The Krewe of Dominique Youx

Next week's Pier Park celebration will be my first ever Mardis Gras and now that I've met the people behind the celebration I can hardly wait.
Tammy Dunaway asked me to be the official photographer of the luncheon she would throw for her Princesses. Thank you so much Tammy, for asking!
My introduction to Mardis Gras was just an amazing experience. First, let me say...if you want to see the most gorgeous women of Panama City Beach, don't go to Spinnaker or LaVela. You'll find them at Mardis Gras on their floats. These women aren't just pretty faces and figures, either...they are the most sophisticated, hardcore partiers you'll ever meet!







Spirits flowed and spirits were high! These elegant women know how to party.






The reigning Queen of Dominique Youx, Tammy Dunaway, welcomes her court of Princesses and guests to the traditional luncheon.






The Queen and her princesses prepare the beads for their guests, the selection including Mermaid and Under the Sea beads.









The baubles! Ohhhh the baubles! On the wrists, the fingers, EVERYWHERE beautiful baubles!




And the hats! The Kentucky Derby has nothing on Mardis Gras with the hats.






Each Princess was presented her own champagne flute.





There was the loud bellow of a yacht horn...we went to the sundeck to see what all the fuss was about...it was my misfortune to have missed the shot of the day. A rare display of four full moons on the canal! Maybe the spouses of the Queen's court were feeling just a little left out...? :)



The King arrives! The only lucky man to be amidst this gorgeous court is toasted by Queen Tammy.





Mrs. Miller graciously opened her home for this fun-filled soiree.




The Miller house, on the canal of beautiful Bay Point, was in full Mardis Gras regalia! Every room of the amazing house had the perfect festive touches added to celebrate the event.









Ahhh the shoes! Left behind to enjoy the day as it was...glamorous, yet playful and SO much fun!!



Reigning Queen Tammy Dunaway was presented with an appropriate bauble for her special day!



Carraba's catered this event, with delicious & delightfully colorful appetizers.



The King's cake contains a hidden Baby. The guest who finds the Baby in their slice of this heavenly, pastry-like cake is traditionally the host of the next party.



Thanks again, ladies, for allowing me to be your paparazzi for the day. See you at Pier Park on Friday & Saturday!

Young Portfolio 2009

Faces of Innocence 2009

Weddings 2009

Beach portraits 2009

It's official!

2010 will be a very exciting year indeed! Full of change, growth, and room for even more growth, allowing me to better serve my past, present, and future clients.
In less than three years, Ana Edwards photography has grown exponentially! It's hard to believe that it was such a short time ago when I literally nailed a sheet to the wall to try my hand at portraits; first, of my daughter, then of her friends, one of which became my first paying client: Maryann Herbert. Then, I felt prepared to do senior portraits for Ben Hardin, whose mother's confidence in me inspired an attempt at portrait photography. Perfectly happy as a hairstylist for 29 years, I had quite by chance discovered what now I believe is my true calling.
I've always enjoyed acquiring new knowledge and skills, and I've always been extremely ambitious: my first salon at 20 years old, my real estate license at age 32, my acquisition of construction skills when I bought my first home and totally renovated it at age 39, my Bachelor's degree in Psychology at age 46 (Cum Laude Honors graduate from G.S.W. :). I'm proud of ALL of those events!
But none took me by as much surprise as the growth of my new business...and passion. It's been an exciting and somewhat stressful struggle, causing a strain at times on my finances (professional photography equipment is WAY more expensive than hairstyling tools!), but I never gave up on reaching that bright light I saw in my dreams. What started with sheets for a background, lit by varying lamps from Lowe's, has grown to a fully equipped studio...completely cluttered and cramped with props.
And so, I proudly announce that by the end of December 2009, Ana Edwards photography will be operating in it's new, more-than-twice-as-big location at 109 Branchview Street (next door to Lee county Glass {same building}, right across from Kidsville and Ace Hardware, off of Hwy. 19) in Leesburg, Georgia. The lease is signed and it's official! We'll have 1800 sq.ft to spread out and have EIGHT permanent backgrounds set up, plus a client area for consultations. There's even a separate room for hairstyling, which I still do 2-3 days a week. The studio will also be available to rent hourly by my fellow photographers.
I thank the Almighty Lord for my blessings, and especially for having blessed me with perseverance when others might have given up the struggle! And I thank my past and present clients for their patience while we suffer through my growing pains together! I hope that it won't be long before Ana Edwards photography is no longer a 'one woman show'...I'll be soon looking for a much needed office assistant to keep me on schedule for a change :)
See ya'll soon! I think we just might need to have an open house party somewhere around the first of the new year!

Oh My! kiddie kouture. Christmas shoot!

Once again, I had the pleasure of photographing gorgeous children wearing the amazing custom created children's clothing of Oh My! kiddie kouture in the Albany Mall!
This time we're showcasing the newest outfits for the upcoming holidays. These are sure to go fast, so hurry and go see Amanda and pick out one (or an armful!) of these perfect-for-portraits outfits! They're on the left wing as you come in the mall, right before Victoria's Secret.

Christmas Mini-Sessions! They're not JUST for Christmas!

Our first day of mini-sessions was crazy-fun-tastic! Beautiful children, babies, even Stump, the Staffordshire Terrier was willing to sit patiently while we clicked away, capturing some great shots in 15 minute sessions!
There's just time for one more day of mini-sessions: Saturday, November 21st
For $45 you'll get the CD with all your edits, along with a copyright release which allows you to print as many as you'd like at your favorite photolab!
Contact me at 229.886.5575 or email me at aedward3@bellsouth.net (just click on the 'email me' link on the homepage) to schedule your time slot.
See ya'll soon!

Progress!

My first semi-annual editing hiatus has proven to be very productive! I still have a long ways to go, but I've put a serious dent in my workload these last five days.
I realize now how important it is to have ALL day, for several days to devote to editing all the memorable photos I've enjoyed shooting of all these beautiful people!
Only photographers, or family and friends of photographers, understand that the actual photoshoot is the easy part...it's the time consumed in editing that keeps us up 'til the wee hours of the morning, trying to keep our promised delivery dates.





I've also taken some time this week to improve my presentation. This is what your new CDs will look like! Choosing the photograph is the hard part...I'd hate to put the one you like the least on the front of your CD! So I try to find one that I confidently feel you'll want to look at every time you view your CD.



I'll have to say, in these last two and a half years I have tried very hard to improve the quality of work I give my clients, by upgrading my equipment as well as my technical knowledge and artistry. Below is a CD from almost exactly two tears ago. I'm scared to look at the pictures on it...I remember at the time, I thought they were some of my best work. Caleb is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, even if he IS a boy...so I'm sure HE looks adorable.
In our group of photographers (we all started around the same time), we talk about cringing when we look at our older work...I guess if we didn't it would mean we haven't improved :)
With all that having been said, I must tell you all that my pricing system will increase at the first of the year. I'm such a tight-wad that's it hard for me to increase my prices without cringing, too. But I hope to continue to please my clients, and continue to improve my service to my clients.
Thanks to all of you who have helped me fulfill my dream! I pray that all of you will fulfill yours, as well.

Alyssa and Billy

When Alyssa asked me to come to Fitzgerald, Georgia, I had no idea where it was or how amazing the location would be! It took me an hour and a half to get there from Leesburg and then five hours to get home to Panama City Beach (OK, yes I drive like a grandma :). But it was well worth the drive to experience this photographer's adventure! Alyssa had asked other photographers to come, but none accepted the opportunity...I say 'Thanks!' to them.
Alyssa and Billy were so much fun to photograph, their sense of fun and love for each other made them such easy subjects!





















A special thanks to Alyssa's grandparents, Larry and Carolyn Hurst for cultivating their country paradise into this photographer's dream location!




Cocoa was a bit camera shy, but I did get ONE shot of her.

Exclusive Models of Valdosta

Our third shoot with Exclusive Models of Valdosta State University was as much fun as ever, with the models being as professional and GORGEOUS as always! You will surely see more of these faces (and hot bodies) in the future...there is so much talent in this group it's obvious that it won't stop here. I can't wait to be able to say one day, that I had the pleasure of working with these models when their career as a top model was just a dream. These dreams will surely come true!

Oh My! kiddie kouture 2

And here they are! These are Amanda's picks for promoting Oh My! kiddie kouture's fall line. Our next shoot will be in November and will feature the holiday fashion line. Keep in touch if you're interested in participating! Go by the store in the Albany Mall and let Amanda know you're interested.
Go to the gallery here:
http://www.anaedwardsphotography.com/Portfolio/Oh-My-kiddie-kouture-2/Oh-My-kiddie-kouture-2/9875733_WGmT8#672369696_oTfi4

Oh My! kiddie kouture 2

How much more could you ask for in a photoshoot...? Fabulous clothes on amazingly gorgeous models!
I had the pleasure of shooting for Oh My! kiddie kouture, the Albany Mall's custom clothing store for children. And the great luck of having many models who are experienced pageant girls!
These are some unedited previews of the fall line (we'll wait and see which ones Amanda chooses to promote the store, and which ones the parent's choose of their beautiful children!). To see them all go to: http://anaedwards.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Oh-My-kiddie-kouture-2unedit
If you're interested in participating in upcoming shoots, keep in touch! This was our second shoot, with the next one planned for November. What a great, inexpensive way to get great shots of your children in the newest, most amazing new fashions! Stop by the store and let Amanda know you're interested.

What a fabulous summer!

This has been the greatest summer of my life! (OK, in my GROWN life...I did have some in my twenties that were equally awesome, but in a different way:). I've fulfilled my dream by moving my home back to Panama City Beach (although I'm still in Georgia 3-4 days a week). I've also met some amazing families, with great stories to share, who I had the pleasure of photographing.

Halloween...it's not just for little kids!

Kelly and her friends needed a place to transform themselves into their once-a-year alter egos...so what better place than my salon/studio!

There's alot of preparation involved to create that perfectly sexy/ghoulish makeover...

Now that's something you don't see everyday...bicepts, tatoos AND eyeliner!

And now for the photoshoot..."Look mean, Kelly, you're a pirate!"

OK, let's try again..."Look fierce! No, try again..."

"That's it!"

And finally, everyone is ready to head to the party!

Under construction! 10/31/08

Check back soon!:)