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. ;)