A Thankful Heart

I try to be thankful all year long and not just one day in November. But 'tis the season and I wanted to reflect on these past years.

In 2006, I thought I had it all figured out. A beautiful wife, a loving family, and a growing photography business. Then we found out that a baby was on the way. Since that day, my life has been ever changing and I realize that everything I thought was important before, does not seem to matter now.

I was going through some photos this week when I found some about the childbirth that I'd like to share. I wanted to help remember this miracle season in our life in a documentary fashion. Every Saturday, around 9:30 a.m., Lisa posed for a few dozen photos beside the same window to show the growing baby. Hundreds and hundreds of photographs will be stored to show Riley and maybe her children also.

She was always a good sport about it. She has been photographed more than we can count. We even had a photo session at the zoo on our first real date almost 20 years ago.

And finally the week before the delivery we decided to use the studio setup.

When our little girl was born I continued the photojournalism approach with a stern warning from the staff at the hospital, "If you faint, we can't help you!"

Faint? Me? Why, I helped to deliver a calf at the age of six and I went through the Shellback initiation of crossing the equator in the Navy. I was proud of my steady hand. I even cut the cord while taking photos. We were in the delivery room over 30 hours!

So when asked what am I thankful for, it always begins with our daughter, Riley, the miracle that I watched grow from ultrasound to birth and how she has blessed our lives. I stop and think, "What did I ever do to deserve this wonderful gift?"

What are you thankful for? I wish the best to you and your family.

Randy

As Your Family Grows, We'll Be There for You

In the fall of 2006, we met Nicole and Calvin in a local coffee shop to discuss their wedding photography. We enjoyed their attitudes about each other and life. We were delighted when they booked us to shoot the wedding and also chose an engagement session at Indian Springs State Park. We had a great time with them.





In 2007, their wedding took place on the lawn at The Atlanta Motor Speedway. What fun we had! The bridal party dressed in the VIP Suites. The family is filled with NASCAR fans. I even got them to pose by the huge sign.







In the fall of 2007, we met Nicole's family at Heritage Park in McDonough, Ga., with Nicole already expecting.






When the eighth month of maternity came, they chose us to record this stage of their life also.






We were in Charlotte, N.C. when the call came from Calvin with the news of their son, Jason. A quick drive back and I was invited to the hospital room and into this very special day in their lives.









And then, last week, we once again had the pleasure to photograph them at our studio.

As they were leaving, we thanked them both for choosing us. "We'll be calling you again!" Nicole said to us.

Wow! This is the essence of why we are in this business. We know the importance of family. We know how quickly we grow and how we cherish our memories...memories that can be relived with a glance at a photograph.

Nicole and Calvin are just one of the couples that we have followed from the wedding to a newborn child. There are quite a few families who have let us grow with them and we truly feel it is a privilege to document life for them. Thank you!

Randy