CALL TO SERVICE - NEW YORK SAYS THANK YOU

Some of you know that last year about this time Sophia and I met the founder of New York Says Thank You, Jeff Parness, in Ft. Worth. One of those "accidental" meetings that brings people together that would never probably meet otherwise. It's a God thing. He invited us to the annual NYSTY charity event that was being held in Greensburg, KS that year, to help rebuild a town virtually destroyed by an F5 tornado. We felt called to go and just packed our gear and drove to Greensburg for 3 days to shoot the barn raising led by NYSTY and many citizens of Greensburg. We were welcomed with open arms and had a great time with all the volunteers and the families of Greensburg. It changed us forever. As I said, it is an ANNUAL event. It occurs each year the weekend before 9/11 - often labor day weekend. Firefighters from FDNY, many of whom were present on 9/11 and lost friends and co-workers in the abomination of that day, pack their gear and head to the site of assistance for the year - their way of saying "Thank You" to all the people who helped them in the wake of 9/11. Each year as they "pay it forward", people from the area helped the year before also trek to the new site. The volunteers have grown from a few to hundreds each year. There's always room for more. If you're looking for a way to "pay it forward" check out this organization. Maybe we'll see you in Souix City this September. "What we do is NOT about 9/11. What we do is about 9/12." Here's some more info and a link to read more about this wonderful organization. click here

LSD STUDIO UPDATE

Well it's been almost 3 years since we first opened our studio in Brookside. We've learned alot about our business and it has continued to grow. It sometimes gets a little bit away from us I must admit! Thank you all for your continued support and referrals. We are proud that the majority of our business comes from the referrals of our past and present clients. We are undergoing some changes in the studio and I wanted to make sure everyone knows the studio is staying where it is - Brookside. We love it there! We are changing our space around a little and the darling boutique next door, Sideways, is going to take the front of our space and we are moving around to the courtyard side space. We will only have a door on the courtyard side now instead of 35th Place. I don't want anyone freaking out when they drive by and don't see our stuff through the windows on 35th Place anymore. WE ARE STILL HERE! This is going to be a much better and more workable space for us for consultations and viewings. We are very happy and excited about our little change. Still parking in the back. We still have the Sonoma Wine Bar next door. Don't you just love that cheese plate! The best! Give us a call and come by.

SOONER BORN+SOONER BRED=SOONER WED!

Kendall and Blake are Norman Sooners through and through so when we discussed where they wanted their engagement session, there was no hesitation - they wanted it on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. These two met as children in Norman and there's some discrepancies as to how their paths crossed and re-crossed and who actually fell in love with whom first and all that BUT they are definitely on the same page now and will be married next spring in a hometown wedding blast! I love to hear Kendall and Blake talk with each other. It's so cute! Their conversations have that easy, comfortable feel to them of people who have known each other all their lives. I found myself shooting extra frames just to stay and listen to them a bit longer. When they came to the studio for a consultation, they were discussing the possibility of becoming dog owners which, of course, I totally encouraged and was happy to see they are now the proud parents of Tank - this darling little boxer. Kendall's sister, Julie brought Tank out for a few shots - he is fo fweet! Julie is getting married in October in Vermont but the girls are going to have hometown announcements together! So.... as the song goes...."they're sooner born and sooner bred and then next spring they'll be sooner wed!" (Okay, I know it doesn't go like that but in this case it does!)

Mindi + Shane SAIL AWAY!

When Mindi and Shane raised the possibility of an engagement session in their sailboat I thought it would be such fun. It was! We went to Lake Thunderbird near Norman and shoved off around sunset. These two spend a lot of their time together sailing and have plotted their course by the stars many a night. They have a few Oklahoma weather stories under their belts too! It was my first time sailing -- but I do like adventure and, while it was a lot more work than I ever thought it was, it sure was nice. A quiet, calmness to it that I could get used to (if I can find a Captain to hoist the sail and steer and lift the centerboard and tie the bow line and all that stuff). I did learn an important lesson on this sailing trip - if there is no wind, you have to row. Ummm. I love the way these two have a quiet connection between them. The looks, the smiles, a little touch between them - a quiet calmness that goes hand in hand with their favorite past time. They were definitely made to sail away together. Here's a few images from our time on the lake. I thought this sign had an interesting comment - "Solve your problems off the ramp". Thanks for the sailing lesson! I had a great time with you guys.

Emily & Blake's Sneak Peek!

Emily and Blake got married July 11, 2009 at St. Benedict's Catholic Church with their reception following at the Tulsa Garden Center. One of the sweetest couples I've ever met. They laugh together constantly and just totally enjoy each other's company. Their wedding day was HOT in more ways than one. Let's just say they went to an island to cool off afterwards! The colors were vibrant and The French Bouquet flowers were totally scrumptious. The whole wedding will post to Pictage soon but here's a little sneak peek.

Weidner-Rice Rehearsal Dinner

Kristen & Kevin got married May 23, 2009 - Pictage Gallery is already posted and can be accessed thru the proofs link of our main website - but the night before was also very special. The rehearsal and rehearsal dinner was all about family and their closest friends, many who traveled long distances to be here with them. As everyone knows, the groom's family is responsible for hosting the rehearsal dinner. Sally and Nelson Rice went the extra mile to welcome everyone and treat them to an awesome evening. The rehearsal itself took a about an hour at Asbury United Methodist church and then we all zipped over to 61st & Yale to D'Novo restaurant and LXI cocktail lounge, which closed to the public for this private party, so they had the entire place to themselves...all night long! We walked into the most impeccably dressed room I've ever seen. Anne Marie of The French Bouquet really rocked the flowers - orchids everywhere in tall glass cylinders and mounds of white hydrangeas and lilies - it was sweet! Little cards with their names and one of their engagement photos filled each napkin, as a keepsake of the evening. Cocktails and passed hors d'ouvres at LXI followed by a delicious dinner next door at D'Novo. The food was fabulous. If you don't know this, D'Novo prepares and serves food that is low in fat and calories - I can't believe it because it was just too good to be good for you, you know? An evening of toasts, tears and laughter wrapped up with a video presentation created by Kevin's brother Tanner, which was a combination of hilarious and sentimental and the perfect ending to a wonderful night. I understand that many stayed on into the wee hours at LXI but I had to work the next day (ha ha!). Here's a few of the highlights but all the photos from the rehearsal dinner are also in the Pictage gallery if you want to take a look!

Happy Birthday America!

Firecrackers popping and lighting up the sky, hot dogs and apple pie, streamers and the stars and stripes. It's America - home of the free and the brave. In celebration of our great nation and our troops who keep her free for you and me, Woodcreek Neighborhood had a parade this morning - the neighborhood kids decorated their bikes, scooters, 4-wheelers and whatever else they could find, including the dog in some houses - and played music and wheeled thru the streets.  Of course, we had to have a little rain this morning - hasn't rained in I don't know how many days - but it did this morning and .... they just didn't care!  The parade was followed by a cookout at the clubhouse and swimming - in the rain (is that a movie?) No wedding today so I just went out and snapped a few.  Happy birthday, America!  Happy 4th of July Americans! Watch the slideshow - click here.