Cute Girls and their curly hair | Hi Texture Hair | Lawrenceville, GA Photographer

If we've met, then you know that I have kinky/curly hair. It's taken many years for me to be daring enough to figure out my natural hair texture and to learn how to conquer it. It's been a few years now but along the way I've had some help. A dear friend of mine was one of the first in the natural hair industry to inspire women across the world to embrace their natural kinky/curly texture. She was the creative force behind one of the earliest and most successful natural hair and fashion blogs. Her blogging days are now over but she's on to something even better. Her new venture is Hi Texture Hair Salon.

Hi Texture Hair Salon is a upscale salon in Lawrenceville, Georgia that caters to all kinds of texture. They specialize in curls and boy do they know how to keep them popping and shiny and just have a lady (or guy) feeling like pure awesomeness.

Shortly before opening, I had the pleasure of photographing a group of models whose heads had been cared for by the hands and mastermind behind this curly girl phenomenon. The pictures are of a set of women, (young, younger and very young) that are just thrilled about life and look the part. These are some of my favorites.

Find Hi Texture Hair Salon everywhere. Online. Facebook. Twitter. Yelp.
Oh, and right now there is a special discount on yelp. Check it out here!

Hi Texture Hair Salon

1860 Atkinson Road Suite 111

Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043

(770) 237-0037

www.hitexturehair.com

Standing the test of time

New love. New marriage. New baby.
Raising children. Watching them grow. Then Leave.
Yet. Still. In. Love.

That's the story of this couple, in three short lines. They have a love that has stood the test of time. They have a history of giving and receiving. This is the kind of love that has been proven. This is a love that knows all about the sharing and caring  of everything that entails a good solid marriage. And yes, of enjoying decades of time with each other. This is the kind of love that is reliable.

This picture is one of my favorites. It speaks volumes without saying a word. It says, I love you. I've got you. I trust you. You are mine. I am yours. We are in this thing together.

Isn't love such a beautiful thing?

I dare you, to schedule a session with your love. It may be 1 year, 5 years or 35 years but you deserve to have your love captured forever. :). Call me.

So.In.Love

It was the coldest Sunday of the season. The crisp fall air was unexpected. Just the day before, it was 70 degrees but that early morning was brisk and felt more like winter. It was downright cold. But when you're deeply in love, little things like being cold only fan the flames of your desire for each other.

She was wearing white, her dress and her bright smile. He was wearing swagger, the kind a man wears when he has his queen by his side. Their chemistry was undeniable. They liked each other, a lot.

I was incredibly honored to photograph these two right before they jetted off to say their I do's. I'm sure their warm-weather wedding was beautiful and blissfully delightful. This is a peek at some of their engagement portraits.

       

  

       

  

Back-Up Plan in Action

"I'm reaping the harvest God promised me.
Take back what the devil stole from me.
And I rejoice today, for I shall recover it all."

A few months ago something crazy happened. I dropped my camera, flash, lens, battery grip. The whole nine yards in water. I certainly didn't do it on purpose. A bride, took my advice. She took off her shoes, hiked up her dress and went in the creek on her wedding day. It was such a beautiful, authentic moment that if you were there, you couldn't help but get excited. The entire bridal party, joined her and we had a ball. I was so excited that when I got in the water to get the shot that I was going for I was a little less than careful and I fell. (insert scream here) AHHHHHH!!!!!

Well, I learned many lessons that day....and for once I was thankful that I had a second camera that I could use. The good part is that I got most of the pictures that I had envisioned and I am happy that though I lost my camera, I didn't lose the pictures. The other good thing is that there were other creative artists there and even if I missed my shots the moment still would have been recorded.

Fast forward to today. I was singing in church and as I was singing the words above, the whole scene flashed through my head. I have been using my backup equipment for many months and until now, only the people that were there know what happened. I haven't said a thing. I have just kept doing my photography thing and frankly, I think I've gotten better as a result of this minor setback.

We are a debt-free household and it will take time but I will replace (rather, UPGRADE) my equipment. However, I know for sure, that I shall recover it all! The devil ain't stealing my joy. Not even close.

She Prayed For Me.

Dear God,

Please bless Pru.

She said a whole lot more but my mind paused at those words. How did she know that I needed Him sooooo very much in that moment.

"Yes, Lord," I said in my mind....."Please bless Pru."

It's not often that I make a photography house call and feel like I've left prayer meeting. In fact, it's the first time.  Sometimes, God puts people in your life just so that they can pray over you. Thank God for that. Thank God for people who love my photography and love me.

and yes, God, Please bless Pru.

#feeling.the.warm.and.fuzziess

Mike Check. 1. 2. 1. 2.

Testing. Testing. 1.2.3.

Why do people do that when they are doing a sound check? Ok, I understand doing that DURING a sound check but in the middle of the program, a simple 'hello' will do the trick and get your point across. #I.digress.

So, let's try this again. HELLO Ya'll. How you doing?

I'm really not going to take up much of your day. I know you love good photographs and you love me, of course. But I really wanted you to know that so much goes on behind the scenes that I hardly get a chance to talk about.

My mind is constantly thinking about interesting photo ideas. Sometimes, I just need a model (or two). Sometimes, I want to show off something that I can't put out in the public. Sometimes, I get an itch to pull out my camera and I need someone to photograph. Sometimes, I send out invitations to themed photo parties, where you show up, get photographed and have a great time.

If you want to get the inside scoop. If you want to be in the know. If you don't mind an email or two per month from me, then sign up. Now, go. I'd love to keep in touch with you.

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I print because I'm happy.

Do you still have a gramaphone? How about an A-track? Maybe a tape player? Well, it's a 50/50 shot that you have a tape player. But do you use it? As often as you use your video player, perhaps?

Here's my point. Digital media changes. Everyday a newer and faster and sexier format comes out. If you doubt me, just try to pull up something on a floppy disk, if you can find one. Or better yet, if you can find a computer than will has a floppy drive. Ha! I just made myself laugh.

Now, let's do something else. Go find your parent's wedding album. Or your high school yearbook.

You must admit with me that the printed photograph has maintained it's sentimental and storytelling value even through the test of times.

So, I urge you, pull those pictures off your cell phone and facebook and your computer and get them printed. Or better yet, get a book made so you don't have to go through the process of putting an album together.

Whenever there is a natural disaster the first thing people cry about is not the big screen TV but it's the pictures.

Go, I beg, you. Print. Print beautiful photographs. If you don't have beautiful photographs, get some....then purchase prints. The nicer the picture the bigger print you should get, then you can have beautiful artwork in your home, on your walls, of you, of your family, of your happy times.

Photography is beautiful. It's even better when it's printed....and displayed.

Walking in my Own shoes

I wish I could wear tall, sexy heels again. But hard as it may be to accept, that is probably not going to happen.

That fact, however, is not going to stop me from walking in my own shoes. These are not shoes that anybody else wears. They are mine.You may think they're cute, or not. But it doesn't matter because they aren't for you to wear them.

A few years ago, I started a running theme in my journaling and called it 'walking in my own shoes.' It's not a literal shoe, nor is it literal walking. It is, however, a symbol of being an authentic Pru. If you have ever worn shoes that were too small and squeezed your feet, or so big that you have to grip your toes on the inside to keep them from slipping off. If you've put on shoes that were waaaay too high and your feet ached from wearing them, then you know what I mean.

Walking in my own shoes is all about doing things that are good for me, regardless of the popular opinion. It's about standing up for my own happiness and wearing my big girl britches in the process. It's about being a woman and not a girl. It's about acting with integrity for the things that matter to me even if they don't matter to anyone else. It's about being an adult, with a husband, children and responsibilities. It's about doing what's right for me....oh, I said that already. But you get the point......It's about walking in my own shoes....literally, and figuratively.

Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound

On the 7th day of December 1928 a baby boy came into this world. His mother named him Kenneth Welward Codner. He, as history would have it, would be my grandfather.



I have some fond memories of having a grandfather who would give me special treats everytime I would visit. Every child deserves to have a doting and somewhat permissive grandparent....but shhhh, don't tell my parents I said that.

Every life has a story. It starts on the day we are born and ends on the day we die. Our tombstones will have two dates on it, but the essence of our lives; the happiness, the sorrows, the good times and the bad will all be captured by the dash. Those who knew him best says that he was a dichotomy of both good and not-so-good. He was both even-handed and fair yet strong-willed and rebellious. I, of course, only witnessed the peaceful, easy-going side. But I now know, more clearly than ever, that my grandfather has a dash that is full of lessons; things that he did, stories that he told, and stories about his life that are messages for those who carry on.


Perhaps the one that moves me the most happened at the very end of his life. He was terminally ill and one day while lying in his bed, in pain and much discomfort, he was humming. Colleen, who took great care of him, asked 'What are you humming, Granville?' [As Jamaicans would have it, he had a nick name, his was Granville.] He said, 'Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I'm found was blind but now I see.'

I get all choked up every time I hear the song now because it has new meaning to me. You see my Grandfather didn't live a pristine life. He had some failures and shortcomings and paid a heavy price for some of his sins. Though he was raised by a devout Christian mother, he rejected religion for a long time. It was only a few years before he was terminally diagnosed that he renewed his spiritual commitment. So, as he sung this song, on what he knew was his death bed, it was personal. It wasn't just mere words, it was him expressing gratitude for God's Amazing Grace.





I miss my grandfather. But this last story, this last will and testament about God's Amazing Grace, will be one that repeatedly renews my faith walk.









[Yes, I do photograph funerals, they are a part of 'Capturing Life, One Click At A time. However, due to personal and sensitive nature of the occasion, I provide the files to the family. Some of my most emotive photos are from deeply personal and intense events like funerals]

If you choose to watch the video, here is some background. 

Our family owns many, many acres of land. There are three houses on the land where generations have lived. In this intimate setting is one of many family burial plots. My grandfather was buried next to his mother. The grave (and all the other labor required) is done, by hand, one shovel at a time. It's a final act of love. On the day of the burial, we all stay until it is just impossible to stay any longer. It is truly goodbye.

Demanding Justice, one hoodie at a time.

As someone who believes in the power of  photographs, I am just completely and totally amazed at the power of the Trayvon Martin hoodie pictures. 

If you don't know about the Trayvon Martin situation. Read about it here.

Imagine, thousands, maybe millions of people are using their image (and hoodies) to say something without saying a word. #Powerful.

That's what photography is all about. 

Even Me

"I remember visiting a church and one of the members was one of my best clients at the strip club. He had the nerve to tell my aunt that she must be ashamed to have me in the strip club. He is a prime example of pointing out the faults of others, when he should have been praying about his own faults - frequently visiting a high class strip club. His tithe and offering money were going to me. After that, I vowed never to go back into another church again, since the first thing they did was point out the wrong instead of welcoming, praying and helping me to get the demons in my life off of me." 

That is an excerpt from Even Me: The Testimony Of The Prodigal Daughter by Mrs. Kia Fisher. Kia is a friend of mine. We first met, if you can call it a meeting, during this stage in her life. She disappeared for several years and I didn't know why, until now.


It was a Friday night when I got a copy of the book in my hands. It was signed, with a beautiful note from the author. I walked into the house, slipped off my shoes, and coat and plopped down on the couch for a night of reading. I laughed and cried and praised God. I'd always known about the stripping days but it's the other stuff that made me weep. It is only by the mercy of God that she is able to tell her story.  Her testimony proves that God is relentless in pursuit of His children. You know that text, 'I am with you always, even to the end of the earth.' Her testimony is living proof of just that.


Kia poured her heart and soul and life into this book, so when she asked me to photograph the cover, and subsequently the book signing, I was honored.

Even Me: The Testimony Of The Prodigal Daughter is a humbling realization that having a perfect and spotless record is not a pre-requisite for God's service. All he asks for is our willingness.

Kia has a passion for young people. She has opened  the Kingsway Christian Academy for Performing Arts and Technology and that is just the start of her ministry.

Please support Kia as she allows God to use her. You may purchase a copy of the book directly from her website or on  Amazon.