I Love My Family

Pow!

What a frustrating photo shoot! I usually do not use the self timer on my camera, so I always forget how to use it. On my Nikon 5100 it’s a lot more confusing to set it than my older Nikon, the D80. I don’t know why they made it with so many steps. The manual doesn’t have any directions and neither does the Nikon for Dummies book. Let the truth be known, that some of the directions are there, but it could have been written so much better. But I did finally get it to work so all was well.

It’s been years since I sent out cards. Last year I sent out some, but no photo. I usually just take a picture of my son for my Christmas card, but this is the first year I did the whole family. ❤

Lumpkin and Columbus

The family and I took a road trip in the middle of nowhere to go hiking. Thank God my husband is patient with me to stop in the middle of the road so I can take a picture! I did this often on this trip while my family baked inside the car.

Family Ties

This was taken a while ago, around Easter time last year. There were about 4 generations attending this dinner. It’s always a pleasure to to take photographs that I know will last for generations to come.

Fall Fun

Dear Parents

Do you ever wonder what happens to your child when you drop them off at Grandma and Grandpa’s house? This is my first try at documentary family portraits. This is only one segment of the day.

This session shows your family’s unique personalities while living in the moment. This is not a perfectly posed session with props; I am documenting your life as it is; who you are at this moment in time.This is a chance to document all of the things that are going on in your house on a regular day. This session is recommended for parents that are willing to show their relationship with their children. This is also great for: young children who often have ‘fake smiles’ in a posed family photo; and an unscripted session day of  fun. It’s also a relaxed alternative for the traditional park session.  In this case, it was a good choice because the boy is very active and never stays still. If you want to go make a short trip to the park, then let’s go! I will show you more places that we went to.

Grandparents would appreciate a session like this because they’re enjoying a day with their grandchild.

Flying a plane is VERY serious business.

…especially with Grandpa.

Ready for take off!

Thank you, Grandpa, for all your help!

I couldn’t have done it without you!

Look at it go!

The plane is waiting patiently on the launching pad, for the Captain

 

The Best Thing at the Parade

This picture was one of the best things I saw at the 4th of July parade. The parade lasted maybe 30 minutes and it wasn’t very organized. Anyone was allowed to participate so it wasn’t that good. We left the house early incase of traffic. There was no one really at the square waiting for the parade. I guess they knew that the parade was not very good (ha ha!). It also rained and everyone who “reserved” a spot earlier with their blankets got them wet (ha ha!). I like the square because there’s places to eat and shop, but most of the shops were closed that day. It was an ok relaxing day.

Big Man, Little Man

The Birthday Twins!

It was fun and a lot of work shooting these two busy bees. I got a small taste on what these parents go through everyday which makes these parents very special! ❤

Valentine’s Sale

I recently saw this add on Facebook:

FREE Portrait Mug w/ Candy Hearts!

with purchase of

56 Portrait Package Only $14.99

Exclusive new offer! For two weeks only, get our 56 Portrait Package plus a Free Portrait Mug, for now only $14.99! This Portrait Package includes 1-10×13 Wall Portrait, 2-8x10s, 4-5x7s, 4-3x5s, 16-2x3s, and new sizes – 5-4x6s, 4-4x4s. PLUS, 20-3×5 Valentine Cards perfect for classroom exchange. Never any sitting fees. Portraits and cards are printed in studio within minutes and portrait gifts ship FREE. Hurry, schedule your appointment today!

Good deal, huh? My first reaction was, “There’s no way I could compete with that!” But that’s ok. Would I want to be in their shoes? No.

If I offered something that low, I would be paying for the pictures out of pocket. It would be nice to have business like that running out the front door, but I wouldn’t be able to handle a crowd that size either. Again, that’s ok.

I enjoy the outdoors and taking pictures of my clients there. I enjoy a one on one relationship with my customers and taking the time to show them my talents. I love that I have return customers they think enough about me to refer me to their friends and families. I love to see my photographs on their walls at home and not stuck on a flash drive which will be outdated in a few years (oops, no more pictures!). I offer high quality canvas photos that you would love to see on your mantel every time you walk by. I love making memories.

I don’t like having my customers waiting on long lines because of a $14.99 sale. The $14.99 includes one picture style of 56 photos. Do you really need another mug in your house? I may not give out mugs, but I do offer my best clients special gifts. I do take care of you—from the beginning to the end and beyond. I will see your children from the day they were born until high school and beyond. I want to capture their lives and see them grow.

I saw my friends liking this add and I thought, well everyone has their own preferences. I used to get my son’s pictures done there and it was nice, but after awhile, I though, wait a minute, I can do this! In fact I can do a better job! And I have 🙂

Mountain Peak, Before and After

I can’t believe this mountain is only one mile high. It takes forever to climb it. There are many other people that are climbing the mountain too, but in this picture is looks like there is no one there. Also, it seems as soon as I’m ready to take a picture, everyone has to walk in front of me. One dude walked in front of me 3 times and didn’t even realize what I was doing. I know, 1st world problems.

before

 

 

 

 

 

after

Along I-95

Every year my family drove up to NY and NJ to visit our moms. It was a long drive and both me and my husband hated the drive up I-95, but we made the best of it. We usually stopped at the same hotels, restaurants, and rest stops. We no longer take this drive cause my mom has passed and my mother-in-law lives in GA now. It was a relief to do something that we wanted to do for a change. But here are some pics of our car ride.

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Waiting for our food

This building was across the street from the hotel

We always passed this Marlboro icon in VA

Tunnel