I went home for Thanksgiving this weekend and Jack and I went up to my old elementary school so he could get in a run. I was amazed that they still had the same monkey bars I remembered way back. I particularly remembered this view from the top of the monkey bar ladder, just before I took that first leap of faith to cross them without a teacher below to catch me if I fell. Nothing but cold steel and sky. Whew….glad I made it!

I was working this morning and looked out the window to see a Great Blue Heron sitting on top of my neighbors roof. By the time I had grabbed my camera and put on a long lens, the heron was ready to hit the skies. So I was just able to fire off a few shots before it quickly moved out of sight.

I am constantly amazed at my cameras’ technical abilities. I invest a lot of money trying to provide my clients with the very best equipment because of the challenging situations we often find ourselves in when shooting wedding photography. It definitely pays off, and they appreciate it. This shot was taken from inside my house, through a low-e glass window that hasn’t been washed in years (I can’t believe I am admitting that publicly!), through a screen, at 100 yards from the subject on an overcast day, handheld.

Try that with your Canon Rebel, Uncle Bob.

 Of all the products I offer, the PhotoBooth is without question the biggest hit with the guests. They love it, and the clients love it. What a better way to record who was at you wedding? In fact, I think Becky and Kris used it instead of a signing book.

 As usual, folks are creative. I provide a few props, but creativity always demands that guests strike out on their own in search of the perfect get-up. I thought this was the winner. Click the image to play!

Poor Jack. He’s has been photographically neglected for a few months now as I have really not had a whole lot of time to play. So this morning I decided that no matter what, we were going to have a session on his regular romp in the park, and it turned out to be a beautiful morning to do it. After chasing many sticks and romping through the grass, he decided it was time to rest in a frost covered patch. I suppose he kind of enjoyed the sun on his back and the cool grass underneath. All that running had made him hot and he was satisfied to just chomp and a select stick for a few minutes. As soon as he lay down, the steam started rising from underneath him. It really was a satisfying moment for both of us. A little rest was in order.

Just got an email from Ashley Yeatts at the RVSPCA and another one of Jack’s littermates has been returned to the RVSPCA! Lyla is her name and she was turned over to the RVSPCA with her sister, a golden retriever. Apparently, the owner was unable to care for them any more. Here’s the scoop from Ashley along with a few shots of the cute, cute, cute Lyla. From the way Ashley described her, I think she is  Jack up one side and down the other. If so……..FANTASTIC dog.

Hey Kemper,

Attached are 4 pictures of Miss Lyla.  She was relinquished when her owner got sick and was no longer able to take care of her.  She is up to date on shots, including Rabies, microchipped and spayed.  She walked great with me on the leash and was very responsive when I called her name.  She also knew ‘sit.’  She did jump up on me a couple of times, but again, she was very responsive when I told her ‘off.’  She could definitely benefit from obedience training.

According to her previous owners, she is great with everyone she meets – other dogs, kids, cats, etc…  They also said that she is housebroken, but we can never guarantee that.  Even if she was housebroken with them, there is a chance that she may need to be ‘re-introduced’ once she is in her new home since she’s been caged here.  Overall, I think she’s an absolute sweetheart!  She’s a little skittish, but she comes out of her shell fast.  And she is gorgeous!!!  Not too sure on her weight – I would guess around 50 lbs….give or take a few.  She’s tall.

Please send anyone interested our way.  They can call me directly at 540-344-4840, ext. 206 and if they cannot reach me at my extension, they can press 2 to get the front desk.  She’ll go fast, I’m sure, but I want to make sure that she is going to her FUREVER home this time around.

Thanks again!!

Ashley Yeatts

I love an outdoor wedding and the powers that be have been with me this year as far as the weather goes. But, there is more to an outdoor wedding that makes for beautiful photography. Time of day is so important. Sometimes that is something I can advise couples on, and sometimes it is set before I can put in my two cents.

Whatever the case was with Jenna and Matt’s wedding, everything was perfect. The setting was spectacular, the weather was gorgeous, the time of day….perfect. They were married at Sundara which lends a particular meaning to this wedding. Matt’s grandfather was raised there as it was his old homeplace. It was important to them both to incorporate “the rocks” and the orchard into their portraits as they both had special significance to Matt, growing up here in Roanoke and spending time at his grandparent’s place which is right across the road.

But, beyond that, there were symbols everywhere of their lives lived thus far. Family heirlooms, special little things sometimes tucked away in the decoration.

Then there was the hookah tent! Jenna and Matt are world travelers and part of their travels have taken them to the Middle East where the hookah is an important and integral part of the social experience. It was a huge hit!

I don’t have my typical blog prepared for this wedding. I’m still trying to get the blog caught up, but weddings and albums come first. So, here is a little slideshow that I did which is kind of like a blog post.

To Jenna and Matt, may all your travels through life be safe and happy! Cheers!

What a beautiful weekend. I am amazed at how simply gorgeous it was, and to think it is not even peak yet! I passed by some Pumpkin Fest in Riner on my way to wedding #1 this weekend, and all I could think about was getting out of the car and running like mad through a corn maze, reveling in the feel and sound of corn stalk stubble crushing beneath my feet, the warm sun lighting up all of the colors just starting to peek out from summer greenery. Why can’t I be six again?

Another thought. Aren’t Pumpkin Fests and corn mazes kind of like a Charlie Brown Disney World? Doesn’t the Great Pumpkin live in one?

Wedding #2 was just as gorgeous a day. On the way, I passed by a horde of people crossing Rt 311 to start their hike up to McAfee Knob. I know that all of them were thinking how lucky they were to live in such a spectacular place. I can’t even imagine the views they were able to take in today.

I was lucky enough to have a few myself.

Here’s one of my many favorite images from this weekend.

Happy Fall everyone!

I first met Anna and Brad when I did their eSession at the Duck Pond and it turned out to be a beautiful fall day with bursts of color everywhere. You can have all the scenery you want, and the weather can be totally on your side. But, what makes for a beautiful portrait session is when you have couples so obviously in love that they really just become a part of the scene. It’s natural, and as uncomfortable as some may be in front of a camera for the first time, it all works out when it’s real. So, it really wasn’t surprising that their wedding day was no different. It was real, and these two are going to have an incredible life together with the support of a wonderful family and great friends everywhere.

The B&G are both graduates of VT School of Architecture so I thought this little ring proppage was a cool idea

Loved the groomswoman!

 This is one of my favorite real moment shots of the year. Just married!

 The first dance

This was something I’d never seen before and everyone had a great time with it. The bride and groom exchange one shoe. Then, the DJ asks a series of questions about things pertaining to the delegation of family duties and perhaps a few about personal habits that EVERYONE takes with them into a marriage. The couple is back to back and they answer the question by holding up the shoe of the person they think is going to fit the answer best. Let’s just say there was conflict and agreement!

One of the best parts of my job is getting to know families who live in my community. Of course, I take every opportunity to convince all of them to move here if they don’t live here. But, I didn’t have to with Lauren and Andrew as they were well on their way towards making Roanoke their home before I even got to them. When I look around, I see so many positive things going on in Roanoke, most of which depends on having young couples just like them make it their home. So, here’s to another coup for Roanoke. Lauren and Andrew, I look forward to many years of seeing you two live and grow together in our beautiful little city!