A class act .. Little but fierce.. cute and smart.. That’s Kory!

“Though she be but little, she is fierce!”

― William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

That’s the perfect description of this lifeguard. How do I describe Miss Kory to you.. I don’t even know that I have powerful enough words to share what this young lady is all about .

First of all she’s a lifeguard… she loves animals, and she loves people . She has the tolerance and love for all kinds of people of all walks of life. Something that we as adults need to have more of. At the ripe age of 17 she has maturity beyond her years. She is a hard worker, she believes in treating others fairly. She radiates sunshine. She is helpful and she is kind.

She is a lifeguard because she wants to be there for others.. She has a protective instinct. She is fit from days of swimming and workouts. She’s fun. Her mom is her best friend.. gotta love a kid like that.

Take all these wonderful things and store them in a beautiful five foot tall pixie with bright green eyes and a great smile, and that’s Miss Kory.

True story.. I wiped out during her photo shoot. I missed my footing and fell face first into a brick on the ground. I busted my lip and bled like crazy. Kory drove me home. She drove so slowly that I was afraid we would cause a traffic jam. I told her she could speed up.. she said ” I don’t want to hit a bump it might hurt you”… yup that’s this senior.

Kory’s senior photos are beautiful.. they reflect the story of this wonderful young lady. They are bright and fresh. I loved working with Kory. I can’t wait to see where life takes her. It’s been a long time since I was a cheerleader, but I will always be one for this young lady~!

Look out world.. here comes a five foot tall .. whirlwind!

xxoo

Connie

Class of 2016 special.

by Cmccormickrn

Hello Beautiful. Book Before July 4th, and receive a free Formal, in studio session of you in your prom gown or tux! Bring a friend! One 8×10 and free session! xxoo connie

Summer Weddings

by Cmccormickrn

I had the pleasure of working with two wonderful photographers for this event. Wendy Murphy and Kimberly Hise. We three hit it off. Wendy is funny and sweet and kind.. and Kim is my buddy. Summer Weddings are HOT… they are unmerciful for photographers.. WOW.

I gotta say though.. the images are outstanding… what a pretty bride.. handsome groom and gorgeous venue. The Historic Pleasant Grove house has been completely restored. It is surrounded by beautiful fields and trees. I can just imagine having lemonade on the lawn.. and ladies in long dresses walking around.

saying good-bye class of 2015

by Cmccormickrn

During the past several years, I have met some amazing senior high school students. The class of 2015 has to have been one of my favorite years..

I really can’t type this without becoming a little mushy and emotional. All of you from the class of 2015 are so special. I wish that I had the time to interview each and everyone of you. If you get a chance ….stop in and tell me where you’re off to.. and what you’re going to major in. Most of this information I already have stored, because I will never forget any of you.

“I just want to celebrate another day of living..” truer words cannot be found .. ( lyrics from the 70’s) … yes that was my high school time… ( I know I’m old)

This young man gave me the perfect opportunity to say something…To write something.. To be meaningful, because he is so meaningful, yes…. I get re-charged from my seniors.. they are special.

JuWan said that as a freshman he never realized the impact that his High school days would have on his life.. He made friends that would last forever.. He has been taught values from a loving home and church family. He found a way in his life to affect the lives of others. He developed study habits that pushed him near the top of his class. He is a music worship leader at his church, engaged in every thing possible by his parents.. and He knows where the important things in life are.

He has found them at the ripe age of 17. When I asked him where he saw himself in 10 years.. he said he is going to Old Dominion, and is majoring in Education and Music. He plans on continuing his work with his church.. and teaching children music. He said eventually he would like to teach in public schools, and become an administrator. He has high aspirations.. But.. Not only does he have the aspiration to do these things, he has done the work to get him where he needs to go to succeed!

So many of us, even as adults, never do the work to get us to where we want to be. This young man has a head start. I am proud to call him my friend. Good luck JuWan.. and Good luck class of 2015.

xx00

Connie.

Tea for two, or what’s the value of wonderful clients?

by Cmccormickrn

Wonderful photography Clients.. we all wish for them. We dream for them. We hope and pray for them … We are creative hearts and we long for the day when someone will say.. ” oh wait, I love what it is that you do”! Jessica and Nick are those clients..

Yup they are. I consider myself not only blessed to work with them, but honored to know them. He is a Major in the army, and she is the most perfect mother and spouse. She works two jobs.. takes care of children.. has been patiently by his side through deployments, and moving, and all the things that go along with military life. She does it with kindness and grace. Not only does this mom and dad have a great love of country, they are devoted to their church, and their community. Yes.. they are the perfect client.

My thoughts are that .. perfect clients Do become friends. There was recently a discussion in a forum about does friendship get in the way of the photography business? Well, I guess my answer would be.. why should it? I’ve taken care of friends before as a nurse. I have taken care of my family before as a nurse. We are all put here together on this earth to love one another. A job, even as a photographer, should not let us be separated as friends. It should not keep us from forming long lasting bonds with families. I mean.. it’s why I love doing what I do. So enjoy this teddy bear picnic.. It was brought together for the love of a little girl, the love of wonderful clients.. and the Love of photography. Memories are made each day. Please don’t keep them all stored on your cell phone. Hire a photographer. Save your memories .

They are priceless, and don’t come around again.

xxoo

Connie. picture you upon my knee… just tea for two and two for tea

just me for you.. and you for me … Alone

Nobody near us to see us or hear us..

no friends or relations on weekend vacations…

well you know the rest…

Lifestyle Newborn Photography ( baby sparky)

by Cmccormickrn

Ms. Lauren…

One of my favorite people to work with as a nurse. She is kind, hard working.. and a great nurse. The one thing about Lauren that I’ve always loved is how she talks about her family. When I left working as a Nurse in late October, Lauren was waiting on her second baby. Knowing how crazy she was about the first, I gave her the gift of photos for her baby welcoming present. I told her that I would be there night or day to take those photos and today I fulfilled my promise. We did lifestyle newborn shoot at the hospital. Laurent had a C section yesterday.. and is up running the halls the next day.

Lauren is the kind of person who always stops and talks to you. She would say every morning … ” hey Con Con”… I called her Sparky. So while we were waiting .. I called the new baby.. baby Sparkey. She would always greet me by saying ” hi friend”.. she’s a warm genuine person. She works hard to help support her growing family. Well.. all nurses work hard.. Especially at Stony Point.

Lauren also has a few other loves in her life. One is her hubby.. a sweet race car loving maniac driver.. and their son Carter. I saw photos of Carter every day for the past 2 years and 8 months. I can tell you about every Halloween costume that he had.. because his mommy talked about him all the time. Mr Carter now has some competition for his Mom’s affections. Like all children who welcome a new sibling into the household, I am sure he will have a few adjustments to make. He is a beautiful little boy.. with bright blue eyes and spikey hair.. He is also a hugger..

I hope you enjoy the photos. I think they turned out better than everyone expected. Love you guys

XX00

Connie

The art of capturing memories.

#ramnation VCU Graduation!

by Cmccormickrn

with VCU graduation in the air.. the campus is a busy social arena…. Kendra’s major is Social Work.. the ability to do work for society. It’s one of the fastest growing fields in our country, and with few people who fit the role to fill it.

A social worker many times deals with the most vulnerable population in society. Social workers work with companies, individuals, hospitals. and extended care facilities. They work for our schools.. they help make sure that social justice is applied for all

It is a giving profession. A selfless heart, and a loving kind spirit is what this profession takes. I think Kendra has all of these. NOT … to mention.. she is drop dead model gorgeous.

I loved meeting Kendra a recent VCU grad. We developed the project for her senior photos and captured her On campus photos on the prettiest evening. She is a natural in front of the camera.. Shy but graceful in all her movements. Quick to smile.. beautiful eyes. I could probably just take her photo every day.

CONGRATS KENDRA… you make the world a better place.. you go girl ( snapping fingers in the most coolest way possible)

Cheers,

Gwac….

(grandma with a camera)

senior portraits www.conniegrant.photography

VCU grad WWW.conniegrant.photography

Altria theater Richmond Va VCU campus photos

–—–if i could have found the key to this beach cruiser it would be mine.

Be the Church!

by Cmccormickrn

I am not a preachy kind of person. I don’t quote the bible.. I don’t try to change people’s religions. And what’s that you say? A blog post from a photographer without photos on it.. Well yes my dears. So either run and hide or read on.

I was recently shamed on social media for having a photo of a young lady holding a scarf that was pink and grey.. plus red white and blue. It was a scarf.. not a flag. Shamed..Tormented and put in my place. I was told that I needed to read the flag code. Told that I was unprofessional ( that may be true).. told that I was Un-American… really? I’m a tarheel .. that’s as American as you get. I was told that I was desecrating the most valuable thing that we as Americans have.. our flag. This made me question.. is the flag our most valuable possession as a country? Our flag is wrapped around olympic athletes after they win a competition. Our flag is seen on jewelry, and clothing.. Our flag is displayed in miniature form in gardens.. So is our flag so precious that a Senior who just spent five years in college and wants to work in the legal system in our country can’t hold up a scarf with stripes on it? I have friends and family members that have fought for the freedoms that the flag represents. So NO.. i wouldn’t use an official american flag as a photography prop.

I say we have larger problems to worry about. Such as how to feed starving children who go to school each morning without breakfast. How to take care of our terminally ill elderly patients in the country. How to make sure that our college kids are safe on campus from predators. How to raise respectful youth.. and re-establish bonds between our law enforcement officers and the the general public.

If you as an American citizen have a problem with a senior holding a scarf that has 12 stripes.. 22 stars and pink and grey tones in it.. then you obviously need to find some other things to think about. This would be a great time for you to volunteer at a homeless shelter, or get your own head straight.

I was told a lot of things, and the funny thing is .. the people who were telling me this.. were Self Proclaimed Christians. Followers of Jesus. God is good.. etc. etc.

SO my message to you… Shame on you. Shame on your for ridiculing me publicly and privately. Shame on you for not following what Jesus taught .. which i believe to be tolerance and love. Shame on you for not being the church. Shame on you for worshipping a flag over friendship.

If you believe in a Holy supreme God.. which I do.. then every day you should BE the Church. In the walk you walk.. and the talk you talk. How can you hate, name call, ostracize.. and bully anyone .. if you are truly being the church?

ANYONE who knows me, knows that I am the wife of a firefighter.. the daughter in law of a police officer and a patriotic spirit.. So if you feel the need to comment on my ” scarf” photos, please be kind and keep your fingers still. I really don’t like my college seniors upset when someone writes something without thinking under one of their beautiful photos.

Just a few rambling thoughts from the office….

Connie.

Vcu Graduation and Ram Nation.. shaka who?

by Cmccormickrn

VCU graduation. It’s always a busy blustery time in RVA. RamNation was packed on this Sunday afternoon. Downtown becomes a hustly and bustly and excitement builds in the air. It’s a busy time of year .. I had to take time to do this shoot, it was very important to me.. yes my sister-in-law has laughed at me because I didn’t know who Shaka Smart was… I didn’t know that VCU had done rather well in basketball. I’m not much of a sports fan…

I was so honored when my nephew wanted me to do these photos. I am proud of him. He has always been a quiet, likeable guy a lot like my brother, his dad…

If I could have any one wish, it would be that my dad would be here to see this young man graduate. To witness what a great guy he is. To see his long hair curled into a bun… ( yeah that wouldn’t go over so well)… Hmmm… I’m thinking as Kyle enters into the world of business, his drummer hair style will soon become shorter. We will see. ..

Yes did I mention that he has a band? Yup Another Treehouse acquaintance https://www.facebook.com/pages/Another-Treehouse-Acquaintance/105827388986?fref=nf They are in the middle of recording for their fans … and have achieved some rock and roll fame in the area. Their Facebook page has more likes than mine.. so that kind burns me a little.

They are quite talented musicians and have been friends for a long time . I hope in future they continue their passion for music. Any passion for any art is the most wonderful thing. These guys in this band started elementary school together, and have grown together as friends all the way through college.

So… back to the shoot… we waited out a rainstorm.. and the sun came out .. it broke through the clouds brilliantly, as bright as Dani’s smile:) .. and the photos are amazing.

Pictured in these photos, is Kyle’s Best friend and cohort in crime, his love, Danielle… She is as pretty on the inside as she is on the outside. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for both of these graduating seniors. Dani is funny and witty and keeps you laughing, and she seems to keep Kyle in check..

They are a cute couple.. and I think a permanent couple. Time will tell:) That may be another photo shoot. 🙂

So Congrats to you both.. You are loved.

xxoo

Aunt Connie

or as kyle use to say.. ” u cwazy aunt connie” yup he’s right:)

Kyle is graduating after Five years with a major in Accounting.. Following in his smart Mom’s foot steps. He must have inherited his math brain from his mom and my dad Trust me I didn’t not get the Math brain.. I got the art brain. His mom is the owner of http://www.ablcpas.com/ Andrew Barwick and Lee . Check them out for all your accounting needs. ( had to get that plug in)