Saturday morning kitchen discovery – Eyes of a child

It was Saturday morning and I decided that my grandson would be my model for the morning.  After some shots in the bedroom of him just relaxing and watching his favorite Cars videos, he moved the action into the kitchen.

With very little effort he mounted the stools like a pro.  Acting as though I was invisible and as if the camera was not pointing directly at him, he proceded to climb onto the kitchen counter.   After rendering  a few bars of a selection on a pitch pipe and playing with an action figure toy, he decided to find out what was in the little box we use to store salt.

The adventure continued with his deciding that the box needed to have more than just salt in it.  Anything handy that was pour able was then added to the salt-box and what couldn’t fit  into the box was spilled onto the counter.

It resulted in a big mess but gave me some great pictures.

young boy kitchen counter

opening small box on counter African American male

child climbed on kitchen counting reaching into small box

What pictures have you taken of your little one being him or herself?

Lonnie Dawkins Photography Site

Saturday morning relaxation – young and care free

Saturday morning relaxation

Young toddler enjoying carefree Saturday morning viewing favorite morning shows

Old pictures can be new treasures. Photography gems.

5 siblings from the 1950s

We all have pictures that we haven’t seen in years – wonderful pictures tucked away in boxes or plastic sleeves – out of sight – out of mind – aging.

The other day when I was looking for a new picture for my Face Book profile I came upon an old picture of me and some of my brothers and sisters.  There are 8 of us and 5 of us are in the picture.  The picture was not in the best condition but with the help of Photoshop it became almost new again. I like the way the photographer posed us and the old style clothes we were wearing.

I would encourage folks to take the time to go through boxes of pictures presently stored away and you might be surprised at what treasures you have.

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Lonnie Dawkins Photography

Bells will be ringing – Courtney and Terence engagement pictures

Engagement photo shoot with a wonderful couple – Courtney and Terence in preparation for their 2013 wedding.  Session took place in a beautiful garden with gazebo.  The couple was also joined by their beloved poodle – Makeba.

2 hands posed in shape of heart

Engaged couple smiling with dog african american

engaged couple with dog african american

engaged couple kneeling with dog

Couple alone in garden dancing- urban - engaged - African American

More pictures at Courtney and Terence

Lonnie Dawkins Photography

Photographer:  Lonnie Dawkins

Said he didn’t like taking pictures. First photo shoot.

Model:  Eric A.

An unplanned photo shoot sometimes can turn out to be one of the best.  I met and photographed Eric on the same day.  He had accompanied a friend on a photo shoot. At first he said he was not interested in taking pictures   Later I found him to be open and relaxed and he took some great pictures.   I think he is going to pursue modeling.

head shot black male smiling

black male with cap tattoos and arms crossed
Continue reading “Said he didn’t like taking pictures. First photo shoot.”

Family Circle – Gathering for prayer. Family Reunion – Rutherfordton, NC

Reuniting for fellowship, fun, and food.  36th annual Hart-Sims family reunion.  It’s not the largest family reunion but it has been consistently held since 1976.  After many years of holding banquets in hotels, etc. our family went back to a simple backyard celebration this year..  Fish Fry on Friday night, cookout Saturday afternoon, and large dinner Saturday night.  Nothing fancy but just as much fun.  All together in one location for 2 days.  Keeping it simple.

What does your family do?

Family praying together

Back to Grandma’s House. What used to be.

The house with the flower gardens, the porch with the railings and the rocking chars, and the shed on the side has gotten even smaller.  It is hard to believe that this is the same house it once was with all the activities.  Now it is barely standing.

During this year’s family reunion in Rutherford County, NC several members agreed to pose in front of the family landmark.  Most were not born when family members actually lived in the home and have no idea what the home and neighborhood were like during its heyday.  It was the first time most had seen the house.  Few of the younger ones understand what we were talking about when we talked about the big house with the piano in the front room and linoleum floors.

old house in north carolina with family

Grandma’s house not as big as it used to be

Remembering Chuck Brown: Fans packed Washington Convention Center to show love and respect

Chuck Brown, Godfather of GoGo

By Lonnie Dawkins

A large and diverse group of fans gathered to show love and respect for the Godfather of GoGo, Chuck Brown.  Services took place on May 31, 2012 at the Washington Convention Center.  It was a remarkable occasion.

Chuck Brown sign at DC convention center
funeral program and fans after Chuck Brown Funeral
Dressed fashionably in pink with fan
Maryland Portrait Photographer

Lonnie Dawkins is a Maryland based portrait photographer

The Carnival Returns to Town. The Ferris Wheel

A few years back I posted an article When the Carnival Comes to Town.  The carnival has returned yearly since then but last night I decided to go back camera in hand and take more photographs.

Ferris Wheel and Carnival in Landover Hills Maryland

 

Entry Gate at Carnival in Landover Hills MD with Ferris Wheel

 

Ferris Wheel and lights at carnival in Landover Hills MD

This year the carnival is in a bigger place and can spread out with all its glory.  The colors and motion of the Ferris Wheel are fascinating.  On my previous visit I was taken by the secretiveness of the carnival and how it seemed to be tucked away in a little corner.  I photographed in black and white.  Now the carnival seems more open and expressive and needed to be photographed in color.

The carnival is now located in a large open space near a Walmart in Landover Hills, Maryland with huge parking space versus in a smaller more isolated place years back . From the outside it seems to be drawing a lot of people but I haven’t been tempted to go inside as the view from the outside with the lights and Ferris Wheel is enough.

I remember when the carnival came to the little town in North Carolina where I grew up.  One week there was a carnival in the open field and then a few weeks later there was a gospel tent meeting in the same space.  It was quite a contrast considering some of the “entertainment” that was included in the carnival shows back then.

Carnivals have been a life time fascination.  I know they are open during the day sometimes but the magic of the carnival is at night.  Maybe it’s darkness and lightness both trying to be in the same place.  The colors shout out into the night making a wonderful mysterious view.

Does a carnival come to your town or have you been to one in recent years?  Any carnival stories?

www.lonniedawkins.com

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Whose Binky is this?


pacifier left in park

While walking through the park last night I saw a pacifier also known as a Binky, bop, and a bunch of other things..  I paused and wondered about its history.

It was laying on a tree trunk and it looked like it had been found and placed there as though the owner would soon return for it.  Maybe the finder thought the child’s family would be back in a split second and still be able to make use of it.  I’m sure the finder had been through some lost pacifier drama.

As a grandfather I know how important “Binky” is.  I also know how binkies can disappear into thin air – here one second and gone never to be found again the next.  There have been times the family would have paid top dollar to replace one..  Once It took trips to several stores in the late hours to find the kind Baby would accept only to return home and have all the lost binkies suddenly pop out of their hiding places.  But back to the binky in the park.

How did it get here?  Did it belong to a toddler who dropped it and the parents had others that they immediately put to use?.  Did the child lose the bop on a peaceful family stroll though the park but once it was lost all hell broke loose?  Did  the family take the child to the park intentionally to say goodbye to Mr. Bop and a small ceremony was held as the peacemaker was placed on the tree trunk and the child bravely walked away?  A big boy or big girl now.  Did the pacifier work as hard as it could to soothe some child unsuccessfully and  decide on its own to disappear and felt the park was the place to do it?

Who was the child?  Was the cutie pie 6 months old?  One year old?  Two?  Was he or she an all day user or just casual?  What race? Nationality?  A walker or a crawler?  Quiet or loud?  Really active or really laid back?  Spoiled rotten or the sweetest most well behaved baby in the world?

How it got here and who the owner was are not to be known but this fantastic piece of rubber and plastic, Mr. Binky, can rest in peace now and should be thanked on behalf of the child, the parents, and the public for the wonderful service provided. It did look peaceful.

Any Binky stories?

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