Dear Dave

Dear Dave,

I guess I am still in shock. It just does not seem real. You're just on another haul, right? You went on vacation and you'll be back in a few days, right? How can you be gone? You were JUST here. My brain is working so hard to squeeze out all the memories. The sound of your voice is still fresh in my ears from our chat on wednesday- the very slight but familiar gruffness, the easy going tone, the smile that I can hear through the phone as you talk. You're still at the hospital and you will be back home soon, right? How can you be gone? You were JUST here.

I can see you standing tall and strong as you shift your weight from your good leg to your bad and back again. You made it look easy, but I knew it wasn't. You were a big 'ol huggable bear of a guy. You kind of took on the "big brother I never had" spot that made me feel grateful to know you. Spending time with you was always like good medicine for me. You were smart and funny and just had an amazing magnetic charisma about you. I just wish more people could have known how much fun it was to be around you. You loved to laugh and even more, you loved to make us laugh. You were one of the coolest people I have ever met.

I always admired how important family was to you. Although you enjoyed some of the better things life could offer, you were soo grounded. You knew that family and the people you loved trumped everything else. I knew that about you not because you told me but because you lived it. It was obvious that you had learned some important lessons in life and you were quick to appreciate the simple things.

It's just not fair. You were JUST here.... I will never say "goodbye". You will always be here... every time someone says your name and they can't help but smile thinking about you... you are still here.

I love you and miss you soo much my friend.

It's Here!

It's here! It's here! I am so excited to show off my new logo! Thanks to the amazing work of Allan Rudd, I have a sleek, simple, professional logo for Fresh Eye Photography. I have included a link in the right sidebar to the great website that brought us together... 48hourslogo.com.

Allan did an amazing job at reading my needs and responding quickly. Although I had planned to run the project for one week, I had my heart set on his design with 4 more days remaining.

Check it out everyone!

Fresh Eye Photography logo design - 48HoursLogo.com

I am so excited! I have never been satisfied with the logos I have cooked up in Photoshop. I decided to go ahead and seek professional help.

I found this awesome site that generates competition for your project - it's great! Very shortly I will be remodeling my website, blog, and FB page to show the winning design.

Fresh Eye Photography logo design - 48HoursLogo.com

Love and light

This session was an absolute delight. A perfect combination of a beautiful family and some great outdoor light. The Isse family were so genuine and a pleasure to photograph! The children are absolutely adorable and Hodan and Alan are two of the nicest people you could ever meet. It was Hodan's idea to use the Vines Botanical Garden in Loganville, and I will be forever greatful... this is an ultimate spot for photographers, LOVE IT!

~{ Clients and FEP fans }~

Images visible on the FEP website, blog and facebook page are the property of Juanita Smith/Fresh Eye Photography. 

Images may be posted and shared ONLY if unaltered in any way. The watermark must remain intact and appropriate credit must be assigned to Juanita Smith or Fresh Eye Photography. Images may not be saved or printed without consent. 

All images are subject to copyright infringement laws.Thank you for your understanding.

9 months and counting...

I can't believe it, Blakely is 9 months old already! That 12 month photo shoot keeps getting closer and closer. It almost seems sad that this will come to an end. It's been amazing to watch her grow and I can't wait to visit sans equipment just to admire what a beautiful baby girl she is.

~{ Clients and FEP fans }~

Images visible on the FEP website, blog and facebook page are the property of Juanita Smith/Fresh Eye Photography. 

Images may be posted and shared ONLY if unaltered in any way. The watermark must remain intact and appropriate credit must be assigned to Juanita Smith or Fresh Eye Photography. Images may not be saved or printed without consent. 

All images are subject to copyright infringement laws.Thank you for your understanding.

Georgia peach

All I can say is WOW! Way way back, in the portfolio building days I jumped at the chance to shoot a sporting event. Rachel had asked me to take some soccer pics of her daughter Christin. It was a great experience and my first chance to use Jimmy's 80-200 2.8 lens.

Well, just recently Rachel contacted me about a portrait session for this same shy preteen. As I approached the shoot I went over the usual thoughts to prepare. I thought, how will I open the petals of this shy little flower.

Was I in for a big surprise... our flower had blossomed, and this session was all about that amazing transformation from little girl to young woman. I was speechless for several minutes. All I could think of was that pony tail little girl in her blue soccer jersey, biting her lip and pushing her glasses back up the bridge of her nose.

Now, in front of my lens was a confident and beautiful smile, mature bangs and highlights, and curves!
How could you go wrong with a jump point like that!?

Big Red Barn

When photography becomes a serious part of your life you begin to look at things in a very different way. You begin to look at the world through light... the quality, quantity, and color. Although my husband and I moved into our current home about 5 years ago, I did not notice the Big Red Barn until photography took over my creative side. Every day on my way to and from work, I would pass an old country chicken farm and not even realize what a jewel was right in my own back yard!

It finally caught my eye this spring as I was watching the world through the windshield in that magical "golden hour" that is just perfect for portraits. Amidst the tall new green grass, stood the slightly weathered but proud structure. It was facing west and the sun was just going down... it hit me instantly and almost became an obsession, "I must build up the courage to knock on their door, I must do a session with that barn!"

Finally, the perfect opportunity presented itself, and I knocked...