Farm Fun with the McConnell Family ~ Louisiana Family Photographer
Well, it's been a while... but what better way to start back my blogging than with this sweet, silly family? I've always said everywhere you go has it's pros and cons - I love me some big city, but sometimes there's just nothing like growing up in a small town! I was dubious moving back, because there's always negatives to knowing everybody in town, but the positives much outweighed that!
Well, it's been a while... but what better way to start back my blogging than with this sweet, silly family? I've always said everywhere you go has it's pros and cons - I love me some big city, but sometimes there's just nothing like growing up in a small town! I was dubious moving back, because there's always negatives to knowing everybody in town, but the positives much outweighed that!
This is one example ~ I've known Mindy forever, growing up in a small town, you just know folks. And I always thought she was so sweet! But, as you will see with blogs to come, I have been blessed to have all these awesome folks come back in to my life, and they're bringing their freaking awesome new families!!
Mindy and Zac are so stinkin' sweet, and I can't get over their son, Noah!! I tell you, meeting people for the first time is always an experience ~ sometimes good, sometimes bad, but always memorable. He was one for the books!
When I first pulled up to their house, Noah was hanging outside, just moseying around. As soon as I got out of the car, he straight up introduced himself and then his dog, "This is our dog Eve! We named her that cause we got her on Christmas Eve." LOL Love a kid that is just up front and talkative! Just wait :) He then goes on to tell me about these cows that came up in his yard... I said, "Do What?! Cows in your YARD??" He said, "Yeah, our neighbor's cows just came over here across the pasture!! Crazy!" LOL I'm in love with this kid already!
I decided to just roam their property and find ways to show off who they were ~ I loved the woods behind their place! Noah did, too! One of my favorite things as a child photographer is to just stand back and allow them to be them ~ I try to slightly guide parents into focusing more on enjoying spending time with their kids and not worrying about getting them posed in the perfect position. To me, the photographs I always cherish are the ones that express who the person is. My goal in every session is to capture that one shot where they'll remember the silliness or the sadness or all the emotions they felt in that moment, fifty years later when they pull that print out of an old beat up Justin boot box that they've thrown all those old photographs in... What can I say? I'm a print junkie! I get that from my mama ;)
I had so much fun playing around with them out on their property. I just love me some good ole country folks :)
Gotta finish this off with these hilarious pictures! What you get when you say on the count of three do something goofy is always a surprise! Zac was a little skeptical of his crazy wife, but they both got so tickled by Noah! LOL Me included ;) Until next week, take after these super sweet goofballs, make a silly face and enjoy life! Sessions like this sure remind me how amazing it is for your job to be something you love so much!
Thanks for 2015 ~ from Callie Jo Photography :)
I cannot express how overwhelmed I am looking back over this past year. I would’ve never imagined that this is where I would be! I just have to give a ginormous thank you to each and every one of you that have supported me throughout the year! As a thank you, I’m posting my favorite 25 images of 2015! This was one of the hardest things I’ve done all year! I wish I could’ve chosen one from every 100+ sessions this year, but I would probably shut down my site! LOL Each image brought back awesome memories :) Thank you all for touching my heart and allowing me to capture yours…
I cannot express how overwhelmed I am looking back over this past year. I would’ve never imagined that this is where I would be! I just have to give a ginormous thank you to each and every one of you that have supported me throughout the year! As a thank you, I’m posting my favorite 25 images of 2015! This was one of the hardest things I’ve done all year! I wish I could’ve chosen one from every 100+ sessions this year, but I would probably shut down my site! LOL Each image brought back awesome memories :) Thank you all for touching my heart and allowing me to capture yours…
Seniors, you have my heart!! I decided to do a Senior Rep Group to spin things off and I just love all of you! I am so grateful for y'all to be part of my first year. I am so excited to see what God has in store for all of you (every one of you Seniors, not just my reps!)...
Cindy Covington, thank you for giving me my push! I couldn’t have asked for a better gig than celebrating your mom’s Surprise 80th Birthday as my first! Again, thanks everyone! I’m sooo looking forward to 2016! *New Year's Resolution ~ more consistent blog posts :)
Memphis, A Rock'n'Roll Getaway ~ Travel Photographer
Memorial Day... No, I'm not confused by what holiday it is, I'm stating that that was the last time I went on "vacation" and took time off. I have a problem ~ I can't leave posts hanging, I can't leave messages unanswered, I have to constantly keep going! But, I promised myself I would shut down and go off the grid for Labor Day Weekend, and I straight up did! You have no idea how hard it was to not respond to messages, and to not even post these shots when I took them. I vowed to actually enjoy the weekend, and not miss my vacation and time with Casey with my nose in my phone posting pictures and missing out on what's happening in front of my eyes :) So, Instagram overload, here it comes! LOL
Anytime I've been asked, "If you could do anything, what would it be?" I have always had the same answer ~ "I want someone to pay me to travel and take pictures LOL" That's a far reach from a typical job, so I never planned on that actually happening... But, I have found a happy medium ~ I am now photographing beautiful families and seniors, and getting my heart melted by sweet sweet kiddos, and every once in a while I get to hit the road and enjoy our magnificent world.
I knew it was just going to be a short weekend, so I started thinking of what was close enough but that I've never gotten to go to. I've driven through Memphis a thousand times, but never stopped. I was so excited to experience a new place! Casey and I headed out Saturday morning, and I just have to take a minute to brag on him. I have such an awesome man ~ he never gets sick, and of course it hit him like a brick the day before we left :( As hellbent as I was about going somewhere, I knew I would go alone if I needed to, but it wouldn't be the same. This is where I get to say how awesome he is... He went. Sick as a dog. And for one day had a good time, but I know he was miserable. The things you do for the one's you love :)
So... we headed to Beale Street as soon as we got in. These are just a few shots I took, just taking in the city. I love how old things are, but are also well maintained and held together.
This is one of my favorite shots ~ we were walking down Beale St and it just took me in. I felt like I had transported in time.
This place... a hole in the wall, but the best fried chicken you will eat!! It has some spice and I freaking love it!! Let me just say, I don't know if it's because I'm 30 and my tastes are changing, if I was starving, or what, but I freaking didn't substitute the coleslaw like I tend to and ate it! It was delicious!! I hate coleslaw! Or hated it LOL I don't know if it's just Gus or what, but this should be the first, well second behind Beale Street, of your stops when you go to Memphis :)
Graceland :) Home of the King of Rock'n'Roll! I had to swing through by myself because Casey was feeling so horrible (good idea though, it was super crowded since it was a holiday weekend, and being sick he would've hated it!) So, take a little tour with me ~ roam through Elvis' home of Graceland.
I know you're thinking, you're almost done with this blog and you haven't even mentioned the word barbecue! This is Memphis! What's going on? Let me tell you, we had planned on grubbing on some, but hadn't officially decided on a place. I reached out to a woman I am so jealous of how much travel she does, Mary Weddle, and she suggested Central BBQ and Rendezvous. When we were walking down Beale Street, we decided to stop and just people watch and a woman started talking to us who was from there. She told us we HAD to go to Rendezvous because their ribs were the bomb! The cool thing is, the entrance is in an alley. It's not bam out in your face. Well, we went on with our Saturday and roamed around and decided to hit up Gus' Fried Chicken and then go to Rendezvous the next night. *Note: I always plan and decided to wing this trip... on Sunday we figured out Rendezvous is closed LOL So, try to sort of plan ;)
All in all, it was a great trip! Glad I decided to take a few days off! Cheers to the King of Memphis :)