Engagement Session - Maria & Chris

What can I say? I'll begin at the beginning.

Chris and Maria arrive and Chris goes immediately for a cup of coffee. Maria explains that he talks about the coffee here all the time. We do have good coffee... stop in for a cup and a chat. :)

So we go on to start taking photos in the camera room upstairs. It was too nice a day to take a bunch of indoor shots, so we quickly moved outdoors. And Chris could not stop picking on Maria. I would have felt sorry for her, but since she wouldn't stop laughing at him, I couldn't help myself.

Chris can talk... but it's not just random chatter... he really asks intelligent questions and talks about stuff that has real meaning to people. Maria scoffs, playfully, but you can tell she cares. There's an incredible connection between these two, and one I'm going to really enjoy capturing at their wedding in October.

Um... Chris... I won't be bringing coffee with me in October. Sorry. ;-)

Shaina

We did Shaina's sister's senior portraits a few years ago... Shaina was ready, too. She knew exactly what she wanted to do... and we treated her like a queen for a day. :)

Amanda

How can you not smile when you see her smile? Wow... we commented on that throughout her session. She had a good time, and brought her own hairdresser... nice!

Just Don't Panic

I recently spent several days visiting my brother, who is vacationing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He rents a house there each year for two weeks of rest and recharge.

On our first day there, I discovered boogie boarding. Now look... I'm 50. And I decided on my 50th birthday that I was not going to act the way I thought a 50-year old should act when I was 20... you know... old. So, taking turns with Diana, we taught ourselves how to ride the waves, waiting for the proper wave to break and somehow knowing that it was right. It didn't take long to get the hang of it... and after a couple of hours, we quit and went back to the house to relax.

On our second day, we discovered that there were THREE more boogie boards in the house, so all four of us (me, Diana, my brother Jon, and his girlfriend Patty) had the opportunity to "play" at the same time. Jon got into the mood last, but he nevertheless enjoyed the adventure. Doing anything new often means that you want to keep doing it more... and bigger... and so on.

So as I was going a "little" further out, some by choice and some by being pushed out by the undertow, I quickly realized I was at about four feet of standing water and about seven feet of wave water. Another little push and I was at five feet of standing water and eight feet of wave water. I'm six foot two when I stand up straight, so I was in (pardon the expression) deep water. What struck me first was that I knew I was still being pushed (pulled?) further out.

So, I grabbed the board, which was about three feet long and 18 inches wide, tethered by a vinyl cord to my wrist via a velcro strap. I attempted to pull myself up on the board so I could paddle in... the board flipped (how annoying). When I fell back, I went completely submerged. And I felt that gentle tug of the undertow again. Seems every time my legs or feet fell closer to the ocean floor, I got tugged further out. This repeated twice more, but without becoming submerged.

Diana called to me, but all I heard was "too far." I could have extrapolated a lot from that. But what I also realized at this point was that my position and my inability to get onto the board was going to be a bit of a challenge - one I'd never faced.

Only an hour before, I'd read a magnet hanging on the refrigerator in Jon's rental home. One thing it said was "call for help by waving your hand." The other was "don't panic." So, I called loudly for Diana, and then called loudly for help. I waved my hand in the direction of the lifeguard (who immediately bolted from the chair). I turned my head and saw Diana headed my way. I tried the board again, fell off, and went submerged.

This time, though, I pulled my legs up. I didn't feel the undertow.

Hmm...

I pulled the board toward me, hearing Diana briefly over the waves and surf: "board is behind you." I turned and so it was. I pushed myself up with my arms, somehow pretending I was a fish (I CAN swim, but swimming ABOVE the surface is often a challenge for me. :(...). Since I knew I wasn't going any further out, then I reckoned that I was either going further in, or that the lifeguard or Diana would reach me before I got into real trouble.

Again I pulled the board toward me and somehow it flipped right directly in front if me, back of the board into my waist, and I pulled myself up so my belly was on the board. I felt myself move a good ten feet toward the shore. I wasn't TRYING to ride, but I was riding the board.

I realized I was going to be okay. I waved off the lifeguard, and motioned to Diana I was going to be okay. I got an indication from someone on shore (my brother?) that the lifeguard needed an okay signal. I stood up in four feet of water and gave her the okay. She echoed that signal and moved back toward the really tall chair that they sit in.

Diana kept moving toward me, and the face I love was both worried and relieved at the same time. I smiled at her, and she seemed to relax a bit. We walked up to the tent that we had previously set up on the beach (umbrellas are for very small people), and Diana lay her head on my chest... it was beating rapidly. The whole experience was over, but it could have ended differently.

The entire thing took less than a minute, from the moment I realized I was out too far until the lifeguard turned around to go back to her chair. In that minute, I knew two things... that I need to learn more about how to use flotation devices on open water, and that I wasn't going to be a statistic because I did something stupid.

I just kept telling myself "just don't panic." And I didn't.

I told you that, to tell you this. The economy over the last couple of years has given us all cause to reflect on our expenses and our savings. Everyone has made some kind of adjustment to the way they plan their budgets. We have tried hard to work toward helping keep photography as part of your budget. And just briefly I want to remind you of some of those things:

1) Third Friday Free Portraits... 15-20 minute sessions for kids. Each month is a new theme... July is "Day at the beach" (appropriate!) where we'll take pictures on the beach at our studio (yes, we have a real beach in our backyard).
2) NO price increases on weddings, dance, portrait sessions.
3) New LOWER pricing for senior portraits
4) We have maintained 2005 pricing for our special promotions... those prices will remain in effect throughout the remainder of 2009.
5) Senior portrait session discounts (50%) have been extended through July 31, AND the yearbook/cap & gown sessions are FREE.

What's important to remember... just don't panic.

See you soon.

Pretty Day

I went out this morning to let the dogs out, and it was actually a little cool. The day only got better from there. In the afternoon, Kevin came in for his senior portraits. Now here's a kid who knows how to be the subject.

We started off with some pictures of Kevin and his girlfriend, Caitlin. I really liked working with them because he was kind of funny and she just laughed at everything. After a few studio shots, we went out to take pictures with his car. Kevin really played it up, wearing a dashing suit for these photos.

It wasn't until we went into our backyard portrait park that he mentioned "you really have a lot of stuff here." And he's right, we really do. Let me recap what we have in the portrait park... most people say "I didn't realize you had all this back here." So, here goes...

- A double-sided aluminum wall (one side is distressed and rusted, the other side is clean)
- Tiki Bar/Pier area
- Beach, complete with sand, pylons, and a pier
- Large white gazebo (several areas are covered in flowers)
- Hanging porch swing
- Stone pathway under a white arch
- Hacienda with curved walk-up steps (with a look-through window and a closed window set)
- Barn set, with two doors, hay, barrel, saddle, two ladders, and a pitch fork. :)
- Waterfall/fountain (yes, the water really runs), with large rocks and scenic greenery
- Bamboo forest... really, a Panda's heaven
- Foot bridge
- Boulder garden
- Grey & black rock wall with door and window openings
- Brown & tan rock wall with door and window openings
- Green garden area
- Park bench scene
- Garden gate set
- Rock gate scene

Not to mention the rock wall that backs the fountain, the greenery on the fence, the ivy wall, and we can't forget the split rail fence.

If you want to take a look, come on by. We'll be happy to give you a tour.

Kevin

THIS is a guy who knows how to plan for his session. Not only did he bring a spiffy suit for his senior portraits, he waxed and buffed one side of his entire car for portraits! We did a lot of pictures of Kevin... he smiled all the way through. Except the ones at the wall... 'member Kev? :)

Autumn

There is a good smile in everyone... we just have to find it. With Autumn it took us only a few minutes to find the good smile. She was so great to work with... we also enjoyed her friend Danielle and her brother. The barn was a smash!

The dancers have left the building

Dance season in WV's Eastern Panhandle is a frenzy of rehearsals, recitals, pictures, emotions, rushing around, and so much more. And we are grateful to provide our photographic services to several of those studios.

There are always the memorable moments... and I like to recount them:

- The smilingest child in the world danced every dance with a happy face that is unforgettable.
- The little karate guy who was so happy and bouncy that I thought he was going to fly.
- The poor like crying Elephant who hit her head before going on stage, but insisted that she had to go perform. She cried, but she did the dance.
- All the beautiful costumes.
- The last dances of the seniors. We will miss every one of them. Please keep in touch.
- Seeing all the dance parents again. Hi!!
- Stage Art
- Shooting portraits on stage... what a difference a year makes.
- A dancer thanking ME for being there. How humbling.
- The continued tries at jumps that weren't quite perfect until we made them perfect.
- Working to make the action pictures look great before showing them... it was worth it.
- Katie's help in the dance studio... Thanks, Kaytee. ;-)
- Watching all these little girls growing up.
- Missing Jimmy already.

There are more. Most of you who know... you understand. If you don't... well, look for us next year.

Have a great summer, dancers. We hope to see you all again soon.

Back to seniors

We have been so busy with dance studios in the last few weeks that we have barely had time to breath. But now we are going back to being totally focused on seniors.


There are a couple of things we'd like to tell you about that we think are really exciting.

Senior Albums - Why we haven't done this before is beyond me. Sometimes you like so many of your pictures, it's hard to pick just two or three. These albums give you the chance to twenty or more images in a single book. And these are REALLY nice books. Hardcover, bound, and available with or without photo covers. Very stylish and classy. They are 10x10" and a great bargain.

Accordion Wallets - Sounds funny at first, but you'll get the gist of these things quickly. There are twelve DIFFERENT pictures on one set of accordion wallets. Six on one side, six on the other. They are a great gift for grandparents, close friends and just about anyone who really wants to see the different personalities from your senior pictures. They come in sets of three.

Our senior consultations are filling up, so you will want to call soon. Our senior consultations are held every Thursday at 6pm. They are free, and take about an hour. What we do is take you through our studio, including our outdoor portrait park, and give you some tips and pointers on how to look your best for your senior portraits. We'll be happy to answer any of your questions, too.

Finally... I want to remind you that senior sessions are currently 50% off through the end of June. Call and set up your appointment and you can save over $100 on session fees. Your pets are welcome in your sessions, and yes we DO photograph cars and bikes!

304-263-3100... a great start to your senior portraits.

Samuel

What can I say about Samuel except that he was a lot of fun... we loved the photos of his ROTC duds, and this one that really shows off his devotion to his team!

Tyler

Tyler has two passions... his music and his cat. The cat got plenty of attention, but the photos were about Tyler. He laughed most of the way through his session... but we had a blast!

Charles

Every senior provides us a new opportunity. With Charles, there was some new opportunities, but the session went by so fast that we barely had a chance to get to know him. He was cooperative, easy to work with, and fun! Thanks Charles!

Andrea

The interaction between mother and daughter sometimes is not just amusing, but fodder for quite probably the story of the month. Andrea likes her hair the way it is... mom wants it to be something else. Ergo the reason for the humor. :)

Kristin

Of all the seniors I've photographed lately, I've known Kristin longest. I first photographed her at her mother's dance school when she was 7 or 8. She's grown up to be quite the lovely young lady, and still quite the dancer... with the Rockettes even!

When it rains...

Image via Wikipedia

...get an umbrella!

Perhaps this is the wettest spring on record. I don't know... meteorology, while a fascination, is not something I keep up with. But it sure has rained a lot. I hear friends exclaiming that their kid's baseball and softball games keep getting canceled, that they can't mow their lawns, and that they are starting to sprout webs between their toes.

But that's neither here nor there.

Often times I find myself so mired down in the day to day stuff we have to do to keep the studio operating, that I miss a few things... especially those that are worthwhile reporting.

Part of my recent past has included a considerable amount of teaching, primarily at the university level. When I was teaching Studio Photography to college juniors and seniors, I knew that most were serious art students. When I added Sports Photography to my resume, I felt like I finally had the opportunity to not only teach the things I love, but teach them to people who really cared about the subject. Okay, it was college students, but hey... 'nuff said.

Now, as I continue to poll other photographers, I'm learning that they want to learn more about lighting, photography, workflow and so much more. Things I have not only been teaching, but also learning more about in the last few years. So, I'm going to start teaching again.

This time, I'm going to teach my own workshops. My first is scheduled for May 31 at the studio, and covers basic lighting that helps prevent common mistakes that you always end up fixing in Photoshop. If I had to have some fancy name for it, I would call it "Mind your FIPS: Lighting Revisited."

Email me if you're interested in attending. I'll have to limit the class size to 15. Fees will likely be $25 per person to cover modeling fees (yes, a live model) and drinks.