Blank Park Zoo

I love the outdoors, we just can't wait to get out of the house when the day warms up. We went to the Blank Park Zoo to have some fun! In the Australian caged area, we met an emu upclose.

Looked like we weren't the only one enjoying the day. The tiger roamed around in his cage.

Great day for the lions too, they looked a lot happier than the last time we saw them (which was a few months ago).

Devon enjoyed his visit to the zoo even though he didn't get to see his favorite animal - the zebra.

Parrots are always great subjects for photographers. I love photographing jellyfish, they are so beautiful.
The really cool rope bridge at the zoo - a must-have for pictures for weddings at the zoo.Up close with the boa constrictor.

John Pappajohn Sculpture Park

We are always scouting for locations for photography. It is always a fun excursion for us and the kids. We visited the John Pappajohn Sculpture Park in downtown Des Moines. What a neat place! It was nice to see people strolling in the park even though it was a little chilly still.

The great Des Moines skyline and the park (and some construction in the background).

The only sculpture you could stand or sit on.

The thinking rabbit and the creative horse... It was interesting to find the park located in the middle of the city.

65F outside!

Spring is near! I can smell it. The nicest day of the week. Connor woke up early this morning but the tired boy refused to nap. He was too excited being outside.

Connor was excited to see the birds.

Pirate Devon with his telescope on his playset.

Connor was fascinated by the neighbor's dog.

Devon was trying to pat the neighbor's dog.

That evening, we went on a walk with our neighbors. Here were Devon and Elena holding hands while walking.

Elena wasn't a fan of Devon's "death grip".

Along the way, we met other neighbors and their dogs.

Sleepy but not sleeping

Must sound familiar to many parents. My kids are difficult "nappers" and "sleepers". I think they are born to play.

Great photo op while Devon watched TV.

SPECIALS

Check out our competitive specials!
There's something for everybody.

FREE PORTRAIT SESSION
(Includes Senior, Engagement, Family, Children, Baby and Pets)

Our session is usually $100 per hour and it includes photo shoot studio/on location (outdoor or at your home) and editing, unlimited outfits & locations. If you book before April 15, 2010, you don't pay for the session fee for the first hour, just pay for any prints or albums. You could request for additional hour for $100 per hour (plus 6% sales tax). PLUS, pay a total of $150, you get all the edited high resolution image files & copyright on a CD. Session must take place before July 1, 2010.

BUDGET WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
$1,000 for 8 hours plus image files and copyright

Recession does not stop people from falling in love and getting married. Hence it should not stop you from getting beautiful wedding pictures either. Perpetual Bliss is offering an 8-hour wedding day photo shoot for $1,000 (plus 6% sales tax). The usual price is $1,000 for 5 hours, so you get 3 hours free! Additional hour for $200 per hour. We'll send all the unedited high resolution image files & copyright in a DVD the next business day after your wedding. This offer is for those who book us before April 15, 2010 for a wedding taking place in the year 2010.

EARLY BIRD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIAL
$1,500 for 8-hours plus 8x8 album, image files and copyright

For weddings in 2011, book before June 1, 2010 and enjoy a $300 discount for the wedding photography package. The package includes an 8-hour wedding day shoot, editing and album design, an 8x8 20-side album PLUS a DVD of high resolution image files & copyright. Additional hour is $150 per hour.

To book your wedding date, you will need to sign a contract half of the amount is due at signing. The other half is due one week prior your wedding day.

We charge an one-way travel fee of $1 a mile for locations further than 30 miles from Ankeny, Iowa. For locations further than 150 miles, hotel accommodation is required.

It's a beautiful day

What a beautiful weekend! A little chilly still, but the kids love to be outside. Today we drove around and looked for parks to shoot some portraits.

Here we were at the Rose Garden in Des Moines. Lots of beautiful stone structures.

Devon was pre-occupied by a squirrel.

I love outdoor pictures because of the natural lighting.

Then we went to the State Capital building in Des Moines.

Connor was excited about the fountain area.

Portraits

I love portraits with natural lighting.Devon can't help himself with the funny faces.

Up in the air

Great exercise for kids while practicing capturing fast movements.

Trial with my new lenses

I'm always getting inspired with other photographers' work and trying to learn new techniques. So today, I received some new lenses and "played" with them.

I love the field of depth it produces.

Devon loves his "superhero" poses.

Practice, practice, practice. There's always room for improvement. I don't want to be a photographer who "cookie-cut" pictures with the same pose and background. The moment when you think you know everything is the moment when you start to fall back.

Pajamas day

Naps are rare and appreciated.Devon watches "Curious George" - one of his favorite cartoons.

Connor takes interest in the books and creating messes.

Life is not fair

It's hard being a baby. You can't eat cookies all day long. It's not fair.