Simple Pleasures

Some of you know the story behind the name of my studio. Some of you even know of the "Simple Pleasures" list that was a part of my college website project. I've been thinking about that list and have decided to work on it a little more. For those of you who don't know, Simple Pleasures are little things that bring joy to your heart. Nothing elaborate or expensive, just simple, perfect moments.

For example...a green glass bottled Coke so cold it burns a little on the way down. Or...Oreos and a big glass of ice cold milk. They don't have to involve food, but many of mine do. As for the non-culinary type...the moment of silence that happens when you pass under a bridge during a rain storm. Or...fall leaves blowing behind a car.

Jeca, my wife, reminded me of a really good Simple Pleasure on the way home tonight... bedtime stories. When was the last time you read someone a bedtime story, or, better yet, someone read a story to you?

So, please add your Simple Pleasures to the comments section. I'd love to know what makes you happy.

Cirque du Soleil

Dinner at Taqueria del Sol: $33
4 tickets to Corteo: $300
An evening of magic: Priceless

For those of you who haven't experienced the wonder that is Cirque du Soleil, don't wait another minute. Corteo will be in Atlanta for only a month more. It is unlike anything you have ever seen, and better than you can imagine. Take the time...you won't regret it.

THANK YOU!

I wanted to thank everyone who has been a part of the first six months of iNWARD STUDIO. They have been amazing. The past months have literally filled with blood, sweat, and tears. They have also been filled with friends, love, and laughter. I have enjoyed the past six months so much more than I could have imagined. The outpouring of well wishes from friends, family, clients, and complete strangers has been phenomenal. I am fortunate beyond measure. Thank you. Happy Holidays to all! I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

Abbey

Tina asked me to photograph Abbey in her natural environment. What an excellent idea. Her nursery made for the best location to capture Abbey's personality. She was full of smiles. This is a small sample of the great images we got that morning. There are more in the Children's Portfolio, so take a look to see what a great location your child's nursery could be.

Owen's Big Debut

Robyn and Wes brought Owen this morning. He was great! Smiles to spare. It was refreshing during the hectic Christmas season to spend an hour laying on the floor capturing expressive images of a beautiful little boy. The hat is fantastic. Thank you.

The Circle of Wedding Photography

Weddings are one of my favorite things, but...they can be bitter sweet. After you finish the album, you don't see the couples anymore. Unless, they have babies! Then they come back. Betsey and Clay haven't had a baby (yet), but they have Ginger and Sophie. Betsey wanted their portrait for their Christmas cards taken at the Hay House in the Ginkgo leaves. I've been checking every few days for a month. Finally, they turned yellow. This is just one of many beautiful images or the four of them. Thanks guys.

What Else I did for Thanksgiving

I spent Friday afternoon with Katie and Richard in Clemson, SC where they are students. They are getting married next June. I thought it would be fun to capture them in their element. They were great fun and a pleasure to photograph. I'm really looking forward to the wedding.

My Vision

So, the images of Katie were great, but some weren't quite complete. This is how I invisioned the images in the parking deck. A little different for sure, but I think it is pretty cool.

How I spent Thanksgiving

My mother-in-law decided we needed something to entertain us after stuffing ourselves with turkey. Little did she know that she had found the greatest gizmo ever...20Q. For those of you not in the know, this is the hottest gift for Christmas. AND, it is cheap. It is the old fashioned game of 20 Questions, but it is better at it than your little brother could have ever dreamed to be. It guesses what you are thinking with scarey accuracy. If you don't believe, pop down to your local Wal-Mart for a go. Best of all, you can try before you buy. The 20Q comes in a blister pack that allows for pre-purchase experimentation. AND, for $8.88 you won't leave without one. Why 88? Don't know what to get that hard-to-buy-for coworker. You can't do better than a 20Q. Word of caution...Don't drive and 20Q!

The Things We Do

This was the second time I photographed Katie. The first set were amazing, so I had my work cut out for me if these were to compare. She makes for an agreeable model no matter the conditions, though. We spent yesterday afternoon outside downtown. As you might remember, it was cold. No matter. Katie was a trooper. She sat on the wet, cold ground, stood for hours in the cold, gusty wind, and looked great doing it. Thank you. Also, thank you to Brooke for helping out. Congrats to Katie for being named Home Coming Queen at Jones County High.

My First Comment

I'm so excited to get feedback. Of course, it was from my mother. I think she still wishes she had had a girl. So, please let me know what you think. I love the interaction.

Potter-Buller Wedding

It was a pleasurable evening with Haley and Shawn. Everyone was wrapped in the spirit of the day and enjoyed themselves immensely at the reception. Brooke and I had the opportunity to work with Dan Leslie again. A wonderful videographer and great person. Amazing images of a passionate couple. I love it when a plan comes together.

A Glimpse Into My World

My wife, Jeca decided she wanted to see the Barenaked Ladies in concert, so we bought tickets and headed for Atlanta. To make the evening complete, we had dinner at Taqueria del Sol (not yo momma's mexican restaurant with two convenient, Atlanta locations to serve you). A must stop. Don't mind the line; it moves quickly. Then I ran across the parking lot to Star Provisions (not yo momma's grocery store) for dessert. A pear tart and caramel, chocolate, pecan tart were devoured on the way home from the concert. Not really car food, but we made it work. The concert was good, too.

What I Learned:
You can do it your way AND be successful. If five guys with bongos, an accordian, a stand up bass, and a guitar can sing "you can be my Yoko Ono" to a paying crowd, anything is possible.

Catch Up

Here are a few images I've been meaning to post. Please don't let these be any indication of my skills as I photographer. The "photographer" turns off on vacation. Also, my wife took two of these.

First, two from our trip to north Georgia. Us at a little church on the top of Springer Mountain... and a great place for breakfast in Cartersville. Four Way Lunch serves amazing chili burgers for breakfast. Very nice.




Our pug, Sydney, in her devilish Halloween costume. This is why I don't do pet photography.

Stamps Maternity

Amanda and Bryant came by Saturday morning for maternity portraits. There were many of the "classic" maternity portraits, but there were also several which I thought "Celebrated the Beauty of Pregnancy." Here are but two that I really like. Something a little different. Thank you, Amanda and Bryant, for having fun.

Carter-Piers Wedding

I'm very late in posting these, but it has been, thankfully, very busy. Laura and Jason allowed me to be a part of their amazing wedding. The weather was perfect. The setting was beautiful. The guests were amazing! A wonderful group of close friends and family made for an unforgettable weekend. These are but a few of the almost 800 images from the weekend. Thank you.

Holiday Gift Certificate Special

As a gift to everyone who reads the blog, I am offering gift certificates at a 20% discount. That means that a $100 gift certificate would only cost $80. An excellent gift for a new mother, grandmother, or bride-to-be. This offer is only good until December 22, 2006, so don't delay.

My Apologies

I have been very slack with my blog postings. I apologize. I've actually heard from a few of you requesting new entries. Thankfully, I've been very busy with weddings and portrait sessions. The new Olive My Love cards are a big hit. Thank you, Laura, for all of your hard work. Its not too late for those of you who haven't ordered cards or prints for Christmas. Remember, there is a 10% discount for card orders placed in November. This is a little scattered, but I want to update all of you. A great new special will be posted shortly.

A Few Days of Rest

I'll be out of town for a few days, but I'll return on Wednesday. If you have an urgent need, please call me. 478.361.2500 Otherwise, I'll get back to my email Wednesday. I'll post some pictures soon. Have a great weekend, and I hope it is starting to look and feel like fall where ever you may be.

Amber and Phillip

Brooke and I had a great time with Amber and Phillip, Saturday. Wonderfully caring people. A rare virtue. Mother nature smiled with an amazing sunset. Few times have I had the opportunity to photograph someone with such a striking sunset as a background. They are off for a two week honeymoon, but I thought the rest of you could enjoy in their absence.



Brooke decided to make an abstract art piece at the wedding. Prints are available for any interested.

Lastly, Brooke helped create a very difficult image indeed. She is the bright spot in the upper right corner. Very cool.

Sara Kate

A morning spent watching ducks and horses...with a photographer chasing you around. That best describes Sara Kate's session. She had a great time while I worked to get those "moments". I think I succeeded. The first image gives you an idea of what it was like. Sara Kate's mom Kelly was one of my first customers. Thank you.

Fosters and Friend

Sarah, Darin, and Annie were good enough to make the trek from Atlanta for their Christmas card portrait. It was anything but Christmas like Sunday, though. Upper 80s on the first day of October is uncalled for. They were troopers. Darin even wore a sweater to give the impression it wasn't sweltering. Annie was very well behaved and made for an interesting afternoon. Thanks guys.

Bennett Barkley

Heather and Bennett came to see me early Saturday morning. I had the most fun rolling around on the floor capturing Bennett's personality. He is an excellent poser. I didn't really give him much direction, but he knew just what to do. He got a little close in the first image, but it makes me laugh when I look at it. Curiosity is a wonderful thing.

Gift Certificates

I wanted to let everyone know that I offer gift certificates. They are available in any dollar amount, and I keep track of them in the event they become lost. Gift certificates make excellent gifts for expectant mothers, new adoptive parents, or brides-to-be. Best of all, they come wrapped for those who would like to avoid the task.

Edwards-Newman Wedding

I had been looking forward to this wedding for some time. A small wedding with two great people. This gave me the freedom to play. Brooke and I were able to capture several unique images and had a blast doing it. Maggie and Rick were very easy going and really enjoyed their day. Thank you for letting us be a part.

Grand Opening Party Day + 1

First...
Thank you so much to all who stopped by last night. I couldn't be happier with the way things went last night. My only regret is I didn't get to spend as much time with each of my guests as I would have liked. It was a pure joy to see everyone. I also want to thank my mom and wife for working so hard to make the party a reality. It wouldn't have happened without them. We might have to make it an annual affair......but, I need sleep right now.

Second...
I want to apologize to all that I didn't or couldn't get in touch with. I worked hard to think of everyone who has been a part of my success. Unfortunately, I spent this morning in the shower thinking of everyone I overlooked. Please don't read into it. I'm just bad at recalling names. Additionally, while there was help getting the food ready, most of the rest was left to me. A bit overwhelming. So, I invite all of you to contact me, so I can invite you all next time. It was fun, and I hope to do it again.

So, in short, last night was the official kickoff to what is already a successful venture. I'm thrilled with how things are going, and I look forward to many more years. Thank you again to all.

Very Special Cards

I am thrilled to be the very first to offer cards from Olive My Love. Olive My Love is the creative outlet of Laura Haselden. A graduate of the Portfolio Center and formerly of American Greetings, Laura has created this line of cards exclusively for Inward Studio. The cards range from whimsical to contemporary. Off beat colors and designs create a unique look. Water color, linen, and high gloss papers allow you to further customize your cards. Currently Christmas cards, birth announcements, and thank you cards are available, but many more options will be available soon. Check the website for many more options.

As an introductory offer, card orders placed through October 31, 2006 will receive a 25% discount. For those of you wanting a fall look for your cards, you can pre-order cards before your session and receive the discount.

Mary Lois

Mary Lois was my first "model" session. Mary Lois was spending time with her grandmother here in Macon, and was gracious enough to make time in her schedule. She was a dream to work with, and I look forward to many years more. I photographed her parents' wedding a few years ago. I'll officially be old when it is Mary Lois' turn. There will be several images added to the website, but here is my favorite.

Wedding Ring Bridal Show

Thanks to Brooke, my invaluable assistant, for helping with the show. At times there were three or four brides at the table at one time. It would have been impossible without her. We got the opportunity to speak with a number of very nice people at the show. Thank you to everyone who came by the booth. I hope I have the chance to work with many of you. Thank you to Hassel Weems for taking the image of Brooke and I at the booth.

New Website

The new site is live! Now, you can simple visit www.inwardstudio.com to see what Inward Studio has to offer. Suggestions are welcome. I want the site to be easy to navigate and understand, so please let me know what you think.

Bridal fun in the dark

Megan was kind enough to "suffer" through her bridal portrait session, again. She was so much fun during her bridal session and wedding, that I thought she would be the perfect model for samples. We returned to Christ Church and braved the rain for these images. I had an amazing time. My assistant, Brooke, and Megan's mom also came along to help. It took all four of us to make this happen. Thank you to all.

Bridal Show

I have the pleasure of being a part of the Macon's Wedding Ring Bridal Show on September 10, 2006 at the Armory Ballroom. There will be a full range of wedding professionals available to discuss your special day. Please come by and say hello. Click on the title of this post for a link to the show information.

Grand Opening Party

The Grand Opening Party for Inward Studio is planned for September 21, 2006 from 4-7pm. I would love for all to attend for some food and fun. If you think you can attend, please email me. neal@inwardstudio.com I'll be preparing all the food myself, so it helps to know how many to expect. But, don't be afraid to drop by even if you don't RSVP. There will be plenty. I hope to see you all then.

Preliminary New Website

An early version of the new website is available for viewing at http://69.20.77.227/~ncarpenter/main.php , or just click on the title of this post. Let me know if there is anything you would like to see. It will be updated frequently, so check often. I'll announce when the site is live.

Long Time In The Making

For many months I've been waiting for the session last night. I've wanted to photograph a bride in the grass for several years. But, my brides have been worried about damaging their dresses. I completely understand. So, I bought my own dress. Brooke, my able wedding assistant, graciously agreed to model for me. She found it unsettling to be on the opposite side of the camera. I'm sure I would too. Here is but just a tease of the amazing images she helped me to create. More will be featured on my new website, which will be launched in the coming week. Check often.

Call For Models

Well, the studio is coming together quite nicely. I framed several prints and hung them on the wall. This got me to thinking. I need more images on the wall. So, I'm offering free sessions to willing participants. I'm looking for children, couples, families, whatever who are willing to experiment with me. These will not be your traditional portraits. I want to play with new ideas. Families frolicking in the park...children walking barefoot down tree-lined roads...brides rolling in the grass (I've actually got that one planned, but I'd love to do it twice). Any interested (brave) parties can give me a call. 478.361.2500

Huff-Plaxico Wedding

Working a little in reverse, I delivered the proofs for the Huff-Plaxico wedding today. It was a beautiful afternoon wedding. The rain made for an interesting day, though. I'm noticing a theme. Thank you to Elisha and Tyler for letting me be a part of their day.

Landers-Mitchell portraits

I was lucky enough to spend this past Saturday photographing a former bride's family and new baby. Lori asked me to photograph her family at her parents' house on Lake Sinclair. We had to dodge the approaching thunderstorm, but it made for a good story. And, the portraits turned out beautifully.

Day One

This, I hope, will be a place for me to communicate the joys of my new endeavor. Inward Studio has been many years in the making. Now, I hope to create meaningful, contemporary portraiture for my clients. Concentrating on the relationships and emotions that hold families together. Not always waiting for the perfect smile, but the ties that bind. There will be many examples to come, so please visit often. For anyone who wants to be a part of this new venture, please contact me. And remember, I'll go a long way for something new. Don't be afraid to ask.