a nice break then back on the road

Ericka and I again took time off during June to study the Bible deeper last weekend. We have done this for many years and we feel the financial sacrifice is well worth it. This year our theme was how to find reliable guidance in this complex world we live in. We enjoyed the lectures, interviews, and demonstrations that helped folks to learn to apply the fruits of God's spirit in their lives. One of our dear friends from Tennessee participated in a demonstration where young ones ( and old ones too) learned how to deal with peer pressure to engage in corrupting behavior. We came away determined to try our best to uphold high standards regardless of what everyone else does. We were impressed that these sessions were free and no collection was taken even though we were given 4 books to add to our library! I missed a few talks and plan to catch them in Atlanta in July.

So having enjoyed that we are back full swing into the wedding season. I will be in Cashiers Friday, Claxton farm Sat, then off to Savannah Ga on Sun then Charleston on Weds, then back for a bit before leaving for NYC.

If you need to get ahold of me phone might be the best bet next week. See ya!!! Aaron

A love story for the ages

Ring shot by Sophia Jekic

The year was 1975. I was 1 years old. Just a few miles south of where I lived, Diane and Tony were high school sweethearts who loved to hang out at Stone's Lake. That year they went their separate ways, off to the hustle and bustle leaving quite Cedar Mt NC behind.

Imagine my joy, to be privileged enough to photograph their engagement session as they walked around Stone's lake, played in the water and remembered the times they had. I always tell folks to pick a spot for engagement photos that means something to them, so this was not only a great spot but very meaningful.

Then on May 31st 2008 , some 33 years after they spilt up, they were married right there at Stones Lake with a down home reception that followed. The square dancing was furious, Sophia and I both got tired just watching. I was very privileged to part of such a great love story just a stone's throw from my home. Thanks again to Sophia was adding her signature touch to the images, and Best Wishes Tony and Diane!!!!!

a.i. album review Tyler Ramsey

So I've got 5 minutes while some photos download, so time to review some music. Since this is my first album review here's the scale:

* poor effort, avoid like the plague
** has a decent track or two, nothing to get excited about
*** solid collection, a cd you'll keep, you will want to catch a live show
**** an incredible album, has lasting value, you'll love as much in 20 years as you do now,
***** a once in a lifetime album. A true classic.Monumental. Huge. These are extremely rare.

Todays review Tyler Ramsey's A long dream about swimming across the sea

Sounds similar to: Neil Young Harvest, Jackson Browne

Asheville's own Tyler Ramsey scores a big winner with this one. If there is any justice in the world this album will get national attention at the least. It opens with a powerful 1,2 punch of the title track and my personal favorite "Ships". Rarely does an album open with this kind of force. Great guitar work. Smooth yet powerful vocals. Both tracks are relaxing yet perplexing.

After another solid track "night time" comes WNCW 88.7 heavy rotation " Once in your life". This song is like 3 songs in one, reminds me of "band on the run" by PM. "No one goes out" is another 88.7 fav and is well deserving of airplay.

Ramsey scores on a great cover of Jackson Browne's "These Days". "When I wake" and "please stop time" round out the album.

Bottom line: If you appreciate acoustic singer/songwriter music this is a must have. Lots of depth. My rating..... It flirts with a 4 star but it falls off a bit tword the end of the album after an incredible start, so 3.5 stars. Now go buy it!!!

Aleece and Nathan 5/24/08

Photo by Sophia

Aleece and Nathan are fellow Brevardians who had their rockn wedding right here in Brevard. The Porter Center at Brevard College was an awesome venue. I don't know if weddings will be a regular thing there but I hope so. I will post a few photos here but please go to my website and there you can see a more complete collection in the Lifestyle side of www.aaronimaging.com . Special Thanks once again to Sophia Jekic for the great job of shooting alternate angles. Nathan and Aleece got to go to Alaska while we were all being roasted alive down here. I really liked how they did everything at their wedding their own way. They re-wrote some wedding rules and it was really fun!!!

Claxton Farm 6/7/08

I am way behind on my blogging, but I decided to put these up quickly. Oddly enough as I type the reception is still going. Weird huh. This was a Sophia Jekic production but she was kind enough to let me drop in for the ceremony and grab a few shots. I could not resist loading them up and I thought these were pretty cool. Nola and Josh had a great ceremony and are no doubt dancing as I type. Congrats to Nola and Josh!!!

Railroad Earth @ the Orange Peel 6/4/08

I've always wanted to write music reviews and critique so now that I have a blog, here we go......
Railroad Earth is one of my fav bands and I was thrilled to get to see them at the Orange Peel last night. The show was incredible, crowd was typically lively Ashe vegas crowd. The band played quite a bit of new stuff from the yet to be released new album "Amen Corner". A few of the slower new tunes seemed to alienate the audience a bit but I thought the new tunes sounded great.

The interesting thing is that the band almost defiantly avoided their bigger "hits". I think the rest of the audience including myself were enjoying the new stuff but were waiting for "bird", "smilling", "Mighty River" " Elko" etc and it never happened. I assumed that the RR Earth experience in Avl would surely at least include "Bird in the House". I've seen bigger bands (U2, Bob Dylan, etc) avoid their smash hits, but I'm not sure RR Earth is yet big enough to pull it off without alienating some of the ticket buyers.

Great show nonetheless. Sorry no photos.

Interesting tidbit: Recently Rolling Stone listed the top 5 indoor venues to see a show in the US and I have enjoyed 2 out of their top 5 recently. ( the other being the Bowery Ballroom in NYC).