Fall Creek Falls

This past weekend, we headed to Fall Creek Falls with some friends from Wisconsin and attended a night of the taping of Bluegrass Underground. Bluegrass Underground is always amazing, and I highly recommend checking it out whenever you can, but the park is where I focused my lens.
We took a hike around the park, and it was gorgeous. We honeymooned here in early Spring of 2012, and always manage to come back in late winter - before the season begins, but just as the weather is breaking.
We stayed in a Fisherman's Cabin on the lake; it was absolutely perfect: days in the 60s, nights in the 40s.
Here are a few photos of the wonderful surroundings:

Okay, this was on the way to the cabin, but the fire was so bright and amazing.

The falls: the highest falls East of The Rockies.

A gorgeous view on our hike.

Moving water is fascinating to me.

Looking across the gorge of the falls.

View from the cabin's deck.

I like the dichotomy of night time city shots and daylight nature shots I've started to amass. It keeps me intrigued, and I hope it does you, too!

Icy Photo Exercise

As everyone has noticed over the last few weeks, this is a really cold winter! While hunkering down during the Polar Vortex, I took some of these photos of the ice inside our windows.
Enjoy!

Icy tendrils

January Market in Atlanta

It's a rainy day here in Atlanta, and there are flash flood warnings until 3 pm. Luckily, I'm in the AtlantaMart, staying warm and dry, and selling Freshie and Zero to retailers from around the country.
My boss, Beth Lawrence, is a great jewelry designer, an awesome employer, and has an incredible eye for design. One of the skills she really wows people with - both clients and fellow sellers - is her ability to make a creative, cohesive,  and easily navigable display. Working with Beth has made me realize how much more goes on behind the scenes when running a business than the average consumer may realize.
Below are a few photos of the newly redesigned display for this market. Enjoy, and stay inspired!

Full booth shot. It's so airy, and the punches of color are perfect.

The Best Seller Package

Beth has a keen eye for using everyday objects for her displays.

Letterpress earring cards display nicely in a tray with candle-scaping sand.

The Story Collection (on the wall)

Professional photography showcasing the jewelry helps clients get a feel for how the pieces hang on a person.

Creative use for a dessert stand.

Back In The Game

It's been a while since I've posted, which I apologize for, but I have been both busy as heck and suffering from a case of writer's block.

The good stuff is still happening! I've been singing plenty with The One and Only Bill Davis; he is finishing the cleaning up of his Omnichord X-mas album, and sending it out to be mastered within the next day or two. I was lucky enough to be asked to sing on one of the tracks AND do the layout of the album cover. It's coming along well so far - it definitely helps to work with a person who knows what he wants.

Screen shot of the work in progress

Bill is not only a great singer/composer/arranger, but he's been flexing his design muscles on his last two albums. The Up To Something! artwork was entirely his concept - I just did the layout design. He created the drawings for the Omnichord record ages ago in a Paint program on an old PC laptop, and, again, I'm just laying it out. I love that I married a man who likes to cross creative genres!

Front and back covers-do you see the faint drawing of Bill in the background of the back cover?

I recently reconnected with a client I had worked with in late 2012/early 2013, and she gave me a copy of a postcard/pamphlet cover that I had laid out months ago. She just sent it out to 200 people, so I'm pleased it came out so well.

My next project with these wonderfully creative folks is designing Rob's website

Here are another couple of ads I've contributed to this year:

I did the photography, post-production, and layout for this Frames By U ad, featured in the
Nashville Arts Magazine Gift Guide

I took the photograph used in the ad for Bennett Galleries, also found in the
Nashville Arts Holiday Gift Guide

Even with writer's block, I'm so grateful to have all of these great opportunities to work on so many creative projects!

Modern Southern Style

Though this post isn't music or photo-related, I am all about supporting local and unique businesses. I am currently loving Flourish Floral Designs by Leah Teague. Based out of Knoxville, her creations range from feminine with an edge to fairy tale whimsical. We met a while ago at a bar on the East side of town, and she is totally adorable and a powerhouse of talent and motivation. Here are a few of the pieces I have my eye on:

Red leather studded cuff with white lace and white satin ribbon.

A custom top hat for a carnival-themed wedding. I want three in different colors.

This headband is not my day-to-day style, but I'd love to wear it while gardening.  The cuff, however, would absolutely make it into my regular jewelry rotation.

You can find Flourish Floral Designs on Etsy, follow her on Pinterest and facebook, and see her creations on her website. 

The Midwest

I was lucky enough to go on tour with The One and Only Bill Davis in Brookfield, IL, Manitowoc, WI, and Milwaukee, WI. I didn't get too many photos (road life is BUSY!), but here are a few snapshots. Enjoy!

Somewhere in Indiana...

I never thought I'd find beauty in the flatlands, but it's undeniably picturesque at times.

I've heard mixed reviews about the effectiveness and efficiency of the windmills.

Coming in from the south on I94.

Traveling along Lake Street, heading West.

A little brother and a little practice. It was the first time my brother (Justin Collins, a.k.a. The Egg) and I performed together. It was a total blast!

Burgers and beer at Billy Goat's. A classic!

The Manitowoc, WI courthouse.

It was an amazingly fun, whirlwind trip, and it recharged my batteries! I'm glad to be home and in the saddle again!

Motorcycle Pics for The Grandparents

This morning's photo shoot was with Katie Merth of Nashville, TN. Her Grandpa, Roy Bork, a resident of Southwest Wisconsin, thinks it's pretty bitchin' that Katie rides a Harley Davidson motorcycle. I tend to agree. Katie is the proud rider of a Softail Deluxe. It's a huge bike, but it's detailing is classic. It's style works well for Katie, who favors an understated look with fun, yet subtle accessories. These are some shots from our session.

Katie, looking fly on her big ol' bike next to the Party House.

Semi-symmetry (say that ten times fast)

It's not a session with KT without a thumbs up!

Ready to roll