What a truly great photograph of the Taggert family.  Yes, indeed you guide your children, but sometimes you have to stand back and watch them explore for themselves.  Is it a "normal" family photograph?  No.  But what is ordinary?  What is unique?  And what warms your heart?  Do we dare to be unique or do we conform to being "normal" like the rest of the neighborhood?

Take care!
d

As we approach the 4th of July holiday, many of us will enjoy a cookout and spend our time with family and friends.  A benefit that most of us take for granted. Freedom.....  

My son's away message on his computer says: Men, women and children sleep comfortably at night because a solider watches over them somewhere.  This away message has been displayed since he arrived at Quantico, Virginia for his second installment of Officer Candidate School, US Marine Corp.

How quickly we forget the sacrifices these men and women give so that we can be free.  So that we can enjoy the freedom to go where we want and be who we aspire to be without fear.
My studio will now offer to any active military person a complimentary portrait session in my studio for them and their family along with 20% off all portraits.  The portrait session alone is an $85 value!

I am extremely proud of the commitment my son is making to make it his mission to help preserve the way of life we live.  However, I am without words to applaud all the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives to defend us currently and for generations before us.  I also wish to commend those Moms who watched their sons and daughters march off to protect us and in some cases never return.  Yes, freedom comes at a terrible cost.

Yes, God Bless America.
d

Being a mother of two grown children, I try to think back of all the great moments that I had with my kids.  Obviously, there are many, but the older I get, the less I remember.  I think my brain can only hold so much and I am starting to loose a memory here and a memory there. 

While on location doing a new baby session, my client's two and a half  year old daughter Ashley needed an oil change.  While mom was busy feeding the newborn, dad (Mike) took Ashley upstairs for a diaper change.  Of course I followed because I thought mom needed some quiet time.  At the end of the change, Ashley jumped up and gave her dad a good smooch on the lips.  What a great moment.  What a great photograph. 

Dads out there:  This is your father's day present.  It isn't the gift from the hardware store or the shirt, it is a memory that this little girl Ashley will remember all her life.  When she grows into a mature women, she can hold this photograph of her dad in her hand and I am sure, it will bring warmth to her heart.

donna

I was in the city (Phila) this past weekend and stopped at an outdoor cafe to have a bite with some friends and a woman in her 80's sat next to us with her dog.  The waitress promptly brought out a dog bowl with fresh water and the woman proceeded to work on a NY Times crossword puzzle.  Then she took out this cigarette and put it in this holder.  I had to take a photo of it because I just can't believe people still use these things!
I remember years ago my parents used them because they thought it helped!  Yea, right!  My dad is now on oxygen 24 hours a day.  Do we get a refund?
I would show you the lady's face, but she kinda scared me!
Take care!
d

Spring fever?  Maybe.  Or just itchy for a change on the blog!  Over the next few weeks we will  be playing around with our blog site to do a few improvements. So when you drop in you may very well see a different view from the last time.  We are open for comments so drop us an email when you want! 
Take care!
d

Cookouts?  Hot Dogs?  Potato Salad?  Wait a minute here!  Isn't it supposed to be more than that? This week I was entering the Acme and noticed a small fragile man perhaps in his early 80's sitting behind a card table handing out those little poppy flowers for a donation. His voice cracked as he asked for a small donation for Veterans.  A woman with two small children in front of me hurried past him when one of her little boys asked very loudly who that man was and what was he giving away.  She stepped up her movement and replied to the boy that that was just an older man and she would explain another time. 

Hmmmmm........   would she really explain to her 6 year old another time?

When I exited the store, I had my donation in hand and the man softly said thank you as he looked up at me with very tired eyes.  He was all ready ready to hand me a wired poppy.  I said thanks anyway, I would pass.  He smiled again and said something that softly but with emotion, "We appreciate it."  As I walked back to the car I knew what "we" meant.  Yes, Veterans of all wars.  Men and women who fight and die for us so that we can walk freely and sleep calmly every day.

This Sunday morning, I shall again put my son on a plane to finish his second half of Office Training for the United States Marine Corp.  Will I reserve my emotions until he walks through the revolving doors at the terminal?  Hopefully.  Will I try not to listen to the stories on the local news about the current war and it's casualties?  Probably.  Will my son be sitting at a card table in 50 years asking for a donations?  Who knows.  What I do know is that I am proud of my son.  And I am proud of that old man at the card table.  I am sure his mom was just as afraid as every mom who has a child serving right now.

Hopefully, the mom with the 6 year old will take the time and tell her son there are plenty of superheros out there.  Whether it be Spiderman or Batman.  And  the old fellow at the card table asking for donations is bigger than a hero.  He is a legend.    

Enjoy your cookout.

d

We finished up our "Digital Class for the Confused!" last week and whoa what fun it was.  There was tons of questions regarding digital to general photography.  Since this was just a basic introduction to the digital world, I tried to base the course around getting started with some basic knowledge needed to proceed.  It didn't matter whether you had a point and shoot small camera or something a bit more advanced.

We ended the class with a fun photograph we took outside in the cemetary.  Obviously, there were a few changes done to it!

I don't know if I will have another class this summer.  Perhaps in the fall I will offer another if interest is sparked!

Take care!

d

Hey gang!
Spring has hit us hard and we are running as fast as we can to keep up!  We had a Family Portrait Fundraiser Day with the Council Rock Education Foundation.  Plus, we finished up our Digital Class.  (more on that in the next posting).  And lastly, we had a flurry of high school senior portraits.  Throw a wedding into the bowel and we have a great cake!
Here are some wonderful photographs of last weeks wedding between Melanie Hughes and Bobby Currie. They were married at  the Northampton Country Club to some slight overcast skies.  Thankfully though, the event was completed before the heavens opened up.

Bucks County Community College at it's finest!

 

 
Love that infared!

So as you can see, it was a good time to be had by all!  It is such a joy when the weather is purrrrrfect!
Take care
d

Yikes gang!  I received an email today from a client/friend who is one
of my blog watchers.  She wondered why I haven't posted anything. 
Frankly, friends, we have been a little crazy with spring fever.  Nope,
we haven't  been slacking off, but just super busy!
Last weekend  we jumped right into the great weather with a beach session .  The word "shore" is like the word "shopping" for both my daughter
and I.  So, with absolutely no persuasion, my daughter Ashley was my
assistant.  Since we got there a bit early, I had some time to walk
along the beach with my best friend, my daughter Ashley. Of course, I
had my camera with me and was able to grab a few photographs of her!

The first one is my absolute favorite!

This one is my second favorite!

And of course, there isn't a day that doesn't go by that my daughter doesn't make me laugh.  A warm heart with a full dose of good humor, she lights up my life.

If you don't take the time to make a memory, it will never happen.

Take care,
donna

I just love a rainy day.   Light rain all day is good for the plants and grass as well as solitude.  Four inches of rain mixed with snow is nothing but a pain.  Last night I drove to the studio at 8:30 p.m. to check on flooding.  Having had 3 evacuations in the last 2 1/2 years, I know the signs by now.  Since the studio is in the lower level of a historic old building, I know that the chances of flooding are good.  If the power goes out, the pump quits and I am basically finished.  I think it is time to find higher ground.  If anyone knows a possible space, give us a shout out. 
Take care and stay dry!
donna