Monthly Archives: October 2008

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I really love …

October 24, 2008 – 5:57 pm

Great quotes and bits of inspiration.

Especially when they can be found in the most random of places.

I was about ready to toss my empty Starbucks cup (IN THE RECYCLING BIN) when I noticed this quote written on the side. Maybe it’s because I’m the type of person who can be unnecessarily harsh on herself (seriously, who isn’t?) but this quote was just such a shot in the arm — inspiration from a cardboard cup that I have been sorely needing lately.

It reads:

The world bursts at the seams with people ready to tell you you’re not good enough. On occasion, some may be correct. But do not do their work for them. Seek any job; ask anyone out; pursue any goal. Don’t take it personally when they say “no” - they may not be smart enough to say “yes.”

– Keith Olbermann, broadcast journalist

And yes, I am totally the type of person who saved my empty cup (which did end up IN THE RECYCLING BIN) just so I could take a picture of it. With a point and shoot on its handy-dandy macro setting (hopefully to be replaced by this amazing macro lens within the next few months.

Anybody else want to share a few words of wisdom? I am a constant collector of all things well said by others :) Have a great weekend - bundle up and stay warm!

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Grandpa’s bike

October 22, 2008 – 9:56 pm

With less than a mile now separating me from my bedroom to office door, I thought it’d be a good idea get a bike to commute to work.

Not just any bike though. See, I already have a road bike (and comfort isn’t exactly the first word that comes to mind when I balance on that thing. Now, “numb crotch” I’ll give you… ). Nope, I wanted a cruiser. With big old balloon tires. A fat saddle seat. A funky paint job. A bike that would say “retro” the instant I saw it.

Having poured every penny I’ve earned on freelance jobs this summer into photography equipment, I’d given up on getting my cruiser this year. But when I was home a few weeks back, I stopped with my mom at my grandpa’s old place, empty now that so much inside it was gone or given away.

When I stepped into the garage, there, just waiting for a new owner, was my grandpa’s bike.

It was the only material thing of his I wanted. Not his furniture or the washing machine or his treadmill or TV. Just some metal and tires for me, thankyouverymuch.

I took it for a spin over the weekend. How did it ride? Like a big cushion-y cloud. Somewhere up there, I’d like to think my grandpa is getting a kick out of my new set of wheels.

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Tracy and Kevin: The Wedding

October 16, 2008 – 1:43 am

It was a perfect fall day for a beautiful wedding of a couple who couldn’t be more smitten with one another.

Tracy, words can’t express what your friendship over the years has meant to me. You had confidence in my skills as a photographer long before I ever did — heck, before I even owned a decent camera you already had booked me to shoot your wedding! — and I feel so proud and so humbled to have been there to capture this special day for you and Kevin.

Thanks for believing in me and my artistic vision. I hope you love the results as much as I do!

For the slideshow, CLICK HERE. To order prints, CLICK HERE (the password is the bride and groom’s last name, in all lower case.)

Tracy’s dress was gorgeous on AND off the hanger!

The blushing bride and her lovely bridesmaids

Growing up, we always thought Tracy’s parents made for such a cute couple. How adorable is this kiss between Jim and Connie after he walked her down the aisle pre-ceremony?

Trace told me during the unity candle ceremony, all she could focus on was how her ring was cutting off her circulation. “I bet you’ll be able to tell in the photos!” she told me later … yep, girl, you’re right! :)

This is the Tracy I know…. adorable one minute ….

And stunning the next!

Not to be forgotten — HOT GROOM!

How about some super cute nephews? If they were edible, I could have eaten these boys with a spoon!

I love this family photo — of course you have to get the posed shots, but I bet you this is one that finds itself in somebody’s frame :)

We snagged some one-on-one time before the reception and I’m SO glad we did because these photos are HOT!

FAVORITE :)

I love it when a couple humors me with a pose. This was supposed to be a serious shot, but Tracy couldn’t help but giggle. I think that makes me love it all the more …

And finally, I have to give a shout-out to the ATO boys. These guys made Trace and I’s college experience so great and four year later, they STILL know how to bring the party. To Andy and Jon, I’ll never be able to hear this song again without thinking of you guys and your frat brothers!

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Tracy and Kevin’s Wedding: Sneak Peek

October 13, 2008 – 4:04 pm

I’m editing away on the photos I shot Saturday at Tracy and Kevin’s wedding and couldn’t resist posting up one of my early favorites!

More to come and to the newlyweds, I hope you are enjoying the Bahamas!

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Mommy’s turn

October 8, 2008 – 11:14 pm

I just can’t stop looking at the photos I took from Sunday — I guess it’s still sinking in that I have a new nephew!

When I told Amy I wanted to take photos, I’m pretty sure she thought it would just be of Sam and Emily. Because when I asked her to jump in for a couple, she gave me that “new mom” look. The one that translates to: I’m wearing no makeup, I have spit-up on my shirt, I’m sleep-deprived and hormonal. Are you sure we should be doing this?

But here’s where I hope all my future mommy clients take a lesson from my awesome sister-in-law. You shouldn’t have to feel like you need to wear a brand new outfit to make a memory you’re going to cherish forever. Some day, it’s your kid whose going to want to hold on to a photo like this and trust me … they are not going to care if you aren’t wearing make-up, didn’t lose that last five pounds or heaven forbid, had rollers in your hair — not if what they take away from it is how much you love them.

And people, come on, can you feel the love in this photo or can you FEEL the love?

Amy you are beautiful and you and my brother make the most adorable kids :)

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I do [times] two

October 7, 2008 – 6:21 pm

It doesn’t seem like a year has passed since we peeled the foil off our wedding cake and toasted our first wedding anniversary but as they say, oh how time flies.

This morning, as I slipped my shoes on in front of my closet and prepared to head out the door, Nick wished me a groggy “Happy Anniversary” from the bed. My heart swelled — he’d beaten me to the words.

Nick, I totally take for granted what a great man you are. I scold you too often for things like forgetting to put the cap back on the toothpaste and praise you too little for letting me off the hook when it comes to dishes — or laundry. And yard work, did I mention yard work?

More than that, you love me for — and allow me to be — me. As fiercely independent as I am, I know that can’t always be easy. Yet you never bat an eye when your over-achieving wife tells you about the latest project she plans to tackle or the next trip she’s going to take or that yoga class she signed up for. By now, I know you are used to it and know that all these things I do? They make me whole, they are pieces of me.

Here’s hoping we never take our best qualities for granted. The same qualities that led us down that aisle in the first place.

Happy two years babe!

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Between a father and his son

October 6, 2008 – 6:08 pm

My brother spent years convinced God would enrich his life with baby girls — and baby girls only.

Much of his theory was built entirely on the fact someone once swung a wedding ring over his wrist and the powers that be (fertility gods, perhaps?) pronounced it to be so. Which only meant for years that we, too, believed Jeff would father daughters and so we teased him that his parenting days would be a blur of tutus and tea parties.

Then in July, Amy got the ultrasound results back and I was in the room when my brother opened them with a grin the size of the Chesire cat’s. Turns out those old wives’ tales are just that. He was indeed having a boy.

Nick and I made a quick trip home Sunday to meet this newest nephew of mine, Sam (yep, I now have two nephews who bear the same name). While there, I declared an impromptu photo shoot was in order and started snapping away of mom, dad, baby and big sis Emily.

Editing the photos last night on my monitor, I had a lump in my throat on this one. Words cannot express what a joy it is to give Jeff this gift of a captured moment between father and son.

I have more photos I could share from yesterday - and maybe at some point I will - but this shot is just to special to me not to give it its own post!

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In the dog house

October 3, 2008 – 7:29 pm

Two weeks?! Has it really been two weeks since I last paid a personal visit to my own blog?

Yep, it’s just been one of those (14) kind of days. The kind that grab you from behind, pull your hoodie up over your eyes, and give you the world’s worst noogie.

I’ve been busy with a freelance project but I’m ready to direct my attention back to my No. 1 passion and that’s taking photos.

In another week, those photos will be of my dearest friend on the biggest day of her life but for now, a backyard photo session with the dog was how I started off my weekend. TGIF!

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