I am always trying to be a better photographer.  A couple weeks ago I attended a workshop in Indianapolis.  I have always felt I needed to improve my skills in the studio.  I learned alot and met so many wonderful people from all over.  Here are a few shots I took while there.

Here is Scott showing the model how he wanted her to pose.  Learned so much from Scott who is been in the photography industry for years and years, and years (just teasing Scott)

My new friends from Sacramento, CA  Trenton and Barbie.  Huge thanks to them for driving my butt all around Indy.  And so thankful we made it in one piece.  LOL

OD beat North Judson girls the other day (JV and Varsity).  This friday night the Lady Cats will welcome the Knox Lady Redskins to the Bobcat Den.  Should be a great game so if you don’t have plans come out and  support the teams.  JV game starts at 6pm.

Back to the OD NJ game… (Defense was key!)

In case you didn’t know the lady cats wear shoe laces that represent a cancer.  They all have had family or friends battle cancer.  The green band was special for that game to honor Christina their manager.

I met Christina Rotering and her mom May 2008 at the OD relay (do you guys remember that??)  She is a super sweet girl and happens to be the manager of the Lady Cats.  She is holding a shoe that was made by the Elizabeth’s Garden team.  It is a replica of the girls shoes.

Before the Varsity game Lou Ann from WKVI radio gave a little talk to the girls.  I went in because well, I am Lou’s body guard.  (inside joke)  It was special to have Lou Ann at the game, she is usually stuck at the station working during the games.  And she loves OD because when she was little she use to go there.  (BTW did ya know I live in the house Lou Ann grew up in, yeah small world)

And someone that is a familiar face to the local sport scene… Harold Welter from WKVI.  He is UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!!

Lou Ann wrote alittle article about the game and she posted some pictures too, which by the way are pretty darn good Lou!!  Once we got her setting in her camera she fired away and got some great captures.

http://www.wkviarchives.com/December_9_2009/#EDITORIAL-8

Thanks WKVI radio for always doing such a good job and for supporting our local young people.  And kuddos to the Lady Cats for caring about others and wanting to do something nice for someone that is having a rough time.

PS  What happened in the locker room stays in the locker room!

What a fun family!  I loved hanging out with this gang.  My favorite part was when I took pictures of each kid with their pet.  I about died when Karson brought his turtle out.  He was so proud of it.

Oh, and if you know the family and wondering who the “other” girl is.  That is Melanie she is their exchange student from Germany.  She is such a sweetie.  I ended up seeing her later that night at the OD/NJ basketball game.  While I was taking pictures she was in the stands waving like crazy.

Matt, Becky, Katelyn, Kolton, Karson and Melanie thanks and next time let’s shoot during the fall when we have less chance of yucky weather.

PS  If you see one of them ask them about how we got locked out of the house.  LOL (sorry Becky, I had to mention that)

Santa made a stop at Elizabeth’s Garden to see some good boys and girls.  Thought I would share a few pictures.  We had a great turn out.  Seemed like I was snapping pictures the entire time.  Oh and I did manage to get some shopping done (for myself) I got a cute Vera purse that I LOVE!!!  Okay back to santa, here are some photos for yesterday…  I am putting in gallery form, you can click to enlarge, lots I want to share.

That is just a sample of the photos from that morning.  We also had some  crying babies too.  Oh and that last photo is of the upside down tree that is in the middle of the shop.  I just love that tree, it is super cool.

Thanks Elizabeth Garden staff for hosting such an awesome event.  Santa, Gwen and I had lots of fun.  It is nice that many of the kids have been there every year that we have done the event.  I can’t wait until the next one.  Oh and I already had someone ask about Easter pictures.  I am sure we will do something, not sure if we will do the bunnies again though, I will come up with something though.  Email me if you have suggestions gang.

American Oak in North Judson, Indiana had a celebration for their expansion of their company.  They recently built a new building that holds the offices and the showroom.  Here are a few photos for the event.

First here is the American Oak team…

The owner Charlie Vorm, and his daughter’s (which by the way are super duper sweet gals)

We got a tour of the new building and the factory….

After the tour we headed to Grand Central Station for a lunch…

Congrats on your expansion American Oak.  Also, had to tell you guys this.  Bob (my hubby) came home with some of your scented pine cones when we was shopping the other day, I asked if he bought them because they were American Oak ones, but he didn’t even realize they were from your factory, all he knew was they smelled good.  I had given my bag that I got from you guys to my mother-in-law as a thank you for watching my son, but now I have my kitchen filled with the cinnamon smell also.

Just a reminder about Santa.  Can’t wait to see everyone there.  Gwen and I always look forward to it.  Bob will also be helping out if you know what I mean.  I might have to get a kiss from Santa!!  :)  Also Elizabeth’s Garden is going to have a huge sale.  Last year she had some really good ones, people were buying stuff like crazy.  This year I am getting their early so I can shop before everyone else.  (hey that is a perk I have, okay)

Also, sorry the blog hasn’t had many posts in last few days.  I was in Indy shooting and hanging out with some amazing photographers for a couple of days.  I learned alot from them and will be doing thing differently to better serve my clients in 2010.  Lots of new stuff headed your way.  Stay tuned to the blog around Christmas time if you are in the Class of 2011 I will have an offer you can’t pass up but will it will be limited to only a certain number.

One last thing.  I have gift certificates available.  Keep that in mind if someone is hard to buy for .  I will be shooting during Christmas break so if a family is getting together with out of town family I will have time to get those taken.

Better get back to work, I will post the American Oak expansion soon and the rest of the day I will be making Christmas cards and filling print orders.  Keep in mind I can do rush shipping so once I get caught up today, I can get cards out within a few days.  (I still don’t have mine made, or have even thought what I am doing)