Just a quick Thank You!

Just a quick Thank You to everyone that has supported me this year.  I gained a few new clients, and have several lined up for next year.  I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for me, and this operation I have going.  I hope each and everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  See you in 2015!  I might some more crazy ideas. 

Our Tree

A rather fitting ornament!

Family

Family is the most important thing in the world. ~ Princess Diana 

It can be rather difficult to get an entire extended family together to have your pictures taken, but this family pulled it off so

smoothly!!  Plus, It's good to have a least one family picture taken every year.  Trust me on this one....40 years from now you'll be glad that you did!

Jerod and Kelsey 2014

I finished up a wedding with two incredibly GREAT people.  I was rather dull on ideas, so if you are ever in the same position check out Pinterest.  I actually made a board of some great wedding poses.  

Also a great wedding cake from : Loving's Cakes in Garden City Kansas!

Happy BIRTHDAY!

I'm not sure that I ever realized how much kids love the movie Frozen, but they do.  Still haven't seen it myself , but she sure loved it.  Make sure to take a few pictures of your kids b-day party, and not on a smartphone.  You might just thank yourself later. 

KM&J September 2014

If anyone out there is looking for a park to take pictures, I would highly recommend Bogle Park in Bentonville, Arkansas.  Even if it is just a few snapshots of the family, they really do ahve a great atmosphere.  And it's free! 

It really is these sorts of pictures that you will remember the most.  Not the ones that have perfect posing, perfect light, or even the perfect smile. It is simply the ones that hold the perfect moment.  The one that isn't rehearsed, staged,  or planned.   

DeWitt Family 2014

Another great shoot with this family.

And the good news is that I found another great park to shoot in.

Cambridge Park in Rogers, AR

It was the little ones 1st Birthday, and if you ever get the chance I highly recommend a smash cake.  It's an absolute blast. 

I'm on Instagram now.  If you'd like you can follow me there as well. 

My edit lists

My Lists...

These are usually what I listen to while I edit.

I seem to find the biggest inspiration from the classics!

Look what I found...

I found these the other day while mowing.  Something that I have never seen before in Arkansas, so if you know please chime in.  I was wondering if the spider is a wasp spider, but I could be wrong.  They were enormous!

Country Stampede 2014

Here we are at country stampede in Manhattan, Kansas enjoying some great country music. I've posted previously about this event, and all that I can really say is be careful.

- Make sure you hydrated!

-  Pay attention to your surrounding, and know who you are with.

Other than that it is a really good time!

Good food, good music, and just a flat-out good time!

Easton Corbin

Luke Bryan

Eric Church

Chris Young

Thomas Rhett

Randy Houser

Lee Brice

Dustin Lynch

Jon Pardi

Joe Nichols

Will Hoge

Charlie Worsham

EriK Dylan

Tyler Farr

Joe Diffie

Jana Kramer

6 Degrees West

The Railers

Logan Mize

Greg McDougal

If you would like to see it in person 

COUNTRY STAMPEDE

You should really give it a try!

 



Why I'm going back to printing...and albums

I seems I have read several places that many people are reverting back to printing and putting them into albums as a way to back up their photographs. Reminds me of a relative that I have, who happens to have over 200 photo albums....but that's beside the point. I you have a few minutes we can walk through a few key points on why I am going back to printing as another form of back-up.   

-  How many of you have an old MySpace account?  Ha! Me too.  I had to move mountains to remember my old password.  When I finally did there were photos on there that I had I completely forgot about. Or, we can talk about the canister film, Polaroid's, MP3 players, Walkman's, or disposable cameras. At any rate, I think that we can all agree that technology changes everything almost overnight.  I'm sure there are photos somewhere that I upload to some random website, that I may never see again. I will not even get into the troubles that are concerned with trying to find various passwords to access your content at any given time.  

[I think it is safe to say that as much as we value technology, it does not return the favor]

- The famous external hard drive! But wait.. don't drop it, because its gone. Or get it wet.  Personally, if I was going to put all of my photographs on a hard drive, I would be sure to back them up elsewhere.  If you don't believe me, please refer to the previous point.

- A solid piece of mass creates a priceless memory. I have seen one photo and only one photo of my late grandfather.  This is because it was printed and handed down through the years.  Had it been on a phone or a tablet, I might never have seen it.  Then on the back of the photo are the notes that surround the memory.  Not typed, but in detailed written script of the events that were taking place.  And always remember to include such marking on your photos.  I can look back now and realized how sloppy my handwriting was, and can still get a good laugh from it.  

-People change, and so do phones.  Ten years from now when you hold the heart of someone who calls you grandmother, or grandfather, and those little ones come to visit; surely you will have the same phone right?  Nothing brings me more joy than sitting down a flipping through and old photo album.  I would much rather do that that to have everyone gather around a phone, or a tablet to remember all of the people and events that were part of your life.  A photograph also evokes a sudden laughter, and tear, and even a not so distant memory. 


Try This!


Next time you are together with family and friends for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a birthday party dig out several of you photos albums, and let every have at it! 
  

There are an endless ways to back up your priceless photos.  I am choosing to print mine as well as back them up on various websites.  I currently hold an account for numerous print sites, back up with CD and then print.  Most sites give you ample storage, but I have chosen to use several.  

List or sites - depending on your preference:  

Wallgreens

Wal-Mart

Shutterfly

Snapfish

Photobucket

These are just a few, but for every photo I take, I print. 

   

A good place to shoot! UPDATE!!

So since I am rather new to the area, I have settled on several places that I have feel are rather cool places to set a shoot.  Problem is, this is such beautiful country here in NWA, so I decide to share with you some my favorite places to shoot. -  [AND BY ALL MEANS FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOURS].

I started out at Crystal Bridges  and after they finished the final touches, I then moved from there. The only issues at the time was that they charged a fee to shoot on the grounds.   To my knowledge they no longer charge a fee, just as long at it does not interfere with the other site-seers. 

After that I did several shoots at Lake Atlanta, and then moved on to Beaver Lake.  So, if you were in the mood for a shoot where would you choose your desired location? Or, if by chance you would like to share, please do! Now that we are coming upon warmer weather, I'm kinda itchin' for some suggestions.  So far I have Crystal Bridges, Beaver Lake, and Lake Atlanta.  I am well aware that there are many out-doorsy people in this state so ya'll must be hiding the good places!

UPADTED

SO, after I shared this on  Facebook  several people chimed in with other suggestions that I will definitely have to try: 

Hobbs State Park Conservation Area

20201 Hwy 12, Rogers, AR 72756

(479) 789-5000

=========================

Mount Magazine State Park

Elevation: 2,753' (839 m)

Prominence: 2,133' (650 m)

Mountain range: Ouachita Mountains

=========================

Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel Home

=====================

www.arkansasstateparks.com/devilsden//

Devil's Den State Park is a 2,500-acre Arkansas state park in Washington County, near West Fork, Arkansas in the United States.

Address: 1133 Arkansas 170, Winslow, AR 72959

==========================

War Eagle Mill: Home

11045 War Eagle Rd, Rogers, AR 72756
(479) 789-5343

War Eagle Mill is a working gristmill in Benton County, Arkansas. A mill has been located on the site as 

early as 1832, but was destroyed three times, and last rebuilt in 1973.

I can't just jump in!?

I would think that at some point every has seen some kind of meme floating around the internet that goes something like this:

What my friends thinks that I do...

What my Mom thinks I do...

What society thinks I do... etc. 

They is a very great deal of truth to this depending on what type of profession that you are in. Some people make it look really easy, when in fact it is farther from the truth that you would think.  People do this because it is something that they have a great deal of interest it, or it is something that are are rather passionate about. 

A great deal of people spend their life on the edge of a cliff because they are afraid to make the leap into something that they really want to do. Truth be told - If you are passionate enough about something , and you devote a great deal of energy and resources to it, you will eventually turn a profit.  (Hence the phrase, I have a degree in underwater basket-weaving.)

So for the past several months I have been watching, learning, and listening to what might make me a better photographer.  There is an incredible amount of resources out the available to teach you , guide you, and inform you of the pitfalls.  Having said that, I am going to be one of those people that decided to go ahead and make the jump, and see where it it takes me. 

So the truth to this is YES, you really can jump in! 

- A classmate took this of me abut 5 years ago,  so I think I am pretty comfortable in saying that I have come quite a ways already. 

DeWitt Famiily | 2014

Another great pleasure of shooting the DeWitt Family last weekend. With the new addition to the family of five, the weather was teetering on perfect...Just a little chilly.