January 30, 2012

January 27, 2012

A few winter images...

Today I'm doing some tiding up of my hard drives to make sure all of my images are safely backed up. I came across some photos from when it snowed in January 2010, the weather contrasting sharply with our recent warm weather. Here are a few photos that I pulled out from my snowy hikes.

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These tracks are from a bushy red fox that had just scampered over the hill.

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January 11, 2012

My Mama

Last week my Mama, Elsie Addie Smith Benton, passed away. I'm looking through photographs of her life, scanning them and restoring them today. It is healing to see what a full and wonderful life she lived.

Mama grew up on a farm, but spent her adult life in Charlotte, NC. This is the only picture I seem to have of her at this young age.

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I believe Mama was posing for Papa here as there is a matching photograph of Papa stored next to this one. On the back it says Elsie 1945. They were married on Saturday, the 14th of July, 1945. I am wondering if this is an image from their honeymoon.

Elsie Addie Smith, 1945

Here is Mama the last time I saw her, just before Christmas. She is holding my sleeping daughter Emeline Addie Lobdell. Emeline and Katie, my sister, share a middle name with Mama.

Christmas celebration, December 10, 2011.

Ever since I have known her, Mama has protested having her photograph taken. I'm glad now that we have photographs of her. I'll be able to share with my daughter the story of her Great Mama using photographs. I love you Mama.

January 09, 2012

The Caron Family ~ Raleigh, NC Portrait Photographer

I met my wonderful friend, Elizabeth, in the first weeks of high school. We became immediately close and spent as much time together as our busy schedules allowed. Since I spent so much time with her in sleepovers, commuting to our career center classes together, going on snowboarding trips with each other, one infamous sailing trip, prom, backpacking in the Smokies ... I felt like I had been adopted as a second daughter into the Caron family. Now the family of five has grown tremendously and spread all over this continent. It had been years since I'd seen all of them in the same place, and this was the first time that I met four of the little ones. I'm so glad that Elizabeth called me up to photograph her family on Christmas Eve. It was wonderful seeing my second family together and happy.

Caron Extended Family Portrait

The original five!

Caron Extended Family Portrait

Mr. and Mrs. Caron have been blessed with the most wonderful grandchildren.. and one stuffed piggy.

Caron Extended Family Portrait

The newest member of the family at the end of our session.

Caron Extended Family Portrait

If you would like your family portrait taken, please give me a call at 919-699-1240.

January 06, 2012

The Cotton Room at Golden Belt

I just toured The Cotton Room at Golden Belt this morning and met the kind and enthusiastic staff. I can't wait to photograph Pam and Orion's wedding there this spring. It is a beautiful venue!

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