What Happens in Vegas

There is a popular ad campaign for Las Vegas that says "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas". ...I beg to differ (this time).

Last Saturday, we took a long weekend trip to the city of lights both for a break from our work schedule, and just because we love the restaurants and entertainment there.

I was feeling like I had a slight cold coming on, but I was not going to let that stand in the way of us having a relaxing, good time.

The second day of our trip, my condition worsened and I developed a high fever, chills and cough that made it hard to sleep through the night. Needless to say, I spent the remainder of the trip on my back in bed with blankets piled high to stave off the chills.

Tammi called my doctor from Vegas and scheduled an appointment for the morning after we returned home. It couldn't have come sooner, I just wanted to feel better.

My doctor confirmed what I already knew. I had pneumonia.

So finally after almost a full week of being sick in bed, I'm up and on the couch. That's quite a milestone considering I have only wanted to be in bed, buried under the down blankets for the last five days.

Fortunately, Tammi was able to reschedule all of my appointments and she's been running the studio solo all week. (Isn't she great?)

I plan on returning to work this Tuesday and slowly working my way back up to speed. I'm thankful that my being out hasn't interfered with our holiday delivery schedule. Tammi has everything under control!

So, this time, What happened in Vegas didn't stay in Vegas ... It latched on tightly and came home with me!

A Brand New Look

Even though we have only had our Blog for a short time, I decided it was time to change the "cookie-cutter" template look and go with a more custom look to reflect our unique "brand".

I took our new business card design and incorporated that into the layout.

I'm really excited about the new look and expect to probably tweek it a bit more in the coming weeks. Please let me know what you think.

Who's the Celebrity?

Here's another look-alike... Of course I think Tammi looks much better than the celebrities do :)

Just for fun

In our spare time, Tammi and I like to relax and watch a little TV. Two shows we enjoy are CSI and Las Vegas, partially because they both take place in one of our favorite towns (Las Vegas) and because of the cool gadgets they use for facial recognition, etc.

While I was tooling around the web tonight, I found this website that compares your photograph to celebrity photos and tells you who you look like.

Check it out....

http://www.myheritage.com

If you want to try it with one of your photo's, give us a call and we can email an image to you.

Operation Smile Update

Thanks to your generosity in October, we were able to donate $500 to Operation Smile.
During October, we participated along side other member studios of Professional Photographers of America (PPA) in “Family Portrait Month", a national fund-raising effort to benefit Operation Smile, which helps children who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

PPA will present Operation Smile with a check at our National Convention to be held in San Antonio Texas This January.

Lighting Tips

For the best pictures possible, use different film speeds (or ISO settings on your digital camera) for different situations and lighting conditions. The higher the ISO number (or speed) the more sensative the film or digital sensor is to light.

The beauty of newer digital cameras is that you can change your ISO rating "on the fly" when your lighting situation changes.
For example: You're out in the yard photographing the kids in bright sunlight or snow (yikes) with your camera set to ISO 100.

Next, you decide to go into the house to take pictures around the dinner table or next to the fireplace; this would be a great opportunity to change the ISO setting on your camera to 1000 to allow more light to be recorded by the sensor.

• ISO 100 For bright outdoor scenes
• ISO 200 For activity in the sun and shade
• ISO 400 For fast action scenes under mixed light situations
• ISO 1000 and higher For fast action in very low or mixed light situations.

This list represents a general starting point. I always recommend trying different settings on your camera until you get the results you desire.

Celebrating a 50th Anniversary?

2006 marks our 50th year in business.

As a way of sharing our Golden Anniversary, we are offering a special gift to anyone celebrating fifty years of marriage.

If you are celebrating your 50th anniversary, we would like to present you with a complimentary studio portrait session and one 8x10 color portrait as our gift.

To commemorate your anniversary and receive your free portrait, all you have to do is confirm your anniversary date when you make your appointment.

Then, through our electronic projection system, each pose will be viewed in the studio allowing you to make your portrait selections before leaving the studio.

We look forward to helping celebrate with each "Golden Anniversary" couple.

Keeping You up to Date

If you're anything like me, you may find it hard to remember things from time to time (I know -- hard to believe, just ask wife.... um.... TAMMI) :)

I found a way to keep up on the blogs that I like to read without missing any updates. You see, in the new version of Blogger you can subscribe to what they call "feeds".

The way yo do this is simply to click on the Posts (Atom) link, usually found at the bottom of the page.

That way, you will be sent a notification when the blog is updated. Pretty slick, ehh? No more trying to remember to check blogs or websites for recent additions.

We are going to be offering more specials and information or sales in the months to come, so please feel free to click the Posts link so you are always up to date.

Frames on Sale

There is no better way to compliment your portraiture than with beautiful framing.

We have added a line of ready made frames to our custom frame line that I'm sure you are going to love. They are relatively ornate and very classy looking.

The best part??? They are very reasonably priced!!!

Here's another great offer. As a way to get these frames into your hands, we are marking them down 20% through the end of December.

So now you can purchase gift certificate AND a ready made frame for the holidays and save 20% on both.

These frames are available in sizes: 5x7 through 11x14.

Gift Certificate Sale

Now through the end of the year, you can save 20% on any gift certificate that you purchase.

Gift certificates make the perfect gift for friends and loved ones because portraits NEVER go out of style!

Here's a great idea. Do you know someone planning a wedding or bar mitzvah??? You can use these certificates for any event photography or portrait photography that we offer!

Give us a call for details...

Lisa and Mark Got Married

Last Saturday we had a great time photographing Lisa and Mark at Temple Shir Shalom.

The weather outside was a little chilly (it is November in Michigan!) but inside, the decor was warm and inviting, partially due to the beautiful arangements provided by Bruce at Breath of Spring Florist .

We've had so much fun photographing these guys! When your clients become your friends, it's very natural to have fun at the wedding and get great expressions in the photographs. Mark and Lisa were no different. We knew the day we met them that we wanted to be their photographer simply based on the way we hit it off at our first meeting.

Needless to say, our new bride and groom, both families and wedding party were a delight to work with.... and it's so nice to witness two people that are truly in love begin a new life together. Mark and Lisa truly are in love and you can tell just by being around them.

Mark is the Managing Partner for The Matt Prentice Groups "Deli Unique" in West Bloomfield and Lisa is a CPA.

We can't wait until they return from their honeymoon so they can see their wedding images and we can hear all about their trip!

Hey! who is that guy crouching in the corner, capturing ceremony photo's??? :)

Nickey and Andrew

When you live in Michigan, one of things to look forward to is the changing of seasons and the beautiful colors that October brings.

This year was no exception. October has come and nearly gone and we've seen almost all four seasons in a four week period. We've experienced beautiful days filled with sunshine and we have also had a few days of freezing rain and snow.

This crazy weather has put a bit of a damper on our outdoor portrait sessions that were scheduled this month... to say the least!

A week ago Saturday, the day started with grey clouds, cold temperatures and even rain.

We almost had to postpone Nickey and Andrew's engagement portrait...The weather just was NOT cooperating.

We decided to drive to Cranbrook anyway and hope for the best.

WOW! Am I glad that we did. By the time we met Nickey and Andrew, it had stopped raining and the sun even came out! It was a tiny bit chilly outside, but besides that, the weather was amazing for their session.

I've posted their slideshow on our website, or just click on the thumbnail below to view the show.

Congratulations Andrew & Nickey!

New Slide Shows on the Web

WOW!! It's been a few weeks since I've written anything here... (Time flies when you're having fun!).

I have been updating our main website (davidmdeutsch.com)to include a page with seminar information and another page wth new slideshows.

The Slide Shows Page is a work in progress which currently includes wedding and high school senior shows.

In the near future I plan to add a maternity show, a bat mitzvah show and a family show. These slideshows are designed to give our client's and prospects an idea of the style and quality of our art.

Operation Smile

There is still time to schedule your family portrait during the month of October.

During Family Portrait Month, October 2006, we’ll donate $100 from your family’s session Fee to PPA Charities to benefit Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. Your session fee donation will truly help change a life.

What better way to celebrate your family than by helping a child!

Call Now. Appointments limited!

Just a Reminder... It's Family Portrait Time

Take a moment and capture a lifetime. Portraits can be created in our studio, or on location.

Before time passes before your eyes and you wonder where those years went, give us a call today to arrange for a no obligation consultation appointment. ...We can even do it over the phone, if you prefer.






Congratulations to Michael and Gaia Klass who were the highest bidders on the Family Portrait Gift Certificate that we donated to the LPE auction.

New Additions Portrait Program

Our newest product offering is a brand new, baby and children portrait program which documents your baby's first year in artistic portraiture.

For your investment of *$575.00, you will receive four portrait sessions at the following ages: 3 month, 6 month, 9 month and 12 month. From each session you may choose 1 5x7 of your favorite pose.

At the conclusion of the first year, we will create a 12x24 wall panel which includes one pose from each session, illustrating the changes in your baby's first year of life. You may choose a different pose than the one that you previously selected.

In addition, you will receive two additional portrait sessions at NO CHARGE. The first session is designed as a newborn session to be created within the first four weeks of life. The second free session is a family portrait session to be created at the end of the program, showing the relationship between mother, father and baby.

Purchased seperately this "package" is a $1745 value. For a limited time, you can save $1170 by signing up for this program before December 31, 2006.

This is our way of helping you to preserve “life” and helping you to save a little money at the same time.

For those of you who are past the “newborn stage” and have children that may be a little older, you can still take advantage of this portrait program. Just use the four sessions within a two year period and you will receive one additional children’s portrait session and one family portrait session at no charge.

This program replaces our Children’s Portrait Club which was discontinued in 2003.


*Per child. Must be prepaid. 6% Michigan sales tax will be added.
Framing also available

Senior Portraits for Today's Generation

Today's high school senior demands more than just ordinary portraits. We are excited about staying on the cutting edge of photography and offering more than the typical yearbook photographer can offer.

Seniors from all local high schools have the option to have their portraits created here. Unfortunately, many of the school photographers lead you to believe that you have to go there, or you won't be in the yearbook.

That is simply not true.

WE LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS!

Check out one of our recent sessions that has a feeling of a fashion model. View the Slide Show

Helping Kids Who Can't... To Smile

Please help us to change the lives of needy children this fall by participating in "Family Portrait Month 2006".

We will be donating $100 from every portrait session that we create in the month of October to Professional Photographer's of America's partner charity Operation Smile.

Our friend Peggy Blue from Blue Horizon Media put together this AWESOME press release for us. I love the way it looks!

Please click here to see the press release and learn how you can help a child who can't... to smile.

Our 2nd Wedding Anniversay

I can't believe it! September 19th is here! It was two wonderful years ago, today that Tammi and I were married.

It was a gorgeous day at the Pine Knob Mansion and everything was so perfect. I wish we could do it again:)

We've been so busy finishing up our project for Deloitte and Touche that I almost forgot!!! Yikes! -Perish the thought.

Well, I think we'll go out for a nice dinner tonight and celebrate quietly at home.

Busy Week of Business Portraits

I feel as if I'm neglecting my Blogger-responsabilites. We have been busy updating the business portraits for Deloitte & Touche at their Detroit office in the Renaissance Center.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is an organization of member firms around the world devoted to excellence in providing professional services and advice, focused on client service through a global strategy executed locally in nearly 150 countries. With access to the deep intellectual capital of 120,000 people worldwide, Deloitte delivers services in four professional areas — audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services — and serves more than one-half of the world’s largest companies, as well as large national enterprises, public institutions, locally important clients, and successful, fast-growing global growth companies.
(I took that right from their website)

We're excited that a multi-national company like Deloitte has put their confidence and trust in us to create portraits for their Partners.

If you call the studio this week and get our voice mail .... that's probably why.

Leave a message and we'll get back to you!!

Summer's Bat Mitzvah

Summer celebrated her bat mitzvah in style last night.

Music was in the air at the beautiful Orchard Lake Country Club, where Summer flawlessly recited her Haftorah and had a great party with her friends and family.

The decorations and "Party Patrol" were provided by Dena Raminick of Party Pieces, LLC (partypieces @comcast.net).




Tammi and I love working at Orchard Lake C.C. because Diane and the staff there are always so friendly and accomodating.

Even though the weather felt more like October, we were still able to utilize the beautiful grounds of the country club. Summer and her parents braved the cold for the outdoor photo's... goose bumps and all!

Mazel Tov Summer!

Erin's Sr. Portrait session

When you've been in this business long enough, you witness the inception of a family and then how that family grows and changes.
Of course, I will never be old enough to know about that ;)

We have had the pleasure of watching Erin grow from a cute little girl into a beautiful young woman.

Erin is a senior at Farmington High School and is involved in a bunch of activities. She golfs and dances, just to name a few.
We wanted her portraits to reflect some of her interests, so we came up with these images as a part of her session.

Kristi and Shane - The Wedding

I can't believe that September is already here. Where did the summer go? Soon the kids will be back in school, the leaves will be changing color and winter will be well on its way. OK, I have to stop now because I'm making myself cry. ;)

A couple of weeks ago we shared the day with Kristi and Shane and their families.

As we drove to Addison Oaks, the weather wasn't looking to promising for an outdoor wedding; it was muggy, there was rain and high humidity... typical Michigan weather.

When we arrived, the rain had stopped so the wedding went on as planned... outdoors. There's an old saying that if it rains on your wedding day, it's good luck... AND if it doesn't rain on your wedding day it's also good luck.
Who comes up with this stuff? (they must live in Michigan)

Kristi looked beautiful in her gown and Shane looked so dapper in his White tux and top hat. We got some really great images and since it didn't rain, we were even able to follow the couple on their horse and carriage ride. What fun!!

Here are a few photo's from the day.

Rain or shine...

I guess when you live in Michigan you just expect to have weather that changes... OFTEN.

We photographed Kelly from Walled Lake Northern last week and just as we were finishing the session, it started to rain.


We all ran for cover under a nearby tree as it started to pour, but we managed to get some really pretty portraits before we were forced to stop by the soaking rain.

Thanks to Kelly and Mom for helping me to keep my camera and lenses dry as we made the looooong walk (run) back to the cars.

Check out the slide show.

Helping those who are less fortunate

DON’T MISS OUR SPECIAL “FAMILY PORTRAIT MONTH” PROMOTION!

This October we will participate with an elite group of photographers around the country in a very special family portrait promotion. Throughout October we will celebrate “Family Portrait Month,” a wonderful opportunity for you update your family portrait (or portraits of your children), and at the same time help to support Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Along with other studio members of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), we have pledged to contribute $100. from every session to PPA Charities, which has chosen Operation Smile as its charitable partner.

What’s more, we want you to benefit from this special offer: Save 20% on any wall portrait (16x20 and larger) that you choose from the session.

Recording the faces of children and their families is our greatest pleasure. That’s why we believe so strongly in the work of Operation Smile. Each year this incredible organization of over 10,000 volunteer surgeons, dentists, and specialized health-care professionals, perform surgeries on as many needy children as their funding permits. Because of the medical volunteers, it costs only $240 to perform a life-chaging operation. More than 100,000 children are born with a facial deformity each year in Operation Smile’s 23 mission countries.

We also believe that Family Portrait Month is a wonderful way to teach children the value of reaching out to others. Even small children can understand the importance of Operation Smile’s work, and they are eager to help these needy children.

We hope you will join with us in helping to make this vital work possible. Don’t forget that the holiday season is right around the corner, so there’s no better time for a family portrait, which is always appreciated as gifts for family and friends and to send along with holiday greeting cards.

As always . . . we look forward to creating some truly wonderful portraits of your family.

Time with family

I've been a baaaaad blogger. I keep meaning to sit down and update the blog, but before I know it, the whole day has slipped away. Where does the time go?

Last Sunday we got to spend some time wth Tammi's Brother & Sister-in-law (Matt and Roxanne) and Shane, Courtney and the newest addition to the family, our seven week old nephew Joey.

We had a really nice visit with everyone including an awesome dinner that Tammi skillfully prepared ... and in keeping with the Deutsch women tradition, we had enough food to feed a small army!

One of the highlights of our day was being able to photograph the kids. We will post more of the three kids together after the next session. In the mean time here are a couple from the series we did of Little Joey.

Great Sr. Portraits for Samar & Erin

ERIN '07

Last week we drove out to the campus of Kingswood/ Cranbrook to photograph Samar & Erin. Both girls are going to be seniors there this year and most sr's have their portraits created right on the grounds of the school.

Can you blame them??? Everywhere you look there is a gorgeous area to photograph.

We had a great time creating images.... including the time when the security guard kicked us out. :)
But it's OK, we really were done with the girls' session's. I just like to see if I can get "One More".
SAMAR '07

Antwaun Stanley "In The House!"

Last Tuesday we went over to Straight Gate Church in Detroit to photograph a CD release party for Antwaun Stanley.

Antwaun is a young gospel singer from Flint who has the combination of a velvet voice and a look that will put him at the top of the charts!

We got a really nice series of photos of Antwaun singing, signing autographs and hanging with friends, family and his producers. Here's great one of Antwaun and 2/3's of his production team PAJAM,which consists of Paul "PDA" Allen, Walter Kearney and J. Moss (who was unable to attend). The other fellas in the photo are the members of A PAJAM group,"21:03".

Antwaun is signed with Bajada Label.

Please support Antwaun by visiting his website and buying his CD. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Here's the Slide Show from the release party.

Butterfly Duets

JA Franco is coming out with a new CD entitled "Butterfly Duets" in which she will being doing... you guessed it, duets with other artists. It sounds like a really cool project.

We came up with a few different concepts for the CD cover and ended up using this one.

The butterfly wings came from a centerpiece that we won at our state photography convention one year. See! it pays to save things. You just never know when you might be able to use it :)

You can get more info about JA at Brother Angel Productons .

Antwaun

It's the weekend for us right now,but this Tuesday, when we go back to work, we're going to Straight Gate Church to photograph the new CD release for Antwaun Stanley.

We photographed Antwaun a couple of years ago in the studio and then got to hear him sing and man! can he sing!! We've had the priviledge of hearing Antoine sing at the One in Worship events that we photographed at Ford Field in Detroit and the Coliseum in Greensboro,NC.

Antwaun is releasing a new CD and we're going to photograph him with the record label execs and some candids of him signing autographs.

I love being able to be a part of an up and coming artist on the rise.

Kristi and Shane

Here they are!!

Cute, huh? I can't wait for the wedding....and avoiding the Woodward Dream Cruise traffic :)