The calm after the storm

The whirlwind known as Lindsey has abated, the wedding and reception went without a hitch. Well I guess since she did get hitched to Mark that's not entirely accurate. ;) I've rarely been around a couple that laughed more, they really are a perfect match.

Sam I am

OK, it's really Samantha... but since the Bewitched TV series I always liked the idea of a female Sam. Sam and I meet some time ago, at a bridal show, and just clicked. Anyway... Samantha and her intended Brett are getting married next June and I'm honored to be their wedding photographer.

Whirlwind

Lindsey Eubank is breaking all speed records for planning a wedding. No long drawn out engagement here. Right after Mark Wilson popped the question she was ready to be his wife! The wedding and reception will be at stylish Matthews Manor this November 21st. I'd give you more details but I don't think they exist. Just kidding, Lindsey has actually planned the entire event in just a couple of weeks.

Lost and found

Memories can be treacherous things. Events and people in our past often take on near mythical proportion when compared to our present. I am not immune to this phenomenon. But just recently I've had the romanticized attachment to my own past at least somewhat justified. A friend I believed to be lost to the vagaries of life suddenly reappeared. Gotta love the internet. His friendship is one I've often missed, especially during my second and third decades. Bound by a common creative bent and the innocence of youthful pursuits it's nice to discover that we have, or so it seems, remained interesting to each other. Our life trajectories have apparently moved along a similar artistic arc. He's a wordsmith and I'm an image maker, a couple of storytellers using different tools. Welcome back Mr. Ellis.

Yes, I know...

I've been away from the blog for too long. It's been a crazy few weeks but I will post several new items soon. In case you haven't been through my website portfolios in a while there are several new pix in each one. Besides, wouldn't you rather see new pictures than read about them? OK, you can have both, we'll talk soon.

Remember this face

I met Patrick recently when he needed a couple of headshots for his new talent agency in Miami. You just never know who is going to 'make it' in the acting world, maybe Patrick will be one of those guys. Hey... I could sell his 'before he was famous' pictures to People Magazine for a pile of money! ;)

Winter vows

Emily Lewis and Joey Rich are both getting exactly what they want for Christmas this year, married! They will have a smallish but chic ceremony December 20th at Historic Rucker Place in Birmingham. http://www.ruckerplace.com
As you have probably guessed I'll be handling the photography. Joey wasn't available when Emily came by the office but I'll get a picture of him soon.

The couple are renovating an older home in Moody, AL and plan to live there right after the honeymoon. A new life, a new home and a new year all at once... I'd say they're Rich in more than name only.

Erin. Rucker Place. Perfect.

As June wound to a close I had the chance to bring a beautiful bride and a treasure of Birmingham together for a memorable photography experience. Historic Rucker Place is the setting for Erin's July 18th wedding and the two are ideal compliments to the other. While Erin is a modern young woman she is also a southerner and radiates the same warm charm and grace that is Rucker Place. To find out more about the history of this wonderful venue just check out their website. http://www.ruckerplace.com To find out more about Erin... here's a few pix from our session. Note her playful smile as she's backing into the wine cellar. I have a more serious shot of her at the wine cellar door in the wedding portfolio of my website.

Double J

Jennifer and John went for a little hike with me yesterday at the Botanical Gardens. Considering the humidity level I think that borders on courageous! Here's a couple of shots of Jenn that caught my eye from the death march, I mean... session. I'll be putting up some more samples next week.

Rick & Karen plus one

The happy couple have been busy with their new daughter, Madison, but they finally got around to selecting the pictures for their album. "Maddy Bug" came along to our meeting but was asleep most of the time... so no pix to share yet. Hopefully I'll snap a few shots when she comes to pick up the book for Mom. ;)

Comic Relief

Relaxing is tough work. OK, it isn't really work but it does keep you busy. I thought the idea of vacations was to recharge the batteries and come back to work ready for the next however many months of making ends meet. Well, after a week at the beach with family and friends I am ready to pick up the details of my life again, but I'm also exhausted. I mean how much fun can a guy really handle? This past week was particularly tiring... I mean fun. Several late night tall story sessions with 8 of my favorite people, each of us vying for the funniest line of the evening by poking verbal holes into the other, leads to a happy brain drain that I wouldn't miss for any amount of money. Oh, did I mention that we may be the loudest family on the planet? I think the volume is a result of each person being convinced that whatever he or she is about to say is simply not to be missed. So we say it very loudly. It all leads to an uproar that ends in us all holding our sides with laughing pains. Oddly, the quiet part of the weeks activities was provided by the youngest member of the clan, Ella. At just 20 months she is already a veteran of several family lung fests and seems to accept it all with an expression that echos DeNiro in Taxi Driver, "Are you talking to me?" You can tell that she's sizing you up... I have no doubt that her quiet days are very limited and we'll soon be the target of many barbs that will make us wish we hadn't interrupted so many of her naps.

S.I.T.S.

Yesterday the wedding professionals from Alabama gathered in downtown Birmingham for the first annual Style In The Sky bridal show. It was held in the high rise Harbert Plaza and Summit Club. Several notable figures from the wedding fashion and entertainment world were on hand to discuss industry trends through a series of free seminars. The show spread across three floors with live music on each level, ballroom dancers, a killer fashion show and 125 vendors showing off their wares. I was set up high above the city on the 32nd floor with a great view of... wait for it... a solid wall of thunderstorms! With the poor weather conditions the attendance by the public was a little smaller than expected but those who braved the elements saw a great show by the absolute best wedding pros Alabama has to offer. So hats off to the all the sponsors and organizers for a job more than well done! But next year let's bribe the weather man. ;)

Happy Lei Day

The first of May is a major cause for celebration in many cultures. I suppose for some of them it's the marking of another year of life renewing itself. Having lived in Hawaii for several years in the 1960s I came to know May first as Lei Day. An annual giving of flowers to those close to you through a traditional string of flowers worn around the neck. I don't know how it all got started but the whole flower, peace and love vibe fit right into the sixties philosophy I was part of in my teens. I guess it all seems a bit quaint now. But with the current world situation(s) perhaps quaint isn't so bad.

As promised...

...I'm back! The past week has been a blur of activity. The TV project went well but I'm anxious to get back to some still photography. I'm shooting a portrait session at the historic Alabama Theater this afternoon, it's one of the big ornate movie houses from the golden age of Hollywood. I'll have to have a big bag of popcorn handy when I edit the images. :)

Beauty in the Park

Just a quick sample from today's session at Vulcan Park. Erin and Troy survived high winds and their fear of heights as we roamed the park grounds and got a skyline view of B'ham from the top of the Vulcan monument. All of the fun will be online next week. I'll be working on a broadcast project for the next several days but as the Gov. of California likes to say... I'll be back. ;)

An April fool

Well, Spring Fever has officially struck. I can no longer bear to be inside chained to the computer. I love digital photography but it is much more work after the shoot than the old film days. Anyway... about this time every year Birmingham looks a lot like Emerald City in the land of OZ. Everything is so green and lush that it hurts to look at it. Well it hurts if you're stuck indoors.

The past two weekends of horse shows in Tennessee and Alabama provided some much needed light therapy but really they just made me greedy for more outdoor action. Fortunately I have a sunset portrait session tomorrow with a pretty girl (OK, her fiance will be there too) so I'll be away from the computer all afternoon. And Saturday should be fun as I'll be shooting at Clairmont Show Stables for the first time in about a year. It's a beautiful place and the folks that run it are first rate equestrians and people. You can check them out online. www.clairmonthunters.com

Get out of the house and enjoy yourself, it'll be too %#@*&# hot before you know it.

Free Association

To all the folks that have visited my website event Gallery or called to inquire about a particular event, thanks for your interest in my work! I keep a record of your contact info so I can let you know about upcoming events, special offers or just my thoughts on the world. ;) But I don't want to be an email nuisance... so the easiest way for you to stay up to date (you do want to stay up to date, right?) about what I'm doing is to sign up to follow my blog. The next ten people that sign on as a follower get to be the next ten people that sign on! Wow, now that's a deal! What? You were expecting more? This is the internet, everything is less than it seems. ;) But it is free. OK, if blogs aren't your thing you can hit my Facebook and MySpace pages instead. Geez, who has time for all this communication?

Joined the Club

The Huntsville Pony Club stamped my hand and let me into their show last Saturday. It was held in the green rolling hills of southern Tennessee at Wolfgap. The Dressage and Cross Country event was attended by riders of all ages and skill levels. I hadn't work with this Club before but once again I was struck by the kind nature and overall good humor thats seems universal of everyone I meet in the horse world. Maybe it's because we're all animal lovers, or maybe it's just the joy of doing something you really love. Whatever it is, I'm grateful to be a part of their circle.
Here's a small sample from the show. The rest of the pictures are online now in the Gallery section of my website.

Sneak Peek

I had a little "facetime" with Kristen and her intended Brandon yesterday. The entire session is now posted to my website Gallery. Despite the serious look of these shots we did have a lot of fun.

Back in the Saddle

One of my favorite times of year has arrived... Spring horse shows! Another beautiful southern day (for those not lucky enough to live around here that means 75˚and sunny) gave the riders a chance to really show off their skills, and new horses, last Saturday at the Hidden Hills Show. It was one of the better March weather days in recent memory.

I've been photographing this group of young riders for several years and I'm always stunned by how much they change and grow from the year end show in November to the first Spring show. Here's a few candid moments from the 2009 season kick off. The rest of the shots should be posted to my website today.

Maid(s) to order

Once again I got paid to have a good time! Bride to be Kristen Leonard wanted to document her bridesmaids picking out their dresses for the wedding. As luck would have it, I had a rare Saturday off so I could go snap happy with them at Bella Couture in Mt. Laurel as they tried on 27 dresses. (not really but it was too good a wedding movie reference to pass up) Here's just a few of the pix. No, you will not get to see K's wedding gown or the final bridesmaid dress. But I will tell you that Kristen's gown is a knockout!

Thanks to Bella Couture

Colleen, the owner of Bella Couture, allowed me, my client Kristen and her bridesmaids to run crazy through her very fashionable Mt. Laurel bridal gown shop yesterday. She even opened an hour early to accommodate the bride's schedule. Thanks Colleen, I hope we didn't scare the other customers. Be sure to check out Colleen's website if you're in the market for the lastest in wedding fashion. http://www.bellacouturellc.com

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

This is why I live in the south? ;)

Book 'em Dano

OK, if you don't remember the TV show Hawaii Five O then the title of this blog makes no sense. The point is... Kristen Leonard has booked Rick Pennington Photography for her Autumn wedding. Thanks Kristen.

New Bride to be

Erin Bowden is getting married! She and her mate, Troy, have selected Birmingham's beautiful and historic Rucker Place for the big event and, of course, Rick Pennington Photography to capture the fun. Thanks Erin!

Belk Bridal Expo

OK, is there anything less useful than a photographer without a camera? I was a participant at Sunday's Belk Bridal Expo inside their beautifully remodeled store at the Summit in Birmingham. But of course I can't show you any pictures. (re-read first line) So you'll just have to take my word that is was well organized and energetic. After finding my assigned display space I wisely moved my tables to an open space near a wine shop's display. In just a few minutes the long line of attendees tasting the free wine samples proved my move a wise one. ;) Thanks to all the brides and Moms that took the time to review my work. Yes, there were a few grooms too but usually they didn't stray too far from the free wine and food samples.

High Country

If you've ever wanted to feel connected to the planet just take a trip to the Rocky Mountains. For me there is no greater natural wonder than the vast mountains of the American west. I feel renewed after each visit to them. Of course it could just be the very thin air affecting my ability to reason. Whatever it is I need the experience from time to time. Here's a few snapshots from a recent "experience" around the Yellowstone and Big Sky area. I highly recommend the day long drive near the northern border of Yellowstone on Beartooth Highway, simply amazing.

Congratulations

April Huff and Brad Hudson were recently engaged and had the good sense to engage Rick Pennington Photography for their wedding. ;) Kidding aside, I'm always grateful for the trust my clients place in me to capture a true milestone in their lives.

AHJA 2009 Banquet

Last Saturday was the annual Alabama Hunter Jumper Association awards dinner and the riders, trainers and vendors (me) were all decked out for the big feed. We all gathered once again at Pinetree Country Club to celebrate another successful year of equestrian sport. Congratulations to all the winners! Here's a few snapshots I managed to grab between glasses of wine. ;)