God Given Opportunities in Disguise

God definitly has a way of humbling us, and I thank him for that acutally. Let me tell you about Derek and Missy. Every year on the first weekend of December, I load up the equipment and with the Needy Paws Animal Shelter Volunteers, we photograph hundreds of people and pets to raise money for the shelter. It is a very quick in/out with sometimes just a few shots. Somehow we manage to get wonderful pictures over and over again, year after year. For 16 hours that weekend, we shoot and then another several hours preparing and ordering images, then the sorting and such.
This year, Derek brought in his dogs for a pic, and another pic with his mom, and one more with his 21 year old cat - Missy. Missy was deaf, blind, and did not react to any movement, toys, sounds - she just wanted out of there and the only shot we got was one that Derek had to hold her head up. Okay image, not the best ever, but the best we could get that day. When Derek picked up his prints on Saturday the following week, he called me and asked if they could be redone.
Now this is the part I am not exactly proud of. It was Saturday afternoon, I had not had a day off in 14 days, and had worked through a stomach bug the week before. I was tired, cranky and frankly not in the mood to re photograph a cat from a charity event. I told him no, then he asked again and I softened a little, but was still not particurally thrilled about it, but he was on his way.

When Derek and Missy got to the studio, all we could get was cat head down, no reaction to movement or noise. I was thinking all we were going to get was the same pic we got at the shelter. So I started pulling out my bag of tricks - nothing. Then as a last ditch effort, I took some Captain Crunch that I keep for little kids out, and she became interested, the head came up, and we got the shot before she hung her head again. No matter, it was better than before and that was all that counted. During this time, I got to visit with Derek and find out a little bit about him and his love for animals and this 21 year old cat he had since she was a kitten. By the time he left, I was not feeling so much like Scrooge.

This morning, Derek called me and told me that Missy passed away last night. He apologized for being so pushy to get that done on Saturday, but it was me that owed an apology. What an opportunity I almost passed up! Yes, there are probably many photos of Missy throughout her years, but I know which one will be the most important to this man who loves his animals the way I do.

Another person that used to push me and get under my skin passed away earlier this year. I think back to all I accomplished because of him. Yes, at the time we are being aggitated and pushed it is uncomfortable, but through it, God is giving us growing opportunities.

This Christmas season, when so many of us get cranky and tired, and tired of people, look for the opportunity to grow.

Merry Christmas

Becky

A Sweet Christmas - Photos at Needy Paws Animal Shelter

I am so proud to be a part of Needy Paws Animal Shelter. I served on the board for many years and it is dear to my heart. Even though I have retired from the Board of Directors,  I am still committed to helping the homeless animals of our community to find new homes.  The great thing about Needy Paws is the care they get while waiting for someone to decide they are worthy to come home with them. We all know needs cannot be met on well wishes and good intentions alone, so Hardgrave Photography is a proud part of an annual event to raise money to meet the needs of these precious animals.

Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 9:00am until Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 4:00pm

Needy Paws Animal Shelter, 1040 E. Main, Clarksville, AR

Hardgrave Photography will be at Needy Paws Animal Shelter for the Annual Christmas Photos - happening every first weekend in December. Both Saturday and Sunday from 9-4. Packages start at only $17. No appointment needed, first come first serve. Dogs, cats, kids, Couples,... Best Friends - up to four humans- welcome. Pets must be leashed or in carriers. No proofing, photographer will pick the best image for the package. If you would like an order form in advance of the event (easier to fill out without your pup pulling at you :), just email the shelter at hhumane@centurytel.net or the studio at info@hardgravephoto.com

The Policeman, Princess, and the Pirate

Pets have such personalities - some characteristics we definitely create, and some are purely just them.  I had a plan for Halloween this year for each of our dogs to be in costume for a photo. Jack, our newest, was to be Captain Jack Sparrow.  Besides his name, he is also tall enough to steal from high places, loves the water, and even though sometimes naughty - has a quality about him that makes us totally in love with him. Zeba was to be the princess.  The perfect girl puppy I planned and waited for can do no  wrong, well at least if it is wrong, she is so darn cute she gets away with it. 
Then there is my Policeman - Doc.  The old man of the group. A Blue Heeler that had to herd the young ones around, referee their wrestling matches and keep an eye on his family. It was only a  year or so ago that he would sleep with both eyes closed while he was in the room with us - he just had to be aware of all that went on.  His costume was going to be perfect- he was already blue.  A perfect picture in the planning.
Planning. What I did not plan on when I went to the vet yesterday was the decision to let him go. Cancer in his lungs and other body parts was putting him in horrible pain.
My policeman is gone, but I always said of all my wonderful dogs, he would leave me with the most stories. He provided our family with the most comedic relief, drove us crazy, was headstrong, and loving. What more could a family ask for?

Becky just got hacked...

I have always wanted to hack someone facebook or blog to have some fun and today....  Becky is the one. :) 

I have the honor of coming to work each day to a job that I truly love.  Part of that is because I get to be creative and 'play' in Photoshop most of my days.  Part of that is the amazing families that I have the privilege of  assisting to pick the perfect portraits for their homes and family members.  And part of that is the cutest little long nosed Fox Terrier that is always at the door greeting me on my way in each morning.

But the greatest reason I absolutely love to come to work each day is because I work for an amazing woman whom spends her days creating these amazing works of art for the homes of our families.  She spends a lot of her evenings surfing the internet or in Professional Photographer magazines reading up on latest technology and techniques to better her work, her business, and to keep her creative juices flowing so she can produce amazing images each session.  And she encourages me to grow and learn in the business as well.

I can't get her to 'toot her own horn' so to speak, so today, I am tooting it for her.

She is a member of the Arkansas Professional Photographers Association (APPA) and of also of the Professional Photographers Association (PPA).

But that is not all that makes her a Professional Photographer.

She is on the board of the APPA.

And yet, that is not all that it takes for her to be a Professional Photographer.

She attends conventions and classes 3-4 times a year, 'talking shop' with other professionals that share with each other what their clients are saying they want.

Still this is not all that makes her a Professional Photographer.

She has a lot of expensive equipment, props, and her own indoor/outdoor studio.

This is certainly not what makes her a Professional Photographer.

She studied hard, produced images worthy of the certification, and has passed the test to become a Certified Professional Photographer by all standards set by the Professional Photographic Certification Commission.

That  certifies her to be a Professional Photographer, but isn't all that it takes to be a Professional Photographer.

She is not satisfied with just the snap shots that some call "life style" photography.

We all have those stored in flash drives, on discs, or still in our own digital cameras. 

She loves those shots just as much as everyone, and every session has some of those just for you,  but that is not her passion.

She strives to create the portrait that can be passed down for generations to come.  The image that shows each persons features to the point your great grand children can look at and say, "I look like my Great Grandma/pa". 

Her passion is to create portraits that are true to who you are.

It takes all of that to make Becky Hardgrave a Professional Portrait Photographer.

 HA HA BECKY  - You've offically been hacked!

And.... Thank you for the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest artists in the industry.

Joel Grimes Photography work - LOVE

Elizabeth Gorman- Tampa Breeze LFL, a photo by Joel Grimes Photography on Flickr.

Absolutely love Joel Grimes' photography work! A workshop with him is definitly on the TO DO list. I have seen him speak t PPA's Imaging 2011 in San Antonio, and have followed his blog, and watched him on Photo Vision videos (wow when it is written down it sounds a bit stalkerish...)

Via Flickr:
Shot this image of Elizabeth during one of my workshops. One 3 foot Photoflex octodome as my overhead light, two large Photoflex soft boxes with grids from the sides.

Background shot HDR with five exposures in one stop increments.

New LA/Pasadena Workshop just announced for Aug. 20-21 2011

Visit my blog: www.joelgrimesworkshops.com

This image is protected by copyright, no use of this image shall be granted without the written permission from Joel Grimes.

www.joelgrimes.com

Adalyn - a really great neice :)

I love my neices and nephews. I became an aunt when I was only 9 years old, so the older neices are like having little sisters. Then came along Dustin - the first boy in our family in long time and the ONLY Grandson to my parents - yes he is "THE GOLDEN BOY'"  haha. And was the only boy born into our family for 21 more years, when we started having great nephews. The last three babies born into our family have been little boys so we were more than ready to welcome Dustin and Tasha's baby Adalyn into the family in July. Due to some breathing problems she stayed at Arkansas Children's Hospital for 2 weeks, so I just now got to do her formal studio newborn photos - well worth the wait!  She is a natural beauty and baby model. Okay I might be a little biased, but really she is perfect!

Arkansas Baby Photographer - Hardgrave Photography

Arkansas Senior Photographer Hardgrave Photography Nikki - Senior 2012

Arkansas Senior Photographer Hardgrave Photography -Danielle - Senior 2012

Worth Getting Up Early For

For the most part, I am an early morning person. I love to watch the way the light starts changing the landscape and starts landing on faces.  Most of the time when I am out about 6:30 or 7 am, I am thinking, wow, I wish I could get seniors up early enough to take advantage of this sweet light.  You can imagine how excited I was to talk to Alex, who not only gets up early every day to work, but also was willing to put on waders and let me get this awesome image as the sun was lighting up one of my favorite spots.

Worth Getting Up Early For

For the most part, I am an early morning person. I love to watch the way the light starts changing the landscape and starts landing on faces.  Most of the time when I am out about 6:30 or 7 am, I am thinking, wow, I wish I could get seniors up early enough to take advantage of this sweet light.  You can imagine how excited I was to talk to Alex, who not only gets up early every day to work, but also was willing to put on waders and let me get this awesome image as the sun was lighting up one of my favorite spots.

Landon - Senior 2012

Landon - Senior 2012

Julia - Senior 2012

Still Waiting and Just Arrived

Many of our "Still Waiting"s have moved the the "Arrived"!  So it is time to update on our Baby Registry.
Julie Moore is still waiting, but not for long - last report she is getting very close. My own nephew and his wife - Dustin and Tasha Harris - along with the rest of our family is still waiting on baby Adalyn to make her appearance in August.  This will be the first girl for our family in 10 years = very excited Aunt Becky.  Sarita Marie Given has till November before the arrival of baby girl Caydence. I can tell she is very excited by the photos already on facebook :)

Autumn and Matt Hurst brought baby boy Ashton in for his newborn pictures, and of course he modeled as well as his parents. Beautiful family.  My friend Julie Whitt who I have kept missing since baby girl Reynolds was born, finally caught up with me and we made some stunning images of that baby. The black and white were really really good.  John Mays and Lusille Elgar brought baby Jude in for a newborn session. Talk about a Daddy's boy already!  I was so happy when Alisa Kimbrough called and made the appointment for baby girl Paige and of course that sweet big brother of hers - Tyler.  I loved working with Jadd and Alisa when we did Tyler's baby plan pictures, so I am excited to do it again, only this time with ruffles and bows, instead of motorcycles.

If any of the above are friends or relatives and you would like to give a gift of portraiture for them to keep a lifetime, just let us know by email, or give us a call. Gift Certificates of any amount or for a certian product are available and make great baby shower gifts.

Do you know someone who is pregnant and would love to have professional portraits of their baby to pass on for generations? If so, let them know that they may sign up to be on our registry. We will announce them signing up and the registry is posted on our website also.

Becky

Be a Part of The Story

When was the last time you pulled out some old photos and sit down with your kids or parents, or grandparents and listened to the stories those images brought to mind? I love stories, and recently I had the opportunity to be a part of an awesome story.

I went with our church youth group to Acuna, Mexico on a home building mission.  I have been before, but this time was the most powerful.  When we arrived at our work site, Ricardo stepped out of his house  made from discarded pallets and cardboard. Right behind him was his ten year old Gustavo who was excite to be out of school for a special few days to hang out and help us build his new home. Then, Fatima comes out holding her 22 day old baby, also named Fatima.  Of course, it was love at first sight for me, and the camera was out of the bag right away. Now, my Spanish is absolutely horrible (something I am going to correct), but somehow I soon got it through to them that I was a professional photographer and I would be sending them photos in the mail to hang in their new house.  There were no photos up in the home they lived  in, not sure if that was because they had none, or because the cardboard walls could not hold out the rain from the photos.

The first night we were there, it stormed and the family had to get into the cab of their truck to stay dry. The next day was filled with more photos of not only of Ricardo and Fatima's children, but as many of the neighborhood children and some of  the neighborhood families, and a church group too. A big box of photos are in the mail to them to hand out. And our group of teens and adults working together with two families finished two homes in two and a half days.

So on the way home I got to thinking about baby Fatima. How will the story go when they pull out those photos? Will she tell her children and grandchildren about the house she was born in, and about the house she grew up in? Will the little boy that reminded me of my own nephew someday show his picture to his kids and tell them about how God answered Fatima's prayers to have a warm place for her children to live.

No matter how their stories are retold over and over, I know that these people are part of my story now. I want to be able to show these photos to my grandchildren and tell them about how God worked in my life and my heart by bringing these beautiful people into my life, if only for a few days.

Fresh Seniors to start the Senior Season

This week was a great start to the new Senior portrait season.

APPA convention

What a wonderful week spent with my fellow Arkansas Professional Photographers Association members at our annual convention and print competition in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
We got an early start on Sunday morning to get to Hot Springs in time to help set up the print competition equipment, and check in prints. It is always interesting, entertaining, but most of all educational to listen to the judges talk about the prints and come up with scores.  I used to be terrified to enter prints and even more terrified to listen to the judges, but not anymore. Even when I don't get as high of a score as I would like, I always get an idea of how I could make it better.  I have heard speakers for years tell us that print competition drives you to be a better photographer - I am starting to believe that now.
The program speakers were great.  I think some people don't think they can get anything from a program if that is not exacty the kind of photography they do, but that is just not true. For example, I do not photograph weddings, but learn alot from wedding photographers that I can use in senior and family sessions. You just cannot close yourself off.

Convention ended with me getting my APPA Fellowship degree and being appointed the NW Arkansas director. Plus a chance to get some fabulous images downtown Hot Springs of my favorite 2012 senior - my daughter Natalia. Good Week!

First 2012 Senior this year

So most of the 2011 Graduates are done, out, finished, and graduated - leaving the Class of 2012 as Seniors.  And officially starting the Senior portrait season, well at least at our house. Natalia wanted senior pics taken before she cut her hair, before she goes off to Girls State, before...  So we scheduled the date, made the plans to shop for a new outfit, figured out how to squeeze everthing in, and as plans go everything fell apart, we decided it would not be a good day to do them blah blah blah = disappointed kiddo.  Tornado warnings loomed, humidity was horrible, and we then decide to go spur of the moment and do some night time senior portraits. Had so much fun!

Now the problem with having two parents that are photographers with two different styles, her Daddy is taking her this afternoon to take her second senior session this week. LOL.  She says she is going to make a book called "All the Places You Will Go......to take Senior pictures" :)

We are booking Seniors for June which is a great time to get the best specials.

Have your Senior portraits taken in June and get a free 5x10 storyboard PLUS a full length music video from your session with a Senior Collection (or equivalent) purchase.
Also be entered into the drawing for a $1000 Scholarship with every image from your Senior Collection or Love Em All albums.

FUMC Dessert Fest

FUMC Dessert Fest

Baby Girl for Misty Ramsey and Joshua Slaughter

Misty Ramsey and Joshua Slaughter have been added to the Hardgrave Photography Baby Registry.
They are expecting a baby girl - due June 21st. Gift certificates for baby portraits can be custom made for any amount or product you may wish to give.

It's Just the Beginning! $1000 Scholarship

It's Just The Beginning!  $1000 Scholarship Offer

WHERE - Hardgrave Photography

WHY - First, we are big believers in furthering our own education when it comes to our craft.  Second, we wanted a chance to give back to the seniors that trust our studio to create wonderful senior pictures.  Third, our own daughter is graduating in 2012, so we have been in the scholarship hunt and know that a $1000 will help someone out a lot with college expenses.

WHO - 2012 Graduates

HOW - Just buy a Senior Portrait Collection (or equivalent), and every image from your purchase will be put into a drawing for the $1000 Scholarship to any college or trade school you attend.

WHEN - The drawing will be held January 1, 2012  by a law firm.

The Mayan Calendar is not predicting the end of the world 2012, but the start of a new era. It is definitely going to be a new era in the lives of our seniors graduating in 2012 and going on to start their adult lives. It's just the beginning..

Spring Break Next week

I am so excited about the Senior Spring Fling next week!  I spent the day yesterday mowing, and cleaning up leaves and shooting areas for outdoor sessions. Tomorrow is my "Lowes" day so I can get the paints, new props, and a start on some new outdoor sets.

This morning was spent playing with my teddy bear, umm, well at least trying to perfect a new lighting technique. So if you drove by and saw me outside photographing Teddy, don't worry, I haven't turned into an exclusive professional Teddy Bear photographer - he is just very patient with me as I figure out how to do new things with my new gadgets.

Baby Lillyan is now registered with Hardgrave Photography baby registry

Whitney Terrill & Stephen Dollar have registered with Hardgrave Photography Baby Registery for their baby  due April 16 - Lillyan

http://www.hardgravephoto.com/babyregistry.pdf

Babes in the Buttercups April 19-23

Last year I decided to get some prints together for Arkansas Professional Photographer's Association's print competition. The buttercup fields were out and every time I went down the road they seemed to catch my attention like never before, so I put out a call for 3 yo little girls that could fit into the white dresses I had found earlier.  Several little girls met me early one morning in the wet fields so I could get just the image I needed... plus lots more.
The plus lots more has inspired me to offer this setting again this year for little girls and boys the week before Easter. Classic little girl Easter dresses and precious little boy outfits would look great as well as simple simple simple white outfits (my favorite). I also am excited to photograph a few with Mommies in simple white dresses with their babes.  These sessions are best for kiddos at least one year old.
Below is the image that earned me a merit at the competition.

Senior Spring Fling March 25 & 26, 2011

Baby K'shayla is registered with Hardgrave Photography baby registry

Sha is due to bring baby K'shayla into this big world on April 9, 2011. Family and friends may purchase gift certificates for any amount or product from Hardgrave Photography by just giving us a call and we will get it set up.
479-885-3835http://www.hardgravephoto.com/babyregistry.pdf

Prepping for Spring & Fairies

Have you got it? Did last week's weather do it to you too? Of course I am talking about spring fever - the kind chiropractors, Home Depot, and emergency room's love for business. I got it BAD! With so much studio property to take pictures on, I get a lot of mowing, trimming, cleaning, and building projects stirring around in my head all winter. 
A potential wildflower area ahs been covered in blown down trees for a couple of years now, so 7 hours of tractor work later it will be ready to plant when the time comes. Ahh, and then there are the bridges for down by the creek that needed vines cut away... Which leads to the trip to Home Depot for a new hedge trimmer that is amazing at clearing those vines... Which lead to the trip to the ER... and stitches in two of my left fingers. Oh it could have been so so much worse.

So I have been grounded to the indoors for a while - no problem - this is fairy week and I have to find MY fairy dress, steam the fairy costumes, put the new butterflies on the new foliage for the set. I bought all the little girls tinkerbell/fairy gifts yesterday (before the ER), and will get the all the mushrooms and tree stumps brought in Thursday evening. Better be careful not to visit the chiropracter too...

Senior Spring Fling

For 2011 Seniors - Spring Fling Special - March 25 & 26 ONLY

30 minute 2 outfit session for only $30, PLUS you get 30% off any Senior Portrait Collection or Love "Em All order.
These sessions will be outdoor only - weather permitting. To book your session, call us and have your credit or debit card ready to reserve your prepaid session time.

The last Friday and Saturday of Spring Break - off school and have had time to shop for the perfect outfits. Plus, there will still be time to get your wallets ordered for Graduation announcements, or custom grad announcements from Hardgrave Photography.

Enchanted Fairies February 25 & 26

Let your little girls have the time of their lives dressing up on our fairy costumes. Let us create a priceless portrait that will forever remind you of this enchanted time in their lives when make believe was magical.
For two days only in February, our studio is transformed into the fairy woodlands.
Session fee is only $30. For pricing or other questions call us at 479-885-3835, FB message us, or email us at info@hardgravephoto.com. To make your reservation, have a credit card ready, and call us at 479-885-3835.

Couples night - Thursday, Feb 17

Valentine's Day is really special for me and Mark - that is the day we met 24 years ago. We were at a dance at the NG Armory, a band called Exit 5 was playing and I was wearing a classic 80's black and white jumpsuit. (LOL at the jumpsuit part)
In honor of our meeting - and the fact that he is working outage late - I am opening the doors Thursday, February 17 form 5-8 for free facebook profile pics for couples. We will take a handful of images, pick the best one and you can use in on your facebook page. There will also be some small packages you can order for $20 if you want, but that is not what this is really about. It is really about just getting a great picture of you and your sweetheart to show off.
No appointment needed, just come on in. Since we are only taking a handful, it won't take long, and I'll be home in time to see my Sweetheart too. :)

Noah in the Nest

Noah was scheduled to come last week - then it snowed, this week is snowed again, but his parents, Stephanie and Chris, were determined to get his newborn pics done while he is still a newborn. No problem - I just got on the trusty Kubota tractor and plowed the driveway to make way for Baby Noah.
And boy was it worth it!!  I was getting so excited during the session, know the amazing images we were getting.  I love using baskets and the little "nest", but it does not always work out. Wiggly babies, bigger babies, and mostly babies we already have other ideas for have been coming in.  But Noah was perfect and slept and posed like a pro.

I am looking forward to a year of working with this little guy and his sweet sweet parents.

Anna Bella - Mommy's Sweetheart

Love 'Em All Albums

I had waiting on my desk this morning a wonderful surprise - the first sample of our new line of Love Em All albums. Sharon has outdone herself in the beautiful design she put into this album!
Okay, so I think I am getting ahead of myself...

One of our biggest complaints is that there are so many awesome images from a session, it is hard to leave any behind. We have wrestled with this problem for a long time now and have considered several options, one being selling all the images on a disk and letting our clients finish up the work. Let me tell you my own personal opinion on that - most people have good intentions on "someday" doing "something" with those images. What I am seeing happening over and over is that people are getting a disk of images from us or other photographers and they just sit there, not doing anything.  I don't think of a disk of images as being a "finished product". In 10, 20, or 30 years who knows all the ways we will be viewing images, but I can bet we will still be wanting to hold them in our hands.

So... we came up with the Love 'Em All album collection.  In three different sizes to accomadate any session from 48-180 images, the Love 'Em All's are custom designed to fit the color, mood, and attitude of the subjects. The images are printed on photographic paper and mounted to a durable backing. The covers are premium leather with imprinting to match.
It solves the problem of how to get all the images and be able to enjoy them without wall papering your home with images from the same session.

Favorite Kids Books and Memories

Another snow day... this one is for real, earlier this week we got faked out a little bit. I am looking out the studio window debating on if I should go ahead and go home or stay here and get some paperwork caught up since my afternoon sessions are rescheduled.
My vote is go home and do "snow day things" with my daughter. I was reminded this morning, when photographing Clint and Amanda McGuire's little family, of reading books to Natalia over and over and over again. Reading is a wonderful way to snuggle up your kiddos. Lathan and Lucy both wanted to see what was going on in the book.
Which of your children's books do you know by heart now?
If you children are older, do you catch yourself spouting out things from a beloved book you used to read to them?
"The Diggingest Dog", "Whacky Wednesday", and "Love You Forever" still play in my head from time to time.
Yes I think GO HOME, maybe she will humor me and let me read a few lines from the kindle.

Have a great Snow Day!

Introducing the Hardgrave Photography Baby Registry

I have wanted to add the registry for a long time now, but with the old site, could not figure the best way to do it. The new site is still transforming, but I really wanted to get this up and out. We have lots of people that call and order gift certificates for baby showers and gifts, but I know that even more didn't know they could do that, or might not know where to buy a photography gift from.

Our Baby Steps Program includes maternity and 5 baby sessions for only $99. It is our most popular program. Anyone that is pregnant or has a newborn - 1 month old baby can asked to be put on the registry. Just email, call, or Facebook message me your Names, Due Date, and Baby's Name and I will be happy to get it up, and make the registry announcment for you.
http://www.hardgravephoto.com/babyregistry.pdf

Dreams of the Pitcher's mound

I love it when Daddy's bring props. Ryan's daddy, Ben is a huge Cardinals fan.  I had a vision of putting this tiny baby into the glove, but when I picked Ryan up, I realized that Ryan is a BIG boy. He was over 9 pounds when he was born. 

 

 Ben held Ryan in the glove while mom, Andrea helped to keep his little head held up, and Ryan was a perfect baby, sleeping away while we got this sweet image.  Oh, not to forget - big sister Morgan is a very good rubber ducky organizer for a two year old. She was so well behaved and just played by herself till it was her turn. Truly a sweet little family.

If we were all like angels...

If we were all like angels, the world would be a heavenly place.  - Author Unknown

Hannah was my little peice of heaven today. Such a sweet little baby, full of laughter. This was the second session in her Baby Steps program. I was amazed at how well she was holding herself up, this one with a little help from her mommy.

That Smile!

This past year, I have had the privilege of photographing Cole.  I consider it a privilege for every baby I get to photograph because of images like this, and the fact that he stretched out his arms for me to take him when he came in the door.  Okay well to be honest, I think he did that as a way to getting one step closer to Zeba, but I'll take it as a compliment anyway.

This was the last session of his Baby Steps program, so it will be  a little while before he starts Early Years program.  I am sure the next time I see him, he will be so much faster... they always get faster.

Boudoir - who knew

It occurred to me yesterday that people probably do not even know that I do boudoir sessions - just something that I don't advertise and are usually very private for the ladies that come for special gifts for their husbands - so nothing that gets put into my galleries...

Testing the mobile feature

Blog Post

A test to see if this video will post on the new blog.

 

Becky Hardgrave

Certified Professional Photographer

Hardgrave Photography

24915 Hwy. 64 East

Knoxville, AR 72845

479-885-3835

http://www.hardgravephoto.com

 

News... New Year, New Website, New Blog, New Promotions, and New Images!

It is hard to believe it is already the 21st of January! This year came in with a bang with my mom in the Arkansas Heart Hospital and has not slowed down since.
I had some incredible 2011 Seniors come for the 50% off sale the first weekend, along with the sweetest angels. I have been frantically working on a new website to showcase our images and finally after visiting the Zenfolio people at Imaging USA this past week, I settled on a plan and have finished up the new site.

And oh about Imaging USA - it was AMAZING!  Sharon and I drove to San Antonio, Texas and along with over 10,000 other photographers from around the world attended  classes by some of the top photographers on the speaker circuit today. But even better than the speakers was the expo with literally hundreds of vendors showing their wares and dozens of them were hosting speakers in their own booths. A real treat, now just to implement all that education.