Eliza Trashes the Dress!

We went to the home of Eliza recently to do some super cuuute photos of her in her new red tutu to celebrate her 4th birthday. This was definitely not the tutu I was picturing before I got there! It was so darling because it was long and flowing, and you can bet she was loving it...

After we did a few photos in some different places around their farm, I had to talk (in code) with mom to see if she would let her jump off the diving board in one of her play dresses. After Eliza kicked her feet poolside a few minutes, the red tutu was already wet about 4 inches up. Soooo, we went for it! You could see the excitement in Eliza's face as I prepared for the big shot! This is the resulting photo you see above with Eliza mid-air above the blue pool water.

Trash the Dress is the latest trend in wedding or prom/senior photography where you just don't care what happens with the dress...swim in the ocean, jump in the pool, sit on the pavement, get dirty, anything goes! This session was so much fun; I think I was more excited than Eliza! Knowing the pressure is on - and you only get once - definitely adds that element of excitement!!! Give our studio a call if you'd like to take the leap and do something really fun like Trash the Dress!

C ya!

Let's Fly Away!

Over the weekend, we delivered a stunning wall portrait of one of our June brides, Jessica! Jessica and Roth got married June 28, and it was definitely an elegant event. The doors leading into the church were fully adorned with magnolia, hydrangea, and tons of other florals and greenery. The reception at a separate location looked like a fairytale with round tables dressed up with centerpieces composed of bright gerbera daisies and foilage in super tall, slender, clear vases. As the couple left the banquet hall, everyone blew bubbles and released dozens and dozens of white balloons into the blue evening sky. Roth had one of the coolest groom's cakes we have ever seen - an airplane floating in the clouds - which happens to be very appropriate for an aviator.

Also, don't forget about gift certificates especially with fall and the holidays approaching so quickly! We had a group of siblings to purchase a terrific gift on Saturday for their parents' upcoming anniversary; you can get these custom (hey...you already know we don't do generic!) gift certificates in any amount. I am looking very forward to meeting the entire gang and enjoying the time while we shoot some formals and fun shots to preserve this special time!

This week continues our busy summer as we schedule print deliveries, online proof deliveries, and also the presentation of the proof portfolio and online images to another wedding couple. If you know a friend or relative getting married, be sure to send them our way for a fantastic referral credit to our studio. Who doesn't like beautiful portraits?

Stay cool, everybody!

100% Boy

Saturday we were able to meet up with Jack's mom to deliver his proofs. This little tyke is soooo adorable you just can't stand it! His mom, dad, and I chased him all around during our photo session 2 weeks ago. The result was very natural and tons of his cute expressions were captured like the one above. I couldn't resist this one, and I knew that his mom would recognize this as one of his signature looks. I hope they get to come and see me again soon! It was definitely my pleasure working with them.

We are still working nonstop on wedding proofs and albums trying to catch up from the summer rush. Most folks have no idea of how much work actually goes into the post production side of wedding photography. My goal is for all of my brides to feel like Harper Photography never missed a beat, and I strive to have the wedding day images to prove it.

On top of everything else, August is not going to slow down for us. We have a wedding the first weekend, a convention the second weekend, and the Wilson County Fair will rev up on the 15th. We are planning our displays and booth details right now, and it's going to ROCK! We love what we do, and hopefully it shows each time we meet a customer and have the opportunity to record all of the special times that eventually make a lifetime.

Poets & Pirates

WOW! We have had a blast over the 4th of July weekend. I guess you could call it a mini-staycation! Friday night we went to Nashville for dinner at Kobe Steakhouse and then followed up by heading downtown to see the grand fireworks display. Mayor Karl Dean said from the Riverfront stage that Nashville has been rated the 2nd best fireworks display in the nation! Is that awesome or what? And let me tell you...the fireworks make your chest thump every time one transcends into the sky. It was simply magical...

I love all kinds of music; my ipod is filled with a varied collection from one end of the spectrum to the other. But because down deep I really am a country girl, Saturday afternoon we headed downtown again to see Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney at the Poets & Pirates concert at LP Field. WHOA! The sound was incredible, and the view was not too shabby either! Keith Urban really rocked it...we could see camera flashes going off all over the place when Keith took the stage. And when KC made his grand appearance, the girls went CRRRAAZZEEE! It was so, so, so fun!!! Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland made a guest appearance and sang "Stay" with KC. It was such a blast that I think we could have stayed and partied till sunrise with 49,000 of our closest friends!!!

Gypsy Lady

This week will be full of working on wedding and portrait session proofs even though it will be a short work week due to the holiday on Friday! I am looking forward to a few days off to be with family and friends...

Yesterday I went outside to get a couple of random shots for another project. Since I had the camera, I got to take advantage of getting a few cute photos of our #1 all time favorite backyard beauty - Gypsy. It is a true delight to go out and spend time with her since she is quite the charmer...and of course the smartest dog that ever lived...LOL! She even knows how to smile for the camera!

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

Beautiful Baby Brother

Today we shared the session proofs with a terrific family who just welcomed a beautiful new addition - a bouncing baby brother! Every time we do a newborn session either with the baby alone or with the parents, it is so touching and heartwarming to look at this precious new gift from above. This little fellow was so strong for 15 days! I was totally amazed by him... I have one photo that is unbelieveable (it will probably end up in my gallery)!

This weekend we have another wedding to shoot for a bride and groom about 45 minutes away. The church is beautiful, and so is the couple. This couple came in for their consultation and it was so comfortable meeting and talking with them. I feel so blessed to be able to help them record this special day in their lives. They have planned a wedding that is definitely going to be classy all the way...

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." - James 1:17 NKJV

Isn't She Lovely?

Sorry to all my friends and clients who have checked in on the blog to no avail! I have been behind on the blogging; the photo sessions are going great. I have been to so many exciting places over the past week - Leipers Fork, Hermitage Golf Course, and Belmont Mansion. You wouldn't believe the photos that resulted from these beautiful locations! I will post them eventually, but two of them were bridal portraits so we have to be extra careful not to let the images of the brides in their gowns creep out until AFTER the weddings! We have also had lots of fun with engagements, families, and children!

Isn't the photo above precious? We got to see Miss Ansley again at the end of last week. She and her mom came to place their final print order. You've never seen bigger bluer eyes than these; we had a terrific session last time. We have already scheduled a date to shoot her one-year portrait in July at a private garden.