National Boy Scouts Day February 8

NATIONAL BOY SCOUTS DAY

Since 1910 boys across America have been doing good deeds, learning survival skills and developing a moral foundations through the Boy Scout of America.  February 8th annually recognizes National Boys Scouts Day.  Boy Scouts have had a profound impact on the United States.  Many presidents and other dignitaries have been Boy Scouts.  A total of 181 Astronauts have also been part of the Boy Scout program.

Key Dates

• Boy Scouts of America incorporated  1910
• First Boy Scout Handbook published  1911
• Boys’ Life premiered  1911
• First Eagle Scout, Arthur R. Eldred  1912
• Scouting magazine premiered  1913
• Registration of Scouts began, 25¢ annual fee  1913
• Order of the Arrow began  1915
• Federal charter granted by Congress  1916
• First season at what would become Northern Tier High Adventure Base  1923
• Boy Scout membership tops 1 million  1925
• Cub Scout program began  1930
• Philmont donated to the BSA  1938
• First BSA Wood Badge course taught  1948
• First Pinewood Derby® held  1953
• Webelos program added to Cub Scouting  1954
• Exploring program began  1959
• Florida National High Adventure Sea Base officially opened  1980
• Tiger Cubs program added to Cub Scouting  1982
• 1 millionth Eagle Scout, Alexander M. Holsinger  1982
• Learning for Life program began  1991
• Venturing program began  1998
• 100 millionth member registered  2000
• 2 millionth Eagle Scout, Anthony Thomas  2009

Ballet Day

History of Ballet Day

 Ballet found its origins during the Renaissance throughout Italy and France, though it had yet to evolve into the form we know it today. There were no tutus, no ballet slippers, and the iconic pointe work of ballet were all things to come in the future. It found its roots in court dances, and thus incorporated the proper dance dress of women at the time, formal gowns that descended to the ankle. Unlike modern performances, the audience would join the dance as it came to a close.http://ow.ly/sjff307agtv

The "Right" time for Senior Photos

Are your ready for a Senior Special at the perfect time for Senior pics? 

You haven't seen many ads from me this year about senior photos. There is s reason for that, not that I don't LOVE senior sessions - I DO!  I love the creative opportunities as a photographer, the diversity in personalities, the connection to this generation, and the revealing of gorgeous images to the seniors and their parents.

I agree that there are a few advantages to that, but let's face it - summer in Arkansas is Hot. More and more seniors want to wait until it cools down. And I totally agree. September and early October gives us the beautiful summer colors and fall wildflowers without the sweltering heat. It also gives parents a little gap in the budget before paying for graduation expenses like cap/gown and Christmas shopping takes over. 

Senior pictures should give you a glimpse into who you are, your own beauty, not what social cliques assign you to be. It should also be professional, beautiful, lit correctly, and with enough direction in your posing to make sure you look your best. (Who really knows where to put your hands or your hips?). But not so posed that it is unbelievable.

 Here it is - book your prepaid senior session in September and receive a $100 credit toward your portrait collection. 

August Seniors 50% off Session Fee

 

Seniors, Book and prepay your session in August and get 50% off your session fee.
479-885-3835
OK, so isn't it too HOT in AUGUST? You would think so, but the truth is, for your outdoor sets, we are out there and back in the air conditioning with the "buggy" so fast you will not be too hot. Evenings are cooling things off too. After school really gets started, it is so hard to find time to do anything other than school stuff. Book now, let's get this checked off your "Senior list" before it falls into the "never got around to it list".
Besides, August still has pretty summer colors, and your other "Senior" expenses have not started piling up along with the holidays.

Lamar Senior Video - Samantha

With all the Graduation Ceremonies going on , I have been looking back a through senior videos from the past. I loved this session with Samantha, who graduated from Lamar High School. three years ago. I can't wait to get started on the Senior 2016 Class.

TJ and Peytan - Prom 2015

TJ used to always be around the ball field way back when my daughter was playing ball because his oldest sister, Libby, graduated with my daughter.  He was the cute baby brother, that I would not have recognized had I not known he was coming. As a Lamar High School senior, he has grown into a very handsome young man. PLUS he was very polite, but not shy to have a conversation with me. It was wonderful seeing him.
I kept thinking Peyton looked familiar and now I know why! I knew her momma and she looks so much like her!

Maddie and CJ - Prom 2015

Isn't Maddie just lovely? I first met this Clarksville High School junior when she came with the  Clarksville Color Guard last fall. She was very graceful then and also in her beautiful formal prom dress that seemed to be made just for her.
I was told that CJ was not comfortable with having photos taken, but he did great! Very handsome in his textured purple vest.

Emily and JJ - Prom 2015

 If I had not known this sweet Clarksville High School junior from birth, I might have taken a second look to see if this was "Taylor" - with the red dress and lipstick she rocked this look.
Like I said, I have known her from birth. I was fortunate enough to serve with her mom on a charity board many years ago. Emily was such a blessing to her parents (as well as her little brother). She has always had an outgoing personality that will take her into leadership positions all her life. I have no doubt she will be traveling the world as much as possible.
To be able to photograph her and her date, JJ, was truly an honor.
About JJ - well I have not known him forever - but I love his sense of humor...and his legacy ring. A little joke that showed his confidence in story telling.

Laci - Prom 2015

Laci has a unique style - I could tell it when she first came in. Not long before prom, she went from long hair to the daring and beautiful style in the photos. She is confident. I think part of that comes from years of tough softball playing, but mostly from her supportive family.

I have known them for years. You see, their oldest daughter, Tyra, and my daughter played on a team together one year. Baby brother Nicholas was a toddler with beautiful blond curls, and the other sisters were either just finishing their games, or about to start one.



Grace and Christopher - Prom 2015

 Clarksville High School Junior,  Grace has been a favorite of mine since she was a little girl. Living in a small town, we are bound to know many of the parents of the high school kids we photograph. Grace's mom has always been a sweetheart, and her dad too, even through some hard times. They are amazing parents for Grace and Alli. I remember one day, Grace was about 5, and she told me they had a surprise. I was sure they were getting a puppy, but instead it was that she was getting a baby sister. I can see her little face as plain as day.
THEN  after not seeing her in a few years - I almost didn't recognize her. She has grown into a beautiful young woman. I was honored to be able to capture some prom images for her and her sweetheart Christopher.

JEEPERS!!!

JEEPERS!!!  2015 Senior Katie rocking her jeep - she can go anywhere in this thing!

Design Sessions - the Grad Card

It was great to sit down with Katie and her mom Sandy and custom design the perfect graduation card. They got to choose a basic design, then we modified it as we went to fit the images they choose. They got to choose the font, the wording, and even the effects on the wording. We played with different depths of embossing for the images.  In the end, this Russellville senior ended up with a card like no one else's. This fits Katie - she is like no one else. Not only is she graduating a year early, but received the Governor's Scholarship and is planning on attending Hendrix College before going on to medical school. She really is unique...and so is her announcement on just the first of a string of great things to come

Trendy Turquoise

Senior 2015 Lindsey had the perfect turquoise pendant for this shot.

Teenage Dream Senior 2015

Winner of many beauty pageants for a reason!!! Dreamy Abby Dalton - Clarksville Senior 2015

It is Spring time and everything is greening up in Knoxville, Arkansas (close to Russellville). It is time to p
ut up the hammocks and enjoy the wonderful beauty at Hardgrave Photography.
There is still time to get some last minute senior photos taken. I just had a Russellville senior call me that was waiting for pretty weather.


 

What a knock out! Chase Wilson Senior 2015

The sport of boxing is not one that most of my senior photography clients are active in. For this reason, I was so excited to get the call that Chase wanted some awesome boxing photos in his gloves and shorts. He was even kind enough to have a left over black eye from a recent match! I had the session dancing around in my mind for a few days before he came, just thinking of the possibilities.
I learned a little bit about the local boxing clubs in Clarksville and Russellville, and other nearby places. But most of all, I got the images I had been thinking about, and Chase got some awesome prints he will treasure forever.


What a knock out!  Chase Wilson Senior 2015

¡LLAMAME!

Sixteen years ago, I was reading an article one rainy afternoon about training llamas with positive reinforcement, just like I was training my dogs. I told my husband Mark about it, and he said "I always wanted a llama, and there is a farm close to Fayetteville.  So we drove up there "only to look at the llamas".  Natalia was 4 years old and she met Chim - 3 weeks old and they were the same height.  We left that day after buying 2 llamas.
Chim was a bottle fed cria, but had to stay at the farm until he was 6 months old. He is exceptionally curious and friendly with strangers. He never spits at guests or bites or kicks. He is really a very well mannered llama and loves to have his photo taken.
You can see him in the pasture between Russellville and Clarksville, right beside Hardgrave Photography studio.

¡LLAMAME!  Mi llama se llama Chim da besos a mis clientes

Ready to fly - Senior 2015

Ready to fly.  Senior 2015

The 2015 Seniors are just about ready to walk through the door from one phase of their lives into the next

Preston's Graduation Invitation

I designed this invitation for Atkins Senior - Preston Stone. He was very involved in business and EAST so the formal wear suited him perfectly. OH- you caught me - this was the first draft, and I put Clarksville instead of Atkins... that is why I send proofs to every senior who I design for. It amazes me how many of the local schools (including Clarksville) actually graduate at the Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.  It is nice to have an indoor place large enough to host all the family and friends, even if it rains.

Let us design your Graduation Announcement  from your senior session, that will be kept and prized for years to come by the family and friends that you send them too.

 

Hardgrave Photography (located between Russellville and Clarksville) has become well known in the Arkansas River Valley for beautiful baby portraits.

PLAY BALL!!

PLAY BALL!!! Lamar Senior Baseball Player Dylanjer Choate

Love that Senior Smile

Gotta love that Smile!  Russellville Senior 2015 - Jenner Robertson