UPDATE 12/14/09: So excited to share this trailer that was just sent to us straight out of the cutting room from Anton Lorimer. He's incredibly talented and I'm so proud of of all the work he's created and the efforts we made in Tanzania for Thirst Relief International.

If you are looking for the perfect gift to give someone for the holidays, give a donation on their behalf. Make A Donation to Thirst Relief International. $5.00 goes a long way, $10.00 goes even further, etc... For the price of a Starbucks latte, you can make a huge difference in the lives of many people.

Stay tuned.... more to come!



ORIGINALLY POSTED: 12/02/09: Hey everyone, Bob here. First time I've blogged in a long time. Dawn is usually the blogger, when she's not busy multi-tasking everything else in our lives. I'm not sure how I would do this all without her. Thank you Lulu. I love you more than words could ever say!

The last couple of months have been a whirlwind for us. Dawn & I left for New York in the middle of October and I didn't make it back home until well into November. More than 3 weeks away from home is way too long. I think my beautiful kiddos grew 2 inches while I was gone. It was hard on us all for me to be away from my family like this, but the journey was very eventful.

After I left Dawn in New York, I headed to Tuscany, Italy to attend a workshop with Gene Higa and Jose Villa. It was an incredible experience and I met many wonderful photographers who inspired me deeply. Dawn blogged a few images in the last entry HERE on our blog.

From Italy I headed to Tanzania, Africa, with a pretty cool layover in Dubai. I met up with Kenny Kim, Anton Lorimer, and Jim Davis-Hicks, the President of Thirst Relief International. We were there to collaborate on a video documentary for Thirst Relief. Anton and I were there to shoot video footage with our Canon 5D MarkII cameras while Kenny Kim documented the behind the scenes with still pictures. Together, I think we captured everything we needed to make an incredible short film to help bring more awareness to Thirst Relief International.

I shot a few stills during our trip but my primary focus was making the video. I did want to share a few images here. Anton is busy editing the film and we all can't wait to share that with the world. He's incredibly talented and I know he will do this project justice. I believe God has big plans for Thirst Relief. Big plans! For a more in-depth, behind the scenes look at our trip, check out Kenny Kim's blog. I'd also like to send a huge thank you to Jim Collins, Simon Anderson, Scott Anderson & Deb Gerson at Pictage for your generous support in making this trip possible. And to end this post with the most special thank you to God for wrapping your arms around us all, guiding us through this journey, and bringing us home safely to our families. THANK YOU!

Blessings,

Bob

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For more information about making a donation or donating your time:

Thirst Relief International
Make A Donation

Any donation is appreciated, even with $5.00 you can make a difference in people's lives. Dawn & I believe the more you give, the more you have!

As many of you know, we had the huge honor to photograph Sarah & Brent's wedding in St. Simons Island last October and not only did we photograph their wedding, we had 15 photographers assist us. It was SO FUN!!! I want to blog about it but for certain publication reasons, I can not right now.

I do want to share with you all this photo from their wedding as we've entered it into the Top Knots photography contest. We would be so honored if you would vote for Sarah & Brent. We adore this image of them and hope you will too! We'd love your vote!!!

Here's the link to the photo:
http://www.topknotscontest.com/bin/Rate?image_id=1009007782

Thank you so much! xoxoxo ~ Dawn & Bob

Just a sneak peek of Bob's recent trip to Italy with our friends, Gene Higa & Jose Villa.

Life has been so hectic at the Davis home, I wanted Bob to take a break and go somewhere he loves.... Italy! When Gene & Jose announced their Workshop, I knew it would be a great opportunity for him to get away from all the craziness we've been experiencing, hang with the boys, learn from Gene & Jose, and just plain relax. I'm so glad he did. He had a fantastic time getting to know everyone and hanging out doing what he loves! Thank you Gene & Jose (and Ann) for taking such good care of him. He was so missed...!!!

Here's a sneak peek... I'll add more as time permits. Hats off to all the models... wow... s.t.u.n.n.i.n.g!

xoxoxox

~ Dawn

Yowser! I love this book design!!! I know I already posted about their wedding (HERE) but I wanted to share with you all their book design. Hubba, hubba, hubba!!! Crystal is such a beautiful woman, I just wish I could photograph half as beautiful as she does! And I love the way Ron looks at her! True love baby! And just check out how adorable their children are. Dress so cute and their personalities are adorable!!!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THEIR BOOK DESIGN!
Thank you, a million thank yous, Crystal and Ron for giving us the opportunity to photograph your wedding in Maui, Hawaii and trusting us with this very important weekend in your life. We wish you a lifetime of happiness!

With love...

~ Dawn and Bob

When we met Betsy and Brandon at a Starbucks in Chicago, I knew instantly they were a couple for us! They are so fun and simply adorable... all the details of their wedding, candy dishes and yummy food. I was so excited when they said they wanted us to photograph their wedding. Look at how beautifully adorable they are!!!

Can't wait for your wedding day!!!

xoxoxox

~ Dawn & Bob

I love this post! I don't think I've ever opened a blog post with those words but this one is so special. I was on the phone with Kim Reilly, our beautiful bride from this summer! We were talking about her wedding and she mentioned she had a party to go to over the weekend. One of her best friends was getting engaged. It was a surprise and Kim was going to the party after the proposal. I immediately offered up Bob's services because I've always wanted to have a proposal in our portfolio. Kim was so amazing and graciously referred Pete to us.

When I spoke to Pete on the phone, he seems so nervous! He was so cute. He wanted everything to be perfect. Bob worked out the details with Pete and everything was.............. perfect!

Thank you Pete for allowing Bob to tag along as you ask the love of your life to marry you! We wish you and Tanya a lifetime of happiness...

~ Dawn and Bob

Back in mid August, I was contacted by Davina Fear (pictured below) to be part of her Woman & Business series. At first, I thought she was emailing the wrong Dawn Davis and even asked her if she meant me. Hilarious... why would SHE want to do an interview on me? She is the one I should be interviewing and blogging about. She is amazing!

This is how Davina described her series when she asked if I would participate...

"The series features mostly women who are being moms and entrepreneurs. I have guest bloggers that share their hints, tips, and/or thoughts for business, business and life, motherhood, photography, or something that you specialize in. Typically, I try to have one guest each week.

I would like for women in general to be inspired, motivated, moved, and connected by the series. However, my main interest is to have women who are trying to balance motherhood and business come away feeling that other women share their struggles as well as give them ideas for how to juggle all of the different aspects of their lives."

Well, after my disbelief, I went to town on a series of questions she had prepared for me. And here is what came from the interview...

Davina Fear + Dawn Davis = Women & Business (click here)

It seems these last couple of months have been a whirlwind. I mean they are always crazy around here but whoa... just unusually busy lately. Bob shot some amazing weddings, we did a workshop in St. Simons Island where 15 wonderful photographers photographed Sarah & Brent's wedding with Bob. I can't wait to blog that...! We've been to New York for the PhotoPlus expo and now Bob is hitting it hard in Italy with Gene Higa & Jose Villa at their workshop. Rough life, I know. Me, I get to hunker down with the kids, run the business, help with homework, and taxi the kids back and forth to Sylvan, Soccer and Taekwondo.

Tonight, I'd like to invite everyone out to a CD Release party. I know, I know... way late notice but better late than never. We had a fantastic opportunity to photograph a new up and coming band, JAMROSE. Nicole Jamrose and Mark Soljacich just released their first CD, called U-Turn. Bob took the photos and I designed the CD.

You may have heard me talk about Mark Soljacich, he wrote and recorded a song called "Follow Your Dreams" for us to include in a book we designed for Forest Whitaker when he won the Oscar for the movie, The Last King of Scotland. Mark and Nicole wrote some incredible songs for their new CD. Check out their new Showit website JAMROSE and preview their song "Fall Out of Love".

Hope to see you at the CD Release Party tonight! This Must Be The Place, 206 Main Street, Lemont, IL. Show starts at 9pm.

Isn't the way they look at each other just so sweet? Meet Lynn + Adam. They were referred to us by the most amazing event planner on earth... Reva Nathan. We can't thank Reva enough for her recommending her clients to us. We look forward to a beautiful year full of weddings, mitzvahs and many other fun events.

Lynn + Adam, thank you for choosing us! You have such an incredible family and it's our honor to be part of your wedding day. Bob had a blast with your engagement session and we're so looking forward to working with you again! The Westin River North Chicago is such a beautiful place to have a wedding. It's going to be a perfect day! We can't wait...!!!

xoxoxox

~ Dawn & Bob

When Crystal & Ron called us about photographing their wedding at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa in Hawaii, I was excited. But when I met them at their engagement session is when I knew their wedding was going to be fun! They are so in love, a little crazy, and über cool to be around.

This being my first time in Hawaii, I wanted to soak up every minute of my island adventure. Crystal & Ron celebrated their love with a small intimate destination wedding with their family and close friends. The sun was beginning to set just as I arrived at the Westin Maui. Before I unpacked, I wanted to capture the light that was gracing our eyes. I saw Crystal & Ron walking hand in hand along the waters edge. Crystal's soul is filled with warmth and Ron's smile puts everyone at ease, they welcomed me to Hawaii with a lei of flowers. The next three days I felt like I part of their family while capturing the beauty of their wedding celebration. Their 4 children are precious and they united their families together beautifully. I hope they treasure these pictures as much as I will the memories I have from my first trip to Maui.

Thank you Crystal and Ron for allowing me to be part of your day. Thank you to the Westin Maui in Hawaii for all the joy you brought their family this trip. I plan to be back with my family one day soon.

Bob

To see a lot more images from their wedding, please check out their album on Facebook by clicking here.