More Photo Sessions Coming Soon!

After taking a break last week to get my daughter moved into college, I have had some catching up to do. I think I have about achieved the catching up part. Now I have another daughter moving out tomorrow. Wow this is tough on a Mom!
Anyway, I have some sessions coming soon. (At least when it quits raining.) More Seniors, kids and a Dr.s Office. I love my job because photographing is never the same.
I will also begin my sports teams, Florence Chapel, Gable Middle, and Byrnes High School Football.
Many of the sports session will be posted on my sports website www.SportShotsUnlimited.net
Have a great week and check back soon!
Rebel Ball Starts Friday August 29th, also PC Vs Wofford August 30th. Go Blue Hose

My Monthly Newsletter

I appreciate all the wonderful response and nice comments about my monthly newsletter. If you would like to receive one either contact me at Linda@LindaConnerPhotography.com or post a comment at the bottom of this blog. I will put you on the mailing list. You will receive a recipe, photo session coupons, studio news, around town news, and more great information. I hope you will join the newsletter group, of course there is no obligations to anything. Its just a fun way to let you know whats happening in the community and studio.
Look for the FREE September issue soon.
Thanks, Linda

Kids Just Wanna Have fun!

I got to meet a brother sister duo today. They were so cute. As she was all about posing, he was all about adventure. I have found that photographing children is a little different than photographing teenagers. I try to capture kids being kids, in there own element. This little guy had an amazing curiosity about every location we came upon, while his sister was patient and waited for instructions. I enjoyed our photo shoot so much. They were sweet children with wonderful personalities. I appreciate their patience in spite of the ants, briar's and sticks.
Happy Birthday M. and Good luck at school. S keep smiling and being adventurous. Tell your Grandparents Hi for me and I'll be by soon for some horse feed.

End of Summer Lake Party

As you know I have closed the studio this week to spend time with my girls who will be moving out this weekend and my twins starting a new year in high school. We spent the day at the lake with 20 teenagers and me. Needless to say I was in the boat for about 8 hours pulling kids on tubes and wake boards. It was a beautiful day! We were having a GREAT time until the game warden pulled us over checking for life jackets. We were short 3 jackets so he fined me $110.00 and let us barrow 3 so we could continue with our fun. He probably wouldn't of stopped us, but having about 12 people in the boat was a dead give away. He was very nice inspite of the ticket.
The kids were wonderful and we had no injuries, thank Goodness! Bella was a puppy that showed up at our house and spent the day with up. It was a great way to bring in the new school year.
Hey guys, lets do it again soon.

Colton Driver - Musician

Tonight I had the fun experience shooting images for Colton Driver for his new CD Cover.
Colton has written many great songs and is putting the finishing touches on his new CD.
As a talented guitarist and singer he is definitely on his way!
He contacted me a few weeks ago about helping him put together a CD cover. (This will be my first.)
With a train station setting in mind we headed downtown Spartanburg for a variety of shots. Not knowing really what we were after I began photographing Colton against the old train station, a nearby bench and the railroad tracks. At that point we thought we had gotten some great shots until we heard the train whistle blowing around th corner. Kristen, Colton's girlfriend was yelling down the track for him to move. I found this a great time to get some shots of Colton with this roaring train moving up the track behind him. It was awesome. I didn't have time to set my camera settings I just started shooting. I don't think any of us had ever been the close to a moving train. We couldn't of planed it any better for the effect we were looking for.
The CD cover will be a surprise but, I will bet it might have a train on it somewhere. :)
Colton's CD should be out in just a few short weeks. He's not revealing much about it yet, but I assure you it will be worth the wait. Until then visit Colton's website www.coltondrivermusic.com and his My space www.myspace.com/coltondriver .
Good luck with your music and thanks for letting be a small part of your journey.
I can't wait to hear your CD.

Leaving Home...

This week I am not going to be shooting any portrait sessions. As you know it's time for school to start and a lot is going on in my life getting kids ready. With the excitement of two of my girls graduating one from Presbyterian College and the other from Byrnes High School they both will be leaving home next weekend. As a mom I'm very saddened, but excited they have made it this far to a new stage in their lives. I will miss the orders given like "can you wash this outfit or what's for supper" I'll miss our jamy parties, long talks, Miss jeans ices, diet talks, fighting over the computer, movie night, and all the little things that daughters and moms share. Though we will talk often, I want be there to protect them and share there everyday experiences.
I know they are excited as they are going in two different directions. I will look forward to our visits and phone calls. I know Ashton and Ridge will enjoy being the only "child's" being they are twins, so they will have to share the only child spot. Please say a little pray for our girls and family as we go through this transition. Girls don't forget to call Mom often!!!!!
I wish them much success on their new journey and I'm so proud of who they have become.
PS: Friends, please make your portrait session soon so it will keep me BUSY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rachael R.

How do I begin to describe Rachael's Senior Session. Heading towards Greenville I wasn't sure what we were in for. As Rachael and her friend Logan navigated me to the backside of Falls Park we began our session on the rocks in the river. Rachael being the dare devil she is, climbed on rocks, swung from trees and even hopped on a strangers motorcycle. ( Just kidding we asked him if we could barrow it for a pose ) From spray painting brick walls to jumping in ponds we captured
everything about Rachael and her Senior Year. From elegant to biker shots and some in between. Logan was a huge help with using the reflector, carrying towels and being creative. Thanks for coming along Logan.
The antique green car was sitting on the side of the road for sale. Rachael was happy to use it as a prop, because she had told her mom she would love to have it.
Good Luck...
Thanks for a great time and being daring. We captured some wonderful photographs.
I appreciate you selecting me for your portraits.
Good luck and have a GREAT Senior year.

Alicia and Rico's Wedding

One of my favorite places to photograph is Falls Park in downtown Greenville where Alicia and Rico's wedding was held. The setting was simple, but elegant with beautiful greenery as their backdrop. Though the wedding was private there were many onlookers from the park and main street.
I had not met Alicia formally, but talked with her on the phone several times planing the wedding. Her mom "Barbara " met me at the door and was so sweet. The whole family made me feel right at home. Even uncle "Smiley" Fleming. He was the life of the party always having something to smile about. So I named him smiley! Alicia's aunts were a big help in everything flowing smoothly.
It was a beautiful day for a wedding and reception. They made my job easy as they included me in everything. I appreciated their kindness.
I wish you two much happiness together. Thanks for letting me be a part of your beautiful day!

Ryne W.

Another Byrnes Senior makes the Blog. It so much fun for me to photograph Seniors because I never know from the time they walk in my studio where I will be shooting. I love the excitement as to where we may end up. From the studio to downtown we stopped along the way and got some really cool shots. Ryne was a trooper climbing walls, walking through kudzu, spider webs and getting bit by bugs. Through all that, we finished his senior photo session in about 2 hours.
I know he was relieved to be done. I can't believe I didn't get a traffic ticket with all the driving errors I made. It's hard to drive and look for great spots to take pictures all at the same time.
Ryne runs Cross Country and had a race the next morning. I hope you got a good supper after all
your hard work. Good luck this season. When you're out running stop buy the studio and say hi.
I promise not to break out the camera.
I really am sorry for the bug bites!

Jackson

I remember in just a short time taking Justin and Jeanna's engagement pictures at Hatcher's Garden. They are such a sweet couple. Now they have added Jackson to their sweet family.
Jackson being only 3 months old was fascinated by some of the props which kept his attention
while I captured some of his most sweetest moments. We tried to pull a smile from him, but he wasn't willing to share it with us. My favorite shots are Jackson and mom in the chair interacting. These weren't posed shots they were just Jeanna showing her unconditional love for Jackson. She is a wonderful mother. I'm so excited I got to see them since they live out of town. I can't wait until I get to photograph him again sitting up with the outside as a back drop.
He is so adorable and I'm so excited for Becky and Robert. I know they are enjoying him so much. I even hear Robert sings to him. Awww how sweet.
Becky, thanks for your help today with all the sweet songs and smiles trying to keep Jackson happy during the shoot. I loved what we captured.

Meet the Fam.

This week has been a rain out. Even though we haven't had much rain I have canceled all my
Senior shoots due to not so great weather. I thought I would share my pet family with you until I finish my other shoots this week.
As I was out watering the horses Tuesday night I carried my camera out. Of course this isn't
all of our critters, but I did manage to get a few silly shots of these clowns. Out Kitty loves the horses and they kinda of like her. I never new just trying to grab some shots of them would be so funny. The horses were walking on top of me trying to see what my camera was, especailly Pistol. He is like a BIG dog. He is so nosey. Lily is the most loving, where Harley just wants me to throw the ball. He's a Jack Russell. I hope to feature the other critters soon.
Be Kind to Animals !

SCJGA Championship

Wow, who would ever think the game of golf would be fun to watch. I never thought I would be packing a cooler, renting a cart and following my son as he walked 18 holes. I love to ride around like I know what I'm doing and talk the talk, he calls me down when I don't know a rule or a term. I always come back with " let me take you to a horse show and see how much you know" since horses have been my life since I was in high school.
I watched these guys play their hearts out in a 2 day tournament this week in scorching hot weather. As the game started with sporadic shots, no one was very consist ant until the back 9, then the game became intense. Bad shots were replaced by good shots, the adrenalin was pumping between these guys. It was the best competition I had seen since I have been a follower of the game.
At the end of the eighteenth hold the scores were calculated. Our guys were placing in the top numbers until the bomb was dropped. Two of the guys used ranged finders ( this is a tool that
measures distance from you to the hole). They had no idea they were not usable in this tournament. I thought I would tear up after the let down, but I saw 4 great guys conduct themselves like gentlemen. I was so proud of them. Way to go guys for your hard playing and your great sportsmanship during the game.
I loved it! I will continue to be the cooler cart. See ya at the next tournament.