Easter Celebration! - Cleveland Photographer

Last Sunday was a busy but fun day!  My husband's family met up with my family at church, which was very exciting for me because Nathan's parents had never seen the church where my papaw used to preach! Mom led the song service, played the flute during communion, and then conducted the choir in their Easter cantata.  I know . . . she has MANY talents.  After church everyone met at my parent's house for Easter dinner.  It was so nice to have Nathan's grandfather, we call him dee-daddy, to join us for church and dinner too.  This man is amazing!  He is 88 years old and more "with it" than I am when it comes to history and current events.  I think my husband must get his smarts from him :) 

After dinner Nathan and I headed down to Chattanooga to meet up with Heather and Ryan who had flown in from D.C. for their engagement session.  I'm so excited about their pictures so check back soon to see a sneak peek of the couple.  Anyhow, here are a few pictures from the day:

Pre-dinner play time with Zoe, mamaw's poodle!

Appetizer provided by Nathan's mom!

The dining room

Pork loin

Potatoes

Vegetables

My mother, always the perfect hostess :) I think I'll always remember her this way.

Dee-daddy and my mamaw . . . I love old people!

Coconut-Pineapple Cake! I could eat 100!

Brantley and Jen Engaged! - Knoxville Couple's Photographer

Last week I met up with Brantley and Jen for their engagement shoot.  Since Brantley was a previous boss of mine when I was a realtor, I was unsure if he would open up and be all lovey-dovey in front of me.  From the moment I started clicking my camera, the love poured out from both of them!  Talk about making my job easy!  They are such a fun-loving couple and always laughing.  I had so much fun on their shoot! I have dirt and grime from the railroad tracks on my clothes to prove it. haha!  I captured so many great moments between these two, I had a hard time narrowing down which ones to place on my blog.  A good problem to have :)  I can't wait til their wedding in August! 

Craft Time with Mom! - Cleveland Photographer

I always enjoy coming home to see my mom's latest project!  Everything she touches, she

makes beautiful! If you're having company for Easter this Sunday and need a centerpiece for the table, this is a wonderful idea!

Materials: Eggs, a needle, watercolor paint, paintbrush, wooden skewers, a block of foam, ribbon, bead clamps for say a necklace, hot glue gun, stickers or jewels for the eggs, a pot, garden gloves, a hand shovel, Miracle Grow's Moisture Control Potting Mix, plantable flowers or herbs, a branch, and some fun lollipops purchased from the Fresh Market

It's a good idea to make the egg ornaments the day before to allow sufficient drying time.  

Making the egg ornaments:

1) Take a raw egg and poke a hole at the top and bottom with the needle.  Blow out the yoke with your mouth.  There is also a kit you can purchase from Williams-Sonoma that can help with this.

2) Place the blunt end of the wooden skewers into the block of foam.  Take the empty/blown out eggs and carefully poke the pointy side of the skewer into the hole at the bottom of the egg.

3) Paint the eggs and allow to dry

4) Embellish the eggs to your desire

5) Take the bead clamps and bend out the legs into a star shape.  Hot glue these onto the eggs and run a ribbon through the hole.

Plant the flowers

Place in the branch

Hang the ornaments

Arrange the lollipops

Weekend Road Trip! - Chattanooga Photographer

This past weekend was filled with "to-do's" and fun! Since my husband was away on business, I decided to pass the time visiting the other loves of my life . . . Chattanooga, my family, my best friends, and my little snaggle-tooth Sophie.  Friday I stopped by Cleveland and visited with Miss Kaylee and her mother to drop-off some Senior pictures.  Then it was off to Panera for dinner.  

Continuing my journey, I met up with my parents at their condo in downtown Chattanooga.  It was great! I slept like a log! The next morning I woke up refreshed and went for a run across Walnut Street Bridge and back.  There's something about that city that energizes me :) The weather was perfect! That night Bethany and Whitney came over for wine. The sunset was crazy beautiful and I'm glad we were able to enjoy it!  Then we drove over to the Art District and ate at Tony's Pasta for dinner and Rembrandt's (a local favorite) for dessert.  I got a little cheesecake type dessert called Hazelnut Bliss . . . highly recommend it.  They also serve an assortment of great coffee and are open on the weekends til 11:30PM.  The place was still packed at 11:30! I couldn't believe it.  Sunday, mom and I went to church and then went to Diane's to drop off her "Wee Little Christmas Story" album (more to come on that).  Monday, it was back to K-town!

Snapshot . . . smile!

Sophie, helping mom and me with our projects

Sophie, no longer interested in helping

Love those paws!

Apparently the only thing the Easter Bunny's putting in my basket this year is LAUNDRY! Look at 'em being all sneaky!

A Recent Myth about Wedding Photography

I do a lot of researching during the day and I came across an article written on the ISPWP (International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers) website that really struck a chord with me.  The title of the article was "Five Myths about Wedding Photography."  Though most of the myths I think people have come to terms with or no longer believe, the last myth is blossoming more and more as digital cameras become more affordable for everyone. This is the myth and this is how the ISPWP responded:

'MYTH: "I'm having my wedding pictures taken for free by Uncle Bob because he just bought an expensive camera. I'm sure it'll be fine."

Well, maybe yes and maybe no. Does Uncle Bob have backup gear in case he has equipment problems? Does he know his camera instinctively so he can adjust for quick changing light conditions? Has he invested thousands of dollars in extra flashes, camera bodies, and lenses? Has he mastered how to balance ambient light and flash? Has he invested in high end computer hardware and software, and learned advanced editing and retouching techniques to make your eyes look amazing? Does he have the experience to anticipate all of the important moments of your wedding? Do you have a contract clearly stating what he will be delivering and when he'll deliver it? Has he attended countless hours of wedding photography seminars and workshops to hone his eye and to learn how to control light?'

As the economy worsens, people are finding ways to cut corners.  And rightly in most instances they should.  However, your wedding day is a day that you'll never get back.  I loved the ISPWP's response to the myth and felt the need to share . . . mainly to educate others.  Most people could never dream that photography is such a science but it is!  Let's put it this way . . . just because your friend has a pair of scissors doesn't mean they should cut and style your hair. YIKES!

"Sex and the City" Sneak Peek!

Late last month I got together with Heather, Lauren, and Meredith for a "Sex and the City" shoot.  I know, I know . . . we're missing a fourth!  Unfortunately, Jessica was feeling sick and had to miss the shoot! We sure did miss her though! Nonetheless, I had lots of fun with these girls! They were dressed to impress and got a few honks by some rubberneckers on the street :) Though we couldn't fly to NYC, Chattanooga made a wonderful backdrop for their pictures. Here's a sneak peek from the evening.  Be looking for a complete slideshow soon! 

More Adam and Andrea! - Chattanooga Couple's Photographer

As I finish up the last edits on Adam and Andrea's photos, I have decided to post a few more shots.   

I was quite pleased with some of the night shots.  I didn't have my tripod with me so it was pretty miraculous to get a shot that wasn't blurry! The stars must have been aligned just right :) Up next . . .  

a sneak peek at the Sex and the City Shoot! Check back soon!

Night shots!

Twinkle Twinkle baby! You a star! haha!