European Gowns

Over Thanksgiving week last month I had the privilege of traveling to the country of Albania. I embarked upon a long-anticipated photography project and have lots of images to share in the coming weeks here on this blog! While in country, I stayed at my parents' downtown Tirana apartment, but took many trips out into surrounding communities and up into the mountains. Gazing out the van window on those many trips is always interesting because over the course of the past 15 years (since my first of eight visits to this small country) I've seen quite a few changes as this land, people, and economy has transitioned from communism. I like to see what kinds of businesses are flourishing and which new products finding their way to market; essentially see capitalism at work (little known fact: I studied economics at the graduate level).

My parents' neighborhood is now just a few blocks from some of the nicest shopping in the country. One night as we drove home we rolled past a stunning window display unlike anything I had seen there before. Because of the high cost of storefront space, most vendors cram as much merchandise into their displays as possible, because after all, you never know what that pedestrian might be shopping for. This particular display was eye catching in its simplicity: three white wedding gowns in a black room.

Realizing I had found some rich blog content, I added it to my mental list of places to return. A few nights later I came back and snapped thse photos. Apparently I lingered too long because I was shoo-ed away and scolded. I understand some Albanian, but even if I hadn't, the shopkeeper's message was still clear -- my photos were not welcome! If you are interested in any of these Spanish-designed beauties, they can be yours for a mere $5-6K!

(above) my favorite

The first window display on the main street was an advertisement for this little shop (above), which was tucked away down a dark alley. This was taken right before my scolding!

Amber & Kaleb's "save-the-dates"

I thought I might share here Amber and Kaleb's save-the-dates for their upcoming summer wedding... These were ordered as large magnets, a convenient reminder piece for their friends and family!

Kami's Nashville Headshots

Early in October, as I drove down to Memphis for Jessica and John David's wedding, I stopped in Nashville for a fun little photo shoot with college roommate, Kami. Kami is a free-lance writer, occasional nomad, coffee officianado, thinker, and good friend. She suggested a couple of great places to capture some headshots and brought some props that reflected her lifestyle and interests! These images have been sitting on my computer way too long not to share! Enjoy!

The "L" Family

Yes -- I am out of the country, but have some 'down' time to share these pics that have been sitting on my computer for a while. Earlier this month I had the pleasure of meeting this little family who lives not too far from me. We met together for a late-afternoon session to make some photographs for the holidays. I love photos like the last one because time is so fleeting and before you know it, these young ones will be up to momma's shoulder, then her chin, then looking down on her from above! Never again will they be this size, this age. Thanks, Jennie, for letting me capture this moment for you!

Shane and Jodi's Wedding Album

The next wedding I'm going to share took place in May up in Marion, Indiana. You can read my blog post here about how I was with these two in Hungary in the summer of 2007 when they first met! Pretty cool, eh?

Click here to view their wedding album...


(Incidentally, the music accompanying the slideshow is played by Shane...)

Justin and Jennifer's Wedding Album

The end of the year is approaching. We are down to six (yes, 6) weeks until Christmas! I am spending many evenings working late into the night retouching images so they might be ordered and transformed from computer coding of zeroes and ones into beautiful, tangible pieces of art for years of enjoyment on a coffee table or on a wall. As an early 'year in review', I thought I might share with you some pieces of work from this year's weddings. Tonight I'm highlighting Justin and Jennifer's spring wedding at St. Peter's Catholic Church and the Signature Club. It was a gorgeous spring day -- the weather couldn't have been better! Click here to see their wedding album slideshow, a greater collection of images than have been shared on here before.

The "C" Kids

Aren't these children just the sweetest? I grew up in a family of all girls and often wondered how different life would have been had we had a brother. Watching these two interact brought back some of those thoughts. In between snapping some of those obligatory posed photos, I knew these two had relaxed when they picked up sticks -- er, um, swords -- and started shouting, "En Garde!" I don't recall Musketeers being one of those games that my sisters and I played, but it looked like fun!

Thanks, C Family! It was a joy!