Lisa Carpenter Photography

Slightly Absent From Blog

I am currently working on an exciting new blog that will combine both my portrait and wedding blogs...I cannot WAIT to launch this new look!!  I am finding I am up late working on this (it is now 12:45 and I have to be up by 6 am!) but I am so anxious to see the final look.  I will also have a new URL for this blog and will announce when all is finished.  I am having to learn as I go, so the process hasn't been uber fast, but as soon as I finish I will be a bloggin' gal again ;)

Thank you for your patience.

~lisa

2007-2008 Woods-Lindley Prize

I am SO proud of my little sister tonight!  She is going through graduation ceremonies in Chicago to receive her second Master's degree and completed her time as a student teacher.  Sarah received some amazing news...she was selected as the winner of the 2007-2008 Woods-Lindley Prize for excellence in student teaching and mentorship!!!  The give one out a year and she got it!  Way to go Sarah!!!  The Woods-Lindley Prize is selected by the University of Illinois Chicago English Education Program.  Here is a photo of her at the awards banquet with the Associate Professor/Director of English Teacher Education at UIC.

Also, here is the article about her big day!
I wish I could have been there tonight with her so I thought I would share her exciting news and just say "way to go!" in my own way;)

Thanks for stopping by,

~lisa

Are Your Kids Getting Ready For PACT testing?

If so, then there is an amazing website that offers practice testing that is really great!  The joining fee is $49 but SO worth it!!!  The website is Study Island and you can select your state to make sure that the testing questions are tailored to suit your area.  Here is their website.  You can select the amount of questions for each lesson which is nice!  I just wanted to share this great study tool.

Have a great day;)

~lisa

Carolina Bella Guest Post

I was honored to be a guest on the blog for Carolina Bella.  It was fun to share a little about my business as well as giving some general tips on taking better everyday family photos.  Amy McWatty's blog has really grown from the initial post and I am certain it will continue.  Congratulations Amy on a blog well done!

~lisa

Cycling & Chocolate Metromint

Today was a really good day, I got back on the bike again for the first time in a good long while.  I have still been running and strength training, but no cycling.  After two big moves in 13 months the bike was simply put on the back burner and collected a little dust.  Well no longer!  I rode today and while I didn't quite feel like I could climb any mountain, I did LOVE taking in all the sights and enjoying some time for quiet thoughts.  As I rode through gorgeous countryside, I kept making mental notes of great photo session locations!  What made the ride even better??? NO DOGS running at warp speed towards me!  For anyone that has been with me on rides knows that I freak out when I get chased while on the bike...it's almost comical to anyone but ME:) 
Another reason why today was great...Metromint has come out with a new flavor..Chocolate Mint!!!!  I couldn't wait to give it a try and I simply love it! 
   My two favorite flavors together in a sugar and preservative-free water.  My all time favorite is the good ol' Peppermint.
  I wish this stuff wasn't SO good!

Have a great night and thanks for stopping by.

~lisa  

Southern Kids Fest

I can't believe it is Wednesday already!  It feels like I just took down my booth at the Kids Fest on Sunday.  The event was a blast and a big success.  So many kids and families showed up...both days there was a line at the door to get in as soon as it opened ;)  Thank you to all of you that stopped by and browsed through my booth.  For those of you that registered to win a free mini-session, I will be announcing the winner on Friday!! 

In addition to having a booth, I took pictures for Upstate Parent magazine and will be sharing those real soon.  I could not have made it through the weekend without the help of Sheila, a VERY generous client who is now a friend.  Sheila, you are awesome and I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to have you at my booth meeting everyone that stopped by when I had to go out to a bridal session or take the pictures of the event.  I owe you BIG TIME!  I also wanted to say thanks to Lori with Entertainment Publications for your creative ideas on my booth, what a difference it made to have your input;)

Have a super day and I will be back with recent sessions, images from the weekend and of course the winner of the mini-session. 

~lisa

p.s.  Have you ever had those days where you wondered "WHERE did all the socks go?!"...I never seem to be able to keep two of the same kind;)

Leatherheads - right here in Greenville, SC!!

So the boys and I set off to see Nim's Island last night at the Regal Hollywood 20 in Greenville, and when we got there it looked like we were in Hollywood, California and not the Hollywood theaters!  Old time cars, news trucks, police, people dressed to the NINES in 1920's style clothing, limos and a red carpet was what we encountered and I had not one clue as to why.  So, my curiosity was getting the best of me and I started to ask what it was all about.  It was the opening night for the new movie Leatherheads and all the extras were there to see if they made it.  Can you imagine the excitement?   I LOVED how everyone was dressed and I was kicking myself for not having a camera attached to my hip at all times.  I kept asking if George Clooney or Renee Zellweger would be showing up and I couldn't get an answer.   I would even leave the movie periodically to see if the big stars decided to show!
I had to share this image of Renee as the lighting is spectacular.
I cannot claim this picture as I did not take it.
Oh how it would have been cool to see these two.

Here is a clip of the movie and parts were filmed right here in the Upstate.  And had I been in the right place at the right time, I would have seen these amazing actors.

 

Leatherheads - Universal Pictures

It's always fun to have a little kid in us and still get starstruck!

~lisa

Carolina Bella

I just had to share about a VERY creative client of mine.  Amy McWatty has been building her blog and business recently and I am excited to share her site with you.  Welcome Carolina Bella!!!  Carolina Bella focuses on clothing recommendations for child and family photography, but her creativity does not stop there.  Amy also designs dresses for girls and is hoping to add her clothing line to Carolina Bella sometime in the future.  You might remember her beautiful daughter from one of my photo session posts, but I wanted to share again.

Amy posts often which is a great way to keep you informed of great clothing ideas.  I have often had clients ask "what should we wear?" or "where can I find something really great for my daughter to wear?"...well, I now can proudly share Carolina Bella as a fun and informational tool! 
Congrats Amy!

~lisa

I Will Post I Promise!

Wow, after spending time at WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) convention and trade show, my head is spinning!  Loads of fabulous information and new ideas to sort out :)  Sorry for the lack of posts in the last week, so bear with me the next couple of days and in the meantime I will leave you with a funny cartoon clip.  Seems fitting after listening to some fabulous speakers about topics ranging from general photography to motivation...

I get a good chuckle out of this one!

~lisa

Miscellaneous FUN stuff!

I just had to share some pictures I took of my studio samples for the jewelry line I am offering.  These pictures truly do not do these gorgeous pieces justice, but they do pretty well.  I will be making a catalog real soon, but in the meantime, here a few different items.  Two sterling necklace choices, a GORGEOUS sterling bracelet, and an impressive business card holder (perfect for dads!). 

When I said miscellaneous fun stuff...I truly meant it.  We now go to some super fun shots from a recent basketball game of one of my boys.  Love the expressions!

Have a GREAT day!

~lisa