Melinda's Blog!!!

It is my pleasure to add Melinda's Blog as a link on ours! Go to our links and click on Melinda's Portraits to keep up to date on her work and what she is up to!

Emma & Joshua!!!

This afternoon we had Emma, who is turning 4 tomorrow, and Joshua, her brand new baby brother, in our studio! She is such a little beauty and he was such an easy baby to work with. We ended with a great variety of images for Mommy to choose from! Here are some of my favorites!

Quote of the week!!!

If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera. ~Lewis Hine


My camera goes everywhere. I'm always telling people, "Oh, I've got pictures, let me show you!"

Sport's Photography

Baseball season has officially started. I took Chase and Caitlin's pictures for this year over the weekend. Below are samples of their pictures that will be made into trader cards, admission tickets, and magazine covers. We have lot's more great items to offer as well, including personalized stadium cushions, can huggers, dog tags, and so much more! Our packages begin at $18. For more information, contact us at 276-236-9902.

Thank you...

I would like to offer a very sincere thank you to all of our troops and veterans who have served our country not only in times of war, but in times of peace also. Without our troops, we would not have the freedoms we all enjoy today. Including the freedom of speech which allow people to be verbally cruel to those who protect that right. Thank you, from the bottom of my family's hearts. Have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

Quote of the week!!!

If a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it's as though I've neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up - Richard Avedon

This is so true. If I haven't shot a picture, cleaned my camera, researched something, or done anything that has to do with photography; I feel as if I have forgotten something important. Rather like I forgot to pick up the kids from school or something. This is how important photography is to me.

"Fur"tography!!!

This coming Saturday, May 31st, we will be at Aaron's doing pet and family & pet portraits to benefit "Ear"resistable Animal Rescue and Shelter. With packages beginning at $20, you can have your family and pets portraits made and all proceeds benefit this great cause! And when you make your check out to the animal shelter, it's tax deductible! You can also have your portrait made with Zippy the Donkey! We'll be starting at 10am and finishing at 2, so stop by and see us!

Ashley's Bridal shoot!!!

This afternoon, I went with Ashley Pate to Smith Mountain Lake for her bridal portraits. You wanna see them? You'll have to wait till July 5 to see them! That's her wedding day, and of course, we can't show you them till the wedding. So check back with us! They are great!

Just horsin around...

Yesterday, Tyler, Steph and I went to see how Osiris was enjoying his new home. We took a few shots while we were there.Tyler and the ever present mp3 player.

Great head shot of Osiris. Brandon bought this halter for Caitlin. Ugly, but she loved it!

And Steph, I think this was after he got a taste of her hair.

Quote of the week!!!

You don't take a photograph. You ask, quietly, to borrow it. ~Author Unknown

A great photo is one that speaks to you. It makes your breath catch and makes you wonder. It's one that makes you stop and look every time you pass by.

Ebony!!!

This evening, my neighbor Shirley brought her daughter Ebony in for portraits. Tonight is Ebony's first formal dance so naturally we had to capture this momentous occasion!

Announcing... Storyboards!!!

These wonderful creations are a great way to showcase your favorite images all in one great display! Storyboards are just that, they tell a story! And each one is created with you in mind. You choose your favorite images and then tell us the look you are going for! We will create a one of a kind piece that is sure to become a keepsake!

Photography quote of the week!

I decided to post something new. Each week I will post a quote that is relevant to me and what I do as a photographer.

Buying a Nikon doesn't make you a photographer. It makes you a Nikon owner. ~Author Unknown

I felt, in the day of David and Debbie Digital (the photographers who go and buy a big expensive camera and that makes them a professional), that this quote is so true. I give credit to all the photographers who have the training to be an asset to their profession and to those who haven't, but have such a natural eye, that they become great.

Alex!!!

This afternoon we had Alex in our studio! His mom was the winner of our Mother's Day session and package that was given away over the weekend at Radio Shack! He was very shy at first and took some coaxing, but that's normal for little ones! We have nothing but patience where kids are concerned! So here are a few of the images from his sitting!

Baseball Season has begun!!!

So after a rather harrowing morning yesterday, we got ready for baseball season. My son plays for the Baywood 11-12 team. And yeah, I'm a picture mom. I don't think the other parents would recognize me without a camera in front of my face. Here is a few shots from yesterday evening's game. Here is coach Harris, warming up.

Chase getting ready to pitch.
Tyler, the catcher.
And a great out by Josh! Yeah, I know it's out of focus, the camera couldn't decide what to focus on. The fence, the boys, or the cars in the background. Looks like the cars won out.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I spent most of yesterday evening combing for wonderful quotes to post today. I found these and believe them to be truly relevant to being a Mother:

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers. ~Jewish Proverb

A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest. ~Irish Proverb

Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. Elizabeth Stone

And because I thought these were funny:
Children seldom misquote you. They more often repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said. -Mae Maloo

The thing that impresses me most about America is the way parents obey their children. -Duke of Windsor

And because this sums up being a mother:
Being a mother has made my life complete. -Darcy Bussell

My fondest wish is that you all have a happy Mother's Day. And remember, giving birth to a child doesn't make one a mother, it's the loving care that you give those entrusted to you that makes you one - Angela Thompson

Help us help Brides Against Breast Cancer!

Breast cancer is a devastating disease that has caused heartache to so many families. Brides Against Breast Cancer is a fantastic fundraising event that benefits women and men who are losing their battle against this devastating disease. Through a nationwide tour and sale of donated wedding gowns, brides have the opportunity to help the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation grant wishes to those who are losing their battle.

As a person who has lost family members to breast cancer, I can attest to how awful it is watching someone go through this. That is why I'm asking for your help. We are offering gift certificates to those who have no more use for their wedding gown, bridesmaid dress, or flower girl dress. For donating the following, you will get:

Wedding gowns... $125 portrait certificate
Bridesmaid's Dress... $50 portrait certificate
Flower Girl Dress... $50 portrait certificate

Because of the constant change in fashion, we ask that the gowns and dresses be no more than 5 years old. You can use the certificate for yourself or give it as a gift to someone else. What better way to honor someone you have lost or has survived their battle, than to give a portrait session in honor of that person!

Ed Pierce Seminar

Yesterday evening, Melinda and I attended the Ed Pierce Captivated by the Light Seminar in Winston Salem. We were lucky to get to ride down with Corey Stockner of Winterberry Gallery and Kelly Hamm. This was an amazing seminar and and we learned so much! It was great to see other photographers from our area as well! We got to view lots of new things that are being offered by our photo labs and album suppliers. There is so much coming out that we can't wait to offer to our clients! Keep checking back, as we will be posting all our new stuff in the coming weeks!

Introducing our Special Delivery Session!!!

You have one chance to capture the priceless first moments of your baby's life. With our new Special Delivery Package, I will come to your hospital room to capture those first moments of you and your family with your new baby, ensuring those priceless memories for a lifetime. This special session, which includes up to 3 hours of photography, 25 custom birth announcements with envelopes, and all images on disk, is $150.00, due at the time of the session. Plan ahead for this session, the memories you will have are too priceless to pass up!

Tuxedos!

Okay, I know that this is way too late for all those going to prom... but I found a website that I just had to share! It's called myowntuxedo.com! I've purchased from them before and when I found out how much some parents paid for rentals... I could have died! This company is fantastic! You can purchase a previously owned tuxedo (and let me tell you, they are in amazing condition) for less than you can rent one! And name brands! Before you rent again, check them out! Hey, you can always turn around and sell it on ebay!