eyeCandy Photography

A Little More "Me" Time...A Little Less Neglect

2011-04-19T12:57:00.006-05:00

I have truly neglected my blog, which mostly means I have neglected ME.

What I mean by that is pretty simple. As a pro photog, it's far too easy to get caught up in putting smiles on my clients' faces, shooting & editing away, which do NOT get me wrong! I thoroughly LOVE what I do for a living because it never feels like "work". But too often it results in me forgetting about the girl behind the camera...the Candy of eyeCandy. Oh yeah, and all the tons of pictures I take of my 3 reasons for living (Travis, Jacob & Cheyenne)? Those go neglected, too, lost in the shuffle that is the abyss of my photo "vault".

Well I was searching for a self portrait to include with my bio on the new website I'm piecing together for eyeCandy Photography, which I didn't find. Guess I should add that to my ever-growing list of photography projects. But what I DID find was a few lost treasures. I stumbled upon some old photos of my daughter. She was barely 2 years old at the time (she will be 4 on her birthday in July!!) and we were outside on the front porch, where she was trying to catch raindrops. I was saddened by the fact that I had forgotten about all the precious curls she used to have that are forever gone, but SO glad I captured them with my camera!

Then I stumbled upon something else. These photos are VERY symbolic. They were shot when I was going thru the hardest time in my life, as I was packing my things to move. My 10-year marriage was ending and I let my soon-to-be ex husband keep the house, for several reasons I won't elaborate on here, but it was still very sad for me. This was the home we had brought all of our newborn babies home to, celebrated their First Christmases, first birthdays, they took their first steps in the living room. Eventually, I told myself it's just a house and those memories can never be stripped away from me, but at the time, it was very, very difficult. As I was shuffling things around in my bedroom, packing my belongings into boxes, I discovered a few fallen, dead, neglected flowers behind the nightstand.

A part of my life had crumbled, but it was also the mark of a new beginning, a new time in my life to take care of me (and my kids) first and foremost, for a change. I have always believed that there is beauty to be found in the ruin and decay that life inevitably sweeps across time, and I have learned that the secret of life is to find the positives in the negatives.

In Memory of Joe F. Nelson ~ April 13, 1934 - February 21, 2011

2011-02-24T17:45:00.003-06:00

My Papaw fought the good fight and finished his race on February 21, 2011. I had the priviledge & honor of taking these photographs on July 4, 2010. He touched many, many lives with his love & laughter.

In Loving Memory of Joe F. Nelson

Age 76

Born April 13, 1934, Greenbrier, Tennessee

Died February 21, 2011, Southaven, Mississippi

Funeral Services: 11 AM, Friday 25, 2011

Officiating: Brother Terry Collins

Preceded in Death by Parents - William and Etta Mae Johnson Nelson

Survivors - Ida Kate Mitchell Nelson (wife), Mary Jo Yarbrough (daughter), Janice Collins (daughter), Jackie Ackerman (daughter), Garlin Nelson (brother), Willis Nelson (brother), Seven Grandchildren, and 14 Great Grandchildren

eyeCandy Photography On Tour - Christmas Photo Sessions!

2010-09-20T12:26:00.001-05:00

Christmas is almost here! A new family portrait to put in your Christmas cards or an 8x10 to give to a loved one is a classic tradition. (Just so you know, this offer isn’t limited to families ONLY…maybe you want a portrait of yourself to give to your significant other?) eyeCandy Photography will be setting up for the day at a location near you! Limited space is available, so contact me for availability and book early! (Email me at eyecandyphotog@gmail.com or call 662-404-5349 to schedule your appointment!)

WHEN & WHERE WILL eyeCANDY BE SHOOTING?

Saturday, November 27, 2010 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Historic Collierville Town Square

Sunday, November 28, 2010 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Hernando Court Square

(RAINOUTS DATES Saturday, December 4th & Sunday, December 5th)

HOW MUCH?

$50.00 session fee in advance to reserve your space;

$25.00 due at session.

(This is a $100 savings, by the way!!)

WHAT YOU GET:

45 minute photo session in one of two beautiful locations.

CD with 10 high resolution images, you own the rights (you can take it anywhere to make your own greeting cards!)

Prints are also available, for 10% off my advertised pricing!

Wardrobe Tips For Portrait Sessions

2010-08-30T10:59:00.003-05:00

I usually get asked questions about clothing choices before a photo session, so here are some tips I have compiled, based off a coupla year's experience! Hope these are found to be helpful!

1) Avoid everyone in your group wearing all-white, i.e. white shirts with khaki bottoms. This is pretty popular right now, but I really do not advise this at all. It's more of a fad and can really "date" the picture, not to mention, everyone starts to run together in the photo. I prefer contrast and color!

2) It's possible to match without totally matching. For example, a little girl can wear a green dress with purple polka dots, while Mom wears a purple top and Dad wears a green shirt. It's coordinated, but not too-matchy.

3) Solid colors are best, usually in the mid-tone range. Try to avoid white or black. Try to avoid busy patterns.

4) Accessorizing can be fun. A funky necklace or ring, a hat that shows off your personality, awesome shoes, a pretty parasole, etc. Think originality!

5) Layers. A tank/cami with a cute jacket for her. A t-shirt with a sportcoat for him. The jacket or sportcoat can be removed for some shots to create some different "looks" and some variety in your photos.

6) Casual. If it's something you don't want to get dirty or damaged beyond sewing on a button or repairing a split seam, for example, don't wear it. You might be sitting or kneeling on the ground, including concrete, grass, or dirt.

7) Comfortable shoes. More than likely, we'll be doing some walking to different areas during your session. If you want to wear tall/uncomforable shoes in your pictures, bring some comfortable shoes to do the walking, and carry your other pair of shoes with you.

8) Bring touch-up makeup, a hairbrush, anything you think you'll need to freshen up during the session.

Hope all of these ideas help!

Fall is almost here!

2010-08-26T09:40:00.005-05:00

The September Special was a huge success, and eyeCandy Photography is now booked solid for September.

This means that I'm now filling appointments for October thru the first weekend in December! Fall is GORGEOUS and absolutely my favorite time to do portrait sessions.

I've updated my pricing (see the 2010 Fall Portrait Pricing blog post), and you can view my availability for the rest of the year by clicking here.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER SPECIAL!!

2010-07-28T12:30:00.002-05:00

AUGUST SPECIAL: Recently engaged? A High School Senior This Fall? Or that family portrait hanging in your living room needs updating? LIMITED TIME ONLY, for the month of August, book your photo session for the month of SEPTEMBER, receive a 1-2 hour outdoor session and 25 high-resolution images on CD (you own the rights!) for $125 (a $200 savings!!). Does not apply to previously-booked sessions.

Contact me at 662-404-5349 or eyecandyphotog@gmail.com to schedule your session today! A limited number of sessions are available, and they are going fast!

2010-05-21T15:03:00.002-05:00

My most recent "wedding" wasn't so much capturing the events of the ceremony, but I was simply asked to attend the reception to capture some sweet moments of the happy couple. I had never been to the Tunica Riverpark before, and was pretty amazed to discover this location was far more unique and amazing than I could have possibly imagined, especially for a wedding reception! You think Tunica, you think casinos. Nevertheless, it was a true joy to be a part of this sweet couple's special day. Best wishes to you, Amy & Donnie!

Still here!

2010-05-11T11:05:00.002-05:00

eyeCandy Photography is still here and still shooting beautiful pictures of beautiful people! Things have been a tad hectic (Okay, that's an understatement!) with the move and some major personal changes going on in my life, but I am re-grouping and coming back around, finally, and I'm finding my inspiration again :)

I am working on updating my prices and galleries, and HOPE to have some more shoot stories to share very soon! Thanks to everyone for your loyalty and patience!

Much love,

Candy <3

2010 Wedding Pricing

2010-05-11T10:31:00.003-05:00

eyeCandy Photography provides artistic documentary-style images of your most-important day. We tend to steer clear of the traditional, posed shots, but can also provide those as part of your wedding photography if that is what you like.

We are available for weddings in the Memphis area, including Desoto, Marshall, Tate, Crittendon, or Tipton counties. Wedding photography outside of this radius will be subject to additional fees for travel expenses.

Pricing described below does not include any prints or wedding albums, however, they are available upon request. We can discuss your print and album options at your consultation or any time after your wedding.

OPTION 1:
Meet & Greet (Initial consultation), Photographer attends rehearsal, wedding coverage of one Photographer for 4 hours, up to 2 locations, to include "getting ready", ceremony & reception. High resolution CD and copyright release of all edited images. $1,500.00. $250.00 minimum deposit required and contract signature.

OPTION 2:
Meet & Greet (Initial consultation), Photographer(s) attend rehearsal, wedding coverage of two Photographers for 4 hours, up to 2 locations, to include "getting ready", ceremony & reception. High resolution CD and copyright release of all edited images. $2,500.00 $500.00 minimum deposit required and contract signature.

OPTION 3:
Meet & Greet (Initial consultation), Photographer(s) attend rehearsal, wedding coverage of two Photographers for UNLIMITED time, up to 3 locations, to include photos of rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, "getting ready", ceremony & reception. High resolution CD and copyright release of all edited images. $4,000.00 $800.00 minimum deposit required and contract signature.

Additional coverage for Option 1 or Option 2, $200.00 per hour.

Additional shoot locations, $100.00 per additional location (if more than 2 locations).

2010 Fall Portrait Pricing Information

2010-01-17T21:45:00.004-06:00

I require a non-refundable $75 session fee in advance to reserve your session time/date on my calendar. This session fee covers my time, talent, & travel expense to/from the shoot location. The session fee is due at the time you book your session, and I allow 7 days to receive it.

I shoot on-location at either a location of your choosing, or I have plenty to suggest.

I charge a $50 image credit, paid on the day of your session. This credit will be applied toward any print or CD purchases at your Proof Appointment, approximately 2 weeks after your session.

CDs include your high-resolution images and you purchase the rights to the images, meaning you can print and reproduce the images as you wish. After viewing your proofs, you choose the images you want on the CD. $10 per image, 10-image minimum purchase.

Print pricing:

16x20 on canvas stretcher frame, $175
11x14 on canvas stretcher frame, $100
11x14 on matboard, $50
10x13 on matboard, $35
8x10 on matboard, $15
5x7, $10
4x6, 10 for $20, 20 for $30, 30 for $35.00
8 wallet set - $10, 16 wallet set - $15

**Larger sizes and square prints also available**

Taste of New Orleans

2009-10-09T03:02:00.002-05:00

I recently had the opportunity to make a quick run to New Orleans. This was the first time I'd been back to the Crescent City post-Katrina, and ironically enough, I was there on the 4-year-anniversary of what is probably known as the worst natural disaster to wreak havoc on the U.S. in recorded history. I noticed some differences from my pre-Katrina visits: the demographics were different, many businesses have yet to re-open, and the City seemed to be more quiet, humbled. Even still, there is so much to absorb - sight, sound and most importantly, taste! I really do intend to go back when I have a lot more time, but I did manage to grab a few photos. (When do you want to go, Carrie?! We have to hit up some cemeteries!!)

Day 2 - Somewhere Over the Rainbow

2009-06-14T23:45:00.000-05:00

I'm posting most of my photos from the trip on Facebook, but a few photos of importance can be found here. It'd take me a year to blog about every single thing we saw!

We kept seeing signs for "The Biggest Hand-Dug Well in the World" in Greensburg, KS, our legs needed stretching-out, so we found it for sure, but nothing like we'd expected. We got out of the car and stepped into a land that looked like a war zone. There were children playing nearby in their yard, one of them giggling, "A tornado is coming!" It was windy. Once we got to the Big Well, there was a marker, a sculpture made of wire and iron, at the base of it, it told of an F5 tornado, dated May 4, 2007. Close to the well was a small building, serving as a gift shop, and we went in. Once inside, we were told that this F5 tornado was 1.7 miles wide and basically swallowed 95% of the town.

After that sombering experience, we stopped in Dodge City to grab some supper, and a storm blew threw while we ate (only like the 3rd storm of the trip thus far!) After our bellies were full and the conditions were a little more driveable, we continued our westward journey. There were still some lingering rain clouds, and the sun broke through - literally.

Something told me to look behind me, and I'm so glad I listened. I saw the brightest, most beautiful rainbow I'd ever seen. How about that? I watched "Wizard of Oz" on repeat as a kid, and I got to see a rainbow in Kansas!

Those little black things in the grassy area are cows - that's how HUGE the rainbow was! I wish this photo did it justice!

Well folks, we're settled here in Garden City, KS for the night. Tomorrow we will continue west into Colorado, more uncharted territory, complete with mountainous terrain! More pictures and blogging to come! Happy Trails!

Day 1 - Destination Muskogee, OK

2009-06-14T00:30:00.001-05:00

If you're just now tuning into my photog blog for the first time, WELCOME. I am currently on vacation, and thought I'd entertain (or bore?) my passers-by with a daily recap of our road trip out west. And of course, expect some photos along the way. 2/3 of the backseat of our rental car is taken up with my camera gear!

No pictures to share on this one (shocking, I know!), but we got loaded up and on the road 15 minutes early (or 45 minutes late, depending on who you ask), at 6:45 Saturday evening. We made our first stop in Forrest City, Arkansas, for some food - the biggest Subway I think I have ever seen. I told Michael I had heard everything was bigger in Texas, but didn't expect Arkansas to follow suit! I am not kidding; you could fit like 10 of the regular sized Subways we're accustomed to into this one Subway. Back in the car at 8:30, still left with 300 miles to go before we slept, and no internet (meaning no weather, GPS or Facebook access) kinda sucked. Thank goodness for XM satellite radio and the mp3 player!

I did get to talk to the kids for a few minutes. My parents have Travis for the weekend. Travis ate a plate full of mac & cheese, "the best corn on the cob [he] ever had", and garlic bread...I'm truly shocked he ate a bite at my parents' house! Then my Dad took him out to some field for some batting practice with his new bat. Then I got to talk to Jacob & Cheyenne, who are staying with Michael's parents. Jacob told me he went fishing, caught one fish and threw it back in the lake, and that Cheyenne was jumping on his bed (Yeah, I really wanted to know my daughter was being put in DANGER!!). Then I talked to Cheyenne for all of 15 seconds, and she just sat there, wide-eyed on the phone, trying to figure out why my voice was coming out of the phone that normally has NO sound come out of it when she plays with it, lol. I miss my babies SO MUCH already!

As an aside, I'm always amused by funny names for towns, landmarks, etc. The blue ribbon for Day 1 goes to Toad Suck Park!

After awhile, it became clear that we weren't going to make it to Muskogee. For one, sleepiness was settling in, not to mention storms just over the Oklahoma state line, so we took the next lodging exit and got a cheap room for the night in Van Buren, Arkansas, which is not real far from Fort Smith, and that is where we are now...and as luck would have it, they didn't give us an internet room, hence the reason I am typing this in WordPad and posting it now :) This has not been a good day for internet access! Oh, how do I live without you, beloved information superhighway??!

Stay tuned for Day 2 - Destination Garden City, Kansas! Niters, all, and to all a good nite!

Senior Pictures Special - It's That Time!!

2009-06-04T13:24:00.002-05:00

I've been getting a ton of inquiries about Senior Photos, so I thought I'd put
together a package like nobody but eyeCandy can! :-)

Here's what you get:

2-hour, personalized, FUN photo session
Outdoor location of choice, I have many locations to suggest
Unlimited outfit changes

PLUS

1 11x14 on canvas
4 8x10
8 5x7
80 round-edge pre-cut wallets
4x6 of every edited pose, up to 100 prints

ALL for just $275.00

I will personally enhance all images, no additional charge. Blemish removal, black & white, sepia tone, and color splash are all available for no additional charge. Proofs will be available for online viewing 2-3 weeks following your session.

Very limited appointment availability. $50 deposit required to reserve your personalized photo session, which will count towards the Senior Package Special price. Remaining balance is due at time of session.

Please call 662-404-5349 for more info and to schedule your session while openings remain!

Love Thursday No. 2

2009-05-28T23:56:00.002-05:00

I started out some time ago with the intentions of being more faithful to my "Love Thursday" posts, but yeah, stuff happens. So no more excuses from me.

I took this photo at a cemetery in Tennessee, very near the Kentucky border, at a gravesite where the husband had passed, but there was an empty space beside him awaiting his wife's death. Bittersweet.

The Doors Opened...Yet They Have Closed

2009-05-19T16:25:00.008-05:00

Every afternoon, Bus #36 comes pummeling down our street and drops off two very active little boys at my house.

The bus driver is very particular about the safety of her little riders, so she always tops the hill at the end of our street and makes a U-turn to bring Travis and Jacob to the end of our driveway.

As usual, those double glass doors swiveled open before the bus had even come to a complete stop.

Those doors may have opened, but today it signified that doors are closing. Those doors opening made my heart climb into my throat. The door has closed on Travis' elementary years as today was his last full day of school. (His class program is tomorrow morning, and then we're checking him out immediately following.)

As he stepped off that bus, looking like he'd grown a foot taller since yesterday, he was carrying his yearbook and a folded up note in his hand.

It was after he ran outside in the front yard to play basketball with his friends that I decided to be sneaky and read the note. It was then that I realized in a short time that the door will soon be closing on me being the #1 lady of his life.

For the parts that are difficult to read, it says:

"I heart u in 2 more
days is the last
day I will miss u
so kiss me on
the lips. And give
me your
phone number

Love Ya
Makiya"

(These girls are boy crazy, and they had better watch their backs!)

Travis will not get to ride the bus anymore until *swallow* 6th grade, and that's only 3 years away, which is the same amount of time he spent at his elementary school. Please, please make it all slow down.

Amber's Debut

2009-05-19T07:54:00.002-05:00

I had the wonderful pleasure of being little miss Amber's first photographer! I've been photographing her big sister, Cameron, for quite some time now, and I have to say that Amber looks just like Cameron, and just as beautiful.

I've got to admit, though, going to the hospital to see a new wee one makes me want another baby *sniff*, but I am done. Trust me on that one, we made sure. :)

Now without further ado, let's meet Baby Amber! Congrats, Brad & Jennifer!!!

My Big Girl, Cheyenne

2009-04-29T20:13:00.003-05:00

For those of you who don't know the story about Cheyenne, allow me to share, along with a few photo slideshows.

Cheyenne is my only daughter. We have two boys, ages 7 and 5, and the 3rd pregnancy was quite a surprise, I admit. I had just gotten back into college after a 6-year hiatus, so just being honest here, getting pregnant at that time wasn't the best of timing (then again, when is it really the best time?). We prayed for a daughter. We knew, regardless of the sex of the child, this would be the last pregnancy for us. We had several ultrasounds during the pregnancy, confirming that we were indeed having a daughter. My doctor wrote "95% girl" on my chart. The two 3D ultrasounds we had confirmed it, then a Labor & Delivery visit less than a week before her birth confirmed it again. How elated we were to buy all the little dresses, bows, pink dolls, even painting the room pink and stenciling little flowers on the walls. We had her name monogrammed on blankets and dolls, and her name in wood letters above her crib on the wall. Then everywhere we went, we heard the "horror" stories: "Little Jimbo Billybob was supposed to be a girl - and she was born a boy!"

Well here she is, going on 22 months old. She has a blossoming personality - she has a sense of humor that'd make anyone forget their problems, an infectious smile, beautiful blonde curls, stunning blue eyes framed with eyelashes girls aren't usually born with, she loves bubble baths...

She loves to eat (trust me when I say she can eat more than both her brothers combined!!)...

She adores her brothers (of course, who wouldn't? They're rather handsome!)...

She has been undergoing physical therapy once a week since right after her 1st birthday because at 10 months of age, she was not sitting up unassisted or rolling over at all. There were babies her age crawling everywhere, pulling up, cruising and taking first steps. Everywhere I went, questions were asked by complete strangers. The neurologist diagnosed Cheyenne as having Congenital Myopathy, in layman's terms, low muscle tone. The reason behind it is unknown, but this wasn't brand new to us, because Jacob, my middle child, had the same thing (though you could never tell it now!) It wasn't long before Chey began to progress. Right before Christmas, she took off crawling (her Christmas present to me, and for the last month or so, she has been cruising - hanging onto tables, chairs, our hands, walking everywhere. Her therapist says the only thing that keeps her from letting go is her fear. Last week during her session she took her very first step! I was sitting right there in the floor with my camera, the one time I decided to try and document her therapy session :)

My prayer is that she will overcome her fear and begin walking independently in time for her 2nd birthday, and I really do think she'll make it!! What a birthday present that'd be for Mama!!

Weekend Getaway - Part 2

2009-04-28T01:03:00.003-05:00

Once breakfast was said & done, Michael and I got out & about. I've always loved driving along the main road there at Reelfoot, admiring the turtles on top of turtles on the logs. The real challenge was getting pictures of them before they noticed I was there, diving back beneath the swampy water to safety.

On the opposite side of the highway, there was a beautiful golden field - the pictures simply do it no justice - and something burning way off in the distance.

There in the parking lot where I stood to take the smokey field photos was a whole gang of motorcycles - one of them's owner? "Taco". I have seen it all.

Then of course we went on down the road a'piece to see what we could see at the flea market at Bo's Landing. It's mostly tools, plants, farm equipment, a few antiques here or there, and a bunch of useless, cheesy junk not worth 2 cents. I think seeing the adorable baby animals made it worth it to stop by. :) I did manage to find a coupla "props" for my "studio" - a great bench, and a cute little chair, perfect for a child's portrait session. :)

After we did a little damage at the flea market, we turned down Sunkist Beach (that's the name of a street there - doesn't seem to fit the town) to get some pictures of the Dragonfly Inn, such a beautiful B&B!!

Next, coming up in Part 3, an old-timey barber shop in Downtown Tiptonville and a visit to a very old cemetery at the Church of Christ on Hwy 22.

Weekend Getaway - Part One

2009-04-27T08:57:00.005-05:00

I am warming up my trip-blogging skills, because in less than 2 months, our 9-day road trip out West will be in the books and hopefully in this blog :) I cannot lie, though, it's a little overwhelming to think about. Maybe the fact that I took 600+ pictures in less than 48 hours has something to do with it? So...that's like...300 pictures per day x 9 days = 2,700 pictures?!! No, I WILL NOT put down the camera! ;)

Okay, enough babbling. Let's begin at the beginning, shall we? We began the trip up to Reelfoot Lake, heading North on Hwy 51. I coerced Michael into turning around, much to his disliking, to snag a picture of this theater I saw in historic Downtown Covington, Tennessee (I thought the neon sign was great, and felt I needed practice for those old neon signs we're gonna be seeing, and photographing, on Route 66 this summer).

Once we arrived and unloaded all our stuff, we chatted, had snacks, watched a little TV and turned in semi-early because I had big plans in mind, starting with the following morning. While people were sleeping or just stirring, I threw some clothes on and walked out back to get a few early-morning photos of the lake. All of this, out the back door!

It wasn't long after I quietly sneaked back inside the back door, I realized the boys were up and at 'em, and I heard Chey squeal upstairs. I ran up to get her out of bed and carried her out onto the front porch to chill with her Papaw and her bubbas. I managed to get in a few macro shots, but not many. My mother-in-law usually has more variety of things growing in her flowerbeds, but oh well. Better luck next time. Not long after the kids played on the front porch, it was time for breakfast. Nothing quite like the "vintage booster seat" - AKA a coupla stacked up phone books. (Now I'm just mad I didn't take a picture of the big pile of bacon, Carrie! We had crispy AND rubbery varieties!)

Although I must move onto doing the work I get PAID to do for a little while, I will leave you with a small preview. Part Two will be full of smoky fields, turtles galore, and a country - and I do mean country - flea market. Stay tuned!

Meet the Argus: The newest oldest addition to my camera family!

2009-04-26T22:30:00.007-05:00

I hope Carrie doesn't consider me a copycat for getting one, but I couldn't resist trying my hand (or eye?) at taking the cool old photos with a freakin' awesome technique called TtV (through the viewfinder), using one of the old twin lens cameras. Below is a photo of her looking through my Argus - that's her eye in the top lens, and you can see the reflection of me taking this shot in the bottom lens - teehee :)

She fitted my new wee one with a foam tube, which essentially blocks out the light from the end of my digital lens to the viewfinder of the Argus, and I can use my dSLR to create these fab photos that leave me feeling a bit nostalgic. It's a pain in the you-know-what to set up a shot until you get the hang of it, but worth the extra effort if you are into photography at all.

This weekend, me and the fam took a much-needed weekend getaway to Reelfoot Lake - a seemingly perfect opportunity to break the Argus in on its first ever Photocation. Below is a slide of a few of my baby's debut shots.

Of course there are many more photos from the trip, including a walk back in time inside an early 20th century barber shop, a spooky Confederate graveyard, Reelfoot swamplands complete with cypress trees and several living creatures, and of course my adorable kiddos having a swell time. Those will come later as soon as I get around to editing them :)

Joy Bus: Connecting Someone To Their Past Through a Picture

2009-04-13T10:17:00.003-05:00

One afternoon last week, I planned a spur-of-the-moment shoot for a real estate gal pal, Rebecca Jaffe of First National Realty. She has recently changed companies, so she wanted some updated photos of herself with her new FOR SALE sign. Originally this was all supposed to happen a week or so later, but the weather was perfect, I had nowhere to be, so she told me to come on out to her home and we'd do it. I have to say, I fell in love with her home - the land, the area it's in, it was just peaceful all around. So her border collies greeted me, Rebecca and I chatted (we could really go on forever, lol), and I took a few shots of her.

Then, lo and behold, out of the corner of my eye, I saw something that really struck my interest. Lately I have been on this kick of photographing old stuff, particularly anything old and decaying. Well, there it was, right before my eyes, an old bus, overgrown with vines, overcome with rust. The hood was left open, almost as if whomever tried to get it going one last time just gave up and left it to the mercy of the elements. Upon closer inspection, this wasn't just a bus - it was a CHURCH bus. Without further ado, here's a slide of the photos, but then there's more to the story....oh yes, there's more.

Well that night, I posted these photos on Facebook. A former high school classmate, Sean, happened upon the photos, and was pretty weirded out. I mean I knew there was something...just some connection I felt with this bus somehow, almost a level of sadness I am unable to desbribe. But after hearing his story, it all came full-circle for me. He absolutely had to know where this bus is so he could pay it a visit. He went on to say that his parents drove the Joy Bus for the Church of Christ when his mother was pregnant with him...he was a fetus on that bus! His father passed away several years ago. There were little lives touched over the years through the ministry of his parents driving that bus. Although it sits there to continue to rust away, the sun shone through, and once again, I felt and saw HOPE in the midst of ruin.

Happy Love Thursday No. 1

2009-04-09T15:00:00.003-05:00

My shutter buddy, Carrie, does this a lot, so I thought I'd jump on board and start posting on Thursdays with my weekly "Love Thursday" photo. The object of the game is to find something all about love and capture it with your camera. It doesn't necessarily have to be heart-shaped per se, it can be anything about love *swoon*, but I think it's definitely cool chitlins to stumble upon something occuring heart-shaped.

The other morning, as we were scrambling around, half-asleep with one eye open, to get Travis out the door so he wouldn't miss his 6:50 a.m. bus (yes, it comes that early!!!), I was about to scoop up Travis' backpack off the floor when he stopped me, "Look! That looks like a heart!" Sure enough, there was a little white string that had been tied to one of the straps of his Darth Vader backpack, and it had curly-qued itself into a heart! I knew the bus would be rounding the corner any 'ol second (QUICK!!! Grab the camera!!!!) but I managed to capture it just before he had to skeedaddle out the door.

Love is everywhere if you just open your eyes and look...even on a Darth Vader backpack belonging to a 2nd grader! <3<3<3 href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IVeGCORCJXA/Sd5VkRs9KeI/AAAAAAAAACs/NH0fdn1fahE/s1600-h/LoveThursday001sm.jpg">

Photographic evidence that proves the missing sock theory to be true.

2009-04-06T17:07:00.003-05:00

As Moms, we wonder on a daily basis (or however often you do laundry) WHERE those kids' socks vanish to. Sure, there are the righteous socks that have to be tossed, because if you have boys anything like mine, they run up and down the sidewalk and come back in wearing socks that look like they've been attacked by the weed eater. But then...there are socks that we KNOW good and darn well we most definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, threw into the wash. Nonetheless, when all is agitated, rinsed, spun and tumbled, I still manage to have a little cloth bag, located atop my dryer where all the widowed socks dwell, and it is FULL of them!

Well, if you can't really make out the photo above, that would be one of Travis' (or Jacob's?) stretched-out socks that got inhaled by my 9-year-old washing machine's water pump. Backing up a little, my washing machine conked out on me Wednesday at the start of the rinse cycle, leaving standing water and overly-saturated bed clothes to sit there. Thankfully, Carrie let me use her "Emergency Laundromat" so I could rinse and spin them out (and have something to sleep on/in), and my Dad came over Friday morning, fully prepared to buy me a new machine. After taking it apart and out to the front yard, he discovered the stuck sock and determined my machine has 9 lives! (This is only the 3rd time he has had to work on it...)

So there you have it. Photographic evidence that proves the missing sock theory to be TRUE!!!

When it was Spring the other day.....

2009-04-06T09:19:00.002-05:00

Remember when the sun was warming the toes out in the clover patch the other day? Yeah, well, it needs to come back and stay for awhile! I can't get over how it was nearly 80, and now we're under freeze warnings. It's April - in Mississippi! C'mon!

I guess I thought some recent springtime photos out in the yard would warm my heart at least. I've got clover (since it seems to have overtaken my front yard), baseball, a toy truck with a teeny tiny me in it, playing cards, and my baby daughter striking out in a movement for independence, AKA making a bee line down the sidewalk while I was busy taking pictures of weeds.

Hope springs forth in the midst of ruins.

2009-04-05T19:36:00.002-05:00

Last week my shooting assignment for my Photo 2 class was to shoot anything that might encompass Social/Urban issues. This could include (but certainly not limited to) graffiti, inner city ruins, church signage, bumper stickers, pretty much anything that we could take a picture of and argue our case that it addressed a social/urban issue. The great thing about a photography class in college is that you actually forget that the assignments are "homework".

Considering that I live just outside Memphis, Tennessee, I was confident I would find a wealth of suitable subjects. My new-found shutter buddy, Tricia, went along for the ride as we headed toward Midtown. We never got to the place I was intending on going because of the discoveries we made along the way, but that is perfectly okay, because our finds were nothing short of "another man's treasure" to us!

It wasn't until I read one of the photog blogs I frequent, Shutter Sisters, that I decided to add these photos to my Flickr account. The most recent post on Shutter Sisters struck a chord with me, and the results of my latest "photocation" most definitely went right along with it. Even in the midst of all the damage, filth, mold, destruction, and ruin, there were still signs that there is hope and beauty still to be found in this world.

I Do Weddings! (Pricing Info)

2009-04-05T13:34:00.005-05:00

*A correlating gallery will be coming soon, to prove that I do shoot weddings. :)

All packages include 3 hours of shoot time. Please add $75 for each add'l hour required.

Every Bride’s Dream Package
One 12x12 customized Bridal Memory Book Album to include up to 100 of the best photos from your day*. Album is hardbound with a white leather cover and customized with couple’s name and wedding date.
Two 8x8 Parent Keepsake Albums* to include 50 special photos especially for the parents of the bride & groom to always treasure. Includes 20 pages in a white, hardbound leather keepsake book.
Up to 200 3.5 x 5 prints from your wedding day.
One 16x20 on canvas.
Two 10x13 on matboard.
Six 8x10 on matboard.
Twelve 5x7
High-resolution CD of ALL images from your wedding day.
$1,500

Fairytale Wedding Package
One 12x12 customized Bridal Memory Book Album to include up to 100 of the best photos from your day*. Album is hardbound with a white leather cover and customized with couple’s name and wedding date.
Up to 200 3.5 x 5 prints from your wedding day.
One 16x20 on canvas.
Two 10x13 on matboard.
Six 8x10 on matboard.
Twelve 5x7
High-resolution CD of ALL images from your wedding day.
$1,250

Wedded Bliss Package
One 12x12 customized Bridal Memory Book Album to include up to 100 of the best photos from your day*. Album is hardbound with a white leather cover and customized with couple’s name and wedding date.
Up to 150 3.5 x 5 prints from your wedding day.
One 11x14 on canvas.
Two 10x13 on matboard.
Six 8x10 on matboard.
Twelve 5x7
High-resolution CD of ALL images from your wedding day
$900

Glittering Bride Package
One 12x12 customized Bridal Memory Book Album to include 100 of the best photos from your day*. Album is hardbound with a white leather cover and customized with couple’s name and wedding date.
Up to 100 3.5 x 5 prints from your wedding day.
One 10x13 on matboard.
Four 8x10 on matboard.
Eight 5x7.
CD of ALL images from your wedding day
$750

Eternal Love Package
One 8x8 customized Bridal Memory Book Album to include 50 of the best photos from your day*. Album is hardbound with a white leather cover and customized with couple’s name and wedding date.
Up to 75 3.5 x 5 prints from your wedding day.
Four 8x10 on matboard.
Eight 5x7.
High-resolution CD of ALL images from your wedding day
$600

Wedding Photos A La Carte Pricing
If you choose not to purchase a package, my hourly rate is $75 for a minimum of 3 hours shooting time.

Album Pricing
All albums are hardbound, with white leather windowed cover, and personalized with couple’s name and wedding date. These albums are fully customizable. More pages can be added to any album at an additional cost. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for completion of your wedding album.

12x12 Bridal Album – includes 100 photos - $350 each
8x8 Parents’ Memory Book – includes 50 photos - $200 each, or 2 for $300

Individual Prints
Please allow 10 days for arrival upon ordering prints.
All prints except 3.5x5s come with a protective lustre coating.
Prints 8x10 or larger are printed on matboard.

16x20 on canvas, $150
11x14, $45
10x13, $35
8x10, $15
5x7, $9
4x6 $3 each, or 10 for $25
3.5x5s $3 each, or 10 for $25

Square and irregular sizes also available upon request.
Framing also available.

CDs of all images from your wedding are available with package purchases only.

A non-refundable $250 deposit is required to reserve your wedding day on my calendar. The remaining balance is due no later than 7 days before your wedding day.

I will arrive no less than one hour before the ceremony. All weddings I shoot will include a minimum of 3 hours of shooting time, including but not limited to, a photojournalistic approach to the pre-ceremony events such as bride’s dressing room & groom’s dressing room, the ceremony itself, traditional post- ceremony shots with the family (you will make a list of your special requests for the photographer later), the reception, and the bride/groom leaving the wedding or reception site. My rate includes travel between wedding site and reception site, if they are in different locations.

Weddings outside of Desoto County, Mississippi or Shelby County, Tennessee are subject to additional fees to cover the photographer’s travel expense, which will be added to the hourly rate. This portion of the fee is negotiable.

Walking in Memphis.

2009-04-03T18:32:00.000-05:00

A repeat client of mine, Joseph, was in town a couple weeks ago visiting from Alabama. Well, I call him a repeat client, but he was my friend well before I found my niche in photography :) He just happened to be one of my first models last year, and he came back to Memphis and was a willing subject to help me add more variety to my portfolio this year. I think he may have something in modeling, but don't believe me because it came outta my mouth! ;)

I do a lot of my shooting in Downtown Memphis, and this session was no different. We stayed in the South Main District, in close proximity to the National Civil Rights Museum.

Brittany & Josh - Engagement Photos

2009-04-03T16:33:00.000-05:00

The early Saturday morning wake-up call to venture Downtown Memphis for Brittany & Josh's engagement shoot was going to be a little tricky to pull off: it started sprinkling rain halfway there. I remained optimistic that it would let up, and if it didn't, there were a few spots we could go to hide from the rain, so that is exactly what we did.

In between episodes of precip, we snuck under awnings, parking garages, and covered walkways, including a stop at a couple of places where they shared their first date: Blues City Cafe and Memphis Redbirds' stadium, Autozone Park. Then we ended up inside the Peabody Hotel in the Skyway Ballroom on the top floor. (How could we pass that up?) The lighting was iffy at best, but I was determined to get some shots because of the amazing pink neon light encircling the dome of the ceiling, the great reflection on the dance floor and grand piano, diffused window light, not to mention all the awesome formal relationships that were jumping out at me left and right!

Little did we realize that it was about time for the Peabody Ducks to take their daily morning march onto the elevator, down to the main lobby. Brittany & Josh were ecstatic and were allowed inside the elevator with the ducks so we could take a few shots with the web-footed fowl.

We thought we were done for the day, and as I was protecting my camera from the elements inside my coat, I quickly realized that one final shot had to be taken. It became quickly obvious that nobody cared about the rain anymore, so the photo of the fun couple kissing in the rain was a perfect ending to an amazingly fun shoot!

Thanks, Brittany & Josh! Can't wait until your blissful wedding day! :)

What To Expect from eyeCandy.

2009-04-03T00:29:00.002-05:00

If you've stayed around my blog for only a couple minutes, it's pretty evident that photography is my true passion and my calling. Not only am I a photographer by vocation, it is my one hobby and it stirs my soul. I capture photos for my own personal enjoyment - I love it when I just KNOW I have captured that perfect shot. It gives me goosebumps!! I want to capture photos in the same manner for my clients - I want these photos to stir something within your heart, for you to treasure always.

Some potential clients may ask "Why should I pay a deposit or 'sitting fee' when I can go to {insert box store studio here} for no sitting fee?"

Well here's what makes the eyeCandy experience different:

1) One-on-one personal attention before, during and after your session. From wardrobe selection, location ideas, to choosing which prints to order, you have my undivided attention every time we meet.

2) Your session time is your session time. There is no waiting in line in a cramped, noisy store studio with a stressed-out photographer. Instead, your family can enjoy a nice stroll outdoors while I simply capture you being you, and I take my time doing it because I love what I do!! This isn't just a job for me - Photography is my passion!

3) My attention to detail not only during your session, but also during the behind-the-sceneds editing process. Did your son get a black eye playing baseball? Your daughter splash in a puddle of mud just as you were getting out of the car for your photo session? Not a problem! I take my time in editing and retouching every image! Black and white, sepia tone, color select, high contrast, soft focus, and more more effects available at no additional charge. I also specialize in custom photo collages.

4) Customer Service. I am a one-man (or woman!) show, so I willingly admit that I do not have the quick turnaround some fully-staffed photography studios have, but ask around to clients that have used me - they all have said it was worth the wait! I am a busy sports Mom of 3 small children, so my typical expected turnaround? Proofs will be ready for your viewing 3 weeks after your session. You then have up to 14 days to place your order, and from that time, please allow one week for prints to arrive once you have ordered. If you are not completely satisfied, I do everything within my power to correct the issue and make it right!

So the next time you consider having your next family or child portraits taken at {insert box store studio here}, does your photographer offer all of that?