Happy Birthday Wayne!

Wayne Armstrong was my brother in law. He had the happiest spirit of
anyone I've known! He always seemed content! My last visit was about 5
years ago and I had taken my Harley up to Wayne and Wanda's house in
the mountains of northwest Arkansas.... My words fail me when I try to
express the beauty I saw and the serenity of my visit... Wayne was like a
kid when we got there and we couldn't wait until we were leaning into
the curves in this slice of heaven he called home! I can often tell how long
someone has been driving a motorcycle by the way they handle their
bikes - Wayne, without doubt, was one of the best, most natural riders
I have ever been around! He was "one with his bike" and he smiled unceasingly!!!!
He had mastered "happy"!!!!

Wayne died last year - it broke Linda's heart incredibly, as well as his life
partner/wife Wanda and Helen and THE grandson Tyler - LOTS of love!
Today would have been his birthday! Some will shed a tear. some will
remember fondly and I will smile- thinking of my buddy on his bike....

Rest high on the mountain, my friend!

Happy Birthday Courtney!

Today our baby turns 27! Courtney became a Mom in January
and it has been a big year for her! Ty is wishing his Mom the
best birthday ever!!!! Court is stoked over the upcoming Gator
Football season!
Courtney and Ty will make their 1st plane trip together next
week when they fly to see Brook and Ava in Tennessee!

Happy Brithday Court - we love you!

Happy Birthday Harley!

Harley is our male Lab and he turns 5 today! He stole our hearts before we
ever got him and he has been a big ball of love and fun ever since... As you
can see, he thinks our bed is his!

Guess who is coming tonight???

Two Hands - One Heart

Two hands.... One heart....
Pass-A-Grille Beach
May 30
Marcela & Chris

Happy!

Marty & Sharon
Lovers Key Resort
October 2008

Magazine Ad

This is our new magazine ad for Florida Brides magazine! The image is
from a wedding I shot in June and Steve created and designed the ad.

Take care of Brook and the Bong....

Here we were - again - in that awkward moment when we both have our
hearts in our throats - and Charlie says " I love you Dad - take care of Brook
and the Bong"...... Then silence - and that numbness.... This really sucks!
My son was boarding a plane to head back to Iraq. I'm proud to tell anyone
and everyone about my Special Forces soldier, but these moments are the
worst. Every waking moment will be filled with thoughts for his safety and
speedy trip home.. The Bong - is short for "Bing-Bong" one of his pet names
for Ava - his gorgeous daughter...

I'll think of times on the mountains, oysters at the Crab Shack and count
the days until my boy comes back to Brook and the Bong... and Dad...

I love you son - hurry home!

Ty meets Aunt Brook!

Charlie and Brook came for a vacation and it was the 1st chance they
have had to see Ty.... Brook fell in love immediately and they formed
quite a friendship in minutes...

down the hall

Felicia and Michael

I had the distinct honor of 2nd shooting with the incomparable Phillip Lloyd
this past Saturday as Felicia and Mike celebrated their wedding day!
Felicia was a beautiful bride and the ceremony was a memorable time
for the couples' families!

A debt we can NOT repay....

I recently finished "5 Years to Freedom" - Colonel Nick Rowe's memories
of his 5 years as prisoner of war in Vietnam! It was INCREDIBLE! It was
my companion for months as I would read at lunches and whenever I
could squeeze in some time. I was quickly taken back over 40 years
and relived this war through the eyes and spirit of a young Special Forces
soldier taken captive in 1962... I found myself mad, sad and a myriad of
other emotions as I read how this incredibly brave man fought with every
fiber of his spirit to survive and hold fast to his convictions! I literally
cheered and had tears runs down my face the day I read of his escape
and reunion with his fellow soldiers! I have no idea how he - or any of
our brave young guys survive such horror... I asked my son once as he
finished Ranger school how he lasted - he replied he had learned to
"live without limits"....

On this Memorial Day, I am humbled and thankful for all the brave souls
that fought and died for our freedoms....

I'm thinking....

...this would be a pretty nice place to be - soon!

Pass-A-Grille Beach

One of the most beautiful areas ANYWHERE is Pass-A-Grille on the southern
tip of Gluf Blvd in St. Petersburg... the end of the road... I grew playing here
and there are many tales of fishing and smuggling that play a big part of the
history of this area. It is a MUST see! This shot is from the top of the famed
Hurricane Restaurant... We will be headed there again on the 30th to capture
the story of Marcela and Chris' wedding!!!

Soon to be 3!

2 of the "Super People" in my life are Jerry and Mandi - shown here
last November at a wedding we were shooting! You can not meet
better peeps anywhere! They recently found out that they will become
parents in September!!! They have spoiled their beloved dogs and
cats for years - now they will have a "Little Mac"....

Marissa & Pete

One of the gorgeous young couples from last year....

Crystal River Leap!

From a wedding at the beautiful Plantation Inn in Crystal River....
Working with Jerry McGaghey of Rockstar Sexy Wedding Photography fame..

Tough Day

It started over a week ago... The periods of long lost stares and no words...
Last night we had our last call and that's always a heart stopper - at that
point we were both feeling abut as empty as a parent can feel... Sleep was
so elusive, Linda was up since 3 - at 5:30 we were staring at the clock
knowing it was 4:30 where he was and it was time to go - again!
Our son is a soldier - one that has been through the most intense training
in the world and he travels with other "Chosen Soldiers".... It still scares
a Mom and a Dad to the depths of our souls... We are extremely proud of
our son and all that he has achieved and accomplished, but when he has
to go "do what he does" Linda and I remained gripped by an intense fear
that comes along with being a parent.... I simply will not draw a breath
until he returns without his face on my mind...
If you see a Mom or a Dad next week that has a son or daughter in the war,
go up and give them a hug - they will appreciate it...
I've ALWAYS been in awe of the incredible mutual love I have shared with
my son and in these times I am thankful to have such a powerful love in
my life...

Hurry home son......

Happy Birthday Sweet Ava!

The year has flown by!!!

I have a high school friend that I have lunch with every few months
and he always turns the conversation to his grandchildren - a glow
comes across his face as he tells me tales of the little people that
stole his heart! A year ago today I came to understand that perpetual
smile and just how much a baby could melt you.... Ava has grown into
a beautiful little girl and we are just beginning!!! I do not have the words
to describe just how much she means to me... so I will just continue
smiling!!! Thank you Charlie and Brook for this most precious of gifts!

Pap-Paw loves you Ava!

Tatiana & Peter

It was a beautiful day at a gorgeous resort - The Sandpearl
on Clearwater Beach, for these 2 wonderful people to celebrate
the start of their new life together! We had flaming sword dancers,
Russian toasts and broken glass! AWESOME! I was working with the
infamous Jerry McGaghey and we both learned new words and saw
sights we had not seen before! We had a great time!

Shout-out to Ian Prosser at Botanica for the incredible flowers and
arrangement - they are truly in a league of their own!