Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

I just wanted to post a few pictures from this wedding I've been working on...it was a BLAST! I had forgot how many fun pictures there was from this wedding. I had a great couple, with a great group of friends....awesome colors....any of you bride's out there reading this, check out the "Chocolate" tuxes...the guys looked incredible!! I think these had to be the best tuxes I've ever seen, and different!! That's always nice...but very yummy too!! I guess I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner, because yummy was the only word I could come up with...I plan on using some of their pictures on my spotlight session, but just a fun...classy, AWESOME wedding! I hope they liked all of their pictures as much as I did...I've got to have a sample album of this one!

On a more personal note, say a prayer thanking the Lord for all of your blessings...don't think about what you don't have, or all of the things that can bring you down...debt, loss of a loved one...I know one of my Bride's just lost their Grandma, and a Groom just lost his Grandmother too...but think of all the things we do have. A warm home, plenty of food in the fridge, warm coats, shoes and socks...even your tooth brush, running water, and clean water...those are the things we take for granted here in this wonderful country, I don't think I've ever, one time thought about not being able to eat...might not have been what I wanted, but I've always had plenty....I'm so very thankful for my family...my adorable husband, and beautiful girls, my parents, sisters...brothers (by marriage)...I have great in-laws that love me (who reads this pretty faithfully, which means a lot) I'm so very blessed to have my family all close, I have Sunday dinner with most of them ever Sunday after Church...and how could I forget...Church, and freedom to worship, vote, come and go as we please...wear what I want, no one forces me into anything I don't want to do, we are so blessed...Take time to think about all of those blessing, no matter how big or small they are...I'm thankful for all of you out there reading this...it always makes me feel good when someone tells me they check out my blog...I guess if they're still reading, I'll try to find time to still do it....I like talking to you out there, and I feel like you'll get to know me better, and see that I'm not only a photographer, I'm your friend! I'm thankful for all of my good friends, some I know I don't take enough time for...and should, so if you're reading this, I love you and I'm thankful for you!! Enough said, I've got to get my rolls out of the oven, I'm gonna try not to be late for dinner today...but I'm sure we will be!! Sorry Rhonda! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Lots of leaves!!

Aren't they so adorable!! This is a picture of my niece and little nephew....piled in the leaves, it was chilly, but they didn't seem to mind, we just snapped a few, and ran back inside. Gotta to get back to editing, just had to post one of them tonight!

My, My, MY!!!

Hello Everyone, I had to post this image tonight...I can't believe just how fast 3 years go by! I'm sure everyone around town is dying for me to do something different with these babies...but I've always just loved this ad with them ....but they sure don't look like this anymore!! My, My, MY!! What fun this was, actually every session is fun with this family...and believe it or not, its getting easier! We were talking about all of our past sessions, the first session, I got to help feed, and change diapers...I wanted another baby so bad after that one, and then they got mobile!! So the next year was alot tougher....and then more mobile...and a little tougher to get everyone to just sit in one spot the next year...and this year, now 3 YEARS OLD! And big brother is a school boy now, its always been a little frustrating for him...he smiles and then they're not, I think he actually had alot more fun this year! So with a 6 year old, and 4 ~3 year old toddlers, I think we did pretty darn good! I always dred this for their parents, I know its so hard, and I had to cancel on them last minute a couple of weeks ago because my 7 year old sliced a chunck of her toe off and we had to run for stiches, but to be honest, I think we had a much better day because of it! Well, got to run...gotta get girls to bed, its late start tomorrow at school so everyone is still up, talk to you soon~ Penny

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

From the Copeland Girls!!

Some good lookin' Seniors!

Hello Everyone,
Thought I would show you a few of the Seniors that I've done this year so far...I know, I've taken alot of you, but this is the only one's I've gotten done so far. I've got a few family sessions I'm wrapping up tonight...I'm sure they're dying to see them too?? I'm staying about one day ahead of a month...so if that tells you anything, its not pretty! I'm gonna pull an all nighter tonight...husband is coon hunting, and the girls are all having sleep overs, so this is the night! Big plans...Catch up & coffee! I'm getting a late start, but I wanted to get a few of these on here. Check back in a few days, hopefully I'll have a few more to post...PENNY

Copeland Girls Rule!

I finally did something for myself today...I took MY girls pictures! That was something I had planned to get done this summer, and never did...not that any of you aren't as important...but my own baby girls have had to wait, and wait...and me, I've had to wait and wait!! Now I can get my jewelry ordered!! I know at least Amanda will be as happy as I am, the rest of you will just have to wait and see....

These are my girls, all just as beautiful as the next. All of them wanted to do a "hottie" look, but they look way to old!! Even Mary wanted to strike a pose, she's gonna be a handful!! Anyways, I wanted to post them tonight since its been a while, and also, wanted them to be able to show them off at school tomorrow. I've got to finish a wedding album tonight, so its back to the real world, but tomorrow...I'm ordering my new jewelry! Good night~Penny

Remember....

I wanted to write a little today about this great country we live in...some of you know today is my birthday, yea...9/11 changed so much for me 7 years ago. Its hard to think of my birthday when I think about what our great country went through and all of the ones that were lost that day...whether they were in the Twin Towers, airplanes, the Pentagon...or just the rescue workers doing their jobs and lost their lives serving others.....I cried for most of the morning, I told my girls we were all going to wear our red AMERICA shirts and why, and then I turned on to watch some of the programs....Some of us have no idea what was lost that day, Mommies and Daddies...Grandparents...Aunts & Uncles, and friends....families from different countries. We take for granted just how much "Freedom" costs, and just how easy the ones we love can be taken from us. I just want each of you to say a prayer for those families that are still in mourning, and pray for our troops and our government...its been 7 years since this attack, and they've tried since...you can say want you want about the government, but they've done a good job protecting us this past 7 years....My gas is way to high, and money is tight...but is there any other place on earth you'd rather raise your family?? I feel safe here, there isn't a day that goes by that I even worry about my freedom....or my safety. See, take for granted...On a day like today, you have to stop and think about our safety, and I still feel safe, sad today...but safe. GOD BLESS THIS GREAT COUNTRY, LAND THAT I LOVE!! GOD BLESS AMERICA~ Penny

Trash the dress??

I have fallen in love with this couple, more than they know. They are so good together, fun, playful...totally HOT!! Everything you could want in models, but even deeper...they truly love each other, and are the perfect example of things even better on the inside than the outside, they are just the best! Other than getting my beautiful bride "car sick" we had a wonderful day. We ended up at the same park and fountain that he proposed to her, which made it even better!! I wanted to share with you a few, there will be soooo many...but I knew some of you were looking forward to what "trash the dress" really was, and we didn't trash it, there is a chance you're gonna get dirty, but you know...most of the time its already dirty from the reception, so its more like we just washed it in the fountain :)

The parking garage...My husbands idea, I know!!

Just beautiful!!

She was so sick by now, but you sure couldn't tell~

See what I mean by playful, so cute!!

Okay, this had to be one of the coolest sessions EVER!! I hated to even show my husband this last one...all he could say was...WOW! I'm just glad I couldn't read his mind :)

My sister and I had a ball doing this, and I hope this just shows you its more like a contemporary bridal session than a "trashing" I think we're gonna get her dress out

( she's about the only one I know that can still fit in her wedding dress after 5 years)

and see if we can't talk my brother in law into a session...

Thank you to my brave couple for being my first, Ashley....Let me know what you think!!

Finally, 2009 Seniors!

I've officially started the 2009 season of Seniors, and even though his Momma hasn't seen this picture, I fell in love with it, so I had to share it with you all ( all 4 of you that look at this!)

I always take what I think people want, but I always like to give them something I want to give them, more of a CD cover look...I'd like to know what you all think of it, he's young, but I thought this was a pretty good look for him! I think all the High School girls will go Ga-Ga over it! Now, got to get back to weddings, just needed a quick break~Penny

I Hope....

Have you ever had someone in your life, that you say..."I just hope my daughters grow up and are half the person she is" ?? I guess if you have sons that probably hasn't crossed your mind, but you could hope you'll have a daughter in law that is as sweet....I want to tell you about a Bride of mine. Margaret..never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that there could be someone as sweet, thoughtful, kind, and patient, really patient...everything I want my daughters to grow into being...this is Margaret! She has been waiting for me since the beginning of time now it seems, and made the mistake of telling me to put her on the back burner and get caught up...well, that's what I did, but I still haven't caught up...so where is her order sitting, still on the back burner, collecting dust...and is she even the slightest bit upset with me, she still is telling me to get caught up with everyone else...still putting me first! In this business you meet alot of people, and some you just have to take a moment and praise the Lord for blessing you with their friendship, so that is what I'm doing...I am thanking my father in heaven for bringing Margaret into my life, I hope that she will always be a part of it, even if photography never plays a part in our future...she is the woman I hope my daughters become.

Did Anyone notice???

Did anyone notice my new blog header??
I've been wanting something that showcased more than one picture, and I finally figured it out...you can tell by the pictures I picked that I must be in a "romantic" mood!! I love engagement sessions, and weddings when I get to have fun expressing myself a little more, don't get me wrong, I love ALL of my weddings...there is just every once in a while that you get a bride that doesn't mind getting her dress a little dirty, and then I can do sooooo many different things!! I've got my first "Trash the Dress" session coming up at the end of August, and I totally CAN NOT WAIT!! I've been dying to do one, and now I'm gonna get a chance...big plans, just popping in here all the time...You know my ADHD works in mysterious ways!! I'll talk to you soon!! ~Penny

Our little burrito!

Well, Aunt Penny has another picture to post, just a quick black and white one...I can't wait to actually have a session with him, when he's not so bundled up! We said he looked like a little burrito...Gotta love it!

HE'S FINALLY HERE!!

This is a picture of my Mother and Father in law, after 5 grand daughters (none of which they would trade for the world), they finally got a Grandson!! I have a nephew! He was so little, my brother in law is a pretty big guy, and he has this little bitty baby boy...I'm glad for my "Awesome" sister in laws sake~He's soooo cute!!!

I just wanted everyone to see, I'll try to post some more pictures of him later, I've got to get girls ready for a 4H sheep show...Penny

Sidney's Birthday Picture....

Happy Birthday Sidney!!
Okay, this is my daughter Sidney...she will be turning 11 on the 10th...Yes 11~ She doesn't look it in this picture, but it was her favorite. We took some pictures of her the other day, and they have been locked up here on my computer...I guess she sees what Momma takes, and knows this is the look I like, but I'm not so sure I like it on my babies!!! Anyways, I have been without my computer now for 2 weeks, and after troubleshooting for a week, and a week at Branson to run away from it, I finally talked to the right tech today...it took him 20 minutes and he had me up and running...20 minutes, after a week and 8 hours later with 2 other techs!! You just have to get ahold of the right one I guess, so thank God for Manit in India, his English wasn't half bad either!! So I'm back in business for all of those that are waiting on me...I'll be here all night! For the rest of the month~ But I'm so glad to be back in business!!

Where do I start....

Hello again, I was dying to post some of these maternity pictures...I had so much fun with this Mommy to be...She was beautiful, and had such a sense of style! These are just a few of my many favorites, but I wanted her to get to see a few, and anyone else that actually looks at this~ Hopefully there is a few of you!!! Please let me know what you think of this style of maternity session...we did alot of different stuff, but I just loved the camo! Hopefully she will be just as excited as I am...now, back to weddings and ordering...I just sneak back and forth to some of my sessions to give me a break, it keeps it fun for me! Like I said, let me know what you think! ~Penny

Here's a few...

Its been a very busy summer so far for me...I thought I would post a few of the sessions I'm just finishing up with. There are a few engagement sessions, and a few families, all tons of fun! I'm working on adding KIMBRA jewelery line to my price list, its a little pricey, and I don't make hardly anything on it, but I WANT IT!! I keep thinking I am going to take some time to do my own 4 girls for some pictures...I need a new one, and I want it for a bracelet, I need a sample...right! Anyways...I've got to clean my house tomorrow, I've already warned my troops, I have another maternity session on Wed, and I'd die if anyone saw it this bad. So I thought I would stay up late and get a few more done...and give you a few, so you know I'm still here, behind the computer....

GOT TO MAKE SOME CHANGES!!

Well, I've had to make some changes to my business for my life...Does that make sense?? As most of you know, I'm not very good at saying "No", so that gets me overbooked, and feeling completely overwhelmed with editing, and ordering...and ordering prints is very time consuming, and then once I receive orders, I have to sort them, invoice them, contact my clients and try to get together for them to be picked up.....ok, there is just not enough time in my day! I want to be able to do more things, like fit more sessions in! I'm so sorry to those that I've had to turn down...I'd like to be able to get to more of you...I'd also like to be able to check into different products that I'd like to have for my clients, (like jewelry and handbags, fun stuff!) So I have made a choice to use a lab that takes the orders for me, and also sends them directly to you....They will also handle my album design, so there will be some different options for albums, and even proofbooks. Once I have it all figured out, I will add the information to my website, one good thing, they also take charge cards, which I haven't done until now. All sessions and orders as of August 1, 2008 will have this option. I may try it out on a few of you just to see how it goes. Hopefully the transition will be a smooth one....I had to raise my prices a little to be able to afford this service, but hopefully this will give me more time and energy to be a photographer and a MOM, not stuck here behind the computer! Everyone say a prayer for me, and please be patient with me...Hopefully this will be best for me, my family and all of you, if not...I'll go back to what I was doing...as for now, this is the change in my life~

Its been a while....

I'm sorry its been so long since I've added anything to this...I was afraid this would happen! I have about 3 engagement sessions I'm working on, and my poor bride Angela!! She has been waiting so patiently...I have them done FINALLY!! I've been trying to get them ordered all day, for some reason...you know, when you're in a hurry, and lost all patience....the Lord gives me something I have to be patient with...Well, that's what happened today. For some reason, I haven't been able to upload the 300 prints for her proof book...I've tried, and tried....and still nothing. Its after midnight, and I've about gave up. I've even been trying to get her slide show online, I thought I'd surprise her...the music won't upload, so I've been having trouble with that too!! I thought, OK...I'll put one of my favorites of her wedding on here tonight, so she doesn't think I've totally forgot her...Angie this is for you! I don't know if you look at this or not, if you do...I'm publicly telling you "I'm sorry for taking so long, and thank you for being such a doll!" Everyone that knows her would tell you this...she has been incredible to work with, and I've needed her! I'm so swamped, I can't get my orders put in, and everything edited...and she said, you take all the time you need, I'll wait! WOW! Can you believe that...the Lord sends me blessings in so many ways, and Angela has been a blessing. Everyone reading this, say a quick prayer for me...I need it! GOOD NIGHT~ Penny

A few more Seniors....

Why can't I walk in heels?? I guess as a little girl I didn't practice enough. I was out climbing trees, and catching frogs!! All of my girls are about the same way, but when they're not outside, they're playing dress up and singing...I didn't have "Hannah Montana" growing up...or High School Musical...and its sad to say, I think I have most of the songs memorized off of HS Musical!! I thought these few pictures showed my style...I always get plenty of smiles :)
But this is what I like to get...more of a model, magazine look for them. I think they like it better too....They're Daddy's may not, Sorry Dads....Youth is beauty!! And these girls had a style all of their own, I was proud of what we got working together...I hope they were too! OK, back to work...I've got some Braymer boys to get done! And a few from Lathrop...and a few from Polo!!!! We're almost to the end of the 2008 school year, Aren't we???? Calgon, take me away!

Some of the last 2008 Senior Girls...

I've had a lot of fun with some of these last minute seniors...yes, I'm still doing some 2008 Seniors!! Oh, they're just busy...and think they're senior year is gonna last forever, and then one morning they wake up with less than a month till Graduation. I have been blessed with some beautiful girls (OK, the guys aren't so bad either!!) I just have so much fun taking pictures of Seniors!! Something I thought at first that I wouldn't even mess with has turned into one of my favorite things...now, what's not my favorite...Having to get them edited as fast as I possibly can, making my crazy life just a little more crazy!! But I wouldn't have wanted to miss out on any of these girls...I wish them the very best in everything they do!! I'll try to post a few more in a while....

Do you still look at each other like this??

Well, do you?? I always get a kick out of my sister when she says I look at my husband like a love sick school girl...but that's how I feel! I look at him like he's my night in shining armor and I can't wait to see him everyday when he gets home from work. I try to capture that look between two people, and I really think these two needed no direction from me....see it in their eyes, its like they're looking into each others soul. I hope I capture this every time...but you have to admit, you've got to feel pretty comfortable with me and the camera before we get this....these two were great! They were so wrapped up in each other, I just had to stand back and think...wow! I hope they had as much fun as I did, and I hope they enjoy what I caught, I was very happy with all of their pictures...I just wanted my cheerleaders to see this look, and tell them to try to remember to look at your husband like this everyday...You never know when its going to be the last time you see each other, always say "I love you" with your eyes...they want to feel adored, even if they won't admit it!