My daughter reminded on Friday that today is a holiday, the day that Martin Luther King Jr. was born (or at least today we celebrate that birthday). So I asked her what she'd been taught about him in school. Her response, verbatim: "That he was a hero. That he changed the world. That he said that people of different skins couldn't play together, and that wasn't fair. That violence is never the answer, that love is." Being the family we are, we've read a lot about dif

My daughter reminded on Friday that today is a holiday, the day that Martin Luther King Jr. was born (or at least today we celebrate that birthday). So I asked her what she'd been taught about him in school. Her response, verbatim: "That he was a hero. That he changed the world. That he said that people of different skins couldn't play together, and that wasn't fair. That violence is never the answer, that love is." Being the family we are, we've read a lot about dif

My good friend dropped by our house yesterday to catch up for a bit. As we were chatting, her eyes kept meandering to this framed piece I have in my house of my parents: She apologized for getting distracted from our conversation and commented on how much she loved the piece. Always happy to talk about photography, I told her about how much it meant to me to get that shot. My mother was told at the age of 18 that she shouldn't smile for photographs, that it just didn't lo

My good friend dropped by our house yesterday to catch up for a bit. As we were chatting, her eyes kept meandering to this framed piece I have in my house of my parents: She apologized for getting distracted from our conversation and commented on how much she loved the piece. Always happy to talk about photography, I told her about how much it meant to me to get that shot. My mother was told at the age of 18 that she shouldn't smile for photographs, that it just didn't lo

After the non-stop race pace of the convention in Tampa Bay, I was fortunate enough to carve out TWO FULL DAYS by myself. I headed across the water to Safety Harbor and basically hunkered down with all my ideas, thoughts & inspirations and created a nice planning session for the business for 2008. The plan after that was to zip over to Orlando Airport to pick up my family, who were flying in for Steve's conference at Disneyworld. (My husband's publication is Endurance

After the non-stop race pace of the convention in Tampa Bay, I was fortunate enough to carve out TWO FULL DAYS by myself. I headed across the water to Safety Harbor and basically hunkered down with all my ideas, thoughts & inspirations and created a nice planning session for the business for 2008. The plan after that was to zip over to Orlando Airport to pick up my family, who were flying in for Steve's conference at Disneyworld. (My husband's publication is Endurance

I'm running a tad behind on posting right now because I'm in Tampa Bay, Florida for a photography convention. I'm actually surrounded by a great international collection of photographers who are meeting for a series of seminars about all things photography. I am one of the Speakers here, which is really quite an honor, especially with the talent among these 500+ photographers assembled (several of whom have been deemed "top 10" in the world). I deliver my seminar on Monda

I'm running a tad behind on posting right now because I'm in Tampa Bay, Florida for a photography convention. I'm actually surrounded by a great international collection of photographers who are meeting for a series of seminars about all things photography. I am one of the Speakers here, which is really quite an honor, especially with the talent among these 500+ photographers assembled (several of whom have been deemed "top 10" in the world). I deliver my seminar on Monda

Tomorrow evening I will be hosting a Giving Party at my house that was meticulously planned by Perri Kersch, Mary Beth Grealey and Neva Bartholomew. Planning has been underway for a while now for this fun endeavor. So, what is a Giving Party? Think Southern Living House Party meets Give Peace A Chance. Or something like that. I would've been a terrible pitch person for studio productions. Anyway, we will be showcasing some wonderful organizations, two local, one that

Tomorrow evening I will be hosting a Giving Party at my house that was meticulously planned by Perri Kersch, Mary Beth Grealey and Neva Bartholomew. Planning has been underway for a while now for this fun endeavor. So, what is a Giving Party? Think Southern Living House Party meets Give Peace A Chance. Or something like that. I would've been a terrible pitch person for studio productions. Anyway, we will be showcasing some wonderful organizations, two local, one that

We rolled outside to do a bit of yardwork and it turned into a full-on Leaf Fest. Sophie started the craziness with the full-on pile throwing! I know I am a bit biased, but how awesome is that smile??? Leaves are this year's hottest hair fashion. Sophie was quite zen-like in such a natural habitat... Until she decided to take on dad's ferocious leaf blower/dry vac in reverse...

We rolled outside to do a bit of yardwork and it turned into a full-on Leaf Fest. Sophie started the craziness with the full-on pile throwing! I know I am a bit biased, but how awesome is that smile??? Leaves are this year's hottest hair fashion. Sophie was quite zen-like in such a natural habitat... Until she decided to take on dad's ferocious leaf blower/dry vac in reverse...

I am having lunch with a few photographer friends tomorrow, and since we don't have a lot of time to meet, much less eat (definitely in the thick of the Busy Season), I thought I might check out their blogs so that I could be more up to speed with their work, lives, etc. - y'know, cheat and pretend that I've been following their lives a bit more. Anyway, while perusing, I saw that I was tagged on James & Meredith Walters' blog. About 2 months ago. Oops. Blog Tag: to

I am having lunch with a few photographer friends tomorrow, and since we don't have a lot of time to meet, much less eat (definitely in the thick of the Busy Season), I thought I might check out their blogs so that I could be more up to speed with their work, lives, etc. - y'know, cheat and pretend that I've been following their lives a bit more. Anyway, while perusing, I saw that I was tagged on James & Meredith Walters' blog. About 2 months ago. Oops. Blog Tag: to

The Triangle Ramblin' Rose Triathlon was last week, and we're just now seeing all the photographs from it - what a blast this was!! It was put on by Endurance Magazine, my all-time favorite magazine - nothing at all to do with the fact that my hubby's the publisher :) - but this women's-only sprint triathlon is in its second year and is such an incredibly inspirational event. There was also a great race in Charlotte - both of these races sold out months in advance. I raced

I told my brother I'd be happy to take a few photographs at his wedding in Johnstown, Pennsylvania - and I ended up having so much fun, I shot the whole thing! That's the serious danger of loving your job. My sister-in-law with her boys, my sweet girl in full curtsy & Caleb with his favorite person ever, daddy... The cousins! The Groom, my brother, being as hot as he possibly can :) Since this was a second marriage for both of them, Andy & Mary Beth decided to b

The Triangle Ramblin' Rose Triathlon was last week, and we're just now seeing all the photographs from it - what a blast this was!! It was put on by Endurance Magazine, my all-time favorite magazine - nothing at all to do with the fact that my hubby's the publisher :) - but this women's-only sprint triathlon is in its second year and is such an incredibly inspirational event. There was also a great race in Charlotte - both of these races sold out months in advance. I raced

I told my brother I'd be happy to take a few photographs at his wedding in Johnstown, Pennsylvania - and I ended up having so much fun, I shot the whole thing! That's the serious danger of loving your job. My sister-in-law with her boys, my sweet girl in full curtsy & Caleb with his favorite person ever, daddy... The cousins! The Groom, my brother, being as hot as he possibly can :) Since this was a second marriage for both of them, Andy & Mary Beth decided to b

I find it somewhat fascinating how many moms will apologize to me for their children's behavior. I'm always quick to point out that, first of all -- and most importantly -- some of the best images are Kids Not Behaving!! And, secondly, I am in no position to accept such an apology. As a mom myself, I am actually in the final stage of trying to let go of the apology thing, at least when there are no major offenses committed. Especially when in The Store, I feel there is on

I find it somewhat fascinating how many moms will apologize to me for their children's behavior. I'm always quick to point out that, first of all -- and most importantly -- some of the best images are Kids Not Behaving!! And, secondly, I am in no position to accept such an apology. As a mom myself, I am actually in the final stage of trying to let go of the apology thing, at least when there are no major offenses committed. Especially when in The Store, I feel there is on