Cardas Photography {PhotoBlog}

Thank you!

I just wanted to send out a huge THANK YOU to all of my friends, family, and clients (including Mike there at the top of the blog!) who have served and continue to serve our nation.  I know that the media has focused more on the economy than our military in the past few months - but we do have two wars continuing to be fought on the other side of the world and many many many American soldiers will be away from their families during the upcoming holidays.  Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

-Angela

House fire

So, when I was a kid I always said I wanted to be a newspaper photographer.  I know now, that I can't do it.  I realize that photographing people at their happiest is much more my speed.  I had a shoot in Corvallis yesterday and this is what I came home to (Not my house - but very close.):

A sad reminder how suddenly and quickly your whole life can be changed. My thoughts go out to these two families.  You can read the whole story on the Democrat Herald's website here:  House fire in SE Albany.

A huge hug needs to go to the firefighters who went in to rescue the wedding photographs of the newlyweds who lived in one of these houses.  Thanks to all of the firefighters from Albany, Lebanon, Corvallis and Tangent who helped keep the fire from spreading even farther.

Chelsea Clinton's Visit to Albany

On my walk last night, I walked by the house of Kambria Hunter from the Boys and Girls Club of Albany.  She was on her front porch, on the phone.  So I waved and kept walking.  She yelled out my name and came running towards me phone still on her ear.  She finished her conversation and asked if I would be available to shoot some pictures at the club from 5-6 the next day.  Of course I answered, anytime. OK, she said - Chelsea Clinton will be getting there at about 5:00 and could you take pictures of her visit?  Um YEAH! 

It turns out it was the Secret Service on the phone finalizing the details of the visit.  How cool!! 

I don't usually talk about politics to anyone other than my husband... but its an historic time in Oregon politics!  For the first time in my life the Oregon primary actually "counts!" And we have had the traffic to prove it! Over the course of the past few weeks, our area has been visited by Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John McCain and - just today - Chelsea Clinton.

She was on her way through through town and there happened to be a very special ribbon cutting at the club today! the new community garden is a partnership between the Boys & Girls Club and the Oregon State Extension Service, and today was the opening day!

She started with a tour of the facilities.  This woman was awesome - she walked right up to Chelsea and said "I brought my daughter in today to meet you because I want to show her that there are other women to look up to other than Hannah Montana."

In the arts and crafts room this little girl showed Chelsea how to thread beads to make a bracelet:

After the ribbon cutting ceremony - all the kids gathered around to ask questions. 

They ranged from Whats your favorite flavor of Ice Cream?  and What is your favorite pet? To, Whats the difference between a governor and the president?  and What should we do about global warming?  I was so impressed with the kids!

 

At the end of the question and answer session Chelsea stayed around and signed every autograph and gave every hug that was asked for.

This guy didn't have any paper - so he asked her to sign his arm! :)

So - Oregonians - don't forget to turn in your ballot tomorrow!! Whomever you choose - exercise your rights as an American and turn in your ballot!  Postmarks *don't* count!  You have to physically turn it in, in person!  I dropped mine off today behind the Linn County Courthouse, but you can see an entire list of Linn County drop off locations here:  Ballot Drop Boxes

Happy Holidays

I hope 2008 brings you everything you are hoping for!  Look for my 2007 year in review over the next few days. Have a safe and happy new year!