The Rosser Family

My last portrait session of the year was with my neighbors and friends - the Rosser Family. It's always so nice to work in a client's home with all their own Christmas decorations and I know their images will be even more special because of that. Aren't they a beautiful family!

Merry Christmas to all my friends and the wonderful people I've had the privilege to photograph this year!

A Visit to the Town Square

It was chilly, chilly for my session with Victor and his family down at the Collierville Town Square this past weekend but we braved it out for as long as we could and thankfully found one location that was blocked from the wind and we got the jackets off. I always enjoy working with new clients and the Pearce family was so friendly and warm - I hope to work with them again - next time in warmer weather though!

The True Meaning of Christmas

I have so many wonderful friends - but Jacque McGhee has to be one of my very best friends. The other day she called me - and she was so full of emotion and passion - and I was busy and overwhelmed with all that I had on my schedule - but I stopped and listened to what she had to say. And when she was finished - I was absolutely humbled. One of her very dear friend's son has leukemia and has spent so much time here in Memphis at St. Jude's or the Ronald McDonald house this past year. Jacque was talking to her own son, Cooper, about the meaning of Christmas and what it meant to give to others in their time of need. And Cooper at his very young age - understood and said to his mom - "like Ben". Jacque herself has spent much of the last year between here and Jonesboro dealing with her mom's recent cancer diagnosis and our family has been touched by cancer with my sister-in-law's brave fight against peritoneal cancer. What Jacque wanted to do with her Christmas card photo this year was to be photographed in St. Jude apparel and in her Christmas message to all her friends and family she wanted to remind them of how fortunate we are - but also to remember those less fortunate and to give what they could to St. Jude or any other cancer fighting organization. I support her and I hope that everyone who follows my blog remembers that even in these very difficult economic times - it is important to give to other's. Even just a little - means a lot when it comes from many. May your family be blessed with health and happiness this Holiday season.

A Very Special Family

Photographing the Thompson Family in Hernando has been my utmost pleasure and not just because they were selected as my "Client of the Year" last year - but because I have been honored to be a part of one of the most memorable and heartfelt sessions I have ever had the privilege to photograph. Last year Elaine brought me out to their beautiful home to photograph their family before her husband Ken was to be sent to Iraq to serve his military duty. She wanted Ken to have photographs of their children, Lily and Max, to keep with him and remind him of the love and support that was waiting for him when he got home. And it was my true honor to be invited to the airport this spring to photograph their reunion when he arrived back in Memphis. This year they celebrate their Christmas together as a family and I am so happy for them. To all the families who are celebrating this Holiday Season with loved ones serving overseas for our country - we as a United family - support you and wish your sons and daughters, wives and husbands - a speedy return and happy reunion.

Jack and Hannah

I loved working with little Jack and Hannah for the first time this year. They popped out of the car all excited and dressed up and were so polite and perfectly cute. Hannah is quiet and shy but so full of animated expressions when she warms up. And Jack was so cute and willing - but when he was done - he just told me he was done - and that was it! I loved our session and watching them as they warmed up to the idea of having their picture taken. And Hannah - I hope you get that little talking horse that wants carrots for Christmas!

Dear Santa - It Wasn't Me

That is what is on Conner's little pj's. It has been my pleasure to photograph this little man several times over the past couple of years. He is full of energy and has just the best smile and gorgeous blue eyes. I love that his mom even brought his Christmas pj's for some shots. What do you do when you are in pj's - well you take a nap! He loves his pj's so much he wanted to wear them home but since he had to get back to school we had to do a little bribery to get him back in regular clothes. He had a blast with the snowballs - especially throwing them at Miss Mary! And if he had his way - he would have taken his new best friend Rudolph home with him. He is such a sweetie - thank you Conner and Kimberly for such a fun session.

Tis the Season

You know my favorite clients are maybe the ones I only see once a year - but when they come to the studio or we schedule our annual session - I know I get to have fun and relax - they are my neighbors and friends - and I know the holiday season has officially begun. I love being able to come up with something for their Christmas Cards that is unique and fun. So here is to the official start of the Christmas Card season .....addressing all those cards .....remembering your friends that you only hear from once a year...... what stamps do you use .... oh, geez, Aunt Beth moved and I need to get her new address .... what do I put in my Christmas letter that sums up my last year of life .... oh, my - look at these pictures - everyone seemed to grow up over the past year. It is such a sentimental time of year - a time of reflection and a time to remember our dear friends. So to all my dear friends - Merry Christmas!

TuTu Cute!

I had a chance to photograph the Wood family yesterday and meet their new little girl, Meredith and get to see how much Abigail has grown since I last photographed her a couple of years ago. I almost titled this blog post Toot Sweet because Abigail is a typical 3 year old who has a mind of her own, could flash the most beautiful smile one second and take it back the next, but when her mom pulled out the tu tu for some pictures at the end she just became the happiest little ballerina around. When she left she was all smiles and had a big hug for me! Thanks Abby!

What I love about Weddings

For those who know me - really know me - they know I cry watching Hallmark commercials, I can cry if I only see the last 5 minutes of a really sad movie, and I will always be touched when I am in the presence of two people who are unabashedly unashamed of showing their love for each other with the rest of the world. That is what I love about weddings! People are happy at weddings - and you just can't help but feel and respond to the warm, fuzzy feeling of being a small part of a family's most happy day. Meet Colin and Raechal Evett - the newlyweds from the last wedding I photographed in Texas. Such a sweet couple that they delayed their wedding by almost a half an hour to wait for their grandparents to arrive who had taken a wrong turn on the way out to the Greenbranch wedding venue - beautiful place by the way. It was a gorgeous late afternoon wedding - a bit chilly, and a bit windy - but not one person complained. Here are some of my favorites!

A Match Made in Heaven

That was the theme for Hannah and Robbie O'Bannon's showcase wedding last Saturday night in Downtown Bryan, Texas. They got married in the outdoor Palace Theater, walked down the aisle to old show tunes and even had their name up in lights! I assisted on this wedding for my favorite photographers, my sister Kathy and her husband Robert and we had a blast working together. Check out KNorwood Portraiture for all her awesome wedding images. Here are several of my favorite images from the night.

ART - Deep in the Heart of Texas

I've been silent on the bloggin of late but that is because I am in Texas - my birthplace and the home of all my family. But it doesn't mean I haven't been taking pictures! I'm here to help my sister Kathy out with a couple of back to back weddings but the second night I was here I got to experience Bryan, Texas nightlife at it's finest. We were downtown to scout the location for our first wedding and by chance Kathy's friend Kristy Petty was hosting her Grand Opening of Art979 - an art gallery featuring local artists and a unique breakfast and lunch place. Kristy opened her gallery on one of Bryan's once a month Art Step evenings so there was plenty of music and art and people walking around and we enjoyed it all. Downtown Bryan is a great place to hang out and have fun and I was just so glad I had my camera with me to capture some of the ambience of the place.