Never a sweeter little critter have I ever photographed. When I think about dogs like Gracie sitting over there are the RVSPCA, I just want to go over there and scoop ’em all up. What a cutie!

Oh, look at this cutie. Found and taken to the RVSPCA as a matted little ball of fur, Matilda is now in the process of being happily owned.

It’s time for the RVSPCA’s annual Puppy Love Ball and this year’s theme is Diamond in the Ruff. Here’s one of those jewels who came from the RVSPCA. His name is Forrest and he’s one of the sweetest, most beautiful animals I’ve ever seen. The RVSPCA has saved thousands of dogs by matching them with people and families that love them dearly. I know because I meet them all the time. It’s a great feeling to know that you’ve helped an animal by making a great home for it. So, the next time you go looking for that doggie in the window, stop by one of your local shelters first. No question, you’ll find your Diamond in the Ruff.

Here’s Forrest and there’s a few more to come later this week.

Well, today I was asked to judge the doggie costume contest at the RVSPCA Howl-O-Ween festival in Elmwood Park and of course there was more irresistible furry goodness than a person can possibly stand in one place. Here’s just a few. I would have had a few more, including some of the winners, but I had important judging duties that were of course a priority. I left the park quickly after the winners were announced as some of the contestants were very feisty. I just didn’t want any trouble :D

I love photographing seniors and I have a little more time this fall to schedule a session or two a week in October. I shoot outdoor sessions in the evenings because that’s when we have the best light, but I offer in studio sessions as well. Here’s the beautiful and charming Burgin, a PH senior I shot back in August.

“You don’t marry someone you can live with, you marry the person who you cannot live without.” ~ Anonymous

I love that quote. I mean, let’s face it people, it’s hard living with someone else. Other people, all other people, do things we don’t like. They do things the wrong way. They don’t operate entirely like us. They’re not LIKE us and in fact, sometimes we are just plain opposites.

But, isn’t it great when we simply cannot live WITHOUT them. We can’t wait for them to be around us. We look at their things and think about them being around us, even if their things are not really what we like, or where we want them to be… or….even if we really HATE their things. Oh, and worst of all, if we really can’t live without them, we start to actually LIKE their things even though if we were in our right mind we would really not like their things at all. So, our great fortune in Life is to find someone that we cannot live without. That, for the most part, takes care of all the rest.

I’m pretty certain that Cricket and Jeff have this great fortune. Perhaps if they weren’t in love they could actually live with each other. I really don’t know. But, what I do know, and what was quite obvious throughout their day, was that these two married the person they could not live without.

Here’s a few shots of their fantastic wedding where we all had such a good time.

I totally love this shot…..I see lots of long walks just like this. I think mom liked the slide show.

Today was the Festival Virgin del Mar, and they celebrated in Playa Sámara with a procession of ox carts on the beach.

Who, being loved, is poor?  ~Oscar Wilde

It happens. But, most of the time it’s pretty cool.

A few shots from Sarah and Zach’s wedding at Smith Mountain Lake. The perfect luck…… rain on their wedding day but not enough to dampen the party, only the party planners! I couldn’t have picked a nicer family to work with. Grandpa and Grandma were wedding photographers in the day so I enjoyed chatting them up for a bit. The bride and groom totally enjoyed their day and are off to a very happy Life together with their awesome friends and family. Thanks Sarah and Zach for making this such an easy day for us, I enjoyed every part of working with you both.  And a great big thanks to all the behind the scenes folks who worked so hard to make their perfect day. Awesome job from a crew of Roanoke’s top tier wedding professionals!

Flowers – Corsair Floral and Events

Catering – Schaal’s Catering and Events

DJ – RSP Entertainment

Planning and Coordination – That Wedding

Reception Venue – Bernard’s Landing