AHHH..that is a sigh! Have you ever had a secret that you've just been dying to tell someone and couldnt? In August I had the EXTREME and I say EXTREME pleasure of meeting 4 of the most NEATEST (wink wink) people from Japan. They were here with me for 4 days, shooting some shots for the brochure for the new NIKON D40. They flew in and we shot - from sunup to sunset and sometime after dark... we ate together, laughed together, had birthday cake and exchanged gifts.... and I gotta tell ya, there were times, when I thought I was going to cry - nothing was going right... but somehow - we'd get the shot.. the sky would turn just right, or something would happen..and it would all work out.
There is so much I could talk about - about these people, but I will say this. I have made friends that I will treasure for a lifetime. My family has memories for a lifetime. Carter still has oragami fish and birds that his friend Akiko made for him...he has "kites" in his room she brought to him as gifts.. He talks about Take reading him books... so being chosen to help create the brochure was way way WAY cool.. but the experience - ya - that was the COOLEST.
ANYWAY- Hats off to Ava - for coming through the last day with a phone call the last minute...when we had exhausted all our options...and for getting on the intro page :)
and to Cole for tossing a ball until the sun was JUST in the RIGHT spot and at the perfect time....
and to Leann, Jordan, Sam, Chelsea, Kim, James, John Michael, Helena, Kai, Syndey, Kade, Michaela, Kristen, (--oh man, I'm gonna forget someone I know I am!!! ) THANK YOU ALL for everything~~ I know its hard to get kids to do something WE want them to do..and not something they want to do..and they were all troopers :)!
Here are a few images of my friends and of the shooting...
Take reading to Carter..
Me and Gen calling it a night....
Leann in action - she actually has several small pictures throughout the brochure. 
One of my favorite shots..seen small on the last page.. We couldnt have asked for a better sunset that night...
Ok.. thats it for now (cause its late -or early)... I'll post more pics and stories later).. all the shots were taken with the D40. It really is a great little camera (and I'm not getting paid to say this). I was asked to use the lens that came with the camera for MOST of the shots, however had a very large arsenal of lenses at my disposal( which was very hard to give up when they left!! I wanted to sneek afew into my camera bag)...and did use the lens for most of these shots. I was also asked to use AUTO mode for alot of the shots...because this camera is being marketed to the CONSUMER/HOBBIEST buyer - the moms and dads who are tired of missing shots with their point and shoots but arent looking to buy a professional high end camera. YES, George, there are still hobbiest out there!
A Final thanks to my FAM - I know you guys read my blog.... and honestly I dont know what I'd do without you guys :)
~Kathy
Very cool, Kathy. What an honor to have the chance to do something like that!
Posted by: Dusty | November 20, 2006 at 07:52 AM
That's awesome! How did they find you or know about you should I say? Love those shots too...btw.
Posted by: Nadia | November 20, 2006 at 08:31 AM
Kathy . . . wow, what a fun adventure you must have been on. I am so excited for you! I too want to know how you were choosen, what a great opportunity. I want to hear more, more, more. Don't wait to long for more exciting detail!
Posted by: Fara Smith | November 20, 2006 at 09:53 AM
Kathy.. I had no idea about any of this... what a treat and experiece for you and your family and to be apart of something like that. awesome..I looked at the brochure through the link provided so cool to see your work like that... How did you get chosen for This?? cant wait to hear more about they whole experience..
Posted by: eLiZaBeTh | November 20, 2006 at 04:31 PM
YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats, congrats, congrats!!!!
BTW....Miss ya!
Posted by: Michelle Croson | November 20, 2006 at 04:36 PM
O--M--Goodness! I had no idea either...thats what I get for not coming to the getogether..huh?! Kathy..you are soaring! A big congrats to you. Please tell us more. Are ALL the images yours?
Posted by: krista | November 20, 2006 at 05:52 PM
These are great. They just look so serene in the mist of all your frustrations! Wonderful.
Posted by: Chelo | November 20, 2006 at 08:26 PM
Kathy! These are awesome shots - what a wonderful opportunity for you! They picked a top-notch photographer who did a first-class job!
Posted by: Debra K | November 20, 2006 at 11:31 PM
Wow! Kathy! What an exciting life you lead, jet-setting all over the country from Chicago to New York, and rubbing shoulders with foreigners! You're amazing! Its so great to read your blog and be thrilled to know that I know you! Great job on the sunset pics! Your work is so inspiring.
Posted by: Alex | November 21, 2006 at 12:34 AM
WOW Kathy...this is HUGE...congrats...Your photos are Fabulous! Yippee for you!
Posted by: sarah goodman | November 21, 2006 at 04:07 AM
Can I say I knew you when?! This is just BEYOND big...Nikon only uses the BEST!!!
Posted by: Pam Nafziger, SC photographer | November 21, 2006 at 07:54 AM
Wow, how exciting and what a great opportunity and experience for you!
Posted by: Lisa W. | November 21, 2006 at 05:12 PM
Congrats Kathy! WOW! What a fabulous experience for you!
Posted by: Marlys | November 22, 2006 at 01:43 PM
Kathy! How neat. The images are awesome. So, when are you going to start giving workshops? You are such an inspiration- I am so lucky to have met you. Congrats!
Posted by: Mia | November 23, 2006 at 07:57 PM
Wow! Congratulations! What a tremendous honor. And of course you did a spectacular job.
Posted by: Debbie | November 23, 2006 at 09:38 PM
YAYYAYYAA!!! Are these the people that contacted you ages ago?? (same people that contacted me, I think?). SOO Freakin' COOL!!! I'm so psyched for you, and I can't believe you had times during the shooting when you didn't think it was working. You ALWAYS make it work girl (or at least it looks that way to me).
Posted by: Amanda | November 25, 2006 at 12:51 AM
Well done!!! I'm so excited for you!! :)
Posted by: Kim | November 25, 2006 at 08:57 PM
Wow--way cool Kathy. I can't believe you never mentioned it at the Workshop in Chicago. Next in line--cover shot. Can't wait to see your next endeavor!
Posted by: Mary Kelly | November 29, 2006 at 09:35 PM
man you suck!
lol i cant believe you kept that secret! you rock girl and totally deserve this!
Posted by: megan | December 10, 2006 at 09:14 PM
What an exciting post!! I'm so happy for you. Looks like you had a blast and you took some gorgeous pictures! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Shannon | December 13, 2006 at 03:51 PM
You rock girl!!! I am so proud of you (umm, and a lot jealous - lol)! Amazing amazing work. Hope you are enjoying your time off!
Posted by: Stacy W. | December 16, 2006 at 10:45 PM
Kahty~this is so cool! Congratulations and I loved your shots.
Posted by: Prema Buck | December 18, 2006 at 12:46 PM