Just the way you are....

BLESSINGS

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:25:00 +0000

IT is that time of year again when the cool November winds blow and the beautiful golden leaves float with each breath of air that flows through the trees. It is a lovely spectacular site to me when I have a moment to sneak a peak out our back window to witness the leaves floating to the ground all while glistening in the bright sun which enhances their bright golden colors. It is a time to be thankful and thank God for all that is good and all that is hard (which molds us) as we approach Thanksgiving and Christams.

A STORY OF GIVING

Today, I was driving to a session in Chapel Hill, and I knew I was going to be late to my appointment because as soon as I jumped into my car and started out, I noticed that the gas gage was at zero!

So I pulled off the interstate at Lake Boone and as I was hurried to the stoplight, there was a sad older man sitting in a wheel chair with a sign that said HELP in his lap.

If a look could pierce my soul, his alabaster eyes sure came really close!

Dear man, please forgive me, because I had no money near at hand, cars lined up behind me and you were sitting on the opposite side of the road where I couldn't even reach you!!!

But needless to say, I decided from that point on to put some money to the side just in case I was able to see him again on the way out of the gas station.

I didn't see him, so, since I was late, I proceeded to drive very fast to my destination, listening to my new Praise and worship CD really loud in the car (which is so much fun when the kids aren't in the car!!! they always tell me to turn it down!)

When I pulled up to 15-501, Travis Cotrell's Jesus Saves was playing and there stood another man who needed help. At first, I thought..."he's not in a wheel chair and he looks too happy to be needy... and I would rather wait to give this money to someone who's look could let me know he really needed help..." So I tried to avoid his glance the best I could.

But! then the Lord pulled my heart so I rolled down the window.

All at the same time that the stars aligned so that the stop light was long enough and there were no cars pressing in on me to go and I had money set aside specifically for someone who was in need. I guess at that moment, it was a no brainer that it was meant to be.

So I proceeded to hand him a five and a one wrapped together. Which is not much to most of us, be honest. My husband is starting his own business since June things have been ultra tight for us, so I am beginning to understand, but really, it isn' t that much.

But when he reached out his hand, God spoke to me and moved in a whisper.

This man saw that it was more than a $1.00 bill, spoke out loud that it was more, and began to weep. God then proceeded to break my hard heart as well, and I began to weep as I drove away.

God wants us to give. Not just to bless others but to bless us as well.

I cannot describe to you what a blessing that was to my heart today, and hopefully, if it makes all of us aware to just be prepared to give and give generously, you will be moved and blessed by it all.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I will hopefully be posting blog posts more often come December when this busiest season is almost over!

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:45:00 +0000

Holiday Card Templates revealed.

I designed some, enhanced some by putting a spin to a template and others are a template that I bought.. Please when you decide which template you would like, just count from top to bottom. 1-10

Hopefully next year I will have twenty more to choose from!

HOME

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:49:00 +0000

In my long journey through Tennessee, it has been a great time of work and visiting family and friends... and a time of reflection and decision making. As I plan to leave Sunday or Monday to Return home, I am excited for the work ahead this week and getting ready for an exciting year of discoveries... I hold out my hands and my business to God each day and ask that He will lead me and guide me each step I take and every step that the Evolve Studio makes towards the future.

One thing that my journey through Tennessee has opened my eyes to is the word HOME and the fact that I long for Home or place to call Home. Being a follower of Christ, I realize that part of this longing is that I long for my Home with Christ. That is comforting that God is giving me this longing...

In visiting so many different kinds of homes these past two weeks, I realized that I have neglected the one place of my own that should have never been neglected and that is my own home.

My spiritual dwelling place is with Christ, and my physical dwelling place I want to make into a more Homey and warm and inviting place to be. I want to go home to my house and love it, welcome being there, and Love to have others over.

On this trip, not only did I visit childhood friends throughout, but College friends and I was surprised with an opened invitation to visit the home where my own mother lived with my father when she was pregnant with me... I was brought home from the hospital in that house and lived there until I was four (After she passed away). The family that owned this house actually bought the house from my dad in 1975.

When I stepped into the home, it was though time had stood still for 33 years. The family that owned the home had hardly changed a thing and I stood in awe as I validated all the memories that I had had during those times. The furniture, the wood paneling, the house, clearly 70's. Nothing had changed.

The point is, if you waist time and say I will do it later, it won't get done. 33 years could go past and your house will look like it did when you bought it if there was no focus or real efforts taken to make it a Home.

With me, I am guilty of wanting something, but being to busy to focus on such things.

So this month and this year for me is going to be a journey in not only discovering what makes your homes homey, but what will it take to make my home Homey and a sought after dwelling place of comfort and warmth.

Some of my discoveries I have made so far are:

1. Staying organized.

2. Good and real ARt by local artists and old drawings framed, small sculptures and Plants

3. Lots of Great Pictures of your Children and family with Good creative beautiful frames, Lots of Artsy Black and White images of capturing the moment and relationships that you have! Pictures on the Fridge, Pictures in digital picture frames... Pictures, Pictures, Pictures if they are displayed right with balance and care, can make the biggest difference

4. warm Paint colors with equilibrium with matching fabrics with bold and different appeal.

5. soft fabrics to sit on with comfy throw blankets for warmth and curtains made for your room.

6. space layout to maximize space

7. updated bathrooms with fully stocked for guests

8. Good scents, candles and such.

9. Mixed textures and natural elements... woods, rocks, plants, baskets, metal, mirrors, paper

10. mixed in with Lots of Grace and Love and Forgiveness and Laughter and good food and drinks.

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:14:00 +0000

Newsletter update

Please take a look at the newsletter for an update of the schedule and the fun things that are in store for the fast paced months of October and November...

Autumn is in the air...

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 04:08:00 +0000

This month has been a whirlwind as usual, and since Twit and FB keep me so busy updating in real time, blogging has fallen by the wayside!!!

Today was was SUCH a blessing!!! I got to photograph a dear child I have been photographing since her first day home from the hospital!!! What a treat to get to see her again so soon after her one year birthday!!! (and yes, if you are wondering, this is a mini!!!)

They are so beautiful to me!!! Such a blessing!!!

To catch all of you up to speed...

The Top Ten

1. I no longer work on Sundays to honor my relationship with God, and to take a day of rest... So I just work 14 hour days the rest of the week..!!

2. There are several Big Camera Mama Clicks in the works for the winter, and am hoping to fill the schedule with BCmama click classes from December-February. Seems like a good time to sit inside and drink a cup of spice tea and teach all of you how to use your big cameras!!! Be on the lookout for a big Mama Click RETREAT, a five star experience, a girls dream get-a-way!!!

3. I want to have a contest... to give away something... just don't know the details yet, So when it happens, I need your help to get the word out!

4. I am currently planning on more Fundraisers in the future so keep your eyes wide open and your fingers close to the mouse, cause those sessions go so fast!!!

5. Headed on Tour, and look forward to photographing so many of you throughout Tennessee and a small portion of MS!!! Go Vols..!!!

6. McKenna is gearing up as the Evolve Team is getting healthier and stronger and we are prepping the website soon to add a gallery of her work. She is still young in the industry and is tight under my wing, but will be taking appointments for family and children and Teens.

7. I am going to be photographing families at the Beach near Wilmington NC next week Wed, Thurs, Friday, Saturday. This is the first time planning a Beach Session week... I have several spots opened... The Fee is the same as a Mini... hope to see you there!!

8. There are new prices for the Mini's $45.00 per person with a two person min.

9. Mini's will be ending for the year in November, And I haven't decided if they are going to continue next Spring yet.. I will keep you all posted!!!

10. I need to go to bed.. good night!!

working on some photo art!

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:11:00 +0000

Just working on some photo art!

Michigan Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:15:00 +0000

Memphis area mini tour... sign up today

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:32:00 +0000

an engagement session to remember!

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:44:00 +0000

a hot day, a cool mini session. You could be next!

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:24:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:59:00 +0000

I absolutely cannot believe I am already planning my trip around the US (well, sort of) to do mini sessions in Michigan, and Tennessee... Autumn is around the corner folks!!!

I am also completely amazed that I will get to see my brother for the first time in 4 years!!! Mind you... this is the only living relative I have besides my grandparents and aunts and such... so it is really a big deal!!! We do skype here and there... ladeedaydeedadeeda.. and the story and drama could fill this blog page full..!!!

For now, I am excited to say that there are many wonderful projects and goals that we are meeting here at Evolve, and you will be the first to find out all the juicy details!!!

The past two nights have been catch up for us here at the studio.. the (as though I have a huge staff filling in for me on these long nights of editing...

My husband lost his job in June and he is starting this fantabulous company and we are thrilled as can be!!!

My first skill in school was drawing and painting... when I won three Graphic design awards at UT Knoxville, (which I am sure the graphic design students all hated me cause I wasn't in that department..) I started to think... hmmmm maybe I should be a Graphic designer.. so I went on about my career as though that was what was suppose to happen, when all along, Photography was right there in front of me, pursued me and it swept me off my feet and we've lived happily ever after ever since. (If you are an artist or creative type, you will know what I am talking about!) So need-less-to-say, I have some graphic arts under my belt, business planning and image skills... so I have been moonlighting to help him get that business off the ground.

So if you haven't received your CD, it is on its way. After the first session tomorrow morn, it is in the mail!!!

So good night, or morning if you have already been asleep for four hours... sleep well!

I love listening to music while I work... a short film...

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:03:00 +0000

Today was a good day, needing to work more, but feeling convicted to spend more time with the kids... for a long time I have wanted to make T-shirts with the kids and this we finally set aside time to do just that and this is what they came up with.. quite amazing!!!

They both looked really great printed out on tshirt transfer paper.... fun!!!

working on getting everyone's images to them this week before I head off to The Deeper Still conference! I am so excited!!!! I was given two tickets today!!! yeay! I am so amazed at God's grace each day I live!!!

So I sat down to work last night and my youngn's were just so needing me... and every now and then we do this together and have been doing this for years!!!

So we came up with this short film to send to the family for fun, but for the most part, This pretty much is just me, a regular night of work for for a few moments. If you want to know what a photographer is like.. this is it. Late nights in front of the computer... you'll see if you watch...

.. really made by the kids, and for the family... but we had so much fun making this little short and they loved it so much that the kids make me play it over and over again...thought I would post it for a little humiliation in no make-up... never hurt anyone right!!!

Park, since you are my loyal friend and a follower of my blog.. and will be my first follower always.... this might really make you laugh...:) So sorry to my other friends as I featured your music in this crazy film, please Julie and David... it is only cause I like you both so much and love your music like crazy!!!... (featuring the music of Julie Lee, David Mead (from Nashville) and Jack Johnson... oh yes, and Kirk Franklin!!! )

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:16:00 +0000

Monday August 3 at 6:00 pm
Wed-Saturday August 5-8 more times to be announced!

If I could buy everything at anthropologie...

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:39:00 +0000

Oh how I love makin' Art in the kitchen...

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:46:00 +0000

Yes, makin' art in the kitchen, now that's what I call a productive day. I spent all day working on images getting clients orders in the mail and listening to Tim Keller about work (which totally went along with my favorite quote in the world... "

"When I am operating at my best, my work is my prayer. It comes out of the same place that prayer comes out of - the center, the heart." - Matthew Fox, Ph. D.)

and then listening to JD's sermon about What to believe for real from the evidence... I needed a release today and made some yummy visual food for my soul in my kitchen.... crying like a baby the whole time. Yes. for real. Stressful time, yet so good and I am loving so many things in the life at the moment.

I am longing for like minded people these days, creativity, stimulation... you all must know by now I am not in this business or I don't do what I do for money... it is the love, the passion and the need for life that carries me into this visual line of work.

I Pour myself into every job and am completely satisfied when my hands are working on your images and my own... finally!!! for once I just stopped and created something. for no reason at all but to glorify God and be me for a minute!!! So I figure if I really like them, someone out there will love them as well.. and since I do have a personality type that on .5% of the population of the world has, then it might not be very many... just thought I'd share.

So in my yearning search for like minded people, vendors, designers etc... we, at evolve, have decided to have a contest looking for two very blessed couples. All they have to do is come up with the most creative weddings of the year.

One destination wedding and one wedding here in the states.

Will they be on a mountain top with bird's nests as table place accessories?? or will they use recycled vintage fabric to make their outfits? I have no idea, but I do know that I am just not wanting to pursue weddings any longer unless there are creative people out there that can make a wedding really stand out, uniquely themselves, be interested in making "tradition" their own...somehow, even if they have help make their wedding artistically inspiring.

Do you know anyone that would fit this description the value of the award would be near $5000.00 each. (photography, digital negatives, time and talent, all processing only. travel expenses will be extra.)

Plus, for all of you out there who do read my blog on a regular basis, it would be awesome if you would consider being a follower. In the future that is going to be very helpful!!!

have a great rest of today and a wonderful night.

And to answer your questions: Yes, I am planning more Mini Sessions in August. Still planning a tour to make sure I not only see the fam, but also photograph many of you who have signed up :)

moment of bliss

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:07:00 +0000

A moment of bliss, yes, I would say a moment... The kind of moment that you want to close your eyes and feel the just perfect breeze blowing across your face, the perfect temperature, everyone is happy, everyone is well fed and enjoying the activities around... enjoying the smells of good food cooking from restaurants near by, enjoying all the conversation around with the crowded patio overlooking the man made water extravaganza.

When I feel this way, it would be just fine with me to pull out a blanket and take a nap on the lawn...in the shade, in the breeze... and to dream...

Then near perfection always comes to a screeching halt. But that is okay for now, just a moment is all I need here and there :)

Saturday was a near perfect day starting out with meeting two wonderful families and photographing children which I love most. The weather was near perfect and not once did I feel sweaty or gross after the sessions.

We even decided to drive by the Tobacco campus and see the fountains and since we are on a near impossible budget, decided to all share one order of chicken fingers and one order of potato chips with one ice cold beer. (the kids had just water).

So much fun, and from the photos you would think, Ahhh this must have been a perfect day!!! yes nearly. After my husband and I fought for about two hours we went to an ice cream party that Cyndi won from Edy's for our neighborhood.

Then we made up!! And wouldn't you know it! Now it is Sunday, and our Pastor from The Summit Church, J.D., freaked me out this morning with his sermon today. It was like he has a hidden camera in our house and was listening to our argument yesterday!!! very freaky. But Somehow God is that organized!

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:20:00 +0000

Sign up for our Beach Mini Lifestyle Family Sessions for these dates before they are all gone!

September 15, 16, 17, 18 2009. info@evovlestudiophoto.com

$60.00 per person photographed, two person minimum and a 265.00 maximum for up to 6 people. Sign up today, the times are going quickly!!!

Fabulous Senior Sessions Revealed!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:27:00 +0000

As an artist, it has been a process of discovering through the years what it is that I love, how to convey that on paper and now in the visual image. One of my loves is for young women and showing through photography their artistic beauty. I would love it if God would also use me to teach about inner beauty, being beautiful and feeling beautiful without the "sex" word or sexy even coming into the picture. What a lie it is for young women to believe that in order to be beautiful, one must reveal or become bare skin and change the size of their breasts and etc.
I know it is not as prominent in the young women today as it was in the 80's but it still exists!

I believe that being a Senior in High School is one of the most gorgeous times of your life, and yet one of the times that young women feel so self conscious about their self image.

Your life is ART!! and you are Beautiful. Spend some time with me and I will show you!

Also, I am so excited that I have discovered my Style which I have been hoping to find for so long!!! Lets watch as it is unveiled together

Greece to be continued

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:55:00 +0000

I am so overjoyed, that I have found 80% of all my lost Greece pics and periodically I will post some as I have a free moment to prepare them for the Blog.
I have been settling in to not so normal life here since the return home to America. The things I am excited about are:

Being stretched in my faith through adversity: Husband is out of work again!
A wonderful person that God has provided to work for us: Our new Operations Manager!!! I will have a full introduction of Kim Watson and her role here with Evolve in the next month.
Pastor JD is starting a new series on the Proverbs and the whole Church has been asked to read the Proverbs two times in the next 64 days. My children want to hear and are wanting to know about quiet times with God... perfect!
Excited that I know have someone offering us a place to stay in Prague!!! Don't think I am not going to take advantage of that offer.
I am so excited to travel around the wee part of the country to visit family and to have a photo tour!!!
See you soon in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Memphis TN (recently added), Nashville TN, Knoxville TN.

"Hi Kimberly,

I just wanted to say thank you again for the wonderful pictures. Living overseas makes it a little bit harder, and a lot more expensive, to get professional shots done of our baby girl so it was a wonderful surprise to find you at AGM. It was difficult to decide which ones to print, but I think we finally agreed!

If you are ever in Prague, Czech Republic, or just want to come see a beautiful city, let us know - we'll have a room for you. Prague is a beautiful city, you would probably have a lot of fun with your camera here!

I hope you were able to get some rest when you returned from Greece, I know your trip to Greece wasn't real restful, but we are thankful for your willingness to come and take pictures. God has blessed you with a wonderful gift.

Thank you again,

Andrea"

Evolve On Tour!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:06:00 +0000

As I need to go around the country anyway, I decided to go on photo tour!! I have several people in MI and in Tennessee that have been wanting to schedule a session so What the Heck...

Evolve's going on Tour!!! Thanks to an amazing Chiropractor I see who is also a fan of photography, My first stop will be in Kure Beach September 15, 16, and 17th.

I can only fit around 3-4 sessions in a day, so please contact me as soon as possible to reserve your time.

Last stop will be Knoxville Tennessee! Dates TBA... plus, I Can Add Black Mountain, NC and Greensboro, NC if there is enough request for it.

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:17:00 +0000

"Kimberly,

We would like to thank you for the wonderful gift of a photo session in Greece. The pictures are great and will be a special memory for us. Thank you for giving your time and talents to come and tirelessly serve us. May God bless you!

Grace and Peace,

Ron and Charlotte Craig"

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:37:00 +0000

What an amazingly wild ride this trip to Greece was! I am so blessed to have been there serving these wonderful people during a time of revival and hope and fun for them and their children. The whole team from Summit was amazing to serve with!!! They also worked their tails off giving the care to many many children and VBS camp to the older ones. It seems that the M families had a great time and they were so thankful that I was there to offer them the service. There was also two women cutting the Missionaries' hair all day... I felt for them because being in Greece and staying in the Basement for 12 hours a day must have been hard.

We got a total of two days free... and while others got one more 1/2 free day, I took a day at the very end to just relax! From Monday to Friday I worked around 14-16 hours a day photographing over 200 people... all of which I cannot share with you except for the few pics I have here.... and all of the other pics I will show over the next few days, I took as we were either walking to dinner or just trying to get to one place or another. My crew I know was so tired of stopping for me every time I found that perfect shot!!! except that I couldn't help myself!!!! I was in Greece for goodness sakes!

A letter from one of the Missionary Families:

"Hey Kimberly!

I did not get a chance to thank you for the photos you took of my husband and me. I looked for you the last evening and couldn't catch up with you. So many people.! You may not realize what a blessing it was to have you there with us all. It was a real treat for us to have our photo made. You do nice work and we really like them. Thank you for using your talent and gift for us.

I also wanted to tell you I have not forgotten to pray for you and your husband. I know it was a sacrifice that you didn't know would cost so much. Please share with your husband that I continue to pray for God's will to be made known to you. That I appreciate his support of you coming and ministering to all of us at our meeting.

God bless you and yours.

Love,

Linda"

After falling down the marble stairs and finding out that my laptop hard drive was dead and unfixable, I also found out that my husband lost his job due to my trip!! Turns out that his personal days needed to be turned in a month in advance and My mother-in-law canceled her trip here just a week and 1/2 before I left. At that point I had already had the tickets to go.. Not for a minute did we think it would be a problem, but... I think it will be fine and we will walk this way into a better circumstance as now we have around 100 people praying for us!!!

My Labor Of Love!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:39:00 +0000

So I am headed out tomorrow for Greece for our "M" trip to photograph 264 families to hopefully give them great memories! Unfortunately my stomach is a ball of confusion and butterflies.. I cannot decide if I would rather stay home on the sofa and talk about why God made dinosaurs and why river otters like tomatoes or why lightening bugs light up with my little ones who I will miss so much!!! (thank God for Skype) Or go have this amazing experience for two weeks, come back exhausted and a changed person!!! Obviously, I am torn and wish I could just pack them in my suitcase! But here I go!!!

This week I have been so blessed to photograph three newbies! So cute, it is a labor of love for me!!!! preciousness!

I just am who I am and that's it...

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:06:00 +0000

I just happen to be having a ball working very hard and raising money for causes I believe in. I decided, I just am who I am and I might as well embrace it!

Thanks to all the wonderful people I have photographed and met through this fund-raising event.
God willing, when I make it home, I am extending the event to raise money for TRMLP! e-mail me to sign up today! info@evolvestudiophoto.com

These are my available time slots for this amazing deal.

Thursday June 11 7:00 pm
Friday June 12 5:00 pm, 7:00pm

Wednesday July 1 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm
WRAL Gardens
Thursday July 2 9:30 am, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm
The Rose Garden
Monday July 6 9:30 am, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm
WRAL Garden
Monday July 6 9:30 am, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm Place TBA
Tues none
Wed July 8 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm
Place TBA
Thurs July 9 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm
Place TBA
Friday July 10 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm

Special event: (cutest of your kids in their swim wear and goggles!)
Swim photos!
Saturday July 11th Place TBA

These times will go quickly and location will be decided per day by Kimberly. These are mini sessions lasting only 20-30 min. $40.00 per person photographed, with a two person minimum fee. $250 maximum fee. Up to 20 images on CD for you to print out on photographic paper up to 11 x 14.
10% of all proceeds goes towards The Remember My Love Project

noreply@blogger.com (Just me, e, and leleebug) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:52:00 +0000

I loved hanging out with this family, they were so amazing!!... they were so sweet and loved each other so much! It definitely shows in these images!!!