Laugh. Love. Photo.

It's a twisted show. It's mysterious, sexy and it leaves you going 'what just happened'?! At least that's the best way I can describe True Blood. It's dark, but not in a scary, horror movie way...or you can bet your sweet behind I wouldn't be watching it!! But dark is not my 'thing' with photography so I had to put on my thinking cap to figure out what I could submit that would be a good fit for this show. And "Bloody Mary" came to mind. She's a statue in the cemetery near the house where I grew up. I learned to ride my bike in this cemetery and many hours were spent just hanging out here with friends. To some it's strange, but to us neighborhood kids, it was just the norm. But there was this statue; she captivated our imaginations. She had us telling the tallest of tales about her and how she died. I've honestly meant to research this statue for years, but never seem to remember. Maybe now I will. Anyway, "Bloody Mary...

I had another fabulous gifting opportunity with The Artisan Group in August. This time for the inspiring Alison Sweeney, best known for her role as Sami on "Days of Our Lives" as well as her hosting spot on "The Biggest Loser". To try and get to know Ms. Sweeney's tastes, etc. I got to digging on her website and found an awesome article that just so happened to have a photo of her with her two children...in their home kitchen. JACKPOT! I zoomed in on this photo and loved the rustic feel, there is a horse photo, rooster decor and what I noticed right away, the cow salt & pepper shakers. Click on the photo to read the article! Immediately I knew she'd be getting my "Horse in Fog" photo as well as my "Happy Goat" photo, but I had to figure out what type of products to fit within our size guidelines. Of course she would get my new prized product, my handmade wine stopper and I felt the goat looked cute on top of a bottle. ...

I have the great honor of gifting another celebrity via The Artisan Group. This time around, it's funny lady Amy Poehler. You may have seen her on Saturday Night Live, Mean Girls, Baby Mama or her current hit show, Parks and Recreation. Keeping her sense of humor in mind, as well as the fact that she has two young sons, I decided to go with one of my favorite photos as well as one of my best sellers in my Etsy shop, the Curious Giraffe. I did take a quick poll of my Facebook fans and friends and he was recommended time and time again. I attached a 3.5x5 image to a card that can be removed and framed. Then I chose the most popular item in my Etsy shop, the iPhone 4/4s case. Whether she has an iPhone or not, of course I don't know, but she can easily wrap it and gift it to a friend. Since the case and card are small, I was able to put in one more item, my new handmade wine stopper. I think every kitchen should have a Curious Giraffe to add a touch of whimsy and humor...

I am so honored and humbled to be a part of such a wonderful group as The Artisan Group. In a very short couple months of being a member, I've been able to include my business cards in Earth Day swag bags to 25 high profile celebrities, have an ad in the MTV Movie Awards event guide and now gift the very beautiful and talented Jordin Sparks. I'm still looking around at the corn fields that surround my community and wondering how in the world little ole me is able to have such amazing opportunities. But I'm not going to question it any further. I'm going to accept the opportunities with appreciation and continue riding this train until the wheels fall off...or however that saying goes. I have to be honest, I didn't know much about Jordin Sparks before this opportunity. I knew she was gorgeous and could sing her heart out. I knew she won American Idol, although I'm not a follower of the show. And I knew she was starring in the movie "Sparkle" along...

On March 20th I was contacted by the Editor in Chief of Creating Vintage Charm magazine to see if I'd give permission to have my "Pink Hydrangea" photo printed in the Marketplace section of the Spring issue. Um...no brainer...YES! A couple of weeks went by and I anxiously waited for the announcement that the Spring Issue had been published. On April 5th I received a link to buy the magazine for myself...DONE. The day it arrived I squealed like a school girl and ripped open the package. The cover was gorgeous. Every page I turned I was more in love with the Shabby Chic style than I had been before. And then, oh my goodness, there it was, MY photo published in a magazine...in the top right corner of page 6. My husband was home and just kept laughing at me and kissing my forehead..."I'm so proud of you" he said "That's awesome!" he repeated over and over. I don't know if it was the feeling of holding the copy in my hands an...

A couple months ago I saw several of my Facebook friends 'liking' and commenting on a Youtube video that was circulating. I'm nosey. I checked it out and was instantly in tears. I knew who this young lady was by name and by face, but had never met her. Watch her video and keep your Kleenex at the ready! As a mom, my heart broke for her. I wanted to hug her. I wanted to do all that I could to help her. I unrealistically wanted to make her all better. I couldn't imagine going through what she had gone through and was still going through. Her illness isn't cured, will never be cured and her body will never be the same again. As a woman, body image is a constant struggle, let alone having scars and tubes as permanent reminders of what you've been through. I just wanted to hug her and tell her she was brave and beautiful and so inspiring! I was racking my brain on how to help her. How in the world could I be a voice for her? This brave young lady had already ...

Spring is just around the corner, hopefully sooner rather than later. And with spring comes high school graduation. I'd like to congratulate the Class of 2012, especially the nine seniors that I photographed, on surviving their last year and also wish them the very best in their future endeavors! As the Class of 2012 is preparing to spread their wings, there's another class ready to take their place. Enter the Juniors...the Class of 2013...and here's where I come in... Senior pictures are a must-have. They are as important to a high school kid as the class ring, the Varsity Jacket, Spring Break and Prom. And 'WHO' takes your portraits is just as important. You want the photographer to give you options, not limit you to an old fashioned standard of what senior photos are 'supposed to look like'. You want the photographer to capture who YOU are by bringing your personality out in photos. That's what I do. I take you to YOUR locations, YOUR sentimenta...

WINNERS ANNOUNCED!!   Wow! I can never begin to thank everyone enough for their participation. I had some generous vendors! I had an overwhelmingly positive response from this giveaway! And most of all, there were 51 entries to the giveaway!!   A reminder of the rules: Please read the instructions thoroughly to learn how to enter to win!   This giveaway will run from Wednesday February 1st at 9AM EST to Wednesday February 8th 9PM EST.  The winners will be announced on Friday February 10th at 9AM EST. If prizes are not claimed by Monday February 13th at 9AM EST, new winners will be selected. HOW TO ENTER TO WIN! Required:   1. Use the photos of each vendor to visit their Facebook pages (including Laughter and Love Photography!) and click "Like" to become a fan. Please take your time so facebook doesn't block you!  Then leave each vendor a note saying "Thanks for participating in the Laughter and Love Photography's 700 fan Giveaway!" (copy and paste comes...

Welcome to Laughter and Love Photography's Blog. It's my 700 Fan Celebration Giveaway! Thank you so much for supporting my business as well as my Facebook page. Not a day goes by that I'm not humbled by the support and friendships I've made through my little photography business. Words can never express my gratitude, so how about some goodies as thanks! Also, a big THANK YOU, from my heart, to the vendors that graciously donated!! Please read the instructions thoroughly to learn how to enter to win!   This giveaway will run from Wednesday February 1st at 9AM EST to Wednesday February 8th 9PM EST.  The winners will be announced on Friday February 10th at 9AM EST. If prizes are not claimed by Monday February 13th at 9AM EST, new winners will be selected. HOW TO ENTER TO WIN! Required:   1. Use the photos of each vendor to visit their Facebook pages (including Laughter and Love Photography!) and click "Like" to become a fan. Please take your time so facebook...