We Have Babies!

Look, look, we have baby birds! They are just outside our front door in a planter (now a truely dying plant, because it hasn't been watered in a while) on the wall. They are Carolina Wren's.

From what we can see----and it's very dark inside that nest----there are 3. Yesterday, it was hot and since they are getting bigger, they came just outside the opening to lay in the planter. We placed a blanket on the concrete ground, just incase a falling accident occurs. The mom and dad spend a lot of time fluttering back and forth with food. It's funny to see the flight pattern they have worked out: they fly in from the back of the nest and always leave going through the honeysuckle vine. How blessed we are they are sharing their family with us!!

Free Wall Portrait

It soooooooooooooo easy! Send us 4 people who hold a Lifestyle Session and you get a free session and wall portrait! Just 4, only 4, now is that too much to ask?!

Retouching: Photographer Exposed!

Ok, here it goes----I am going to show you, me-----EXPOSED! Real life, real time. I don't like taking pictures of me----I love taking pictures of other people! So, when you don't want your picture taken, believe me, I truely understand!

First, I wanted to give my mom a picture of me for Mother's Day (now this is a REALLY BIG surprise because, well, as adults, we never do this for our moms!)!

So, I knew 2 things: #1, I wanted to shoot down on myself to alleviate double chin and lengthen my neck and face to give a more slender look (from outer space would have been my first preference but that is a little extreme). #2, I wanted it to be black and white so that flaws such as wrinkles, age spots, acne, discolorations in skin tone or other forgeign bodies who have deposited themselves on me in the past few years would be less noticable.

Oh, I guess I did know another thing-----the studio is a wreck so I would take it in my living room, camera on the tripod with the trip switch held by me and NO ONE ELSE AROUND. (Some things, a girl has to do in private). I took several with my head turned in different directions and decided upon this as my pose of choice:

This is the original. Flash on camera ETTL, -1; Camera F5.6, ISO 100, Lens 24-70mm, SS 20. OK, that pose is fine, the exposure is fine, lets work on me (this girl needs to me made FINE, too!)

Oh, man, am I good!! Smooth the skin, decrease shadows under the eyes, brighten eyes and teeth. Now, just look at these 2 images: #1 is what you may have from your absolutely fabulous digital camera, but #2 is what you get from a professional retoucher. But wait, there's more! Dont forget, I want it Black and White, plus, I want to crop it in closer.
There, that's more like it! Let's clean up some stray hairs and check out a "porcelain white" on this one.....
Here is what a porcelain B&W looks like. It reminds me of the old milky white dinnerware----you know, the pure white settings with the little bubbles on them. But, you know what, the more I look at this, the more I want to change the crop and bring it in. Yep, it does look better brought in closer.

What do you think?

Photog at Work

It's so cool working with my sister: she is patient, kind, understanding, unobtrusive and a fabulous observer of what is going on all around her-----she takes such cool shots! As well as capturing great photojournalistic shots, she always gets shots of me working and thats fun for me to look back on. Here I am through the eyes of Kendra....

Fun Fundraiser Magazine Covers

I just got these super cool templates to use as Fundraisers for clubs, organizations, preschools, daycares, etc. I have lots to choose from (Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Karate, Dance, Gymnastics, Football, Club House, Instyle, GQ) but these are 2 I worked up fast to post! Guess who the cheerleader is! That's right, my girl! And the little man, is a client from a One Year Session----isn't he so darn cute?! If you know of a team or group or school in need of fundraising, give me a call! 321-302-0156.

Highlights of One Year...

Coming Soon: Juliana's One!

Our New Online Slide Shows!

It's soooooooooooooooooooooo super cool! You are just going to love it! You can email them to friends and family or have them visit this blog and check you out! When you hold a Lifestyle Session and want a sneak peek of your images with a ROCKIN' slide show------I'll make it and post it on the blog! No charge!



I went back and made one of Becca so the seniors can see how great it will work for them! Check it out!!

www.whohitdanny.org

It is my belief we are here to help one another and to seek the essence of true joy. But, there are those who do not believe or practice this way of life. For example,

"Philanthropist and Jacksonville civic leader Danny Berenberg was stuck by a hit-and-run driver the night of April 4, 2008 in Jacksonville Beach.

The driver knew she had hit someone, as she got out of her car, then returned to her vehicle and fled, leaving Danny semi-conscious in the street with life-threatening injuries."*

Yet, there are those who bring hope, such as Danny's friends. Please visit http://www.whohitdanny.org/
and pass the news to people you know care.....they are not asking for money.....they only want the word put out there....because somebody, somewhere knows something.

"Friends of Danny are trying to track down the driver, who was seen fleeing in a 1995-96 Grand Prix-style car. A reward fund has been established.Please send this link to people you know and spread the word. We can change the Jacksonville trend of drivers fleeing the scene of an accident.Contact: Teresa EichnerAccess Public Relations904/493-5006 or 982-9028"*

*Quotes are taken from the site.

Carol & Wyatt's Awesome Wedding Day

Six hours of pure fun!!! EVERY person was wonderful to work with and Carol & Wyatt are absolutely THE BEST!! We began our relationship about a year before their wedding day and had a fabulous Engagement Session 6 months prior to their wedding. An Engagement Session really prepares me for what they want from me on their wedding day as well as creating beautiful memories to start a totally awesome album with!

Check out a taste of their ROCKIN' DAY! (Be sure and have your sound on!)

Carol and her family did such an incredible job of creating one of the best weddings I have ever seen! Here are the choices made by them to assure perfection of the day:

Makeup: Audra Anusewicz, 243-2468
Hair: Masters of Style, Kathleen Weidenmoyer, 723-5901
Harpist: Brittany Griffin, 795-2555
Limousine: Luxury Limousines, Gerald Lafferty, 298-4646
Reception: Front Street Civic Center, 674-5700
Caterer: Texas Roadhouse, Tim Brill, 773-3220
Florist: Eau Gallie Florist, Link, 254-2584
Band/DJ: Latin Lou, 271-5881
Linens: Eau Gallie Florist/ Chairs for Affairs
Chair/Table Rentals: Chairs for Affairs, Kurt 259-8252
Coffee and Frozen Drinks: Indian River Coffee, Dale Longstreet 751-1070
Bridal Consultant: Carolyn Lally 777-3730, cell 480-0326
http://www.yourstrulyweddings.com/

And, of course, the best person she could ever commission to guarantee beautiful and fabulous imagery as well as a heirloom album to last a lifetime: ME!!

I have to give a BIG THANK YOU to Carolyn Lally who assured that Carol & Wyatt's (along with both families and all the vendors) day unfolded smoothly and very pleasant!

Brides-to-be, Wedding Coordinators decrease EVERYONE'S stress level!

Snakes & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails?

How fun are little boys? They are a pleasure! You see, I have two girls so having a little boy around gives me a fresh perspective on------well, on everything! This is my nephew, Trey. He spent his spring break with us while his mommy attended a conference. I am soooo glad he could be with us!!!! We love you, Trey-man!!!!

Trey and Stormy, my youngest. Spending time with family is the most important thing you can do.

Not Your Typical Boudoir

Elegance and beauty: it's celebrating womanhood. A big thank you to these fabulous women for such a great time! Your Intimate Party was just the bomb! Fun and fabulous, you give a new meaning to sisterhood! Thanks for allowing me to share your beauty and inner strength with others! By the way, this incredible session could not have been undertaken without the help of my fellow artist, Kim! You inspire me to create, believe and give thanks!