the pup and the kitty have breakfast together...

This week Patty (of patricia alder photography and http://www.venus-photography.com) and I have been taking a week long workshop on lighting with the supreme leader of all that is lighting Tony Corbell.  

Tony was in charge of photographing all the worlds leaders at the 2000 UN meeting.  Can you imagine being the person called to photograph every president in the world together in one room?  I mean no pressure right? Tony also does a lot of commercial work, if you've ever flipped through a crate and barrel you may have seen some of his work.  Or if you've lusted over a Brad Pitt photo then that might have been his too. 

What was so refreshing though is that as big and important as Tony is he is also just a regular dude.  A guy that tells bad jokes (like the rest of us) and really likes people and remembers everyone's names and takes time to meet with us all one on one and gives everyone lots of hugs.  Patty and I had a ton of fun this week, it was work and I was exhausted at the end of the day but nothing is better than being around people who also feel so passionately about your craft.

It was such a life boost to be surrounded so many fellow photographers so eager to learn and I can't wait till next year.  (it's also a life boost to be surrounded by so many desserts! I ate pie and cookies everyday like it was my job. I'll be spending some time at the gym next week for sure!) 

oh, and this is my favorite picture from the week.  Patty and I were doing some test shots and she has that pensive look on her face because she is deep in thought about lighting. 

here are some other photos that I liked from the week...

Patty gives direction to the model and tells her how to work it. 

Little man Hudson turned 3! 

We celebrated in style with a farm themed birthday party. 

see? 3.  Which is this many. 

after cake and ice cream all the kids went for a hayride in the ford tractor my uncle has lovingly restored. 

(it's awesome) 

Pinata.  Little kid style- you pull a string for candy instead of hit it with a bat.  

(It's probably best not to arm a herd of three year olds with bats.)

we had a lovely day.

Happy 3rd birthday little man! Love you so much! 

This is a little sneak peak if you will of a bridal session yesterday.  

The shoes? yeah, they blew my mind too...
(seriously fierce)

speaking of fierce- you should see the bride.  I have... and she done brought it! We had such a great time and Annie looked so beautiful! 

Can't wait to share with you after the big day next month.  

Till then we'll all just have to lust after these shoes.  

My friends Kevin and Michelle have a pool.  They also live near the beach.  They're also incredibly hospitable.  

So, needless to say I make it down to their house several times a year to beat the heat and enjoy their company.  I've been doing this for years.  So much so that my family lovingly refers to their home as the "Murph-Park Resort" (after their last names) because it really is like going on vacation when we visit.  

Over the years I have enjoyed so many weekends here of good food, good drinks, great card games, late night round table gossip and just overall good-ness.  It's just nice to know such great people.

While I was there last weekend I got some photos of the four-legged members of the Murph-Park Resort.  I am trying my best to make a dent in returning the generosity and friendship that has been extended to me.

I mean, I have to earn my keep if I want to keep coming (and boy do I want to keep coming)  

So let me introduce to you Chloe the basset hound, Cruiser the mutt, who was smart enough to show up at their door and Scarlett, the poor hound who risked running down a highway to ensure that Michelle would pick her up and that she would get to call such a swell place home.  

Diane has exquisite taste in everything. Her home, her furnishing, her clothing, and everything else- it's all to the nines. I know this because once up a time I worked for her. So, needless to say when she asked me to come over to photograph her and her husband and their expanding belly I was beyond humbled and so honored. We had such a good time, it was so great to work with someone I am so comfortable with. I was at ease, she was at ease- it was laid back.

It's also so great to spend an amount of time with a set of pictures where the love between two people is just so prevalent it beings me to tears. Seriously- I have spent at least half the time editing these photos while sobbing. LIKE A BABY. I am just so overtaken with joy. (just so you know, if you invite me to your wedding- as a guest or as a photographer I will cry. openly. I will not embarrass you but I will cry. The only wedding I have EVER been to where I didn't cry was my own- and my own wedding blew my mind. go figure.)

So it is my pleasure to share these photos with you. I have so so so enjoyed my time with them. Patrick and Diane are a lovely couple and I so look forward to seeing their journey into parenthood. They are going to rock it.

here's a little sneak peak of a super fun maternity session I did last week to tide you over till I get them posted next.  Beautiful couple, lovely day.  A girl just can't complain...

Here's what my summer has been looking like since I got back into Raleigh 3 weeks ago...

summer abundance in all her glory...

too hot for the b-boy in the south...

(don't feel bad for him, it was actually pretty cool this day and he spends his days loafing around the a/c with me in my office) 

Kirby Derby Day! annual street festival in Raleigh.  This year was my first year and sooooo not my last.  What a glorious day of beer, burritos, derby racing. The day finished up with The Small Ponds playing in a backyard amphitheater and a hot tub!  Not hating! 

(I feel the need to point out that I do not know the guy passed out. I'm sorry I took a picture of you in a compromised state.  I did see you walking down the street a couple of hours later so I know you're ok.) 

what's your summer looking like?