The perfect pair!

We all know those perfect jeans that you wear until they fall off, or that favorite sweater that grows holes and does not matter, or the pajamas that you could swear were your friend. The world of favorites does not go away but it seems to change.. I have watched our daughter put on this sweatshirt and wear it like it is a piece of favorite jewelry.
In the morning.. she has it on.. in the afternoon she has it on.. after school it once again appears, and at night she will sometimes even sleep in it. It seems like it is in the wash every time I go in the laundry room. She will even wash it all by itself to make sure it is ready to put back on. She has now added another favorite.. the proverbial pink plaid pajama pants. I thought I'd better take a picture of the perfect pair that she just won't give up.. after 10,000 washings they are the softest pieces of clothing in the entire Holloway household.. there is only one small problem...

I won't be the unusually frank mom who will embarrass her, not this time.. Lets just say, they are going away soon unless she wants to make them into Capri's or shorts (smile)..

What about it does she love so much? I had to wonder and then it dawned on me that the sweatshirt to her is like my favorite pair of jeans dawning holes in both knees; I wore them until I just could not justify being forty something with my knees hanging out. The kids thought they were cool. Teachers and Principles just thought.. I'm sure..
But if you took them away I would feel miserable.. So it is the same with her...
You are your mama's child and that is clear.. you will look back on these days and remember these plaid pants and the sweatshirt and recall how they made you feel when you put them on, just like I still go into my closet every now and then and put on my favorite butter soft Jeans complete with holes and recall how I used to feel when the holes were not there!!



and you thought you were helping mom out with focus issues.. Thanks sweety.. I love you!!

Days Gone By!

Such a funny relationship is ours.. We lived together after college.. ready to spread our wings and make it on our own.. a three bedroom apartment, but who was to get the largest room? Phyl insisted, but Denise (our other roommate) and I made her pay more for the privilege of more space and her own bathroom.. Phyllis went to decorating and I will never forget that teal and black bedspread that she treasured.. not to mention the matching shower curtain and floor mats in her adjacent bathroom. Too funny now, but hilarious then.

We both started flying the friendly skies of Delta Airlines and savored those times we had as "just us girls". Making it on our own. Clothes, shoes, haircuts, food, no food, parties, decorating the place (we left that up to Denise)....... Not two months later did I meet the love of my life who walked up to me on a plane and proceeded to change everything . Romance, teddy bears in the mail, travel, proposal, marriage and later..kids.

Things proceeded to change for Phyl too. William came walking into her life in much the same way..on a plane as well and later they too were married. Travel, moving, jobs, romance and kids!

Eighteen years for Eric and I and Fifteen years for William and Phyllis.. we haven't changed much... Have we?





Thanks Guys.. Happy Easter!

Hey There Yvonna!

At first glance she was not having any part of it.. pensive, searching, thinking, you could almost hear her thoughts. They were written all over her face..
What is she doing here? What are those bags for? Who is this lady mom? What is that thing in her hand? Is mom going to leave? oh and ohhhhh what was that flash?
Then mom started the music and she was transformed in an instant.. the rhythm had her dancing, hands clapping, head moving to the beat... and all the questions seemed to melt away.
She is growing fast guys.. Enjoy!

Hurry up and wait..

It is very hard to tell an expectant mom "everything will go smoothly" and "you will be back on your feet in no time" and have her look at you as though she believes it. In this case they both looked at me like I had two heads. I had fun recording these moments for Tiffiani and Louis.. they are due in a few weeks and are really, really...READY!! Good luck you guys.. can't wait to see the baby boy... don't panic family and friends... I'm not telling any secret. (I've had three.. it's just my guess)..
Click on the picture below to go see your session photos..

Happy Birthday Gene!

Click HERE to see Slideshow!! turn up the volume!!
A Very Special Happy Birthday goes out to Gene..

Camelle spoke softly as she whispered that she needed Eric and I to come to Gene's Surprise Birthday Party. Gene was just steps away and was thinking we were just working out the details of the family shoot we were about to start..

Later she confessed that she did not want to burden me with taking the pictures.. "I just want you to come and enjoy yourself, you know relax and not work."
Are you kidding ME!! This is what I do.. This is what I love.. it does not define me but is a big part of what I am.. I get a thrill out of making it happen.. God's gift to me and to all that look at it and love it as well..
"a moment in time.. to be treasured forever." Eric and I were glad to be just a small part.. I took some pictures, he took some pictures.. later we just danced!!
The party rocked.. you know the blue light, basement, back-in-the-day-type-party.. Mr. dj from Master Productions had the place rocking late into the night, Premier Productions of Maryland was there to capture it all on video and Danny's Catering of Indian Head topped it all off by suppling the awesome soul food. You know...the kind of Mac and Cheese that makes you go hummmmm!!!
Thanks Camelle for the invite and Happy Birthday Gene!.. You are not Over the Hill.. you are blessed..

Dear First Lady Vicki

Click Here to view the "First Lady Day Slideshow"

What a blessing it is to have you as First Lady of FWBC. Thanks for all that you do and may you have many more years of fellowship and friendship with the ladies (specifically) of FWBC. May you find comfort in the fact that we have your back... more importantly may God continue to bless you and your precious family.
To all of you who helped plan this event for Vicki, thank you for trusting me to record this special occasion for her. Over the years you have helped me grow as a photographer and designer by allowing me to record many events at FWBC. I will always be grateful for that. Enjoy the Show!

One more thing... a special thank you to our very own Fred Dendy who allowed me to use his song "Here I Am", with lyrics by our very own Joii Foxx. Fred and Joii both have cd's available for purchase here on the web.

Twins are twice as nice!

Click Here to see slideshow
Another first for me.. Twins.. (a boy and a girl)!

Twice the ears..
Twice the nose..
Twice the blessing, God always knows..
Twice the dreams
Twice the tears
You'll build twice the memories in all of your years!

Thanks Hollie.. You've been blessed and so have I to have met you and your kids..

New Years Day.. "It's an emergency!!"

"It's an emergency", she uttered.. "I hope you can help me out". As I held my breath as to what she was about to ask (at 9:00pm new years eve), I was shocked at the request but deeply honored that she thought of me. I was smiling the whole time she was making her plea and knew that if it was humanly possible I would be there for her.
You know you love what you do when your heart skips a beat at the chance to make someones dream come true. It is for her Dad.. how could I say no. So I said yes!
What a blast this was to get all of this family together for a family portrait. I enjoyed meeting each and everyone of you.. I hope the guest of honor loves his portrait, there is definately love that is felt when you look in the faces here.. May God continue to Bless you and Keep You All!!

Our Beach!

Click here to see the slideshow
What fun it was first scouting this location.. I have the best customers in the world. Year after year they come up with new ideas for their family pictures in some of the most unusual locations. Mrs. V described what she wanted and we both searched until we found the perfect location.. the driftwood was right in place for the perfect shot.. God was watching over us...

You all are too much..

Everything was going fine until I told these two (adults) to get on the ground... I suppose I should know we are not getting any younger.. Tony laughed so hard we were all in tears..

thanks guys for another great shoot!!

Our great nephew..

I could not resist when I saw his eyes.. I knew he was a charmer...

Babies galore!

Takes me back to a time that seems like yesterday... So innocent and precious.

can you say photogenic?

The whole family is just beautiful.. just look..

My favorite people..

Diana, Tony and Kids.. What a special time in all of your lives.. You kids are growing so fast.. Thanks for helping me create memories that will last you a lifetime..

First Family At Years End.. 2007

Great families are hard to come by... This one is precious, kind and true...
Thanks Vic, Pastor and Girls!

Gottcha!!

You two are something else.. what a pleasure to once again capture brother and sister. I aim the camera and wait patiently for the the little ones to look my way... or maybe not (smile)... ever present and patient because I'm determined to get THE shot for mom and dad.. one would be good two would be great.. more than that is just down right exciting.. Gottcha!!

Words can not express..

Hey you guys finally let me take a picture of you.. you two are so adorable together.. and thanks for trusting me to take Tre's pictures year after year since he was a wee little boy. It has truly been a pleasure to be the one to capture those memories for you and all of your family and friends. I know what a blessing he is to you, but never forget what a blessing he is to others as well. Next year I'll have to bring my ladder to be at eye level.. Oh! thats right.. Next year the family gets to be on the Christmas Card.. May God continue to Bless You All..

Family portrait..

Once again a beautiful couple ready for the family portrait.. how cute is that little face? Sorry you two, I have way more than 25 to show.. (smile)... thanks for the great time...

Oh My!

my babies are almost grown now.. This little one stole the show with her big beautiful brown eyes.. and curly black locks..