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Law Children - Lowe's Store Christmas Session

2010-12-02T10:32:00Z

Well, it's not everyday that you get a request to take some photographs at a Lowe's Home Improvement Store next to some beautiful live Christmas trees! But, who could turn down such an offer?? Last Saturday was my chance to do something out of the ordinary. At first, I was nervous about taking my Big camera and flash inside, even in the Garden Section, which I had quite a few perplexed stares from store shoppers and employees, but I trotted on, and looked around for my friend Emily Law, and a place that would not show too much "store supplies". Shortly after, Emily and her grandchildren arrived all dressed up and looking so lovely and 'wintery' in their attire for their Christmas Portraits.

They picked out their tree that they were going to buy & put up at their Grandmother's house, Mrs. Emily Law. Therefore, Tee (Emily's son & the kids Dad) got the Christmas tree they picked out and sat it in one of those cement blocks. It actually turns out that Tee is in ALL the photos since he is Behind the Christmas tree holding it up and straight, but he didn't peep out long enough for me to grab a shot of him too.

Unfortunately, I only had less than half-an-hour to get a few photos of her grandchildren as I was scheduled to be in Dadeville for another session an hour later; but this quick session was easily done as they were, and always are (to me anyway), very sweet and cooperative.

All in all, we had a good time, a tiny bit rushed, but I was happy to be able to get the Christmas Tree images Emily was wanting. And, we even did a little catching up on some Christmas gossip and how each of our families were doing. So how did a Session at Lowe's come about you're thinking?? Well it all started with Mrs. Emily, and that she thought it would be a neat and a unique idea to get their photos made at Lowe's with their Christmas tree and then all the other surrounding trees are in the back ground, it had enough light in the Garden Center for exposure, and that it was... different!

Here are a few snaps from the Lowe's Christmas Session. Hope you enjoy these, and may it spark your unique & wild ideas for some photo opportunities!
~Liz

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

Brady and Taylor

2010-12-02T04:36:00Z

Last Monday was a great day to photograph these two adorable children. We spent about an hour down at the Riverwalk and had a good time throwing leaves in the air, swinging on tire swings and making funny faces at each other. I think the best compliment I have Ever received from children was after this session. Brady asked "how long did we take pictures", and his mother and I said it took about an hour, and then both Brady and Taylor said "Wow! It only seemed like we were out there about 20 minutes!" I can't ask for a better compliment from a child than that... that made me feel like I was on cloud nine, and that I'm doing what I was meant to do (besides take care of my family for all that know me, that's the other half of my life)!! Here are some of my favorite images from the session. Hope you enjoy these as much as I do! ~Liz

The ONLY photo I allowed the rabbit ears to come out and play!

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

Thanksgiving Family Portrait Sessions

2010-11-13T10:10:00Z

If you have family in town and you will all be coming together for the Thanksgiving Holiday, why not get your family portraits made during this time? Leave the photographing and family wrangling to me! Don't stress about pictures, as you already have too much to worry about with the chaos on Turkey Day.

Therefore, I can schedule sessions everyday from Nov. 21st through Nov. 28th... except for the 25th, which will be reserved for my day with my family.

I hope you will take full advantage of this offer while having the entire family together for a family portrait. The Thanksgiving Portrait Sessions are only $50. Email or call me to schedule your session soon!
~Liz

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

Shoot with Beckstead Workshop in Birmingham, AL

2010-11-10T02:24:00Z

This past Friday I had an amazing time at a workshop held by David Beckstead, rated one of the top 10 wedding photographers in the world. He was teaching how to take more dynamic images with our Bridal and Wedding Photography. I had a blast... despite the really cold and rainy weather that day. I can't wait to utilize some of his techniques and to take some risks that are not "technically" correct for better, more powerful images. Here are some of my favorite images from the workshop. To see more goto: www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=304028&id=114108040519 I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. ~Liz

Old Lyric Theatre in Birmingham Alabama

David Beckstead and his Birmingham Paparazzi Posse!

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

2010 Christmas Cards and Special

2010-10-25T00:12:00Z

I am now booking Christmas Sessions! I now can dedicate the majority of my time for those Fall/Winter Family Sessions for your very own Personalized Christmas Cards. Now through November 28th, I am offering a special for $85.00 which includes a FREE session fee, and 50 flat 5x7Christmas cards on Pearl paper, with envelopes. Additional portrait packages from this session are 10% off! Book now to reserve your spot over these next several Weekends!!

If you want to save even More money, book your session on a Weekday (before 5pm) and get $15 off the Christmas Special, which includes a FREE session fee, and 50 flat 5x7Christmas cards on Pearl paper, with envelopes. Additional portrait packages from this session are 10% off! All for $70 if you book your session on a Weekday (Monday-Friday before 5pm).

Christmas Cards Selections

Young-Burdette Wedding

2010-10-19T06:16:00Z

Last Saturday was a beautiful day for a wedding! Ashanta & Todd are a fantabulous, wonderful couple. I also would like to thank Mit Fontaine for assisting me in photographing their wedding. Here are a few sneak peeks from their special day.

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

Watts Girls 2010 Easter Album

2010-09-21T00:50:00Z

Just finished my latest album. Hope you enjoy it!

http://issuu.com/lizrhodesphoto/docs/watts_girls_album

Young-Burdette Engagement

2010-08-29T04:20:00Z

I had the privilege to photograph this great couple! They were so much fun and they even let me try out some new poses, and also a few places that I had been dying to photograph. Here are a few photos from their Engagement Session.

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

Working On My New Company Logo

2010-07-31T07:36:00Z

Last night I played around with several different variations of my possible (almost definitely) new logo. These few are what I came up with... and I may use them All depending on what I'm doing. But, it is still a consistent branding style regardless of a slight variation of a textured background or a color. I wouldn't want to use a dark brown logo on a spring themed album, so I would go with using the logo with the softer white background for example.
Anyway, I thought this logo was more "ME".... a little bit modern with a classic and traditional feel, along with a hint of funkiness. Plus, it closely resembles my actual handwriting when I write my name that way!
What do you guys think? Does it fit me and my personality??

"Pretty in Pink"... this was my first draft. I'm not big on Pink, so I switched to the blue font color, but this could be useful for something really feminine?!

Better Font Color and Textured Background

In white when I don't need the really dark colors

Trying a little Funky Textured Background for a playful feel...

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

Air Evac Lifeteam

2010-07-15T09:07:00Z

We had a great Civitan meeting this afternoon! Our group got to meet the Air Evac Lifeteam from our area in Elmore County, which their Base Command Center is at the Wetumpka Airport.... and we also got to check out their helicopter! They landed for lunch next to Shoney's Restaurant, just for our meeting, but they had to leave shortly after since they got a call for an emergency to air lift someone at a scene of an accident. Although, I did get to take a few photos (but caution... these are from my BB camera phone). :}

Fourth of July 2010

2010-07-05T05:03:00Z

I have managed to edit a few photos of Wetumpka's Fireworks display, but decided to take those photos and turn them into one Big image. So, this is my first HDR photo. It's not so much a 3D image, but a collaboration of 3 separate images.
I did not get a very good spot to Really make Wetumpka's fireworks over the water and bridge look spectacular (although I will next year!) due to very limited time as we had to hurry and rush back to the house before an ebay item ended! LOL
So, we quickly drove over to the church parking lot on Tuskeena St., shot the fireworks display (in which I could not use my tripod or expose the images in Bulb mode for a very cool effect), and then I jumped back in the car and we headed to the house praying that we still had a few seconds left to make the bid on ebay! BTW... we did win the auction!
Well, I hope after my first attempt at HDR will result in better images, but I couldn't resist trying my first image with a fireworks display. I really liked the merging of many multiple photos to make one really neat image! Hope you enjoy the "Fireworks Over Wetumpka", on July 4th 2010.

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

Air Force Retirement Ceremony

2010-06-25T08:54:00Z

I have to say I love all those who have served, and are currently serving our country!! It gives me great honor and pleasure to have been asked to photograph a recent retirement ceremony marking 20 years of service to our country for one fine man and his family.

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

Hall Engagement Album

2010-06-22T09:31:00Z

I had photographed an Engagement session a few years back at Lake Jordan and after they got married the sweetest husband came back and asked me to make an album for them of their engagement photos... as a surprise to his wife for their Anniversary! How sweet is that?!!

So check out the album I made, and make sure you listen to the entire song I included because it's actually sweet.
Hope you Enjoy!!

Hall Engagement Album

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

Baseball Portraits 2010

2010-06-05T08:36:00Z

I thoroughly enjoyed photographing Dylan for his Baseball Portraits. He is such a nice young man! Dylan was picked for the Wetumpka Babe Ruth All-Stars and they just won the District 9 tournament, which advances them to the state tournament in Demopolis, AL. If they fight hard and win the state title, they have a chance to go to the World Series later in the summer.
I am so proud of these boys! They pour their heart and soul into this team and you can't lose when you have so many winning characters on a team like that! They gain so much in return that they have already won... even if they don't win the next game!
Good Luck to you Boys and Get those Rally Caps On!!!

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

Blakely Wedding

2010-05-29T13:39:00Z

It was my pleasure to assist DiAnna Paulk with a lovely wedding today. I had such a great time and enjoyed photographing their joyous occasion. Even the rain shower didn't hamper today's fortunate celebration. Hope you enjoy the numerous collages of photos, as I had such a hard time deciding which ones to showcase... so these are my MANY picks. =)

And lastly, one of my Favorite Images from the Wedding...

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

Miss G at The Children's Harbor

2010-05-25T09:54:00Z

I had so much fun at this morning's session at the Children's Harbor in Kowaliga, with an amazing steadfast 3 year old. She knows what she likes, and what she wants!! LOL
But, she is so well mannered and loves to say her Yes Sirs & Yes Mams! She is a character and will make you laugh constantly!!

When we first arrived at the Lighthouse, she immediately noticed some fishermen in a boat heading towards us going out to the nearby island, and she turned and looked at us and whispered softly, "Ssssshh, be quiet. You have to be very quiet so you don't scare the fish away"! And how right she is!! But, it was just so funny how she said it, and how she put her finger up to her mouth and said "Ssssshh"! LOL

We took many images around the Church, Lighthouse, and Pier, but I think her favorite spot were the rocks near the water, where she loved tossing some of the surrounding smaller rocks into the lake. And briefly, did I try to teach her how to skip a rock... and told her that she needed flat rocks to make them skip. So, she gathered up a few flat rocks around us and wanted me to make them skip again. It was fun! By this time, she had me holding her legs so she could get rocks from the water and so that she didn't fall in... it was funny! She Knew what she was doing and how to get those rocks!! LOL

Then as we were leaving she stopped me, and said she wanted 1 more picture... over here on the Church steps... now 1 more.... over here, and 1 more... right here, etc.
I finally had to tell her that her Mom was going to leave us both if we didn't hurry up!! LOL

But I had a wonderful time with them, and to make it even better... it was such a lovely morning for a beautiful photo session, and at an inspiring special place for children!
I feel blessed that I gained the trust and friendship of a gorgeous 3 year old who kept asking me to take more photos of her while we were heading back to the car to go home.

It was a Great Day and I couldn't have asked for a better model or location!!

This is why I Love doing what I do... Making memories to be cherished for a lifetime!

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

Spring on Brookside Drive

2010-05-01T09:25:00Z

For me, I don't think there is a prettier street in Wetumpka like the quiet street of Brookside Drive. In the springtime it just comes alive with all the Dogwoods, Japanese Tulip trees, Wisteria, Crape Myrtles and many Azaleas... along with other beautiful array of planted spring flowers.

It's almost like a fairy tale of how beautiful it is when Spring has Sprung on our splendid street.

Even though the Dogwoods have already bloomed, you still can see the beauty that many treasure and call it home... I know I still do, and will forever call Brookside Drive my home!

Rows of Dogwoods lining the driveway and looking down Brookside Drive

Dogwood Flowers

Home Sweet Home!
Front of house on Brookside Drive...
(As you can tell the yard is immaculate, and you can't drag Dad out from working in the yard... something always Has to be done!!)

Dogwoods near the Dead End on Brookside... so pretty with the road curving and a nice fence with it's strong leading line.

The back of our house as it faces Knight Street.
(As you can tell the back yard is immaculate too, and you can't drag Dad out from working in the yard... something always Has to be done!!)

Pretty Flowers... not sure what kind?? But I put our house as a nice backdrop behind these pretty flowers.

Pretty Flowers... not sure what kind??

Azaleas (See the bumble bee gathering the pollen)

Iris

Brookside Dr walking towards our house near the triangle.

Rows of Dogwoods lining the driveway

Dad's Flowers and Topiary from Monica

Spring has Sprung on Brookside!
And, Dad had to get me out in the yard and take photos before the weather and rain that was heading our way that afternoon, which could have destroyed them, but luckily they didn't and we got to enjoy God's beauty a little longer!

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

Jr Miss Warrior Pageant

2010-04-26T10:15:00Z

I had the privilege to photograph the Jr Miss Warrior Pageant, and I must say there are some very talented young ladies! I don't know if I would have had the nerve to get in front of all those people when I was their age and performed in front of over a hundred people... but those young ladies sure put on a great show! They ALL were so beautiful and we are so Very proud of them!! Congratulations to all the winners... You were all remarkable!!!

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

The Watts Girls

2010-04-26T08:32:00Z

What more could I have asked for when I photographed these gorgeous ladies for their Easter portraits, at Jasmine Hill Gardens no less. A Beautiful Spring Day with 3 of the most lovely ladies!! (Next time I'm going to have 4 lovely ladies, as I'm going to get Gena in the pics)!

I think in a few years I will have to make the oldest one (8 yrs old) my assistant, as she directed me in what she wanted to go in her daddy's wallet. She knew what she wanted and there is nothing wrong with that! Although, I did give her some pointers and a little direction, and she thoroughly enjoyed taking photos for her daddy.
She was also a super big help in assisting me round up her 2 yr old sister, so I can get some great smiling shots of her, which she was so full of energy and life. I had so much fun with this family!
Then, their 2 month old baby girl was the sweetest thing, so precious and sweet. Although, she was really hungry all the time, we managed to get some good shots of her and all of them together. So hopefully in the end, we succeeded in accomplishing a Beautiful Family Portrait Season for Easter at the splendid Jasmine Hill Gardens.

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography

Baseball & Softball Season is in Full Swing!

2010-04-25T10:00:00Z

After a few portrait sessions and some action shots during a few games I photographed over the past two weeks.... it's time to post what everyone is spending all their pastime on these days... Baseball & Softball !!
Here are just a Few of what I have taken over the last 2 weeks. I still have more to edit, but they shall soon be available.

So needless to say, I have baseball & softball fever! If you would like for me to photograph your child in action, please email me (lizrhodes@mac.com) or give me a call (451-0100). I'd be more than happy to get some action shots and turn them into prints, baseball cards, buttons, albums, collage posters, etc... or even take contemporary portraits, like some that are in Sports Illustrated. Please call so I can get you scheduled. Thanks!

© 2009-2010 Elizabeth Rhodes Photography