Time to get back to posting on the blog.

I recently realized that not posting to my blog in some time has been a mistake. My son has started a blog that is wonderful reading as he has set out to take various weekend adventures and write about his preparations and then the event itself.  You can check it out through this link.  http://weekendexploration.wordpress.com/

The image shown is from a wedding I photographed this past summer (click to enlarge). The joyful event was held at a 35-acre private home in Farragut, Tennessee. I LOVE photographing in natural light and there was a beautiful long hallway leading to the master bedroom, with a wall of glass along one side of the hallway. We asked the bride to stand in the hallway to set up the shot. Before I could turn around the two flower girls peaked out from the dining room doorway. This image was spontaneous from the standpoint of their presence. It was not planned for them to appear. That is the beauty of a happy wedding day, so much goes on that is not planned and it's such an awesome experience to "capture the moment".

Two other aspects of this shot were not staged but have been commented on by several who have seen the image. The home where the wedding was held belongs to the sister and brother-in-law of the bride. Notice their bridal portrait in the bedroom at the end of the hall. The second item is in the foreground to the right. I had visited the home with the engaged couple about three weeks prior to the wedding and took photographs for an engagement session. The day of the wedding, I had placed a digital frame on the table and it was cycling through a slide show from their engagement session. One of their favorites appears in the digital frame. It was a magical moment! Congratulations Melissa and Jesse!

Senior photo session in Knoxville's Old City

I met Hamilton and his dad at the Crown & Goose Restaurant in the Old City area of Knoxville to take his High School Senior pictures. Hamilton is a family friend so I already knew a little bit about him. He attends Temple Academy which is a private Christian School in Knoxville, affiliated with Temple Baptist Church and Crown College. I say all that because he comes from a fine family. He's one of the young men we don't read about in the newspaper.  He makes good choices.

I also knew Hamilton is into music so I suggested he bring his guitar. One of my goals in taking HS Senior pictures is to bring out the personality of the person I'm photographing. I also like to have some fun as we go through different poses and utilize the variety of scenic areas in the Old City. I think we accomplished our mission. He has a fun personality and I try to be the same way. I often say I'm still 17 myself. Kind of like Peter Pan....I'll never grow up!

I'll let Hamilton take it from here. These are posts from his Facebook profile where friends had seen the preview: "Aight! I want you to go to the same guy I went to! He did a good job! Ambler Brown is his name." Hamilton and I exchanged some comments on Facebook as well and his final remark was "Thanks! I think you did a fantastic job!"

Marketing Workshop for professional photographers. WOW!

I've just completed a 2-day marketing workshop for professional photographers, hosted by Marathon Press. WOW!! Terrific group of top-notch professionals, they are the best in the industry. I enjoyed the fellowship with other photographers and oh, the ideas! Double WOW!!! My "to do" list has grown so much. Can't wait to get started!

Looking forward to a busy next four days!

Karen and I will be photographing Lesley and Gerald's wedding Friday evening at Dara's Garden, one of my favorite venues. 

On Saturday morning I'll be spending time with some new friends taking outdoor family portraits. Then I hope PETA won't mind as Sunday evening I'm going to be shooting some horses. I promise, no animals will be harmed in the process. Hopefully, I won't either.

Then Monday evening I'm off to Camp Buck Toms 1st week of camp to take Troop photos. Camp Buck Toms is the Boy Scout Summer Camp operated by the Great Smoky Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America. Boy Scout camp is a special place where boys turn into men, summer after summer.

I sure hope the weather cooperates for all this fun in the great outdoors! 

A magazine published four of my images. Now that's exciting!

Drapery & Design Professional magazine, a trade publication in the custom drapery industry did a feature story titled "Peek Inside a Workroom" about Diane Preston's business "Diane's Interior Creations" in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The publication, Volume 2010 Issue 2, included four photographs Diane submitted with her story and one of the images was used for the magazine cover. Who was Diane's photographer? Yours truly, Ambler Brown! Landing my first magazine cover is pretty cool!

Speaking of Diane, in addition to the magazine feature, she also won a major award. "2010 Window Fashion Vision" Ingenuity Workroom Competition - Top Treatments 1st Place: Diane Preston, Diane's Interior Creations, Murfreesboro, Tennessee The images she submitted to enter the competition? Again photographed by Ambler Brown!

I don't know if I can stand all these accolades at one time, but it does make one feel that it's worthwhile when you get some recognition. Thank you Diane for submitting the images and congratulations on your outstanding and AWARD WINNING work!

Cover image used with permission of the magazine.  In obtaining permission, I received the following note from the Editor Margie Nance: "We loved her photos for the magazine. Very nice work"

Spooky

Friday evening was fun! Bridgemore is a great place to go for portraits, especially when the subject is a docile pet like Spooky. Thanks Tammy for sharing your friend!