Nothing Finer Than To Be In Carolina!

Everyone knows the saying, "there's no place like home".  And that is exactly how I feel about North Carolina.  I try and make it back to North Carolina every chance I get!  And when the holidays come around I definitely try and make it back.  This Thanksgiving was no different.  My wife and I (along with my camera) made it back to see family and friends.  Lots of laughs, lots of food.  Just a good time all together.  Ahh, just a side note...it's amazing how much weight you can gain over a couple of days!

Ok, I'm back.  The few days I was back I went to Fayetteville (my wife's hometown),  Raleigh (to see mom)and Rocky Mount (gotta see the family).  And while at home I wanted to take a few pictures.  One thing that I have recently realized is that things are a lot nicer when you take the time to appreciate them.  Looking for things to photograph makes me stop, evaluate, and appreciate the beauty in things that I've overlooked for years.
  



Fayetteville's Market House



My wife - Tiffany



Downtown Fayetteville

 I lived in Fayetteville for a short time years ago but I never remember Fayetteville looking so cool!  Here's a few pics in and around Raleigh.



Downtown "Raleighwood"









City Market



Another Fall day







At Shelley Lake

Chiffon, my sister-in-law, wanted some pictures of her and Dylan to send out in Christmas cards.  So here are a couple of pictures of her and my nephew. 

Dylan, aka "Dillie Willie"

Chiffon and Dylan



The place that I did not get to go to was Chapel Hill.  Ahh, how I miss that place.  I want to do a photoshoot around the UNC campus over the Christmas holidays.  But I need a volunteer or volunteers.  Any takers??  Post a comment here or reply via Facebook.

Also, please go to http://www.vicledan.com/ and check out some of my new pics.  Look at the rest of Chiffon and Dylan's as well as "Tiff's Boys". These are two of the more recent sessions that I've conducted.  Let me know what you think.  I also will have a totally re-done site soon so stay tuned.  It's something I've been working on it for awhile and would love some feedback.  Thanks in advance.  



Sticks and Balls....Sand and Water!!!!!

Golf clubs and golf balls....The Beach and the Ocean!  Every year around the first of November I organize a golf trip with some friends.  It's nothing huge...lots of golf, good food and drinks, and some late nights hanging out.  Just a few guys getting together to have a little fun.   The last few years we've gone to Myrtle Beach, SC.  It is where we were this year too.  And of course, I had to have a camera close by!!!

When I was growing up my mother would take me to Myrtle Beach every summer.  That was "the summer vacation".  I don't remember Myrtle Beach being so pretty.  Ok, hold on.  By no means is it the Caribbean but it's not so bad.  Maybe I am just getting older (keep your smart comments to yourself!!) and appreciating the small things more.  Whatever it is I enjoyed my time there.

I started this off by telling you this was an annual golf trip.  So here are some action shots.  We named this series, "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly".  I'll let you figure out what swing gets what title!



Pre-round Meal!



Vic "Got it!" Daniel



Derek "You see my ball?" Hall



Brandon "I'm Feeling Good Right Now" Best

 



Kyle "Follow it, Follow it" Jones



Larry "On the Beach" Wilson





Ron "Whack a Mole" Parson

 Next year's trip is already in the works.  We're taking this trip to Orlando!  If you want to come along just let me know.  The more the better!  Sorry ladies...the golf trip is guys only. 

Also, check out my website. www.vicledan.com.  I updated it with a few new pics.  Let me know what you think about the new stuff.  Thanks for taking the time to stop by.



My Friends...New and Old!

Over the last couple of weeks I had the opportunity to shoot two engagement sessions.  One session was with my long time friends Dezra and Matt.  The other, my new friends, Sarah and Cam.

I've known Dezra for about five years and I met Matt about a year and a half ago.  Dez and I met at a work meeting and she became a "little sister" immediately.  There was no way that they weren't going to get engaged.  You know at a wedding the groom is supposed to toss the garter.  Well, it didn't happen like that at my wedding.  I didn't toss it.....I stuffed it in Matt's shirt pocket.  I thought he was a good man for Dez so I "cursed" him with the garter.  Works everytime.  LOL.  I'm going to have a great time shooting the wedding.  Oh yeah, it's in Boston!!!

A few weeks ago I told you that I was going to do a shoot with Delano Rankin.  Well, it was with my new friends, Sarah and Cam.  They are absolutely great people!  You know how when you meet someone you know immediately that you'll like them?  I knew right away.  If you spend any time around them you will see why they are so in love.  They make the cuuuuuuutest couple.  This engagement shoot was so much fun.   I don't think I've had so much fun "working" in a long time.  Sarah and Cam picked a great place to get married too.  Can't tell you where...gotta keep that a secret.  Thanks Sarah and Cam for making the day awesome!

And if you want to see some pictures of an absolutely adorable two year old, go to http://www.vicledan.com/ and look at Saleen.  She is truly adorable.

Ahh!!!.....Miami!!!

A couple of weeks ago my wife had to go to Miami to conduct focus groups for work.  First of all, who knew that so much thought went into lotions!  Let me not digress so early into the conversation...back to the topic.  So she's in Miami working and she asks me if I want to come down for the weekend.  Did she really have to ask?  Who turns down Miami?!?!  We found a ticket for $140 (thank you Spirit Airlines) and then it was off to Miami I go.

I really didn't anticipate much to come of the weekend.  I knew that Tiffany had to work and would not be able to hang out much.  Let me tell you...it's amazing how such a quick trip could be so relaxing and fun.  First of all, we stayed at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.  Here's a little history around the hotel.  The Biltmore is on the National Historic Landmark Registry.   It was at one point the tallest building in the Miami area and had the largest pool in the world.  Built in 1926, the Biltmore was "the hangout" for the rich and famous.  It was also used as a hospital during WWII and served as the Medical School hospital for the University of Miami.  The place was renovated a few years ago and is absolutely beautiful.  I didn't want to leave the hotel. 

Everyone knows that Miami is the "IT" place to be but I didn't realize it was "soooooo posh"!  We went to dinner at a couple of great restaurants but it was pretty expensive.  $29 for a martini.  Cotton Candy and popcorn dessert that was $26!  That's crazy.  It's Cotton Candy People!!!  During the day it was all about the beach and hanging on Ocean Blvd.  You can't go to Miami without hanging out on South Beach.  And what do I have to do to get my Ferrari?  Seems like every third car there was one.

I told you.....Ferraris everywhere!

Random people chillin'...



...random birds chillin'!





So here's the bad part.  My wife neglected to tell me that the hotel was on a golf course.  If there's anything I love to do it is play basketball and play golf...not in that order though.  Golf has taken over.  I didn't have clubs, shoes, etc.  It was pretty hard seeing such a beautiful course just steps away and not be able to play it.  You know, I really couldn't complain.  We were having such a good time I didn't even matter.





Ocean Blvd





Ocean Blvd again



I have my own hotel!



Next stops. Back to good ole' North Carolina and then off to NYC.  I'm going home to do an engagement shoot this weekend.  This really should be fun.  It will be the first one that I will do with Delano Rankin.  I'm gonna put his skills to work.  Check his website out if you get a chance, http://www.lenscreationphoto.com/.  I'll have a few pictures up from the shoot to post soon. Look for them after next weekend on http://www.vicledan.com/.  Oh yeah, tell  me what you think about them too. 



Not everyone can be a quarterback.......





or a receiver!









A Late Night in the CHI.......!!!!

So a couple of weeks ago a friend, Thai Gee, called me and she had something for me.  Thai told me that she wanted me to shoot an event that she was hosting.  She went on to tell me about how she was doing a album release/listening party for a recording artist.  Turns out that the artist was Bilal.  Ok, ok...I feel the blank looks.  If you don't know who he is it's ok.  But you need to find out!  This guy is amazing.  What was to be a listening party turned out to be a mini-performance.  A couple of old songs mixed with a few new. 

There was also some other female singer there too.  She had a voice you would not believe.  It turned out to be a great night.  I got to be stage front for the show.  Yeah.... the section before the front row!   I got some cool shots, listened to great music and got to hang out with my friend Jon Ball. JBall - we gotta hang out more! Thanks Thai for thinking of me.  You made it happen!

I posted more pictures from the night on my website.  Go look.  http://www.vicledan.com/

Don't for get to follow the blog and make a comment.  Be safe out there and stay tuned.  I gotta give you the update from my Miami trip.  Pretty Hot!!

Oh, What a Summer!

Labor Day has come and gone.  I know that it is only the unofficial end of summer but it did spark some reflection.  When I started to think back I realized it has truly been an interesting few months.  Over the last few months I've been able to visit some new and old places and I've gotten to see some great stuff.

I guess I have to go back to my trip to Antigua.  Yeah,.....Antigua!  I didn't know where it was nor did I care.  But when my wife and I started looking for places to go for our honeymoon, Antigua popped up on our radar.  What a great choice!  If you get a chance to go I would highly recommend it. When you go make sure you go to Shirley's Heights.  It is the highest point on the island and has some fantastic views.  Great views, good food and music.  Oh yeah, make sure you go at sunset.  Absolutely breathtaking.



Savannah, Ga was next!!!  Why didn't someone tell me that Savannah was so beautiful?!?!  It was only a long weekend trip but it was worth it.  I found the place I would like to retire. I went to a family reunion and had a marvelous time.  Great food, on the water, and big laughs.

My nephew caught his first fish!



 

Talk about a wonderful twelve days....Riviera Maya, Mexico for five days followed by 7 days in Las Vegas!  My wife took me to Mexico for my birthday.  I think she is setting me up somehow!  She is trying to get something good when her big birthday comes around.  Anyways, back to the summer. Las Vegas was a work/fun trip.  My best friend, Delano, met me there.  Without saying Vegas was great but I had just as much fun going out into the desert.  We went to Red Rock Canyon in the Mohave Desert and Hoover Dam.  Red Rock Canyon is one of the most scenic places I've ever been.  And the Hoover Dam is incredible.  Monstrous...and engineering marvel.  When you go to Vegas make sure you take the time to get off the strip and see what's around.  I promise it will be worth getting away from the casinos.


What's next??  Off to Miami this weekend.  You know that I have to have something to look forward to.  After that...Myrtle Beach guys golf trip.  I gotta beat up on my friends on the course.  Trust me...I'll keep you updated.  Check my website to see more pictures from the summer, http://www.vicledan.com/