Danielle and Jesse wanted some pictures taken in Portsmouth City Park and at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.   They spend a lot of time at the park and Jesse will soon be deploying back to Iraq and they wanted some photographs of them together in a place that has special meaning for them.  We love it when a married couple that have been together awhile want something special for each other.  It warms our heart.  Hope you enjoy some photo awesomeness of Danielle and Jesse.

See more pics on our new blog:

http://www.studio757blog.com

We have got a lot of mileage out of this free wordpress blog in the past three years.  It’s time to move on though with bigger images, slide shows and our fusion videos.  We still might post here with personal and random stuff from time to time though.  Check out our new blog and feel free to leave us some nice comments.

http://www.weddingchicks.com/

http://www.rocknrollbride.com

http://www.stylemepretty.com/

http://junebugweddings.com/

http://ruffledblog.com/

http://jessicalynn402.blogspot.com/

http://www.lifelovelipstickblog.com/

http://www.weddingbee.com/

http://www.weddingwire.com/

http://www.thebrokeassbride.com/

http://www.swsmag.net/

You can take 25% off any 2009 session  – applies only to sessions that have been completed. Sale ends January 30th, 2010.

To take advantage of this, please contact me with the session you’d like to purchase from, and I’ll re-instate your online gallery to order from. My vendors only have these sales a few times each year and I am passing the savings directly to you.

Here are some pics of my friend Jen from last year that I never posted to the blog.  She models locally and around the Mid-Atlantic region. The images are from the Cavalier Hotel and in front of the King Neptune statue in Virginia Beach.  I brought my 1968 Chevy stepside as a prop for one of the set’s too.

Jen always makes me laugh, she is full of spirit and loves to spend time in front of the camera. Images 1 and 2 I really love.  Just a beautiful capture of her.

If you get a chance  book a room at the Cavalier for the weekend too, so much history at the grand ‘ole hotel and the staff is wonderful.  It’s also very a very romantic place for a wedding.

http://www.cavalierhotel.com/

It’s a New Year, and the opportunity to start something fresh. In the photography business, this is a slower time of year before the non-stop rush when it starts to warm up.  Perfect time to plant the seeds for new session types, new product offerings and better things for my clients and family.

Rather than having a new years resolution, I figured a list of goals to achieve was a better idea for me.  I have always been a goal setter and for a time I got away from doing something I know works.

1. Find a intern to help with workflow and graphic design.  This will free me up to shoot more and spend more time with my clients and family doing fun stuff.

2.  Set normal work hours and develop a manageable work-flow.  I need to plan my time and not have my time plan me.

3.  Move into a house that has a designated studio area. I love, love, love lifestyle portraiture but when it’s 27 degree’s outside who wants to shoots beach portraits?

4. Buy some real studio lights vs. Nikon flashes.  Using Nikon SB800′s work most of the time real well and are small and portable.  Sometimes big softboxes, strip lights and modeling lamps just work better.

5. Take a real road trip with the family, see the USA.  I have a class reunion in August in Oregon and I am hoping to drive there.  My son Sid has never driven cross country, we have always flown.  He will be 17 and this is the year.

6.  Have coffee with a new friend once a week.

7.  Meet 5 new amazing clients each week.

8.  Create a newsletter that has been on my mind for awhile.  Offer specials and discounts that give people enough time to take advantage of them.  This is going to be a challenge but It’s important.

9.  Have 10 displays/exhibits going all the time around Hampton Roads.  My canvas vendors are going to love me this year.

10. A complete makeover of  my website and blog.  Bigger splashier more colorful images, same fresh, modern and fun style.

11. Bigger commitment to local charities for auctions and event coverage.  You get what you give.

12.  Make sure my wife Michele and my children know they are the most important thing to me.

Posts without photograph’s are just boring so here is one of my fav’s of last year.

I can tell ya, it was cold and windy.  Just on the borderline of insane but we managed to get some good shot’s in anyway.  They are a fun couple in love with  a real passion between them.  What a great way to end the year.  Thanks Sierra and Nick for spending a chilly day with me.

I didn’t really pick up it at first but she really reminds me of  Beyonce, she has similar looks in some of the photographs too.  This girl has amazing talent and I hope she reaches all her dreams.  Enjoy.

Snowball Express is the charity for the children of our fallen military heroes. They started in 2006 with a simple idea: Provide hope and new memories to the children of our fallen military heroes who died while on active duty since September 11, 2001.

We will be sending off the families from Norfolk International Airport 12/09/09 to Dallas Texas this year for a 4 day VIP event that will hopefully uplift the hearts of these little ones with the loss of their mothers or fathers who have died in war.  I can tell ya I am tearing up writing this post, we are so honored to have a small part in this charity.  Please visit the website and give if you can:

http://www.snowballexpress.org/

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Help-Portrait is a movement of photographers who are using their time, equipment and expertise to give back to those who are less fortunate this holiday season.  There are currently over 631 locations worldwide offering free photography to families and individuals.  Locally there are two sites offering photography services this coming Saturday 12/12/09 at the YMCA on Colley Avenue in Norfolk and at the Oak Grove United Methodist Church at 472 N. Battlefield at Kempsville and Great Bridge Blvd.

I believe the times are 10-4.  I will be helping out at the Chesapeake location.  Here is the link to the website that explains the charity with some really good videos to watch:

http://help-portrait.com/

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Wreaths Across America, WAA reached out to thousands of children with the message of Remember, Honor and Teach.  The importance of honoring each fallen serviceman as an individual is stressed.  My fellow brother and sisters with the Patriot Guard Riders and the help of hundreds of  Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Veterans and local citizens will be laying wreaths at the Albert G. Horton Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk also this coming Saturday 12/12/2009.  Michele and Sid will be out there at noon helping.  Here is a link to this charity, please sponsor a wreath at the website:

http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

The last colors of Fall are just fantastic this year and really make the images pop.  Had a blast spending the afternoon with you both,  hope you guy’s enjoy your images.