Cowboy {Marietta Dog Photographer}

This is Cowboy, and he is a ROCK STAR.  Seriously, he was such a fantastic dog model he could have a future in entertainment.  He waltzed in, sniffed around a bit at the lights and surroundings, then sat on his mark and hit a pose, as if to say, "I'm ready for my closeup."  His humans were a bit surprised, I think. Cowboy is my neighbor here in Marietta so I get to see him out in the neighborhood from time to time, and he always looks this cool!

Champ {Marietta Dog Photographer}

Yesterday my neighbor Graham's dog Champ the Shih Tzu came over for a visit.  Champ is a sweet boy and very friendly, so he was very happy to stop by, come in and sniff around, and get some petting.  He was happy as a clam sitting next to me or crawling into my lap for a snuggle.  Then I lured him onto a backdrop and pointed a black plastic thing at him, and he wasn't too sure about that.  Despite being a bit shy in front of the camera, and scooting back over next to me at every available opportunity, he was a good boy and we got some good shots.

More with Shilo and Lex {Atlanta Baby Photographer}

More from my session with Shilo and Lex.....such sweet kids!

Sneak Peak - Shilo and Lex {Atlanta Baby Photographer}

Recently I got to visit with Lex and his new baby sister Shilo for some pictures. Lex is an adorable and energetic little guy, and as soon as I found out he's a big fan of monkeys I knew we'd get along famously. (Only the night before I finished crocheting a new sock monkey hat--he liked it!) Baby sister was a sweetheart, and I know she'll be smitten with her big brother when she's older.

Here's a quick peak at their session:

Summertime in the country {Georgia Lifestyle Photographer}

So here is the final installment in the family visit posts.  Dang, we had such a fun time!  The definition of "fun" for kids and adults is definitely two different things, but everyone came away happy on this trip.  For those older (and hopefully wiser), we know that time moves quickly and time spent with family is very important.  Aging relatives are fragile and to be cherished.  We were only there a few days to tried to squeeze in quick visits to as many people as possible.  The kids, on the other hand, are not mindful of any of this, which is as it should be.  They just want to be kids, and enjoy simple pleasure like rope swings, dogs, tadpoles, and the exquisite freedom of running wild through an open field.

My cousin Al's daughter Lexie shows us how it's done.  Yes, I'm a girl, and this puts me back in touch with my inner desire to twirl....just for the fun of it.

Caleb

Up and at 'em {Georgia Lifestyle Photographer}

Another installment from our family trip.  Saturday was going to be our very busy day, so I was lucky to awake in the stillness before the household came to life.  In other words, before the beasties I refer to as nephews graced us with their presence.  Caleb and Ian were sacked out in Grandma Parker's pink bedroom--they look so sweet and peaceful.

But do not be confused:  they can be quietly slumbering one moment...

and hugging the life out of you the next.  (my sister reminded me that he calls this the Super Squeeze.....and yes, it involves growling)

Levi, bless him, is a little slower about starting the day.  Aunt Nina feels for you, bud.  You look better than I do first thing in the morning.

Not everyone begins the day with this much enthusiasm.  I KNOW I don't, at least not before coffee.  I firmly believe that whichever gene results in a 'morning person' is an unnatural and completely unacceptable mutation of the normal human condition. I'm just sayin'.....

Caleb went from groggy to in motion when I told him Grammy was making french toast.  The kid ejected from the bed to the table in record time.

He chewed/cut one of his slices into a heart for me.  Isn't that sweet?!  (Or is it sad that heart-shaped french toast is all it takes to impress me?   Hmmmm)

For the record, I've seen that look before, and it's trouble:  he's up, fed, ready to rumble, his mom is at the stove and Papa is focused on his food.  Lookout! 

Time Stands Still

"We never remember days, only moments."   - Cesare Pavese   

"One faces the future with one's past."  - Pearl S. Buck  

Time is an interesting thing:  it can go by very quickly, yet very slowly, too. When we stay at my grandmother's house, it feels somewhat untouched by time.  There are so many things that haven't changed in decades, and it creates a space full of memory.  Most of the furniture has been there since I was a child.  There's something about the quality of the light in that house that creates an atmosphere of nostalgia for me, perhaps because I can still visualize years of family visits and holidays spent there.

For some reason during our visit I decided to capture some images of the house.  Although it feels a part of me, and I have wonderful memories made here, eventually that might fade.  And I need to remember.

Some of my grandfather's things are still in the bathroom cabinet.  He was an Old Spice man, so I had always wondered about the bottle of English Leather.  When Dad saw this picture he speculated that it's probably left over from when HE wore this cologne as a young man. (!)

The crocheted dog toilet tissue cover.....it's a classic.

Several bells and collectibles they received as gifts at their 50th wedding anniversary.

My grandaddy's watches, including the one he wore in service during WWII, in an ashtray from the funeral business they owned.

If memory serves my grandparents were honored as Valentine King and Queen at a church function a few years before his death.

If these walls could talk.....for years I curled up with Grandma in her pink bedroom and whispered late into the night, sharing things I couldn't tell anyone else.

This old van seat covered in a blanket sits on the back porch.  It was the place where my grandfather sat and smoked his cigarettes, then eventually his pipes stuffed with Prince Albert tobacco.  There are probably a few of those familiar red cans around somewhere.

What does your parent's house look like?  Your grandparent's?  Do yourself a favor, grab your point and shoot, and snap some pictures.  They don't have to be works of art.  There will come a day when you'll be glad you did.

Gretchen and Kent's Wedding {Atlanta Wedding Photographer}

Finally getting around to sharing more pictures from Gretchen's wedding.  It was held at the gorgeous Bluff View Inn in Chattanooga.  Lovely day, amazing couple, intimate ceremony--just perfection.

Summer Mini Sessions {Marietta Children's Photographer}

They're here!  It's time for summer mini-sessions.  We'll be at Marietta Square on Saturday July 24.  You can check out previous sessions shot at the Square on Facebook here and here.