Friday, May 23, 2008

The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Fall

Ready for a sad tale? Yours truly, all 6'5" 300 lbs of me took a tumble Tuesday night. I still don't know exactly how it happened so don't ask. All I remember was a gasp and the need to put my arms in front of me as the landing came toward me fast. Instincts being what they are and all I stuck both hands out to break my fall and landed that way.

The great thing is that I didn't break my neck. The bad thing is that your forearms aren't designed to take that kind of shock (at least not when you're old like I am). Essentially, the radius crashed into the humerus creating a fracture on the head of the radius. Little bone meet big bone; big bone wins. Here's a diagram I found online.

The pain was unlike anything I have ever experienced in my life. After I nearly passed out during the x-ray process at the ER, Danielle commented that she might let me off the hook with the whole "men don't know pain like giving birth" argument. I'm pretty sure the x-ray tech got her training during the Spanish Inquisition.

But that wasn't the worst part. While we were waiting on the ER doc's diagnosis, Danielle and I were praying that they were just sprained or bruised. When he came back and told us that both radius' were fractured, my heart broke. That meant we would have to do something we haven't had to do in the 8 years of photographing weddings; tell a bride and groom that we wouldn't be able to photograph their wedding. We have two coming up- Kate and Chris' this weekend in Robbinsville and then Emily and Andrew's next week in Knoxville. Both of them are great couples and their weddings promised to be stellar. And now we're going to miss them. :(

The first thing Wednesday morning, we started calling all our photographer friends to find out if anyone was open on such short notice. We are so blessed to have such a tight-knit group of friends! Tara Kneiser (Dixie Pixel) and Steven Bridges had availability and were gracious enough to rearrange some engagement sessions in order to help us out. So a HUGE THANK YOU to both Tara and Steven. We are seriously indebted to the two of you and cannot even begin to express our gratitude for all they are doing.

We are also blessed with very understanding clients! We have always said that we do have a backup network of photographers in the event something were to happen to us and we weren't able to photograph the wedding. But, like us, I'm sure the brides never think that it could actually happen. Kate, Chris, Emily and Andrew said they completely understood and we made sure they are in good hands with Tara and Steven. So to our couples to whom this has impacted, a big THANK YOU to you too. We know that weddings can be a tense event to plan and I hate that something like this has happened and that we've created a hiccup, but thankfully you all will have some of the best photographers in the Tennessee area taking our place.

We also have to say a huge Thank You to our church family. They have really helped out a lot, from cooking and bringing us meals so that Danielle doesn't have to cook, to giving us money (since our livelihood is on hold until I can use a camera), to even coming and mowing our yard. We are truly blessed!

So what does this mean for me? In the past couple days I've seen my mobility increase in both arms. I can feed myself with my left hand and do little things like push my glasses back up my nose and scratch my face when it itches. But Danielle still has do a lot for me because I simply can't move my arms without pain. Having someone else brush your teeth is a weird experience, let me tell you! But it's been tiring for her since she's just a little bit pregnant and all. She's such a wonderful wife!! Our 8th anniversary is Tuesday and I'm really testing out the "for better or for worse part of our vows".

The orthopedic doctor told me that I did have a simple fracture which was the best kind to have. No surgery, no casts. Hopefully within 2 weeks I should have full mobility back, but it could still be a little while before I can handle any weight. Which means no cameras and no Maddie. We've postponed several upcoming portraits sessions (thanks to those understanding families too!!), but luckily I can tolerate working on the computer. That means getting caught up on the last few sessions and weddings. And some housekeeping like getting our website updated.

Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts. And give your elbows a kiss tonight... you never know how much you need them until they're taken out of commission.



All the best,
Wes

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Ellie Kate

Hey all, a few weeks ago we had a fun session with a former co-worker of mine's little girl, beautiful Ellie Kate. She was only 6 weeks old and so adorable...I think she loves the camera already (which will come in handy for future sessions with her)!

Here are some of the ones that we liked the best:





"you are getting sleeeeeepppyyy"


Super Baby! Up, up and away!!




We yawn every time we see this photo.

Bet you're even yawning now huh?



We did manage to get a cute little grin out of her.







Check back tomorrow (hopefully) and see the outcome of Wes' tumble that he took Tuesday night leaving him with two cracked elbows!

Danielle (the one who can use her arms right now)

Monday, May 19, 2008

A Play Date with Annalise

Recently we went over to Townsend to do a session with our good friends Meghann, Michael, and 2-year-old Annalise (well, we did the session 3 days before she turned two, so it counts). Meghann and Michael are wedding clients from a looooong ( ;) ) time ago. Little Annalise is beautiful and is one of our stars. She's been on the website and in a few of our promotional materials over the last two years. Here's the photo that gets the most recognition: Annalise.

I had a blast during this portrait session. This was truly a play date for me. I think I ended up dirtier than she did once we got done playing in the garden and chasing each other in the grass. What can I say? I'm a big kid with an expensive camera. :)

Here are a few of my faves:

Look at those eyes! And that's a pretty big cage they keep her in, huh?




Run Annalise, run!


Luckily I wasn't in her sights.


Tee almost took a tumble when Annalise jumped on her for a picture with her and Bamps.


Little gardener.


"Oh, there's my feet!"


I do this with Maddie too. But I'm starting to wonder how much taller I'm making her every time I do it.


I just LOVE something about this one.


Smoochies!




Helping Bamps with the mulch buckets.




Thanks again Meghann and Michael... we had a great time! Coming up this week: Ellie Kate's session and more photos from Stephanie and Rob's wedding.

All the best,
Wes

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Just for Stephanie

Good grief! A guy can't even get ready for tomorrow's wedding in peace! Last weekend's Wonder-Bride Stephanie posted this comment tonight on one of our last posts about Maddie:
"got any teaser pics for me?? Huh? Huh? You're killing me here... I can't concentrate on my honeymoon without a little nibble of a picture or two. See you guys on the 29th." 


--Stephanie
Come on! You're on your honeymoon! In Belize!!!

Okay, I'm kidding. I *love* that Stephanie is so excited to see some photos that she is logging on from Central America looking for photos. So instead of making her wait, I did skim through the files tonight to grab a couple of pics that I remember standing out.

Stephanie and Rob... here you go!






How's that Steph? Enough to hold you over until I get the edit done? Now, get back to your honeymoon and turn the computer off! ;)

Okay, the next post will come Sunday afternoon and it will be of the lovely little Annalise, the daughter of our good friends Meghann and Michael (also a former wedding client). We've got Kristi and Shane's wedding tomorrow and Danielle's family reunion Sunday.

Later,
Wes

Friday, May 16, 2008

Bob+Stacey 4-26-08

A few weeks ago we had a blast at Stacey and Bob's wedding in Rogersville. This shindig had Moon Pies, tanks, barbecue ribs and Flat Stanley. What's not to love?!? And it was so unbelievably colorful with a red tulips and a red gingham theme. I found it hard to convert any of the images to black and white (as you'll see).

A quick little fun prayer before the ceremony. You'll have to ask Stacey what this was about. Patient-Client confidentiality and all. ;)


Ah, the traditional wedding raincoat (actually used to keep makeup off the dress... but watch this become a trend).


The girl loved her some Sonic beverage. Every time I turned around I saw this cup.






This is Flat Stanley. I won't try to explain him, but if you want to know what the deal is, check out him out here on Wiki.


I had to get him to hold the rings.


This little guy was Stacey's Godson. He makes a fun appearance again (keep scrolling).


I think Bob was getting a little tired of smooching.


Two-lips. Get it? Tulips-two lips? Sorry. I'll keep the bad puns to myself from now on.






Don't. Drop. Your. Wife.


The get-away car (not really... reception was at the American Legion. But wouldn't that be a cool get-away ride? Who needs a limo!).


Okay, I'd show you the awesome barbecue, but let's face it, pulled pork and ribs don't photograph well. Trust me when I say it was delicious. Instead, here's some Moon Pies.


Some beautimus available light during the first dance thanks to a couple of spot lights.


This little dude (the same that looked bored during the ceremony) knew how to boogie. He was twisting like nobody's business.






One last smooch (and this time Stacey's the one making the face).


It was a fun day and it was great to hang out with Stacey and Bob. We hope you had a wonderful honeymoon guys!

And seriously, the barbecue from Pig and Chick in Rogersville was awesome. Especially if you like good ol' country cooking. Yeah, I'm talking about the food again. I'm a fat man, what do you expect?

-Wes

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Keaton

Happy belated Mother's Day to all the Mom out there!

Alright, I know I'm getting a bit out of order. But I have to get these online before little 4-month-old Keaton starts high school. We photographed her with her Mom and Dad at Keaton's grandparent's house in Louisville a couple weeks ago.

Smiles were a little sparse that day, but we did get this one out of her.




We're all about future blackmail photos.


Squishy-face.


Flying with Mommy.


Flying with Daddy.










Check back in a few days for some pictures from a fun wedding in Rogersville.

-Wes

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