Small Photo Booth
I setup a small photo booth for brides and friends at my booth during the bridal show. Over all the people I hand out a brochure to, little over a handful participated. I have to admit, I was still taking the photos. (more…)
Snowman Time Lapse Fun
We don’t get a lot of snow here in Central Arkansas. But this Monday we got about 5-8 inches. It has probably been 10+ years since we have had that much snow. Normally it is an inch or no snow and just ice. I got the camera out, set the timer, and let it run. I had take every 30secs at 600 times. Click the image below to view the movie.
Podcast?
Yes, podcast. I was invited over to my neighbor’s house to discuss a little bit about the iPad. The Cotton Club is great tech blog and now podcast where you can find excellent content with what is going on with software, hardware, tech companies and of course Wordpress. You can listen to the podcast at his latest blog post. Here is one pic I did for their Christmas cards. Cotton is great guy and you will have fun time listening to his podcast. Enjoy!
Facebook fan?
Hey, if you follow my blog on google reader or any other RSS client and love facebook, then check out my facebook page and become a fan.
January Special is still going on. Remember, you can choose an available calendar day in 2010 for just $20. Plus, get 15% off on all prints. Don’t wait get me the $20 by January 31st to hold that spot. Check out here or here for more information.
Trip to Nicaragua
I have been wanting to get more pictures up from the trip back in October 2009. Each time I go I experience something new. I love the people of Nicaragua. They are down to earth and so genuine. Even through the poverty, they are happy with what they have. However, they work hard and find ways to earn a living. (more…)
“Winter Funk”
Are you in that “Winter Funk”? Do feel down and just don’t know why you should keep going? Maybe you feel like no one is having any struggles and you are all alone?
It happens. It doesn’t have to be Winter time. It happens when it happens. But where there is Winter there is always Spring. It might feel like it will never come – but it will. No matter where you and what you are going through, you are not alone.
I am reminded of video that was made 11 months ago. The video is called Transform. You can find it on Zack Arias’s blog. When I watch it, I see myself in the video instead of Zack (No hard feelings, Zack). I am glad to be reminded of my “Winter Funk”. I don’t want to forget; how else can I push forward. But also, that there will be another winter coming – will I be prepared for it or not? … Most likely, I will not. If you haven’t seen it, watch it. If you have seen it, then go watch it again.
Remember, you are not alone.
Snow? Did it snow?
We had our first snow yesterday. It was pretty driving in (more…)
2009 is so last decade
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane. (more…)
Great Interview with Carly Carlson
If you are looking at getting started with Photography or even any type of business, check out this podcast of Carly Carlson being interviewed. You can find it here at Go-Getters podcast episode #3. If you want to know more about Carly, you can find her at http://www.carlycarlson.com and on Facebook at her own page.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
My wife mentioned earlier on fb that see can’t believe 2010 is in 5 days. Wow! Another decade is done and on to the next one. I am looking forward to the new year; even if I hit the big four O, I know that things are about to change.
Here is the Christmas Card we sent out this year. The boys are just growing so big.
Testing 1 2 3….
Is this thing still working? Is anybody receiving these blog posts? Ha!
Day 71 – Acts JR Fall 2009
Some of you might know that my oldest son has Asperger Syndrome. For the past five years, he has had the privilege to participate putting on plays twice a year known as Acts Jr. Through out the year, they meet once a week to practice their parts and put it altogether. At the end of a semester, they get on a stage and do their thing for all us parents. They also allow siblings to participate. So, the other night we got watch both our sons perform. It was awesome! I love watching them act out. And of course, I was snapping away. I know these are a lot but I just didn’t know what to leave out. Enjoy!
I am currently booking Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 Weddings, Seniors, Events and Family portraits. Keep an eye out, you never know when a special will come up.
Day 64 – Nicaragua Peek
I finally found a little time to look through some images. I can’t wait to show more of the trip. Here is a few getting into Managua.
Eating some good breakfast before heading out to Massaya.
Even though our translators said no, our windshield still got a cleaning.
Clean windshield or what? 
I am currently booking Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 Weddings, Seniors, Events and Family portraits. Keep an eye out, you never know when a special will come up.
Day 63 – Refreshing Walk
Yesterday, I wanted to walk. I had most of the right gear; umbrella, rain coat, and …. Oh man I needed shoes. I wanted to at least jump in a couple of puddles during my walk. So, today I wore my duck shoes. I am ready for that walk now. Well, I get outside and I don’t need my rain coat or my umbrella. The sun is out and looking nice. I really enjoyed the walk. It wasn’t to hot so that I didn’t get all sweaty and stinky for my wonderful co-workers. It was good temperature. Very refreshing. During my walk I was able to capture my journey with the best camera ever. Enjoy.
I am currently booking Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 Weddings, Seniors, Events and Family portraits. Keep an eye out, you never know when a special will come up.
Day 62 – Flight
The Saturday I was leaving for Nicaragua, I was not able to fly out with the team (12 of us from AR). I thought I was doing a wedding that morning but I had my times cross with the main photographer. I felt so bad. Well, I wasn’t able to change my flight earlier, so I waited. I said my goodbyes to my family and caught a ride with a friend. Since I did a lot of flying earlier in my career, it didn’t bother me that I was flying alone. But I knew I would be able to catch up with my team later that day. There was only one flight out of Houston to Managua. When I landed in Houston, I had exactly one hour before the plane took off. I don’t think Houston is as big as Atlanta but it is big in its own right. So, I got right on the tram. I actually like taking the non-human piloted tram. I am not sure why but it calms me down. I arrived at the gate when they were boarding first class. Whew, just in time.
I love to fly. I understand some of the mechanics of how an airplane stays up. But I am still amazed at seeing it being done. It’s like a long bus having wings flying through the air. Well, on our approach to Managua, we came upon a good thunderstorm. Now normally in the US, planes will be redirected to another airport. In our case, there was no other airport (not that I am aware of). We had to land or land or …. you can fill it in. So, we are on our approach and with the strong winds the wings are going up and down. The pilot(s) are having trouble keeping the plane horizontal. Just then *BOOM*! we hit ground and I mean we hit hard. So hard that I was thinking “ok, our back wheels just broke I better be prepared for the skidding”. But that never happen. We were rolling down the runway on wheels. Whew, the adrenaline was a pumping. Everyone starts clapping and cheering for the pilot(s). We made it. As we approach the gate, the lights at the airport went out. It was out for maybe 5 minutes but that was a first.
Here are a few images from the flight.
I am currently booking Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 Weddings, Seniors, Events and Family portraits. Keep an eye out, you never know when a special will come up.
Day 61 – Sleepy walk
Yes, I had a sleepy walk yesterday. I have been back for 2 days now, and I haven’t been able to sleep good (I did finally last night). Although, I did sleep well in Nicaragua. Anyway, I went walking (which I should do daily) to help me wake up. I couldn’t believe how the leaves are already turning. Even though I can’t believe it, Fall is here. I walked up to the Mall since it was kinda dreary outside. Walking through JcPenny, I notice that the Halloween items were being pushed aside and Christmas items were being pulled out of boxes. Does it seem earlier this year, or do we just always say “it seems earlier this year…”. For a Monday, it seemed very busy. I wouldn’t say it was crowed but more than I thought were there. It was a good walk and was able to snap of a picture with the best camera ever. I plan on having some posts up soon of pictures from Nicaragua.
I am currently booking Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 Weddings, Seniors, Events and Family portraits. Keep an eye out, you never know when a special will come up.
Day 60: Walk
Today, I actually got off my bum and took a walk. It was a little humid but the breeze was very nice. It looks like it could storm at any moment. On the walk, there were lots of trees that I passed under; very nice if on a warm sunny day. But being cloudy, the trees only provided raining acorns. That is right, with the breeze whoosh through the tree acorns were thrown at me but never was fit once. While taking danger into my own hands *cough* *cough*, I whip out my iPhone and snap a picture. It was sacrifice and I didn’t mind stepping under it 
.
I am currently booking Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 Weddings, Seniors, Events and Family portraits. Keep an eye out, you never know when a special will come up.
Day 59 – Merlin
Well, this isn’t about the magician but our little puppy that isn’t really a puppy any more. We have had Merlin for a little over 2 years and love him to pieces. However, he has been doing some mischievous things lately (Almost magical . First, let me explain that he is a yorkie. Not sure if this is true or not but what I am told is that yorkie’s were bread to crawl through tiny spots or to go down some small holes. Well, this little one, almost 10 pounds has figure out how to jump on a chair then climb the table. Of course, what else can a dog do but eat whatever is in front of him. And that is just what he did. Well, since then, we make sure to push all the chairs in. Well, here is photo of our little darling trying to figure out how to get to the top of the table again, LOL. It is so funny to watch him do that. Below is picture I took with my wife’s phone. Then playing with MMS, I sent it to my phone. So, it is a little grainy. I will try to take a better one next time. Enjoy!
I am currently booking Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 Weddings, Seniors, Events and Family portraits. Keep an eye out, you never know when a special will come up.
Looking for spots: Day 56 & 57
The family and I drove up HWY 65 this past Saturday. I love shooting in Conway but I wanted to find a spot with hills, mountains and such (Conway is a valley surrounded mostly by a ridge). First, we headed to a place where a friend of ours recommended. The land was beautiful but it was to grown up with what I was looking for. Plus, going up one of the dirt roads in our Kia Rondo (No, it does not have 4 wheel drive), there were these huge rocks that kept scraping underneath. We really thought we were going to get stuck (LOL). The other thing is that there was no way to turn around, I had to keep going up. Whew! we found a place to turn around and going down was much smoother. So we kept looking. Well, we found two more but was only able to take some shots of one place. This one place, however, is just right. I should have taken some shots but it is on private property. So, I swallow my pride ( and with the help of my wonderful wife , we stop and talk to a person over the intercom. He was very nice but I understand him not giving out his phone number; I am a total stranger. We got his name and he mention we could find him in the phone book. So far I have not been able to find their number. I think I need a Clinton, AR phone book. Anyway, a number I did find, although wrong, could be a third spot for a photo shoot. It was a fun adventure.
I think the images above are very good but I need to think about doing the shoot in the morning. The images of the look-out are a bit hazy. I do like a little flare in the image too. Hmmmmm….
I am currently booking Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 Weddings, Seniors, Events and Family portraits. Keep an eye out, you never know when a special will come up.
APPA Fall Seminar Oct. 16 and 17
The Arkansas Professional Photography Association (APPA) will be hosting a Fall Seminar on Oct. 16 – Oct. 17. It will be located in Searcy, AR on the Harding University Campus. Registration is only $45. The actual seminar will be that Saturday but Friday evening they will be having a photo safari. Check out this Facebook page for more information. Also, use this link for registering. If you need to stay the night, Heritage Inn has some spots open but they will be having a football game that evening and rooms will go quickly. Though, there are several other hotels in the area. The number for Heritage Inn is 888-766-2465. The event is open to members and non-members. I hope to see you there.
I am currently booking Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 Weddings, Seniors, Events and Family portraits. Keep an eye out, you never know when a special will come up.
Loving the Cobbler
Last week my wife made some excellent Gluten-free cobbler using the blueberry muffin mix that came with Angel Foods. It was fantastic!! I inspired my wife with a post from Me Ra Koh. It did not last very long. However, we couldn’t get the kids to even try one bite. Oh well, more for us.
I am currently booking Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 Weddings, Seniors, Events and Family portraits. Keep an eye out, you never know when a special will come up.
Best Photography iPhone Apps
Found this blog post from twitter. It has some interesting apps that I would mine looking into. For instance the Pano app looks pretty neat. But for those that have the 3gs (Unlike me), you can check out the other photo apps that start using that nice camera and new OS features. So, check out the blog post and you might find a new iPhone photo app.
I couldn’t leave by adding an app that I like and use. It is called HDRCamera. This little nifty program changes the exposure and contrast on the image. I am not sure how this little app is doing it but normally you have three to six of the same image but all at different exposures. You use a HDR (High Dynamic Range) program to merge all the images into one though keeping the best parts of each image that was expose good. Anyway, you do some really neat things with an image. Here is what I did using HDRCamera.
The original image being converted using Art Contour HDR (There are few HDR filters that is app gives).
Image after conversion.
The saved image. Pretty neat.
I am currently booking Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 Weddings, Seniors, Events and Family portraits. Keep an eye out, you never know when a special will come up.
New Facebook app
Finally, facebook release a new version of there iphone app. Since they updated facebook, there were several things that you just couldn’t do. Just looking at it, it looks like it will be much better. But I have to admit, it took a good while to load. Hopefully, that is just for the first time. Can’t wait to dig deeper into it.
I am currently booking Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 Weddings, Seniors, Events and Family portraits. Keep an eye out, you never know when a special will come up.
Mount Nebo
What a beautiful day last Saturday was. Friends of our invited us on day trip to Mount Nebo just outside of Russellville, AR. We were looking forward to seeing some hang gliders take off. Well, the conditions weren’t all that great but we did get to see one take off. We did a little hiking, and just enjoyed the cool weather. It was really nice to just get away. I found out that there are only two places that you can hang glide from. Well, one is where we were and the other is Mount Magazine. I imagine that first time would be huge drenalin rush. One of the gliders said that he would prefer gliding for 3 hrs. However, the one guy we saw only was up for 20 min.
I am currently booking Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 Weddings, Seniors, Events and Family portraits. Keep an eye out, you never know when a special will come up.
