Sneak Peek R Family {Marietta Family Photographer}

A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.

~George Moore

I had a fun session this Sunday morning!  The five R siblings wanted to get some photos done as a birthday gift for their mother.  I will not be mentioning this to my mom - she would LOVE for her kids to have done this for her!! The Marietta Square was full of fun things to watch.  For one I have never seen anyone walk a cat on a leash but we witnessed that today.  Also, some folks were practicing fencing with sticks.  Well I assume that is what they were doing.  With all the fun distractions I think we captured some great pictures.  I usually photograph young children and this was a nice change of pace.  I am sure they appreciate me not singing the theme song to 'Dora the Explorer'. 

Sneak Peek H Family {Marietta Family Photographer}

All you need is love

~John Lennon

I had a wonderful session this past Saturday with the H family.  It was a gorgeous morning in the Marietta Square.  I could have stayed there all day.  Miss A and M are the sweetest girls!  This has to be the most beautiful family ever!   

Sneak Peek B Family {Marietta Maternity Photographer}

To get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with.

~Mark Twain

I had the opportunity to photograph my sister and her husband at the Marietta Square.  They will be welcoming a baby boy very soon.  If Chrissie had her way it would be VERY soon.  She was a trooper walking all around the square posing for pictures.  I think she looks fabulous.  I know they are going to make awesome parents.  I can't wait to meet my new nephew! 

Window

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.

~C.C. Scott

This entry is 2 fold.  First, I have the opportunity to auction off a photo session for the Swordsman's Ball in Marietta that benefits the American Cancer Society.  It will be held on August 22, 2009 at the Cobb Galleria Centre.  I am honored to contribute in this small way to such a wonderful cause.  It is a cause that I feel very passionately about.  Anyone who knows me has had to listen to my skin cancer lectures and the importance of screening and wearing sunscreen.  Since turning 28, I have had 12 Basil Cell Carcinomas and 2 Squamous Cell Carcinomas.  I have been blessed that they all have been detected early.  For more information about the Swordsman's Ball - www.swordsmanball.org  or www.cancer.org

Second, my very talented friend Treva Couch and I have been working together on these old windows.  When I was approached about the auction I thought what a great way to display some of my pictures.  I have attached a couple of pictures of the windows.  There are endless possibilities with these windows.  Not only are they a great way to display photographs but children's artwork, handprints, sentimental items etc.  Please call me for more information and pricing  - 678.522.7956.

Pure Love {Marietta Family Photography}

If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.

~Winnie the Pooh

This is one of my favorite families ever! I photographed baby D when she was 6 weeks old and now she is 3 months. It is so much fun to see how much she has changed. We decided to photograph grandma, grandpa and Jackson the dog too. We had a wonderful session and laughed a lot.  But then my eye started to swell and itch.  We realized that their cat had laid on one of the blankets and I am extremely allergic to cats.  Our session was extended by a trip to the urgent care.  Thank you guys for looking after me and making sure I was okay!    

Teach him gently, if you can

You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.

~Abraham Lincoln

I read this poem in an article in the Marietta Daily Journal this past Sunday.  I thought how appropriate for the first day of school.  Hard to believe my babies started PK4 and 1st grade today.  

Teach him gently, if you can.

My young son starts to school tomorrow. It's all going to be strange and new to him for a while, and I wish you would sort of treat him gently.

You see, up to now, he's been our little boy. He's been boss of the back yard. His mother has always been around to repair his wounds, and I've always been handy to soothe his feelings. But now things are going to be different. This morning he's going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand, and start out on a great adventure. It's an adventure that will probably include wars and tragedy and sorrow. To live his life, in the world he will live in, requires faith and love and courage. So, world, I wish you would sort of take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know. Teach him, but gently, if you can.

He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, that all men are not true. Teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero, and that for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader. Teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend.

It will take time, world, I know, but teach him if you can, that a nickel earned is of far more value than a dollar found. Teach him to learn to lose, and to enjoy winning. Steer him away from envy, if you can, and teach him the secret of quiet laughter. Let him learn quickly that the bullies are the easiest people to lick.

Teach him if you can, the wonder of books, but also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on a green hillside.

In school, teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat. Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong. Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with tough people.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is getting on the bandwagon. Teach him to listen to all men, but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen on truth and take only the good that comes through.

Teach him, it you can, how to laugh when he is sad. Teach him there is no shame in tears. Teach him there can be glory in failure, and despair in success. Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness. Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidders, but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul. Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob, and to stand and fight if he thinks he's right.

Teach him gently, world, but don't coddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel. Let him have the courage to be impatient. Let him have sublime faith in himself, because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind. This is a big order world, but see what you can do. He's such a fine little fellow, my son! 

- Dan Valentine, published in Ideals Scrapbook, 1961 Ideals Publishing Co.