Valley of Fire

While visiting Vegas for our annual convention -- we took a day and went out to the VALLEY OF FIRE --- where the red rocks of the desert sands stand out and glow.
We both humbled by of the awesomeness of this landmark.

Here's some of our fav images from the day...


I just love this shot of Bill -- standing there with this historic landmark in the background ... taking in the scene with camera at his side. This is such a great photo of him -- it shows him like he is everyday -- quite and pondering -- yet appreciative of life and all its blessings...
I am so blessed to share this life with my soul mate ...




The red rock against the dark sandstone desert hills.

The desert cactus with the Valley of Fire behind it...





The people of the valley ... They really did look like people -- we saw ALF among them, too.



Bill at work ....

It's a really small world ...

We saw this 3 generation family taking time out to grab some lunch . I thought it was really cool to capture them traveling, playing, and relaxing together as a family at such a beautiful place.

As we visited with them -- we found out that they have a daughter that lives in Greenwood and works for the City of Ft. Smith --

Now we travel over 1000 miles -- go 1 hour outside of Vegas -- and take "1" family's photos -- and they end up having family from our neck of the world ... Things that make you go .... hum ....

Thanks for sharing in our trek on this day !!

"A's" RAZORBACK rock -- she swears it looks like a Razorback -- and I have to agree with her this time --- by Bill


The lone tree of the desert.


More "people" rocks ...

The tumbling tumble weed - in bloom.



Another - people among the rocks...



Here is a great shot that "A" got that really picked up the red of the rocks in the setting sun.

YODA -- I swear -- I see YODA in this set of rocks...by "A"





The Mouse Trap -- where lots of Indian hieroglyphics were found.



The Mouse Trap in Black and White.

The water found in the desert -- and the rocks reflected in this "big" pool.

The "Seven Sisters" -- we aren't sure of the story about this one..



"A" among the rocks with her camera -- she was shooting wide angle here.



And my fav photo --

Bill caught this cactus bush jutting out among the rocks -- hanging on -- yet shining and living in the beauty of God's beautiful land. Like so many of us do everyday in life -- we hang on for dear life -- trying to shine -- and too often - not noticing the beauty that surrounds us ...

Take time to see the "Valley of Fire" in your life ...

Then share it with others !!

Thanks for sharing in our photos ...

TTYS !!

Bill and "A"

WPPI 2009

What a blast we had in Vegas --
Although it was not our fav town ---
We did learn SOOO much and have LOTS of great new products to share ....

Our best find ...
A new shopping cart for the web site ...
THANKS RED CART GANG !!

After Miranda shared with us her awful and sad story about losing her shopping cart --
And we know it's not the most user friendly shopping cart ---
Go up make a selection -- the thumbnails disappear -- find them ...
Click the cart -- can't make suggestions or notes...
Can't crop to see what a TRUE 16 x 20 looks like ...
You all have lived it...

Well - we are proud to say we will be launching a new cart system and you all are GOING TO LOVE its simplicity -- and you can SAVE YOUR CART !!! Whew - hew (Sorry Miranda :( ....)

New jewelry products -- great gifts for your attendants and parents...
Brides -- you are going to love the new "hot" item that I found ...
It is soooo cool ---
Can't wait to share with you these very unique gift items for your attendants !!

New albums !!

And cool stuff for the SENIORS, too.
Metallic montages ---
Metallic paper with "O" ring connecting photos hanging on metal ..
AHHHH!!

Watch for the new stuff...

We studied under some of the best ---
And here's one of the sessions --

NIGHT LIGHTING ....

We went out on the town ASAP to apply our new skills ---

Here's what we got ....

Enjoy !!!....

"A"


Our "Wedding Photo Stars Poker Tournament" site.
We had so much fun meeting our photography friends from [b]school ....
Both of us finished in the top 15 --
And I was the "LAST WOMAN STANDING" (as the joke went) and just missed finishing in the BIG $$$$$.

Here's the new technique -- Bill's version -- a bit darker and colder...

My version ....


Another shot by ME ...

And the water show was sooo cool -- doesn't it look like rockets going off???


And our "infra-red"...

Love how it really plays up the light with white...



Anyways --
Watch for more great products and techniques...

'A'

WPPI - watch out -- we're on the way!!

What is WPPI you ask . . .
Wedding and Portrait Photographers International -- it's one of our professional organizations that P&M is proud to belong to... It's one of our ways to stay on top of the current trends in wedding and portrait photography, find new hip products (can't wait to share), to come up with ideas for our P&M spin on products (Memories in Motion -- way before the others in our area!!), to improve our skills, and meet other photographers across the nation...

We feel it is important to always be learning ways that we can improve our work -- hence making better portraits for you guys ... And getting affordable products to you in our "selection truck"...

We just hate it that it's in "VEGAS" (wink wink - smirk smirk!!)...

We have a busy week planned --
A huge mock wedding and reception with the best of best shooting and sharing their techniques...

A special party with the Finao (hot wedding albums) crew...

A night of poker with some of our fav photographers -- and more to meet and get to know ....

A special invite to the Nikon cocktail party -- whew hew -- where the Blues Travelers will be performing...

Party with Becker from [b] school ...

Dinner at Top Chef Tom Colicchio's restaurant - CraftSteak ...

The Awards Reception ...

A day out in the valley -- shooting the incredible scenery around Vegas...
Valley of Fire and Mead Lake area ...

Viewing the works of top photographers from around the world ...

Lots of time in the classroom -- adding more skills to our arsenal ...

And lots of time on the trade / exhibition floor...

So --
We will be out for a while --
Nicole will be minding the store -- Seth the home front ...
We will be getting email and checking voicemail...
Orders will be worked in the order that they are received when we get back --

We'll be blogging and sending photos ...
TTYS !!
Bill and "A"

Lindsey and Travis - Love: Retro Style

We were honored to be a part of Lindsey and Travis's special day in Ft. Smith --

Lindsey and Travis chose one of our FAV venues in town -

THE ENCHANTED WEDDING CHAPEL and then had their reception at FANTASIES AT THE FORT. Mary and her crew do such a tremendous job in making the day wonderful and memorable for their couples. And you have to check out their new BRIDAL READY ROOM -- WOW is all we can say .... Salon chairs for hair and make up -- mirrors, and more mirrors, new floors, great lights, and did we say MIRRORS !!...

We had such a great day with this couple and their families...

Lindsey loves retro and vintage -- so Bill worked hard to find a place to fit their styles -- then . . . "A" has stylized the photos to help the "mood" !!

Here's some of our favs from the day !!

Although is was VERY windy -- the gang toughed it out for some awesome shots ... Thanks to everyone in the wedding party for helping make Travis and Lindsey's portraits so special !!

Bill's fav shot of the day ...

He likes how creative "A" is at finding spots to make the photos happen. We won't get into the details -- but needless to say -- she did it again -- creating this wonderful romantic shot of Lindsey and Travis on the spur of the moment when she saw this great spot ...

More of the couple ...

Lindsey's note to Travis ...

"A's" fav shot of the day ...

Bill always does such a great job getting unique shots of the flowers. Here he snuck up on the couple and focused on the flowers with Lindsey in the background... Great shot !!

The beautiful bride in the new BRIDAL READY ROOM at ENCHANTED WEDDING CHAPEL.

Travis and the handsome groomsmen ...

Aren't these bracelets AWESOME? !! ? 2009 brides -- here's a great gift idea for your attendants -- Lindsey made each of these for her "girls". The heart reads "Made with Love", which is on each bracelet -- then the other charms are personalized.

Speaking of the the "girls" -- aren't the gorgeous??

OUR 2 PHOTOGRAPHER SHOT

Bill's shot ...

As usual -- "A" takes in the "big" picture

Travis's groom's cake was soooo cool ... It was a mock up of his truck -- 4 - wheeling -- stuck in the mud !! So --- we used it for our ring shot ...


And another shot of our couple ....

Lindsey and Travis added their own version to "you may now kiss the bride" -- they swapped knuckles and then kissed ... Took everyone by surprise and the crowd got a big "hew - ha" out of it ...


Don't you love the joy on their faces as they leave the church ...

Rose petals helped them off on their way to the SURPRISE honeymoon Travis planned for Lindsey. She had NO CLUE where they were going ... Way to go Travis !!



Of course -- the cake photo ... AWESOME cake !!


And the couple's first dance....

We wish them the best of luck and happiness !!

See ya' at the preview in a few weeks !!

Cutest thing -- AUBREY

We had such a great time with Aubrey and her family.
They came all the way from NORMAN (OU fans yell --- BOOMER SOONER !!) for their shoot with us ...

We had a fun time and had some great shots of this beautiful young lady !!!

And boy -- does she have it together...
You'll see below !!
ENJOY!!



Taking time out of her "modeling" to smell the flowers ...





She knew how to "work it" and doesn't she have the most stunning eyes !!



Posing like her Grandmother showed her how to !!!


She picked flowers for all of us !!


And then she had to swing !!



Stylin' ... yes that's our Ms. Aubrey !!





Oh - yeah guys -- she's a looker !!



And ready to go shopping !!


She found the M&M's "A" keeps on hand as treats for our little ones -- and ate them ... even if they hit the ground --- 5 second rule applied for her ... before we could get them back from her !!


Great shot Bill got and "A" did some of the new de-saturation that is so popular in photos right now...


One of her pages from her book ...

"Hello, Aubrey here ... " she for sure knew what to do with the cell phone !!

Another page from her book -- enjoying her treats !!

Dad's gonna have his hands full -- Ms. Aubrey is sure to break some hearts ...

Thanks for allowing us to help create Aubrey's memories !!

Til next time --

Bill and "A"