NEW BLOG !!!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a moment to view the blog, but we've moved!! You can still check out the archives through this blog, but feel free to hop over to the NEW BLOG HERE!!! Please check it out, post a comment, and update your bookmarks. :)

new photo blog...

In one of my previous posts I mentioned having a blog designed within the coming weeks, and now it's ALMOST here... it's so close to being finished!!! I cannot say enough about the guys at Infinet Design and their attention to detail as well as great customer service. I'll keep you posted as to when it goes live... can't wait!!

down for the count...

Last week I went in to the dentist for a routine check-up and, as luck would have it, I had a cavity. Now, you have to understand that I'm "that guy" when it comes to the unthinkable happening medically... or at least orally. About a year ago I had immense pain in one of my lower teeth and went in to get it taken care of, but it turned out to be more than a toothache... I had an absorption of the tooth. The dentist said that it was nothing I had done, as I take care of my teeth as best I could, it just happens to about 1 in 1000 people every year and apparently I was "that guy" to have the nice, expensive operation. Fun times.

Anyway, fast forward to early this morning. I went in early to get the filling out of the way and after leaning back in the chair, making "chit chat" for a minute or so, the doctor pulled out the needle to numb me up. I figured it would be the routine pinch in the gums that I was accustomed to, but this time it was a little different... I felt the pinch, but then I felt a STING, then BURNING sensation fire throughout my gums, into my tongue, and then up the left side of my face. I couldn't help but tear up and let out a muffled scream. After a quick apology and explanation of what might have happened, I had to get numbed up again! Apparently, the doctor had hit a nerve that runs just under the gum line and that's why it was so painful. The procedure went as planned for the rest of the morning, and as I walked out the door the nurse explained to me that I'd be numb for a few hours (3 tops) but then the pain would subside.

Fast forward 3 hours... I'm laying on the couch in immense pain, yet the whole left side of my face is numb... even my ear and forehead! I pulled myself together and jumped online to figure out just what nerve the doctor had hit, and exactly how much longer I could expect to be numb. One of the first links that I came across for my "situation" was about a guy that had the exact thing happen to him... almost word for word. Then I read on to find that his numbness not only lasted a few hours, but a MONTH!!!!!

I could only panic as I sat at the computer, thinking of how in the world I would communicate with all of our wonderful clients while sounding like chewbacca and wiping my face for obvious reasons. Courtney entered the room and after explaining to her my situation, she erupted into uncontrollable laughter... thanks babe, "for better for worse huh?" Haha (She did console me after regaining her breath... it WAS funny after all.)

Anyway, after about 6 hours of numbness, I'm back to normal and never, ever, want to see another needle... especially close to my mouth.

BTW, don't get me wrong, I've got a great dentist... he just hit a nerve (pun intended).

what's going on...

I am asked quite frequently what my day consists of as a photographer, and unfortunately, there's never a direct answer I can give... so here's my take on what's been going on since early this morning.

Made my morning coffee (yeah, I'm addicted) while I attended to Tressel (our dog).


Rummaged through my old cd's (to play music while I work) and came across this guy.


Began working on all of the many albums for our amazing clients!


Played "catch up" with emails... never ends.

Worked on a new blog... stay tuned!!!!

Spent a few minutes fine-tuning our new photography business software so that we can provide better customer service for our clients! (Note :: if you're a photographer, you need to check out Shoot Q... it's awesome!)

Finished up a recent wedding and began uploading it!!!

Began designing our next layout for Weddings Unveiled... the ultimate wedding magazine for the Southeast!

Sent gallery images for our office & client area to the printer... these are going to be sweet.

And in-between all of this, I dreamt about this little guy.


So now it's my turn to ask you... what does your day consist of?

quick portrait...

Many times in a wedding I find that we're left with seconds to make a portrait... and not just a portrait, but a creative one at that. Sometimes it's using the simplest objects around that typically would never be used, but somehow work. This shot is an example of what I'm talking about... thoughts? comments?

happy birthday...

When I look back at my life it's hard not to recognize all the things that my dad did for us as a family. He wasn't your typical "provide for the family" type dad... although he did provide more than enough for us. He worked long hours, but always made time for family, especially individual time. Some of my fondest memories growing up were of weekends where dad and I would have a "guys weekend"... we'd drive a ways away, race go karts (that went 40+ mph), watch movies, and order pizza at midnight... fun times. Dad always made it a point to ask questions about what was going on in our life, no matter how trivial, and I thank him for taking time out of his busy life to invest in ours... Happy Birthday dad... thanks for all of your love, support, prayers, and encouragement... we're thankful for you and hope you have a great birthday!

This photo was taken a few years back when mom and dad came down to visit Courtney and I. Dad and I went to the driving range on a nice, humid, summer day... that's why we look so nice and sweaty.

our little man...

Several months ago Courtney and I went to see Shaun Groves in concert and were unaware of what was before us... Shaun spoke so passionately about this organization called Compassion (you may have heard of it) and how so many children are in need of basic, everyday care. Shaun explains it much better than I as to why sponsorship of a child is such a big deal, but when Courtney and I sat there in the auditorium we couldn't help but take a little guy under our wing. Now, most of you that know us understand that Courtney and I aren't ones to just up and do something like this (we're not cold hearted, I promise!), it's just that we tend to be a bit more skeptical of "feed the children" stories. Well, our hearts have been softened in ways that we never imagined and with every passing letter that we receive from our little guy, it becomes all the more real that there truly are children in need... severe need... and we can do something about it.

I know that many of you have heard the phrase "only a few cents a day," or "a latte a day," but when you add up all the frivolous expenses every month it makes it much easier to give up that "latte a day"... especially when you get hand-written notes from your little one.



So do we have kids of our own? Technically, no we don't... but we're ecstatic to call this little guy ours.

something's different...

It always seems to happen this way... about every month or so, Courtney is needed elsewhere for work, and that means holding down the fort for a few days. Actually, it's somewhat nice every now and then because we both get our time away from the ordinary and, as the saying goes, "distance makes the heart grow fonder" holds true every time.

I know it's sappy, but I'm never glad to drop her off at the airport. It's just not the same around the house without her. Funny how marriage can make you pull out your hair one moment and sing love songs to one another the next.

I'm sure you didn't really NEED to know all of that, but hey, it's my blog and I love my wife.



Ok, mushy time is over... back to work.

Side note :: Courtney is searching for new hires (she'll kill me for posting this, but the amount of work she's taking on stresses her out and she needs to find someone to help with the workload)... anyone in the Raleigh area interested in Medical Sales?