ALM Photo: Studio Update #2

It snowed, it rained and it rained some more, but that hasn't slowed the progress on the ALM Photo studio construction. Each day brings the dream a little closer to reality. The photographs below are from earlier this week and show the debris strewn about the yard is not the aftermath of a tornado but in fact materials necessary to successfully construct the structure. Please note that in the case of the middle photograph, snow did not make everything look prettier, but at least we had some snow.

More Updates: The Virtual Background System delivery (Part One) arrived yesterday. We can't wait to demonstrate this fantastic system to everyone. It will be a tremndous asset for photographing portraits in the studio and shooting on-site events.

We are eagerly looking forward to the WPPI Convention in Las Vegas and will be there March 14th through 19th. There are many great presenters and a huge tradeshow so we will return brimming full of knowledge and Allan will have visions of new equipment, software and gear in his head.

ALM Photo: Studio Update #1

The ALM Photo photography studio is finally becoming a reality. The signs are obvious everywhere around our property. From the torn off roof remnants laying about the yard to the lumber strewn across the driveway in magical heaps awaiting the construction wizards to raise their powerful hammers and command the wood into place and on to the beautiful blue tarps gracing the gaping maw that was once a garage. Our dogs, Baileigh and Bubba, certainly have no idea what all the activity is about, except that Bubba knows it means a chance to escape the confines of his pen. Can you blame him? After all, he a small dog and there is a tremendous amount of new "territory" to mark. Time's a wastin'!


Allan and I are very excited and eagerly awaiting the day we can move into a beautiful new space. We will keep you in the loop and post updates and photos periodically. The photographs below were taken over the past few days.

Register for Your Complimentary Birthday Portrait Session :: Registration Ends March 31st, 2009

ALM Photo is offering you a complimentary portrait session ($250 value) on your birthday!

All you have to do to receive a complimentary birthday portrait session is register by March 31, 2009 by sending the following to lisa@almphoto.com or call Lisa @ 865-406-3870:

Please put "Complimentary Birthday Portrait Session" in your e-mail subject line

Full Name
Mailing Address
Phone Number
E-mail Address
Birth Date (Month/Date/Year)
...and if possible, location where you might like to have your session take place and if you will be including anyone other than yourself in the session

It doesn't matter when your birthday is, the only deadline on this offer is that you have to register your birthday with us by March 31, 2009. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to look forward to a fun birthday portrait session? The registration period ends on March 31, 2009 but your complimentary birthday portrait session can be booked through April 30, 2010 so that an entire calendar year is covered.

Register yourself or your children (up to two complimentary birthday portrait sessions per family per 12 month period)

We will contact you one month before your birthday to schedule your complimentary birthday portrait session.

Complimentary birthday portrait sessions can include friends and family members. Sessions are limited to one hour of photography time at one location.

PURCHASE :: All photographs will be placed on-line for viewing and purchase for up to 90 days. All prints are ala carte. Prints are 2-for-1 during the first 30 days images are on-line.

BONUS :: Five complimentary web-sized, tagged images are included for use on Facebook and MySpace.

Registration by March 31, 2009 is essential so don’t wait, register today for this fantastic opportunity!

The Fine Print :: Complimentary birthday portrait session must be scheduled on your actual birthday. We will ask for proof of birth date. ALM Photo may book your session on a day other than your birthday if there is a schedule conflict on our part. Limit two complimentary birthday portrait sessions per family per 12 month period. Opportunity to register ends at 11:59 PM on March 31, 2009. Session location must be within 50 miles of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Offer subject to change without notice.

:: Click to view full-size ::

SHARE THIS OFFER WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Lunar Eclipse: Romance ALM Photo-style

The thick layer of clouds resting over Knoxville broke for a few hours Wednesday evening and Allan and Lisa were granted an opportunity to photograph an absolutely fantastic lunar eclipse. The moon was a spectacular reddish colored sphere when we first headed outside to the deck to set up the tripod, camera and 600mm lens. Even though it was cold and almost bedtime, Allan waited patiently for over an hour to get some wonderfully detailed shots. The moon eventually lost its reddish hue and grew a bright "smile" as the eclipse slowly progressed across the night sky. Some light clouds rolled in but they were too faint to register in the photographs and the two bright stars nearest the moon were too far from it to be part of the images Allan took. Out of curiosity, Lisa took a couple of snaps with the point-and-shoot to see how insanely tiny the moon would look without a powerful telephoto lens and Allan laughingly asked what he was supposed to see in the virtually black screen. Lisa and Allan Mueller spend another romantic moonlit evening at home. Bliss!

Below are a couple of images Allan captured showing the progression of the eclipse. The next lunar eclipse will be in 2010 which will give everyone time to save up for a huge lens.

If you are interested in viewing other images of the lunar eclipse captured by Allan or would like to know how he did it, please contact him at allan@almphoto.com.

Senior Portraits :: Fresh & Creative

ALM Photo is the premier choice for high school Junior and Senior students who are looking for fresh, stylish photography for their Senior portraits. We only accept a limited number of sessions each year to ensure your images will stand out from the crowd, so be sure to contact us as soon as possible to arrange your session.

Our creative, fun and highly stylized senior lifestyle portrait sessions are only $250 and can be done on location or in our studio with a variety of different backgrounds. It's your photo shoot so you get to decide what you want to wear and how you want to let the world see you.

Four wardrobe changes are recommended and you are welcome to bring any sports equipment, instruments, vehicles, or pets, well, pretty much anything that you love can be brought along with you to be included in your photographs.

We prefer have a creative consultation with you prior to your session so we can get a feel for the types of images you want captured. We can do this in-person or over the phone. No texting or e-mailing at this stage in the creative process! Parents are always welcome to attend the creative consultation. We also require the scheduling of a post-session viewing of edited images before we make them available for sales on-line.

All prints are ala carte and ALM Photo offers a wide range of printed items including 2-for-1 prints during the first 30 days a session is available for sales on-line, canvas prints, large prints, jewelry, handbags, albums and other exclusive items.

BONUS for sessions booked for 2009: Purchase a minimum of $500 in prints, albums, jewelry, handbags or canvas prints and receive an awesome video slideshow and 10 complimentary web sized, tagged images for use on Facebook, MySpace, blogs, and websites. The video slideshow and images can be e-mailed to friends and family!

We can arrange for make-up artists and hair stylists to assist you for an additional charge.

ALM Photo...professional photography with a fresh perspective!

Brochure for Portraits :: Celebrations :: Weddings

:: Click on image to view full-size ::

:: Weddings ::

:: Essential ::
Ideal for capturing the quintessential moments of your extraordinary wedding.
Unlimited wedding day coverage at up to three different locations. Includes one Celebrations session (see link to Celebrations) and $150 credit toward custom designed wedding albums or prints.
$3800

:: Supreme ::
Exceptional choice for preserving the exquisite details of your unique wedding.
Unlimited wedding day coverage at up to three different locations. Includes $150 credit toward custom designed wedding albums or prints.
$3550

:: Traditional ::
Perfect for creating lasting memories of your intimate nuptials.
Includes six hours of wedding day coverage at up to two locations.
$2500

:: Destination ::
No matter where in the world you decide to tie the knot, we can be there to capture every detail of your special day.
Unlimited wedding day coverage at up to three locations. Includes $150 credit toward custom designed wedding albums or prints.
from $4200


:: All wedding packages include a complimentary slideshow created by ALM Photo.
:: All wedding printed products are offered ala carte.
:: Custom designed albums are available for all packages. Priced from $400.

:: Wedding photographic proofs will be available on-line for up to 90 days. Event must be prescheduled on-line in order to receive any additional special offers and pricing.
:: Viewing session must be scheduled.
:: All wedding coverage includes two photographers and supplementary photographers are available for an additional hourly charge.
:: All coverage, exclusive of Destination, is within 25 miles of Knoxville. Locations outside of 25 miles will have mileage added at $1.50 per mile.

:: Celebrations ::

Capture all your blissful moments...before and after the wedding. Choose up to two different locations or an in studio session with unique backgrounds. Depending on travel between locations and number of participants per session up to two wardrobe changes are allowed for on location sessions and up to four for in studio sessions.

$250

:: Engaged ::
Just the two of you… formal or casual… intimate, fun and full of love!

:: Pre-Nuptial ::
Gather family and friends together for formal or casual photographs before the wedding– picnics, golf outings and days on the lake are the perfect opportunity.

:: With The Newlyweds ::
A great way to capture moments with out-of-town family and friends. This session is typically scheduled for the day after the wedding.

:: Eat, Drink & Be Merry ::
Get candid photographs of friends and family attending the rehearsal and dinner. Additional hours may be booked to capture an entire evening of celebration!

Ask about photography coverage for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

:: Portraits ::

Experience the excitement of an ALM Photo portrait session. We’ll capture the fresh, high-energy, professional images you really want while having an incredibly great time. The possibilities are endless!

Portrait sessions are the perfect choice for family reunions, senior portraits, holiday family portraits, pets, children and expectant mothers.

Session may be at up to two locations of your choice or in our studio. Studio session includes four wardrobe changes and choice of two backgrounds.
$250

Please inquire about out-of-town, glamour and model portfolio session prices.

All portrait session printed products are offered ala carte.

~Spring 2009~ ALM Photo will soon be offering an exclusive background system with hundreds of exciting backgrounds in our studio. Come see what sets us apart and experience the future in studio photography!

Contact Lisa to schedule your Creative Consultation at 865-406-3870 or lisa@almphoto.com.

All portrait photographic proofs will be available for viewing on-line for up to 90 days. 2-for-1 prints are offered during the first 30 days.

All portrait sessions are within 25 miles of Knoxville.

:: Baby Bundle ::

There is no time more extraordinary than the first year of your child’s life, every experience for them is brand-new and change happens in the blink of an eye. Every baby is unimaginably and beautifully different. As personalities begin to emerge and expressions are made by chubby cheeked cherubs, it is these moments that you will want to remember forever.

ALM Photo is excited to offer a wonderful opportunity to capture your newborn’s first year with the “Baby Bundle”. “Baby Bundle” is a series of six professional portrait sessions created to capture unique photographs of your wee one from birth through the first twelve months. The first session should be within three weeks of your baby’s birth. The remaining five sessions can be pre-scheduled during the first session or booked two weeks in advance, whichever fits your life best; however, pre-scheduling ensures you get the dates and/or milestones you would like. Each session is about two hours long. There are three different “Baby Bundle” packages currently available. Each package offers something a little different and prints are ala carte.

Allan and Lisa are a coordinated, professional team working together to produce beautiful images, each with their own unique style and perspective that will capture the essence of your newborn. ALM Photo has an eclectic style with extremely appealing results.

Props are provided in order to create some of our more popular poses; however, parents are always welcome to make suggestions for poses and additional props, such as favorite toys or books, at each session. The first session will include adorable diaper-free poses, so be prepared for the unexpected! Immediate family members are always welcome for inclusion in the photographs and extended family members can be added for $25 per person. Please let us know when scheduling sessions with extended family so we will allow more time for the session.

Baby Bundle
Six portrait sessions and 20-side professionally designed album chronicling baby’s first year
$998

Baby Bump Bundle
Seven portrait sessions, including one maternity session; 20-side professionally designed album chronicling baby’s first year and one 16 X 20 print from the maternity session. Maternity session should be scheduled during the eighth month.
$1198

Bella Baby Bundle
Seven portrait sessions, including one maternity session; 20-side professionally designed album chronicling baby’s first year and one 16 X 20 print from the maternity session and a beautiful diaper bag with your choice of photographs from the first session on the front and back sides along with a discreet ALM Photo logo
$1398

Baby Bundle Bonus
All packages include a selection of images from each session resized for the web- great for use on Facebook, MySpace, Flickr or your blog.

:: Click to view brochure full-size ::

Kicking it Sunday morning at the Knoxville Skatepark

If you know ALM Photo's Allan Mueller, you know he is definitely still a kid at heart and loves to take part in any extreme sport you suggest, so it was no surprise to find him at the brand-new Knoxville Skatepark on a chilly overcast Sunday morning. Lugging his gear (including the mandatory helmet) in his old green bag and carrying his Sector 9 skateboard under his arm, he could have been any other kid excited to meet his friends for a morning of vigorous bowl riding. But Allan isn't any other kid. He's 44 years old and was joined by at least a half dozen other skateboarders over the age of 35 who were as stoked as a bunch of teenagers about the fantastic features of the park, just with a little less flexibility but no less determination. Several of the older skateboarders in attendance took a couple of nasty spills and some of them looked more than a little sketchy as they hopped on their boards. A couple of the riders hadn't been on their board for several of years, but they all had a great time and vowed to make the Sunday morning ride a ritual. I won't be surprised to see some new boards in the skatepark next week. Here are a couple of shots of Allan kicking it old school.

We are back from Texas...finally

Allan and I returned from our trip to the Virtual Backgrounds workshop in San Marcos, Texas late last night. It was a great learning experience and we can't wait to get our Scene Machine Digital system and start taking awesome photographs with the Virtual Background System. For those of you who don't know what this is you will find out as soon as our studio is completed and we have an Open House celebration complete with demonstrations.

Virtual Backgrounds workshop room

Jim Wilson taught us how to use the Scene Machine, Dr. Henry Oles spoke to us about what he incorporated into his booklet titled "Perfect Storm- What Every Studio Photographer Needs to Know Not Only to Survive but Also Grow Bottom Line Profits in Difficult Times" and we learned a tremendous amount of marketing information from Greg Stangl. All in all it was a terrific experience and we met many wonderful fellow professional photographers from across the country including one couple who traveled from Austria. I almost forgot...we got to eat lunch and dinner in an actual railroad car and, honestly, you don't get to do that everyday. Pretty cool.

Of course it wasn't all work and no play for us...we found a great bar in San Marcos that may be franchising soon across the country. Bikini's Sports Bar and Grill was a very unique establishment with beautiful waitresses, a fantastic bartender named Amanda (I dubbed her specially concocted margarita the "Amandarita" and admit to having way too many...but that is another story).

We will be traveling back to San Marcos again soon and look forward to spending some more time seeing the sights, drinking some more Amandaritas, checking out the local scenery and taking some photographs.

PS Don't forget about the Daytona 500 on Sunday!

Schedule Update

ALM Photo will be traveling to San Marcos, Texas on February 9th through 15th for a workshop at Virtual Backgrounds. In addition to building a photography studio, ALM Photo has several technological advances up our sleeves to make your photographic experience truly amazing and different from anything you have experienced before. We will post updates on the studio construction when we return.

ALM Photo - First blog post

ALM Photo has finally arrived...with a blog. Professional photographers Allan and Lisa Mueller of Knoxville, Tennessee will be posting their latest news, travel schedule, and images from shoots to keep you, our current and future clients, in the loop of all things ALM Photo. Thank you for stopping by and we look forward to hearing from you.