Jahala #45

What a delight it was to photograph Jahala. When I look at this pic, I think of that song, Happy. I just bet she loves it. Jahala was a music teacher...that explains it. I know lots of, well, several music teachers and they all seem so cheerful and well, happy. 

Here's an interesting fact. Jahala's mother named her after my oldest sister, Jahala Ann. Where did my mother come up with that name, you ask?  The story goes that my mother was sitting in her obstetrician's office (Dr. Humphries) reading a story in a magazine. In that story was a woman named Jahala. Mother liked it and BAM the decision was made. What I don't know is how Jahala's mother heard about my sister. Nobody knows. 

As I mentioned before, it was a delight to photograph Jahala. I hope you can see her glow. What a great attitude she has. Could it be her strong faith? Probably. 

Thank you, Jahala for coming to the shoot and being in my project. 

Andrea #43 and Steve #44

Well, here they are. Andy and Steve. What a cute couple. It was fun photographing them. Andy is so gorgeous, all she has to do is stand there and just let me take the pics. Steve, on the other hand, wasn't so sure about it. I think Andy had to twist his arm, but it was okay by the time they showed up. 

I loved that they wore pastel shirts. Pink for girls and blue for boys! Did y'all plan that?

They are the third married couple that I photographed for this project. Mary and Fred, Brenda and Alan, and now, Andy and Steve. All three couples seem to be happy and still in love! I can just tell by the way they all looked at each other. 

Thanks for coming, you two! I had fun, and hope you like your pics!

Rick #42

Rick absolutely cracks me up! He has a dry wit that seeps out when you don't expect it. As you can tell, we had to shoot downstairs because of the sun. This image was taken with Rick sitting on a stool, but I also took some with him standing. As with all shots, I focus on the eyes, hold the button down half way and then move the camera down to get the full body shot.I guess moving the camera and shooting at his midsection, caused him some concern. When he questioned my actions, I just about fell off the ladder laughing.  

Then he started laughing and I got that shot! That's the one I want to put in the book, but that's his decision. 

Rick, thanks for coming and taking part in this project. I had a great time shooting you. You are such a nice guy. You always were, and you still are. 

Brent #41

Brent is and always has been such a nice guy. He is one of the few of our classmates that is still working, so I was grateful that he took time away from work to come to the shoot. 

Knowing a little about where he works, I imagine he has an extremely stressful job...just dealing with all of those people would put me in the ... you know. But I can tell you this, if he is stressed, he doesn't show it. His warm smile and calming blue eyes would put all at ease the minute they meet him. 

Brent, I'm so glad that you were able to come to the shoot. Thanks for your participation. 

Alice #40

You can't help but love Alice. Look at that beautiful smile accented by her BRIGHT RED LIPSTICK. She came raring to go! I think I could talk with her for days...so interesting. 

I tried to capture her spunk and her energy, and I think that was accomplished! Maybe she's just excited because she and her husband just bought a place at the beach. Now that's enough to make anyone smile.

Thanks for coming, Alice. Hope you had as much fun as I did!

Sheena #39

Sheena is one energetic woman! She is happy, cheerful and just so cute! Like most of our classmates who came to be photographed, she had no idea of what to expect. Sheena came in the afternoon so the sun was right.smack.dab.overhead, so we had to move downstairs. 

I just love Sheena's big brown eyes. You can just look into them and see what a lovely person she is! 

It was wonderful talking with Sheena. Again, not enough time. Thank you for taking part in the project. I hope you like your images.

David #38

David arrived on a motorcycle for his shoot at noon. The sun was still kind of hidden, so I was able to get some shots of him on the portico and in front of the building. As you probably already know, this shot was in front of the front doors. It looks like there is a little graffiti on the column behind him.  You can bet it wasn't there when we went to HHS. Can you just imaging what they would have done to us if we had done that? 

I'm so glad that David wore the blue shirt. It makes shows off his beard and eyes...well if you could see the other images that are on his CD, you would see his blue eyes! 

Thanks for taking a chance and being a part of my project, David. You were easy to work with and willing to do what I asked. See you in 2015. Oh, one more thing. Since you are on the reunion committee, do you think you could get us a little 60's soul?

Brenda #36 and Allen #37

Doing this project has made me realize that friendships never die. Old friends just seem to pick up where we left off...almost 50 years ago. I wish we had Facebook all those years, then we would have been able to keep up with everyone's life. Now we have just a few minutes to catch up. The reunions help a lot, but there is never enough time. 

To me, Brenda looks the same as she did in high school. Pretty blue eyes and sweet smile.

And I would recognize Allen anywhere. Big brown eyes and that grin that makes you wonder what's on his mind. Hummm. 

It was a joy photographing the two of them. Brenda has a great sense of humor and Allen is cool and calm. They just go together. 

Pictured below are Brenda and Allen's ninth grade pictures in the Cammack Junior High Yearbook.

This is one amazing couple! Thanks for being part of this project!

Edison #35

Edison was the first in line at the Huntington shoot last spring. You gotta hand it to him, he came without knowing what to expect and that takes guts! 

I was able to get lots of great shots of Edison. He was easy to pose...willing to try different angles to avoid the sun! 

I enjoyed spending time with Edison and getting to know him. He's a friendly guy with a welcoming smile, as you can tell by this image. Oh, and I can't forget that twinkle in his eye when he laughs! 

Thanks Edison for being a part of this project, and thanks for your patience. 

Sue Ellen #34

This image was shot in North Myrtle Beach right across the street from Sue Ellen's condo. What a perfect day! Two years ago, Sue Ellen agreed to a "practice" shoot in the same spot. She knew what to expect...sun, breeze, spectators, and kids getting in the way. 

Sue Ellen is another Simms Elementary School graduate. I can just remember those wooden floors and that scary basement. Connecting with her at the reunions and the beach brings back wonderful memories. 

I hope I captured your "sunny" attitude in this shot. Your bright smile just makes this image. Thanks for helping me out with the first shoot and agreeing to participate in the project. Let's do lunch. 

Buttons #33

Buttons (aka Arthur) and I met at the top of Kennesaw Mountain on a sunny day, last spring. This park is huge and has beautiful views of Atlanta, so there were lots of scenic areas in which to shoot. Being the good sport that he is, he was willing to try lots of poses as we moved from place to place. This image gives you some idea of the beauty of park...and having Buttons pose here just makes it better! 

One of the advantages of doing this project is that I get to spend time with our classmates. Before this shoot, all I knew about Buttons was that he was a great basketball player and went to Old Dominion. However, after talking to him I learned so much more. He has had a remarkable past...I should've taken notes. Pat Conroy mentioned him is his book, "My Losing Season." He wrote that Buttons and another player were the first blacks to play in the Armory on the Citadel campus. Who knew? There is so much more, but not enough time. Judging by that big smile, he is one happy guy! Thank you for meeting me and taking the time to catch up! 

Judy #32

Judy was my last shoot in Florida. She and her husband live only a few minutes from I 75, so getting to her house was no problem. It was a heck of a lot easier than finding Pass-A-Grille. Now that I think about it, any place on this earth would be easier to navigate than that beach town! I blame the bridge. 

When I arrived, Judy was ready and willing to get started. Her lovely backyard was just a perfect spot to shoot. The blue and green combination she wore made her blue eyes twinkle. 

I've known Judy since we were children. Although we attended different elementary schools, we both went to First United Methodist Church. When I told her that I had a picture of a Christmas pagent from the 1950's in which she was Mary, she told me that her father took that picture! 

Judy's sweet smile comes easy to her. She has a good-natured spirit who is living happily in her new home in Florida. Could this happiness be because she is living closer to her children and grandchildren?  

It was wonderful catching up after 40 or so years. Thank you for being part of my project. 

Jeri #31

Jeri...still as sweet as ever. She was one of the four Pass-A-Grill girls...last, but not least! Judging by her flawless complexion, she's not a fan of the sun, but she humored me by posing right square in it!  

Jeri has a calm presence. Couple that with a jolly chuckle and you've got one happy girl! Look at those blue eyes sparkle! Thank you Jeri for meeting me at that "cute" beach and being a part of my project. 

Connie #30

The excitement that Connie brought to the shoot was contagious. She was friendly, out-going and really, really fun to get to know. Even though she was the third to be photographed in Pass-A-Grille, she remained patient and cheerful as she waited over an hour for her turn.

When it was her turn, I discovered that she was comfortable in front of the camera and was willing to try lots of poses that we suggested. In fact, she "messaged" me afterwards and asked that I not show some of the fun poses that Jenni encouraged! I still have them just in case she changes her mind! 

During our time together I learned that she was one of the "new kids" to our class. That had to be hard to come to a new high school as a junior, knowing no one. She told me about trying out for majorette in her junior year and making it, to her surprise (her words, not mine!). She said that was a good thing and a bad thing, but that's a long story. 

I wish we could have had more time to talk, but it was Jeri's turn. Thanks for taking part in this project, Connie. Maybe at the next reunion we can catch up. I hope so. 

Judy #29

Judy was one of the first classmates living in Florida to contact me. We spoke on the phone several times getting to know each other. She was quite helpful in connecting me with other classmates with whom she thought would want to participate. 

The reason that I describe her as jubilant is because at the time of the shoot, she had just completed a MAJOR medical procedure. She is one strong woman to go what she went through and still be willing to come to the shoot. 

I enjoyed meeting Judy and getting to know her better. Her positive attitude, sweet personality, and beautiful smile were reflected in this image. Judy, thank you for coming to the shoot and being part of the project. Stay well!

Jenni #28

When I was planning this Florida trip, I needed to find a beach on the gulf coast that would be convenient for four of our classmates. I googled "cute beaches near St. Petersburg" and this one came up, Pass-A-Grille. I had never heard of it, but I notified all four friends and set a date and time for the shoot. Had I know that I would have to cross that bridge from hell, also know as the Sunshine Skyview Bridge, I can guarantee that I never would have gone there. Never. (There are lots of videos about it on YouTube, but this one is short. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWIp5dIycBc&feature=endscreen.)

As luck would have it, I didn't have a heart attack and my legs stopped shaking enough to enable me to walk around and find a suitable location. After the equipment was unloaded, I perched myself on a park bench and waited. 

The first to arrive who was driving a snazzy convertible with the top down, of course, and wearing a fedora, was Jenni Cunningham. 

Jenni is a hoot! Happy, confident, caring and generous are just a few words that describe her. Bottom line...she is a good person. Thanks, Jenni for being part of this group and making the shoot so much fun. 

Ray #27

Penny and I met Ray at his home in Estero Beach right after he played a round or two of golf. What a good sport! I know, you know, and the American people know that posing for my project was probably the LAST THING that he wanted to do, but he did. 

This image was taken in the back of his condominium just when the sun was starting to set...a perfect time of day. 

Guys are so easy to shoot...like Ray, they follow directions EXACTLY as directed. I have a theory about that. Do you think they will do anything to speed the process along so they can get away from the camera? Hummm. To me, his session took what seemed like two seconds...to Ray, it was probably an hour! I was able to capture the sun setting behind him, but that will be in the book and it will be beautiful. 

So, there's Ray. Reliable, because he did what he said he was going to do when I was just starting this and that was to be a part of my project. Responsible, because he just is. He has a blog, read it...www.raynasser.blogspot.com. Radiant, because he posed right after playing golf all afternoon. He had a little sun on his face and happiness was reflected in his eyes...he must have had a good score!

We ended the session with a glass or two of wine with Candy, his wife, and two friends who were visiting from Virginia. Thanks, Ray for taking the time to be a part of this. 

Penny #26

Here is Penny Gail Ginger, my friend of many, many years. We lived in the same neighborhood as children, went to Simms Elementary, but lost contact when I moved and went to Miller and then Cammack.  Four years after my move, we were back together, hitting the halls of HHS! The memories we share of those years are priceless. After graduating from high school, we both went to Marshall and spent the summers working in Myrtle Beach.("May I take your order?"...if you know what I mean.) Well, one thing led to another and the next thing I knew, Penny, Barbara, Mary and I landed in Atlanta to seek fame and fortune. Needless to say, that didn't happen, but there are lots of stories to tell, but that would take hours or days or even months. Really. 

After thirty or so years, Penny moved from Atlanta to Fort Myers. Judging from this image, Florida seems to be working out for her. I shot this image in Ray Nasser's backyard in Estero Beach. 

I should have known that she was going to wear purple...it's her favorite color. It all started when she pledged Tri Sigma in college, but she'll deny that. I must admit that the color looks great on her. Her eyes are bright, her cheeks are blushed and her lips are pink! Great smile, Penny! You are lookin' good! 

Linda #25

Now I know that we don't carry around our Webster's everywhere we go, so I'll help you out with this one. Lambent means beaming, luminous and radiant. There you are and there is Linda Lilly Kelly.  

After hanging around Palm Beach with Sandy, I hopped in the car and headed south to Boynton Beach to "shoot" Linda. She gave me great directions and before I knew it I was in her neighborhood knocking on her door. 

Her home has lots of trees and flowers that make it easy to take great shots. Of course, her colorful sweater that matched her beautiful blue eyes, and her pink lipstick added a lot of "pop" to this colorful shot. 

Although we only had a short time, I loved seeing and talking with her. She is such a sweet person who I appreciate being a part of my project. 

Sandy #24

After spending the evening with two family friends in Port St. Lucie, I ventured to West Palm Beach the next day to photograph Sandy Smith Coster. She gave me directions to a baptist church where we were to meet. Wouldn't you know it, by the time I got there the service was over and there were people everywhere! We finally found each other thanks to cell phones! Thank goodness, her friend, Bill, was willing to chauffeur us as we scoured for locations. West Palm Beach and Palm Beach are two beautiful cities...so much to choose from and so little time. 

We finally settled on the historic hotel, The Breakers. I know this is awful to say, but it looked to me like you had to have had some serious work done (if you know what I mean) or you must be over 80 to stay there, but the grounds and the interior are ideal for portraiture photography. 

This image of Sandy was taken in an outdoor cafe connected to the hotel. Her red jacket against the green foliage was a photographer's dream.  And speaking of a photographer's dream, I was able to capture the sparkle in Sandy's big brown eyes. Notice how her hair matches her eyes...she looks gorgeous! The image that I'll put in the book was taken in the lobby. Get ready. 

After our session, we went back to West Palm Beach and had lunch at a restaurant across from the waterway. So beautiful. Thank you Sandy and Bill for showing me your beautiful city and for the lunch! It was wonderful seeing you and getting a peek into what you've been up to in the last 40 or so years!