Tega Cay, South Carolina Family Photography - Jennel Cooper

This photo session was planned and cancelled several times before it actually happened due to various circumstances beyond anyone's control (bad weather, illness, etc). We were concerned we may never find a good time to get together however, when we finally did - we had AMAZING weather and an even better time coming up with ways to entertain the cute blonde! So, here is the "B" family from Tega Cay, South Carolina. Enjoy!


How about these eyes - wow!


I love this - I asked him to show me a funny dance!




I forgot to ask where the purple jacket is from - I REALLY like the color and great laugh Michele!!!



Duck... duck... GOOSE!

Cincinnati "B" Family - Part Deaux

As promised, below is the follow up to the "B" Family sneak peek! I love sharing my favorite pix from my clients photo sessions and as I go thru and edit I truly enjoy every expression captured - even if it's not always a smile or laugh, it's certainly a true emotion from the children, enjoy!

Part II of the "M" Family

Still editing lots of photos - thanks for your patience if you're still waiting for yours... They're coming soon - I promise! :)

Thanks again to this family for a great session in Dayton! Kelly, an extra thank you for the lead you shared on the organization to help with my post from last week - that was super sweet of you!
I hope you like these, a few more of my favorites from this family photo shoot!

Enjoy!

Boudoir Photography Album - Wedding Gift for the Groom

This is a really great wedding gift idea for a groom the night before his wedding. It's a book full of boudoir images modeled by his soon to be wife. Here's a sample of what a recent bride allowed me share on my blog. By the way, I was given a very enthusiastic thank you from her groom - he LOVED the images, the book and the special way it was "delivered"!

Corie & Tony Part II & GIVE Update by Jennel Cooper

I'm working diligently on editing photos at the same time lots of new stuff with my new Blogsite is being developed and hopefully launched before Thanksgiving! However, my main focus is getting photos thru my "digital darkroom" and back to those who need to order Holiday Cards and gift portraits/items first!

As for my last post regarding the discarded mud run shoes, I was able to find and make contact with the National Geographic, Daily Dozen Contributing photographer (Atilio Orellana) from Argentina who of course supports this endeavor. He speaks/writes beginner English and I speak/write beginner Spanish which made it a slightly entertaining challenge trying to communicate with our basic knowledge of each others language! However, thanks to GOOGLE TRANSLATE, we were able to convey our messages. I want to thank those who wrote (and called) to share different leads with organizations who have similar ideas and programs in place. Over the next week or two I'll contact the organizations and see what can be done to get shoes from my area to those in need! Thanks again to everyone who shared, I'll keep you posted!

Ok, finally for the really good stuff... Corie & Tony - here are more of my favorites from their Engagement Shoot here in Charlotte! I'm so excited about their wedding, this is going to be lots of fun with this couple, their family and friends!

GIVE - What Can I Do? Any ideas out there?

This past summer I attended two separate "Mud Run" events in South Carolina(competitors run between 5-8 miles through mud and obstacles in a military style challenge). At the end of the first run I noticed PILES of shoes which had been worn in the race and then left behind by runners. I was curious what the fate of those shoes would be so I spoke to one of the organizers. I was told, no one would want the shoes because they are "too dirty". I'm not sure why it bothered me so much however, it did. I knew that somewhere someone would appreciate these shoes not only for comfort and protection but because they are needed and still very much functioning. I continued thru my day although randomly those discarded shoes came to mind for several days following the event. I know, it's weird, why did I care?

A few weeks later I attended a larger Mud Run event and again at the end, I noticed at least twice as many shoes discarded around the area where competitors washed up after the race. This time, I took a photo (see below) of a group of the shoes among many, many more. I simply felt compelled to capture this shoe collection and later when reviewing my photos from the day, I was happy I had because I was still thinking about the shoes which were left behind...

Today (almost two months after attending the second mud run) as I surfed online looking for inspiration thru other photographers work from around the world, I happened to come across the image below displayed on National Geographic's Daily Dozen. "Daily Dozen" images are submitted from around the world and this particular photograph was captured by Photographer Atilio Orellana and it made a connection for me.
"This photo was shot in Anatuya, Santiago del Estero, Argentina on February 20, 2009. Here, 'Tiger', is shown with the same sneakers he uses every time he goes to El Tabique, the brick factory of his father."

Those shoes left behind in South Carolina and thousands more across the country, became unwanted products by U.S. consumer standards, destined to prematurely end up in landfills simply because they are discolored from mud and surface dirt. Those shoes should be utilized, appreciated and potentially aide in making someone's day more productive and less painful. Why not recycle and redistribute to those in less fortunate, under developed parts of the world? How can I (we?) make this happen? Even starting with one city or village somewhere?

I get it, this isn't ending World Hunger, War or finding a cure for Cancer however, this seems like the obvious answer to an apparently simple unmet need. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make this come to fruition?

I'll continue to think about it and search for answers. If you have any ideas or thoughts to share, please leave a comment or send an email!