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Mandi McDougall Lifestyle Photography | Children, Family, Maternity, Senior and Newborn Portraits | Centralia and Olympia Washington bio picture

Have a look around...

...here you will find my life. I have found that the wonderful thing about a blog is that it has become a place for me to document my own life, while I document your's. 

My name is Mandi, and it is my passion to capture life's moments. From the cry of a newly born baby, to the happy tears of an adoption story, all the way to senior portraits that won't go out of style. Behind the camera, I prefer to capture the moments and not create them. I will offer suggestions and be available to you along the way so that you get the most out of your custom portrait experience. On the other side of the lens, I simply love life. I have an amazing family, wonderful friends, and can often be seen reading or crocheting (yep, I have a little old lady down deep in my soul!)

Take a few minutes to check out my blogsite, catch up on the goings-on of a photographer from little ol' Centralia, and look at some pictures. If you are interested in a portrait session, all the necessary information can be found at the top or the bottom of the page. Contact me via the form, at info@mandimcdougallphotography.com, or at 206.450.2354 anytime.

Real. Life. Captivating.

It’s that time again! {SENIOR SPOKESMODELS SEARCH 2011}

To apply to be a Mandi McDougall Photography 2011 Senior Spokesmodel please fill out the form here.

What is a senior spokesmodel?

Basically, you are my presence at your school. You are charged with helping market my studio to your peers and getting them to book me for their senior pictures!

What am I looking for in a senior model?

I want kids who are fun, outgoing, involved, adventurous, creative….you need to be up for anything! I want kids willing to try out new poses, new locations, and bring their individual style and flair to a photo shoot! I want kids willing to be supermodels for a day and have fun! I need kids who are willing to go out of their way to promote my business and be excited about their pictures!

What do you get out of it?

FREEBIES!!!!

Well…..sort of. You have to earn the rewards as payment for a job well done. Basically, the more kids that book with me the more you get.

How does it work?

You need to apply to be a senior spokesmodel. Once you are chosen we will get together in April for your session. That session is all about you and what you want to accomplish with your portraits. Creativity is a must! At this time you will be responsible for a $100 session fee which is earned back with two referrals and will be applied to your print order. Why a fee? Well, history has taught me that kids need a little incentive to get out there and get the referrals. And, well, if you don’t I still need to be compensated for my time. Being a senior model is much like a job. You do your job, I pay you.

After your session we will work together to choose the best to put in your 5×7 brag book. Then, you get your brag book and a set of gift cards to hand out to your peers. You need to show them the pictures in your book and convince them to book me.

You will be asked to sign a contract to not represent another studio during your time as a senior spokesmodel. You will also be expected to not seek additional senior portraits at another studio.

I also expect you to keep up with any promotions I am running and inform your peers any way you can to take advantage of them.

I also use your images on my marketing materials, facebook, and website.

In the fall of 2010 or spring 2011 we will schedule your follow-up mini session. When you’re ready to order, you will come into the studio to see the proofs of your sessions and place your order. I’ll tally up the referrals and you can choose your prints or other products at that time.

That’s it! Easy peasy, right?

So, how about those freebies?

Well…..each referral earns you $100 print credit. Remember, at 2 referrals you earn your session fee back, and every referral after that earns you $100 in additional print credit!

Two Sessions Left {AVAILABILITY}

I had a cancellation and wanted to give a heads up that I have TWO open SESSIONS left before I am officially booked until my maternity leave starts. If you want a session, give me a call or e-mail quick! The sessions are this Friday (the 12th) in the early afternoon and this Saturday (the 13th) in either the morning or afternoon.

And because a post is no fun without a picture, here is one I took today of my sister’s beautiful (and well-behaved!) dogs.

Booking a Session {WINTER/SPRING AVAILABILITY}

I wanted to post a heads-up that in anticipation of our little guy arriving sometime in March, the last day to book a session before my break will be February 13th. Assuming all goes well with his arrival, I anticipate starting sessions back up on April 12th. Starting in April, I will be booking sessions only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and for a month or two, will only be doing sessions in the Centralia area.

If you are interested in booking before my break, please contact me soon. My available dates are limited.

If you are interested in booking in April or beyond, I am also taking those reservations at this time.

Sneak Peek: Taylor B {SENIOR}

What a fantastic session we had today! I was so worried about the weather…would the rain hold off, or would it pour on us? Luckily, despite a few sprinkles on the way up north, the rain held off and Taylor and I had a great time! Isn’t she gorgeous?! Another easy-peasy senior session (and I’m not talking about the hike for this 8-month-preggo lady!) A session filled with natural smiles and laughter always makes for a great way to spend Friday!

Isn’t she too cute? I think the true test of beauty is looking this gorgeous in comfy jeans and a white tee.

LOVE this one! The dress, the colors…

This is my favorite!

This girl was up for anything! Such a trooper!

I love this bridge, and most of the shots I take on it…this one is in my top 5!

Taylor, I had a blast capturing your sweet spirit today! Thanks for trusting me with your senior pictures.

Be sure and add a comment below to help Taylor win a free 8×10!

If you are interested in booking a session with Mandi McDougall Photography, e-mail me at info@mandimcdougallphotography.com. If you are a friend of Taylor’s and mention that when you book, you receive a $20 print credit.

Stacey - Taylor shared these with me. Just want to say "Great Job"! She dates my nephew and I just love her. Would adopt her if her parents ever wanted to give her up! She is a kind, fun, sweet person and I am glad you captured that!January 30, 2010 - 1:17 am

Jordanne - Well, this fine looking lady just happens to be my sister, so I am a little biased as to which one looks the best. I think my favorite one is the bridge or the picture right above that. Nice work Tay, and thanks Mandi!January 30, 2010 - 1:42 pm

Caroline - Taylor just so happens to be my best friend's little sister, which indirectly makes her mine. These pictures make me so proud to have such a beautiful and stylish little sister! We have a bulletin board at our house that needs to be redecorated...can we have prints of all of these to fill the board??January 30, 2010 - 3:45 pm

Delaney - As Taylor's cousin, I am supposed to love her to death, and I do. Tay, these pictures are awesome. I love the one by the tree and the one on the bridge. You are gorgeous, and these photos are amazing.January 30, 2010 - 5:58 pm

catching up {JANUARY}

Well, as January comes to a close, it’s been a good month! Life is slowly winding down, allowing me to spend more time preparing for baby’s arrival (nesting=sewing frenzy!) Last weekend my sweet sister threw me an amazing baby shower. I got to see great friends, we played some hysterical games, and Landon got some awesome presents (I did too!)

My mom and grandmothers did an awesome job with the food…mmm, a taco bar! Messy, but SO tasty!

And the super cute and REALLY tasty cupcakes that my sister and mom whipped up! (they both thought they were supposed to make them, so we had an abundance…not that anyone was complaining!)

My sister had everyone guess the day they think Landon is going to make his appearance…who will win?? (BTW, I guessed February 22nd)

I thought this was a great game, but I’m not sure if everyone agreed :) There were 9 different kinds of baby food to taste and guess…I only missed two, I mixed up applesauce and pears!

I and baby got a ton of great presents, but this one is the most special and sentimental. This quilt was won in an auction by my great-grandmother before I was born, and she decided to gift it to the next great-grand baby. Well, that lucky bebe was me! And although the quilt has planes, she didn’t figure I would mind. This quilt was used by myself and 3 siblings, and then my mom put it away and gifted it to Landon! How sweet is that?! (lovely picture, I know…but I was trying not to cry!)