A Wedding Photographers Dream

Check out this beautiful couple! I had planned to have a few photos up last week to share with everyone, but with Christmas just around the corner life is crazy at the studio. (Sorry guys!)

Cydni and Patrick had perfect weather for their outdoor fall wedding at Walnut Lane Bed & Breakfast in Pleasant Garden, NC. Let me assure you, just in case you're wondering, days like that bring joy to a wedding photographers heart. I had been watching the weather forecast with a prayer in my heart, particularly since it rained endlessly for days leading up to the big event.

I loved their idea of a morning wedding with brunch for the reception. They even had an omelet bar! They made sure every detail was perfect, all the way down to the charming leaf shaped bottles of maple syrup that they gave as favors. Now I got a few hundred more images to get

ready….and maybe some pancakes to make.

Halloween Fun

We had a great time celebrating Halloween here at the studio!

For starters, he Northwestern Randolph Arts Council held their Faces of Fall workshop here featuring pumpkin painting for kids. Let me just tell you, we have some talented little people in our area.

At the same time, we were photographing kids in costume for our charity fund raiser "Boo for Two." Thanks to all of you who came and participated! The Community Outreach of Archdale Trinity (COAT) and The Mother Baby Foundation need all the help they can get.

We (translated I) decided it would be fun to build a scarecrow for the set. Well...it WAS interesting. Ever build a scarecrow? I hadn't. My intern/helper from Trinity High School, Kaylan Provence, hadn't either. Good thing she's such a good sport. Finally, with some added help from the Nelson brothers, we got him put together and the boys dubbed him "Bob." Next time maybe I'll go online to find some suggestions on scarecrow construction methods. Maybe. And maybe there won't be a next time.

I think Bob and I made a cute couple for Saturday. It's been a long time since I dressed up for Halloween, and it was a real hoot.

If you missed being here for Halloween, Bob's still hanging around to meet you. He's been greeting guests outside the front door for a few days now. Don't know how long he'll wait, it's kinda cold out there at night lately.

Pumpkin' Season

I love Fall! The cooler temperatures, the vibrant colors of the trees, the renewed focus on family and relationships. It's just a beautiful time.

I dropped by Wal-Mart about 7:00 yesterday morning on my way to work (yes, I often go to work that early--long hours is one of the joys of self-employment) and picked up some beautiful potted mums and a big pumpkin and a lot of little baby sized ones. And you know how I am, I just couldn't resist capturing a few shots of the props--nothing better than fresh flowers! Anyhow, back to my story. The cashier wasn't very busy in the garden department, and she actually came over and helped me dig through the humongous box of pumpkins because she was sure there were some bigger ones in the bottom. She was right, and I was reminded of the joy of giving and receiving.

I've been reading a book that is talking about that same thing, so I guess that's why I noticed it. By helping me she added a big smile to her face, and another one to mine. Isn't it nice how God designed us to take pleasure in helping one another?

Welcome to the world, Little Miss Olivia

Sometimes I just love my job. Ok, most of the time I love my job, but some days are particularly wonderful. Like the day I got to create beautiful newborn photos of Olivia.

This is Little Miss Olivia, she's perfect and beautiful, and I just have to tell you, when I heard she was expected my heart sang. Not only because I thought I would have another sweet little one to photograph, (she is sweet, and I do get excited about new babies to photograph) but because of the history I have with her parents.

You see, I'm a volunteer photographer for an international organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS.) We provide infant bereavement photography free for families suffering the loss of a baby. Karen and Travis were my very first session for NILMDTS, and they hold a special place in my heart. Their first child, a beautiful little angel named Travis Jr., was lost due to a birth defect, and I photographed this precious family in the hospital shortly after his birth and passing.

I've done a number of sessions for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep since then, but none are as strong in my memory as Travis Jr.'s. His family are powerful role models for grace in difficult times, and my experience with them made a huge impact on me. I've prayed for them often over the past couple of years, and hoped they would have their hearts desire of more children.

So YEAH! When I met Olivia my heart melted. She's not only an answer to prayer, she's also one lucky little girl to have a loving home and two strong, faith-filled people for parents. Plus she has the cutest little toes! I'm going to enjoy watching her grow up. Yes, I am.

Back from Texas

OK, you know how folks say you don't appreciate what you've got until you don't have it anymore? And that little diddy about not seeing the forest for the trees--that's basically the same thing. Well....I certainly have a new appreciation for the lush green landscape that surrounds our little part of the world called North Carolina.

I enjoyed my trip to Texas, learned a lot and made some great new friends. But I had a little eye opener. I sat beside an 8 year old Texan on the plane trip down, and she was quite the little traveler. She's been to Hawaii and oodles of other places. I asked where her favorite place was, and she surprised me by saying North Carolina. I asked why, thinking she had a favorite family member there or something, and she surprised me again by saying "Because it's so green."

Turns out they don't get as much rain as we do, so things don't grow as well. Also turns out that the hotels try to compensate for the fact that it's blazing hot outside by trying to freeze you to death inside. Now some of you are saying, "Wait a minute. I know how you are, and you freeze all the time." OK, that's true. But everyone in my workshop was saying the same thing. And my roommates and I would back off the AC, then the cleaning lady would crank it all the way to high when she came. Burrrrr.

Anyhow, I learned some great stuff, and you'll be seeing some new things at the studio soon. Very soon. Until then, let's take a moment to enjoy the smell of the grass. Ummm, good.

Texas-here I come!

OK, I have a few various emotions going on here, ranging from excitement to apprehension. I'm gettin' ready to leave for the airport--going to Dallas Texas for a photography studio workshop. I can't wait for this trip, but I've never traveled alone before so it's a new adventure.

I'm going to learn a lot, make some new friends, and get to visit a new place. Can't wait to get back and put all my new found knowledge into practice. Gotta go now and finish packing!!! Bye.

Links, Links, Links.

If you just read our latest e-newsletter, you're probably here to find links to all the stuff we mentioned. OK, here goes:

Facebook Fanpage for Memory Lane Portraits: http://www.facebook.com/rhonda.lester#/pages/Memory-Lane-Portraits/107575799973?ref=ts
While you're there, we're trying to get over 100 fans, so help us out and click the "Become a Fan" link! Having 100 fans will let us have some special privileges with FaceBook, so come on, help a sister out!
And...post a testimonial about what a great time you had here, and how much you love your portraits--you might end up on our website!

Baby! Baby! Event:
http://www.triadmommies.com/
Baby!Baby! The Triad’s Largest Charitable Baby ShowerAugust 23rd, 1-5pm at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Greensboro, NC. Proceeds go to support The Mother Baby Foundation, run by my good friend and Lactation Consultant Barb Carder, also known as Aunt Barbie to oodles of Mommies and Babies. You can check them out at: http://www.motherbabyfoundation.org/

Leaders for Literacy Book Drive: http://leadersforliteracy.blogspot.com/
Just remember, this site isn't quite complete, so some details may change.

If you're reading the blog, but didn't read our latest e-newsletter, and you want to be sure to get them from now on, just go here: www.RhondasWebsite.com and go under News to subscribe for free!