Good Time

Alan Jackson's latest hit goes something like this...G with an O, O with a D, T with an I, and M and an E... And what a GOOD TIME I have every time I get together with two of my newest friends! Sunny and her mom came in over the weekend to view the proofing from their extended portrait session that we did to celebrate her senior year in high school at DCA. These photos were so stunningly beautiful that they knocked my socks off, so I was beyond excited to see how they responded! Of course, they LOVED them!!! This was as much fun for me as it was for them the day of the session...we went out to a horse farm that belongs to one of their family friends...and we were all over the place catching all kinds of fabulous shots! We all had our favorites, and all of them were different... so thank you so much to Sunny and her mom for giving Harper Photography the awesome opportunity to participate in this much FUN!

This weekend we will be having a vendor booth at Oktoberfest plus a display inside the bank to celebrate this year's theme! We are looking forward to seeing all of you there; our location has moved to the football/soccer field behind the bank. Bundle up first and then come on out to see us!

c-ya!

Anticipation!

We recently shared the proofs from a maternity session with Kristy & Aaron! They are so excited about meeting their new baby!!! Kristy was a terrific sport with all of my crazy ideas, but as you can see the maternity portraits turned out better than beautiful -if you can imagine that!

If you are considering having a maternity session done, just give us a call...our first priority is discussing what you are looking for in maternity portraiture. Every mother is different in style and taste, so a consultation is the best way to get it just right. We are also offering a maternity special now through December 31, 2008; check out the Announcements section on our website and check under Specials! Harper Photography congratulates and sends our very best wishes to this couple who is literally days away from a special stork delivery!

Our Halloween Spooktacular will be October 28-31 and starts at just $29! This is the best deal we offer all year, so call now to get an appointment - 615.444.6322. Any children ages 6 months - 10 years are eligible to participate...bring them in costume or fall clothing for an outrageously fun portrait!

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!

Taking Care of Business

Well - I balked on posting twice last week like I thought I could! I never made it back to the blogspot after the first time! It was a terrific week; I went last Tuesday night to see David Jay, a TOTALLY ROCKIN' wedding photographer from CA. He has started speaking in various cities on what he has labeled his Freedom to Succeed tour. It was a lot of fun, and I definitely got some cool new ideas. Click on his name above to link to his site...his work will totally blow you away. He does lots of destination weddings, so he travels and really enjoys shooting nothing other than weddings. We were able to meet with one of our wedding couples to plan their album last Friday, and it is going to be simply GORGEOUS!

This week is chock full again! Getting proof deliveries done plus some sessions thrown in...we have a very exciting location this weekend with a senior. She has been wanting some unique senior photography that stands apart from her peers, and she has come to the right place! Above you see one of the sessions that we are delivering this week - Delaney! She is a complete cutie-pie. Her short & sassy haircut and polka dot shirt really show how fun and easy to work with she is. I know her mom is stoked about seeing these proofs. We had a great time outside in the private garden, and Delaney really loved seeing the koi pond. I am not sure whether to be glad or sad that summer is coming to a quiet close...

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!

ZZ Top - Live in Milwaukee

Last week my husband, John, took a vacation trip with 6 other guys to the 105th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He left on the motorcycle last Monday and got home yesterday. It was a well-deserved trip for him as he has really worked hard this year and needed a good getaway...

Soooo-what did all those bikers do at the celebration? There was a H-D museum, lots of checking out cool motorcycle stuff at the dealerships, and concerts every single night. On Thursday night, they got to see Sugarland and Kid Rock. Friday night was ZZ Top; I could tell they loooooved ZZ Top - who wouldn't? - they are legends after all. The grand finale was Bruce Springsteen on Saturday night. My stepson, Peyton, just started college. He said, "Man, Dad is having more fun than me this week!!!"

I know the question that some of you are probably dying to ask...and yes, I do gear up and ride the motorcycle with John sometimes. So watch out for the motorcycle riders when you are on the road! It might be me on there! LOL!