Fort Madison Iowa, Nauvoo Illinois Photographer: Devan Whitson Photography » Studio News

Bid and Win!

Devan — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 05:05:19 +0000

There are 2 upcoming opportunities to win a gift certificate to Devan Whitson Photography.

Saturday morning is the annual KKMI-KBUR Radio Auction. They are auctioning off a $750 gift certificate good for any senior session. That is HUGE!

Ready…listen…BID!! The KKMI-KBUR Radio Auction returns on Saturday, March 27th, beginning at 8:00am.

Join us for the KKMI-KBUR Radio Auction, Saturday morning, March 27th on 93.5 KKMI-FM and 1490 KBUR-AM.

Listen as Scott Michael from KKMI and Steve Hexom from KBUR describe a wide variety of items up for bid. Place your bid by calling our operators at 319-752-5402. Then, keep listening as the bids are updated. If necessary, call again to increase your bid. The last bid announced on the air will not necessarily be the winning bid, since bidding calls that are in progress at the sound of the bell to end the round will be entered for the item.

See all the details and all of the items that will be up for auction here.

I have also donated a gift certificate for the silent auction at Diane McVey’s benefit in Ft. Madison on April 18th. Diane’s daughters were both classmates of mine and she is battling stage 4 breast cancer. I encourage everyone to get out there and support her and her family.

Sunday April 18th

1:00-4:00

Moose Lodge

624 Ave. G

Fort Madison, Iowa

Click here for more information or to donate to this event.

Big Things Coming!!

Devan — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:24:40 +0000

You may have noticed that the blog is looking a little…well…messy. It is the middle of the remodel that my entire website has been undergoing. I promise it won’t be mismatchy for much longer. I have been working hard on the new website and am very excited to share it with everyone.

Check back tonight for a whole new look, logo, site and blog. Best of all, all new images! I am so excited about the changes that are taking place and am sure this is going to be the best year ever. Along with the website release I will also be launching my 2011 Senior Model Campaign. I will be looking for kids from Fort Madison, Burlington, Holy Trinity, Keokuk, Illini West, Warsaw, Macomb, Central Lee and all surrounding areas. It is an awesome way to get the senior pictures you’ve been dreaming of along with a lot of cool perks. I seriously have SO much fun with my seniors and would not trade them for the world. I am so ready for more cool locations and looks, so talk to me about your ideas!

Check out my awesome seniors from 2010!

A Quick Hello

Devan — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:38:17 +0000

Hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving with their families-Christmas will be here before we know it! I’m up late working (what’s new?) and just wanted to drop in and say hi! I have been so busy photographing seniors, weddings, engagements children and families that I have completely neglected the blog. I promise I will be back with tons to share very soon. The website will also be seeing an overhaul. I will be taking a little break this winter to attend some workshops and conventions and to work on the business side of things. Don’t worry, I will still be making time for appointments-especially newborns! Very exciting things coming in 2010!

Well, I guess a post isn’t a post without pictures! This is just a little bitty bit of what I have been up to!

Traci & Drew, one of my super fun wedding couples for next year. Drew is a firefighter and we did part of their engagement session at the station. You will definitely be seeing more of them!

I just recently finished up Toni & Justin’s wedding. They were so awesome to work with-more of them soon too!

We shot Cheyenne’s senior session on location at her grandma’s farm. She chose this location because she spent so much time there as a little girl. Check out the awesome shot we got in the ditch! I looove ditches

Mr. Tate, you are too cute for words.

Fort Madison Iowa Photographer: I’m still kickin!

Devan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:33:49 +0000

Oh blog, how I neglect you. Sorry, but I have e-mails to answer phone calls to make, errands to run and pictures to edit. I promise I am coming back to you very soon.

So, where the heck have I been? Shooting tons! Here are just a few-I have TONS of seniors to blog and it’s goin’ down this week! Yaaay! And you know what else is coming up? RODEO!!! YEEEHAW. Fort Madison isn’t a very big town, but we have a huge pro rodeo every year that brings in tons of people and it is always a blast. I have been working with The Funky Cowgirl to create some awesome stuff for print ads and booth display and it is going to be awesome. I will be there on the 9th to see Jamey Johnson (hubby doesn’t know this yet, but he loves Jamey, so we’re going!) I will definitely be sharing some photos of the booth in all of it’s funky goodness.

Just wanted to say a big thank you to readers of The Burlington Hawkeye for voting me #1 Reader’s Choice for photographer in Ft. Madison, Iowa. Very exciting! I didn’t even know the contest was going on and I got a text today from my mom congratulating me. I love capturing all of your memories, so It really means a lot to me.

Sorry for the overexcited blog post. I have been sick for way too long and I’m pretty sure I’m on waaaaaaaaaay too many meds. LOL. Off to bed. I can’t have a blog post without a photo, so I leave you with this. Yep, I looooove my job! Have a great week everyone!

Class of 2010 Senior Specials!

Devan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:14:34 +0000

I am really excited to announce my senior special for the class of 2010! Book your session before the end of the July and receive 50% of your session fee back in credit towards your print order. The session does not have to actually be in July, just booked in July. I am accepting limited appointments to assure that each senior gets the attention they deserve, so don’t wait too long-times are filling up very quickly! Give me a call or shoot me an e-mail today and we can plan a senior session that is unique and all about you!

Stephanie, 2010 Senior Model

Devan — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:48:21 +0000

Stephanie and I met up for a mini session in Ft. Madison yesterday. Her parents have been great family friends of mine for a long time, so I was honored that she asked me to take her senior portraits. We have some awesome secrets up our sleeve for her senior session. I’m not telling, but we have a super unique location planned! I’m loving her hair and expression in the second shot. Beautiful. Thanks for hanging out on my smelly chair, Stephanie. LOL

Are you interested in being a model?
We are looking for models from:
Ft. Madison
Holy Trinity
Central Lee
Keokuk
Illini West
West Hancock
Macomb

Senior models get 50% off their session, referral cards to hand out to friends, and a free DVD slide show. You also have the opportunity to earn FREE pictures!

I am accepting applications through the end of June and am only taking a few models from each school, so apply today.
Apply Here!

Lynnely, 2010 Senior Model

Devan — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:01:20 +0000

I met up with Lynnely in Keokuk on Monday to shoot a mini session for her senior model cards. She has great clothes and we found all kinds of great places to shoot including a random laundromat with orange dryers. I love weird stuff like and it was perfect with her funky prom dress. I’m definitely going to have to get up to Keokuk more often to shoot! I can’t wait until her full senior session later this summer. I just know she’ll come with tons of clothes and shoes in tow, which I love! Tomorrow I will be launching my senior model program and 2010 senior specials, so check back for details!

Have a cute kid? Want money?

Devan — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:55:07 +0000

My lab has a Baby & Child contest every year. I’m a little late in the game on entering this year, but there is one round left. All entries are voted on by fellow professional photographers. I will be accepting a limited number of mini sessions for contest entries.
On location mini sessions are only $30 through June 20th. This mini session is 30 minutes long and may take place at the location of your choice or in your home. I have a ton of great ideas for awesome, unique children’s portraits, so let me know if you would like some suggestions. This is a great opportunity to get some fun lifestyle images of your children. I’m thinking flying a kite, lemonade stand, running through the sprinkler, rolling down a hill, making mud pies, playing with the dog type images. They make me smile. Check out Miss Adrianna from yesterday’s session! She was a little supermodel in her dance outfits.

Here are the guidelines for the contest:
For each qualifying round, the top five winners will be selected from the four categories and will receive a studio sample of their winning image. These winning portraits will be entered into the Final Round, which takes place during the month of July. The Final Round will be judged online by a panel of esteemed photographers. First, Second, and Third places, as well as two Honorable Mentions, will be announced for each category! Cash prizes for these winners include $2,000 for First, $1,000 for Second, $750 for Third, and $500 for each Honorable Mention. One portrait from the Final Round will also receive the highest of accolades — Grand Prize Winner. The cash prize will be $5,000 for this lucky winner! All cash prizes will be given to the families of the winning portraits.

Please contact me and right away if you are planning on scheduling. I am accepting a limited number of sessions and I don’t want you to miss out!

Hey Facebookers!

Devan — Sun, 31 May 2009 04:38:27 +0000

Hey everyone, in honor of my business re-launch I have also re-launched my Facebook page. Here is the deal, as soon as I reach 100 fans I will be having a contest for a completely free session. I will continue doing this every time I gain another 100 fans. So, 200 fans, someone gets a free session, 300 fans, someone gets a free session, 400….ok I think you get it. I’m thinking if I get to 500 I’ll give away something really cool!

So, you should probably become my fan, and friend me! I will also be offering specials and keeping everyone up to do date with what’s up exclusively through Facebook.

Devan Whitson Photography on Facebook

Just click on this little button next to my name. Beautifully illustrated with my awesome arrow drawing abilities.

Devan Whitson on Facebook

And if Facebook doesn’t waste enough of your time, I’m on Twitter too!

Operation: Love ReUnited

Devan — Wed, 27 May 2009 02:48:14 +0000

Having two brother in laws who are military who have both been deployed, this organization is very close to my heart. I have been a member for a while now, but have not yet shot a session. Oplove photographers offer free photo sessions to the families of deployed, deploying and soldiers who are returning home. I would love to be able to do this for a family. Check out the site at www.oplove.org and you will see just why these sessions are so important. If you or someone you know could benefit from this, please contact me and we will get your session arranged.

Here is a little snippet from the Oplove site:

If you have ever been through a military deployment, there are no words to explain how hard it is to send the father or mother of your children off to some foreign, dangerous land, leaving you all behind…. Alone. It’s indescribable to watch their faces light up as their mother or father comes up the stairs of the airport after months, possibly a year or more, of not hugging each other. Emotions fly through the main lobby, it’s so very good to have them home. Your base’s Family Support Squadron will help you with your deployment. But the last thing on your mind when your wife or husband arrives home after a 4 to 18 month tour, is capturing all this love– on film. Most people are so overwhelmed with emotions they forget to simply point and shoot the camera they are grasping of their child’s first hug, or that single tear of relief from a mother being able to hold her twenty year old son again. With the help of Operation: Love ReUnited and local photographers near your base, you can.