The Results Are In

It wasn't even close. Postcard A won by a major landslide.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote.

Survey Time

I need your help.

It's postcard time again. I need your help in deciding between the two designs above. Please give me an email - barry@altmarkphoto.com and let me know which postcard you prefer - a or b?

Thank you,

Today's Deep Thought

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE


The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.

He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best
option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers:

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie.

Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want
to know what I make? (She paused for a second, and then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't
make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental...

You want to know what I make." (She paused again and looked at each and
every person at the table.) I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them criticize.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to
know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,
because we live in the United States of America.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were
given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.) "Then, when people try
to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no
attention because they are ignorant...

You want to know what I make.


I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"

Sam's Bar Mitzvah

Today (oh, maybe yesterday now) was Sam's Bar Mtizvah. I just got back to the office after his party.

What a sweet kid and his family was so nice. He was one nervous puppy. But, he got his act together and sounded really good. His Bar Mitzvah was at Temple Emanu-El, Birmingham this morning (yeah, I know yesterday). Then tonight we went to the Pinetree Country Club to party. The above cracker jack boxes were the table place cards. I thought this was a clever idea. We danced and danced and danced until their poor guests couldn't stand up anymore.

It's still cold (no, make that damn cold) out there and I think it's going to get colder tomorrow.

On a completely different note. My trusty assistant, Tina is pregnant! Major cool, and she's starting to show. Now all those that have met Tina know that she's just a little thing. This should be interesting.

Got Dave?

It's here ... The latest installment of the Live Trax series. DMB goes over the master tapes of live shows and they put out these limited edition recordings to Warehouse members.

This should hold me over to DMB's first concert of the year - March 23rd at the MGM Grand Las Vegas.

Amy and Evan

I just met Amy and Evan.

They came into town to meet and do their engagement session. I'm doing their wedding in August and it was so good to meet them. I think it's so important to be able to meet, talk and just get to know my couples before your wedding.

The more comfortable you can feel in front of my camera the better. It's your wedding, you should be able to be you!

Also, don't forget to take a moment and remember MLK today. MLK was an amazing man and his teachings and influence changed our world.

Double Header Today

The beautiful Gabrella Manor on a wonderful sunny day.

Need a good band? Here's ACT III at work.

Would you buy a used car from this guy? This is Ron with Vintage Auto. His new Rolls Royce is so cool!

This is Geoff Carlisle who operates JAMM Entertainment. Definately the man to call when you need a DJ.

Well y'all know who this is by now. This is Aron (looking very intelligent) modelling the new Barry C Altmark Photography Baseball hat. Please wait patiently for yours. Destined to be a collector's item.

Ok, you've probably figured out what I did this afternoon. We had a booth at the Gabrella Manor Open House. We've got a bunch of really talented folks to service Gabrella and Barbara's Cake (Cakes by Barb)is to die for.

I just got back from photographing the "Temple Beth-El Centennial Cantorial Concert."
Amazing, simply amazing! So much talent in one concert.
If you're into religious music, this was the place to be tonight. Yes, it was mostly Jewish music but there was also Negro Spirituals and Broadway tunes as well as classic Opera.


Dr. Oral Moses brought tears to everyone's eyes.

Cantor Jessica Roskin and Dr. Oral Moses.

Cantor Jessica Roskin was well awesome!

The special guest - Hazzan Alberto Mizrahi.

Hazzan Mizrahi's Yiddish song (Vos Iz Gervorn Fun Mayn Shtetele) was beautiful.

The man who put this magnificent concert together - Hazzan Daniel Gale.

I photograph a lot of performances and concerts (that's a good thing) but I just love Religious Music. Ok, I'm not giving up Dave just yet.

Tomorrow I get to play on my scooter. The weather here is almost spring like. Oh boy!!!!

Today's Deep Thought

When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence. -Ansel Adams

Have you ever noticed that in this rat race we call life sometimes you just need to sit down and take a deep breath and chill out? That's where the wisdom of people like Ansel come in.

Just take a moment, it doesn't have to be a long one, just a moment. Relax and reflect.

Now, doesn't that feel better?

Back to our regulary scheduled program ...

Wynfrey Hotel Bridal Show

Pretty slick display. Tina (my trusty assistant) and Aron (video dude) came up with this year's layout.

I met a bunch of wonderful folks at this show and there were a lot of emails and telephone messages when I came into the office this morning. I can't wait to work with the Brides I met yesterday. It's going to be a cool wedding season.

The floral arrangements were gorgeous! Cathy Blach (Jasmine) did some spectacular work at the show entrance and of course, Diane Olexa's cakes were divine.

First Event of the Year

How cool is this? My first event of the year was Matthew's Bar Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El, Birmingham on Saturday morning.

To check out the slideshow, drag the link to your browser -

www.altmarkphoto.com/slideshows/matthew/iframe.html

He knew his Parshat (Torah portion) and had most of his blessings down great. By the time Julie and Nathan (Mom & Dad) were done with their speeches there wasn't a dry eye in the place.

Saturday night, I photographed the Birmingham Jewish Federation's yearly campaign kick off. Basically, I spent all day and night in Temple.

It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood

Aron is home safe and sound. He survived his Delta Airlines puddle hopper adventure. His luggage finally made it today. A new record for Delta, only 24 hours after he arrived.

Now it's time to brag - the Bridal Magazines came out today

Check out the six page spread in Portico Weddings Magazine.

Have you seen the new Alabama Weddings Magazine? I'm all over it.


Check out the article on Bridesmaid Parties

Then, there's the article on LaShea Boutique making custom made Wedding dresses and other formal wear.

And of course, every Bridesmaid party needs a day at the Spa.

Oh, I just got a call from the Over the Mountain Journal about doing photos for them this afternoon.

Yes, I am definitely in a bragging kind of mood. I can't wait for the Wynfrey Bridal Show this Sunday afternoon.

OK, back to work