It's Party Time Again!

That’s right the first facebook party was so much fun that we decided that night to do another one. We had thought about July or August, but we all had visions of sand between our toes and the cool breeze coming off the ocean. Ahhhh… now I want to go back to the beach.

So we are going to have another facebook profile party on Thursday, Sept. 17th at the studio from 6-8 pm. Come by and stay as long as you want. We will do a mini-session and from that you will get an image file to use for your profile portrait on facebook, myspace, linkedin, twitter or whatever you are online on.

Nancy Hunt will be back with all her pretty bling, bling! Nancy is an independent distributor for Premier Designs High Fashion Jewelry. They have some great new fall pieces.

This time we are going to have your Avon lady, Renee Bradshaw here. Renee will have some Avon samples for you to check out as well.

It is going to be lots of fun. Since it is a party, you know there will be food.

There is no admission charge, but if you could bring a donation of dog or cat food that would be great. During the month of September DCP is working with Catawba County Humane Society by collecting donations for their food pantry. With the economy the way it is, some families are struggling to be able to afford to feed their family pet. Many of these pets are brought to the shelter or worst abandoned. The food pantry gives food to families in need so they can feed their furry family member and not have to give them up.

Let me know if you have any questions and don’t forget to bring a friend!

Beautiful Sleeping Baby

I recently saw a news story on Good Morning America about beautiful sleeping baby images used in advertising. The story referred to the proper sleep position for babies to reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). A new article was released discussing the importance of having your baby sleep on their back and not on their stomach and/or on soft comforters, etc. Read the full story to find out about the recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on sleep positions for your baby.

Watching Sarah sleep when she was a baby is one of my fondest memories. I still love sleeping babies and capturing the sweet innocence of that quiet time. I always know we are going to have a special treasure for mommy when her little one falls asleep at the studio. Every parent should have a portrait like that. Take it from me, it becomes priceless. You will need that reminder of how sweet they can be, when you are trying to get them up for school in a few years.

Jailhouse FACES Exhibit

Earlier in the spring, I was asked to participate in a special exhibit for the Burke County United Way showcases the “FACES” of those involved in the United Way projects. It was an incredible honor to be one of a few photographers asked to do the photography for this project and during the month of June I went to some of the projects to do the photographs needed for the exhibit. I can say it was a lot of fun doing this and I met some incredible people. Our county really does have some wonderful people.

The projects United Way funds really do some incredible things for our community and the staff and volunteers of the United Way are hard working and caring people. We are fortunate to have them working to make our county a better place.

The exhibit is now on display at the Burke Arts Council’s Jailhouse Gallery on the square in downtown Morganton and will be there through the rest of August. Last night, they held a special exhibit reception and I got to see for the first time which images of mine they selected to use for the exhibit. The exhibit looks great. You really need to run by there and see it. It truly does put a face to the United Way.

While at the reception, I was able to meet the other two photographers that were selected to participate in this project; Kimberly Lajzar and Jeff Starks. It was a real pleasure getting to meet them and their work is great. I hope they had as much fun with this project as I did. I also got to see many old friends that I have not seen in years. Yes I know “me bad”, but it is always great to see them and hopefully it won’t be as long before we see each other again.

Of course everyone knows how much I love spending time in jail – the Jailhouse Gallery that is. It has been several years since my last exhibit there and I must say I love the changes to the gallery room the recent remodeling project did. Ann DiSanto, the staff and volunteers at the Burke Arts Council always do a great job in displaying exhibits and I always feel at home when I am in the jailhouse. Okay no smart comments on that…

Here are a few of my images you will see on display, but you really should check out the exhibit and let me know what you think. Visiting hours are 9-5 Tuesday through Friday. Hope to see you there!

School Days

While it is still hot and we are all still trying to enjoy every moment of the summer we can; before we know it the school bell will be ringing again and all of the children will be heading back to the classrooms. Unfortunately, some children will not have all of the school supplies they will need to do their school work.

We can help. Again, this August DCP will be collecting school supplies to be given out to children in need. As a thank you for your generosity, for every full bag of school supplies you bring in you will be given a gift card for a session that you can use any time in the future. On top of that if you schedule you session in August, then you will also receive a $25 gift card you can use towards your order from that session.

Since Sarah has been in school I have been very active and have served on committees. This has really opened my eyes as to how many children out there really do not have the simple items they need to learn and to grow. I can’t do much, but together we can. There is an old saying that I have no clue who said it first, but it takes a village to raise a kid. Sorry if I butchered the actual saying. You get my point though.

Below is just a short list of some items you can get and bring. I’ll even meet you some where to pick them up if you need me to. Many of you are school teachers. Please feel free to add to this list by placing a comment. And by all means; forward this to everyone you know. Let’s make a difference in the children's school year and life.

Oh almost forgot. The sale tax holiday weekend is coming up. This year it is August 7^th-9^th and here is a link to the official list for what is tax-free that weekend. Perfect time to pick up a few extra items for the collection. http://www.dornc.com/taxes/sales/holiday_4-08.pdf

One more thing to all of my photographer friends that read this: I am sending out a challenge to each of you to collect school supplies at your studios as well. Just let people know and put out a box and then call the closest school. Trust me, the hard working staff at the school knows just who needs these supplies. Thanks all you big hearted photo nuts.

Suggested school supply items needed:

Loose leaf paper

Backpacks (no wheels)

Pencils

3-ring binders

Pencil pouches

Glue sticks

Rulers

Tissues

Scissors

Pencil sharpers

Spiral notebooks

Folders

Wipes

Have I got a deal for you...

Spring is here and the weather is wonderful. I love this time of the year; being outside working in the garden and spending time in the hammock. Now that is living. But it is also a great time to go outside for those portrait sessions that we have been talking about. The temperatures are not too hot or cold and the bugs have not gotten too bad yet. It is time to get your session scheduled.

And do I have a deal for you!!! – Okay that sounded like a bad TV commercial, but it is true.

Regardless of where you want to have your session; your home, on your boat at the lake, your favorite park, you get the idea – during May and June your session fee is a mere $25 donation to Relay For Life. Each year DCP has a RFL promotion and since I am so eager to get outside this year, it is for on-location sessions.

Your session can be any time in May and June, but since I have to turn in the donations by the end of May all sessions must be scheduled by May 31st. Also if you want to help out the BCFFA food pantry drive too, then I got a very special deal for you. Donate both the pet food and the $25 to RFL and you will get both sessions; one now and one any time this year. What a perfect way to get a session ready for the fall when it is perfect for outdoor portraits again!

Give me a call 828-397-6055 or email me so we can start making the plans for your special session. Summer will be here before we know it and there is only 226 days left till Christmas… Hint this is perfect for kids of all ages, families and upcoming high school seniors…

So let’s go out and play!