A quick break before the New Year

I'm in Colorado right now spending the week with my family. I've had a
few days to slow down and reflect on the past year, and it really has
been a great 12 months. I am truly thankful for all of you that have
allowed me the privilege of creating images with you and your
families. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I truly believe that family is the most important aspect of our lives.
When I was a kid, my family visited Colorado many times. As my
siblings and I have gotten older, however, it has become harder and
harder for all of us to get together. So this week in Snowmass, with
my sisters, parents, nieces and nephews is a special time for all of
us. The grandkids are all experiencing things for the first time that
we all experienced when we were their ages.

The photo above is of (left to right) my brother-in-law, my sister,
and my wife. I, of course, was sitting directly across from them in
the gondola. My father is to my left. And to my right? Well, notice
the smirk on my brother-in-law? As soon as we got off the lift he
told me the guy sitting right next to me is on Grey's Anatomy. I had
no idea!

-----------------------------------
posted via iPhone

Katy & Will

Katy and Will are the children of two of our best friends, Steven and Kathy. I've been helping them create fun images of the kids since Katy was first born. It's always so much fun to watch the children grow, and it really is amazing to see how quickly it happens! It seems like just yesterday that I was taking pictures of Katy as a baby.

Steven is a budding photographer himself, and I'm sure it won't be long before I'll be picking his brain for tips and ideas. And, Kathy, thank you. You have always been one of my biggest cheerleaders and I truly appreciate that.

Now, on to a few of the images!

The session was at our home, and I always like to create a few black and white images with the great light coming from the windows in the front room. The lighting and the monochrome conversion make for classic images. And, as usual, I am really drawn to images showing the children in a maner that almost feels as if they are looking right into the viewer.





Katy is so sweet to her younger brother.



We then went outside and let the kids play a bit along the front sidewalk and in the side yard. I just followed them around, letting them dictate how and where the images would be made.





I love Katy's expressions here.




And the size of Will's eyes. . .and his hair! I love it!

Ragan & Jack

I'm wrapping up orders for Christmas--so much to do!

I met Jack, Ragan, and their parents--John and Melissa--in Memphis recently for a downtown photo shoot. I am flattered that this is the third year that they have asked me to create images for their Christmas cards. Melissa always wants to do something that reflects the family's roots, so the previous two years we created images around the Delta--Melissa's home. This year, we focused on downtown Memphis (where the family currently lives), primarily Beale Street and the Mississippi River Bridge.

This image from two years ago was created in the middle of a large, empty cotton field that was taking a break for the winter and biding its time until spring.



This one was used for last year's card and was created at Dockery Farms, a place considered by many to be the birthplace of American Music. So it seemed to fit.



And here are a few images from this year's session in Memphis!








And the slideshow.