Hardgrave Photography Featured Senior - Laiken Wilbanks

I often have seniors that want to bring a best friend for a couple of pictures, so I was surprised when Laiken's mom called and wanted to book 4 girls a session each, all on the same day so they could have their friend pics and senior pics.Wow - that was a really fun day! 

Laiken told me that her mom inspires her most  - "My momma is Superwoman". Another woman that has helped her prepare for the real world is her teacher Mrs. Suit. Her real world preparation will be a big help to her as she enters the University of Arkansas Fort Smith to prepare for a career as a Nurse Anesthesiologist.

Laiken was crowned the Football Homecoming Queen her senior year and notes that and her day with her friends at Hardgrave Photography as some of the highlights of this past year.

Her dream vacation would be to take Taylor, Shy, Ashley, and Anna Beth to Bora Bora and stay in floating huts in the crystal clear water.

Hardgrave Photography Featured Senior - Hannah Fraser

I remember seeing the cutest little girl about 15 years ago, with dark dark eyes and dark dark hair. I don't even remember where I met the Frasers at, we can't seem to figure that one out, but I do have a vivid memory of Hannah as a little girl.

So when her mom called me to do her senior portraits, I was pretty excited - even more so when I found out horses were involved. The session started at the Walton Fine Arts Center at Uof O, where Hannah has participated in the youth Drama program for many years. Then we went out to her parent's farm, and I was blown away. Yes the property was beautiful, tranquil. And the house was beautiful - but what struck me most was the portraits hanging on the walls. Images everywhere of family - I could just feel the love looking into those faces in family portraits from many many years.

So it was not surprising when she told me her brother Adam is a big inspiration to her. Hannah is homeschooled, so her mom has really been a great teacher. Harding University is where she will be calling home next year as she starts on her journey to a career in the Criminal Justice field.

Hannah got to spend some time in her home country of Guatemala this past year, and would also love to travel to Spain with friends and family.

If Momma's Happy....

You know the saying "If Momma aint happy - then nobody is happy"? That seems to be true in every household, but when it comes to getting family portraits done, Mom's wishes often get a grumble. We Momma's love to be able to look up on the wall as we are passing by, and see our family. Times get so very busy, and it is easy to put off little things that really do matter to the ones we love. 

Consider making a appointment for your family during our Spring Family Special - and get a huge discount of 50% OFF any portrait collection. We set the date May 5th  Multi Generational families are welcome for this event.  Gift certificates are available if you wanted  one for Mother's Day.

Call now to reserve your session time. 479-885-3835

Featured Senior - Preston South

Walter South came to see me a few months before Preston came for his senior portrait session to discuss all that we wanted to accomplish. By the time he left, ideas were spinning in my head - I knew the basketball shot I wanted to try - and I had the perfect model for it coming in!
When Preston came in for his session, his clothes were perfectly pressed, very stylish and of his own choosing - this guy likes to look good. He even knows how to pick out the right tie - impressive.  He should fit in well with the other Electrical Engineering majors at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith campus. I am proud to say that the Hardgrave Photography $500 Scholarship will be helping Preston out a little with his college expenses.
It was obvious he and his dad were close when we did his session. I asked him about this and he said "My father inspires me the most, he has taught me everything I know from basketball to school to the littlest things about life."
Another man that has taught Preston a lot is his teacher Mr. Spillers. He said " He is a great teacher and is always willing to go the extra step to make sure you now how to do it."  Every one of our students should have at least one teacher like Mr. Spillers.

This senior year has been pretty exciting for Preston. He, along with the other Clarksville Panther Basketball team won the State Championship for the second year in a row. He said " I couldn't ask for a better way to end the season and the group of guys that helped achieve this goal will always be my brothers."
When asked about traveling abroad, touring Germany  with his "brothers" Dale Peterson, Zac Stumbaugh, Trey Norris, and Dustin McKinney -would be his first pick

Down By the Creek

I was a country kid for sure. We had a creek that run through my parents farm and emptied into the pond, and then started back up again at the run off. That is the creek where my older brothers put me in a wash tub and played "Baby Moses" with me when I was much too young to be playing "Baby Moses". It was where I learned to catch crawdads, and went barefoot with my pants rolled up to my knees.

When we bought our home, I was so pleased it had a creek running through it. I was pregnant when we moved in, and knew my own kid would love playing there one day.
Now, once a year, we open the creek up for a special "Down By the Creek" portrait promotion, so lots of kids can enjoy playing in the creek, getting muddy, and I get the opportunity to capture those sweet childhood images for beautiful prints.

 This year DBTC will be April 27 and 28th. Call to reserve you session time. Dig out the denim overalls, or jeans and plain T - Shirt, and also bring a clean DRY set of clothes to change into. Yes - THERE WILL BE MUD!  479-885-3835

Featured 2012 Senior - Tayler Scott

I first met Tayler when she came in the eighth grade to job shadow me, then I got to photograph her sister for senior portraits. Tayler was full of questions - which I love!  I hate it when I have to drag a conversation out of someone, no worry about that with Tayler.
As always happens when I don't see a girl for a few years, I am a little surprised that as seniors, they really are women, not little girls anymore. I was impressed that Tayler worked so hard at getting in college classes and really making every bit of that opportunity count. She will be entering University of Arkansas - Fort Smith in the fall with college credits already toward her degree in Business Administration. She will also be serving our country - she enlisted into the Army National Gaurd, was sworn in on October 13th and will be spending her summer at Basic Training at Ft. Lenarwood, Missouri.
As I mentioned, I also photographed Megan, Tayler's older sister that is a huge inspiration for her. Tayler said " She is a great mother, a student at UAFS, and works full time at Yeager's. I can't imagine show she does it all." 
For Tayler, Mrs. Blackmon has been "that" inspiring teacher that will go out of her way to help anyone. I think Tayler has learned from that too. I asked her if she could take a trip to anywhere, where would that be? She immediately included her friends Jackie Gray, Andrea Mefford, Abby Bryant, and Tiffany Austin to go to Italy with her to see the beautiful landscapes and get a feel for the whole Tuscan way of life.
Tayler was crowned Miss. Westside High School, which added to the excitement of these last few months of her senior year.