraury 1st we will start a Class of 2011 Rush (or recruitment period) that will go through February 28th. Rush will be closed after that for high school seniors until the following year for the class of 2012. Rush for 'big sisters' and women over 18 for the Women's Chapter of the sorority will begin in March.

HOW: If you are interested in being a part of either chapter, please fill out the following form: http://hillierstudio.com/alphapsiform.html

Va Va Valentease

It's hard to believe that Valentine's Day is almost here! WOW!

To most people, Valentine's Day is an annual challenge of what to get your significant other. To all of YOU it can be an opportunity to remind your Valentine why they are so lucky to have you.....here's how AND why:

(Info below compliments of Dr. Shristina)

LADIES: As a woman, you have the ability to make your man do things like hold your pink purse while you rummage through sale racks at your favorite clothing store...as he misses the first half of the big game. (It is amazing we have that ability isn't it!?!) One...you need to remind him how much you appreciate that! Two...He does that because he is so gaga over you, he will do almost anything...so you need to occasionally remind him how HOT you still are! For those 2 reasons alone you should definitely consider stepping up the bar and booking your appointment for this promotion: http://www.hillierstudio.com/valentease.html

GUYS: Your woman does a lot for you! There is never a moment that she is not multi-tasking and putting her needs and wants aside for YOU!! She deserves to be pampered, and she deserves to know how much she is appreciated AND how much she still 'gets to you'...A gift certificate for this promotion will definitely tell her how much you appreciate the things she does and remind her how STEAMY you think she is!! Check it out: http://www.hillierstudio.com/valentease.html

We are baaaaaaaaaack!! Well we never actually went anywhere lol, but we have been neglecting to keep you all posted on our blog. But we are not going to let that happen again!!

Where do we begin?! Oh my!!

We have sooo many exciting things in the works!

One of the most exciting things in the que is Alpha Psi Hillier...you guessed it...it's a sorority! Why? How? For who? Oh those questions will soon be answered...soon but not today!!

Something else that is almost finalized are our children's events! We have a few new ones this year that are going to be "limited Edition" that are not going to be on the schedule, so you will have to watch the blog closely for when and what those will be!!

We currently have some fun things going on for Valentine's Day...check the website for specials (ladies - there is one especially for you). We will blog a little bit more about that in the next couple days, but if you have questions you know you can always ask!!

Outside of promotions and specials we are working diligently on redecorating our Bridgeport Studio's lobby in preparation for 2011 Seniors, and looking for new props and backgrounds (that's a never ending always fun task!)

So to sum it up, over the next few days we will be knee deep in hot pink and black paint while we finalize plans for the sorority, work with a charity, structure our promotions calendar, and do what we do best...photograph!! (and what we also do best is make friends and socialize with our clients....can't wait to see you all!!)

Christmas Cheer!

We are in full Christmas spirit here at the studios!!

We have started the 12 Days of Christmas, and if you haven't been logging on daily to check out the gifts up for grabs you are missing out!!!!!! Every day is a new surprise, a new location and a new gift/gifts/prizes/giveaways! Check out www.hillierstudio.com for all the fun details!

One of our favorite things to see is cards in the mail from our clients....and the best part is they are usually cards we made!!! LOL...love it! Today, we were excited to see Tori and her sister smiling brightly on the card that ehy picked up about a week ago!! =)

We have seen so many beautiful smiling faces lately that we can't even keep up!!! We want to share them all with you, but right now it would be next to impossible (once we get everything back for Christmas we can take a little more time to blog)! So in the Christmas spirit, here are some holiday portraits of just a few of our favorite smiling faces!!

Hillier Studio's 12 Days of Christmas

It has been a couple weeks Blog World...oh my!!! The holidays have us spinning and running in circles, and very little time for blogging!! One of these days we are going to post a massive blog of pictures that we've taken over the past couple of weeks, so be prepared Blog World...be prepared!

Sooooooooo....we are about to launch an amazing promotion thanks to the genius behind DeHaven Productions...Jeff DeHaven himself! "Hillier Studio's 12 Days of Christmas" begins this Saturday and is going to be a sneaky and fun scavenger hunt style promotion!! We are very aware that the economy has changed and that this holiday season may be a bit tough.......that is why we have pulled together to help out!!! We live in an amazing community Mid-Michigan, and this promotion proves it...TWELVE area business have come together to give back to the community that stand behind them, to give away 12 DAYS OF GIFTS, PRIZES AND GOODIES!! Every day you can enter to win the GRAND PRIZE $500 PORTRAIT PACKAGE FROM HILLIER STUDIO! Be on the lookout for maps, clues and all the details you will need to participate in the fun. It all starts THIS SATURDAY at www.hillierstudio.com!! See you there!

A time to be thankful...

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, we want to take the time to reflect on all the things we are thankful for. First and foremost in all situations is our three 'f's'...our faith, our family and our friends! Without them we would not be where or who we are today! And to all of our clients...you are included in our list of friends and family!!

Our studio has recently been recognized in a couple different instances, and we are so thankful to be loved! What we are even more appreciative of is the support from each and every client - past, present and future.

With community support, we were named the 'Applaud Program' recipient for the month of November by The Bridgeport Area Chamber of Commerce. Also through support and love from our clients we were sent a really sweet letter from BHS student, Chrystal Segura-Perez on behalf of the school's DECA Club in recognition of our business during Global Entrepreneurship week.

Achieving accomplishments like these doesn't just give us a good pat on the back, it reminds us of how fortunate we are to be part of such a supportive network of amazing people!

We hope you all take time out of your busy schedules to reflect upon your blessings, as you will find the thought of thanks to bring many smiles to your face.....and you all know how much we love smiles! =)

CHRISTMAS 2009

Can't wait to start Christmas portraits this year!!! You may or may not have visited our website for a preview of our new boutique backgrounds...either way, we just love our little model and thought we'd share this fun video with you all!!!!!

Playing a little 'blog catch up'!! Here are some more fabulous faces and adorable personalities that we have been blessed to photograph recently! LOVE all the tiny faces and big smiles that have been in our studio lately...sweet, sweet kiddos...so much fun!

LOVE...

We have not forgotten about you Blog World!! We know it's been a while and we apologize for our negligence to you! It's all worth the wait though, because we have A LOT to share! Where do we EVEN begin??!??! How about with a blog full of love - engagement, marriage, and anniversaries!!!

Starting with the sacrament of marriage...Kristie and Denny...better known as the 'McWuerfels'! You can sometimes just tell when two people are truly in love, and these two definitely are! Their ceremony was just as wonderful as the couple themselves, and the reception was a blast! The pictures in between were a ton of fun - as you can see from Denny's ol 'TP stuck in the pants' picture, both the bride and groom have great senses of humor and are just wonderful people to be around!


We have had the pleasure of meeting another couple who is just at the preliminary stages of planning their big day! Liz and Pat are recently engaged, and will be married in July of next year! Their engagement session was awesome - can't wait for the wedding!


We were also fortunate enough to capture three great couples on the opposite end of the Wedded Bliss Spectrum...The Morgans, the Bremers, and the Scotts have all recently celebrated one of the most incredible milestones in life and love...their 50th Wedding Anniversaries! Congratulations to all of these couples, and many years of love and happiness to all!

What a Spooktacular Halloween at the studios!! We had a ton of fun taking pictures and passing out candy during the Merchants Trick or Treating on Halloween night!!! We had to get in the spirit of the holiday of course, so costumes were a must!!
(and yes our photoshop skills are much better than what is demonstrated in this picture...so no worries.) =)

Also....we have a grand prize winner of the SPOOKTACULAR GIVEAWAY!!! Congratulations to Jenny Tapia!! She has won some treats from Connie's Cakes of Midland, some goodies from Karen's Hallmark, and a $50 gift certificate to Hillier Studio! Thanks to all who participated!

We're now gearing up for Christmas...we're almost all decorated and our backgrounds are ready to go!! Book your appointment today for our new Boutique-style backgrounds in November! http://hillierstudio.bookmonline.com/schedules/NovHoliday