It was just Destiny!

Today I had the lovely oppotunity to do a Photo Shoot with my dear friend, Destiny! She is such a precious young lady....

Ben on the Banjo "Tennessee Waltz"

SOOC and beyond...

So a few of you want to see what some of my photos look like SOOC (Straight out of Camera) without any editing or Photoshopping. I'm all ears for coments, so leave me a comment on what you think...and yes, this is the same 'original' photograph.

Before:

Post Photoshop:

Jackson!

Today, Jackson came over to visit. Caroline and the kids had a dentist appointment, so Jackson hung out with Ben and me for a little while. I had to conduct a meeting at the church where I work, so after Ben & Jackson picked me up, we came home and played a while! I love Jackson's lively personality, he's so talkative and intelligent. We went on a 'trail' by our house and I snapped a few pics!

Blogging Again!

Hi all! Sorry it has taken me so long to post a new entry! We had a busy weekend! Friday night, Ben and I had company...lots of family and friends over for fellowship/outdoor jamming (Ben's term for pickin' with his brothers/friends/students). I didn't get very many pics, unfortunately, and the ones I got were poorly composed. Sorry, in advance!

Here's darling Thomas! Can't help but love him! *Big Hugs*


Here's Our Brown-Eyed Boy, Noah! He's sooo cudly! Such a sweeeet nephew!

Saturday morning, I fixed breakfast at home! Can you believe it! We left a little after noon for Carthage, NC to sing at Clyde Maness' Pottery & Music Barn. Clyde gave Caroline and me beautiful hand-made pottery pieces. He's some character, but a really great guy! Gotta love Clyde! We got home a little after 11:00 p.m.



Sunday was Mother's Day! I miss my momma sooo much! We live 350 miles, 6 hours and literally mountains apart! We went to church Sunday morning, stopped at Nagano in Hickory on the way out and made our way to Pigeon Forge, Tennesssee to meet my parents Sunday evening. We got a hotel (which was very affordable since it's the off season out there) and enjoyed dinner at Great American Steak & Buffet Company. Daddy and Ben love that restuarant...I, on the other hand, am burned out. Needless to say they were already talking the place up for breakfast the next morning......

Monday morning...we went back...to...the...Great American Steak & Buffet Company. Momma and I were pulling for Olive Garden, but unfortunately they didn't open untill 11 and Ben & I had to get back to work by 3:00 p.m.

We had a blessed time as it is always so wonderful to see my darling parents again! Momma is recovering wonderfully from her surgery (thank you for all your prayers!) and goes back for a check up to the doctor on the 19th. Please continue to pray for healing.

I really regret not getting more pics from this trip, but it was such a quick work, we barely had any time. We really didn't sight see out in TN...and I missed Cade's Cove, yet again....

Hope you're having a great week so far!

Ansel Adams, one of the greats...

I love looking at old photographs, from a time long past. I love seeing how someone captured just one moment through the lens of medium so many take for granted. I love how the masters learned in days much harder than these that you don't take a photograph, you make it.

And sometimes, it can be an accident.

The following photos are from my collection, inspired by Ansel Adams

"A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed."

- Ansel Adams

Tuesday Photography

Today, my momma had an Outpatient Surgical Procedure...all the way in Kentucky! We have been praying and praying and turns out...she's up and going...can't keep a good momma down! We love you momma and are so thankful for you! TRY TO GET SOME REST!

Murray's Mill with Samuel and Lydia Jane

On Monday morning, Caroline called me asking if I wanted to do a photo shoot with Sam & Lydia! I was so excited all day, and couldn't wait till evening when I knew the ambient light outdoors would be great for the kids! We had fun, can't wait to do it again!

Funny Faces!

Sunday! Charlotte & Statesville

Start to a busy weekened!

This past weekend, The Cockman Family had a busy schedule!

3 singings in 2 days!

We started out in Weaverville, near Ashville on Saturday at the Spring-Fest!

Here's Samuel, shortly after getting his face painted. My guess: he's thinking, "I'm gonna climb that rock wall over there!"

Almost the weekend!

Working with old photos....

Lydia Jane

Hannah Grace

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

We stopped at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park on the way in last Friday morning. It was beautiful, although the skies looked like they would open up with rain. Always a treat to go back the falls! Here, I added texture to the print above...

I Miss Ya'll! (my dear Kentuckians)

So there we were on Saturday evening....at the park in my hometown of RS, Kentucky. We had volleyball, tennis, basketball, Yummy Food....and all I could think about was getting someone to let me take their pic! Megan, you're the best and I love and miss yoU!!

Here is Jon. There's not much I can say other than he's Jon. If you know him, you know he's Jon. If you know Jon, you love him.

Mill Springs, Kentucky Civil War Battlefield

Ben and I enjoyed a 3-4 day weekend in Kentucky as we left around 6:45 Friday morning. We made a stop by Cumberland Falls on the way in and met my parents and my darling 9 year-old cousin, Christopher, at King Buffet in Somerset (a favorite Chinese Restaurant).

I planned a trip to Mill Springs Civil War Battlefield on Saturday for Christopher, Ben and me. Momma stayed back at home and dad was working at an auction. Mill Springs is only about 20 minutes from my parent’s house, so I thought it would be fun, educational for Chris and a great photo-op. Not to mention, I found out earlier in the week that the Historical Society was hosting 'Living History Weekend' with lots of bonuses just at the right time for us.

The beautiful rolling hills of the area seemed to put you back in another time with the soldiers dressed in period attire, canon-fire on the hour and the gravesite markers of the men who gave their life for such a cause. It was so very humbling, I love history.

When I took this photo of the landscape, I felt like Infrared was the way to go, it adds a crisp ambiance. It just works here.

One man, in particular, was the fellow who explained all the happenings, history and process to those of us who came to watch. He explained the difference in canon shells and even said that many people who dwell in the battlefield area found live shells that just didn’t go off. These people have been using them as door stops and décor for years, not knowing what they were. Each time a canon would fire, he would tell us, “Put your fingers in your ears and open your mouth!”

I think the highlight of the day was when we got to go down to the field where the 'soldiers' were firing the canons. The men were very happy when Ben and Christopher volunteered to help load the canon. Christopher was a fast learner for his job and Ben had long arms to get the inside of the canon cleaned quickly and efficiently. Chris was such a little gentleman. We love being with him. Thank heavens the time of the Civil War didn't involve my husband, father or loved ones. We don't realize sometimes....those grave markers could have been our men.