So today is the official day!  We start with Thanksgiving, then Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and then we all get to reflect back on our blessings and promote giving for #GivingTuesday.  If you have read the previous posts about this topic, you understand my frustration with a once a year trend on something that needs to be a daily occurrence - thinking of others.  But I'm still going to take advantage of people's kindness on this day.  'merica

I thought about doing a blog post about all of the difference corporations that are matching donations or if you tweet a selfie about whatever, then someone will do something amazing.  Great.  Perfect. Keep it coming.  Since this post is not covering all of those many items, please refer to our Twitter account as I'm trying to keep the ideas following over there (@mainstreetav). I just encourage you to do something. Anything.

This week's feature is Help Portrait. "Each December, photographers, hairstylists and makeup artists all around the world will find people in need, take their picture, print their picture and then deliver it—free of charge."  (taken from their website) The organization was started in 2008 and is has grown considerably, even including a Birmingham branch.  

This Saturday, December 5 starting at 9:30 a.m. Help Portrait project will start to benefit Birmingham's YWCA.  Butch and Joy Oglesby (Blue Moon Studios), Gretchen Birdwell (Gretchen B Photography), Amber Ford (Amber Ford Photography), Juan Rodriguez (Juan Rodriguez Photography), Keith Rogers (Keith Rogers Photographer) and Barry Altmark (Photographer turned Deep South Rabbi) will team up with makeup artists Laura Eason and Jackie Robinson (Rawwbeauty) to "gift" the perfect gift for those less fortunate.  They are using their time and talents to make a difference in someone's life.  

If you have a way that can benefit this great organization, contact Barry at DeepSouthRabbi@gmail.com.

You can even read an article that AL.com did of last year's event.  

Happy Planning! Angela S. Deaver Main Street Productions Bride Enthusiast e. angela@mainstreetav.com w. mainstreetav.com m. 205.612.9574

Main Street Productions will become Cinepear in January 2016.

You either love them or hate them.  I am not taking about Katie & Cali, you can't help but love those two!  I am talking about the new, hip trend called "Trash the Dress."  I personally am a big fan of what I have seen so far.  Not that I would ever do it - but that is just because I wouldn't be able to fit into my dress anymore!!!
 
On a beautiful Spring afternoon, we met Cali and Katie at Oak Mountain State Park.  We did a short interview with them for their Love Story.  And what a story that they have!  After we were finished with the interview, we met up with Butch and Joy with Blue Moon Photography to begin the hike down to Peavine Falls.  Notice I didn't say short hike or anything like that - it was maybe a mile.  I have no idea how far it was, but even "packing light" for a videographer is still 40 lbs each of equipment.  AND I don't hike, EVER.  
 
John's handmade underwater container for our "cheap" camera only had a small leak in it so the $10 that he spent on it was pretty much worth it.  Don't think that we were going to put thousands of dollars worth of equipment in the water. 
 
So the terrain was a little different, smaller areas to shoot in, but we came out with some amazing footage. But most importantly we were able to capture the absolute true love that they share.  And yes the water was very cold!
 
Cali will be leaving on Saturday for 6 months. We wanted them to have something that they could both watch on those lonely nights that are sure to occur.  Both Katie and Cali are great people and they are so lucky to have each other.  
 

 
Please note that NO equipment was damaged in the making of this segment.  Wait, I forgot, Butch got his phone wet.  I think he actually had insurance on it.