Last year has probably been one of the most difficult times I have ever experienced in my life, as some of you know my father was diagnosed with lung cancer that was inoperable, so the last few months I have been taking a little breather and spending more time with him and family as much as possible. It has been really hard watching him be so sick from the chemotherapy and radiation. He just finished his treatments a week or so ago and all news is good right now, so I have decided to try to re-new and refocus. So the first thing I have decided to tackle is updating my website and making some changes that I have wanted to implement for a while. I love the New Year. It is such a great time to step back and evaluate things and make things new again and better. So for those of you that view my website regularly there may be a few kinks over the next week or so but I hope to have it worked out soon. I know I am a little late saying this, but Happy New Year!

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the music and the special programs they put on television.  Although, it seems like the specials they put on tv now don’t even compare to the old ones.  I remember every year waiting with anticipation to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas special, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, The Grinch that Stole Christmas and so many others.  You can still find the cartoons, they still play those, but I think one of the things I miss is watching the Christmas specials every year that included music,  it seems I can never find those shows were they include all the stars singing Christmas carols and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas which is of course, our Savior’s birth.  I though I would post a clip from one of those Christmas specials that I remember watching as a little kid and it just so happens it also has one of my favorite Christmas songs in it.  Merry Christmas!

As you may know from a recent post of mine I had the honor of photographing Marilyn Breeden for her story that was published in yesterday’s issue of The Cullman Times.  If you missed the story you can read it here http://www.cullmantimes.com/local/x1396299609/Local-woman-in-fight-of-her-life-after-cancer-diagnosis  It looks as if sometime between the time I took her photos and they were published in the paper her Cyberknife radiation treatment had finally been approved by her insurance but it is now unclear how much it will actually pay.   She is really an amazing lady and I am truly hoping that she will win the battle with her cancer and be around many years to come to be with her sweet little girl Micah.

Had a lovely time practicing some different lighting setups with Stacy and some of my other photog friends.  Stacy wanted some classy but sexy images for her hubby and I think this one turned out quite nicely.  I love the leading lines from the ladies in the painting to lovely Stacy.  I do have more but need to get through some other pics I have to work on before I can finish them.  By the way, Danny, Dawn, Bob, Rick and everyone else who was there… I would stay up ’til 3 in the morning working on lighting with you guys anytime!  It was such fun and man I learned so much from all of you!

I had the honor of photographing my friend Marilyn and her family today.  Marilyn is a wonderful lady who is battling breast cancer for the second time. She first discovered she had breast cancer for the first time when she was pregnant with her beautful daughter Micah.  She is in the battle of her life because her health insurance refuses to pay for her much needed Cyberknife radiation treatment.  I had a request to take some photos of her for an upcoming story which will be in the Cullman Times in next Sunday’s issue.  Please read her story, and if you can help, please help.  Here are some of the photos from the shoot today of Marilyn, her husband Mike, and her beautiful daughter Micah.  I love you Marilyn, and you are in my thoughts constantly.  I only wish I could do more to help.

Had the pleasure of spending time with sweet little Kanaan.  He was SO sweet and full of smiles!  I just wanted to pinch his fat little cheeks!  Kanaan won the “Cutest Baby Contest” for the Cullman Times and as a part of his winnings he received a special photoshoot and his image from that shoot will grace the cover of Cullman Magazine.  Here’s his image for the cover.   Look for the magazine to come out just before Thanksgiving.

Last week, while away at a photography seminar/convention I was honored to receive second place in the Children’s Portrait category with my print which I titled “Go Away!”   What a total thrill to win!  It was also really special to me because my photography heroes Steve and Shelley Harrington happened to be two of the judges this year.   I thought I would post the picture that won as well as a picture of the judges and I with my ribbon and my mounted print.  Thanks to Tommy Cooper for taking the shot of me and the judges!

Last week was a really busy week for me.  I left and attended “Inferno” which is a really intense photography seminar/convention that I have been lucky enough to get to attend for the past two years.  The whole week was packed  full of a whole week of total photography training from early morning until the evening.   One of the best things about this training trip this year was the fact that I was able to get to show up a day early for some extra special training from a couple of photographers who just happen to be my photography heroes.  I had a great time spending a whole day shooting and learning with Steve and Shelley Harrington from Utah, and shooting with some of my best photography friends I have made over the years who just happened to be attending the workshop as well.   It was a total blast!

You can visit Steve and Shelley’s  site here http://www.steveharrington.net/main.html to see some of their smokin’ hot work!

Here are some of the images I shot during the day of our beautiful model Barri Elizabeth, who just happens to be Miss North Jefferson County.  What a beauty she was, and so sweet!

It was fun photographing the GMS Volleyball team again this year.  Every year for the past three years now I have been doing their team and individual shots and we do some fun shots as well.  Here’s their team shot from the day and a few of the fun ones.  Proceed with caution!  Cause some of these images could be HOT!

I had the pleasure of photographing the Price Family tonight in my new studio.   It was a nice way to spend the evening. What a lovely little family they were! The kids were too cute and so well behaved!  It was fun spending time with little Miranda, William, and Lizzy.   Miranda and William were so great taking care of their new little sister.  They sure tried to help their mom out.  Miranda was the official baby rocker while William was the “binky” holder.   Here’s a teaser photo.  There may be a few more on the blog as I get time to process, as for now it’s late and I am off to bed.