Aside from all the stuff about evolution, Darwin believed animals experience and display human emotion.

The name Darwin can start a lot of arguments — and I don’t like to argue so close to the holidays. It sets a bad precedent. However, a series of images of my 2011 model Taylor and her dog has been haunting me. I look into her eyes and see her seemingly mimic Taylor and my heart melts.

I don’t know if scientists can truly study the qualitative state of emotions — but they can measure brain waves and some believe that pets have emotions. Are they the exact same as our emotions — uhhhh — who cares? In this case they look the same and seem to elicit similar behavior. In any case, if dogs can “love” Gracie does.

Actually, this is such a cool thing because this is the sister of one of my 2009 Models — Brittany. I thought it was the first, but technically there was another set of sisters — one of whom was a Rider and the other just came in for a yearbook photo. Still, it’s only the second time I’ve photographed two seniors from the same family.

Halle is at Central and just as fun loving as her Mom and older sis. Flying Horse is currently signing up Riders for the class of 2012 — so if you are interested contact us right away.

Cheers!!

My granddaughter celebrated her 3rd birthday this past weekend. I couldn’t be there — which is why God gave us photos…

Couple people have suggested that my Women’s Heritage special blew by too fast. Actually, you can still get it done and at the special price. Offer is good until end of November and you can even book the session for December. Just have to book about a week in advance — and what with the holiday and all… time to get it together.

One of the inspirations for this is my friend Lori. Since I opened the studio Lori has been bringing her kids in here. That means that they were here taking pictures when all I had was a big open walk out basement and a cavernous empty room. Things here have gotten slightly more sophisticated. Lori’s daughter, Delaney, at the time this was taken had an interest in modeling. She was one of my senior models this year at Washington Massillon. Rachel was a much more reluctant subject. We got a couple of good images of here anyway and one for the yearbook as well.

Technically, this photo is extremely simple and my recollection was it was just a grab shot to record the fact they were all here together and here. It has meaning for me because they were willing participants when Flying Horse wasn’t much more than an idea.

And, isn’t that the idea of pictures. Hope it still holds meaning for them.

TC

All year long brothers and sisters, sisters and sisters bicker, brothers and brothers, tease, torment, and otherwise aggrevate one another. As we near Christmas it just occurred to me that your parents might like to see a picture of you all — getting along. And, if mom doesn’t have to manage getting all of you cleaned up, in line, in the car and off to the photo studio that’s even better. So, as we continueFlying Horse Family Week… here’s a chance for you to line up and give mom something she will treasure — a photograph of you and your siblings, polished, scrubbed and all smiling.

So, I’ve priced this so you can give it to them and have it be something within your own budget — $18. You get the session (20 minutes) and 2 5x7s you with your brothers and sisters. Think about it! It’s probably something they want more than say — pajamas!

Saxton Gallery has prints on display from people like Margret Bourke-White, Walker Evans, Eddie Adams, Robert Capa, plenty of others, can’t even remember all that I saw tonight. The gallery is full of prints that are poignant, historical, and I stood and looked at them in awe this evening. The collecting, in and of itself, is a piece of art.

Anyway… Saxton Gallery is the real deal. Full size prints that you’ve only seen small in history books are hung for people to see and purchase. These are images that light the path of national and international history. I’m going to have to pay attention to what’s going on there. I was blown away. Maybe you can tell.

Linda and I were there as guests of Lurene Gasser, owner of Gasser Jewelers. The occasion was a fund raiser/auction for the Canton Ballet and Gasser was one of the supporters. We spent a few bucks and came home with a bag full of goodies — wine, Christmas decorations, not sure. Small things that tickeld Linda’s fancy. However, I think a pretty necklace is supposed to land under the Christmas tree. If I know Linda it may not wait!

Anyway. If you own a camera or are a fan of photography; suggest you wiki some of those names. Learn a little of what they contributed to the art and then go be moved by their work. Saxton Gallery is at 520 Cleveland Avenue downtown — not far from Gasser’s. Thank you Lurene.

I love high school basketball. It’s even that much better when you know someone on the team. My guy on the team is Shayne Rowlands #3. A great kid and I just learned tonight that he’s banged up his leg. It has him in a cast and on crutches. Apparently he’s off to do a first check of progress in the next few days. I don’t even want to think that anything but a speedy recovery is what the doc is going to diagnose — a little physical therapy and we’re back on the hardwood. Well, Shayne is back on the hardwood and I’m in there emotionally!

Because of Shayne, I got to meet a few of the guys. I hope they have a great season. By the way, from what I read in the newspapers the coach is a guy with his head screwed on right. He had a great run last year. Gotta be tough to lose the twin towers. Just hope the community can also keep their heads on straight and let this year’s team be… this year’s team. From the little I’ve seen, it looks to me like they might be there at the end but it’s gotta be about defense.

Have a great season guys. Get well soon, Shayne!

but, maybe it could be. It’s family week here at Flying Horse Studio and Moms have a chance to get a great bargain on generational portraits. The deal is available if you bring at least two generations of women. I was just thinking of a two sisters. It would be so cool to make pictures of them with their daughters. Just the women. I think it makes a value statement.

I was photographing one of my favorite Flying Horse Models this weekend and her mom is an amatuer photographer. Every year she creates a “scene” that her family acts out for the annual Christmas card. She said she was running out of ideas. I encouraged her to keep after it if it’s her signature thing. But, I also encouraged her to think about being in the photograph. As is typical, she told me she didn’t like having pictures taken. So, here’s the thing ladies…

When your family looks at a picture of you they see their Mom. And those pictures of you are memories not just of what you look like but how they felt being with you, having their portrait taken or acting out some little Christmas play for the camera. Women always want to have their hair done, lose 10 pounds, tan, get a new outfit, wait for one thing and another. But, look at this image. Can you see how that little girl feels? I can. I think it’s in there and so, I leave you with this message from another of the moms I have gotten to know a little bit this year…

3 Years old: my mom is the best! 7 years old: Mom I love you. 10 years old: Mom whatever…17 years old: OMG my mom is so annoying. 18 years old: I wanna leave this house. 35 years old: I wanna go back to my mom’s house.50 years old: I don’t wanna lose my mom. 70 years old: I would give up everything for my mom to be here with me. …I LOVE MY MOM!!

It’s just $39 for the session and 8×10 and two 5x7s. Family week. Please call this week for sessions next week and the week after!

From now til the end of November, we are celebrating the family. I get so inspired by moms. They manage things, they know their kids so well, they are the glue in familes.

So, to kick things off a free heritage session.

What’s that you ask? It’s a genrational portrait, if you will and this week, it’s aimed at moms and daughters. The session is just $39 and includes an 8×10 and two 5×7 gift prints. It has to be at least two generations of women and — hopefully — more. Sessions run about 45 minutes to an hour.

Call and book your session this week for photographing next week!

Each year, Flying Horse attends a national event created by Senior Portrait Artists a Kansas City trade association of senior photographers. The event is one part workshop, one part classroom lecure, and one part tradeshow. SPA brings together an elite group of Senior Photography studios from around the country and as part of it, we learn new techniques, share ideas, learn about fashion trends, and how to do a better job of running a small business.

The fashion portion includes using outstanding seniors from member studios as models. They model for photography sessions and they put on a runway fashion show. This year, member studios entered over 400 kids. Friday is was narrowed to about 25% and Jen Miller made the cut. We should know sometime the week of the 15th who the finalists will be. SPA only takes about 15 kids. Making the semi finals outstanding.

Modeling is a funny business. It’s about a particular look or style. The entrants are judged on a variety of criteria, including that they look like a real senior high school student. My friend Tina Slusser-ley also has a semi finalist — Nella Vuksanovich — another Jackson student. Jen and I have been working together since she was a sophomore and you may recall she was “Most Photogenic” at a recent pagaent in Columbus. She’s a wonderful young lady and I have my fingers crossed.

Congrautulations, Jen and Nella. Hope we are taking pictures in Palm Springs this February!