Wedding Sneak Peek: May 30, 2009 / Dennis Vineyards - Chris and Brenda

Congratulations Chris and Brenda!

You guys make a gorgeous couple and your wedding was beautiful!

Thank you for allowing Calvin and me to be part of your very special day!

"You don't have to go looking for love when it's where you come from."

~Werner Erhard~

"Love is, above all, the gift of oneself."

~Jean Anouilh~

2008 Arts Guild Photography Competition

Congratulations to Calvin for scoring second place in the Stanly County Arts Guild Photography Competition in June!!

Here is his winning picture, "Belle Fleur" (Fr.-Beautiful Flower). It is a gorgeous Star Magnolia bloom taken at "Memorial Gardens" in Concord, NC this year. The final image was enhanced to simulate an infrared film effect - a "glowy", dreamy, ethereal quality.

Katrina garnered an "Honorable Mention" for her portrait entitled "One Day ...". It was taken at a wedding a couple of years ago just as the flower girl paused for a seemingly longing glance at the Cinderella-esque horse and carriage that had arrived to whisk away the bride and groom. Even though you can’t see the expression on her face (and she was indeed quite a cutie!), you can almost imagine the thoughts she had twirling around . . .

Additional entries by Calvin were "Covered Bridge at Pisgah", also enhanced to simulate an infrared film effect. Not too many of these left around anymore ...

. . . and "Heart and Soul", a duo of "sweet bubby" blooms captured on a nearby trail while in the area of the covered bridge. The Sweet Shrub, also known as Carolina Allspice, Bubby Bush and Strawberry Bush, is native to the Appalachian stream banks of the Smokies. The scent is described as a blend of strawberry, cantaloupe, spiced apple and burgundy wine. Women used to place the flowers in their bodices as a perfume, hence the name "Bubby Blossom".

Katrina also entered "Morning Repose" starring one of the family "babies", Garfield, who has lived up to his name and loves lasagna. He was basking in the morning sun coming through the window as he begged for attention from the kitchen floor – too cute to pass up . . .

"Bienvenida" (Sp.-Welcome), another one of Katrina’s entries, was taken while visiting the Mission at San Juan Capistrano in 2007. The textures and warm tones have an inviting, "welcoming" feel . . .

Images from sessions with The Kollection Band and Albemarle Taekwondo coming soon!

Cub Scout Night - May 28, 2008

On May 28, 2008, Pack 51 Tiger Cubs came to the Studio as one of their "Go See It" projects. We talked about what it means to be a good Scout; we talked about recycling and how the Studio tries to be mindful of the environment as much as possible; we talked about communication; and of course, we talked about photography!

Matthew, on the left, is the son of Brian and Jody, and Brandon, on the right, is the son of Michael and Hope. It took a little bit for them to relax and warm up to the camera, but it wasn't long before they were pressing the button on the camera, too!

They showed me how to do the official Cub Scout Handshake . . .

We went over the Cub Scout Promise and they showed me how to make the Cub Scout Sign . . .

The two raised fingers stand for two parts of the Cub Scout Promise -- "to help other people" and "to obey the Law of the Pack". The two raised fingers also look like the sharp ears of the wolf ready to listen to Akela (ah-KAY-la, means "good leader"; the boy's adult partner/parent is considered to be Akela).

Aren't they handsome!!!

The Cub Scout Salute is serious stuff ... you can tell by their faces! The Salute is a way for the Scouts to show respect to their den leaders. They also salute the flag to show respect for their country.

A light-hearted moment ... love those smiles!

Brandon looking sharp in his uniform.

Matthew ... looking sharp, too ... already working the pose!

Scout Buddies!

They liked playing with the "noise-makers"...


One of my favorite pictures ...

Matthew was behind the camera pressing the button for this one.

And Brandon was working the camera for this one. Give them both a few years and you never know ... maybe they'll even be assisting us in the Studio!

The Cub Scout bandanas...

One last parting shot for the camera ...

We enjoyed having you at the Studio and hope you'll come back and visit us again sometime soon!

Pack 51 Tiger Cubs pictures coming soon!