My own little Clover Queen

So, this is the blog post where I get to tell you what a "Proud Papa" I am.

It's no secret that my little girl, Katlynn is growing up. She's eleven and getting ready to finish the 5th grade. She's always been a good kid - good grades, respectful, cute, funny - yeah, yeah - I know I'm biased. [laughing]

Last Tuesday night, my daughter participated in the county-wide 4H club talent show/competition. She sang "Colors of the Wind" from Disney's Pocohantas, and I have to tell you that I was absolutely floored by what I heard.

My daughter is a lot like me. I don't ask for a lot of help. When I want something, I prepare for it on my own. I work hard, but I don't usually do that in front of people. I had not heard her sing "Colors of the Wind" before she sang it on the stage Tuesday night. It almost made me tear up at how good it was.

Besides the singing, Katie also participated in the Clover King and Queen competition. The kids show off a sporty look and a dressy look, and then they're interviewed by a panel. Well, my little fashionista got runner-up in the Clover Queen competition. What a hoot.

Katlynn, I love you, and I frankly couldn't be more proud of you.

Here are some images from the event last Tuesday. Hope you enjoy them.

The "Sporty" portion of the Clover Queen Competition




The "Dressy" portion of the Clover Queen Competition




Here's a couple of Katlynn singing "Colors of the Wind" from Disney's Pocohantas. You can listen to a recording of this performance by clicking the link at the bottom of this blog entry.



Katlynn wins runner-up for 2009 Clover Queen!






And here's the link to the audio: Katie's Performance - Audio MP3

Video is here: Katie's Video Performance



Now, tell me about your proud parenting moments! I wanna hear 'em!

Jessi & Darren "Trash the Dress"

The day after Jessi and Darren's wedding in St. Croix, we all got up early and met first at the estate where they were staying and later moved to the beach. The goal was to shoot a "Trash the Dress" session.

Now, if you're not familiar, a "Trash the Dress" session is a photo shoot where the bride and sometimes the groom has portraits made doing things in her dress that she could never do on her wedding day (for fear of "trashing" it). Our TTD was a lot of fun, and I think we got some great images. I've got some video of us shooting that I will add later.

If you'd like to see the whole session, simply click this link: http://www.andyarmstrongphoto.com/jdttd/

St. Croix Wedding Day Images

On May 1, 2009, I was lucky enough to shoot Jessi and Darren's wedding in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. What a great place to get married, and what an incredible day and event. I'm so glad I was a part of it.

Here are a few images from the wedding day itself. I'm still working on the "Trash the Dress" session we shot the next day, but they'll be up soon. If you want to see all the wedding day photos, simply click the link at the end of this blog post.













































Link to slideshow: http://www.andyarmstrongphoto.com/jdwed2009/

Back from the Grind 3: Detroit (More than Glamorous)

Well, I had an absolute blast in Detroit, Michigan leading The Grind3: Detroit workshop. Our class was amazing and our models were fantastic. We did two days of intensive photography and photoshop work, and folks got a lot out of it.

Special thanks to Julie Lowry of Chanterelle Photography in Montgomery, AL who once again came through as my assistant for this workshop and she co-lead some of the breakout shoots.

Next weekend we head out to Portland to conduct the No Limits: Portland two-day workshop with Mike Long. There are still seats available, so join us if you can.

Here are a few images from Day 2 of the event. When I get the Day 1 (engagement couples) done, I'll post some of those as well.

Working with Leighann in Some New Space

I had the opportunity Saturday to shoot in some new Studio Space down in the Old City in Knoxville. Leighann Nitzband was gracious enough to be my guineau pig. Here are some of the results.

In it to win it

I've spent the past couple of weeks preparing some images for the 20009 WPPI 16x20 print competition. Last year I managed to capture Third Overall in the Premiere Division of this same competition (the biggest print competition for Portrait Photographers).

Classic Beauty/Modern Flavor

Sometimes I like to try to mix and match classic lighting, posing, and sets with a modern style of presentation. This photograph of model, Amelia Steele is an example of that.

The soft faux window light, the reclined pose, and the chaise lounge smack of classic feminine portraiture. However, the modern textured post-processing and presentation created with designhouse give the overall image a very unique feel and flavor.

Yep, I shoot weddings.

Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Weddings are probably the hardest events that I shoot. I'm usually dehydrated and completely exhausted the day after I shoot a wedding. It's hard work to properly capture a couple's special day, and any photographer who tells you differently probably isn't doing it right or does't really care.

Weddings are difficult, but the reward for doing it right - oh my, it just amazes me sometimes that the images I create for a couple are going to spurn a lifetime of enjoyment that their children and children's children will share.

For more information on my wedding photography philosophy and my pricing, please visit: my weddings page.

Glamour & Boudoir images are becoming popular gifts

It's no secret that men love photographs of beautiful women, but what you may not know is that more and more women are creating a special gift for their significant others.

Glamour/Boudoir photography is the gift for your man that just keeps on giving, and it's easier than you think. Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and ages. I've photographed women in their 20's and their late 40's. I've photographed women who were size 0 and women who were size 15. All of them were beautiful, and their husbands absolutely loved the special gifts they received.

The key to getting great glamour/boudoir photos is finding flattering light and apparel for your figure, and then working with me to find the best pose for your body. I recently shot a session with a woman who describes herself as a "heavier person." She was uncomfortable with how her legs looked, so we hid them and not only did SHE love her photos, she knows her husband will fall over when he gets his Christmas gift this year.

There are lots of options with glamour/boudoir photos. You can find more information about my glamour/boudoir sessions here: http://www.andyarmstrongphoto.com/pricing-glamour.htm

The Power of Krispy Kreme

Ah yes, that hot, round, melt in your mouth, OMG I could eat half a dozen without even thinking about it that we call Krispy Kreme. It's one of those things that if you haven't tried it and don't live near a Krispy Kreme store - you shouldn't try it. You'll crave it forever.

At my workshops in Nashville we had many participants who hadn't had the glory of tasting a Krispy Kreme, so we bought three dozen each morning. Mmmmm. As always, they were a huge hit. Even the models loved 'em.