Faster! Faster! (Harrisburg, NC Event Photographer)

The annual Harrisburg 5k was coming up the next morning.  My camera was charged, my bag was packed with all the equipment I would need.  I think I even laid out my clothes for the early morning that was to come.  The start time is 8 am which puts me there even earlier and it was a Saturday!  I would be ready to find the perfect spot to catch each runner sprinting all-out to the finish line.

I woke up that morning to a complete downpour.  Bummed, I knew there wouldn't be anyone at the event.  Who runs in this?  It was cold, VERY rainy, and the sky seemed to mock anyone who would even consider leaving their cozy homes.

Who runs in these conditions?  These SERIOUS runners do!   Boo-ya!  They came!  Some in ponchos, a few in garbage bags, but most with smiles.

I was so excited to see my logo on the banner of sponsors!  Maybe I should ask them if I can keep the banner?  Wonder what the hubs would think hanging this in the garage...

A HUGE shout out goes to my trusty umbrella holders!  These two fine athletes chased me around, squatted as I squatted, and stopped at nothing all morning to protect my prized gear from the rain.  Gold stars to you both!

Lastly, I thought I needed to include this trusty YMCA volunteer.  Doesn't this picture make you want a fish stick?  Trust the Gorton's fisherman!

Want to be a runner? I never was until a few years ago when I started the couch-to-5k.  One of the best things I have ever done for myself!  If I can do it, no doubt, you can do it!  Now hit the ground running, friends!

Wild Child

This weekend he turned three.
And got this.

and then headed straight for the streets.

Fortunately, Dad was there to slap a big, fat "negative" on the whole street cred thing...
Born to be wild, no doubt!

The Dogwood

The Legend of the Dogwood

(author unknown)

In Jesus’ time, the dogwood grew
to a stately size and a lovely hue.

‘Twas strong and firm it’s branches interwoven,
for the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.

Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:

“Never again shall the dogwood grow large enough to be used so.

Slender and twisted it shall be with blossoms like the cross for all to see.

As blood stains the petals marked in brown, the blossom’s center wears a thorny crown.

All who see it will remember Me crucified on a cross
from the dogwood tree.

Cherished and protected, this tree shall be.
A reminder to all of my agony.”

Although this legend of the dogwood tree is not proven to be true, each year when I see the blooms I am reminded of these verses and of what Christ did for me.  May you find rest, peace, and a future in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Happy Easter!

Young at Heart (Concord, NC Child Photographer)

Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you

If you're young at heart.

For it's hard, you will find, to be narrow of mind

If you're young at heart.

Don't you know that it's worth every treasure on earth

To be young at heart.

For as rich as you are, it's much better by far

To be young at heart.

-Frank Sinatra

May today you find a way to be young at heart.  Happy Spring!

One Cool Senior (Concord, NC High School Senior Portrait Photography)

JT will be a graduate in the upcoming class of 2011.  His mom and I had tried to schedule this past fall, but a certain senior got a hair cut right before our session that was WAY too short.  Note to all:  If you are a boy, especially with shorter hair, please do not get a haircut a the week of your session.  Only top professionals are allowed to touch your hair that close to "picture day".

Ok, on to the awesomeness...

Believe it or not, we are already booking for the class of 2012.  Contact me for more information and to schedule your senior session this summer!

Best of luck to you, JT, as you start your journey into adulthood!

What to Wear: Spring Edition (Concord, NC Portrait Photography)

Have you scheduled your spring session with me yet?  While the weather is fabulous, lets get together and make some timeless memories with your family.  You want to don't you, but you just keep forgetting to schedule. Nail down a date and let's start planning the wardrobe!  Here's some inspiration to get you started...

Specialty Products (Concord, NC Photography)

I really enjoy creating custom designs for clients to use in the form of cards, announcements and invites.

Remember this wonderful couple from last week?  Erica had me design their wedding invitations for the intimate ceremony they were planning.  All she requested was purple.  

I told Erica she BETTER frame the back of this invite!  I just love how it turned out!

Another idea this creative bride to be had was to create a custom gift to give her groom on their wedding day.  She wanted to take his favorite picture from our session and somehow incorporate her vows.  Of course, we needed to include her color purple, again.

We decided on a 20x24 gallery canvas wrap which looked AH-MAZING.

On her wedding day, she uploaded this image...

Under the photo, she wrote that he loved it and that it was already on his mantle.  Here's the best part:  Under her comment, he corrected her to say "our mantle".  How sweet is that??  Major points go to Chad!  Erica, he is a keeper!!

Love, Love (Concord, NC engagement photographer)

These two just recently got married.  It was a day we all rejoiced in because we were not sure we would ever see this young woman smile with that kind of love again.  Meet my friend, Erica.  Our group of friends stood beside her through the loss of her first husband.  It was devastating.  You never imagine having to walk through that with a friend at such an early stage of their wedded life.   I know my words are not doing it justice.  

Time passed and Erica continued her journey of healing from such tragedy.  Finally, she told us all she met someone.  We all had some pretty high standards and perfectly, Chad fit the bill.  Spending time with them during this session was so special to me.  I was honored to have been picked to be a part of their event!  

Love, love, love...

I love it when clients bring along special items that will add deeper meaning to our time together.  It also creatively gives me a challenge to incorporate the items.  What will you bring to your next session?  Post Its??

Happy, Happy Wedding Day Chad and Erica.  I am thrilled to my core to see the two of you become one.

More coming soon of the special gift Erica ordered for Chad as a wedding gift...

Chick Magnet (Concord, NC Spring Baby Chick Photographer)

Well, there are some things that you just think won't ever happen.  Like, you assume, that you will never have 4 sweet baby chicks sleep over for the weekend.  You don't think that you will turn your laundry room into a chicken coop, heat lamp and all.  You don't think you will ride around in the car with the heat on as high as it will go (in APRIL!) so that the chicks stay warm.

Meet our latest houseguest...

We would like to entitle the above image, "three stooges."
Have you ever seen anything cuter?

These guys were the stars of my spring portrait sessions this past weekend.  Actually, the ADORABLE families I was able to spend time with really stole the show.  Prepare to be blown away by these families and there adorability.  Yep, I made that word up, I think...

We tried to make the chicks feel at home by letting them skype with Nana during their visit...

Later this week I have a special shout out to the best "chick wrangler" a girl could hire...or at least bribe into caring for the chicks.

Inspiration Station (Harrisburg, NC photographer)

So, I take it you have not signed up for the Harrisburg 5k yet?  tisk tisk.

You were waiting on me to motivate you some more?  Oh, well that makes perfect sense!

Look how tough these people look!  And they had just run 3.1 miles!  You, too, could be as cool as they are.

Oh...you want to win a prize...well you can!  Just like these people did!  Don't you want to be as happy as they are?

Have you still not signed up?  Alright, I am bringing the heat.  Here is the REAL inspiration of the day, the kids fun run.  It's a mile loop and really one of the highlights of the day!

Remember, we are offering a BIG PRIZE this year so get over here and register!!

Ready to Run: Harrisburg, NC 5k and Fun Run

Ready, ready, ready, ready...ready to run

All I'm ready to do is have some fun

What's all this talk about love

I feel the wind blow through my hair

I'm gonna be ready this time

I'll buy a ticket to anywhere

I'm gonna be ready this time

You see it feels like I'm starting to care

And I'm going to be ready this time

(Dixie Chicks)

Each year, I get the opportunity to photograph the Harrisburg 5k sponsored by the Y Harrisburg and our local rotary club.  It really is such a neat event to be a part of.  There is something about the finishing of a race that is so thrilling.  I stand right before the finish line to capture an image of each runner passing by.  Some are smiling, some almost skipping, and some look really, really tired...but still determined.  I get goosebumps when I see those working so hard to finish strong.  I love it.  The Harrisburg Y does a phenomenal job of putting on this event.  We sell 5x7s from the race to support the Y Cares Campaign.  Last year we were able to raise over $250 just from images sold.

This year Amory Anderson Photography, in partnership with the Y Harrisburg, has a special offer for all of you 5k participants...

I am super excited to get to offer such a fabulous prize.  You should sign up, schedule a session, and win the prize...fabulousness.

There is still time to sign up.
Check back soon for some of my favorite images from last years event.

Where's the Mama?

A wise woman once shared with me that having a child is like having your heart walk around outside of your body.  You feel their hurts and you feel their joys.  You protect them, you support them, you challenge them to be better.  You take tons of pictures of them and some of you over-acheivers moms even have up-to-date scrapbooks.  How many pictures of you are there in that scrapbook?  


Here is the challenge:  Mama's get out from behind those cameras.  Hand the camera off to whoever will hold it and tell them to shoot away.  Throw caution to the wind, and go for it!   Doesn't matter if your hair isn't perfect or your jeans are too tight.     


Being a photographer, it is especially convenient to hide behind the camera and appear non-existent as I look back over the pictures we have.  I am working on it.  Let's do it together.  If you take a picture of you and your little one, will you send it my way?  I would love to see them!  Email me with the 'contact me' button above.  Maybe we will even do a little mother's day giveaway to those who follow through...

See, an example that I am trying...hello fish face...


Leave me a note in the comments if you really want to do a mother's day giveaway.... I am seeing some potential here...

Cake anyone??

Recently, I was hired to photograph some diaper cakes for a local vendor.  Little did I know how ridiculously cool these cakes would be.  These go beyond what I have known before.  Mary Ann is the real.deal.

 I think this one with the rubber ducky was one of my favorites, although the pink tutus were calling my name, and then there were the kitchen cakes full of towels, cookbooks and all sorts of stuff Paula Deen would dream up...

 I know, she personalizes them with the recipients name??  How cool is that?  If I wore diapers, I would definitely want one of these....wait...

Now you know what to give at your next baby or bridal shower.  You would definitely have the gift everyone would be drooling over!  Contact Mary Ann here to order!  

Love Him (concord, nc child photographer)

Classifieds:

Little romantic seeking someone who appreciates

trains, ice cream, 

a fun afternoon on the swings

and relaxing to a good movie.

Let's make a play date!

Shirt available at Gap.  You know you want one.