Teen Identity Pledge

Teen Identity is a program put together by Atlanta Photo/Video team Tasra Wyatt Dawson and her husband/filmmaker Ron Dawson which is designed to give teen girls a positive, wholesome self image.  It is best said in their words:

Our Mission: Provide teen girls with a positive magazine that is uplifting, empowering and encouraging. A magazine that believes beauty isn’t all about appearance and looking sexy, but instead celebrates the true beauty in every teen girl.
Our Goal: Unleash the true beauty in teen girls by equipping and empowering them to find their voice, expand their vision, and achieve their dreams. 

Our company has taken the Teen Identity Photographers Pledge, promising to uphold the ethics and mission of this great organization.

TEEN IDENTITY PHOTOGRAPHERS PLEDGE

As a Teen Identity network photographer/filmmaker, I agree to uphold and promote these ideals:

1. I will provide a photo/video session experience with teen girl clients designed to elevate their self esteem, make them feel beautiful and empowered.
2. Any photos and videos I (or my studio) create portraying teen girls will be done without over-sexualizing the subject. Photos and videos will be created tastefully, preserving the “innocence” of youth, yet at the same time striving to reveal the true personalities of our subjects.
3. Each year I (or my studio) will donate whatever time I can afford towards a Teen Identity approved organization or project designed to raise self-esteem in teen girls, empower teen girls, or address some issue of social injustice facing teen girls. This may include, but is not limited to, pro bono photo sessions for teen girls in economically depressed neighborhoods; teaching photography and/or video workshops on behalf of Teen Identity; acting as a photography/video coach for teen girls in my local neighborhood.

This video was made by Ron Dawson, and illustrates a major problem which often goes unspoken in our society.  It is a vivid and disturbing look at a grim reality.  But hopefully by raising awareness we can bring an end to this.  

Abram 45th Wedding Anniversary

This weekend I had an absolute blast shooting the 45th anniversary of Richard and Velma Abram.  The entire evening was a wonderfully fun party, and they graciously welcomed me into their family to share this most special occasion with them.  We began the evening at their home shooting some family portraits.  It had been such a long time since they had a family picture taken, that their youngest of nine children had not even been born.  This was the first picture with the entire family.  We then shot a three generation family picture with all the kids and grand kids.  We then moved to the Country Club where the reception took place.  Family and friends from across the country had gathered to share in this day with them, and it was a celebration not to be forgotten.  There were songs, games,  lots of laughs, and even a few tears shed.

Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this celebration.  It was a day I will not soon forget.

 One of their beautiful granddaughters singing for them.

And there was dancing!  Lots of dancing!

Even the little ones got out on the floor

A beautiful cake which tasted as good as it looks.

More of those wonderful grandkids.

Their son served as emcee for the evening.  He was VERY entertaining.

What a handsome man,

and his beautiful bride.

California Senior Games

For the past week I have been down in Carlsbad CA shooting the pickleball event for the California Senior Games.  Now if you are like me, you are asking yourself "what is pickleball?"  It is a game played with a wooden paddle and a wiffle ball, on a miniature tennis court.  It is a fast paced and exciting game.  I had never heard of it until I was asked to shoot it, but after spending the week shooting the tournament, I am inclined to get a couple of paddles for my wife and I, and find some local teams.  I had a great time meeting the players, and spending the week in beautiful Carlsbad.   On Tuesday night, Carrie came down and we went to dinner at the harbor in Oceanside.  I had some fish and chips and watched a sea lion swimming beneath us in the harbor.  It was a great week, and a fun event.  Enjoy some of the photos from the event.