Thanks to Graph Paper Press for including me as an example of their latest theme, On Assignment, in action!

I was inspired by Jack Gruber’s site — and having been a Graph Paper Press user for a few years now, it was easy to switch from my Modfolio theme to the new On Assignment theme. Plus, the single column option with the On Assignment theme was the perfect layout for my new PhotoShelter custom galleries and client area.

I’m very excited to be featured in the same list with three internationally renowned photojournalists. What an honor. Thank you, GPP!

Learn more about the On Assignment theme and check out the blog post here: http://graphpaperpress.com/2009/11/19/on-assignment/

I had the honor of working with photographer Rick Smee to create a beautiful coffee table book of photographs from his humanitarian work with The Great Football Giveaway, a UK-based charity whose mission is to donate footballs to children who live in areas of extreme poverty around the world.

No kid should be denied the chance to kick a ball about. It’s one of life’s most simple pleasures.

So that’s what we’re here for. To get sports equipment direct into the hands (or feet) of some of the world’s most disadvantaged kids.

More balls, more smiles. Simple…

Why give a ball?

Footballs not only provide some much needed fun, but they can also be used to help increase school attendance and performance overnight. Alternatively, kids from villages that once fought each other in war, can now use football to play together in peace. All around the world orphan centres, local run organisations and community projects can use footballs to draw kids off the street and into care. Put simply, footballs are a hugely resourceful tool.

Rick joined The Great Football Giveaway in Angola and captured the excitement on the children’s faces as they received their footballs. The book contains amazing portraits of the people of Angola, and Rick also provides great narratives describing his experiences as he traveled through the provinces of Huambo and Lubango.

The book is an amazing testament to the power of a single kind act. Through Rick’s photographs, you can see the joy in the children’s faces as they receive the footballs and the gifts of play and friendship. Like Paul Clarke (founder of The Great Football Giveaway) said, “Simple…”

Below are a few spreads from the book so you can get a glimpse of Rick’s beautiful photography and share in his experience as an ambassador for The Great Football Giveaway.

Click on the link below to view book details or purchase a copy.

The Great Foot…

By Rick Smee

Book Preview

Below are just a few of my favorite images from the lifestyle session. Click here to view the entire gallery.

Below are just a few of the photos from our session together. Be warned… their smiles are infectious.

Saving Little Hearts is an organization dedicated to helping children with congenital heart defects and their families by providing emotional assistance and educational information primarily through the distribution of Care Packages.

Several weeks ago, Karin Coulter, director of Saving Little Hearts, contacted me about the possibility of photographers donating time to create portraits of Knoxville’s “heart kids.” Through the KNOX PHOTO community, I was able to help spread the word to local photographers — and several, including myself, volunteered time and talent to help the organization.

This past weekend, I was so happy to meet up with my heart kid, Landin. We had to reschedule our photo session a couple of times because of the rain; but, luckily, we were greeted with beautiful weather on Sunday and had a great time playing at Fort Kid and the World’s Fair Park.

Landin, who is only 14 months old, has already been through two open heart surgeries. But you’d never be able to tell from his energy and infectious smile, which are both probably the results of being loved so much by his parents and sweet big sister, Abby. He’s a curious little boy — and it was fun to watch him pick up pebbles around the play area… and attempt to eat them! And he surprised us all towards the end of the shoot when he started to run across the playground to his sister by the swings. Landin may have tiny feet and little legs, but he sure could move fast!

I know I always say this, but I love being a photographer. I’m so thankful to be able to meet wonderful families and children like Landin and Abby, and capture photographs of them as they play together and show their love for one another through smiles and hugs and laughs.

(Check out the slideshow below.)

Landin and Abby 2009 – Images by Lia Ballentine

Beyond the Bosphorous, by acclaimed author Elizabeth Morantz, is now available on Amazon!

I had the honor of working with Liz on the cover design and the layout for the interior pages of the book. We also worked together with BookSurge, part of the Amazon group, to coordinate the online distribution and printing of the book.

Liz is an amazing writer, and I can’t say enough how privileged I was to be a part of her creative process.

Beyond the Bosphorous is the story of amateur sleuth and dedicated do-gooder, Caroline, who stumbles onto a mystery while on an innocent holiday in southern France. Acting on impulse and alone for the first time in years, she is determined to do what she thinks is right, even though it takes her out of her comfort zone and up to the small village of Vergers-en-Ciel. Prejudices and misconceptions cause her to make some serious miscalculations and she ends up being drawn into the fascinating lives of the Rom, Gypsies camping on the foothills of the Pyrenees. All the while, memories of her French-Canadian upbringing intrude. Raised by her grandparents in the Acadian village of Shediac, she has reason to seek redress for a childhood complicated by parental abandonment, precocious sexuality and emotional trauma. In a wise journey that never loses its sense of humour, Caroline comes to question the ways her past has informed her, and ultimately finds safe haven for herself.

To learn more about the book, or to order your copy, click here.

I got my copy!!!

An Evening With Gilles Marini – Images by Lia Ballentine

Interested in purchasing prints? Contact me for more information. A portion of the proceeds will go to Relay for Life.

Photo from gillesmarini.com

Spend an evening with Gilles Marini — actor from “Sex and the City” and “Dancing with the Stars” contestant! And support the American Cancer Society Relay for Life!

When: Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.

Where: The Cider House (next to The Valarium), Knoxville, TN

Tickets for the event are $35 for general admission and $75 for VIP. VIP tickets get you special access to the venue, free Hors d’oeuvres, a photo op with Gilles, and a chance to win a dance with him!

In addition to Gilles, there will be other celebrity guests! Meet celebrity chef Mark Kearney, Scott L. Schwartz (The Ultimate Bad Guy), and Amanda Brown (Dating Diva).

As you know, I’m a big supporter of and fundraiser for Relay for Life. I held several portrait sessions this spring to benefit Relay, sold “Fight Like A Girl” shirts, and I’m continuing to show my support by sponsoring the photography for this event. As the official paparazzo for Saturday night, I’ll be hard at work following Gilles (and his entourage, VIPs, and fans) around at dinner, at The Cider House, and at the after-party. Photos from the event will be available for purchase through my online store, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Relay.

I’m excited to be a part of this star-studded event — and I hope to see you at the party!

For more details and to see a list of the event sponsors, visit PropjetPR.com. To purchase tickets, go to Tickets Unlimited at knoxvilletickets.com.

I got a juror citation! One of four winners out of more than 300+ entries from regional artists? Not bad, huh?

Below is the article from the Knox Alliance website. To learn more about the Dogwood Arts Festival, click here.

April 2008

The Dogwood Arts Festival 2008 Fine Arts Show Winners Announced
Four awards have been presented to local artists as part of the Dogwood Arts Festival 2008 Fine Arts Show with thanks to ORNL Federal Credit Union. An awards ceremony and public reception will take place on Friday, April 4, from 5-9pm at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville as part of First Friday activities and will feature complimentary hors d’oeuvres catered by The Lunchbox. The 2008 Fine Arts Show, a collaboration between the Dogwood Arts Festival, the Arts & Culture Alliance, and Three Flights Up Gallery, features works in the areas of acrylic, charcoal, clay, colored pencil, digital and film photography, drawing, handwoven works, mixed media, oil, pastel, watercolor, wood, and more by 67 local artists. It will be on exhibit April 4-18.

All 102 pieces in the exhibit, including the award winners, were chosen by juror Neely Hyde, Director of Exhibits for the Association for Visual Arts in Chattanooga. Hyde viewed 324 submissions from 130 artists in 34 cities to select the show. “I’m incredibly impressed by the talent exhibited in all of the entries. This show was extremely difficult to jury. The Dogwood Arts Festival should take great pride in offering local artists the opportunity to compare their work to that of others throughout the region,” she said.

The brief awards ceremony will start at 6pm with an introduction by Eddie Mannis of the Dogwood Arts Festival.

The Best of Show award of $500 was awarded to Melynda Moore Whetsel of Knoxville for her piece, “Trust” (Collage / Mixed Media).

A Juror’s Citation of $150 was awarded to Lia Ballentine of Knoxville for her piece, “Monte Carlo Fun House” (Cross-Processed Digital Photograph glazed on Wood).

A Juror’s Citation of $150 was awarded to T. Michael Martin of Clinton for his piece, “Molecular Shift” (Mixed Media on Wood Panel).

A Juror’s Citation of $150 was awarded to Marion Randolph of Oak Ridge for his Scarlet Oak bowl.

Click here to view a complete list of artists in the exhibition. [Not an active link.]

Many of the works on display are for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition. The exhibit hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm and Saturday, 11am-3pm, with extended hours on Friday, April 11, from 9am-7pm in conjunction with the Dogwood Arts Festival parade on Gay Street. The Emporium is located at 100 S. Gay Street in downtown Knoxville. For more information, please call (865) 523-7543 or visit www.knoxalliance.com.