Girls just want to have fun!

Last weekend I took a very needed break and visited Eureka Springs with 3 of my best girlfriends. Denise, Jenn and Michell are all portrait or wedding photographers from different areas that I have had the privilege of shooting with and learning from. Although it was a rest, great food and a lot of laughs, we also discussed different shooting techniques, equipment, different techniques in editing images and shooting styles. I am incorporating some of these new ideas in my editing now and plan to be able to offer some new looks at Backroads by Lynda this coming senior season. Be sure to check in from time to time and see some of the latest ideas and techniques in the area of portraiture. In the mean time, I hope you enjoy some of the fun images that we captured as we perused Eureka Springs. For a "hauntingly" good time, be sure to check out the Crescent hotel at http://www.crescent-hotel.com this is a beautiful venue with so much history. Ladies, thanks for the friendship and good times. I had a ball and can't wait until our next meetup!

Chaffin Wedding....the gallery is up!

Just a quick note to let anyone checking in for the Chaffin wedding proofs know that the gallery is up and ready on the viewing site. I hope you all enjoy browsing through the many proofs as much as we enjoyed processing them. WOW, I have to say it again....what a stunning wedding!!!

Simple Elegance! Cortney & Scott's wedding day

There is just no better way to describe the beauty of Cortney & Scott Chaffin's wedding as simple elegance. Our friends were married June 28th on the banks of the Finley River in Ozark at the legendary Riverside Inn. The feel of the landscape and buildings was that of old world wealth and with their choice of black, white and red for decorations, it simply couldn't be more beautiful! Cortney was stunning as always, in her cream gown with black sash and Scott in his black tux. Scott's daughter, Logan was the maid of honor and was radiant in her black dress carrying red roses. The tables were adorned with black satin and red roses and had black and white photos of the bride, groom and new family on each along with framed handmade love sayings. As the guests arrived and were greeted by an acoustical guitarist playing while they were seated in the shade of a large magnolia tree on the patio where Scott and Cortney exchanged vows. The reception was held inside with a full meal in Riverside style and open bar to follow. Friends and family laughed and chatted as they mingled on the patio near the flowing river the remainder of the night. Truly, this was one of the most beautiful weddings that we have ever attended and I am so happy for my friends and the start to their new life together. Congratulations Scott, Cortney and Logan!

Nixa's Senior Rep....Kelsey!

My senior ambassador for Nixa schools this year is Kelsey. Kelsey is a wonderful young lady that is as intelligent as she is beautiful. We had a wonderful time laughing and talking while shooting Kelsey's senior fun shoot for her cards. Kelsey is very active in the Nixa school system with band, honors society, and French club among some of her interests. I am so fortunate to have Kelsey representing Backroads by Lynda this year for her school and look forward to working with her soon on her actual senior shoot. We have some fun things planned with her, so be sure to keep checking in to see what is new with Nixa's Kelsey and if you are currently a Nixa senior looking into photographers for your senior portraits, go talk with Kelsey to see what we can offer you.

Michael & Kassi's fun reception!

Michael and Kassi Cross were married in a beautiful beach setting in Florida on May 31, 2008. Now, as much as we would have loved to be there taking their wedding day images we were still here in MO. On June 22nd however, they held a beautiful reception for family and friends to attend. The reception was decorated with all their shells and wedding day images from the beach as well as a cake that looked as if it were straight from the beach. It was adorned with shells, coral and had a starfish bride and groom on top. Family and friends as well as their 2 pups stopped in to wish them well and be part of the festivities. Michael, you couldn't have picked a more stunning bride.......Kassi was beautiful in her dress and was so full of wedded bliss that we were even caught her twirling in her gown. May your life together be filled with wonderful blessings and joy. Thank you for choosing Backroads by Lynda to capture your memories!

Welcome Laura to the Backroads team!

Laura is our newest Backroads by Lynda Senior Ambassador. She is attending Springfield Catholic and will be representing us for the 2009 senior class. Among her many activities, she is a member of the soccer team and is also planning to run on the cross county team this year. We are so excited to have Laura on board and can't wait to get her out and do her full senior session as well as be able to capture some wonderful action shots on the field this year. Here is a preview of what we captured tonight in Laura's downtown session. If you are currently a senior at Catholic and interested in a senior session with us, feel free to talk with Laura and she can tell you more about Backroads. Don't forget to check back later in the summer to see the rest of Laura's images. Thanks again Laura, we had a great time with your senior fun shoot!

The Tellier Proofs are up!

For all of you checking in regularly, the Tellier wedding proofs are up on the gallery and ready for viewing. Marlisa stopped in last night and had a private viewing of the gallery up on the big screen. We sat together with a bottle of white wine and both laughed and cried at the images of their incredible day! Thank you so much for allowing Backroads by Lynda to be your wedding day photographer.........I can truly say that I have never had more fun. I hope everyone enjoys the images as much as we did!

Meet Chelsey, the first Senior Rep for 2009

I had the privilege to meet Chelsey last fall when I did family portraits with Chelsey, her brother and cousins. I knew at that moment that I would love to get Chelsey for a senior representative this year and really get to focus on those stunning eyes of hers. I am so glad that she has signed on as my first Senior Rep this year and will be representing Backroads by Lynda at her school. Chelsey is very active in basketball and volleyball at Crane and I really look forward to getting some action shots this year of her "in action" on the court. Chelsey is already handing out cards at her school and I really appreciate all her hard work. If you are a Junior or Senior this year at Crane, go talk with Chelsey and see what Backroads by Lynda has to offer you in making your Senior pictures as unique and individual as you are. There will be more of Chelsey with her actual senior session coming later in the month..........stay tuned and keep watching the Backroads blog for Chelsey and others from your school who have traveled the Backroads.

Charlene & Weston were married!

My cousin Charlene and Weston Smith were married in a beautiful ceremony May 17th in Carthage, MO. Mike and I were so proud to be their photographers and be part of their very special day. The beautiful and traditional ceremony was held in the sanctuary of the church they both attend and where they both have been very active musically, it was full of family, friends and faith. I couldn't be more happy for you both and wish you a lifetime full of love and blessings. I love you both and am so happy that God has blessed you with each other!