Flat Stanley's Adventure Through Tennessee

My friend was sent a Flat Stanley from her friend's daughter in Michigan.  If you don't know the Flat Stanley story you can check it out here.  When we first started thinking about where we would take Stanley we had good ideas, but nothing was great.  Then we made the mistake of looking at The Flat Stanley Gallery, and that was kind of intimidating.  Did you know he has been to space and on TV shows?  Crazy.  Well, as we started playing around our corner of Tennessee we got some great pictures of Stanley.  Here's a snapshot of Stanley's adventures.

First, Stanley thought it would be fun to hike the Appalachian Trail.  So, we took him to the local outdoors store to get the right equipment.

Stanley even made it all the way to Laurel Falls!  Go Stanley!  But had to side-step a black bear!!  Run Stanley Run!!

After his hike, Stanley wanted to visit the oldest town in Tennessee - Jonesborough!  He visited an old, log, cabin, the Chester Inn - home of the International Storytelling Festival, got in a bit of trouble for sticking himself to a monument and ended up in the stocks!

After finally being released from the stocks Stanley just wanted to take in a beautiful view of the mountains.

We took Stanley to visit my alma mater - East Tennessee State University - which is celebrating its 100 year anniversary.

I think that Stanley had the most fun when we took him to Bristol Motor Speedway.  He got to ride in the official pace car for the March 2011 Food City 500, and he even made it down on to the track!

Flat Stanley had so much fun in Tennessee!  But now he is tired and has decided to return home to Michigan!  

Self-Portrait

My Self-Portrait via my Droid - Retro Camera App - Pinhole Camera . . .  

Entered in the iheartfaces weekly photo challenge.

Abby's Basketball Game

I am truly blessed to have friends that allow me to share in their lives.  Saturday, I attended Abby's 2nd basketball game of the season.  I saw her first game and she did great, but she really stepped it up this week.  She even got her first basket!!  (I missed that one, I was too busy cheering her on and yelling, "Shoot!  Shoot!") Here are a couple of pictures of Abby in action.

Mistakes that work

Normally, when I am out on a shoot I know when I have captured a good photo.  I know when my lighting is right, I know when my subject is posed well, and I know if our setting is good.  Knowing all that I continue to take tons of photos.  Why?  Because I am looking for that photo that just stands out.  I am looking to capture the "real" moments, the "real" facial expressions.  And them sometimes you get a gem . . .

I love what happened with this photo.  This is not a special effect, it is exactly as it was taken.  The only thing I know for sure - I was moving.  But I have no idea how I moved or what I did to get "Matthew's 1st Christmas" to be in focus and the rest to be a swirl, but I love it!

Schoondyke Christmas 2010

This year for their Christmas Portraits the Schoondykes wanted to do something a little bit different - Fall Photos!  I LOVE FALL!  So, I was very happy to oblige!  The tree colors were not full blown, but I think we got some great photos anyway!  Here's their sneak peek!

A Snapshot of our Cape Cod Adventure

Our travels this year took us back to Cape Cod, our new favorite spot.  Here's a quick snapshot of our trip.

We visited the home of OCC in Newburgh, NY

The off shoot of OCC - Paul Jr. Designs

 On Sunday, in Hyannis, my car got crunched.  We are okay, but my doors are having some issues.

 Sunday in Sandwich at the boardwalk.

Dexter Grist Mill, Sandwich

Monday, Hyannis Port sunrise

Provincetown whale watching - one of only five whales we saw.

Race Point Beach, Provincetown

A seal pup on the beach at Race Point.  He was being monitored by wildlife officials.

 Chatham Light

 Sarge after our walk to our beach.

 This is how Sarge spent every evening!  We wore him out!

The view from atop Scargo Tower, Dennis

Mom and son on Bass Hole Boardwalk, Yarmouth

Swan Lake Pond off the Yarmouth Boardwalk

Sarge at Paine's Creek, Brewster

I am working on going through the photos and whittling down the number!  Once I get them up I will let you know.

Indian Wedding Reception

On Saturday I shot an Indian wedding reception.  The couple had already been married in India and were simply having a stateside reception.  The ballroom was beautiful and it was a lot of fun to see the women all dressed in their saris.  I also worked these photos with Photoshop Lightroom instead of Photoshop Elements.  I am pretty happy with my results.  Tell me what you think!

Buddha greeted the guests as they arrived.

Beautiful ice sculpture.

The happy couple Vivek and Hema.

A shot of the guests.

Shot of the cake and wine glasses with the head table in the background.  (Antiqued in Lightroom.  I really like this effect.)

The "first" dance.

Momma getting in on the dance action.

The Photo Booth.  This was so cool!  It was a professional photo booth with props.  You  immediately got your picture, plus one to . . .

. . . create a scrapbook page for the bride and groom.  Afterwards the photo booth people put together a scrapbook for the  couple.  Checkout Mr. Photobooth and book them for your party!!!!

Anniversary tier of wedding cake.  In the background the ice sculpture and a photo of the bride and groom during their wedding in India.