Ariana!

Custom Chalkboard Backdrop, ooooh let the fun begin!

This fall has been a busy painting & photo season. Since I cannot dedicate my full attention to photography and painting (because of my full time gig) I have been scheduling photo sessions on weekends and hardly painting; however, I did manage to sell two paintings in November. One was a commissioned painting for the new Gus's Fried Chicken in Oxford, MS and the other was one I sold on Etsy. I still have 5 families I have to photograph before Christmas and the weather has been making it hard to squeeze them all in.

Thanks to the early arrival of the Polar Vortex my tasks today are simply: turning one of my spare bedrooms into my official indoor studio. I have been using it as a painting studio but I decided I needed to get it set up as a photography studio too!

The light is perfect. There is a window on the west side of the room, perfect for afternoon sessions, and a window on the south side of the room. Either way I can pull in natural light from the west and south and use reflectors to bounce light onto the north side of my subjects.

My first "to do" is to get one wall set up as a Chalkboard backdrop. Since I started doing chalkboard art drawings for a local Memphis restaurant I have been wanting to incorporate it into other things I have been doing. I have seen lots of unique chalkboard backdrops at weddings and also on special occasion photos like baby birthdays, holiday times and engagements. I thought this would be a perfect way for me to utilize my drawing skills and photography skills all at once. It is also something that other photographers in the area are not tapped into, and if they are, I have not seen any look like what I have in mind.

My next "to do" will be to set up a back drop stand on another wall. I want to have a variety of fabrics I can use so I have backdrop options for clients. I want to have just a basic clean white backdrop, but then some unique ones as well. Either way I am on a mission. I found some adorable photos from very talented photographers. I wish I knew their names so I could give them credit! Above are some beautiful examples of what I have been envisioning. Hopefully I will get it all set up on this rainy day and offer some great and creative holiday photos to my remaining clients unless they are just dying for Polar Vortex photos!


















































































































The Galphins and the Tiny but strong Millie!

Hope, Trust, Commitment and Future

Well, today my older brother is getting married. Last night while getting in bed we received a phone call that my uncle, who suffered a brain aneurysm about three years ago, had another brain bleed last night. He has made it through the night but has decided not to have surgery so at this point it is a matter of time, and my uncle has said he is ok with that.

Wedding days are supposed to be a symbol of hope, trust, commitment and future. Today I am reminded that sometimes the hope of being comforted is greater than the hope of more time, trust is something that you must find in your decisions and trust in God during all times. Commitment in life wears the soul down to a thin layer of peace, and that peace is what must carry us bravely to the next step. And future, we all have futures, after every milestone in our lives. We all have a future after death no matter what beliefs you hold. Either your soul will move to the next place of living or your name will be forever living on the tongues and hearts of your loved ones.

Today will be an emotional day for sure, especially for my father. As I watch my big brother get married, my father will come to terms that he will lose his big brother. In the moment of what is to be the happiest of times, our family might have to face it with a solemn heart; however, today will be filled with love and things that always bring us closer to our creator: hope, trust, commitment and future, but of course love (the greatest of all things.)

Fun Parents equal Fun Kids!: The Smiths and "Smithits"

Danielle was a good friend in college. We may have lost touch over the years but thanks to Facebook we get to see how each other are doing. Since college Danielle has been blessed with a loving husband and her three "Smithits." Her two boys Campbell and Collin are 13 months apart, and are best friends. Then she has her little golden haired gal, Giuliana, who is 18 months. They came out to my house yesterday and we had fun getting family shots, even though little Gigi was not in the mood to flash her big and beautiful smile at all times. These photos show just how much love and fun is involved in this family. Thank you to the Smiths and their little Smithits for letting me capture these moments.

www.laurenpigford.com