I thought I would post a few images since we'll be leaving for Viva Las Vegas tomorrow. We're heading to the WPPI (wedding portrait photographer international) conference. Maybe I'll post while we're gone. ;o)
Now on with the images! Here's some images from Ellie's senior session. Now this girl has some style and she loves to shop! I love how she brought a variety of different outfits to her session. It just wasn't all T-Shirts and Jeans! :o)

We have been super busy here! I have plenty of images to post but not right now, sorry! I was doing my little sufing the web and there are few favorite blogs that I check out when I have time to spare or when I need a little break. I came across The Image is Found blog (very awesome photographers by the way. I love their work!) They had a post about Al Gore addressing congress about the climate crisis and the need for signatures. So please take a few seconds and add your signature! It will take two seconds, maybe five, but SIGN YOUR NAME!

The Simple Things in Life.

Sometimes its those little moments that become lifes greatest pleasures. I love sitting in my bed clothes, eating a bowl of frosted flakes and bananas, while holding my son and looking through his books, life is good.

A Moment of Silence.

Yesterday we received word that at 3:40 Sunday morning Cheri Williamson lost her battle with Cancer. She passed peacefully with her fiance and family at her side.

Our deepest condolences go out to the Williamson family and her fiance.

My wife and I sat full of regret wishing that we could have done much more to make her last few days more comfortable. We had received an email from her friend Michelle, with this excerpt: "I sat for a while with her mother and father who told me what joy she had in the last week of her life, planning and looking forward to her wedding day. Thank you for being a part of that with us. Although we were not able to fulfill the dream that we had hoped for, I am happy that Cheri was happy this last week." Any happiness or hope that we have provided was our explicit privilege.

Thank you so much to everyone who sent us emails and contacted us wanting to help, your concerns and well wishes we're much appreciated.

A VERY SPECIAL WEDDING

Recently we've been contacted by one of our brides whose dear friend has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. She shared with us her story of determination, positivity and undying love for her soon to be husband. We were so touched by their situation that we've decided to donate our time and resources to her wedding. I've attached a letter her friend, Michelle Christensen had written to the Dream Foundation. I encourage everyone to read the letter in its entirety. Anyone with any resources that we could possibly utilize to help make this day the best day of her life please contact us. 480.204.1565

"I would like to introduce you to Cheri Williamson, a co-worker of mine and a very special person. Cheri is a beautiful 32 year old woman who, for the past year, has been battling a very rare form of cancer; only two prior cases are known, which has made medical treatment a challenge. Cheri has fought fearlessly and optimistically for her life with little support from family or friends. As can be expected with this disease, Cheri has experienced many hospital stays, sickness, loss of organs and hair, and indescribable stress and worry throughout this battle.

I have grown close to Cheri through this battle as I was inspired by her positive attitude, her faith, her desire to help others, and her courage. She is a person who cherishes life and would give of herself to anyone, even at her gravest moment. When visiting her in the hospital over the last few months, her concerns were never of herself, but rather of me and other co-workers who were suffering minimal trials in comparison to hers. For the last year her goal and motivation was to get well enough to return to work, recover from the financial consequences of her illness, and marry her true love, Jonathan. She and Jonathan had been talking of marriage for several months leading up to her diagnosis and have looked forward to celebrating her recovery with a wedding.

As Cheri’s condition has grown graver, our team of coworkers at the company we work for have united together to do all that we can to make Cheri more comfortable and help provide her with peace of mind. Several associates agreed to take on her business responsibilities so that she could return to work at the level of income she was accustomed to – not an easy responsibility for us, considering the high stress of a sales environment. During the month of January alone, our team of co-workers raised close to $10,000 within our organization to help Cheri with her past due living expenses. Two weeks ago, Cheri underwent surgery – colostomy and ileostomy. When we learned of the bags that are now attached to her body and her consciousness of them, several of us quickly set out on a shopping spree to re-wardrobe her with cute and comfortable attire.

Last week the tragic announcement was made that Cheri’s time is limited. Doctors estimate that she has just 90 days to live. As you can imagine, we are devastated at the inevitable pain of losing someone we love.

However, Cheri remains upbeat and positive and determined to make her last months as meaningful and special as possible. We want to help her fulfill this dream. 48 hours ago a we formed a committee here at work to host the wedding of Cheri’s dreams. We have been diligently contacting vendors, clients, any resources we can think of – to help with the costs and affairs of such a special event. We are quickly realizing that with our lack of expertise and Cheri’s life expectancy, we are surely over our heads with this commitment.
I imagine you may wonder why fulfilling this last dream is so important to a group of co-workers. The answer is simple – we are giving people who have found Cheri and Jonathan’s story to be truly inspiring. They are soulmates and two people who love each other unconditionally and would do ANYTHING for the other’s happiness.

Just a few nights ago I was visiting the two of them at the hospital and witnessed a tender exchange. Jonathan quit his job months ago to be able to care for Cheri in her condition. He has been at her side night and day. When I told him how impressive his dedication, his love, and support – he told me that this is just what you do for someone you love, someone you consider your best friend. Cheri asked Jonathan how he could love her, in her frail, bald, and unfeminine condition. Jonathan told her that her body is just a shell, his love for her is because of what is on the inside – and for that reason he will love her forever. I believe Jonathan is one in a million – In an age where chivalry is often forgotten and love is quickly doused with selfishness, I feel it is so important to recognize this love and devotion! I also passionately believe that every woman deserves her dream wedding, with the man of her dreams, in her dream dress and dream location. Please help us make this dream come true. We know that planning and look forward to her wedding day will have a dramatic impact on her remaining days.

There is a team of individuals aligned and ready to make this day come to fruition with your expertise and financial support. Please help us, for Cheri.

Sincerely,

Michelle Christensen"

Our very First "First Friday"!!

So we've been way so busy trying to gear up for this First Friday! And Guess what? it totally Rocked!! I mean it was way soo wicked! err. I mean SiK! So anyway i absolutely love the crowd the people were so amazingly friendly!

Its a great feeling to know that we've inspired so many other young photographers, and artists tonight. It was such a powerful Vibe just to be there, the energy coming off of everyone was just amazing!! I absolutely loved hearing the comments good and bad it really helped me to understand what was important about our work and how it made people feel it was great to get back into those artist slippers.

Tonight we took our work to another level! We went beyond the veil, our work appealed not only to brides and grooms, but to the public, to other artists, politicians, chidren, teenagers, its an absolute pleasure to know that what we do is art, and can be appreciated by everyone. To know that we touched souls on a much more personal level is undescribable! Thank you to everyone for all of your well wishes and blessings.

We must of had at least a thousand people come through tonight and tomorrow we've got more

to follow! Friends and Family if you can make it, come! Enjoy the Largo Photography experience! Yes you too Matt and Angie! Saturday and Sunday we'll be there from 11-6! We shot some images from tonight Check em out!

Through the Front Door

Tammie thought of this brilliant Idea; stick a buncha images to the wall! It worked phenomenally! Admirers just took their time looking at all the images and even poked and proded a few!

And who are these hot devils !?!? I Like em Spicy!!

And the Crowd who came to see us...Just us! Yay! till Tomorrow true believers!