Miss Em - High School Senior Photographer, Newton, NC

Sneezing, watery eyes, box of tissue in hand .... you'd never know by looking at these pics that Miss Em is suffering from a cold. She looks gorgeous!!! She squeezed herself in amoungst the flowers and sneezy plants without a complaint. What a trooper!

I sympathize with her as I've been ill for the past few days myself, but with something completely different. But, hey, the show must go on!! Senior pictures must get done! And I'm so glad we went today. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful. The backgrounds were spectacular - even though we got run out of the first location we went to! lol

I'm exhausted ... one of the pitfalls of the particular bug I have, but wanted to get a couple pics up for Miss Em today. I absolutely love, love, love these two. Look at those beautiful brown eyes. So pretty. Feel better soon, Em. More sneak peeks in a day or two.

Another Fabulous Senior! (Newton, NC Senior Portrait Photographer)

Last night I met the lovely "Miss K" and her wonderful family. We met at Burke Christian Tours in Maiden, NC. What a beautiful place as you can see! It's the perfect place for pictures. Miss K came all the way from Raleigh for me to do her senior pictures. 3 hours away! I am completely flattered that they chose me for such a special event. We had such a good time... and I've got so many favorite images, I had trouble choosing for the blog ... here's just a few.

You look absolutely beautiful "K"! Should have the rest of your pics up in a gallery soon!

THE ONE WEEK ONLY SALE!

$25 OFF YOUR SESSION FEE - ONE WEEK ONLY!

Call or email me the week of August 2nd - 8th to schedule your Fall/Christmas photo session and receive $25 off the $75 session fee. You can schedule your actual appointment any time between August 2nd and November 30, 2009, but you must MAKE the appointment during the week of Aug 2-8th, as well as pay the $50 session fee to hold the appointment. Hurry! Slots are limited and are filling up quickly!

Sale good through August 8th, 2009.

Can't wait to see everyone!

10 Minutes, Tops (Portrait Photographer, Catawba Cnty, NC)

"Mom" she said, "I need some new pics for my Facebook page." I said, "Okay lets go take some." "RIGHT NOW?!" she said. "Sure" said I, "It will only take a minute." So we went out to the back deck with the heat and mosquitoes and snapped a few. My little fair-skinned child...



Then he appeared. At the dining room windows (on the inside) making fun of the fair-skinned one outside. So we hauled his butt outside as well.



Even got a couple of them together actually looking like {gasp} they might like eachother!!!


My work here is done.

NEW PRODUCT ~ Senior Rep Card

Check out my new Senior Rep Cards. These little gems are sure to be a big hit amoung high school seniors and parents alike!

These cards are slightly smaller than a wallet. They are actually the size of a standard business card. The unique thing about them is they are double-sided. The front can be customized with your favorite photo as well as your name, high school and year. The back is a blank slate. The perfect place to list all the sports, clubs, etc. that you participated in at school. Or how about your email address or facebook address? What about your own signature? The possibilites are endless.

These cards are perfect to tuck into your high school graduation announcements. So much more interesting than a standard wallet. What a cool thing to pass out to your friends. And parents, these are more economical than the standard wallet. Senior Rep cards come in packs of 50 and have a beautiful linen finish front and back. Trust me, you're gonna love them!

Senior Portraits - Class of 2010

Reserve your spot now! Availability is limited!

NOTE: I do not provide the photo that appears in the yearbook. You will need to have this picture made at your school's scheduled senior portrait day.

A Sneak Peek for D & H ~ Portrait Photographer, Catawba Cnty, NC

I met Miss "H" and Mr "D" last night at a local park for a little shoot. It was sticky and hot. Surely, I lost 10 pounds last night! If it was ONLY that easy, eh??

These two were sooo easy to photograph. So natural with eachother and in front of the camera. They made my job easy. Here's just a few of the many I took last night.

Can't wait to get busy on the rest of these!

The Magic of the Internet - Portrait Photographer, Catawba County, NC

Saturday we went to Fayetteville to attend my son's gradutation from JROTC Cadet Officer Leadership School. It was a 3.5 drive, one way. Fayetteville State University is located, literally, right next to Ft. Bragg. Friday night my daughter just happened to mention that a friend of ours was stationed at Ft. Bragg. This "friend" happens to be a 20 year old young man that I used to babysit when he was 3 and 4 years old!!! I haven't seen him (except for pics in the annual Christmas card) for 15 years!

So on a whim, I decided to look him up on Facebook and tell him we were coming to town and see if he might be available. Honestly, I thought the chances of him responding were probably slim to none. I mean how many 20 year old men do you know who would respond to someone who they hadn't seen since they were 5! But, not only did he respond almost immediately, he was excited to hear from me and arranged to meet us the next morning!! I was so excited!!!

When I saw him walk up wearing fatigues and the jaunty maroon beret which signifies Airborne, my first thought was "Oh My Gosh, he looks exactly the same, only bigger!"
He hugged us and fell in like he saw us just yesterday. He sat through graduation with us and we all enjoyed lunch together. It was just so wonderful to see him and spend some time with him! I'm very proud of the man he's turned out to be. I know his mom and dad are so proud of him.

He and my oldest daughter, Stephanie are the same age. And although they don't have real memories of the days they spent playing together; the Halloween they dressed up as a lion and a princess and held hands while they went trick-or-treating; riding their big wheels together on the tennis courts at the apartment complex, etc. ; they have relived these memories through pictures over the years. So when they met again 15 years later, they didn't feel like complete strangers. Ryan was 18 months old when he saw "A" last. Boy was he surprised when he looked up to see his family at graduation and there was a uniformed soldier sitting amoung them!!

It was a great day.



then and now ....

15 years later... LOVE IT!!!

Awesome Pics! ~ Teen Portrait Photographer - Catawba Cnty, NC

Check out the rest of "D"s pics here!

More For "D" ~ Teen Portrait Photographer, Catawba Cnty, NC

Posting a few more of my session with "D". Love these! He did such an awesome job and we had so much fun! I can't even choose a favorite ... they're all so cool! :)













And one of "D" with his sweetie. Love how fun and sweet this image is. :)

Mr. S Slideshow ~ Catawba Cnty Portrait Photographer

Remember this guy??

You can check out his entire photo shoot here.

Meet D.S. ~ Teen/Senior Portrait Photographer, Catawba Cnty, NC

Sometimes the best places can be found when you're just out "hoofin' it". Like the most fantastic alley my friend and I found last night! This alley was chock full of the coolest doors and windows I've ever seen! I was in Heaven. The only bad thing was the sun was really pouring in. I will definitely be back to check out sun angles and I'm sure you haven't seen the last of this awesome alley.

Last night was Mr. "D"s turn for his photo shoot. He's been waiting patiently and last night turned out to be perfect. It's been raining here for days, weeks, months even. I was so glad that Mother Nature gave us a couple of days off!

"D" was awesome to work with. I love it when my subjects really start having fun and get in to it! That's when we really get great pictures like the ones below. I've got so many fantastic ones, it was hard to choose just a few. But these are some of my favorites.

"D" is a very artistically inclined guy. He plays the trombone, sings and acts, so I thought I would add an "artistic look" to his photos. They are highly saturated and some are sporting textures. I love how they came out. The first two look like they could have been taken years and years ago in a back alley ... 'cept for maybe the flip-flops. lol :)

Hope you like them "D"!

AFJROTC ~ Portrait Photographer, Catawba Cnty, NC

Two of my kids have been proud members of their high school AFJROTC program. Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp. My eldest, Stephanie, was a member for four years and made it all the way to Cadet Colonel as well as Squadron Commander.

Now my son, who just finished his third year and is currently a Cadet Captain, has his eye set on Colonel as well! He'll have to work really hard next year, but I think he'll make it!

Saturday night we had the AFJROTC Awards Banquet. It's always a fun and exciting event. Each year there are several National Awards given out by various veteran organizations. They are beautiful ribbons and medals and each cadet hopes that they might receive one.

This year my son, Ryan, received the top National Award of the year. The Air Force Association Award. It's a beautiful medal and ribbon and he will wear it with pride. He was shocked and pleased that HE was the recipient of such a prestigious award.

AFJROTC has been such a big part of our lives for so long now, 6 years to be exact. My husband and I have always been very patriotic. Me having a Dad who served his country in the US Air Force for 20+ years. And my husband having brothers and nephews serving their country as well. JROTC has given my kids a sense of pride and patriotism that will stick with them their entire lives. They know things about the military and flag etiquette that too many American's nowadays know nothing about. We will never worry about them having a lack of respect for their country or our American troops. And believe me, they know that Freedom Isn't Free.




These two men have dedicated 15+ years to teaching kids at M.H.S. how to be good citizens, good leaders and to respect their flag and country. They are two of the best JROTC instructors I've ever met. We will be forever grateful to them for all that they have taught us and for helping to ensure that our kids are decent, upstanding citizens.

If you have children entering high school and that high school has a JROTC program, I encourage you to highly suggest that they take the class. You will not be sorry.
I wish every high school student in America would take the class. It's a wonderful program.

One Proud Mom ~ Portrait Photographer, Catawba Cnty, NC

When I look at these three beautiful young people, I can't believe they're all mine! Just look at them. One grown (barely) and the other two not far behind. Where did my babies go?? Stephanie (center) was a bridesmaid in the wedding I photographed yesterday. She looked so beautiful. My other two attended the wedding to see our dear friends, Krystal & Jesse, say I Do.

We are so proud of all three of them. You can just look at them and see what fine young people they are. I know they will all go far in life. And, if I'm lucky, I'll get to photograph their weddings someday!!! I can't wait ... well, maybe for a little while. But, someday .....

The Smile ~ Teen/Senior Portrait Photography, Catawba Cnty, NC

Ok. Maybe just a shy tad south of authentic. But teeth are showing! And, really, what teenager has an authentic smile at 7:10 a.m.????

I'm off to shoot a wedding today. NO, I am not a wedding photographer so please PRAY for me today! It will probably take me two days to recover. And if I'm not already nervous enough, I'm having a bit of an allergy attack. Like GEEEESH, I really need that today!

Hope everyone has a fab holiday weekend!!!

Mr. G.Q.

This guys looks like he stepped right out of a magazine! So handsome! Course I am slightly biased due to the fact that he is my son. :) He is a Junior Marshall this year and had to wear the suit to school. He looked so very nice that I had to snap a couple quick pics ... at 7:10 this morning! Once he got to school and had to don the blue and white satin sash he wasn't feelin' quite so cool. LOL

Love You Man! xoxo Mom

Meet Mr. "S" ~ Senior/Teen Portrait Photographer, Catawba Cnty, NC

Meet "S". We were FINALLY able to get his photo session done! We've been trying to coordinate our schedules for months! He is one ACTIVE teen! And when we had a day or two that worked, it rained! But, I think it was worth the wait. We had a fantastic time and got some really awesome shots. And he was a real pleasure to work with.

"S" is one fantastic drummer and brought his entire drum set to the shoot with him!
I learned that he's particularly fond of his cymbals. So we had to get a shot that spotlights the cymbals. Love how this one turned out!



We risked life and limb to get these awesome shots of him drumming in this big, wide-open field! Well, maybe not life and limb.... but this is the field where my son locked his keys in his car a couple weeks ago ... and we did see a really large snake that day .... Yesterday the only wildlife we saw was two very large wild turkeys!!! And lots of bugs. And I think we might have stepped in a patch of poison ivy. I guess we'll know in a day or two. lol



I think it was all worth it though. I absolutely love these pics!! I knew I loved them even as I looked through the viewfinder. The light was just perfect. The tall grasses were cool. The drums were fantastic! And "S" was so willing to do anything I asked.

One more thing about "S". He's veeeeeery smart! He's this year's Chief Junior Marshall. Perhaps Valedictiorian as well??? I guess we'll know in a week or two. AND he's running for next year's Senior Class President ....



.... against Miss "E"!! Uh-oh!!! Can I vote for both of them????