"Tommy's Girl" [Kathy & Tom Salley]

This portrait session of Kathy & Tom Salley started out as a request for me to create a wall size family portrait for their home.  Here is the image that was chosen for the final enlargement.  However, that's not the end to the story.

The Salleys

 During that session I created an impromptu photograph of Tommy (ex-pro race car driver) lifting Kathy in his arms as a celebratory salute.  Immediately when I created this image something inside of me knew what was the essence of their relationship.  Kathy was the center of his world...she was a "Tommy Girl".

It was also at that moment I wished I could have a "one-on-one" portrait session with them because I knew I could capture some truly romantic images of them together.  Much to my surprise Kathy called me within a few days of viewing the family portraits and requested that I come again and photograph just the two of them.  It was a great decision and opportunity for the three of us because they had a wonderful time posing and I created some awesome images of their love relationship.  Amazingly, it all started with him holding up the biggest prize of his life...Kathy.

Enjoy!
Willie

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Guess Kathy's Favorite Color?

Sarah Weissbard - 20 Years of Friendship

This is one of those postings that I find pleasant to write about because it involves someone that not only became a client of mine 20 years ago, but in turn she has become a dear friend.  The story behind this friendship is that Sarah Weissbard is an accomplished accident & personal injury attorney and manages her own law firm in South Florida.  I got to know Sarah when her secretary contacted me about photographing Sarah, the staff, and office operations for a full color advertisement brochure.

As I look back on that portrait session a lot flashes through my mind.  1)  My photography studio business was in its fledgling years; 2)  This was going to be a significant job that would showcase my skills and abilities, 3)  I had to capture the images on transparency film (digital photography equipment wasn't invented at that time) which required precision in exposing and the results could only be reviewed days after processing, and 4)  Could I handle the business pressures of dealing with a high caliber client. Not only did I nail the photography and the posing, but Sarah was quite pleased with the results, she paid me a handsome commission, and the brochure was a success.  Here are images from that 20 year old advertisement piece.

 

 

However, the real story is that Sarah gave me something that I never expected to received from a client.  As a young businessman, by her giving me the opportunity to be her photographer, she instilled in me a new sense of confidence and a belief that my photography studio could compete with some of the big name photographers in the area.  Since then I have always been grateful to her for being not only an "outstanding" woman and a superb attorney but a person with a heart of equity.  This particular quality about Sarah is one of the reasons I've stayed in touch with her over the years.  

The last time I spoke with her she reminded me that she was still using the same pictures on her brochure because she liked them so much.  Wow!  So I promised her a free portrait session the next time I was in town. Well, recently that opportunity came up and I want to share some of the images I created of this amazing woman.  Sarah, you haven't aged a day and I promise you that my gratitude will never fade.  We will always be lifelong friends.

Enjoy!
Willie

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The Lankfords - Confederate Reenactors

I've known Bill and Mary Ann Lankford for a number of years.  In fact, we attended the same church and sang in the choir together.  Bill and I sang side-by-side in the bass section and I will admit I think we laughed over more silly stuff than actually performing the appropriate notes for the songs we were rehearsing.  We shared a unique and great friendship that has grown over many years of trying to see who could make the other person laugh first and the longest.

So, when Bill asked me to create some publicity images for him and Mary Ann I was absolutely delighted.  I knew Bill and Mary Ann were serious about their roles as Confederate reenactors because Bill has shown me numerous snapshots of them at the various events they've attended throughout Florida.  However, when they walked into the studio I was completely taken in by the authenticity of their wardrobe.  I think I even smelled an aroma of gunpowder or tobacco about Bill.  Just the sight of them together screamed of a fun photo session and the following images will show you that they are not only great Confederate reenactors but also a good looking married couple too.

Bill and Mary Ann, I really miss you guys!

Enjoy!
Willie

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 Bill & Mary Ann Lankford

 My Friends The Lankfords

Enjoy!
Willie