Meet the Billups Family

It has been a long time since I have written on this blog. There has been a numerous amount of life changes for me and now I am trying to get back into the swing of things. I guess I will go into details when I update this blog.

Well, it is time to feature a wonderful family, so lets meet the Billups Family....

I met this family through my promotion on Groupon back in August. The session was pushed back to October due my health. This session was done the same day I was working with Art in Avondale Park. We agreed on the location of Sloss Furnace and it totally slipped my mind that Sloss Furnace like to decorate for Halloween. Yes, there were hanging heads, skeletons, mummy... everything you can think of.. it was there.

So, I asked..

Lets try a different location that it will be not so scary, maybe Avondale Park. Luckily, this location was a winner and I loved the moments I captured here. Two of main things together, art and my camera. The kiddos appeared to show a bit more personality at this location and I LOVED IT..

Thank you for allowing me to capture the moments of your family.

.: Downtime :.

Looks like Kay is having fun in the sand of Tybee Island, GA.  Yes, I buried her in the sand with her cast sticking out. It was fun.  We decided to take a impromptu vacation a couple of weeks ago, because I am having a case of burn out for the last couple of weeks. 

The exhaustion level has been pretty high lately. I have been running on lactic acid for a while now due to numerous reasons (which I am not going to name any names or any specific situation.) I recently realized that I am not doing what I love to do, which is photography. I love being an occupational therapist but photography is more my therapeutic outlet and gives me a opportunity to create. This weekend has been just for me and getting my business back in order. I have been super excited about some opportunities that have presented it self. I cannot wait to share them with you in due. Well, just letting you know I am doing a bit better. 

Mistakes

Happy New Year to you all. As I look back to 2012, I realized that I made a lot of mistakes in both my personal and business life. Looking at those mistakes are most definitely lessons learned. I told myself on the first day of the new year that I will most definitely make more decisions on what is going to be best for me not for other people. 2012, I made a bunch of mistakes. 2013, I will learn from them. Looking forward to the New Year..

Remember, life is like photography. We have to develop the negatives.

Until Next Time,

Rain, the stress reliever..

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Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.  -Langston Hughes

Rain is my favorite past time to watch, to listen, and to feel. Just one of those sentimental post before the big one.. 

Until next time,

The Bride with the Guitar...

I have to admit, this is the first wedding I did myself. I am usually the second shooter. However, for my first wedding alone, I do have to say, Laura and Pete made it very easy for me. I had a blast on their wedding day which was filled with laughter and love. I have known Laura for years and she always had a smile on her face. This day was not any different except when she was getting ready (LOL!). 

Thank you for allowing me to share this moment with you both.  

Words are just not quite enough today

When your love will light the way

To a wedding filled with joy never ending

The warmest wishes are what I am sending you both!

Congratulations!

XOXOXOX 

P.S. It is pretty cool to see a bride with a guitar.. I am just saying :-D...

Holiday Faire Fun..

It has been a busy weekend with editing pictures, paperwork, and being a mom. Saturday, Kay had to   help during the her school Holiday Day Faire as an elf helper (yes, she has a singing a hat!) What is this holiday faire you ask, well is here is a description:

"The annual Waldorf Holiday Faire offers magical children’s activities, delicious home-made food, live music and a wonderful opportunity for holiday shopping from 20 juried artisans including unique ceramics; hand-made adult and children’s clothing and accessories; gifts for the home; hand-printed stationery, albums and notebooks; mouthwatering hand-made chocolates and irresistible soaps and lotions; jewelry, and the best local selection of handmade, natural toys."

Well, since I had at the school, I scheduled a session. I have known Laura for years from being on board with Art in Avondale Park. I remember when she was pregnant and when sweet Walter was born. I have seen him grown up for the last 4 years. I decided to have the session at the school while I was at the Holiday Faire, because I did not like the lighting at the park. Overall, I think this went over well. I love the rich and earth colors of the school which really brought out Walter's personality.

Never Unsaid (an inspirational session)

Waves,

Meet Desiree and Elijah..

What a great session with a friend. Desiree and I have known each other for a year and we met through a mutual associate (to say the least). Elijah is a sweet boy whom I had an opportunity to treat him as an occupational therapist for a brachial plexus injury. I had a great time during this session. This session reminded me so much how much love I have my daughter, Kaylen. It also reminds me how we mothers work so hard to make sure our children. Here is a little glimpse of this motivational session and a poem that I found for Desiree and Elijah.  

Never Unsaid

© Valerie Capasso

I never want this to go unsaid,

So here in this poem, is for it to be said. 

There are no words to express how much you mean to me,

A son like you, I thought could never be.

Because the day you were born, I just knew,

God sent me a blessing- and that was you.

For this I thank Him everyday, 

You are the true definition of a son, in everyway.

It is because of you that my life has meaning,

Becoming a mom has shown me a new sense of being.

I want you to know that you were the purpose of my life,

Out of everything I did- it was you that I did right.

Always remember that I know how much you care,

I can tell by the relationship that we share.

For a son like you there could be no other,

And whether we are together or apart,

Please do not ever forget-

You will always have a piece of my heart.

Thought of the Day

Have you ever think of the moments of your life then you become angry at yourself and start to regret. I been having those moments for quite a while. It is so hard to get out of that slump, but slowly I am trying to get out  that. Life has its ups and downs, but don't let your past make you isolate yourself from the world.

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A Day in Avondale Park

Last June, I participated in the Living Social Deal in order to help with my marketing since I am finally calling myself a "professional photographer." It did not only helped with marketing, but it also has given me an opportunity to meet awesome families, like the Taylor's. I scheduled this session during the Art in Avondale Park event, which I am proud board member (hehe!) This family was a joy to work with and I love sweet Millie's personality. Hey eyes are truly stunning. Here are a few sneak peeks from the session.

Please feel free to comment...

3 Boys and the Zoo...

The Family with the Orange House

I was asked some time ago to do a family session in the home of the DeCamillis Family. I have known Allison (Ali) for years from VSA Alabama and I was so happy when she asked me to do this. Joe is is a wonderful artist, if you are interested in his work, check it out here: Joe DeCamillis' Website. Well, back to the story, this session was fun but bittersweet because they were moving from Birmingham back to Minnesota. They wanted to do a session in their home that was VERY noticeable in the Crestwood Community (yes, the house was marigold and I loved it!). Let me tell, I love the contrast of colors and the tones in and out of the home. Let me see share some of the shots from this session. Ali, I miss you and hope to see you when you come visit Birmingham. One of the best sessions, I ever had. 

B for Boots

What a cutie. I had a great time with him. I want his boots. He never leave home without them.

One Buck

I felt like I was shopping in Rittenhouse Square Park. In my brief time there, I met this man that was making random acts of art on cardboard. He was very into his masterpiece and asked the kiddos how to spell a couple words that he can place on his artwork. We gave him one dollar for the drawing that he was working on for this picture. Fortunately, we forgot the picture in the park, but we do have memories from the camera. This is what one buck got me...

Two Bucks

In August, we had a trip to Philadelphia, the city of Brotherly Love.  I wonder how true that brotherly love is, because my southern hospitality did not go over too well especially with the drivers. My friend, V, took me to Rittenhouse Square Park. Rittenhouse Square is a gem in the heart of Philadelphia: a green, leafy oasis, bounded by Walnut Street, 18th and 20th Streets, Locust and Spruce. There is a sense of community here: an interaction between the habitues of the park that one actually feels that this is the City of Brotherly Love after all. People recognize each other and life here has a comfort and allure that has almost vanished everywhere else in the city and the country. 

After walking around this beautiful park, I noticed these three men sitting on bench. They told me if I can give them two bucks they will let me take their picture. So, I said sure.. This is going to be priceless! What you think?

Until Next Time.

The Finch Family

Well, I have some time to check up on some blogging (YAY!)  I met this family through Sharing Spee when I was offering a 45-minute mini session. I had a total blast with them except the part they were BLAMING Auburn Fans (LOL!).  Here is a preview from the session.

Day in the Park

Well, I have not blog for a long time. So I decided to come back to the blogging world to tell to talk about previous photography sessions and fun times with Kaylen. This weekend has been kinda busy. I have been catching up clients and scheduling new sessions. I have been trying to finish up from previous sessions. BOY! It is alot of work. I even had two sessions, Friday and Saturday. After the session from this morning, Kay and me went to Railroad Park to meet up with some of her classmates. Check out the pictures below from the Day in the Park..

Kaylen decided to show off how high she can jump!

Look at Amber sport her newest ride!

Lucia being silly for the camera!

Of coarse, me being silly!

SMH, I have no comment!

Current Mood!

The best way I can describe how I am feeling these days. Coming back, slowly.

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I Been Away for So Long......

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I have been away for way too long and I do apologize that. I been going through alot at this moment from my car breaking down to health issues. I just cannot believe that I am going through this all at one time. A friend of mines motivated me to come back to the blogging and photography world which I have been avoiding until I was feeling better. Well, I miss you all and I cannot wait to load pictures that I have been working on for the last couple of months. Photography, here I come again!!!

 Until Next Time,

Impromptu Prom Session.. Making it work!

So true.....

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