I met Charleston and Takelia and ever since we had our first meeting the three of us have just gotten along really well. Looking back during our initial interview process we ended up just shooting the breeze verses talking business about taking photographs. It is refreshing to meet a young couple that both love the Lord and want to do things God’s way.  As you can tell by the photo’s below they are very out going and love to be in each other’s company.
(View The Slide Show Below)
During the weekend of November 21st, 2008 I had the honor of attending and capturing “Claudine’s Story” ( A.K.A. Butterfly Wings “The Play”).
This brilliant production is the brain child of Rev. Shirrell McNeill who was given the inspiration by God to bring a Christian message to live theater. Her theatrical direction was refined and perfected under the guidance of the director James A. House from H.O.U.S.E Arts group out of Cary, NC and Atlanta, GA and Melissa Wade from 103.9 FM The Light Radio Station.
If you didn’t have the chance to see this play then you really missed out on a real treat. Once you view all the images then you will only start to see a glimpse of what it was like to experience the play live.
Note: Below you will be able to view all the images by playing the slideshow for the Friday Night performance as well as the Saturday Luncheon.
(View Full Gallery Of Pictures From Friday Night’s Performance In The Slide Show Below)
One of the hidden hero’s that worked behind the scenes is “Event Coordinator” Mrs. Cynthia Farmer. She and her daughter Chelsey worked during the rehearsals and live performances to make sure that all the cast members were well nourished. Be sure to give her a call for your event planning needs.
(View Full Gallery Of Images From The Saturday Luncheon In Slide Show Below)
Have you ever met someone who’s personality is so energetic, bubbly and out going that it becomes contagious. Well that is how Dionna is. On Saturday morning around 9:20 am I received the call asking…. “Are You Ready To Shoot?”. Yes, I was ready… this is one of those shoots that I’ve been waiting for.  Dionna has the personality as well as the looks to go with it. She’s one of those gals that are just fun to be around and she will even give you a high five if she’s in agreement with you.
We took a lot of images, only a few are here, but the one below has to be my favorite. I’ll never forget I was trying to demonstrate this pose and as you can imagine… me trying to show this pose “ain’t” a pretty site. However, Dionna nailed it and turned it into a piece of art.  I will let you in on a secret…. after this pose Dionna said… “Whew man  that pose hurt…. but we got it lol.” Â
So here is my public thanks to her for just putting up with my requests because I know this is a demanding pose to try and hold with the chair digging into your neck all while trying to keep a straight line.
You can be assured that you will see more images of Lady Dionna in the future.
This past weekend I had the chance to hookup with Candice to do a photoshoot at Duke Gardens. Boy was it busy and people were everywhere but everything worked out really well. Her husband came along and he made my job a lot easier. Having a second pair of hands really helped the shoot to move along at faster pace. He helped me lug the gear around kept an eye on it while we were shooting and the rest is history.
I’ll never forget when I saw the deep blue sky I said.. I’ve got to grab a shot of you in front of that sky.
We only had time for two changes of clothes but once the afternoon was complete we had some fantastic images.
I had the honor to take senior portraits of Tiffany. When she asked if I would do her pictures I thought I had a long time to get them done but I was wrong. I received a call from her grand mother letting me know that the due date for photos was within the next two weeks.   At that point it was time to boost the priority so that we would have enough time to come up with a few concepts.Â
As I talked with Tiffany the main thing that became clear was that she didn’t want your standard run of the mill senior photos (outdoors, in the grass, sunlight coming the hair…etc). Her request was that she wanted a glamor/modeling style set of images created.   We put our heads together and below are just a handful of the images that came from our efforts.
Tiffany is a real trooper. One of the images that she wanted involved a wall with an interesting design. We headed to downtown Durham and believe it or not.. shot these next two images in 36 degree (fahrenheit) weather.Â
Although the image below is not a modeling/glamour we through it in just to say that we had one standard type of portrait.
Here we have Matthew and Tracy. As you look at their pictures I want you to think “energizer bunny” when you see them.  The are a very fun couple to work with, they have great ideas, they are very photogenic, they are flexible and are just a  great couple to spend time around.  They love to laugh, cut up, get crazy and just flat out enjoy life.   I wish you could hear some of the comments that went on in between the photos. We decided to go forward with the shoot this past Saturday to create all the images that we had previously discussed.  I’m looking forward to working with these two again.
One of God’s gifts to us are our children. I had the chance to capture baby Zachary. As a photographer I usually have in mind what types of images I’d like to capture. For this baby shoot I had “so many” ideas that I wanted to implement but baby Zach wasn’t having it.. lol He let me know real quick that he was the one “wearing the pants” in this “photo shoot” and that no pre-planned shot would happen without his approval.
 
 I really thank his parents for hanging in there. It wasn’t that Zachary didn’t want to be photographed. He wanted to be photographed with the love and comforting touch of his parents. He made the rules, we had to play by them and in the end we captured some priceless images that will be treasured for generations to come.
It is that time of year again where we can experience the powerful story of how Jesus Christ can completely change a person’s life. The inspiration for this play was given to Rev. Shirrell McNeill. The focus of the performance is to share how Jesus Christ can transform a lost soul into a man or woman of God.
I’ll never forget the first season of this play where it was performed by volunteer members of the North East Baptist Church members on NCCU’s campus. It was a very powerful theatrical performance where one could tell that the actors went beyond just acting. The 2nd season involved professionally designed sets and stage lighting and was performed at the Carolina Theater. As I watched the story unfold before my eyes I literally forgot that I was watching a play because the multiple story lines were engaging. So here we are in the 3rd season. Without breaking confidentiality let me say that the newest play has infused some of the “rawness” from 1st season as well as providing us with “more” development of some characters that hasn’t been seen in previous versions.
Artistic Credits for Flyer:
Graphic Design by Jesse Maybin of Str84wrd Creative Design Group
Photography by Ivan Watkins (cast in front of white background & homeless scene)
We invite you to share this with others, purchase your tickets and experience this powerful play with a life changing message.
SHOW TIMES:
Friday November 21, 2008 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday November 22, 2008 – 7:30 p.m.
VENUE/LOCATION:
The play will be performed at Oven’s Auditorium in Charlotte, NC
TICKET INFORMATION:
Ticket’s GO ON SALE October 11th
Tickets are $25 from October 11th – November 4th
OFFICIAL NAME OF PLAY: “Claudines Story”
Tickets may be purchased from ticketmaster by clicking the link below http://www.ticketmaster.com/Claudines-Story-tickets/artist/1262174
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION:
CLICK HERE FOR TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
If you don’t want to drive then we’ve got you covered. For transportation from Durham to Charlotte call Bishop L. Gene Hatley (919) 636 – 0907 for details.
Visit the official website for more information http://www.butterflywingsllc.com/theplay
We experienced another exciting week at North East Baptist Church as the 2008 Youth Revival was being held. The purpose of the revival was to :
INSPIRE
ENCOURAGE
&
IGNITE
From Wednesday through Friday (Sept 17 – 19) the youth met to experience praise and worship on THEIR level.   So what does one mean by using the phrase “THEIR LEVEL”?
Our God is all powerful, all knowing and present everywhere. Therefore, we should not try and limit the diverse ways that God can use to transition a lost soul from death to accepting Jesus Christ as their personal savior (life).
If a person is sick then they can take medicine via syringe, IV, oral tablet, liquid medicine and now even patches that adhere to the skin. The important thing is that the medicine gets in the bloodstream so that it can do it’s job. There are a lot of children and grown folk that are spiritually sick. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is spiritual medicine, is the cure for those ailments.
Have you ever had a child to throw up because you forced them to swallow medicine that tastes horrible? Ever notice how you can have better success at delivering the medicine (where it can still do it’s job) if you sweeten the flavor or mix it in something that they like? Well that is just what the youth leaders and NEBC did for this revival.
It was refreshing to see the youth leaders not try and force God to fit within a “traditionalist-I’m stuck in my narrow minded ways-view point” BOX.  They thought “outside the box” and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that the youth were open to receiving the messages.
Right now it is a good point for me to stop and get to sharing the memories that were captured.
– Minister Ryan Brooks was the speaker
– Minister Yvette D. Crawford was the speaker
– Minister Kia Hood was the speaker
From September 10 – 14 North East Baptist Church celebrated the 17th pastoral anniversary of Dr. Wesley Elam, Sr. and 1st Lady Sylvia Elam.
“Where He Leads, I Will Follow†(Psalm 23) was the theme. The anniversary kicked off on Wednesday, with guest messenger, Rev. Shelton Miles, Sr. Pastor of Emmanuel AME Church (Durham). Friday, Sept. 12 Family Fun Fest III included a talent and fashion Show. The 11 O’clock Worship Service on Sunday featured Dr. William McCoy, Associate Minister, Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church as the speaker.
Below are groups of pictures from each of the three days.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT – Rev. Shelton Miles, Sr. Pastor of Emmanuel AME Church (Durham)
FRIDAY FAMILY FUN FEST – TALENT & FASHION SHOW
SUNDAY – Dr. William McCoy, Associate Minister, Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church
