Erin Holiday, Class of 2009

Imagine this story. A young photographer photographs a couple's wedding 20 years ago in the city of Hollywood, Florida. Like most wedding photographers eventually he looses contact with the newly weds and doesn't hear from them ever again. Nevertheless, as the years go by he continues to wish them success in their new adventure.

Then one day he gets a phone message from a mother who's looking for a photographer to create senior photographs of her daughter. He returns the call to the parent and while they are discussing the type images she'd like taken of her daughter, she asks him if he does wedding photography, too. The photographer confirms that he does at which the mother says, "I believe you did my wedding 20 years ago. Is your name Willie?"

I said, "Yes".

Diana Holiday said, "I recognized your voice right away. I was hoping you were still in business and I could find you. You did such a good job at my wedding I wanted you to photograph my daughter's senior portraits. I was blown away by Diana's vivid recollection of every detail of me photographing her wedding. That was 20 years ago, she was still living at the same address, and now her only child was a high school graduate.

That is truly an amazing story and could only have happened because I provided great service to a client and because I'm so blessed to still be in business. Here's the great ending to this story...Erin.

Let me tell you about this teenager. In one word..."cool". As soon as I met her she seemed to be a breath of fresh air with a lot of confidence about herself. It didn't take much for us to formulate a friendship and I knew exactly how she wanted to be captured in pictures. Diana had some ideas of what she wanted, Erin had her own thoughts on the subject, and I was excited about work with this impressionable young lady. Check out the fun we had...Mustang, doggie, and all!

Enjoy!

Willie

[To see more of Erin's images, click on the slideshow below.

Thank You

Many of you who personally know my family have been praying for my wife's mom, Bertha Reynolds, who has been battling cancer for several years. January through March my wife had the opportunity to return to Little Rock, Arkansas and spend some quality time with her mother and siblings before she passed away on March 18th. It has been a difficult time for Eddie Mae to deal with her mother's illness because of the travel distance, but their relationship was enhanced during those months. As she cared for her mother it gave her the emotional strength she needed to deal with her illness and now her passing.

Our entire family traveled to Little Rock for the funeral, and it was a moment of great reflection and a time of appreciation for extended families. I personally want to thank all of Eddie Mae's friends and my church friends for your support and encouragement to our family. The cards, flowers, phone calls, visits, and food were well received and appreciated. It's an amazing thing to experience the love of friends in a moment of bereavement. It's a blessing that you never forget, yet it leaves you with not enough days to say "thank you" to those who were thinking of you.

Thank you.
The Hills

Images: Dana L. Hill

Stephani's BIG PARTY!!!!

Often times in my blogs you've heard me mention that one of the most important things I need to do as a photographer is to build an instant relationship with my subjects. I've discovered over the years that once I've experienced that moment it will open the door to their inner being. From there I have an exclusive privilege to share a friendship that is not granted to just anyone.

When I first met Stephani I truly had to gain her trust because she was such a private person (she even told me so) and I respected that. After the first session we had with her several months ago I think we became best of friends. So, when the final day came for me to photograph her 16th birthday, we were on the same page. She was nervous and I was excited for her because this was her BIG DAY, and I wanted her to never forget it through the pictures that I took.

My hat goes off to her mom, Blondell, and her family for making this for what will be one of the most memorable days of her life! The following images speaks volumes for what a wonderful venue she celebrated her party at along with family and friends.

Surprise! It's your birthday!Girls just gotta have fun!

Blondell receiving a much deserved
"thank you" kiss from Stephani."Okay, Mirror, on the wall who's
the prettiest 16-year old girl of all?"Me!!!

Stephani's entire court of friends.

Stephani being escorted in by her dad.

Daddy's little girl...and fishing buddy.

Now a dance with little brother.
Stephani and her family.

Dad presented Stephani with the first ring he
gave her mom when they got married.

The passage of rite...sealed with a ring of love.

Stephani with childhood friends she grew up with.

It's so hard for dad's to watch their daughters
grow up and become young women.

[Slideshow of Stephani's party coming here soon!]