Family Photo Shoot Pt.1

This is a much larger post than normal, but it's a special occasion! My younger brother, Sgt. Jason Pack, and his family have been stationed in Korea for the last year, and now they are home for a visit. (And no, I don't call him Sgt.)

These photos were taken in my parent's yard this afternoon. It was a bit cloudy still, after two days of rain, and the kids were ready for naps—but they were good sports and I think I got some great shots.

So this is part one of what I hope will be a two part shoot for Jason, Chalica, Emma, and Jackson. I hope you enjoy these as much as I am ... probably not possible, but go ahead and try!

Fall Colors and PhotoShop!

I am quickly becoming a "PhotoShop-aholic" since my sister-in-law arrived from Korea for a visit. I wasn't really a believer before as I thought that good photos straight out of the camera were they way to go. Honestly, I was frustrated with PhotoShop because I didn't know how to use it effectively, but Chalica has given me some tools, or should I say "actions" via The Pioneer Woman and I am hooked!

I took these today at Kiwanis Playground, a little park just down the street from my home. I hope I can do a photo shoot there tomorrow with Jason, Chalica, Emma, and Jackson. What d'ya think?















Speaking of photo shoots. I did one today for J, Chalica, and the kids. I should have photos ready from that soon. Stay tuned for more. :)

theGatheringFM

I haven't posted in a while, but it's not for lack of taking photos. I've had a good bit of company in the last month and I'm gearing up for more this month!

Here's a little peak into my church, theGatheringFM ...

Love, Serve, Live ... as Jesus did ...


Pastor Derrick and Lisa Bucy ...


Pastor Scott and Shelley Morrison ...


The chalkboard wall, where people express their thanks to God ...












Glory Revealed, John 1-4 ...


If you don't have a regular place of worship, come and see us sometime. We would love to see you!

Cute Kids!

Yesterday afternoon, SIM International (my workplace) held its family fall picnic at Ebenezer Park in Rock Hill. I shot nearly 200 photos, but for this post I decided on 10 of my favorite kid photos. Hope you enjoy them!

Glencairn Gardens

Glencairn Gardens is one of the more beautiful parks in Rock Hill, SC. In the spring, the azaleas, dogwoods, flowering crab trees, and a myriad of other flowers and trees explode with dazzling colors that delight the eye.

My grandma always loved it there. Before she passed away more than four years ago, the family asked her what they should do with her ashes. She said she wanted them to end up someplace beautiful. So today, finally, my uncles, Don (who is visiting from MI) and Phil, and my mom took her ashes and spread them there as a tribute to her and the life that she lived. Because she had a relationship with Christ, it meant no more or less than that. I thank God that she is with him now ... in a much more beautiful place than we can even imagine!

While we were there, I played around with aperture and shutter speed settings on my camera. Here are a few that I like ...

A Little of This and a Little of That

First things first ... food. This one is especially for my sister-in-law Chalica, the food blogger extraordinaire. ;D Check out her food website Vegetarian in Korea to see her latest stuff, but beware ... it will make your mouth water!

This is a marvelous meal that my friend Judi Fleming prepared the last time my friend, her daughter, Jennie was here in Rock Hill. It was even tastier than it looks if you can believe it!


My mom and I went for a walk together on Friday evening in a neighborhood close to my parents' house. I thought it was a perfect reason to sling the camera over my shoulder in case I saw anything interesting. I have a few more hummingbird photos to go with the flora, but I think they need a bit of "photoshopping" before they go public. I have included one here for your amusement, but I hope to make some light adjustments and post the others later.












And last but not least, here is our "sound stage" at theGathering FM. It's not very well lit as we typically use candles and a bit of back lighting on Sundays, but I thought it looked kind of cool when I changed the look on the camera to sepia. What do you think?