my.brain.is.everywhere

What the Duck comic strip is so funny for us photonerds (altho I confess not to like the animated series much). I am hankering for a tee... one of these days I'll stop putting them in the cart and actually pull out the ol' credit card. Visit the What the Duck site for their funnies and other t-shirts ('my camera takes really pretty pictures' too).

I am in the midst of learning LightRoom. Someone quickly showed me (like in a minute) that with this program I can run actions and adjust background separate of the foreground from RAW. And fast. Or did I imagine that? New programs are so confusing. This one has lots of bells and whistles and I could probably play all day...but I really need to figure it out so I convert the RAW's to Jpegs already.

I've also finally ordered prints for the aluminum covered album I've flashed some of you with. I know, it was amazingly cool without photos in it, just imagine what it will be like finished. WOAH. Also ordering Kristine and C's album as we speak, which apparently will take 3 more hours. Ah...highspeed internet rules!

I could use a nap...but Dustin and Meredith's wedding needs to finish proofing. And I know... Autumn and John's album design, too. Somewhere in there I need to tease you with last weekends Duke Garden's wedding (so great!). And make Gwynne and John's proof book... I love being busy!

long white dress

New music for my site? Maybe not. What a voice though.


prrrr..... Mark Lanegan

Meredith+Dustin

I was so startled when I saw the pickle sign on my way into Mt. Olive, I almost crashed the car. OK, I'm exaggerating a little. I think I buy Vlassic or the walmart off-brand. I don't know much about pickles.

So radiant!

Meredith and Dustin wanted to do the family pictures before the ceremony, so we coordinated a private moment for them before hand. Dustin got very emotional. There were actual tears.

The Junior bridesmaid looks so regal.

I've heard of nail-biting, but a whole fist? HAH!

The church before it filled. Yes, before. 15 minutes before. It was standing room only by the end. Talk about a lot of family!

Then the couple disappeared to hit a few holes before the reception. Not really.

Wonderful flowers, everywhere.

Thank you so much for sharing your wedding day with me. If you're looking at this on your honeymoon, Dustin and Meredith, I pray you're at least on a laptop with your feet in the sand.

This has nothing to do with Earth Day

but Happy Earth Day, just the same!

Minor miracles today:
.Miya, my daughter, had her name called THREE times for awards day today. I'm so glad I went! I've never seen her look more proud.
.Even though I am not an aggressive person, I got sick of not having internet for two days and not getting a response from Charter, so I drove until I found someone from the company (bonus, he was only one street away). He came right over. I am now back to work.
.I am unequivocally happy that there has been lots of rain lately, beautiful skies, new growth in the garden, and a lessening of allergies!
.I have personal photo projects in my head. They look beautiful. They will require models, so, for now, they are just in my head. I am excited by the drama.
.I have gotten a little more used to my flaming red hair. A construction worker cat-called me, too.
.I wrote a letter.


It was just that kind of day.

Gwynne+John in Gastonia

I guess I am in a mood to show a/lots of images and b/present them a little differently...

So many amazing moments!

Gwynne's family was so talented. Her Dad played the drums part of the night, brother, Ben sang and played guitar, and her uncles took turns too. And obviously the bride is a killer dancer. In fact, there are so many really, really great pictures of everyone dancing, I am totally impressed.

John and I had a great time at The Gastonia Country Club. As soon as I find out who did the flowers, the name of the rest of the band (Shades??) and other details, I'll post them. Thanks to everyone! Best Wishes to the newlyweds. :)

...tomorrow will find me at Meredith and Dustin's wedding. I can't wait! They are bringing their doggies for portraits!

my favorites...

I thought I'd share some of my favorite photographers, you know, those blogs I stalk often. The ones I have on bloglines RSS reader speed dial type thing. If you love photography too, you might want to go visit. :)

I think Angelica Glass is in NY somewhere. Her photography is sexy, sophisticated, almost naughty sometimes but above all gorgeous. I think I'd be completely tongue tied around Angelica.
http://angelicaglass.bigfolioblog.com/

Paul Johnson has been a favorite of mine since we lived in Florida. His work is clean, bright, thoughtful. Plus he added me as a friend on facebook the other day, which makes me feel cool.
http://pauljohnsonphoto.com/blog/

Cliff Brunk is a new find for me. I'm not sure where he came from all the sudden, but my gosh is he talented. Uber.
http://brunkblog.com/

Sol Tamargo does fabulous sexy work in exotic locations, and takes her once-boyfriend now husband Matt Adcock with her. She throws in personal snaps a lot. She seems like she'd always be happy... her photos are rich with color.
http://www.soltamargo.com/blog/index.php

Erin of Halo Photographic is the reigning holga queen. I bought an holga several years ago before putting it on a shelf to collect dust. She makes me want to pay for developing. Or something.
http://halophoto.blogspot.com/

So those are my very favorite favorite photographers across the country. It's really cool that I can view their photos and post links to their awesome work here, and consider it an extension of my work day? Awesome. Oh, I guess 'work' is stretching it... anyway, enjoy!

art

A friend and I were talking recently and realized we viewed artistic photography completely different. To me, this first look picture from Gwynne and John's reception is artistic:

I happen to think it's cool. I think it's unique in that it's not technically correct. It's kind of eerie, and I'm into eerie sometimes. It definately shows motion, it shows me thinking outside the box (aah, how refreshing).

I never did discern what art is to her-- what she views as artistic was typical to me. How odd.

I won't say art is subjective because it's said too often.

Anyway, congratulations to Gwynne, John, all the other John's and Gwynne's at the wedding, Ben the (dreaded) soulful singer, and the ghost girl in this picture. More coming next week.

Lori Jean+Brian at Little River

I had not met Lori Jean or Brian or any of their family and friends before the wedding. This happens a lot.. some people are too busy to meet, some live far. Some just view photography as another checklist item (for shame!). But I am always thankful to realize that my prayers have paid off, and I've been blessed with wonderful clients.

In Lori Jean's case, she had classic elegance and poise. She was incredibly polite and thoughtful. And she's a chemist or something incredibly intelligent.
Brian was cute, too, but as a married woman I can't go on and on about other men (the band members were pretty darn cute, too, but I digress).

Unfolding of the day...

so American Gothic...not original, I see it over and over and finally felt it with these curtains, lol!

What a wonderful day! I hope the newlyweds are off enjoying Italy (why don't they hire me to tag along? Something for you soon-to-be's to consider. "The Honeymoon After" I would so totally go to Italy)
Congrats... and leave me a comment or two! :)

first looks: Lori-Jean and Brian

For people who profess to hate pictures, you two sure are photogenic.

Just wanted to show that it does not have to be Carolina blue skies to be a beautiful photo. I always love some clouds mixed in, and a full onslaught of overcast can really mean-- DRAMA! Add rain in, and still want to work and we are really in for some spectacularly amazing photos. It's all good... and I mean all of it. :)

Full blog post coming next week...

me!

What are friends for?

I am so, so wonderfully blessed to have friends that are honest, full of warmth, love, and very trustworthy. One local friend is Sherri Winstead, a very talented photographer from Fayetteville. We hang out or shop with each other about once a month... I wish it were more often but I'm so thankful for the time we do find to hang out. As you can see I have spring fever. Happy to see me out of black, Sherri grabbed her camera. Or is it the new hair? She shot me with my car. I love my car. John picked the personalized plates-- his says 'His PT' and we both have plate holders that say the business name and website. Again, his present. Come to think of it... the car was a present last JULY/AUGUST...

Thanks for the pics Sherri! I like them.. so rare to get pics of myself, and while we only had 2 mins to do these, it was so odd to be on the other side of the camera and have a photographer focus on me. It was a bit windy when we did these and my hair was loads of fun. And also the shirt/dress.. I actually have a pretty darn tiny waste if I dosaysomyself. John keeps saying he hates the current style of blousy shirt... ah, well, whatever. Tight stuff for dates I guess.

So funny, but the car was slightly greenish yellow, you can just barely see the tint on the far left side. The pollen is NASTY everywhere. There are eddy's of it by our front door... on the deck... obviously on the car. I've been given an inhaler-- how weird is that? Maybe they just like handing them out these days.

Hope you all aren't suffering with me...

Peeved

I have debated this post for months. But I have to say it. I have such a bad taste in my mouth from seeing this over and over and over.

First let me say that a LOT of photographers attend workshops, and I think this is great. It's fun, you meet other photographers, you might learn something, you might see an easier way to do something with software... It's great to stay fresh and current and keep challenging yourself to learn.

But I personally think it's unethical to use images from workshops in your portfolio. Especially as your opening image. I think it's misleading, and if what you learned (cough, copied, cough) at a workshop is the best you have... ugh!

I'm talking to more than one photographer. There's greatness in your own work. I think brides and grooms want to see what you did on your *own*, because those famous photographers aren't going to be there on the wedding day.

my .02.
...moving on...