Grand Opening FNI member - Healthy Being

Dave Doerges, founder of Free Networking International, sent me an invitation to one of our members' Grand Opening celebration this week. I was excited to see someone as brave as me opening a location when so many are speaking doom and gloom! I wish Melissa and her crew the best of fortune in her new beautiful boutique, and we should all look forward to Being Healthy with the help of Healthy Being!

Memorial Day - Much to be grateful for...

For the love of it…

Occasionally, I try to go out with my camera all by myself, and photograph what inspires me - for the love of it. I consider it medicine for my soul, and always feel that wonderful “falling in love” feeling again. Today I decided to go out to Bay Pines and photograph the annual flag decorating that the local boy scout troops do the Saturday before Memorial Day.

Watching the boys and men gingerly placing a small U.S. flag by every one of the 1,000 or so gravesites that marked the fallen heros of our country was the best Saturday morning I’ve experienced in a long while. As I gazed around, gratefulness came to mind as the emotion of the moment.

I’m grateful for the boys and men out there in the rain, placing flags in honor. I’m grateful for those who risked their lives for the freedoms that we are granted but should never take for granted. I’m grateful for the ability to walk and breathe as an able bodied person, as I know so many who struggle simply to move from one room to another.

P.S. Bay Pines


Before I left Bay Pines, curiosity got the best of me, as I hadn’t been there in many years and had forgotten how beautiful the hospital area and grounds are. I wandered around a building that has a long logia around it with lovely arches looking out to a treed area, and gradually made my way back to the front of the building, since it was now beginning to rain harder, it was time to head home.

Following the sidewalk to my car, there was an old gentleman coming up the walk with his wheeled walker, his umbrella and his futile attempt at staying dry as the rain drops began falling harder and faster. As we neared one another, he heard my footsteps, and tried to look up from under the brim of the umbrella, but it fell forward instead, totally blocking his view of anything but my feet. “Good morning” I said softly. He pulled the umbrella back and peered up from under the edge, - “Good morning” he replied, beaming this wonderful smile at me, “how are you?” “Great” I replied, “how are you doing?” “Alright-y” he replied. As we passed one another, I turned to look back at his progress, and thought to myself, “Little old man, bent from age or injury, walking in the rain, with probably the most sincere ‘how are you today?’ of anyone I can remember…yes, I’m am truly grateful”.

Lipizzan Stallions come to Pinellas Park!

Along with my wonderful dance school weekend came the Lipizzan Stallions to Pinellas Park for the first time ever...Even after photographing little dancers all weekend, I couldn't wait to get up to the arena and see these magnificient horses doing their world famous prancing, leaping, jumping, and all the other amazing feats they perform. Beautiful! The show was a fundraiser for Saddle Up Therapeutic Riding center in Pinellas Park, and Kelly did a great job making sure everyone was amazed with her special guests. A special line of art will be created from some of these images, and a portion of proceeds will benefit the club's therapeutic riding club as well. Be on the lookout for the announcement, mid summer that they are ready for you to view. Hoping to have a "show" in the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber of Commerce building. We'll keep you
"posted"! This is virtual acrylic painting I made from one of my favorite images from the show. Please be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think!

The Senior that Came the Farthest...

Taylor and her family came in from Indiana - okay not just for Senior Photo's - but having some beach portraits for her Senior Portraits was foremost on Taylor's mind. She looked like a beautiful mermaid on the rocks of Treasure Island, and I know there were surfer boys out there trying to impress her! Wonderful new friends from out of town - thanks so much for the privilege. Now next year you have to send all your friends!

Seniors, Seniors, Seniors!

Well, it's that time of the year...the Seniors that just weren't happy with the school photo's are callin' to get something really special.

It's hard to believe that Bob (we called him Bobby) is already graduating, and with a promising future in Aerospace Engineering? I feel honored that his mom hunted me down from South of the Skyway to ask me to do his photo's. After all, having photographed both sister Sara and brother Jimmy, Mom didn't want to stop there! Wow - good looks and brains too. And this young man has charisma - maybe the President someday? I don't even know if he'd even want it, but I feel safe knowing the future is in this generation of graduates. Great things are coming!

Natalie turns one!

Wow! Can't believe it's been three weeks since I blogged! I am overdue to share some wonderful experiences with you, and have been having a blast with my fantastic clients!

Natalie came to visit just after her first Birthday, and what a doll! Of course, Mom wasn't short of choices on outfits, they were all cute! I'm putting the simple ones here, because I simply love her face in the one window light photo where her favorite person is holding her close. (She needed a mommy hug, as she was getting tired of all that model stuff like changing!)

Michael at Publix (Tyrone) did a beautiful job with her smash cake, and we just let her have at it! She knew exactly what to do. Natalie is a doll, and I was honored to photograph her for her first birthday...

Miss Jr. Sungoddess Crowning

When Lisa from the Festival of States had a need for a photographer for thier 2009 I enjoyed meeting these beautiful, intelligent movers-and-shakers from our local high schools!

The ceremony concluded an annual scholarship competition, and the evening included a fun fashion show in casual wear, evening gown modeling, and an interview question posed to each of the young ladies on stage before a panel of judges (and an audience filled with loved-ones). I was in awe of the poise, confidence, and sincerity that each of them exhibited. To view all of the event photo's, please visit http://www.millersalbums.com/?event=14519WFOSJS and enjoy!