Sweet Miracle Baby and her Mommy and Daddy

Shantelle Fergusen's mother-in-law saw my photography display at the Stuart In the Nick of Time Fair and gave my card to Shantelle. She called a few weeks ago and we set up a session for today. We checked weather.com earlier this week and were assured that the weather would be sunny and in the high 40's... not quite. Shantelle, Steve, and Lillimarie armed themselves in beautiful red scarves and weathered the cold, cloudy afternoon with me for some great pictures. I'm telling you, this is one adorable child! And Mom and Dad absolutely dote on her... she is a much-loved little miracle for sure. Guys, I am so glad we hung out for a while today and I hope your pictures are just what you wanted! Come back soon!

The Vaughn Family Christmas

My first session of the day was with Paul and Amy Vaughn and their brood, Isaac, Sarah, and Elijah. Kraig went to college with Paul, so I have known them since Kraig and I started dating. Amy and I are now in the same book club. Their kids are so cute (and smart!!!) and I always have a good time doing their Christmas pictures. Today was the first time I had been around baby Elijah, and he was just such a happy little fellow. Amy, I had fun and I hope you enjoy your pictures!

Christmas at the Davis House...

...and That Means Pictures!!!

After doing three sessions of other people's children and families, I finally settled my own down long enough to do a Christmas session of the girls. Our family session will have to wait until I have a little more time. Emma and Kelsey were hilarious, as always, seating and posing themselves, telling me what needed to be adjusted thus so. I am kind of excited about their knowledge of photography... perhaps one day I will have someone to take some pictures with ME in them! :) Anyway, although it might be a little overdone, my favorite really is the first one. I just think it captures the real meaning of Christmas, which is, after all, the greatest gift of Jesus.

(I also have to tell this funny story. As they were looking at the book (see below), Emma told Kelsey that the picture they were looking at was after Mary and Joseph got married, before they were pregnant with Jesus. I kind of found myself in a dilemma over whether or not 5 and 3 is the time to introduce the concept of the Virgin Birth or if that might get me in over my head. I ended up deciding that God won't mind if I wait a year or two to throw that piece in there!)
I HIGHLY recommend the book-- it's called Father and Son, The Nativity Story-- and it's from Joseph's perspective. As an English teacher, I appreciate beautiful writing and it is truly beautiful and such an interesting perspective.

Cuties, Coyotes, and Cold...

The Guffey family braved the cold and fought off a coyote to get some pictures of their cuties on Wednesday afternoon. :) (Really, the coyote was just playing in the field and there was no fighting, but we certainly did enjoy watching it for a few minutes!) Stacey, Stacie, Hailey, Lylia, and Brenden were so sweet and cooperative and we got great pictures as a result. I have to say, these kids were darling, and I have never seen an almost three year old who was easier to photograph than Brenden! Thanks guys, enjoy Disney, and I hope you like your pictures!

Happy Thanksgiving from Davis Photography

Enjoy the presentation of my fall sessions! You might want to pause the music on the blog to enjoy the music on the presentation.

Nolan's Coming!

Santa isn't the only one on his way!  Nolan will be here in a few short weeks and his Mommy and Daddy and big sister wanted some pictures of their anticipation of him.  Tiffany is my Aunt Pam's niece and she, her husband Zeb, and her daughter Jada came over on this freezing cold day to take some family and maternity pictures (and some of the big sister!).  These guys are so sweet and we had a great time getting some cute shots that I know baby Nolan will enjoy seeing some day.  I hope you guys had as good of a time as I did and here is your sneak peak!

Soooooo Cold!

The Cross family came over this afternoon for one big huge session! They wanted family pictures, and Kelsey is also about to turn sixteen, so they combined both into one. This was certainly my coldest session so far this year! With the temperature hovering around 40 degrees and a slight wind, these guys were SUCH troopers! I really enjoyed meeting all of them and hanging out in the hot chocolate weather with them! Larry, Trina, Kelsey, and Alex... and who could forget little Oscar?... I had a great time and I hope you guys are happy with your pictures.

From Lee to Eternity... in the Sun and in the Rain... Matt and Gayle Forever!

I told Kraig on my way home from Saturday's session, if I had to rank the sessions I have done as far as having fun myself and loving the results, this one would rank WAY up there! I have always enjoyed being around Matt. He is such a fun person and we miss him so much at South Cleveland. Well, Matt has moved on but he has found the most wonderful person to share his life (and LAUGHTER!) with, and I just loved Gayle too. We shot their engagement session at Lee since that is where their story began, and we had a BALL! It was supposed to rain all day so we expected to have to be inside but I had told them to bring a cute umbrella, hoping for some cute outdoor pics. Apparently someone has a direct line above because we arrived at 1 to sunshine and relatively warm temperatures. We got some great outside shots, then the promised rain did come. That did not ruin anything, however. It just provided an opportunity for some of the cutest, sweetest, most romantic shots I have done. These guys were so awesome and so much fun and I know that they will enjoy years and years of happiness together. Matt and Gayle, I love you guys, and I LOVE your pictures! Here's your sneak peak!!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Time for Christmas Sessions!!! Two weekends 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! :)

Thursday, November 20, 4-6 PM ***Full

Saturday, November 22, 10-4 ***Full

Thursday, December 4, 4-6 PM

Saturday, December 6, 10-4

Call 284-3755 to schedule!

Courtney's Shoes, Sweet Sixteen!

I was so excited to get to know Courtney McCracken today (even though it was COLD outside!). Her aunt had scheduled her a Sweet Sixteen session, having heard about me from Edie (thanks so much, Edie!). Courtney brought along a friend, a brother, a mom, and an aunt... and we got almost all of them into a picture! :) Yet another WV student, Courtney didn't give me too hard of a time about the game last Friday night! Courtney, I had fun with you and your entourage and I hope you just love your pictures!

Sweet Graduate Kayla

This afternoon was a such a beautiful and warm afternoon. The colors are amazing, the weather is awesome, the sun is warm... what a wonderful time for fall pictures of a senior! Kayla will graduate from Walker Valley in the fall. She is such a sweet girl, so polite and respectful. I totally enjoyed getting to know her (and her parents and uncle) and especially enjoyed getting those amazing pictures on that Harley!!! :) I also appreciate Matt Presswood's mom, Tammy, for passing my card on to Kayla's family. Hope you love your pics, Kayla!

Savannah's Sweet Sixteen

Savannah and I go way back. We met at school earlier this semester, right Savannah? :) Really, her mom had seen pictures I had done for the Moore family (thanks, Shonna and David!) and called me to do Savannah's Sweet Sixteen session. We had a great time, traipsing around the fields, blowing bubbles, laying in the grass (in a FORMAL DRESS!)! I had a lot of fun getting to know you, Savannah. Maybe I'll see you around the halls during fourth period? :) Enjoy your pictures!

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!