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. ;-)

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!

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 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.

Video - Photos from a class I taught for PPNC.

I just have to share this little video. A few weeks ago I taught a class for the Professional Photographers of North Carolina about the use of fabrics in portraiture. These two beautiful young ladies, Brittany and Rachel, were our models for a little part of the day, and they were awesome! I photographed Brittany, the blonde, a while back for her senior portraits. With beautiful faces like these, how can you go wrong? My students were half from around Charlotte, and half from Virginia, and we had such a good time.I made some great new friends, and can't wait to see them at convention in a couple of weeks.