Upcoming offers from Kenny Barnes Studio

Just wanted to let you know of some really neat themed sessions we are offering here at the studio over the next month or so.  In addition to the sessions I want to highlight in this message, we have six Christmas themed sessions too!


We have a couple more spots left for the 2011 Angels of Hope Calendar portrait sessions.  This is a fundraising event for our charity, Women of Hope.  Proceeds from the sale of the calenders go to help women and their families going through the journey of cancer.

We have extended the portrait sessions one more day.  Last chance for this year's event - Friday, August 27th.
In October, we will open up the voting for the images that will be included in the 2011 calendar.
Check out the website for more information on Women of Hope.

Back by popular demand, Swan Lake and Hidden Cove!   This adaptable set is designed to look like your child is in a little cove at the lake.  We can make it casual for little boys or frilly it up for little girls.  Depending on what you prefer, we can suggest clothing at the time you call to schedule your appointment.  The dates for these sessions are Tuesday, September 14 and Wednesday, September 15.

Our studio is offering a special session at the historic Greystone Inn in downtown Wilmington, NC for accomplished ballerinas.  The date for "Bella Ballerina" is Saturday, September 18.   

Hunting season is almost here!  This year we are offering a portrait session for the hunter called "Open Season."  Our studio backyard is the backdrop for these portraits with huge live oaks and lush greenery.  We love to photograph people showing their interests and hobbies.   The date for "Open Season" is Saturday, October 23.




Call the studio at (910) 392-4214 to schedule your portrait session today!  You will have your portraits back in plenty of time for Christmas!

Four!!

Living in coastal North Carolina definitely appeals to people who love golf. The coastal climate allows you to play just about every single day of the year. Why not capture your love of golf in a portrait?  

Top 20 Baby Names from 2009

Baby naming expert and co-author of Beyond Ava & Aiden, Pamela Redmond Satran, shared the Top 20 Baby Names for 2009 on her blog in the May 7th edition of The Daily Beast.

Jacob retained the top spot for boys names for the 11th year in a row.  Newcomers to the list are Mia for girls and Jayden and Noah for boys.  Not surprising - the fastest rising boy's name was Cullen, the surname of Twlight hero Edward Cullen.

Girls:   1. Isabella    2. Emma   3. Olivia   4. Sophia   5. Ava   6. Emily   7. Madison   8. Abigail   9. Chloe   10. Mia

Boys:  1. Jacob   2. Ethan   3. Michael   4. Alexander   5. William   6. Joshua        7. Daniel   8. Jayden   9. Noah   10. Anthony


Did your favorite make the list?

Brotherly Love

I'd like to introduce you to Nick and Matt.  Nick is the older brother and Matt is the youngest.  I've been photographing them since they were just tiny babies.  We've known their parents a long time.  I photographed their engagement portrait and bridal portrait.  Then, when she was pregnant with Nick, I photographed their maternity portrait.  

Boy, time flies!  I just can't believe how much the boys have grown.  Both boys have grown into fine young men.  Each has their own unique personality and love each other dearly.  We are so proud of them.  Nick and Matt both love sports. In fact, Nick is playing in the All-Stars Tournament this week.  

This year, their mom asked me to do two paintings of them in historic downtown Wilmington.  I had so much fun, not only spending time with them downtown for the photographic session, but painting the portrait as well.  Painting allows me to bring a lot more customization and creativity to a portrait.  I can bring in colors to match the decor of the home.  I can change parts of the background to include more foliage or flowers.  In the portrait painting of Nick and Matt walking down the brick sidewalk, I painted in the bricks.  The sidewalk was actually cement.

Good luck to your team at the All-Stars Tournament, Nick!

Micah is Wilmington's Top Dog 2010

(Micah speaking)  I humbly accept the honor of Wilmington's Top Dog for 2010.

To Talk Inc.  - Thank you for having the contest.  I really appreciate the gift basket you brought me and my parents.  That doggie chocolate was delicious.  My mommy said I can't have any more snacks for a little while though.  I think she's afraid I will eat too much and get a belly ache.  Oh well, I'll just play with the new toys until she lets me have more goodies.  Maybe a pet-zel or one of the other yummy looking cookies from the basket.  My daddy will sure enjoy the coffee from Port City Java.  Mommy and Aunt Dawn like the Talk huggies and the Talk To the Paw fans.

Miss Debbie - I hope your doggie, Camden, won't be jealous because I kissed you!  Just tell him that I was very excited to know that I won.  I get really excited when I get presents!

I really want to thank everyone who voted for me!  I assure you, I will not let you down in holding this incredible honor.  In addition to the Wilmington's Top Dog 2010 honors, I will continue to work hard at Kenny Barnes Studio.  It's a great job that I love very much.

To all the other doggies that were nominated - I read all the write-ups for Top Dog and know that every one of us are very special doggies.  We are all Top Dogs!
               Just remember - Dogs Rule!

(Photo) Debbie Elliott, President of Talk Inc., presenting the Wilmington's Top Dog 2010 Award to Micah 
Visit http://www.talkinc.com for the announcement and press release.

Angels of Hope

In conjunction with our studio charity, Women of Hope, we will be producing an annual calendar as a fund raiser. Proceeds from the sale of the calendar and the voting process to select the angels for the calendar will be donated to Women of Hope. If you haven't heard about Women of Hope, please go to the Women of Hope website for more information on the services and resources we want to make available to women experiencing cancer and those who are on the other side of their cancer treatment.

We will be photographing children for the calendar July 30 - 31 and August 13 - 14. If you would like to participate, call (910) 392-4214 to schedule a portrait session. We ask that you consider making a donation of at least $50 to Women of Hope in lieu of our studio session fee. Girls and boys from newborn to 3 years old are eligible to participate. They will be dressed as little angels in costumes we provide.

The calendar will be sold for $12.99, with $2 from each sale going to Women of Hope. The voting process to select the angels for the 2011 calendar will be $1 per vote. You can vote as many times as you like. All the money received from the voting process goes directly to Women of Hope.

Our goal is to raise $25,000 this year for Women of Hope. It's a challenging goal, but with your help, we can do it! There are several ways you can help.

1. Have your child photographed and solicit votes from your family and friends to have your child included in the 2011 calendar. Call the studio at (910) 392-4214 to schedule a portrait session.

2. Go online during the months of September and October to vote for your favorite angel. You don't have to have a child in the voting process to participate.

4. Order the 2011 calendar. Consider purchasing additional calendars for people on your holiday gift list.

5. Make a financial contribution of any amount to Women of Hope. You can make a contribution online with your credit card or Paypal by going to the Women of Hope website or you can mail a check to:

Women of Hope

c/o Kenny Barnes Studio

1642 South 41st Street

Wilmington, NC 28403.

On behalf of the women who will be receiving services and support from Women of Hope, we thank you from the bottom of our heart.

If you have any questions or would like more information about how to get involved with Women of Hope, please call Joy Wade at (910) 617-0990 or email her at joy@kennybarnes.com.

Things for Children To Do in Wilmington, NC

I never knew there were so many activities that children and families could take advantage of right here in our own town. Wilmington Parents Magazine has a great calendar on their website with multiple activities for every day of the week.

Here's a link to the website calendar: Wilmington Parent Magazine

You may want to add it to your Favorites to reference all summer.

Some of the ones I thought would be interesting are:

- 4th Annual Children's Fishing Day at Kure Beach Pier from 6 - 11 a.m. this Saturday, June 5th

- Free Kids Workshop at Home Depot on Eastwood Road from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. this Saturday, June 5th

- Free Ocean Safety for Kids at the Mallard Street beach access at Wrightsville Beach from 12 - 1 p.m. Sunday, June 6th

- Free admission to the Cape Fear Museum for all New Hanover County residents from 1 - 5 p.m. this Sunday, June 6th

- Little Explorers at Halyburton Park for ages 2 - 5 on Monday, June 7th or Tuesday, June 6th from 10 - 11 a.m.

- Mother's Morning Out at the Church of the Servant from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9th

Check out the Wilmington Parents Magazine for more details on these and other activities. Some require registration and others have age limits.

Have fun and be safe!