To Barkworld I Go! {Atlanta Pet Photographer}

So the last 48 hours have been crazymaking.  Cuh....ray.....zee.  After being at WPPI U for three fabulous days I came home to a somewhat limited food supply, trash that needed taking out, a laundry situation, multiple calls and emails to return, a wedding client consultation, not to mention final preparations for this weekend.    And by 'this weekend' I mean an expo, a workshop to teach on Friday, and weddings to shoot both Saturday and Sunday.  Dear gussy.

And it's about time to head over to the hotel to set up the booth at Barkworld Expo 2011.  Wah-hoo!  But here's what been going on at my place:

Tentative booth layout and planning area (also known as, The Living Room).  Tape went down on the floor to replicate dimensions.  I sat on the floor because the furniture is covered with stuff!

Robert and Holly - Marietta Square Engagement Session

After posting Robert and Holly's engagement video last night (at around 2 am!) I ran out of steam and crashed, so here are their pics.

This was SUCH a fun shoot.  Holly told me Jenna was super excited about it the night before, which is awesome.  Because, like, who doesn't want people to be excited about coming to see you?!

Thrice As Nice - Marietta Square Engagement Session {Marietta Wedding Photographer}

Usually when I meet clients for their engagement session two people arrive. On this occasion we had a special guest who happened to be a VIP! Robert and Holly are not only getting married, they are joining together as a new family unit with Robert's adorable daughter Jenna. We had a fantastic (read: smiley, giggly, silly) time doing some shots as a threesome, then Grandma arrived to treat Jenna so I could spend some time with the couple. We wandered all over Marietta Square, found some fun spots, and performed a hilarious and sneaky quick clothing change in an unexpected place while I stood guard. (Yes, Holly, I just HAD to mention that!)

Here is the slideshow from their session:

And then they lost it......{Atlanta Family Photographer}

Honestly, I feel very blessed to know most of my clients.  Even more blessed to share in special moments of their lives and capture those memories for them.  The vast majority are fun, cooperative, and easy to work with.  The trio from Sunday's session were definitely rock stars in front of the camera.   However, even the most awesome and cool kiddos deserve a moment to indulge in....... complete silliness.

Erin and Kevin Sneak Peak {Atlanta Wedding Photographer}

It was very special to me to be there for Erin and Kevin's wedding last Sunday. Several years ago Erin and I were in a ladies small group together around the time she met Kevin, and it was obvious there was something significant happening. These two have a beautiful love story which culminated in an intimate celebration at Post Riverside.

I'm still working on their images but wanted to share a quick peak!

Lina and Aaron Engagement {Atlanta Wedding Photographer}

Directions are such a tricky thing, aren't they? One person can explain, in detail, how to get to your direction using exact mileage and street signs, while another will be totally confused and want only landmarks. And let's not EVEN go there with online maps and GPS! When I was meeting Lina and Aaron we thought we had a super simple plan, until I arrived. There were multiple buildings and parking lots in the area we were meeting, not to mention different entrances and sides and lots with the same company name. It turned into a complete comedy as I drove around looking for them, then finally, there they were waving their arms at me! I got out of the car laughing, and it was non-stop fun for the rest of the time together.

Lina and Aaron are having a ceremony in December at Primrose Cottage in Roswell, and will be celebrating with friends and family from all over, including Lina's relatives from overseas. I think it's going to be a lovely, unique celebration, and I can't wait.

Baby Steps......The Baby and The Business {Atlanta Baby Photographer}

As I was talking with someone about the Baby Button program yesterday, I mentioned that I bought my first camera just before the birth of my first nephew.  That one decision, of course, is a major factor in my story, so I've mentioned it in conversation many, many times.  But somehow this particular chat made me a bit nostalgic.  Perhaps it's the fact that said nephew has a birthday coming up and his age will transition from single to double digits.  [A decade......HOW is that possible?!?!]

In any case, he was, absolutely, my inspiration, my favorite subject for a long time, and technically, the first ever Button Baby!  [I can almost hear his embarrassed snort of pre-pubescent disdain even as I type that.]  My original desire was solely to capture our family's memories, and both my equipment and skills were amateur.  Still, this was how it all started:  I fell in love with that baby, and fell in love with photographing him.  Although Caleb took his first steps years before my business did, the die was cast when I experienced the capability to take the essence of a lively baby, funnel it through a camera lens onto film, and then preserve it forever as a beautiful image.

So I dug into the archives, rolled my eyes at some of my early attempts at photography, and scanned these from the original film prints.  Here we go:

Caleb at 3 Months

At 6 months

Celebrating his First Birthday

And his Second

Thanks, Caleb, for being such a gorgeous baby, a fantastic model, and for inspiring me then and now.

Love,

Aunt Nina