Alan Darmody Photography

A Friendly Face

Alan Darmody — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:30:33 +0000

One of the many perks of my job is the privilege of meeting such kind and friendly people. Pat is no exception to this standard that my clients have set over the years. Thank you Pat for fitting me into your busy week, right after Christmas. It was a pleasure to meet you and capture your beautiful smile!

California Gould

Alan Darmody — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 03:20:59 +0000

Monday after Christmas; Shoot #1. This is a good one. It features a mom, her son and their dog. All three look great on camera. One of them is too cool for the camera. One of them isn’t so excited about being hugged on camera. One of them has has great hair like Wonder Woman.

Keep reading for the answer key at the bottom.

Thank you guys for coming out after a busy Christmas weekend! We really enjoyed meeting you all!

Answers:
1) Amber, the dog, is too cool for the camera.
2) Dallas, the mom, is Wonder Woman.
3) Brenden, the son, is not a fan of hugs. :)

P.S. – Don’t you just love the wood textures at Terrill Cellars?

So happy together

Alan Darmody — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 03:10:49 +0000

I have found my new assistant! What a relief! If I could steal him away from his mom, Jordan would be perfect to bring to all of my shoots. I didn’t have to do much work for this session. Jordan had all of the ideas, all I had to do was point and shoot! He knew exactly where the good places to stand would be and chose the mood of the photo…mostly silly.

Crystal, thanks for loaning Jordan to me for the session. You’ve raised a fun boy! I hope we can do it again sometime!

Thanks so much for your help Jordan. I hope the photos turned out the way you wanted!

Old new friends

Alan Darmody — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:56:41 +0000

We had never met the Bowers family before their session and they are also close family friends who are really fun to hang out with. Those two statements may seem like a paradox but they are both completely true. We really hit it off with them. They are all so full of laughter and life which made our job very, very easy. Their personalities and love for each other really show in their photos. It really seemed more like we spent the session catching up with them like old friends. Honestly, we would have hung out with them all day if we could have (inside joke for Lorena). When we parted for the day we were sad that we wouldn’t get to hang out with them, but they gave us an additional surprise and came to the surprise baby shower for Margot later that evening. We were so honored that they were willing to join our family to celebrate. Lorena is the Chaplain at the St. Helena Hospital Clearlake and was gracious enough to lift up our daughter in prayer at the party. Alysa and I were both deeply touched and moved by her prayer of dedication for Margot. Thank you so much! It really meant a lot to us.

Ok, back to the photos. These four are too good looking. Shea is “so GQ,” as Alysa would say. She also wants me to remind him to look that up to see that it’s a compliment. Savannah has eyes that will pierce you with their blueness. Gayln has a great laugh and kind eyes and Lorena’s Australian accent and contagious laugh is the life of the party. You all are special to us. Thank you for your new and comfortable friendship.

Enjoy your sneak peek! Here are some of our favorites.

This is the album cover for their Bowers Family Australian Bluegrass album. Due out this Fall. We think you should release one anyway – whether or not there is such a thing as Australian Bluegrass.

And the Shepherds Came

Alan Darmody — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 20:37:33 +0000

During the Christmas season you hear a lot about Shepherds. This year we got to visit the Shepherds themselves. Alysa and I spend every other Christmas with each other’s families and this time it was her turn. You got it, Alysa is a Shepherd, too. This year was especially fun because most of the Shepherd cousins were all together (sorry we missed you Jeff and Ron). As you can see, there are plenty of boys in this family, which means lots of fun!

We also got spoiled rotten by this wonderful group of family when we showed up to “soup night” later that evening only to find a pile of presents, diaper cake and lots beautiful food and decorations. Yep, a surprise baby shower for our little Margot. On top of everything, Alysa’s Uncle Rex is an incredibly talented carpenter and has made Margot (along with each her boy cousins) a gorgeous Victorian cradle and Aunt Norma is finishing it and Margot’s crib out with custom bedding from fabrics Alysa chose for the nursery. (We’ll definitely post pictures once the room is finished!) Oh, and they’re available for commission if any of you has woodworking or sewing projects in mind…

Thanks for braving the wet and cold on the day after Christmas. We had a great time capturing your families!

(from left to right) Sarah, Luke, Eli, Nick, Rex, Norma, Shellie, Shaun, Grayson, and Patrick

Sean having some fun with Uncle Nick.

The next few images feature Nick’s family.

Luke is getting so big he wouldn’t fit in this one.

The next few images feature Patrick’s family.

Grayson is pretty awesome. Isn’t it obvious?!

Eli had one last Christmas present for Shaun. I’m not so sure he liked it.

My Top 5 for 2011

Alan Darmody — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:21:06 +0000

It’s the beginning of the year and everyone is in the mood to make huge changes in their lives. Unfortunately, most people (including myself) aren’t very good at following through and being successful with those goals. 2011, by default, is going to bring lots of change whether I’m prepared for it or not – new baby and full-time photography business. Hopefully, my new adventures will help me accomplish my goals for 2011. I am excited about the new year and all of the new experiences I am going to have. So, here is my list of 5 things I plan to focus on this year.

#1 Be fully present as a father in my daughter’s life and be ok with being imperfect.
#2 Be a better photographer of my own family.
#3 Watch less TV, which will be easier since I just cancelled our DishNetwork service
#4 Read 8 books (I read 6 books in 2010, which is more than I’ve ever done I’m sure)
#5 Be Healthier (Exercise daily, drink more water and eat breakfast)

P.S. – What are your goals for 2011?

You Guys Are Excellent!

Alan Darmody — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:26:24 +0000

At the end of most of our sessions our new friends usually feel more like family than clients. In this case, our clients were already family and we left feeling more like friends. Jonathan is Alysa’s cousin and they grew up together in California, but now they live in Maine – which doesn’t help our ability to spend time with them. In fact, I (Alan) had never met Jonathan, Chiara, Jaden or McKenna and I jumped at the opportunity to meet them and honored that they asked me to shoot their very first professional family photo session. Jaden and Alysa quickly renewed their bond as they sat next to each other at Cracker Barrel and invented new rules for that Triangle and Golf Tees table game.

As you’ll see below, Jaden and McKenna have endless energy for photos. Or was it performance energy to earn toys? Whatever it was, it worked! The two girls have the most distinct personalities and even more distinct instincts in front of the camera. Jaden could barely keep a straight face – much preferring to entertain with her antics. And McKenna – well, you just can’t get that camera face OFF of her once the shutter gets going.

There were a lot of great photos to choose from but here are a few of our favorites. Thank you all for taking the time to meet us for a photo shoot. I am so honored to have you all as family and hope we can see each other more in the future!

Alysa says McKenna looks exactly like Jonathan and her grandmother in these. I’ll take her word for it.

This photo was completely Jaden’s idea and Chiara laughed. I told her that often the kids’ ideas turn out wonderfully. SEE?!

Would you believe it if I told you that this snowman actually lit up the instant the girls kissed him?! (McKenna stepping on the switch at exactly the right time helped a little. It was still cool.)

P.S. – As we drove our separate ways our cars passed on the street. Jaden rolls down her window to wave and exclaims to us, “I had so much fun. You guys are excellent!” I can’t imagine a more sincere sentiment. We think you’re excellent too!

Turkey, Stuffing and Photos

Alan Darmody — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:03:50 +0000

A few months ago we did a fundraiser for the MS Walk of Georgia and Dawn was the one who coordinated the fundraiser with ADP. Thank you, Dawn, for giving us the opportunity to be involved with raising money for such a wonderful charity! Dawn had tried to coordinate a time when her family was in town a few months ago but it didn’t work out. Fortunately, Thanksgiving brought both of her sons and their wives to town and gave us the opportunity to get them together for this photo session.

Thank you again, Dawn, for your support and evangelism of ADP. We met so many great families through the fundraiser and your family is one of them! Here are a few of our favorite moments from your session. Enjoy!

900 Miles to Chattanooga

Alan Darmody — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 02:16:42 +0000

Rafael, Erin, Gavin and London hail from Austin, TX but we met up in Chattanooga while they were in town for Thanksgiving. When Erin contacted me on Facebook about coming up from Atlanta I knew I needed to make the trip (the drive took me 5 hours instead of 2 hours, but I won’t get into that now). Erin and Rafael met in high school at Ozark Academy, which is where I grew up and and went to high school as well. I grew up with Rafael and we carpooled together to school most days. Rafael is older than me, which seemed much older then than now, and was always the popular guy in school and I remember striving to beat his athletic achievements and records throughout elementary school and academy. So, years later, it is really curious to see how we have both changed and become men with wives and families (my kid is on the way). The only problem with “years later” is that we both have more grey hair than otherwise.

So, moving on to the photo session… we met up at the Chattanooga Choo Choo and despite the foggy and cold weather, everyone kept warm and we had some good fun. It was obvious to spend time with them that the kids are loved, the kids love mom and dad, and brother and sister love each other too…most of the time :) You are all incredibly easy to photograph, but I have to give the advantage to the kids. Sorry, Erin and Raf, but you’ll probably agree with me.

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy Thanksgiving week to spend it with me and my camera! Enjoy!

P.S. – Go Cowboys!!

A Thankful Theme

Alan Darmody — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:43:10 +0000

Let me introduce you to some of my favorite people in the world. Ashley and I were babies together and grew up together in Atlanta before my family moved away when I was 4. We’ve stayed in touch our entire lives and even reunited back in college for a few years. Now, she has a family of her own and it was so fun to meet the new additions to the Coble Clan. The Cobles have always been family to me and I am honored that they asked me to document what they are thankful for on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

You’ll probably pick up on a few themes throughout the images below.

1) Anakin can’t stop smiling and laughing.
2) Ashley is in love with Bryan.
3) Hal and Jennifer are proud and content.
4) They are all much too good looking.
5) Thankfulness is a constant feeling.
6) …and many more…

PS – and I’m blessed to know them as family!

When in Rome, go to Berry College

Alan Darmody — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:26:46 +0000

Berry College is one of our favorite places to visit for a relaxing afternoon. It’s even more fun to meet a couple there for an engagement session and I was excited that Allison suggested it! Berry College is also very special to Allison and Albert because this is where Albert proposed to Allison. We enjoyed hearing the story of how they rode their bikes up to the top of one of the tallest parts on campus to watch the “sunset.” Albert had other plans and she said “yes!” So, in a few short months they will be getting married and we’re pumped to be their wedding photographers! Thanks again for hanging out with us last week. That Thai food was Yummy!

Here are just a few of our favorites! You two were awesome and it was hard to narrow it down to these few. We can’t wait for your wedding and pray that your planning will go well and your marriage will bring you thousands of happy years (ok, maybe thousands is overkill).

Enjoy!

life is peachy

Alan Darmody — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:40:43 +0000

Life changes. Nothing stays the same. Those truths couldn’t be more obvious in our life right now. We have some big, actually little, news to share! Alysa is pregnant! She is 12 weeks as of today and the little guy/girl is doing great! We had the second sonogram two days ago and we were able to see legs, arms, a nose, a chin and I think we even saw a tongue sticking out of its mouth. It was truly an amazing experience to see my child move and kick inside the womb. I couldn’t be more excited and anxious to meet my first child!! Our lives will never be the same and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

We’ve been following the development process with a really cool iPhone app called What to Expect. As of today our little fetus has reached the size of a peach (about 3 inches long). Below you can see our baby portraits from the 12 week sonogram from two days ago. It’s a huge difference from the little blurry peanut we saw at 8 weeks. It’s so amazing how much development has occurred in just 4 short weeks. Alysa has been battling nausea and exhaustion for the past 6 weeks but we hear that the 2nd trimester should be easier on her (here’s hoping!). She’s doing a great job at growing our little baby and I’m so very proud of her!!! Our due date is March 30 and we are excited about this new journey in our marriage and the beginning of our family. Right now it’s pretty surreal and each sonogram helps bring us back to the reality that we’re going to be parents. We think that we’re up for the challenge and are excited to see what blessings God has in-store for us. Apparently I just wanted a bunch of change in my life, IMMEDIATELY! Along with starting a family and being a father in 6 months, I have moved into full-time self-employment with the photography business (more on that in a future post).

P.S. – What do you think it will be? Boy? Girl?

Waiting for Ryan to smile

alysa — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:24:57 +0000

We met Riley and Ryan in downtown Suwanee for the final MS Walk Session. We instantly fell in love with Riley’s curls and blue eyes and Ryan’s red hair and freckles. They did their thing- Riley worked it and Ryan smoldered. But we just couldn’t get a real, big smile from Ryan. This one was pretty good.

We told jokes, made faces. He’s got the James Dean thing down, though.

Riley needed no direction. Once she got started, she took off. Watch her go…

Riley’s mom says she’ll move to straightening her hair soon. We sure hope not. You’re beautiful, Riley!

This is a pretty decent smile, too. Still not there yet…But LOOK at those freckles! They’re so wonderful!

Just as we were about to leave, Alan snuck up on Ryan and…THERE IT IS!!!

We had so much fun with you guys! Thank you both and thank you, Lea! Hope you enjoy these!

A dog and his family

alysa — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 18:57:40 +0000

This is Buddy. Buddy is 8-months-old and he loves pulling on his leash and playing with his boy, Tristan. He also owns Mike and Carrie, Tristan’s parents, who feed him and walk him and wait patiently for his puppy stage to calm down. He lives a pretty tough life.

This is Buddy’s boy, Tristan. He likes to climb things..just like Buddy.

Buddy has a pretty good-looking family, don’t you think?

Buddy liked our camera and got excited. I think he thought it was some new black, flashy ball.

Thanks, Buddy for letting us play with you and your family!

trespassing with style

Alan Darmody — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 03:10:27 +0000

Karla and James are some of our favorite people. All you have to do is watch how easily James cracks up and doubles over with laughter and experience Karla’s candid and genuine nature and you’ll fall in love with them, too. We were overflowing with blessings after shooting their Dallas wedding last August and our blessings continue when they asked us to do an early one-year anniversary session while visiting Atlanta. We wandered through a warehouse district downtown and even got kicked off of somebody’s front porch (who knew warehouses had front porches?)! Oh, it’s all excitement and adventure with ADP! Karla and James, you make us look GOOD.

an English wedding in Chattanooga

Alan Darmody — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 06:30:52 +0000

Sierra and Daniel have been friends of ours for several years and we were thrilled to watch them become a couple and beyond honored when they later asked us to photograph their wedding. Daniel is a Brit with an accent that keeps us entertained for hours (our favorite being when he borrowed Alan’s “jumper” and left it in the “boot” – or when he asked Alysa – yes, Alysa – to explain American football to him during the Superbowl). Sierra is a beautiful Georgia girl with amazing style who has spent enough time in Great Britain to know that Daniel is not the only thing from there that she enjoys.

So when they got engaged, they asked us where they might find local venues with a London flavor. We told them to just skip local and take us to London. When that didn’t work, we suggested Patten Chapel at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Grandview on Lookout Mountain. And voila! They brought England to Tennessee!

Sierra’s dress was to die for – chic, timeless and fashionable – just like her.

This is Sierra’s mom.

And this is why she was crying.

Daniel, you are fab.

Sierra had a full bell choir play her down the aisle!

Oh, how we love a church with real architecture…

The travel postcards were for leaving the bride and groom a note of congratulations or advice.

Sierra and Daniel, you are lovely and we are so happy to consider you friends as well as clients. We hope these pictures begin to touch on how beautiful your day was – and how beautiful you are as people.

How do I love thee?

Alan Darmody — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:16:41 +0000

There is a very specific reason that we love this couple. I will get to that reason later in the post. But first, I will tell you all the things we really, really LIKE about them – and finally end with the best reason of all. So don’t quit reading!

1. She loves her family and friends so much that she was flipping hysterically between laughter and tears with even the slightest provocation. But this is not the reason.

2. They brought us to their beautiful home in Hawaii. Good, but not the reason.

3. They like all the same tv shows we do – and she used Sheldon of the Big Bang Theory to unwind as she got ready. More swings between laughter and tears.

4. She’s is our biggest fan – she’s been watching our blog, albeit SILENTLY, for years and treated us like royalty. She had her engagement pictures on her iphone and Facebook before we could even blog them! This is close, but not quite it.

5. Their kids are so incredibly well behaved and full of personality.

6. Their day at the Kailua SDA Church was truly joyful. Happy tears and grateful prayers all around – a pleasure to attend.

7. They know they’re blessed. We all feel blessed on our wedding day, but not every couple is completely and utterly aware of the gift they’ve been given – one that none of us deserves. Very good reason, but not THE reason.

8. This is their cake – But wait, there’s more!

This is the awesomest groom’s cake ever baked. Ever. We are still paying homage over it.

And for those who know us think that the fantastic iphone cake is the reason – you’re wrong! (Though it’s the second best reason.)

9. The reason we love this family is that they taught us a new word – “ohana”. The term is a Hawaiian word for family. It is used to say that family are bound together and members must cooperate and remember one another — and they use it freely. We felt like family from the moment we met them and their wonderful real families and we will remember their kindness and feel bound to them forever for it. Thank you — you always have ohana in Atlanta!

haystacks in the park

Alan Darmody — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:42:29 +0000

We love haystacks. We love beach parks. We love the our new friends. Life is good. For those of you that don’t know about haystacks, we don’t mean bales of hay – we mean a wonderful twist on a taco salad indigenous to the Seventh-day Adventist culture. Come on over to our house sometime and we’ll introduce you to them!

This family is special. First, we were invited us to their home in Oahu for their beautiful wedding this last Sunday. And since we include an engagement session in each wedding package, we made sure to slip in a last minute session in Ala Moana Park, or Magic Island, before we had worship with their family and watched the weekly fireworks.

We will talk more about these guys in their wedding blog on Sunday, but here is a peek. We know you’ll love them almost as much as we do.

We love you all! Be watching Sunday for their wedding!!

P.S. We found a place in Oahu that does a light frothy macadamia nut sauce on pancakes. Wow. Now I have to go find food…

afternoon coffey

Alan Darmody — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 18:31:44 +0000

We met two beautiful ladies earlier and when we showed up later that afternoon for MS Walk Photography Session #4, we met two really cool guys, Nathan and Harrison – along with their mom, dad and their chihuahua Ruby.

It was HOT. But we stole these pictures as we darted from shade to shade. Nathan is the cool, hip one. Harrison is the crazy cat with the awesome hair. We’re kind of hoping Harrison and Nichole get to meet each other if they haven’t already, because that would be one entertaining duo!

Coffey family, we had a blast with you and hope to see you again sometime soon when you need to get updated images of those handsome boys…

two pretty girls

Alan Darmody — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 18:27:21 +0000

Last Sunday was our second installment of the MS Walk sessions. We have been working with the MS Walk of Georgia to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. The Mauldins braved the heat to get new portraits of their gorgeous daughters, Amanda and Nichole. Amanda is approaching her Junior year and getting excited about her drivers license. Nichole kept us in stitches with her antics and her ballet poses. I would name them for you, but neither I nor Alan know a THING about ballet! And yet, we do know that Nichole has a great future in it – either that or comedy.

Amanda is gorgeous. We really hope you’ll call us next year this time for your Senior Portraits!!

Nichole has a thing for yellow – yellow flowers (see above) and especially yellow cars. She adopts any she sees as “hers,” and this yellow Maserati was one of the better ones she’s claimed – so we posed her in front of it.

Mauldin family, we really enjoyed marching across downtown Lawrenceville with you. We hope that this session gives your dad some great new wallet photos of his two beautiful girls.