Tell me something I don’t know…

Meet Dr. Clay Weisberg and Boots

Fourth, in my series of families in business, will catch you by surprise I think. Not only have I met a young man who joined his father’s dental practice six years ago but I also met – another member of the family – sort of.

I am of course talking about Dr. Clay Weisberg and his beloved dog, Boots.  Boots is a Portugese Water Dog who was born on March 7 – imagine that – a Pisces, just like me – I like him even more.  Clay and Boots are both very interesting and friendly and just as sweet as they can be but I probably should tell you about Clay first, huh?

If you visit the website of the Weisberg’s dental practice and take a look at Dr. Clay’s credentials and all the groups he is a member of, it would be easy to think of him as an over-achiever. If you were to dig a little deeper what you would find is a young man who is passionate about the profession he has chosen and a desire to excel in that career.  Not only that but by having included Boots in his life and training him as a therapy dog, you are suddenly aware of Clay’s love of people and a compelling need to help others.

Dr. Clay grew up in his dad’s office (like so many children of entrepreneurs) and he loved the experience.  Not only did he attend the more obvious schools for someone of his caliber (Norfolk Academy, Brown University, Medical College of Virginia and then his post -doctoral degree at the University of Florida) he also had the opportunity to study abroad at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. This was an amazing opportunity for Clay especially since he is an avid kite boarder.Australianot only provided an exceptional education but also was an awesome place for this young man to enjoy his favorite pastime.  Clay says that kite boarding helps bring balance to his life.  And I’m sure Boots would agree because when they are not working at the dental practice they love to be at the beach, kite boarding for Clay and paddle boarding or playing fetch for Boots.

What an adorable pair they are.  Clay’s disarming smile will put you at ease immediately and Boots sweet manner will make you feel at home right away.

Visit them for all your dental needs.  Be sure to ask about the arrangement we have made with them for a portrait session from my studio and teeth whitening from this friendly and amazing dental practice that is a great reflection of families in business today.

I enjoyed my visit with Dr. Clay Weisberg and had the opportunity to meet Boots while doing so.  When we discussed a portrait session for this blog post I knew it simply had to include Boots.  Enjoy the video of Dr. Clay Weisberg and his wonderful dog, Boots.

How do you see things?

I was reading some articles on the Internet the other day and ran across one about this beautiful blind Great Dane and her companion. It touched me in a way that I haven’t felt in a long time.

It made me stop and think – how fortunate we are to be able to see things through our own eyes. As photographers I know we say we see things differently than others. I would agree that is true for the most part. But what if for some unforeseen reason we lost our eyesight? How blessed we would be to find a companion that was as loyal to us as the companion Lille has found in Madison – another Great Dane – they are inseparable.

This animal has a ginormous heart. It makes me think – am I doing all I can to be a good and kind friend to those I love? Am I able to help others along my path in life? And can I and do I do it expecting nothing in return -simply knowing it is a good, noble and right thing to do?

This sweet little dog’s story made me take pause and really think about who I am and how I may have impact on others that I have the opportunity to meet in life.

Being a photographer provides me with more than the average amount of chances to reach out and help someone feel better about themselves.

Has anyone touched your heart lately?

Check out Lille’s story. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2051780/Blind-Great-Dane-Lily-needs-home-space-HER-guide-dog-Maddison.html

Humor and our pets

My son, Michael and I went out for lunch one day.  As we pulled into a parking space he looked over to the side and saw this dog sitting in the drivers seat – seriously like he was ready to chauffeur “his people” around. 

We laughed so hard we had tears coming down our cheeks and then as if on cue this happened…….

I nearly fell out of my seat.  It was just one of those funny little things that – well – I guess you really just had to be there.

This lovely pouch was all decked out with her beautiful jeweled collar on and she sat there so majestic and poised.  It was simply to good not to share.

We treat out pets like people (even I do) but when you see one that actually probably believes its a person its adorable. I’ll bet this pretty pup has been in lots of pictures with her family and I’ll bet she was the star of the show too – What do you think?

A Christmas Miracle

Christmas miracles

While I think everyone expects to read happy memories about Christmas I also know many people struggle with this time of year. Emotions are high and we are often taken back to an earlier time in our lives when things we’re not always so happy.

I remember when I was a child, my mother was a “working mother”.  That was a time  when being a working mother was not a common thing at all. In fact most moms had the privilege of being a stay at home mom way back then.   Well, not in our case. My mom worked and she worked all the time. Except Sundays .

I remember my mom working late one Christmas eve. I think I was about 7 years old.   She was a hair stylist – back then known as a beautician. She stayed late to do 2 of her very best customers because they had a special event to attend on Christmas day.  She also knew it would help pay for the few small gifts that she could afford to buy that year.

I had to stay with a friend of hers until she was done. I still remember to this day, sitting in a cold dimly lit room in a chair all curled up,  looking at their Christmas tree lights. I also still remember the warm tears flowing down my cheeks because I missed  my mother so much.  Lordy, I was so lonely my heart ached.

I was never a selfish kid but I remember how important family always was to me and by golly Christmas was the one time of year that you should be spending with your family. For me that meant,my mother.

 I fell asleep in that chair and woke up in my own bed with my mother gently rubbing my forehead. I remember her saying “honey , it’s time to get up now. Santa was here last night and apparently you have been a very good girl this year because he brought a special gift for a very special little girl”.

I also remember my reply to her – ” oh Mama, I know I’ve been very good because he brought me the best gift of all – he brought you back to me for Christmas morning – I missed  you – and I love you so much. Nothing else matters”.

Sounds like a made up story doesn’t it?  Well it’s as true as the day is long and my mother told that story many times over the course of my life. 

While this may seem like a sad story, to me it is not sad at all. It reminds me of the miracle of Christmas because to that little girl so many years ago, having my Mama back with me was a miracle.  My Christmas miracle.

October is Pet Month :)

Could we love our pets anymore?  Not hardly. They know and we know they are a big part ofour family.

Whenever we ask someone if they want to have their pets in their portrait the first response is usually “on no, you don’t want to have to deal with them”.  But, yes we do.  We love to have pets in the image with you.

Cathy has to cats – one is 20 years old (still hangin’ in there) and the other in only 2 years old.  She has portraits of each of them because they mean so much to her family.

Don’t hesitate to includ your pets in your photogrpahs.  Whether its in a family image or one with just you children – you’ll cherish it forever.

All portraits in the month of October that include you pets will be eligible for a set of 10 custom created Christmas cards.

If you need a good groomer, give our friends at Chesapeake Bed and Bisquit a call. – they know how to pamper your pets.

But wait – if you call now we’ll increase your Christmas card set to 12 (gotta call before October 1 for this special offer)

Call 484-1777 – we’ll hook you up