And the class I had last year had an overwhelming response!!

Details:

Sunday, February 26th

$150 -class size will be limited!

learn tips & tricks for improving your photo skills (or lack thereof) and more importantly, learn how to work your camera!

The cost of the class is $150. It will be a full day of instruction in both how to use the camera and hands on shooting!    Lunch will be provided.

The location will be in the Pike Creek Area in Wilmington, Delaware. Once you are confirmed for the class, you will be sent the address.

Any questions? email me – Rhonda@RhondaBowman.com

Hope to see you!!

You can reserve your spot NOW below.

Make sure I have your email address so you will receive up to date information -

if there is something special you’d like to see in the newsletter, please email me or comment on the blog!

Also, I just may give away a Photo Session to a random email entry!!

We settled on the Bullmastiff as the type of dog we wanted.  We searched the AKC Registered Breeders for a pup.  We wanted the fawn (light brown) color and once we spoke to some breeders, we found what we were looking for…

His name was “Green Collar” – and he was available right now!  

Sandree at Texas Dream Bull Mastiffs – was a delight to work with.

He got checked out at his vet in Texas and he was on his way.

It could not have been a smoother process. He is a wonderful dog and while he drives is big sister, Roxy crazy (POOR ROXY GIRL) {click the hyperlink)
Caesar Pouncing on Roxy

But in all seriousness – Caesar is a great dog, he come already crate trained – he has a beautiful coat, beautiful eyes, and an all around beautiful Handsome Dog.

Our vet kept stressing, “you know this is going to be a BIG dog?” Stay tuned and watch Caesar grow…..

Welcome to the Family Caesar!

It’s been awhile since I blogged.  I just can’t keep up!!  There is really no other excuse.  I’m sorry!

Most of you who know me know that our family experienced a loss on 9/11/2011 – our beloved Shelby Girl lost her battle with Thyroid Cancer.

She was diagnosed about August and seemed fine for awhile.  But the recent humidity and the growth of the tumor was too much for her.  We had to make the decision that it was time to let her go.  It was a very difficult one because Shelby was with us for 8+ years.  She and Roxy were “Road Dogs” as my dad would say.  They slept together, ate together, were crated together and even took off to wonder the neighborhood unattended together.

Shelby was the protector of the family.  She was a great watch dog – we would always have slobber stains on the sidelights next to the front door from her barking at whoever was knocking; she and Roxy would lay on the landing step until someone came home – she would then appear in the dining room window.   I have a routine of stopping at the top of the driveway to check the mailbox and I would see the curtains part and her face in the window.  I will miss her on her hind legs “asking” for treats; bird watching from the family room window; sneaking into Don’s chair when he wasn’t home;  loud snoring at night; the dog hair inside of our coffee cups (she would try to drink the coffee inside the cup and would leave hair residue inside the cup); sleeping in the hallway on “guard” until Don would come home at night, then she would get in her own bed when he got home.

She was really a good dog and she will be missed.

Because it was a Sunday when she needed to be put down, we went the VCA Emergency Vet.  They were simply amazing.  They made sure Shelby was comfortable and so attentive and caring towards us.  They understood the difficult position we were in.  They gave us as much time as we wanted/needed with Shelby.   They gave us the opportunity to be in the room with Shelby.  Originally I said no, that I didn’t want to see it.  I changed my mind and stayed with her.  She rested her head on my arm and died peacefully as Ashley and I gave her reassuring belly rubs.    Even when she was “Gone” they allowed us to stay in the room with her until we were ready to leave.

They took a paw print from Shelby and put it in clay.  I went back about a week later to pick it up – it was so nice.  It was a nice round paw print, with her name, a few hearts and ribbon.  It took my breath away!  They also included a beautiful poem “Rainbow Bridge” and a dog pin with angel wings.

We are very saddened by Shelby’s passing, but know that she is no longer suffering -

I think back to when we first got her from Petfinder.com – her name was “Tinkerbell” if she saw her, you would agree that she was no “Tinkerbell”. She was a beagle/lab mix (black like a lab, short like a beagle and had beagle ears)  She was a true hound.   We spent a few days trying to come up with a name for her – and I chose Shelby – from Julia Roberts’ character on Steel Magnolia.   Corney, I know.

I come home and miss her parting the dining room curtains and her vicious bark!!

It’s just not the same around here!!

These pictures were taken before we took her to be put down – I see the pain in her poor eyes.  I miss my Shelby Girl.  

Details:

Sunday, November 13, 11 am – 2 pm

$100  - limited to 15 people

learn tips & tricks for improving your photo skills (or lack thereof) and more importantly, learn how to work your camera!

So I’m going to have a class – I’ve had a lot of interest and open it up to the first 20 people who sign up.

The cost of the class is $100. It will be 2 hours of instruction and 1 hour of shooting. You will be given handouts, a tip sheet and other goodies.

The location will be in the Pike Creek Area in Wilmington, Delaware. Once you are confirmed for the class, you will be sent the address.

Any questions? email me – Rhonda@RhondaBowman.com

A non-refundable $50 deposit is required to sign-up – and is limited to 15 spots. Use PayPal link below

Payment Options

Pay in Full $100.00 Deposit $50.00 Balance $50.00

Bill & Laurie Warren (and Andrew, although I didn’t get to spend too much time with Andrew – he was the lead counselor of a cabin so he was really busy all week) are an extraordinary family – and I have really enjoyed spending time with them over the course of the past few months gearing up to Kamp (They are the ones who had me do the boxing picture of my buddy Drew for Fight for the Gold.

anyway………

I had a full week – I can’t post any photos of the individual Kampers but here are some special highlights -

Kamp is held on the beautiful 2200 acre grounds of St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, Delaware (home of the Robin Williams movie “Dead Poet’s Society” –  the kids said it was like like a Harry Potter Movie -! {update…. St. Andrew’s also blogged about Kamp!}

On the first day of Kamp – the staff lined up and welcomed each individual Kamper – the Kampers had their very own welcoming committee – and their kids received their Passports for the Cruise Around the World!!

Seriously, Kamp Director – Gretchen {The Captain} and Lisa, the Executive Director of Kay’s Kamp {who is due to give birth is about 6 weeks} were really awe inspiring… the events, activities and plain fun they had prepared for the kids were so much fun!!

Kamp is free to the kids and is run by all volunteers and donations- people take a week out of their schedules to have a week FOR THE KIDS- it was pretty amazing!

I ate entirely too much food – by day 2 – my shorts were tight!!  Everything was so fresh and GOOD!!  And this is just the salad bar!!!

My job for the week “Photographer” – to document the events throughout the day and to provide material for the Newsletter…. the kids contributed to all the material of the Newsletter, they conducted interviews and wrote and distributed the information daily.

I felt the heat of a hot air balloon as the Kampers were able to ride in the tethered hot air balloon – I didn’t get in but caught some amazing pictures!! 

Made friends with a beautiful dog who lives on campus, but he wanted to come to Kamp – he was so well behaved – I would have traded him for my 2 crazies!   (Just kidding Roxy & Shelby!) I actually put my camera bag strap on him as a leash until we figured out where he was supposed to be.

I passed my swimming test to get the “Green Bracelet”; which consisted of swimming the length of this pool, down and back – THEN treading water in the deep end for 2 whole minutes.  The treading water part wasn’t hard, but the 2 laps just about did me in.  It was hard!!! {It was after lunch, so maybe that was the reason?}

Got frequent visits from some pretty cool butterflies!  {Laurie & I have our idea on the butterfly visits!!)

Help a Kamper finish off Jonathan, a counselor who swore he was an Avatar (I said more like a Smurf!)

Went to Alaska, China, Australia (missed Hawaii) … the food was inspired by the ports of call –  Check out the sushi rolls made of rice crispy treats, gummy worms in the middle – China night we had General Tso’s chicken for dinner – OMG – so good!

Had waaayyyy too many Lemon Slushies :0

{Notice the green bracelet??  Yeah, I got one of those!}

Painted pigs – and watched kids stuff their very own polar bears.  {Sort of like Build a Bear – without all the cult like boxes}

Even got to see some Sumo Wrestling while in China – (although a cute Kamper who happens to be from Chinese descent informed up that Sumo Wresting is Japanese, not Chinese) OOPS!!

It was still hilarious to watch!

II must say – this whole Kamp experience was so enlightening – it’s all about the kids – and to see so many adults drop what they are doing to give these kids a week – makes one stand up and take notice -

If you’re over 21 and would like to work at Kamp – please sign up – the kids need you!

This is the motto of Kay’s Kamp -

Ok – off to bed – gotta go to Kamp tomorrow!!!  There’s really so much to talk about Kamp – I’m just tired!!!

GOOOOOO Kamp!

thank you for indulging me

xoxo

Drew is the oldest son of Catherine and Andrew Koenig -  you guys may remember is beautiful parents from this photo…

Drew posed as my model for the “Fight for the Gold” campaign.  I am extremly appreciative of his parents Catherine and Andrew for suggesting me as the photographer.  The photo was used for a billboard that just went up on I-95N just after the 495 split -

I see the family at all the B+ Events so Drew is extremely comfortable with me!  He told me that he’s going to stay single forever so all you 7-10 year olds – take Drew off your radar – he’s not interested!

This is from the family shoot on the grounds of  St. Andrews in Middletown.

Isn’t he cute???

Thursday, September 1 @ 6:35 pm – there is a Blue Rocks Game honoring Gold Ribbon Kids (Delaware Children that fight the battle of cancer) Proceeds benefit the A.I. duPont Childrens Hematology/Oncology Program

I’ve had so many shoots that there is no way to go backwards and blog them all -but here’s what’s been going on since the spring.  Whew – it’s a lot – hope you have some time to check it all out!

I blogged about attending Katelyn James’ workshop in Virgina – Katelyn is so sweet, amazing, friendly, approachable, sharing, you name it, Katelyn is it! She had the styled shoot at a candy shop – “The Sweet Shop” it was so much fun. Lots of natural light – lots of bright colors. Too much fun!! I was double fisting it at the workshop and ended up with over 800 photos!! Wow – that’s almost wedding size!

Also, rewind back to the first of the year, my mentor Kamee, announced that she was making the cross-country trek to New York for  “Kickin’ It Big Apple Style” – I think I stalked her every week from January until April leading up to it. Kamee did not disappoint. I love everything she puts together. She had the most amazing crew with her, her darling friend Kellie Carter; the talented, wiz, Katrina Kirk, and our course our model for the day, Gentry. Gentry is a friend of Kamee’s from back in the O.C. who happens to go to school at NYU – Gentry was such a doll.

I also had the pleasure of attending the session with two good friends, Emily and Carin.  It made the day so much more enjoyable!!!  I didn’t want the day to end – but I got some really great images and spending time with Kamee – I always learn something GREAT!

Here’s what’s been going on…..

Shot JD & Lori’s Engagement Shoot -

Mary Kate’s Senior Session

Several B+ Events (More on that in another post)

Tour of Citizen’s Bank Park -

Sarah had an amazing Sweet 16 Party at Pizza by Elizabeth’s -

Ashley graduated from high school

Went to Virginia Beach Aquarium & Bush Gardens with the family

Shot Stephanie & Tommy’s Anniversary Wedding Re-do Photos!

Shot the Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C. and was published in several online reporting sources for this photo

and shot Warrick Dunn – he was so much fun!

Got to see “Officer Smitty” from Sanford & Sons  - on the Supreme Court Steps!

Colin moved to Delaware!

Made new friends with the Wheeler Family

Mandi’s maternity session

Cory & Esther’s wedding in Kansas City, Missouri

4th of July Fireworks in Hockessin

Michelle & Matt’s BEAUTIFUL wedding –  (more on that later!)

Shorty had her first birthday…

And some of my other recent favorites -

Cute Casey -

Steph & Dustin’s Wedding -

July 4th Baby Shoot for an old friend -

Steven’s Senior Shoot -

B+ Racing Events – Cool Car Shot -

Whew – I’m exhausted!!!  I promise to catch you all up on these cool events!

For now – just enjoy the snap shots!

Anyway – back to this post…..

I have a great friend named Jayme.  This is a photo from the lastest spring session of Sammi and Jayme…..

 Jayme works for the National Jefferson Awards.  Long story short, Jayme suggested to her bosses that I come in and take some photos for their annual award ceremony in Washington, DC.  I researched the Jefferson Awards and was really surprised about all the wonderful things people do become a recipient of  such a prestigious award.  The awards were founded by local Delawarean, Sam Beard, Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis and U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr.

It was a honor to be in the room with the recipients of the awareds. The also award 13 National Awards.  It was really hard to photograph people as they tell their 1 minute stories as to why they were a Jefferson Recipient.  I’m sure some of my pictures are out of focus – it was hard to see through the tears.

(After a couple of the speech’s I actually hugged some of the people!)

One of the National Recipients was Warrick Dunn, a former NFL running back who played 12 seasons for the Atlanta Falcons & Tampa Bay Buccaneers and attended Florida State.   Warrick recieved an award for  establishing a foundation that has helped more than 100 single parents become first time home owners in Florida, Louisiana and Georgia.   Warrick also spent significant amounts of time with the 100+ students talking about his foundation and volunteerism – which was established to honor his late mother, a Louisiana Police Officer, who, working overtime,  was brutally gunned down when Warrick was 18.

One of my duties for the Jefferson Awards “assignment” was to photograph Warrick spending time with the kids.  He was so down to earth and we had fun!  On the night of the gala – he even watched me work on the pictures and “selected” which ones I would submit to the PR company! 

He was so comfortable that he busted out in a rap during his photoshoot!  I wish I video-recorded it!  

 …..then he’d break out into the Tomahawk Chop  (Florida State Seminoles)

 just then Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg walked into the room, so then we got back to being “official”  and the rap came to an abrupt end.

I have to thank Jayme for a fabulous opportunity and my trusty wingman and second shooter, and 2 time Jefferson Award Recipient himself, Jimmy, for his amazing help!!

I’m so humbled to have my photos featured on some pretty amazing sites – including:   ESPN, several local to Chicago and Atlanta news-blogs!!  Incredible -

MLB.COM – article

Atlanta Falcon’s Website Article

Chicago White Sox Website Article

Photographing Justice Ginsburg was an experience like no other and will be in another blog post!   I can’t post any of the photos….  so when I can, I will blog about it! 

Happy 4th…..

So -this week’s “Friend” is Sarah Bardo  from State College, PA -

So, how  do you & I know each other?

We “met” on the Showiteers  page and in the Philly SHARE Group

Where do you live and where is your business concentrated?

I live in State College, PA; but my business comes from all over Pennsylvania

How did you get started in this business?

I guess you would say I started in college working part-time at a portrait studio.  I ended up liking that FAR more than my criminal justice major…and here i am.

When you got started and wanted to learn, where did you turn?

I’m not even gonna lie…my camera manual.  I read that thing cover to cover…several times.  As far as business…oh man:  The B School, other photographer’s blogs, books, videos really anything I could get my hands on.  I think working in the portrait studio was probably the BEST learning experience I could have ever had…and I truly do suggest it to everyone that asks me where to start.  I may not have learned fancy lighting there…but I learned the hardest lesson that photographers have to learn in business and that is that it’s 10% shooting and 90% business.

How did you start building your client base?

I’m still working on this…I hope i’m ALWAYS working on this.  But Facebook has been invaluable to me.

Who is your target market?

FUN brides

What is your photography style?

Oh man.  Does answering this question stress everyone else out like it stresses me out?  LOL.  I’d say a strange hybrid of photojournalism and editorial and something else that I don’t know what to call it.

Do you think this “business” is over saturated with “people with really nice cameras?”

No.  We all started somewhere.  Heck, up until last year I shot weddings with a “not really nice camera” so it is what it is.  And at the end of the day….everyone deserves wedding pictures…no matter their budget, so there HAS to be a range of photographers for the industry to thrive.

When people ask you “what kind of camera should I buy”?  How do you respond?

 Go hold some.  You’ll know what works when you get it in your hand

What do you now know, that you wish you knew when you first started?

That I CAN do it.  I spent alot of years sitting on this dream thinking there was no way I could pull it off.  Sometimes I wonder where I’d be if I had that time back.  But I think I needed to learn the lessons I have.

What is your biggest piece of advise for someone starting out?

JUST DO IT.  Pick up a camera and just do it.  Yes, your first pictures will probably humiliate you in a few months…but it’s part of the process.

Where do you draw your photography inspiration & style?

oh goodness.  magazines, other photographers, movies, PINTEREST.  Pinterest is my drug.

(Sidenote……when I saw the above image, I totally stalked Sarah and we chatted over FaceTime and she shared with me how she did this!!  LOVE HER!!!!)

What kind of bag are you carrying?  And what’s in it?

I have an unfind bag that i snagged this year at wppi and i adore.  what’s in it?  whatever i rent for that session.  lol. i have SEVERE commitment issues when it comes to lenses.  i have to try them all out before i settle on what i NEED to purchase.

Do you have a favorite photography product that you cannot live without?

SHOWIT.  does that count?  like cuz even if you say no…that’s still my answer.  the software, the people, the community…it all rocks my world and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it…and them.

(Sidenote……totally agree)

When you’re not taking photos, what are you doing?

reading.  hanging out in the showiteers group.  driving some place.  if i wasn’t a photographer i’d totally be a truck driver.  i love driving with the music blasting

What will your next business purchase include? (Lens, body, equipment?)

an ipad.  and then hopefully a promo video…someday.  that’s the plan for now

************************

Thank you sooooo much Sarah –

Like I said, Sarah and I were friends on Facebook, and we commented on each other’s photos, I asked her a few questions, but when I saw her ring shot, I had to “talk” to her.  So we FaceTime’ed  – Best thing ever!!  LOVE it…  We pulled out our lenses, and she explained her set up.  It was wonderful. 

Sarah and I plan to get together very soon!  Right Sarah?? 

Please, check out her amazing website - http://sbardophotography.com/

Her Facebook Page – http://www.facebook.com/s.bardophotography

Follow her on Twitter @sbardophoto

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Graduation tomorrow –