Family Fun

Check out this beautiful family! I met Kelly about 4 years ago when Hope was a baby, and we've had a lot of fun together. Now Avery is a young man, Hope is a big girl, and we have Austin to bring up the rear as the baby of the family. He's a year old now. I tried to tell Kelly that it was time to talk to Brian about trying for #4, but she yelled at me. Oh well. I tried.

One of the best parts of my profession is getting to watch families as they grow and change. It's a real mix of emotions, so much fun to see the way kids grow and become such unique little people, but kinda sad as they grow out of their babyhood. Plus as they get older, I recognize that they're not the only ones having birthdays. But we don't need to focus on that.

You'll be seeing more of Austin as we get the new web site going. We have a really adorable shot of him a few months ago that will have to go on the site! And no, I don't really know when that will be--too many irons in the fire around here. Maybe before the end of the year.

Something Different--Raquet Girls

I had a chance to do something different the other day, a model shoot. Just so you know, it was pretty strange to photograph someone and then hand them a check for coming, that's just not the way we usually do things around here. That's not to say I don't photograph models from time to time, I do. But they're usually hiring me, not the other way around.

This fun session was for a new company out of Georgia called Raquet Girls. So it was their check I gave the model, that made it easier. They are launching a line of tennis clothing for tweenagers, and they have some very cool items. Nothing I would wear, mind you, but then I'm not a tweenager. They are building the web site now, and if you want to check them out go to http://www.raquetgirls.com/.

The owner/designer was once a professional photographer, and I was flattered to say the least when she called wanting to hire me. She had tried to find someone in Georgia, or in the area of Florida closest to her, but wasn't happy with anything she saw.

Our lovely model is Miss Taylor Ann, and she isn't only lovely, she's sweet and talented. She is an accomplished harpist. The newest sample portrait here at the studio is of her playing the harp. We're planning a little Open House for the studio in mid-January (after the holiday season calms down) and she'll be here with her harp to enchant us. You should come! More on that later.

And no, that's not twins. It's the magic of Photoshop. Thanks, Raquet Girls, and Taylor Anne-that was fun!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Rhonda

Old Salem

My hubby and I recently took a “mental health day” and went to Old Salem. We’ve been there a number of times, and I’ve been on the tour a couple of times with my nieces, but it was the first time he’s had the actual tour. The weather was perfect, and we had a wonderful day!

I’m the camera nerd who is taking abstract photos of little details. Randy on the other hand is the mechanical and carpentry inclined type who is analyzing how the fasteners work on the authentic shutters, and enjoying the craftsmanship and joinery. He really enjoyed the metal shop, since he used to work as a machinist. We are both people lovers, each in our own ways…him in a quieter way than mine, (just keep those remarks to yourself please) so we loved talking to the guides in their period costumes.

One area I had not seen before was the 1875 Photograph Gallery (can you say studio). There was a wonderful quote in that exhibit: “Those who are comely will of course get a handsome picture, and even those who are particularly hard-featured, need not stand back, as the instruments are warranted not to crack. (Lineback’s New Photograph Gallery, People’s Press, February 26, 1869)” Perhaps I need to add a warranty like this to my work??

I had the chance to see something I had only read about, the tool used to hold peoples heads still for their portraits. Back in “the day” an exposure took several minutes, not the milliseconds it does today, and you had to be perfectly still to avoid blurring the photo. That’s why you don’t see anyone smiling in an antique portrait, nobody could hold a smile steady long enough..they looked stiff because they were stiff. Hummm…wonder if one of those tools would work on two year olds…just a thought.

If your family hasn’t been, or hasn’t been in a while, try to find time to go for a visit at Old Salem. http://www.oldsalem.org/ Seems like we’ve been going non-stop for a good while, so it was a real treat to take a day to ourselves. And yes, we did visit the bakery. Yum.

I’m kinda, sorta, halfway working on a line of fine-art photos, you know, in my spare time, ha ha. Several of the images from our outing will become part of that series. The photos here are a bit of a sneak peak for you. Enjoy!

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