Spring Flowers = Lots of Pollen

Wow! I heard today that this year is the worst year for pollen since 1997. Normal counts are around 1500. This year, in the Wilmington area, the counts are 5000.

Our backyard studio gardens are proof that pollen is heavy this year. Last weekend, it seemed like there was a yellowish-green fog over the city. Now, that's some thick pollen. Thank God, it rained last night. That helped settle some of the pollen dust.

I love Spring though. It just reminds me of a fresh start - a new beginning. It's like once the cold, winter weather is gone, people come alive. I see folks outside exercising, playing with the kids, going to the beach. People seem to smile more.

This weekend is the Azalea Festival in Wilmington. We had the privilege of photographing several of the Azalea Belles. It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend. So, there will be lots of outside activity for the festival. If you are going, have a great time!

Happy Easter!

Easter is a favorite time of year for Elizabeth and I. We love all the spring colors, flowers, new outfits to wear, and children's activities associated with Easter. But, truly, Easter to us is a time for remembering what Jesus did for human kind. I saw this little saying on a friend's Facebook post and thought I would share it today on the blog.

"Blessed are those to whom Easter is not a hunt, but a find; not a greeting, but a proclamation; not an outward fashion, but an inward grace; not day, but an eternity."

Wishing you all a happy, holy, and blessed Easter!

"The Ducks Are In the Mail"

This year, we are using live baby ducklings for Easter portraits. Believe it or not, they are being mailed to us. Elizabeth is supposed to be getting a call from the post office tomorrow to let us know that the baby ducklings have arrived.

We are doing the portraits this Thursday and Friday. So far, the weather outlook for the portraits looks good. The portraits are going to be done by the water in our backyard studio.

We got all the necessary supplies to keep the ducklings this weekend - a large container, food, bowls for food and water, and lots of wood chips. So, we are ready!

It's going to be so fun!

Studio B

Along with the paintings and Artisan portraits we create at Kenny Barnes Studio, we have another division of our studio called Studio B.

Studio B is the 100% photographic division of Kenny Barnes Studio, meaning minimal enhancement is done to the photographs. We also use a more casual photographic style. With shorter photographic sessions, minimal enhancement to the photographs, and a different finishing process, Studio B offers a price to meet everyone's budget. You will still receive the same studio experience that's always been provided by our studio, the same client service, and a quality product that you will be proud to own.

Four!

It's time to hit the greens. Dust off the clubs. Spring is in the air! Many of our clients enjoy one of the benefits of living on the coast - - Golfing!

Let us photograph your Miniature Golfer at our studio. We are offering a Limited Edition portrait session called "Miniature Golfer". Its for boys and/or girls ages 2 - 10 years of age. We have a costume for the little boys. Little girls can wear one of their own outfits.

This session is being offered on the following days:

- Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

- Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Call to schedule your Miniature Golfer. (910) 392-4214

What a Night!

We were totally overwhelmed by the turnout for the Women of Hope charity debut. So many wonderful people came to hear about the charity we have begun at our studio. We provided an overview of the services and resources that we want to make accessible. There are lots of ways to receive from and give to Women of Hope. That's what last night was about.

The focus of Women of Hope is to help provide support for women and their families going through all types of women's cancers. Additionally, we want to offer health education to women of all ages, but especially women under the age of 40. We also want to provide education to the community about women's cancers and the needs that a cancer diagnosis present to everyone involved.

Thank you to everyone who came out last night!

For more information on the charity and/or how you can help, give us a call at (910) 617-0990.

Portrait Paintings by Kenny

We sure do love what we do at Kenny Barnes. One type of art that is so wonder to create is a portrait painting. There is so much that we can do - special backgrounds, added colors, we are truly limited by imagination. Here is one of our recent formal studio paintings. We will post many other images over time - visit the blog often!