Just a few more cause I really dug this session and some of the cool stuff we got. These two are easy and fun :)

Today is the second anniversary. I took this photo of Squires Student Center in the early morning of April 17th, 2007. I just hope more than anything that the parents and family of those students and faculty who were killed are finding some type of peace in their lives.

I think I’ve had enough clouds lately, but this shot during last evenings eSession makes me like clouds. Just enough, just the right shape, in just the right place. Now…….scat cause my weekends here!

Sometimes you read about The Enquirer or The Star paying someone a million dollars for a photo of some celeb’s baby or their wedding or whatever.

Well, this is my million dollar photo. It’s my all time favorite and since it’s my birthday, I get to indulge myself and post it to the ‘ole blog. It was taken on the Blue Ridge Parkway almost 20 years ago and it blows my mind to think how much time has passed by and how quickly these two grew up. I’ve never taken a photo that I have enjoyed as much as this one and it completely captures the spirit of these two little ones . This was SO them….and still is in many ways. Whenever I look at it, I just feel good no matter what.

I have been planning a little post about all of the trail work that has been going on in Mill Mountain Park over the past two+ years. There is a small group of volunteers who along with Paul Chapman, Mill Mountain Park Supervisor, meet for trail work on Friday mornings and I was able to go out with them a few times last spring before things got a little too busy. The work they have done is outstanding and things are starting to really take shape on the once abandoned southeast side of the mountain. The Wood Thrush Trail has been open for some time now and can be easily accessed from the Star trail parking area at the bottom of the mountain. The newest trail is the recently opened Virginia Pine Trail which shoots off the soutwest end of the Wood Thrush Trail and ends up down in Garden City.

I was talking with Paul this weekend and he told me about the new trail map they have just published, so if you are interested in a great trail hike right in the middle of the city, this little map can be right handy. The new map can be accessed by clicking the image link to the left.

There are so many positive things going on in Roanoke, and Mill Mountain Park is one of the best. So, enjoy!

Cheers!

Kemper

Every time I set foot in the Taubman Museum I get this swell of pride that is hard to explain. I think about the generosity of the many people who made this wondrous architectural work of art possible, and I am so proud to be a part of it in my little way. Friday night was such a time at the opening night of the RVSPCA’s Best in Show exhibit featuring the work of local artists to benefit the RVSPCA. The opening night was hosted by the Taubman Museum and it brought out hundreds of enthusiastic supporters for this most worthy cause.

I contributed a piece to the show which I titled “Jack with Stick” and I was pleased to find out that it had sold before I even got there! I was only an hour late getting there for the start of things, but unfortunately I was too late to snatch up my favorite piece by local artist Mary Bullington. Nevertheless, I was pleased that Jack was able to contribute in his own way to the organization that helped him get such a great start in Life. Jack and I donated 100% of the proceeds to the RVSPCA. I also wanted to thank whomever purchased the piece and say that I hope you enjoy it for many years to come. This piece means a lot to me, and I hope it does to you as well.

So, if you haven’t had an opportunity to see the Taubman, you missed out on the freebie. But, please go and join the support of the thousands who have been so impressed with Roanoke’s newest jewel to the crown.

Kemper

I met up with bridal consultant Elizabeth Stevens of That Wedding recently and we had a really nice chat about the wedding business and lots of things. Of course it started off about dogs because we’re both dog lovers and have our own beloved pooch at home to keep us company while we’re holding down the fort.

Getting that out of the way, we finally got down to talking about the wedding business. I showed her my albums and she showed me her impressively organized portfolio of EVERYTHING weddings. Then there was lots to talk regarding the various facets of the wedding business…. what’s new….. what’s old…..what’s hip….what’s not. She knows her stuff and comes with a long resume of working in the event industry, so I was all ears.

I’ve said this so many times and it is SO true, weddings do not just “happen”. Anyone who has ever planned one knows that they require a lot of work just to plan. I had a couple in here the other day who commented on how overwhelming it can be when you realize that you’re engaged and now the WORK begins. It’s a lot of fun of course, but there can be a lot of questions. I try to be as helpful as I can, what’s a good ceremony time for great lighting outdoors on your date, how much time should you plan for portraits, etc. But, there are so many other aspects of wedding planning that I have no real expertise in. It also blows my mind how often I have clients who are in the middle of another major life event and are trying to plan a wedding at the same time. Ever study for the bar, or graduate and begin a new job, or move across country and try to plan a wedding at the same time?

Then there’s the execution of the day. Keeping things on time. Making sure everyone knows what to do and providing gentle guidance when necessary! I will never forget a father of the bride calling me one Saturday evening as I was on the road returning from a wedding. He was VERY concerned about all these youngsters getting out of hand and not doing what they were supposed to do on the wedding date. He wanted advice. My advice…..hire someone to be in charge.

So, that’s what the bridal consultant can do for you. They’re a mediator when people aren’t getting along (happens!), they’re an adviser when you haven’t a clue, they’re the fashion consultant who’s up on all the trends, they’re a coordinator to help you line up vendors who match your style, and they’re the supervisor in the background (and up front when needed!) on the wedding day so you don’t have to sweat the details.

If you are in the market for a bridal consultant or think you may want one and just want some details, give Liz a call.

Elizabeth Stevens, Bridal Consultant
Member, Association of Bridal Consultants
That Wedding
phone: 540.520.2772
email: elizabeth@thatwedding.net

Just a little promo. Come on out and see the Taubman and help the RVSPCA. I have a piece in there and have donated 100% of the proceeds from its sale to the RVSPCA.

It’s nice to get away and that is exactly how I spent the last weekend at one of the PATC cabins up near Harrisonburg. My good friend and fellow photographer Brendan Bush and his wife Nicole turned us onto these awesome cabins built and maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. We stayed in Conley which has a spectacular view and a pretty wide open layout. They are primitive cabins so no heat or running water. Conley had a wood heating stove and a wood cooking stove, and a spring was right down the hill. Best of all, the privy had a spectacular view!

You have to pack in about a half mile from your car. We were kind of fortunate that Brendan had a 4WD as the road from the bottom to the parking area was a sheet of ice and no way would anything but 4WD make it up the hill. That was even sketchy. Had we had to park at the nearest dry spot, it would have been about a 1.5 mile pack in to the cabin. But, either way, once you get there the haul is worth it.

 Sunrise from the front porch….

Jack heading up the hill at sunset…..

a swing with a view……

gettin’ our grill on at the covered grilling area….did I say primitive???…

fully stocked kitchen, all manual…..

lots of space for the pooches…..

A little hard to sleep late…

 plenty of excercise equipment…..

and best of all….the view