Archive for August, 2009
Heather + Dustin I Shelbyville Wedding
Sunday school through high school, Heather and I shared many great memories, from laying out in 40 degree weather on spring break (we were getting a tan…swear :-) ) to many youth retreats and Facebook chats too late at night about our changing lives. Yay, yay, yay for sweet Heather, her life (and Dustin’s) changed a LOT this year. In addition to graduating from school, she married the man of her dreams – her high school sweetheart and they have both moved away to live near Washington, DC, where Dustin will pursue his Master’s degree. I couldn’t be more happy nor excited for these two as they begin their new life together.
Dustin and Heather are quite the match. Heather is one of the most bubbly people I have had encountered – all the time, 100% genuine. She’s the life of the party, the first on the dance floor and the first to shoot a smile your direction. Dustin is quiet, a still calm to Heather’s wild, fun. He is genuine, kind, patient and gentle. And he loves Heather. You can see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice.
They compliment one another, they fit like a puzzle and I hope you see that love in these images. I hope you can, too, see the love between Heather and her parents. Thank you Heather and Dustin for inviting me to share in your big day and your lives. I can’t wait until you visit – we have lots to catch up on :-) Love you all!
Mac I Shelby County High School
Mac has been my neighbor since I was a little girl, we were both born and raised in Shelby County and just a bit ago, I photographed his sister for her senior pictures. Just like Jaime, we photographed Mac at his family’s farm. I was so glad to have Mac’s big, red truck and his love of hunting to work with. Thanks and enjoy!
The Ruble Family I Shelbyville, Ky.
Meet the Rubles. Last year I had the pleasure of photographing their younger daughter, a few weekends ago, their older daughter was a bridesmaid for a wedding I photographed and now their family portraits have made it to the blog. Thanks, Rubles for inviting me into your lives – it’s been my pleasure to know you for so, very long. Best!
Cody I Male High School
Shocking, I know, but there is a boy on the blog. Woot, woot for a change of pace. Thanks to Cody and his mother for giving me a call and bringing along Cody’s guitar, a sweet hat and some cowboy boots….makes me want some boots to shoot in. Enjoy!
Oldies But Goodies I Moving Time
As many of you know, I (and many other amazing people and friends) have been working to open up a store in Shelbyville where I will move my little home and office to. Tonight, while I smelled oil paint for hours, listened to country music, sang a little too loudly and watched as my floor went from wood to white, I reflected on the journey that has brought me to this place I will soon call home.
I am oh, so, very grateful for *the* most wonderful family, friends and clients that are making this possible and sustainable. You have been so, very encouraging along my path, and most patient when school got in the way, the remodel went too slow or a host of other life matters got me down. You provided laughs, joy and lots of learning for me. Many of you have grown to be close and dear friends, and for that I am most grateful.
With each stroke of the brush I thought back through many sessions where I learned so much from my clients, friends and family. Everything from how to pack for college, how to make people comfortable, even how to properly tape for painting stripes and a host of other things, and I realized just how much I have grown from having you all come into my lives. So many of the times I spent with you photographing were turning points for me, epiphanies and falls. I really hope that in some way I touched your lives, just a teeny-tiny percent of how you each have influenced, taught and changed me.
So where is this all going..I dunno..I have seen lots of you and many of your parents doing something new, this week: sending those high school seniors off to college for the first time. And that’s who this post is for the most, I suppose. Four years ago I was doing the same thing you are. As you move away from home and start your own little life, remember to take a little time to sing aloud, listen to your thoughts and be thankful for everyone who made your life this far what it is.
Think about where you want to be when you graduate and what you’d hope to be doing. I remember my first night at school, unpacking my belongings and decorating my room, I dreamed of having my own little place to call home and my own business that connected me to the world. Western was going to be the place that would teach me what I needed to know to follow my little plan. I dreamed of coming home after graduation and finding a store in Shelbyville to call my home. Never could I have guessed I would find such a perfect place, so soon, but alas, I was a lucky one and I have. Crazy to think that just four years later, I’m sitting in the middle of my floors painting and dreaming, instead of on my dorm bed decorating and dreaming.
This still isn’t going anywhere clear. Hmm. All of this s-l-o-w-ne-sssss on the building purchase and remodel has really had me operating in a fog of disorder, but tonight, I remembered again how blessed I have been and how much disorder I have pushed through, with your help, of course. How neat it is to see your dreams come full circle. And how great that road has been.
You college kiddos at school for the first night alone, and you moms crying all the way home, chins up and minds dreaming. It’s crazy how far four years and some luck can take you. Enjoy it, because you’ll be wrapped up in your graduation gown before you know it.
Lisa + Brett I LaGrange, Ky.
Sweet Lisa and Brett were married in LaGrange on a wonderfully cool, cloudy, July day. I LOVE the jewel-toned gowns of the bridesmaids and the farm we found to shoot portraits on. Thank you to both the Niemczyk and Ringswald families for inviting me to document a part of your lives. And thanks to Nathan, too, who shot with me for the day. Cheers!
Lisa + Brett I Up Next
I’m wrapping up Lisa+Brett’s wedding post. I can’t wait to share them with you – purple bridesmaids, a big, cloudy sky and plenty of time for portraits. I’m so excited! Another teaser for now!
Lauren I Louisville Male High School Senior
After a rain delay, Lauren brought her GORGEOUS blue eyes and worked it out. She’s just as sweet as she looks in the last image. Enjoy!
Meredith I Shelby County High School Senior
When I first met with Meredith and her mother, one of the last questions they asked was something along the lines of “what is the most important thing to remember.” My answer is always to come with a good attitude, ready to smile for a few hours and laugh a ton. It was pretty warm outside the day that we shot, but Meredith was the perfect model – patient, smiley and indefinitely bubbly. I hope these images are a testimate to her sweet personality.
Thanks Ellis ladies for making our session go smoothly – I appreciate all the hard work you put into getting everything ready :-) Enjoy!
Worker Bee
Working, working, working here. Photographed the most beautiful wedding for my dear friends Heather and Dustin, but before I share that, here’s the lineup.
Meredith
Lauren
Lisa+Brett
Ruble Family
Cody
Heather+Dustin
Mac
And a sneak of Meredith because no post is interesting without a picture :-)
What beautiful pictures !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The wedding was so gorgeous and the couple so darling and special.
Much happiness and love to a blessed couple.
A day I will cherish it was great in every way.