The Browning Family

Best idea EVER: get all the adult children in one place, coordinate outfits, take pictures. On initiative of the children. Without Mom nagging. Or Dad forcing. Or photographer waving squeaky toys. No tears. No bribes. No temper tantrums. I'm not saying everyone was always cooperative, but its the principle of the matter.

So when Rachel emailed me, wanting to do this for her parents, I was excited. Very. Very. Very excited. (And if I have any insight into parents-of-adults, I'm assuming their excitement matched - or exceeded - mine!)

And here are the pictures. Proof of what happens when kids grow up, stop whining, and start smiling.

Siblings in the Rain

Not only did Jennifer (cool name, huh?!) and her siblings decide to surprise their parents with framed photos as a Christmas present...they were willing to brave a rainy and bitterly cold December afternoon for the sake of the surprise.



"Hey Mom, we're going out to lunch together today. See you later."
[in Mom's head: WHAT?! they're my children. they don't get along. yet they're going out for lunch?]
"Okay, kids, have fun!"



They did go out to lunch after we finished shooting -- don't worry, I'm not supporting lying to your parents! And I hope they got lots of hot chocolate. Because, um, it was COLD. And when I say cold...I mean cooold.



But it all worked. We took the pictures. Processed them. The printer even got them finished and mailed to me before Christmas.



And on Christmas day?

Mom cried for happiness.

Now if that's not enough reason to be glad we braved the cold, I'm not sure what would be.



So, yes. We did it. We got the pictures and made Mom and Dad happy.

Life is good. =)

Sneak Peek: Karl and Alicia

Today's photo of the day comes to you straight from the mountaintop. Hanging Rock State Park, in fact.

You'll see more of these later -- including frozen waterfalls -- but in the meantime, check this out...

The Christmas Crew: Greensboro Family Portrait

Moral of the story: the more time, energy, and effort put into the visualization of and preparation for a photoshoot, the better a photoshoot it will be. =) Over the two months we were in discussions for this shoot, the concept morphed from 'vintage' to 'high fashion' to 'antique car' to 'vintage fashion.' Then, the location changed at the last minute - but it all worked out fabulously in the end!

Maybe I'm biased, the pictures are some of the best I've ever taken. (But that's just my opinion.)

Self Portrait Experiments (Part 2)

It feels more than a little conceited to be posting pictures of me. (And even weirder to be taking those pictures of me!)

But, its an ongoing experiment in lighting and camera control. So I'll post them and hope the internet doesn't think I'm a ridiculously self-absorbed person.

Plus, I'm trying to understand the trauma of being in front of the camera. If I can understand how awful the experience is, I can more fully understand how to combat it and make it an enjoyable experience!

Matthew and Jane

What do you get when you combine a Computer Science major with an Engineer (who specializes in a type of engineering that I didn't even know existed)?

Waaaay too many brain cells.

=)

Despite their intense amounts of smartness and my obvious lack of mathematical knowledge, I like them. A lot.






There should be more smart geeks in the world. Or, no, maybe not. We wouldn't want them to outnumber the rest of us normal people. ;-)

Adam and Jessica

Sydney is Beautiful

Dear World,

Sydney is beautiful. Can't you tell?

The end.

Love,
Jennifer

P.S. She is also a very cooperative model who has equally beautiful friends who will make their Internet debut soon!

My Grandma Is Cooler Than Your Grandma (Part 2)

As you found out a few weeks ago, my Grandma is 84 years old and a motorcycle rider.

But what you didn't know is that she can mimic a serious football playing lineman...



She is an absolute model....



She has an amazing smile...



And she kisses an invisible Santa Claus...



But now you know (even if you didn't know that an invisible Santa Claus even exists!).

The A Family

When I spent time with these peoples, I was told three things: "You are not funny" and "I am not beautiful" and "I don't like pictures of just me."

I almost decided to join the circus as the not-funny-and-always-crying clown. And then I thought about needing months and months of rehab after that damage to my psyche. But then I realized something very important: They are beautiful.

And, if they're beautiful, then they don't tell the truth. And, if they don't tell the truth, then I don't need to worry about my lack of funniness. And, therefore, I can avoid the sob story.

Therefore, they are liars. Therefore, I am funny. Therefore, I will not cry over my lack of humor.

:-P

Oh! And I am pleased to admit that the "I don't like pictures of just me" chorus ended rather abruptly when I delivered the sneak peak of images. Apparently that's another reason I don't need to worry about their opinion on my humor.



(And, besides, if I'm not funny...why are they all laughing?)


And who in their right mind can say that ANY of these people aren't good-looking and, um, beautiful!


Moral of the story? Don't doubt my ability to take a photo you will like. :-)



And, for complete honesty's sake, I was finally told that I am funny. A hesitant confession, but a confession nonetheless. I'll take it!

See?? I am funny.

(The peanut gallery need not refute that. I prefer to live in my blissful little humorous world.)

The C Family

Portrait: Rachel

When we met during the first week of classes during our freshman year of college, I never could have imagined the adventures we'd have over the years of school. And yet here we are, having survived college and living it up in the real world.

Well.

Here we are. Six years later. Still friends. And still playing with cameras.



(There's absolutely no doubt, by the way, that the photographic ventures have improved immensely. There's still much to learn. But - wow - how far we've come from the early days of cameras.)



She's absolutely gorgeous. More than gorgeous. She's smart. She's funny. She has fun. She's grounded. She knows what life is all about and she's gonna live it up.

Rachel is the one who - oh so many years ago - introduced me to what has become my favorite quote and the goal of my life.

"Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." -- Jim Elliot



And so, folks, there you have it. My friend Rachel.