Equine & Pet Photos for Equestrians & Dog Moms in Atlanta, GA and world-wide

Courtney, Ginger & Lira

There is an indescribable value in having portraits created with the animals we learned the most from, the ones we bonded with and grew to love more with age. Ginger is that horse for Courtney which made their portraits incredibly special for me. It also was very clear as Courtney mentioned that she and her dog Lira shared an immediate bond since she had been born. I had such a wonderful experience creating these portraits for Courtney as she too is a photographer in the pet industry!

The connection Courtney and Ginger shared was certainly once in a lifetime. When she shared how Ginger came into her life at just 4 years old which put their time together at 30 years, I knew this was special. Courtney described Ginger as a sometimes opinionated mare who simply knows what she wants- and she wants treats! Very few things would catch Ginger’s attention for portraits but we could always rely on treats, wrappers and anything that hinted towards food.

Although this lovely mare lived a luxury life of retirement bossing the miniature donkeys around, Courtney fondly reflects on the ruts created in the pasture from their first years of riding. Having a horse willing to take you to the moon is a rare connection, being the perfect mixture of a pleasure horse and trusted babysitter. From giving treats, learning to ride, laughing and crying, Ginger was clearly that once in a lifetime horse.

When asked why she wanted to have portraits created, Courtney had the greatest reason. Her Grandmother often reminded her to have portraits created with Ginger, unfortunately she passed away before they had been completed. She followed up by saying:

“I made a commitment that I would have our portraits done before it was too late for Ginger.”

Including her dog Lira in her portraits was also important for Courtney as they too share an incredible history. A true photographer’s dog, Lira challenged her mom in the whole pose pretty request for portraits, but ultimately created memorable portraits. When photographing Lira and Courtney, it was quite obvious they had a connection. Lira’s introduction to this world was quite the story. She was born with major congenital birth defects and given less than a 5% chance of survival at birth, but that was 4 years ago and other than a few minor issues she has been in perfect health.

When looking through Courtney’s portraits, there is no question she has tremendous love for the animals in her life. Seeing Ginger’s personality come out and having the opportunity to photograph Lira created the perfect combination of custom artwork and generational memories. Since our time together, Ginger passed away in the comfort of Courtney’s farm after fighting Cushing’s disease, comforted by the human she had shared so much love with those past 30 years. It is such an honor to have had the opportunity to document such meaningful portraits for a duo I will not soon forget.

On top of being a phenomenal businesswoman, equestrian, and animal lover, Courtney also runs a small dog rescue in Rutledge, Georgia called The Rescue Ranch Pups. This entire organization is dedicated to saving medically fragile & special needs Boston Terriers & their friends. They seek to be a positive influence in animal rescue through community outreach, working with other rescues, and making a difference in the lives of animals. Make sure you take a moment to check out this incredible organization and support Courtney’s dream of making this world a better place for animals.

Do you have a senior animal that has become your entire world? Visit HERE to begin your custom portrait journey today!

-Charlotte

3 Things To Remember When Choosing A Photographer

It’s 2022, there are photos in just about every direction you look whether it is on social media, a magazine, a billboard or on your walls. When it comes to hiring a professional photographer there are three things you should keep in mind: Experience, Style, and Specialty. If you follow these three tips, choosing the right photographer for you will prove easy. Today I will use the example of being a client looking to have their horse photographed (surprise, it’s animal related!)

Experience

This first tip comes in two parts, your client experience as well as the experience your potential photographer is presenting. When it comes to hiring a professional photographer you have so many incredible options which can be both exciting and overwhelming. I always recommend taking a moment to figure out what you are hoping to create with your portraits. Maybe it is custom wall art, albums, digitals or a mixture. For example, if you are hoping to display a piece of wall art in your home of both you and horse, finding a photographer offering professional wall art would be better versus a photographer offering a digital image. On the other hand, if you are looking to have online ads put together on your website to showcase your horses, you will want to find a photographer offering a digital collection. The next piece to your experience is how much help you want preparing for your portraits, if you are more hands off, maybe find a photographer with a similar mindset, if you need guidance, finding a photographer offering a helping hand every step of the way is what will set you up for success. The last piece of your experience to keep in mind is of course making sure you find a photographer who speaks to who you are as a person, working with someone you enjoy being around makes all the difference for your overall experience!

When you are looking for a professional photographer, make sure you do research on their experience creating portraits of horses. It is always helpful to take a look at their blogs with full galleries to help give you a better understanding of how the photographer poses and photographs their client’s horses. This does not necessarily mean you need to find a photographer with horses of their own, but finding one with the knowledge and skill you specifically are looking for with your horse. For example, if you are looking to have confirmation portraits of your horse for a sales ad, you may want to search for a photographer working in the sales universe, whereas if you are looking to have portraits created with both you and your horse, you will want to find a photographer with experience in posing both horses and people together.

Style

Once you have established the experience you want to have for your professional portraits and the experience you would like your photographer to have, it is time to move onto style. No I don’t mean how your photographer dresses, I am talking about the shooting and editing style you are most drawn towards in the photography world. Don’t overlook this step as it can make or break your photography experience. For example, if you find yourself viewing portraits with bright saturated colors, you may not want your portraits lacking a bright yellow and green tone. On the other hand, if you enjoy dark and moody portraits, you may not want to hire a photographer offering light and airy portraits. The same goes for the way your photographer poses and dresses their clients. If you are a fashion forward individual, you may want to hire a photographer posting unique content, if you prefer to keep things clean and neat, finding a photographer with a classic shooting sense would be perfect for you! There is a perfect place and time for each photography style, once you know what you like, it makes choosing your photographer much easier!

Specialty

The final thought to keep in mind when selecting a professional photographer to work with is finding someone specializing in the type of portraiture you are looking for. For example, if you are looking to have portraits created with or of your horse, you will want to find a photographer specializing in equine photography. This is important for a handful of reasons but the most important being that they have spent years mastering the craft of not only posing your horses correctly but also comfortably working in an equine environment. Let’s take it one step further, are you looking to document a companion horse or is your horse trained to show in a specific discipline such as Western Pleasure or Hunter Jumper? Finding a photographer with a well versed knowledge in how those specific discipline and breed standards sets you up for success in knowing your horse will be represented to the exact standards you have set.

So there you have it, there is much more than goes into choosing a photographer for your portraits whether it is equine, family or weddings, these same tips apply across the board. I hope these quick tips will help you as you begin your search for the perfect photographer for you. Are you in search of professional equine or pet portraits? Make sure you take a look through my website and feel free to visit here and begin your portrait journey today!

Jenny & June Mother-Daughter | Ranch Horse Portraits

Have you ever thought about scheduling professional portraits for just you and your daughter? If you haven’t, keep reading and find out exactly why you need to get your mother daughter portraits created this year! Jenny and June came out to Southern Cross Ranch to have portraits created not only with one another, but also in the company of a trusted ranch horse!

Working with Jenny and June, it became extremely clear they had an extremely strong mother daughter bond that came out in their portraits. When planning out their portraits, Jenny described their lifestyle as organized chaos with blue and red accents. While that certainly made me giggle, it was my goal to create a calming experience where both Jenny and June could relax and enjoy their time together. We created their portraits in mid spring which I found fitting for these specific portraits, that is why I chose to keep their wardrobe color scheme light and natural. My favorite part about photographing one of the stunning ranch horses for Jenny and June’s equine portraits, was the ability to create a one of a kind experience for my clients who do not own a horse of their own.

Our first look was a simple jeans and layered top look while their second look tied into a formal style. I chose to put June in a ruffled dress to allow texture and movement within her portraits while Jenny layered a textured top with a white jacket adorned by a statement necklace. While creating the looks for this gallery I took into consideration their personal style, the color and décor scheme of their home, the background and of course the horse in their portraits. Once we created our wardrobe game plan, everything fell exactly where we wanted including portraying their bond throughout their portraits.

Springtime in Madison, Georgia is absolutely spectacular, especially the natural backdrop Southern Cross Ranch provided for Jenny and June’s portraits. When chatting with Jenny, she had mentioned their love for Little House on the Prairie which inspired me to design and create their gallery the way I had. From start to finish, I was constantly asking how I could take their experience personalized exactly to who they are!

Please enjoy the mother daughter portraits created for Jenny and June, if you are looking to have a one of a kind bonding experience with your daughter, click here. I cannot wait to create memories you can look back on for many years to come!

-Charlotte

Preparing Your Horse For Black Background Portraits

You have officially scheduled black background portraits of your prized horse and now you are desperately searching for guidance on how to prepare. Don’t worry, while I will always go over all preparation once we schedule your portraits, it doesn’t hurt to have a place to refer back to leading up to the big day! Black background portraits make for an incredible artistic and unique portrait worthy of displaying within your home and/or office which means your horse should be treated as a professional model! Today I am going to talk about a few quick tips and tricks on how you can best prepare your horse for their professional background portraits!

Clean Your Tack

If you plan to have your horse wearing a favorite halter, bridle or saddle it is always suggested to do a little ‘spring cleaning’. Prior to the day of your portraits, I highly recommend grabbing the tack you plan to use and giving it a good cleaning. Leather cleaners and silver polish will help compliment both your horse and the overall portrait. Having a dirty browband will distract from the overall beauty the black background portraits will highlight on your horse.

Ground Manners

Ground manners is one of my highest recommended tips when it comes to scheduling professional background portraits. When we create these artistic portraits of your horse, they will be required to stand still for a duration of time as we adjust poses and get all of the unique details that make your horse who they are. Practicing having your horse stand in place within a barn alley or an arena doorway can prove challenging at first as your horse sees these doors as a location they pass through not stand in. Practicing a few days a week the week to two weeks leading up to your portraits will prove useful for the day of!

Grooming

When it comes to black background portraits, there is one thing I know for certain, the background will highlight any dirt or flyaways your horse may be sporting that day. Treating your portraits like a horse show will ensure that your horse is fully prepared to be photographed. Giving a solid bath the day/morning prior (if your horse will dry in time for your portraits) and doing any clipping you may have in mind one or two days prior will have the basics taken care of! If you prefer your horse to be banded or braided for their portraits make sure you leave time for touch ups if needed, if you prefer a natural look, combing through their mane and tail will ensure a seamless look. Taking your portraits to the next level of running a clear or dark polish on your horse’s hooves will hide any imperfections on their hooves! A last minute once over of shine spray and brushing right before your portraits will leave your horse looking their absolute best!

Feed Beforehand

My last suggestion in preparing your horse for their black background portraits is feeding your horse at least an hour before their portraits. This will give you a chance to do any clean up work and leave your horse happy for my arrival! If your horse has a habit of getting hangry, this step is definitely for you, running through a quick ground work exercise to help get their last minute jitters out of the way and leave them ready to go for their portraits!

So there you have it! Your black portraits are going to become custom artwork you will be proud to display within your home and these steps will help ensure we display your horse to their full potential! If you haven’t yet scheduled your professional portraits of your horse head on over here to begin your portrait journey!

Natalie | Ranch Horse Portraits

Natalie | Ranch Horse Portraits

Madison, Georgia

Picture this (pun intended), you are celebrating your 15th birthday and while on a trip to the Southern Cross Guest Ranch in Madison, Georgia you find out that you can have professional portraits created with one of the ranch horses! While visiting the lovaley ranch Natalie’s mom Irma knew she wanted to give her daughter a memorable experience she could look back on for many years to come.

Natalie is an incredibly happy, giddy and spontaneous young woman who shows true passion for surrounding herself in nature and horses. I have always enjoyed capturing the bond between a mother and daughter, and seeing Irma embrace Natalie’s passion for horses was the icing on the cake! When looking through their gallery, you can see the comfort in Natalie’s body language while working with one of Southern Cross Ranch’s horses.

The Georgia scenery offered the perfect backdrop for each piece of Natalie’s portraits, from the meadows, the green forest or the golden hour hitting the driveway up to the ranch. I wanted to encompass everything I possibly could from their trip so that in 20 years when Natalie and Irma are sharing these memories once more, they will remember the sights and smells from each location, and I think that all on its own is something truly special.

Something that truly stood out to me for this 15th birthday turned mother daughter portraits was that Irma leads a busy life, and yet she and Natalie make time for spontaneous adventures whether it is to the beach or the mountains. I always find it incredibly important to leave room for adventures and allow yourself to live in the moment. These memories and this experience created around Irma and Natalie are going to last much longer than their lifetime, and that is why I am in the business I’m in.

Custom Canvas Behind The Scenes Hand Painted Acrylic

Please enjoy a look through Irma and Natalie’s portraits in Madison, Georgia’s Southern Cross Ranch! Have you considered creating portraits once in a lifetime with your family and horses, or have you always wanted to create new memories with one of the ranch horses? Click Here and schedule your phone consultation with me today!

5 Ways to Make Portraits Fun

Have you ever worked with a professional photographer, if the answer was yes, then you may already know a few ways to make your upcoming portraits fun and exciting! Today, I have put together 5 reasons why you need to pick up the phone and chat with me today about creating your custom portraits.

1: Make it a Date Night

Have you exhausted every date night in the book 1..2..3..maybe even 4 times too many? Treat your significant other and yourself to a date night full of laughs, love and of course the animals you love most! Having an excuse to dress up together, run around a field and pose with your horses and dogs is a guaranteed way to laugh and spend quality time with one another.

2: Shopping Excuse

Ladies, this one’s for you, yes you know exactly who I am talking about! Do you find yourself shopping online any chance you can get, that is if you aren’t already in the store. Scheduling professional portraits means you also get a wardrobe specialist to help plan out the fashion details of your portraits! Sometimes we just need that little excuse to go out and pull together a brand new outfit that you can debut in your portraits!

3: Get the Friend Group Together

Horse girls=Horse Friends. It might as well be a law, when you start riding horses, you are most definitely going to gain a new group of friends and potentially family. Why not get the entire barn in on portraits with your horses and ponies? Dressing up in cowgirl boots and braids doesn’t sound like a bad idea to me, I can promise there won’t be a single person not giggling by the end of your portraits!

4: Family Outing…and Maybe a Little Tickling

Whether you are a horse family, dog family or just an all around ranch family, hiring a professional photographer to create a family portrait doesn’t have to be serious. This is the time you can spend together laughing, loving and maybe a little tickling if someone doesn’t want to smile at first! There is nothing better than quality time with the people and animals you love and cherish most.

5: Let Your Pets be Pets

My last tip on how you can make your professional portraits fun and exciting is to just let your pet be a pet. If your dog happens to look like a psychopath when they are running full speed ahead, let them. If your horse likes to stick their tongue out and flop it left and right during a “serious” portrait, let them. If your dog accidentally tackles you because they are just so excited there is someone here to see how much they love you, let them. Your pets have something incredibly unique about them, accept their flaws and love them all the more, I guarantee you will get a laugh looking through your portraits down the road.

Sounds like a lot of fun doesn’t it? That’s because scheduling portraits with me is always guaranteed fun. Whether you are creating portraits with your loved one, friends, just you and your pets or something special of your pets, they are never meant to be serious, there is always something to laugh about! Be sure to visit Visit https://bit.ly/2TONzwB and begin your portrait journey today!

Against All Odds: Elizabeth and Rosie Norman Farms- Georgia

Over the course of 2020 Charlotte Detienne Photography undertook the monumental project of telling the story of many special horses and humans, how they overcame the impossible and against all odds, came out on top.

Telling the story of horses and riders is at the core of everything I do. From our first phone call to discuss your portraits to the moment you hold your printed legacy in your hands for the first time. Be it a highly decorated national champion, a top name stallion or the backyard pony who made a little girl’s dreams come true. Every story deserves to be told. But there are some stories that deserve extra recognition…

Were you or your horse the hopeless underdog that came back to win a championship? Were they orphaned? abused? abandoned? or just deemed a lost cause? Perhaps you or your horse bounced back from injury or illness or another potentially career ending setback? Maybe your horse helped you through a difficult time. Perhaps your horse has a special talent, job or skill that is changing the lives of others? Or a special bond with an unusual friend? These are the stories I had the honor of documenting, today I am sharing the incredible story of Elizabeth and Rosie.

Meet Gypsy Rose (aka Rosie), a foster horse from the Georgia Equine Rescue League now residing at Norman Farms LLC just outside of Jersey, Georgia. She was found wandering the streets and was eventually taken in due to poor nutrition and lacking her left eye. The Norman family originally fostered Rosie with the intention of finding her a permanent home, but as you can probably guess, Rosie had other plans. Rosie started out as a difficult horse to find a home for as she had a mind of her own, that is until Elizabeth came into her life.

Elizabeth (3 years old at the time of these portraits), is a beautiful soul diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy around one year old, it mainly affects her legs. With the aid of ankle braces and walkers, Elizabeth has been a fighter from the start making leaps and bounds with her physical therapy. Her mom Lauren would periodically place her on horses to work on trunk control, and then she met Rosie. While spending time in the barn with her parents, Elizabeth used her walker to cross from Rosie’s right side, under her chest, to her left side (blind side) without Rosie even being the least bit alarmed.

“I looked at my husband and knew right away that she understood Elizabeth. She understood that she needed to be still so this small child could experience the simple act of standing to brush a horse. She understood that she needed to walk slowly sometimes so Elizabeth could help lead her to the arena. She understood that she needs to refrain from a full body shake so her small rider does not tumble off.” -Lauren Norman (Elizabeth’s Mom)

Since then, Elizabeth and Rosie have been each other’s biggest supporters. Rosie has found her happy place in giving and receiving trust from those with the odds against them. While Elizabeth has not only bonded with a once in a lifetime horse but also conquered abilities most children with a similar diagnosis wouldn’t achieve until they are much older – if at all.

The Norman family has since created a physical therapy business called Norman Farms which uses equine motion – commonly referred to as hippotherapy to other children in their community. Rosie is an active horse in their program and her demeanor has continued to blossom, she recognizes when children are around and quiets down to listen. Elizabeth is consistently riding, stopped using her walker and encourages all of the children at Norman Farms.

Please enjoy a few portraits from this incredible special Against All Odds project, if you are interested in learning more about Norman Farms, you can find them here. Does this blog speak to you? Don’t hesitate to set up a quick phone call here to learn more about how I can create your one of a kind portrait experience!

How to Prepare Your Horses and Dogs for Portraits Together

You have scheduled portraits with your horses and dogs, planned out your wardrobe, now it is time to prepare them for portrait day! Whether your dogs spend all of their time at the barn with you or they only visit from time to time, preparing both your horse and dog for portraits will set you up for success. I have compiled a few quick suggestions on how you can best prepare your pets for their portraits!

Take Them for Walks

Starting out with a simple task like going for a walk will keep your horse and dog stress free and open to future exercises. Taking your horse for a walk with your dog around the barn, in the fields or on the trails leading up to your portraits will not only familiarize them with new locations, but also understand one another’s presence. If you plan to ride your horse for a few portraits with your dog, be sure you work towards a few quick rides with your dog tagging along!

Practice Basic Ground Skills

After you have introduced a few quick walks with your horse and dog, you can start practicing simple tasks such as sitting and standing in place. Having treats on hand as a reward will work as positive reinforcement for your pets. If your dog is uncomfortable getting close to your horse, let them have their space and do not force it. Working on these skills leading up to your portraits will help your pets get a better understanding of what is being asked of them as well as help you decide whether or not your horse and dog are comfortable with what is being asked of them.

Understand Their Boundaries

It is very important for you to recognize your horse and dogs’ boundaries when planning out your portraits. My number one priority will always be the safety of the animals as well as yourself. When you are spending time familiarizing them with different locations and poses, make sure you are listening to your horse and/or dog if they grow impatient or uncomfortable with what you are asking of them. Not every horse and dog will be willing to pose together, each and every animal is different, take time out of your day to better understand your horse/dog’s boundaries.

Safety First

As a certified dog trainer and being well versed in K9 handling, it would be pretty safe to say ‘I speak dog’. When I arrive for your portraits the day of, I will pay close attention to your pet’s body language once we begin the group portraits. If at any point I feel as though the group portrait is no longer safe for your horse, pet or yourself, we will take a new approach. In certain situations, we can create composited portraits of your horse and dog together without ever having posed them in the same frame. Don’t get discouraged if we take this approach, sometimes our pets just aren’t feeling it that day and that is totally fine!

How to Have Horses and Dogs in One Photo

Planning equine and pet portraits together can be very exciting, make sure you set your horse and dog up for success by following these quick suggestions above! I am excited to create the perfect group portrait filled with the creatures you love most! If you have been on the edge of scheduling a portrait session, head on over to https://bit.ly/2TONzwB to start your journey today!

Savannah & Mystic | Southern Cross Ranch Horse

Meet Savannah and Mystic, the most dynamic duo full of optimism and trust, originally meeting at the Southern Cross Guest Ranch now working towards competitive eventing and jumping. When Mystic was a yearling in 2017, she knew she’d be Savannah’s far sooner than Savannah did. Fast forward to their portraits in 2020, Mystic has grown into a sassy, friendly, in your pocket kind of filly.

Southern Cross Ranch Horse and Rider Photographer

Listening to the way Savannah described Mystic made it clear that this horse is not only growing with her but their bond has become unbreakable:

“Mystic has always been a sassy, friendly, in your pocket kind of filly. We have had the entire experience together from halter breaking, building trust, ground work, to saddle breaking. Our work has not stopped there. We continue to challenge each other to learn and perfect our skills. Mystic has taught me just as much, if not more, than what I have been able to teach her. Mystic is a natural athlete and surprises me more and more as her skills mature.”

Savannah is the type of person you meet and do not easily forget, she is best described as an old soul full of kindness and the perfect balance of introvert and extrovert. Looking through her gallery it is no brainer that Savannah is passionate about her horse and constantly living her best life.

One of my favorite aspects in creating their portraits was their commitment to constantly challenging one another in a skillset and mental way. While they often enjoy trail riding and driving the cows, Savannah realized that Mystic’s heart leapt for jumping. Her natural athleticism over jumps drove Savannah to take a chance on switching from riding a Western discipline to English and needless to say, she has no regrets.

It is not always an option to have water scenes included in your portraits, but if you have a water horse and access to water there is a good chance I will be all in. The portraits created in water are true to Savannah and Mystic’s connection and trust with one another. Looking through this section of her gallery showcases exactly what it means to be a horse girl living your life with a dream horse.

If you have been on the edge of scheduling portraits with your horse, now is the time to schedule a quick phone call with me and begin your portrait journey today!

The Importance of Communicating With Your Photographer

When it comes to scheduling professional portraits with your horses and/or dogs, it is extremely important to be open and honest about boundaries. Whether it is your horse’s, your dog’s or your own boundaries, being open and honest with your photographer will ensure a safe and fun portrait experience. Here are a few topics I always suggest chatting about when preparing for your upcoming portraits!

Bareback Portraits

We always love seeing those dreamy portraits of the girl in the long flowing dress draped over her horse while she is riding bareback. It is always important to know yours and your horse’s limitations in situations like that. Knowing your boundaries when it comes to your horse means knowing whether or not you are fully comfortable riding bareback. As we all are very aware, horses have the ability to sense when someone is tensing up, in turn causing tension within the horse. Some horses may spook having a dress draping over them which is not an ideal situation for anyone involved. Communicating what you do and do not want to do throughout your portraits allows a smooth and successful experience.

Anxiety

Some animals may struggle with anxiety in a variety of different ways- separation and social are most commonly found in horses and dogs. When scheduling your portraits with your horses and dogs, please be sure to note any forms of anxiety they may struggle with.

If your horse has separation anxiety from a pasture pal, we may need to take that into consideration when we plan out where we create your portraits. The last thing we need is an image of your horse galloping all the way back to the barn in the middle of your portraits. Some horses struggle from general anxiety, this may mean they are sensitive to noises, sights or sounds that your photographer may use during your portraits, it is important to be upfront and honest about where your horse’s boundaries are.

Maybe you have a dog with anxiety in high traffic locations such as a park, it is very important to communicate with your photographer any social anxieties your dog may struggle with. Although your pet may not have an aggressive personality, they may become unpredictable in a location they are unfamiliar with. This is extremely important to bring up when planning your portraits, we can easily find a familiar and more secluded location to bring out your dog’s personality best!

Insecurities

We have talked about communicating with your photographer about your horses and dogs, now we are going to focus on you. I would be lying if I told you I do not have insecurities about myself, and I am sure you may have something too. When planning your portraits, please be open with your photographer about anything you may be uncomfortable showing in photographs. While you may be insecure about something, your photographer may not see it the same way and continue shooting your session. I am a firm believer that everyone is beautiful in their own unique way, if there is something you are self conscious about, please don’t hesitate to let me know so that I can ensure you feel confident in every portrait!

Whether it is your horse, your dog or yourself, always keep in mind that it is your photographer’s job to create portraits you will love and cherish for generations. Keeping open communication on boundaries and insecurities will ensure that everyone enjoys their portrait experience before, during and after! Make sure you head on over to https://bit.ly/2TONzwB to begin your custom portrait journey with me today!