Time to say goodbye. . . . ( for now )

As the days count down to the final hour, I pack up boxed so pictures, props, and paperwork. I am reminded with each passing moment of all of the wonderful memories I have had in this old building. I know what I am doing is the right thing. I also know that it will be for the better.

I thought that because this move is because of issues I have had in this location , and that when I knew it was for the good I would be able to just up and leave without a worry. But I confess I am sad. For almost 2 years now we have been at 715 N Garden St. For almost 2 years now we have created and shared some amazing memories.

I wanted to write out a long blog about how moving out was going to be hard , the final time I turn the key in the door. But why would I want to be sad. If you know me , I by no means am a sad person. I am one of the most up beat people you may ever know. So instead of lingering on the sad thought we are leaving, lets relive some of the great times, and memories.

If you have been with me as a friend for a while, or just know of my past studio location. The First mem

ory I remember of this studio was the day I moved in. With my best friends at my side and one trusty old trailer and a pick up we packed everything at the old studio and hauled it all in one day. Talk about stress, it was cold, and fast work. But with a few great pair of hands we got the job done in record time, left time over for dinner.

( Photo of packing day old studio )

I have shot a lot of families in this studio. I have a lot of memories from each group, from hearing about there stories and about the lives they live. I do enjoy that. Getting the time to sit down and just talk and gab about just life

with the guests in the studio. I have always wanted to not just have a customer come in as a customer. But to have them come in as a customer and to leave as a friend. One thing I still stick true to , to this day.

Another memory I hold still is the first Christmas in the studio. I had asked a very close frie

nd of mine if he would to me a major favor. Become Santa Clause. After pulling teething , bribing , and a pinch of begging he took up the challenge. After a month of being Santa he looked me in the eye and said “ Never again !” It had to be bad. I never really thought about it much, but it was hot in the suit even outside in the cold. It seemed as if every child that sat on his lap screamed and cried at the top of there lungs, even the ones that knew him out of the suit.

( Santa and Lisa )

It is also so amazing how much just STUFF you gather

in just a 2 year time frame. Cleaning out and packing things up here is quite the task. I look though the closets and think “ I sure don't remember having this?”

Another memory that comes to my mind is the day I shot pictures for someone that shocked me. Now if you know me I don't shock easy at all. So one Saturday afternoon I was shooting photos for a young lady for her model portfolio, when this family comes in. I was busy and a friend was working up front for me. He politely told them I was booked for the rest of the day , but tomorrow was open. The next day in w

alks the family, Husband , Wife, and three daughters. After some great photos and conversations they went on there way. A few weeks later I get a phone call asking if they could use one of the photos for a CD cover. I agreed and I didn't think much more about it other than the fact I found out that he was someone of fame. Leon Russell. Later in the year I caught him on the Grammys.

( Photo I shot for the cover )

There are tons of memories I could share with you, from the time I got a new office as a Christmas gift, to my funny every dieing flower window boxes which I could not for the life of me keep alive. From meeting all the great people I have met here, to having my photo made in the middle ofthe street at mule day.

( Me in the middle of the road )

With all that said, there have been some amazing times and memories shared here. I have no doubt in the future that many more will be shared, in our new home. But as for now, we keep the faith, hold our friends , families, and guests close to us. Because above all, helping to create a family memory for you is one of the greatest gifts I could ever be given. I love knowing that I have helped create something, that someone , sometime , somewhere will hold close and dear for a very long time.

This Song just plays in my mind as i pack :)

Giving back

- Giving Back -

As many of you know by now the mid state area was in a state of distress because of the past floods. The floods were one for the record books. Large amounts of water flooded Nashville and almost all of the surrounding areas. I myself was not affected directly , I did however have two family members who were greatly affected. One cousin's home was under about 6ft of water, and the others home was washed away and all that was left behind was the foundation.

Everyone in the state are very helping hands friendly. In time of need or troubles fellow strangers become fellow friends as we all work together to help one another in our time of need. I myself felt the need to help out our fellow mid-state family.

So as a studio, I decided that we would work to help out as we could. As a studio, I rounded up supplies and water and created 2 care packages to give out to families affected. We donated the packages giving back in both time and supplies. As a studio I wanted to make sure I helped give back to those who give.

I also was given the chance to take a small tour of some of the damage that has affected so many people. The things I saw while in the neighborhoods was just so bad. The roads were nothing but mud, piles of what was families memories laying in piles by the road. Trash and washed up trees lay in fence rows and in the ditches of the roads. I saw a small wooden lawn shed that had washed up and landed on the guard rail. It still had there personal belongings inside. I know, we tend to forget about things once the news stops showing it daily. This is something people in some areas will be living with for years to come.

I have to say we are blessed as people, to have the strength to over come tragic events. We as a state will rise from the mud and become the great state we have always been.
Thank you to everyone who donated to the cause, and those who will donate.

So I warned you . . .

Well as I said in posts before. I am the worlds worst at keeping this thing up. I figure now that its on the first page of the studio site I should at least update it a little bit. Who knows it might push me to do it more often. I kinda doubt it , but here is to the hope it does.

So whats new in studio. Well the studio website, if you have not noticed is all new design. Just finished updating it. Spring has hit hard and we are always on the move. Shoots outside are so much fun, and it gets me out of the office into the real somewhat fresh air.

Right now we are staying busy with senior portraits. Its that time of year. Although it has been 10 years from when I graduated from high school , I as well as yourself I am sure can recall it as if it was yesterday. In some cases to vividly. I from time to time will visit my parents house and see my senior portrait sitting on the fireplace or wall and just giggle to myself. If i had a way to get a copy of it and post it here i would. It puts the fear in a person.

Also what else is new, is posting on facebook. As of the past few weeks if you have your portraits made at the studio, we can upload your portraits to facebook for you and tag you in them. That way you get to show them off same day. And not just on the website.

So that's about it for right now. Now that I will be forcing myself to at least pretend this is here, I may be posting more shots I take. Some less family portrait and more art style.

So untill next time :D

Snow, Grammy's,Pictures oh my!

Well I hope everyone made it though the snow safely. The studio was closed from Friday Jan 29th through Tuesday Feb 2nd cause of the snow. I love living out in the country, but when it snows you can forget about leaving the house.

So the other night I was sitting at home watching the Grammy's, and really not paying much attention to it and the Zac Brown Band comes on. Now most of the time I would pay no attention to this. When I just about blow it off all together I hear something that perks my ears up. Zac Brown Band with guest Leon Russell. My eyes widened and my phone rang. Flash back 6 months ago. I was doing a shoot on a Saturday afternoon when out of the blue walks in this man and his family for photos. So as I sit watching the Grammy's and watch this musical legend preform on stage I think to myself wow , I shot his CD cover! So now giddy in my normal dorky fashion i begin to call everyone to say " I shot a grammy performers CD cover



And Finally this week marks the first of our first big add run in the Daily Herald. The first weeks run features a photograph of a dear friend of mines daughter that came into the studio for a shoot. We will be changing the photo every 2 weeks so we might be looking for people to fill the spot.

So now I leave you with a few shots of the week. These are shots of the snow and ice covered hills of Maury County.

A Welcoming Start

It was suggested to me that I should blog. If you know me at all this is not really my thing. But the powers that be i.e. peer pressure says I should have one. So here I am. . . What do you do here I have no clue. You ( The Reader, HEY READER ) and myself are going to learn about all this on the journey together.

So whats new in the studio. Well as you can tell ( and if you cant ) the website is all new and updated. I liked the colors and went with it. The photos on the main page are updated as well. Thanks to everyone who is in them.

We also have new set up in studio for shoots. There are 4 new color choices for backgrounds as well as the normal other colors to choose from. The photo of the little girl ( Summer ) in the chair on the main page is on one of the new color choices. I am really excited to get to work with them I liked the colors a lot.

Also if you may or may not noticed some of the prices have changed. Not to much but just a little bit. The old 9.99 package we had is now replaced by the 19.99 gives you more of what you want and less of what you don't.

Picture of the Day . . . .


This is a portrait I did of my parents back at the end of December on a camping trip in Florida.

So i guess that is it for now. I hope you enjoyed this first blog. If every one pesters me enough I might do more . . .

Till then, I wish everyone well!