Abbys Dream Fundraiser Progress

Thank you so much to those of you who sent a donation to my daughters World Vision Fundraiser she is doing! So far she has raised $100 of her $252 goal. She couldn't have raised it without the donations from the generous people who mailed her funds. Thank you thank you thank you!

For those of you who don't know about it, my 8 yr old daughter Abigail is raising money for a World Vision fund to purchase a foot powered water pump, seeds, gardening tools and training for a family in Africa. $200 is for the pump. $52 is for the seeds tools and training. She is very excited to do this.

It may take her a little longer than anticipated to raise the money (she was hoping by the end of summer) but we will continue this until she reaches her goal. Being that she is only 8, I am helping her keep track of the funds and put them in the bank in a seperate account specifically for her fundraiser.

If you are interested in sending a donation of any amount to Abbys Dream (she also has a facebook page for this) feel free to contact me at christine@cgwardphotography.com ! I will be sure the donation is taken care of! As soon as she reaches her goal we will let everyone know! Donaters also get a super sweet handwritten "thank you note" from Abby. lol.

 Here is a picture of Abbys progress poster as of now,

http://cgwardphotography.blogspot.com/2011/07/i-am-so-proud-i-could-just-pop.html

Oh. Em. Gee.

The world is indeed coming to an end.





I wonder what Mattel will think of next. *blink, blink*

Vincent Van Gogh Facts

Vincent had an older brother who died at birth. His name was also Vincent van Gogh.

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Van Gogh was close friends with Paul Gauguin, another famous artist.

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Van Gogh suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy as well as other mental and physical conditions.

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Vincent shot himself in a wheatfield in Auvers, France but did not die until 2 days later at the age of 37.

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Vincent’s brother Theo died six months after Vincent and is buried next to him in Auvers, France.

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Vincent’s brother’s wife collected Vincent’s paintings and letters after his death and dedicated herself to getting his work the recognition it deserved.

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In a short period of ten years Van Gogh made approximately 900 paintings.

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Vincent only sold one painting during his lifetime and only became famous after his death.

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Vincent van Gogh did not cut off his ear. He only cut off a small portion of his ear lobe.

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Van Gogh created his most famous work The Starry Night while staying in an asylum in Saint-Remy-de-Provence, France.

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Vincent’s earliest career aspiration was to be a pastor in the Dutch Reformed Church like his father.

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Van Gogh wrote over 800 letters in his lifetime. The majority of them written to his brother and closest friend Theo.

http://www.vangoghgallery.com/misc/fun_facts.html

Deer... Home Sweet Home Part X

I got lucky enough to find this family of deer on the side of the road in Saranac Lake on my way back to Tupper Lake right outside of my old high school. Literally in the yard right outside of the track. I got so many shots because they seemed pretty friendly and didn't seem to mind me snapping away and talking to them. I made a lot of eye contact with them and got nervous at one point when one started to approach me a little too close for comfort. lol. So I backed up for a minute. I think I was being inspected for a snack honestly. But I couldn't help but picture one of those scenes from that TV show Worlds Dumbest when that guy got trampled and got his butt whooped by a deer with its skinny little kicking legs when he got too close. I didn't want to be that guy so I relied on the zoom to "get me" close enough to them lol.

Waterfalls Past Keene Valley... Home Sweet Home Part IX

This can be seen from the highway when you pass Keene Valley. I recommened pulling over to look at it or take pictures lol. Its in a windy road on the left not long after you pass the village.

Sunrise In Tupper... Home Sweet Home Part VIII

The morning after I watched the sunset alone, I decided to get my Abby girl up with me the next morning to go watch the sunrise! We drove down to the bridge on Simon for this. On the left side when you are headed towards the bog, and out by our last home (beautiful place) you can be lucky enough to capture this view if you show up at the right time. We made a memory here. This was so cool.

Campsite Waterfalls... Home Sweet Home Part VII

My dad drove us out here. I can not remember where it is. But we dead ended at a campsite and took a small hike.

Wilmington Area... Home Sweet Home Part VI

The Sun Setting over Tupper Lake... Home Sweet Home Part V

One night during my visit I took a cruise down to the park at the lake for some pictures. I eventually found myself sitting on the docks alone watching the sunset. Well not completely alone. I was visited by some curious seagulls double checking to see if I had any food for them. lol. Which I didn't. Sorry guys. lol

Indian Trail Off Rt 3 -Home Sweet Home Part IV

This is a neat little place right off of Rt 3 between Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake. Abby hiked back there with me a bit and we even saw some cute mushrooms on the ground that looked like little Smurf houses. lol.

Adirondack Loj Rd, Home Sweet Home, Part III

Yes I spelled that correctly. That is how they spell it there on the sign :) Many years ago when I was a teenager.... I was 16 actually... ok.. so half my life ago lol.... I went to a 2 week long Wilderness Youth Camp down at the Adirondack Lodge. One of the most memorable experiences of my life. Loved it. And I've always loved the view from the very front of this road heading back. So many different colors in the fields!! It looks like God Himself painted it!! These photos were shot directly from the side of the road. :)

Keene Valley.. Home Sweet Home Part II

this is just one of those little stops you can take on the side of the road that you see everywhere in the Adirondacks. If you drive by.. you'll miss all the good stuff. If you pull over in the little parking area and walk down the trail... you'll see this...

The Cascades... Home Sweet Home Part I

What a beautiful view! I love driving through the casades when I'm headed to visit my family! I also enjoy picking up family at the airport in Albany and taking a trip through here when we're headed back home. People who aren't from this area love the view.

I have so many pictures from the last few days, so I'm breaking them down into categories to share them with you. First, being the cascades. :) There is only one mountain called Cascade Mountain, however, us locals call the entire area, the cascades. :) Notice the highway in some of the pictures!? Its a gorgeous view driving through. :)

 

shooting the cascades today!

Finally! LOL I've been ancy to do this for awhile and today's my big day! I'll be taking my time driving through the cascades today making multiple stops for some great photos. I've wanted to do this since way before I ever decided to become a photographer. As a teenager I was always so excited to drive through them. I've even hiked a couple of mountains in this area. It's one of the most beautiful places in the world to me! I can see why my ancestors loved these mountains so much. It feels like home here. Such a clean, majestic place to be. I'm packed up, pretty much ready to go. I just have to go make some sammiches now lol.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascade_Mountain_(New_York)

2nd Annual ADK Greek Festival

It was nice! I'm still bummed I missed the dancers! Turns out they had another prior engagement and were accidently double booked so they could only dance once earlier in the evening and had to leave. *pout*. I was really looking forward to that. But luckily I found out they will be at the Greek Fest in Schenectady in Sept and I've already made arrangements to be there. But it wasn't a total loss!

Before I even made it out of the parking lot from my car I was immediately greeted by two very friendly St. George Church members who let me know where everything was so I didn't wander around aimlessly (sometimes this happens to me lol). I knew right away if they had people that friendly in the parking lot, there would probably be more inside. They were also very gracious in allowing me to enter their sanctuary to take some photos. It was beautiful inside!!!!! Being of the protestant faith, there were several things inside I wasn't familiar with the meaning of, but I was intrigued by the beauty of the artwork. Naturally and respectively, I made sure not to touch anything. lol. I'll share some pictures from inside the church as well as the party. I have several friends who are Greek and of the Greek Orthodox faith, I'll have to ask them what some of what I saw was. :)

Afterwards I headed over to the party. There was food everywhere! Even outdoors! I'm told I should have expected this lol. Games for kids, prizes to be won. Totally bummed I didn't have my Abby with me, but she'll be with me for the next one for sure. The aromas made my tummy rumble but I really didn't want to get food on me or my camera. But next time (in september), I'm digging in & bringing Abby with me. lol. So I feasted with my eyes instead.

Inside I was greeted by even more friendly faces, beautiful music, and MORE food and desserts, as well as some great Greek Novelties, religious items and jewelry. I got a kick out of the hats, t shirts and aprons. Now if I ever find one that says "I'm only part Greek, but that's good enough", then I'm in. lol. The room was decorated very much as what I would expect for a party or even a small wedding reception. There were families eating together, visiting, and children playing on the dance floor together. Very friendly atmosphere.

I wound up buying a bracelet for my Abby & socialized with some sweet ladies & even learned a trick to improve my own baklava recipe. We exchanged business cards & she'll be emailing me her full recipe, although I think I can remember pretty well. Such nice people running the show at Greek Fest and I really enjoyed myself.
Thank you St. George's Church of South Glens Falls for your generosity and hospitality!

You are my sunshine.. my only sunshine....

she makes me haaapppyyyyy when skiiies are greeeeeey. Don't think she knoooows juuuuuuust hooow much I loooooOOooOove heerrrrrrrr. Please don't taaaake my sunshinnnne awaaaaaaaay!

Abby & I hit the park again today. She wore some of her new big girl clothes she got for school and she wanted me to put a little make up on her. I kinda regret that part. She looked too grown up for my tastes. lol. I have such a pretty love bug!

All images on this website are copyrighted by C.G. Ward Photography. The images posted through this album are for viewing only. It is illegal to copy or reproduce these images in any manner. Please do not remove the watermark or alter these photos. If you would like to order professional high quality prints email me at christine@cgwardphotography.com

Sara gave me fwows

yea that fwows thing again. For those of you who are newbies to my lingo, that is how I say flowers in honor of my daughter Abby who was obsessed with "fwows" as a toddler. When we would go to the Hott House she would squeal because we were "goin' to da fwow howze!". So fwows are flowers. Sara gave me fwows from her garden this week when I went to Tupper Lake. I sitll have some of them here in my office in front of the window in a wine bottle. :)

Maternity Portraits

What a gorgeous day it was yesterday! What a gorgeous lady I had to photograph! She is 31 weeks pregnant and absolutely beautiful! She makes pregnancy look sexy! lol. Ashlee and her boyfriend Kyle were a lot of fun to work with! I had so much fun and she was a wonderful sport with all the things I wanted to wrap around her, stick to her, and paint on her. Yup! She actually let me paint on her! I can't wait to show you all the pictures! This is just the sneak peak. We took about a 2 hour session, about 15 minutes of that was painting. I can EASILY do this again for someone else! Just call me at 524-4192 or go to my webpage at http://www.cgwardphotography.com/

My Daddy

I finally talked my dad into letting me take his picture! He doesn't like to be in pictures so I kinda had to beg. lol. When I was young my dad used to play his guitar a lot, and sing. He was in a band when he was a kid. Many times in my childhood I remember my dad playing and singing Bob Seger. He tried to teach me once, but I didn't have the patience to learn lol.The only thing I know how to play is my windpipes. haha.

So I got him down to the train tracks set up a chair, handed him his guitar and told him to sit. LOL. Dad took his seat, picked up his guitar (which belonged to one of his old friends who was sadly murdered when I was a child, that guitar is special to him). I started to walk away to find a good angle and distance to start shooting from and before I had even gotten 10 steps away I heard him break into "Stairway To Heaven". My dad is pretty cool. Well anyway, here are the pictures. And yes, I am very aware that I look like my daddy. :)

Before and After

This is why it is essential to hire a photographer who also has mad editing skills to make your photos their very best! I LOVE editing! So if you feel like you aren't very photogenic...... believe me.... you'll look great! If someone accidently walks by during a great photo op, most the time, its correctable. If you're concerned about a skin blemish or something... NEVER HAPPENED! :)

I hear a whisper.....

The watermark thingy....

I really wanted to change the watermark thing I had going on. For awhile my photos had a very simple "C.G. Ward Photography" in various fonts somewhere on the photo to mark my digital work online. (never in my customers final portraits). Then I started experimenting with translucent designs, stickers, and shapes and trying multiple fonts. I get bored doing the same thing over and over and over again. It's one of the reasons I love photography. I never get bored because nothing is ever exactly the same.

Because my work as an artist and photographer is always evolving, I've decided it's best to let my watermark do the same. I can't decide on just one. I like so many things. I just don't have it in me to limit myself to one trademark design as of yet.

I think I'll probably stick to a color scheme that matches the theme of the shoot I am labeling and just flow with whatever looks right. So for now, I am logo free.....

I feel so liberated lol




just kidding lol

CgW



Beach Baby Pics! Baby Buns included! lol

I had a great day Tuesday! Not only was the weather beautiful, but I got to do a photo shoot on the beach in Lake George with one of the cutest, sweetest babies on the entire planet! I had soooo much fun. I'm one of those moms that can never get enough baby giggles, wittle pudgy arms and legs and chubby cheeks (face or buns lol). Caden sure did seem to enjoy himself playing with the beach toys I brought him and he posed like a pro. Oh who am I kidding, he wouldn't even have to pose and he'd still be a perfect model! Caden just oozes "adorable". I drove home with a big smile on my face and when I loaded the photos and start going through them, I was actually laughing out loud at some of them. He's going to be a lady's man someday I'm sure lol. Lock him up mommy! lol

If you don't smile when you see this, there is something wrong with you lol

and as always... be sure to click "older posts" at the bottom of my blog for more!

Lake George Steamboat Cruise

If you're from the Lake George, NY area, or ever plan to travel here, I highly recommened a Lake George Steamboat Cruise. Yesterday was my second trip on the Mohican. I have yet to conquer Lac du Saint Sacrement!

We took the morning Paradise Bay Cruise. It's about 2 1/2 hours long, the boat has 3 decks. A little gift shop, a little bar, a snack bar, etc. It's a lot of fun. If you want to be in direct sun and catch all the breeze hit the top! If you need a little more shade but like the breeze, hit one of the decks on the front on either the 2nd or third level. If you want to be completely indoors and just look at the scenery through a window, there is plenty of room for that too. You can even get married on a steamboat!

Yesterday I took my baby girl on her first steamboat cruise for her birthday. She loved it. I took about 500 pictures. We boarded nearly 40 minutes before the boat left and I started snapping away at the local tourists and parasailers. I actually saw a man parasailing, who was texting the entire time. I couldn't believe it!

http://lakegeorgesteamboat.com/

^^^^ thats their website.

Here's a few of my photos.

every year, the night before....

Here I am again, in the same emotional state as I was exactly 365 days ago. And the year before that. And the year before that. Today is the eve of my only child's birthday. My Abigail. Tomorrow she will be 8. Every year, the night before her birthday, I sit alone and reminisce the year before.... and force myself to accept that my baby girl is a year older. One more year closer to leaving the nest. One more entire year, has slipped by in the blink of an eye.... Then the waterworks come. I do this alone of course and I have never missed this occasion on any July 30th since my baby was born. But I wonder if I'm destined to do this for the rest of my life and I wonder if other moms do it too? Abby is probably the only child I will ever bring into this world (health issues). I watch everyday life turn into nothing more than tomorrow's "memories"....

I loved being pregnant with Abigail. I was very content with my hands on my swollen belly feeling her move and kick around as if we were already together even though I couldn't see her. When she was born, I felt like I truly started living. My entire life has revolved around her since she was born and I don't regret a minute of it. I finally began to understand things my father had always said to me about how I broke his heart without even meaning to. The first time I heard the words "I got it mommy it's ok, I don't need your help anymore",...... I clenched my jaw and fought back the tears and allowed myself a bitter sweet smile. I was glad she was learning from me, but sad at the same time to watch each phase of her young childhood years come to an end. I miss when she was a newborn and I would nurse her to sleep while I petted her back and kissed her little forehead. I miss when she was 1 and she said "mama... I yuva yew!" (I love you )... I miss the time when she was 2 and she toddled off to play from cuddle time and exclaimed "I love you mommy! and chicken nuggets!". I miss when she was 3 and we were in the mall and she said "mommy i just like to hold your hand, it feels nice". I miss when she was 4 and she was "taking care" of me because I had a headache. She got me an ice pack and "petted" my head like I was the baby lol. I miss when she was 5 and she said "mommy, did you know that you're my bestest friend?" (but she was very serious like it was important to her that I knew). I miss when she was 6 and she got frustrated and first said "dude!" (I laughed so hard because thats my expression lol) I miss this last year watching all the changes she's gone through turning from a little girl into a young lady..... and now.... she's turning 8..... I anxiously anticipate what this next year will bring. I'm excited and a little scared....

I'm amazed at how quickly she learns things that I never expected her to understand. Very proud of her compassion for others. Her ability to forgive (I could take a good lesson from her in that). I adore her sense of humor as it evolves with her growing wit. I'm very grateful for the way she loves me for being the silly, quirky, emotional person that I am. She's the honey to my tea!

I wonder what she'll be when she is all grown up. Not that I want her grow up, I'm no where near ready for that, but I can't help but wonder who she'll be someday..... I hope she has more than I do by time she's my age, I hope she's seen more of the world, and I hope she's not afraid to reach for the stars like I used to be.....

This year the night before her birthday she is nearly up to my shoulder in height. She has recently ditched her former tomboy wardrobe for a more grown up feminine version of herself. She likes to spend her afternoons riding her bike and her evenings with her nose in a good book. I look at that little girl and I see myself 23 years ago.... just with a different hair and eye color lol.

My parents came down last night and spent the night with us and we had a little party for her, so we already did presents and cake and ice cream, so I have a picture of my ever growing girl to share already.

I love you Abby girl! Happy Birthday Baby!

P.S. I love YOU ... and chicken nuggets!