Grandma

This is a picture of my Grandma who passed away a week and a half ago.  She was 94 years old.  I took this picture a couple years ago when I was engaged to be married.  I wanted to hear her story of her wedding day as I prepared for my own.  I got out her wedding album and showed it to her.  I explained to her that I was getting married in a few short months and wanted to know what she remembered of her special day.  I asked her some simple questions to get started, and then I just let her talk.  I was somewhat surprised by some of the things she remembered.  She held onto some really obscure details.  And yet there were some things that I couldn't believe she had forgotten.  It was interesting to get a different perspective on what so many people claim to be the best day of their lives.  It was also humbling to hear the various different things she made herself in order to save money.  In today's world, money is spent so frivioulsy under the idea that this is a "once in a lifetime opportunity" , though more often than not, it isn't as so many people get divorced and remarried.  My Grandma only married once and remained faithful to her husband until she was widowed nearly 20 years ago.  I hope that when I die, I will be half the woman my dear Grandma was.

These flowers are just a sample of the beautiful flower arrangements we recieved for my Grandma's Memorial service from the funeral home and many wonderful friends.  She was loved by so many and will be missed. 

afO's Prisoner of Joy and A Mighty Fortress

Prisoner of Joy and A Mighty Fortress are two more plays that all for One, Inc performed and I had the honor of photographing.  They are both short, but very worth the time and money to see.  The acting was fabulous and both productions were entertaining!  I thoroughly enjoyed these plays!

Promise at 3 Months

My BEAUTIFUL niece at 3 months!!  She was so fun to work with!  She was sick and kept spitting up as I worked, but we made it to the end with wonderful pictures and memories!!

Charcoal

I actually took this picture about 3 and a half years ago, but I haven't grown tired of seeing it yet. I don't remember what that assignment was that caused me to initially take this photograph, but I always thought it was neat that I was able to combine two projects by taking a photograph of a charcoal drawing I was also working on at the time. I had completely forgotten about this picture for about a year until I was looking for a photograph to submit to Wassenburg Art Gallery for a contest they were hosting. I stumbled across this and was caught by its simplicity mixed with rich textures. I submitted it in the Still Life category and this won first place! This was the first time I had entered anything into a contest so it was very exciting to win. And now I have this beautiful photograph hanging on my wall. :)

afO's The Beams are Creaking

I get the privilege of photographing all for One, Inc. productions each season. This is a handful of pictures from their production of The Beams Are Creaking. It was a wonderful show and I am so glad I was able to capture the special moments created on stage by the very talented actors and actresses.

Promise Elizabeth - Newborn

These are some of my favorite pictures from my first photography session with Promise!  She was so tiny she fit easily into the basket, but the basket kept wanting to wobble over.  I steadied the basket with my foot as I took the pictures.  All in all, the session went really well and it was so much fun!  She was my youngest subject ever!!

Birth of Promise

Join me in welcoming my beautiful niece, Promise!  She was born on April 26, 2013 at 8:21 pm.  She was 21 inches long and weighed 8 lbs and 5 ozs!  My sister did SO well!  I am so proud of her!!!

This is Promise being held by Mark Sr with Mark Jr watching over just a short time after birth.  And I had to include the first complete family photo!  :)