What Can Brown Do For You?

Yep, so I went back to my natural color. I decided it was time for a change and boy does highlighting get expense. So far I feel more sophisticated. Comments are welcome of course. :)

Sue gets Hit!!

So I've been trying for the longest time to think of a name for my car. I had one for the Celica I drove all through college, which was a wonderful car and my dad still actually drives the thing. Well last weekend took the taco and I realized that "Sue" would be my car's new name. My main reason is that my car is very simple. It's a 5speed and everything is manual on it and since Sue is such a basic name, I thought it fit. The best feature is that it's a Honda and it's got a CD player. Don't get me wrong I do love the car and it has been faithful, but last week someone decided to give Sue something she hasn't had yet and that was a big dent in the rear bumper. So that was the other reason for naming her because I felt if we're going to go through this together she at least deserved a name wouldn't you say?

When I first came out to my car after spending 8 hours or so photographing a wedding I saw the dent and just began to cry instantly. After having my fit and acting like a child and throwing a pitty party for myself I decided enough was enough and decided to just go home. Well, when I got to the door I saw a wonderful glorious note had been left for me on my windshield by the people who hit my car. It had wonderful news like their name, phone number, and insurance information. Anyway, they are paying for the whole thing and I just have to take Sue to get fixed. I guess there are some honest people left in this world. What a blessing God gave me, not to mention His mercy was also involved. :)

Abbster in Detail

Hey Everybody this is my beautiful Sister-in-law Abby, who has become one of my most favorite subjects to photograph. She was gracious enough to go to the park with me a couple of weeks ago and let me practice. These were some of my favorites. Abby, I hope you don't mind me sharing and I've got a CD for you the next time I see you.

Anniversary

Matt and I went to the Biltmore on Sunday to celebrate our second anniversary. This is my favorite time of year so I was in heaven with all the fall leaves. It was beautiful.



I thought this pic was too cute with Kenah looking as if she was about to launch at the camera. Of course she always has more fun than anyone else no matter what we're doing.


The lighting ended up being so beautiful towards the end of the day and it gave great light. Plus I'm having so much fun using my new lens. It makes the colors pop so great!

Household

Here is a typical day in the "Griffin Household"

Allison and Chad

Ok Guys I'm so sorry it's taken me this long to say something about Allison and Chad's wedding. It was so beautiful. If you haven't noticed already, I have all the pictures I took uploaded to my website. Please take a gander at them. The Password is "Nicholson".

Group Shots from the Trip Two

The Trip Two! :)

So upon arrival to Murrells Inlet, the boys decided the best way to unwind after our travels was to pick up the instruments. There is just something about a man playing music that drives women wild. It was a perfect way to get settled into the house. :)




Here are a couple of shots from around the house that I thought were especially nice.





Before going on the trip I got a little sneaky and thought it would be a good idea to throw Allison a secret lingerie show since Brooke and Laura live far away and hate that they can't be there for Allison's showers. However, from the pictures I think it's pretty obvious that Haley had the most fun helping Allison open her gifts. She was a great little helper. Ana gave it an honest try, but soon got too tired. Anyway, Allison got some nice things, so watch out Chad! Va Va Voom!!

Newborn

A co-worker (Archie) had a baby this past weekend and he asked if I'd come to the hospital and take some shots of them with the new baby. Isn't she a cutie. They haven't decided on a name yet though. Either Hannah Morgan (my favorite) or Hannah Grace. Anyway, I thought all you mothers out there would love these. :)

Hello Everyone,

Matt Here,

I just finished my first summer session at Clemson and I'm just now decompressing! As promised, I thought I'd give you all a little update on my racing season so far. Unfortunately, due to school, I haven't been able to attend as many events as I would like to, but I'll just have to chalk it up as differred gratification.

VA State Championships, Massanutten Ski Area, Harrisonburg VA, May 7-8:
This was my first official race of the season, and its alway a favourite. 2 years ago, I won the VA state championship here, and the course is just a little over 3 minutes of fun, top to bottom. From the start, there is a high speed boulder garden, the middle section is tight, rooty singletrack with fast, sweeping bermed turns, and the final section is a super high speed rock garden, filled with loose "baby head" rocks. All day longduring practice, I was feeling solidly fast on my brand new Specialized Demo 8 race bike. I was having a great race run, and I knew it. I think I got a little bit too comfortable right through the last rock garden, within sight of the finish when I got knocked off line, over the handlebars, and into the woods down below. I clamoured back up the hill, back onto my bike to salvage the remains of my race when I realized that my stem had twisted and my handlebars were now sideways, rendering my bike all but unrideable. I limped my poor crashed up bike across the finish line, and brooded. I left with mixed emotions. Yes I crashed, but when the final results were posted, I ended up being only 11 seconds off the win. So. All I had to do was stay on the bike and cruise on into the finish for a win, but I crashed. Sure the fastest racer stays on his bike, but I knew I had what it took. (And I had a ton of fun!!)

US Open, Vernon New Jersey, May 27:
This event has been growing exponetially for the last 4 years. It's held at the mountain creek ski resort in the little town of Vernon NJ. I have always heard what a great venue this is, with an awesome course, well organized promotion, and an atmosphere to match. It was a 13 hour drive from sunny South Carolina to Dirty Jersey, but it was worth every mile.
I raced the pro class for the first time, which meant that I was lining up with the same guys that I watch in the videos and read about in the magazines. Its pretty intimidating when you hear one of those freight trains come clattering down the trail behind you! This course was the real deal. The whole top half was a crazy rock garden, with a collection of some of the biggest, greasiest, and steepest rock lines that I've ever ridden. The last half was a little bit tamer, but really high speed as you went through what reminded me of a luge track in the olymics, except made out of dirt. It was really fun! I went into the event not expecting much out of myself, due to the quality of my competion, so needless to say, I don't even know what place I got. The resort is entirely dedicated to downhill mountain biking throughout the summer, so after the race, we rode all kinds of different downhill trails all day long until our arms fell off.

NORBA National #2, Sugar Mountain North Carolina, June 10:
I've always thought of Sugar Mountain as being my "home course". I've grown up racing the annual "Showdown at Sugar" race, so it was really a surprise to find out that Sugar Mountain had been added as a venue in the most elite series in the US, the NORBA National Championship Series. Everyone wondered whether or not old Sugar Mountain would be able to pull it off on the national stage, but I think everyone agreed that they made a great first impression! Anyway, the course was superb, with all kind of features from top to bottom. It had tight twisty stuff, fast open stuff, really steep stuff, roots, rocks, mud, jumps, mud, big drops, and mud. This being my "home course", I was surprised by what a hard time I was having during practice. I was crashing everywhere! Come race time, I knew I had to get myself together. As soon as I left the start gate, and made it through the first rock section, I knew I had something to work with. I kept building my momentum, rode smart and clean, and when I crossed the line, they announced over the PA that I was the new leader! My time held and I ended up winning! It felt great to beat people from all over the country, PA, CA, VA, on my old home track!

Next weekend, I'll be going to Wilkesboro NC for a fun little local race at a place called Dark Mountain. It sound really imposing, like some place in Lord of the Rings, but its actually a really tame course with a refreshing lake right at the finish line! I've almost got Olivia talked into racing the course just for kicks, so you guys should tell her she better not disappoint! After that I have one more at Snowshoe West Virginia that I'd like to go to.

Blast From the Past

Ok, so I'm really hoping all yall remember Allison taking this once in a lifetime shot on our way to a Clemson game. So I was sitting here tonight going through old college pictures and Matt suggested I do a post. I wasn't particularlly in the mood, but then I came across this picture and knew I had to share it with you guys. Matt and I had an excellent chuckle over it! Allison, do you remember us trying to send it in to David Letterman? I can't remember if we actually sent it or not though? What I love most about the picture is that the focus is exactly where it should be. :) Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I have all these years.

katie's portrait

So I finally got to do my first bridal portrait. My friend, Katie, from church was gracious enough to my be my first trail run. I kinda goofed in the beginning because I failed to realize that the sun is much harsher in the summer time. I thought meeting at 9:45am would be great lighting, but boy was I wrong. I should have said 7 or 8am for the summer. Anyway, I had to let the creativity flow for this one and it ended up being great. Katie is fantastically easy to take pictures of. It's so hard to mess her up in a picture.

We took all the pictures on our church grounds and some from the inside of our little chapel. This was a great learning experience for me and hopefully many more to follow. I'll soon have her gallery posted on my website and the password will be "hambright" which will be her new last name.

Katie, thanks for being such a great sport!

Red Dress Ball

The Haeart Association has a charity event every year where you wear a red dress to it. The bank bought a table, so I got to go. Matt unfortunately could not go so another co-worker decided to go. We had a great time and you all know how I love to dress up. Take notice of the dress I'm wearing. Does it look familar? Hey Laura, does Charlotte's dress look familiar? She wore my dress from your wedding. I got a kick out of that.

Mother's Day

Everyone came to our house for Mother's Day and we had cababs. Matt has really become an excellent cook. It was a beautiful day. It supposed to rain, but we didn't see any of it. After lunch I decided to get out the camera, which Matt's mom hates because she hates having her picture taken , even though she is beautiful. :) This could be said for my mom too, especially the beauitful part. Anyway, here are some of the pics and the flowers are from my brother. They were a complete surprise for my mom.