We take smart phones for granted. Can you believe that only 3 years ago this June that the iPhone impacted our lives?

I think they should describe it as a mini-computer with built in phone...those with understand better. Google's Android, and the respectable Blackberry are plenty smart options also. I'm just a huge fan of iPhone.

Look how business management today treats higher end managers who don't have a smart phone. They are now on the long list for promotions not the short list. There is a perception that if you can't email or check email, open a pdf file, or even simply text from anywhere you stand then you are either very old (see grandmother) or incompetent (see Governor Blogojevich). (Who can forget the tragically inept image Blogojevich made on The Celebrity Apprentice when he needed to contact his team...and didn't know how to email or text from his phone!?)

If your boss uses a smart phone and you've still dialin...on the flip-open phone you got free-you are behind the times and you could be in trouble. Yes, you say your old faithful phone is capable of texting...but you don't...because it's the cheap phone...and that screen and those buttons are SOOOO tiny! And if you are in your 50's or 60's...hang it up 'cause you're looking like you're in your 70's or 80's! Especially if you have to telephone the boss...not answer his/her text...or he/she knows you don't text...only email...and he/she has to wait until you get back to the office...or home... You know what I mean..."out of touch" used to mean...missing for a day or so...now it means "no answer to my email or text for the past hour..." Will they send you for that business meeting in Austin? They might be considering someone else...they can get in touch with...

If you are into smart phones...you understand...if you are not...it's not too late to start! The learning curve isn't that bad! If you and your "bestest" friend both have iPhone 4s...you can now click FaceTalk and have face - to -face live phone calls... See my eyes, see my lips move...it's me! I'm not kidding. You call and phone camera makes you visible. Talk to your husband in the middle east...and look into the eyes that love you. Do you have a deaf child...sign "I love you" from work, ask how school is going... Heck, they didn't think of that when they first did Star Trek...or Star Wars...

We have come so far in 3 years...only 3 years!

Do you want to see a video on the FaceTalk feature? Go to http://www.apple.com/iphone/ and click on facetalk.

Happy third birthday iPhone!

Le Beaux Chateau wedding by Jim Rode Photographer

Here is a preview of some of the shots and portraits from Edith and Rudy's wedding at Chapelle des Fleurs. They are one of the most fantastic couples I have ever met. Fun and in love with each other -wow -that is why I love wedding photography! I'm still working the images, enhancing them one by one. (How can so many photographers simply shoot and be done? Shame...) I know they will love their wedding images forever just as I will never forget them and the fun we had together. I will blog again in only days as soon as I finished. Enjoy these now.

Chapelle is now called Le Beaux Chateau.