Related Images Photography

Why Should You do a Beautiful You Session?

2012-02-02T14:27:00.000-08:00

When was the last time you had your photo taken professionally? I've been asking women that a lot lately and the answers have been anything except recently, "when I got married, my senior portrait, my maternity are some of the answers". And then they make this face like "why would I want to do that?"

Well the reason you would want to do that is because as women we NEVER do anything for ourselves, we nurse and feed and love and take care of everyone else and look in the mirror and run away as fast as we can. Wouldn't it be nice to get your hair and nails and make up done, put on something you are comfortable in and take some gorgeous photos where the focus is only you and walk away feeling better about yourself and have a keepsake of a time in your life? We have so many images of everyone and where are we? Behind the camera!

Take a moment to think about the legacy you are leaving behind of yourself, how will you be remembered? Its not about the clothes, lingerie or gorgeous dress, whatever it is that makes you feel beautiful....its ABOUT YOU!

Its New Year, Renewal of Blogging AGAIN!

2012-01-17T13:12:00.001-08:00

I think I said enough with my title there, yes I will try again, if at first you don't succeed then try try again, I always say.

This post is about my new friend Pinterest. If you don't have one, let me know I will send you an invite, for me it is the greatest thing since the internet itself. You know how you are always on the internet surfing around and you find a recipe or an outfit you like and you get side tracked and lose track of what you were looking at or just think you will one day have a miraculous event and remember where you saw that awesome turkey burger recipe, well now you will, cause you can "pin it". With Pinterest! You click the little "pin it" button you download to your bookmarks and magically it goes to a board where you have categorized the things that interest you. This is where I am saving recipes I want to make, clothes I want to some day buy, ideas for my photography, my photography itself to share with others and just today started a board for ideas of what to wear for your family portrait. Its my archive of the internet and all the the world wide web has to offer. I just LOVE it, made a whole meal this past weekend using recipes I found there AND found some awesome food blogs along the way. Believe me you will love it!

I am warning you it is highly addictive! Happy Pinning!!

Santa is Coming Once Again!

2011-11-02T04:51:00.000-07:00

Last year Santa came to the studio on a Saturday. He flew in and like a little girl I was in awe. He was so magnificent with his large presence and quiet voice. The whole day was like magic for me and all the children who came to sit on his lap and talk with him. Once again our day with him approaches and I am so excited to see him. When he left my business last year I felt so honored and blessed that he took the time to come and see my clients children and us and now I am even more excited that he decided to return. This is the time to give your children the magic of Christmas by not sitting in some line at the mall but letting them talk with him and read a book with him, share in that special magic he brings. Call today to reserve a spot, I promise you won't be disappointed!

Doors and New Outdoor Sessions

2011-08-14T04:53:00.000-07:00

We've taken it outdoors lately...well not really outdoors but to our new natural light studio. When we rented our space one big selling point for us was the warehouse space in the back, not only for the storage but also for the overhead door and possibility of using natural light. We started out there with a red door last year, this year we've added a bunch of different old doors and hard wood floors and now we are shooting seniors, children and new babies on it and loving the results. Contained natural light is the most beautiful light, better than being completely outdoors. Its amazing how eyes pop when you put them in this environments Having this new studio though HOT here in SC has completely renewed our creativity and we have been loving the results. Enjoy a couple of the images we made using it.

Baby Town!

2011-04-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

Recently we had the privledge of attending and being a vendor at Baby Town which was sponsored by Parkside Pediatrics and Park Place Childrens Center. It was a wonderful time for all expectant and new Mom's to talk with vendors who can help them solve problems or give them solutions to things like nutrition, clothing, day care, health care, photography and more. Here are a few of the images from the event.

2011-03-09T10:29:00.000-08:00

Last night we watched "Social Network" which is the story behind Facebook. Many things surprised me about the story and it caused me to think about life before Facebook and life after. I had no idea going in what actually transpired with the birth of Facebook, but I gained a real appreciation for people with an anatyical and their creativity. Being creative is different for everyone who is creative. I had no idea that someone so left brained could be creative but Mark Zuckerberg was just that, according to the movie he had some inspiration and didn't solely dream up the idea of Facebook but he did have the ability to see a blank space and create something using coding. He was depicted in the movie as someone without alot of social skills, which if true probably helped him find a way to be social from behind the computer. I did not know there were so many people involved and that one of them was Sean Parker founder of Napster. I remember when Napster came into being, I was one of the users of his site, being a photographer I hate to admit that, but I was new to the computer, home with babies, and just killing time. I tried to remember when I first knew about Facebook, I know I had a MySpace at the time which I didn't love using. I know that Facebook had an ease of use I really liked. Its taken time to learn all the uses and misuses of Facebook, as it is an ever changing anomaly, once you get used to using it, it get changed. In our business we spend alot of time learning how it can help our business and I am always amazed at the amount of people in my life, past and present I've reconnected with through Facebook. How could I ever know what my best friend in Boston's dog ate this morning for breakfast if not for Facebook....lol?

Here's a little trivia for you to think about and ask yourself it applies to you, the average person logs on Facebook 4 times a day and is on for an average of 55 minutes a day. Are you one of them?

2011-02-02T11:03:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day and Winter Be Gone!

Finally we are through January, thank you! How I wanted to see January come in December when we were in the middle of the stress and the parties and the present shopping, cooking, eating, drinking, excess, excess...January looked so lovely sitting on the horizon with its quiet nothingness. We all rest, hungover by December, breathe and then wait. Wait for life to start up again, for us all to recover and then February arises out of the smoke and arrives and we see red and love and roses and see that Spring will come again.

I have come to love Valentine's Day...not for the gifts of chocolate and flowers as much as for the promise of the newness that is coming after VDay. January is gone, February the short month is here and life is back to what we know it to be with its routines and schedules and sameness. I will be happy for that sameness for now.

2011-01-18T13:51:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day!

We are really excited to let you guys know about our Valentine's Day special for kids and pets! These portraits make great gifts for Dad's, grandparents and kids will love handing out Valentine's Day cards featuring their faces at school! These special edition sessions are limited and fill up very quickly. Reserve your space now for a time and date that works for you!

Sessions start at $39.95 and includes 2 5x7's and 8 mini Valentine cards! Call 248-6146 to book!

A new year committment again.........

2011-01-12T13:21:00.000-08:00

I am pretty sure that I've committed to better blogging in past years but this time I mean it!!!

I will blog more. I promise. If anyone cares.

Its been a wonderful 1/2 year in the new studio and lots of "gonna do this, changed to that" we have had alot of adjusting to do. This was our first year here in the South with a high school contract for seniors that had a required number of portraits that needed to be done by the end of summer. Lots of fun was had here with the teenagers, we loved making the girls feel like models and the boys who came in expecting to hate every minute of the process ended up having fun too.

We also found some really cool outdoor locations along the way.

From there we went into a fundraiser for JL Mann's track team something we fell on completely by accident, which led us to get to know our neighbors here on Feaster, Carolina Zoom, at the helm is Mario de Carvalho and Jane Robelot. As it turns out Mario is famous as a camera man for network news and Jane was the anchor for many years on Channel 6 news. Both Emmy award winners with much insight. We heard many stories and learned alot about video from them. They created a video for the kids at JL Mann to help raise awareness for their need of a track. This program led us into a Fall of family portraits. Here we discovered the beauty of families in Rock Quarry Garden. We created a whole host of images that carried our families into the Christmas season and

then there was Santa..........

Santa, came to us again by fate he arrived at the studio on one Saturday in November to delight our children and he not only did that but touched our hearts too. He was everything Santa should be and more and we can't wait to have him back here again next year and hope we can create a much larger event for children. It was a wonderful start to our holiday season.

So now Winter is officially here and 2011 has begun, we will soon be working on Valentine's Day images, hope to master the art of the silhouette, bring in Easter and before long be celebrating our one year anniversary. Look for more posts this year, I promise....follow me here it might help motivate me! :) Happy New Year to all !

Happy 2011!

We've been making family portraits outside lately!

2010-11-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

Family Portraits

We all want that family portrait of our smiling childrens faces, the one that shows how happy we are deep inside to have our children, but we don't always get it. Even as photographers, with children like mine who have been photographed extremely regularly (and I mean to the extreme) aren't guaranteed that. This image for me, is about something more, its about freezing time....not happy faces, but where they are right now in their lives. You don't have to think about it much to see what their faces might look like, its almost like you don't need it.

Upstate Women's Show - 3 Days of Excitement!

2010-08-31T12:10:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was the Upstate Women's Show and it was an awesome experience for us! Three days of all things women, talking with other vendors, shopping and sharing our business with all the people out there who don't know we exist was both exhausting and exciting. It was great to hear the feedback from people who had never seen us before and were excited about the "different" style of our photography. Many things we brought with us generated attention and the two sweeties above did a great job talking with people and bringing people into the booth to visit.
Enjoy the images and make sure that next year you attend - it really is alot of fun!!!

Jewelry, Purses and Shoes!

2010-08-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to add jewelry to the products we carry at the studio. I think I may have finally found something I think fits the bill. I am a sterling silver lover and so the idea of putting my images on something I can wear really thrills me. This is not going to be a huge money maker this is more like a passion. The passion of merging my love of jewelry with my love of photography. Up next some new purses! Its time to put some of the beautiful images of your babies and children on bags we can carry, while our children will still allow it (well mine won't be I might torture them anyway) Jewelry, shoes and purses make me giddy with excitement! The shoes I will just indulge in on my own, pretty sure you can't get an image on a strappy sandal
yet. I won't drag the whole world through it.

Dog (and other pets) Days of Summer

2010-08-03T16:36:00.000-07:00

Today we announced our Dog Days of Summer fundraiser with the Greenville Humane Society as our partner. Its really exciting that now we are in our new location we are able to bring dogs and cats and other pets in to make memories for their owners and help the Greenville Humane Society. We didn't really know this until we called them to ask if we could partner with them but they are a no kill shelter. Our conversation with Rhonda at the shelter helped us to understand their needs so that we can pass that on to our participants. Though they love and want food and treats for the dogs and cats their largest need is in newspapers, bleach and paper towels. All items they go through constantly. Anyone who wants to join us on August 21st just calls to set up an appointment. We will be conscious of pets that won't interact well with others in our scheduling. Our whole day will be taken up with these furry friends so we will open all our doors to accomodate them. Set up an appointment and pay your $20, then bring something we can give to the Greenville Humane Society, either food or treats or their urgent need items. Bring your pet in for alot of fun and help us create awesome memories and give back to a great cause.

Brashier Seniors

2010-07-29T08:54:00.000-07:00

So as usual we haven't been present blogging for a long time, we do have an excuse this time though and that is that we have been very busy with our high school seniors. We are so thrilled to have Brashier Middle College and all the awesome kids we have met here in our new studio. We are having so much fun photographing musical instruments, sports, and clothes. Thanks guys for giving us this great opportunity. Let's see what else we can create.

2010-06-06T06:21:00.000-07:00

The Move is OVER - well almost!

So, last week we made the move to our new studio, it was quite the undertaking and definately an eye opening experience in seeing just how much crap we have collected over the years, holy cow, the stuff we didn't know we had. So now we are in and working there every day, keeping regular business hours (9:30 to 4:30 daily, saturdays by appointment) but we arent quite there yet. Our internet is not hooked up yet and neither is the phone, our phone still rings at our old location and internet is due on Tuesday, but knowing what we know about that process it won't be complete, there will be a router that needs to be installed and wiring that we will need help with. Networking solutions are NOT our strong point. So expecting a difficult time ahead but we are closer now than ever before.

So now you are looking for photos.....well, you'll have to come visit for now. Next up is our opening party, which will be a facebook party. Come and share some wine and cheese and have a cool facebook photo made. Date to follow. Stay tuned and become a follower here to be on our list to see everything we are doing.

350 Feaster Road, Suite D, Greenville, SC 29615

2010-05-14T05:51:00.001-07:00

New Studio!!!!!!!!!!! Finally!

Well here it is the unvailing of our "before" version of our new space.....we will keep updating as we make more progress!

2010-02-25T13:31:00.000-08:00

Easter Sessions!

Third annual Easter Sessions begin March 15th! We have flowers and benches and a bird bath, birds, and houses and eggs and even our bunny Thumper! Now all we need are babies and children all dressed up for Easter to come and play in our set. Proceeds from this event are going to March of Dimes. Call today to book your appointment! 864-248-6146

2010-02-10T06:20:00.000-08:00

Time goes by so quickly

How did it happen that I have two teenagers? Wasn't it yesterday that I was taking one to kindergarten and the other to preschool. When I see or talk to parents in that mode of life I can see it so clearly in my minds eye, its like yesterday. Apparently its not cause 10 years have past since Zac was in preschool. This past weekend he was confirmed in the Catholic Church. Thirteen and in seventh grade already.

Yesterday I spoke with an old friend, and he didn't even know I had left New York, now here it is 5 years already that I've been gone from there. Time.......where does it go?

2010-01-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

Our search for a new home!

For about a year now we've been contemplating a move from our home studio to a retail location. One would think that might be an easy decision and considering all the empty spaces an easy find, but it hasn't been.
Every time we think we have deal we can live with, we see another sign that things are not as they should be for such a big move in the life of a business. Small businesses going under right and left. At first we wanted to be right where we are now, Five Forks, in a space that people could see without looking too hard, but the landlords though somewhat willing to budge on their rents still require large sums as the lease ages. More for them, less for us. Hard to sign on for that.
Yesterday though we finally starting to think outside the box and realized we only need to get out of the home studio we don't necessarily need to get on a main street or strip mall location. Today we will start looking for something a little more abstract, warehouse-ish maybe.
Today is another day with different possibilities.........maybe just maybe the right thing, is right around the corner!

2010-01-20T05:02:00.000-08:00

Newborn twins!

I took this images a while back, I have to say it was one of my favorite sessions ever. The babies were young enough that they slept without difficulty, the mom was relaxed (she had a 14 month old at home), she and her mom praised the images we were created the whole way through. It was only about an hour maybe less, we took images of them alone and then worked on this one together. I just love it. And now it looks even more special due to the art it has been turned into. These babies are at least 3 months now but remembering those early days of their life gives me such pleasure. Its such a privilege to be able to freeze time in this way.

2010-01-17T16:35:00.001-08:00

The January Blues....

I get them every year no matter where we live. Its a time of year that reminds me of my youth, long, cold, snowy January's, when you only go outside because you have to. Even when someone suggests something fun to do, something you would never say no to you don't go out, its so awful out there that you avoid it at all costs. I remember feeling so desolate, like there was nothing to look forward to. Today, the effects of the January blues have less impact on my daily life, yet almost every year I get one day to feel that desolation...today is that day this year.

Its been raining and although a little warmer, we've just come through a particularly cold month and a 1/2, but that's global warming and all. Its been colder here than I have I ever experienced before, as cold as home on some days, colder than I ever thought possible for the South. We are just off the holidays, me , just off an illness and an injury, I am feeling particularly dull due to the lack of significant exercise. Its not hard for me to feel the darkness of Winter.

Tonite I look outside to my beloved porch and this is what I see..all cold and lonely and waiting for us to frequent it. The red cup looks like Christmas, yet Christmas feels like ions ago. It waits for our joyful sounds of warmth. I think I will have to look for signs of Spring tomorrow.

2010-01-16T06:04:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day Promo just released!

Ok so V-Day is the next big holiday to keep us out of the Winter doldrums we created something to go along with our new clothes. These are mini sessions, 15-20 minutes each, it can be used on any subject, babies, kids, pets or high fashion photos of you for your special Valentine. These are affordable and fun, call today to set up your appointment. You will have custom made cards to give out to family and friends, how FUN is that???

2010-01-15T05:32:00.000-08:00

Adding Clothes to our Products!

Even after all the hoopla of Christmas and New Years we found it necessary to bolt outta here and go to Nashville for Imaging USA which is the annual convention of Professional Photographers of America. Its always an inspiring and motivating experience. This year was overwelming though. Not sure if its the economy and photographers are looking for any and all ways to do business better or just the nature of the industry but it was mobbed. I have never seen so many people in one place before. Over 10,000 photographers attended. The trade show alone was something you had to take in small doses. Tate and I had a great time, learned alot, got very motivated and excited about our craft and came home with a few cute things. We purchased the outfit shown above, another one in pink and a couple of hats for boys. We are hoping to incorporate more clothes into our childrens portraits, its so awesomely creative to put a child in something like this and go to town. Thanks Claudia for bringing your sweet baby in. We had a great time!

2009-12-06T05:23:00.000-08:00

I AM IN SKIRT MAGAZINE!

This past summer I helped out at the Upstate Women's Show and had a booth for my biz. I met the wonderful ladies of Skirt Magazine who had a booth right across from me. We spoke about opportunities and advertising and being women. Later months after I find myself in their magazine. Its exciting! Take look at the link above to see my responses to all their questions, they only printed a few.

More photos to enjoy from my life as a photographer.............

http://greenville.skirt.com/skirt-247

Summer is here!

2009-06-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

Summer has arrived in South Carolina once again, it took a little longer this year than in past and its alot different in that we are getting rain this year and lot of it. I think God has the perfect plan, when there is a drought for several years he gives us rain for a whole year to catch up. Maybe he was busy somewhere else and didn't notice that we were dry and its not a desert here but he is definitely in control now. Everything is growing like crazy and our evenings are full of strong storms that drop alot of rain and then another lovely day begins and it starts all over again. Its really not bad, I kindof like it. Keeps the watering can out of my hand.

Its been a busy spring and the start of a busy summer, I hope it stays that way. I will post some new stuff from the past couple months for the heck of it.

The kids are out of school now and thinking about where I will be in Fall is just crazy. I don't know how I got to a place where I can have a sophomore and a 7th grader. My lfe seems to have moved along so quickly especially these past 5 years. Its summer, than school is back in, then its Christmas and New Years and Easter and Summer again......is it age? I don't know but I will continue to try to drink all the moments in and make the most of them all. Enjoy the photos!

Did America get it wrong again with the new Idol?

2009-05-21T12:49:00.000-07:00

So does the look on Kris's face sum it up or what? He is as shocked as the rest of us and look at Adam, just as gracious as always. I have to say I am once again a disappointed viewer. I spent the entire season glued to the tv on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings waiting to see Adam perform. I thought about when I first began watching Idol, I saw a little of the debotacle of Ruben Studdard and didn't go back til Taylor Hicks which in my mind was a huge disappointment. What is it about the American public that they can't seem to get this right? Don't get me wrong Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, David Cook all great choices but this was Season 8, so that means that out of 8 they only got it right 3 times, the rest of them.....no thanks. They are talented people in their own right but not American Idol's.

Now Adam Lambert, from the moment I saw him I couldn't believe he had not been discovered yet. Every week, week after week he showed up with the most dynamic performances. Not once did I think he could be beat and certainly not by Kris. Not even Kris thinks he desires this title, isn't that telling. What is it America? Why can't you get this right?

Adam I have no doubt you will be a fabulous superstar, your grace and humble presence will continue to astound us all. Nail polish or no nail polish...I, for one will be watching and buying whatever you do! American Idol, I'd like to say I am done I can't watch anymore, but I know that by the time the Winter rolls around and the idea of at the very least being entertained is my option, I will be there. Maybe the 9th season will be a charm!

Helping Mom's with Cameras

2009-03-12T05:12:00.000-07:00

Almost once a week I hear from someone with a camera asking for help in learning how to use it. Next week I will be giving a talk at the Mothers of Multiples meeting on the subject in an effort to help these Mom's demystify the situation. Not that I am a technical expert believe me when I say I am so NOT, but I did go to school for photography and I did once learn all about reciprocity, and how to mix chemicals in order to print my own black and whites, I know how to load medium format film onto a spool in complete darkness, I can probably still fumble my way through a shoot with a 4x5 camera, things I thought I was not capable of ever so I think I have something to share with these Mom's. Today in this digital age, more and more people are buying cameras, cameras that are close enough to the ones I use to make my living to scare me but they don't have any idea how to use them beyond automatic. This is something of a problem in my industry because in alot of ways it devalues what we do, if you can do it yourself why would you pay me to do it for you kind of thing. I don't worry too much about that because I know that when the day is done my vision and my eye in the camera is what will get me a job and keep me happily playing with babies but I know its something photographers think about alot.

If I had one piece of advice for these Mom's with cameras, it would be this, use your automatic setting, its there for a reason. Do you really want to know about depth of field and white balance and gray cards and the reason all those buttons are there? Leave that knowledge to the professionals and when time and money allows have them make the beautiful pieces of art that you will line your walls with. What is better than having art of your own beautiful family and children? The automatic setting is there because it works. With just a few additional pieces of info you can document the awesome moments you see every day and keep the memories alive. Every day is a new day with a baby and the blessings are in the moments you get to keep in your heart and your minds eye.

I look forward to my very first speaking engagement, hopefully nerves won't get the best of me. See you on the 19th ladies!

Bows and Babies

2009-03-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

I just had to post photos from this session, I had the best time photographing this baby she was only a couple weeks old and it was a free for all when she went to sleep we did everything with her. Enjoy as the snow leaves us and warm weather blesses us with it presence! Thanks Stephanie and Miss Ashley - your order will be here soon!

Global Warming - Really?

2009-03-02T12:10:00.000-08:00

Well I've never believed in the global warming scare but now that I am sitting on 5 inches of snow AND in South Carolina in March I am hoping that some of the rest of the world will get it and see that Al Gore is an idiot. Sorry but he is! Anyway, last night at about 4:00 PM what had been a very very rainy weekend turned into a snowy one, when the rain that had been pounding us for 3 days turned to snow. Soon it was alot of heavy snow and the forecast became 2-4 inches. Then at 8:00pm, the power went out and stayed out all night. We played some charades (or at least our version of it) and lights out (already out of course)at 9:00 something. I awoke at 4AM thinking it must be morning. Freezing as I stuck my nose out from under the covers. Back to sleep and awoke to Dan almost leaving for work at 6:45AM, still no power, he must have wanted a hot cup of coffee and heat BAD! After the kids got up and we realized we couldn't survive here for long out of the bed we headed over to Uncle Tate's for some joe and heat. Finally after we decided to come home and try to tough it out at 10:30AM it came back on just before 11:00AM. Thank you lord!!!!

So here is what snow looks like in the south. Tonite is supposed to be only 17 so who knows what tomorrow will bring but 65 and 70 degrees by weekend and then IT BETTER BE OVER! This has been the longest and coldest and grayest winter in the 5 years I have been here and maybe just maybe people will start to see that its not getting warmer by any means and then after that hopefully before we are all broke and all the small businesses have gone out of business, people will realize that the government is the PROBLEM NOT THE SOLUTION!

What's going on?

2009-02-20T13:49:00.000-08:00

Today was a day like alot of others, its Friday, my partial cleaning day, if I am not too busy with work I try to get some portion of my housework done so its not all left for the weekend. First my car almost didn't start this morning when i went out to the carpool run. Well it didn't but then it did eventually. This when my husband has been away on biz for the week. Possible battery issue hopefully it will hold til he returns. Then the gym and then down to work with bathrooms, floors etc. I had a client at 1:00 so finished up and ran to the baby shop that is close to see what cute bows or hats or ribbons i could get to photography little Mary in. I've been there before, we've talked about business etc. This time though as with every place I go that is a small business the economy and the state of our businesses always comes up. We are both worried, us two women who own businesses and rely on the spending of other women who husbands may face layoffs, who feel the need like us to tighten up the spending until something shows itself. We are all concerned I feel it. Some days, I feel it so strong and I am so afraid I have to get out of my own head and do something, anything that keeps me from reading news on the web, in the paper, or even listening to what others are saying.

I hope that soon the scare will be over, that with Spring a renewal will come for all of us. The people out here not the politicians, not the messer-upers of the world, just us the lowly people out here, trying to pay our bills, keep our businesses alive and keep our families safe, I pray for our spirit to renew and for us to move forward no matter what the "sources" are telling us. Stop the media from scaring everyone and let us all go back to our lives.

I put this photo here to remind me and all that life starts here and this is the innocence we all crave. Enjoy!

A need for a bright spot!

2009-02-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

Looking at this photo I remember specifically what it felt like standing there in the way too hot sun looking down at the beach and wondering if my freckled skin could take another day of sun. I remember the smell of the ocean and how happy that smell makes me, the taste of the salt water when I got hit by a wave. I remember how happy I was to be there.

Today with the cold weather, I need to think of this beach and think of better days.

Its been a hard week, one of those weeks when you get kicked in the teeth and still have to get up and continue. When you ask yourself what and why you are doing what you are doing, what's the point anyway?

Today I feel like there is no point, so i decide to take the day off from my work life and go in the kitchen and make something with my hands. Something everyone will approve of tonite when they all get home and not something anyone will judge, except to say "Mom, this is so good" and today that will have to be enough for me.

I ♥ Faces Kids Entry

2009-01-27T05:22:00.000-08:00

"Baby Joy" 2008

This is my first entry to the I ♥ Faces contest. I am still trying to figure this out so bear with me while i try to get this entered. Its for the kids contest expressing "Joy". Check them out at (http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/) to join the fun. You don't have to be a professional photographer to join in. They have both a kids category and an adults. Lets see how this goes!

Blogging Freeze!

2009-01-27T05:03:00.000-08:00

So i am not that great at blogging. Its been months since i was on here and as i've said before its hard to blog when you feel no one is listening. In the past couple weeks I have been learning about social media and its effect on your business. I truly do believe it in, after all it fits right in with relationship marketing which is even part of our tag line but there is so much to keep track of and add information to....facebook, myspace, web site, twitter and blog its almost ridiculous. But I have a client who told me about something that might breath life into my blog. Its "i heart faces" a photo sharing place with a contest for a face of the week. It appears that we have to link this all through our blog. So here is their link to check http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com. Stay tuned while i try to upload my entry today.

Red, Yellow, Green and Orange

2008-11-07T07:06:00.000-08:00

Can you believe these colors? I can't I feel like I am back up north, I have never seen it so beautiful here!

Shot this earlier this week, no place special, until you look at it like this!

What a gorgeous site!

Baby Feet!

2008-10-28T13:04:00.002-07:00

Baby Feet
by Edgar Guest

Tell me, what is half so sweet, as a baby's tiny feet, pink and dainty as can be, like a coral from the sea? Talk of jewels strung in rows, gaze upon those little toes, fairer than a diadem, with the mother kissing them!

This is truly one of my life's great treasures baby feet!

New Prop - New Baby

2008-10-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

It was a great week in the studio - couple new babies and a new prop to get the creative juices flowing. These sweeties were a pleasure to photograph, Luke loves his little sister and was probably the best two year old I've had the good fortune to photograph especially considering he just got a new sister in his life. This is just one of a bunch of great images we created. Thanks Eric and Julie, look forward to showing them to you this week.

Time sure does fly!

2008-10-10T06:49:00.000-07:00

Wow its been since September that I wrote here, time sure is flying by..........I guess its age but I feel like the Fall is just going so quickly. What have I been doing with my time I wonder? Its school season for us and though we don't have alot of schools we do have a couple and our biggest one right now is Langston Charter Middle School. Both my kids have gone there, my son is there right now. Its a single gender school environment with uniforms, he is in 6th grade now. So its a real pleasure to shoot middle school kids. The 6th graders are still babies and do whatever you ask them to. The 7th grader girls are starting to awaken to their style and fashion and hard they try to make themselves individuals even in uniform. some 7th grade boys are still immature and naive but alot of them are starting to get their attitudes on. The 8th grade boys on the other hand, forget about it, they are that and more. 8th grade girls a pleasure too, they just want to look good! Its an interesting thing to be around. We had to go back and reshoot some of them, 45 out of 300 to be exact because some didn't like their hair, their skin, their eyelashes and yes we got that one!

Art in the Park and a New Yorker visits

2008-09-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had company from New York here, Dan's sister Anita, she came for a brief visit, only Friday AM to Sunday AM but we had a great time. It was a beautiful weekend weather wise which is always a blessing when a New Yorker comes down, considering the perpetual gray sky they live with. LOVE LOVE New York don't get me wrong I will always be a New Yorker and damn proud of it but they do have the worst weather. Anyway she came and we enjoyed the sun and the company. Made a great dinner Friday night crab legs and ribs. Went to Zac's soccer game on Saturday, Farmers Market, lunch on the Reedy and more sun, followed by an awesome dinner at Bonefish, before we knew it we were taking her to the airport Sunday.

Gabi and I went to Art in the Park as I had to capture the event for the Journal. We both got some nice jewelry. Best of all we enjoyed the art together and some mother daughter time. Enjoy the images. You can probably see some in this weeks Journal too.

2008-09-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

Ok so I am a rock star photographer after all......LOL! These are images from the Edwin McCain concert at Euphoria here in Greenville, friday night. It was so much fun. He is an awesome performer and we all had a great time.

Concert Photographer?

2008-09-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

Ok so today I get a call from the Greenville Journal, I was supposed to casually photograph a couple of the events going on downtown this weekend, but today they tell me that one of them is going to be a lead story and they need me for two Euphoria events. One is the Edwin McCain concert tonite!!!!!! So while she is telling me the details I am thinking I can't do this, I've never photographed a concert and had press priveledges before. So right as I am about to say "i am busy" because I am basically scared to death, I hear myself say ok I can do it?????? Oh my god what am i thinking..............? so here I sit just before I leave to go be a photographer (that is what I am I am guessing) with media priveledges and if i feel like I gotta get up on that stage to do this job, by gosh I am going to do it!!!! Stay tuned, hopefully for some awesome shots!

What happened to my blog???

2008-09-12T05:50:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I have not put anything on this blog in so long. I have to believe its because I am feeling like no one is listening (as my 14 yr old daughter would say "ya think") so I am going to undertake a new and improved way of blogging. I receive blog emails every couple of days or so from this photographer, she sends an email to friends, relatives, clients etc, just with a couple lines from the blog and if you are interested you can click the link and go read more. So thats my new deal. If you receive an email from me you can either go and read the blog or ignore it but at least if you do visit you will see some interesting photography and maybe some funny stories about my life as a mother, photographer and parent. I am willing to give it a try at least.

So what have I been doing creatively lately? Let's see I had alot of fun with babies as usual here is a small sampling..................don't you just love the sock????

Oh yeah by the way if you don't care to see what I am up to...just email me back and say take me off please and i will gladly do that. If you like what you see and know of anyone who might enjoy my services feel free to forward it on. Word of mouth is the life line of my business. Thanks for listening.

So Much to Blog about!

2008-07-28T10:25:00.000-07:00

Well I am back from NY, with lots and lots of images and lots to talk about. Where to begin? First the picture taking begin with a reunion of sorts with some high school friends. We all met at The ValKin in Valatie, NY and had some fun at the Tiki Bar, great to see Johnny Yezzi, its been at least 20 years. Also Margaret and Debbie and Sam, thanks for coming guys it was fun. Enjoy the photos, stay tuned for another installment of my trip to come.

Maybe not so bad afterall........

2008-07-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

Well my boy came home this weekend, no worse for the wear and maybe just maybe he won't be dropping out of scouts and he might even go again next year. Seems that after all was said and done he wasn't left with such a bad feeling about it. I guess camp is that way for young kids, something you have to get thru the first time, get away from Mom and see what it is that she actually does for you and appreciate it all and then enjoy the independence that comes from being able to go away for short periods.

This week its off to New York, me and the kids, Dan will be home for one week and I will stay up North visiting friends and family for one week come home and leave the kids there to enjoy some time with cousins and family.

Will bring home some photos of hopefully good (probably more likely gray) weather and scenery from our home in upstate NY.

Stay tuned..........

Zachary goes to camp!

2008-07-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

Well I had every intention of having an entry here for my son Zac's first visit to boy scout camp and images of the great time he is having. Unfortunately the only photos I would have gotten were of him crying...................seems he is not loving the camp life all that much after all. After much questioning on my part about why I should leave him there miserable, I did come home empty handed giving him 2 more days and promising to send Dad up to spend the last night with him. So Dad left a little while ago for NC to be with our little boy and settle my stomach and heart.

I think a big meal and alot of kisses are in store for him when he gets home!

Babies Babies!

2008-07-11T12:49:00.000-07:00

Essence Arianna six months!

This is one the most adorable babies I have ever photographed, she's not big on smiles in front of the camera, I sure could eat her up!

Vacation in Myrtle Beach!

2008-07-06T13:36:00.001-07:00

We LOVE Myrtle Beach! I must say that in moving here from upstate New York, I thought of the idea of Myrtle to be similar to Lake George NY only with an ocean and that couldn't be further from the way it is. Yes I guess there are parts of it that resemble Lake George with all the tshirts and knick knacks but the beach is so awesome and all three hotels we stayed in were too.

This year our friends had extra time in a timeshare with Wyndam that they couldn't use so we hopped in as they left. Ocean Blvd is a beautiful property with great amentities. We had so much fun and relaxed so much. Then we moved to mid Myrtle to their Sea Watch property and loved that too. We've been to Hilton Head and I think Myrtle is way above Hilton Head and would go back again and again. Thanks Colkers!!!!

New Frames for Babies and Children!

2008-06-10T04:18:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to be partnering with Wild Sorbet frame company. These frames are perfect for babies and childrens rooms when decorating with portraiture as art. They come in so many colors, with dots and stripes and trims. It will be so much fun coordinating different colors together to enhance bedrooms and nurseries. Our sample corners are on their way to us and we have a great pink and black 10x30 coming for a series of baby faces. We'll post the finished images of the framed portrait here so come back to see it.

Elizabeth Frances Reed

2008-06-01T06:39:00.000-07:00

Love this photo of this sweet baby, Elizabeth Reed, is she saying "talk to the hand" or waving to the world or just a simple baby stretch. She was so sweet and easy to photograph, we had a great time. Good luck Dad, we are thinking of you while you await your results and best wishes Mom as you return to work.

Inaugural Class at Langston gets ready to graduate!

2008-05-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

Three short years ago, Langston Charter Middle School came into existence and my daughter, Gabi, was a 6th grader entering this brand new, teeny tiny school dedicated to teaching our children in an evironment that fosters learning in a single gender classroom. Next week she will leave Langston as the inaugural class, the first to ever go through all three years. Since the first day they opened Langston has increased its student body by 100% now housing 211 students, next year it will grown by another 120, its moved to a bigger location and has seen alot of new staff, new ideas and growth.

We salute the class of 2008 and wish you all the best wherever your high school years take you. Go be the leaders Langston has taught you to be!

Asheville with friends!

2008-05-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

Our good friends from New York came to visit this week, we went to Asheville with them and stayed at a b&b. Great food, good friends and lots of laughs. Couple photos from dinner and then Wild Wings to hang with Stone Cold Fox! Love that band.

Supper Swap Girls Photo Shoot!

2008-05-21T05:29:00.000-07:00

Check it out some photos from our food shoot for the Supper Swap Girls, they are writing a cookbook and we all worked together for the past couple days shooting the images for the book.

Here Stephanie watched Kim making the perfect chicken corncake. Can I tell you that is some of the best food I have ever eaten, chicken and corn in a cake............YUM!

Now they place the blueberry salsa just so on the Mahi Mahi.

Everyone is in on it now! Check out the actual photos coming soon on our site www.relatedimagesphoto.com and check out the Supper Sway Girl in the Greenville News and look for their cookbook coming in the Fall!

Thanks ladies, it was a blast and we sure did eat GOOD!

Bootcamp comes to an end!

2008-04-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

Well its the 6th week of bootcamp and I've grown stronger and leaner (i think). Am now running 4 miles at a time and have begun the neverending battle to build the core. Thursday is our post testing day which will tell me how much of what I lost in this endeavor. I truly hope its good news. Its been a awe inspiring experience and I still haven't decided if I will return for another six weeks. The teamwork and camaraderie is the greatest gift I have gained here. If I don't come back I will miss everyone including our drill sergeants, Gunnar and Martin. Hoo Rah!

Starting Boudoir Photography!

2008-04-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

Today I shot my first boudoir, my friend and neighbor and body builder was kind enough to come in and help me by posing so I could work on the details of shooting this kind of photography. It was awesome! She of course did wonderful she is so beautiful and so fit. You can check out her site http://www.marieannnewman.com/ if you want to hear about her shows and her training. We will have some more photos of her coming up on our web site...relatedimagesphoto.com soon, they may or may not be password protected so shoot us an email if its says you need a password to view. Looking forward to photographing many more women and still looking for models. Free sessions on all boudoir until 6/30/08!

Bootcamp - who-rah!

2008-03-04T11:20:00.000-08:00

And so it begins, today was the first day of bootcamp. Max Motivation, http://gobootcamp.com/ heads up this class that is meeting at 5:15 AM, yes AM, Tuesdays and Thursday morning to get fit and strengthen our minds the way the Marines do. I am so excited to start this challenge. I have been running off and on now for the better part of 7 years and every year run into a Winter road block, too cold to be out (did it for a long time this year just can't take it anymore) or too bored. I always run alone mostly because I don't have any one crazy enough to get up and go when I go, very early and because I am not good with waiting on other people. This is organized fitness focused on motivation and team work. I am just so thrilled. Today was easy, lots of measuring, body fat count, weight, goal setting etc. Some push ups and sit ups and a timed one mile run. Thursday will be the real deal. Stay tuned to see how it feels to be a Marine and see how far I can go!!!!!!!!!!!

Boudoir Photography

2008-02-26T13:21:00.000-08:00

I have recently been thinking alot about what I want to do when I grow up. I know its photography, almost always has been but what really excites me. I love the maternity and babies, I would never want to stop making them but I think I'd like to try my hand a boudoir photography. Very tasteful, very sexy imagery that a real woman, someone who is not a size 0 can appreciate. So with that being said I am looking for subjects, if you are or know anyone interested in doing this have them contact me directly. It will be painless and fun I promise and you will be surprised!

The Sickness Hit Our House!

2008-02-26T13:18:00.000-08:00

Well I had hoped it would miss us but the boy got the bug this past weekend. So we were all in the house on Sunday, couldn't go do anything so we entertained ourselves. Gabi worked and finished a paint by numbers and the sick one, Zac with Spongebob worked on a velvet poster. Mom and Dad, well drank wine and Dad worked on a puzzle and Mom cooked all day. Now we can only hope to miss the actual flu! Come on Spring!!!

Elegant Wedding Showcase Booth

2008-02-18T06:50:00.001-08:00

Here is our booth from the bridal show we did yesterday! We had a great time meeting everyone and networking with new vendors!

Uncle Tate's Birthday Party!

2008-02-10T05:55:00.000-08:00

This is our family at least the ones that are in the South. Went out to dinner at Campobello's for Tate's birthday. Great food, really really enjoyed my veal saltimbocca! Good restaurant if you've never been, I recommend but don't forget to bring your wine, they don't have their license yet but you can bring your own.

Happy Birthday bro! Just missing one! Boo Hoo, Bill!

Langston Girls!

2008-02-07T06:48:00.000-08:00

Last week we photographed the Langston Charter Middle School kids for Spring Pics, kindof a model shoot, my daughter is on the left. Its was "who gonna be American's next top model"....great fun for them.

Gabby turns 2!

2008-02-06T05:21:00.000-08:00

How quickly they grow! Seems like just yesterday I photographed Gabby's 1st birthday and now she is two! And what a difference - she warmed up and we had a great time. Created this composite for Mom to check out - What do you think Mom????

Hooray for the Giants!!!!!

2008-02-04T07:41:00.000-08:00

My boys after the big win Sunday night. This is the first year my son Zac has had any interest in the Super Bowl and let me tell you he is die hard. His father has always been a Giants fan and he has created a monster in this boy. He just loves football! There was so much screaming that my daughter and I had to close ourselves in the bonus room to hear our movie. Happy for them but "Pretty Woman" was a way more exciting watch for us! Go Giants!

New Look New Web Site New Blog!

2008-01-27T07:02:00.000-08:00

Ok so new year...time to shake things up and in our never ending search for indentity we've come up with a new logo to match our new web site. Along with that we are trying out a new blog. The old blog was about the studio and what the studio was doing at any given time, this blog is more about life, life as a photographer, life as a mother, life in general so stay tuned who know where its going to go. But we are excited about the prospects of 2008 and what it holds for all of us, so what better way to start it off then with a new look!