Valentine's Day Gift Idea - {Tampa Bay Couples' Photographer}

Guys!  Still looking for that perfect Valentine's Day gift for the special person in your life.  Check out the Sweetheart's Package Gift Certificate.  It will be a gift she treasure's for a lifetime!

USCGC BLACKTHORN MEMORIAL - {Tampa Bay Event Photographer}

This past Saturday morning I had the honor of attending the 32nd Annual Memorial for the USCGC Blackthorn which sank on January 28, 1980, off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg, Fl.  Tragically, 23 of her crew perished that day.   My husband who is a Senior Chief in the Coast Guard has participated in this event each of the years that we have been stationed here in Tampa Bay and I'm ashamed to say this was the first time I went with him.  I had heard the story about the Blackthorn and it's collision with the Capricorn off the bridge before, but the significance of what happened that day and as a result of the accident had escaped me until the service.  Regulations were changed that are believed to have helped prevent a repeat of that awful incident.   If you want to read more about the Blackthorn's history and what happened in detail, click here.    I wanted to also mention Seaman William "Billy" Flores.  You can read more about his heroics and the newly announced Coast Guard vessel named after him here.

Standing at the ready and waiting to lay roses at during the service is the future crew of the USCGC William Flores.

Watching the fly over by a Coast Guard C130 and two H-60J Helicopters.

This is the actual bell from the USCGC Blackthorn.  It can be seen at the normally at the Armed Forces Military Museum located in Largo, Fl.

Roses were laid for each crewman lost that day.

21 Gun Salute.

PIPER - 9 Days { Tampa Newborn Photographer}

Yeah!  It's a girl!  I love all babies and baby boys are awesome, but after a string of boys I was excited to use pinks and flowers - although I need a LOT more flower headbands I've discovered.  :)  Piper's mom is Shana and you got to see her and dad's pictures back in November.    Piper is a beauty!  And she was such a good baby throughout her photo shoot.  Here she is!

So Pretty in Pink!

Piper with her big sister and brother!

Piper in Daddy's arms...

a smile...

LA 52 Week Challenge - Week 1 - New Beginnings

As I mentioned in my last post, I wanted to start my own photo challenge - 1 photo a week for 2012.  Each week will be a different theme which will be announced on Fridays.  Anyone can participate.  To do so, email me your photo and I will post it to my Facebook page in the 52 week challenge.  When emailing - please include the week # and how you'd like to be credited!   Have fun and get shooting!
email: lori@loriannephotography.com

This week's theme is New Beginnings -   

We recently got our earth boxes going with yummy fresh herbs and Eric wanted to plant some sunflowers, corn and beans in the garden as well. They just started to sprout.

THE 52 WEEK CHALLENGE - {Tampa Bay Photographer}

If you love to take pictures and frequent sites like Flickr, you may see the 365 Day Challenge where you take a new photo each day.  Sometimes there are themes.  These challenges are created to to help keep you shooting, staying open to creative ideas.   I kind of felt like the 365 day Challenge was a little bit more than time would allow, so just for fun, I've decided on the 52 Week Project. Basically, one photo a week for the year. Ideally, there will be a theme each week for the photo and I'd love suggestions as we go. If you want to take part, you are welcome to post your photo to my Facebook page ( Lori Anne Photography )as well.    What do you think? This week's theme will be, appropriately enough, "New Beginnings."