Ahhhhhh….springtime. Oh how much I love you! I love snow, but this year was enough. Bring on Spring! And it’s always a good sign when the tulips start to pop out of the ground. McKenna and I were sick all last week. Then my laptop decides to crash, at the worst possible time given we leave this coming Friday for vacation for 8 days. But I actually was quietly excited about the timing of said laptop crash, because I couldn’t imagine being stuck indoors this past weekend. And neither could McKenna…

This super talented young lady needed headshots done for her auditions into a highly competitive theater conservatory last week, so I was happy to help her out!  Does she have amazing eyes or what?!

O – I’m routing for ya!

Last Thursday, I had the INCREDIBLE opportunity to meet Vusi Mahlasela while he visited campus at St. Andrew’s School, meeting with students and faculty and performing for the community.  Vusi is a South African singer-songwriter and poet-activist and I encourage you to all visit his website as well as to read the article that has been posted on St. Andrew’s website, because I truly cannot put it into words myself.   Just take my word for it.  After the concert, I made my way out to the lobby to buy a cd, but they were long sold out at that point and I had to go on the wait list for cds to be ordered.  I cannot wait until I get it!  I can see myself listening to it all day long.  The man’s voice was incredible and his words were inspiring.  A day later, people were still walking around campus smiling.   So check out the websites (you’ll see one of my photos on his website gallery!).

I’m so excited to FINALLY be posting this…the website and blog have gotten a new look!  For those who have followed the old blog, be sure to change your RSS feeds, Google Reader, etc with the new blog address.  Thanks to the blizzard we had today dumping 22+ inches outside, I put on my Snuggie and got to work, determined to finally have this live by the time I go to bed.  And it looks like I may actually be ahead of my goal. Yeah!  Love when that happens!  So look around, leave comments, and check back frequently!  I have a few posts that are going to be going up this week that I’m excited about!

Also, on the website side, the Storefront isn’t quite ready.  When it is, you’ll be able to view and purchase my Greeting Card line, prints, custom frames and some other exciting products!

So here are a couple photos from the Blizzard 2010…

Last week I did a quick Part 1 of Ben’s senior portrait session. His Mom really wanted photos of him around campus, utilizing some of the architecture and stone. It was downright COLD on this particular day and so we just focused on a few headshots this time. We’ll be doing the big Part 2 session in the spring when things look much nicer outside!

And there are times when I cannot choose between a black & white and a color image and this is one of them.  I just LOVE the rich colors of the wood and stone.

I’m excited to see what we can get with our spring session!  Much more variety then.

It’s coming! Coming soon! I’m just waiting for some font to be embedded into the new website and then I can go live. Wooohoo! Another week maybe. Good things are coming!

Back in 2005, I documented the wedding of friends Rob & Christine on a beautiful estate in Southern VA. (looking for a wedding pic to post here soon)

This fall, Christine contacted me about a special upcoming date, but without an actual date (for those of you who know the military, you’ll understand that!).   Rob was returning home from his second tour in the Middle East, and he was going to meet his new daughter for the first time!   So we sat, patiently, and impatiently in some cases, awaiting for word of when this would be happening.  I told Christine that the only day that I could not be available was Thanksgiving.   And would you believe that they landed just before 11pm on Thanksgiving Eve?!  LOL   Anyways, it was such an honor to be present and to document this special event for such a wonderful family!

After a few delays and then word of bad weather as we all stood at the edge of the hanger, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and many tears were shed when the plane touched down in front of us and was finally safely on US soil. I had 3 major challenges ahead of me.  1) the lighting situation.  Couldn’t exactly bounce light off the ceiling of a plane hanger or night sky.  2) a news camera man who decided to stand if front of me the entire time (thanks to my private security guard to stepped in finally!  ::wink::)  and 3) trying to get these images in focus through eyes full of tears!

Rob, Christine and girls – THANK YOU!  Thank you for serving us and fighting for our freedom, for your strength of which I don’t think I could ever have, and for the big hugs the girls gave me as I left that night.   Love you all!

Third from the left, I think he just saw us for the first time here.

I loved that she kept touching his face over and over, as “I know that voice…”

Dear Friends,

The holiday deadline is now here for all print and product orders (gift certificates still available!).   This year there will be no exceptions, as I have my family and a very excited 14 month old to enjoy and focus on for the holidays!   If you have contracts and retainers for 2010 dates that you would like to send in, please do!   And again, if you need a last minute gift, Gift Certificates are ready for you!

Blessings,

Beginning now until Sunday at midnight (EST) purchase the Digital Negatives from your portrait sessions for only $250!  That’s 1/2 off!!  So don’t wait, because the weekend will be over before you know it!  And if you still don’t know what to get that friend or family member for Christmas?  How about a gift certificate for Elizabeth Crook Photography!  Certificates can be used toward a photo session, products such as beautiful Gallery Wraps and enlargements, and even toward album upgrades for 2010 brides & grooms!   Cash, Check, and Credit Cards accepted (credit card processing through Paypal)

And I just have to post one of my all-time favorite things from the holiday season….Calvin & Hobbs ::nodding::   I can’t get enough!

Just letting you all know that Christmas Card orders are due this Friday!   Get them in while you can!   Umm, if any of you figure out where time went, could you let me know please?!

And since posts are boring without photos, here’s a shot that I took while on a cleaning spree in my house on Sunday.   Our orchids came back to life and are doing better than ever!