Hey Everybody! First off we are overwhelmed with the amount of support we have received for this project! Thanks for being so awesome and really showing what the holiday season is all about. Ok so I’m going to post a note with all the of important details for Saturday in case anybody is needing info. Here is what we have so far. The building is a decent size. 700 square feet with some extra space in side rooms, but bear in mind this is not an open warehouse. This is a multipurpose room. We will have to squeeze. I wasn't expecting the huge response when I originally put out the call for photographers. So at this point its first come first serve (as far as space is concerned) Now please don't think “aw there are too many of us i’m not coming” lol That will leave us short handed I’m sure. Keep in mind, this is going to be a long day so even if you can’t get your set up in there, WE WILL NEED YOU! I’m sure some of us are going to want to take a break and eat or go to the bathroom. I’m also hoping some of you will be candid shooters for our testimonial page after the event is over. So that being said- please come prepared to help with anything.

I will be primarily shooting larger groups so I will be bringing a large white seamless. Feel free to bring a smaller muslin or a 6 foot seamless. We will need a variety to accommodate different sized groups and individuals.  We will be arriving at 7:00 am on Saturday (I know it’s early but we will need the two hours for set up- trust me).

Set up will consist of the photographers setting up there backgrounds and metering out their lights and getting their CF cards together (we are providing the small CF cards, but feel free to use your own- we may run short due to the fact that I have no idea how many of you are coming :-) ). While that is happening various other volunteer's will be setting up the coffee (mmmm coffee), Check-in table, marking the floor with “Flow” arrows in tape, setting up the proofing/printing station (we will have three computers proofing and 1 printing all hardwired and networked together for easy sharing), The Make-up artists will be setting up their stations, (hopefully in an alternate side room- we will see what space allows for) and finally the waiting area for families and kids will need tables, chairs, refreshments, and coloring books for the kids.

As far as the work flow is concerned here is what we came up with. The family/ individual will enter the building, meet the check-in table where they will fill out their information, receive a card with a color coded dot on it that corresponds to the photographer they are assigned to. A runner(volunteer) takes them from the check-in to make up, then to the photographer where the photographer then shoots their card for ID purposes, shoots 5 to 8 images and sends the family with their runner (Cf card in hand) over to the proofing station where their image is selected and their print is made. We are asking the families if they would like to write something nice about their experience in the dead space of an additional print we will provide for them. This will serve as a testimonial for us to spread the word about the movement for next year. That's pretty much it.

Chick-fil-a will be providing lunch for us and various other organizations and individuals have pledged food, snacks, and water and all our other materials for the day. We are looking good. The only thing we still really lack is an additional printer. C&I studios has donated its production/event printer that can produce a 5x7 print in under 30 seconds. If we have to, we will do it with just this one printer. We have sufficient paper and dye for 200 or more prints and we are expecting 80 families. However time is an issue and I don’t want our whole production to be throttled back and bottle necked at the printing station. So if anyone coming would be able to provide an additional printer that would get the job done- FEEL FREE :-) Thanks guys here is my number in case you need to get in touch with me and other various info.

Justin Mein

240 476 7638

Set up from 7 am - 9 am