Long’s Photography

Founded over eight years ago, the Heart Gallery is photographic exhibit created to find forever families for children in foster care.  The nationwide project includes more than  120 local Heart Galleries and is designed to increase the number of adoptive families for children needing homes in our community.  Leading the local Heart Gallery project is the Tallahassee Junior League and Long’s Photography is proud to be their partner photographer.

Working with the Junior League, we had four of the most amazing subjects come into the studio for their portraits!  Ranging in age from nine to 14, these guys were an absolute hoot!  It always amazes me how much personality can fit into kids’ tiny little bodies!

First up was Kanard who was a rather serious kind of guy.  He seemed to have age beyond his years and was very thoughtful throughout his session.   I teased him about being one of the “too cool GQ models” and it became my mission to see this guy smile.  I have to tell you that Kanard never smiled for me.  He would go from serious to absolutely cracking up in no time!  He fought off those giggles, but I have to tell you every time he busted out laughing it was absolutely contagious and we would all crack up!

Marshall came in next and I just have to say his personality can fill an entire room!  This little guy could talk the pain off the walls!  He has a wonderful lighthearted sense of humor and immediately warms up to everyone.  He told me all about school, video games and his favorite colors of red and blue.  I really think the next time I am in a grumpy mood, I need to hang out with Marshall.  He seems determined to get everyone around him to smile!

Ashley was the super-model in training.  At 5ft 9 inches already, I think this girl will grow to be a million feet tall!  Her personality is very deep, but she tends to be very soft spoken and a tad reserved.  She is the kind of friend I think everyone needs to have in life.  She is the type of person who you can sit with for hours and dish about boys, but you know she is so loyal and true she would always keep your secrets.

Destiney seems to me to be the girl who seems tough at first glance, but truly has a creative sensitive soul.  She is so tiny, its hard to believe she is 14!  She is a very laid back kind of girl who has a great sense of who she is.  For lack of a better word, she is just “chill”.

Long’s Photography- Tallahassee portrait & wedding photographers

2009 Tally Award Winner- Tallahassee’s Best Photographers

Many of y’all know that Olyn and I contribute to dozens of charities throughout Tallahassee.  We both feel so blessed to have such amazing jobs, live in an awesome community and be able to live our dreams.  Any time we can give back to Tallahassee through our art, we jump at the chance.

Last week, we photographed the most wonderful preschool we could ever ask for as parents.  Thatcher started Little Lambs Preschool right after he turned a year old and it has been such an awesome source of love, learning and friendship for both our little guy and our whole family.  We really feel in debt to them and last year we started a portrait fundraiser for the school raising $450.  When it came time for this year’s fundraiser, both Olyn and I were really excited to go play with the kids and raise money for such a great school.  Little did we know that we would more than TRIPLE what we raised last year!! In almost four hours we photographed more than 60 preschoolers and raised over $1,500.  We are thrilled with the success of the fundraiser and the images as well!

To start off, we have to show you the most amazing, loveable, squeezaeble model of all– THATCHER!  Not at all biased, am I??

These are just a quick handful of some favorite shots from the day!

Long’s Photography- Tallahassee portrait & wedding photographers

2009 Tally Award Winner- Tallahassee’s Best Photographer