I am excited to be in Nashville for Imaging USA. This will be my first! Looking forward to all the helpful tips, hints, and any other tidbits that I am able to pick up while there. I think this will definitely get my New Year off to a good start. Also, my hubby and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. So look out Nashville, here we come!

School break has started off excitingly, but not the way I would have chosen. My father-in-law, who was our Santa for Holiday Portraits, had to be taken to the hospital (by ambulance) last night. We thought he had a stroke, but fortunately that was not the case. He was running a high fever and very disoriented, but he his doing much better today. They have his fever under control, and his disoriented status was because his oxygen level was very very low. The hospital has that under control now as well. He will remain in the hospital for a few days to make sure he does not have the flu or the H1N1. Hopefully, our Santa will be back to his jolly self just in time for Christmas.

Several of my classmates had a makeup artist paint their model for the glamour/fantasy/fashion assignment. I was intrigued about how artists transform individuals into fantasy creatures or classic Hollywood glamour dolls. As I searched for information, I came across this video on 1950′s Hollywood Makeup.

The volunteer organization from Georgia Power and Southern Co., the Citizens of Georgia Power, is having a Saturday with Santa on December 5th. The activities will be at the downtown Atlanta Georgia Power Building located at 241 Ralph McGill Blvd. Gwinnett Technical College has graciously allowed their Holiday Portraits set be used for the occasion.

The Culinary Department of Gwinnett Technical College participated in the Technical College System of Georgia Expo 2009 held at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta on Monday, November 23. Gwinnett Tech, along with other Georgia Technical Colleges, exhibited very flavorable displays. Their presentation included flavors from Korea and Thailand. It was interesting watching them get the display ready and to sample the food. Ian Smith, Jenni Green, and I photographed the Expo for the Culinary Department.

We will have a class in Architecture before summer, and I want to be prepared. Jim at Photobarn showed me the Tamron 14mm and it’s a nice lens. He advised me it would make a great architectural lens. I will need to start saving up for it.

I have learned my lesson. I have been “tweaking” my Executive/Professional image for approximately 4 hours. I’m close, but not there yet. If I had used my gray card, I would have been through long ago. I researched some information regarding the gray card and found this article on Digital Arts Photography.

Next quarter we will be photographing food. Everybody has taken pictures of food, but what are the secrets of taking those great food photographs? Also, the arena for food photography is big. Just think about all the different categories of food, such as salads, pasta, seafood, soups, desserts, and beverages. Next thing to consider is all the companies that provides food on a commerical basis such as Campbell’s Soup, Stouffers, Green Giant, and Mayfield. Food Photography.com has some great images as well as some helpful information.