Search this site:    

You can’t go home again! Or can you?    I recently went back to my hometown the place I was born and where I spent the first eighteen years of my life. Living in the south for the last twenty-three years, I have often wondered if I was missing something by not being back in the DC/MD/VA area.  Not just the food, culture, public transportation, but my past, my memories, a sea of firsts. I hadn’t been back in about ten years and we really excited for the chance to show my now grown children my past.

Somewhere during the trip I started to realize that it wasn’t like I remembered and time hasn’t always been kind to my beloved city.  By the end of the trip I was ready to get back to my house, my bed, my dog, my home. It was wonderful for a while to eat the foods, hear the music I missed, ride the Metro, but than it changed and it wasn’t so wonderful anymore.  That makes the place of my birth a nice place to visit, but no longer my home, still familiar and comfortable just not quite the right fit.

So I guess I understand that old adage now, as we move forward in our lives and our way of thinking the things we used to hold dear may be better left as just that a sweet memory.

I love to travel, and I love weddings.  This past weekend I had the chance to travel to Shreveport, Louisiana to photograph on of the greatest couples I have ever met.  Chloe, Shaun, their family and friends showed us such an awesome time and we are looking forward to going back.

I am editing the pictures and they are awesome!  Here is a quick picture of the bridal party.  More coming soon.

My husband and I love New Orleans.   We like it so much we had our wedding there in August 2005.  Now we go back every year any chance we can.

I was excited for the trip this year because I figured it would be the last time we would have my two youngest children with us.  Turns out that was the least of my worries.  Our trip was started out pretty normal and New Orleans was beautiful as always.  I was looking forward to the chance to take photographs in this city again and eating all those favorite foods of mine.  Our trip started out just fine but day 2 turned into something not so great.

We had to cut our trip short and rush back to Orlando due to my falling ill.  Turns out I had pneumonia and a few other things.  As my Dr. put it “I was really sick”!  But I am doing much better now.  Sadly I didn’t get many photo’s taken due to being so ill.  But I get another chance for our anniversary when we go back to Louisiana for a wedding.  I’m kinda excited because we are going to Shreveport and New Orleans.  This means new places to capture awesome images and who dosen’t like that?

Here are a few photo’s that I managed to shoot before I got sick.

This next picture is located right across the street from the convention center and the hotel where we were married.  We were married the weekend of Hurricane Katrina which I will write about closer to our anniversary and this is part of the memorial they placed in this spot.

“Lot’s of people think we just met and it’s too soon for us to be getting married”.  I remember that as one of the statements that Kaymoi made to me.  But they meet when they were in middle school and dated for a while in High School.  After some time apart they found their way back to each other and are planning to get married in the fall of 2011.

I love this couple and not just because Brittney is Kyle’s daughter but because theyare so much fun and I enjoyed the day we spent together.  The were up for everything and anything and we laughed a lot.  Thank you guys for making my job so easy.

It was a warm, sunny spring day in Altamonte Springs, Fla.  It had been Ashley’s dream to marry at the Altamonte Chapel since she was a little girl and Dean was determined that she get her dream.  I’ll never forget the passion I heard in his voice when I once suggested another location closer to their reception venue Ceviche.  He let me know in no uncertain terms that this was what his bride wanted and this was what she was going to get. 

Dean and I have been friends for many year’s.  We worked together and kept each other company on some long nights.  I held parties at my house for his kids and he bought me a birthday cake once since no else seemed to remember my birthday.  I didn’t think this day would ever come, so  I was as happy for him as I could be.  Ashley is a wonderful woman and just what Dean needs.  As she was getting ready to go marry her man there were many tears  joy by her and her family.  So much so I wanted to get a hankie and just sit with them and cry.

The ceremony was short but sweet and when Dean and Ashley went in for round two on their first kiss as husband and wife the audience just clapped and shouted with joy.    At the reception Dean beamed from beginning to end.  For the first time in a long time he was in a room at the same time with everyone that he loved and it was mostly due to his new wife. Ashley was radient and content to watch her new husband as he bounced around all night like the Energizer Bunny. The cake which tasted as good as it looked was baked by the wife of  Bobby Fishbough Manager at  Tin Can films which also did the video.  I was so touched that Kyle and I were able to share in those special moments with Ashley and Dean.   And we can never thank them enough for letting us not only capture their day but seating us at the table with Dean’s family at the reception who kept us very entertained thoughout the meal.  Dean and Ashley may you have a very blessed life.

Here are some photo’s from their day.

This last image is one that kinda sums up Ashley and Dean in my opinion.  We were creating some images during the reception and towards the end I wanted them to stand in the door way.  Kyle handed Dean the flowers and before we could give him any direction he looked at them with this look on his face that made us all laugh.  Ashley quickly grabbed a beer bottle and this image was created.  They are a fun, loving couple and I am proud to call them friends.

My husband called me early one Friday morning .  You have to talk to this guy he said.  After playing phone tag most of the morning I finally spoke with William who explained to me that he and his lovely bride Lisa were to be married the next day and he was in need of a photographer.  I know what your thinking ,why did he wait till the day before for something this important, right?  Before I could ask he explained that his friend who does a lot of photography work for him was sick and unable to shoot his wedding.  He had found us on the internet and then he told me I was the only photographer he had called.   I know many photographers wouldn’t take a last minute job like this but I am a romantic at heart and knew I couldn’t turn William down.

William and I talked for quite awhile and I discovered that he works with this really great charity called Clean the World.  They are recycling soap and saving lives, to read more about it click here.  While giving me details of the wedding and directions, William let me know that he and Lisa were having a small wedding at his sister’s house on the lake.  His sister had not only opened her home to them, but did the flower arangements as well.  The catering was done by Denise’s Catering and the DJ was a friend of the family.

Meeting the bride for the first time as she is about to get dressed is not the way I would always want to do things but it semed to work on this day.  Lisa was cold and nervous and ready before everyone which gave us a few minutes to take these shots and get to know one another.

This was the view of the pool and the lake where the ceremony was to be held.  It was just beautiful.

After the ceremony Lisa’s sister’s came to me and told me they really wanted to do this next shot and they knew if we didn’t do it quick she would back out.

They had an awesome cupcake tower with a cake on top.  Williams Mom let me know that I had to try the cupcakes before I left and she made sure I did that.  Both families were awesome and treated Kyle and I like we were family.  We had such a great time and I’m glad that we decided to help this gracious couple out.  William and Lisa I wish you many happy years and I thank you for letting us be a part of your day. 

To see more pictures click here.

Five years ago my oldest grandchild was born.  I wasn’t ready for it, wasn’t ready to be a grandmother.  As the big day approached and people would ask me how I felt I told them I wasn’t sure.  Then the day arrived and my life changed for ever, for the better.  I can’t even imagine now what I was ever scared of.

Being a grandmother is like the best thing in the world, it’s  one of the only things I love better than getting to photograph weddings.  I like to describe it as a sweet reward for all the sleepless nights, 3am feedings, cupcakes you bake and messess you clean up. For all the kids you played taxi for and the hormone swings when your kids were teens you receive a sweet bundle of joy one day to hold and watch grow.  Now instead of being the bad guy, I get to be the good guy having fun and adventures that I was too worried and stressed to do when my kids were young. 

All those things went through my mind last weekend at Daviona’s birthday party at Chucke E Cheese.  For those of you who don’t have children it’s an indoor wonderland for kids with food, video games, indoor playground, prizes and a big rodent named Chuck E Cheese who more often than not makes the kids cry.  It is not for the faint of heart and if you are hard of hearing so much the better because the sound levels are through the roof.  It was hard to think at all but I had to find some way to amuse myself as they young children played. 

Turning five is one of those milestone birthdays.  The one where you can put up your whole hand, be called a big girl or boy and start on that new adventure called school.  I am so glad that I am here to see my granddaughter meet this mile marker.  I remember almost fifteen years ago being told that I was sick and would die before my own children graduated high school.  They were seven, five, and three at the time. I didn’t know what to think but I know I prayed and asked God to let me live to see them make that milestone in there life.   I am so blessed by God to be here as my youngest finally graduates from school this year.  I am doubly blessed to see my grandchild turn five.   I am blessed and I pray I never forget it.

Here are a few pictures from Daviona’s party.  She is a delightful young child with a beautiful smile and a generous heart. 

When we returned to the office after shooting one day there was a message from a young woman who said that Dean had told her to call.  I quickly returned the call because I hadn’t heard from Dean for awhile and was curious to know what he had been up to.

Dean and I met about eight years ago and formed a friendship that has stood the test of time.  He has three adorable sons and a warm generous heart.  He always said he would never give love another try.  He was happy like he was he would say, but the romantic in me didn’t believe him and was always trying to convince him otherwise.

I remember the day he first mentioned her this woman that he had met at work.  He didn’t give a lot of details or even a name but somewhere in the back of my mind I had a spark of hope. 

As I talked with Ashley that day she told me that she and Dean were getting married and he had suggested she call me to see if Iwould shoot their wedding.  I was overjoyed for them both and knew I couldn’t say anything but yes.

That chance meeting over 2yrs ago that he only casually mentioned turned out to be one of those life changing moments.  Dean didn’t know it at the time but Ashley did and she knew he was the one.  After a year and some months it seems he knew it as well because he surprised her with a beautiful diamond and asked her to be his wife.

It was so much fun doing their shoot we met at the chapel where their wedding will take place at the Bride’s request and then moved on to a nearby park.  We spent the afternoon laughing and telling stories and trying to get Dean to loosen up.  As the sun was setting and Ashley’s children arrived Dean’s face lit up as much as it does when he looks at Ashley.

I am so honored and excited to be allowed to capture this making of a new family.  The love I saw between Dean and Ashley when they were looking into each other’s eyes.  The laughter of a child it’s those moments that let me know I have the best job in the world.  I can’t wait until March when they will be married I know it will be a beautiful and laugh filled day.

 

 

This was one of my favorite shots of the day.

So after considering doing my own 365 project I opted to do a 52 weeks one instead.   I opted for this option so that I would be able to post my work to be accountable.  I wanted to be able to do finish what I started so this works out better for me.  Next year I will be ready for the 365 project.

The way I have decided to approach this is this.   I have set up different themes for each month of the year.  Every week I will take pictures on that topic and pick one or two to post on that subject. 

I am hoping that through this year I will challenge myself and get my creative juices flowing.  All my life other people have always told me that I am creative.  I wasn’t always so sure about that, my Mom is an artist she can draw and paint and the best I can do is stick figures and even those are pretty bad.  I remember once when I was in the fourth grade we had to write a book, illustrate it and even bind it.  I got someone else to draw my pictures because I knew mine would look terrible.   

I hope you will enjoy the journey as much as I hope to.  I also hope that you will give me comments, encouragement, and feedback.

With that said here is my first foray into this project.  I decided that the month of January should be about Food.  I love food all kinds of food.  I have a dear friend who is a chef and she loves to cook for me. She say’s I enjoy my food so much that it is a treat to see me get pleasure out of what she has prepared.

In case you haven’t noticed this is not real food but plastic miniature food. I have always loved things in miniature dollhouses, food, movies and books about miniature people grab my attention.  So as I was thinking about what to shoot my granddaughter asked me to play tea party with her.  As I started looking at her new foods I started thinking it looks so realistic and tasty.  No wonder kids try to eat it if I was their age I would to!

Oh and just so you know that book I had help with back in the fourth grade……… I won first place.  The next year, I decided to write a sequel and illustrate it myself and got nothing.  That’s when I learned if you can’t do, hire someone who can!

Peace & Blessings

It’s 2010 and I haven’t really posted on my blog like I would like.  While everyone else was celebrating and making resolutions (which I don’t do) I was taking care  of my youngest daughter.  She’s 19 and thinks she’s grown but sometimes she needs and wants her Mom and I am glad to have a chance to be there for her. 

Now that Jasmine is doing better I have decided that it’s time to get down to work.  Last year as Kyle and I were talking and trying to decide what the next step should be in our business  my son (17) encouraged me to write in my blog.  At the time I wasn’t sure what to say or how to say it.  I hadn’t really put myself out there since I was planning our wedding back in 2005.  I had an online journal of a sort on this wonderful site called African American Bride and I had the chance to meet, share, and learn from a great group of women.  I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do that again or if anyone would even be interested in my rambling.

Now that we have a clearer vision for our business and where we want to go I have decided that it’s time to do like my son said and blog the good, bad and ugly.  So here goes with a new year and a new focus I am going to giving you more of me and who I am.  This blog will be about the adventure of changing our entire business at the age of 40.  Our wonderful clients and the events and people we get to shoot.  Dealing with grown children who have had to move back home.  The joys of  being Grandparents.  The trips we love to take and anything else I feel like talking about. 

C &K Photography is in a sense just starting out.  Back in 2003 when Kyle and I were just dating we started a videography business.  Since then we have worked with some amazing couples and had a lot of fun making videos that moved our clients.  During that entire time I was always shooting images that we would incorporate into the final video.  There were times I was asked to be the photographer at the wedding along with doing the video.  As time went on I was finding myself less interested in the video side of our business and more interested in the photography side.  I hadn’t really taken images for pay since I worked for a major studio doing school photography.  But I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

Around June of 2009 the decision was made to not take on any more video clients and only do photography.  So in many ways this is going to be our offical first year of business.  Making this change has been exciting and scary, full of some real ups and downs.  As 2010 starts we are looking forward to a great year.  Hoping to meet lots of great people clients as well as other’s in the business and we hope that you will join us for the ride.

I would love to hear from my two readers if your still out there.  Sometimes it’s nice to know your not alone!  Fell free to leave me a comment, contact me here or email me at Tina@candkphotography.com.

Next Page »