The Davis 5

Since I am in Tennessee and they are in West Virginia, it is infrequent that I get to do any pictures of Kraig's side of our family. However, I was very excited several weeks ago when my sister-in-law, Angela, told me that she wanted me to take some family pictures of them when I was in at Thanksgiving. Kermit even came home from his hunting excursion in time for the session! We didn't do a full session but were certainly able to take enough to get some really good family shots. So here is my sweet brother and sister-in-law, Kermit and Angela, and my precious niece and nephews, Erika, Andrew, and Alex. Oh yeah, and the dog, Daisy May. :) Love you guys!

Children, Go Where I Send Thee...

...I'm Gonna Send You Eight by Eight with a Nana and a Popaw Thrown in for Good Measure!

Thanksgiving is when we always do our Davis Kid Christmas Photo Shoot. In the distant past, we battled Sears every year but after lots of tears and cajoling (and that was just the parents), we started to take our own. This is year number five of the tradition of the do-it-yourself-Davis-Photography-shoot and it went the best it ever has this year because we got to do them all outside! We did quite well for eight little Davis's between the ages of 18 months and twelve! Nana and Popaw have been getting in on the action the past four years so that they can do a card of their own with their grandkids. Last year's session we were only able to get one quick outside shot, but this year we did them all outside. Davis Children include Erika, 12, Kari, 10, Kaci, 8, Andrew, 7, Emma, 6, Alex, 5, Kelsey, 4, and Kaleb, 18 months.

Deck the Fields

This is probably the earliest I have ever gotten my act together to do Christmas card pictures. The Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, we raced dusk to do our family Christmas pictures. I had decided to use Buck the Pony in our pics this year. What I really wanted was to have a sleigh, but it seemed like a lot of money just for pictures... :) I will tell you one thing, this pony was apparently a photography prop before he came to live with us because he was perfect. The girls sat on him, together, bareback, with no halter or anything. He was wonderful. Here's to decking the fields in style, even if we were missing our one horse open sleigh!

From Our Family to Yours...

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for the blessings in my life, especially these three.

I am thankful for the joys in my life, especially you and your families.

I am thankful for my Lord, especially as we move closer to His day.

From the Far Corners of the World, Family is Where the Heart Is

Long, long ago, my husband came to Cleveland from West Virginia to attend Lee College. There, he met some wonderful people, including these wonderful people! Derek and Kraig became roommates and friends and as Amber and I entered the picture later, then our kids, we have remained close. We don't get to see them as much as we would like, but we certainly still count them among our dear friends. Derek's mom and dad have spent their lives in mission work. They are currently very, very far from home in the nether reaches of the world from little Tennessee. Sister Monica, her husband, and their kids are living away from "home" as well. This week, this whole family ended up back here and Amber had planned for them to get some pictures made. Jack and Mary-Margaret only make it in every two years, so this was a special time for everyone. Guys, I told you when you were here, it is very rare that a session with this many people (and this many little ones!) goes this smoothly. :) No one got mad, no one cried there was very little crying, and everyone approached it with a good attitude (even Derek) and lots of smiles. Thanks for the good time, Jack, Mary-Margaret, Monica, Darrell, Joshua, Ian, Melody, Derek, Amber, Maddie, and little Jackson!!!

Getting Some Air

You might remember this cutie from a few weeks ago. Well, his mom referred some of her family members and I got to spend the afternoon with Nikki, Jimmy, and handsome Evan this afternoon. Though it was a drab, dreary day, it was plenty warm and we still managed to all get some good air have a little fun getting some family Christmas pictures. I just loved their color idea (everyone shoots for red, including my own family-- these people showed how great green can look!) and was so happy with the way their pictures turned out. Thanks Nikki, and I hope to see you all again really soon for the tractor session. ;)

Our Girl Hollins

I was fortunate to get to do senior pictures of Hollins' older sister, Caroline, several years ago (before I had the blog). I had Caroline in yearbook and just loved her. Unfortunately, I have not gotten to have Hollins in class. However, I have been around her in passing around school and I am always impressed with her quick smile and easy-going nature. Hollins is someone who is nice to everyone around her and can be counted on in the halls to give a hello. I had a lot of fun taking your senior pics, Hollins. Hopefully we got one to rival the music video pic of Caroline's! :) Hope you like your sneak peak. You are a pretty girl with a beautiful spirit.

Annis Family Fall

Even though we were racing with nightfall, I had a great afternoon with Brad, Mallory, and Delaney today! Little Miss Delaney is just a precious child and she was so funny, repeating words we said. She especially enjoyed playing around with the pony and he seemed to really like her too! Mom and Dad were lovely and agreeable people as well! :) Mallory, I hope you guys like your sneak peak. Thanks! (And thanks to Amber for referring them!)

Santa Baby...

Time for Christmas Sessions!!!





Unfortunately, due to my crazy busy life, I only have one weekend available. My special Christmas deal is a 30 minute (or so) session, inside or outside. I will have a Christmas backdrop set up in the studio, greenery on the porch. The cost is $25 for the Christmas session and you will get an 8x10, 5x7, and 8 wallets. You can pick three different poses if you wish. Remember, these are just the dates for Christmas sessions.

Full sessions are always available and any session can be turned into a Christmas session simply with some festive sweaters, red and green shirts, or Santa hats! :) (You can schedule a regular session for any time other than Saturday, this is just the day I will have my backdrop set up.)


Saturday, December 5
9:30
10:30 - Booked
11:30 - Booked
1:00 - Booked
2:00
3:00
4:00
5:00
6:00


Call 284-3755 to schedule!

American Heroes...

In honor of Veteran's Day this week, I would like to make a special offer. I want to do a free session for an active military personnel member. This can be a current member of any branch of our armed forces or reserve unit. This time of year always brings me to reflection regarding our service members and the sacrifices they make. I am currently teaching my Holocaust unit with my sophomore classes. The atrocities that occurred in Nazi Germany should cause each and every one of us to thank God that we live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. My students wrote thank you letters to veterans today and we will hopefully hear from a veteran who liberated a concentration camp in the next couple of weeks. This free session is sort of my own thank you to those who defend my rights at a moment's notice. The first member of our military to call or email me will receive the free session. Call 284-3755 or email athenadavisphotography@yahoo.com. All of you out there who check this blog (even though NONE of you leave comments!) :), if you know of any military personnel, have them take advantage of my offer! I will let it stand until I schedule a session. Thank a veteran this week!

The Leaves, They are a Falling!

These gorgeous, warm fall afternoons just keep on coming. I had done Hayley's prom pictures back in May and was excited when her mom called me to do her senior pictures. Hayley is such a sweet girl and I think her style is so cool (see shoe picture!). I am excited about a wonderful senior year for her and want to offer her lots of congratulations!!! Cynthia, Hayley (and Devon), hope you guys like your sneak peak!!!

Take the Time to Throw a Few Leaves...

Even on a Monday!

(Or, maybe, especially on a Monday!) Sometimes, it's a little stressful to be a teacher and also have a photography business and be a mom. Lately it feels more than a little stressful. However, I just had a feeling about this session today. I looked forward to it all day and the weather was just absolutely perfect. As it turned out, this afternoon with Braylon and his sweet parents and Gram was exactly the stress-reliever I needed. Braylon ran around and just took such joy in his surroundings, whether it was throwing leaves in the creek or climbing on the hay or running around in the field. I have so many shots from this session where he is about an inch away from my lens, wanting to show me something or take me somewhere. I was reminded again this afternoon that the joy in life comes in looking. There is nothing like the perspective of a four year old to remind this thirty-one year old (for 3 more weeks, at least) that, sometimes, you just have to stop and throw a few leaves!

Thanks a lot, Carolyn. I enjoyed meeting you guys and I hope you love your shots. Thanks again to the Everharts for the referral!!!