I found this while I was surfing[stalking ] a fellow photographers blog who inspire me.  I think this applies to life so well. It is also a reminder of how we should bring ourselves to each session. 

Dear God,
As I bring my subject into focus and prepare to make each portrait,
never let me forget that I’m creating treasures for some family,
a keepsake for loved ones.
Make me sensitive to the qualities and virtues of others,
that I may draw out into the light, the beautiful radiant belongings of their hearts.
Help me, oh Lord, to be an artist,
collecting the beauty of every soul,
the glow of youth, the wisdom of age, the gentleness,
the laughter or tears of each life that is precious in thy sight.
Deeper than a means of livelihood,
give me the perspective to see my art as a service to others,
making life richer and more memorable.
And, dear Lord,
between the lights and shadows,
the ups and downs
and the rolling years,
keep me from getting out of focus or off center,
so that my life and work
may be framed with dignity and colored with contentment.
Amen!

 

 

and some other randomness…lol

I was practicing with tripod that Rho was so nice to let me borrow since the movers packed mine all up and I cant find it in storage(thanks girl!).  I was trying to use low shutter, blub mode, etc!

Dont know if I quite got it figured out. MY ISO was way too high that is for sure.  May try again tomorrow night….

trinity was hugging him so tight that they fell over right after I took this…lol

used a star filter on my lens on this…dont like it too much!

I have decided to participate in an Awesome give-away project. Melanie Reyes (an awesome photographer in Michigan)wrote about this on her blog and I couldnt resist.
Giving is Awesome consist of 400+ photographers (see map) who are offering services and products to people who need some holiday cheer.  The premise is simple: think of someone you know who deserves custom photography but cant afford it. Nominate them to win and sit back and bask in your awesomeness.

You know someone. You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – $300, to be exact. Whether it’s canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the great part for you? The person who nominates the winner receives a $150 gift certificate for Brandi Tolliver Photography.  What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Florida and be able to make it within 30 miles of Jacksonville to have their portrait session.  Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.
* You must e-mail me the full story : info@branditphotography.com  Deadline is 12:00 Noon on December 31, 2008
The winner will be announced on New Years Day — get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Brandi Tolliver

p.s.  To read more about all the amazing giveaways read more at:  www.givingisawesome.com

I want to try this shot over again maybe with their PJS on and with a different aperture to get burst from the lights.  I still love it though:)

Trin was actually throwing a fit …she is a drama queen who covers her mouth when she cries to make it more dramatic…. teeheeeehhee

I love it when things finally slow down and I can go back through my sessions and say… WOW… I did that!

I was going through my albums and I saw this and I am really in love with these 2 shots.

As some of you know, as of 2009, I have some really big changes coming my way.  I have been really blessed in 2008 (the year of change) and I really pray that 2009 brings along the beauty of that change.

Brandi T is getting a whole new look….there are more things… I just wont reveal that yet

This is my client Tori and her fiancee’ Darrell.  I have know Tori since I was a freshman in high school.  When we spoke on the phone and via email- neither of us knew we knew each other.  Its so funny how things work out the way they do.  Tori and Darrell…congratulations and I wish you two the very best.  And I am very excited about April!!

I will be hosting a contest of the BEST of 2008.  Stay tuned to see if your session made the cut.

The winner will win a gift certificate valued at $95 or a 11×14 photo of the winning picture.

This little 5 month old has the cutest little smile.  His parents worked so hard to try to get him to smile at first so…once I took over and started talking to him- he was laughing and making that cute baby noise that we all love to hear.

I was there to witness him say his first word which almos brought his daddy to tears. He said “Dada!” just as plain as day.  What a cute little guy.

Thanks for driving to Jacksonville to have me photograph your family

This little boy know he has my heart!

He is going to be 4 next month on the 16th. I can not believe he will be 4…and he is asking to go to school already. He will be going to preschool at the Potters House and it seems so bitter sweet.  My little man is growing up. 

I have to share him today because my little man suffers from allergies, excema and asthma.  (all one in the same if you ask the doctors)

Lately, his asthma has been so bad that we are doing treatments 2-3 times a day. Poor little guy. He’s a trooper though.  IT just makes it harder on me when my husband is so far away from us right now.  I have faith that Noah will be okay though.

So that….along with “polka dots” from Trinity put me back a few days.  She woke up from nap one afternoon covered with bumps.  I took her to acute care  and they said it was a “viral” skin infection…???? Her “polka dots” are gone now and I can get back to life as usual

Well it definetly is a SMALL world. 

I have been conversing back and forth with this bride to be and when we met up for the shoot….turns out we know each other… I knew the last name sounded familiar but I really didnt put two and two together because she lived in Georgia. I went to school with Tori….it was a joy to see you again after all these years.

I am thankful to be able to capture the memories of your engagement as well as your beautiful wedding in April.   As I processed these photos, I was smiling the whole time.  Mainly because they are just the cutest couple and because I was thinking of the jokes Darryl was cracking the entire time…teeheehee…

By the end of the session, we were freezing so we ended up at Starbucks trying to warm up

Thanks for the delicious hot chocolate–yum!

Congratulations and Enjoy your sneak peak…and NO(once again) I couldnt pick one favorite. They all would be tagged Artist Favorite if I had the time…

and my absolute FAVORITE…. I love how the sun flare is perfectly placed on their hearts - something powerful comes to mind

I’ve gotten lots of request to see my children.
You’ve most likely seen them on my website. A picture here and there. MY oldest will be 4 next month. He’s my sensitive little “Mr. N” ! And my cyclone 2 year old is “Miss T” or “TT” just turned 2 on November 1st.

Do we plan on having any more? HA… not ANY time soon as long as Trinity is keeping us on our toes. I get baby fever here every now and then but my brother has a 4 week old who cures that “itch” for me.
Anyway…. so… here’s my kids…my life, my loves, my joy! Always a mom first