2008...here we come!

2008 is right around the corner. With the new year, Express Yourself Photo will be undergoing some changes! I am excited to announce that session fees will now be $100. The session fee will include your session at a location of your choice, photographer's time and talent, an online viewing gallery, AND your choice of up to 15 4 x 6 prints OR 8 5 x 7 prints of your session pictures. New prices too! My goal for 2008 is to offer my services to more people in a more afordable way! Pictures are ways to keep memories alive, and no one should be denied that opportunity!

So, whether you like color...

Or black and white...

Or both...look 2008 straight on...

and call or email Kelly at Express Yourself Photo to book your next session!

Also new in 2008, if you place your order within a week of your online viewing gallery being posted, you will receive a FREE 5 x 7 print.

An afternoon with J

Who could resist such a cutie??

Pretty in Pink

Meeting on a Saturday to take some pictures in the crisp fall air was lovely with these two young ladies all dressed in pink. Mom even got in with the girls for a few of the shots. Pretty in pink...

Daddy's Little Girl

There is nothing like a daddy and his little girl...

Family

Family means different things to different people. Here family means having outstretched arms to hug, tickle, and support.

Sisters

Family...sisters...beauty.

Black and White

We went out to take some family pictures for the holidays. Here's Dakota in the flesh...or in black and white actually!

Cutie!!!

Just look at this cute little girl. She is so precious and such a good model!

Giving

We spent the day at Calicos Haven, the organization where I am donating 10% of my pictures orders until 2008. Michelle, one of the owners of the organization, was there to show off her beautiful horses. Dakota was fortunate enough to be treated as royalty! She learned how to lead a horse, brush a horse, and even spent time learning the correct form to ride. She did not want to leave at the end of the day!

If you have not checked out this worthy organization...make sure you do! They work to build the esteem and confidence of some of our forgotten youth. What an awesome undertaking as everyone has the right to feel proud of themselves.

D in the Gardnes

I found it! An area with some GREEN grass even after we have not seen rain in weeks! D had so much fun crawling around in the grass and hearing the leaves crunch in his fingers.

Becoming Mom...

Moments before becoming a mother, a woman looks so beautiful.

K and M are anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby E.

Touching others...

The time is NOW to sign up for your fall photo session! Express Yourself Photo will be donating 10% of all photo orders to a wonderful organization called Calicos Haven. Check out their website at http://www.calicoshaven.com/

Calicos Haven provides therapy for children by using horses, dogs, and bunnies. It brings together my two loves...animals and children! How could I not choose them?

All sessions booked and held before the end of the year will be helping raise money for this wonderful organization! Plus you get some great pictures out of the deal too!

Daddy's Little Girl

Beginning September 16th, Dakota will begin playing soccer! Daddy's dream is coming true. He will finally have someone to share his love of soccer and a buddy to play with.

We headed out to the soccer field today to see how she would do. Of course, I went with camera in tow to capture this momentous connection between Daddy and Daughter.

My two loves had a blast playing soccer, and we were surprised at how well she did dribbling and passing the ball. It was all smiles today on the soccer field!

And so it begins...

So, we head to meet Nanny and Papa this afternoon. Dakota is heading there to spend the week. She gets to finish her summer fun in Brevard. Dakota starts first grade on the 27th. Her teacher sounds great. Ms. Wilson is a Nationally Board Certified teacher, was Teacher of the Year at Lake Wylie, and from her websites looks like she has a lot of fun in her room. I think Dakota is up for a fantastic school year.

I have two more teacher work days before the kids head back and the school year begins for me. I meet my students tomorrow night. Hard to believe this is the beginning of my 12th year of teaching...7th in South Carolina. I am taking a Science journaling class this year, so I am excited to try new things. Next year my focus will be spelling! Still trying to decide when I would like to begin my EdD journey, but I know it is NOT now!

Ron continues to work hard at Palm Beach Tan. He is a store manager again. I admire how much time and effort he puts in at his job. Ron always gives 110%!

As for my photography business, things continue to go well. I am in the process of teaming up with a talented lady who does specialty cards. The idea would be to use me to photograph and her to create the cards with my pictures. We are hoping the holidays will bring a lot of business for the both of us! Details on this will follow in the next month. Of course, I have a couple pics to add from my latest session...

Water, water, everywhere!!!

Today was quite the adventure.

I headed back to school today :( Summer is officially over!

As a treat, and a teambuilding venture, our school went white water rafting! Click on the link to see where we were... http://www.usnwc.org/ Yes...I did it. Had a blast...and ready to go back! If I unearth any pictures taken by other teachers, I will be sure to post for proof that I did it!!!

Now, I am beat, ready for a shower, a beer, and bed! But, any of you out of towners come to Charlotte at any point, you must go do this. You will get wet, but you will have fun!

Nature

Recently Dakota and I were on a hike when there we were in the middle of a bunch of butterflies. It was so cool! They were flying all around us...we were truly surrounded by nature. Makes me wonder why so many people are in such a hurry to knock all the natural areas down to build more houses and more buildings. Why not just stop??? Do we really NEED everything we are building, or are we killing the beauty around us? Hmmm...maybe I will run for President!

HOT

It was 104 yesterday! Wow...even the pool water was HOT. I am ready for cooler weather, sweaters, and jeans.

Fall sounds like a dream. Went into a cute store in Fort Mill yesterday and they had fall and Halloween stuff out. I love the oranges, browns, and yellows you see in fall. Can't wait for some fall photo shoots with the colors changing in the background. However, everything right now is pretty much BROWN...but dead brown, not pretty brown!

I guess I have decided to definately travel to the mountains this fall and enjoy the change of seasons...if I can survive this heat :) Stay tuned for COOLER fall pictures soon (I hope)

Cuties

Had the pleasure to spend time with these two cuties this past weekend! Take a peek...

Savannah

We spent our family vacation in the land of Paula Deen! We got to walk the riverfront, go to the beach, walk up almost 200 steps at a local lighthouse, and went on a ghost tour at night on Friday the 13th. It was great to get away as a family for a long weekend.

August

I am still in shock. I refuse to change my calendar. Really...it cannot be August already!

I guess reality is that it IS August. I am headed back to school on the 15th for another year teaching fourth grade. I have been in to spend time setting up my classroom, writing long range plans, etc.

Honestly, I do get excited to meet my new class of students and get to know them. I do like seeing the teachers I have not seen all summer. I do look forward to receiving a paycheck again :)

I dread making lunches, picking out what I have to wear, and getting up early. In my perfect world, I would only have to teach part time. I could spend time volunteering at Dakota's school. I could have a little more me time!

So, that being said, I am headed to school today to work on the monkeys I am displaying outside my classroom...because you know...I have a class full of monkeys coming soon! Wish me luck!

Summer Shoots

This summer has been filled with so many wonderful opportunities to capture smiles and personalities of beautiful children. Take a look at some of my favorites!

I have not forgotten...

It seems I have been so busy taking pictures of others, that I have neglected taking pics of Dakota. We headed out today to one of our favorite spots to take some pics.