What I Did this Summer

Well, I don't have a written down Bucket List, but there's a whole bunch of stuff in my head that I hope to do and experience before I die. I want to ride in a hot air balloon, travel to Amish Country, take my hubby to Four Corners, USA, see the Grand Canyon, eat super fudge chocolate cake and coconut cream pie until I pass out...stuff like that. This summer I was able to fulfil one of those wishes. Ziplining. It was pretty intimidating at first, signing a bunch of waivers, being harnessed up, safety lessons, and of course the sheer terror of jumping off a tall structure praying that a glorified clothes line will hold you up (at my size no less! - see the cake note above) .

Thankfully I have a friend who also had this desire, and we challenged each other to go through with it. We're both named Rhonda, maybe that accounts for our joint lack of good sense. Good for both of us that the first person in our group to fling themselves into the air was a 6 year old child--she was fearless! Us, not so much. ;-) But WE DID IT!

Gone Fishin'

I'm having so much fun photographing our "Gone Fishin'" Limited Edition event! I had a little guy this morning who just kept me laughing, I'd take a couple of photos, and then he would hop off to another spot. I finally decided he was a rabbit, but a sweet one.

If you missed out on this weeks sessions, we have some times open for next Thursday as early as 8:00AM or as late as 7:30PM. You don't want to miss this!

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Celebrate with me...

I just competed the last of the requirements to earn my Photographic Craftsman degree from the Professional Photographers of America. Special thanks to the folks at the Professional Imaging Group of Eastern North Carolina who had me speak for them in New Bern a couple of weeks ago, earning me the final "merit" in my journey. Woo-hoo!

I'll officially gain my new title and more alphabet soup to go behind my name next Spring. If you're having trouble knowing what title to use for me, I'll happily answer to either "Majesty" or "Hey You!"
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Photographic Craftsman, (Cr. Photog.) = One of the highest recognitions for speaking, writing, or mentoring on photography; positions the photographer as an authority in the industry. -Awarded in recognition of service to the profession as an orator, author, or mentor.

He's so sweeeet!

Nothing like a newborn baby to make you understand just how common miracles are. Little Gavin was so much fun to photograph, and this was hands down (some pun intended) my favorite image from the session. His mommy and daddy supplied the antique Coke box, and it was the perfect prop.

In case you don't already know, it does take a little fairy dust to get a pixie sized sleepy-head in this position for a photo. But not much. ;-)

And Baby Makes Three

Ok, you all know I love babies. The cutest thing other than a baby (or a mamma with a baby bump) is those itsy bitsy shoes. I don’t like to put them on the itsy bitsy feet, because those little toes are too cute to cover up, but I DO like the shoes. Cuteness!

This is one of my faves from a recent maternity session. Daddy loves sneakers, can ya tell?

For more, see my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MemoryLanePortraits

Some Things Are Free

We hear it a lot, the old saying that goes "Nothing in Life is Free." I've said it plenty of times, haven't you? Well, I got reminded this weekend that sometimes that's not true.

I find myself doing a good bit of volunteer work with organizations that I believe in, and I'll be the first to say that some of it benefits my business. I'm not ashamed of that in the least, particularly since owning my business is what allows me the flexibility to volunteer as much as I do. But many of the things I give my time and energy to have nothing to do with bringing business in the door.

Every year I join a group of other volunteers and photograph "prom" pictures for a group of special needs folks at their annual "No Limits Formal Dance" in Winston-Salem. The attendees come from all over the triad, and they truly have a night to remember. I was told they had about 900 in attendance this year.

So on Friday night, we set up four photography stations, using volunteer photographers, assistants, and check-in staff. The equipment was donated for the night. Some wonderful folks worked for weeks making corsages and boutonnieres to give to the attendees. There were literally hundreds of neckties and bow ties available for the guys--again, free of charge. I don't even know all the other things that were donated to help make this a very special night.

What I do know is this, my co-volunteers and I did it for free. I had a great time, I enjoyed seeing everyone all dressed up and enjoying the evening, I got a lot of hugs and smiles, and I was reminded how blessed I am with my health. So maybe it wasn't free after all, looks like I got paid pretty well.

What a Cutie-Pie!

I introduced you to the youngest member of my family a few months ago, Baby Brooklyn. She's now six months old, and full of personality.

I photographed her for her "Baby Detail's" panel while we were in Virginia for the Easter holidays. We got some great shots while she showed off her wiggling skills, ha-ha. She's as sweet as she is cute, and those chunky little legs are just adorable! Do you see all that hair? At this rate she'll have braided pigtails for her one year portraits.

For this session I used my sisters french door as a soft box light, and used a large footstool that I covered with black fabric to put Brooklyn on. In case you're wondering, yes, most babies do leak when they're naked for more than two minutes. Yes, she was, and yes, she did. Nope, I put plastic down under the black fabric 'cause I knew that would happen and I didn't want my sister upset with me. ;-)

Wanna Pretend to be a Model?

Seems like I'm always getting some new idea that I want to try. Sometimes it's because I got inspired by a seminar or magazine article, or maybe I bought a new prop or backdrop, or sometimes it's just because I got some out-of-the-blue-hair-brained idea that I want to try. Or maybe I'm working on an idea for a painting or fine art photograph.

Now, I'm a portrait photographer all the way down into my heart. If I'm going to play with a new idea, it almost always involves having someone in the photograph.

So what do I do? Often I pull up my "Little Black Book" of people who are interested in being my models and call someone to offer a free session and a copy of my favorite image when we're done. Kinda like planning a play date. (By the way, that's also where I look first when a commercial client needs someone included in their shot with their product.)

Well--here's the problem. It's been two years since I updated my "Little Black Book" for models, and that's waaaay too long. I've got several ideas percolating, and it's just plain time to update things.

If you're interested, here's the plan. Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 from 10am to 5pm we're having an open casting call. No appointments, just pop in whenever you can. There will be a couple of forms to fill out and an model release to sign (must be 18 or signed by parent or legal guardian) and we'll do a quickie head shot for our book. That's all there is to it.

No need to dress up, no pressure. After you get called for a full-fledged session that's when we'll get all gussied up and stuff. Of course, there's no guarantee that you'll get a call to come, but if you don't get into the book it's a pretty sure bet you wont. If you REALLY want to be part of this, but you have to be outta town that day, call us and we'll fit you in some other time.

FYI: I might submit a favorite image to a background or prop manufacturer, and they could end up using it in their next catalogue or on their website. That would be super cool!

Models Needed for Projects I'm Working on Now:

Newborns 1-10 days old for new crochet snuggies, slings. (Expectant mom's can register their babies for our book with just a due date and a model release)

Babies 1-3 months old for new crochet baby hats and toboggans I'm making.

One through seven year old girls to show off our NEW COLLECTION of the cutest tutu's from Peach Tea Couture. They're adorable, and I have the entire collection, so I need a bunch of adorable girlies to come play dress up with me.

Families to pose for sample shots for marketing materials for our new division that offers Church Directory photography.

Princesses, fairies, or little boys who love frogs to be photographed in our castle arch outside. Our fab faux painter has painted us a wall to go behind the arch, and the vines are finally starting to grow up it a little, so it's ready!!!

High School Juniors from all the Triad High Schools: Trinity, Wheatmore, Randleman, Central High Point, East Davidson, Southwest Guilford etc. We're looking for Senior Spokesmodels for next years senior portraits. If you're part of the Class of 2012 and wanna earn some cash--we need to talk!

Teens with hip urban style, or toddlers with farm themed outfits for a new set we're getting ready to install. It's made of aged tin from an old barn roof. Rhonda risked life, limb, and husband to get that stuff, it's gonna be a really cool backdrop.

Expectant mom's with a sense of adventure. I wanna play with some ideas for maternity portraits that are different. ;-)

Pets of all kinds, housebroken, well loved. Working on a display and updating website photos.

Hats off to Plumbers!

The last 24 hours have renewed my respect for plumbers. Why, you ask? Well, I'll tell you.

We've noticed an odd smell in the water at the studio for a while now. It didn't smell bad all the time, but when it did the scent was getting stronger. Kinda a rotten egg smell mixed with home-perm ammonia. Sounds lovely doesn't it? Finally we figured out that it was somehow only associated with the hot water.

Yesterday our landlord's plumber came and got our problem fixed, yea! He was polite, thoughtful, explained things, did what he said he would do, and made it a pleasant experience all the way around. We're happy, yes, very happy.

But that's not the only reason I'm so filled with awe and respect for plumbers today. Nope, not at all. This morning I must have had an attack of stupidity, and took it upon myself to repair our leaky toilet at home. It started leaking last week, and we bought the parts, but my talented hubby has been working on other "Honey Do" projects and hadn't gotten to this one yet.

I was anxious to have it done, as I don't like either trekking to the other end of the house to use the guest bathroom or trying to remember to turn the water on and off for each flush. The kit came with instructions, and I figured it was probably a 15 minute job. Right? Wrong! I also figured my honey would be filled with awe when he found out what I had done. Ha, ha. Maybe, but only if I don't tell him the entire story.

My 15 minute project took an hour and a half. I won't bore you with all the details, but I will tell you that I have now had two bonus showers, and the bathroom walls are much cleaner than they were yesterday. So is the bottom of the towel cabinet over the toilet. FYI, if you've never tried this at home, you might be surprised to know that the water that fills a toilet in wintertime is very doggone cold.

I'm really happy to be at work now. I'm a pretty good photographer and artist, but it takes a special kind of talent to be a plumber. Keepin' my day job. Yep. Definitely!