i was happy to casually traipse around downtown Plymouth with these three. They were creative, energetic, vibrant and professional- all mixed into one! Even though it IS February, i was disappointed that it snowed on us. These three took it in stride and we really made the best of the shoot.

Who wouldn’t want to work with the friendly trio of Michigan Management and Property Maintenance when looking for their next space?

As a vibra-harp player in Phil Spitalny & His All Girl Orchestra, today’s interviewee spent four years touring the country by train. She told of how she would dine with Frank Sinatra and the Tommy Dorsey band members when their schedules lined up. She can even be found in the IMDb (The Internet Movie Database) with a movie credit to her name, when the Orchestra performed in “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” (1942).

When she moved back to her native Ohio and married, she was thankful to raise her two daughters while continuing to play bells, drums, timpani and the vibra-harp in area orchestras. Her husband was an airline pilot, and they had their own plane. No stranger to traveling she got to fly overseas and see the world. When i asked i what would she like to go back and do-over again, she said simply, “Nothing. I did it, I had fun with it. And that’s it.”

Every time i look at this photo strip, i laugh myself to tears. If you know my seven year old in real life- you know he is animated and expressive and ALIVE! This past weekend he had his first photo booth experience. He chose a disguise, and went in by himself. (i am laughing out loud as i type this.) You can see by the result, that he really did not know what to expect.

This photo strip makes me feel sorry for him. It’s just a simple little guy in a vast abyss, wearing a disguise, but not really “working it!” LOL. Let me give you some pointers for your next wedding or event where a photo booth might be available- be sure to teach the young ones as well

1) There will be FOUR photos taken. Try to mix it up for each photo.

2) Recruit some friends to go in with you.

3) Be spontaneous! It will evoke natural laughter from your partners in crime.

4) Don’t be too risque- the host of the event usually gets a digital copy of ALL of the images taken in the photo booth during the event!!

Thanks to SNAP IT! Photobooth for their generous contribution of the photo booth for our school event!

As someone who voraciously devourers life, i want to learn from those who have already been through this phase. i want to determine now what it is i should be paying attention to so that i can minimize regrets later. i want to learn a new way to see the world we live in. Today i had my first interview and photo session. i met a woman who is humble and satisfied with the way she has lived her eighty-six years. i found her view on life to be peaceful and admirable.

She had told me piano was a hobby she has had to give up with aging. She’s had  a hip replacement and sitting on a piano bench is not comfortable for her. i suggested we move a dining room chair or her walker up to the keys for at least a photo opportunity. She sat on her walker seat, and was a little high to the piano, but when she put her arthritic fingers to the keys, music filled the room and tears filled my eyes.

We found a hymnal book and she recognized some of the songs. She played them beautifully and i was happy for the mini-concert. When our time together ended, i vowed to attend her first piano recital, and we made plans to learn how to use her husband’s camera. i left with a heart so full of excitement and inspiration, i knew i had chosen the perfect project for myself.

Here are just a few photos from the younger division. i will post a blog about the teens separately.