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.

Traditions--some like it wierd.

We have a fun, yet slightly odd, tradition in my family at Christmas. It's so much fun that people from outside of our family have taken time to join us on Christmas afternoon in order to participate. It costs nothing, yet everyone goes home with a gift.

What is this, you ask? Well....it's Yard Sale Christmas. The game is played a little like Dirty Santa with one major difference. You're not allowed to buy a gift. You must "go shopping" within your own house for some item you would put in a yard sale. Anything goes, and boy, do I mean anything.

Some real doozies that have never been forgotten include a lovely wagon wheel chandelier that came with my sisters new house. Oh, did I forget to mention that one of the rules is that you must remove your gift from the hostesses house upon your departure? Another memorable "gift" was a retainer, yep, the kind you wear on your teeth. It returned year after year wearing a new disguise each year. My personal favorite was the time someone painted it gold, and hung it from a red ribbon to create a unique tree ornament. ;-)

There was the box that contained tightly packed clothes from a recently cleaned out closet, and let's not forget the chalk parrot statue, that one made it back for several repeat performances.

Wonder what we'll have this year? Good times.

Now, I gotta go do a little "shopping," see ya'll later!

Fallin' in Love: Wedding Photos from the Mountains

This was a new twist on wedding day photography for me, and a LOT of fun! David and Kacey had a small chapel wedding in Blowing Rock, NC. Most of the time I'm hired to start photographing before the ceremony starts. This time was different, their chapel provided a photographer for the ceremony.

But this family ought to win a "Fan of the Year Award" because they wanted something more creative and fun to celebrate the day. I arrived at the end of their reception, and I'll admit that felt kinda odd, you know, like I was late. I had a bad dream one night kinda like that, but that's another story. Then we headed out for a real adventure as we spent a few hours be-bopping around and taking photos of them.

We found a beautiful abandoned barn, a little covered bridge, and lots of surrounding areas where the trees were just awesome. Beautiful people, beautiful place, beautiful day--can't ask for more than that. Well....a little warmer weather would have been lovely, but we managed.

Welcome to the family, Brooklyn

Ok, I'm gonna sound like a grandma, but honest, I'm her auntie. Miss Brooklyn is just the cutest thing, don't you think? These are some quick photos taken at my brothers house a couple of weeks ago when I got to meet her for the first time.

It's been a while since we added a little girl to the family tree, that puts the count up to 7 nephews and 3 nieces (plus a goddaughter and two godsons, don't forget them.) Gonna be fun buying some little girl stuff for Christmas-woo-hoo!

Taste of the Town - Hospice Fundraiser

Headin' out to enjoy the Taste of the Town event at Showplace in High Point. Great food, huge silent auction (I've donated a $400 gift certificate) and beautiful surroundings. This is a wonderful fundraiser for Hospice, and they provide such a compassionate service to families in their greatest need. I'm honored to help them out!

Lilly's Pearls

This is a photo taken during a 4 generation session--4 beautiful women, 1 beautiful family. Lilly and Mom live in Chicago and came home to Thomasville to surprise Grandma and Great-Grandma for Mother's Day. While they were together was the perfect time to create a new family heirloom.

The pearls in the back belong to Great-Grandma, the baby bracelet is Lilly's, and the pearls in her hand are Grandma's but were worn during the session by Mommy. I can envision that someday she'll be photographed in her wedding gown with these same pearls.

I'll get there, really.

Just wanted to let you know, I'm aware I skipped a few days on my Photo of the Day project. I actually do have photos for those, I just haven't gotten around to processing and posting them. I'm headed to PPNC convention for a few days, and I promise I'll get you more photos to enjoy when I'm back. Have a great weekend!

February 26, 2010 Photo of the Day - Zucchini

Another trip to the grocery store today. Do you know how many cool shots can be created in the produce section of your local store? I’m sure this will not be the last shot in our year long adventure in photography. Anyone wanna bake some bread?

February 25, 2010 Photo of the Day - Windblown

The wind was whipping the wood right off this workshop door today, I loved the textures. I wish you could have seen these strips dancing in the wind, it was beautiful.

February 24, 2010 Photo of the Day - Hot Now

OK, if ya aint from ‘round here, this is the siren call of dedicated donut lovers in my part of the world. Krispy Kreme makes the most wonderful doughnuts ever, and the only thing better is if you can get them still hot. They turn the neon sign on when they have fresh hot ooey gooey sugary sweet delicious doughnuts waiting for me to come get them. Gotta go…

February 23, 2010 Photo of the Day - Paintbrushes

Girly paintbrushes, that is. I know you guys wont understand this, but for us girls it's a small thrill to get a new set of makeup brushes. Maybe kinda like a new set of screwdrivers when you already have a set...???

February 19, 2010 - Photo of the Day - Ready for Work

I see them every day. Sometimes I even trip over them. Today I saw the rugged beauty in them. My husband's work boots.

February 18, 2010 - Photo of the Day - Measuring Up

I used to sew a lot, and as I went in search of my photo of the day, I found my tape measure. Texture, color, shape-everything was there. I never know what is going to inspire my photo each day-that's part of the adventure. It's photographed on my dining room table, an antique I inherited from my mother.

February 17, 2010 - Photo of the Day - Guitar

My husband Randy has a guitar collection. Don't bother asking me how many, I have no idea. I can't play them, but I can admire the craftsmanship. I can tell you they take up a lot more space than a thimble collection, or even a camera collection. ;-D They're also a lot prettier than thimbles or cameras. I'd say the odds are strong that you'll see more guitar photos as Photo's of the Day throughout the rest of this year.

This one was custom made for Don Ivey, our friend who used to own Ivey Music. It features abalone inlay and a quilted maple top.

February 16, 2010 - Photo of the Day - Spring IS coming!

I was just about to give up hope of Spring returning to my world. Seems like I've been cold for years. Then I spotted these daffodil sprouts, and my heart rejoiced! I always think of daffodils as the most cheerful flower I've ever seen, and I'm fascinated by the shape and intricate construction of them. Let the warming trend commence!

February 11, 2010 - Photo of the Day - Keeping Us Safe

Today's pic is a little thank you to the Boys in Blue who spend their days and nights making our communities better places to be. I took a few hours and did a ride along with an Archdale Police Officer last year, and it was an experience I will never forget. Thanks, officer Coats, and to all your comrades as well.

February 15, 2010 - Photo of the Day - Homestead

When I stumble upon a scene like this, I wonder at the stories that are part of the creation of such a place. There must be hundreds of untold stories that either start or end here at this exact place. I find myself trying to imagine what this spot looked like 100 years ago, what it took to complete this unique and beautiful farm house, how many children and cats have played in these barns?


I'm guessing that this old farm has been around for decades, it certainly shows the signs that a family has loved and cared for it. Unfortunately, this is one of those times when a photo just doesn't do it justice.

February 14, 2010 - Photo of the Day - Showin' Off

This beautiful goose looks like he's showin' off for the ladies on Valentine's Day, or maybe crooning out a love song. I can't imagine what it would feel like to go swimming on a day this cold, so I was impressed already.

February 13, 2010 - Photo of the Day - Snow God

Only a man of steel could stand unflinching in the weather we had Saturday while scantily clad. Or perhaps he's the god of Snow? If so, I hope he's been appeased now, and willing to let us enjoy some time with the goddess of Spring.