Mesa Arizona

OMG! It was hot! We left Saint Louis on Monday, and the temp was 56 degrees. We arrive in Phoenix, and it's 107 degrees! The dust and dry heat made my allergies go bonkers. The trip was for ATSU, and I was helping Betsy Bulkley shoot some new marketing photos for Communications and Marketing. On the way home, our flight was delayed an hour. Then we hit major turbulence. When we landed, we were stuck on the tarmac for 20 minutes while our gate was cleared. Then get this, I left one of my bags on the carousel, but I didn't realize it until I was two hours away. Ah, crap!

Anyhoot, it was four days of back-to-back sessions. Here are some of my favorite shots of downtown Mesa.

Jodie and Lee Outside

You may remember Jodie and Lee from their winter shoot in our dining room. Jodie wanted some shots out in the country, and here are some of my favorites.

Generations

Virginia is Colleen's mother. Colleen is Sherri's mother. Sherri is Andrea's mother. And Andrea is Carson's mother. Five generations all under one tree in Kirksville. John and Sherri go wayyyyyyyy back. She thought we were crazy for bringing our furniture outside. I said "Honey, it ain't no thang but a chackin' wing!"

"We'll do whatever it takes to get a cool shot!"

May Dance

My friend, Brian, was the emcee for an event at Kirksville Regional Center. The center is a place for adults and children with special needs. They asked him to come to their May Dance and celebrate spring with the residents. He decided to get me involved, too. He volunteered me to be the official photographer for the event.

I'm so glad he did. I was brought to tears more than once while photographing the residents dancing and laughing. They were so grateful to have me there. Many just came up and gave me a hug for no reason. Their love was overwhelming.

On the way home, I couldn't stop crying. I was just so moved by their love of life and their joy.

ATSU Graduation

John and I went to see Danny receive his medical degree on Saturday. It never fails, but I always get a little emotional at graduations. After the ceremony, the graduates gathered outside to meet family and friends and to take pictures. Here are some of my favorites.

Ohh...Danny Boy

My friend Danny graduated from ATSU on Saturday. But on Friday, he was a model. Here are some of my favorites.

Dan & Reagan Wedding

Dan and Reagan got married on May 2,2008, at a winery west of Columbia, MO. David Bickley was the primary photographer. I assisted. My task was to document the groom's preparation and to capture some candid moments at the ceremony. David handled the bride.

view musical slideshow here.

Baby Shower

I met Rachel and Peggy Headinger about three years ago. They are by far one of the funniest and lovable mother-daughter duos you'll ever find. They are two peas in a pod!

Rachel and Peggy invited us to the shower as guests, but I couldn't resist shooting. As I put the slideshow together, I was brought to tears. Then, this morning Peggy calls crying her heart out. "I just can't believe the slideshow. I just can't stop crying. I've seen it over and over, and every time I just start sobbing."

That's all I needed to hear to make me start tearing up, too. I am truly, truly blessed to be a photographer. My cup runneth over.

slideshow link

Angel and John

Angel and John are getting married on June 14. We shot this engagement session in downtown Kirksville as part of their wedding package.