Catelyn & Connor

So we have had some gorgeous weather in the past couple of weeks, and I was so happy some of my clients could benefit from it.  The Fall colors have finally hit their peak, and on one sunny afternoon I met Catelyn and Connor for the first time.  These 13 month old twins were so full of personality!  Catelyn definitely knew what she wanted to do and how she was going to do it, while Connor was more of the free spirit...  We met at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, TN where they have some fabulous stone steps and walls to photograph on.  This is where we spent a good hour moving these two troopers from one spot to another and distracting them with all kinds of toys and antics to get some smiles and laughs!  Children's photography is so much fun!

Great Idea!

I photograph alot of children and babies, and there is nothing more difficult than getting their attention by yourself behind the camera.  Many times, parents bring along an additional person the baby is familiar with, or an arsenal of toys and noise makers that not only get the babies attention, but everyone else within a twelve mile radius.  It's often times up to the parents to get the babies to "Look, over here!" by doing crazy antics behind me so their child will look in the right direction... goodness knows what is going on back there!  Today I came across a fabulous idea... and I slap myself for not thinking of it first!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/cameracreatures  If you ever photograph children, or just want something cute for your own camera.... check these out!

Sara & Andy's album

The creative process is a difficult one to explain to clients. When designing a coffee table style wedding album, I ask specific questions regarding how artistic a couple would like their pages to appear, but in the end, it always comes down to actually seeing them before clients really know what they want.  In the case of Sara & Andy, she specified that she wanted some artistic flair, but to keep it fairly traditional....  this didn't seem to fit the engagement, bridal, or wedding day photography, so I took a risk and designed their album a bit more on the artistic side while still staying within the realm of traditionality.  The result?  They are extremely pleased so far... we are still working on a few minor changes, but the overall design is fantastic.  There are so many ways this wedding album could have been designed, but as a wedding photographer and a graphic designer, it is my job to interpret the images a couple chooses and pair that with a design style that fits the photography.  Here are a few pages....

 

Katie Rush

Just finished editing a portrait session with 7 year old Katie Rush.  Had so much fun working with this spunky little lady... she has a bright and vivacious personality.  I first met her at a wedding Labor Day weekend - she was a flower girl and totally loved her important job that day.  However, my impression of this fabulous little girl was forever imprinted as I watched her at the reception do magic tricks for guests at their tables for money.  Her mother didn't know whether to be proud or mortified!  Ah well.... a future entrepeneur in the making - we need all the great minds we can get.  On our portrait session day, Katie Rush was comfortable in front of the camera and had no shyness whatsoever.  She was talkative and asked me questions, and even did sassy little poses for me.  What a fun session and what great images we ended up with!  To see more of them, go to my facebook page:  BBP Designs/Betsy Butler Photography. 

There is nothing like great customer service... and Moo.com has got it!  This company produces business cards, labels, stickers, postcards, etc...  I am using them for my new business cards and am very impressed with not only their product, but how quickly they took care of an issue I had during check out.  They addressed my problem immediately, and even gave me a discount for my trouble!  Yayyy!  If you ever need printed products, go to http://www.moo.com/share/r86ngh - I don't think you'll be disappointed!  Here is a preview of my new card....

One of the things I love about Moo.com is that you can choose up to 50 different designs for the back of your card... meaning, all 50 will be incorporated into your order.  This way, your clients can collect all the different designs, or you can target more than one audience.  For me, I wanted to address not just wedding photography, but also children and portrait photography too.  What a great innovation in the business card field - now why didn't I think of that?

New ideas for blogging

Blogs are funny things...  on the one hand, you want to write things that will seem more personal and let the viewer into your life, and on the other hand - especially in the case of a blog for a business, you want to write what will get you noticed and bring in new clients.  The balance between the two is very difficult to achieve, and over the years I am not sure I have done what I wanted with blogs.  Writing every day, or at least several times a week, is not always easy when your schedule is as busy as mine tends to be.... but the effort must be made in order to become more noticed online... and isn't that the goal of any blog?  So, to maximize the time I have, what do I write?  Do I tell you about my personal life so you can identify with me better, or do I keep it professional and keep you updated on my goings on in business?

I think what I will try is a bit of both.  I will post new photos here... tell you a bit about them from my own personal perspective, and then also try to give you advice and tips on finding photographers for your own wedding, baby, or special event.  We are not all created equal and I know how daunting it can be to find one these days.  Maybe I can help - giving back a bit of the wonderful business I've received over the years.

We'll start with Eli...  4 years old last month!  I met with him and his family in downtown Franklin, TN to walk around and find some cool places to photograph this energetic and adorable kid.  One challenge with young kids is their inability to stay still for a long period of time!  Over the years (I've been photographing Eli since he was three months old), Eli's parents have learned that sessions with him are a lesson in patience and bribery.  We always end up with so many great shots, but if only people knew what we go through to get them.  Kids are so much fun to work with, but also very challenging.  Eli was a trooper though... and finding ice cream cones at a local Ben & Jerry's to act as not only a great prop, but also a great distraction for Eli was a stroke of pure genius.  To see more of Eli's photos go to my website http://www.betsybutlerphotography.com/ and click on my facebook link. 

New Discovery

It's not often that I promote products on my blog, website, or facebook page.  It feels too much like a sales gimmick and I know that so many people are tight on money right now.  However, I have just discovered a fantastic new site:  www.pinholepress.com?prc=3644   It's full of awesome products anyone can order using their own images, and it's so easy to use!  I just ordered the wine labels using images of flowers I had taken a few weeks ago... and I have to tell you I am very impressed with the ease of use, the simplicity of ordering, and the short wait time to receive my labels!  There are calandars, notepads, journals, albums, stationary, etc...  so many great choices, and no cheesy designs.  Just the product and your photography.  I encourage you to visit the site and check it out if you have images sitting on your computer or stored on a DVD somewhere that you would like to bring out to the light of day.  The prices are right, the interface is easy to use, and I can think of at least 10 perfect gifts these products would make for members of my family right now! 

Anyway... was excited and thought I'd share....

How do you look at life?

I have a friend who is really down in the dumps right now.  Everything in her life seems to be going wrong and she just can't catch a break, yet sometimes I wonder if her outlook on life doesn't bring on some of her misfortune.  Over her lifetime, I would say bad luck seems to follow her around, but she is also a very hard and cynical person.  She doesn't believe in much beyond what she can see and feel.... her belief in something more than the ordinary has vanished beneath a rough shell of skepticism.  What is wrong with her faith, I wonder?  Where is the positive outlook I know lurks beneath her tough outer shell?  Life is just too short to be so miserable all the time, and yet she seems to thrive on playing the victim - always complaining and bemoaning her fate, and not looking around her and seeing all the gifts she has in her life.  Now I'm not perfect and can't say I'm always a positive role model, but I do believe in things I can't touch or see, I do believe wishes can come true if you have enough faith in them (although they may take on a different form than what you expect), and I do believe our outlook on life affects what happens to us.  If you believe bad things will happen, then they will... it's a self imposed fate.  Have you ever heard the saying that those who expect good things always get them?  Well, in my own experience, it's true, but you have to have a positive personality and a true faith in what you expect.  You also need compassion and sympathy for this to work...  a truly good person will reap the rewards of nurturing the fates of their fellow man. 

In today's world it is difficult to believe in other people anymore...  everyone seems to be looking out for themselves nowadays and it's a challenge to put yourself out there risking getting hurt.  My friend has no faith in other people... she has been hurt so many times and the defensive wall she has built makes it difficult for anyone to get close.  She is selfish and angry, and at times I can't say I blame her.  But, as her friend I try to get her to see that life is not as bad as she thinks.  There are still good people willing to be there for her if she would let them in.  Her anger is such a waste of energy, and would be much better channeled toward rebuilding her damaged relationships with friends and family.  Her outlook on friends and family at the moment consists of a belief that if they don't think the way she does, then they are all stupid and not worth her effort.  This is her way of putting up the wall and not getting hurt further.  It's so sad to see this happen over and over again - especially when it's aimed at me and all I'm trying to do is help her see how much I care for her. 

If you have friends or family that struggle with life and seem not worth the effort to stay in touch with, please don't give up on them.  The success of our life is measured by the relationships we forge and nurture - no matter the circumstances.  Money, material gain, power... all that means nothing because we can't take it with us in the end and it's worth is fleeting.  Our connections with others.... that is worth more than money and power.  Help someone see that life is good.... life is precious.... and life is what we make it.   

Sam

Sam was here to visit....  for the past two weeks my parents have been in town and Sam is traveling with them.  He is a three year old Yellow Lab and I got him when he was only 10 weeks old.  It was a tough decision picking the best male from his litter - they were all so sweet and good natured.  In the end it came down to markings - Sam had white toes on his back feet and to me that was precious.  I vividly remember the ride home:  I was in the back seat with Sam... this little sleeping bundle of fur, and I was so nervous.  I had never raised a dog from a puppy and I did not know if I would be a good "parent", but little did I know that being a good puppy parent takes so much more than I had anticipated with Labrador Retrievers.  I had been warned that they stay puppies until ages 3 to 5, but no one told me what little devils they are in the first year!  My goodness!  Sam was a handful to be sure....  and I had no idea how much time should be devoted to them in the first eight months when they do not have a full size bladder yet!  The rule of thumb is an hour for each month of age... so if your puppy is three months old, they need to be taken out every three hours.  How in the world do people who don't work at home raise puppies?  Furthermore, how do they bond with their dog if they are not there to be with them when the puppy is learning about the world? 

Anyway, Sam was a handful and from what I understand, still is to a certain degree.  I had to let him go when I met my fiance and moved in last year.  He has an older dog, Daisy, and she does not get along with Sam.  It was heartbreaking giving him up...  he was my companion and since I will probably have no children of my own, he was my baby.  Fortunately, my parents were close to retiring and had plans to travel the country in their RV and agreed to adopt Sam as their own and take him with them.  They loved Sam and didn't want to see him go to some stranger... and I am so grateful for that.  They've been traveling now for four months and Sam is loving it!  They were here for the last two weeks and it was wonderful and bittersweet seeing Sam.  I got to take him swimming and throw the ball for him;  two of his absolute favorite things in the world!  But, it was just so good to see his sweet face.  I sure do miss him....  hopefully, someday I might be able to take him back. 

TV

One of my new favorite shows... and I can't believe I'm saying this!... is Hell's Kitchen.  I refused for years to watch this program solely on the principle that I didn't want to watch a show where a master chef yells and curses at the contestants for an hour.  I mean, how fun is that not?  However, several months ago I got stuck on Gordon Ramsey's other show, Kitchen Nightmares on the BBC network, and I absolutely loved it... so I figured I'd give Hell's Kitchen a try. 

My first episode I kept expecting to get frustrated and mad at the injustice of unnecessary bullying by Ramsey,but my expectations were not met.  Yes, he yells and gets mad and curses every other word, but.... it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.  I actually get more mad at some of the contestants!  On the current season there is one chick I really wish would get booted off, but she is doing just enough to stay on even though everyone on her team can't stand her attitude.  I just grit my teeth every time she talks to her teammates - she is a drama queen to the max.  And then there is our own Tennessean who blamed everyone else for all his mistakes...  way to go representing our proud state!  His food was always losing in challeges and he had a bad attitude when it came to defending his right to be there.  I really hate to say it, but I was so glad when he got kicked off. 

The food is not the star of the show like I thought it would be.  Many cooking shows make a big deal of presenting the food and giving you close ups of mouthwatering details.  This show is about the people and cooking is just something they do to get the prize at the end - a head chef position at a prominent NY restaurant.  It's more about testing their knowledge and ability rather than showcasing the actual dishes they make.  An interesting twist - especially when you consider all the other cooking shows out there... it takes alot to separate from the pack these days.

Hell's Kitchen... if you like cooking shows and want to see one comparable to a roller derby in the kitchen, give this one a try.  It's fun in a rubber-necking-a-traffic-accident kind of way. 

Romance

Like most women, I love romance.  Over the years I've grown away from reading the steamy romance novels and watching movies that raise my expectations too high, but I have not lost my girlish desire to be swept off my feet every once in awhile...  As little girls, many women are introduced to the idea of romance in the movies and television we watch - Disney has cornered the market on impossible romance... the kind that beats all odds and finds our two heroes living happily ever after when evil has been vanquished and all other obstacles are swept aside.  We even learn about romance in the books read to us as little girls, and our elders constantly tell us how we'll grow up and find true love one day...  It's no wonder we expect too much of our men as we get older! 

Realistically, we do fall in love and then crash hard the first time we have a boyfriend.  All our girlish fantasies and expectations are usually squashed in our teens...  some of us are lucky and do find prince charming, but for most of us, this time in our lives is education for romance.  We learn that men as a general rule don't have the prince charming gene programmed into their DNA, and in the beginning of relationships they are much more romantic than later on...  It's really not hard to please a woman when it comes to romance.  All we need is small gestures showing you think about us and know who we are.  Reassurance is something all women need - and for most men, this idea seems silly and unnecessary.  What they don't understand is that women are full of doubt and insecurities - even the ones that seem to be confident and independent - we are all little girls at heart and need reassurance every once in awhile that our man still thinks we are the one for them.  As emotional creatures, women enjoy knowing their men still love them through actions - not always words.  Saying "I love  you" is so easy over time... it is a conditioned phrase when a couple has been together for awhile.  Think outside the box and show her in actions how much you love her... plan a romantic dinner for two, a getaway to some secluded resort, do something around the house she's been asking for without letting her know, buy her that something special she's been talking about for months but would never purchase for herself.... etc.  It usually doesn't take grand gestures... just something that expresses your love and shows you listen to her and care about her thoughts and desires. 

Women can be complicated, but when it comes to romance, we are pretty much all the same.  We don't have to have it, but it sure is nice every once in awhile.  Listen to your woman now and then.... if you have to, write down ideas and keep them in a safe place to consult periodically when you want to do something special.  This is also good for gift ideas... women are constantly saying things like, "Oh, I would love to have that", or, "Wouldn't it be nice to be able to afford that?", or, "I've always wanted one of those!"  Write these things down and I guarantee you'll never go wrong on Christmas or Birthday gifts again!

Favorite Things continued....

I love shoes....  the stereotypical woman, I do have several pairs of shoes in my closet.  At last count, I do believe we got up to almost 50 pairs - winter and summer both included.  I don't know why shoes are like a drug for me - I was not always like this...  in fact, it's probably been only the last 10 years or so that I've started collecting.  Heels are my favorites above all, and ironically they are the ones I wear the least!  Living on the lake, there are not many occasions to wear sexy 4 inch heels - not even to our parties where we live in bathing suits and sandals (or flip flops).  For those occasions I have started a small collection of cute summer shoes - but of course, I do not have nearly enough yet! 

It feels amazing to put on a pair of shoes you know look good and walk around like a queen.  Even if the outfit you have on is not inspiring your feelings of nobility, a great pair of shoes will do wonders for even the humblest of clothing.  The right pair of shoes will also transform a ho-hum outfit into a dynamite going out ensemble paired with some great jewelry and the right makeup.  Shoes say alot about our personalities too...  you know a woman walking down the street in boots and a short skirt has bold confidence, whereas a woman in sandals and a short skirt has a more quiet confidence in herself and does not need people's attention to feel good about who she is.   

Men truly puzzle over the woman's desire for shoes.... I can personally vouch for my man's frustration each time I buy a new pair, and in fact we have a new rule in the house:  I buy a pair, I have to donate an existing pair to Goodwill.  This seems harsh, but in a home where we are extremely limited on storage, my shoes do take up valuable real estate!  My dream is to one day have a closet big enough for all my shoes (and more) and all my clothes (a subject for another day!).  It is baffling that men only need four or five pairs of shoes at a time - and almost seems unfair at times.  Dressing to go out, I sometimes cannot find a pair of shoes among all 50 pairs I own to work with an outfit I've chosen, however my man has no problem choosing from his meager five pairs...  and he always looks good!  So unfair that men's clothing is easier to coordinate - women have so many choices it's a wonder we don't all go crazy shopping for our wardrobes.

I photograph alot of shoes as a wedding photographer.  The shoe a bride chooses for her dress is often as big a deal as the dress itself.  These days, brides will have more than one pair:  a pair for the ceremony and beginning of the reception, and another for dancing and running out as they leave.  I have seen so many exquisite shoes over the years...  I love being a woman photographer!

In retrospect, shoes are a luxury many cannot afford in abundance....  and truthfully I have to admit I do not buy as often as I used to.  Every time I see a cute pair I think I cannot live without, I ask myself if I truly need them and if I really want to spend the money.  Many times the answer is no... but every so often, the answer is..... yes!    

Dream Jobs.... Part One

I know it sounds a bit crazy, but one of my dream jobs is to own a bed and breakfast someday.  Living on the lake now, my location is just about perfect to draw people to me.  I love to entertain, and I LOVE BREAKFAST!!!  My favorite meal of the day - and I couldn't tell you why - I not only enjoy eating breakfast foods, I also enjoy making them. 

I am known for excellent pancakes, french toast, and blueberry muffins ( the kind with the brown sugar topping - yummmm ).  I have terrific recipes for hashbrown casserole, eggs benedict ( a light version that does NOT taste light! ), stuffed french toast, a pasta breakfast dish that is out of this world with pancetta, asparagus, and smoked gouda mixed in with orzo pasta, pumpkin biscuits with honey butter....  wow, my stomach is growling now! 

My fiance is a whiz with omeletts, breakfast calzones, cinnamon rolls, shrimp with grits, and so much more - together we would satisfy even the most picky of eaters while offering the grace of our home and giving them a warm welcome to our lake.

One day...  maybe this dream will be realized.  We have such a long way to go on our renovations, but slowly the dream is coming to life.  

Dogs

My absolute favorite pet is the dog....  I have grown up with dogs - having never lived without one except for the first few years of college.  I cannot imagine a house empty of a dog's life force; their ability to have a presence without having to speak or draw attention to themselves.  Dogs are the ulitmate unselfish creature - only wanting to please their owners and always happy to see them.  The wag of a tail, the tongue hanging out in greeting, and the jump up and down in excitement (depending on the dog, of course) - we can't help but smile at the sight of a creature whose only care in life is to belong to a "pack" of humans and be accepted. 

There are several types of dog owners, but I'm going to keep it simple for the purposes of this blog.  I categorize dog owners into the Family Dog Owner and just the Dog Owner.  The Family Dog Owner is someone, or someones who welcome a dog into their home as another member of the family.  They love and cherish the life of their dog and give them a place in the house to call their own.  Depending on the owners, the dog may have their own chair to sleep in, or have cute clothes to wear, several toys to play with, are taken on errands in the car, are bathed and taken to the vet on a regular basis, and may even have their very own birthday parties.  The Dog Owner is someone or someones who still see dogs as just dogs. They don't give them any credit for having feelings or intelligence - the dog is either brought into the home for a young child who eventually grows tired of the new "play toy", or they are inherited, or they are obtained for guard duty only.  They are often abused, or disciplined harshly and are usually not allowed in the house.  For me, I am a Family Dog Owner....  I cannot fathom why anyone could not recognize the intelligence in a dog's eyes.  It upsets me to see dog owners who chain their dogs up all day out in the yard - this is not what dogs were bred for.  Dogs are pack animals - their ancestors and wild dogs today travel in packs with a definitive heirarchy establishing who is Alpha and who is not.  Dogs need the pack to have a sense of identity - to know their place in the world.  The alpha in the dog's human family is normally the one who trains the dog what is accepted and what isn't.  Dogs also have a strong sense of loyalty and protection for their pack - and in the family, that is any member of the household.  Any time you hear a dog bark at the doorbell or someone knocking or a strange noise - it is a warning to it's pack members - it is protecting the pack.  It is amazing the subtle and often missed body language of dogs - if you have one, just watch it one day among other dogs or people.  Watch the tail, watch the ears and tongue, watch the entire body.....  I'll bet you notice things you hadn't before. 

To better understand dogs, you need to educate yourself on what they are all about.  I recently took a class on how to read a dog's body language - it was fascinating!  So many dog owners would benefit from this knowledge - from any knowledge really.  Taking the time to learn how dogs think and react to their environment would help a great many dog owners go from just a Dog Owner, to a Family Dog Owner.  Realizing that dogs are not just dumb creatures that belong on a chain outside would save many from the thousands of shelters and humane societies in our country.

I will leave you with a memory that I have never been able to shake.  On my first trip to Italy, we visited the ancient city of Pompeii.  Surrounded by history, the only thing I could focus on were the hundreds of homeless dogs living within the city itself.  These creatures were malnourished and often injured in some form or fashion.... so sad and forever imprinted in my heart.  Please, if you love or even like dogs....  take the time to learn about one before taking one into your home.  It is almost like having a child - they take care and responsibility, and as with parents of a newborn baby, not just anyone can be a dog owner.  Make sure having a dog in your home is the right choice.

More Favorite Things....

I love the beach!  Growing up we used to go every summer to the beaches of Panama City, and when we would visit Texas we'd go to Galveston, (a much different type of beach, but when you're young, a beach is a beach!). 

Today I still love going to the beach, but my reasons for enjoying it are so much different....  just feeling the sand between my toes (with no shoes on, of course) and the water on my legs takes me back to my childhood when I would build sand castles and bury my legs beneath the sand.  I also enjoy walks along the shoreline - looking for shells, or other small surprises like sea glass or interesting shapes in driftwood.  Sunsets are almost a religious experience on a beach - when the sun sinks to the water line on the horizon, and you can see the multitude of colors in the sky...  who but God can produce such wondrous beauty? 

Nighttime walks on the beach are fun...  you are usually fairly alone and can take your time strolling along the moonlit water's edge... sometimes seeing crabs that come out at night scurrying ahead of your path.  I also love eating at local restaurants that serve locally caught seafood.  Nothing compares to fresh seafood when it is prepared well, and I make a goal to enjoy as much of it as possible when at any beach or island.  When you live in a landlocked state like I do, the lure of fresh seafood is irresistable, and there are many times I will buy some before I leave the Florida beaches to take home and enjoy later. 

More than anything, I just love the ocean.  I love the sight of it, the sounds of it, and the feel of it.  I am not a fan of going too deep, as swimming in the ocean fills me with dread, (I was attacked by jellyfish one summer vacation many years ago, and ever since then am a bit wary of being in the water above my waist), but I love walking in the water's edge and jumping with the waves or looking for fish under the water.  The first sight of the ocean when you arrive is like glimpsing the perfect painting in an art gallery.  It is timeless and never changes - it is mysterious and inspirational - it is constant and will always be there to enjoy. 

The beach is a favorite destination during the summer...  now if only I could get the perfect tan to go with it!

Artistic Freedom

Children are the culmination of freedom - free from worry and cynicism.  They have all the innocence and positivity that most of us lose as we get older once we start experiencing all the challenges life throws at us.  It is the inherent need to survive that makes us this way - our cavemen ancestors would not have survived a world full of dangerous creatures if they did not have the instinct to distrust everything surrounding them.  It is in our nature to be wary and cautious....  but boy would it be nice to live through the eyes of a child again.  For those of us with an artistic nature, it is easier to live life a little less "realistically" because we gain inspiration from everything around us.  We interpret events and objects with eyes that try to change the nature of what is front of us.  We never really lose what makes being a child so special - our ability to retain part of our wonder.  Even the most hardcore, starving, chip on the shoulder artist has wonder in their heart - there is no other way to look at the world and create something from deep inside. 

Every artist is putting themselves out there for the world to see when they create their art.  For this reason, criticism is a devastating evil in the art world - critics are not just tearing apart a person's work, they are also tearing apart the artist....  each piece of art is an extension of an artist's soul... it is a part of them... a look inside their minds and a peek inside their hearts.  Art is so personal to the creator, no matter the medium:  painters, sculptors, photographers, chefs, fashion designers, hair stylists....  anyone who creates something new for the world to consume or enjoy visually.  And in this way, artists are like children - continually looking for attention and appreciation.  Always seeking approval from our peers - needing the constant affirmation that we are doing the right thing with our lives.  All artists are only as good as their last creation - we live in the present because we create in the present.  Like children, we are in the moment - living with freedom.        

Advice

Every once in a while I will post advice on here to those of you looking for wedding photographers.  Today's market is confusing, overwhelming, and oversaturated - it is no wonder couples are stressed when planning weddings.  Photography is probably the hardest item to book because it is the most intangible - meaning, most couples know nothing about it and do not have the tools to make informed decisions.  Additionally, it is one of the few services that does not have a delivery time until AFTER the wedding day - a real risk to anyone wanting to ensure they are getting what they pay for.  And that is really what it boils down to for most couples these days - budget.  It is unfortunate that money has to be the main deciding factor in almost 80% of bookings because in the photography industry you truly get what you pay for almost 100% of the time. 

I truly understand what it's like to be on a budget - I shop at Walmart and Aldi, I clip coupons, and I try to never buy anything unless it's on sale.  However, when it comes to weddings, there should be a priority list....  and if photography is at the top of your list, then it should get a good chunk of your budget.  (If it's not at the top of your list, then ask yourself why....  the photographs are the memories of your wedding day - don't you want images that truly tell the story and are good quality?)  In today's market there are many options offered by photographers to give you the opportunity to choose packages that will fit your budget and ensure you end up with the products desired, but be careful of those deals that seem too good to be true - they probably are.  You should also be wary of photographers that do not photograph weddings full time - the weekend photographer is usually someone in this business only for the extra cash and will not have the dedication and drive to give you the best experience and product possible.  Their reputation in the industry is not as critical as those photographers who only do weddings and rely on referrals for work, plus they do not have the same level of customer service because during the week they have another full time job.  (I understand there are many serious photographers out there just starting out and need a second job to make ends meet until their business can support them - and this is not the photographer I'm talking about.  Be careful of those who have another full time job and have no intention of quitting - get referrals and request to see an extensive portfolio of work.)

Budget is a hard motivator to ignore, but if possible try not to get too caught up in what photography costs.  Booking a photographer should be about their work and their personality - if you walk away and have a WOW! on your lips, then that is probably the photographer for you.  I know it's tempting to want to get the most bang for your buck, but in reality it is about the images and having a great relationship with the person behind the camera.  These two things will be what you remember most.  If trying to decide between a photographer that offers all day coverage, an album, a DVD, portrait sessions, and parent albums vs. one that offers all day coverage, an album, and portrait sessions PLUS has the better personality and slightly better quality images - please consider the second choice.  Walking away with more products means nothing if the images are not as good and your relationship with the photographer created stress on the wedding day.

This is just advice....  but with 12 years experience in the industry, I've heard enough horror stories to fill ten books.  It's my turn to give back and try to help couples find the right photographer and give them the tools to do so.... 

July 4th

I love holidays... any excuse to have people over and entertain. I'm not sure where I get it from - maybe because I'm Italian and just love seeing people happy. We had friends at our home all weekend - some were with us the entire time, and others came and went over the three day holiday. Spending time with people you enjoy is priceless - making them happy is even better. Knowing I had a part in giving them a fantastic memory this July 4th means more to me than going to someone else's party and being the ones entertained. I love being the hostess - especially in our fabulous home by the lake and with a fiance that loves to cook as much as I do. We planned out what meals we would provide: omlettes made to order with homemade blueberry muffins and chocolate muffins, grilled pizzas made to order - you pick your own toppings, potatoe casserole and pancakes made to order with toppings like blueberries, walnutes, bananas, and chocolate chips, fajitas with homemade refried beans and spanish rice, french toast and breakfast calzones, and finally grilled chicken and brats with corn on the cob and mac n cheese with bacon. And believe it or not, we didn't spend as much money as you might think - many of our meals had overlapping ingredients and we were able to buy fewer items because of this trick to planning meals. When we weren't eating, we took our guests out on the lake for fun in the sun - there is a local cove where the water is only two feet deep - it's a hangout for boats on the weekends and July 4th was busy, busy, busy! That is where we spent our afternoons playing volleyball and just hanging with all the other folks having fun out there. The nights were late - bedtime normally around 3 to 4 in the morning!!! but fun just the same. I don't think I've laughed so much in such a short amount of time in years! A couple of nights were spent taking a night time ride in the boat - a fabulous experience when the water is clear and calm and the boat traffic is not so heavy - just make sure to take a jacket! And of course, fireworks at our local marina were spectacular! The marina is located in our own cove and we get first class seats to the show - many of us just sat in the grass at a neighbors house and watched lakeside, while some of us stayed behind and watched from the front deck of our home. Either way, the lights in the sky were awesome.

All in all, the weekend was perfect in my eyes. My fiance and I had so much fun, and are now recovering from a memorable weekend with our closest friends. It's tough getting back to reality when you wish your reality was more like your fun time. Sometimes I wish I could open a bed and breakfast - entertaining and cooking all the time sounds like something I could sink my teeth into....

Someday maybe.....

Grand Canyon

The most memorable trip I've taken has to be to the Grand Canyon....  Hard to believe when I've also been to Italy and Hawaii - both trips I absolutely loved, but for some reason our trip to the Grand Canyon is the one I would do over and over again.  It was a two week vacation with my family - me, my mother, and my stepfather traveling in an RV to meet one uncle in Arizona and another uncle in Colorado.  Along the way we stopped in Albuquerque, NM; the petrified forest, the painted desert, Meteor Crater in AZ, Sedona, AZ where we did a jeep tour of the red rocks, Monument Valley where we did another jeep tour of the rock formations, Four Corners, Durango, CO where we rode the train to Silverton, and at the Grand Canyon we rode the mules into the canyon for an overnight stay.  I remember moments like eating what I consider real sopapillas in Albuquerque - fresh and hot with dripping honey;

  stopping at a welcome center in NM where we met a couple traveling with their horses - wild mustangs they saved and trained;  the high winds at the top observation point at Meteor Crater... being able to see for miles in any direction and wondering at the oddity of this crater out in the middle of nowhere;  taking a walk with my iPod at sunset outside our RV park near Meteor Crater... listening to music to fit the spectacular sight before my eyes - I have never seen a sunset to match it's splendor, and I have never experienced such wonder at one of nature's bold displays of color and composition;  walking along the pathways at the Petrified Forest and thinking about all the creatures that lived during the time of these ancient trees and wondering what it must have been like;  my stepfather's unending patience at my need to stop every few miles to take a photo of something;  the pure joy and thrill of our jeep ride in Sedona - at the time I swore I would quit my job and move there to be a jeep tour guide ( Pink Jeep Tours );  breakfast at the local airport in Sedona - it's on top of a hill and you have a gorgeous view of the town below( Sedona Airport ) ;  driving through Flagstaff and seeing the yellow flowers all along the road sides;  reaching an altitude of over 7,000 feet at the Grand Canyon - I had no idea it was that high above sea level;  spending time with my uncle... he's only 14 years older than me and loves adventure as much as I do;  dinner one night at the Grand Canyon - listening to my uncle play his guitar while watching the stars and satellites travel overhead... the night skies are so clear out west - the sky was full of diamonds;  sitting on a wall overlooking the canyon and reading a book... along comes a squirrel and climbs on my lap ( no lie! ) looking for food - they are quite unafraid of people, but feeding and touching them is discouraged - I didn't feed him, but could not resist his curiosity of me, and of course had to take a photo;  the mule ride was a multitude of memories... too many to go into, but suffice it to say it was one of the best times I've had in my life - my mother, my uncle, and myself went into the canyon and had a blast;  seeing elk and deer everywhere!....  always looking for the elusive condors - once on the brink of extinction and now making a come back - beautiful in flight with wing spans of almost 9 feet ( Grand Canyon Condors );  visiting Indian road side stands... my insatiable desire to own real Indian jewelry must have driven my stepfather crazy;  driving into Durango, CO - one minute desert and the next beautiful hard wood forests....  Colorado is definitely one of my favorite places;  the drive to Denver - how stunningly gorgeous are the Rockies!!!!;  touring The Stanley Hotel - famous for being the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining....  we had the greatest tour guide - and I swear I got some ghosts ( orbs ) in some of my photos - you would not believe the sight of my aunt and I running down the hallway chasing them down!;  a rainbow in Rocky Mountain National Park - another photo opportunity I must have driven people nuts with - I actually ran down the road chasing it for the best composition possible.....  So many memories, and so many more that simply won't fit on this page.  It's amazing the wonders our own US of A holds in store for us if we just take the time to experience them.  I love this country and wish to travel all of it before I'm gone.  That trip was such an inspiration of hope and marvel....  I can only pray that everyone could experience something like it in their lifetimes. 

What are some of your best travel memories?

        

Movie Time

I love movies....  I love getting lost in the story - it's like reading a good book.  Submerging yourself in the magic of movies for an hour or two is like taking a vacation from the realities of life.  You can forget your worries and problems...  For a short time you can be a spy on a mission to save the world, you can fall in love with the impossibly handsome leading man and have him sweep you off your feet with romance, your kids can be impossibly dysfunctional but still get the best of their bullying schoolmates with humor and well thought out pranks, you could live in another galaxy far, far away with space ships and laser guns, magical powers could come into your possession and with them a whole host of new magical friends and creatures, etc....  the sky is the limit on where you can escape.  Taking the time to indulge your fantasies and imagination is healthy - all too often we lose the ability to use our imaginations once we grow up and discover there is no tooth fairy or Easter bunny.  We no longer play with toys or have imaginary friends.  Books are no longer windows to other worlds that actually exist - they are just words on a page that we struggle to finish in a timely manner.  ( For me, books are like movies - I lose myself in the stories and try to imagine myself in the pages ).  Gone are the days when we look at the clouds and try to find familiar shapes in them, no longer do we go outside and swing from grape vines, play in stream beds, or swing from the rafters in the old barn by our homes....  no longer do we cry out in excitement when we see a playground or amusement park.  Our innocence comes so easily when we are children, but the price of growing up is losing that innocence and the ability to live in the moment.  Adult problems and complexities force us to take a long hard look at reality, and in doing so we lose our childhood forever. 

It's not hard to try recapturing the ability to imagine and regain our innocence.  As adults we just have to find ways that suit our new lives... and for me it's watching movies and reading books.  They are tools that help all of us take a break from reality - something we all should do more often.  Too many adults are trapped in the problems of their lives, and it weighs them down causing sickness and mental distress.  By having a healthy outlet to escape this trap, we give our brains a rest from negativity - opening ourselves to possibilities and positive emotion.  We can have healthier personal relationships when we open ourselves to what is possible instead of focusing on what is impossible.  Our minds can get stuck in a rut, and allowing it to "play" every once in awhile gives it a chance to recharge and regroup. 

At the moment, some of my favorite movies are:  Transformers, the new Star Trek, the Harry Potter movies, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, all the Star Wars movies, and all the Disney Pixar movies.  Obviously I am a fan of sci fi... it is a true escape to watch something that only exists in fiction. 

What are some of your favorites?    

Favorite Things continued....

Being a Southern girl, I do love southern food.  One of my biggest weaknesses is fried foods.... and try as I may to avoid them, every once in awhile I do splurge.  Fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, fried okra (it has to be good though), and any kind of fried bread (especially doughnuts - yummmm) are my public enemies numbers one, two, three, and four.  But let's just focus on one of these for now:  fried okra.  I am not a fan of okra - and in fact cannot stand it in any form.  However, there is a local restaurant here that makes the only fried okra I will put in my mouth:  The Bell Buckle Cafe located in historic Bell Buckle, TN.

 Bell Buckle, TN

A railroad town located south of Nashville, Bell Buckle is a quaint small town free of all the commercialism that plagues many towns all over the country.  Staying true to it's roots, this 450 person artist's community has music, shops, history, and good food - that's it.  Mostly residential, the actual town square in only about one to two blocks long... and that is a literal description.  There is only one side to the town center - the other is railroad tracks and farm land.  In the center of the town railroad square is the Bell Buckle Cafe - a casual and fun establishment that has an actual record company that issues recordings by cafe artists.  The menu is a true meat & three with choices such as BBQ pork platter, chicken fried steak, smoked chops, catfish fingers, and of course.... fried okra.

Bell Buckle Cafe Menu

If you are a dessert lover - which I am to the core...  the cafe has fresh pies and cobblers each day.  You absolutely cannot leave without trying one of these scrumptious items - make sure you leave room for dessert!!!

I have not been to the cafe in a few years - my current location means a drive of almost two hours to get there, but my memories are still fresh and I'll get there again some day.  If you are ever in that neck of the woods, go visit Bell Buckle.  It's a slow pace, but worth the stroll.

Daisy

Woke up this morning with a knot in my stomach.... our dog, Daisy, was missing.  We hadn't seen her since around 6:00 last night, and it's very unusual for her to miss a meal.  At around 9:00 when we noticed she was not home, I walked up and down the street (we live on a dead end) calling out to her, but nothing.  I put a posting on Facebook for people to pray for her safe return - and I'm not usually one to ask for prayer, but in this instance I felt it coudn't hurt.  So, this morning, after waking up I put on some comfortable clothes and headed out once more to look in the daylight.... walking up and down the street again, plus walking along the water's edge hoping against hope I would not find her there.  She's an old dog (15 years ), and I wasn't sure if maybe with age her sense of direction is not as good, so I even drove into the neighborhood behind us to see if she wandered into someone's yard.... but again, nothing.  Feeling hopeless, I came home and started making some calls to local animal shelters.  The house was so quiet - it was weird not hearing the clink of her collar when I came in.  Having done all I could at that point, I went upstairs to make breakfast and received a call from one of our neighbors who told me they think they found Daisy.  She was at a house down the street in the fenced in back yard.... hmmmm, how weird that I was tempted to look in that fence earlier because I heard a dog barking and it sounded a bit like Daisy.  I resisted because it was fenced in and I thought she wouldn't be in there....  if only I knew!  So, I walked down the street and there she was with the lovely people who found her.  I was so happy!  She's home now, asleep at my feet currently, and nothing sounds more happy than the clink of her collar when she moves around.
I love dogs, always have.  And even though I've only lived with Daisy for about a year, she's become a fixture in my life that I would sorely miss if she was gone.  Her time is close, I'm sure - being 15 years old, I am amazed she is in such great health for a dog her size - but for the remaining time we have her, I hope her days are happy and healthy.  She's a sweet soul, and she deserves the love and attention we can give her.  All dogs deserve that - they are companions to man and as such we should treat them with respect and affection.  If you have a dog in your life, go now and give them some attention....  you never know when they'll be taken from you, and you never know how much you'll miss them until they are gone.  Man's best friend is truly appreciated in our house - Daisy is home where she belongs with her family.

  

Favorite Things...

One of my passions is food....  luckily, it doesn't show in my wasteline!  I am an amateur foodie, but don't get hung up on the technicality of food - I just enjoy the flavors and how a good meal makes me feel.  Food is universal - it connects us by necessity and comfort.  Nothing means more to me than creating a meal and sharing it with friends and family.  A bond is formed over food - good conversation, reliving memories, talking through problems, laughing over good times....  food, without the boob tube, is the centerpiece of reconnecting to the people we love. 

Not only do I love to cook, but I also enjoy going to restaurants...  some are disappointing, and some are memory makers.  A night out eating a good meal is so satisfying - each bite savored with a glass of good wine, or finished off with a mouth watering dessert.  Over the next few weeks I'll be sharing some of my favorite recipes and restaurants...  just an inside look at what makes me happy.  Enjoy:

In honor of being in Louisville last weekend for a wedding, I have to include Lynn's Paradise Cafe.  I was introduced to this spot several years ago by a friend who lives in the area.  Back then Lynn's had not quite gained the notoriety it enjoys now, but it was definitely on it's way.  If you are ever in the area, please don't pass up the opportunity to drop in....  breakfast is the best meal of the day.

 Lynn's Paradise Cafe

Lynn's Bourbon Ball French Toast

Busy Bees

Wedding photographers wear alot of hats on the wedding day.... we aren't just taking photos, we are also amateur psychiatrists, on the spot negotiators, set decorators, advice gurus, professional athletes, fashion experts, and miracle workers.  It takes alot more than just knowing how to take photos to be a successful wedding photographer.  Ultimately, the most important personality trait to pull off the multiple roles we must fill is patience.  Without patience you will see photographers who become stressed and frustrated, which will result in rudeness and overbearing bossiness.  My wedding this past weekend is a prime example of the many hats worn on a weekly basis....  pre-set up of the getting ready and first meeting shots (clearing the getting ready room of any unwanted chairs and clutter for clean backgrounds, delivering the flowers to the proper rooms to ensure everyone had theirs either pinned on or in their hands at the proper times, and posting "bodyguards" at entry points of the first meeting space to keep the moment private from onlookers), adding a couple of shots to the formals to avoid any hurt feelings or arguments later, resetting ceremony chairs to make sure I would not block the view of any guests, repeatedly encouraging the bride and her mother that everything was going well and they both looked fabulous, supporting the father of the bride in his efforts to make sure all the details were going as planned, or making sure they went as well as possible if anything went wrong, keeping the mother of the bride calm when presented with challenges, and most importantly making sure I showed no sign of frustration or stress.... it is my job to put on the best face possible for my clients and to not add any stress for them.  Too many times I've heard stories of photographers who treat their clients like children and boss them around disrespectfully.  This not only creates tension, but also makes the families and wedding party act differently around the photographer, which means the photos have been altered by the photographers lack of patience, respect, and foresight.  It takes time and experience to truly know what to expect and how to anticipate anything going wrong.  However, just treating their clients as friends instead of a job will serve any photographer well if they don't have the background body of work to fall back on.  We have a tough job that many don't see if we do it well....  if it looks like no effort, then we are doing something right.

A Foggy Morning....

Foggy morning here.... I love waking up and seeing fog out the window.  It's like waking up in another world and for just a few hours you could be the only house on the planet.  The cocoon of fog around our house is comforting and the silence is golden.  Looking out over the lake I can almost imagine magical creatures coming out to play on the water's surface, or transport myself to medieval times and picture knights on their horses thundering through a foggy morning forest.  My imagination is inspired by the misty scene out my window today, and for just a small space of time I am not myself, but instead am a wisp of dew on the tip of a flower. 

Being able to lose myself in the moment is a luxury I don't often have anymore.... life is so full and unpredictable.  I miss the days of sitting in a chair by the window and watching our birds come to eat at the feeders, lying on the sofa and losing myself in a good book, or relaxing in a lawn chair and listening the sounds of the neighborhood:  lawnmowers, birds, dogs barking, children playing, bugs buzzing around my head....  but, most of all I miss the time spent giving in to my imagination.  As an artist, my mind works from inspiration and imagination.... both harder to find these days amid the day to day problems that come with my much busier life.  Precious moments alone with my thoughts are usually filled with ponderings on work and relationships - fewer and fewer thoughts trend toward the fanciful or imaginative.  Do we lose our innocence when this happens?  Do we lose the ability to identify with the inner child hidden within all of us?  As adults, do we permanently forget how to look at the world in wonder?  I certainly hope not....  Our inner child keeps us young, it keeps hope alive in our hearts, and it allows us to dream beyond our wildest dreams.  Keep dreaming....  the world needs more hope.

Differences

I am always amazed at the singlemindedness of men.  Once an idea gets in their head, it does not go away until they either accomplish the idea, or end in failure.  But, what really gets me is how they do not, and I mean DO NOT understand women - and to make matters worse, most men don't try to understand them. 

As a wedding photographer I always wonder when I am photographing a wedding what the couple is like when they have an argument, and if they argue often.  Some couples are quiet and resolve their issues by periods of silence and ignoring each other, while other couples scream and bring down the roof yelling things they would never say when not angry, and then there are the combo couples - one is quiet and the other likes to yell.  The most frustrating thing for women is the issue of no resolvment - if the subject of argument could just be resolved or attempted to be, then many fights would end quickly. 

Women just want to be understood and respected, and when men think they are being unreasonable and don't try to understand why, the issue will never go away for them.  What's worse is when a man misunderstands or misinterprets circumstances, but will not accept explanations - once he has his own version of what went down, it is like guiding a 500 lb bear from attacking it's prey.  The emotional place women argue from is alien to men - they are all about logic and if a fight happens at night, the next morning is a fresh start and the previous day can be forgotten.... not so for women.  They can hold on to pain for days if they feel their man does not care about trying to avoid future arguments just by sitting down and trying to figure out why they fought and how to avoid that particular subject again.  Most men just want to put arguments behind them and move forward, but women need closure - as emotional creatures, we need the men we love to respect how we operate, and closure to fights is always needed.  When the next fight happens, all the previous unresolved fights come to mind for women, and as time goes on, they get more and more frustrated.  Or, they get defeated, and give up their own sense of self to avoid more fights.  They give up their opinions, their viewpoints on life, their unique perspective into the minds of people, and their self confidence.  Their voice is gone because they don't want to rock the boat anymore. 

Being a couple is no easy thing - it's hard work that many men don't understand - they don't want to change in order to be in a relationship.  They expect the woman to change to fit their personality, and unfortunately, many women do exactly that.  As a single person I would look at a couple in this situation and wonder why the woman stays....  but now, being in a situation exactly like it, I understand the reasons for staying.  Change is a drug for women, and it is a drug they always hope their man will succumb too as well.   But men do not change unless it is their own idea, and any attempt to change their viewpoint on how women think is like banging your head against the wall.  Women are mysteries to them, and it is too much effort to try and understand them - it is much easier to think they are crazy or difficult.  Emotions are not easy for men to dive into and talk about - they compartmentalize their problems and don't really talk about them.  Women are all about talking through their problems - and it is this fundamental difference that gets most couples into trouble.  When they fight, the woman wants to talk about it, the man wants to forget it and move on.....  if the man only knew that just sitting down for 10 to 20 minutes and working through the why's and how's of what has happened will make everything better.  It could be so easy....   

Grandmother

Learned yesterday that my grandmother was in the hospital over the weekend.  She's fine now, but gave my mother quite a scare....  93 years old and still has her wits about her, I am amazed at her dogged determination to retain her independence.  She lives in an assisted living facility, but believe me when I say she tries her hardest to not need any assistance.  I admire her tenacity, but she is also her own worst enemy when it comes to her medical history.  One of the most important things she needs to do is as simple as eating on a regular basis, however, this is a woman who for the last ten years eats like a bird even on the best of days. 

My memories of her are so different than who she is now.  Both she and my grandfather were gentle forces in our lives - the glue of our family, the rocks upon which we stood in times of trouble.  For my brother and I, they were symbols of permanancy.... our mother had been through three divorces, and our grandparents were married until my grandfather passed away more than 12 years ago.  We all literally believed my grandmother would not be able to live without him - they never fought, were never apart, and relied on each other for strength and faith.  But, she's tougher than we gave her credit for, and she lived on for her family.  It's interesting the roles grandmothers play in our lives - as a grandchild you have such a different relationship with this person then their own children do, and you don't often think of them as mothers until you get older and see them actually mother your own mother or father.  My grandmother was a sweet, gentle, and giving woman in my life - almost an untouchable angel that gave my grandfather his strength and stability.  As I got older though, I discovered the steely side to her.... she is tough and doesn't take crap from anyone who seeks injustice or attempts to harm her family.  She loves beer, and is a huge fan of her local baseball team.  She is not sentimental with material things, but loves her collection of photos showing her family.  She has the patience of a saint, but doesn't let her children take advantage of it.... they know where the line is in the sand, and never cross it.  It would have been wonderful to be a fly on the wall of my mother's childhood.  Seeing my grandparents as parents would be a lesson for all of us who fumble around in life wondering what our purpose is.  My grandparents seemed to know their purpose and pursued it with no doubt and never looked back in regret. 

Today, my grandmother is a beacon of light for my mom and her brothers....  and to lose her will devastate them all.  She is a symbol of something better in their lives - a time when they quite literally lived the life of Leave it To Beaver.  The challenges they've all faced and overcome were not the same as what my grandparents lived through, and it is this difference that defines the times we live in.  Gone are the days of innocence and wonder.... the days my grandparents raised five children in.  They were days when it was still possible to dream of far away places and imagine what they were like, whereas today all you have to do is get on the computer and look them up.  They were also days of opportunities and faith in God and our government.  The media had not yet become the ratings monster it is now.... the shock value not as important as the story and facts.  The troubles of my grandparents' time as parents were wholly different than troubles of today - the country was in a period of change, and to everyone it was a time of discovery - good and bad.  This period of development was hope and inspiration for many, and in this environment, my grandparents raised five kids to believe in other people and not be afraid of challenges in life. 

My grandmother is 93 years old....  what a life she has lived:  born right as World War I ended and living through six more, she saw the US become a developed country.  She saw the beginning of the space program and watched us walk on the moon, she saw JFK become president against all odds and then shot down before his first term was up, she saw, but didn't really care for, the evolution of music with Elvis, Jimmy Hendrix, The Who, The Beatles, and many others who paved the way for today's musicians, she saw women's rights become a major social issue - saw women fight and die for our right to vote and have a voice in the way our country is run, she lived through advances in technology - going from days of radio to days of tv to days of computers to days of 3D and HD.....  the century my grandmother bore witness to was one of change, turmoil, and opportunites - all working together to give us what we have today, and what I believe we take advantage of too often.  We have lost our innocence, but she still holds on to it....     

Computer

Spent almost three hours last night texting back and forth with my IT guy trying to walk me through fixing my DVD burner.  While it's very frustrating not being able to talk to him and move the process along a bit faster, it was also pretty satisfying knowing I did all the work myself and learned a bit more about the inner workings of the computer.  Plagued by computer issues for over a month now, I am hoping this entire mess will be resolved early next week.  I have never had so much go so wrong in such a short amount of time with my computer!  It's humbling to be such a slave to a box full of wires and circuit boards....  when something goes wrong, my business life takes a plunge, and I can only pray my clients will be understanding and patient while I try to hobble along until the problem is fixed.  I am very fortunate that most of my clients are fantastic and sympathetic, but at the same time I am not naive enough to think they are not frustrated.  This current situation has really put them to the test and I am so grateful I can at least tell them now that the end is sight.  Computers... friend or foe?  I think both....

Home

Home this evening.... vacations are wonderful, but boy is it good to be home sometimes.  I love our house too.  We are in the process of renovating it, but what is done so far we've done together as a team, and nothing is more wonderful than looking at our handiwork and appreciating the effort we both put into it jointly.  Yes, he may do more of the hard manual labor, but I contribute with painting, landscaping, and minor labor chores.  We still have a long way to go, but it sure is nice to hear the compliments on what is completed so far!  If only they knew what goes into working on this house....  lol.  He and I constantly bicker over our different tastes, and I'd say it's about 50/50 on who wins each time.  The house is a reflection of all those hard won battles, but each battle is usally a victory for both of us because most of them end in compromise - something neither of us was very good at in the beginning of our relationship.  The one area we still don't always agree on is artwork - go figure.  Being an actual artist, I definitely have strong opinions on what comes into this house - but he is also very particular ( and I should mention he does actually have very good taste in most everything to do with the construction and designing of this home ) and we have had our most intense arguments over paintings and photographs - yes, that's right... photographs.  Just because I'm a photographer doesn't mean he agrees with all my favorite photographer's work.... lol.  In the end, however, I do love what we've agreed on so far, and with the passing time we each learn more and more of what the other likes and dislikes - and sometimes, we even surprise each other.   

Vacation Time....

On a mini vacation this weekend.  It's both fun and bittersweet at the same time....  We are at Holiday World in Kentucky - me, my fiance, and his beautiful four year old daughter.  What makes this bittersweet is that we were supposed to be on vacation all week - but due to a court decision back in March, we lost all summer vacation time with my fiance's daughter.  A blow to both of us.... we were so looking forward to going to the beach with her in July.  A wonderful father, my fiance was crushed by this loss of time - nothing means more to him than spending time with his daughter, but the court system does not seem to favor dads in this state, and I say that with an objective eye.  I love him dearly, and to see him with his daughter makes my heart melt.  Anyone who knows us and has seen him with her will tell everyone the same thing - he is a great dad.  She loves him and they are sincerely best friends.  So, when he loses time with her each time he goes back to court, I have to scratch my head in puzzlement and wonder at the fairness of what goes on in there.  Right now he is swimming with her for the hundreth hour today... after an entire day at the water park, she still wanted to swim tonight at our hotel - and despite being dog tired, he happily put on his swim suit and trekked down to the pool with her.  Losing summer vacation just doesn't seem right.....

Good Morning....

This is not my first post... although on here it looks like it is.  I've had blogs in the past, but never had the drive or motivation like now to keep them up.  My past forays into the blog world left me feeling frustrated and stressed - the constant pressure to blog every day so I could be found on search engines....  that was the wrong reason to blog in the first place.  My reasons now are much different.  This blog is connected to my website and Facebook page.... it is my effort to have a more personal connection to clients and business peers.  By sharing my life with you, I am more than just a name on the computer screen.  It is also a sort of journal for me.  My life is so busy and full of challenges, writing everything down will help sort through the messes I sometimes find myself in.  Hopefully, by reading this you will come to know me and identify with one or more of the things I write.