sugar bugs

As many of you know, photography is my 2nd job. I am a community college educator teaching dental assistants and dental hygienists for the majority of my work week. This is my 30th (and last) year teaching and I afraid I’m really going to miss it. As ready as I am to retire, I love my students and my coworkers. They are a huge part of my life. However, I am looking forward to more time to spend on photography and a less structured schedule.

I was working on a project and needed some pictures of a student providing patient education, so I asked one of my students if she would bring her daughter to the clinic to work with me. The student agreed and the daughter was very excited to be my model. And what a cutie she was! She knows all about brushing and flossing and was able to demonstrate the procedures with only a little help. I think I smiled the entire time she was in the chair. How can you look at this precious face and NOT smile?

I am quite sure that no sugar bugs survived this demonstration! If all children were as good with a toothbrush and dental floss, there would be no problems with dental decay.

alec and sam

I have been photographing Alec and Sam for several years now. It amazes me how much they have changed through the years. And it totally blows my mind that Alec is DRIVING! Right now he’s just driving with his parents, but passing him on the road and seeing him in the driver’s seat just makes me feel old. And the thought that next year Sam will be a middle schooler makes me want to turn back the clock.

We decided to do our shoot this year at the kid’s grandparents’ farm. I thought we had allowed plenty of time to get there and shoot before it started to get dark, but I underestimated the amount of shade I would be dealing with. So, we moved really quickly and worked until it was just too dark to continue. When the sun dropped, it turned cold and Sam was turning blue – which really isn’t a good color for skin tones – so we gave up. But we still had a chance to get some really nice portraits done.

First, I took pictures of Alec with his baby – his new, old car. This is the car he wanted so his parents looked high and low and found him one. Boy, does it bring back memories for me. I spent many happy moments riding in a yellow VW about the age of this one. Only it was brand new back then.

Since Alec got to bring his favorite thing – Sam brought hers, too. Marshmallow is seasoned pro at posing for my pictures. She is absolutely adorable and she was well turned-out in her Carolina collar and leash.

We did some portraits of the kids together and separately at several places on the farm. I would have liked a little more time, but I think Alec and Sam had all they could stand!

Alec and Sam may be growing up faster than I would like, but they are still the same, sweet kids they were when we first met many years ago. I always enjoy their fall photo session because I get to spend a little time with them. Maybe next year I can get Sam to spill the dirt on Alec. This year all she would do was grin

hayley

Several weeks ago when I first scheduled Hayley’s senior portrait, I mentioned to some friends that I was going to do her portrait. They all told me how beautiful Hayley is – and how much I would like her. Well they were right on all counts. Hayley is absolutely gorgeous and my camera loved that long, shinning red hair and deep brown eyes. But, Hayley is not just another pretty face! I was very impressed with her maturity and her commitment to her education. Hayley wants to go to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – my alma mater. (I’ve mentioned before that I’m a Carolina grad. I usually mention it a lot more during basketball season, but I’m always proud to be a Tarheel!) And not only is Hayley a good student, she is involved in lots of extracurricular activities. In fact, she was recently nominated to be a Morehead Scholar. For those of you not familiar with the scholarship program . . . it is HUGE! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Hayley.

Hayley wanted to go to the beach for her senior portrait session. It is very late in the season for beach portraits, but we didn’t let that stop us. We went and had a great time. And the temperature was actually quite comfortable, thank goodness. This time of the year, I only have a few minutes of that really special light that I love for portraits, but we made the most of those few minutes. I’ve never seen anyone change clothes as fast as Hayley.

I’ve got a long way to go to complete her gallery, but here’s a sneak preview. I couldn’t decide my favorites quickly, so I have a rather large variety for Hayley’s preview.

I really enjoyed spending a couple of hours with Hayley and her mom, Sheila. I’ve known Sheila since she wasn’t a whole lot older than Hayley. I love seeing her as a mother who adores her daughter. I hope she survives college as well as I know Hayley will.

chrissy and victor

I looked forward to Chrissy and Victor’s wedding for months. You see, I fell in love with this couple on the day I took their engagement pictures. We just hit it off. They are full of life, love to have fun, and are very obviously in love. So I knew they would have a great wedding. And they did! And another thing I really like about Chrissy and Victor – they didn’t let a little rain spoil their day. We had planned to do a portrait session on the water after the ceremony, but had to change plans when the rain started and didn’t stop the entire day. I have always heard that rain on your wedding day is good luck. If that’s true, Chrissy and Victor are the luckiest couple I know!

As usual, we started the day taking pictures of the girls getting ready. It was fun watching Chrissy and her sisters, Leslie and Victoria, get dressed with the help of their mother. Leslie is the girly-girl of the family so she helped her sisters look beautiful.

Chrissy wanted to see what was going on, but knew she couldn’t leave the room. Karen, my assistant, caught this picture of Chrissy peeking out to see what she could see.

One of my favorite things about the ceremony is watching the groom see the bride for the first time. You could tell when Victor caught his first glimpse of Chrissy. My 2nd shooter, Lisa, captured several great pictures of the first look. I especially like the way the ring bearer is watching Victor in the 2nd shot.

And why wouldn’t Victor be so happy . . . his bride was stunningly beautiful.

It is usually very difficult to get good pictures of the wedding ceremony, and this wedding was no exception. We were not able to use flash during the ceremony, so we had to use only the light available in the church. Luckily, the area by the altar was well-lighted and we were able to get some good shots there. The aisle was a different matter altogether.

After the ceremony, we took time to take a few portraits of Victor and Chrissy along with their families and wedding party. We were all sorry that we couldn’t take pictures outside, but we dealt with it and moved on. I love a lot of color at weddings, so Chrissy’s colors made me very happy. Linda and Teri at Forget-Me-Not Flowers did an awesome job coordinating the flowers with the bridesmaids’ dresses. The flowers were just exquisite.

When Chrissy, Victor and I discussed the wedding several months ago, Chrissy got really excited about two things . . . the cake and the candy bar. So, we made sure to get great pictures of both. And since I really like to take pictures with the rings I decided to combine the rings with the candy. The result . . . delicious.

I knew Chrissy and Victor would be a fun couple, but their first dance blew me away. It started out slow and easy, then morphed into a variety of dance styles from the twist to hip-hop. They were my first couple to do a choreographed first dance. I loved it, as did their guests. When Chrissy danced with her father and Victor danced with his mother, I got a little emotional. It’s obvious that this couple shares a close relationship with their parents. That’s something else that makes me really happy.

After the first dances, the reception kicked into high gear with delicious food, good music, and lots of laughter. I can see why Chrissy was excited about her cake. Selma Johnson made a cake that was gorgeous and tasty. After toasting and cutting the cake, Victor threw Chrissy’s garter and she threw her bouquet. This is the first wedding I’ve photographed in a long time where the guys actually tried to catch the garter!

When Chrissy’s father welcomed everyone he told them that the one thing Chrissy really wanted was for everyone to have fun. I don’t think there is any doubt that Chrissy’s wish came true. This wedding was fun. I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to be a part of Chrissy and Victor’s day.

october sale!

As promised, I will be offering a sale each month on one item. For October, I am cutting the price of all canvas museum gallery wraps 16X20 and larger by $50. That’s a great deal!

These wraps are absolutely gorgeous. Your favorite portrait is printed on quality canvas and stretched over a wooden frame. The back is finished and ready for hanging – no frame needed. I took a few quick pictures to show you a canvas museum gallery wrap; however, my pictures do not do these works of art justice. They must be seen to be believed!

It is hard to tell in this picture, but the portrait continues around the side of the stretcher so the sides, top and bottom are actually a part of the portrait. On the picture below, the column on the right is actually on the fold line. The greenery you see to the right is the side of the wrap.

I have all canvas museum gallery wraps finished with a dust cover and hanging wire  so that all you have to do is hang your portrait.  I even include the hanging hardware.  How cool is that!

I have quite a few gallery wraps hanging in my home. If you would like to see them up-close and personal, give me a call and we’ll find a convenient time for you to stop by. I have sold quite a few gallery wraps over the past year, and clients are always extremely pleased with their purchases.

The original pricing for canvas wraps is: 16X20 or 16X24 ~ $250, 20X24 ~ $300, 20X30 ~ $350, 24X32 or 24X36 ~ $400. Subtract $50 and you have the sale price.

If you are interested in ordering a canvas museum gallery wrap, just give me a call. But you have to act QUICKLY. Your order must be placed and your payment received by October 28th to take advantage of the sale price.

a sale is coming!

I don’t know about you, but I’m really tired of bad economic news.  One day the market plunges, the next day it recovers only to plunge even lower.  Gas prices go sky high – then back down again.  It seems like every day the news is full of people losing jobs, losing homes, and losing their savings.

Well, I have had enough bad news to last me a lifetime.  I decided I want to share some good financial news for a change.  I want to do something to help my clients purchase more of the portraits they love.  So, each month I’m going to have a sale.  The sale will last only 10 days and you have to read the blog to find out what is on sale and when.  The sale is for clients who have had portraits made within the past 12 months.  In order to receive the sale price, you must use the coupon code that will be included in the blog post.

I will be announcing the first sale in just a few days.  So read the blog often to find out what’s on sale.  And act quickly.  If you do not place your order and make payment by the deadline, you will not receive the sale price.  Begging won’t help.  You snooze – you lose!

kelly

WOW, this has been a busy week for blogging. After having some slow time this summer, the fall has been busy beyond belief.  I guess this is a good time to mention that if anybody wants portraits done before Christmas – you better call me now.  I’m nearly booked through November!

But let’s get back to Kelly.  Kelly was originally scheduled for her senior portrait session several weeks ago.  However, it was during the time that the northeaster was blowing and it was so windy outside we decided to reschedule. Then last week it was completely dark, dreary, cloudy and rain was threatening – so we rescheduled again. I guess it’s true what they say . . . the 3rd time really is the charm. Monday was gorgeous!

Kelly wanted to shoot downtown in an urban type area and at a local park. So we headed off for her shoot with the sun shining and a nice cool breeze to keep us from overheating. The light was perfect everywhere we went. And Kelly made some great clothing choices. Of course, when you look like Kelly, most anything you put on looks good! I laughingly told her that one day her metabolism would change and her mom agreed.

Here are a few of the downtown shots.

When we left for the park, I was worried that we would actually get there a little too early. But, everything worked perfectly. We had plenty of nice, open shade when we arrived and the light stayed nice until we were finished. Here are a few park pictures.

Kelly is undecided about what she wants to do with her life, or where she wants to go to school next year.  I’m sure she’ll decide when the time is right. At least she didn’t wait until the last minute to schedule her senior portraits!

Have I told you lately that I love my seniors? Yes, I know. I say it all the time. But, it’s so true. All of my seniors have been nice, laid-back and easy – I really enjoy working with them. And Kelly was no different. She was a pleasure.

ashley + scott

I have known Ashley since she was a 6th grader playing soccer on my daughter’s team. Though I didn’t see her often, I would run into Ashley through the years at social functions and would keep in touch through a mutual friend. I was so pleased to hear that Ashley had met and fallen in love with Scott. I don’t know Scott nearly as well, but had heard of him often. He was my mother-in-law’s pharmacist and provided excellent care while she was sick. When I heard that Ashley and Scott had gotten together, I thought to myself . . . this is a great match! And it turned out that I was right. Ashley called me last winter and told me she was getting married and wanted to discuss wedding photography.

As some of you know, I made the decision last February to discontinue wedding photography. However, I still love weddings and decided I would like to find a way to be involved, to take care of my clients who want quality wedding photography, but not directly shoot weddings. I thought long and hard before contacting two photographers about putting together a working relationship. We met and discussed my plan and they signed on.  So, now I can offer wedding photography and provide exceptional local service, while having a very talented photographer actually take the photographs. Ashley is my first client to use one of my associate photographers and I think it worked like a charm. Ashley and Scott were able to view the work of my associate and sign a contract knowing that she would be the one to shoot their wedding. But, I did the pre-wedding consultations, planning and I will do the final edit, print and deliver their pictures. This is definitely a win-win situation.

When Ashley met with me, she told me she wanted a wedding that was different. She and Scott decided to get married on the beach at the Shell Island Resort in Wrightsville Beach (which happens to be my favorite beach in the WORLD!). I got excited about the wedding just listening to her talk about her ideas, the color scheme, the service . . . all of it. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to be there for the wedding.

Lacey Gadwill, an extremely talented photographer from Cameron, NC, was the photographer for Ashley and Scott’s wedding. When she first arrived at Shell Island, she checked in at the front desk and they sent her to what she thought was Ashley’s room. But lo and behold, she found Scott and the guys getting ready.

After shooting some of the guys, she headed off to find Ashley and the girls. By the time Lacey got to Ashley’s room, she was already dressed but she was able to get some pictures of the final preparations.

Then it was off to the beach for the ceremony. Ashley and Scott were blessed with an exceptionally beautiful day. The sun was shinning; there was a gentle ocean breeze; and the colors were spectacular. I’ve always said that October is the most beautiful month on the beach and this certainly proved true on Ashley and Scott’s wedding day. I can’t imagine a more magnificent setting for a wedding.

After the ceremony, Lacey took time to take some posed portraits of Ashley and Scott with their families and wedding party. Here are just a few.

Following portraits on the beach, it was on to the reception. Notice the backdrop. What could be more beautiful than the Atlantic Ocean on a gorgeous fall evening?

For my blog, I concentrated on photographs of Ashley and Scott. Oh, and the flower girl. Here’s what Lacey had to say about the flower girl. “…the flower girl was so cute. She had the best disposition, she
should be the next Shirley Temple, just the cutest little giggle… loved her!” There will be more photographs coming . . . a LOT more. To view and purchase photographs from Ashley and Scott’s gallery, you can go to www.elisebeall.instaproofs.com in mid to late November. I’ll post on the blog when the gallery is ready. The gallery will be active for 60 days but purchase early and receive an early bird special!

All photography by Lacey Gadwill for Elise Beall Photography. To view more of Lacey’s beautiful work, go to www.laceyandjohn.com. I think you understand why I chose Lacey as one of my associate photographers. She is GREAT!

matt and dan

On Sunday I met Matt, Dan and their mom, Debbie, at the park to do a portrait session of the brothers. Debbie bid on and won a certificate for a portrait session at the Racheal Humphrey Cancer Fundraiser last spring. She has been trying to get her two boys in the same place at the same time for long enough that we could schedule a session. We were all set for last week . . . and then it rained. Thankfully, Sunday night was gorgeous.

I was looking forward to photographing Matt and Dan because I don’t often get the chance to work with guys. And this time I got two seniors; Matt is a senior at State while Dan is a high school senior. They are very different in appearance, but alike in some very important ways. These boys are not only quite handsome, they are very polite and personable. I’m sure there were many things that they would have rather been doing on a beautiful Sunday afternoon – but they were in the park having their portraits made for their mom. And they kept a very positive attitude the entire time. I know Debbie is going to love the pictures of her boys. And I think they found out that it wasn’t nearly as painful as they feared.

Here are a few portraits of Matt and Dan individually.

Now, the brothers together.

If all boys are as nice as these two, I would love the opportunity to work with more of them.

lauren ~ again!

I love photographing Lauren. Tonight was the 3rd time I’ve had the honor of being her photographer – and we had a blast. I got to the beach a little before Lauren’s parents, Ricky and Karen. As soon as they pulled up, Lauren jumped out of the car raring to go. We had to wait a little while for the sun to drop a bit, but that just gave Lauren a few minutes to get used to me – not that she needed it.

I’m not sure what Lauren will be when she grows up, but I have a few suggestions. First, she could be a model. I have never seen a child who loves to pose more than Lauren.

But, if the whole model thing doesn’t work out, there is another option. Lauren would be a perfect ROCK STAR. Watch out American Idol 2022!

If all else fails, Lauren could be a conchologist – someone who studies sea shells, particularly mollusks. She loved the basket of shells that my husband, Rusty, collected. Her favorites were the large sand dollar and a piece of coral. But, she did think it was pretty cool that she could hear the ocean in the conch.

We ended the session as it was getting dark. But Lauren still wasn’t tired of having her picture taken. I’m certain that she could outlast Ricky, Karen and me. Lauren cracked me up and made our session so much fun! I promised her she would be on the Blog – and here she is! Lauren, I hope you like your pictures.

I thought I was through with the blog, but while editing I found one that I know Lauren will like. She wanted to jump – and jump she did. She jumped, and jumped and jumped! It was getting dark, so I wasn’t sure if I was getting anything in focus – but I love her expression in this one.

That is definitely the last picture I’ll put in the blog. The gallery is going to be HUGE!