I am finally done with all of the rush of Christmas Card photos and family. It has been alot of fun, but I am looking forward to some RandR at the beach with my wife’s family. I have also been shooting alot of ad work as well as editorial work. One of the stories I have worked on recently for Portico Magazine is for a non-profit called Hand in Paw. They are an organization that takes dogs into help work with children and adults in either hospitals, or rehab facilities. I had the privilege of meeting 3 amazing kids at the UAB cancer center. They showed me how the dogs help them through their treatment. All of these kids have been through alot. Avery has a blog that has tracked her diagnosis and treatment. I ask this alot, but I am sure all would appreciate any prayers on their behalf.
Sean
Avery
Colton
Here are the family photos I have done since my last post.
The Daniels
The Harris’
The Bryants
The Manrys
The Dinellas
The Crawfords
The Wares
The Hamptons
The Hardees
The Murrays
At the end of March, I had the honor of photographing a little girl from my church who was in Children’s Hospital. Ella Grace, almost 4 months old, had been admitted with flu like symptoms. From there her parents, Lonnie and Anita were given the first in a series of rounds of bad news. Since then Ella Grace has fought a hard battle with infection and disease, things I definitely don’t understand. Yesterday at church I heard the sad news that Ella Grace had passed away. I am very saddened for her family, but honored to have had the opportunity to capture some of the last images that really looked like her. So, as I often ask, if you pray, pray for Lonnie and Anita as they walk this terribly difficult road.
Ella Grace
This is my tricycle from when I was a kid. I didn’t realize that my parents still had it around. Now my little girl is riding on it. How weird.
These are my most favorite, and most beautiful girls in the world!
Thanksgiving usually brings enough time for us to hang out, play with the kids and take lots of family pictures. I also use it as a time to play around with toys that I don’t always use. I was using my ring flash today, playing outside with my own Warrior Princess.
It has been a while since I have had a chance to post some kids shoots. Probably because I have 15 that I have not posted, so instead of posting the pictures I will just put links to the slideshows.
The LeJeunes
The Kolbs
The Cespedes
The Mellons Yes those are 4 kids all born at the same time!
The Bennetts
The Moores
Will and Jennifer I am shooting their wedding next year.
The Watkins
Christian and Faith
The Scotts
The Pahls
The Hiltons
The Carrs
The Tumlin Family
I have lots of pictures to post in the coming weeks but I thought I might just write something to see if it sparks any converstation.
I have been thinking a lot about social responsibility lately. I think mostly because of my faith in Christ, and how He cared for people and commanded us as believers to care for people. I think in my conservative southern upbringing (that I am thankful for), one of the things that was not a big emphasis in the church was caring for the world. Although, it was very much a part of the community, as I saw the small communities that I lived in take care of those in need. As I have been thinking of this social responsibility, it seems to crop up more and more in so many places that I believe it to be something that is becoming somewhat of a movement. Bono seems to be the modern day pied piper when it comes to helping the world. I am no big U2 fan, not any more than the next guy, but the fact that Bono has used his fame to effect change in the world is what it’s all about. He has started Red which is encouraging some of the hippest companies to create a special product in the color red and donate the proceeds to provide anti-retroviral medicine to those dying of AIDS in Africa. I love the fact that it is not a charity, it is a business model. It gives consumers the opportunity to spend the money they were going to spend (although maybe a bit more) with a company who cares. Hobby Lobby is a chain of craft stores that supports ministry organizations with its profits. Fast Company had an article in it’s latest issue on stocks and mutual funds that are created with companies that invest their money in charities and aid type organizations. I read a lot of blogs. Thanks to David Jay, a photographer in SoCal, I was turned onto the blog of Seth Godin. One of the recent posts was for a web site, www.yournameontoast.com. It is a brilliant marketing idea (in my opinion). You give them money, they write your name on an actual piece of toast and photo it. Then you are put in line according to how much money you spent. I did it, and was at one time the first in line because I spent $50. The reason I did it was that I thought it might increase a little web traffic, it was very creative, and most importantly, all of the money will be donated to charity. I might get a few hits from random people in random places that will never hire me to photograph anything. That will be kind of cool to see who might end up on my site. But most importantly I spent the money in a place that will use it to make someone’s life better. So, the point, if you are going to participate in free commerce, and the opportunity presents itself, spend your money with a company that will be socially responsible with their profits. It’s the wave of the future.
The wedding season for me is officially over for 2006. It was a great year of so many fun weddings. I close with these 3.
Jack and Sandra were married in Huntsville. It was a great time for us all, I didn’t know that several of my friends from other times and places would be in/at the wedding. Jack and Sandra now live in CA. Jack is finishing up at Berkley, ah to be that smart!
Jack and Sandra
Kaye and Mark were married here in Birmingham. Being a well known chef in his own right, Mark coordinated a fabulous party for their guests after a very intimate ceremony that included the couple, their 2 children, the minister and me! I get to be witness to so many cool events!
Mark and Kaye
Tim and Jenny were married in Athens GA. Tim is one of my closest friends. He played drums with me for 4 or 5 years. He is the last from the original band to be married. It was a great weekend to close the season on. There is nothing like spending the weekend with several close friends and calling it work! Tim told me something that I always knew but never thought about. With all of the people they had in town for the wedding, I was the one they spent the most time with through the whole picture taking process. That was alot of fun!
Tim and Jenny
Our kids are GREAT! But, they are kids nonetheless. I think this series gives me an idea of what is to come…
ANGELS
ANTAGONISM
REVENGE
A few weeks back I was able to photograph some old friends. Jeffrey, Noelle, and Eli Kelley. I have known Jeffrey for quite a while. Over the past two years, Jeffrey has been battling the effects of a benign brain tumor as well as the effects of the treatment. To top it all off, Jeffrey’s nephew the son of Michael (his brother) was diagnosed with Leukemia. So, if you get a chance to look at this slideshow, bookmark it, and when you look at it again, pray for Joshua Kelley in Nashville. I don’t have any pictures of Joshua, but one day when he is well, I will go to Nashville, take some pictures and be sure to post them here.
The Kelleys
