Let me in!

Lucy Mae loves to whine about going out on the porch, so I let her out and immediately she wants back in...just like a woman. Sorry for the delay in posts...we've all been very sick. We are on the mend by golly!!!

Santa's Cookies

It's fun to believe!

Christmas Video

Party

I like this photo for a few reasons. 1. This room (office) used to be occupied by an evil woman was was my boss (and now she's gone - whooo hooo). 2. We used this office to set up a bar for our office party - cool! 3. The foreground features beer and the background a cross . It was the first time I ever felt comfortable in that office!

Run Away

Poor Jay running from scary, drunk people at a Christmas party. He's such a cutie!

Ry and Rudolph

Lucy was being a diva so Ry had to pose with 'ol Rudolph. I see a theme here!

Rockin'

Cam's birthday at Pump it Up. Go kids go!!

Games

I am trying to look at everyday things in a different way. it's supposed to make me a better photographer. Some days it's easier than others. I like the lighting on this game table as it sat in our garage today. The shadows, the colors, too much fun.

Look! I have eyes!

Our coworker and friend brought her baby to the office! He finally opened his eyes! Sooo cute.

Frosty cold one

Bass on tap at the Gerst Haus. Yum. My camera kinda freaked during download and it cut the bottom off the image. I'm perplexed by this.

Our Board Room

Believe it or not, this is the window in our board room at work. We have weekly meetings in this very tiny chapel. It's very cool and today I decided to take my picture in front of it. I spread my arms so you could tell it was a person (not making any religious statements, I assure you!).
It's just the coolest place to have meetings.

Pedro the Nutcracker

This prop cracked me up. He's an 8 foot nutcracker that I call Pedro. Feliz Navidad!

Snowflake

We had an event last night at work. It was our Holiday Celebration Dinner, which was fantastic. I like fake snow...we don't need the real stuff down here!

Merry Christmas

I took this photo of our RED Christmas tree at work. Notice my reflection in the clear ball?
Merry Christmas (we need to say that more) to all of you. xoxo

O Christmas Tree

Ryan said "What a beautiful tree! This is going to be the best Christmas ever!" What a man! I love this age...all the wonder and excitement of the season. I feel a song coming on.

Piano Man

Well considering I had imbibed a tad bit this night, I am surprised any of these photos came out. I like the angle of this one. Thank you hand model Lenny.

Leaves

He had so much fun. Too cute.

Kiss

I have seen other photogs do this and I thought it was cool...I need bigger lips though. Oh well, it's artsy fun (yes, artsy is a real word in my world). :-)

Silly

I should just call this The Ryan Project!

He loves cake

Ok I promise to get back to the project...

Party Animal

Meet Ry-man's new girlfriend "the flower girl". What a stud.

Brides

We spent the morning at a salon getting beautiful for the wedding. This was a special moment and I love Allison's (girl in mirror to the right) reaction.

Blue

This woman has the most awesome eyes!!!

Wedding

Been out of town for my cousin-in-law/sister from another mister's wedding. I will catch up on my postings, but they'll all be about the wedding! It was beautiful, fun and unforgettable! I'm tearing up thinking about it!

Bible Belt

Down here in Nashvulle (as the locals call it) we sure have a lot of beautiful churches. I was on my way to the mall in Green Hills when I pulled over to snap this shot. Not my favorite but it's cold and windy today!

Shoes!

I'm not exactly the girlie type, but I do appreciate cute shoes! I just had to get these bad boys on film. This is Thursday's submission by the way. I need Photoshop at home stat!

Colorful Rainy Day

Almost daily I walk to a particular restaurant on campus and on the way I pass a daycare center. I'm laughing in the top photo because a child was watching me through the window take my own picture. He had the funniest look on his face..."what in frick is that woman doing?" is what I imagined him saying. I'm trying to not be so self-aware. I hate most pictures of myself, so I am trying to overcome that a bit in this project. Maybe Ryan will actually get to see his Mommy in photos this year!

Miss Priss

Our kitty, Lucy Mae, was my model today. I really think she likes being photographed.

Lighting

I honestly hate flash. It diminishes features and its so unnatural. I love digital because you can experiment with lighting and instantly see the results. Using natural light isn't always easy, but I'll sacrifice a crisp image to avoid using a flash. Ryan said right after I took this shot, "Mommy you hate using flash right?" He knows me so well. I love his angelic face in this one.

Friday!

It's been one week since I began this project. I am really enjoying it and learning a helluva lot!

What a beautiful fall Friday in Nashvegas! Jay (my awesome coworker and pal) and I grabbed a quick lunch and then headed to Centennial Park, home of the Parthenon and lots of ducks! They are simple creatures, but really beautiful nonetheless. The second one reminds of Loch Ness. I love the rippling water in the third photo. Thanks to Jay for "modeling" for me!

Produce Stand at work

As most of you know my "real" job is working for Vanderbilt Dining. Sometimes I get the pleasure of shooting food! It's a stretch for me but the textures and colors of food make it interesting. And food is very cooperative!

Autumn

Beautiful fall day in TN. I went to Dragon Park without my boy! How strange. But the colors and the bright blue sky were calling.

Fall in Tennessee

Here is the love of my life trying like hell to break a stick. Little boys rock. Nothing like a beautiful fall day in Tennessee and breaking sticks. I wish I had a tenth of his energy. Get used to this face...you will see him a lot! :-)

My Photo Project

I have been a photographer over 20 years! Wow, that makes me sound old. Really though I was a paid photographer at the ripe old age of 16. I worked for my small town's daily newspaper. It was a wild ride. I was thrust into the "real world" as a teenager. While driving around town in my 74 VW Bug, with a beverage in my lap, my camera in the back seat and my walkie-talkie pager in the seat beside me...I took on the world. I saw things no normal working teen should see. I'll get to those stories later (dead bodies, car wrecks, corrupt police...just a sample). So as I was thrust into the photojournalism world I decided I could possibly do this for a living. My mentor and boss at the paper encouraged me to apply for a photo schloarship at his alma mater. I did (with help and encouragement from my Mom). I got it! Off to college to study photography! Wooo hooo. Then... I burned out on photography. Too much reality and responsibility as a teen is what I chalk it up to (and not getting paid to do it anymore).  So that brings me to today. I miss my "passion". So like many other photographers who yearn to be inspired I am starting "My Photo Project". I want to capture a real photo every day. I would say it will last a year, but then again...I might get burned out. :-)

So today's photo is me on the Scarritt Bennett grounds next to my office. It's a beautiful place with a beautiful church. It's a retreat to escape to when I can't handle real world work. Ok. Wish me luck and inspiration!