Have a look at Shelby, ummm I mean Shelley.  LOL.  Poor little Shelley, for some reason I could not call her Shelley, I was having a total brain episode or something yesterday.  I called her Shelby the whole time we were together and I would realize it and then I could be like DOH!  and have to apologize.  I have no reason for it except I guess she looked like a Shelby to me.  Shelley wanted to be all tough and not smile, but I found out if I turned around and told her I was gonna shake my booty at her she would give me a grin!  The silly things I do to get a laugh sometimes can be embarrassing, but if it gets a smile out of someone it is worth it.  Here’s a composite from some of the shots of the day.  You did a great job Shelley!  Your a cutie!

Had some fun today with Alyssa who in my book is also known as Lizzard to me.  I love to poke around with her and call her Lizzard and get her to smile.  Wow, has she grown since the last time we did some headshots!  Apparently everyone in the world is meant to be taller than me!  LOL.  Once again I was WOW’ed by her stunning eyes.  Holy cow!  I also had some fun with her cousin Shelley, whom I kept calling Shelby all day, I don’t know why other than I am a complete moron!  Sorry Shelley!  I hope to post some of yours in a bit.  Thought I would post a collage of some of Lizzard’s shots.

Such an awesome day!  It was so beautiful outside and I got to have a photoshoot with my favorite person to shoot, Makala.   Her mom called me a week or so ago and we decided to out and about and have some fun.  It’s hard for me to sleep when I have so many great images to process but I do have to sleep.  I thought I would share a few before I drop off to sleep for the night.  I will be sharing more of these images, but not until Makala gets to see them on the big screen.   I had a blast dodging trains with you Makala!  LOL.  You are such a darling.   Beautiful inside and out.  Can’t wait for you to see them all. 

My hubby and I had a wonderful Valentine’s dinner tonight at the Larkwood Club with our dear friends, Norman and Diane.  It doesn’t get much better than a good filet mignon in conjunction with great company.  I enjoyed the ambience and the food very much.  We had so many laughs before the night was over my side was almost hurting from the laughter.  I decided to carry my camera in and take a quick shot of Norman and Diane.

Later on after that, when we were getting ready to leave, Diane and I had to take a trip to the ladies room, and my hubby had my camera around his neck and my flash in his hand, and a couple of ladies who were there together asked him if he would take a picture of them together and email it to them.  He got a kick out of that, and told them “Hey I’m not a photographer I’m just the assistant!”   I think they were surprised when he showed it to them in camera that everything wasn’t dark, as there wasn’t much light in the room. Lucky for them, I already had the camera set-up from when I took Norman and Dianes photo or it might not have turned out so well!  LOL. I thought I would share the photo he took as well.

Happy Valentine’s Day!  I hope everyone out there had just as an enjoyable time with the ones they love as well.

It’s really cool that I get to meet new and interesting people and spend time photographing them.  I had the pleasure of spending time the other day with Frank Whitman who has started a new running club in our area and shoot his picture for the cover of the Cullman Magazine.  He was such a trooper to get out there in his shorts and short-sleeved shirt in freezing weather to have his photo made.  He certainly has a love for running and has the ability to inspire anyone to give running a try.  He was quick to give me some tips on where to find the right shoes and how to get started from scratch, if you are like me and are not a runner at all.   If you are interested in running at all I would definitely recommend becoming a member of the Cullman Running Club.  If all the members are just as excited and enthusiastic about running as Frank is it would be the perfect place for anyone just wanting to start running, or for the more experienced runner wanting to share their love of running with those who enjoy it as well.  I hated that I didn’t get a chance to meet his wife, who he said had the idea for the club, but I think the cold weather was just a little too much for her to tolerate, and I would have to say I can’t blame her.    If you would like more info on the running club you can contact Frank at cullmantrackclub@yahoo.com.

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.