Inara Studios

This morning it started snowing. I love how fresh and pretty it is!

There once was a ittle birdie…

This year has been absolutely wonderful and we have each of you (yes, YOU) to thank for that! If I didn’t think it was too cheesy, I would drive around to each of your homes just to give you a big bear hug and tell you personally how much your business has meant to us. It is such a privilege to be a part of your lives and to be entrusted with creating beautiful images for you.

Thank you. THANK YOU for another great year!

We wish you each a Merry Christmas and an extremely Happy New Year!

Love,

Cade & Marcia

Last month we went on a cruise to Mexico. While we were there, I took a few photos for my personal work portfolio. I love the colors they use when painting doors/walls/windows!

Viva México!

As a photographer I am constantly on the lookout for good products and tools to use in my business. Design Aglow has become one of my favorite resources when it comes to fresh ideas and great advice for photographers.

Recently, I submitted one of my “dirty little secrets” to DA for an article they were putting together. My secret was included in Issue No. 8, The Essential Issue, and can be found on page 59! How fun!

You won’t want to miss the interviews with Julia Woods or Jasmine Star or Huy Nguyen.

Last week many Nashvillians came out to Rocketown to support our dear friend Ruthie by attending the Benefit Concert and Silent Auction. Ruthie asked Cade and I to document the evening with photos. We were thrilled to take our gear and do what we love as a gift for her!

Fox 17 News interviewed Ruthie and also captured some footage of the concert.

There were many amazing musicians that played during the 4 hour event. You really should check out Brooke Waggoner.

Erin McCarley sang one of the most catchy tunes all evening, a special request from Ruthie herself.

For the first time, even though I’ve been a fan since I was a little girl, I saw Sixpence None the Richer live. So fun!

Leigh Nash still has the most amazing voice!

Will, Ruthie’s husband, plays drums for Sixpence and he did a fantastic job as always!

Mindy Smith.

Towards the end of the evening, Ruthie expressed her gratitude to everyone for supporting her. She dedicated the evening to her father, who passed away a few weeks ago.

After the event, we found out that over $20,000 was raised. Awesome!!! We are so honored to be a part of such a close and giving community! We are also really excited to work with the family that won our portrait session through the silent auction!

Please keep Ruthie in your prayers as she and Will continue to look for a doctor who will perform her surgery!!

After Cade and I got married in 2006, we moved to Nashville and for the first time, began making friends as a pair. We quickly fell in love with the East Nashville community that we were surrounded in. Over the last three years we have laughed, partied, worked and cried with our dear friends who have shared their lives with us.

Real community is such a beautiful thing, both in joy and in sorrow!

One of our dear friends here in Nashville, and a sister in Christ, was in a very serious auto accident back in 1996. She was in critical care for 8 weeks because she broke her neck. It is a miracle that she can walk today! However, ever since her accident, Ruthie has suffered chronic and intolerable pain. Recently, doctors discovered a surgical wire in her back that broke and is piercing her spinal cord. It must be removed and the tab for the surgery will be in excess of $100,000. Their insurance policy excludes this surgery because it is a “pre-existing condition”.

(Ruthie and her husband, Will)

When I heard that many members of our Nashville community were planning and participating in a Benefit concert and silent auction, I cried. What love and compassion!

There will be amazing music by Mindy Smith, Sixpence None the Richer, Griffin House and many more talented artists. Some of the items/services up for auction include studio production from Paul Moak (Mat Kearney, Trent Dabbs, Nathan Lee), a photo shoot from Tec Petaja (Paper Route), Drum Lessons from Jeremy Lutito (Jars of Clay, Mat Kearney), Video from Jeff Wyatt Wilson (K.S. Rhoads, Ten out of Tenn film), hair cut & color from Fruition stylists, makeovers from well known local stylists, gift cards for local restaurants and businesses AND a Portrait Session by yours truly! (Yup, you can come bid on us and ALL of the proceeds will go to Ruthie!!!)

Even if you don’t know Ruthie personally, please COME, enjoy the music and be a part of the love!

This event will start at 6 PM on June 4th at Rocketown. Tickets are $20.

I love looking at other photographer’s work and hearing their thoughts and stories behind the images they take. It is so intriguing and inspiring!

Last night, Cade and I got to see Jeremy Cowart talk about his journey into photography. I was really surprised to hear that he became a very acclaimed photographer in only a few short years. His work is simply stunning!

After the event I was finally able to get my hands on Hope in the Dark, a coffee table book full of images from Jeremy’s trips to Africa with some reflections written by Jena Lee, from Blood:Water Mission.

If you haven’t ever seen this book or heard of BWM, I strongly encourage you to look into both. All of the proceeds from “Hope in the Dark” go to building wells to bring clean water to communities in Africa.

This book has beautiful images that will blow your mind and others that will bring a smile to your face! It doesn’t matter if you are done with your Christmas shopping or not, I strongly encourage you to pick up this amazing book and be INSPIRED!