Lil Sweethearts February 7 & 8

Lil Sweethearts
 

February 7 & 8

 

Vintage style portraits for Valentine's Day. Session fee only $15!  and portrait packages start at only $59. We supply all the clothing and props for a sweet photo.

 

 

479-885-3835

Guatemala 2014 Part ONE

The Hardgraves with Jazmín
 

Two weeks ago,  a group of 9 other people and myself spent time with angels... in Guatemala. These angels bring the message of Love, Hope, and Healing. Shadow of His Wings Orphanage is located about 3 hours from Guatemala City, in a little town of Monjas, where the cowboys drive their cattle to the fields through the dirt streets of town. The open market is filled with beautiful fruits and vegetables being sold by hard working people with smiles on their faces - ready to haggle for the price.
The children of SOHWO come from all over Guatemala. Sometimes they have been removed from homes by the court system because of abuse and neglect, other times their parents have given them up because they don't have the resources to care for them. Some of the children have been at Shadow for 5 years or more - this is Home for those. Others have arrived recently and are just now getting the opportunity to attend school, learn how to read, or learn how to ride a bike. Each one has a message for the missionaries there, without even saying a word. A message of hope, of what matters, of the bigger picture of life.

When I come home from this mission trip, I am even more thankful for the parents that trust me to photograph their children, that believe their child's life is worth capturing in photos.

More posts to come about the projects we worked on while in Monjas, Jalapa, Guatemala.


These are just a few of the "Angels" from Shadow of His Wings Orphanage in Monjas, Guatemala. If you are interested in finding out more about SOHWO click here. If you are interested in finding out more about going on this mission trip in the future - call the studio. I would be happy to give you the info.
479-885-3835

Halloween at Hardgrave Photography

Halloween at Hardgrave Photography

Bring the kids in costume for a free photograph
No purchase required - this is our treat to the
kids in our community
No appointments - first come , first photographed
Thursday Night 5-7 p m 

SANTA is Coming! November 16 ONLY Give your kiddo the best Santa experience - no standing in line at the mall, hoping to get to see Santa. When Santa comes to Hardgrave Photography, he knows names, he eats cookies, and he is very patient. Not to mention the wonderful priceless photos with Santa... Our special "Santa Art" is included in your portrait packages. Sessions are limited to only one day - so call and reserve your prepaid session today to get your spot. After all the appointments are filled, we will start a waiting list.  Sessions are only $15.

Landon A friend of a friend of a neighbor of an old acquaintance's granddaughter's child Ok, so maybe the description is a bit convoluted, but seriously, I have known Landon's family since before his mom was ever thought of. And every year for the past several years I have photographed kids and grandkids in this family.  And every 4th of July I enjoy their fireworks that can be seen over the trees behind my house.  Another thing we have in common is our love for dogs - and the fact I used to be a dog groomer. Shelly (Landon's mom) is the third generation in this profession.

Model call - BRIDES

I need 2 models for Bridal Portraits! 

The model must be engaged to be married within the next 6 months or have had their wedding within the last 6 months.
She has to have her own dress - preferably a long wedding dress.
We must be able to take the dress outdoors.
The model should be somewhat adventuresome.
She will need to arrange for her hair to be done if she so desires.
In return, she will receive a beautiful artist's portrait printed on a 100% Cotton, Limited Edition Hahnemúhle Art paper. ($275 value)

Call the studio if this sounds like YOU!

!Necesito dos modelos para retratos de novias!

La modelo debe estar próxima a casarse en  6 meses o  haberse casado dentro los 6 ultimos meses.
Ella tiene que tener su propio vestido de boda - prefiero un vestido largo.
Debemos poder llevar el vestido afuera a aire libre.
La modelo debe ser aventurera.
Ella puede reservar una cita en un salón de belleza, si ella lo desea.

Por eso, ella recibirá una retrato artistico y hermoso, que será impreso de la tela de algodón 100%, edición limitada de la marca Hahnemúhle. ($275 vale).

¡Llama el studio, si esto suena como TU!

Teddy Bear Photographer in Training

Kids love technology! I have been photographing Willow since she was a tiny baby, and she has always been a little bit camera shy. Grand plans of using a cute little pink pedal cars was no good... time for  MY Plan B - Tea Party.... MY Plan C Tea Party with Teddy Bears. Then it was time for WILLOW's Plan - Iphone photo party with Teddy Bears. Hey - whatever works!




¡A los niños les encanta la tecnología! He estado fotografiando a Willow desde  que ella era bebé pequeñita, y siempre, ella ha estado  tímida en frente de la cámara. Yo tenía planes grandes para usar un coche rojillo, pero a ella no le gustó la idea....Era el momento para MI Plan B - Fiesta de Té....entonces MI Plan C - Fiesta de Té con ositos. Luego era el momento para WILLOS's plan - Fiesta de Iphone fotos con ositos. !El plan DE WILLOW ha sido el que ha funcionado!

Drew - Sr. 2014

It is funny what I can remember about past sessions, but not remember to do the most simplest things. When Drew's mom, Angie called I knew exactly who I was talking to. It has been 4 years since

Drew's brother was here.
Drew was a true joy to photograph. He did not complain about the heat, changing clothes, spending two hours in front of the camera, or even about chigger bites he got when he was in the tall grass. But the best thing was that you could tell that he really appreciated his mom and respected her ideas and requests. All this and he was a great model too!

Awards from Arkansas Professional Photographer's Association

Last month, I attended the APPA print competition and educational event "Capture '13". The theme this year was "A Celebration of Excellence", and I am so proud to be a part of this organization and this event.

I made a commitment to myself after I became a Certified Professional Photographer, to continue to find ways to push myself to improve and learn my craft. Although becoming a CPP, or participating in print competitions are not required to be a photographer, it is just not enough for me to be stagnant in learning. So... I enter print competitions (sometimes reluctantly, sometimes with doubt, sometimes at the last minute...)
This year it paid off for me. Four of my prints received merits from APPA. Two received ribbons for Judges Favorite, and one won the Ben Red award for Photo Décor.  My favorite image - Sugar Daddy

 
 

- is one that is dear to my heart, so when it received a judges ribbon from a judge that I have a great amount of respect for - I was thrilled. It is pictured below. This was taken in Tanzania last year while we were delivering water purification filters up a mountain. The gentleman was on his way down the mountain to sell his sugar cane. I cannot even imagine climbing up and down that mountain every day.
The a few of the other prints are going to be entered at yet another print competition in November, so I cannot share them with you yet... even though I am dying to show them off.



En el mes pesado, asistí al concurso de fotografía y evento  educativo llamado "Capture '13".  El
tema este año fué " Una Celebración de Excelencia', y estoy tan orgullosa de ser  parte de esta
organización y esta evento.
Después de lograr el estatus de Certificación Profesional en fotografía, me  comprometí a
continuar buscando formas en las cuales seguir  esforzándome, mejorar y aprender mi arte.
Aunque tener el estatus de CPP, o participar en concursos de fotografía no es obligatorio, ser una
fotógrafa para mí no es suficiente, ser inactiva sobre aprender.  Así... participo en concursos de
fotografía ( a veces de mala gana, a veces con dudas, a veces al último minuto...)
Este año valió la pena. Cuatro de mis fotos recibieron méritos de APPA. Dos recibieron cintas de
la concesión por favoritas de los jueces, y uno ganó el premio de Ben Red - Photo Décor.  Mi foto
favorita- Azúcar Papi - es una que está cerca de mi corazón. Cuando recibo  una cinta de una jueza
por la cual tengo mucho respeto, me sentí muy emocionada.  Esta foto fue tomada  en Tanzania,
el año pasado mientras estuvimos entregando filtros de agua purificada sobre una montaña. El
hombre estuvo caminando bajo la montaña, para vender su caña de azúcar. No puedo imaginar
caminar arriba y bajo esa montaña cada día.
Unas pocas de las otras fotos estarán en un otro concurso de fotografía en  noviembre, así no
puedo mostrarlos todavía... aunque estoy muriendo de ganas demostrarlos.