Sunday, December 28, 2008

Christmas

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! This is our first Christmas without Kellie's dad, so it was naturally a bittersweet time for us. It's been a long time since I've posted anything to my Blog; and what I have to show you today is not my work, but work of another area artist. We commissioned him to draw a portrait of Alvie (my father-in-law) to give to my mother-in-law for Christmas.

The artist, Bro. Wayne Williams, is what I would call extraordinarily talented! Not only for the beautiful work he does; but also for the incredibly humble man he is.

Bro. Wayne has been disabled in his body for many years; but his spirit and his talent is as "able" as it ever has been.


He and his wife, Sis. Gail, live on Lookout Mountain in Georgia and have been friends of ours and our family for a long time. I was fortunate enough to be able to capture a few shots of Bro. Wayne as he added some final details to Alvie's portrait.

The finished product is breathtaking; and of course, Vicky, my mother-in-law, loves it. It will have a very special place above Alvie's piano.


Saturday, November 01, 2008

Meet Victoria & Ryan (and Bob)...











Today Kellie and I photographed a recently engaged couple, whose wedding we'll be shooting in May - Victoria & Ryan. We had a great time at Gorham's Bluff in Pisgah, Alabama, and was greeted by a little bob tailed cat, who Ryan dubbed "Bob". Bob followed us around for a little while. Anyhow - more to come...



-BYRD

(click on the images to enlarge)


Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Congrats, Ashley & Jaime!!!


Our latest bride and groom was Ashley & Jaime, who were married on October 11th, in H'ville, Alabama. I'm waaay behind getting to their proofs as their wedding was the same weekend we started a week vacation. Ashley & Jaime had a great vacation (Honeymoon) themselves! They went to Ireland for a week! Bagorah!!!! Here's one little sneak peek I pulled together quickly tonight. A/J - I'll have the rest ready soon!


Thanks,

-BYRD

Friday, October 17, 2008

Happy Birthday, Alvie!

Alvie Clyde McKenzie
October 17, 1959 - June 3, 2008

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Closed...

Just an FYI to let you all know that we will be closed from Friday, October 10, through Sunday, October 19. No appointments, pick-ups, or deliveries, will be available during this time. If you have placed an order in the past week or two, expect an extra week delay in receiving your order.

If you have any questions, please send us an email.

Thanks!
-BYRD

Monday, September 08, 2008

Inman Youngin's





We had a blast at the studio tonight photographing these three cousins! These are the grandchildren of the late Mr. Bill Inman, a well respected businessman in our community, who passed away a few months ago; and I KNOW he was proud of these three! We got some great shots of Terry, Jace, and Terry's baby sister, Kennzie. Here are a few samples; but let me tell you, this is only a few of MANY great shots - so brace yourselves Mom's and Grandmom's!!! Click on these to enlarge and let me know what you think!


Sunday, August 24, 2008

Happy Anniversary, Roger & Lynn!



Today we visited with Kellie's uncle and aunt, Roger & Lynn, at their 25th Anniversary Celebration. Here's a couple of shots we did today (click to enlarge).


Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Eyes, Smiles, & Boogers




Each photographer has their own style. Something that makes them unique. Something that makes them… well, “them”! Really, that is how a consumer should select a photographer – by their style. It isn’t fair for the consumer or the photographer when the consumer expects the photographer to alter their style, yet continue to yield results like what they have become accustomed to, while all the while trying to mimic the work of another photographer. But this happens to all of us from time to time.
For me – it’s the eyes verses smiles thing. My “style” and my favorite captures in children’s photography are those in which the child’s eyes are the stars of the show. It has been said that the eyes are the windows of the soul; and I couldn’t agree more. And how better to capture those sparkly blues, browns, or greens, than in their most beautiful form – the gaze of wonderment! I love the look of surprise and wonder in a child’s eyes. I love bewilderment in a child’s expression. For me, that’s what makes a children’s portrait great. As an artist, that’s what childhood represents to me – curiosity, wonder, and innocence.
Many moms, on the other hand are interested in one thing and one thing only – smiles. Don’t get me wrong, I love to see a happy, smiley child, and yeah, I’ve got to admit, I do like to capture a few of those during each session; but smiles, in most cases, are the enemy of my own agenda – those beautiful eyes! I’ll trade smiles for eyes any day of the week. Why can’t you have both? Anatomy. Few people (none that I can think of) can have those big ole smiles and big ole eyes at the same time. My kids are like me – when I smile, my eyes disappear altogether!
But for those of you who love smiles, consider this little bit of advice. “Cheese” is a dirty word at my house. Not when talking about sandwich; but when provoking a smile, the worst thing in the world you can do is train your child to say “cheese” when you’re ready to snap a picture. That’s not a smile you’re getting. It’s a stretched out mouth as the child tries to annunciate the word. The best way to get a genuine smile out of a child is to talk about something that THEY think is funny (which may be something that YOU think is gross). One of my favorite methods to employ is to discuss boogers. Ha, ha. Children love to talk about boogers. A lot of times, they’ll laugh when you just say the word! Nothing is going to make a two year old smile any bigger than when you tell them you’re going to come get the boogers out of their nose!
So anyhow, I normally don’t do a whole lot of journalism on my Blog; but I wanted to throw this out here for you to think about. Remember, when you bring little Johnny or Sallie Jo to see me, I’m gonna be focused on them eyes. And if you want to see a smile, remember that “cheese” is a dirty word, and I’m gonna be talking about boogers! Ha, ha – so just be prepared! J

Come see me!
-BYRD

(Pictured here are Mackenzie's disappearing eyes, Makayla's "cheesy" grin, and Alanah's beautiful, sparkly, wide-open, crystal-blue eyes. Click on the pictures to enlarge.)

Monday, August 18, 2008

Logo Winner!

Congratulations to Stacey Martin of Big Cove, Alabama! She wins a free session! Stacey is married to my first cousin, Brad; and I have photographed them and their little boy, Mason, a couple of years ago, when I first made the switch to digital photography. I'm looking forward to photographing them again sometime soon!!!!
-BYRD

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Congrats, April & Joey!





Last night, Kellie and I photographed the wedding of April Campbell and Joey Law. It was held at the Club House at Cherokee Ridge, a BEAUTIFUL golf resort in Union Grove, Alabama (pretty much the middle of nowhere, who would've figured?). April's mother and my mother are first cousins. The ceremony was beautiful; and I can't wait to show the family all of the great moments we captured! Here are a couple of previews (click to enlarge):


Saturday, August 16, 2008

New Logo!




I'm been wanting a logo for a long time. A year or so ago, I hired a designer to come up with one. Didn't quite like what she ended up with; and so it was a waste of $250! I've been playing with it again lately; and I've come up with THE logo that I'm going to use to brand my work now. Here it is by itself, and also on this proof to show you how the new proof borders will look. Let me know what you think! To celebrate, the first person to email me with the word "Logo" in the subject line wins a prize!!!!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Baby Steps...

I have a couple of slots open for Baby Steps Members if anyone out there is interested in joining. I've had a few babies finish the program lately, so a couple of slots have become available. This is on a very limited basis, so act now! If you have any questions about the program, shoot me an email; and we'll talk!

-BYRD

Monday, August 11, 2008

The Bridge



Friday afternoon, my mother-in-law, kids, Kellie, and I went riding around after supper. We drove down close to Scottsboro, AL, to Mud Creek BBQ; and afterwards, came back to Stevenson and traveled north on AL 117 toward Sewanee, TN. Here, we stopped by the "Natural Bridge" - a spot on the side of the road that most people probably just pass by without stopping. It's AMAZING! Kellie and I had been before; but we wanted to show the others. She just happened to have her little point & shoot camera with her, so I made a couple of snapshots. It is so pretty!

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Mahaylie & McKenna



These two sisters came to see me this afternoon; and they did GREAT! Mahaylie and McKenna are the first cousins of little Nataleigh Jo that I photographed last weekend. They go to church with us and are sweet little youngins! I was so proud of them today!


-BYRD


Jacob




There comes a time in a child's life when their natural curiousity, combined with their new found mobility, makes them kind of like popping the top on a freshly shaken Coke - something's gonna explode - ha, ha, ha! Jacob was in today; and he is still one of the prettiest little boys I've ever seen! He's crawling now and is on the go! Mommy and Aunt Patty got their workouts today chasing him around the studio. He was a lot of fun; and we got some great shots in his summer outfits! Be sure to click on the images to view the enlarged version!


-BYRD


Wednesday, August 06, 2008

School Days...





Well, Kellie and I are entering a new phase of our lives... we're now the parents of a kindergartener! Mackenzie started school this morning; and she's so excited about it! Kellie and I were probably a little more apprehensive. We didn't cry... much! :) Here's a few shots from this morning before we left.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Nataleigh






Nataleigh did SO good for her three month session today! Here's a few samples (click to enlarge).

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Look Who's ONE!





I have really neglected my Blog here lately, so I thought I'd better post some pictures from yesterday's session with Sawyer. We had a good time at Sawyer's great-grandparents' home (somewhere deep in the sticks of Hazel Green, Alabama)! Sawyer did a great job, just like he's done for me since his newborn session! He's one baby that I really will miss photographing regularly; and I hope his Momma and Daddy will bring him back in the future so we can continue to watch him grow!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Funny - in a sad kind of way...

This past Spring, I kept walking out into the studio and finding similar imprints on any one of my four large eastern facing windows. At first I thought maybe the birds couldn't see the window and were trying to fly into the studio (kind of like a Windex commercial); but I later came to think that the birds were seeing themselves in the reflection of the window and thought they were being challenged by a competitor. I haven't seen any imprints since Spring; and I so I think all of this took place during mating season (that's my National Geographic hypothosis), when the birds were staking out their claim for a girlfriend!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Closed...

Just a quick note to let everyone know that we will be closed through July 6, for revival at our church (Higdon Free Holiness Church). Everyone is welcome to attend, so if you're interested but don't know how to get there, just give me a holler! We will likely respond to emails; however, phone calls will not be returned until after the 6th.

I hope you all have a very Happy & Safe July 4th!!!

-BYRD

Friday, June 20, 2008

Congrats, Jason & Traci!


On the evening of my father-in-law's funeral, I was scheduled to photograph the wedding of Jason Black and Traci Karigan; however, my good friend and mentor, Mr. Wayne Murphree, stepped in and shot the wedding for me. I cannot tell you what a relief it was being able to have Wayne do this for me! As you might imagine, it's hard to get in the mindset of photographing a joyous occassion a couple of hours after such a sad one. Wayne did a GREAT job; and I can't wait to be able share them with the Black/Karigan Family! Here's a sample to tide you over for a while!


Thanks,

-BYRD


Sunday, June 08, 2008

Alvie C. McKenzie


This week, Kellie and I experienced the loss of her father. Alvie, 48 years old, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday evening from a massive heart attack after finishing the vinyl siding on the back of our studio. I was honored to be at his side when he passed and to have been the last one on earth to speak to him. While I could write a complete novel about his life and how much we're going to miss him, I just wanted to quickly jump in a thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers and many acts of kindness through the past few days, and to explain why I have been out of pocket this past week. Please continue to remember our family throughout the coming days, as well as my mother-in-law, Vicky, and Kellie's brother's family.
For probably the next few weeks, we will be less available than we normally are; however, please still call or write with any questions or to schedule appointments.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

More Seniors...





Kellie and I had a blast this evening hanging out with Alyshia and Emily - two more senior reps from North Sand Mountain High School. We shot these around the downtown area of Chattanooga. Here are a couple of sneak peaks from the session...