This morning was one of those I live for!!!

When Ann Thomas first came in with her mom and dad for her one year portrait session, she had other ideas. She really had not considered being brushed, groomed, made to put on a dress, and generally fussed over in this "strange" place with this noisy, silly man behind the camera.











She's every bit as expressive as her older sister, Elizabeth, that I photographed when she was one. Oh, and did I say busy?


Her first few photographs were a bit tentative. But through lots of patience (and bubbles!), though, she warmed up and eventually shined.








How fun it was to photograph her! I love these little ones...

Signal Mountain's New Junior Miss

MerylAnne Dexter was named Signal Mountain's Junior Miss for 2010 last Saturday night. It was undoubtedly a tough choice for the judges, but MerylAnne's singing and piano playing in the talent segment lifted her to the title.

MerylAnne (Right) is congratulated by Becca Feher, Signal Mountain Junior Miss 2009.









Sandi Henon, Chairman and Sponsor, loves her girls! Here she schmoozes with the winners: (L-R) Carolyn Jones (2nd Runner Up), Hannah Tumlin (First Runner Up), Sandi, MerylAnne (Signal Mountain's Junior Miss), and Emily Queen (3rd Runner Up). Sandi loves the girls and the girls love Sandi!






Congratulations MerylAnne!

She now begins her preparations for the Tennessee Junior Miss competition.

We wish her well!

Third Annual Signal Mountain Junior Miss Program

We gladly give our time and effort to supporting the annual scholarship program by providing all the photography and program book design. We were brought in as "Charter" supporters three years ago when Sandi Henon decided that Signal Mountain should have its own program, so the young women would not have to travel to compete for the scholarships.

This year's theme is "Being Superwoman". If these girls can keep up Sandi's schedule and demands, as well as juggle their busy lives, they are indeed Superwomen!

We are very impressed with them all and as usual, we don't think we "know" who will win. Ha! If only we could see into the future!










Click to enlarge!

And this year's escorts...

Laney has a new baby sister!

Just when we thought that miss Laney was the cutest baby anywhere, along comes little sister
Sally.





























She was so much fun! ...and freely gave us her wonderful smile.






If she's this good at this very young age, we can't wait 'til she's older. I'm sure she's gonna get better and better!

Awards... Awards... Awards...

Last night was amazing!!!

The occasion was our annual Chattanooga Professional Photographic Guild Print Competition. We were rewarded for a lot of hard work with awards and recognition from our peers. (We made the BIG haul!)

Jeannie was named Chattanooga's Photographer of the Year for her cumulative efforts. She won two Best of Show awards and a First Place. Greg won two First Places and a Best of Show. We also tied for the highest scoring single image in competition and together, tied for the People's Choice award.

We currently have our Certified Professional Photographer designations (the only couple to have it in Chattanooga!) and are actively closing in on our Masters of Photography degrees. This pursuit continues to teach and push us to higher levels of excellence.


Below are Greg's photographs...


Dead Zone

Illustrative - First Place


















No Time for Kisses

Wedding - First Place


















Hold Me Close, Never Let Me Go

Portraits - Best of Show

Tie - People's Choice

Tie - President's Award (Highest Score)














And Jeannie's photographs...



Victorian Paper Cutout

Wedding - Best of Show

Tie - People's Choice
















Nature's Paintbrush

Illustrative - Best of Show

Tie - People's Choice

Tie - President's Award (Highest Score)














Watchful and Wary

Portraits - First Place




















We now will enter the Southeastern Professional competition and finally our Professional Photographers of America competition. We are looking forward to a very good year!

Brylee is a star!

Wow! Have we been busy with Christmas portraits! (Not much time these days to keep up to date with our blog!)


























What a great little subject we had the privilige to photograph today. Jeannie photographed Natalie and Steve's wedding a couple of years ago. (All I remember is that they looked great in their photographs... and still do!) They've now entrusted us to capture this very special time in Brylee's young life... only five weeks.







Being that Anne Geddes is one of my heroes, I always think her my muse when we are photographing babies. We photograph a lot of the same themes without the heavy use of props. We think it brings more attention to our babies.


















...and she was so good for us!

Elizabeth and Jack's Wedding

Elizabeth and Jack were married in Marr Chapel of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church. It was filled with guests bringing their best wishes for this couple.

















The celebration continued at The Mill, Chattanooga's new hot spot for weddings and events. This building had a previous life as a hosiery mill, but has been made into a fabulous venue. We love the casual but elegant ambiance.

























We had so much fun making Elizabeth's bridal portrait, and it looked stunning displayed in the gorgeous frame from Gold Leaf Designs and Gallery.


























We thank Elizabeth and Jack for letting us be part of their celebration of a new life together!

Merrit, Cason, and Gus

Just a fun new way I've found to photograph kids in my studio... They have so much fun with it.

Moms are looking for different looks all the time and they love this very casual way of photographing. The kids get to lay on the floor (as close as they'll let me get them), and I get to get out of my traditional "box" and shoot something unique.

I never have liked lots of props in my portraits. (I think it takes away from the subjects!) So, finding new ways to photograph has been challenging. We regularly attend professional conferences and look for new ways to do things. I've fallen hard for this one.


I think Nora will be pleased...

...And the Trolls came out to play!

Adam and Mary Lauren chose to have their wedding away from the bustle of our busy world. They said their vows in front of their family and closest friends at Welcome Valley Village on the Ocoee River at Benton, Tennessee.


















Although there was a bit of chill in the air, the sky was intensely blue and the sun lit up brightly the early autumn leaves. The tree tops were golden in the afternoon sun. The Ocoee River shimmered in the breeze. The day was spectacular.


How fun it was to get to share their special day with them and their families. The food, cooked on site, was a treat. There is nothing like meat on the grill with fresh salads, sauteed vegetables, and copious fuits on long skewers to please my palate.


...And then there was the cake! Mary Lauren chose a from scratch, home made real, caramel cake made by Karen Vessels of Signal Mountain. The icing has crystalized just a bit and made the rich, savory flavor of the caramel that much more enticing. Yum!




Oh, Yeah! And there were those trolls that appeared at the wedding, demanding that all sign, or rather draw in, their guest book or be eaten. Everyone took pains to "illustrate" the wedding day in the book, although it was obvious that Adam was by far the best artist in residence at the wedding.

I owe an apology to Laura for not getting these posted sooner!








Laura's mom, Carol, set the bar high for me, coaxing Laura and her family to come to Signal Mountain from Atlanta for VERY CASUAL portraits. She wanted them to feel completely natural and unaffected and wanted all black and white.




























Well, while they're maybe not completely candid, the photographs ended up very warm and casual. I think I caught the fun that seems to define her gang!





We're thankful to be so busy! I hope this tease gives her a glimpse of all the other wonderful casual and candids from the session. I can't wait to show her the rest.

Sarah and Matt's Wedding

Sarah and Matt had the most perfect wedding day! With wonderful weather, we were able to make family portraits outside in the garden at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, followed by an inspirational ceremony in the beautiful sanctuary.









Their fabulous reception was held at the Hunter Museum. What a unique venue for a party! There was plenty of space for a delicious buffet, sofa groupings, gorgeous floral arrangements, and special lighting effects.

















Their Sound Force DJ kept the dance music going, and the guests kept the dance floor occupied all evening.























At the end of the celebration, we all wished them a fond farewell as they headed off for their new life together.

Best friends and sisters!

Tish said her girls are BIG smilers! Well, I'm inclined to agree.

However, when Audrey and Ella are a bit pensive, the show those beautiful eyes! I feel like I caught both for Tish and her task will be tough, choosing how she wants to remember her twins.








They were enthusiastic and at the same time patient with us adults as we fawned over them and cajoled them, looking for perfection.


















I'm just sure that I've captured a little slice of mischief and a bit of angel in both.

Aden and Patrick

Aden and Patrick had a gorgeous wedding day at Laurelwood, on Signal Mountain. The ceremony took place under the trees; you could feel God's presence in this beautiful setting.










All the guests gathered for a quick photo op...













The wedding party had a great time! Aden's choices for unique decorations and attire were so wonderfully coordinated with the just-starting-to-turn trees.













These two are soooo romantic!

Mary Ann and Jim's Wedding

The Little Brown Church in Summertown, on Walden's Ridge, is quaint, secluded, and surrounded by natural mountain beauty... a perfect setting for Mary Ann and Jim's wedding.

All the girls got ready for the big day at the home of the bride's grandparents. Must be every little girl's dream...

They were delivered in style in an amazing mega-limo.










Jim and Mary Ann are a wonderful couple, and radiate love and happiness.
























After the ceremony, they took a little stroll down the lane and we caught them stealing a quick kiss!


















May their love last forever!

Chad and Jennifer

I guess over a year ago now, I got inside information that Chad was going to ask Jennifer to marry him. Jennifer was finally getting her ring! When Chad popped the question, I guess there wasn't much doubt that she would accept!



...And how flattering and humbling to me that Leigh trusts me enough to call me and schedule the wedding day beforehand. She simply said, "Put them on your calendar!" I do feel like one of their own. Jennifer and Chad are the fourth couple in the family that I've shared wedding days with.





However, it's getting harder and harder to top the photographs from the last one. But... Wow! Jennifer chose fall colors for the wedding that perfectly complemented the day, the season, and mostly HER. Her auburn red hair was electric in the bright fall sun! And her smile outshined even that!