Lauren and Drew Make a Promise

At the end of February I get to shoot another wedding at Bradford House and Gardens in Flowery Branch GA. This is my top venue; I love to shoot there because of the down-home feel and hospitality that is shown to guests and vendors. It's a beautiful place with great food and ample space for intimate weddings.

Lauren and Drew (and Lisa) have picked me to follow them on February 26th. This is one of those occasions that I know will be special. There's a family dynamic between Lauren and her future in-laws unlike anything I have ever seen. It's a pretty remarkable thing when a family is so accepting that it's almost like an adoption, an emotional commitment. Bonds like that are hard to break, and a family that strong will withstand almost anything.

It's been a tough start to 2010 for the O'Learys. A workplace tragedy that made national news hit home, and "going to work" changed forever for Bill. This is an event that even touched my life, as I used to work for their "competitor". Proven through these events, just as I expected, the O'Learys are classy people with big hearts. Lauren will fit in perfectly!


We shot engagement pictures for a couple of hours in historic downtown Buford GA and the Mall of GA. Lauren and Drew wasted no time loosening up for the camera! It was very easy getting them to pretend I wasn't even there - they were pretty caught up in each other! Toward the end, Drew and I realized we used to bowl in a league together. Small world huh?!

Congratulations to all of you! I can clearly tell that this is more than just a wedding of 2 people, but a joining of 2 families that will create great memories, endless support, memorable holidays and a beautiful Forever Endeavor.

Heading to the Sunshine State

Back in November, I had the pleasure of meeting Lindsey and Yale and taking their engagement portraits in Boca Raton, FL. This was a referral from the Faith family, thank you guys so much!

One of the best parts of this job is the freedom to travel, see new(ish) places and meet new people; Lindsey and Yale are the type of people who make me love this job even more. They were not only nice, but fun. It took a few minutes to loosen them up, but once they were in gear, the race was on! They were so much fun that I carried over to the next day and shot them at a second location.




This Tuesday I get to load up the truck and head back to Florida for their wedding. When you connect with a client as well as this - it's hard to not be as excited for them as you would be for your best friend. I am truly happy for them and believe they have a very bright future ahead. It will be exceptionally nice to be behind the camera that captures their Forever Endeavor.

Fort Lauderdale, West Palm and Boca Raton - Here we come!

Brand New Year - Brand New Endeavor

2010 is starting with a new outlook on several things. There will be another member born into our family in March, and this will be my first full year as a full-time photographer. I have always worked a full-time job plus photography; due to the current economy and conditions at work, I was thrown into a decision I am happy with, but wasn't willing to make on my own. Funny how that works!

Forever Endeavors saw a tremendous year in 2009, and that was with efforts limited by another job - I am so excited to see what 2010 holds with everything I can throw into it. I've leased a real office, taken work away from home and I'm getting a fresh foot in the water. There's now a place for clients to see me that's not a coffee shop or restaurant; a place they'll feel at home and can take all the time in the world to flip through albums, see my work, get to know me and my style, and make an informed decision on their wedding photography.

I love what I do. I absolutely love every opportunity (I call them invitations) to attend someone's special day and chronicle their memories. I take it seriously, but I like to have fun and make it fun. I think that's a lot of what makes my work unique, and that's the meaning of the name Forever Endeavors. The Forever Endeavor: That's what I'm in it for, and that's what you're in it for. This year I will be introducing the Forever Endeavor package that will offer the best coverage for the best price - anywhere.

So this year, Forever Endeavors will be making an effort to grow outward, and not upward. Our brand of photography, coupled with our level of service will set the standard for the industry with unique packages, intense and intimate coverage, the most personal and friendly experience, a hard-driven client focus and most importantly - the WOW factor.

Our first move outside of Atlanta will be to South Florida. My plan is to make South Florida a second home for Forever Endeavors, eventually flirting with the idea of making it the first home. I love the area, love the people and see limitless opportunity for what we have to offer. Starting today, wedding photography will be offered in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm, Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Orlando and Jacksonville areas.

If you're a bride thinking of hiring a photographer, I can personally guarantee that you will find nothing but friendliness and honesty with us, even if we think the style you're looking for would be best served by another company. Once you sign on with us, you're a client, and a friend. We will never treat you like a number and you will love every bit of the experience.

To all of my clients in 2009 - thank you from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate your confidence and will be forever grateful for your referrals. If not for you, I wouldn't be where I am today.

To my future clients - I look forward to meeting you. I will never lie to you, sell you up the river or make empty promises.

To potential clients - Enjoy your search and your journey. If you don't enjoy your search, change the course you're on. Make sure you really really like your photographer (as a person), they're going to be recording one of the biggest days of your life, working with your family and handling your memories.

To my current staff - God love you! Thank you for putting up with me, my indecisiveness, insecurity, perfectionism and last-minute projects. Thank you for the things you have done in good faith and especially for your support (both work and personal). You rock! Whether reason, season or lifetime - I will always remember your efforts and pass along the good word. I'll always say this - I'm not in this to be famous or make a killing, but to be happy and make a living.

To my family - your support, companionship and encouragement have carried me through the rainiest seasons of my life. I am glad to say that I can put my faith in God, my trust in family and heart in my work. I hope that every album I present to a new family will reflect the heart and soul you've given me for so long. I hope that the content of my character is well reflected in the images I shoot. Every beautiful picture has a feeling that I am very familiar with, and it's because you've given it to me. Thank you.

Every time I look at the stars, I think of how that has been the backdrop of so much history. Here I stand, under the same backdrop as so many heroes, and I get to do what I love in a free country. That same sky will be the backdrop of thousands of weddings this year. I look forward to every one that I get to attend.

So here's to 2010! Let's make it a record year, and send home more memories than ever!

Cheers!
Allen