Emails, Phone Calls, Meetings, and Bookings!

There's lots of activity these days at the office as we are working with some of the brides that we met at the bridal show.

We are getting the opportunity to photograph at some amazing places this year. The creative possiblities of photography helps us truly enjoy what we do. It's great watching the excitement of the bride describing her vision of the perfect wedding!

We are often asked how we would describe our style. Hmmm...let me think on that one and expound. Our number one goal is to give the bride the photographs she wants to remember this day, as well as the groom and the parents. I do believe that the less stress there is, the better the photos! We strive to keep the stress out of the equation. This is the reason for no time limits on all of our packages. Another way we remove stress is that Lisa goes with the bride and I stay with the groom until starting the wedding party photos, and then we give two different perspectives of the ceremony and the reception.

We are experienced in many lighting situations and are very comfortable with our cameras. This allows us to stay relaxed and adjust the gear accordingly. We carry several backup cameras and flash equipment. This gives us peace of mind when the electronics decide to stop working.

I worked for over 5 years for a professional sports wire service. The lessions I learned as a photojournalist are invaluable to me. Using these, we try to blend in with the wedding. We are not the reason for this wedding -- the bride and groom are -- so we try to maintain an as-it-happens approach. Our experience also has taught us that Mom and Grandmother will want the posed shots.

At times our style may be considered edgy or arty. We are not afraid to turn the camera sideways, slow the shutter speed down for a blur, or drag the shutter to bring in the ambient light. We both love available light photography (no flash). We are always pushing the limits of our equipment and we have noticed that the more we push, the more we grow as photographers and the more the brides like our work.

We are not afraid to try things and lately our brides have been bringing some great requests for photography. We encourage the brides to be creative. We subscribe to many photography magazines and we attend seminars to stay current, never settling for what worked last year.

Regardless of a name for a style, it is a great complement to us when you book us for your wedding. You can be assured that we will devote our full attention to you on your day. Look at our galleries and the photos that you see are what you can expect from the both of us. We look forward to working with you!

Randy

Bridal Show a Success!

Wow! What a day we had at the Georgia Bridal Show last Sunday. Eyes were filled with excitement of their wedding day. We even saw several grooms tagging along, which was quite the feat on a football playoff Sunday! We would like to thank Elite Events for the quality show.



We also say, "Thank you!" to all of the brides and moms that stopped by to hear our presentation and to look at our albums. Several have already contacted us for booking and we are excited about meeting them and discussing how we can photograph their day. Just contact us if you would like to meet one-on-one and see more examples of our work.

We are also planning to attend a bridal show on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at the Locust Grove Conference Center in Locust Grove, Georgia. We look forward to seeing you there!

Randy

Georgia Bridal Show

Happy New Year!

Lisa and I are meeting some wonderful couples these days and booking weddings for the 2009 season -- large weddings, small weddings, at some really great locations and venues. We are excited!

Several of the couples in the past have shared their special requests for photos and I just love it. I think the worst thing a photographer can do is to get stuck in the rut of photographing what may have worked years ago. We always are striving to learn new techniques and always looking through the creative eye. So, when our brides ask for a special photo, I get excited and, yes, we can do that!

This Sunday January 04, 2009, Lisa and I will be at the Georgia Bridal Show at the Cobb Galleria Centre from 12:00 to 5:30. We would love to meet you and discuss your plans and how we can help capture your special day in photographs. We will have albums, photographs, brochures, and answers to your wedding photography questions. Our booth number is 163.

We would also like to thank all of the great clients who helped make 2008 a growing year. We are encouraged at what 2009 will bring and we look forward to growing with you and your family.

Randy

Fun With Playgroup

I jumped at the chance to photograph the local playgroup when asked. Riley has taught me the wonders of children and how their smiles can illuminate your heart. I also saw this as a challenge to our skills. I knew we would have fun.

Oh, how I have missed out on all the years without children in my life! It took Riley to get me to this point.

All of the planning on my part with the lighting, props, and conceptions, were simply tossed aside when the shooting began. I was once again a sports photojournalist on the sidelines of a college football game. "Red 39, Red 39, hike!" and off they went! But the moms were so helpful bringing them back on the "field." I had fun!

I asked Lisa days before the shoot, "Can we get them all looking in one shot?" Well, it can be done -- not the perfect composition that fills the magazines, but considering all that went on that morning, I'll take it.

Randy

Time in a Bottle

I love the Christmas season. The lights, the parades, the classic television shows, the food, the families, and the carols that we sing in church. Lisa is at the desk writing our Christmas cards, Riley is sound asleep in her afternoon nap, and I am editing photos of Riley in her holiday outfits.


Jim Croce sang about saving time in a bottle and the things he would do if that was a possibility. As I stare at these photos, I think that in a way, I am saving time -- not in the metaphorical bottle, but on a two dimensional photo that will bring me right back here to this point in our lives.

I know that soon she will be in school, then driving, dating, and married (AAAAHHHHH!). But with just a glance at a picture, she will always be my little girl.

Don't get me wrong, for I am progressive in my thoughts and I feel the best is yet to come, but she is so new to Lisa and me. The sounds of her laughter and her sweet voice saying "hey" to the cat. What a wonderful gift God has given us!

As the traffic around the malls increases and sometimes the holiday stress takes it toll, let us never forget what really matters as we celebrate Jesus's birthday.

Take lots of photos of your loved ones and save time in a bottle for the years to come.

Randy

Indoor Portrait Sessions

December means the leaves are gone and there seems to be much rain these days, but did you know we also have a full studio setup where we offer indoor portrait sessions? There is no set number of poses or changes of clothing and the sessions usually last an hour.


This past week, we enjoyed a fun session with the West family. If you have viewed our website you may have seen them before. Beautiful smiles and a fast growing son.

I first met Shane in 2002 at a Braves game. He was a baseball coach at Georgia State University. As we became friends, he introduced me to the athletic director, which led to photographing baseball, basketball, soccer, track and field, and softball for the Georgia State Media Department, as well as a series of family portrait sessions over the years.

Mom and Dad are so photogentic and when Lisa found the right toy, their son flashed his true smile. (In case you're wondering, it was Riley's "Tickle Me Cookie Monster" toy that did the trick.)

Lisa is very good with working with children, which makes my job so easy. We are very patient, too!

We would love the opportunity to meet and discuss your photography needs. Please call our office @ 770-898-4503.

Randy

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