Johnny and Jennifer Get Married!

I had the privilege of capturing these moments and wanted to share with you. I hope you enjoy this slideshow -- I love the look of these and will definitely be doing more!

I love this! So funny -- and dedicated to my husband. He knows why.

Brothers!!!

I just love boys! Some may find it surprising to hear me say that -- b/c I always say that God gave me girls to balance out the boys in my life -- but they really are such a treat. I grew up in a house full of girls so I had no idea what I was in for when I had my first son. I had no idea what I was in for when I got married, but when the boys came along I knew that God was teaching me something. It turned out to be something incredible.
Meet Beth and her boys. I had the honor of photographing them when the leaves were just right. She was blessed with three boys, and as you can see is in love with them! I am loving this image as a canvased gallery wrap:
Here are just the boys...

The oldest:
Middle:
and youngest:
Each brought something unique and special, but they did all share one thing: energy! Lots of it. Energy just comes with boys. Here is a rare quiet moment...
Love the timelessness of black and white!
The boys showing their silly side. They were all such good sports the entire time they were being photographed!
Thank you, Beth, for allowing me to share an afternoon with you and your boys! Z is definitely future boyfriend material for Maggie!! Thanks also to Jessica, Olivia's Mom, for referring Beth to me. Referrals are the best compliment anyone could give!!!

xoxo

Detra
Matt 19:26

Miranda came to me with her precious little baby...girl! After having three boys a little girl is well deserved. I always tell people how blessed I am to have two boys and two girls -- God completely balanced out our family. I was also never prepared for the energy that little boys have, and these little boys were no exception. I can't believe I got them all to look!


Isn't she precious?


It can be a good thing to have three older brothers when you look like this!


All four together... The boys are proud of their new sister too!


Thanks for coming in!!! Next time we are going to the playground. ;-)

Interesting Video. Take time to watch!

http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/checker.aspx?v=Q4IrVrkU

Kelly's Belly!

I wondered when I started photographing maternity sessions if I would get bored easily. The answer is no. Just like with weddings, each couple is different and there are so many emotions and feelings to capture that it feels like I am playing, not working. I also LOVED being pregnant so I have a thing for bellies! ;-)

Meet Kelly, who's belly is just adorable!!! We wrapped her up like a mummy -- but don't worry, the tightness is just an illusion. :-)

Kelly's husband Thom came along and we managed to snap more than a few images with him in them. I love the way this one shows the size of the belly next to his hand. Kelly is a really tiny person. He obviously just adores her!!!


Hugging his two girls...


This one makes me want to whisper. So serene!



Kelly and Thom: You are going to be the best parents!!! I can't wait to see the baby. Thank you for letting me capture your belly.

xoxo

Detra
Matt 19:26

My Daddy passed away Monday morning. Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers! I'm so glad that he is out of pain, but sad especially for my Step-Mom and brother. I'm so glad that I was able to spend the last couple of days with him. That is truly a gift from God.
I will hopefully get to work soon and get caught up. Thank you to all who are STILL waiting patiently for your photos. No more sessions until I'm caught up!!! :-)

xoxo

Detra
Matt 19:26

Saturday

Today was supposed to be a working day. I had an 80th birthday party to capture and then I planned on catching up on editing while my husband went hunting. Funny how things don't work out like you plan them.
As I was getting ready for the birthday party I noticed I had a voicemail on my phone. I have a loaner phone this week as my old one was messing up...well, the loaner phone is worse than the old one if that can be possible so I am heading to the store ASAP to make them switch it!! Back to the message. It was my brother, Jody. He was calling to let me know that if I wanted to see my Daddy I should come this weekend.
My Dad was diagnosed with liver cancer earlier this year and his health has been declining. Its strange how one day a person is fine and then a couple of weeks later they are ready to leave this world. My Grandmother passed away in February and I still can't get over that. She was mean, LOL, but she was mine. I miss her so much. I have missed a lot of my life with my Daddy. Its only going to be by the grace of God that I get through this.
So, today I went to an 80th birthday party -- beautiful woman, good spirit, great family -- and then I went to sit by my Dad's side. Just being there was good for me. I didn't get editing done and Clint didn't get to go hunting. My 6 yr old niece in Arkansas got a doe and rubbed it in that she was a better hunter than her Uncle Clint! That was funny for her -- not for Clint! ;-)
I want to go back tomorrow and just be there, just be surrounded by this side of my family that my heart has ached for but that I haven't had a connection with for so long.
There will be no funeral, just a cremation. No newspapers, no frills. He wants it that way and my Step-Mom, Nancy, is being so good to him and making sure everything is the way he wants it to be. She calls him BabyDoll. It makes him happy, and that makes me happy. Please pray for us during this time, and hopfully all will be fine soon.

Detra
Matt 19:26

Meet Olivia!

OK. So you got a sneak peek at this gorgeous little girl yesterday but that wasn't enough. You have to meet more of Olivia and her Mom, Jessica. Olivia is one of my newest models for my web site and Jessica graciously brought her in for a session.

Don't you just love the way a new baby can make you light up?

And with a face like this looking at you who wouldn't smile???

Olivia lasted a while but then got tired, as all new babies do. I love the closeness between Mom and baby in this one.

I also love the way she curled her little fingers up at her face!!!

Maybe its because she was going for her hair? :-) How sweet is that??? (And painful -- ouch!)


Thank you both for a great day! Stay tuned for Kelly's belly pics!!

Olivia!

Wow! This past week has been a blur!! I have so much to share with you, but this week is as eventful as last so I am sharing a sneak peek of Olivia for now. She is so sweet this should buy me at least a couple of more days! ;-) Here is a storyboard I put together for her. It is a 10 x 20 with 3 5 x 7 openings. Adorable!!!

I had the honor of photographing Samantha this week during the last days of her pregnancy. Is it wrong to be jealous of a client who has a perfectly round belly, no stretch marks and whom you KNOW will bounce back to a size 2 before she leaves the hospital??? Samantha is a doll and deserves every bit of this beautiful gift she has been given!





Thanks for letting me share this with you two! I can't wait to see Baby E!!!!

First, a head shot of Keira! OK, two! The second will be used in her first pageant on Saturday. I think I should congratulate her already -- she is SO cute! -- but I don't want to jinx it! :-)


Now, you just have to go over and visit Justin & Mary Marantz's new web site, blog site...what is it called? Its a web site but its a blog. A blog site? Its so cool -- I want one!!! Congratulations you two!!!

Sweet Keira!

I had the privilege of photographing Keira and her Mom this past week. Keira was a preemie and topped the scales at just 4 lbs 11 oz. So many tiny babies recently!!! Can you believe her Mom thinks she looks big now that she's an 8 lb'er? LOL

I love this! So sweet, and the wrinkles are in all of the right places. :-)


Here is a collage that I put together for the nursery.
Keira had just woke up from her nap. I LOVE baby yawns!!!


This may possibly be my favorite portrait from this year. I love everything about it. Look for it to hang on my wall soon!


Thanks for a great afternoon you guys!!! I look forward to the 3 month old portrait session!!!

xoxo,

Detra
Matt 19:26

Seth

Meet Seth. Seth is a little baby -- 4 lbs, 6 oz full term! -- and so much fun to work with! He is so advanced for his age. I know that sounds funny but he was three weeks old in these photos and was already holding his head up and rolling over. Here he is playing with his parent's rings between his feet:


He napped:



I LOVE this one of him. This is a tiny rug so you can see how miniature he is! And look at the little wrinkles on his belly. I could have played with him all day!


Angie is a GREAT Mom! Seth is number four and Angie just keeps going and going... When I had number four I cried for Clint to stay at home and not leave me with all of those babies alone. :-) After the first day I realized they weren't going to take over, but still, it was scary and I had hormones and things happening. Angie is always smiling, always doing and her children always look so well cared for and happy. God has truly given her the gift of being a Mom!



I will be announcing my baby portrait plan within the next three weeks so stay tuned! I am trying to decide what the big kickoff "incentive" should be. I love to give deals, print credit, you name it -- I love to give! What do you want to see as the introductory offer? Leave a comment and let me know. If I receive 5 different comments (tell your friends!) I'll give away a free session to one of you!

Happy Hump Day!

Detra
Matt 19:26

Two posts in one day? Seriously! I saw this on [b]eckers blog and wanted to keep it going.

Oh wow! Is it September already??? Where did the summer go, and why did it go so fast?
I have kept busy with the children, weddings and photography sessions. I'll try to post a few soon but some are private so sorry! I have also had the privilege of photographing a few sessions for NILMDTS. Check them out, they are such a touching organization.
On Monday I hope to see Sandy Puc in Columbia, SC. I can't wait! Not long after that I will be introducing my new BABY PLAN!!!! Yea!!!! I have baby fever so maybe it'll help to be able to play with other's babies and then send them home, or maybe I'll be pregnant by Christmas! LOL Either way I LOVE babies and definitely have a passion for them. I hope to be THE baby photographer to go to!
On a side note, if you are a photographer you should definitely check out the [b] school. It opens October 1st. I can't wait!!!



Have a great day and I'll post some photos for you later. Right now my MIL is coming from FL to stay with us and I have to clean clean clean!!! Hurricane season is so not fun!
See ya later!

Detra
Matt 19:26

When I am not photographing weddings, engagements or seniors I absolutely love to play with (and photograph) children!!! A Day in the Park is the perfect way to capture the innocence and personality of your child, while at the same time having fun and not sitting in a studio saying cheese! Moms and Dads can come along and we can make it a fun family session. I usually spend 1-2 hours playing with and photographing you and your child. Play Date Sessions are a $75 creation fee. This nice summer weather won't last long, and too soon it will be time for school and homework. Call now to reserve your date. You can reach me at 864-978-4327.

A few of my favorite things...

My daughters have discovered Julie Andrews so I couldn't resist with the title! I have so many new favorites that it is HARD to choose just a couple to show you. I will be out of town June 21-28 so hopefully I can get some work done to freshen my web site and you can see all of my new favorites there!!!

Here is Rebekah. Isn't she gorgeous??? She graduated this year from high school and is going to college on a drama scholarship. You'll be seeing more of her in the future for sure! Way to go Rebekah!!!!!!Another. I love the light in this one!
Michele & Scott were married March 29 in Columbia. There are too many favorites to count, but I recently used this on the back of my business card -- on pearl paper -- and I am loving it as well!
An April Bride, Jennifer could be a model! I am amazed that my Brides are always so beautiful, and I always want to show them off! The front of my business card.

I ended up editing that a little but it is the same concept. I can't wait for a little time to rest and rebuild the web site! I have been so slow at blogging you will recognize some of the faces but be surprised by the rest. New family and Senior shots are going up as well!!! I can't wait!
Check back often and leave me a comment or two! I always love to hear from you!!!!

New Client feature on my web site!

I am so excited to announce that you can now go straight to my web site, www.dowlingphotography.org, to view your photos! I have enabled a link at the bottom called "CLIENTS." Click on this link and it will show events from my recent sessions. I only have a couple right now -- because it is so new -- but I hope to load all of my events to this link soon. Thanks to the awesome people at seeyourphotos.net for help in setting this up!!!

Michele & Scott

On March 29 I had the pleasure of photographing my first wedding of the year in Lexington, SC. I was so excited that wedding season had began again, and Michele and Scott's wedding didn't disappoint!!! I spent the day with fabulous people at a beautiful location having fun! fun! fun! Because I had so much fun shooting away I do not have all of the images ready to show you, but I did want to show you this series of elevator shots that we took.
Scott & Michele planned to see each other before the wedding so they could get a lot of pictures out of the way. I highly recommend this if you want to get to your reception at a reasonable time! The reveal happened by the elevator. Scott was smitten and I thought it only appropriate to hop back in and give them some semi-alone time!

I love the rich, dark tones of the wood in these shots!

Such a cute couple!


Lots of kissing...




Michele & Scott, I can't wait for you to see the rest of the photos! I hope you enjoyed your preview!

xoxo

Detra
Matt 19:26