Danielle Anthony Photography

little things

2012-02-06T10:40:00.002-05:00

I feel sad today. It's not a monday thing, it is a 'my baby is growing up too fast' kind of thing. It all started last night. Winston grabbed my finger and shoved it in his mouth... and chomped down. That is when I felt IT.

A t o o t h .

The quintessential sign of my child no longer being my BABY. Teeth are a little boy thing, a toddler thing, not a 'didn't you just come out of me?' thing. UGH. Part of me was ecstatic, I yelled for Dan to come feel our little boy's tooth. But the majority of me, the mother, the creator of this small human, felt disappointed: The baby days are over. I hate it. I love love love the tiny baby stage. And it is now gone. And I will miss it.

Winston is 6 months and 1 week old and sitting on his own. He has been drooling really badly for 3 weeks. So, we kinda knew it was coming.

He sits and plays (by himself) and can finally sit in grocery carts. Which is good because he officially weighs 19 pounds which is simply too heavy to carry for more than 10 minutes. Here we are at Staples. he thinks all shopping carts are fun.

He is sleeping 5-10 hours at night. Which means I am sleeping 5-10 hours per night. Wonderful. Thank goodness. So aging/ growing up isnt all bad, I know that. I get it. But now I regret not taking more photos of his pre-teeth smile. I loved those empty gums.
Me and Dan love this little boy more than anything in the ENTIRE world.

teeth and all.

corey williams is too talented.

2012-01-31T21:28:00.000-05:00

look at this RIDICULOUS photo Corey took of baby Winston. First sitting up. i love it too much. I am thinking about buying a HUGE HUGE HUGE print of it. maybe wall size.

6 months old.

2012-01-29T13:59:00.002-05:00

Ahhh, my tiny baby Winston is now 6 MONTHS old. And about 21 lbs, just guessing. He's a healthy baby. Chubby legs. Chubby arms. Delicious double chin.

Now he is sitting up. By himself. (pictured above)

For the past 4 or so weeks, he's been showing definite preferences: milk over prune juice, standing over laying down, books over tv, country music over classic rock and roll (which is sad), and squirming instead of sitting still... here he is enjoying his pears/prunes. (pears are his absolute favorite food)

he absolutely loves to giggle and babble, nothing he says is understandable. He says Ewwwww and Gaaaaaaaa and smiles like he is saying something truly spectacular. He absolutely LOVES dan and his nose. He bites it. And growls at it. and sticks his tongue up dans nostrils and just GIGGLES, like this is the most hilarious thing he could possibly do. I too, think it is pretty funny.

Winston is changing every single day. Yesterday (on his 6 month birthday) I noticed his hair has gotten longer and lighter. He prefers to wear it spiked. He feels he looks most cool/hip that way.

Winston discovered his feet last week. he grabs them when he is laying on his back and tries to get them into his mouth. i love watching him discover new things. he has this bouncy exerciser that allows him to jump and move side to side and dance, and he jumps hours at at time. i love watching him just figuring it all out. He loves it.
He doesn't however, love for any of his toys to fight back when he smacks them. This bumble bee on his baby walker pinched him and DANG was he mad.

Winston and I go on play dates now. While visiting my friend Anna, Winston decided to practice his "looking super cool" skills in this crazy masculine chair. LOVE. how cute is my boy?

Anna was sweet enough to let me borrow a fancy antique pipe. And of course, Winston promptly stuck it in his mouth. Perfect!

6 months has just FLOWN by. the best six months of my life. Hands down.

shoe photography

2012-01-17T22:27:00.002-05:00

I love product photography. I just finished up a HUGE job; over 60 pair of adult and child shoes with 3 different views per pair. It is the second time I have worked with this client: Soft Star Shoes. They're located in Corvallis, Oregon (where Dan and I lived for two years when we first got married) and hand make the most beautifully crafted shoes.

They also sell the CUTEST handmade cat toys. My friend Anna's two cats, Godfrey and Oscar, "modeled" for me. Cats are FUN to photograph.

After photographing these pink leather mary janes, I ordered them. SO FREAKING cute!

I may also buy this pair!!!

Since Winston wore this pair in one of the photographs, he gets this pair!!!

Here is the photograph - he is MODELING with the gift certificates!

I love soft star shoes, find them here: www.softstarshoes.com

working on new blog

2012-01-12T17:20:00.004-05:00

please enjoy some new photos I added to my website -

while I muck with my blog design.

lots of love, nose crinkles

2011-12-28T07:49:00.001-05:00

(updated post)

I finally am allowed to post my most favorite family photo from this fall (photographed inside Tanglewood). My eye goes right to Johnny's expression (the dad) and the little girl looking at the camera (me). Nicole (the mom) had just smooched her cheek! I love that HUGE brown hair bow.
I love this one too, the interaction between the parents and children, the super smile on the baby's face, the color of Nicole's sweater, the orange in the tree on the right, the fence. I just love it.
Here is one of the Christmas cards I designed for my clients - this yellow/green is my new favorite color.And every kid needs a photo of themselves in a little red wagon. And this little man was so smoochy and giggly and delicious, he fit perfectly.
(Here is the original post)
She loves her baby brother so much, she nearly squeezed the snot out of him. Look how crinkled up her little nose is!!! And look at this photo of her mom and Dad who still have serious love and affection for each other. (mom's nose crinkles too!)

holiday wishes

2011-12-22T08:44:00.000-05:00

AJ and his awesome car

2011-12-20T00:08:00.000-05:00

This little man is AJ. He is the handsome son of my friend Stacey - who won my very first "make me laugh and get a free portrait session" contest. Stacey and I worked together YEARS ago before we were both married or had children and just like back in the old days, Stacey is still crazy and HILARIOUS. And her little man AJ has an awesome sense of humor too (after he gets to know you). I got ALOT of photos of him making faces and laughing, like below. And several of him just being handsome and posing like a male model... (in his little argyle sweater, I thought he looked super J.Crew delicious).
AJ has the MOST gorgeous black eyelashes. I was woo'd by their length and had to photograph them. More than once. From several angles.

Thanks AJ for being such a sweet little guy. You are just as cool as your mother.

me and baby Winston

2011-12-18T14:50:00.004-05:00

I am putting together photo albums for the grandparents, and after looking at 80 prints, I realized that there are almost ZERO photographs with me and Winston. Because I am always taking the photos. I don't want him to look at his baby photos and think I was never around. (I look a little like Elvis in this image).And Winston really needs to SEE how much I loved on him when he was little. LOTS and lots of smooching.All that smooching tired Winston out - so he took a nap in my arms. LOVE my baby Winston.

best Winston present ever

2011-12-11T21:39:00.003-05:00

Winston received THIS amazing gift (from our dear friends Tina, Geoff and Leland) in the mail yesterday. A wooden camera!!! Non-toxic, moving parts, a view finder AND a sweet camera strap. I LOVE it, I mean, I giggled and ran to dan and said "look what we got"!!! Yes, I know the camera is technically intended FOR Winston. BUT I love it.
What I love MOSt is Winston's full name and birthdate carved into the back. Photographs by me and my iPhone. (oh oh oh, Dan wants me to mention that the camera is sitting on his vintage electric guitar amp).

just breathing

2011-12-09T00:18:00.007-05:00

I was rocking Winston, just a few hours ago, sniffing his clean head, eyes closed, breathing in his Smell. Sweet, baby love smell. When I was little, my mom often sang "You are my Sunshine" to me at night. Tonight, while singing to Winston really low, almost a whisper, I thought about my Mom and hoped that I was as cuddly and sweet as baby W is. I have been singing to him every day, since before he was born. The first time I sang to Winston, he'd kicked my ribs around 3 am; I woke up immediately, rubbed my belly, told him that I loved him already, and sang "You are my Sunshine" to him. And he stopped kicking. I believe I sang him back to sleep that night.

Winston turned 20 weeks today. That's 140 nights of incredibly special bonding. I feel we have a connection; that I can nearly read his little mind; and that he understands me, even when we're just touching. When I rock him to sleep and I'm singing or humming, he wraps his whole hand around my finger, nuzzles into my neck and sometimes he hums back. Those times create the warmest lightest-ness my heart has ever felt. Dan was sweet enough to take a few photos of our night cuddling.

Below, proof that I spend a good amount of time sniffing him. I breathe, then kiss his tiny nose and eyelids. Sometimes, I thank God that He gave Winston to us. Dan and I worked so hard to get pregnant and to have a super healthy pregnancy. With absolute certainty, this little human has made me SO happy. Even when skies were grey. It hurts me that he will NEVER know how much I love him - simply because there are no words that can describe how wonderful this feels.

I can give him the facts: I breastfed, I smooched on him for at least 30 minutes EVERY SINGLE DAY, I refused to let anyone hold him without de-germing, I bought a new car seat because the first one made him sweat... etc. AND, we can show him photos and videos of us loving on him, but none of that can even get close. Love, I mean real, deep, crazy love just cannot be described. It just is.

Like breathing.

(on a lighter note, here's a video of Winston's delicious smiles & laughter)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHsP97pVPN8&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

19 weeks old

2011-12-01T00:28:00.000-05:00

Holy crap. my baby is now 4.5 months old and almost twice as long as he was the day he was born. I just cannot believe this whole "time flies by" thing - It seemed like my pregnancy went on FOREVER - and now I cannot s l o w down time. I'm sad that baby Winston is no longer a newborn. He is showing tons of "personality".

HE likes to do more than just snuggle with me.
he prefers standing to laying on his back,
he loves doing sit ups and will talk to himself for hours.
His favorite toy is an orange giraffe whose feet make noises - he hugs it and falls asleep.
We started feeding him "solid" food; his favorite is avocados
He DOES NOT LIKE potatoes. At all.
Winston absolutely loves books. Dan and I read to him most nights. Just so you know, we are happily accepting hand me down books. Rhyming with lots of colors is good.

Last week, we finally figured out how to bathe him without any of us having a major breakdown. Winston's his hands need to get wet quickly and he prefers to sit down in the water. I'm not sure how, but his neck and hands and feet STINK.

Maybe it is because he drools ALOT.

Winston loves my hair and often talks to it. And he must think my hair is deliciously tasty, because he grabs it and puts it in his mouth all the time.

peace & love

2011-11-17T07:56:00.001-05:00

I just want to thank A and S for letting me photograph their beautiful family again this fall. I'm not sure which photograph they will ultimately use on their 2011 holiday card, but I cannot wait to get my card in the mail. This one below is my favorite family shot.
This one is probably my favorite of just the two boys. It makes me feel HAPPY.I love watching their children grow and become independent little boys. And its so easy to capture them playing and having fun with each other. Seeing how well these two get along and care about each other makes me want another one. If I could ENSURE that we would have a boy, Dan and I would try again to have another boy! Winston needs a little brother, right?

no words wednesday

2011-11-16T09:49:00.002-05:00

Kidzu Children's Museum, Great Shoot out, part 2

2011-11-11T12:08:00.003-05:00

I love repeat customers!

This is the second year that I have photographed this lovely family of 3 for the Kidzu Children's Museum Great Shoot Out. It's so flattering when people hire me more than once. Especially when they kiss on command, laugh out loud, and are willing to get dirty and have fun with me.
It is so obvious when parents REALLY adore their children. As these two do. Mr. S is a VERY lucky boy.
I giggle at these photos so much. These two kissed FOREVER. and EVER. and EVER.

Kidzu Great Shoot Out, part 1

2011-11-10T12:07:00.005-05:00

For the past two years, I have donated my photography/time for the Great Shoot Out which supports the Kidzu Children's Museum in Chapel Hill, NC. It's easy for me, as all I do is capture some happiness with my camera at the UNC Botanical Gardens, and the proceeds fund the interactively cool and educational museum. Here is one of my favorite family photographs.And of course, I love doing individual shots of the kids (who were crazy about UNC).

no words wednesday, (more Winston)

2011-11-09T15:40:00.002-05:00

perfect princess in a puddle

2011-11-05T21:59:00.003-04:00

I am pretty sure that I horrified the parents of little Miss Eva today - by ENCOURAGING her to make the largest splash possible in a rain puddle AND to laugh as LOUD as she wanted while doing so. Eva thought this was SUPER fun and completely forgot that she (initially) wasn't fond of the idea of me taking her photograph... (sorry Ericka, I know those cute white tights are pretty much ruined now)
I love Miss Eva. I have photographed her 7 times now, and she is not even 3 years old. She is beautiful And happy. And completely adorable.And look at her mom. I like my clients to be super easy going. And this client just GOES with the flow. (the face paint is for her full Star Wars halloween costume...)
The cup says "I'm with creepy". love that mask.

the faces of Winston

2011-10-21T23:14:00.003-04:00

my baby boy is now a whopping 12 weeks old - I just cannot believe it. Mostly because I have almost zero memory of the past three months (it's weird sleep-deprivation onset amnesia). To make sure that I have plenty of photographs of Winston as he grows up, today, instead of folding laundry or cleaning the bathrooms, I spent an hour capturing his funny faces: giggling, cooing, gurgling, babbling, and just overall being an awesome baby boy. How did something so entertaining come out of MY body? It is nuts.

Chance, the model

2011-10-06T06:15:00.000-04:00

This is Chance, he is awesome. He's an excellent listener. And he LOVES to have his picture taken - which works out pretty well for me!
Photographing "models" is not new to be, but Chance was spectacular. He happily did everything I asked him to and was SO polite. I love his little hat and sunglasses. So trendy. And handsome.I try to get a "make a crazy face" shot in every session. I love this one. SO cute!

no words wednesday. (iPhone photos)

2011-10-05T10:48:00.002-04:00

My monday.

2011-10-03T14:26:00.004-04:00

It's been a rough Monday.

1. We had no heat in our craptacular rental last night, & the house got down to 60. BRRR. I feel really sorry for people who never have heat, because even after I put a toboggan, sweat pants and socks on baby Winston, he still had cold hands and cheeks. I hope our heat gets fixed soon. I prefer to

2. Winston hadn't pooped for 2 days, until this morning, while I was feeding him. This poop (my friend Evelyn calls them Assplosions...) happened so quickly that by they time I could change his diaper, this is what I saw...Oh yeah, that my friends, is an ASS.plo.sion. That is green slimey poop. Up Winston's back. Y.U.C.K. So, he got a bath. PRONTO. This bath took a LONG time to wash and rinse off the nasty. And smelly. But alas, I got baby W dried off and re-diapered and dressed. He didn't approve of the whole process. I, however, approve of clean, cute baby W. Especially in this sweet camo outfit my Mom sent me yesterday!

Happy Monday.

Winston's birth story

2011-09-21T12:28:00.008-04:00

It has taken me eight weeks to feel ready to talk about the week that Winston was born. It was not the naturally easy and quick hospital birth that I had dreamt of; me birthing him while standing, totally free of drugs and only full of euphoria. But, the morning of July 28th was the most incredible morning I've ever had.

Let me back up, just a bit. First, you have to know that Dan and I took Hypnobirthing classes to prepare us for the birth. It is a hippie, natural birth, know your rights and options class. The basic premise is to get through contractions by breathing, focusing, and letting your husband talk you through any pain. I highly recommend the classes - although the book tells you pretty much all you need to know.

Second, in Ohio, we had hired a wonderful Doula named Angela, who was a Cross between an angel and a british Mary Poppins grandmother. I instantly loved her, and knew she could perfectly coach me through my birth. And, I adored my OB, Catherine Coats, who handled me with care and put up with my crazy/paranoid/weirdness. I saw her almost once a week my entire pregnancy. BUT, we moved to North Carolina when i was 36 weeks pregnant (Dan got a non-teaching Science job at Duke and I begged him to take it because I never loved Ohio). So, I showed up in Durham with no Doula. (the Chapel Hill natural Birth Center had too many August births, so i couldn't be seen there and ended up at CH OB)

Once in NC, I was incredibly swollen - from my knees down, and miserable from the humidity and heat. By week 37, I sat inside in my underwear and begged my OBs to induce my labor. I had major contractions and false labor 5 or so times, and went to the hospital at week 38 convinced I was in full blown labor. I wasn't. Nor was I even close to being a hair dilated. However, My blood pressure was through the roof and therefore I was induced the night of Monday July 25 *week 39. Dr. Powell placed Cervadil in my cervix (to dilate it). My friend Fernanda visited and brought me a HUGE cheeseburger and a milkshake. I temporarily forgot I like to think of myself as vegetarian. By morning, NOTHING. So, they did it again and started pitocin to jump start my contractions. 12 hours later, NOTHING.

Tuesday night, I received Citotec and more pitocin. The contractions kicked in and I hypno-breathed through them. My iPod and I danced mentally, to keep my mind off my uterus. The baby and I were doing great but once the pain got to me, I asked for help and was given the most magnificent drug on the planet: Stadol. It made me feel high and a bit drunk and evidently gave me diarrhea-stand-up-comedy-mouth, because this is the point where I told all the nurses who would listen what a slut I was in college - and that I was imagining dirty dancing with Justin Timberlake ("in the club, with my leg over his shoulder" - Dan wants me to add).

I was only 3 centimeters dilated Wednesday morning when my water broke. Which was pretty weird and terribly wet. I politely asked (cried and was a little bitchy) for an epidural. My swelling had grown up to my hips and made my legs hurt, but the doctors were only slightly concerned about my it although I complained enough to make Dan nuts. My pain was eased quickly thanks to the epidural, and I called my mom, Dan's mom, Corey (my best friend and the photographer) to say the baby was ALMOST HERE. Late Wednesday night, Corey and her three cameras arrived and Dan and I hurried to pick a name. We wrote options on the whiteboard and the nurses voted (Winston Monroe was the winner, by far). At 3 am THURSDAY, I was 6 centimeters and thinking that by morning I would squeeze out my son.

BUT. the bad part: At 7 am, Dr.Powell examined me and it was determined that my cervix was swollen shut (maybe from my general swelling, maybe from my inadvertent pushing) and it was time for a c-section. I asked if I could go home.

I literally asked if I could return when my cervix dilated on its own, because clearly the hospital didn't do a good job and that perhaps nature should take its course. But, the doctors mentioned possible infection due to my broken water and that freaked me and Dan out and so, a whirlwind of paperwork, more anesthesiologists and operating room people later and I was flat on my back and numb. AND, here is where hypno-birthing worked best for me. I was about to have a panic attack because this was WORST CASE scenario for me - I was afraid. I asked Dan to tell me a story, so that I could focus on him, and not the pulling I might feel (i felt nothing bad). He looked at me and told me about his dog Samson going down to the garden and finding the most magnificent ripe tomato to eat. And walking around with it in his mouth, before finding just the perfect resting spot to eat it.

While nervously laughing, and watching Dan and Corey in their space alien suits, I heard the most amazing happy (there is a god) sound - my little boy, squeaking out a cry, as if to say, well HELLO, here I am! And the doctors said he was perfect. Our boy scored perfectly on the Agpar scale and he was quickly given to Dan. Look at this proud dad!!! I cried and laughed and felt the euphoria I had dreamed about. My 9 months of worry-turned- into relief. He was born. My baby Winston was finally looking at me. And he looked Asian. Seriously. He weighed 8 lbs and 5 oz (5 oz was hair) and had the longest toes and fingers. And I loved him instantly.

Then, I was knocked out with some Valium and the doctors stitched me up and I awoke hungry and groggy. I do not remember anything from the rest of Thursday, but I hear that Winston latched on quickly, ate for a LONG time, and that Dan changed the very first diaper of his life. Which was FULL of meconium and grotesque. He also learned to cover the poop area when changing a diaper, because baby Winston let one go while the diaper was off and it got on the floor. Which dan didn't know until He stepped in it. I video'd the whole ordeal, and you can hear me laughing my ass off during the most of it.

So there you go. Baby Winston Oaks Johnson (yes Oaks is for the tree, and No, Winston is not for the cigarette, but rather half for Winston-Salem the NC city and half for Winston Churchill (who was an awesome leader AND was funny) is born. It took a week total. Him and his perfect ten toes were worth every second. I love love love his little feet. So cute.

birth photos courtesy of www.coreywilliams.com

Mom mode

2011-09-13T00:05:00.004-04:00

Winston is 6.5 weeks old and I'm in full blown Mom mode. I am loving being at home with him and we spend our days talking and feeding and napping. Dan and I are trying to take it all in, as every day is different and wonderful.

This little man is more exciting than television and already has quite the personality (and range of expressions). He likes to be held and has Zero tolerance for hunger. He grunts and mumbles when he eats. I am worried he will walk too soon and get into everything because he already loves to stand up and look around. And, he can now roll over both ways.

We spent a few days with the in-laws this week and Winston got super spoiled. He was snuggled and had lots of visitors who told him how perfect he is. And, he was read to every night. Whether he liked it or not. I love how close I feel to Carol and my mom now, because of the baby. I am so thankful they love him as much as I do.

more Winston, 1 month

2011-08-30T09:26:00.005-04:00

It's been over a month since baby Winston was born, and good lord, the time has flown by. People talk about how quickly they grow up and they are right.
The changes are incredible, I just can't believe that my once tiny little man has:

gained 3 pounds
grown an inch and a half.
HUGE hands and feet!
the most delicious eyelashes ever
sleeps 3-4.5 hours at a time
has 3 dimples on his face
and... makes seriously stinky poop.

I am loving watching Dan become a father. They have "man time" every morning while I sleep. Dan says they discuss very important things, like Nascar, the proper way to tie a small mouth bass fly, women and dogs. Dan gets Winston at 6 am which allows me at least two extra hours of uninterrupted sleep. Dan reads to the baby at night (even if Winston is asleep) and it makes me so happy to watch the two of them. Click Clack Moo is Dan's favorite book to read (I think because he likes saying Mooooo in a cowlike voice.) I mean, who wouldn't?

asleep

2011-08-15T00:32:00.000-04:00

I am taking in every moment of this part of my life. even the quiet moments where Dan and Winston sleep. I love watching my baby sleep, and love watching my husband AND my baby sleep together even more. Good lord, I am happy.

everything Winston, day 15

2011-08-12T23:54:00.006-04:00

i am in love. like a crazy love stuper. With my son Winston. I just cannot stare at him enough, sniff his head enough or smooch his perfect lips enough. These past two weeks have been WONDERFUL. love love love. And I am not the only one in love. So is Dan:And so is my dad! He cannot get ENOUGH of the baby (which translates to 'no one else can hold him if dad is in the room')
My mom is also in love, and Winston loves for his Grams to rock him and talk to him and love on him.
And Dan's parents, Carol and Tony are pretty fond of him too. They have visited 3 times in 15 days. I love it!

my husband and son

2011-08-06T17:38:00.006-04:00

Winston is now 10 days old. 1/3rd of a month. I am so happy and in love and enjoying my time at home with Dan and my baby. I finally understand what people mean when they say babies grow up too fast, I just want to capture EVERYTHING... like Winston's sweet lips (above) and Dan holding and smooching those lips (below). Sometimes, the sweetest moments have happened in the middle of the night. I love watching Dan soothe and comfort Winston. He rocks him, sings to him and gets on the floor and kisses his little feet.This is my most favorite photo! I love my little popeye baby.

Introducing Winston Oaks Johnson

2011-08-03T01:02:00.002-04:00

Winston Oaks Johnson: 8 lbs, 5 oz, 22 inches long. Born July 28 (after 3 days of labor) at 8:49 am. We are both healthy and happy. And Dan is in love love with his baby boy.
need I say more?

sweet Eloise!

2011-07-25T00:00:00.006-04:00

Here is a sneaky peek of my first portrait session back in North Carolina; which took place in downtown Mooresville (which is a fabulous backdrop for photographs because of the variety of old buildings and murals AND the rustic possibilities, like this crazy random tire/building, we found one block off of main street. )
Sometimes I like to have something other than a playground to work with for portraits. For cool architecture, color and texture (like tall grass up against brick and metal). Downtown is full of all kinds of colored doors: I photographed Eloise in front of a green, blue and a red door. AND these two beigy ones. Which I love.Here is a door and some crazy peeling paint in the background. It is just so interesting, maybe because orange and blue are complimentary colors - and green grass and blue dresses will always work...
And how about a wood door and a ton of corrugated metal and rust for a perfect portrait spot? I love how the handrail frames her within the photo. Yum.
I just wanted to add this photo - her hair is adorable and although she isn't looking at the camera, i just adore it.
Here is my favorite mural: Except that close up, Blondie kinda looks to have hairy armpits. which is not cool.

newborn girl!

2011-07-24T01:48:00.003-04:00

This was my last newborn session in Ohio, my wonderful prego friend Tennley had a baby girl a few days before we moved back to NC. I am sorry it's taken me so long to post. Here are mom and baby smooching. I LOVE these two images together.And here is baby Siri with her big brother: He is pretty excited about baby!And, Grandma gets portraits too - I love these two. So happy. PS. This little man HATES grass. So, I had to keep his feet/legs off the grass. How funny.
Congratulations Tennley! I love your new baby girl Siri. She is so cute and happy and lovable. Oh, and good luck in Kansas!

no words wednesday. Week 38.

2011-07-20T00:20:00.000-04:00

updates.

2011-07-12T14:41:00.001-04:00

Home: Dan and I are moved into our rental home in Durham. It's ok. Definitely not the purple house with regards to charm or space. It is white, has old carpet, ugly fixtures, and no yard space of our own (which blows for Marvin). On the upside, it DOES have 2 bathrooms, dishwasher, AND a garbage disposal. I had forgotten how luxurious having a dishwasher can feel.
Nursery: My friend Joanna visited from Charlotte on Tuesday and Wednesday and helped me get ready for the baby. She sewed a crib bumper (with fantastic aqua blue rick rack) and skirt (with orange pom pom trim which I love SO much) and picked out green striped sheets for the bed. LOVE. She made curtains and a pillow from my quirky owl/tree shower curtain. She unpacked all the newborn to 6 month clothes and neatly organized the closet. Dan assembled the crib (after an incredible amount of talking to himself and cursing, making tools from scratch and beer ingestion) while I pointed and directed.

There are several things about the nursery that I love: First, it doesn't scream any particular theme. There are owls, deer and trees, but nothing tooooo BABY. Second, without painting walls, I still got the colors I wanted: aqua, orange and green with touches of dark brown. I would still love for the back wall to magically be painted aqua. Third, the bird mobile Joanna made me, hanging over the changing area. Handmade with love. Joanna is the best of best friends. And that white whippet? Need I say more?

The curtains made from my old shower curtain. LOVE!!! Note the puppet on the end of the bed.The crates - These held decorations at our wedding; I love repurposing them!
AND, Joanna is solely responsible for finding this awesome painting. Deer with tube socks (We hung it so it could be seen from the living room).
I adore my grandmother's orange quilt. It's made from my grandfather's clothes.

37 weeks pregnant: I spent Thursday in the hospital (high blood pressure + horrible headache made the OBs worry I was pre-eclamptic, which turns out, I am not) and was put on complete bed rest. Friday and Saturday around 3:30 am, I awoke to steady painful contractions, that were 15-20 minutes apart for 3 hours. But after getting up each morning, they amounted to NOTHING. Which was confusing because both nights I thought, well, here we go, LABOR. But, no. Bedrest is working for me. The swelling is less grotesque and although I am tired and sleeping odd hours, I am accepting visits from old friends - especially with food delivery.

moved in; no words wednesday.

2011-06-29T14:02:00.002-04:00

(couldn't do) no words wednesday

2011-06-22T07:03:00.001-04:00

I would love to have THIS poster. No idea where to put it, but I NEED it.

(found here: http://sweeticedtea.wordpress.com/)

78 S May Ave FOR SALE

2011-06-16T18:38:00.010-04:00

update: we accepted an offer the FIRST day the house was on the market. Yay! We know that the new owners will LOVE it. But we wonder, will they keep the mural of horses? hmmmm?The purple bungalow is now on the market - perfect for another couple/family or swingin bachelor. After the months of painting, cleaning, fixing, & all of the sweat/elbow grease to get this home the way we love it, we are moving back to North Carolina.

The living room is the front room in the house. We painted all the walls & ceiling. They were a icky smoke stain yellow and now two walls are off white, & the others are grey/purple. It is subtle.

The view from the front door is on the left below, and is open through to the dining room (right) and the kitchen. I think the inside of the house is really pretty, especially now that the dining area is a happy olive green. Dan and I never found a dining table we loved for the space, so for us, it was just an office.The master bedroom - with the original pale blue paint. I recently got us a happy quilt set that matched with the wall color. The bright bedding makes me wonder why I lived SO many years with drab ass brown bedding.Here is the second bedroom. The wallpaper is GONE, and I love LOVE the new color. It is a grey, but sometimes looks blue, and sometimes looks green (kinda like hazel eyes). The white trim and the hardwood floors, makes it perfect. I may use it again in our new home. (The twin bed photographed way more bright lime than it is in real life).And, ah, the red retro kitchen. Which we have LOVED. It has been the home of many a cheesecake, apple crisp, lemon cake, kale lasagna, veggie chili and pesto pizza. Dan is the cook, I am the baker.
The bathroom and our awesome owl shower curtain. We replaced both faucets, shower head, seriously cleaned all nooks/crannies, & painted the walls & ceiling off white. I wanted to replace the floors with a black and white basket weave tile. But we ran out of time.
And our beloved back yard - with the four horse mural. We have a kick ass vegetable garden with cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, garlic, peppers and basil, all for someone else to reap! I need a photo of the garden, but by the time I realized I needed one for the blog, it began to POUR. SO, this shot is from this spring. I will link to realtor.com as soon as my realtor sends it my way. The purple bungalow costs $134,500 firm.

no words wednesday!

2011-06-15T18:35:00.002-04:00

Carolina or Bust

2011-06-14T09:53:00.000-04:00

So, Dan and I have some pretty big news. In two weeks, we are moving back to North Carolina!!! He's starting a new position in Durham (doing tree and root science) with some amazing scientists and we are going to be living between Durham/Chapel Hill (not exactly sure WHERE yet...). Crazy, huh? Here I am 33.5 weeks pregnant and we are packing, selling the beloved purple house (more on that later), finding a new home, getting our stuff from Ohio to NC, Dan's starting a new job, and oh, having a baby within a month of moving. No pressure. No stress. But we are SUPER excited about getting back to our home state. Mostly because of the food: We miss Barbeque, Thai, morning Soul Food (like biscuits and gravy), REALLY good sushi, Whole Foods, gelato, cup a joe and Sage (a fab vegetarian joint in CH). I miss Target, the Art Museums, having Parents and Friends close by, a mall (yeah, Athens doesn't have a mall closer than 1.5 hours away), the Apple store, Barnes and Noble on Sunday afternoons, Duke Gardens, the Durham Bulls and big playgrounds and photography space. We are glad to be moving back. We both missed it.

To get ready to sell the house, Dan is painting up a storm, while I clean, pack, stage the house, and take photographs for the realtor. I feel like I have been writing all kinds of checks for house improvements: fixing locks, repairing little things like faucets, etc, right as we are leaving. We really need some help, like of the physical labor sort, because neither me nor Marvin are good at carrying much of anything. Which leaves it all up to Dan. The things I need to do in the next 2 weeks are: finish cleaning, Pack, get a truck, Drive 7 hours from Oho to NC. Then, my friend Joanna said she would come and help us unpack. Oh, and after all THAT, I need to find someone NEW to deliver baby W. No pressure. No stress.

updated danielle life

2011-06-11T14:29:00.001-04:00

This week has been a real roller-coaster, which I can actually tell you WHY on Tuesday, so for now, here is what's going on...Have we found Marvin a new home? No. He failed his doggie/home interview Thursday. The Doberman of the house decided she did NOT want Marvin as a new playmate and communicated this fact by ONLY showing her teeth which made Marvin squeal like a girl and jump on the hood of their (nicely waxed new) car. WHICH IS NUTS, since he is such bully at home - Mr. I will viciously bark at you and try to attack you if walk past my house - let a girl beat him up. Dan congratulated Marvin for a job well done - as if Marvin is smart enough to fake fear in order to continue living with us... perhaps he is? nahhhh. So, Marvin has 6 weeks to find a new home. I would love for him to happily be settled by the time baby W arrives.

Photography Business: I'm happily cutting back to no more than 2 photo shoots per week and because of the heat, I definitely prefer indoors jobs. I'm also designing 2 NEW photo albums for recent clients. I heart them. I have a handful of sessions available in NC in July - as I will be there the entire month.

NEW and On Sale: I am happy to announce I have many new photograph prints on Etsy.com like the images above and below)- and I have a 22% off sale (type in NEWBABY at checkout: www.etsy.com/shop/dreadsky/). I would LOVE to sell several over the next month to help with the diaper fund. Cloth diapers and their inserts are expensive. Especially cute orange and blue ones.

I'm so in love with Baby W. He is moving ALOT. And I although I still have up to 40 contractions per day, my doctor says that this is my NORMAL, and that she thinks the baby will arrive around August 1. (when it is NICE and HOT). I've been busy washing and sorting baby clothes. Baby W has three drawers full of newborn, 0-3 month clothing and hats, shoes, and receiving blankets. We have 2 more baby showers, and I am SUPER excited about them. Books. We have been given so many lovely books, I am looking for some nameplates for the inside covers - maybe these:

These beauties can be personalized with your child's name and purchased here:

www.etsy.com/listing/75726007/vintage-owl-and-pussycat-personalized

So, we continue painting and preparing for the baby. Oh, and Dan is busy doing grant proposals and tree science. More info on Tuesday/Wednesday, I promise.

floating = happiness

2011-06-10T10:12:00.000-04:00

I am so pregnant. Like crazy big pregnant. My boobs, ankles, fingers, legs and CLEARLY stomach are large. Not that I want ANYONE to voice this fact, because it hurts my feelings, and all I want to hear is how fabulously healthy and motherly I look. The truth is, yeah, I get it, i have cellulite. It is visible. My body is not small. OK. OK. BUT, in a swimming pool, I feel like my old self. the smaller able to move, do-things self.
Dan's favorite cousin Amy gave me this bathing suit and it is not see-through in person, I promise. But it does cover all my goods and allows me to swim and play in nice cool water. Which I have done 5 out of the last 14 days. I love it. I mean really LOVE swimming and sitting in the water. I would be perfectly happy to go to the pool for the remainder of my pregnancy.

FAMILY, no words Wednesday!

2011-06-08T21:09:00.002-04:00

erin & marcus get engaged!

2011-06-02T08:24:00.000-04:00

Marcus proposed to his beautiful girlfriend Erin exactly a year ago, here in Athens, Ohio. On the campus of the University of Ohio. On this VERY bench. They drove from Pittsburg for their engagement session with me, and I hope they love the photographs as much as I love her engagement ring.

Bearded Irises are my all time, hands down favorite flower. I took a bazillion photos of them.

Although the colors of spring were beautiful, I do love a few of Marcus and Erin's photos in Black and White:
Congratulations you two! I am SO happy for you!!!!

no words Wednesday!

2011-06-01T05:11:00.001-04:00

Owls and Argyle

2011-05-27T12:06:00.008-04:00

Pregnancy Update: 30 weeks, 4 days. Dan and I realized last night that we only have 9ish weeks to go!!! I am growing!

Nursery: We are slowly gathering stuff for the baby. The twin bed (for me) is now a lovely light green thanks to 5 cans of spray paint. After moms gives us a new mattress/boxspring for it, I plan on finding fabulous sheets to match the crib bedding. We are being given a lovely expresso crib next week. My friend COREY has mysteriously hinted the bedding will be made of the fabrics below. Owls and argyle are MY absolute favorite things. Quirky, yet preppy. AND this blue, green and yellow combination is PERFECTION!

I also picked up a little chair yesterday (I plan use it as cute storage before the baby can sit in it). I cleaned and sanded it and will paint it GLOSSY white. This weekend, we are bringing back Dan's tiny record player he ADORED as a kid. He has 50+ books with records - and we are going to clean those up for the baby. I have organized the baby clothing and it is now in my dresser. We will share for the time being. My mom sent a box of adorable clothing last week and Tuesday, I received a CUTE aqua and orange lion onesie and sleeper from my dear Oregonian client Shannon! She was so helpful and let me borrow a fertility mask (which we left on the dresser so it could aid our 'fertility').

My body: I went back to yoga Wednesday. After 6 weeks off, it was HARD. I can no longer touch my toes without squatting. My stomach is very close to the steering wheel and when opening bathroom door, it now hits my stomach. My feet swell at night - my sneakers only fit in the morning and I can no longer wear my wedding ring EVER. My doc wants me to chill on the donuts, fried oreos and sweets. So, I am back to fruit, salads and protein. The good news is that the big belly means the baby is moving ALOT. Especially when Dan plays guitar for him. The baby seems to like Doc Watson, Broken Bells, Conway Twitty and Loretta more than any music.

AND when dan talks, the baby immediately moves around, like he is moving toward Dan's voice.

Slowing down work - I am only doing 2 sessions per week for remainder of summer. because of my travel to NC this June, I have openings in NC on June 5, 6, 17, 18, 19, 25 and 26. I so miss my friends and family in NC and am SUPER excited about the baby showers. Thank you Corey, Joanna, Tonya, and Bobbie!

These are incredibly exciting times. even for Marvin, who is fascinated with my belly.

Love this shirt. It sums it up. Oh, and check out my new short hair!

Puppies!

2011-05-26T10:59:00.005-04:00

My friend Lili has a new puppy. An adorable, yummy breath, squishy, english bulldog named Bacon who I think I need to steal. seriously. I insisted on photographing little Bacon after first laying eyes on him at the farmer's market last weekend, so yesterday I forced myself and my camera on Lili's family and we spent a few minutes together (in the very warm sun). Bacon, was delicious.Lili has another puppy, who's the size of a mountain, 10 month old Zeek. He likes treats ALOT and will do nearly anything to get one. Like smooch Lili on the face.Zeek looks quite pensive with that arched eyebrow!
And this is Shelby. She is Lili's favorite. The sweetest dog and quite a show off! She minded her manners the entire time I visited.
Thanks Lili for letting me get my puppy breath fix. Little Bacon makes me swoon. I wish my baby boy was already born and I would photograph the two of them asleep together in the studio. How precious would THAT be???

no words wednesday.

2011-05-25T16:08:00.002-04:00

baby shower invitation!

2011-05-21T18:08:00.004-04:00

Look how perfect THIS baby shower invitation is for me!!!My super great friends (since High School) Joanna and Tonya are throwing me a baby shower in 3 weeks. It is mostly for books for our baby boy W - and I love that idea because books were so important to both me and Dan as kids. I just got the invite in the mail today, and look! It has all of my favorite things: an owl in the upper right corner. Deer, squirrels, mushrooms, birds, hearts and flowers. I mean, so perfect.
hedgehog and mushroom alert! oh. love. I am just so excited for this baby shower - I think a handful of high school girl friends are coming, and it will be PERFECT.
I adore this little deer AND the tiny red mushrooms.
If you like these invites, I have used www.tinyprints.com several times. The cards can feature your photographs and are fully customizable and awesome. Here is the back of my invite.
THANK YOU joanna and tonya! I cannot WAIT until June 18.

no words wednesday.

2011-05-18T22:06:00.002-04:00

you can have a book like this

2011-05-16T07:22:00.000-04:00

Check out my newest printed baby book - that I love so much. THICK pages, gorgeously printed and whimsically designed. I am already planning what kinds of photographs I need so that I can make one of our boy after he arrives!Look at Dan, my handsome hand model! He was busy cooking dinner and stopped to hold up the book for me.
I love these illustrations - they are just gorgeous. I bought the design/illustrations for the book from another photographer/designer, but all of the photographs are mine. This is a typical family portrait session, featuring a 5 month old little girl - and I just adore it.
Notice how thick the pages are. This is only a ten page book but the custom cover and thickness make it feel SUPER substantial. Since this was a promotional book for my business, my website url and company tagline are featured under the sun, on the back cover. Very cute.

babies!!!

2011-05-15T20:40:00.004-04:00

This is 7 week old Ava. She was so cute and had the best clothes: with tons of cool patterned dresses and colorful hair bows. I LOVE her big brown eyes and crazy hair! I hope my baby boy has lots of hair when he is born.Look at this dress and zebra chair. I love love love photographing a pattern on top of another pattern. It might be cool to photograph her every few months in this chair to illustrate her growth! In just about 4 months, she will be able to sit up by herself!And this is Baby Ever. He is so cute and tiny at three weeks old. He can sleep through anything. A HUGE thunder and lightning storm, dogs licking his face, my flash. EVERYTHING. I wish all newborns were heavy sleepers. Maybe mine will be. Fingers crossed.
Baby yawns are my favorite. I love love how his nose scrunches up and how wide his mouth opened! i am so lucky to photograph kids and babies. Photographing new(ish) born babies makes me even more excited to meet my little one who is due in 10 weeks.

new wedding present

2011-05-14T12:35:00.002-04:00

This owl vase is the most perfect wedding present ever - and I love that I got it a year and a half after Dan and I were married - because sometimes you just NEED something new and awesome to brighten your home and if it comes at an unexpected time, all the better. AND this gift, is more than awesome. I love owls. I love white. I love Anna and Mike Absher for gifting us this gorgeous and quirky vase.The cuttings are all from our yard (which since this is our first summer here, we have NO idea what kind of plants & flowers are going to pop up). I adore the crazy purple firework looking flowers (which dan says are part of the onion family). The maple leaves are from a tiny maple that was the MOST brilliant red a few weeks ago, and that bushy white flower on the right smells delicious! Although I have no idea what it is.

a few new website photos

2011-05-13T09:49:00.000-04:00

The images on www.danielleanthony.com have been updated - with some my favorite portraits from the past 6 months added! It is so easy for me to change/add photographs to my website - but, I just seem to only get around to it 3 or so times per year. What is missing? Should I add pet portraits? More headshots?

girls!

2011-05-12T10:04:00.000-04:00

I love photographing girls. Especially girly girls who like to dress up, wear toe nail polish, understand the value of a stylish headband AND have a serious dislike for bugs! Like these two. Who were so incredibly cute and polite, I immediately felt like I wanted to adopt them.The mom of these two precious girls is my friend/hair stylist, Terri. She is such a caring sweet mother. Here she is illustrating how to peek at me from between dad's legs. Which is hilarious to me that she actually got down there. LOVE LOVE.Nothing like smooching parents. I want a photo JUST LIKE THIS for me and Dan when our little boy can run.
Love this. Just because.

mother's day

2011-05-08T22:14:00.005-04:00

here I am at 9 months, being a ham, my mom took the photo 36ish years ago!Today, I'm 28 weeks pregnant. A mother to a baby boy who is living and growing inside me. I've been off bed rest for 5 days and feel SO much better working and gardening. Baby W prefers to hang out on my left side and his rump is directly to the left of my belly button (which has almost poked out). He moves probably 40 times a day and I feel like I have a small alien exploring my insides, often too close to my bladder. I can almost tell what is a foot, elbow, knee (based on the shape of my stomach). I am thinking he must be larger than what he should measure at 28 weeks: 2.9 pounds and 15.4 inches long. That's 4.5 inches longer than the tall side of a piece of paper. It is nuts that something that elongated is growing inside me. My mom says I was only 17.5 inches long and 5.5 lbs when I was BORN. So, it's quite possible Baby W is already over half as large as what he will be when he's born. Which is so exciting!

I do feel like a MOTHER already. A really caring awesome mother. One who takes care of her baby and loves it unconditionally. One who LIKES her baby as well as loves it. No matter how much he is kicking me and making me hurry to the bathroom. I am loving getting books together for him, planning how we will read to him at night. Planning what his room will look like both in the beginning and when he moves to a toddler bed. I have registered in three places and am so excited for my baby showers (one of which is just a book shower!).

On a side note, I met at least a hundred new families yesterday at the baby fair here in Athens. I was thinking how warm my heart feels when I see how much happy parents LIKE their children. Meaning, genuinely like the company of their kids. They laugh at their jokes. They really listen. You can see joy in their faces. I think some humans are just more capable of unconditional love (love without judgement) than others. I long to be that kind of parent. Loving. Encouraging. Non-judgemental. Kind.

As my body grows in girth and weight, I am getting more excited to meet baby W. In less than 3 months, I will get to snuggle my SON. My son. My son. I just cannot wait to smooch his little lips and cheeks and ears and toes. Because in less than 3 months, I will be a mother. What a happy day it will be!

engaged! Athens Style.

2011-05-05T11:30:00.003-04:00

I am old. If the grey hair didn't prove that, now, I have officially photographed an engaged couple who is (less than) half my age. At the time I photographed their engagement, I did not FEEL old, even with my enormous pregant belly and subsequent waddle. I realize in hind sight that these young sweethearts probably think of me as their PARENT's age. Ahhh. That's so hard on my ego. Josi and Dylan are Hip; Young & Attractive; Trendy. And I love that. Even their dog/wolf is cool.During our session, they were super quiet and polite our time went by SO FAST. We moved from spot to spot, often technically slightly trespassing, like in the yummy rusty goodness below:I loved working with this couple. I am so thankful, that even though I am crazy elderly, that even young adults trust me to photograph their special occasions. I can be cool, right? I CAN be hip, and maybe hanging out with a non 30s crowd will make me hipper. Me. Hip. I DO like the sound of that! Love, actually.

no words wednesday.

2011-05-04T23:49:00.001-04:00

no words, just sneak peeks

2011-05-01T12:09:00.001-04:00

purple house yard.

2011-04-30T23:21:00.004-04:00

It has finally stopped raining long enough to get some yard work done, here in Athens. Dan has been working like mad in back yard preparing the garden, cutting grass every three days (the unfortunate side effect of fertilizing), trying to identify what is a plant/flower and what is a weed. WEEDING. mulching. etc. Here are a few of our plants.
Today, Dan planted cucumbers, 2 kinds of basil, 3 kinds of tomatoes AND cherry tomatoes. Combined with our lettuce, onions and garlic, I am feeling some seriously good salad and pizza happening in a few months! And I should document/photograph our first serious garden.

my favorite! a purple bearded iris with a yellow center. With morning dew. These were a gift from Carol, my mom-in-law and I adore them!The bird feeder above was left in our yard and I love it. I need to photograph the two we received for Christmas.

26.5 weeks

2011-04-29T14:20:00.008-04:00

In case you've not seen this photograph on my facebook business page, here I am in the bathroom photographing my enormous stomach; in order to illustrate to my mom (who is 6 hours away) how much my pregnant stomach has grown in 3 weeks. This is the one time horizontal STRIPES are a good thing. Below is my view of my toes; I must bend over at the waist. I supposedly have 13ish weeks to go?

If you would like to like me, look at more photos of more than my pregnancy, tell me a knock-knock joke, etc, here's the link to facebook:

www.facebook.com/pages/Danielle-Anthony-Photography/107129951064

family portraits

2011-04-28T08:15:00.000-04:00

When this mother says "Mini Session" she means it. My dear friend Wendy hired me to photograph her family of two girls, her husband and son-in-law. I showed up, photographed them for 22 minutes, and was booted out. I loved it, but it was FAST and furious. I have never done a session so quickly (especially being 6 months pregnant). Below, this dog had the wettest longest tongue ever!Here are Wendy and her sweet husband Rick. I have asked them to adopt me. We are still negotiating the specifics.

Chicken! 26 weeks pregnant.

2011-04-25T20:34:00.006-04:00

I am officially 26 weeks pregnant. For weeks, I've had this idea to include a chicken in my monthly pregnancy portrait. Thank you to my dear friend Lisa, who brought me a gorgeous chicken (named Trouble) and a pitchfork. Her daughter Becky was kind enough to take our photos. The idea was to do a modern version of Grant Wood's American Gothic painting. Dan was totally up for it. He loves his overalls; he said wearing them with a tie and a button up reminded him of his granddad. I LOVE the photo below. And Dan's tie.This is Becky, demonstrating how to hold a bird on one hand. But the chicken didn't want to cooperate that much for me... So instead, I tried to smooch Trouble, the chicken. I edited the images that Becky took. I am loving the hazy, vintage, polaroid looking processing these days. Here is an example of the photo out of the camera and my Photoshop edits.

Realization. Seeing these photos helps me visualize that I am huge. My appetite is ferocious my cravings are for crazy food. I cannot get enough honeydew melon, TOO many peanut butter cups, raisin bran, fried fish, fried okra, sour cream, blow pop suckers and peach tea.

Time to slow down. All things in my life would be great, except... I have been having contractions since last Tuesday. My doc monitored my uterus and the baby, tested me for labor proteins (which were negative), got up close and personal with my cervix and did several lab tests. She was concerned with the strength and consistency of the contractions (I had over 40 on Tuesday) and told me that although there was no protein, I should take it easy for two weeks. Bed Rest. Laying in bed was fun for officially four hours. The contractions slowed WAY down, though, which is good. We need baby W to stay put for at least 11 more weeks. 8 episodes of 24, 3 books and much napping later, I am bored and ready for more books and a different series on TV.

Professionally. Editing images on the computer has proven to be pretty hard: I lay on my side and use one hand, but I manage to do a few hours each day. I go back to the doc next Tuesday to see if I am cleared to shoot. I am sure I will be as the contractions are down to 10 or so per day. Fingers crossed.

More Gymnastics Buddies

2011-04-24T00:22:00.000-04:00

I have alot to say about my most recent family portrait session with my friend Melissa. Melissa, was one of my most fierce gymnastics competitors (when we were 12). She was known for being tiny and cute and having perfect form in floor and beam. AND she was crazy flexible. Her splits were flawless. Her shoulder flexibility was FAR more than ANYONE else's in our gym. One of my memories is her laying on her stomach and bending her back over her head so far that her bottom touched her hair. NUTS. And this of course, made me crazy jealous.And, she was nice. I mean, NICE to the core: friendly and positive and kind.

And this is the type of mom and wife she is. I am so proud of people that I knew as pre-teens, who turn out to be professional, good to the earth, kind hearted and loving. Not to be all sappy, but she is still amazing. I admire the type of mom she is. I hope she doesn't mind if I call and ask parenting questions once my little boy gets here!

And this is her awesome son, who was so cute and active and elusive. He wasn't super duper into me taking his photo, but I did manage to get some photographs of his sweet smile.And here is the dad. He is an avid gardener. Their yard was so amazing and I wanted to actually steal some of their yard statues.

Heather & Evan get engaged

2011-04-19T00:21:00.004-04:00

Heather and Evan were the happy winners of my engagement photo shoot give away - at the Athens Bridal Show in February. When I met Heather, I adored her immediately - red hair, red lips, wonderful laugh, retro styling... So of course, this engagement photo session was fun. Below, daughter Emma looks on. So adorable.
Congratulations on the engagement Heather and Evan!

little Bella!

2011-04-15T13:36:00.003-04:00

Bella is a baby that I stalked. Not in a creepy way, but I saw her at a birthday party 3 or so months ago, and went right up to her mother and said "I have to photograph your child". Then, I realized that I had met her twice before! She was the nanny for one of my most favorite NC clients - and was completely happy to arrange a portrait session for her favorite little girl. This is Bella, a few days after turning 1. Look at those eyes!
Bella thought it was great fun to play peekaboo and hide her little head behind things (so I could not see her). I adore naked babies. And huge flowers. And rustic outdoorness. Thanks Samantha for not thinking I was a super weirdo for stalking your kid!

blooming flowers, green leaves

2011-04-14T22:33:00.003-04:00

I came home from a portrait session this afternoon and found a bouquet of beautiful flowers waiting for me. Dan must have picked them while working in the yard - he is furiously planting veggies like onions, lettuce, and sewing grass (we have some bare spots). The yard is OVERRUN with weeds and we have no idea where flowers and shrubs are going to pop up (since the previous owner didn't leave us a plant/flower map...) These flowers smell wonderful. All in favor of fresh flower surprise, say I. I.

baby sneak peek for B and S

2011-04-13T07:53:00.001-04:00

Just a quick post to show new my favorite new parents a glimpse of their 8 day old baby boy!
Look at those tiny little finger nails. and I love the contrast and shapes in the photograph below. Especially how his hair swirls. SO cute! Congrats B and S!

Dan's Books

2011-04-12T16:56:00.004-04:00

While visiting the in-laws this weekend, we found 3 boxes of the books Dan read and loved as a child. Dan's mom had saved them and remembered which ones were his favorites. I am guessing there were 150-200 books, which Dan and I narrowed down to 50, the ones we felt might be perfect for baby W. I love the smell of 30+ year old books. And the graphic designer in me cannot help but adore the typography, illustrations and styling of these books, like this one: Loveable Lyle.This one is Morris the Moose goes to School and I adore it too. The typeface is Clarendon, as were most books published for children between the 60s-80s.This book, called the Runaway Sardine, is so beautiful and simple, only printed in 3 colors. It appears to be handwritten, which I wonder how that could have been mass printed. Dan does not remember this one, but I adore it.This book is called Modern Science, and Dan(ny) had written his name (I am guessing himself) in the jacket. AND look, it talks about trees, conifers, seedlings, seeds, etc. I wonder if this sparked his life long love for trees??? I just cherish these books SO much and cannot WAIT to show them to baby W. Dan's most favorite book when he was super tiny was Richard Scarry's Mother Goose, and it is falling apart from overuse and love. Carol told me she read it to Dan, until he insisted on reading it to her. So, I just registered for a reproduction, on Amazon. LOVE.

Baby Kellan!

2011-04-11T21:31:00.001-04:00

This handsome boy is the new love of my life. he is my super friend Tonita's ten week old baby boy, Kellan. He is mellow and sweet and has the BIGGEST head of hair. He is such a joy to hold and talk to. I asked him all sorts of questions about how to be a great mother. He told me to ask Tonita, because she is doing a great job!How cute is this? I mean seriously? I want a son that smiles all the time! Thank you Tonita for letting me photograph your new little baby boy.Welcome to the world, baby Kellan!

Wendy @ Walmart

2011-04-06T11:34:00.003-04:00

Surreal, Odd Pregnancy Experience Alert: After asking my due date, a very upbeat (and self-professed telepathic) cashier alerted me, with extreme confidence, that my baby would be born early. She stared at me, then my stomach, and asked if she could touch him (yes, him, without me telling her). SO, of course I agreed, because the whole scene was so hypnotic spell weird. She touched my stomach, closed her eyes, and then told me that in fact, the baby W will be born between July 9 and 11, a full 3 weeks ahead of schedule. Interesting.

While we were walking out to the car, Dan was quiet. I asked him if he was freaked out that I had let this stranger chime in our our baby making schedule, or if he thought she might be right. Dan gently reminded me that July 9 is when he is scheduled to be out of town for a few days. Crap. Crap.

Wendy, we hope you are not right...

baby stuff

2011-03-31T10:51:00.006-04:00

Happily humming along at 23 weeks pregnant, I realized this week that the baby could be here as early as July 1 (if he came a month early). Maybe he could arrive July 3rd on my brother's birthday. Or the 25th, which Dad's birthday. If he decides to come July 1, we will be in NC, and July 8, we will be in St. Louis (or maybe just Dan will be, because I am not sure I am up for a 7 hour road trip at 37 weeks pregnant, IN hotass JULY). But, whenever he comes, I am ready!

Yes, we still need a car seat (thanks Joy) and more cloth diapers, a crib/cosleeper (thanks Corey and Joanna) washcloths, bottles and the few odds and ends I have no idea yet I need (like baby changing covers and multiple items to wipe poo, drool, pee, etc). We have a baby shower planned that is all about vintage books that I am super excited about. And I think my friend Joy is throwing a green (meaning hand me downs!) shower in July, which is so awesome. Moms will know what I need. And both showers will be gentle on the planet, and my pocketbook. So, I am totally excited. Did I mention that I am excited?

Dan and I have named him. And no, I am not telling, because two important people in the family don't really love the name, and I am not accepting any additional non-love for the best name on the planet for my baby boy (Dan is still calling the baby Earnhardt Bocephus. Not kidding...) but I will give you a hint. His name starts with a W. And, its not Wyatt. So, as I am ramping up for the busiest April in my books EVER, I am busy thinking about how to create a wonderful space for the baby in the purple house. yay. baby!

high school sweethearts

2011-03-24T18:20:00.003-04:00

For once, when I say 'high school sweethearts" I am not talking about me and Dan. This is Shannon and Cody, two very polite (and photogenic) seniors, I mean, look how cute these two are. Shannon and I decided it would be way more fun to photograph these two together rather than during individual sessions. I totally agree!Shannon really enjoyed getting her photograph taken, and was totally up for whatever I asked her to do (even laying down on super cold cement)
Cody was much more reserved, but a good sport. I hope my son is as polite and kind as he was. He offered to carry my camera bags. This is my favorite shot of Shannon. I asked her to wear Cody's shirt for me, and the wind blew her hair at just the right time. So pretty. I love photographing high school students. I wonder if any would let me photograph them jumping horses or in a canoe!

Happy 1st Birthday, Mada

2011-03-20T19:15:00.003-04:00

Look what a doll this little girl is. This is Miss Mada, and she just turned 1, and I love her entire wardrobe. I kinda wish that I was having a girl so I could dress her all cute and trendy like this. She had a drawer full of striped socks and tights and shoes. I am not sure which of these shots I like better. The smiley face or the funny expression below.
What I do know is that Miss Mada loves this little teddy bear. She "loved" and hugged on him and made the sweetest little baby sound. And look at those tiny little bottom teeth! SO adorable.
Happy Birthday darlin!!!

21 weeks, no chicken yet

2011-03-18T18:50:00.002-04:00

Crazy week: I self-hypnotized myself through a root canal while Dan did all kinds of tree science and preparations for classes starting next week at OU. Tonight was the first night we could do my 20ish week portrait. Before dinner, we went to uptown Athens, and Dan got some cool photos of me. I am 20 weeks, 5 days; OVER halfway there!!!

what's going on with the baby. During our ultrasound this week, we discovered our baby is still a boy. Dan loved seeing him squirm and kick and jump. His spine, leg bones and skull are visible. He has BIG feet and his nose is still large. He has great lips that look like my moms. Which is good, because she has beautiful lips. He weighs 10 oz which is perfect. According to my doc, I am too perfect with all my numbers. He kicks me and I can feel his hiccups (which is just the COOLEST, weirdest feeling, and tends to only happen at 3 am). I feel like my whole life is shifting and i am more concerned with what to find/buy for the baby than I am for myself.

Next portrait? So, I really wanted to incorporate a chicken into my 20 week portrait last week. My vision was me looking quite artsy and maybe a bit odd. But last Friday was rainy and cold and I just wasn't in the mood to go to my friends farm and pose with some poultry. I still love the idea, so my 24 week portrait will absolutely incorporate some farm animals. I promise.

Books: I am loving searching/picking out books for the baby. Our favorites are vintage books, like we read when we were small (36 years ago...) and we look on Etsy and Ebay and Amazon for cool retro books ALL THE TIME. Dan snuck these photos of me reading a Dr. Suess book I have never seen. I am going to put these photos in the baby book (i have yet to construct) so our boy can know that I loved him even before he was born.

Photography: I have seven shoots in the next 10 days. EEKS. And an incredibly full April. I am so happy to be working again, the winter and all of the snow really slowed me down. Tomorrow I get to shoot two high school seniors (who are sweethearts, which of course, I love). Yay for good warm weather and daylight til 7:30. Happy spring!

my office/dining; after/before

2011-03-16T09:26:00.010-04:00

My new office/dining room after:Here is the space Before:This is my office and eventually, dining room (we just need to find a LONG rectangular artsy chunky table and perfectly mismatched chairs). I left one day and asked Dan to paint two of the walls. I came home to a full room of green. AND... I love that all four walls are olive green. This space is the center of our house, and you have to walk through it to get to EVERY room, so it is pretty important. I just love it. I tried to make it feel personal, and cool. Like this little space above the music bookcase. From the left, A crate from our wedding party holds: the first card Dan gave me, a doorknob from our first rental in Oregon (it was broken before I took it I promise), an owl Joanna gave me, our prom photo (from 20 years ago), and a photograph of my grandfather, who I never met, who I am told was an incredibly snazzy dresser.

This color makes the space feel earthy and cozy. The curtains (from Ikea) and a new light (from Lowe's) update the room have more - in comparison to the before photos. I wonder, Do we need a rug?

This hanging terrarium is my most favorite Christmas present from Dan's mom, Carol. I look at it every day, and those tiny plants and rocks make me happy. If I had the guts, and Dan's guts too, I would paint the ceiling metallic tangerine. Maybe even stripes. Because I love orange and green together.

I heart the green glass bird. I bought it in uptown Athens, just because.
Here is what the my desk looked a week after we first moved in. Crazy messy. And what is with the desk on a diagonal? I didn't want to face the wall, because of fun shui, but dang, that is some serious clutter.

Nursery: In case you are wondering why we tackled the dining room before the baby room, the reason is: Just because the room was driving us both nuts. The baby room is next. Currently there is a big pile of baby stuff shoved against all four walls and some NASTY wallpaper still needing to be removed. My friend Joy is helping me with the room, and we decided that the color scheme is orange, brown, baby blue and white. Last week, I found an awesome twin bed, for me, and we are picking up the crib (from my dear friend Corey) in three weeks. I think once I see the crib and the bed in place, I will be able to make more decisions about color, bedding, decoration, etc. Yay. I promise to post photos, once some changes occur.

bragging, a tiny bit.

2011-03-01T10:13:00.000-05:00

One of my photographs is about to turned into a 7 foot window display. WOW. The photograph was taken 2.5 years ago, in Raleigh, North Carolina for the furniture line Svan (sweet high chair on the right, which can be purchased at Land of Nod). It is sold by Scandinavian Child, who was one of my most favorite/best customers. The photo shoot was staged in an uber modern house (built by two architects) that featured corrugated metal walls, an asymmetrical fireplace, the most gorgeous walk in shower I have ever seen, and lots of perfect wood. I love photographing furniture. I love photographing kids. Especially when my final images are used in large and awesome ways. Yay!

new images on the website

2011-02-23T16:14:00.004-05:00

I just added 5 new photos to my website. I am not sure how these two kid shots were left out. Because I love them. Both were taken in my studio on an all white backdrop. So not walmart, right?These three photographs show engaged couples smooching, which makes me super happy. Kissing. Smooching. Love. Just how engagement shoots should be, right? Am I gross?

Power 105 Bridal Showcase, Athens

2011-02-22T12:46:00.006-05:00

WXTQ-Power 105 is sponsoring a HUGE bridal show this Sunday , February 27th at Noon at the Athens Community Center. And guess who will be there as a vendor? Danielle Anthony Photography! I heard the radio commercial this am, which was super cool. I got into the show at the very last minute but will happily sit next to The Eclipse Company Store (which I hear is serving delicious food). Hundreds of dollars of door prizes will be given away and one lucky bride to be will win the Grand Prize!

I am giving away a FREE engagement mini-session (which should be super fun). I wonder if I can find a couple who is willing to get into a canoe? Yay weddings!

I cannot decide which one of these are better - the one with all the info, or the one with the extra photo. I will just print both.Here are the details of my "I am pregnant, half off SPECIAL" for 2011

1 hour pre-wedding consultation
4 hours wedding day photography time
Online photo gallery
DVD of your 50 favorite retouched images - high resolution, to share and print as you wish
$900

4 months, 3 days pregnant.

2011-02-20T22:13:00.006-05:00

I am happy to report that the pregnancy is happily moving along. I finally feel good. No nausea. But I am requiring 9 to 12 hours sleep a night (a nap between 2:30 & 4 is pretty normal during the week). I do yoga 3-4 times per week, mostly because my appetite is ferocious. This weeks bad food tally is: 3 jumbo cinnamon rolls, 3 pints of chocolate ice cream, too many to count suckers & 2 packages of (natural) fudge stripe cookies. The bump is definitely visible.

I have been dying to know the gender, because if it's a boy, I was planning for the baby room colors to be orange, baby blue, brown and white. And if it is a girl, I was going to use the awesomely pink,red and flowery linens from our wedding for curtains, crib bedding, etc. We found out big news Tuesday: the baby has a penis! I have been frantically looking for crib bedding that features orange and baby blue but doesn't scream NURSERY. It is difficult. I do not want it to be matchy-matchy.

Here are some of my most favorite nursery ideas, all images from Flickr. First, I love the crazy bold striped ceiling. I would NEVER do it, but it is awesome.

Totally opposite, I love the neutral and brown/white nursery below. Although I would prefer a pop of color on the floor. Maybe a huge orange and white striped rug? Maybe a circular orange shag rug?

Below, I love the gray/blue wall color, the art, the mobile AND especially the homemade orange book sling near the floor. Awesome.

I might love the color scheme below even more. I would like more brown things for a boys room, but the orange and baby blue together are GORGEOUS. And the texture of that rocker fabric is perfection. I love it.

making an Impression...

2011-02-16T16:50:00.002-05:00

Some questions must be asked when you are moving to a new town. Like... where can you find the best martini? Who serves great Vegetarian? Which Vet won't give me crap about not getting Marvin's teeth cleaned? Where is the best place to get your hair cut/colored and styled? Answer? For hair, it is Attractions. At least that is what the first 5 people in town told me! So. Here are the folks who style, cut, color, treat, perm and make hair look fabulous.And this crazy Lady is NUTS. Her name is Deena, and I loved her.

Marvin the terrible/great

2011-02-11T00:35:00.000-05:00

Marvin must know I am pregnant. He has NOT left my side - especially since Dan has been in Panama. He loves to sleep in the bed with me, which has great since he's a 35 pound heater. He spoons my low back and it feels REALLY good. Is that gross? Is it possible Marvin knows that I need him, 1. because I miss Dan and 2. because he is an economical heat source?

On the other hand: He hates me leaving him at home alone and is acting out, like a dang toddler. Today, I came home from a 3 hour photo gig, to find Marvin had strewn a package of chili powder all over the kitchen floor. The white kitchen floor. Yesterday, he illustrated his lack of appreciation of being left alone, by decorating the dining, living and bathroom with an entire box of black garbage bags. He didn't chew or tear any of them, but still... Pain. In. the. Ass.

I'm thinking he was proud of himself, because I found him, waiting for me, on my freshly made bed. Wallowed in the pillows. Without a care in the world. I could have sworn I shut the bedroom door. Thank goodness Dan is home in three days. Somebody needs to go for a long long run.

book design

2011-02-10T08:27:00.000-05:00

soooooo excited to show this sneak peak of my newest press-printed baby book. This is Miss Kysa. And because she and her parents are awesome, I picked a whimsical, hip design for her one-of-a-kind memory book from our fall 2010 family portrait session.

LOVE

LOVE.

i really like food

2011-02-09T01:12:00.006-05:00

food photography, that is! I could pretty much photograph food being prepared, cooking and served everyday - especially when I get to eat it...My latest food photography gig was at Piedmont Restaurant, located in Durham, NC. It is a super hip restaurant. Romantic. Even the wall color and pendant lighting were hip and cool. Here is what it looks like on the outside: Above is my take on the beet salad. It was so beautiful and red when I cut into the beet. Below is the fritter.And the chef? SUPER cool. He is from Portland, Oregon, has dreadlocks, and makes a seriously mean fritter. And my friend Darby (who bartends)? She makes a mean virgin blueberry spritzer. I had two because they were DELICIOUS. even their cappuccino photographs well. and it was d i v i n e.

Peace.

2011-02-07T19:46:00.000-05:00

Happy Pre-Valentine's day. May it be peaceful and full of love!
-- Danielle

siblings, studio portraits

2011-01-30T10:05:00.001-05:00

Photographing siblings is always a fun experience; no matter their ages, their gender or the place we choose to shoot. Siblings just have this incredible connection (sometimes it is heartwarming to see how much kids can love each other, and how different the connection is than their love to the parents). I love kids who crack each other up, pick on each other, hug, will hold hands for me, and who PLAY. Like these siblings:

Walking the family out to their car, the sister kept jabbing the brother in the side. So, I asked her to tackle him (of course without hurting him, because no kids are allowed to go to the hospital on my watch). This shot is an outtake, but I love it. Because it reminds me of me and my brother; always roughhousing each other.

more Ohio snow portraits!

2011-01-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

Can you imagine having FIVE girls under one roof? The really good news is that there is probably always plenty of hairspray, cute sweaters and gossip. Remembering when I was the precious age of 10/11, I would have LOVED to have had an older sister, for advice, someone with knowledge (and coolness). Photographing sisters is always so MUCH fun, because girls this age LOVE having their picture taken. Or maybe it is just me... maybe I am suddenly super cool.

love

2011-01-28T10:42:00.000-05:00

just a little awesomeness I found on my new fave blog called Things I like, Things I love. For decorating examples and ideas, my second most favorite blog is Solid frog - that posted this delicious photograph last week. THIS is what I NEED my dining room/office to look like.

Exactly. that.

snow day portraits!

2011-01-27T17:34:00.000-05:00

I am learning that it snows ALL winter, here in Ohio. On December 1, I think it snowed for 14 days straight. January has been similiar. I think the schools have already been out for 9 school days, which seems to be wonderful for the kids. And I love doing snow portraits on snow days. Because being outside is SUPER fun and snow covered yards are always so pretty. The kids get to play, make snow men and have snow ball fights.During each family portrait session, I try to get a few shots with everyone calm and happy and covered in snow. Here is my most favorite. Because it is so natural and cool. I love all the hats.

Birthday party for Eva!

2011-01-21T18:14:00.000-05:00

I returned to NC last Saturday to photograph a birthday party for an adorable 2 year old. Miss Eva's most favorite thing in the world is Elmo. So, her mother created an entire birthday party theme around Elmo and his friends! AND boy, was Miss Eva excited to meet Elmo in person. She giggled and laughed and danced with him! There were many activity stations perfect for the kids to play, like this musical instrument table:

Guess who is having a baby!

2011-01-11T13:27:00.001-05:00

I am pregnant!!! After a year of practice, Dan and I have successfully created a multicellular organism that is currently located on top of my bladder. Jumping up and down on it. This little creature has been giving me gastrointestinal fits since Thanksgiving, allowing me to spend much of the holidays in the can. We are so happy; it has been incredibly hard to keep quiet with our big baby news (I have known for seven weeks) and it seems to be on my mind all the time. I want everyone on facebook to know that I have eaten four bags of oranges, and lucky charms and powdered donuts are now my go to anti-nausea craving. It is kinda crazy, to be this baby photographer for years and years to FINALLY re-find the love of my life and get pregnant. I feel so lucky and calm and content.

The photo below is funny. Dan did his best to get a good view of my protrusion - while I was trying to NOT look rigid and posed (I often tell people to exhale out their stiffness when I am doing their portrait - typically, it makes the image appear more natural). But, even though my facial expression is wonky, I think my hair looks wonderful!

I am due the first week of August. I hope Ohio is not super hot. I hate HOT. and we have a charming older bungalow with no central air conditioning. I am going to continue to work, doing portraits in NC and Ohio up until the day I deliver. BUT I will not schedule any weddings from July 15-Sept 1. I want plenty of time to love on our little baby!

So there it is. Dan and I are going to be a family of three in less than 8 months. Yayyyyyy for us.

something from Home

2011-01-10T00:32:00.000-05:00

a little snowy cardinal, that I photographed Christmas day, at my in-laws backyard. ahhhh. i miss NC.

gymnastics friends!

2010-12-20T13:24:00.000-05:00

Many, MANY years ago, I was a happy little gymnast in Wilkesboro, NC. One of my teammates was Elizabeth, who turned out to be an INCREDIBLE woman. I re-met Elizabeth (although I think everyone except me calls her Liz) at a bar in Chapel Hill, three years ago. She had gone to UNC and was back visiting family, and I was just off of work, playing pool with some friends. She looked SO familiar, so I turned to her and asked 'did you take gymnastics as a kid?' and she said "oh my god, DANNNNNNNieeeeeeeeelllllllllllleeeeeee?' and i am not sure who made the higher-pitched louder girl shriek. It was awesome. We talked forever. We drank Margaritas. (ok, I drank margaritas, she drank beer). Fast forward three years. She hired me to photograph her kids.

All three of these kids were polite AND yet quite cool. They were willing to get photographed where ever I asked. They made sure that I did not get hit by a car, standing in the middle of the road to take the first shot of the 4 of them. I loved them for that. And I loved Liz for hiring me, for catching up, and for being awesome. THANK You Liz. For being such a great mom and a wonderful old friend.

sweet baby June

2010-12-18T09:40:00.000-05:00

This is baby June. She arrived three weeks early. She was tiny and smelled so good. I think newborn smell is so yummy. June also made the sweetest of cooing sounds. I can totally see why her family is in love with her. Below, is also her big brother Grady. Who I photographed when he was 6 months old. YEARS ago. It is crazy when children grow up (one day they are barely sitting up and the next they are speaking in full sentences and have perfect blond hair).In this shot, my goal was to get a peaceful photo of June, slumbering away in the crib her grandfather made. BUT instead, I got many of these: I am pretty sure she is saying, "put some clothes on me". Congrats to Jennifer and Andy. Your children are perfect!

OMG

2010-12-12T17:29:00.001-05:00

This is Lewis. He was the star of my 10:15 mini-session today (the first of 6). I love this photograph so much, it is making homepage status on www.danielleanthoony.com by the end of the night. THANKS Carolyn for having such an awesome dog.

tinsel & pine needles

2010-12-11T17:51:00.000-05:00

Our Christmas tree is decorated and looks and smells so pretty and full of holiday cheer. It turned out way different that my original (overly designed) idea which was full of silver and teal only ornaments. With white lights, the first tree was destined to be cool and quiet and elegant. BUT, last night, I had a vision, that our tree SHOULD be happy and full of color. SO, today, we got striped multi-colored teardrop ornaments which are so perfect and fun. AND we also got some 'onion' shaped ornaments that are just the most beautiful colors of orange, fuschia, bright green and purple. Dan, the love of my life, really wanted SILVER tinsel. LOTS of it. SO, we got some of that. While I was cringing as he put it on the tree, after I stood back, I thought it was the most lovely tree I have ever had. Tinsel and all.

Merry Christmas to you all. I am doing 6 family portraits tomorrow and editing those photos tomorrow night and Monday. This week will be full of filling print orders. Burning DVDs. And on Dec 20, I am taking a full week off. OFF!

advertising in Athens News

2010-12-03T14:52:00.000-05:00

My 2010 ad budget is SPENT. Way spent. I am running my final two 2010 ads in The Athens News this week. They are promoting the "studio portraits" I am doing in conjunction with The Eclipse Company Store during their Sunday brunches on Dec 12. THIS IS A CRAZY HOLIDAY SPECIAL:

30 minute session photographed on a white backdrop. Families will get an online gallery of 10-15 images to choose either an 11x14 print or an 8x10 and two 5x7 prints for $60. Digital images are also available for $40 each. To schedule a session, sign up online at www.danielleanthony.com or in person (during brunch) this Sunday from 11-2.

Sessions available Dec 12: (Prints to you by Dec 23!)

~~10:30~~

~~11:00~~

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~~12:00~~

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~~1:00~~

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Also, I am going to be listed in the 2011 Athens News Annual Manual. It is a directory of local businesses - given to new residents - and available for the entire year. So I feel like its a good investment.

I might be using the image on the right too much, but I just love her. Fun, happy, a little wacky, that is the work I like to do. And Mr. Cool himself, Sean, a local high school senior, gave me permission to use his photograph in my ads and blog. Thanks, Sean. I hope your spiked hairdo and perfect smile bring me business!

new postcards

2010-12-02T11:24:00.000-05:00

Happy Day. My new postcards arrived on Saturday and now I am littering businesses and strangers here in Athens. I love this little redhead in a tutu - from one of my October sessions:And this super traditional family portrait, which I don't usually do, but I think it turned out great!What do you think?

cranberry orange cheesecake

2010-11-30T14:01:00.000-05:00

This is how my mother-in-law makes Thanksgiving dessert. Delicious. A hint of orange zest, an oreo crust. Crazy good.

life update

2010-11-20T11:01:00.000-05:00

Where did November go? I feel like time is going by so incredibly fast, like I have been sleeping for a couple months, and woke up to fast forward and winter. Ohio is colder than I expected - I am drinking hot chocolate and walking around in wool socks. DAILY.

Running: Dan and I are continuing to run with Marvin, and now I know that I need gloves. When some of this dang weight (which I attribute/blame on moving behind a bakery) comes off, I am going to get some of those skin tight running pants. I look forward to it! I have many a pound to go before I can do that without apologizing to anyone who glances in the direction of my derriere. I can now run 30 minutes straight. I never thought that would happen! and I feel like an actual runner.

House: We are working on it every day; Painting. Cleaning. Rearranging. The bathroom continues to be a disaster. We will have to pull out the shower tiles, replace the board behind them, then retile. The entire bathroom needs to be updated, so we are stalled on the project. This weekend we are bring back some of Dan's furniture (which is currently stored in his parent's living room). I do not like any of it. There I said it. I have to live with an enormous recliner that he loves. I do look forward to having an actual headboard, though, even if it is not one acquired just for us (it was his parents, and so old that his brother teethed on it). It is pretty and will make me feel like not such a hobo.

Living in Town: Our house's location is perfect. I can walk to the library and the post office. Kroger, CVS, the bakery and our bank are less than a mile away. Dan and I walk to the bakery for breakfast. I wanted to I could bike to them (because there is a paved path around the entire town). I want a bicycle - with a large cute basket on the front. With tassels out the side of the handlebars. Our neighbors to the right are Buzz and Lita. They are nice older couple,who are terrified Marvin is going to kill their cats. Which is possible. He has decapitated TWO squirrels. The folks to our right are also incredibly nice. They brought us chocolate covered peanuts when we moved in.

Photography Business: I turned down the studio space in town I had been eyeing between the fancy wine store Bella Vino (where all of the staff know me and Dan by name...) and the hippy grocery (that I love) The Farmacy. The ceilings were just NOT tall enough, but I am going to rent the window space, because it rocks, and display some LARGE photos. Instead of having a dedicated space, I am going to rent two spaces by the day. The Dairy Barn, which is so bad ass and awesome, I cannot stand it. AND the Eclipse Company Store, which has a HUGE space just for me, and super cool. I am continuing to go to NC twice a month to shoot.

roosters and flowers

2010-11-14T15:39:00.000-05:00

I really want a big mexican rooster sculpture, like the one in the background in this photo. I mean I REALLY want one. A 4 foot tall one, Maybe one like these two: I think it would be the cookiest, but lovliest thing to have in my back yard. And I want a big one. I have wanted one since I saw one in Deborah Triplets photo studio (charlotte photog who rocks) Cool things in the background can really make a photo. Even if it is just color and structure, like in the two diptychs below.And, here is one background and photo that didn't work out so well. because the lighting was wrong, and there was not too much I could do to correct it, unless I had a team of folks to hold a 30 foot diffuser for me... but I like the idea. And little Miss R's expression. H looks like he is too cool for school.

conversations with boys

2010-11-11T10:15:00.000-05:00

Boys. They can be interesting little creatures. And when they are super polite and quiet, I am not quite sure what to do with them - to get them to open up and giggle and be all "yay, photo time". This little one is quiet, pondering type. He contemplates answers to all questions. And he loves his dog Lucy.
Once I figured out he had things to say about Lucy and Star Wars, I was good to go. We talked about the new Star Wars characters and the starships, sabers and other weapons. He let me know he knew how to take pictures with phones. AND SURE ENOUGH, he took my iPhone, found the camera app and VOILA, photographed his parents!
Below, is my MOST favoritest photo from the bunch. I just love it. He was showing me some star wars moves! How awesome is that?I wish I would have known how to get quiet children to talk to me five years ago when I started photographing children. Who knew it was as simple as Star Wars?