Collage

I'm trying out some new software before I buy to see if its easy enough for me to use it. (My BIL is horrified that I have had no formal computer training!!!)
This is Riley! Isn't he beautiful??? I'm just wondering if its too busy, and if I blurred the background too much... What do you think?

Kim and Steven

Meet Kim and Steven, a gorgeous couple from Weaverville, NC, located just outside of Asheville. I went up the mountain for their beautiful Wedding Day October 20, 2007 and captured some of these moments of the two of them. You have to check out their slideshow. There were so many pictures I wanted to post here but didn't have enough room to do it! Link is at the end.

They were incredibly photogenic, and the beautiful stone church with the red door had me at first sight!

We hurried through these next pictures! We stepped inside the church to take them and good girl that I am, well, I felt like we were sinning... But they were married! ;-)

Doesn't every woman want to remember being sexy on her wedding day? I love the sparklers! A must for night receptions!!
Good Luck Kim and Steven! (Not that you two will need it!!!) Don't forget to call next time you are in Spartanburg!!!

To view the slideshow go to: http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewalbum.html?bm=138096

I hope you like it!!

Wow! What a busy time we have had here. We finally turned the keys in to the old house on Wednesday, so we are here for good (hopefully) and will (again, hopefully) have more time to spend on our new house! I am very excited to start decorating. I have a lot of ideas but tend to change my mind often, so we'll see what the final result is.
The boys finished up soccer and had a great time. Tomorrow is our first Saturday without a game, and I have to admit I am a little sad. They will begin Basketball in a month, so I guess this is just our resting time!
We went for a walk through our new neighborhood this evening. It took us about 45 minutes to walk less than a mile, and there was crying and complaining the entire time. My children don't want to have any more "fun time" with me! I think we will make it a daily habit, as they went to bed on time and actually fell asleep with no fussing. Talk about a sweet night! I dread putting them to bed and having them whine and complain and cry and fight with one another. If the mile stops doing the trick we'll just up it. Hey, we can all use the exercise. ;-)
I shot my last booked wedding for the year two weeks ago. It was so much fun and I just fell in love with the couple and the town, Weaverville, NC, right outside of Asheville. Everything was perfect, and just as I thought I was "done" for the season my portrait sessions have taken off! This actually makes perfect sense, as the leaves are gorgeous right now, no one has to melt b/c the air is clean and crisp and cool, and you can use your photos for Christmas cards! My session fees are $50, and then you can order whatever you want from the website. No minimum order required.
I'll update more often now since the craziness is over. Or maybe it has just began? :) Prayers welcome!!!
Hope you are enjoying this beautiful weather we are having.

I am so behind on this blog! I'm going to try to catch up soon, but for now see if you can go to this link http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewalbum.html?bm=138096 and see the picture slideshow featuring a great family at the beach! It was so much fun and I just loved them all. Hope to post some pics from my last wedding this week.

Detra
Matt 19:26

Vacation time is here!!! YEA!!!! I am so excited to be going on vacation with my entire family this week. My sisters are both going to be there with their families, and my Mom will be coming as well. Clint has to come back to work Wednesday, but he and I will go back for a wedding two weeks later by ourselves so its not too much of a downer. While we are there I will be shooting at least two Trash the Dress Sessions, possibly three -- if my sister can fit back into her wedding gown! She did give me a nephew last year, so we may have to wait until next summer for that one. Either way, I am so excited and look forward to these. Most gowns are not completely trashed after the session, they are just in dire need of a good dry cleaner. I'll post some pics when I get back!
I will also be shooting a few family portraits while there. Its almost the end of summer, so if you haven't had your family portraits made yet think beach! I can be reached at 864-978-4327 for last minute sessions. There is a $50 sitting fee, then you may order a la carte online. Its just too easy.
Have a good week and I'll post some good stuff when I get back!

Detra
Matt 19:26

PS Adding a photo from a portrait session I took this week. This is Kim. She had me photograph her for a magazine contest. She is entering b/c she so doesn't look her age! She was a lot of fun, and the camera just loved her! Good luck Kim!!!

I'm trying out a new slide show program which allows me to create the DVDs from my computer for faster turnaround. Tell what you think!

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewalbum.html?bm=138096

David Hessemer is doing a blogathon TODAY for his "Through Their Eyes" Africa project. He is going to be taking a team (Jessica Claire and David Jay included) to Africa next year to areas where all the adults have died and the children are more or less on their own with little aid. In addition to helping the people living there, they will also be teaching them to take photographs, in the hope of giving them a skill as well as to be able to see the world the way they see it. The photographs they take will be formed into a traveling exhibit all over the country. It's really a fantastic project, however, it needs funding to make it happen! Today and tomorrow they are running a blogathon to make that happen. The link where you go to donate and learn more about the project is: www.throughtheireyesafrica.typepad.com
Guys, make this happen!! You can also read even more about the project here: Through Their Eyes Website

Clint and I went to a wonderful cookout given by one of his friends from work. I was able to put a lot of names and faces together and we had a lot of fun. Here's a pic of Clint I snapped with my new lens...
Everyone was a good sport and let me take pictures, but out of respect for privacy I'm not posting their faces all over the Internet for everyone to see. I will show you two fabulous cooks: Bo Dean and Kevin. Thanks for the great steak, men!
Their was a uber cute pond in the front yard. It was so long I couldn't fit it all in my lens!
It even came complete with frogs!! Here's one that croaked louder than we talked that evening. You know you're in the country when you have to raise your voice to be heard over the frogs!
Thanks for a great evening, everyone. I'll send some pics with Clint to work! Can't wait to do it all over again Saturday!

Detra
Matt 19:26

Happy Summer!

Hi everyone! Just wanted to drop a line and let ya'll know I'm still around! ;-) Summer is a crazy season for us, and we have been having fun and getting things together to move as well! We will be moving within the next couple of months to a new home that we are buying. Its only about a mile from where we live now, but its in the county, we are currently in the city, so we are hoping for lower taxes!! It also has a great fenced in backyard for the children and dog to run around in. Stay tuned for updates. We sign the papers Thursday!!

On a different note, my children have turned into fish! My BABY, Maggie, will be three July 9 and she loves the water. Of course my older children do as well, but not one of them has been brave enough to venture out into the deep water by themselves this young. I'm sure the swimmies and the flotation device helped, but hey, she's two! She didn't want to open her eyes b/c of the glare, but the pic above is all the proof I need for her baby book.

Speaking of water, I am offering a free "Trash Your Dress" session to anyone who would like to help me with my portfolio. I have a couple of Brides who want to do this in August, but I want to do one now. If you have a dress and want a free shoot give me a call! I'll happily give you a free CD of edited images, and you can be "famous" on my website! 864-978-4327 or dowlingphoto@aol.com.

I am getting in a new lens next week so I can't wait to try it out and post the pics. I also have posted new prices on my wedding packages page of my website. They include so much more than the older ones did, including a new slide show! I am very excited about this, and its so much fun to do!

I'd love to know what you are up to this summer! Drop me a couple of lines. See you soon!!

Detra

Matt 19:26

Surprise Birthday Party!

I shot a surprise birthday party at Cleveland Park Hall last Saturday. It was a lot of fun and I had a great time! Everyone made me feel so welcome, I learned about a different culture and tasted some new food! A few pics:

Everyone had a great time!
It was also a party to welcome a new baby into the family! Welcome Sia!
Don't you just love all of the colors???
The cake was my favorite part! After singing Happy Birthday the family and friends got to feed cake to the birthday man -- until he said Stop! I want to do that on my birthday! (And not stop!!) ;-)
This is a picture of some of the food that I had. It was catered by the family's restaurant, the Five Spices, located off of East Main Street in Spartanburg, SC. If you are ever in the area you have to try this! It was so good! Clint & I plan to go there soon for our date night!
Happy Birthday Jay!

Kristy & Travis's Wedding!!!

Kristy and Travis were married at Rainbow Lake Pavilion on June 2. They were so much fun to work with, and SO in love that everyone around just had so much fun!! Here are a few shots from the wedding:

Kristy had her beautiful dress custom made with lavender ribbon in the back:
Travis cleaned up well. Here he is waiting for his Bride to come down the aisle:

Kristy with her Dad:
The kissing part:
Kristy with her Dad during the dance. I cried through this! They danced to "I loved her first."

Travis and his Mom during their dance. Tears were there too!
But then it got all happy...
They did the Electric Slide at their wedding...
This beautiful cake was from a little shop in Cowpens, SC, called Oma- Lyn's Bakery. It was one of the moistest cakes I have ever tasted!! Their info: Congratulations Travis & Kristy!!! I enjoyed your wedding so much!!

Kristy's Bridal Session

Kristy's Bridal Session was so much fun! The two images above are the ones that will be displayed at the wedding tomorrow. I love the Magnolias! Fits in so perfectly with a Southern Bride.
Kristy's fiance actually came with her to the shoot so I can't take credit for all of the pictures! He had a lot of great ideas, and even posed so she would know exactly what to do! ;-) It was very different from most shoots, but we laughed the entire time so it was a good different.
Kristy chose to order a 16 x 20. This is the size that I have of my own wedding portrait. If you would like to have me photograph your Bridal Portrait there is a $75 sitting fee, then you can order by the print. 16 x 20's are $75.00, or add canvas for $100 more. Bridal shoots can last up to two hours, at a location of your choice.
You may contact me at 864-978-4327 or dowlingphoto@aol.com.

Carter caught his first fish!!

My third child, Carter, caught his first fish on Memorial Day. He was SO proud of that fish, and his older brother, Andrew, keeps talking about the "bass that got away!" I guess they don't have to be taught to make up fishing tales, LOL. Above is a pic of Carter and the now famous bass, and then my favorite guys! Hope ya'll had a great Memorial Day!

My new favorite Picture

I almost forgot!! Here is my new favorite picture I have been teasing you with for a week now. Do you love this???

What a fun week!

I have had so much fun with my shoots this week -- and I still have one left to do!
Here are the amazing Kim and Steven. Their wedding is in October so don't forget to check back and see how cool it was. Kim has really great taste and showed me lots of pictures from other photographers of things that she liked. I enjoyed working with them and can't wait for the Bridal!

Here is the most adorable baby boy. He has the sweetest smile, cutest little teeth and an amazing endurance for staying in front of the camera! I also got to try out my new prop on him. Check it out:

Be sure and check back in after Saturday to see Christy's Bridal pics! She is going to be an absolutely gorgeous Bride, and her wedding date is fast approaching so you won't have to wait too long to see those.

Hope everyone is enjoying these beautiful days we are having!

Here are a few pictures that I have been promising to post. Tomorrow I will shoot a beautiful baby boy and then Wed its off for engagement pics with a fantastic couple! Check back as I also plan to post my new favorite pic of a very sweet couple! Hint: Its already on my website!!


Isn't she beautiful? She competed this weekend in a state pageant and I was lucky enough to be able to take some pics of her for her portfolio. Will update you as to how she did. Here is a family portrait of Mark & Tory and children. I used this set up for the church pictures I did.

How cute are these children???? I LOVED this picture -- look at his face! A surprise picture for Mother's Day! We went out into nature to get this shot! Their Mom had NO idea this was happening!!!
The beautiful Bride of 50 years! This was taken right before she walked down the aisle. I hope I look half as good on my 50th anniversary with Clint! (I'm sure he does too, LOL) Check back to see more soon and let me know what you think!

Such a busy week!

I have been shooting like a crazy lady for the past week and I am so tired!!! I had the anniversary wedding that I will post pics of early next week, a couples shoot -- I have a new favorite picture! Some of these will go on the website, as well as here, next week. Also, an aspiring model who will be in a state pageant in two weeks, and a family portrait today. That on top of a really awesome birthday party for my daughter's friend (Happy Birthday Claire!!) and a busy week filled with phone meetings and regular everyday stuff has left little time for laundry and dishes! Luckily, I have a great husband who supports me and understands. Sort of. ;-)
Friday my husband's brother will be here from Florida for a quick two day trip, then Saturday I have an all day shoot at a church/preschool in Traveler's Rest, so a busy weekend again -- and then I breathe! Hopefully, at least, between editing all of these pictures. I didn't realize just how much I tend to overshoot until I sat down to edit this week. Its amazing how fast a couple of shots turns into a couple of hundred! I do love every minute of it, and do realize just how blessed I am to be doing what I love. I have an early appointment in the morning with my amazing hair stylist, Lexi, so off to bed for now. Talk to you soon!

Rehearsal Tonight

The Jetts' are a lot of fun -- and still in love after all these years!!!

The Pastor had fun with this couple as well!

The rehearsal tonight was so different than any I have been to. The couple is celebrating their 50th anniversary tomorrow night by renewing their vows and holding a complete ceremony at church, with a reception afterwards. The wedding party consists of their sons and daughter-in-law as the three "oldest" members, and then lots of children as the junior bridesmaids and groomsmen. It was so fun to watch the little girls and boys as they held onto each others arms walking up the aisle. They were so nervous and embarrassed walking together. At that age I would have just died before I would have held a boys' arm. It will be fun to see how they do in front of so many people tomorrow! I can't wait. Congratulations to the Jett's for 50 years together! I wish you all the best in the years to come!!!

Welcome to my Blog!!!!

I have been toying with the idea of starting a blog, since it is the new "must-have-accessory" for spring, so here it goes. Welcome to my blog! I hope that you will bookmark me and get to know me a little better through my entries. I'm Detra, wife to Clint and Mom to four beautiful and wonderful children. I have been taking pictures since I was old enough to hold my Mom's camera. I love to capture what I see, and I love to look at what other's see as well. Some of my favorite photographer's right now are Jessica Claire, Denis Reggie, and [b]ecker.
I will be shooting a rehearsal dinner tomorrow, and then a 50th wedding anniversary renewing of the vows -- which is a complete ceremony, bridesmaids and all -- on Wednesday, so stay tuned for more info on that.
Feel free to drop me a comment if you want! I'd love to hear from you!!

Detra
Matt 19:26