A sneak peak of a shoot from Las Vegas:
Loooads more coming :D
Loooads more coming :D
Update Time!
Okee dokee, friends! This is my blog "newsletter" style. Or "church announcements" style.
To begin, I want to say congrats to my friend Armin for getting published in Southern Maryland Brides Magazine. His wedding I shot with him back in May just got put up! You can see our pictures here :D
One of my all-time favorite groomsmen shots made it in the article, which was pretty fun!
Second, got an e-mail today from the wonderful folks at WeddingWire who informed me I had won "Brides Choice 2009" in the wedding photography genre. Thanks to all my brides who hired me, reviewed me and befriended me! You are just pretty much the best in all of the land :D
I also want to say "Congrats" to Armin who also won as well the best wedding planner in the world, Samara, for winning in the "Wedding Planning" genre!
Ooook, my sweet new friend Ally finally blogged some pictures from our crazy, loud, hysterical night in Pasadena. She's just a rockstar photog who has a personality that shines brighter then the sun ;D
Leave her some blog love! And maybe she will post again soon!
Leeeet's see. What next. Well, I left Brienne and her fam on Wednesday night to fly up to Redding, CA to see my relatives. I have five younger cousins up here, so I've been playing with them and having a marvelous time!
Yesterday I spent the morning sleeping ;D and the afternoon playing bingo, Finding Nemo Go-fish and "How Tall Am I?" with my youngest, Allyson. She's 4-years-old and seriously entertaining. I haven't seen her since she was one. It's cute cause she calls me "Cousin."
We went to Turtle Bay and did some family pictures. I'll post more on that later, but here are some of my faves :D
I do have some gorgeous ladies in my family!
And Allyson definitely ran through the water. It was reaaaallly cold water. Oh children :D
Today has been excellent fun. We started the morning at Starbucks where I had a terribly fattening coffee-cake. I thoroughly enjoyed every single bite. There was a Valentines-quintet there singing songs about "being my sweetheart," which was adorable. Then we headed to the Theater to see my cousin, Shannon, get ready for her first show of the day.
For families who want to see more pictures I took, click here. The password to get into your gallery is the last name of the show's director.
I can't wait to see the play tonight! She is "Edith Stanley" in Pirates of Penzance, which I definitely studied in highschool. I like it when I know plays :D I feel classy haha
After that, I joined Allyson and her preschool for a Valentines Party :D
This little boy pretty much stole my heart (and apparently the little blonde girl next to him, too). I helped him pass out his Valentines for everyone. He walked around with one hand in his hoodie, giving friends pink & red Airheads. I handed him the Airhead for the little blonde girl, and she whipped around in her seat and waved her pink-painted-fingers at him. He tried not to smile and plopped it on her desk. Adorable.
Theeeen, we all went to my favorite restaurant out here: In-n-Out. LOVEit.
I love Allyson's face eating this. It's pretty much how mine looked, but it's not so cute on a 19-year-old ;)
It's been a good few days! And tomorrow I head to WPPI to meet some awesome folks! I can't wait :D
To begin, I want to say congrats to my friend Armin for getting published in Southern Maryland Brides Magazine. His wedding I shot with him back in May just got put up! You can see our pictures here :D
One of my all-time favorite groomsmen shots made it in the article, which was pretty fun!
Second, got an e-mail today from the wonderful folks at WeddingWire who informed me I had won "Brides Choice 2009" in the wedding photography genre. Thanks to all my brides who hired me, reviewed me and befriended me! You are just pretty much the best in all of the land :D
I also want to say "Congrats" to Armin who also won as well the best wedding planner in the world, Samara, for winning in the "Wedding Planning" genre!
Leave her some blog love! And maybe she will post again soon!
Leeeet's see. What next. Well, I left Brienne and her fam on Wednesday night to fly up to Redding, CA to see my relatives. I have five younger cousins up here, so I've been playing with them and having a marvelous time!
And Allyson definitely ran through the water. It was reaaaallly cold water. Oh children :D
After that, I joined Allyson and her preschool for a Valentines Party :D
This little boy pretty much stole my heart (and apparently the little blonde girl next to him, too). I helped him pass out his Valentines for everyone. He walked around with one hand in his hoodie, giving friends pink & red Airheads. I handed him the Airhead for the little blonde girl, and she whipped around in her seat and waved her pink-painted-fingers at him. He tried not to smile and plopped it on her desk. Adorable.
Theeeen, we all went to my favorite restaurant out here: In-n-Out. LOVEit.
I love Allyson's face eating this. It's pretty much how mine looked, but it's not so cute on a 19-year-old ;)
It's been a good few days! And tomorrow I head to WPPI to meet some awesome folks! I can't wait :D
Boys
Mr. Cameron has been stealing my attention, making my heart skip a beat and causing me to giggle like a school girl.
Mr. Corban was crushed. I mean, we had only seen each other once, but he was hurt.
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist his scrunchy little face. His grumpy little sighs. The petite dimples on his hands.
I love his fluffy, thin, long strands of hair. I love when he smiles in his sleep.
I love his smushy, soft cheeks and his crooked little ears.
Then again, you do have eyes that give me goosebumps. And a little giggle that could make butterflies seem tough.
Great, now I'M the one being ditched. Great.
Psh, and there's ANOTHER woman.
I'm outta here Cameron.
ps. I still really love you though. And Corban. Best boys in the earth.
San Diego!
Almost 10 years ago I lived in San Diego (for 15 short, glorious months) and I was thrilled to go back and visit!
I felt like little orphan Annie singing "IiiiIIiii think I'm gonna like it heeeere!"
My first stop was the house of a family friend sweetly hosted me for the night! They used to go to our church in MD and moved out here 3 years ago.
All the pictures in this post so far is from their backyard. It's like a summer wonderland.
Back when I lived here, my best friend was a sweet girl named Ciera. Not gonna lie, we were both nerds and so so sooo dorky. I mean, were nine, but oof. So anyways, I surprised her at her debate tournament at Point Loma :D On the way, I saw a rainbow and almost cried it was so beautiful. I just kept saying "Oooh MY gooosh. OOh MY goosh."
Point Loma has an amazing campus (and that's where my mom went to college, so that was really cool to see!). God makes really amazing skies (and yourmom goes to college ;D)
The next day I went to my old church :D It was sweet times to see everyone again! I had lunch with a friend from MD who happened to be visiting as well!
Theeeeen, I went to Pacific Beach and met up with a new photog friend named Lisa!
She and her husband let me use a bike and we went all over the PC boardwalk. I could have stayed there for weeks, I think.
(I felt like this little girl - she was chattin' it up with her dad and pointing and squealing at everything!)
Um, yes. A thousand times yes.
It started to rain while we biked, but we didn't care. Everything is better in the rain.
Singing in the rain, dancing in the rain, playing soccer in the rain.
Also biking in the rain :D
After a few minutes the rain stopped. I don't think there are words amazing enough to describe how gorgeous everything was. Besides another rainbow, the light turned into this powerful, golden punch that made everything just glitter.
Truly breath-taking!
Headed home :D In 10 days I will fly home too!
After the rain the whole beach was almost pastel colored. It was soft and misty. I almost felt like I had to whisper.
ps. I look really awkward on a bike.
And this is Lisa and I in the gorgeous last seconds of sun :D
Check out the slideshow for more details on all this San Diego goodness!
Oh and funny story! You know how I mentioned my radical nerdiness when I was younger?
There is a plus side to being a child dork. You know there are some really good songs that come out, then they are just over-played so that everyone hates them?
Well, when you are a nerd, you never knew those over played songs, so when "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton comes on the radio when you are driving home from San Diego, you actually get excited and love the song. And use it for your blog slideshow :D *Click here* to view the slideshow.
What Have I Been Doing?!
Well, lots and lots! Earlier this week I visited my relatives in Westlake Village. We talked about missions trips to Uganda, blew off rockets and had a yummy dinner! It was wonderful to see you guys :D So sorry I forgot my camera :(
I also had an amazing night with a dear photographer named Ally! We had many, merry adventures and it was SO fun to hang out with her. She promised me she would blog these week.... so check her blog out!
Today Brienne and I did a photoshoot. Poor Brienne hasn't been able to shoot in so long and she was dying to use this new vintage hat she bought. So I tried to happily help her out :D
However, the one day we go out for a shoot, it starts pouring. I was a muddy, cold mess :(
My body has totally adjusted to warm weather, because 50 degrees felt like two to me today. It felt SO cold. Haha I know, I'm a wimp.
A cheesy wimp :D
Bree and I found an awesome overhang at a hotel where we could stay dry, and Bree got some great shots!
Thank you, Lydia, for the pink shoes :D
Ok, update photobooth style:
I got a new hair style. Nothing major, just better bangs and layers, and tonight I am going back to blonde! Yay!
But, my hair does funny, curly things in California air. Not too sure what I think about it, but it's kind of fun - like playing dress up!
I have been eating pb&j sandwiches, bananas and lots of milk. I have NO idea why. I have totally had this weird craving for those things. My California snacks?
These pics were when I was getting ready for the wedding on Saturday. I took a photobooth break!
I do work, of course :D Edits, emails, branding work (I am excited about the new look I am working on!). Oh! One exciting email I got on this trip was from the Wedding Chicks. I am now listed in their directory in DC/MD/VA. Check out their stuff, it's great!
I video-chat my friends as often as I can. My laptop is being a bad kid these days, and I need to get it fixed, but it's fun to say hello when I can! But it's sad when the video stops working haha
Ok, Mom and Lydia, that's all I have of me!
San Diego fun starts tomorrow, then north to Redding and theeeen Vegas!
Bye-a :D
Steve and Annika
The bride room was an adorable, vintage room in the church!
Annika is the smiliest little lady ever! She has a HUGE, beautiful smile that's hard to take your eyes off of!
I couldn't pick between the next two...
Hello pretty :)
This is one of my favorites from the day:
Oooh so elegant
Sunshine and a Thunderbird never hurt a wedding day!
SUCH a 2009-dad ;)
Another favorite of the day (but not my true favorite... wait for it...)
Aww :) Makes me tear-up....
The church was stunning and has been seen on several TV shows!
So simple...
After the wedding, I was told there would be no more light, but we had about 10 minutes to spare so we RAN outside as quick as we could! We left the guests and family in the dust... so sorry about that haha
Ah, I love gentles kisses....
Once we were done, the little flower girl raced over to Annika and cheered and jumped in her arms. It was too precious!
So hot. Sizzlesizzle.
Last few moments of daytime....
Until we bring out the party lights!
Not gonna lie, this was a hard one to get with a 1.2 lens in pitch black light...
And this is my fave of the day
(special thank to Nathan Board who let me use his car headlights, as well as second shot with me)
The reception was held at Castaway's -- this was the view. Whoaooaoa.
There is something I just liked about this one:
The guys serenading the bride....
And "All the single ladies" waiting for the bouquet toss :D
It was a wonderful day and I couldn't be happier for you, Steve and Annika!
Enjoy the beach :D
Santa Barbara Day!
Chris Tomlin and his band were singing "Holy Is The Lord" in my ear, and I piped up every now and again with my dry, happy and tiredly scratchy voice.
"We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He"
It was such a fun day. Andrea and I packed up and left Santa Clarita at 11:00 am, and drove through orange orchards (still the best thing I have ever smellt) and alongside mountains and next to the ocean, until we arrived in Santa Barbara.
"And together we sing
Everyone sing"
Our first stop was the little-cash-only-fresh-fresh-fresh-wonderful Mexican joint that I can't remember the name of. I went with Brienne last year, and the food was even better then I remembered. I couldn't even talk - I just spent a few minutes eating my steak taco and cheese quessadilla with pica de gallo on top.
"Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory"
Then the sightseeing began. Oh, what a day. What a world! There was not a cloud in the sky, the sun was warm, the breeze made me want to sing and the location? I was speechless. Santa Barbara has got to be one of the most gorgeous cities on all of the world. And I was there. Happy as a clam.
All I could think in my head was "Wow! How am I here? How on earth do I get to be here!"
I wish I could somehow put a little fan on your desk that blew out warm, fresh air. And make a Febreeze scent that was salt water, sunscreen, french fries and trees - and spray that in your room. And then turn on a sound track of waves crashing, the flapping of seagulls wings, the chitter-chatter of others, bells, creaks in the pier and silence - all mixed together. That would help you get the full picture :D
Approximately 2,800 miles in this direction is my home. And my family. And my friends.
I miss them all very, very much and I stood here, facing east (with a little turn north) and waved to you guys. I think the fisherman next to me was a little confused, so I pretended I was checking light and then took a picture...
After I had smiled enough for one beach, Andrea and I went to the famous, amazing, rich, beautiful, old State Street.
My eyes were the size of dinner plates.
See, here's the thing everybody, this is where people LIVE. Like, if they want to go see a movie, they walk out of their plant-encrusted house, and pass by a dozen palm trees and enter an old theater, where a cute little man with a striped apron gives them their ticket.
And afterwards they go sit under a blue umbrella.
And maybe have dinner on a patio between old stone buildings. Twirling pasta on their fork, with white sunglasses perched on their head.
Then they would climb on their old beach bike and ring the bell and got to Pinkberry for dessert.
(and, yes, Pinkberry is all that everyone hyped it up to be... I'm going back today.)
Ok, so, maybe that's not what everyone does. But they could! In January! If they wanted to...
As a friend said, I don't think Californians know how blessed they are!
So I try to tell them with my face. I smile with my mouth, eyes AND feet.
(Oh, and sometimes, there are murals of the fair painted on the wall. Don't even get me started...)
Andrea and I perused through a little side-walk Indian market... pretty fun!
This is my "debating" face. I was debating whether or not I should get my friends purses from there...
Ope, and we ran into Ben Franklin - representin' the East Coast baby!
What is this building, you ask?
A church?
A school?
A misison?
No, its Macy's.
THIS is The Mission, our next stop....
I didn't know I could be anymore impressed with anything in a single day, until I got here!
It was just plain beautiful. I don't know any other adjectives to use.
Aaaand, finally, I made it to David Jay's stunning home, to say hello. He had just finished one of his workshops, so I got to meet a bunch of sweet, fantastic photographers. The only shot I got from DJ's was the view from his family room. No joke, I was standing next to a chair shooting through a window to take this picture.
Holy is the Lord God almighty
The earth is filled with His glory."
Baby Day :D
I worked - simple.
I ran some errands (but in a stickshift car, at sunset, in Valencia) - sweet.
And I held, looked at, watched, listened to, photographed and enjoyed 5-day-old Cameron...
... which was sweet and simple :D
Beach Day!
I'm in love with California. Love, people, love.
Andrea, Brienne's sister, graciously drove me around in her green, convertible Miata and spent the day with me at the Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach. GAH!
I have seen this pier countless times on other photographers' blogs (the pier on Jasmine's blog and Jessica's blog and Becker's blog) and knew that I wanted to visit while I was out here!
I loooved it :D
I love this one...
On the beach they had a very touching memorial for the 4232 soldiers who have given their lives in Iraq. I am so grateful for their sacrifice in defending our country!
I specifically took these carousel ones for my KG (my small group at church) - I miss you guys!
The next few are straight out of ze camera :D
And this is the last shot in Santa Monica. Our next stop Venice!
Abbot Kinney (I honestly don't know who he is and I didn't feel like reading the Wiki page about him) created the town in California to replicate the real Venice in Italy, with rows of canals.
It was adorable! I could have walked around there for hours...
The Venice Boardwalk was pretty sweet, too.
It was really, really windy by the water - but oh baby I didn't mind! It was sunny and warm enough for me!
Beach food!
Right on the beach there was a huuuuge drum circle with about 15 drummers and just a group of people dancing (tourists, locals, everyone!). It was so fun! I'd love to see a group of people in DC start dancing in the middle of the day. Pah, who am I kidding. Only if it was penciled in. "Spontaneous fun - 4:00 pm" haha
I kid, I kid, but I do love how chill, nice and relaxed the West Coast is. On the beach they have this little place set up for artists to paint. People can come whenever they want and paint over whatever they want - the walls and trees are literally inches thick in paint layers! It's pretty cool :D
baBOO!
that just made me smile.
Aaaand, that's all I have for today! Pretty good day, yes? I sure thought so :D
Thank you, again, Andrea, for taking me!
Thank you, God, for making all of this!
Yay!
I have a little goal for myself on this trip... I want to take pictures every day. Some days I'll take thousands and other's I will take only one on my cell-phone. BUT, I don't want this trip to fly by and then forget about everything I got to do! So, here are some little shots from the last two days....
It's actually been raining since I got here - er, drizzling. It's been damp, we'll say that. I don't mind at all - the air is still warm, everything smells fresh and it's SO pretty!
Today I went to see a great movie with Mimi and Poppy Walters... and since I'm a nerd I took some theater shots :D
If this was in Maryland, it just wouldn't be as cool ;)
hahah oh yum
I finished the night by having Morrocan chicken and garlic flat bread and re-watching LOST.
Life's good!
My First Day!
I've been singing these lines all day :D
"Heads Carolina, TAILS CALIFORNIA"
"Heads Carolina, TAILS CALIFORNIA"
Ah but the day didn't begin somewhere warmer... no, no.
It began at about 12:30 am when I discovered my flight to Burbank was changed from 8:00 am to 6:00 am - meaning I needed to leave my house at about 3:30 am. So, I just stayed up for the rest of the night :D
And put my little suitcases by the door. And said good-bye to Lydia again :D (cause once sometimes just isnt enough) and before long, I was at the airport, boarding a plane!
I sat across the aisle from a guy - he was made of concrete.
No, seriously, he was the biggest strongest guy I have ever seen and he scared the bajeebers out of me. It took me a good five hours to get the courage to take this pic haha
Aaaah! I am here! I am here! Hello California! I am here!
The airport in Burbank is super tiny, and I got to walk off the plane onto the tarmac - and you all know how much I love that :D
Wooohooo! And hooowooo! I was pretty thrilled to be standing right there :D
But by far the best part of the day was meeting Brienne's new little boy, Cameron Lee :D
He is a picture of health, with long blonde hair and big ol' feet! haha
I can't wait to hold him and hold him :D :D
Sleepy little kid :D
What a blessing and miracle.
Grandma and Grandpa (and my hosts for the next few days) were pretty thrilled too!
My heart just drops when I look at him. Life is amazing.
God is so amazing.
I love seeing Bree so happy :D Life is just good - and it was quite a first day in Cali!!!
Life these days...
My liiiiife. Oh goodness it's such a roller-coaster ride.
Sometimes everything goes from 60 to 160 in no time at all. It was fast before - ladies and gentleman, it is now flying!
Here's a little re-cap of what has been going on :D
First, our church had its annual youth banquet for the Juniors and Seniors in highschool. It's not prom, there isn't dancing and more then half of the people in attendance are parents. The banquet is a formal night for the kids specifically used to look back on the year and honor godliness. I have always LOVED attending the banquet, and now my friends and I are on a team that helps put the banquet on!
We had so much fun together - especially when we got to dress up and watch all the kids enjoy the evening! Banquet week almost turns into a full-time job and it gives me a better understanding of how all those wedding-planners out there feel ;) You guys really are amazing!
Next up in my life - is Emily and Charles (one of my best friends and her boyfriend).
Let's just say he liked it, so he put a ring on it ;D
They got engaged on Monday :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Emily called me and I cried. Her best friends met her at her house that night to hear all about it, cry, "awwwww" and begin wedding plans. The next morning we went wedding dress shopping.
For my friend.
And my friend was wearing a wedding dress.
Inside the wedding dress was my friend.
And she was picking a wedding dress for her wedding.
Because my friend is going to be married.
And she's my friend.
AAAAAAAh!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, and last in this crazy week, I have been packing up for CALIFORNIA!
This trip has been planned for many months, and I finally am filling up my suitcase for California (ps. if anyone has an event where pink high heels would be fabulous, let me know. Because I am bringing them and don't know when I am going to where them.)
The reason I am going out there is to shoot a wedding for the oh-so-pregnant Brienne, who is kindly letting me live with her for the month :D Yes, the month. I will be on the West Coast until the end of WPPI (February 19th). I figured if I am going to be flying out, I might as well enjoy it for as long as I possibly can!
I have many open days, so if anyone is interested in lunch or a photoshoot please let me know! I've gotten lots of emails from some sweet people out there and I would just love to meet you :D
I'm definitley willing to drive too (trust me. After the 7 degree evening a few days back, I will happily do ANYTHING in sun. Drive? Yes. Plow fields? Yes. Go to Disneyland? YES.)
To see more details on all three of these things, check out the slideshow!
And don't worry brides! I am still working, so I will definitely be answering emails, scheduling shoots and taking phone calls! But all face-to-face meetings will have to be scheduled after February 19th :D
Sometimes everything goes from 60 to 160 in no time at all. It was fast before - ladies and gentleman, it is now flying!
Here's a little re-cap of what has been going on :D
First, our church had its annual youth banquet for the Juniors and Seniors in highschool. It's not prom, there isn't dancing and more then half of the people in attendance are parents. The banquet is a formal night for the kids specifically used to look back on the year and honor godliness. I have always LOVED attending the banquet, and now my friends and I are on a team that helps put the banquet on!
We had so much fun together - especially when we got to dress up and watch all the kids enjoy the evening! Banquet week almost turns into a full-time job and it gives me a better understanding of how all those wedding-planners out there feel ;) You guys really are amazing!
Next up in my life - is Emily and Charles (one of my best friends and her boyfriend).
Let's just say he liked it, so he put a ring on it ;D
They got engaged on Monday :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Emily called me and I cried. Her best friends met her at her house that night to hear all about it, cry, "awwwww" and begin wedding plans. The next morning we went wedding dress shopping.
For my friend.
And my friend was wearing a wedding dress.
Inside the wedding dress was my friend.
And she was picking a wedding dress for her wedding.
Because my friend is going to be married.
And she's my friend.
AAAAAAAh!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, and last in this crazy week, I have been packing up for CALIFORNIA!
This trip has been planned for many months, and I finally am filling up my suitcase for California (ps. if anyone has an event where pink high heels would be fabulous, let me know. Because I am bringing them and don't know when I am going to where them.)
The reason I am going out there is to shoot a wedding for the oh-so-pregnant Brienne, who is kindly letting me live with her for the month :D Yes, the month. I will be on the West Coast until the end of WPPI (February 19th). I figured if I am going to be flying out, I might as well enjoy it for as long as I possibly can!
I have many open days, so if anyone is interested in lunch or a photoshoot please let me know! I've gotten lots of emails from some sweet people out there and I would just love to meet you :D
I'm definitley willing to drive too (trust me. After the 7 degree evening a few days back, I will happily do ANYTHING in sun. Drive? Yes. Plow fields? Yes. Go to Disneyland? YES.)
To see more details on all three of these things, check out the slideshow!
And don't worry brides! I am still working, so I will definitely be answering emails, scheduling shoots and taking phone calls! But all face-to-face meetings will have to be scheduled after February 19th :D
Adam and Brittney
but everytime i fell for you"
-- bruises
Brittney and Adam are from Las Vegas. They decided to have a small destination wedding to Washington DC in the spring.
"And then," Brittney told me, "we realized we were just waiting around. And we didn't want to wait anymore. So we moved everything to January."
They moved everything to the coldest day of the year.
And they moved everything to 5 days before one of the most historic inaugurations ever.
Despite the closed roads, rows of porta-potties, and biting chill - the whole event was wonderful. And Brittney and Adam ended their day-after photoshoot, the same way they started it - smiling!
They just smiled and laughed. They teased with each other. Giggled and shook their heads. And they saw the whole day as "glass half full." Closed roads meant there were less people in DC so we had free reign over where we wanted to go. Porta-potties? Oh, they didn't ruin the pictures - they made them funny! The biting chill? "It's really not that bad. It could be so much colder. I think in Wisconsin its -35." I love people who have such a positive outlook on life :D
I also love some of the shots we got! They are like movie stars! Yes?
And this would be straight out of the camera. I almost slid down the railing, spun around in 3 circles and flew back to the top of the stairs to take more. Instead I just took more. I love my camera, though :D
Oh! I also love how Adam and Brittney smile when they kiss!
What a stunning lady:
In our braver moments, we decided to be strong and get pictures outside. It was SO worth it. Cold, clear light is actually wonderful to shoot with!
Your jaw would drop if you could see how much was set-up for the inauguaration just a few feet to the left. We had to frame these pictures very carefully :D
Sun-flare at 9:30 am? I'll take it!
The shade was beautiful too. And wowow! Brittney! You are so gorgeous!
Confession: I really, really like Adam and Brittney. And I love this picture. Adam started talking about chips & salsa and Brittney's eyes glazed over and she said "Oh, when we are on our honeymoon, all I am going to eat is chips and salsa. I really want chips and salsa. Chips and salsa is sooo good." Hahah it made me laugh, and also really want chips and salsa.
A little different, but I like it!
Ooooh la la!
And here are my favorite pictures from the day. We had finished up the shoot, we all carralled back into the bus to go to the hotel. I was talking to a bridesmaid, but kept hearing little giggles and hushed voices behind me.
Totally un-posed. Just happy and in love. And the very best of friends.
That's how it should be, I think :D
Enjoy the slideshow! And, Adam & Brittney - you guys were wooonderful! Congratulations!
special thanks to Megan Beth who shot their wedding for me!
Christmas Post Part III
Psalm 126:2
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said, 'The Lord has done great things.'
It's about time I finished my Christmas posts, agreed?
This final post is about Christmas morning with my family. I did a little post about our Christmas morning last year, too.
These mornings of joy, celebration, glittering eyes and laughter are easy ones to remember to "treasure."
Everyone still has their squinty, blinky, "morning" eyes. And their hair is tussled, voices are gruff but excited. The family room is warm, my dad is making jokes, my mom is horrified "AAlllan!"
I'm taking pictures. Timmy looks for food. Katie smells really good. And the four youngest can hardly think straight, let alone sit down. Some of them wear little footie pajamas, even though they are getting pretty big for those. These are sweet times.
We have all the perfectly, beautifully wrapped presents, that were picked by mom and paid for by dad (he doesn't let us forget that ;D)
And then there are the gifts that the kids wrapped - sometimes the wrap job looks like a serious wound. Other times it looks like a bandage for a serious wound. To wrap these presents, the kids wasted tape, ripped paper, cut at the wrong place and took a long time. But seeing their care, excitement, genuine joy... oh, I wouldn't trade those extra minutes for anything in the world.
My babies are getting so big :( Stay little, please.
My dad being... dad. He was posing for a picture for me. You are just soooOOoo funny ;)
I think back to this time last year. Christmas 2007. Where I was at, what was going on in my life, the questions I had, the events I was looking forward to - my goodness, what a year it has been!
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said, 'The Lord has done great things.'
It's about time I finished my Christmas posts, agreed?
This final post is about Christmas morning with my family. I did a little post about our Christmas morning last year, too.
These mornings of joy, celebration, glittering eyes and laughter are easy ones to remember to "treasure."
Everyone still has their squinty, blinky, "morning" eyes. And their hair is tussled, voices are gruff but excited. The family room is warm, my dad is making jokes, my mom is horrified "AAlllan!"
I'm taking pictures. Timmy looks for food. Katie smells really good. And the four youngest can hardly think straight, let alone sit down. Some of them wear little footie pajamas, even though they are getting pretty big for those. These are sweet times.
We have all the perfectly, beautifully wrapped presents, that were picked by mom and paid for by dad (he doesn't let us forget that ;D)
And then there are the gifts that the kids wrapped - sometimes the wrap job looks like a serious wound. Other times it looks like a bandage for a serious wound. To wrap these presents, the kids wasted tape, ripped paper, cut at the wrong place and took a long time. But seeing their care, excitement, genuine joy... oh, I wouldn't trade those extra minutes for anything in the world.
My babies are getting so big :( Stay little, please.
My dad being... dad. He was posing for a picture for me. You are just soooOOoo funny ;)
I think back to this time last year. Christmas 2007. Where I was at, what was going on in my life, the questions I had, the events I was looking forward to - my goodness, what a year it has been!
On Christmas Day 2008 I had the distinct impression that this coming year would be a big year in my life. I think a lot is going to happen this year, and I think it's going to be a year full of God's kindess and grace, as well as Him helping me put my "big girl" shoes on and walk with me through some hard roads. I don't know what will happen, I don't know what I will look back at Christmas 2009. But I know without a question in my mind that I will be able to sing with joy "The Lord has done great things!"
Oh! By the way, do you all remember that "green dress" post from last year? My aunt sent me one she found as a joke haha I think it was my favorite present this year - it's definitley a kid's size 14, but I put it on for a quick picture. SO funny :D
Oh! By the way, do you all remember that "green dress" post from last year? My aunt sent me one she found as a joke haha I think it was my favorite present this year - it's definitley a kid's size 14, but I put it on for a quick picture. SO funny :D
Kurt and Naomi
"Your heart feels it's flying
Your head feels it's spinning
...you just might break through
To ever ever after!"
Your head feels it's spinning
...you just might break through
To ever ever after!"
Today was (er, yesterday... I guess it's pretty late) started really early. But it was the kind of early that you don't mind at all. You can hardly fall asleep at night, waiting for the early morning to come. And when the early morning comes, you pop out of bed like a toasted bagel.
I was so excited to wake up this morning.
I was so excited to wake up this morning.
Because this morning was Kurt and Naomi's wedding. Finally, finally, finally! And I got to shoot it - with the awesome Peter Bang.
It's still almost surreal that it actually happened. I've wanted to shoot Ni's wedding since I was in highschool, and we have been talking about her bridal pictures for well over a year - "Someday, of course." We would text each idea's for long veil shots, and talk about her princess dress and I would be informed on her tiara/hair changes. And today, she really was the bride. Not someday, today.
She told me she practiced these moves for me :D
Oh, and she looked exquisite. Flawless
Everyone else agreed. I loved this one when the mom's and grandma came in and saw her for the first time :D
The wedding was at our church, and I have shot here maaany times. I was determined to find a new place for the guys pictures. The loading dock in the back parking lot, next to the dumpsters actually turned out kind of cool! Those who laughed - I told you it would work!
It's still almost surreal that it actually happened. I've wanted to shoot Ni's wedding since I was in highschool, and we have been talking about her bridal pictures for well over a year - "Someday, of course." We would text each idea's for long veil shots, and talk about her princess dress and I would be informed on her tiara/hair changes. And today, she really was the bride. Not someday, today.
She told me she practiced these moves for me :D
Oh, and she looked exquisite. Flawless
Everyone else agreed. I loved this one when the mom's and grandma came in and saw her for the first time :D
The wedding was at our church, and I have shot here maaany times. I was determined to find a new place for the guys pictures. The loading dock in the back parking lot, next to the dumpsters actually turned out kind of cool! Those who laughed - I told you it would work!
Moving right along to the ceremony...
It was beautiful, sweet and so uplifting
Ooo, guitar and lens flare are rarely a bad combination....
Little Kristen Memory: The Sunday I was shooting at my second wedding ever, I ran into Kurt who was taking down equipment after church. He was asking about the wedding and I was saying I was a bit nervous and he told me "Well, the most important picture of the whole wedding is the kiss. Don't blow that and you'll be fine." Kurt, here ya go:
(but, as much as I love this kiss - I love this one of the happy-post-kiss face better)
We were blessed with the perfect January day - no wind, no snow or wet and clear air! It was magical!
LOVE this one:
Also LOVE this one. A whole lot. God is amazing with what He creates. Marriage, friends, sunshine and cool looking trees. It's awesome.
The tree was too good - I had to grab a few more with just Kurt and Naomi:
I think this is my favorite of the day:
A nice "casual, relaxed" formal, as [b]ecker would say.
Aaaw :D :D So very cute :D
Alright, one last silky shot
And now it's time to pppaartay!
But before all the fun, here is a shot I adored from the prayer before the meal
Kurt and Naomi have a lot of friends. A lot of those friends love dancing. It was a really fun reception :D The best dancer out there - bar none - was Grandma Kilmer ;D
A calm moment during their first dance:
I couldn't resist posting these few pictures from a Frank Sinatra song:
The best man speech was hysterical. Great job, Bryan!
Oh, and this? This was too adorable for words. During some fast crazy song, I looked over and saw this :D What joy!
And they are offff! Yay!
Congratulations Kurt and Naomi - I don't think I could possibly be anymore excited for you than I am. It was amazing being part of your day :D
Enjoy the slideshow!
It was beautiful, sweet and so uplifting
Ooo, guitar and lens flare are rarely a bad combination....
Little Kristen Memory: The Sunday I was shooting at my second wedding ever, I ran into Kurt who was taking down equipment after church. He was asking about the wedding and I was saying I was a bit nervous and he told me "Well, the most important picture of the whole wedding is the kiss. Don't blow that and you'll be fine." Kurt, here ya go:
(but, as much as I love this kiss - I love this one of the happy-post-kiss face better)
We were blessed with the perfect January day - no wind, no snow or wet and clear air! It was magical!
LOVE this one:
Also LOVE this one. A whole lot. God is amazing with what He creates. Marriage, friends, sunshine and cool looking trees. It's awesome.
The tree was too good - I had to grab a few more with just Kurt and Naomi:
I think this is my favorite of the day:
A nice "casual, relaxed" formal, as [b]ecker would say.
Aaaw :D :D So very cute :D
Alright, one last silky shot
And now it's time to pppaartay!
But before all the fun, here is a shot I adored from the prayer before the meal
Kurt and Naomi have a lot of friends. A lot of those friends love dancing. It was a really fun reception :D The best dancer out there - bar none - was Grandma Kilmer ;D
A calm moment during their first dance:
I couldn't resist posting these few pictures from a Frank Sinatra song:
The best man speech was hysterical. Great job, Bryan!
Oh, and this? This was too adorable for words. During some fast crazy song, I looked over and saw this :D What joy!
And they are offff! Yay!
Congratulations Kurt and Naomi - I don't think I could possibly be anymore excited for you than I am. It was amazing being part of your day :D
Enjoy the slideshow!
Christmas Post Part II
This second Christmas post is more of a "New Years Post", I guess, but I thought about this Christmas day :D
When I saw this again, I grabbed 30 pictures of the 30 brides.
There is a Gilmore Girls episode called "Luke Can See Her Face." For those of us who don't watch the show, here is a quick re-cap: Luke and Lorelai are great, great friends. GREAT friends. And everyone knows that they will eventually end up together as a couple (they do) but Luke is always scared to take the next step, what if she doesn't feel the same way? what if their great friendship is ruined? You get the idea.
In the 4th season he has a "break-through" moment which is the following scene. (It's only a minute long). It gave me the idea of this post, and it's also pretty much adorable - def watch it :D
When I saw this again, I grabbed 30 pictures of the 30 brides.
I have looked at this collage many times. You ladies all have 30 different stories, 30 different homes, 30 different pasts and 30 different futures.
I love looking at your 30 different faces.
I love looking at your 30 different faces.
Your 30 beautiful smiles.
And being a part of your 30 wonderful weddings.
Oh, but you all are so much more then "faces." You have trusted me, befriended me, laughed with me, taught me and you also happened to hire me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Hadiya, Cheryl, Beth, Hannah, Jennefer, Jennifer, Alycia, Heather, Brooke, Fayleen, Danielle, Kena, Val, Kate, Sarah, Kristen, Christie, Nia, Shaina, Mel, Brittany, Shanda, Colleen, Pami, Stephanie, Amanda, Angie, Tashia, Kristin and Debbie. Thank you, thank you THANK YOU!
To quote Luke from the last line in that clip: "Whoa."
Whoa. What a crazy, wonderful, undeserving year I had! God is so kind to me!
And being a part of your 30 wonderful weddings.
Oh, but you all are so much more then "faces." You have trusted me, befriended me, laughed with me, taught me and you also happened to hire me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Hadiya, Cheryl, Beth, Hannah, Jennefer, Jennifer, Alycia, Heather, Brooke, Fayleen, Danielle, Kena, Val, Kate, Sarah, Kristen, Christie, Nia, Shaina, Mel, Brittany, Shanda, Colleen, Pami, Stephanie, Amanda, Angie, Tashia, Kristin and Debbie. Thank you, thank you THANK YOU!
To quote Luke from the last line in that clip: "Whoa."
Whoa. What a crazy, wonderful, undeserving year I had! God is so kind to me!
Shanda and Sonny's New Years Eve Wedding!
Happy 2009 to one and all!
I spent the last hours of 2008 and the first minutes of 2009 doing what I love - shooting a wedding! A beautiful, lively wedding :D
We'll start with some "buttery" details:
All the girls wore red shoes! I loved it!
Shanda was finishing up her vows when I arrived - and they were very good, too!
The celebrations began early in the day (with water for Little Angelina, of course :D)
I spent the last hours of 2008 and the first minutes of 2009 doing what I love - shooting a wedding! A beautiful, lively wedding :D
We'll start with some "buttery" details:
All the girls wore red shoes! I loved it!
Shanda was finishing up her vows when I arrived - and they were very good, too!
The celebrations began early in the day (with water for Little Angelina, of course :D)
She is such a pretty girl, isn't she?
Speaking of pretty girls...
Shanda looked dazzling - and I love her taste! She was a classy, vintage bride.
This is one of my favorite shots of the whole year:
I feel like it's pointless to say it was cold and windy. I always say it these days. But really it was COLD and WINDY. And the girls were troopers - I told you it would be worth it! Thanks for trusting me!
mmmlove.
Waiting for Sonny (they did a "first look" and it was marvelous... but I am going to save those picture for a different time...)
We grabbed some pictures of the bride and groom during the last sunset of 2008:
The light was so soft, light and dreamy :D
But the night sky wasn't too shabby either!
Everyone was all giddy and ready to get the ceremony started!
Doesn't get much more gorgeous than this!
Aaaw and Aaaw
I fast-forwarded to the reception (it's my prerogative as this blog is mine haha). I loved this shot of them dancing - all the wedding party was cheering and clapping for them. Their friends were genuinely thrilled for them, and it was neat to see that.
And since it was New Years, I have to post some "Happy 2009!" shots!
"...3...2..."
At the stroke of midnight!
First kiss in 09' baby!
Speaking of pretty girls...
Shanda looked dazzling - and I love her taste! She was a classy, vintage bride.
This is one of my favorite shots of the whole year:
I feel like it's pointless to say it was cold and windy. I always say it these days. But really it was COLD and WINDY. And the girls were troopers - I told you it would be worth it! Thanks for trusting me!
mmmlove.
Waiting for Sonny (they did a "first look" and it was marvelous... but I am going to save those picture for a different time...)
We grabbed some pictures of the bride and groom during the last sunset of 2008:
The light was so soft, light and dreamy :D
But the night sky wasn't too shabby either!
Everyone was all giddy and ready to get the ceremony started!
Doesn't get much more gorgeous than this!
Aaaw and Aaaw
I fast-forwarded to the reception (it's my prerogative as this blog is mine haha). I loved this shot of them dancing - all the wedding party was cheering and clapping for them. Their friends were genuinely thrilled for them, and it was neat to see that.
And since it was New Years, I have to post some "Happy 2009!" shots!
"...3...2..."
"...1... Happy New Year!"
At the stroke of midnight!
First kiss in 09' baby!
Congratulations Shanda and Sonny! Have an amazing, amazing (and warm) time in Costa Rica! And thanks for having me at your big day - it was such a fun time and I am sure you will treasure it forever :D
Christmas Post Part I
This year I had too much Christmas happiness for one post. Well, I mean, I could have put it all in one post, but I know that no one would read the whole thing. In order that you may actually know all about my Christmas happiness, I have three posts lined up :D
I will start with the shortest one since I am tired right now and my bed is looking at me like it wants to eat me. Without further ado, Christmas Post I:
The background you need to make this story understandable: I have a dream list, I don't know how to sing (friends tease that I'm not an alto or soprano, but just tone deaf :D ) and I go to a church that does a Christmas Eve Eve and Christmas Eve service/show.
So there I was one Sunday morning at about 10:00 reading through the little bulletin, with various announcements. "We are looking for people to join the Christmas Choir to perform at the Christmas Eve services. 18 and older, no formal experience needed. E-mail Brittany Kauflin for details or to sign-up."
For some odd reason, I really thought this was something I should do. After all, number 25 on my dream list was "Perform Something on Stage." Choir's perform on stage, and I sure wasn't going to be doing a tap-dance solo on stage anytime soon! To the shock, awe, laughter and even horror of my friends, I signed up. Kristen ChristmasChoirSinger Snyder - oooo, that has a nice ring to it.
(me, my new and awesome friend Liz, and my old and awesome friend Lyd on performance night)
The first day of Choir practice came on a dangerously cold Monday. I literally ran inside the church to the room above the bookstore. The people walking in ahead of me grabbed black binders, so I did too.
"Shoot, it's sheet music. I hope I don't have to use this."
I have a number of funny stories about the reactions I got from me being there, as well as the things I said while I was there (by the way, in music when someone is telling you to sing "before" they might be meaning the chord "B4.")
I didn't really know what I was doing. I certainly didn't come prepared with a highlighter and pencil. I wasn't taking sips of lukewarm water throughout the night. I wasn't holding my binder properly (not that I was looking at it anyway.) I was the only who thought fortissimo sounded delicious. But I made my way through the night, and actually had lots of fun.
Fast forward a few weeks, and it was the dress-rehearsal. All of us choir-lings were cheery, festive and taking it waaaaay more seriously then we needed to be, but thats alright :D We shuffled to our spot on stage, I fumbled around looking for the page to be on (turns out the sheet music is awesome - if you know what you are looking at...) and then smiled my head off. I sang too, but mostly smiled. I was having a ball. Like the ball Cinderalla went to? That was the kind of ball I was having on my face. I was just SO happy. The words to the songs were amazing, everyone sounded so good, I was standing next to someone playing a french horn and that's just cool. I loooooved it.
We finished our little singing introduction then got to watch the 40 minute show before we had to sing again. I was very much looking forward to seeing it! But I was a little surprised I was impacted as I was.
There was one scene where Jesus and two disciples were with a blind man. The disciples were trying to figure out why he was blind. Why had God "punished" him with blindness? Was it his fault? Was it his parents fault? Who was to blame?
Jesus' beautiful answer:
“It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the glorious works of God might be displayed in him."
{john 9:3}
I felt like I had been hit by a truck. Wow. How amazing is that?
I loved it. As I sit there watching the rest of the play, I couldn't help but think about how God really does put certain things in our lives for reasons - good reasons! Glorious reasons! They aren't cruel punishments, but ways for us to show the world about how good God is! To reflect Him and His name!
Whether you are in a season of suffering or rejoicing, looking or finding, waiting or acting, crying or laughing - or some combination of those, we know that God is doing something. It's not in vain, it's not for no reason and it's not without hope. And it's all to bring Him glory!
I sat there in my white shirt and black pants, bleary-eyed, thinking about my life. Oh, how I want this time to be well spent. I want the "glorious works of God" to be displayed in me.
Through working as a photographer - God be glorified!
Through being a friend - God be glorified!
Through being a sister and daughter - God be glorified!
I needed that 15-second scene to be reminded of what this is all about. I was sweetly reminded of why I celebrate Christmas and why I can sing the songs that I do!
Shortly after that little "moment" we all rose and took our places on stage for the final segment of singing.
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
I started tearing up.
"Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary."
My lips started quivering.
"Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary."
Ah, let the tears flow.
And I was a mess - God be glorified!
I will start with the shortest one since I am tired right now and my bed is looking at me like it wants to eat me. Without further ado, Christmas Post I:
Christmas Eve Service Choir
The background you need to make this story understandable: I have a dream list, I don't know how to sing (friends tease that I'm not an alto or soprano, but just tone deaf :D ) and I go to a church that does a Christmas Eve Eve and Christmas Eve service/show.
So there I was one Sunday morning at about 10:00 reading through the little bulletin, with various announcements. "We are looking for people to join the Christmas Choir to perform at the Christmas Eve services. 18 and older, no formal experience needed. E-mail Brittany Kauflin for details or to sign-up."
For some odd reason, I really thought this was something I should do. After all, number 25 on my dream list was "Perform Something on Stage." Choir's perform on stage, and I sure wasn't going to be doing a tap-dance solo on stage anytime soon! To the shock, awe, laughter and even horror of my friends, I signed up. Kristen ChristmasChoirSinger Snyder - oooo, that has a nice ring to it.
(me, my new and awesome friend Liz, and my old and awesome friend Lyd on performance night)
The first day of Choir practice came on a dangerously cold Monday. I literally ran inside the church to the room above the bookstore. The people walking in ahead of me grabbed black binders, so I did too.
"Shoot, it's sheet music. I hope I don't have to use this."
I have a number of funny stories about the reactions I got from me being there, as well as the things I said while I was there (by the way, in music when someone is telling you to sing "before" they might be meaning the chord "B4.")
I didn't really know what I was doing. I certainly didn't come prepared with a highlighter and pencil. I wasn't taking sips of lukewarm water throughout the night. I wasn't holding my binder properly (not that I was looking at it anyway.) I was the only who thought fortissimo sounded delicious. But I made my way through the night, and actually had lots of fun.
Fast forward a few weeks, and it was the dress-rehearsal. All of us choir-lings were cheery, festive and taking it waaaaay more seriously then we needed to be, but thats alright :D We shuffled to our spot on stage, I fumbled around looking for the page to be on (turns out the sheet music is awesome - if you know what you are looking at...) and then smiled my head off. I sang too, but mostly smiled. I was having a ball. Like the ball Cinderalla went to? That was the kind of ball I was having on my face. I was just SO happy. The words to the songs were amazing, everyone sounded so good, I was standing next to someone playing a french horn and that's just cool. I loooooved it.
We finished our little singing introduction then got to watch the 40 minute show before we had to sing again. I was very much looking forward to seeing it! But I was a little surprised I was impacted as I was.
There was one scene where Jesus and two disciples were with a blind man. The disciples were trying to figure out why he was blind. Why had God "punished" him with blindness? Was it his fault? Was it his parents fault? Who was to blame?
Jesus' beautiful answer:
“It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the glorious works of God might be displayed in him."
{john 9:3}
I felt like I had been hit by a truck. Wow. How amazing is that?
I loved it. As I sit there watching the rest of the play, I couldn't help but think about how God really does put certain things in our lives for reasons - good reasons! Glorious reasons! They aren't cruel punishments, but ways for us to show the world about how good God is! To reflect Him and His name!
Whether you are in a season of suffering or rejoicing, looking or finding, waiting or acting, crying or laughing - or some combination of those, we know that God is doing something. It's not in vain, it's not for no reason and it's not without hope. And it's all to bring Him glory!
I sat there in my white shirt and black pants, bleary-eyed, thinking about my life. Oh, how I want this time to be well spent. I want the "glorious works of God" to be displayed in me.
Through working as a photographer - God be glorified!
Through being a friend - God be glorified!
Through being a sister and daughter - God be glorified!
I needed that 15-second scene to be reminded of what this is all about. I was sweetly reminded of why I celebrate Christmas and why I can sing the songs that I do!
Shortly after that little "moment" we all rose and took our places on stage for the final segment of singing.
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
I started tearing up.
"Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary."
My lips started quivering.
"Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary."
Ah, let the tears flow.
And I was a mess - God be glorified!
Brooke and Nathan
For the very first time, I am speechless.
Well, today, I am going to let my bride, Brooke, and her now-husband-Nathan guest blog. I get teased a bit for the over-the-top-romantic (also referred to as "cheesy") things I say on my blog, but I stand behind everything I say and personally like all that kind of stuff.
I have met my match.
I cannot come up with anything better to say then what Brooke and Nathan told me about themselves in the "About Us" section of their contract. When I read what they wrote, I got chills. "If this is what they say in a quick formality for their photographer, I can only imagine what they will be like at their wedding!" I wasn't dissapointed - they are an exceptional couple.
But, I will let Brooke and Nathan take it from here:
"[The feel of our wedding is] elegance, simplicity, intimate yet formal."
(This is a quick Kristen interruption. I will post on this a bit later this week, but I did buy all new camera equipment, and this was my first wedding using all of it. I was getting a little tired of Jessica and Jasmine and yourmom raving about the 50mm 1.2, so I had to see for myself. I bought it.
And all of you people who told me it was like butter? Away with you! Off with your head!
It's more like melted butter whipped with liquid silk thoughtfully blended in a bowl made of... clouds. And dripped onto the background of pictures like the background is warm cake. Butter my foot. End interruption)
2. What do you love about your bride?
"Brooke burns with energy."
"Brooke has the most strikingly sophisticated profile and visage I’ve ever seen."
"Her personality complements her formidable appearance with approachability, openness, ease, and energy.
I love this impossible combination."
"Make sure you capture her eyes (if such a thing were possible)."
4. How did he propose?
"('Exactly as I would have wanted!' - Brooke) He intercepted Brooke in New York on a train back to DC from New England."
"He took her to Central Park. They hired a horse and buggy. They trotted into the meadows. He pulled out a book of plays. He read a passage about creation finding its purpose, fulfillment. He told her that with her, creation would become complete. He held her hand and asked if she would marry him. She said yes. They both cried."
"He gave her the most beautiful ring a man ever designed."
"We intend to express our Faith in Christ..."
(sorry, me again. I just LOVE the kiss! Adorable :D )
"Make sure you capture the golden fall of her hair. Mountain streams lament for its beauty."
(Hi :D I just had to say - it was ridiculously cold. Coldcoldcoooold. But Brooke and Nathan were determined to get to The National Christmas Tree for at least a few pictures. Brooke kept telling me "It's worth it! Good pictures are worth the cold!" Man, do I have fantastic brides, or what?)
"We love to embrace, even when it makes a walk down the street or a visit to a couch a bit impractical."
(Hi :D I just had to say - it was ridiculously cold. Coldcoldcoooold. But Brooke and Nathan were determined to get to The National Christmas Tree for at least a few pictures. Brooke kept telling me "It's worth it! Good pictures are worth the cold!" Man, do I have fantastic brides, or what?)
"We love to embrace, even when it makes a walk down the street or a visit to a couch a bit impractical."
"We love the theater, together."
"We love traveling together. A picnic together. An aimless walk in a sculpture garden together. "
"We love our time in God’s Word together."
"Everything that we do, we now want to do together."
"Nathan is the most brilliant man I have ever encountered. I love that when he wears his glasses (Prada) he looks like the most brilliant man I’ve ever encountered."
"I love that when he doesn’t wear his glasses, he looks like a little preppy boy (Roman nose, movie star hair)."
"[The feel of our wedding includes] our enjoyment and experience in fine things – Europe, classical piano and song, roses, white marble, candelabras."
"Nathan is the most brilliant man I have ever encountered. I love that when he wears his glasses (Prada) he looks like the most brilliant man I’ve ever encountered."
"I love that when he doesn’t wear his glasses, he looks like a little preppy boy (Roman nose, movie star hair)."
"[The feel of our wedding includes] our enjoyment and experience in fine things – Europe, classical piano and song, roses, white marble, candelabras."
Oh my my my.
One of my favorite "exit" pictures of all time:
Also one of my favorite exit vehicles of all time: a classy vintage limo. So awesome!
Alright, after all that love and joy, here is their slideshow! Brooke and Nathan, your wedding is simply amazing - and God was so glorified! It was "overwhelmingly wonderful" :D
And special, special thanks to Kip from Kip Pierson Photography and Andree from Andree Kless Photography for shooting with me! You guys were great!
Garrett and Elise got engaged!
Wow. What a day. Whaaat a day.
I'm trying to figure out how to begin the post.
Should I start back almost six years ago when they started to like each other - as little highschool sophomores? Two summers ago when Garrett kept staring at Elise at our youth-team meeting? Last October when they officially began dating? My little heart-to-heart with Elise when she told me that she couldn't imagine her life without Garrett? Or maybe a few Saturdays ago when Garrett told me 'It's happening the 19th - can you be there?'"
Psh. I don't know. Maybe I can just start the day of. December 19, 2008. It was a wet, dark, cold, gloomy day in Maryland. I woke up early and got everything ready for my 3-hour-drive to Williamsburg, VA. I knew the plan, I knew the place, I knew the time. I just had to get there. After arriving, I met up with Garrett and his whole family and we drove into the amazing, beautiful, historic, wonderful, cozy little town of Williamsburg.
The rained had completely stopped, and the sun was starting to peak through. And Garrett was very, very excited. Ohsoexcited.
He walked me to "the spot" and gave me a few final insructions. And he was off to get get Elise for their "quick walk before dinner." I waited and waited. I sat behind a well. And waited.
Untilllllllll....
AAAAAaaaAAAwwwww happened :D
I've gotten to know Garrett, and Elise especially, well over the last year. They are both hard workers, who love their Savior, their church and their families. I have learned so much from them as singles and as a couple about patience, trusting God, being faithful to the tasks set before you and being adorable when you are in love :D
Looking at these pictures gives me goosebumps. They are so incredibly happy :D
After the got engaged, the first thing I heard Garrett say was "What's that line from Elf? 'I'm in love! I'm in love! And I don't care who knows it!'"
Elise checking out her blingbling. If you were to describe Elise's style, it would be definitley be something like "Beyonce's Golden Christmas" ;) juuust kidding (inside joke)
Oh, and dear friends. As they walked to dinner, the sky turned pink. I LOVE when the sky is pink. It was one of the most amazing pink skies I have ever seen. My heart started to race it was so beautiful.
And since it had rained, the wet streets and buildings reflected the pink-ness everywhere. It was like an old watercolor painting. I can't imagine a better evening to get engaged!
:)
That is so happy :) :) When Elise was walking, she kept sighing these big, long, sweet sighs. Then she would burst out laughing and put her hand on her head and be like "I can't believe this!" Then she would be really, really quiet. Until you heard another long sigh....
I'm trying to figure out how to begin the post.
Should I start back almost six years ago when they started to like each other - as little highschool sophomores? Two summers ago when Garrett kept staring at Elise at our youth-team meeting? Last October when they officially began dating? My little heart-to-heart with Elise when she told me that she couldn't imagine her life without Garrett? Or maybe a few Saturdays ago when Garrett told me 'It's happening the 19th - can you be there?'"
Psh. I don't know. Maybe I can just start the day of. December 19, 2008. It was a wet, dark, cold, gloomy day in Maryland. I woke up early and got everything ready for my 3-hour-drive to Williamsburg, VA. I knew the plan, I knew the place, I knew the time. I just had to get there. After arriving, I met up with Garrett and his whole family and we drove into the amazing, beautiful, historic, wonderful, cozy little town of Williamsburg.
The rained had completely stopped, and the sun was starting to peak through. And Garrett was very, very excited. Ohsoexcited.
He walked me to "the spot" and gave me a few final insructions. And he was off to get get Elise for their "quick walk before dinner." I waited and waited. I sat behind a well. And waited.
Untilllllllll....
AAAAAaaaAAAwwwww happened :D
I've gotten to know Garrett, and Elise especially, well over the last year. They are both hard workers, who love their Savior, their church and their families. I have learned so much from them as singles and as a couple about patience, trusting God, being faithful to the tasks set before you and being adorable when you are in love :D
Looking at these pictures gives me goosebumps. They are so incredibly happy :D
After the got engaged, the first thing I heard Garrett say was "What's that line from Elf? 'I'm in love! I'm in love! And I don't care who knows it!'"
Elise checking out her blingbling. If you were to describe Elise's style, it would be definitley be something like "Beyonce's Golden Christmas" ;) juuust kidding (inside joke)
Oh, and dear friends. As they walked to dinner, the sky turned pink. I LOVE when the sky is pink. It was one of the most amazing pink skies I have ever seen. My heart started to race it was so beautiful.
And since it had rained, the wet streets and buildings reflected the pink-ness everywhere. It was like an old watercolor painting. I can't imagine a better evening to get engaged!
:)
That is so happy :) :) When Elise was walking, she kept sighing these big, long, sweet sighs. Then she would burst out laughing and put her hand on her head and be like "I can't believe this!" Then she would be really, really quiet. Until you heard another long sigh....
After they got engaged, Elise and Garrett had dinner with all their parents and siblings (and me haha) at a splendid old tavern. We even got a special house to eat in! It was totally seperate from the restaurant - we literally sat in an old dining room in a little house all by ourselves, in a room lit by six candles. It was amamamazing.
That food. Oh my, the food. It was miarcle food, I think. It was SO good.
In Williamsburg, the staff dresses and talks just like they did back in 1776 :D It's too much fun! During dinner this man came in and played some lovely tunes for us! I enjoyed it so much!
That food. Oh my, the food. It was miarcle food, I think. It was SO good.
In Williamsburg, the staff dresses and talks just like they did back in 1776 :D It's too much fun! During dinner this man came in and played some lovely tunes for us! I enjoyed it so much!
They also had a little army parade down the street with flutes and drums - cuuuuute!
And one last picture of Elise with her mom - and Matron of Honor :D You two have an amazing relationship. What a joy!
Congratulations Elise and Garrett! Enjoy the slideshow AND the song you picked :D
I hope you two are happier then you ever thought you could be, and I am thrilled that you two are finally engaged - after alllll those years!
I hope you two are happier then you ever thought you could be, and I am thrilled that you two are finally engaged - after alllll those years!