Sweet Babies

We have seen lots and lots of new babies lately! This little bundle of joy is Ella; she is simply breathtakingly beautiful! When her mommy and daddy brought her in for her newborn portraits, she looked so perfect and healthy. What a miracle life is....

The hot weather has kept us to studio portraits during the last two weeks, but hopefully next week we will be back in nature for some high school senior, family, and children's photography sessions. July promises to be another great month at Harper Photography!!!

We are also looking forward to a few wedding consultations coming up, so if you know a bride and groom looking for terrific wedding images and albums - send them our way! We would love to meet them!

c-ya!

Summertime...and the Livin' Is Easy!

Does it really get any cuter? How adorable! We just wrapped up the proofing for little Judd's last session, and he really turned on the personality for us while he was here. These babies just make you want to take them home! Check out the sparkle in those baby blues...and the warm golden sun-kissed tone of his sweet smooth skin.

It's SUMMER, and things are still busy with weddings and portraits. We have unfortunately gone too long again without blogging. The studio is staying busy, and we are excited to present two brides with their wedding proofs this week and next. Maybe we will blog next time with some awesome wedding shots, so stay tuned!

What's coming up? A CRAZEEEE August is on the agenda. The TN Professional Photographer's Convention is this weekend and part of next week, then we will start to get ready for our fair display for this year. It is going to rock as always! Look for us in the Turner Evans building again this year...you never know what faces will be there on display! The dates are Aug 21-29...be there!

c-ya!

Take a look at a rockin' image that we took a few weeks ago of one of our wedding couples - Kristen and Matt! Kristen wanted to go all out and have some images that were true to them and definitely different. We had a fantastic time jaunting around the city while getting some images that are really over the top! You'd never know that Kristen had a sprained ankle and hopped around on crutches the entire session...the girl has some MUSCLE! We are scheduled for a bridal portrait soon so everything will be perfect when the wedding day arrives!!!

Everything is rolling along quickly at the studio. We did our first 2009 family outdoor session last Saturday as part of a 50th Anniversary celebration! Bring on the warm weather!

c ya!

It's time again for Fun with Bunnies! We are booking very quickly for this annual special just in time for Spring! We offer package pricing on Fun with Bunnies meaning there is NO sitting fee! Call 444.6322 today to book your session for March 19 - 21... It is so much fun seeing all of our clients dressed in their Sunday best!

The beautiful weather is getting everyone excited about outdoor portraiture again; our Saturdays are filling fast with children and family sessions...and of course weddings! If you'd like to book an outdoor session, the best bet will be a week day afternoon.

As always - remember if you refer a friend, we will send you an awesome studio credit for your referral. We appreciate your referrals as they are the ultimate compliment!

c ya!

Isn't She Lovely?

Wow! Little Avery stole my heart from the first second! She has the sweetest disposition; this had to be the easiest 2-year-old studio session in history! Don't you love her dress? So beautiful and feminine...

Things are still jumping at Harper Photography! Yesterday we participated in a bridal fair at Belk in Providence. It was cool to meet some of the other vendors and say hello again to the ones we already knew. And - we have several studio sessions scheduled for this week plus we get to show a bride and her family wedding images on Thursday. It is always an exciting time during the first viewing; any bride knows how quickly her big day goes by...and many times the professional images are all that is left after the cake is gone.

Our spring Saturdays are booking fast for outdoor portaits. If you are interested in something outdoor and a weekday won't work, make sure you call early!

c ya!

It Had to Be You!

I was checking emails late one afternoon last week, and I noticed a message from Olivia Haley. I met Olivia last March during the Ms. Senior Tennessee pageant held in Lebanon at Cumberland University. Olivia's unbelievably kind heart, beautiful spirit, and gorgeous appearance quickly boosted her to the top of the group as she was crowned at the end of the evening. Two things about the night I met Olivia that I will never forget -1) the stunning evening dress she chose - black and ultra elegant on her slim figure (the photo above shows her cocktail dress she wore for the beginning number) and 2) the truly touching moment when her sweet granddaughters ran up to her giving hugs and kisses after she walked across the stage in her crown...

Anyway - the reason I am writing about Olivia goes back to the email. We have chatted here or there about photography and her granddaughters since then a few times, so it wasn't a big surprise to see a message from her. When I read the message, she had included a link from the national Ms. Senior America pageant - which was featured on CNN Headline. As I watched the clip, I was so proud to see Olivia Haley from Tennessee crowned as Ms. Senior America out of 48 contestants!!! How awesome!!! She is so deserving of this accolade; I wish her the very best year as she tours our beautiful country representing all the ladies! Congratulations, Olivia, on bringing it home to TENNESSEE!

c ya!

February has arrived, and the cold weather still lingers. However, the sunshine has been wonderful today and especially last Sunday afternoon when it was warm enough to leave the house without a jacket. Maybe we will have more days like that soon!

We were pleased yesterday to present the proofing to the parents and grandparents of little Maggie. Maggie's grandmother was a kindergarten teacher when I was starting school, and now Maggie's mother is a teacher as well. I could tell that both of them had the patience of Job when they visited the studio recently...it was a real calming effect even for me...and I know Maggie can feel it, too. She was such a peaceful baby while they were here, and I think the image above shows that she is very content. And the blanket she is wrapped in is super soft, snuggly, and best of all - warm! I know she is surrounded with lots of love from every direction...

This week we have had some great sessions already, and we look forward to seeing folks coming in for photo delivery toward the end of the week. It is always so fun delivering the printed products and seeing the excitement of it all!

c-ya!

Ribbons and Lace

January has really flown by in 2009! We are trying to get proofing done for all the babies that have been coming into the studio this month, not to mention some wedding catch up work. Miss Mia came by a few weeks ago with her big brothers, and they were sure to entertain her while we got some terrific smiles in her beautiful, beautiful, beautiful white smocked dress and bonnet. Babies like Mia make it easy for us! LOL!

We just closed on our house last Friday, so right now our family is in a lot of transition/chaos and still trying to find the basics - like GLOVES! Brrrr - when is spring again?

c ya!

Giddy Up!

Right before Christmas we finished Luka's 6-month session, and he is such an adorable sweetie pie! He is always such a happy baby. Luka's parents were looking for something different in photography when they came upon us - Harper Photography! And we certainly hope that we have fulfilled their needs - we are heading toward finishing a panel that will feature darker and earthier tones for his first year. Another cool thing is that Luka is always decked out in the latest fashion trends for his casual outfits - usually something with a western edge like his blue-and-white print shirt, jeans, and COWBOY hat! We totally love, love, love when someone brings in something special for the photo sessions!

January has been steady with photo sessions - but there is more big news on the Harper homefront! Most of our clients know that we have been trying to sell our house for quite a while; it finally sold! This weekend and next week we will be moving. So thanks for all the well wishes and prayers that have been sent up for us. While we will take a short break next week from full concentration on studio sessions, we promise to do our very best to keep up with proofing and orders! Until next time...

c-ya!

Still Happily Ever After

We were recently honored to photograph the Marriage Renewal Ceremony of Claire and Kendall in Murfreesboro! Here you see a gorgeous image that we took before the activities and celebrations began - a beautiful couple who are obviously still in love after 20 years together! In today's society, these two are something to be admired and congratulated on for sticking it out during all the good times and the tough times and loving one another through it all. Claire did a fantastic job of coordinating all the details for the event...including her dress that happened to be made just for this! The floor-length deep green velvet with lace sleeves was so striking and appropriate for the occasion; the fresh ivory bouquet was exquisite just the same. After the church ceremony, their guests enjoyed cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing at B. McNeel's. Another really, really fun touch was the live band - Cissy Crutcher provided the vocals in front of a smoother than smooth jazz ensemble. Thanks, Claire and Kendall, for asking us to be a part of this celebration!

January continues to bloom with excitement...this week has oddly been the week for several 3 and 4-month-old sessions! Spring and summer brides are starting to wrap up their planning, and we look forward to discussing and finalizing plans with each one of them...

c-ya!

Early Christmas Delivery

Meet Holly Brooks Herndon - the newest addition to our family!!! My brother James, and his wife, Lynne, welcomed Holly in the wee hours of the morning on December 23. She weighed 7 pounds and 13 ounces! Big brother Crockett is excited to have his new little sister. He is really enjoying watching Thomas the Train in the comfort of the bouncy seat more than Holly is right now! LOL! This is one of the favorite images that we captured yesterday while Granddaddy was holding Holly during one of her many naps. She has started practicing her "smile for the camera" so she will have it down perfect when she gets a little older!

Christmas has been good this year for us! We started our celebrating on Christmas Eve and wrapped it up on Sunday with our extended families. Too much good food...but we aren't complaining. Our goals for the new year are probably the same as many of yours - take better care of our bodies, try to be healthier, and get more exercise. If we can just accomplish these few things, 2009 will be a huge success!

Today is the final day of 2008! It is hard to believe that January is about to roll around again! We wish everyone a safe, wonderful, and prosperous New Year!

c-ya!

Wild & Crazy Weekend

This weekend was more than wild and crazy! We photographed the wedding of Susan and Jon at the beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Eastwood Christian Church in Nashville, and then everyone got busy shaking it and taking in the grand reception celebration at the Global Cafe. This was our first reception there...and it was totally a cool place to have one. Mac Griffin from In Any Event spun the records...and as always he was over the top! If you need a good DJ...he ROCKS! Above you see one of Susan's bridal portraits we did several months ago at the Belmont Mansion.

We also saw lots and lots of our clients at Oktoberfest sponsored by Wilson Bank & Trust. The weather was gorgeous! If the weather is great and all my buddies come to see me, I consider it a huge success. We are already starting to get some calls from new clients; thanks to all of our current and potential clients for checking out our display!

Fall Family Portraits are in full swing...and we will be doing our Halloween Spooktacular next week! Come and see us if you haven't already signed up!

C ya

The Perfect Portrait

If photography judges ever took one look at the above photo, they would surely rip it into shreds. The reason I have titled this blog "The Perfect Portrait" is because of how the photo makes my heart feel rather than all of the composition and technical aspects. You can see the grass outside is blown out and yellow with no detail. It's what is on the inside that matters to me.

This is Mr. Franklin. I grew up and met him through First Baptist Church in Smithville, and he is a soft spot on my heart without doubt. I went to college and lost touch; however, I reconnected with him about 8 or so years ago. My Grandpa and Granddaddy have been gone a long time, but Mr. Franklin is like a granddad to me. A few details about Mr. Franklin - he will be 95 at the end of November, he is a veteran who fought (and SURVIVED) on the beaches of Normandy, he really, really loves other people, and his sense of humor is unmatched. He grows a large, beautiful garden that is kept completely weed-free and shares (BIG time) with anyone who stops by to visit. Before the summer ended, he said that he wanted me to come in late September to photograph his grapes when they ripened. So...I did...and I wouldn't have missed it. When I got there, I think we talked and ate more grapes than I took photographs (note what he's doing in the photo)! He will even share his secret for the best way to eat them. They were simply delicious, and I have some really nice colorful photographs to share with him. It is a treat for me every time I pull in his driveway.

If there is someone that you love and haven't seen in awhile, make it a point to TAKE TIME for a visit. It will warm your soul better than hot chocolate ever could...

c-ya!

Precious Moments

Introducing Cason! We were so delighted to meet his family and record such precious moments of this little newborn. The entire session was fantastic; I could tell immediately that these photos were going to be treasures...and they definitely are! Thanks a million times to Cason's family for choosing Harper Photography for such a super special occasion! We really loved this little fellow!

I would be remiss if I didn't share what a spectacular date night I got to share with my husband on Saturday night! We are coming up on our 5-year anniversary in a few weeks...and since my weekends are booked until mid-November, we decided to treat ourselves to something special. We dined at Morton's on Church Street first, and it was over the top! We had eaten at Morton's in Atlanta about a year or so after we married; we have never forgotten what a special treat it was. If you are looking for a very romantic place to spend a little $$ on a really nice dinner, try Morton's...you will not leave disappointed (Note: make sure you call ahead for a reservation!). After dinner, we went to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center to hear part of the Pops Series with Mary Wilson. She was one of the Supremes with Diana and Flo, and man she knocked it out of the park. She looked great and sounded even better! The symphony itself was unbelievable as well. The venue was perfect because it has a quaint feel, and everyone can see the stage. It was the first time we have been able to go there, and it was worth the price of admission for sure. So...if you feel like getting dressed up for a classy night on the town, try going to the Nashville Symphony if you enjoy music! And thanks to my awesome husband, John, for a fun and memorable evening painting the town RED!

c ya!

Sweet Sixteen

It doesn't get any better than this...here you see an orange furball that has been near and dear to me since I was 19. He goes by lots of nicknames: The Big Orange (go vols!), Orange Pumpkin, and my personal fave is the Notorious T.I.G. His given name is Tigger, and he turns 16 this month. It was love at first sight the first time I saw him (he was already nearly two), and not long after that I brought him home to my parents' house without asking permission (I guess this is where I should say thanks mom & dad for not making me take him back!). He may have a slightly ornary personality as John and Peyton will honestly tell you, but he is my sweet kitty nonetheless. Last night before bed, I was working on my laptop and going over notes when he decided to join me. We normally don't let him just lounge around up there because he is so furry, but on occasion I will let him sneak a nap. His tendency is to rest on whatever it is that I need, and so here you see him stretched out on my binder...and I couldn't resist grabbing the closest camera and getting a quick shot. He is beautiful for sure... There are days that I look at him after all these years (the whiskers are getting gray and he keeps dropping weight), and I think to myself what a physically beautiful creature he is. Before John and I met, he was my constant companion and roommate...and I will always love him for it.

Last week we got some over-the-top gorgeous images from the sessions we booked. Every single one of those sessions was so enjoyable! I will try to post again this week to show you all some of those images! It is awesome to be able to work with the nicest people...thank you to everyone who made last week so terrific!