Stem Cell and Organ Donations

I just finished reading a story about a twin (not me) that needed a stem cell transplant and found out that his twin brother couldn't help him because they were idential twins. This article said that at least 30% of people that needs a stem cell transplants die because they cann't find a match. This is totally uncalled for. Stem cells are not collected from aborted babies, yes this could still be a source but its not necessary. A $4.00 kit is now available that only requires a few drops of blood to be collected, this will provide the needed information for matching. If and when you may need to donate to a save a life it is very easy. Normally the donation process is about like donating a unit of blood, but it could require extracting the fluid from the pelvis. Depending on the doctor this may require being put under like having a tooth pulled. The recovery time is normally less than one hour and pain free just as quick. I have to have this done yearly and it isn't a big deal. The University of Arkansas just numbs the spot and makes the stick. This is no more painful that having a IV put in your hand. I keep thinking that it is going to be bad but it isn't and for those that can donate I think that knowing that you may have saved a life with almost zero risk to yours should make you feel good. Yes I know that some people have issues but if you do then you should never receive a blood donation, to me there are no differences. One never knows when you may be on the receiving end. I don't have all the answers and yes I don't believe that any fetus should be harmed, but there is no need to now. AT UAMS I have met many people that are alive and living to see their children grow up only from having a stem cell transplant. So PLEASE consider being tested and knowing that someday you saved a child or allowed a parent to watch their children growup.
Bill Whitlock

Whitlock Photography PROM 2011

Just a "SNEAK-PEEK" of all the couples who came to our studio on Sat. nite for Prom. I thought everyone looked so beautiful, & the dresses were soOOOoo absolutely gorgeous this time!!! We should have the pictures ready for pick-up here at the studio on Thurs. after 12:00. We just want to Thank everyone that came here, we appreciate all of you & we truly love getting to see everyone on Prom nite! :)

" PROM IS IN THE AIR ON MAY 14TH "

We are looking so forward to PROM, and I can't believe it is just next Saturday nite!!! We absolutely love this time of year, and so help me I believe the girls & guys that come here always look FABULOUS!!! All of our packages are exactly the same as they have been the last several years, no price increase or anything. Isn't that GREAT NEWS?!?!! Give us a call if you would like to schedule an appointment. While the best time to come in is between 4:00 & 5:30, of course we'll be open till 7:00 though. While appointments aren't always needed & we don't turn anyone away, its just our way to merely help keep you on time for dinner plans & such. We know it will be an exciting nite & you'll have lots of places to go & things to do. That is why we try our absolute very best to photograph you in a prompt manner. I know at times the line can be little long, but once again we try to make sure everything looks just "PERFECT" for you...hair, dress, tux, flowers, smiles, etc. Most people already know by now just how picky I am with all the little details, but "HEY" thats okay I've never had anyone to complain. LOL!!! Our new prom background just came in and it is really, really pretty...kind of reminds me of an English Garden, if you will!! LOL!!! How fitting is that, considering the recent "ROYAL WEDDING", huh??? Can't wait to see everyone soon!! Just give us a call at 928-5854 if you have any questions or want to schedule a time slot for prom.

BC 2011 Senior "LAUREN"

Well I don't know if I'm loosing it or what, but I thought I had already posted Miss Lauren and I hadn't!!! OMGoodness, if I only had a brain like the scarecrow was wishing for in the wizard of Oz, LOL!!! On the day of Lauren's session I remember getting a phone call saying that they were running a bit late due to the fact of when her Mom was ironing one of her outfits their iron quit working. So I immediately tried to rest assure them that everything would be fine...to go ahead and come to the studio & I'd have my iron all plugged in and ready to go when they got here. I know that all kinds of things can go wrong, but there is no need to get all stressed over little things that happen. Lots of people end up forgetting or leaving things at home and we have supplied numerous things to make it all work out (from hairspray, to books, to socks, to jewelry, & other clothing items)!!! We do all sorts of things to try and help out & we've always conducted our business that way, even back in the days when we used to photograph weddings. We did all kinds of stuff not related to photography, just whatever we could to make the Brides day go a little bit smoother. I thought that Lauren had some really nice strong images as you can see. Also we ended up doing her session in 2 parts due to the fact of it getting dark on us so early now. But luckily when she came back to do the outside poses it was a a gorgeous beautiful sunny day....uuuhhh unlike what we are having now! Oh I just hate the freezing cold temperatures outside and the wind chill just literally takes my breath!!! But back to Lauren, I just love the one of her wearing the boots! With her having the dark hair and brown eyes she really looks good in the warm colors & brown tones. Also the pose in her jeans & barefoot was one that really caught my eye too, I just love her smile in the black & white image in the background on that one!!! We really enjoyed getting to meet her Mom and brothers that came along during her session. Her Mom is really very sweet to talk to & her brother was also very helpful to us in the camera room. Plus I think her oldest brother had been here before for Prom or Homecoming Dances. Well I better quit rambling too much or else I won't get this posted tonite, it will already be tomorrow!!! But most of you know that I am a nite owl and thats when most of my creative juices come to life & I do my best work. LOL!!!! I hope that everyone enjoys this little "SNEAK-PEEK" of Lauren and I do sincerely apologize for not posting this sooner.

Melissa '11 "BCHS Senior"

Wow, it's amazing how much Melissa looks like her Mom especially in the real pretty close-up one! I just loved,loved, loved the close-up one of her!!! They have the exact same eyes and everything, just different hairstyles & color. Her Mom said she brought in lots of purple and black in her outfits, so evidently that must be her favorite color. And how fun is the little zebra number with the boots???? I missed out on helping Bill with part of her session when another customer came in the studio. Melissa brought in several really neat things for her senior session though! In fact I had a hard time reeling Bill away from the Harley that her Step-Dad was riding!! And she also brought her Mustang to be in some of the poses, and it was a really sharp looking car too (plus her outfit matched her car perfectly)!!! As you all may well know, Bill absolutely loves cars & motorcyles and talking all about that kind of stuff. So I had to sort'a remind him that we were in the middle of a senior session & we were photographing Melissa! LOL!!! For all of the outside poses with cars & such anymore we are really limited on daylight hours after school since the time change. Well I seriously should make an effort to shorten my blogs, since it seems that I have gotten back into my old ways of rambling on & on lately!! I hope that everyone is ready for Thanksgiving and enjoys the time off from school & work, and more importantly the time shared with their families. Enjoy the "SNEAK-PEEKS" of Melissa with many more great images from her session to be shared later! :)

Bridgett Part 2 "ON-LOCATION SESSION"

Okay, now does everybody see what I was talkin about in my previous post?!?! I'll try not to go on & on and ramble so long this time, but how bout that one with the HUMMER??? Is that one not bad to the bone?!?! LOL!!! Well we just ended up doing that one at the last minute, sort'a wasn't even something they had even thought of. I can't remember if it was Bill or myself that mentioned it right before we were leaving. At times, that is where some of the best images comes from!!! Well I think Bridgett was much braver than most people, wading out in the really cold creekwater and it was pretty chilly that day. She really didn't seem to mind it at all, we go to real extremes to get great senior images & what a trooper she was indeed! In the beginning I think I might have said something about making this "short and sweet", but here I go again rambling....but for all of you that know me - what else do you expect coming from ME?!?! Okay I really will wrap it up now but just one more thing before I do. I heard Bill mention just today to someone that he has another idea for a really fun & unique winter session, so when it snows give us a call & we'll see who is brave & up for it!!! Enjoy! :)

Bridgett 2011 "BCHS Senior"

OMGosh, this session with Bridgett was just GREAT!!! And first off I wanna apologize for not putting this up sooner. At the time when I was posting her sneak-peeks I was having some technical issues with my blogger page and couldn't get the images to load. SSSSSSooOOOOoo, in the mean time my poor little pea brain just forgot to try it again later. I really didn't mean to skip over you Bridgett, so please forgive me!! LOL!!! She is the most photogenic gal and an absolutely charming person to be around! Not to mention how much she loves being in front of the camera ha,ha,tee-hee,hee!!! We absolutely love it when somebody like her comes along, she was super easy to work with and had soOOOooo many dramatic looks and poses. She was the very first person photographed on our new "TWILIGHT-ish" looking background. Even though I love this black & white one on that background, some of the color ones were good too. But we got a "KILLER" close-up pose of her from that series done in sepia tone....just wait I think she ordered wallets from that one, you'll see what I'm talkin' bout!!! We had a ball and I think she did too! We even had one where she was twirling around in the long black skirt and that was reeeEEEally lots of fun, and in her own words "was soOOoooo Bridgett"!!! And how about the one in the hood??? Isn't that one awesome?!?! I think that was an outfit that her Momma suggested she wear, and a great choice I might add! Almost every single pose in that outfit turned out fabulous, especially with her wearing the red lipstick it added just a touch of drama. If you think these are good wait till you see Part 2 of her "ON LOCATION" session at Carter Caves. And the bad part of it all is I have to limit myself to only 3 poses for the sneak-peeks, that was really hard to do with this session of Bridgett. But luckily they went with another "ON-LOCATION" session as well, so I get to post 3 more from that. Well I hope that everyone enjoys these, and soon she will have her actual wallets to pass out! :)