It's a Big Day on Saturday!

We have had a great week this week taking appointments, previewing sessions, and fulfilling orders. BUT - the best part is going to be the big wedding on Saturday for Aleesha and Roderick! I am really looking forward to seeing the day unfold for this super special couple. I already know Aleesha will be stunning because we finished her bridal portaits and have one ready for an easel at the reception. And...I have heard through the grapevine that Roderick will be dressed in a khaki tux instead of black (like most grooms are choosing for destination weddings). It will be soooooo handsome on him! We have a lot to do to get ready for all of those special moments, and I want to thank them for the 1000th time for choosing us!

Happy Birthday, Matthew!

I just want to take a second to recognize and wish a very happy birthday to my youngest brother, Matt. He turned 23 on the 18th! Our family had a great lunch together yesterday, and we had lots of goodies and CAKE!!! Now that he is a proud homeowner, he got lots of neat stuff for his newly remodeled home. Don't blink!

DCHS Scholarship Recipients

Last week I was privileged to be able to return to my former high school (DeKalb County) where I grew up in Smithville, TN. The occasion was to photograph 3 graduating seniors that have received $500 each for a scholarship provided by Mr. Warren L. Johns. In the photograph above, you will see the 3 seniors in the front, Bert Driver from Bert Driver Nursery in the back left, and Lori Barnes, the DCHS counselor in the back right. Bert Driver Nursery is donating trees in honor of these students to be planted on the school campus, and the photograph you see here will be published in full color close to Mother's Day on the back page of the Middle Tennessee Times newspaper. Mr. Johns provides these scholarships in memory of his mother, so the print time for the newspaper display is very fitting. Congratulations to all of these students...and the world can be yours if you will pursue it!!!

Wow! This past weekend was so busy with family portrait sessions despite the crazy, cold, windy weather! We had a great time with the Hayes family Saturday evening, and the Franklin family on Sunday afternoon. I will have to admit though we did have to dance in and out of the rain on Sunday. Mrs. Franklin didn't mind much because she has been waiting to get her kids and grandkids together for this portrait for OVER A YEAR! We made it finally!

Peyton Harper Wins FFA State President!

Congratulations to my stepson, Peyton Harper! He was selected Wednesday, April 2, as TN State President for FFA in Gatlinburg at the FFA State Convention. Peyton competed against many other candidates for this huge honor and responsibility. He will have an awesome year traveling the state and representing TN FFA with 7 other state officers. In July, Peyton will get to travel to Washington, DC along with the presidents and secretaries from other states. In addition to this, he won first place in the state for his proficiency which was based on his assistance with his Grandpa's boer goat herd.

We are so super proud of him that we cannot even say it enough! He has put in a lot of hard work this year toward achieving this goal, and we are certain he will represent well. John and I would really like to tip our hats to his wonderful advisors at Wilson Central who have really been diligent in coaching him along - Benny McDonald and Pam Walker.

Shout Out to Stephanie!

I received an email today from one of my very good friends that I do not see as much I once did because we used to work together. She could lead the Harper Photography Encouragement Club if there was one - Stephanie! Stephanie is somebody who knows how to give me a good pep talk when I need it. Don't you just love the people in your life who are great at encouragement? I am telling you - if I am low on praise, I know that all I have to do is talk to Stephanie.

Anyway, her email was saying that she loved the blog even though she generally doesn't like blogs. AND - that she had passed my new site on to another friend. How awesome is that? I told her she shoulda left a comment! lol!

Stephanie brought her two kids before Easter to do the Fun with Bunnies special. I used to see her every day, but now its more like once or twice a year. We were able to have dinner together after the session and catch up on the latest and greatest. Getting together with my good friends is something I wish I could do more. It is so fun! Thank you, Stephanie, for being someone I know that I can count on!

Last Weekend At Montgomery Bell

I mentioned in an earlier post that I attended the TPPA seminar last weekend at Montgomery Bell State Park. It was a great weekend! I got to see a lot of my fellow photographers who also have businesses in TN and hear some speakers share ideas. It was really a pleasure and also an honor to hear Richard Ramsey of Bartlett. He is extremely accomplished in his skill and also in his artwork; he has received SO many awards for his photography. If you ever see it in person, you be able to tell immediately that this man is gifted...

I am attaching a photo that I took early Sunday morning. The air was brisk and cool - the kind of air that feels good when it hits your lungs. I could see the fog lifting off the water from my balcony and had to walk down to get a shot of it. I normally do not shoot a lot of nature, but these shots make great wallpaper for my computers of which I rarely tire of seeing. These shots also remind me of just how quickly scenes appear and disappear in a blink. The way the bridge cuts across the frame makes it look like the right side is wider than the left. In fact, it is an optical illusion! The photo is actually a perfect rectangle!

c ya!

Yikes!

Today is Friday, and I have somehow managed to spring back to life from some sort of sickness I must have contracted during the seminar. I came home and less than 24 hours later started getting chills and fever. Ouch! Needless to say, it has knocked me on my tail the rest of this week until today. I have survived and am back at the studio this afternoon after having to reschedule my sessions since Wednesday! Next week will be CRAZY!