I am offering a free private 1 hour photo session, plus a picture package of 1 8x10, 2 5x7's, and 24 wallets to one deserving teen who will be a senior in high school this fall. The chosen senior must live in the Chico-Paradise-Oroville area and be able to attend their portrait session before August 15. A winner will be chosen at random on July 3rd at 5pm., so you have 1 week to enter. You can enter by clicking on the Contact me link above or by emailing me at wendy@wendymayophotographer.com. Message must include the teen's name, mailing address, the name of their high school, and why they deserve to win the prize.
My friend, Diane, needed some new pics for her web site. We had some fun taking photos, then it was off for lunch and some girl-talk.
Here are a few of my favorites...


I'm heading to the lovely, Portland, Oregon, for some much needed "me" time. Check back soon for some awesome photos!
Thanks Erin, for letting me take your senior pictures! W~



Erin and her little friend go for a ride!

My mother and I spend about a week out of every year in Salt Lake City. We stay in a hotel close to the LDS Family History Library, and pass our days searching out our ancestors in the books and microfilm housed there. It's mind-boggling work, but very rewarding - kind of like detective work. Clues are everywhere, but you have to be smart enough to put them all together to make up the big story of someones' life. It's not for everyone, but we love it!
We used to stay at a lovely Victorian inn across the street from the Mormon temple square, but they have torn it down to make room for lovely condos in it's place.


It's a mess right now, but in a few years, it will be a showplace!
This is one side of Temple Square. We walk this way most mornings for breakfast at the Nauvoo Cafe. The cafe is named after the Mormon city in Illinois that the early Mormon pioneers created from swampland. It was from that city, that they were driven out by mobs and forced to travel across the country, eventually ending up in the Great Salt Lake valley.



The cafe is located in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. It used to be called the Hotel Utah, until it was renovated to house offices and several restaurants. The lobby of the building is beautiful and ornate.

A larger-than-life statue of Joseph Smith graces the lobby, as well as a small bronze statue of Joseph and his brother, Hyrum. Hyrum was a great supporter of Joseph and was with him in Carthage Jail where they were both killed by an angry mob.

gMy favorite statue depicting mother and son. It's been a long time since my sons were that size!

And here is the Salt Lake Mormon Temple in all it's morning sunshine glory.


The Assemby Hall reflected in the Deseret Book Company office windows.

The Plaza Hotel isn't as fancy as our little Victorian inn, but it is convenient and comfy.

More to come later...

When I was in my early twenties, I lived in another country for a year and a half. When I first stepped off the plane, I realized quickly that I wasn't in the U.S. anymore. It wasn't just the different buildings and mountains covered in jungle. It wasn't the smell of street refuse and body odor. The thing that really took me aback and made me realize I wasn't home, was the sight of soldiers holding AK-47's at the bottom of the airplane steps .
As I traveled around the country, we were stopped at different checkpoints along the way, where other soldiers with other AK-47's commanded us to unload from the bus and show our "papers". Some people were taken away for not having the "proper" documentation. I don't know where they went.
In one small town where I stayed, some neighbors informed my friend and I that some government officials had stopped by looking for us. Since my visa was due to expire, I figured they were just making sure I would renew it. Our neighbors seemed awful fearful though.
Toward the end of my time there, the U.S. Embassy in the capital was bombed by rebellious university students. Military police were dispatched to all major cities. I got out of the capital that morning, but was stopped along the way several times for document checks. Everyone was on edge. No one joked or smiled. I ended up in a larger city in the north. Military police in full riot gear were stationed around the city. Stores were closed. The streets were practically empty. I headed out to the suburbs to wait it out.
On my way home, our flight took us to the port of Miami. After clearing Customs, I made my way along a corridor that led to the rest of the airport. All of a sudden, there in front of me was the beautiful American Flag. My relief was physical. I wanted to cry with joy. I wanted to kiss the ground. I did neither, but just stood there for a moment to reflect on the blessing I had of living in this country and enjoying the freedom to move around at will, to worship as I pleased. I thought about how grateful I was for the men and women who had gone before me to secure that freedom. To my relatives who fought in many wars. To those who now risk their lives everyday to keep us free and safe.
I was just thinking about that today...

Thanks guys, for letting me take your picture. It was great seeing you today!
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