saying good bye

I recently shot a family I have gotten to know through our co-op preschool. It was a fun time, because the kids were into it and the parents were laid back. Liam was in the same class with my daughters this year, and he melts my heart every time! He tells me he loves me every time I see him! And Zoe, such a sweetheart, and quite a little model. This was bittersweet for me because this family is moving away this summer and we will miss them terribly! I guess now at least I have some photos to remember them by. Here are some of my favorites from the shoot.

birthday fun!

I love birthdays...the celebration, the friends, the cake!!! Here are a couple of shots from Cali's party.Sneaking into the presents!

adoring John Payne

adoring John Payne
Originally uploaded by tgergrl

I am in dismay, totally shocked to learn that master sculptor, John Payne died today. I had a chance encounter with him and his partner, Gwenn, during my Day in the Life of Asheville photo project. I didn't even know who he was at the time. When I looked him up, I was amazed. Check out his web site, www.paynestudios.com. Interactive dinosaurs crafted out of metal, incredible.

I am feeling very sad about his passing and it is all a bit strange. Just a day or two ago, I emailed him to arrange giving him the digital copy of this photo. I don't believe he ever saw it. It feels like a lesson in attention and intention. I said I would send it when I saw him at the River Arts District Studio Stroll. But I procrastinated, thinking of it but never "having time" to pull it off my other hard drive. Just a reminder of the importance of following through with intentions.

In my few brief encounters with John and Gwenn, I was touched. Such sweet people, such deep spirits. I am wishing all of their family and friends much love as they grieve his passing.
God bless you, John.

what the heck!?

I can't believe that a week has gone by since my last entry. I really am not trying to ignore my blog, the days just seem to be flying by me! I have been giving attention to our expanding cooperative homeschooling program, which we're celebrating today with an open house. I also had a meeting of Asheville Area Birth Network where we're busy planning a Family Fun Festival for Oct. 25 at the Biltmore Square Mall...more on that later! And putting together a comprehensive online local resource guide for pregnant and new parents.

So where does the photography fit in? Yes, I am asking myself the same question! I have several days worth of images still on my card in my camera....YIKES! I know the cardinal sin of photography work flow. I promise, after the open house, I will get back on here, download the images and post some.

If you are dying to see some cute kids, you can check out my client & friend, Lisa Marie's new blog:

http://lmgittings.blogspot.com/

studio stroll

Yes, I know, the River Arts District Studio Stroll was weeks ago. I am just finishing editing these photos because they were taken for fun and I have been all about being busy lately. But we had a great time and I wanted to share some of the cool things we saw & did while we were there. These are master clay sculptors, Sacred and Savannah, aka, my kids, at Odyssey Center.
Admiring the goldfish pond outside The Wedge and the new Wedge Brewery.Experiential painting by Jonas Gerard...an $8000 piece with a sign next to it that says, "Please touch." I love it...and so did Savannah!
And the whole reason I went to the studio stroll...to see John Payne's dinosaur sculptures. They were amazing!