Vacation at Last!

Jeca and I will be leaving Sunday for Washington, DC. We are visiting friends and doing a little sight seeing. I haven't been to DC since I was 11 or 12. I am excited and sad to see how much it has changed since 911. I remember visiting the FBI, but I've heard they have ceased giving tours. But, there are new museums and memorials to visit. We are returning late Thursday and leaving Friday morning for Erin and Mark's wedding in St Simons. If they're engagement session is any indication, the wedding will be amazing. Pray for good weather.

So, I'll be out of the studio until Monday, the 15th. I will be keeping a check on email, and you can always reach me on my cell. I'll be a little slower to respond, but I will. I hope everyone has a great week. I'll try to post some images next week.

It Is Never Too Early

Christmas will be here before you know it, and fall has brought cooler weather with it. So, it is time to start scheduling your family session for the holidays. Early morning and late afternoon are best for outdoor sessions and they book quickly. Don't miss your opportunity to document this year with your family.

Best of all, Laura, designer extraordinaire, has been working long nights to create a new collection of Olive My Love Cards. She has displayed all of the holiday card options on her blog. The new birth announcements are also featured. Take a look at all of Laura's hard work. You can also take a look at her personal blog, The Greener Bee, where she waxes about her attempts to be more ecologically friendly.

I LIKE To Talk About My Flare!

Jennifer Anniston didn't like talking about her flare in "Office Space", but I have an obsession. I strive for "good" lens flare.

Lens flare is caused by reflections inside the lens. It should normally be avoided as it causes a decrease in saturation and contrast. The internal reflections can also obscure the subject of your image.

BUT, lens flare can be used to accentuate the image. Here is an example from Jessica and Jason's amazing wedding on Saturday.

Simple Pleasures, Part Four

The French lessons aren't going well. It has been a long time since the last update, but, with the start of Fall, I thought it was appropriate to have a themed entry.

1. The first cool morning that you need a jacket.
2. Fresh apple cider. In Montreal I had unpasteurized apple cider. It is better, but I did find really good cider in the upstate of South Carolina once.
3. Pumpkin patches. Actually, it isn't really the pumpkins. It is all the other squashes. Squashes come in all manner of odd shapes and colors.
4. Fall leaves. I love the look of family portraits surrounded by the warm colors of fall.
5. Fair food. I love polish sausages, corn dogs, funnel cakes, and caramel apples. I'll be in Perry for opening day.

What do you do on your Saturdays?

So, two Saturdays ago, Jayne, Joy, and I went to Lake Oconee for Tracy and Scott's wedding. The wedding took place on the lake, and it was beautiful. On the way home, we heard a strange noise coming from under the car. Well, one of the tires was starting to disintegrate. Of course, we were miles from anywhere, so I had to change the tire. Joy snapped this shot to document the event.

New Birth Announcements

First...Mom, not yet!

Second, I'm a little late with this post, but my wonderful designer, Laura, has unveiled the latest additions to Olive My Love cards. As usual, these cards offer a funky, retro way to celebrate the birth of your child, and are available exclusively through iNWARD STUDIO. Take a look on the website for all the options, but here is my favorite. I have a thing for monkeys.



And, for those paying attention, that is Mabry...but she plays a boy on TV.

8 Things You Might Not Know

So, a few weeks ago, a photographer started encouraging her fellow photographers to post 8 things about themselves that many might not know. Delaney Holliman tagged me this week. I've put a great deal of thought into this, so here goes.

1. My name would have been April Michelle if my mom had her wish. She wanted a girl, and wouldn't even consider a boys' names while she was pregnant. So, when I was born, my parent's had no idea what to name me. My dad was wearing a MIA bracelet that he had purchased a few years earlier. It was inscribed "LT. NEAL WARD 6-13-69" They thought it made for a good name and thus I was dubbed Neal Ward Carpenter. Years later I "stole" the bracelet from my dad, and I have worn it every day since. I visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC when I was a kid, and made a rubbing of his name on the wall. I'm visiting DC in October and plan to do it again. Here is a picture of Neal. He is 2nd from the right in the back row.

The funny part is my mom has 3 sons...no daughters.

2. My 15 minutes came when I was 5 years old. I was featured on Channel 13 participating in a frog jumping contest at the Battle of Byron. Oddly enough, the frog didn't move. I think that is why I was chosen...and who can resist a red head.

3. I have a talent for making very realistic goat noises. I think I even fool the goats.

4. I pride myself on being willing to try almost any food. BUT, I believe that there are 4 perfect food groups. Bread, Cheese, Pickles, and Mustard. It is hard to explain, but if you want proof, have a Cuban sandwich. It is all 4 food groups plus pork two ways (roast pork and ham). Pork would be the 5th, but I think that kinda goes without saying.

5. I've known my wife since we were 10 years old. Our birthdays are only 34 days apart (she is older). We even graduated together. BUT, we didn't start dating until we were in college. She blames me for that.

6. I got married in a Baptist church owned by the federal government. We got married in a 150 year old church on the side of a mountain in the Cherokee National Forest in North Carolina. We saw it while we were dating, and thought it would be a great idea. I'm not sure our parents agree.

7. I've had a wide variety of jobs. My first job was baby sitting. Then I moved "up" to fast food. That only lasted 9 days. I also worked as a cook and a manager at two different Italian restaurants. I worked at a warehouse in college during the summers. Then I worked as an editor of Air Force instruction manuals (It was really boring). I worked for Wolf Camera for many years before having the opportunity to work as a photographer full time.

Needless to say, I've had a "real" job, and I don't want to go back.

8. Lastly, I photographed Vice President Dick Cheney once. He visited Macon a few years ago for a fund raiser. I photographed him arriving at the airport. His plane landed, Cheney emerged from the plane, and he got into his limo. That was it. What makes it memorable was all the waiting and searches. The Secret Service is thorough.

High Art

One of the things I love about living in Macon is the proximity to Atlanta. All the benefits with two-thirds less traffic. Part of the wonder of Atlanta is the High Museum of Art. You can see exhibits of work on loan from the Louvre, Southern folk art, and portraits by an African photographer to name a few. My next visit will be to see the work of Annie Leibovitz. There is a large exhibit of her work on display through September 9th. There is something special about actual prints of fine photography. The internet and books are a great resource, but nothing has the depth of a print.

Don't miss this rare opportunity.

Time Killer

It is rare to find a video game about weddings. Even harder to find a game for Mac. BUT, I've done both. It is a silly game called Wedding Dash. You are the wedding coordinator, and have to plan and run the reception. You have to choose the cake, food, and honeymoon. Then you have to seat and serve guests while breaking up fights between bridesmaids. It is amazingly accurate.

It is available for Mac and PC, so download the free demo and waste a little time.

Photography/Photoshop Classes

Unfortunately, Nova Computer Training, where I used to teach, has closed its doors. So, I have decided to offer my "Digital Photography for Soccer Moms and Dads" and Photoshop classes at my studio. I'm starting a mailing list for interested parties, and hope to start classes in earnest this fall. Send your contact info to neal@inwardstudio.com if your interested in being contacted when the schedule is set.

Classes are also available on a one-on-one basis for those interested.

Finally!

So, I finally got the opportunity to update the web galleries with images from the last 4 or 5 months. I'm not finished, but I've made a good start. I've been so blessed this year with all the amazing weddings, families, children and seniors I have captured this year. And best of all, it isn't over yet. September and October will be as busy with weddings and the summer months.

Then I have a little break in November, but that gives me time for family sessions for the holidays. My designer, Laura, has been working all year on new holiday and birthday/birth announcements. I'll let you know when they are online. But, don't wait until then to book your session. There are actually precious few weeks in the fall before the holidays.

Bridal Show

As we do twice a year, Macon's Wedding Ring is presenting it's bridal show August 19th at the Armory Ballroom. It is an excellent opportunity to meet many of the vendors needed for the perfect wedding. Best of all, it is a very low key show with the emphasis put on conversations rather than a fashion show. So, come say hello if you are in attendance.
(Click on the title of this post for a link to the show website.)

Puerto Rico!

Puerto Rico was amazing! Azure water, verdant mountains, and scrumptuous food. The people were warm and welcoming. There were only two problems. We were only there for 3 days, and the weather makes Georgia seem temperate. It is very hot and very muggy. Of course, it was all worth it when we stepped into the cool, crystal clear water. It was unlike anything we had ever experienced.

AND, I got to photograph a beautiful wedding. Dawn and Jeremy had a small family wedding on a secluded beach just before sunset. It couldn't have been more perfect. Here are few images for you to enjoy.






Just one of my "arm length" portraits of Jeca and me at the beach we found.

Sorry and Thank You

I have been very slack when it comes to my blog. Many of you have reminded me to update my blog. Thank you.

The reason for my absence from the blogosphere is the amazing wedding I've been so fortunate to photograph. This weekend, I will complete 4 straight months of weddings (not one Saturday off). There was even a Sunday wedding for good measure. It has been amazing. In the next few weeks, I will update the galleries so you can all see what I've been doing.

Friday, I leave for Puerto Rico to photograph a wedding. I know. It is a hard life. But, after that, I have a few weekends free. I hope to catch up. So, check the website for updates.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

My Rover is Home

As many of you know, I LOVE my car. It is a sickness, but I'm OK with that. My Rover is a 1994 Land Rover Range Rover County. It is British Racing Green. Could there be a better color for a British car? It is a little rough around the edges, but it is a work in progress.

Well, about two weeks ago, she went in for major surgery (new head gaskets, etc). After the 14 longest days of my life (and one of the largest checks I've ever written), my Rover is home. Thank you for all the well wishes . Hopefully, she will be on the road for many years to come.

Name That Promotion Winner

Thank you to all who participated in Name That Promotion. I was overwhelmed with the number of entries and votes. It was a close contest but, the winner is Heather Roach with "Simon Says Smile." Thank you to Heather for a fantastic suggestion. There will be a special gallery on the website soon, so check back.

Don't delay scheduling your "Simon Says Smile" session. There are only 12 sessions in total and several have already been reserved. I look forward to seeing you all in St Simons.

Maternity at Last

The maternity section is now live on the website. I love what I have been able to create so far, and look forward to expanding the portfolio in the coming months. I've been lucky enough to find several couples willing to be a part of the website. Thank you to all who appear in the Maternity Portfolio.

If you know anyone who might be interested in being a part of the Maternity Portfolio, have them get in touch.

Name That Promotion, The Voting Begins

First, let me apologize for the last nature of this post. I am a victim of my own success. With all the wonderful wedding, seniors, babies, and families calling, it was hard to make time for this. But, I have made my selections from the many excellent suggestions. Here are my Top 5. You have until April 28th to vote. Now, this is an excellent opportunity to stack the deck. If you see one of your suggestions, and you want to win, tell everyone you know to vote for you. Don't forget, the Grand Prize is a FREE beach session (or equivalent for those not at St Simons). Please email votes to neal@inwardstudio.com with "Name That Promotion" in the subject line.

St. Simons, Sand, Snap!
Neal’s Sizzlin' Summer Sessions in St. Simons
Capturing Island Time
Simon Says Smile
Coastal Memories

Here are a few samples from Tybee Island.

One of My Favorite Things

I get great joy from seeing a great idea to fruition. I recently found the new Wall Street Journal campaign, Every Journey Needs a Journal . I loved the simple, story telling images, and knew I could recreate it. I decided it lent itself very well to senior photography. Renee was so kind as to help me create this example. Best of all, she is quite an accomplished young woman. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Kate Looked Great!

Yesterday afternoon, Kate, her mother, and I braved the heat to make some amazing bridal images of Kate. Her dress is very modern, so we decided to do some in a very traditional environment (Woodruff House) and some in a very contemporary one (Gateway Plaza). The results are wonderful...better than I could have imagined. Kate was a trooper. She didn't complain once. I can't wait for the wedding next month. Here are a few of my favorites.