On Saturday I had the jooooy to shoot with my friend, Armin! Last year both of the weddings we shot together ended up being published! Super fun :D
It was really cool because Armin was shooting Barbie's wedding. Or Jessica Simpson's little sister.
I kid I kid, he was shooting Mallory's wedding, but goodness she is gorgeous! Aw :D I like little churches and pews :D
Mr. Groom thought his bride was quite gorgeous too! The first picture here is the moment before the door opened. He was biting his tongue just dying to see her. Then the doors opened and she was there! He gasped and his mouth dropped (second picture.) Then, as she was walking towards him, he did all he could not to burst into tears. SO SWEET. There's a truck in church! haha After the wedding, everyone was SO happy! It was one of the happiest little post-ceremony gatherings I have ever seen :D It's Ken and Barbie!
The light after the ceremony was almost edible it was so delicious. Heavenly, fantastic, surreal, amazing light! I was flipping out!
Wow. Wow wow wow!
Ok. Man. Too much good lookin' up there. Let's look at chairs (I took lots of detail pictures for Armin)
And we'll close the post with an adorable first dance picture. (Her eyes really are that blue!)
Everyone has a "Marini family" in their life. That family that has been through so much. That has had such hard times. That is so kind, welcoming and abnormally friendly. These families make you grateful for your life in a fresh way. They make you realize how good you have it. They help you take your eyes off yourself for a bit. Rachel Marini e-mailed me last Fall about doing a shoot of her family. I did and since then we have e-mailed back and forth a bit and Rachel and I even went out for lunch once. I honestly think it's impossible to not love Rachel. She's like a sweet little bunny :D She is so calm and tender, so smiley and adorable. I just love her. Rachel e-mailed about doing another family shoot this summer. I was 100% there. Not just because I love Rachel (which I do). Not just because I was available (which I was). Not just because I love photographing her fantastically cute daughters (which I do). But also because, I love getting to see the Marini's little boy, Gabe. When Gabe was born, all seemed perfect! Though Rachel and Shaun were shocked to have 3 kids in 3 years, they were thrilled with their new baby boy. Within three months, however, things took a scary turn. Gabe was hospitalized and after 8 grueling months in the hospital - and after being diagnosed with Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID), Gabe was able to go home. But on many medicines, monitors and not the same baby. While his body does grow bigger and bigger, he "sleeps" most of the day. He doesn't talk or play like most kids his age might, and he still has a long road ahead of him. Living day in and day out with such hardship takes a toll on anyone. I know for a fact that it's very hard on Rachel and Shaun. But it's impossible to talk about it with Rachel without her praising God. She, with her bright but tired eyes and her "always-on" smile, loves to talk about how God is seeing her through. It's amazing. (This is the extended family - not gonna lie, I was pretty excited to get so many people looking and smiling!) Oh, and this is Rachel's sister and husband!
Rachel, it was a JOY to see you again and I hope you love the pictures! I love your family so much :D
I don't get to do shoots of babies very often, which is probably a good thing.
If I did this all the time I wouldn't be able to get any work done! Shoots would take 3 hours. Editing time would double. I just can't take my eyes off babies.
A close family friend had a baby boy last week, and I was thrilled to be able to take pictures of him!
He is so soft and squishy. I love his little groans. I love that when he gets frustrated then he rubs his face back and forth on the blanket.
I love that when his dad comes in and says his name he quiets down and his little eyes dart around, almost like saying "Wait! I know that voice!"
I love how he plays with his fingers. "Theeese are mine." I love how he kicks his little legs out awkwardly. I love how he screams and honestly two seconds later he's fading into a dream.
Every baby truly is a miracle and it is just fascinating every time I see one.
(and here is a foot one for mom -- all mom's love their babies feet :D)
Thanks for letting me come and take pictures of your sweet boy :D Enjoy holding him every single second that you get to - little Nathan is going to be big so fast!
So, probably no one will watch the slideshow or read this whole post, except for my dad. And that's cool with me because that's who it's for.
Dad, you know I love you so much, but it's great to have another chance to say it. I.LOVE.YOU. God knew what He was doing when He made you my father and I will love being your daughter.
Enjoy this slideshow I made for you :D
PS. Today begins a "7 in 7" posting week for me! Seven posts. Seven days. Guaranteed (Watch out, Billy Mays, I can guarantee a mean guarantee)
Both Andy and Fay are both sweet and tender. They aren't one of those couples who are "total and complete opposites." There isn't one crazy, loud, rambunctious one and a timid, shy, steady one. I like it :D
I like it because they really have this unique, genuine care for each other. They completely "get" each other in a way no one else. It's so precious.
Happily, the both have an aaaaamazing sense of humor (I mean, they thought I was pretty funny ;D)
They did a first look (and let ME pick anywhere I wanted to do the pictures! YAYYAY. I loooove it when a bride can totally trust me! And when they feel completely comfortable being in front of the camera)
Here is a fun little shot right before the ceremony:
And here is a fun little shot during the ceremony: (I really love this one)
And since Fay, Andy and their gentle, caring love wanted more pictures, we go to do some outside after the ceremony as well!
They. Are. SO. Cute.
The toasts were quite funny (as toasts should be)
And they just made cute faces during the toasts. Too much cute for me.
Thank you Fay and Andy for having me. You were maaaaarveluos and I would do your wedding every weekend if I could!
When I was visiting my dear new bestie, Jamie Delaine, I was asked to take some family portraits. Always scary to shoot another photographer :-/ But I was excited because I completely heart the Peterson family and had a great time! Heyheeey, I can be artsy sometimes if I want ;D There was this amazing frame of a barn that we used for some pictures. Good times in that barn, eh? Awwww! Cute! Jamie, when you come to see me, you can shoot the nine Snyders? I miss you something awful!
"It's so easy loving you And holding me the way you do, It's here I'm staying all of my life." -- eric clapton This past Saturday I second-shot for the darling Jamie Delaine. My first duty as second shooter was to shoot the groom and his boys. Eaaaasssy peasy. They were so chill and such posers ;D Brock, the groom, is a hockey player with a very gentle demeanor. I loved it! Wooop woop! I didn't get to see the girls until they arrived at the church. I was up in the balcony watching them come in and felt like a creeper haha But I love how this came out! Cute little flower girl - I wish I could be a flower girl again I always LOVE to be at the back of the aisle with the bride before the ceremony starts. It worked out well since Jamie loves to be in the front! This was as the bridesmaids were saying the final prayer for Denise as a single girl! Denise got such a kick out of watching the flower girl go down the aisle - way cute! (Seriously though, who doesn't love a flower girl?) And then the reality of the moment hit and poor little Denise was battling tears. Happily, she made it just fine :D Jamie posted a few of my pictures on her blog, and this is one of them: Yayayya! They are married! After the wedding we headed to the beach for pictures. Apparently it''s common in Canada to have 2 or 3 hours set aside for pictures! Gah! It was amamazing! Hey there, Beauty! Here is another one of mine I stole from Jamie's blog: Aren't they just an adorable, gorgeous couple? Man alive. Ok. Here's the thing. Sometimes God just makes really attractive people. Denise looked flawless! It was fun shooting alongside Jamie and getting different kinds of pictures. Her brand and style is so different from mine, but it was fun seeing how she worked! And man, what a lovely location! We also went to a local park for some pictures After that we wound our way up a mountain to the fabulous reception venue. Jamie headed outside for even more pictures with the bride and groom, and I stayed in to capture the details. The place was like a little taste of heaven :D
Before I ran away to California and Vancouver, I shot an engagement session for Mario and Brenda. I met them through their wedding planner, Samara of By Design Events. They booked me for their FaBuLoUs destination wedding in November that's being held at the Ritz-Carlton in Jamaica.
I practically drool in anticipation. It's going to be truly breathtaking.
But back to Maryland.
After some fun shots with their crazy dogs, we went to the lovely canal in Georgetown.
I believe that area is one of my favorite in the world. And I even got Mario to dance in public there. It's a magic place, what can I say!
Perfect!
It was fun hanging out with you two, and getting to hear all about your wedding plans, to laugh with you and to receive and invitation to a crab feast with you! You are just wonderful to me :D
If you have been around the photography world the last year or so, you have for sure heard of the quite-popular and quite-lovely, Jamie Delaine. She's an 18-year-old wonderwoman of a photographer who is an incredible business woman.
I mean, I'm not gonna lie, I feel like my business has been going great for only being 19! But, yeah, I'm like an infant with a binkie and polka-dot blanket going "Mama! Up! Mama!" and getting claps from the grandparents compared to Jamie. She's unbelievable.
But, there is more to her then her mad skills. She has become such a dear friend. Even though this is only our second time meeting in person (First time was in Vegas. Cause we are par-tay animals? Ha. No. Def not.) I feel like she's a long time best friend. I flew into her land, Canada, two days ago (Quick story. I actually flew into Bellingham, WA which I thought was Canada. It's not? Whatever I was homeschooled ;D). We've been having too much fun. And boy is she wearing me out! We started our day with a hot 4 mile run and then headed to the wonderful city of Vancouver! (For some reason whenever I type "Vancouver" I also mess up and write "Vanvouver." hahah That just makes me laugh. "Van Vou Ver!" haaa oh goodness.)
Anyways, we ate, walked, photographed things, ferry-ed around in the water and had some fun. Vanvouver is such a clean, peaceful, nice city. I would def love to come back and see more!
A highlight of my day was getting some Canadian money. It's SO cute! I don't love these pictures of me. I think I look like egg-nog. Human egg-nog. Oh well. Treasure the moment?
It makes me feel better that Jamie did her ham pose for this one. We are the perfect Christmas dinner?
I need to go to bed now (Jamie is already nestled in bed giving me all the "cues" to go to sleep myself. Lights are off. Room is silent. I gotta go - don't want to upset Lady Jamie Delaine! haha)
Oh! If you want to see some more pics and read some more of our adventures, check out her blog here :D
Yesterday was Jasmine Star's second ever workshop! And because God is kind, I just happened to be at my computer when she announced it, I just happened to be free that day and I just haaappened to be dying to go to her workshop! It was so wonderful and such a blessing to be an attendee :D
All the details were J-star fabulous, of course:
The morning was spent drinking expensive water, learning about branding (already got in touch with a professional graphic designer) and laughing with my new friends :D
In the afternoon we did a shoot in terrible harsh light and it was AMAzing. It was really nice to have "bad light" and just watch how Jasmine ran the shoot, because often on wedding day you are on a strict timeline that is not based upon the sun's beauty hour :D
In the morning, Jas (I can call her that cause she's my pretend bestie now?) asked us to think about getting "branded" or "signature" shots at the shoot. It's hard when you are shooting with 20 people and not actually running the shoot yourself, but I tried very hard to get stuff that was oh-so-very "Kristen Leigh Photography."
The wooonderfully talented Vivian Tran from All Made Up was in charge of the styling and make-up. It was unreal!
Oh! And huge props to Kristin from Treasured Petal for the bouquet. It was hot sauce with feathers :D
Julie from Elysium Productions also joined the fun (I'm sure there will be some kind of video up soon).
Aw! It's cute Jasmine! Working it for the camera's :D Cute, but not my favorite...
And this, ladies and gentleman, would be my favorite from the shoot.
Because it's my style.
Because the model is gorgeous.
Because this picture might make Audrey Hepburn jealous.
And because it wasn't during "the shoot." We were done, getting our carpools figured out and *boom* baby! That's my style.
We finished the night by enjoying a FEAST at Maggiano's and I was just thrilled. I was so happy, so blessed and just thrilled. Thank you SO much Jasmine! You are a dear, a role-model and a friend (and a spitter...? ;D) - I can't thank you enough!
Ps. Today I am featured on The Bokeh Pot -- go check it out! I love The Bokeh Pot and the girls who run it. Leave some love!
"see how my eyes tell this story of a man and his eternal devotion" -- mark mathis Once upon a time, a little boy met a very little girl. They played and went to school and grew up. During these events, the little boy became a man and fell in love. He asked the little girl, who had become a lovely little woman, to marry him. She said yes, bought a dress and married the man :D
If you didn't see the proposal story from Elise and Garrett, you need to look right here and see how they fell in love. They are long-time best friends who finally are getting married. This wonderful day has been coming for a very long time... I love this shot. It's almost weird, but I love how simple and old it is. This wedding was very classic and formal, yet simple and relaxed - much like this picture, I think :D Aw! Hi little bride! Thanks for being adorable! As Elise and the girls were walking across the street with me to do their pictures, Elise's parents came out. It was so sweet :D
Summer colors, summer weather, summer awesome - yayay! I have so many pictures I want to blog, it's making me dizzy. Def look at the slideshow to see more, but here are some of my favorites of the annoyingly gorgeous bride. I love Elise's smile. I can totally hear her little laugh by looking at these Oh beauty. Ohhh beauty... This is one of my favorite bridal portraits ever: Ok, I'm tired of all that gorgeous. So here's a quick one of the boys :D Here are some pretty details from the lobby at the church! Ope, and, of course, my favorite wedding day moment. Are you tired of hearing my recounts of this moment? I hope not. The music is building, all the guests are looking back at me - hoping to catch a glimpse of the bride. A father, who has raised this bride for 20+ years is about to give her away. The man who has protected, provided for and loved this lady the most, is about to give her to another man. The music gets louder. The other man is waiting at the end of the aisle - sweating, heart pounding, rocking back and forth, dying to see his bride. And then !boom! in a matter of moments, it's done. They are married. Forever - until death do they part. Man, it's such an amazing thing! Praise God for marriage :D Soooo, maybe I spied on them when the snuck away to be alone? Maybe. We honestly could not have hand-picked a more glorious day for this wedding. In the horribly inconsistent weather of Maryland, we could have had a blazing, oppressing hot day. Or a chilly, rainy day. Or some combination of both. But instead it was breezy and warm, fresh and colorful. Clear and truly perfect.
The reception details were exquisite. I could have taken detail pictures all night! And this, ladies and gentlemen, is what the kiss at the end of your first dance should like! Woohoo! Aw, and this is what sweet daddy-daughter moments should be like :D The reception was in Elise's backyard and was very nontraditional for a wedding (aka: no cake cutting or bouquet toss or announcing the bridal party). It was really chill and almost like a garden party. BUT, Elise and her bridesmaids did perform an awesome little dance to "Jai Ho!" Too fun :D And as the sun set, they beautiful day came to a lovely close.... Enjoy the show! (And the totally awesome and appropriate song: "In Love at 19" by Mark Mathis)
Garrett and Elise, congratulations! I hope you know how much I am rejoicing with you both. God has been so kind :D
"OH! And how was your vacation? I looked at all your pictures - I would have loved to been in California!" "Do you have lots planned this week?" "How is your friend - oh, whats her name? Natalie! Yes. How is she?" "So any boyfriend or anything?" "I'm your biggest fan. Really, I am!"
That ^ right there was what all "Vendor/Bride meetings" should be like. Tiffany nailed it. Tiffany had seen my work, read my blog and "got" what my style and business are about. I honestly love Tiffany, even though I've only seen her four days in my whole life. But because our personalities clicked so well, we had a fabulous experience working together. I had full creative freedom, and she was comfortable having me there on her most important day. She wanted me to sit and relax and get something to drink while she was getting ready, and I had to insist on shooting. (Ps. Are these shoes off the hook or what?! I want.) Tiffany pulled me over into her clean Ritz-Carlton hotel room, and showed me her gifts from the night before. One aunt gave her pearl and diamond jewelry. Another, an old watch from a grandfather. One widowed aunt gave Tiffany her wedding band. Another gave her a "something blue" hankerchief with her family nickname "Stiffany" embroidered in it. And one aunt gave Tiffany a charred silver dollar, the only remains from a house fire that killed the aunts six children. The dollar was in the youngest child's piggy bank and is obviously a precious item for the family.
I got chills as a teary Tiffany laid out all her gifts for me. I loved the real, genuine friendship we had, and was so grateful she took the time to tell me about her life and how special these items were to her. Tiffany has a contagious smile, a big personality and a gentle, loving heart. Not to sound like a greeting card, but it's true. I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again, but this moment right before going down the aisle is one of my favorites ever in life. Gorgeous. And Ralph. Ohhh Ralph how perfect you are for Tiffany. No joke, God knows what He's doing when He brings two people together! Hey there hottie! They are so fun :D Can't you hear the energy? Happiness overload! We headed outside for some blazing hot (in both meanings of that phrase) pictures. It was insanely bright sunshine, but I'll take it over insanely dark night :D Too cooool for schooool Hello colors!
Tiffany and Ralph are definitley a great "fit." I love how much they laugh and smile. I love how un-awkward they are together. I love how comfortable, normal and just pleasant it is being with them.
A little drama never hurt anyone.... ;D But let's get back to those happy, laughing faces asap. "Secret secrets are no fun, unless you share with eeeeveryone!" Or unless you can get a really good picture during the secret-telling. Then it's also fun :D I love how classic this one is Ready to get the party started! Poor couple had to wait in the limo for a few extra minutes since one of their vendors got lost! Sheesh. How annoying is that? ;D No worries, though. The photographer eventually arrived (only 7 minutes later than planned) and grabbed some wedding party shots by the water!
And here are a few last reception shots of the happy day! There are those award winning smiles :D
Ah, the Single Ladies line up. Some hate it, some love it. Always a good time haha And this single lady became an engaged lady that evening! Tiffany's cousin got engaged during the reception! How fun :D If you need a photographer, you know who to call ;D
Ralph and Tiff, thank you for being so above-and-beyond wonderful to me! You made me feel like family and you made my work a joy. I hope you enjoy the beach and I can't wait to see you again soon :D Congrats!
Once upon a time there were three best friends on a hot summer day. The summer day was in May 2006. And May 2007. And May 2008. And May 2009. For the fourth year in a row, right when school ends, my best friends and I have a photoshoot at Kelley Park.
Four whole years. I remember the first shoot so well. I remember what I did that day, who I saw, what I was struggling with in life, what my concerns were and what my hopes were. Other than my mom and dad, no two people have been more supportive and "there" for me the last four years. I just love them so so much :D They have made me laugh too hard. Like, I am now ruined for humor because nothing is as funny as being with those two. It's been a crazy four years, and we can't wait to see what the next four bring. We joke about who will be the first one to bring their boyfriend to this shoot. Or the first one to have an engagement ring at this shoot. Or the first one to not be able to lay down under the swings because they are pregnant. I love that I get to live life with you girls!
Ps. Props to our photographer, Ciera. She's visiting from San Diego!
My little life is about to get tossed into an insane, but totally wonderful, schedule. Friends flying into town, three weddings in one week, conferences, me flying to California for a workshop, then to Vancouver to see my friend and shoot a wedding, home for intern week, two more weddings and about seven or so other shoots just for fun.
I can't wait :D
Buuuut, before all the crazy happens, I went on a little weekend trip with two of my best friends (who just finished two whole years of college - they are Juniors baby!) We spent two chilly days at the oh so glam Maryland beach, Ocean City. It's not the most amazing thing you've ever seen, but it's simple and pleasant we love it :D We spent the 48 hours swimming in awful indoor pools, looking for bike rental places at night, riding bikes in the morning, eating beach food, taking Old Time Photo pictures (ugh.), pretending the weather was warm, laughing and just loving life. I just really like my friends :D
We found this little spot on the side of the highway on the way home. No Trespassing signs. Trailer park. Gravel road. Probably really safe? Lydia and I, being the adventurous photographers, couldn't resist. Courtney, being wise and smart, didn't like the idea. But that's why we are all friends :D Look how fun they are - 3 minutes of scary was worth it!
Now it's time to get some serious work done! Woop :D
In Taylor Swift's newest album there is a song she wrote for her mom called "The Best Day." The first time I heard it, I was in the bathroom putting my make-up on in Las Vegas and it actually made me tear up.
The first lines say this:
"I'm five years old, it's getting cold,
I've got my big coat on
I hear your laugh and look up smiling at you,
I run and run...
...I don't know if Snow White's house is near or far away
But I know I had the best day with you today ."
I love that line "I had the best day with you today." Looking back on my life, some of the very best days were the ones where mom was involved. She has been, and still is, a wonderful mom. She always wanted to be a mom. When my cute, smart 17-year-old mom headed off to a gorgeous Christian college in California, she was ready to meet her man. Ready to meet him, and fall in love, and get married and become a mom. Well a few colleges, Army-enrollments, misisons trip to Japan, moves, heartbreaks and years later, my mom finally got married. She was 30 and had waited a while for this blessed thing to finally happen :D It happened. She was finally married! She was a gorgeous, glowing wife! And within 14 days she was a mom-to-be. God let her become a mom surprisingly soon, but I think He knew how good she was gonna be at it ;D My mom rocks. I can't even begin to tell you about all the little outings we've gone on, all the amazing birthday parties I had, all the trips to the pool, and special errands and times I have gotten to help her in the kitchen. My mom is responsible for many crafts, stories, play-times, memories and pure joy. Oh, and she's had seven children while battling 9 months of morning-sickness for each one, with sciatic nerves and back problems. Oh, yeah, and seven totally natural child births. Oh, and moved across the country twice within 15 months, while pregnant. Oh, aaaand she's had breast cancer (which was multiple surgeries, chemo, radiation, baldness and just being sick for almost a year.) She's lost her mom to breast cancer. Like I said, my mom rocks. She's a trooper let me tell you. A fun trooper, but a trooper nonetheless. Now, if you were to ask my mom, she would probably remember the times she's failed. How much more organized she used to, or how she used to make her own baby food. Or how she used to wake up earlier and get more done in a day. Or how she had so many other things she wanted to do or ways she wanted to be a better mom. Whatever mom. You got the big things right and more little things that you will ever know. Everyone knows that you have done more in one lifetime than about 6 normal women put together. And everyone knows that you are the best mom ever. Not sure how I got so lucky! My favorite all-time bar-none first-place absolute best memory of my mom is her with her new babies. Ohman. Really, it makes me cry right now. I LOVE watching her with her kids, but especially her babies. She would be home just hours after their birth and the other four or five or six of us other ones would be eagerly waiting. She would pass around the little bundle of human - smaller than a loaf of bread - and just stare at them. Following her awe, I was always quite in awe too. I love being with babies. My mom made it seem so easy though. It wasn't - she had pretty much every kind of newborn there is - but she made it seem so easy. So enjoyable. So wonderful and amazing and precious. I've always wanted to be a mom, but mostly because of how my mom makes being a mom seem. She was definitely her most beautiful right after she had a baby. She has such a beautiful heart towards children and the God-given gift and blessing they are. In a culture and world where children are troublesome, God has given my mom a dear, tender heart toward little lives. I adore that about her. And as she has raised the little lives in her house, she has become their best friend and biggest fan and, at least for me, their hero. When I played sports, I only heard two voices - no matter how loud the gym or how crowded the field - I could always hear my coach and my mom. It wasn't the same playing a game without her there. I needed to know she was around. And she is always around. If I need her, she's there.
I remember being in my crib one night as a toddler, crying because the smoke detector was going off and it freaked me out. I remember staring at my bedroom door, jumping up and down in my little footie pajamas and then she opened the door. I saw mom's face and it was all better.
I remember when I was 12 sitting at a table at Chicken-Out crying about feeling unbearably fat and ugly. My poor mom was probably trying not to laugh and her chubby, brace-face daughter, but she was so kind and encouraging and made me feel better.
I remember in highschool laying on the couch in my basketball uniform, ankle braces and Nike shoes crying about losing the Championship banner. My poor mom was in tears seeing me so upset, but when she talked with me it made things a little better.
This year she has had to listen to me cry way too many times about - well - the things 19-year-old single girls cry about. She's absolutely completely made it better.
At our Mother's Day Dinner Sunday night, we played the classic Snyder "Alphabet Game" (We start at the front of the table and with the letter "A" and everyone has to say a word, encouragement or memory about the honoree that begins with the letter you are at.) Mom made the meal (kid fail), but we sat there and laughed and laughed and laughed. We have played this game so many times, and we have never laughed as much as when we played it this Mothers Day for mom.
We kept thinking of new stories and funny things she had done. She was red and choking from laughing so hard. Her Chicago-street-racer story. Her Amish-moon-bounce-story. Her "knows-nose" story. Her vacation "no more questions" story. Her "I didn't adopt you" story. Such sweet times. No one gets excited for you like my mom does. If you are happy, she is so genuinely happy for you too. She actually tops my excitement about something in my life sometimes! She honestly is thrilled for me when good things happen. People often comment or e-mail me about how cool it is that I "treasure" the little things. Confession: I learned it from my mom. She is the "little things" Queen. She will come into my room with funny stories about my little siblings, or a cute homework assignment they do. She doesn't let a day pass where my younger sisters can't cuddle up with her on the couch or in her bed. She gets excited about good food and has laughed so hard that she gets sick (once she even threw up she laughed so hard - probably TMI, buuut this lady laughs HARD. That's the point). Just today she was looking at a picture of vegetables and stopped, stared a second longer and said "Look at the beautiful colors! God made vegetables so beautiful!" She has creative head that loves to bless people . We made these shirts for my Grandpa when he took us on a cruise last year and it was mom's idea. It's not rare for me to come into my room with a pack of my favorite candy on my desk just because. I don't love chocolate, so this year my Easter basket had Mac&Cheese and beef jerky in it! She takes time to know people and to know how to bless them. I love that about her, too. Mommy, I know for a fact I don't tell you enough, but I love you with all my heart. I wish my kids could have a mom as good as you - I will never compare. You mean the world to me and I can't imagine life without you!
I have a few of these "FAQ's" lined up and today's is a bunch of different questions put into one.
...
How did I start doing photography?
How did I start my business?
When did I know this is what I wanted to do?
...
Want to hear a little story? I can tell you my little story.
I by NO means would say that this is the best, only or right way to start a business. My business is weak in certain areas because of the way this all started, but I'm grateful to have this job I love and I'm amazed at how God has let this unfold.
Back in elementary school, I got a pink Barbie film camera for my birthday.
In middle school, I bought probably 5 or 6 cheap film cameras.
I often used my mom's "nice" film camera, but knew I could never spend $200 on one for myself (ha!).
By 8th grade my mom upgraded to a film Canon Rebel. I used it all the time, and the following spring I bought a 3.2 megapixel point-and-shoot.
Now, what was I doing with all these cameras? What was I shooting? Everything.
Seriously. Myself, my room, flowers, sporting events, my siblings, chairs, kids I baby-sat, shoes, buildings, squirrels, classmates, whatever.
I have the boxes of old pictures to prove it. And what was I doing with those pictures?
I was a frame and album junkie. I would make little collages and give them to friends. I would create little books for teachers surprise them. I made "year-in-review" mothers day albums for my mom. At Ritz, every time you developed a roll of film, you'd get a flimsy plastic album that held ten pictures. I would decorate those and store them in my room. I honestly spent hours sorting pictures and creating things with them.
I also spent hours upon hours on theknot.com. It is quite embarrassing. I had a friend who loved weddings too, so we would get together and plan weddings. No joke.
We would look for pictures of bridesmaids dresses and bouquets and hair-styles and venues even honeymoon locations, then print out pages of ideas. I read every single forum that the "Knottie Brides" posted. I would get in bed at night and draw ceremony lay-outs. I'd have wedding dreams as I fell asleep.
The summer I was to turn 15, a dear family friend was getting married. Laurie had been a hero in my family. My mom had cancer the whole year before, and Laurie served her face off. She would come at night to help clean up dinner and give baths and read bedtime stories, and she would come during the day just to take kids to the park or fold laundry.
I adored Laurie. She was beautiful, funny, athletic, cool and such a servant. And had a boyfriend. A boyfriend in the Marines. And she was falling in looOooOoove with him. When Laurie finally got engaged, her trips to my house were basically a chance for me to plan a real wedding. Now all my hours on The Knot and all my drawings had purpose! Meaning! I was helping someone! (I actually don't think any of the things I found were used in Laurie's wedding, but hey, it made me feel better to know I was trying to help).
But more then planning her wedding, I wanted to photograph her wedding. Badly.
She had kindly looked at all my flower pictures. She graciously "oooh-ed" at my pictures of little kids. She listened to my woes and tribulations about buying a camera. And she offered to let me second shoot at her wedding. Laurie really is a DEAR.
So on that hot but unusually dry August day, in the last few weeks of being 14, I second shot my first wedding.
It just so happens that there has still never been a more beautiful bride or more beautiful wedding. I guess I lucked out with my first one! This wedding was on a summer evening at an old local mansion. The whole area was surrounded by lush green trees and plants, with old stone walkways and paths. The reception tables had flowing white linens dotted under two huge trees around a pond. Guests were tan and wearing colorful dresses and ties.
And Laurie was the most gorgeous woman I had ever seen. And the happiest. And she deserved to be.
Some of these pictures from her wedding are still my favorite ever.
They are innocent, naive, excited pictures.
I had a film Minolta with a pop-up flash and Kodak 400 film. It was set to "Auto" because I honestly didn't even know you could do anything else. But I had butterflies in my stomach all day and could have practically fainted from happiness.
I had no clue what I was doing. Zero. I think I'd only even been to three other weddings in my life before this one. I really had no where to go but up! Oh how I wish I still had those 14 year old eyes with those 14 year old feelings. I noticed everything that day.
Every bead in her dress.
Every smile and tear and laugh.
Every phrase in the vows.
Every touch and whisper and grin.
Every glance gave me shivers.
I had found my job. I remember holding my hand over my heart watching Dave play Laurie a song on his guitar (he was all in love and nervous and I think he forgot some words, but it was just too much for my little heart) and I looked at the guests smiling around them, with a handful of candles flickering in the breeze and I prayed that I could do this forever.
I watched Dave with Laurie. I watched Laurie with Dave. Is this real? Do people really fall in love like this? And man alive, do people get to take pictures of people like this for their job? Sign me up pronto! So how did I begin? It began with obsession and ignorant confidence and a head full of ideas.
God somehow took that little girl with flat hair, acne and a camera and put her "boundary lines in pleasant places." Because honestly, I really am still a girl with flat hair, acne and a camera (seriously) but as this passion for wedding photography has grown, God has opened up door after door. He has set a path for my life and business that I could not have dreamed of (and we all know that that isn't because of my lack of dreaming!) and I truly couldn't be happier or more grateful :D
It's been roughly 5 years, one internship, 50 weddings and about 643 lessons learned since Laurie's wedding and it's only the very beginning :D Yay!
"I'm in love with how you feel I don't see what anyone can see, In anyone else But you" -- the moldy peaches When I was about 8-years-old I was playing on a playground during little brother Tim's t-ball game. I was headed up a spiraly ladder when Miss frizz-pigtails-and-freckles popped her head around the corner. "Do you wanna be my friend?!" Puzzled, but intrigued I nodded. "Do you wanna be my best friend?! My best friend ever!" With her friendliness, her three extra green apple sour straws from the snack bar and her fun games, we became "best friends" for the hour. Then the game was over, we were corralled by parents, buckled into our booster seats and never saw each other again. The point of the story? Well, sometimes you have to have the mindset before an engagement shoot. You are going to meet a complete stranger and then becoming their best friend for an hour. You are getting up in their personal life and trying to make them as natural, comfortable and affectionate as possible. Except that instead of driving away never to be seen again, you get to keep building that relationship. You get to keep talking, keep enjoying friendship and then wedding day comes! And you get to be a part of this wonderful celebration for your actual friends. Not fake tball friends. Real friends. I've only met Abs (universal nickname) and Sarah once, at their engagement shoot on Sunday, but we so clicked. We had so much fun and honest to goodness I felt like I was hanging out with buddies. I'm so thrilled that I get to shoot their wedding! They are such a down-to-earth, sweet couple who happen to be insane college basketball fans (hOOOller!) They are loud, gentle, normal and happy. I really do love it. Oh, and Sarah is stunning. How do I get such gorgeous brides? Jeezy petes. And why did God make 6:30 pm so intensely lovely? Stop you model, couple. You are going to make everyone else jealous! Big hugs are the best :D As are softly playing with fingers. WooopWooooop! Hot alert! This is one of my faves, for sure No words. When I grow up, I want to be pretty like Sarah. The end. Abs and Sarah, thanks for making me laugh, for having so much fun and for being my friend! Enjoy the slideshow :D
"Some people want it all But I don't want nothing at all If it ain't you baby" -- alicia keys Crazyness. Life is cararazyness! Yesterday (bright and early!) I shot Connie and Chris's engagement shoot. Why is that crazy? Well, Connie was my 6th grade Art teacher. ART. Let's just say neither of us would have imagined in the wildest of imaginings that she would ever be hiring me to do art for her. Pah. I was horrible at art (Well. I still am. Besides photography. At least I hope besides photography.) Even crazier is that I had a dream about her getting married when I was in 8th grade. I remember it so well and I even told her about it. Well, look at life now! Hasn't God done good things? Art things and love things. It's great :D I am so thrilled that these two get to spend forever together. Connie is full of ideas, laughs really hard (and kind of bops up and down when she laughs - its too cute) and has gorgeous blue eyes. Chris is so easy to have around, compliments Connie too well and also has nice dance moves! I can't wait for their summer wedding - that is going to include red tulips, a vineyard, Caribbean food and summer stars. Yes please! Connie loves color. And by "loves" I mean adores. She can see colors that no one else can. You think that's just two shades of green. Wrong! Connie can see 12 shades. And don't you dare use white paint to get those shades, either ;D More colors. And more cute. Awwww! This pic was Connie's idea - she drew me a little sketch. Love how it came out! I love the sweet gentle-ness of this one: Tickle time!!! And one last color pop! You guys were so fun and I can't wait for your wedddddding! {slideshow coming...}
