Charity Spotlight - Kimberley Chance Atkins Foundation

For the past three years we have had the opportunity to team up with one of the most amazing charities in Conyers, the Kimberley Chance Atkins Foundation, and celebrate success through the Kimberley Chance Atkins Memorial Tennis Tournament. The foundation is making strides in our community with the great goal of early prevention and detection of breast cancer. The current goal is to raise the funds for the purchase of a mobile mammography machine. Please visit http://www.kimatkins.net/ to find out how to donate or support this amazing foundation! The 2009 tournament is August 21-23 in Conyers, GA. You definitely don't want to miss the "Breast Party in Town"!

Welcome to my photo blog!

I couldn't exactly think of a better way to show you what I get the opportunity to see every day through the lens. Each day I get to interact with people on a different scale of personalities and bring about the character that many don't even know is within them. People ask if my job is rewarding... its more than that! Let me explain: I have a picture of each of my grandmothers walking down the streets of Atlanta, both dressed in a clothing style of an era I missed, both looking so amazingly beautiful in their youth. These photos are treasures to me- but the photographer that took them.... he has no idea what he/she has given me. Every time I look at them I get to look to a time where they were young, beautiful, falling in love, writing love letters to their future husbands while they are overseas fighting in a war... a time where they think of the same things that I do now. Its a window in time, even for just a moment. I want to pay that forward.


If you ever want to view more photos from our blog, please visit http://www.mandidanielle.photoreflect.com/ and search for the event!

Matthew and Jessica Moore, June 6, 2009, Pineola Farms, Ft. Valley, Ga

SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE AND I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

When you photograph a couples engagement pictures you get a since of the couples personalities and character. From the engagement setting to the Wedding Day, I looked forward to being a part of their big day as the photographer. They were so obviously made for each other.

Jessica could not have looked anymore beautiful and Matt could not have looked anymore handsome than he did. Jessica's beautiful long brown hair , hanging down in curls framed her face perfectly. Her dress was perfect, her flowers were awesome, all of this set the pace for one GREAT wedding at Pineola Farms in Fort Valley, Ga. Pineola Farms is an event venue that is nestled in the middle of a huge pecan orchard, which has the sunset drop behind the pecan trees which is more than a wedding photographer can ask for. Along with the pecan orchard it has a 1900 victorian style furnished with every perfect detail. Then you have the old cotton barn that was moved to the property and restored at the edge of the orchard....Oh man how all of this worked together.

PERFECT WEATHER WITH A SOFT BREEZE COMPLETED THIS PERFECT WEDDING.

Mike Dineen and Mattie, June 4, 2009

Sugar and Spice and Everthing Nice.....that's what little girls are made of.....

Take a little princess with golden curls, add a Daddy that loves that little princess with all of his heart, and then add a Grandmother that loves her Son and her granddaugher, the little Princess and you come up with a shoot full os Love, Laughter and Family and you come up with one great photo shoot. Not to mention Family Treasures and Heirlooms that record the history of these lives.

Mattie was a joy to photograph, she immediately warmed up to the camera and I did not even have to pose her much, she used some of her Hannah Montana Moves, she was a natural , with an angelic look that is a dream of all photographers.

The shoot took place in The City of Conyers, Ga. which is just 20 minutes east of Atlanta.

All I can say about this shoot is "Awwwwww- what a joy, what a honor, what a pleasure.......

Jamie and Hudson, May 9, 2009

Snakes, Snails and Puppy Dog tails that what little boys are made of. And of course the following. If there is a tree you climb it, If there is a rock you climb it, if there is a fence you climb it........He is full of energy (which we probably did not help Jamie out with all of our treats and goody bags) (sorry Jamie) which keeps his mother, Jamie, on her toes. It was so much fun-keeping up with him and capturing his enthusiasm on camera. It only took him a few minutes to get in the swing (from the closes limbs) of posing, looking at the camera with smiles, and showing us how much he loves his MOTHER. I am sooooooo excited about the energy captured and coming through the portraits, awwww through the eyes of a little boy. SNAKES, SNAILS AND PUPPY DOG TAILS, THAT IS WHAT LITTLE BOYS ARE MADE OF.

Alyssa Shaw and Tony Pressley, May 12, 2009

What a fantastic photo shoot and what a beautiful day on Hilton Head Island, S. C. , not to mention what a beautiful Bride and Groom to be. We left Atlanta and headed to do the engagement shoot from Atlanta on May 12, 2009. The wedding will soon follow which will take place in Flovilla, Georgia which is only 30 minutes outside of Atlanta. The ocean was beautiful so the creativity was flowing. Alyssa and Tony were a joy to work with, we had an instant connection to both of their sweet spirits. As the photographer I could tell that they were made for each other. Alyssa had ideas of her own to incorporate with mine. It was so much fun, lot of laugher, lot of love and lot of beautiful pictures were the outcome of this engagement shoot. Tony has lived in the Atlanta Area in the past and his family is from Macon, Ga. Alyssa lives in Hilton Head, S. C. We not only were successful in completing this engagement shoot but we were also successful in making two new friends a part of our life. Good Luck Tony and Alyssa, we cannot wait to shoot the wedding.

Michael and Krista Edwards, April 2009

God sent us this special couple to be there for our youth. They are very active in the Young Life program and have dedicated there lives to helping our youth. Michael and Krista choose a location that is one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen. It is located in Oxford, Ga. and from I understand it is owned by Emory University of Oxford. The church is called...THE OLD CHURCH...it is totally white on the inside built in the late 1800's or early 1900's. There is no way to totally describe the uniqueness and spirit that this church holds. Krista picked out a cranberry red bridesmaids dress which look great on all of her bridesmaids. Michael's groomsmen looked equally great in there wedding attire. The sweetness and reverance of this ceremony show the true meaning of a union between two people. There was no denying that God joined them together. As you exited out the rear of the Church the gardens went through a area that has a large deck that overlook the great and the heavy tree lined paths. When the ceremony ended they finished their celebration at the Charlie Elliot Conference Center in Social Circle, Georgia off of Hight way 11. A great reception that turned into a lot of fun. Krista was a great bride to work with and I wish them all the love and luck in the world.

Ashley, CharleighFrei, Tara and Payton, April 2009

What a beautiful baby girl with a beautiful little smile. Ashley and Charleigh are one of the cutest Mother and Daughter portraits we have taken. Ashley and I have known each other for years and to see her fill the shoes of a mother has been a exciting and joyful event. Her precious little girl Charleigh loves her Mommy. Tara, Ashley's sister came over and brought her daughter Payton so that I could make make Easter portraits of them as a group. Payton is so cute and seemed to love to have her picture taken. She held Charleigh with pride. The photos were taken in the yard and the home of Ashley. Charleigh's bedroom, which is decorated perfectly, was used as the backdrop in the house. Wow what cute pictures I got of this group. I also was able to spend time with some great friends. Thanks Girls!!!!

Brandon and Katie Lancaster, March 14, 2009

Wow is the beginning of this blog....The Hay House in Macon, Georgia is totally breath taking and then you add Katie Lancaster with a elegant and sophisticated style that takes your breathe, and you end up with fantastic Wedding Portraits. Her hair was the perfect style for her face and it brought back an era that will forever be remembered. She carried the theme of the Hay House and incorporated it into her Wedding in a way that will not soon be forgotten. The garden behind the Hay House was the perfect location to shoot the Groomsmen and some of the Family members. It also was a great backdrop for the photographs of the first time that Brandon saw Katie totally dressed and ready for their wedding day. The Park across the steet was also a fantastic place to photograph the couple. With the cherry blossoms hanging from the trees as they walked under the branches to the monuments.

Sarah and Brandon Orth

Sarah and Brandon are one of those couples that everyone just adores! They are both so kind and come from wonderful families. Their wedding day was so relaxed and enjoyable. It may have turned out to be the coldest day of the year, but that didn't seem to stop anyone from enjoying the fun. The wedding ceremony took place as Avondale First Baptist Church and the reception was held at the Carlisle House in Norcross.

Heather and Edwin

Heather and Edwin were a breeze to work with from day 1! After 2 meetings everything was picked out with absolutely no stress. She knew exactly what she wanted and wanted me to know- which I love since it leaves very little room for error in guessing! The reception was fun-filled... Edwin is a break-dancer and so are most of their friends! Working their reception was a complete blast- it didn't even feel like work!!

The Wedding Album

I can post a thousand pictures of our wedding albums, however you will have to see these to believe how amazing they are. These are albums you can actually keep out- many call them photojournalistic albums, coffee table books, etc... the great thing is that they don't weigh 50 lbs like the traditional albums! They are beautiful and stand out from the rest. We continue to offer the traditional styles as well, so if the contemporary look isn't your style, tradition always fits just as well. If you would like a consultation to view our sample albums, feel free to call and make an appointment! We also offer album design and albums for your personal photography! Call for more information.

Will and Tiffany

Will and Tiffany are friends from high school... ok, well actually, Tiffany and I started school together in Kindergarten! This was a great experience getting to capture their excitement of expecting their first child, a little boy they are naming Trip! We utilized some of the spaces in Old Towne Conyers for their sitting where the weather could not have been better! Congrats you guys!

What else do we offer???

We don't just stop with photography- we offer printing, graphic design, magazine layouts, logo design... and much more! Here are a few examples of some things we have created in the past! We offer AMAZING prices on business cards, postcards, brochures, magazines, bookmarks, and many other printed items- print ready artwork or we help you with the design! Call for more information.

Meredith and Andy

(Click on the photos to view them larger)
Meredith is the sister of a dear friend of mine, Ashley. When she asked me to photograph her sisters wedding I was a little skeptical at first... I am a firm believer that if something is going to ever go wrong, odds are that it will happen at the most inopportune time... and no photographer wants to be responsible for a "technical difficulty" after her friend's sister's wedding! However, I knew it would be a day I wouldn't want to miss, and I couldn't have been more right about that! The wedding was set on a beautiful farm in Newborn, GA where Meredith's family lives. They hold horse shows and riding classes there as well- and come to find out, as several of Meredith's students let us know last night, she is very talented and they absolutely adore her... and so does Andy. The sunset was perfect and the party was even better! Congratulations to a beautiful couple!

To view the proofs from Meredith and Andy's Wedding, please visit http://www.mandidanielle.photoreflect.com/.

They will be posted approximately 2 weeks after the date of the wedding.

So naturally nature!

I love taking my camera when we go hiking, camping, or just the random staurday at a state park. Nature photos are so relaxing, no need to fix the collar or make it smile... just simple. Its also a great way to learn some new camera settings! With our nature photos we make notecards, artwork and stationary.

Carousel Designs- www.babybedding.com

We have been with babybedding.com for quite some time now. They manufacture some of the hottest baby bedding you can find. Our position with them is to stage a baby room using their bedding, photograph it, and have it web ready- when you are an online company, YOUR PHOTO IS YOUR STOREFRONT!! If you are expecting, or know someone who is, check out http://www.babybedding.com/ for some great finds!

Beach Portraits- Destin, FL

Gustov didn't interrupt all of our photo shoots! We were able to get a few in with some beautiful lighting! But then again, with kids this cute... you can't really go wrong! We will be setting our 2009 Beach Portrait week in January, so stay tuned!

Back-Blogging!!!

I will be slowly putting up pictures from previous shoots so if the dates seem a little out of order- Pardon me! I will get it all straight as soon as I figure out all the qwerks of blogging!

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Ergle!

Emily Shealy and Jason Ergle are long time friends of the family. My brother and Jason were college roommates and we all became instant family while always rooting for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets! Emaily and Jason had a beautiful southern wedding at the Lawrenceville Historic Courthouse, where romance was the theme. We had a chance to get some great shots- the rain tried to push us out, but in turn it was us that won that battle! For more information on the courthouse venue, visit http://www.gwinnetths.org/history/courthouse/ and inquire!

Kim Atkins Memorial Tennis Tournament- 2008

For the 3rd year in a row, the Kim Atkins Memorial Tennis Tournament has brought out friendly competition while raising over $100,000. This year, Paige from USTA was there to present the board with the 2007 Charity Tournament of the Year Award! The weekend starts out with the Serve 'Em Up Party and this year 350+ people came to kick off the tournament! This is by far one of the most exciting weekends in Conyers! All the proceeds from the tournament go towards the purchase of digital detection devices. For more information on the tournament as well as the Kimberly Chance Atkins Foundation please visit http://www.kimatkins.net/

Cutie McGlamery

Cosltey Mill is one of my favorite places to shoot kids- they are so fascinated by the environment that you just can't help but to capture the amazement and smiles! Jacob was a perfect young boy to work with outdoors- he loved every minute of it!

Nicky Shore and Michael Hanes Engagement Session

Nicky and Michael are one of the sweetest couples I have shot. The two met in high school and kept a friendship, however during college realized that there was more there than before! Their wedding is set for December of 08 and will take place in Monroe, GA. We were deferred by weather the first two times, but Costley Mill is a good location - and has great open lighting and some mixes of shade!

Jimmy and Brandy Darnell

Jimmy and Brandy are friends from college who have been more than perfect for each other since the day they met. In a romantic southern wedding set amid a pecan grove in central Georgia, you couldn't imagine a more beautiful wedding. Pineola farms is located in Fort Valley, GA and the owners are a dream to work with ( http://www.pineola.com/ )! You can view the full wedding photo set at http://www.mandidanielle.photoreflect.com/

Crane, Feb. 2008

Crane, the band that needs no introduction. This shoot was so much fun. I love to shoot bands and entertainment groups. The members always have their own personality and love to have their pictures made. The creativity flows when you have a great that is as neat as "Crane". We photographed in Conyers, Ga in and around Olde Town . When you shoot a group or a individual it is so much fun tuning into their energy and making it show up in the portraits. It is also fun coming up with the perfect C. D. Cover that will draw a person's eyes to that C.D. and also tell a story about the singer. The more far out it is the better I like to shoot it. You cannot always get crazy and do some of the things that you have wanted to try, but the group was up to anything and that made it fun!!!!