Fall Activities for Everyone | Jackson, MI Family Photographer

This fall there are tons of local events going on that are great and don't cost too much money. I've made it easy on everyone and complied a list of just a few of those, feel free to add an event you know about in the comments! So get out there and enjoy the gorgeous weather while it lasts, winter is just around the corner.

Zombie Cult Classic Films

Tonight, Creep Theater and The Michigan Theatre present two cult classic zombie films AND a special screening of the short "zomedy" - 'Living Deadhead,' shot entirely in Jackson. The doors open at 6pm - Show starts at 7pm. Admission: $5.00

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Cascade Falls End of Summer Fireworks

Saturday, September 1st Cascade Falls will be doing their End of Summer Fireworks Show with live entertainment by Wheatfield Soul, offering a variety of music from artists ranging from the Beatles to U2 and Kid Rock to Adele. 7:00 p.m. show. Admission is $6.00 per person; 10 & under free when accompanied by an adult. (Rain Date: Sunday, Sept. 2nd)

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Michigan Renaissance Festival
Until September 30th the Michigan Renaissance Festival will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10a-7p. I go every year (usually I dress up in a full wenches dress!) and have an absolute blast! They've got amazing food and various handmade crafts. People come from all over the country to partake in the festival and dress up in some amazingly elaborate costumes. I was lucky enough to get a photo of the Queen from last year after the jousting match. Check out the detail in her dress!!

Admission:
$20.95 adults
$11.95 kids (5-12)
$18.95 seniors 65+ and students w/college ID

Website - Facebook
12500 Dixie Highway

Holly, Michigan 48442

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Fall Family Festival
The Fall Family Festival is happening September 21-23 behind the St. John Elementary/Jackson Catholic Middle School on Cooper St. The best part about it, is there's no admission fee, free parking, and TONS of fun to be had. Carnival rides, fireworks, and a car show are just some of the events going on that weekend. I've been in the past and had a great time, I definitely recommend going!

Website

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Meckley's Flavor Fruit Farm
Flavor Fruit Farms is open all week long from 9a-6p, and they have something for everyone to do. They open up their fall activities on September 17th from 12p-5p. Some of the fun includes a corn maze, hay rides, live farm, pumpkin patch, and so much more!

This year on September 29 & 30th they're going "purple" in support of Relay for Life and the weekend of October 12 & 13th they're going "pink" to support Making Strides. Two really great causes to help out while having fun with the family. Flavor Fruit Farms was even cool enough to turn the corn maze into the Relay for Life logo! Still not convinced? Maple Bacon Donuts...three little words that will change your life, how can anything get better than that?!

Photo courtesy of Meckley's Flavor Fruit Farms

Website - Facebook

11025 S. Jackson Rd.

Somerset Center, MI 49282

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Free Children's Movies
Goodrich Theaters in Jackson are playing free movies for all ages every Saturday and Sunday at 9a & 10a for the next few months. So whether you're young in age or just young at heart, stop on by and enjoy a great movie. Plus, you can pick up some favorite movie snacks for a great price; kids size popcorn, candy, and 12oz pop is only $3.50 or you can get a kids size popcorn, healthy snack, and a water for $4.50. The schedule is as follows (they say the movie is possibly subject to change):

• September 8 & 9 - Madagascar 3
• September 15 & 16 - Journey 2: The Mystery Island
• September 22 & 23 - Rio
• September 29 & 30 - Mirror Mirror
• October 6 & 7 - Rango
• October 13 & 14 - The Lorax
• October 20 & 21 - Ice Age 4: Continental Drift
• October 27 & 28 - Paranorman
• November 3 & 4 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

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Zombie Walk
Did you know Jackson has it's own Zombie Walk?! Me either! It's happening on October 13th downtown Jackson, registration is $10 and will help support the March of Dimes. The registration for zombies will be at 4:30p at Biggby Coffee on Wisner. I couldn't find out too many details as their still working out the kinks, but I know I will be taking photos of everyone and their scary makeup as they hobble the streets of Jackson.

Facebook - Facebook Event Page

Pepsi Mini-Sessions | Jackson, MI Photographer

First of all, many of you might be wondering, "What is a mini-session?" These are themed portrait sessions that are shorter than our typical session, each lasting roughly 30 minutes. This time the theme will be Pepsi. Sorry to all the Coke lovers, but I found the Pepsi props before the Coke ones. We'll have an adorable set-up outside at Ella Sharp Park near the Rotunda. They will take place on September 8th, but if the weather doesn't cooperate (*fingers crossed that it does*), then September 15th is the rain date.

The price of the session is $50, this must be paid in advance to reserve your time slot. You will also receive 30% off the purchase of our prints and products for the promotion. At the time of your mini-session we will schedule a day and time for you to view and order your images; the photos take approximately 10-14 days to process.

We will only be offering 10 Pepsi mini-sessions slots, so book yours early to guarantee your spot!
517.499.9380 | nattyjphotography@yahoo.com

Available Time Slots

1. 12-12:30p
2. 12:40-1:10p
3. 1:20-1:50p
4. 2-2:30p
5. 2:40-3:10p
6. 3:20-3:50p
7. 4-4:30p
8. 4:40-5:10p
9. 5:20-5:50
10. 6-6:30p

Celebrating Labor Day | Jackson, MI Photographer

To celebrate Labor Day and have a day to relax, myself and a friend of mine went to the Renaissance Festival in Holly, Michigan. And of course I can't go to somewhere that has that many amazing sights and not bring my camera. The costumes are so ornate and beautiful, if it wasn't for the Black Plague and the horrible way women (or anyone that wasn't of royalty status for that matter) were treated, I would love to live back then. But that's neither here nor there, here are a few of the photos I took.

 Then after we got home we went down to Cascade Falls Park to watch the last fireworks of the season. I LOVE taking photos of fireworks, they just turn out so awesome. I was actually quite impressed with these because they were taken at a shutter speed of 1/15th and typically you can't handhold anything slower than 1/60th without getting camera shake. So here are my favorite ones...

Santa Paws is Coming to Town!

Santa Paws showed up early this year at Mantis Pet Supply in Ypsilanti here's a couple of the awesome shots we captured!

Fall Family Portrait Day

This was the first time I had done this, set up shop at a local park and invited everyone to come out for a fall family portrait to get ready for the upcoming holiday season and let me tell you I had a blast!! The leaves had all changed color, but it was about 70 degrees outside, slight breeze. I don't think there's been a more perfect day all year! Here's just a few of the fab families that stopped by...

Howl-O-Ween Pet Photos

OooooooooOOOOoooowwwww!!! It's that time of year again when all the pet lovers out there dress their cat, dogs and even some birds up in costumes and head on over to Mantis Pet Supply for a day of Halloween fun! I will be there from 9a-5p on Saturday, October 16th taking photos of all the beasts big and small. There won't be any tricks here, only treats and LOTS of them. So stop on by and bring your favorite furry friend.

There's NO session fee for these events and photos start at only $5!! Children in costumes are welcome too!

Get Awesome Hotel Rates and Help Make-a-Wish Foundation

Through my schooling at Washtenaw Community College I met a lot of truly talented and amazing people, but Rachel is one of the best. Every year she does a 3 day, 300 mile bike ride to help raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. For those of you who don't know who what the charity does, you can visit http://www.wish.org/, but in short they grant wishes for terminally ill children; whether that be being a police officer or going to Disney World or whatever the child desires. I'm always trying to make a difference in the world even if it only effects one person. I can't change the world, but I can change someone's world. So if you are reading this please repost; for every blog the banner below gets posted in, Rachel will receive $20 towards her fundraising. Just let her know you did it. This is her blog...http://www.andinabreath.blogspot.com/ and you can leave her a comment with a link to your blog in it.

Thanks for helping!!!

I recommend HotelsCombined.com and sent $20 to Make a Wish!

You can shout and help too.

Upcoming Events

The first event is at the Jackson Coffee Co. to help benefit the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep foundation. The charity was started by Sandy Puc, a photographer from Colorado. Photographer's from all over the US volunteer their time to photograph still born and terminally ill children/infants, so their parents can cherish their time spent together forever. Very moving and the pictures are stunning, I cry everytime I look at them!!!


This second event benefits The Buster Foundation, a pit bull education and rescue group. It will be held on Dec. 7th & 8th at Mantis Pet Supply in Ypsilanti. Prints start at $5 for 4x6 and packages begin at $15. Bring your fur children by to get their picture taken with Santa Paws!! Also, don't forget to purchase your 2010 Buster Foundation Calendar, they make great gifts for the pit bull lover in your life!


For questions about either event please call Natty J Photography at 517.499.9380!!

Halloween Pet Pictures @ Mantis

Natty J Photography together with J. Lynn Imagery are doing Halloween pet pictures hosted by Mantis Pet Supply in Ypsilanti, MI. There will be costumes if your furry best friend doesn't have one already. And if they don't like to get in the Halloween spirit there's no need to worry, there will be plenty of pumpkins on the set!!

And the best part about this event is that the proceeds are donated to the Buster Foundation, a pit bull rescue located in Belleville, MI!!! So stop on by and bring your dogs, cats, ferrets or whatever your loved ones are to get some adorable pictures for the spooky holiday.