A hike on the Appalachian Trail

This week I have been focusing on doing some freelance work.  Specifically, I have become determined to have photos published in A. T. Journey's magazine, I mean the Applachian Trail is in my backyard!  On Wednesday, my friends and I set out to get my first photos by hiking Round Bald Mountain on the TN-NC line.  It was breathtakingly beautiful at the top, well at the bottom, too!  If you want to see all of my photos from the day check them out here - J. Commons Photography.

The following four water photos were taken at the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center.  You drive through Roan Mountain State Park to get to Cherokee National Forest where Round Bald and this part of the AT are located.

These two photos are from an overlook about halfway up the mountain.

Carvers Gap is the trail head for Round Bald.

Deanna's girls were not quite prepared for the temperature drop, about 15 degrees, from the bottom of the mountain to the top.  I kept referring to them as a merry band of misfits!

Part of the trail meanders through a Spruce-Fir forest - and I love a good tree!!

Almost to the top!  And yes, Olivia is wearing my Grateful Dead-esque shirt!

The top of Round Bald - 5,826 feet up.

My new friend Michael - the one person I asked if I could take a picture of for the ATC magazine.  On the way up I realized I had not brought any model release forms and quickly downloaded an app, but I didn't really care for it.  Not only is Michael a Taurus, like myself, but his mom's birthday is the same day as mine - how random!

Feeling my inner Ansel Adams

Take me to the water . . .

Yesterday was book-ended by crap.  Literally.  But in the middle. . .in the middle were two hours of blissful tranquility.  Okay, and a few creepy old men.  But mostly tranquility.  After a rough morning I packed up my camera and the dog and headed to the lake.  If you know me, you know I love the ocean.  It's quite possibly my favorite spot in the entire world.  And yet, I live in Tennessee.  No oceans here. I have avoided the lakes in our area for years - protesting, really, in the name of my beloved ocean, but yesterday, yesterday I gave in.

It was a lovely, clear spring day - and you won't hear me say that often - around 60, with beautiful blue skies.  I only had a handful of people to deal with at the several spots I explored.  Sarge and I walked around the lake, mostly uninterrupted, taking in the peacefulness of the water lapping against the banks.  Our biggest excitement came when Sarge, a miniature Schnauzer, wanted to tangle with a couple of geese - sometimes he just doesn't understand what he is up against!

I think I have found my new local escape and I hope my lovely ocean will forgive me.

Interesting setup for a picnic area, but I am guessing it's nice when it's 90 degrees out.

Sarge's Geese Nemeses

Another interesting picnic area

Couple of iPhone pics, too

A Little Studio Work

This weekend I did a little studio work with my niece, Kaylee.  She needs to put a composite card together for a modeling program.  We did mostly indoor, black backdrop photos with a few outside shots near the covered bridge.  I really enjoyed using my backdrop and lighting kit - after all I paid good money for them, I should use them every once in awhile!  Here are a few of my favorites from the day.  My sister-in-law has the task of going through 60 photos to see which 5 she wants on the card!

Working the dress and sweater!

Sarge kept photobombing, so we finally gave him a shot at his modeling career - I think he has potential!

Not exactly the look we were going for, but the silly face cracks me up - and sums up Kaylee!

Easter Mini Sessions

Spring is just around the corner followed closely behind by Easter!  It's the perfect time to get photos done of your little ones or the entire family!  And I am offering Easter Mini Sessions!

Mini sessions are 30 minutes long and include a CD of all the edited images, 1 8x10, and 1 5x7 all for only $75.00!  Plus, we will have a live bunny and chicks available for use in the photos!!  The bunny and chicks will be raffled off at the end of day - you do not have to be present to win.

Mini sessions will be held March 23*, 2013 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at an outdoor location to be determined (this will either be in Johnson City or Elizabethton). There are only 11 spots available for March 23rd, if interest is high I will offer another 5 slots on March 30th.

*In case of inclement weather sessions will be rescheduled for March 30, 2013.

A (Cold) Winter Session!

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to combine two of my favorite things - photography and winter!  My friend Carolyn and her family are a real set of troopers!  The temperature was around 32 and I think the wind chill was around 25!  Our goal was to get some great winterized family photos.  And the weather provided!  It also provided a great opportunity to use black and white - another of my favorites!  Here is a quick sneak peek at a few of my favorites from the day.

I love these two together - they are very sweet, loving couple!

Weddings

Do you know anyone that is planning a wedding and still needs a photographer?  How about engagement photos?  Send them over to check me out.  Now is the time to book your spring/summer/fall weddings!