Merry Christmas to you and yours {Atlanta Wedding and Family Photographer}

Christmas Card Options {Atlanta Family Photographer}

It was tough to decide this year on a Christmas card design, so I came up with several I liked.  Kudos to Mom and Dad (and Lucas the dog) for patiently enduring the photosession, some of which took place outside in the freezing cold.  Ya'll rock!

Photo Philanthropy.....for pets! {Marietta and Atlanta Dog Photographer}

Today I found a fantastic article on photographers helping their local communities by supporting animal rescue organization. According to statistics from The Humane Society of The United States, 6-8 million animals are relinquished to shelters in The United States each year, with over 3 million of those being euthanized. That number is staggeringly high, and with so many pets worthy of good homes, a tragedy. There ARE families who would care for these animals if presented with the opportunity.

Check out the article HERE.

Last weekend I participated in a fundraiser for Spay/Neuter Society of the South, an organization dedicated to educating and promoting sterilization of pets to diminish the overpopulation problem in Atlanta. The event at Bark Station raised money and awareness while giving pet owners the opportunity to have their pet's picture made with Santa. It was a fantastic event due to the cooperation and generosity of many people, from Lorre (Bark Station owner) to Santa Steve (who slashed his rate to be there for the event) to the many volunteers who made things run smoothly. I was thrilled to be involved. Hopefully this will be the first of many opportunities to support animal rescue organizations in the Atlanta area.


And because it's not a blog post without a picture, here's one of the fabulous volunteers getting photographed with Santa and her dogs.

More from Santa at Bark Station {Atlanta and Marietta Dog Photographer}

I don't know about you, but the holiday spirit is in full swing around these parts!  In putting together orders this week from last Saturday's portrait sessions, several clients mentioned that they wanted to see THEIR pets on the blog.  So here we go with more of the fabulous dogs of Bark Station in Woodstock with Santa!

This is Gracie.  Her brother Oscar was not feeling well, so she got the spotlight all to herself.

SANTA!!! I know him! {Atlanta Dog Photographer}

Don't you just love "Elf"?  I've already watched it three times this holiday season.  But this particularly movie quote aside, I CAN say that I know Santa, since I met him on Saturday!

Santa Steve arrived at Bark Station in Woodstock for a wonderful afternoon of photos and fun.   He did a fantastic job and put smiles on almost every face, human and canine as well!

Here are a few from the day....

Santa at Bark Station {Atlanta Dog Photographer}

Dear Bark Station Customers,

Happy Holidays! Thank you so much for coming out to meet Santa on Saturday at Bark Station. We had a fantastic time and I greatly enjoyed meeting you and your furry friends. Dogs from all around Woodstock and Atlanta participated and we raised money for the Spay/Neuter Society of the South. The pictures are now ready and available to order. Here is the information you need:

To view the images, go to www.ninaparkerpets.com
click on Proofing
enter the password, which is barkstation (all lowercase, no spaces)

To place your order, you may contact me via email or phone.
Email: nina@ninaparkerphotography.com
Phone: 770-330-5414
**I will be available after 2:00 today to personally take your order

Here are the specially priced packages available:

     Option A: (1 pose)
     1 8x10 or 5x7
     1 set of 8 wallets
     1 websized image for sharing or holiday cards

     Option B: (2 poses)
     3 8x10s or 5x7s
     1 set of 8 wallets
     2 websized images for sharing or holiday cards


Deadline for orders and payment is THIS WEDNESDAY.
Please understand orders must be received by end of day on Wednesday to get your images by Christmas.

**Digital Images will be emailed to you on Thursday, 
so you still have time if you are ordering holiday cards.

Payment can be made via cash, check, credit card, or Paypal.
     -Cash or check may be dropped off at Bark Station (make it out to Nina Parker Photography)
     -Credit card payments may be made online (I will email you a link)
     -Paypal (to n_parker@live.com)


Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Nina
770-330-5414

John and Ona.....MARRIED! {Atlanta Wedding Photographer}

The setting and weather were lovely for John and Ona's wedding in Lake Lure, NC. It was a day filled with love, family, and meaning. The ceremony was heartfelt and intimate, and the reception was a rollicking good time--that dance floor was full all evening long.

Congratulations to John and Ona!

Scotty babies {Atlanta Dog and Pet Photographer}

Had a Portrait Event tonight at Top Tails in Woodstock. First client: twin Scottish Terrier puppies. Oh, my goodness.....the cuteness!

The H family - Operation Love Reunited {Atlanta Family Photographer}

This special family contacted me through Operation Love Reunited, an organization that arranges for a photo session to be donated to families serving our country in the military. These photos were taken just before Dad was deployed to Afghanistan on November 27.

The boys clearly adore their dad, and the addition of a 6 week old baby sister is going to make life interesting at their house. It's obvious there is a lot of love in this family. It seemed particularly appropriate to share these images today, on the 69th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Ho Ho Hoover {Atlanta Dogand Pet Photographer}

Hoover and his dad Wade are good friends as well as clients, and I've been photographing them from the beginning of their relationship. It seems like yesterday that baby Hoov came home from the animal shelter, but in very little time he has rapidly progressed from cute little puppy to sizable force of nature. At seven months old he's full of personality, as well as energy and the willingness to eat anything, anywhere.


With the holidays fast approaching a Christmas card photo was in order, so Hoover and company came over for a visit. Let's just say it was a very interesting photo session! Being true to his name, his immediate response to the jingle bell collar was a very determined effort to eat it. Luckily that did not succeed and we got started with pictures. Once the treats came out he was quite focused.  Doesn't he look handsome and quite seasonally appropriate? 

Heather and Thomas - Sneak Peak {Marietta Wedding Photographer}

Last weekend Heather and Thomas tied the knot at the historic Fields Chapel UMC in Canton.  It was an absolutely gorgeous weekend for a wedding, with blue skies and some fall leaves still showing on the trees. 

Right before the ceremony Heather decided to try out the swingset.  Gorgeous happy bride!

Pet Portrait Day at Top Tails Pet Center {Atlanta Dog and Pet Photographer}

If you are in the Town Lake or Woodstock area, or anywhere in Cherokee County, this one is for you! Top Tails is having a Pet Portrait Event just in time for the holidays. The event will be Dec. 9 from 5:00-8:00pm. Please contact the store at(678)445-4200 to reserve your time.

See you there!

A very special little girl (Kennesaw Family Photographer}

Recently I got the opportunity to do a session for a very deserving family. These fantastic people have two beautiful little girls, and although you can't really tell at a glance, they've been through quite a lot in the past few years.

The B Family contacted me via Inspiration Through Art, an organization dedicated to providing services and making a difference for families who have a child suffering from a serious illness or life altering disability.  Their youngest, Eva, was born with Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome, which basically means she is missing the right side of her heart. She had her first open heart surgery at four days old, and her second at four months. Her third (and hopefully final) surgery, should happen around her third birthday, and then she will eventually have to have a transplant once she reaches adulthood. She is now 19 months old, and is doing great!  Despite some other minor issues, such as kidney reflux, low muscle tone in her legs, which has caused gross motor delays and a speech delay, she is a happy, determined, active little girl. 

We decided to take advantage of the fall foliage for their session.  Thank you to Mom, Dad, big sister Emmy, and especially little Eva for sharing your family with me!

Chewie and Sadie {Atlanta Dog and Pet Photographer}

Sadie and Chewie came to see me at Bark & Beg, a fabulous bakery in Kennesaw. The gourmet dog treats were a hit, and so were they! Can you believe they're siblings? They are both Labradoodles, one is definitely more Lab and one more Poodle.  Chewie took some time to warm up to the situation, but Sadie was a camera darling from the first moment on.  We had a good time, so much so that the humans decided to crash the set.  (He protested when he was gently asked to step aside!)  Thanks to Sadie and Chewie and their owners!

Love in the Afternoon {Atlanta Family Photographer}

On a gorgeous fall afternoon I met up with my friends Don and Stacey, who are getting married this weekend in Helen, GA. Also along for some photo fun were Stacey's girls Grace and Faith, and Don's mother. We had a blast taking pictures to celebrate their newly blended crew and just enjoy the weather and the joy of family.

Congratulations Don and Stacey!

Pet Portrait Day at Bark Station in Woodstock {Atlanta Dog and Pet Photographer}

The next exciting event is coming up this weekend. Lorre and Wes at the fabulous Bark Station are hosting a special Pet Portrait event.  Aside from our classic backrops we will also have some Halloween decor for seasonally appropriate portraits, so feel free to bring your pet in costume!

Wally {Atlanta Dog Photographer}

From his big eyes to the soft fur to his mellow disposition, Wally just seemed like a very gentle soul. There was something so soothing about being with him!

Penelope and Cassie {Atlanta Dog Photographer}

Welcome to the world of "We are having SO MUCH fun that we can not be bothered to hold still for a photo!" This is Cassie and Penelope, two adorable little girls who like to go, go, go. They were a blur for most of our session, but with patience and a quick trigger finger I finally got some pictures of them. Hopefully their jovial nature and happy go lucky attitude shines through.

Isaac {Atlanta Baby Phtographer}

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program for......A NEWBORN!

Things have gone to the dogs lately. Literally. Lots of fantastic sessions with furbabies, some of whom are actually puppies and some just think they are!  So spending some time with this sweet baby boy was a change of pace that I thoroughly enjoyed.  We had completely finished our session and I was packing up, but he was so alert I had to grab the camera for a few more shots.  There will be more from him later but I have to post at least one sneak peak....

And by the way, I have NO IDEA what I did to elicit this expression!

Hairy {Atlanta Dog Photographer}

It's Hairy, not Harry. And there are absolutely no comparisons to be made to the rogue cop character played by Clint Eastwood, either. This guy was so gentle, so freshly washed and brushed and squeezable I about couldn't stand it. His adorable face and cute paws just rounded out the package. Although he was a bit shy we still had a good time.

Brusier {Atlanta Dog Photographer}

Meet Brusier.  Don't let the name fool you, though.....he is one sweet little dog.  He arrived groomed so nicely, with the little face all clean and a blue camo kerchief.   The bandanna didn't last the whole session but his gentle temperament did.  Although Brusier is still a pup his owner Kathy has been working on his manners and commands and he did very VERY well.  There's clearly a lot of love there because she had his full and undivided attention.  His expression and soulful eyes make for a great portrait.

Purry Petunia {Atlanta Pet Photographer}

When Purry first arrived for her session, she seemed a bit unsure about getting out of her carrier.  Not that I blamed her!  The photo area for our day of mini-sessions at The Pet Set was set up in the doggie daycare area.  Naturally it smelled like a LOT of dogs were around.  They weren't, at the moment, but still.....    Eventually we coaxed her out and she put in her appearance for her pictures.  Having just gotten a "lion cut" she had a halo of fur around her head, a closely trimmed body that felt like velvet when petted, and the most adorable pom-pom of a tail.  Purry's owner Dawn tells me that at home Purry 'sashays' around waving that plume of a tail around.  You work it, girl!

Sweetie Boy {Atlanta Dog Photographer}

What's in a name?  I ask you!  Sweetie Boy is a handsome white poodle who arrived freshly groomed with blue bows and blue nails to match.  Don't try to tell him he's 'sweet', though.....on the day of our session he was an alpha male who intended to mark everything in the vicinity as his, including me and all my equipment!  This guy wants everyone to know he's THE DOG, and don't forget it.  Sweetie Boy proved true to his name by enjoying some petting and giving some dog kisses, and although he is a very energetic guy but we managed to get some shots.  Here he is!

More Sally {Atlanta Dog Photographer}

Finally got around to posting the rest of the images from Sally's session playing frisbee at the Smyrna Dog Park.  Thank goodness the weather has cooled off a touch since then!  Even looking at the pictures I remember how hot it was that day.  I'm ready for fall, and I bet Sally is, too.  When it's cooler she'll probably have more stamina for chasing that frisbee longer!