Carletta Watkins Photography Blog

Carletta wins People's Choice Celebrity Chef @ North Laurel High, London, Ky..

Well, we were asked to participate in the annual Celebrity Chef here in London. It is a fund raiser for the North Laurel Cheerleaders...... I think I must have been insane when I said "yes"......I mean, I don't cook....I did a few years ago but since the studio has gotten so crazy.....I have almost stopped. I do love it and I love entertaining but my life got all out of balance a few years ago and I just quit cooking and entertaining...so fast forward to a few days ago. I really planned on getting my mother in law to make her famous pies but then when they told me to prepare for 300.....I thought, if I ask her to do that....I will never be her favorite daughter in law.....(just kidding) soooo  I needed a recipe and my friend Becky....who I think is an awesome cook...suggested doing a cake....it was named Put the Lime in the Coconut....and anyone who knows me...I am anal about some things and this went with my theme so it was a definite yes.  So I started by making a trial cake....well it flopped....not just alittle but alot.....ALOT. So I made 4 more.....every time they got better. So Saturday came and we went and set up.....everything went great and we got lots of compliments about the booth and even the cake......and then at the end they had a contest and you got to vote for your favorite......and I WON.......

http://www.laurel.kyschools.us/Schools/NorthHigh/District.htm

Our 20th!!!!!!

For our 20th Anniversary, Tim and I went on a second honeymoon.....well, heck.....lets be honest...our first. We were young and in school and our first consisted of a trip to Pigeon Forge for 2 nights and then onto summer school in Richmond. So Tim planned us a Hawaii trip and I must say it is absolutely beautiful. Yes, I still love Destin, Florida and one of these days....I will live there or somewhere close but this was wonderful. I don't think I would want to be that far from family and friends but it was something else and so worth it.  I mean.....I knew it was beautiful but I never dreamed it was that gorgeous. So now, I want to take the kids so we are planning another trip in about a year or so with the kids. I had that mommy guilt when we got there because I knew how much the kids would have loved it. Every single person we met was so friendly and helpful.  Our condo was wonderful.....as nice as any we have ever stayed. It was very big and just perfect although we did not spend alot of time there......Tim said that I wore him out.....running and doing everything. We went snorkling, rented a car for a couple of days....a convertible ( Sophie and I need one of those), we did a Luau, we kayaked to an island and lots of other stuff. I read a book and a half.....something I have not had time to do in forever. Here are some images that I took....I promise. I even surprised myself but really when you have somewhere like Hawaii......it is not too hard.

I normally don't care for seafood but guess where I ate....I just had too.....and it was sooo good. This is a big local thing.....so we ate at a Shrimp Truck.

This was one of our favorite spots. We also snorkeled here.

How funny is this???? I don't think I have ever ever seen Tim so relaxed.....and I promise no alcohol was involved.....I think we were just delirious for running around so much. Tim will kill me for posting this but I love it and the kids thought it was funny.  Now let me explain why he was doing it....it was grad night in Oahu and the kids were out celebrating on tour buses so lots of people were doing it....so Tim joined in. In Hawaii it means Hang Loose.

Of course, here I am laughing at him.....in my Hawaiian dress!!!!!

Also, when we got home....our children and with the help of aunt Deb surprised us with a party. It was very sweet and really special to both of us. Of course, the theme was Hawaiian. We had lots of fun and lots of good food. Sophie along with Lindsey made these posters. Aren't they really sweet?.....and the pictures were hilarious......geez the hair....the clothes.

Where to start........

irst of all the studio is moving along very nicely now. It is starting to sink in that it is gonna happen. Finally getting thru all the permits and stuff....we are on a roll now. I wanted to update you on the progress. So here are some images. I will not know what to do in such a large place. Like my gallery is bigger than the whole studio right now!!!! The camera room is about 3 times the size now with a space to offer workshops in the future. Oh my door and windows also came in this week. My door was my splurge....I mean really splurge item but I love it. They have not been installed yet. The outer doors will not be ready for awhile, they are being custom made....thats right I will have 4 front door....kinda. You will see......soon.

Carletta loves children!!!!!

That's right. I love children. I know  some photographers don't enjoy photographing children and yes they are a little tough but the rewards, oh.....the rewards. I just love it. They just seem to reenergize me. I feel so alive when I am with them.....strange I know but I just love it. I had 3 kids today 3 and under and they were so much fun and each one had such a beautiful uniqueness about them. Moms always comment on how I have patience with children....and I guess I do but I don't really think of it that way.....I just love watching them. I love the challenge of creating this awesome image for their families. I love catching those tiny little expressions that make them who they are.....I love that I am documenting their life....well I could go on and on but it is late.

This is a recent client......she traveled down from Lexington for her session with her mommy and daddy. She was such a joy. Funny story.....several months ago, I was at a little get together and a friend said that she was at Gymboree and she told the lady that she was getting her children's portraits done. She said the lady asked her where she was from and she told her London.....she said the lady at Gymboree said....oh are you going to Two Boys and a Girl Studio......I want to take my daughter there.....well guess what she did....this is her daughter....I hope she thinks it was worth the trip. I so enjoyed this family.....very sweet.