There is nothing better than sleeping in your own bed.  I know, I am getting old and yes traveling does have some perks… like daily maid service and room service.  We have completed our five day travel marathon that took us to visit clients from Orlando to Atlanta and a few points in between.  On Monday, photographer Mercer Harris and I conducted a workshop for PPA (Professional Photographers of America) in Lilburn.  The workshop was hosted by Photobarn one of my favorite vendors.  Much of the money you spend with me goes directly to Photobarn.  This is where I get many of my goodies from.  Photobarn sponsors the Georgia Professional Photographers photographer of the year award – which I received last year.  We had a great group of photographers from across Georgia.  It is always good to share ideas with other talented people.

On the final leg of the trip we met with one of our Atlanta clients to deliver their two fine art portraits – which will become centerpieces of their newly remodeled home.  I have been anxious to share these with you – because they are SO beautiful.  Now that they have seen them – I can share them with you.  These portraits were created in Forsyth Park in Savannah.  The daughter’s dress was made by hand by mom.  The first portrait is being featured on our fine art marketing pieces and will be the centerpiece for our new "simply Savannah" portrait line. 

  Last night we took Edie Grace to Disney’s Halloween party.  We are in Florida with clients for a couple of days and were fortunate to bring Edie Grace along.  We have a whirlwind few days:  Daytona and Orlando yesterday and today, and Jacksonville tomorrow.  Then to Atlanta on Sunday for sessions and client meetings.  We will be returning on Tuesday.

If you have not been to Disney’s Halloween or Christmas parties, you must put them on your list.  There are some AMAZING deals right now, thanks to the recent downturn in the economy, which is apparently affecting travel plans for lots of people.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas parties are after-hour events where Disney only allows half of the parks capacity in.  There are few lines and when there are, they are very short.  The longest line we stood in was 10 minutes.  Best yet, it was comfortable weather wise.  Edie Grace rode every ride in the park and many of them two or three times.  They also gave away lots of candy for the trick or treaters and free face painting as part of the party.  Edie Grace, DeWayne and I also got to ride in the front of the monorail with the driver.  This is so cool and must be put on your list also if you have not done this.

Tonight we are going over to Universal’s City Walk and continue our Orlando tradition and have dinner at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville.

I first photographed Dr. Leslie Hunter and his daughter Emma in February at the Father Daughter Dance.  I had heard many wonderful things about Leslie prior to this.  I knew that he was a wonderfully skilled surgeon who had a great bedside manor and a unique compassion for his patients.  I knew that he loved sports and travel.  I knew that he was most passionate about his family.  The bond I saw between a father and daughter that night in February was evident. 

For some time we had been working with his wife Amanda to find a time that worked for all of our calendars for me to photograph their family for their family portrait.  We initially talked about scheduling the session for next Monday, however due to an unexpected opening in my calendar, we were able to work them in two weeks ago.

I will never forget the afternoon I spent with this family at their home.  When I arrived, Leslie was ready and excited that I was there.  (It is a bit unusual for dads to be excited about portraits).  The day was perfect and the light of the evening sun across the lake behind their home was breathtaking.  It was this evening that I was able to capture the wit, love and emotion of an incredible dad with his beautiful wife and amazing daughters.  Their is no question after reviewing these images that this was a dad that LOVED life and ADORED his family.   I did not want to leave.  It was one of those moments as an artist that I knew I was capturing something phenomenally special.

Never would I have ever dreamed just how special that portrait session would become.  As I write this blog today, this accomplished, ambitious young man is in Heaven.  Dr. Hunter died this weekend from heart and kidney failure.  A man who was so full of life just days ago.  He was the model for great health.

My staff and I have worked for the past two days with my labs and vendors to have their family portrait ready for his memorial service this morning.  Dr. Leslie Hunter was 36 years old and leaves behind his wife of 18 years Amanda, and two incredibly special daughters Madison – 14 and Emma – 9.  I encourage you to view his obituary and send them regards through the online guest book here.  His wife, daughters and family NEED our prayers and support through this unimaginable time in their life.

Leslie paid me the greatest compliment any dad could.  He excitedly shared with his friends about his experience with me that afternoon.  He told them how much he dreaded “picture day” but how much fun I made it.  He said that they became relaxed and actually enjoyed the experience.  From the images I am posting here today, you will understand what he meant.

In a few days DeWayne and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary with a trip to Spain, France and Italy.  The Hunters traveled to Italy last year and were kind enough to share with us lots of great tips.  They loaned us two pocket sized travel books that will help guide us on our trip.  Each day, using these books, I will think fondly of Leslie and know that where he is today – he does not need a guide – because he is home.

God put this wonderfully, special family in my path for a reason.  I am so thankful that God has given me the gift to create something that this family will value more than anything else for the rest of their life!  It is a reality check of how precious life is and how important my job is every day.

Thank you, Leslie, for touching me in such a special and incredible way.  My life, and so many others that you touched personally, will be so much richer because of you!

  Every year you hear me go on and on about how great our Fair is.  I am not sure if it is the cotton candy, the lights, the rides or a combination of all the sights and sounds… but I am ADDICTED!  I truly get as excited as Edie Grace does.

Probably the main reason would date back to my childhood.  Each year, my Grandmother Edith (Edie Grace’s namesake) and her husband, my granddaddy Harold, would take me to the fair.  My granddaddy passed away the first week of my Senior year in High School which is sadly over half my life ago now.  He ALWAYS shared my excitement about the fair.  Something about being the first-born grandchild and still the only girl, may have played a little role in that.  Going to the fair transcends me back to those outings…holding their hands loving every minute of the experience.  I still wear a hand-carved "dog" necklace on a leather rope from time – to – time that my granddaddy bought me there one year.  Just holding it in my hand…oh the memories!  People always warned me that you get a little nostalgic when you get my age…guess they were right!

Anyway…be sure to visit our booth (the pics are a sneak peek…boy I need to clean the lens of the BLOG camera!!!) when you go to the fair this week.  And if you happen to see me with cotton candy in one hand and a corn dog in the other…just smile and remember some happy childhood memories of your own!

p.s.  the other reason I am so nostalgic about my granddaddy is that we made our annual pilgrimage to Memaw Edith’s church yesterday and to DeWayne’s family church last Sunday for both of their Homecomings.  I told you the story about the well my great-granddaddy put in at the grave-site on a BLOG last October.  Well, the wasps are STILL there…arrgghh!!!  Anyway..here is this year’s picture of Edie Grace visiting the cemetery.  (she is getting soooo tall!)

Edie Grace and I ventured out in the rain to a Halloween party hosted by the family of one of her classmates this weekend.  The rain was a little challenging for an outdoor event but Edie Grace was a trooper.  She was so excited about wearing her costume already that she was going with the mailman’s motto!

A special thanks goes out to Rori @ The Sugar Plum Fairy for helping Edie Grace select the perfect gymnastic outfit.  Rori has tons of great stuff to make any little girl’s dreams come true!  From tiaras to tutu to toeshoes…she can get you fixed up.

After some games, a hotdog and some sand art we called it a night.  We weren’t quite "trooper-ey" enough to go on the rainy hay ride.      

13 has always been my lucky number and today it doubled as my place in line to go into the brand new TJ Maxx that opened this morning at 8am.  I always work on the day after Thanksgiving so I never partake in the Black Friday craziness…but had always wanted to.  I felt like this was my chance to enjoy a little "shopping frenzy".                            You know…it was pretty fun!

Me and my fellow line-mates got to the store around 7:30ish.  I guess, since I was #13 some may have gotten there much earlier.  (not up to "that" much frenzy!)  We enjoyed watching the new employees go through some employee kind of things before the big moment.  They seemed as excited as we were!  The rain didn’t dampen any spirits.

Once the ribbon was cut, the mad dash was on.  I saw so many of you out shopping this morning.  The first 400 of us received free shopping bags.  Those were all gone by the time I checked out at 9:30am.  Speaking of checking out…I didn’t quite think through over 400 people trying to check out at relatively the same time.  That took a while but everyone had a great time chatting and comparing bargains. 

Statesboro has hit the "big time" now with Hobby Lobby, PetCo, Rack Room Shoes, TJ Maxx and soon…Books a Million.  From all the people in line checking out…it didn’t look much like a recession to me!    

Have a mammogram during the month of October and we will give you a free bonus 8×10 from your session.  Edie Grace LOVES PINK.  She modeled for me for a sample album for the studio.  These "a day in your life" albums are great keepsakes and make incredible gifts. Remind me to show you this album the next time you are in the studio.    Don’t forget to take care of yourself while you are busy taking care of everyone else.  And take a note from Edie Grace and have fun EVERY DAY of your life!

 ONLY FOUR AVAILABLE – BOOK NOW!  We have scheduled a family (or just the kids) express session day outdoors, Tuesday, October 14.  This is during the week of the fair which is also fall break for Bulloch County schools.  We don’t have enough hours to offer express sessions during October and November so we thought we could make an exception for just one day.   These $299 express sessions will include the session fee, 25 Holiday cards and two 8×10’s (includes two poses–additional poses $25/pose).   Of course, as usual, we will take more than two poses and we won’t rush you through.  You will have your own scheduled time – so no lines.

For you persistent blog readers – you made it on the Santa list.  The Santa event ALWAYS sells out – but this is the first year we ONLY promoted it on the blog.  Our plan was to send out a newsletter with the information and give our blog readers an early opportunity to book.  We have established a waiting list of clients who can not pass up on Santa.  After much consideration – Santa and Mrs. Claus have agreed to come a day early.  This will be IT.  There will be NO MORE Santa appointments once these are committed to.  SO DO NOT PROCRASTINATE – please BOOK NOW. 

Here is the 411 on Santa: Santa has agreed to come a  SECOND day since the FIRST day has ALREADY SOLD OUT!!  He will be here on Monday, November 10th in addition to Tuesday, November 11th.  The 30 minute session will include a VIP Santa experience.  There will only be you and your family in the studio with Santa.  No lines – no disappointments!  You will come at your scheduled time and enjoy your time one on one with Santa and Mrs. Claus while I photograph the experience.  The package is $349 and includes the session and your choice of 4 8×10’s OR 25 Christmas cards plus two 8×10’s.  You will need to schedule your session and place order when you call – to insure you will get everything back for Christmas.

This VIP Santa experience is very limited and DOES SELL OUT!  Please call 912-764-7274 today to book your appointment with Santa.  (He may even give you a hint about which list you are on for 2008…naughty or nice…I bet EVERYONE that comes will make the "nice" list!)

Many of you have emailed and called about updates on Beverly.  From previous blogs you have read the story about this amazing couple and her shocking diagnosis of breast cancer at 30.   Many of you have asked for ways to help them.  A group of her family and friends have put together this event in her honor.  This will be a great event to help them and bring awareness to how cancer can strike at any time.

We hope to see you at the event on January 31st.  A special thanks to Abbigails and Emma’s (Chef Jason Scarborough) for the leading role you are taking in this event.

You can follow Beverly’s progress and learn more about this event by visiting her blog by clicking here.

As you will read in previous blogs – this couple have really touched my heart as I know they will yours.  They are a special couple that I believe God is using in an unbelievable way.