Summertime

It’s the summer of 2011 and it’s HOT in south Georgia!  Whew! Luckily, I was fortunate enough to enjoy a week on Lake Michigan (pictured above) and the weather was wonderfully nice!  It was warm enough (just barely) to get in the water, bug-free for enjoyable evening walks, and cool enough for long sleeves after sunset.  Perfect! 

I realize that blogging is not my most dedicated hobby.  Actually, I had almost forgotten how to sign in to this thing and when I did, found out that I still have some dedicated readers that stop by every day.  Hey guys!!  I always have good intentions though of keeping up with the blog it’s just that life gets in the way I suppose.  Or I get sorry … one or the other.  Anyway, I thought I’d give it a go tonight!

The summer has been very eventful or somewhat slow, depending on how you look at it.  Four days after my 35th birthday (in June), my doctor called me at 7 a.m. on a Monday to tell me that my recent biopsy came back malignant for breast cancer.  Since that time, I’ve had surgery and now I’m waiting to heal up enough to start chemotherapy treatments and then radiation.  I’ve had more doctor appointments this summer than I have had photo appointments!  lol.  Currently, I’m not supposed to hold the camera for extended periods of time because it is heavy and I’m still full of stitches.  But, I’m starting to miss it a lot so I’m hoping that during the next week or so, I’m gonna be doing a lotta healing!

I am booking sessions for August or later right now so if  you are interested in senior photos or an early jump on some family sessions before the holidays, get on the calendar.  I’m going to be ready to get started asap!  :-)  The fall months are always my favorite time of the year (October-December) and I can’t wait to capture those crisp colors.  Woohoo, come on cooler weather!

Since I am spending my days “healing up” right now, I’m going to focus more on catching up on some photo stuff on the computer and perhaps a bit more blogging.  I don’t mind it once I get going … kinda like exercise, you know?  See you guys soon!  Thanks for stopping by!

Dancing the night away {Tattnall Pre-K Prom}

The little people took over Tattnall County High School Saturday night for the second annual Pre-K Prom!  I was invited to take photos for packages at the event and my mom (trusty assistant) and I, set up and got things ready about 30 minutes before the doors were set to open.  While I was expecting a few parents to bring their kids over for a photo throughout the night, I never expected a line of 70 to form for photos like it was the main attraction!  Wow!!  I’ve never worked so hard in 2.5 hours in my life!     It was a lot of fun though and the kids were all smiles, dressed in their finest, for their four-year-old exclusive prom.

While making chit-chat with one prom attendee while he waited for his photo, I asked him if he was going to dance tonight and he said, “yes!”  I said, “Great!  Did you bring a date with you?”  And he replied, eyebrows raised, “I hope to find one here!”  lol!!  They are just too funny at that age!  But let me tell you, there are a lot more dancers in Pre-K than I ever remember at any middle school dance!    Their favorite dance move seemed to be the train and they all loved snaking their train through the crowd.  Tattnall County Band Director, Lee Collins, was the official DJ for the evening and he came with a disco ball and a smoke machine, which the kids loved!  It was non-stop action all night on the dance floor!

The event seemed to be a huge hit and all of the volunteers and teachers (and me and Mama, of course) were wore out by the end of it.  All of the food and all of the drinks were gone and it was time to go home.  But the kids and the parents seemed to have a great time and it was very sweet to see the kids dancing with their parents and teachers.

My thanks to Kristen Collins for letting me take the photos and especially my thanks to all of the parents who waited in line so patiently for their child’s picture to be made.  I sincerely appreciate it and I do hope you enjoy your photos!  They should be back within two weeks and all of the orders will be mailed to the customers.

The dance floor photos are available to order from my website and you can click HERE for the direct link.  If your order totals $40 or more, you can use the coupon code FREE40 during the checkout process to receive free priority shipping ($6.45 value).  Ordered prints will not have the business logo printed on them.  All of these orders will be shipped directly from the lab that I use for my prints.

A no photo update

Yes, that is about the lamest title that this blog has seen yet. But, since it is my normal 2am blog visit, I thought I’d just write something out short and sweet so that blog-neglect doesn’t set in.

It was a busy night tonight working on the Easter photo set. I’ve decided that these themed mini-sessions are a lot more work than a regular photo shoot! I (well we, including my trusty photo assistant) still have some work to do tomorrow night to finish up but I think it’s going to come together. In fact, I had a preliminary set photo ready to publish tonight but since it’s not quite done, I decided to hold off. Yeah, I know, sorry about that!

Tomorrow we’ll do a little more painting, add a few more flowers and greenery and just get everything ready for the weekend. In case you guys are just tuning in and wondering what all this is about, see the post below. I’m doing Easter photo sessions this weekend and still trying to get all the ducks in a row! No, not having ducks for real but there will be a sweet, cuddly bunny ready to strike a pose. Lol.

After Saturday’s session, I’ll try and run back here with some actual photos to show off. I’ll only have a couple of hours though and then it’s off again to take photos at the Pre-K Prom. The thought of that cracks me up every time! I didn’t know boys and girls that age (3-4) even liked each other! It should be a lot of fun!

Easter and Spring!

Easter is in just a few weeks and although I believe it is running a little late this year, it still doesn’t seem like it’s time for bunnies and plastic eggs!  A few weeks ago, we got our first big thunderstorm of the season and although we’ve had some cooler days sprinkled in here and there, it is certainly getting warm fast in Georgia.  Whew!  So far we’ve managed to keep our windows open around my house during the day but I know it won’t be long and that air conditioner will be cranking out the dollar signs until October.  lol.

This year I’ve had a few requests for Easter package photos.  So, I’m rounding up a big fat, fluffy bunny and going to create a pastel-colored painted background, accented with colorful spring flowers hopefully in full bloom!  Because of having the real bunny, I’m going to limit the packages to just this coming weekend.  Of course, if you don’t mind the absence of the bunny, then later packages could be arranged maybe through next week.

Easter sessions will need to be scheduled in advance because I wouldn’t want a line of unhappy children pouting because it isn’t their “turn” with the bunny!  Also, I plan on letting everyone pick out their proof on the computer right then and there, and that gets easily backed up when Moms have a hard time deciding which smile is better on their baby. 

Order forms will also be available and will need to be paid at the time of the session.  That way I can place the photo order pretty quick Sunday night and get those pictures back well before the Easter holiday!

Because this is a special mini-session just for Easter, there is no additional sitting fee.  Also, because this is a special event, my regular photo prices are discounted just for these sessions.  Photos will be scheduled every 15 minutes so there is a limit to the number of appointments with the bunny.  Call ahead early to secure your spot!  Here are the prices so there won’t be any surprises …

Package A includes two 8x10s, four 5x7s, and 24 wallets and it is $50.

Package B includes one 8×10, two 5x7s and 16 wallets and it is $35.

I am also selling individual photos just in case you don’t want a package or there’s two photos that you just LOVE and you want one of both!

Individual photo prices are 11×14 for $30; 8×10 for $15; 5×7 for $10; or 8 wallets for $10.

All orders will be mailed to customers for an additional $3 charge.  If you’d rather pick it up from me when it comes in, I can make arrangements to meet you.  I can take cash, check or credit card.

Thanks so much to everyone who has supported me in my photography business!  I truly, truly appreciate it and I look forward to many more occasions where we can get together with the camera!

Enjoying the outside!

What a beautiful day it is in south Georgia!    I love springtime and the fall when the weather is just absolutely wonderful!  Today is one of those days where you just want to be outside.  Ansley came this morning for her 9-month photos and we started out with some cute ones in the studio and then ventured outdoors.   Every time I ride by one of those purple-covered fields I think, man, what a great photo that would make.  Well, Tina and Ansley are normally up for just about anything so, along with my assistant (Mom!), we plowed through the field about mid-ways and set up the shot.  For these photos, I used an off camera strobe and the 70-200mm lens on a tripod.  I had to get down on my knees so that the purple would appear more full.  Those fields are always pretty from a distance, but not so much when you get right in the middle of it.  lol.  I was really happy with these though and they turned out great even though the sun was way bright and almost overhead.

This next one was in a more shaded spot and was towards the end of the shoot.  We managed to squeeze out just a few more smiles before our model was ready for a nap.  I didn’t use the flash for this one, only a reflector to direct a little sunlight onto her face.  The lens was borrowed from Tina and is her new 2.8.  It’s a really great lens and I barely managed to return it when we finished. 

The Durrence family is some of my very first customers and it’s been great seeing all the babies grow up.  Little Ansley is still small and dainty and you just want to love all over her.  Sweetie!

Well, two more photo shoots and a basketball game this afternoon so I better get going.  I hope everyone is able to enjoy some of this beautiful sunshine this weekend!

Newborn sweetness

Newborn babies are so sweet!  One of my favorite photographers I follow is Keri Meyers, a newborn photographer in Washington state.  I’m a regular one of her blog readers and she’s always posting new baby photos on her Facebook and it gets me all inspired!  lol.  So, earlier in the year, I was in search of a newborn to “practice” on.  Jessica Dubberly (and husband, Lee) were expecting their first baby girl in just a few weeks and she graciously agreed to let me come and photograph Rilee in her first few days.  I was totally excited about it and in the weeks before her birth, I was busy collecting blankets, hats, newborn props and lots of fun stuff to try out.  Some of it worked out great and some of it I realize I need to work on.  I love practice sessions!

On her seventh day in the world, I met little Rilee and spent three hours with her and my camera.  She was a great subject and didn’t seem to mind all the fuss going on about her.    Thanks to Jessica, Lee and Rilee (and my mom who helped me out with the session), for letting me get some great photos!  I can’t wait until the next little newborn comes along!  If you want to see some more photos of Rilee, check out my Facebook page where some more are posted (and join up as a fan, if you haven’t already).

Just over three months left …

Can you believe there’s just over three months left until the Class of 2011 walks across the stage to accept diplomas?  Wow, where has the time gone?  For most of us, it seems like this school year has only just begun but I realize that for seniors (having once been one myself), the days are dragging by and it looks as though the end of May will never get here!  Graduation of the Class of 2011 came to mind after a wonderful photo shoot Sunday for Mallory, a high school senior at Faith Baptist Christian Academy.

Almost two years ago, I had photographed the wedding of one of Mallory’s relatives and at the reception, her mom asked me for a business card.  She told me that in a couple of years she would have a daughter graduating high school and she was going to call me to take the pictures.  Sure enough, that time has come and her mom remembered my card.  Wow, was I surprised to get the call for the appointment!

It was a great photo shoot!  Mallory had a perfect smile, gorgeous skin and was totally easy to photograph!  Since I hadn’t had a senior shoot since before Christmas, I was eager to try out the new backgrounds on someone and Mallory didn’t seem to mind at all.    We spent two full hours with different backgrounds in the studio and some quick photos at Barnard Park in Glennville.  Afterwards, we all had just enough time to get back to our homes, grab some pizza, and pile up for the Super Bowl!  (Okay, that might have just been me, but it worked out great!)  lol

Thanks, Mallory, for all of your patience with me during the photo shoot.  I tend to really get into it and it’s fun when the one being photographed is having a good time too!     Her mom and grandma came along for the fun too, and both of them ooohhed and aaahhhhed at appropriate times when I was showing off the tiny 3 inch photo on the back of the digital camera!  lol.  Wonderful!

I wish you the very best that life has to offer, Mallory!  Enjoy your time at college and live life to the fullest!  Thank you for allowing me to take your senior photos for you!

Natalie & Jerome

Spring is close around the corner … that’s what the groundhog declared this week!  And springtime signals wedding season!  One of the upcoming weddings I am honored to photograph is that of Natalie and Jerome.  The two are planning a May wedding in downtown Savannah, which should be fabulous!!  The weather will be perfect and an outdoor ceremony at Forsyth Park will be beautiful to say the least.  I can’t wait!!

For their engagement shoot, the railroad tracks were a top choice for this outdoorsy couple so off to Collins, GA, we headed!  The bright afternoon sun was strong but we managed to find some shade and captured some great shots.

Natalie and Jerome are a great couple and you can tell they enjoy being together!  They didn’t mind getting on the ground for some shots and were real easy to photograph.  It was a fun afternoon with lots of laughter!

Natalie was very accommodating and didn’t mind climbing up on the train for a couple of shots.  Of course, the greasy railing wasn’t supposed to be part of the plan!  Oopps!  Sorry about that, Natalie.

After the tracks, we got a couple of neat building shots in downtown Collins.  Yes, it’s a small town but there’s some cool spots for photos!

After some quick roaming around downtown, we headed for Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park in Reidsville.  The park is one of my favorite spots to take pictures.  The afternoon sun was super bright so we settled for the shady areas in the  pine straw. 

And to finish off the afternoon, the duo brought out their bows and arrows for a photograph.  Archery is one of their favorite sports and I do believe it was the first time I’ve ever seen a REAL bow up close.  At one time, I was photographing them with the arrows pulled back and Natalie advised me not to step in front of them.  lol, good call!  I’m oblivious to danger when I’m taking pictures, so it was good of her to remind me.  But they had full control and held on to everything til I got the shot! 

Thanks, guys, for being such a happy couple and so easy to work with!  I’m really looking forward to your wedding and appreciate the opportunity you’ve given me to photograph your beautiful day!

Presenting the new logo!

Logo design isn’t one of my specialties.  In fact, I don’t even really like it at all.  So, for the past four or five months, I’ve been struggling with what to do about my logo.  I just didn’t like it.  The little camera that I had dated it and it was just kinda boring all over.  I wanted a change and I wanted some color.  I researched several different logo design companies online and was mentally preparing myself to get ready to dish out $200 to $500 on an awesome logo design.  And then, about 10:30 tonight, inspiration struck and for the last four hours I have been sitting here trying to tweak it and get the thing to look right on Facebook.  However, after about 15 attempts to upload a red and gray logo to Facebook that ISN’T all pixelized, I have decided to give up on that idea and went for a black one on there instead.  I still like it … a lot.  And this logo is great because I can change the color to match whatever mood, theme or color scheme I am going with at the time.  It’s very versatile and I love it.  LOVE it!  And love even more that I did it myself {finally} and didn’t have to spend the money somewhere else.  Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll still spend the money on something    it just won’t be on a logo!

In the midst of all this logo design stuff, I’ve also been redesigning my entire brochure.  I keep saying I’m going to have the thing finished “this week.”  Well, that was a couple of weeks ago.  And since I’m already giving out the new prices verbally, I really need to get it on paper.  Well, it’s on paper but I’ve got to finish it and now go back and incorporate the new logo too!  I wonder if those five-hour energy drinks really live up to all the hype?  lol.

The new brochure WILL be finished this week (or weekend) and I already have several people who have asked me to mail them one.  If you would like to get your own copy, leave a comment here on the blog and I’ll email you for your address.  If you leave a comment HERE on the page, I’ll throw in a $50 gift certificate that you can use towards the purchase of any prints, should you choose to book a session.    If you don’t want to use the certificate, get it anyway and pass it on to someone who might.

I’m super excited about this year and I can hardly wait for Spring to get here (… not the suffocating heat of summer, mind you).  Spring flowers, green grass, outdoor bridal shoots and fun senior photos … I can hardly wait!!  Here’s a couple more colorful logos I may have to throw in the mix come springtime!

Love it!!  It is such a RELIEF to have the logo finished.  You have no idea.  Now it’s time to get in the bed for a few short hours and then tackle a Tuesday.  Photo sessions this coming weekend and Super Bowl Sunday … it’s gonna be great! 

Waiting for Baby

Babies are exciting little things, aren’t they!  I don’t have any of my own and, just to be clear, have never wanted to have my own, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy OTHER people’s babies!    As a matter of fact, lately I’ve been soaking up baby photography stuff, ideas, tutorials, props, etc., and can’t wait to find a newborn to throw my talents at!  lol.  Okay, maybe practice on is more like it.  I’m really looking forward to it, as you might can tell. Actually, if anyone has a five-day-old infant lying around the house let me know and if we can work it out, it could mean free photos for you!  I really love “practice” sessions because I don’t have the pressure of trying to please a paying customer.  It’s just for fun!  And, usually, those sessions produce some of the best photos.  A couple of months ago, I advertised for a “Free Foto Friday” session on Facebook and love some of the shots that came out of that afternoon.  I’m really going to try to incorporate some Free Foto days into this year so if you aren’t yet a Facebook friend, add me cause that’s where you’ll find these offers.

Here’s one more photo of baby-to-be!  This session also incorporated some practice time and the couple was very cooperative.  Actually, this is the first time I’ve tried both of the shots above and I really, really like them a lot.  One other goal for the year is to create a photo book of poses, ideas, colors, etc., to refer back to before or during a shoot.  I think it would give my clients a lot of ideas too, to flip through an “idea book.”

There’s lots and lots of stuff I WANT to do, it’s just finding the time to do them.  But this month is a catch-up month too so there are a lot of projects that I have to finish before starting new ones.  Yes, Ashley, your wedding album is coming!! 

Okay, it’s a short post tonight but I think it might be a record for me to write three posts so close together.  Whew! Gotta get my sleep tonight cause the roads are supposed to be icy in the morning and we South Georgians aren’t used to all of that so I have to take my time getting to work.  See you guys soon!