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!