Bailee Reese

Here's our baby girl. Hard to believe that in just a few short months she'll be turning six.

Christmas Day 2009

Nerf...thanks for the memories.

This Christmas morning was brought to you by the makers of Starbuck's Coffee

Christmas day in the Burtnett house was a good one. Woke up around 7am grabbed some coffee and stumbled upstairs to watch our kiddo's open up their gifts. The Kimmel family came over later that day for Christmas dinner, some Titan football and a raging game of dart tag. Ann and I got pinned down in the bathroom while Bailee and Inessa tried unsuccessfully to distract our enemies. Good times.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve in the Burtnett house started out with a little two hand touch in the front yard a little hike around the greenway where we skipped rocks across Drakes Creek. Then home where we delivered cookies & fudge to the neighbors and in turn they delivered them to us too.

Watched the Nativity Story and then dinner and presents at Grammy & Papa's house. Good day.

I'm an Insecure Photographer...

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE what I do. But, there are times when I'm on my way to a shoot that I start to FREAK out! "What if I can't get a shot they love?"... "What if I can't develop a repoire with them?" ... "What if I have technical problems?" (Ha! ...IF?) ... "What if the lighting is bad?"

I've had a camera stuck to my face since I had my first child over 10 years ago. But I still stress that I don't have enough experience, education, equipment to get THE shot. (The three E's) It never fails to amaze me when I get home, calm down and start to go through the pics and am amazed that I got some good ones. Then I chalk it up to good luck or GREAT clients.

Fellow 'togs' does this still happen to you?

Help-Portrait 2009

Those of you who have spent any time around me the last few weeks know how stoked I am about Jeremy Cowart's project called Help-Portrait. This past Saturday I was blessed with an opportunity to contribute to this movement. My church hosts an event each December called "The Gift". It is for single moms. The church calls all stylists, manicurists, pedicurists, massage therapists and mechanics among it's members to volunteer to help these women out. We pamper them, feed them, play with their kids, offer counseling and all the men and teens wash their cars and change their oil. This year I was inspired by the Help-Portrait movement and my sweet friend and fellow "tog" Gay to contribute what I could. (Trust me you don't want me anywhere near your hair.) So after some planning we concocted a plan to make it happen.

Shortly after the women arrived on campus they started to filter into my section and .... they rocked my world! They shared their stories and we cried together, laughed together and every once in a while one of them would grab me and throw their arms around me and thank me profusely. I was just taking a simple headshot for their resume perhaps or maybe for a social networking sight, I don't know. But most of them shared with me that they have never had a portrait done. Couldn't afford it or like most mom's we are the ones behind the lens. I realized that that simple interaction that meant so much to them had changed me, blessed me and humbled me.

I've been asked by my friend Jenn Cady to join another group on 12/12 at the Shalom Zone in Gallatin and I cannot wait to get there. A lot of you who frequent this blog are also photographers and I'm challenging you to get involved. I promise you won't regret it.

Schlarb Family

I had the honor of shooting this sweet family last weekend. They have recently added a new 'baby' to their home. His name is Riley and he is SO precious and such a good puppy. Every time I called his name he looked right at the camera with those sweet puppy dog eyes. And Morgan and those killer blue eyes! What a gorgeous crew you have, thanks for the privilege of working with you all.

Hey You...Yeah YOU!

...update your blog. You know who you are. Let me give you a hint... if you look over to your right and scroll down a little you'll see your blog posted in one of two sections. I rely on you people to entertain me when my kids are monopolizing the TV. You MUST update it! I need to be all up in your business. Friends, fellow photogs a little help please.

P.S. I love you ALL!