Thu - January 1, 2009

Tue - July 15, 2008

SLEEPING ON THE JOB

OK.... It's been awhile since I have blogged. I haven't been sleeping on the job, I have been shooting a ton, working on my new look, and moving into an awesome new house! I can't wait to start sharing with you all of my hard work over the next few months. Until then check out some great shots that Fred Egan did of me when he was in town a couple weeks ago. I love this one, it really depicts my lazy blogging skills which I have mastered oh so well. Thanks Fred!

Posted at 11:59 AM    

Fri - June 6, 2008

I'M FEATURED ON RITZY BEE!

Maria Cooke, an amazing and talented event planner on the east coast has featured me on her wonderful Ritzy Bee Blog! Her blog is a fantastic resource for event and party planning as well as all things wedding related. She gives tips and advice on everything from paper goods, decor, food & drink, to fabulous photographers like me! Check out the wonderful piece she wrote about me and my photography by clicking here and then browse the rest of her blog for some great ideas! Thanks Maria!

Posted at 11:29 AM    

Wed - May 14, 2008

Sat - May 10, 2008

MY DIANA F+ PROJECT

I finally got my new Diana F+ camera in the mail today...Yay! This means I can start my new "Every Day" project that has been stirring in my head for over a month now. Lately I have been so busy taking photographs for other people that I've forgotten to stop and take some for myself. It has been a long time since I have worked on a personal project because it seemed so overwhelming to come up with an amazing idea or find the time to work on it. I finally came to the realization that capturing images shouldn't feel overwhelming at all, it should be easy and fun. So my project is very basic, exciting and takes as little as 1/60 of a second each day.

Here's my project: I must take ONE photograph, no more, and no less everyday with my Diana F+ camera. I will choose my photo wisely and be very patient for the one shot to speak to me for the day. There are no rules on what the photograph can be of, that's one of the points of the project, not to limit my imagination or thought process, but to explore new ways of seeing. Another aspect of the project is not to put an emphasis on the equipment I am using, it's just a tool, and it doesn't make a difference in my ability to compose an image or make a beautiful picture. The Diana F+ camera is a plastic medium format film camera with very basic controls over exposure, shutter, and focus settings. The camera being film, and not 100% controllable, will give my images an element of surprise and a beauty I can only anticipate. I think the hardest part for me is going to be seeing an amazing photo opportunity after I already took my ONE shot of the day...and then not to cheat...haha.

I can't wait to share my photographs with you... It will be awhile because It takes about 12 days to finish a roll of film and then there is the window where I pass it off to my trusty lab to develop. There is something exciting about the anticipation that film has which has been lost with digital. Personally, I think that is one of my favorite parts of the photography process.

I encourage everyone to have a personal project that continues to excite them and explores photography in new ways. If anyone would like to join me in this project, or your own similar project send me an email and tell me all about it. I would love to have a featured "Gallery Show" on my blog with everyone's work.

Here is my camera that I am using for the project, the Diana F+ (the F+ means it has a flash too which is cool). You can pick one up at the Lomography store online, or any one of their unique plastic cameras that come in different colors, formats, and styles. Happy shooting!

Posted at 08:27 PM    

Thu - May 1, 2008

I'M FEATURED ON THE BRIDE'S CAFE

I just love Janie from Janie Medley Flora Design! She sent me an email the other day asking if she could feature one of my weddings on her oh so fabulous blog again! Did she even need to ask? I'd love to be featured! Check out my "Real Wedding" feature then keep browsing her site. I just know you are going to love it too!

The Bride's Cafe Blog

Posted at 08:22 AM    

Wed - April 16, 2008

Fri - April 11, 2008

SUPER DUPER MONDAY!

I headed up to Solvang at the beginning of the week with my new friend Marianne Lozano to attend Jose Villa's workshop through PPA's Super Monday program. I was so excited to spend the day with Jose learning more about his business and the art of wedding photography. Jose is a true artist, visionary, and an inspiration to me and my work. I love being a photographer and any chance I get to meet like minded artists that I admire I am thrilled and appreciative. Strengthening and perfecting my craft is very important to me, I continue to strive to be the best and offer the best to all my clients. Thank you so much Jose for opening up and sharing with all of us on Monday!

Jose took us to some amazing locations in Solvang with light that is just to die for...I can see why he loves it so much! Special thanks to T.E.A.M. for amazing hair and makeup, Ranae's Bouquet for the fabulous bouquets, and Melissa Sweet and Jenny Lee for the stylish dresses.

Here are a few shoots of Jose in action...






A couple photos that I was able to snag during the day...









Afterwards a few of us decided to grab some dinner before we hit the road to go back down south. Jose took us to a quaint little Italian place where everyone sang praises of him and his work. It seemed like all their employees or their family members had Jose photograph a special event in their life, how special is that! Thanks for a great dinner Jose!

Me, Lacie (Jose's amazing assistant & model for the day), Joel Seratto, Jose Villa, Marianne Lozano, and Heather Moreau after our yummy dinner.

Posted at 02:25 PM    

Tue - March 25, 2008

HIGHLIGHT OF WPPI

I had such a great time at WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) last week! I met so many amazing new people and caught up with old friends from around the country. I just love getting to spend time with so many photographers and build relationships. I think the highlight of my whole trip is when Victor Sizemore took me shopping for cowboy boots! Victor is the King of boots, he has so many amazing pairs! I have always wanted a pair of cowboy boots but I could never find ones that fit my narrow feet. He told me that I needed to go to an authentic cowboy boot store and not Nordstoms...haha! He took me to an amazing boot place called Boot Star (the name says it all). I was so excited and overwhelmed by all the amazing boots! Victor and the sales girl were so patient as I tried on tons of boots trying to decide which ones to buy. I went with a traditional distressed brown leather pair with a wicked pointed toe. Thanks so much Victor I had a blast and finally have my very own pair of authentic cowboy boots I can wear when I go back to our home state of Kentucky this year!

Victor and I sporting our boots at Becker's annual WPPI party...

Posted at 02:47 PM    

Tue - March 18, 2008

Thu - December 20, 2007

Mon - October 22, 2007

Sun - October 21, 2007

KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS

I went over to my Mom's house to have dinner and catch up after getting back in from NYC today. I was watching TV when I looked out the window and spotted smoke just over the hill. I ran upstairs to get a better look, called 911 and grabbed my point and shoot. I figured someone already called the fire in, but then I thought what if everyone was thinking the very same thing so I called just in case. My mom looked at me and said, "I'm so glad they built the toll road by our house. It acts as a good fire wall protecting us from canyon fires."

After dinner we saw the fire turn a bright orange in the sky and light up the night not really thinking too much about it. We were about to head to bed when we herd the sounds of sirens and someone over a loud speaker telling us to evacuate. I opened the front door and was inundated by smoke that burned my eyes. The cops were going house to house telling everyone its a mandatory evacuation. I went back inside and upstairs to get a better look and noticed the fire had jumped over the toll road and was less than 200 yards away. I then realized we were in danger, I never really thought I would ever be in this type of situation. My Mom grabbed clothes while I grabbed the family photo albums.

I was in a panic thinking what I should bring, but it was too overwhelming. I guess once you start the list it goes on forever. My Mom is real good about saying it is just stuff, but then I said what about my baby book, keep sakes, my finger paintings from when I was little, then I realized that ALL my paintings and art are in that garage and I can't get to them. I just had to put that out of my mind, take a deep breath and get in my car and drive away.

There was traffic getting out of the neighborhood because roads were closed, but we eventually made it to my house safe. I have called my close friends and family letting everyone know we are okay, and to pray that our house remains safe too. I reach out to everyone to not only say a prayer for me and my family, but for all the lives and homes that are threatened by the wild fires in Southern California right now. To give the strength and protection to those who are fighting the fires and peace of mind to those who don't know if their house will still be there in the morning. I send everyone many thanks in advance, and I hope I have good news to report tomorrow...

I took this photo just after I finished dialing 911 from my mom's bedroom. I didn't even think of taking a photo once we realized the fire was upon our house.

Posted at 11:30 AM    

Tue - October 16, 2007

HAPPY [B]IRTHDAY [B]ECKER!

Today is [b]ecker's 34th [b]irthday, or what he likes to say the 5th anniversary of his 29th [b]irthday. He can try all he wants, but it will never change the fact that he will ALWAYS be OLDER than me ;) Sorry [b], I love you, but you told everyone how much I weigh on my [b]irthday post.

Anyways...[b]ecker is an amazing friend, great photographer, and an awesome business partner. I am so lucky to have him in my life! He has brought about many opportunities for me I never even dreamed of and has given me an amazing family within the [b] team. I am excited to wake up everyday and be a wedding photographer, which I am truly blessed for! Thanks [b]!

I was so excited today when I found out I was going to be able to spend the day with [b] and all his "peeps" on his NYC photo safari. We had such a blast eating pizza, joking around, sharing stories, taking photos and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. I think I might have to plan an adventure like that for my [b]irthday next year, it truly was than much fun!

Have a happy [b]irthday in the [b]ig apple [b]!

Posted at 05:45 PM    

Thu - October 4, 2007

I LOVE MY CLIENTS!

I couldn’t love my job or my clients more! One of the biggest reasons I became a wedding photographer was because of the amazing people I am fortunate to work with. Every one of my clients has a smile on their face and is so happy and excited to see me on their wedding day! I can’t believe how great it feels to love my clients and love photographing every minute of their day! It is such a drastic change from the commercial world I had been working in for years photographing “important people” and trying to accommodate their entourage and demands at the same time. I was used to PR people saying, “you have 5 minutes” as soon as “they” walked on set.

Today just confirms why I love my clients soooo much! A future June 2008 bride of mine, secretly named “Miss Jasmine” wrote the sweetest thing about me on the Wedding Bee yesterday! The Wedding Bee, if you haven’t herd of it yet, is a great place for brides and grooms to get information and chat with real couples about planning a wedding.

Check out the Wedding Bee by clicking **here**



Miss Jasmine contacted me this May about her June wedding in Southern California next year, but she was all the way across the country in Chicago and had to do most of her planning via phone and email. I couldn’t imagine having to do all my planning that way and I wanted to help her out and try to make choosing a photographer the easiest task on her list. We went back and forth via email and phone a bunch and I was excited when she told me she was going to hire me! She definitely did her homework and she wrote an email saying she couldn’t imagine booking with anyone else...“I can't tell you enough how helpful, sweet, and understanding you've been throughout this entire process…Your photos are so beautiful and exactly what we're looking for, that perfect mix of timeless, modern and fun. But you have also gone out of your way to answer all of my questions and customize packages and that just sealed the deal for me :)”.

That email she sent me a few months ago alone made my day from Miss Jasmine. But now she has gone even farther to rave about me on the Bee! I just LOVE Miss Jasmine and I can't wait for her fabulous wedding in June! Check out her article by clicking **here**

Posted at 12:22 PM