We've Got Springs

While in Kiawah, we went to the beach, of course, and had a little fun (well...A LOT of fun). Prepare yourself...we got some serious air. 

I am very excited because I just got Boutwell's photoshop actions, so I decided to play around with it in a couple of these shots. 

Even the walk out to the beach was gorgeous!
(taken by Karin)

Here are some individuals to help prepare you for the awesomeness.
Karin
Katherine
Ryan- he's secretly a model

THE BOYS: Left to right...Wes, Ryan, Dylan


Dylan & Ryan switched spots in these.
THE GIRLS: left to right...Karin, Mary O, Me, Katherine, Mary R

(Thanks to Wes for snapping these)

Mary O & Karin somehow switched spots in this one
Katherine is my favorite in this one! 

I love my friends. That is all.

Merry Christmas from...US!

This year, we wanted to do something fun and different for our Christmas card, soooo we ventured out to various parks around Columbia for our self-Christmas-portraits. It was so much fun with possibly the exception of the full family portrait. You should have seen Wes trying to throw a stick and time it to hit the ground exactly when the shutter tripped so Oliver would actually be looking at the camera. I will say that the stick strategy/improv was genius on Wes's part...he made me forget all about the treats that we left on the counter at home :).

We have several pictures of close-up Oliver almost knocking over the tripod with the expensive camera attached in order to fetch the stick...because, after all, that is what dogs do. What were we humans thinking?

Cheers, big ears





My Love:)



Beware: Certain dogs tend to jump out of computer screens.




***CUSTOM DESIGN CHRISTMAS CARDS:

I designed our Christmas card with a collage of these shots. We were so excited to see the final product! I ordered them on pretty pearl paper-my favorite!

Remember me next Christmas to design your card!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! From The Parkers 

CHECK OUT OUR CHRISTMAS VIDEO HERE

Kiawah Half Marathon

Two of my favorite things to do in the whole world are photography and running. At first I was very bitter and disappointed that registration was full when I tried to sign up for the Kiawah Half Marathon, but then I realized that I get to be the photographer for some of my very best friends who did get to register! We spent the weekend in Kiawah and had a blast! More pictures from the rest of the weekend are coming soon!

K-rock, Mary O, and LMR (so we call them) ran the race and kicked butt! I was so proud of them. Here are some of my favs from the big day. You can click to enlarge the collages.

Karin and her husband (and my fellow photographer), Dylan. 

My husband was there supporting as well, but for some reason, I didn't get a blog-worthy shot of him! Bad wife/photographer!
INTRODUCING your Runners:
K-Rock
LMR...ran the race in under 2 hrs
Mary O
The Jump shot (more jump shots to be posted soon :) )
LMR and her boyfriend, Ryan
This picture makes me so happy. I love how they are listening to the ipod together!
Katherine and Dylan mapping out where we need to be in order to catch the runners at 1 mile, 9 miles, and the end. We actually ended up running a good bit to catch up to the runners, so I got 2 of my favorite things after all:). 
Photographer D. Curtis.
Katherine
Ryan & Mary (LMR)
These are the good lucks/goodbyes before the race started...precious.
Runners, get set!
This is a random...I was practicing panning...looks like he's running super fast! So fun.
I had to post this one...the man carrying the flag was a navy seal...here comes the best part...he carried that flag just like that for 26.2 miles!!! OH MY GOSH.
GOOOO TEAM! we liked this woman because every time we cheered for her, a huge smile came across her face. She was wearing a team in training shirt (leukemia and lymphoma society). Karin and Dylan ran a marathon in CA earlier this year with team in training. It is an incredible organization.

These people were out there for the runners, playing their hearts out. I felt like I was in Jamaica! It was so fun!
Karin and Mary O at mile 1, mile 9, and finish. I should explain why I didn't get LMR at 9 miles and finish. At 9 miles she happened to be running by at the same time I was messing with my camera and she finished before we could get back to the finish line from 9 miles. Sorry LMR!
The sassy (sorry Dylan)-we just ran 13.1 miles-after race picture 

We always have to get this picture after a race...oranges are pretty much a guaranteed after-race food. Congratulations guys! We are proud of all of you! 

PITTS Radiology Doctors

The group of doctors I work with hired me to do their group and individual portraits. Now, I didn't agree right away because #1, I don't have a studio YET and #2, I don't own studio equipment YET. I mainly do lifestyle photography...you know...NATURAL, pretty lighting! With some persuasion, I agreed but was very apprehensive about the whole thing. So, here you have it...my first studio-type job. I took these at the hospital in the board room with the fluorescent lighting...nice...at least I got a big challenge out of it!

This was the first time since, I believe, 1990 that all of the doctors (except 1) were able to be in the same place at once with coats and ties and smiles on their faces...just imagine how hard that is for 27 DOCTORS! (click to enlarge)