hotlanta!!!

atlanta was fantastic!



i was so fortunate to be able to attend the
"one day two ways" seminar hosted by nate kaiser - "the image is found" and susan stripling "susan stripling photography" held in atlanta last week with lots other talented photographers from all across the u.s.

here are my distinguished instructors who obviously know their stuff when it comes to lenses, photoshop, pocket wizards, and demolition sites! ( just keep nate away from coke cans!!)










my sister took a few days away from work & family to accompany me and while it wasn't exactly the "blue water" she dreams of, we found a small oasis on the rooftop of the marriott renaissance.





later, we did some damage at one of our favorite stores!!




then we battled atlanta traffic to get back home.




while the city and the seminar were fantastic, it sure was nice to get home to where even the ups men are doing their part to save gas! ( not staged at all - we REALLY saw this as we drove down my sister's road! - btw the ups man's name is max!)




susan, nate, and all of the other talented photographers - thanks for a wonderful seminar! i learned tons of stuff and hope to see all of you again.

prom take 2

it has been a VERY BUSY week for me.... but more on that later after i' ve had some sleep!

for right now, it's all about 3 brilliant young ladies, their handsome dates, and a fabulous night on the town!




by the time i post this, the six of them should be arriving back at "K"'s house for leftovers and hot krispy kreme doughnuts!

hope your feet aren't too tired from all that dancing girls.

here's a peek for now.......













these girls are just too hot! : )











however, as anyone truly knows, the REAL HOT WOMEN behind all this are the moms who love these kids and would do just about anything for them!



thanks for a great evening guys!! hope you made some "forever memories" -s

mom

mother's day.

in 1870, julia ward howe wrote her "Mother's Day Proclamation" in an attempt to reconcile confederate & union neighbors. the spirit to reunify the country was based on the hard work and struggles faced daily by mothers.

her attempt failed.

it would not be until 1914 that president woodrow wilson declared the first national mothers' day as an official way to honor mothers whose sons had died in war.

today, hallmark, ftd, verizon, apple, and the rest of capitalist america have turned the day into one of the most commercially successful events of the year - somehow tarnishing the spirit in which it was created, if you let it.

this year, there was no way for me to fall into that trap.

here is my mom -
( along with some strange hippie wanna-be )



about the time this photo was taken, she was diagnosed with cancer.

she took the news like the strong woman she is. after careful consultation, long discussions with my medical siblings and my dad, and much prayer, she determined her treatment route and never looked back.

at the time and throughout all her treatments, it seemed like a speedbump for our family - just something you slow down for, but easily make it over.

yet yesterday, when i sat to write a few thoughts in her mothers' day card, it hit me. and the thoughts were very unsettling. she was and still is in a fight for life.

her boldness to speak her mind, determine what is best for her, and deal with her treatments day by day have taught me lessons i never dreamed i'd have to master. truly she is a warrior.

so today, while she has never sent a son or daughter to war, i return to the original spirit of the day and honor my mother for the battles she has fought, fights, and will continue to fight.

truly worth more than a hallmark card.

love you moo! -

just a peek...

it's late. (isn't it always late when i post?! ;) ) i'm tired. BUT i have been working on pictures of the cutest set of brothers and i want to post just a peek in case mom & dad are up doing the midnight feeding and need a little smile......





aren't they adorable?

i sure think so. :)