Wednesday, December 12, 2007

We've Got a Swell New Look


Well, it's been a long process, but we've finally changed our name, made it legal, and are raising a glass of champagne!

I used Jane Eaton Hamilton Photography when I started out because I already have a great reputation as a Canlit writer (author of six books), and wanted the name recognition to carry through. But it's just too darned hard for folks who aren't hooked in to my reputation to remember, so thanks to some prompting from my youngest, we're now the snappy and bright Jane Photo! Officially! No more long-winded addresses to type! It's tons easier for us, too.

With the new name, we needed a new logo, so we're brand spanking new there too. We got out our design pens and went to work, and we love the new colours, blue and brown, the new packaging (yum...polka dots and stripes) and the the new splash page on our websites. We're introducing a custom customer service site over the next few weeks too, so stay tuned. When you book your session, you'll be sent to your own personal site that has tons of groovy stuff to help you keep unpuzzled and organized regarding your experience with us.

This time of year is when all the backend work of running a photography biz happens...the site updates and so on. We all take a close look at what is working, what could be improved, and get moving on the latter. So look forward to more sweet new changes as the new year clicks over and brings us more winter with a bright new 2008.

This is also a big thank you to all our clientele for allowing me and my team to be there to photograph the important moments in your lives this past year. For many of you, couples from Florida and Texas and Japan and Singapore and England and France, and lots of locals, those were ecstatic--weddings, birthdays, capturing just an ordinary day in your life--and for others those were tragic--couples who lost babies whom I photographed for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep--but none of you were less than cherished on my end. I don't think photographers tell you enough, so let me say it: It is truly a deep honour to be in your lives during their important, heartfelt passages.

A special thank you goes out to those whose infants and toddlers I photographed this year, just because, well, because as you all have figured out by now, I'm kid-crazy. Totally over the moon with babies. I am not sure why babies charm me so, but it is, I think, mutual--they seem to know and respond to the warmth. It is like the late and great Jane Rule once wrote, and I only paraphrase: They reach in and wrap a string of lights around my heart. It is a delight beyond measure for me to be able to spend time with your kiddos, and to make great art of them to hang on your walls. I want to see their images even bigger in '08...30"x40" or 24"x30". The canvases, especially in black and white, look so flipping awesome. Each one of your kids struck sparks in my heart in '07, and I have melted, and smiled, and laughed out loud, more times than recordable. How can I even thank you for the joy of that? I look forward to seeing many of your babes again this coming year, and to meeting the many new ones who will charm my cockles in '08. You have no idea how excited I am! I've got great new props and ideas and lenses and talents, and I look forward to many fulfilling sessions in your homes and my studio.