Back home in Conway, mostly unpacked and super charged with excitement over putting our newly gained wisdom into practice.

After we each went our own direction Wednesday from Elevate, Ron and I spent a couple of days at the coast. Steve, we put into practice the technique you showed us on the roof at dusk, Tuesday night...here are a couple of the shots...

It was about the same time of the evening.

We are excited to be meeting with Craig and Bethany on Tuesday evening to discuss their upcoming June wedding.

To those of you who left messages and emails this week, I will be returning those calls and emails within the next couple of days. We look forward to discussing your upcoming events!

Again, Thank you to Joy and Garrett for all of your effort in putting together Elevate. You effort came to beautiful fruition.

I have signed us up on OSP and have read the thread going for our group from this week, but have yet to figure out how to reply or make a post. It keeps denying me access to do so. I'll have to do some research to see what is wrong. We have also signed with DWF, so we will be getting acquainted with those of you that post there as well. Thanks again, Jen for all of your info concerning this forum.

Elevate update-Wednesday
And now we begin.....WOW what a happening 3 days! Where do I begin? In an industry where the competition is tough and the stakes can be very high, there are still people who are willing to mentor those who want to learn! We have had that this week. The knowledge that we gained, the experiences that we enjoyed and the wisdom that was shared was priceless.

Tuesday night we went to the roof of the Lexington Hotel with 2 beautiful models to shoot pictures at dusk finding different and exciting light. I apologize for not posting last night. We had a fun evening together with the other attendees as well as our hosts. We were getting our images ready for peer/mentor review coming up today....a most beneficial experience. We continue to see things we did not see before and are now able to implement them for our most precious brides. One might say, who is the most precious? Well ALL of them of course! A bride is a very special lady, in every sense of the word.

Garrett and Joy Nudd of www.garrettnudd.com did such an excellent job of pulling together just what was needed for all. There were a wide expanse of people at varying levels of business in attendance and each said that they grained a wealth of information and experience. Thank you, Garrett and Joy for all of the hours of preparation and effort you instilled. Garrett's images have been described as "they make you all tingly!" :) I must say, that is a pretty accurate description!

Garrett and Joy were able to pull together people that could give different perspectives from different venues of the business. This made for a portfolio of incredible information. Thank you again and again.

Stephen and Jennifer Bebb of www.tyingtheknot.net, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, were an invaluable wealth of information and insight in all areas. WHAT AN AWESOME COUPLE! They have an immense amount of talent and can showcase it in a way that is most indescribable. They have a talent for sharing that information in a way that is so clear and concise. Thank you Steve and Jen for leaving your fingerprints on our lives that we may make our own fingerprints on the world of photography. Steve and Jen both can see light in such a unique way causing the subject to be at their beauty-best. They were able to help us see light as they do. Thank you is not enough to express our gratitude.

Thank you also to Curt Littlecott and Stephanie Rounds of www.nuvisionsinphotography.com. WOW, how do we describe what we learned from them as well....a man that came from a humble background with an amazing talent for seeing the beauty in a subject and knowing exactly how to exploit that beauty for all that it is worth! Curt and Stephanie hosted our meet and greet on Sunday night in their new, astounding studio. So much texture, interesting light and beautiful images everywhere, was a playground for the senses! Curt, thank you for your mentoring time with us. It was invaluable. We know that you did not have to do that, but gave your time freely and we are most grateful.

Lisa Konecmy, of www.e-eventsdesign.net, a wedding planner of the utmost quality, gave her time and effort to speak to us on the marketing and networking side of the business. Let me tell you...if you want someone with a sweet spirit and a will to get things done correctly and efficiently, making everyone happy in the process, SHE is your lady! Thank you Lisa, you were most helpful and generous. We are very much looking forward to the packet from you. You are a sweetheart! Tell Mark thank you also for his help is connecting us with local fun things and eateries.

That had better be it for tonight....OH, thanks Crystal for your encouragement to come to Orlando, Elevate. We are most glad that we made the investment. Take care of you and that sweet baby boy! :)

Elevate Update-Monday!
It was a beautiful day for photographing beautiful people! Thank you to all of the models and friends that worked with us today. You were such good sports and so cooperative. Downtown Orlando has so many options that the possibilities are endless.

We spent the morning in class learning, discussing and sharing. Then after lunch was the shoot-out that allowed us to show off these beauties! We have had a fantastic time and will be using this additional knowledge for you! We have 2 more days...
with more to share tomorrow....

Greetings from sunny, warm, beautiful, Orlando, Florida! Can you tell that we are glad to be here? Our heart goes out to those of you who are enduring the ice and snow.... Genuinely...But our heart especially goes out to our Natalie. She has been sick this week and mom and dad have a hard time being away at a time like this. Please be praying for her healing.

Now, on a brighter, more fun note....Garrett and Joy, you are sweet people and we have already learned from you. We are excited about the up coming days and what is in store. Orlando is a fantastic place for creative photographers! We are in downtown Orlando across from Lake Eola and the architecture is awesome! Garrett and Joy, the effort that you have put into this seminar is very evident and we thank you for that.

Check back tomorrow for images from the shoot-out!

Crystal, you were absolutely correct when you said that we would love the Nudds! What great people they are. The genuine care is written all over their face.

Until tomorrow....

We met with Kim Phifer EARLY :) this morning before leaving for Orlando and....Welcome Kim and Patrick to our family of brides and grooms! You were a bright spot on our cloudy Saturday morning. We are excited about working with you this year as you prepare to join your lives as one.

Well, today is a full day! This morning we meet with one of our brides from the bridal fair in Little Rock, then we head for Orlando FL for a photo shoot and seminar! We are anticipating a great time working with Garret and Joy Nudd and all of those at the seminar.

Yesterday we met with April, our drawing winner of the free bridal portraits. She has such a sweet spirit and will make a beautiful bride. April, it was so much fun learning about your future plans and world travel. We are very excited about the possibility of working with you and your groom to be!

We will keep you posted as the week progresses!

Congratualtions to APRIL HURT on winning the FREE BRIDAL PORTRAIT SESSION and 11x14 PRINT from the drawing held at the Bridal Fair in Little Rock on Sunday, January 14! We look forward to working with you, April. You will make a beautiful bride.

We spent the day today with many, many beautiful women who were looking for someone to document one of the most important days of their lives! What a special day for us. Each one of you that spent time with us, asking questions and seeing what we have to offer brought a beautifully bright spot to our day. It was quite an honor. We are so looking forward to your wedding day when we will record your memories.

Congratulations to Cheri Hicks, who won a free bridal session, given today as one of the door prizes! Cheri, the look on your face when you came to us with your certificate, was precious. :) You will make a beautiful bride. We are certainly looking forward to working with you.

Congratulations to Crystal Goss, as well with the expectation of a new addition to her family! Crystal, you look just beautiful with your sweet little "baby tummy". Take good care of you both.

We will be drawing from our visitors tomorrow and announcing the winner of a FREE Bridal Session with an 11x14 print! Good luck to each of you!

Thank you to Crystal Thurman, "boss", and her assistant Tabatha, "chief" for all of your hard work in putting together this Bridal Fair. You did an EXCELLENT job! We were so impressed with how smoothly things ran, how easy and convenient it was to unload, then load again and your sweet, friendly faces being there to help with any need. TERRIFIC job ladies! You are to be commended. We are looking forward to all that this year has in store as a result of this weekend.

Lauren's wedding on December 30th went off without a hitch. Lauren was as beautiful as we expected. Thank you Lauren for including us in your special day.

James, you have quite a catch in Lauren!

James' joy when he sees the doors open and his bride coming to meet him at the altar.

Exchanging vows.

First dance...

Cutting the cake...

Lauren and James, we wish you many years of happiness and prosperity! Keep in touch.