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.

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???

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!

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!

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?

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

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!