Hurricane Katrina: Has it really been 15 years?

Yesterday was the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Not an anniversary I want to celebrate. Instead, I prefer to celebrate today as the anniversary of the day we started to clean up the mess Katrina left behind..

Because my wife and I lived in Hattiesburg, Mississippi at the time, we saw only a small portion of the devastation left in the aftermath of the hurricane. But 80% of the streets in our city were impassable because of all the trees, mostly pine, that snapped and fell across the roads. (Thanks to all the chainsaw cowboys and cowgirls who went to work, some as soon as the storm passed, to cut up the trees and move them off the roads.)

And it took weeks for electrical crews to get the electricity to our home back up and running. (Thanks to the crews who came from all around to help across south Mississippi and Louisiana.)

I took photos of the destruction, the power line crews, people cleaning up, carrying cases of water, evacuations at the local hospital, but my favorite is the photo above of three sisters singing together. They were part of a worship service that took place on the street in front of the Lighthouse Apostolic Pentecostal Church about two weeks after the storm. The church was gutted, but the congregation continued to worship on the side of the road in the sun.

Missing those second shooting gigs

COVID-19 has cut down the number of weddings we’re booking and the size of the weddings we do book.

And, because weddings are so much smaller these days, other photographers have stopped calling on me to second shoot. A wedding with 10 or 12 guests can be covered adequately by one shooter. And who wants an extra photographer, when he or she could be an additional source of virus spread?

So, while I’m waiting on the second shooting opportunities to return, here’s to the memory of second shoots from 2019.

Happy Belated World Photography Day

Wednesday August 19th was World Photography Day, “ an annual, worldwide celebration of the art, craft, science and history of photography.”.

I did not know there was such a day—one dedicated to the celebration of photography. Many of you may have been clueless, as well.

So, here’s my Happy World Photography Day Belated blogpost, photos of people taking photos at weddings..

2020 Diamond Engagement Awards

With weddings postponed or downsized, I’ve been spending more time taking engagement photos. And more time entering my photos into contests.

I’m honored to have been recognized for these engagement photos this year. (The photos were taken in previous years.)

Engagement Photographers in Atlanta

COVID wedding change of venue to parent's backyard

Due to COVID 19 and the restrictions created to keep it from spreading, Daria and Josh revamped their wedding plans from a big celebration at the Dekalb History Center, into an intimate backyard ceremony and suburban-home reception.

The intimate ceremony, dinner and party to follow was filled with laughter, love, good food, good cake and a little bit (or maybe more) of champagne.

Daria got help with her dress from her Mom.

Josh’s best man adjusts Josh’s tie.

Daria makes Josh laugh during the ceremony.

The happy couple after they are wed.

A quiet moment after all the excitement.

The posed photo session included Gaston, an important member of the wedding party.

The wedding topper toppled.

Locking arms for the traditional champagne toast.

Daria’s bridesmaid makes Daria and Josh, and the rest of the guests, laugh.

Cheers!

Tiny Wedding at Chateau Elan comes with a Big Surprise

When Cynthia first called to tell me that she and her beau were planning a tiny wedding at Chateau Elan, I had no idea what big surprise awaited. I’m not sure Cynthia even knew at that point.

Cynthia and Brian had to postpone their wedding several times due to injuries and COVID-19. By the time the final wedding date came around, Cynthia had cooked up something romantic, fun and beautiful for their wedding day … a carriage ride.

Check out the photos below to see Brian’s response to her entry atop the carriage, and to see more photos of wedding prep, ceremony and the subsequent horse-drawn carriage tour of the property..

Photo by Sharon McMahon

Brian’s face when he saw cynthia arrive in her carriage.
Photo by Sharon McMahon

Photo by Sharon McMahon

Coming soon … posed photos from Cynthia and Brian’s wedding.

Wedding venue: Chateau Elan Winery & Resort

Elopement photographer Atlanta

Porch Portraits in Pine Lake #3

I’ve been taking porch portraits and asking folks how they’ve been surviving during quarantine.

Take a look at this earlier blogpost for a little background on my Pine Lake Porch Portrait project.

Blais, Debbie and Caramel, Flower Side of the Lake

My mom and I have been trying to get through Covid-19 the best that we can. For us, that means trying new things and especially making art

Some of the art forms that have gotten us through Covid-19 have been music and painting. When my school closed down, I got to bring home a ukulele from the music room. I have been teaching my mom to play and it has been a lot of fun. I am also continuing my piano lessons virtually. 

When it comes to painting, we like to paint out our feelings. Sometimes they are good and fun and sometimes they are bad and ugly. And aside from creating art, we have even started painting our house! 

Back in 2018, my mom went through an 8 month program to become a certified yoga teacher. Now, a couple times a month, my mom will teach a social-distancing-yoga class in our driveway. 

Our dog, Caramel, has also been a big help by getting us through a lot of the hard times we have been going through lately, and it didn’t stop at Covid. He has been our support, and we love him dearly. 

So over all, this Coronavirus experience hasn’t been all bad. While we are trying new things, one thing will never change... the love we have for each other. 

Pamela Poole, Poet and Storyteller, Tree Side of the Lake

I have given myself permission to not feel guilty, if I haven't read a lot, and to not feel unproductive, while just reflecting and not taking to pen. I am saturating my heart and mind with loving and trusting God and his son, Jesus Christ. I am thankful for time to "learn" to like myself.

My check list includes: family, friends, neighbors, change, seedlings, rest and leaf-grow watching.

More Pine Lake Porch Portraits

I’ve been taking porch portraits and asking folks how they’ve been surviving during quarantine.

Take a look at this blogpost for a little background on my Pine Lake Porch Portrait project.

Shannon, Tree Side of the Lake
We have been surviving this quarantine daily.

Zane has autism and relies on a strict schedule. What to do?

Early wake ups, computer time, lunch and swimming at his grandmother's house. It takes a village, and our village of Pine Lake has been wonderful.

Where else can you find schooling, art, music and outdoor fun?. We are surviving!

Jan, Tree Side of the Lake

Music has been sustaining me for years, and even more so now during the COVID-19 pandemic. Music has always brought me comfort or a feeling of vulnerability and emotion. In other words, I have a deep sense of connecting time and place to music. Sometimes that has taken the form of singing with a group or alone, but mostly it is deep listening and connecting. 

During this time I find myself listening to jazz that played often in my home while growing up. This would include Ben Webster, my dad's favorite, and other classics like Dave Brubeck's "Take Five". I search for those now, during this time, and play them in the background. I am wrapped in love.