Christmas Special

It's that time of year again. . . . yep, time for our annual Christmas Special. We've been fully booked for the two day event for months. . . . and, we have gotten tons of calls about what the set will look like . . . so here it is. Also, here are some of the new cards we'll be offering this year. I want to thank Sophia Pearson for coming in early to be photographed, so I could create all the gallery samples and cards. She was so sweet and gave me a big hug and a kiss before leaving.

Fall In WV

Well, it's fall here in WV and it's been such a beautiful season!! The fall season is my favorite time of the year. I enjoy the crisp air, the varied colors of the leaves, and the smell in the air. . . . I wanted to share a few images from this season with you. Here are a couple of seniors and two photos from a recent family session. The seniors are Hannah Vinson from Logan High School and Molly Bradshaw from Scott High School. The family is the Hatfield family of Madison: Caroline, Matt and Hope.

Senior of the Week--Anna Butcher

This week's senior of the week in Anna Butcher and I think she has the most beautiful red hair I have ever seen!! I have always loved shooting red heads for some reason. (Maybe I wish I had red hair.) Anyway, we had such a blast and her photos are so awesome!!




School: Chapamanville Regional High School
Favorite Color(s): Turquoise and Purple
Favorite Band: Lifehouse
Favorite Movie: Georgia Rule
Favorite TV Show: Law and Order
Hobbies: Dancing, Running and Movies
Lucky Number: 5
Favorite Website: Myspace
Two Words the describe ME: Sweet and Sassy

Katherine

Yesterday my daughter, Katherine, had surgery to remove her wisdom teeth. So, I thought I'd cheer her up by posting one of her images that I had prepared. I hope you feel better soon!!

Last Wedding

Well, I recently shot my last wedding. . . . if you already didn't know, I am no longer shooting weddings. It had become too hard on my body and mind; plus, I have been traveling quite a bit speaking all over the country. So, something in my life had to give. I have to admit, I was a bit sad when working on the images from this last wedding. And, I have to say that it was a nice wedding to finish with. The couple was Amelia Jarrell and Eric Frye both of Madison and it was a pleasure sharing their day with them. Amelia was probably about 5 years old when I moved to Madison and I have photographed she and her sister numerous times throughout the years. Eric moved to Madison later in life, but even though I didn't watch him grow up we still had some commonalities which came up during their engagement session. Eric nearly attended my college alma mater, Centre College but instead opted for Washington Unviversity in St. Louis. So sure he would attend Centre, his mother even purchased a Centre Mom sweatshirt. I don't even think my own mother purchased a Centre Mom sweatshirt! Anyway, . . . . enough rambling . . . I thought I would share some images from this joyous day. (P.S. as you will notice some of these images are from their additional session at the Capital)

Early Christmas??

Sorry it's been so long since I have posted but I have been working day and night trying to get caught up at work. I've been up early and to bed late, working diligently on all of the in-house orders and proofs. So, if you're waiting for either be patient with me. I only put 100% into every person's images and that takes time.
Anyway, Diane has been working hard on our newest photoDUDS' releases (yes, 3 at once) of Holiday card templates. The templates are for bi-fold and tri-fold cards. We'll be offering all 27 of these designs as card options in the studio this season. I am so excited because they are too cute!! Here is a preview sample of a bi-fold 5x7 card which will be printed on your choice of card stock. Thanks to Bella Bowen for her images which are too cute for words. Enjoy!!

New Music

This post is totally unrelated to the studio but I couldn't help myself. Earlier this week Kings of Leon released their new album, Only By The Night. Anyway, as a long time fan of the band, we got it on the day it came out and I have worn it out. I love it!! Check it out! Favorite tracks: Closer, Sex on Fire and Be Somebody Also, here is a photo of brothers, Caleb and Nathan Followill that I took during their performance at Bonnaroo in 2007.

Senior of the Week--Jennifer Wimmer

Jennifer travelled all the way from Virginia to have her portraits taken at our studio. I had previously taken her sister Sarah's portraits several years ago when she graduated from high school. We had an awesome time and the pictures turned out great!!

Graham High School
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Band/Artist: John Mayer
Favorite Movie: A Walk to Remember
Favorite TV Show: The Hills
Hobbies: Shopping and Spending time with friends
Lucky Number: 2
Favorite Website: Myspace
Pets: Dog-Chloe
Two Words to Describe You: Spontaneous and Random

AN-NE Award

I am so excited!!! I recently found out that I won an AN-NE award. The AN-NE Marketing Awards competition is held annually by the PPA, (Professional Photographers of America) and is the premier program for recognizing outstanding marketing efforts in professional photography.
I have been trying to win a category in this competition for years and I FINALLY achieved my goal. The award winning campaign was in the Multimedia category. It was for a senior marketing campaign I recently implemented using Animoto videos and iTunes podcasts. If you are interested in viewing some of these videos you can visit the iTunes store to check them out.

Senior Gallery

I was working on a senior gallery for Ashley Ross and I thought I would share the end result. Ashley is a senior at Logan High School and I have known her parents, Dean and Cherie, since I was very a small child. When I was young, my parents built a tennis court in in Verdunville and the Ross family lived next door. I spent many hours practicing on that court while growing up.
It was such fun to take part in the memories of a family I had know for so many years. Congrats Ashley and good luck in your senior year!!

Introducing Nelson Street

Recently, I was excited to get to meet the newest addition to the Street family. It's always fun when you have been a part of others lives for so many years to get to share in a new chapter in their lives. Jodi is originally from the Boone County area and I have been photographing people in her family almost since the beginning of my career. I also shot she and Chip's wedding a few years ago on Chip's family's farm in Virginia. It was such a beautiful wedding and such a joyous day. Well, now I was honored that they drove all the way from Virginia for me to photograph their newborn son, Nelson Parkhurst Street. He was so perfect and the session went awesome!! Here are some of the photos from the session. Enjoy!!

Senior of the Week--Cortney Willis

Well, today is the first day of school in our area and I felt it fitting to post a senior of the week. Cortney is a senior at Chapmanville Regional High School and she chose our brand new Storybook Session. We had such a great time during both of her shoots!! And the photos turned out spectacular! Congrats to Cortney and all the other seniors in the Class of 2009. I hope you all have a great year!!





Your Colors: Pink and Green
Favorite Band: Avenged Sevenfold
Favorite Movie: You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Favorite TV Show: Roseanne
Hobbies: Softball, Computer, Friends
Lucky Number: 11
Pets: 2 Dogs, Cat, Ferret, Fish
Website: Myspace

Rangefinder Magazine

I am very excited!! For the second time in a year, I have been featured in the national publication -- Rangefinder Magazine! The article is titled "What's the Buzz all about?!" and covers such topics of word of mouth marketing, buzz ideas and how to reach out to the teen market. If you want to read the entire article you can download a pdf from the Rangefinder site. As an addendum to the article, there is an interview appearing on Rangefinder Radio as well. I am not much of an interview subject and I haven't been able to listen to the radio appearance yet because I can't stand the sound of my own voice. However, it's a 30 minute interview with me in which we discuss topics from the article, capture and workflow as well as my software, photoDUDS.

Bohemian

Hey, we are just about finished with the new photoDUDS DVD--Senior V. 4, Bohemian. I just had to upload a sample with some of the things from the new collection because I was so excited about the items included in this set. This image is from a senior session I shot last week of Anna Butcher who has the most beautiful auburn hair I have ever seen. If you want to go check on the new collection, visit our website at www.photoduds.com.

Senior of the Week--Aaron Thompson

Aaron seemed to have a great time at his session!! He attends Scott High School where he plays on the successful Skyhawk football team. Good Luck this season Aaron!!




Your Colors: Black and Gold
Favorite Band: Creed
Favorite Movie: Dazed and Confused
Favorite TV Show: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Hobbies: Football
Lucky Number: 78
Two words that best describe you: Dedicated and laid back

Senior of the Week

Well, this week instead of posting just one senior I decided to post three. All three girls came from Sherman High School, one right after another. They were all so sweet that I decided to post a couple of images from each of their sessions. All of their images turned out great and it was hard to choose . . .

Sarah Chandler

Your Colors: Blue and Green
Favorite Band: American Eagle
Favorite Movie: The Notebook
Favorite TV Show: Reba
Hobbies: Writing
Lucky Number: 5
Pets: 2 Dogs--Peanut and Buttercup
Two words that best describe you: Fun and Neat




Michelle Bollinger

Your Color(s): yellow
Favorite Band: Taylor Swift
Favorite Movie: Pretty Woman
Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld
Hobbies: Tennis
Lucky Number: 18
Favorite Website: Myspace
Pets: Dogs--Sammi and Sassy (photographed . . . isn't she cute!!)
Two words that best describe you: Outgoing and Funny




Reagan Meadows

Your Color(s): yellow and green
Favorite Band: Coldplay
Favorite Movie: Anchorman
Favorite TV Show: The 70's Show
Hobbies: Softball and Volleyball
Lucky Number: 9
Favorite Website: Myspace
Pets: Cat--Mittens
Two words that best describe you: Happy and Loud

Jacob's First birthday

This was so cute that I had to share it with everyone! These images are from Jacob's Birthday Session a few weeks ago. As you can sees he really went for the cake!! It was so cute!! He first started with his hands and then decided it was much quicker and more effective to go head first!! Toooooo Cute!! Happy Birthday Jacob!!

Senior of the Week--Jordyn Reed

School: Winfield High School
Favorite Color(s): Yellow
Favorite Band: Paramore
Favorite Movie: Zoolander
Favorite TV Show: Desperate Housewives
2 words that Best Describe Me: Kind and Unique
Favorite Website: myspace

Senior Video

Here is a new senior video we created last night. If you want you can go to the iTunes store and download it to your video capable iPod. The video podcast is free so go check it out!!

Senior Season

Well, believe it or not, Senior season is already starting . . . We already have over 50 seniors scheduled so far and new seniors are calling everyday. So, if you a senior and you want to be one of the 100 seniors we shoot this year you'd better call right away. We've gathered tons on new props, backgrounds and ideas for the Class of 2009. So, stay tuned for upcoming posts about new things we'll be offering this year. It's going to fun and exciting!!
Here is a spread form our senior guide we'll be publishing this year. It tells about our sessions and what we have to offer this year.

Exciting News!!

I am very excited!! I recently received a gift in the mail and I was so shocked when I opened it. It was the recently published book "Professional Portrait Photography: Techniques and Images from Master Photographers" by author and photographer Lou Jacobs Jr.
About a year and a half ago Lou contacted me by phone at the studio requesting an interview for a book he was writing. After spending several minutes assuring him that he had the wrong person, he finally convinced me to participate. So began the process of several question and answer sessions via e-mail. Well, anyway it had all taken place so long ago that I had practically forgotten about the book . . . therefore the surprise when it showed up!!
Anyway, the book covers 10 photographers from all over the country who specialize in portrait photography. I really still am not sure how I was chosen for this project but I am so honored to be a part of the book. Thanks Lou!! Anyway here are a few pages from the chapter in the book in which I am profiled.