Senior Spokesmodel Program

DB Impressions (DBI) is looking for juniors (graduating in 2013) that are interested in working as a model for our studio. I am looking for students who are interested in having their portraits taken before the end of their junior year in exchange for print credits, gift certificates and discounts.

DBI will select at least two students per school to participate in the program. Parental consent is required to participate. An application must be filled out prior to acceptance. If you are chosen as a model, you will be photographed in early spring. Approximately 2 weeks later, you will be able to preview your images and make choices for your model cards and 5×7 book.

Models will receive 50 business-type cards with their images and the studio’s information. The cards will also offer a special discount when presented to DBI. Models will receive credit for each student that books/completes a session. Students MUST present their cards at the time of booking to receive their special discount and to count toward the model’s tally.

Many students have their senior pictures taken over the summer, so it is very important that your show your portraits to as many people as possible before school lets out. The more you show your portraits and promote DB Impressions, the more credit you can earn!

Models can earn:
• $25 Print credit or 8 wallets for each booked referral
OR choose to earn gift certificates;
• 3 referrals= $20 Starbucks gift card (use whatever you want here)
• 5 referrals= Gift certificate for a manicure or pedicure –OR- $25 Gift certificate to Target
• 10 referrals= video iPod® session loaded onto your iPod and a $25 iTunes® gift card

Models also get the following benefits:

• Choice of a full session NOW ~OR~ 2/3 mini sessions; one now and then later in the summer.
• 10 web sized & watermarked images from your session to use on the web and Facebook.
• Your images on advertising materials, DB Impressions’ website and blog.
• No limit on locations or poses in your collection.

Contract Terms: (read these, even though its boring!!)

• I agree to pay a $150 deposit, which will then apply to my portrait order, to hold my spot as a model.
• As a model for DB Impressions (DBI), I agree to use one of my 10 web-sized images as my avatar for MySpace, Facebook and/or Twitter/Google+ from the time of my first session until December of my senior year.
• My $150 deposit includes my 50 spokes model cards and 5×7 book. This deposit also applies to my senior portrait order. Collections start at $285.
• I understand that this is a job and I will have to work to earn print credit or gift certificates by passing out my spokes model cards, showing my 5×7 book and encouraging my friends to book their sessions with DB Impressions.
• I agree to not promote or utilize any other studios for senior images while I am a participant of DB Impressions’ program.

Still want to apply? GREAT! Go HERE and fill out the app, so we can get started!

Nine days ago, our family dog (Sasha) went missing. I took her out for her morning run and her lead broke. She’s fast. Thankfully, it had snowed, so I set off right behind her, as fast as I could (in pajamas and slip on shoes) and tracked her to one of the local roads. And then….nothing. Called and called for her, nothing. The rest of the family came out and called for her, and still nothing. Not. A. Blasted. Thing. NUTS. Those of you who have pets or kids or grandkids or anything that means lots and lots to you….imagine if it just vanished. But, since she ran before, we weren’t too worried….yet. We drove a bit, and called for her, went back and called some more…called and called, searched and searched. The next day? Started putting the word out. Facebook, local vets, the dog warden, the police, local rescues, anyone we could think of that had ANYTHING to do with pets and animals. Guess what we heard? Nothing.

Searched the woods near our house at least every other day, called and called and have hundreds of people watching for her on their daily commute. Anywhere we went, we looked for her. Got tips from local rescues and humane trappers, did those….still nothing. 2-3 days in and still nothing, and your stomach feels awful and you’re just at your wit’s end….can’t think about anything else…in the meantime it snowed, and turned REALLY cold…..and you haven’t even seen tracks that you can be sure are hers.

Here we are, 9 days later. Despite all the encouragement, despite all the wonderful people who literally spent HOURS searching for her or helping to search for her….nothing. We put all the toys away, tidied her bed, put the leashes away too….and a strange number pops up on the phone. They found a dog and it had our number on the tag….it was the guys who work at the local quarry, where she was hanging out, at least for a while (she was filthy before her bath!).

So…long story short, Sasha found her way home, through the kindness of strangers and the prayers of many. I’ll never be able to thank everyone who helped us by name, but to Jeri, John, Susan, Kendra, Gayle, Sonya, Robin, Amy, Lynn and Abbie – THANK YOU. You’ve been patient, amazing and supportive, and we don’t know how to say thank you for that. To Emily and Kath, who we haven’t even met yet…your kindness blew us away.

Sasha was checked by the vet this morning (also thanks to Annville-Cleona Vet Associates, they were AMAZING through all this….went beyond the call and were awesomely supportive) and appears to be super skinny, but otherwise unharmed. Blood tests will tell us more in a few days, if there’s anything we need to worry about, but for right now, she gets all the love, warmth (Sasha is still shivering, curled up next to me on a heated blanket) and treats she can handle.

THANK YOU to everyone for all you’ve done. Also…if you’re on Facebook, go check out the Find Toby in PA page. Its one more great resource.

There are no words. We’re SHOCKED, grateful and so very happy. Thank you.

She was returned by quarry workers, who were waiting in their truck when we got to the designated spot. She was sitting on the one guy’s lap, just happy as could be. She’d already eaten an entire tube of crackers, and I’m guessing she’ll get little bits of treats from all of us all day.

Updated: Awww…the guy who found her called back to make sure she’s ok. Apparently they were out working, and she came RUNNING to them. Surprised the heck out of them a bit, so they took her to the warm shed and called us. Still VERY thankful they were willing to do that.

40 thousand graves of veterans and their spouses. Millions nationwide. 750 locations. What does it all mean?

Today was America’s annual Wreaths Across America (WAA) program. Locally, it was at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery (IGNC), but there were also 749 other locations throughout the US. What was unique about the local ceremony? Possibly nothing. Basically, this is one person’s musings and observations. I’ve “worked” the event before, volunteering for the group who coordinates the event. The co-leaders are a retired military person and his wife. They’re amazing and put HUGE effort into this one day each year.

But do they do it on their own? No way! There are countless others involved, from the military, boy scouts and veterans to current State Police, ambulance personnel and even a bus company who graciously donated their time and equipment to transport attendees from the parking area to the ceremony at the PA Veteran’s Memorial.

When you’re involved in this event, at this location, you start getting emails early in the season. They come early, they come often, and they’re thorough. Its hard not to smile at some of them, because John has a fantastic sense of humor and he and Lisa play on that. It adds levity. The WAA ceremony could be sad. It could be somber. It IS somber. And yet, in the organization of it, everyone is friendly, open and willing to laugh with their mistakes.

Today, there were over 5,500 wreaths laid on some of the 40,000 graves at IGNC. Last year, there were approximatly 3,200 wreaths laid. The goal? A wreath for EVERY grave at IGNC. This event isn’t just about honoring those who served our country. Its about teaching all of us who are younger how important it is to REMEMBER the fallen.

The people that made today happen are so cool. One of the buglers was carrying two horns. When asked what the difference was, he not only explained, but explained (in a FUN way!) the history of Taps. Did you know that it wasn’t the original song that accompanied the extinguishing of the lights at the end of the day, and it wasn’t originally used in funerals?

The Leathernecks Motorcycle club are also a really neat group. Stereotypically, bikers are tough, heartless troublemakers, right? That stereotype couldn’t be more wrong with the Leathernecks and Iron Horse Helpers clubs. The Iron Horse Helpers raised over $15k for the day, which amounted to about 1,005 wreaths. That’s more than any other single group. The Leathernecks not only helped to unload the truck that brought the wreaths to the Gap from Maine, but made sure that they were distributed to the sections, counted, and ready to go before nearly anyone else got to the cemetery this morning. They also distributed the wreaths to those who were laying them, and were ready to help out in any way that was needed. These “stereotypical” bikers really are a GREAT group of men and women with hearts of gold.

“Duke,” a 19- year old Percheron and his handler from Landis Valley Museum in Lancaster also honored our Veterans by providing the traditional riderless horse. Duke was a huge hit with the crowd after the ceremony, too…he seemed to like the kids the best, ducking his head down so they could pet him!

How do you honor the Veterans who provided us what we know today? Who fought and sometimes paid with their own lives, so ours would be more secure. Do you sponsor a wreath? Place one on a loved one’s grave? Do you attend the ceremony and talk to your kids about the experiences of the different people you know who have served?

A local lady, whom I got to talk to during the WAA planning meeting a few weeks ago had an exceptionally awesome story. Her company provided the truck from Maine to Lebanon, and her family has been involved in WAA for years. One of “her” drivers passed away a couple of years ago, and when she went to place a random wreath last year, she was redirected by one of the helpers and ended up, very much “accidentally,” at the driver’s grave. She got to tell her story at the event and it was neat to see the impact that it made on every person there.

I wish there were a better way to explain the emotions you get to observe at the WAA ceremony and during the wreath laying. The respect for the dead is incredible. The respect for the living is top-notch. Why do those involve help? Respect and a desire to teach others about why they feel the way they do, I think. And, because of love. Love for our veterans and love for our kids. Maybe even a desire to make the world a better place. Everyone was encouraged to take a picture of the grave where they laid a wreath. To research that person’s life just a bit. To find out their story and why they are a hero. To find out why family would add nuts to their grave.

The goal of Wreaths Across America is to “Remember. Honor. Teach.” Consider joining us next year on December 14 to honor someone who has made a difference in your life.

For the one our family loves, respects and misses, the one about whom we teach our own kids, you are missed.

]]> http://blog.dbimpressions.com/2012/how-do-you-honor/feed/ 1 http://blog.dbimpressions.com/2012/hurricane-sandystaten-island/ http://blog.dbimpressions.com/2012/hurricane-sandystaten-island/#comments Sat, 24 Nov 2012 22:22:25 +0000 admin http://blog.dbimpressions.com/?p=1623 Our area had been predicted to be almost directly in the path of Sandy as “she” came inland. Thankfully for us, it turned as it made landfall. Sadly though, several other costal areas were hit hard. You know all this already though, right? Right. Anyway…friends from college ended up being pretty badly affected by the storm, with over four feet of water in their first floor. Thankfully, their second floor was fine and they’ll be able to get everything straightened out fairly soon. (As I’m writing this, its now been 3 weeks since the storm came through, and the last I knew their appliances still hadn’t been replaced, although the drywall and painting was finished and they’d shoveled their floor and sanitized it. Yes, I said SHOVELED it.)

Anyway, we had talked to the kids about being prepared for the storm…rode it out with them and actually mostly enjoyed the two extra days off school. The power never even went out, so all of our extra supplies were still just that…extra. After two weeks, there were so many in New York and New Jersey who still weren’t allowed in their homes or didn’t have homes anymore. While there were LOTS of trucks headed to those areas, we decided to show the kids what will hopefully be a life lesson – how to help someone in need. Over a WEEK, we collected things that were on the current “most needed” lists from several shelters, and with our friend’s help we were able to deliver an entire pickup truck load of “stuff” to the FEMA/Red Cross collection site in Staten Island, near to St. Joseph By The Sea. The FEMA site put our little truck to shame.

The first picture is the load that came home with us from the kids’ school. There was enough room for Blondie and for me…but that is IS. We were filled to the roof….AMAZING!

Trying to sort everything so its with similar types of things.

Loaded and almost ready to go on Saturday morning.

It was almost otherworldly to drive through some of the affected areas (which you had to do in order to get to the drop off site), including blocks and blocks of row-type condos and homes with “Restricted Use” signs. Many still weren’t able to get into their homes at all, and some homes weren’t even THERE anymore.

For all those who helped us to collect all the things we were able to take to the collection site, a HUGE “thank you.” Hopefully its something the kids will remember as a lot of wonderful people pulling together for families in need. I truly expected maybe a garbage bag or two in addition to the few coats and things that we had….certainly not an entire truckload. And in a WEEK. It was pretty stinking cool, and INCREDIBLY humbling. Our friends were grateful to know that others care. THEY were trying to get as many things together as they could for others, even as they cleaned up their own mess…it was AWESOME. No matter your belief system/religion, there are truly some great people in the world, and truly abundant blessings. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Here you can see that this dock is FINE. The area around was damaged, but not the dock.

The ocean is at the dark line here on the horizon...its CLOSE.

Part of the FEMA tents...there were also NYPD watch towers and light/generator stands.

Hanging in the back seat while Lisa and BJ navigate.

Figuring out where our things need to go.

One of quite a few of these cartfuls of stuff from our truck. They had also just gotten a delivery of 46k+ POUNDS of yogurt!

A random (and chaotic-looking) supply point.

Block upon block of buildings with debris outside. Trash collection was stepped up a LOT, but there was still so much.

This was one of the first streets near the water. The garage door was taken away in one of these homes.

Hope you all enjoy the sneak peeks! I cannot WAIT to show Mom the rest, she’s going to have to help me narrow down the proofs a bit, because she knows them so much better than I ever could.

How lucky are we when we get to work with people that we come to consider family? I mean, really? And then you get to go apple-picking with them and spoil the kids just a little? Yep, I’m  sold!

So rather than introduce their newest shots on facebook or twitter, I’m introducing them here….and really torturing Sara by keeping most of them in black and white…they just worked SO very well that way as well as in color! If you want to see the one of Baby M in color, head on over to the DB Impressions facebook page.

I absolutely love this one of N giving her Daddy “the look.” Usually its the other way around… Keith is often scowling at ME! Dose of his own medicine?

Sara has an image similar to this one from when she was 2 and again at her wedding….which I think is the neatest idea! So hopefully we’ll keep the tradition for each of the girls, too!

Lande was seeing his bride for the first time that day….he just BEAMED happiness and didn’t take his eyes off of Mary for a very long time!

Here’s a quick little preview of Kaitlyn and Sash…and some of the fun they’ve had! They’ll both get to have at least one more smaller session…they’ve got all sorts of cool plans!

Here’s a tiny little glimpse of what happened during the cold weather…although I’ll admit to waiting till it was nice to take some pictures!

Coblyn, the pretty blue-ish, green shawl below was a test knit! Designers will ask for people to test the pattern to make sure that it works out correctly, with the number of stitches and rows, and even to make sure that the number of yards estimated works out! Its a lot of fun, sometimes!

I’m really disappointed for the picture below…its the point of one of my FAVORITE patterns so far, one that I’m fairly sure I’ll make again maybe even soon! I’m bummed because you can’t see the hint of shimmer that runs through the yarn. Its unique, and not something that I’ll work with often, simply because it ends up being too fancy!

Now I’ll be jumping back into summer life, and into the business! I’m glad to have had lots of knitting time (and there are LOTS of socks that you haven’t seen yet!) but I’m almost ready to put it aside for a while and enjoy other things. That’s the great thing about a hobby like that…being able to pick a project up and put it aside as you feel like it! Sometimes, that’s what keeps you sane!