Bestest Buddies

Every little boy needs a dog during his childhood, don't you think? It's the perfect friend, one who will love you, protect you, teach you how to stick your tongue out. Yep, the perfect friend.

If you've been around me much, you already know how much I love photographing babies. And you might know that as far as I'm concerned dogs are just children with four legs, and of course they are always welcome here at the studio. But even at that, I'll have to admit, when we got ready to for this part of the session, I wasn't sure how it was going to go.

You see, Cora's an active dog, and a big active dog at that. I had no idea how she was going to act when we put little Alfred up next to her. Well, she showed me a thing or two. She was amazing! Completely docile and sweet. What a great pup. Looks like the start of a great friendship.

Photo of the Day - July 31, 2010 - Mast General Store

The beautiful Mast General Store in Valle Crucis-built in 1883, and still in operation today. If you haven't been, you outta. They're bound to have something you need.

Photo of the Day - July 30, 2010 - Watch Your Step

Sometimes you just have to laugh. The carefully painted words on this flight of stairs warns "Watch your step, it hurts to get hurt." Just too funny!

Photo of the Day - July 29, 2010 - Let's Go For a Ride

Back to the bike shop--summertime and bikes just go together.

Photo of the Day - July 28, 2010 - Window Shopping

If you live in High Point, you're gonna recognize this. It's is the front window of Bicycle Toy and Hobby on Main St. at night. I always love driving by there at night and seeing all the bikes on display. And I don't even ride!

I took a little creative liberty with the colors--to add a little drama. http://www.bicycletoyandhobby.com/

Photo of the Day - July 26, 2010 - Magnolia Part 2

Here's the second photo in our 3 part series of close ups of a magnolia. This is the stamen (I think that's the right term, if you're a botanist or just someone who knows, feel free to correct me.) Anyhow, it's the doohickey in the center of the flower. And yes, I'm pretty sure that's how you spell doohickey because believe it or not it was in my spell check. And yes, I'm aware that starting my sentences with phrases like "anyhow" and "and yes" is driving you English majors nuts. But honestly, it's how I talk, and this aint an essay so I'm gonna have fun with it. Try to pretend I'm speaking with bad grammar instead of writing with it, maybe that will ease the pain. ;-)

Back to my flower photo. Sorry for the rabbit trail. The centerpiece doohickey reminds me of wild mushrooms we used to gather in the woods when I was a kid. I'm guessing you can't eat the magnolias, but they sure are pretty and full of textures.

Photo of the Day - July 27, 2010 - Magnolia Part 3

This is the third and last in the magnolia series. This petal had caught dozens of the little seeds in it's bowl, and it was just beautiful to me. I love the creamy softness of the petal against the rough but delicate texture of the seeds. I can imagine a summer storm coming through and either blowing them away or filling the petal with rainwater until they float and eventually weigh down the petal until they trickle to the ground.

Photo of the Day - July 25, 2010 - Magnolia Part 1

I've always loved Magnolia blooms for their beauty, but had never looked at them closely. For the next 3 days I want to share some close up images with you, starting with this flower bud. It looks like some poisonous thistle should be birthed with all those spikes. Nature never ceases to fascinate me!

Photo of the Day - July 25 - Feelin' the Heat

If you look, there's beauty in everyday things. This lovely fan is part of the vent work on the top of my air conditioning unit. Now that I think about it, having air conditioning is beautiful even if you're not looking at it with an eye for art. ;-) One of the many things to be grateful for in my life.

Photo of the Day - July 23, 2010- Hidden Beauty

This is what was left after my Irises faded and fell off a while back. They're delicate and stunning when you slow down to look at them. Makes me wonder what else I'm missing out on, you know what I mean?

Feelin' right at home.

My sisters and I were in Knoxville, Tennessee recently, and we found a great little place in the downtown area to have lunch. I knew it was going to be good when we walked in and the hostess had a basket of green beans she was stringing in between taking care of customers. Can't say I've ever seen that before, but it was very welcoming.

You know me, I just had to get a photo. She didn't want me to show her face, but was gracious enough to let me take this pic to share. Hello, Knoxville! You've got a great town there--wish we'd had more time.

Photo of the Day - April 29, 2010 - Faces of Hickory

April 29th I took a little trip to Hickory to speak for a group of Pro. Photographers. We had a great time, and I got not one but TWO Photos of the Day. Thanks Rosemary, for being my model through the textured glass, and I couldn't resist the cool face on the front of the building across from where we met--isn't he cool!?

Photo of the Day - April 28, 2010 - Birds of a Feather

Wow, what a difference a few days makes! These little baby robins were naked, ugly, and tiny just one week ago. (See the Photo of the Day for April 21st) and now they can barely fit in the nest and are beautiful with their feathers. I know it's not the best photo, but Mamma Robin hid her nest pretty well in the holly bush, and I'm not a big fan of pain.

Photo of the Day - April 27, 2010 - Stairway to Higher Learning

High Point Library staircase. It's got beautiful lines and curves, and just interesting shapes overall. the entire library is like an oversized sculpture on Main St.

Photo of the Day - April 25, 2010 - Backyard Beauties

These sweet tiny little flowers popped up in my backyard. I don't know what they are, but I hope Randy doesn't mow them until they're through blooming.

Photo of the Day - April 20, 2010 - Zebra Pumps

My friend Brittany is going to the prom, and she going to be drop dead gorgeous in her fab-u-less jungle themed gown. Seriously, I know that sounds pretty far out there, but it looks great. (Of course, she's always gorgeous no matter what she wears.) These are the pumps that go with her dress--I think they're super cool!

Photo of the Day --March 30, 2010 - Peach Blossoms

I was photographing the Bartlett Pears in bloom at the Archdale Public Library (one of my favoritest places) and noticed this puddle of water in the parking lot with upside-down blossoms floating along like polka dots. It was much more inter sting than the other photos I had already taken.

Photo of the Day --April 1, 2010 – Wild Violet

Seeing these little wildflowers always take me back to my childhood. The dark purple variety grew in the field near the stream close to our house, and I would pick dozens of them to make a small boquet to give Mom. When I discovered clusters of these blooming in my back yard, I was thrilled. This one's for you Mom...wish you where here.

Photo of the Day --April 21, 2010 – Cheep, cheep

I found a robins nest in the shrubs in front of the studio today. Three little hatchlings, and one egg. They're really very ugly when they're this new--all bald and scrawny looking. So ugly they're kinda cute. I thought it was pretty funny that the three of them had their heads buried in the center, as if they're trying to listen for chicky number four to talk to them through the eggshell.

Photo of the Day --April 7th & 8th 2010

April 7th -- Wisteria blooming in the studio garden.




April 8th--the bolt that gave me a flat tire on my birthday. ;-)