our town magazine cover | august
The Our Town cover this month features a new couple that has relocated to Smyrna and their furry friend, Jackson. We had a quick session with a lucky break in rain last month. Family pets always add interest and lots of fun. Jackson definitely had a great time and found out where all the people gather on Food Truck Tuesdays!
You can read more in the latest issue of Our Town magazine or download a full issue here.
Hailee is a Senior at Pope High School this year and she had an awesome Senior Session with me recently. The light was gorgeous when we met and I love the sun flare we achieved in many of her Senior Pictures.
I love that we were able to get some wonderful shots with her two dogs. They were good models (and terribly cute)!
We incorporated things that were important to her at this time in her life. We had fun finding creative ways to capture her flag and I love the colors it added. I bet you can’t tell that there were about a million people around us when we took these pictures!
We took pictures near the water in a raincoat and bright purple boots. We didn’t mean to get IN the water, but accidents happen… Hailee is a good sport and so fun so we went with it and I’m so glad we got pictures of her splashing in the water.
And lastly, my favorite – black and white. I love how taking the color out really draws you in to her eyes and expression. Timeless.
Here’s to the a fantastic Senior year of High School and a very bright future!
It is Wednesday so I guess that makes this a What to Wear Wednesday post. It has been so cold this week! I like the above color scheme because they are appropriate for this time of year and also have a pop of color to carry us in to Spring. I’m ready for Spring weather now! Change the coral to red and it is perfect for Valentine’s Day. Note the thick textured sweater and ruffle skirt which are great for family portraits as they just add another layer of interest to a photograph.
I attended ImagingUSA this week. It is the largest annual convention & Expo for Professional Photographers hosted by the PPA (Professional Photographers of America) and lucky for me it was in Atlanta this year. I spent 3 days in educational classes full of info and inspiration. I feel a bit overloaded and overwhelmed (and exhausted) but am looking forward to the new year and all it holds. I was able to view in person the latest and greatest products the industry has to offer. I have lots of new and exciting products I am going to carry this year especially for my Seniors.
I am inspired by a lot of people that don’t specialize in what I do and really enjoyed getting to hear many of them talk and share what they do. Just a small group of my favorites are listed here in case you are interested. The first was Robin Layton and you might want to check her out especially if you are into Pet Photography. She doesn’t specialize in that either but has a new book and video out that you will love. She has a very impressive resume but seems to have stepped away from a lot of it to follow what her true passions in shooting are. Matthew Jordan Smith and Brian Smith (no relation) had similar messages of following your own passion and always having personal projects to work towards. It is easy to say that when you are very successful but they have all the years of hard work to back it up which I can appreciate. It is always fun to hear Zack Arias talk on any subject and he didn’t disappoint. I love his candid way of telling it like it is; Our industry is very difficult and…get over it.
Below are some of my Instagram pictures taken during the show. I am fortunate to have several photographer friends in the Atlanta area you will see and have also included pictures of our get-together last week. We shared info and made good plans for 2013. Some of us specialize in different things but always have something to share that is helpful and inspiring. I always say being a photographer is mostly an individual sport so getting the chance to work with other people in the same boat is really fun and encouraging.
Bottom Row: Seniors Ignite! (John Pyle & Jennifer Tori at the ICELIGHT booth); One of my Senior Rep Cards was featured by a pro Lab; Models/Entertainment(?) at the opening party.
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These are the greatest dogs. They remind me of the Golden Retriever I had in High School. They are cute and hyper when they are puppies but grow up to be such good family pets. We have friends with one now and the children just lay all over her and use her as a pillow. She doesn’t mind at all. If you have a long time wonderful pet like these two it is a great idea to document your time with them just like with children. They are such special fur-people and really become a big part of the family. They have their own personalities so it is funny to see how one of these two is so tennis ball crazy and the other…not so much. 🙂
Christmas Ideas:
Buy Cheap-O Christmas Decorations if you have little kids or pets so when they wreck them you won’t feel so bad. Really sad, huh? Sorry, but I am still in that stage of life my husband calls “we can’t have nice things.” True.
I bought this lovely ceramic Christmas Tree at Goodwill for maybe $4 (must not have had Grammy with me to get her Senior Discount?). Don’t judge. It has fake snow with little light up bulbs that no longer light up and reminds me of the one my grandmother had out every year. I keep it right on my kitchen table so little fingers run all over it, color on it, break bulbs, smear food on it and as you can see below often decorate it with random things. The first couple of years that I had it people were constantly informing daily what had “happened” to the tree on my table. What a relief to not have to care. For $4 it can be disposable (in my mind). I have tried to keep the scissors and Sharpies on the top kitchen cabinet for the last 10 years. I’m glad to at least have a tablescape for one month out of the year (I don’t think I can get away with tablescape can I?).
Merry Christmas!
“Look at me! Look at me! Look at me NOW! It is fun to have fun, but you have to know how.” — Dr. Seuss (The Cat in the Hat)
This sweet girl is just what you expect from a 2 1/2 year old. She was a bundle of on the go, non-stop fun. We explored, ran, jumped, threw leaves and laughed. I think her candid moments are the best because they really capture a little piece of her fun personality. Her family is so kind and patient with her and really enjoys all she has to offer. It is really reflected in her pleasant, easy going nature. All little girls should be this loved!
I have spared you a few days of super-cute puppy love so I leave you with one today. Meet Sherman. He isn’t too much of a puppy any more and he is just as cool as he thinks he is. He was so nice to sit for my picture. I think he almost smiled?
Christmas Gift Idea for Little Girls:
Okay, this isn’t really an “idea” for you but more of a confession of what my little girl will be getting for Christmas against mine and the CVS cashier’s better judgement:
Not just any Stompeez but the unicorn ones. I hate unicorns! I paid $21 at CVS oh and there is one more pair left for you! These tacky things are going to be in my house now but I just had to do it. You would understand if you had seen and heard the joy coming out of her as she told me all about them one day. She had seen them with her Grammy “at the place where you drive up for subscriptions.” She told me “they are a little big but I will grow into them!” So, it is done and it will be worth it to see her when she opens them on Christmas. When else in life will you ever be SO excited about light-up unicorn slippers? I’m glad we can indulge her one day of the year.
Merry Christmas!
These beautiful sisters were lucky enough to get two new puppies this year. Meet Shrimp and Grits. They were every bit as wiggily and playful as you would expect. We laughed a lot and had fun. When I got the call for this session it was very much like one for a newborn session. We had to rush and fit it in ASAP to make sure we captured these puppies before they got any bigger. Mom said “they are already changing!”
We are in the process of hanging their favorite images in a collection of Obrien Schridde black frames. It is going to look so great. I have these same frames hanging in my family room and I think I love them more each year.
Christmas Gift Idea: Frames! Of course. Grandmas and family always love getting framed pictures of their family. I also love to give framed chalkboards or mini ornament frames that can be hung on the tree. I have several of these on hand if you need help. If you want to try canvas, I know Canvas on Demand has a good product you will be happy with. Instacanvas is what you need to check out if you are an Instagram user. (They have Gift Ideas to check out and just make sure you order by December 10th for Christmas delivery).
Merry Christmas!
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