All Gave Some...

**Update: I have filled the offer for the free session for an active military personnel member. I am excited to be doing a session for a guy I grew up with who is about to be deployed to Iraq. He has already done one or two tours and we will certainly be praying for his safety as he returns overseas in the New Year. Pictures to come!



In honor of Election Day today and Veteran's Day next 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. The fact that this has been an election year has only intensified my feelings of pride in our country and the true blessing it is to live in a free country where we have the right to vote and take part in our government. Tomorrow I will start 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 will write thank you letters to veteran's next week and we will hear from a veteran who liberated a concentration camp the week after that. 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 next week and, if you haven't yet, GET OUT AND VOTE TODAY!!!

I Saw Joyce Kissing Santa Claus!

OK, it is not every photographer who can say that they have spent a Sunday afternoon with a plain-clothes Santa Claus and his lovely wife! However, I got to do just that this Sunday afternoon. Joyce and Pete Vanderpoole came over for a session (without the Santa attire!) and it was so much fun. They are a couple who obviously have so much love for one another and watching them together was very special. I had a ball doing their pictures and Joyce, Pete, I hope you enjoy this sneak peak!

Seth is 5!

There is one person (other than relatives) who I cannot remember a time when I did not know her. That person is my friend Nicole, someone who has been a part of my life since birth. We have photos of us as toddlers, along with her older sister Deana, playing and being silly. She moved away shortly after we became adults and, much to my excitement, has moved back home with her sweet family of four (soon to be FIVE!). I was able to do a quick session with her oldest, Seth, for his five year old birthday pictures. He is such a sweet, polite, and funny boy, and I have a great time hanging out with him. Here are your pics, Seth, hope you like them!

The Fall Four

My great friend Kari brought her family over tonight for some pictures. Actually Kari was the first person to take a chance on me and my new photography business back in 2005. She brought Maggie for her newborn pictures in August of that year. My, how things have changed! Maggie is an adorable 3 year old now and I am busy as can be! Anyway, I had fun on this beautiful afternoon taking pictures of Jeremy, Kari, Brandon, and Maggie (and a few of Grandma and Grandpa too)!

The Hills are Alive...

When I look at the fall colors on the hills, I can't help but feel that they are alive. The foliage is amazing. The girls indulged me for a few minutes on Wednesday afternoon before church and I was able to take a few fall pictures of them. Granna bought their cute sweaters while we were on fall break, and I just knew that they would work perfectly for the pictures. I really liked a few of these, though Emma's new fake smile is going to drive me nuts. :)

Nascar LIVE!

I just had to post a few pictures of the race this past weekend in Atlanta! Andrew got this for his thirteenth birthday a few weeks ago and Kraig and I tagged along for the ride (no pun intended). I was pretty impressed with the action shots my new camera can get of cars going upwards of 180 mph!

The Thomas's...

Later on Saturday afternoon found me with the Thomas family. It was so great catching up with Savannah (whom I had in AP last year and also did her senior and prom pictures) and her mom and getting to know her dad and brother, Elijah. They are a family who loves to have fun with each other and I appreciate them letting me hang around and take pictures! Savannah and Elijah especially seem to have a unique brother-sister relationship and I just love the last picture of the two of them together. As always, thanks Thomas's! Here's a sneak peak!!!

Mom and her Boy

Saturday afternoon I spent some time with Cindy and her son, Aaron.  Aaron is such a polite young man and was so very patient to have put up with so many pictures on an empty stomach!  :)  Cindy was referred to me by Edie (thanks, Edie!).  However, when she got here, we figured out that she has worked with Kraig for years!  Small world (or town, I guess...).  I had a great time with you two and I hope you like your pictures!

Days Gone By...

My friend Jennifer Jones, of Flax and Wool, made these beautiful vintage pillowcase dresses for Emma and Kelsey.  I wanted something I could do some vintage looking pictures in for some antique frames I had.  When I heard what Jennifer was making, I knew that would be perfect and it was!  I wanted to post a few of my favorites from this session and give Jennifer a plug.  

Her company is called Flax and Wool and you can email her at flaxandwool@gmail.com.  I think her work is in an online store on Etsy.com .  If it's not up yet, it will be soon.  Please email her and find out how you can see her work.  She is doing modern pillowcase dresses as well as the vintage ones.  You might have caught her this weekend at Cleveland's Apple Festival.  You won't be disappointed!  Thanks, Jennifer!

Matt the Grad

After working a hard Monday, I was lucky that my 5:00 photo session was with such a great kid! Matt is a senior at Walker Valley and I had so much fun taking his pictures. His mom and dad came along as well and watching the three of them with each other showed me again that special connection that only children and parents have with each other. Matt is the kind of kid that I know that I would love to have in class. (And thanks to Rochelle for referring them to me!!!) Matt, Mom, and Dad-- hope you like the sneak peek!

The Varnells in Fall Color

Boy, the fall colors have finally arrived! Tina and Greg came over this Sunday afternoon for a fall session. I teach with Tina and had a lot of fun meeting Greg and getting to know Tina a little more. We took some pictures, talked some politics, and in general had a pleasant afternoon! Thanks, guys, and I hope you like your sneak peak...

Waiting for Megan Elayne...

You know those first friends you make, the ones who you connect with as a little six year old first grader and then you remain friends through multiplication tables, cursive writing, middle school angst, homecoming, chemistry, prom and graduation, college majors, rehearsal dinners, weddings, first days of teaching, married life, then pregnancy and teething? Melissa is that friend for me. We have kept in contact for the past twenty-five years (gosh, I had never thought of it in terms of that number-- we seem OLD!), sometimes closer contact than others. She is pregnant with her second child, a precious little girl named Megan Elayne. Melissa brought Nathan up for some maternity pictures for Daddy and Megan. We had a great time and she and Nathan were so sweet with each other. I can't wait to see him with a baby sister. Melissa is a terrific mom and I know that Megan will be so lucky to have her!

Last Minute for Metallic

Just a reminder to those of you who have had a recent session (and any not-so-recent-sessions!) that the metallic paper is only on special for a limited time. The quantity is limited, so the the supply will likely only last until mid-October or so. Don't delay too long or you will miss it! Go ahead and call me today to place your orders for your metallic enlargements.

Price reminders:
16x20 $25
20x24 $30
24x30 $35
30x40 $40

Have a great week!