Sweet Baby Bea . . .

It doesn't get any better than photographing the newest folks in the world - but photographing the new little ones of those you love is even more special!  I loved being with Baby Beatrice and her Mama on a quiet day, just after Bea was born.  She is precious; just like her big brother, Charlie!  (Here are photos we shot of the family of three before little Beatrice was born - http://deana-pressingpause.blogspot.com/2012/01/perfect-compliment.html),

I'm funny about the use of props in photos.  I never want to use props at the expense of losing the emphasis on the person or the moment.  This bowl, though, was the perfect prop, and I loved it.  This is the wooden bowl that Bea's great grandmother used to make biscuits in - I love the significance of that and I adore thinking about Bea being held by her great grandmother.  This was a 'real' prop and I loved it!

Bea already has her 'jazz hands' working!  Love this drama!

Is there anything more beautiful than a peacefully sleeping baby?

Here's to a wonderful life, sweet Bea!

Waiting for Anna . . .

It was a blast photographing this sweet family, as they prepared for the birth of the newest member of the family.  Anna has just been born, but they spent years and years as a family of four.  This gang is super special to me, and it was fun to be with them and try to capture pieces of life as they had known it.

There is no doubt that little Anna is lucky to be part of this family, and these two guys will be fantastic big brothers!

I love being with people, taking our time and getting the real stuff - real people doing what they really do.

Here's to special families, awesome big brothers and precious little sisters!

New Twist on the Monday Morning Photo - Vol. 3

This could be it, folks!  Someone could win today (or, maybe things will go on and you all can have another chance at this most exciting contest of your entire lives) - we'll see.

You know the drill - we've twisted up the old contest - over these few weeks, we're doing a bit of a "where in the world" kind of thing.  I put up the photo.  You check it out.  You guess where it was taken.  You send me your guesses (by fb message or email - graham.deana@gmail.com).  The first person to guess three photos is the winner!

Don't worry, if you're just starting today.  I'll repost the two previous photos.  And, listen up friends, I'm making it harder today!  (:


Remember, you may not recognize the spot, but someone you know might.  Show the photo to others and get some help on identifying it's location. 

The winner will achieve the world wide acclaim that comes with something this enormous, plus the first person to correctly guess the location of three photos will receiveyour choice of an 8x10 gallery wrap or an 11x14 print!

If you've had a shoot with me before, you can choose from among the photos in your gallery - if you haven't yet had a shoot, you may save the prize until you do! 

Check out the photo below.  Guess where it was taken.  As soon as you recognize it, send me your guess by fb message or email (graham.deana@gmail.com).  I'll keep up with your correct answers! 


Good luck to the finest blog followers in the land!

Week 3 Photo

 Week 2 Photo

Week 1 Photo

Guess away, my friends!  I'm ready for your answers!

A window into my soul . . .

The above photo is not trick photography, nor has it been adjusted with Photoshop.  Once, in 2006, our 'locker closet' actually looked like this.   To protect your eyes, a photo of its present condition is not being added to this blog post.

Dear Abbey,

A few questions . . .

1. If I clean out my car better than I ever have (including tire shine, Armor All, glass cleaning, leather conditioning, vacuuming, floor mats run through cleaner twice, four tons of trash removed and even vacuuming out the trunk - which threw the trunk into a state of shock), does that help my house get cleaned?
2. If I wash my dog, using shampoo/rinse cycle twice, in the sunshine and dry her completely, does that help my house get cleaned?
3. If I start a new load of wash and set the dryer to dry again the clothes that are already in there, does that help my house get cleaned?
4. If I spend time on my laptop's desktop, re-arranging, re-configuring, trashing unused icons, etc., does that get my house clean?
5. If I make a long, detailed list of what needs to be done and then lose the list and re-make it, does that get my house clean?
6. What about if I look at the 'organizational' boards on Pinterest?

Sincerely,

Deep in thought and clutter

Dear Deep in thought and clutter,

1. No.
2. No.
3. No.
4. No.
5. No.
6. No.

Best of luck.  Abbey

Laughing and Loving on the Lake . . .

What a blast this shoot was!  

If you bring together five siblings and all of their loved ones, add a lake and a long weekend; you've got the combination of a most special occasion!  

The love was palpable, the laughs were everywhere and the Lake Oconee was the perfect background for this awesome extended family.  

Enjoy the smiles of all ages and the moments they shared. . .

  W

It's possible . . .

Last night I found out that it's possible to pull off a secret, surprise wedding.  It's fun, too.

It's possible for the bride and the groom to make the decision to forgo the original plan and opt for the real wedding of their dreams.

It's possible for them to go on a long-awaited trip to Mexico and leave the plans to family and friends . . . to know that it will all work out.

And it's possible for the two marrying to be in touch just before the service.

It might all just be magical . . .

It's possible that the mother of the bride might be sitting at a sewing machine just minutes before the ceremony and that the calm bride might be fixing her hair.

And they just might serve popcorn at the wedding!

It's possible that folks might think so much of this awesome couple that good friends open their house for the event.

And friends will be happily sitting on bales of hay as they await the wedding.

And the bride might just look like this when she catches the first glimpse of her husband to be.

And it's possible that the thankful groom might lean down to hug the father of the bride, as he brings in his daughter.

It's possible that the sun might just begin setting, glowing in the reflections in the windows, as the new day dawns on this special couple.

The bride might round the corner and throw up her hand in celebration.

And it's possible that this bride and groom might be present enough in the moment that they enjoy every minute of it.

It's possible that the love in the air might bring the bride's grandparents to the dance floor all alone and we might just all watch what long lasting love looks like.

It's possible that a bride and a groom might understand that the day is about the marriage to come and not the wedding itself.  It's possible, I know, because I was there.  

I wish Ashley and Peter the happiest of times together.  

You two are an amazing couple!