Our big announcement!!

photo by Keith Pitts

photography unscripted

a 2 Day Experiential Workshop 

Paris, France

July 23rd and 24th 2012

lead by improvisational portrait artist Keith Pitts

see and photograph the beauty of real moments in one of the most beautiful cities in the world

two days filled with instruction, insight and inspiration (and of course, lots of hands-on photography)

with Keith’s guidance, you will learn to:

++define your uniquely artistic persona

++differentiate yourself from other competitors

++deliver a style that will cut through fads and trends - no need to keep reinventing yourself

++create a photo session that is beautiful in it’s pure simplicity

++see and capture the secret beauty of real moments without contrived props, posing or preconceptions

This experience is for the amateur to professional portrait and wedding photographer who wishes to define their unique style and rise above the mundane

limited to 8 photographers, please email melissa@keithpitts.com for an interview

On Monday, Networking Phoenix held their 10th Signature Event at The Talking Stick Resort.  One of our favorite charities, The Girls Rule Foundation was there to raise awareness of their very important mission – to help girls create bright futures. One of the co-founders of this amazing charity is Dena Patton, life coach extraordinaire and founder of Chat, Chew and Chocolate.

We were there to document the attendees of the event – women who were proud to make the pronouncement that all young girls need to hear; that they are all “Brilliant, Beautiful & Bold”. Check out Girls Rule!

Wow, here’s some pretty scary stats taken from their website:

Stats That Hurt:

• Arizona has A 32% high school dropout rate

• Only 56% of girls like their self-image
• 60% of girls 14-17 are on ‘diets’

• 1 in 17 Arizona teens are in gangs
• Arizona’s teen birth rate is the nation’s third worse
• 60% of students who have a child don’t graduate

• Research shows that a girl’s confidence and self-esteem start to decline during her early adolescence

“Helping Girls Create Bright Futures”

Girls Rule is an organization that provides educational programs that empower and inspire girls in four main areas: how to find happiness within when the world says the opposite, how to be accountable for their own greatness to make wise choices, how to build their self-esteem instead of depending on boys, drugs or peers, and how to become their most brilliant self by learning mapping skills that will powerfully build a step-by-step plan for their future.

“Drybar is a brand new “blow dry bar” concept created around a very simple idea: No cuts. No color. Just blowouts for only $35. You see, we believe that almost everyone (even us pros) prefers having someone else blow out their hair. Why? It just looks better! We also believe there has to be a better option than paying $60+ at a traditional salon, or going to a less-than-desirable discount chain. But there’s not. So, we decided to make one.” (taken from www.drybar.com)

A blow out…who doesn’t just love someone else doing their hair?  You know it never looks the same when you try and do it yourself.  Such a great concept!

Rhonda Rush of Impact Events was the super coordinator behind the opening events held at drybar scottsdale at the Scottsdale Quarter. The parties were a huge success. Lots of beautiful women with lots of potential hair that needs to be coifed on a regular basis, lots of mouth watering food from Fabulous Foods, delicious drinks, and lots of rumors of the Real Housewives of Scottsdale making an appearance.

Check out the gorgeous space on their website (nice job Keith!) or even better, visit them in person – right in the heart of Scottsdale Quarter!

One of our children’s favorite places in the world is the Phoenix Children’s Museum.  It is certainly no surprise that they absolutely embrace every corner of the museum – it is a feast for their senses.  Our kids are the perfect ages (4 and 6) to really get the most that the museum has to offer – from the amazing structure when your first walk in to the art studio to the play grocery store/restaurant.  They (and all sorts of children from around the valley) have a blast from start to finish.

Considering how important the Phoenix Children’s Museum is for Valley children it was the perfect back drop for the Free Arts of Arizona Volunteer Appreciation event held last week.  Free Arts strives to impact the lives of children through art – they bring “the healing powers of the creative arts to abused, neglected and homeless children by partnering with over 100 group homes, treatment centers and shelters in Maricopa County.”

The volunteers at Free Arts are such an integral part of the program’s continued success.  Having the volunteer appreciation event at the Museum complemented the Free Arts message.

When I am at the Museum with my children they are able to express themselves in the safe, fun atmosphere that the Museum provides. Free Arts would like all children to have the same opportunity and be able to express their emotions and thrive in a safe environment. The hard work of the volunteers directly benefits the “thousands of abused, homeless and at-risk children who participate in the programs of Free Arts of Arizona each year.” (taken from the Free Arts website)

Thank you volunteers!

(Free Arts of Arizona is the partner charity of Keith Pitts Photography.  We enjoy photographing their events and participating in any way we can be helpful.  We feel honored to be associated with such an amazing charity!)

We had the pleasure of working at a really fun engagement party at the Sanctuary Resort this New Year’s Eve. The very lovely affair was coordinated by Jen Thye of Imoni Events. Without giving away too many of the details, it was beautiful and it was a lot of fun!  The perfect New Year’s Eve party.

And what makes a New Year’s Eve party even more perfect? But of course… The Live Photo Booth.

The bride and groom-to-be are such a beautiful couple, extremely photogenic – but I will allow them to remain anonymous and just feature a few of their very festive party guests.

Holiday parties are such a perfect fit for The Live Photo Booth – a few drinks, lots of laughs and great pictures. It seems that once the Booth gets rolling, people immediately let their hair down and have a blast. This was a real fun group – lots of great personalities and co-workers that really seem to enjoy hanging out together.

I know, I know it is hard to explain how the Booth works if you don’t witness it for yourself. It is sooo much better than the nostalgic free standing photobooths that are so popular at weddings these days. The Booth is interactive, it becomes the center of the party, a great ice breaker. We are asked all the time to describe the difference between The Live Photo Booth and a photobooth. The major differences are:  1. you can fit lots of people in our open air booth, you are not jammed into a little booth. 2. your guests can see the action, they see all the fun, they hear all the laughs. The Booth is contagious. 3. Quality pictures. A real professional (most of the time it is Keith) photographer that takes top quality, well lit photos of you and your guests. We hear all the time from clients that these are the “best pictures” they have of themselves. 4. The photos print within seconds of you taking your photo. Instant gratification!

This Four Seasons holiday party enjoyed the Booth to its max! And so did we.

Last year, Keith Pitts Photography was commissioned to photograph the children for the permanent museum installations at the Halle Heart Children’s Museum in Phoenix.  Andrew Gartner of Gartner Design and Terry Duffy of Glyphics Design were the very talented designers behind the complete remodel of the American Heart Association’s museum. Keith enjoyed being part of such a fun, kid friendly project from inception to completion.

Over the course of this past year, lots and lots of children were photographed for a variety of installations within the museum.  It was just amazing to see the project begin with the idea (heart health with a kid friendly message) and then see the sketches turn into actual photographs and installations and eventually a completely renovated museum.  All I can say is that it came out GREAT! Congrats to all those involved. A job very well done.

About The Halle Heart Children’s Museum
The Halle Heart Children’s Museum is a nonprofit educational facility solely dedicated to empowering children and families to live heart-healthy lives free from cardiovascular diseases. The museum is committed to creating extraordinary child and family learning experiences that have the power to transform lives. Visitors can explore the human heart, animals, dangers of smoking, eating healthy, and the importance of 911 in a cardiovascular emergency, healthy cooking demonstrations, a market to learn about food labels and heart smart shopping, along with a 10-foot large human heart model. For more information about the Halle Heart Children’s Museum please visit http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Affiliate/Halle-Heart-Childrens-Museum, www.PhoenixHeartBall.org – or call (602) 414-2800.

A few weeks ago, the lovely Silverleaf Country Club had a Hollywood themed open house for its members. It is hard to imagine that it was actually raining earlier in the day and Silverleaf had to tent their red carpet due to threatening weather. Rain contingency plans are so rare in this sunny weather state! We are from back east and it is taken for granted that the weather can change on a moment’s notice – but here in Arizona, when we book a wedding, a portrait session or an event, I always assume that the weather will be just perfect. In the end, the rain held off. The event was beautiful.

Silverleaf is such a gorgeous spot for a wedding or special event!

Well it is certainly the time of year that being a photographer is just so much fun! Halloween brings out the kid in just about everyone – and fortunately for us as portrait photographers, we have access to some cool kids in great costumes! Here is a sampling from a Halloween installment of The Live Photo Booth – these kids are just great!

The Live Photo Booth by Keith Pitts Photography is a perfect addition to any party – from holiday parties, corporate events, weddings, charity balls or a birthday party – your crowd will have a blast with the Photo Booth!  The Live Photo Booth is an instant hit at any event!