Inspirational Teacher

Everyone of us has that one teacher that stood out from our childhood/adolescent teachers. For me, there were two. The first, Mrs. Daisy McKenzie, who inspired me to reach higher than I've ever reached for my goals and to never ever loose sight of those goals. I've mentioned her many times to employers, in college entrance essays and scholarship applications.

There was however, another teacher that stood out just as well. One who stood out so much she even had the same hair color as me. In fact, I'm pretty well convinced that 90% of the student body believed she was my mother. To this day, if I am anywhere near Quitman School District I still get asked if we are related. Over time, she and I just kind of adopted each other.

I never mentioned her in entrance essays or in job interviews, but I can't even begin to tell you what an inspiration she was to me or how much of an impact she left on my life.

She was an incredible teacher. She made learning so much fun and she always had the coolest ideas for assignments. The one assignment that sticks out the most in my mind is one where we made commercials. I want to say it was somehow tied into the story of  "Beowulf," but after eleven plus years, it's kinda hard to remember.

Other than being a teacher, she was also one of my S.A.D.D sponsors. Here again, she was always full of enthusiasm and excitement and made every meeting fun. The thing I liked most about her though was the fact that she always looked out for everyone, and I think deep down, she had a deep love and huge heart for underdogs like me.

I wasn't in the popular crowd in school and I definitely didn't fit in. Slightly over weight, awkward and shy would've summed me up in a nutshell. That didn't matter to this teacher, however. She saw past all that, encouraged me (and others for that matter) to believe in myself and she in her own way taught me how to be better than rumors and name-calling. She really did become like a second mother to me.

Over the years, I grew up, went to college, got married, had kids, and life went on as did hers, but I never forgot the impact she left in my life or the life lessons I learned from her class or in S.A.D.D.. I've tried to maintain contact with her, and could've honestly probably done a much better job, but as most of us are human and just tend to get "busy," I too lost track of time.

This teacher is Mrs. Lynne Smith. Most of you know her well as most of you who are anywhere near my age probably at one point had her as a teacher if you lived in the Quitman School District.

She has stayed on my heart since the day I heard the news that her little girl, Eden, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. As a mother of three children, I cannot even begin to imagine what most be going through Lynne's mind. They are in the process of packing for St. Jude today.

I do not know what the future holds for this family, but what I do know is that there is a God far larger than this. Furthermore I believe he has his arms around Lynne and Eden and the rest of their family, and I am convinced he is with the medical staff that is awaiting their arrival at St. Jude. 

I am asking for your support for this family whether it be prayer, encouraging words, or participating in the benefit that friends and family are planning for next Saturday. I am posting this blog on her wall so that she can read this as well and if you'd like to leave a comment for her here, please do so. 

I have also attached information (click it to see a larger image) regarding the benefit. If you need further info, please contact me at: aprilswancey@hotmail.com

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’Isaiah 41:10

I'm in love!

I've been search in additional lenses for my camera because a.) I have to have them for my degree program and b.) I want to expand my horizons in my own business  Needless to say as I was browsing Canon's website earlier, I decided to browse their latest cameras (I currently own a EOS Rebel t2i) - and well, I have fallen in love with the one pictured  above!

So you all wanna go in and buy this for me right?! ;) *

*Photo: http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/products/professional_cameras/digital_slr_cameras/eos_6d

New Year, Dreams Come True

When I was a kid, I remember being slightly obsessed with cameras. My Grandmother had an old school flash 35 mm camera and I would constantly beg her to let me use it. I think over time she got tired of me asking, because one year for my birthday she bought me a hot pink camera. It was love at first sight.

I carried it everywhere, photographed everything, and between her and my parents, I feel quite sure they got tired of paying for my film rolls to be developed. 

Eventually, I lost the camera and transitioned to using those disposable cameras for a while, but then the digital camera was invented. I was in the 12th grade when my father purchased their first digital camera. I remember taking it to the homecoming game and any other place I could get my hands on it and take it with me.

As I grew older, I kind of lost time to focus on photographing the world, but I never ever lost interest in it. It has always been something close to my heart, and I think that I see the world in a way that others don't. I don't mean that the least bit negative, but seriously, I think I do. Colors, scenery, children, buildings - life in general, I think I see in a different light than most. I cannot tell you the times I was out riding around selling insurance and would think "Oooh that would make an awesome photograph!."

With all that being said, I am beyond excited to FINALLY be able to see my dreams come true and launch my photography buisness this year. I have so many ideas in mind, I can't wait to jump in and get started. Furthermore, I couldn't be happier to see the increase in likes on my Facebook page, the continuous increase in a customer base and I have some super adorable models to help showcase my talent.

With that being said, I think it's obvious my resolution is to grow my business this year, but no worries, I'll share my others with you as well:

2. (Because, well I just gave a detailed description of number 1) Get in shape, get fit.

3. Grow in my walk with God, become more active in my church

4. More arts & crafts time with my kids 

5.  Go fishing more often

6. Take better care of my skin, my hair and my overall self

7. Be a better person

Thank you all for your continued support! It's gonna be a GREAT year :)

Cutest Couple

Okay, so I need more models other than my 3 sweet children (and the 4 other children I've selected recently for modeling purposes) to help me get my business going and showcase what I can do with a camera. Therefore, I've decided to have a Cutest Couple Contest! Here is all the info you need to participate!

1. Send me a recent photo of you and your sweetheart to: aprilswancey@hotmail.com

2. Be sure to include a short story about you and your sweetheart and why you think you guys should win.

3. Make sure to include your full name, mailing address and phone number in the email (this information will NOT be published on the album, it is just needed in case you win!)

4. Photos will be uploaded to my "Cutest Couple Photo Contest" album on April Swancey Photography's Facebook page. (http://www.facebook.com/AprilSwanceyPhotography?fref=ts).

5. Deadline to submit photos is January 31 at midnight. Photo with the most likes wins.

PRIZE:

Winner of the contest will win a free photo session with 15 poses, CD with printing permission, (1) 8x10, (2) 5x7, (12) wallets of your choice.

Good luck!

My Favorite Shots of 2012

So even though I waited to the very latter part of this year to dive head first into this photography thing, I did manage to capture what I think were some pretty awesome shots.

With that being said please bear with me. I am still new to this, and everyday I learn something new whether it be new lighting ideas, flash settings, poses or whatever, I'm learning, I'm mastering my art, and I couldn't be more excited about it all.

Thank you so much for all the support you've given me. From the sweet family that was my very first clients, to those of you who've agreed to let me use your kids as models, to the ones who have allowed me to photograph your wedding (and bridal and engagement session), and even those of you who pushed to create a Facebook page, put my name out there or just the ones who have told me I can do this and supported me 100%.

To my family, friends and those of you that I call my second family, thank you. You guys have been so amazingly supportive not only this year but for many years. It is because of you guys that I finally built up enough confidence in myself to make the jump and go at this full speed ahead.

I'm so thrilled about what the new year is going to bring. It is going to be awesome. Stay tuned, spread the word and check out my favorite shots below!

Photo of the Week

I captured this photo yesterday. I've always loved photos of raindrops on glass. Yesterday was a rainy day (as is today) so I took the chance to capture my own rainy day photo.

 

 

The Harper Family

Last weekend, I took the Harper family's annual Christmas portraits. I've known the Harper's for about a year now, so I was excited to have the chance to photograph their beautiful family. I have to say the photos turned out great!

 

We took the photos at Bonita. It was a beautiful Sunny day and the temps were nice.

 

 

Beautiful Family!

 

Even though little Miss Callie tried to give us trouble, I managed to capture a few smiles! This is one of my favorites!

 

I truly enjoyed photographing this family! Hope they'll give me the chance to do it again!

.