Archive for December, 2009
Megan + Jason I Louisville, Kentucky Engagement Portraits
Joy. Peace. I know it’s the holiday season and these words come along quite often, but I really can’t stop thinking them in my head when I remember spending my morning with Megan and Jason. We ended up traveling to Frankfort in pursuit of snow for making their engagement photographs. And when I look at these images, it’s like every other expression either screams joy or peace at me.
I enjoy so throughly getting to spend an hour or two with my couples to-be-wed, because it allows us to all grow comfortable with one another. And I love being able to earn their trust and understand their love so on their big day I am most ready to tell their story.
Thanks Megan and Jason for being so sweet, flexible and snow-chasing. I love the images we made together and cannot even wait to see the wedding you’re dreaming together. I love so much the childlike love you share, but the grown-up peace is even more precious. Enjoy!
LOVE Megan’s expression in the second image.
Joy and peace – right?
Just a reminder that I am out of the office and on an adventure until Tuesday, January 5th! I will answer my tele and see your emails, but will be unable to respond! Happy New Year and much love…..and be reading the blog while I’m gone :)
Christmas in Hamilton
I hope your Christmas was super Merry, most humbling and full to the brim with blessings – I know mine was :) I now get to sleep in my super cozy bed under a down comforter….and for those of you who know me, my body temperature runs 10 degrees warmer than anyone else’s. This means the heat rarely goes on in my offs-ment (office/apartment) and at night it can get oh*so*chilly. So yay for gifts of blankets, pillows and bed linens.
I also got the most adorable Westie print from my sister, Sara. I’m usually not a huge fan of Westie paraphernalia mostly because the dogs never look quite like my Leila or are super traditional looking – but I LOVE this. It fits perfectly in my bedroom window.
Though the gifts were sweet, nothing could match the warm feeling of attending a few community meals to serve our needy, seeing one of my best friends adopt a client at her workplace to provide Christmas for and the joys of wrapping up a package to send to a mother I adore in Bowling Green. I hope your heart was filled to overflowing as you remembered the reason for the season…I know mine was.
Check out sister Sara with her super-hot snowflake glasses on. I tried..with little success….to take a photograph through the glasses, so you could see Christmas lights morph into snowflakes. Magical, right? Happy Tuesday!
So when you get the chance are you gonna take it? There’s a really big world at your fingertips, and you have the chance to change it. {Britt Nicole}
Mail for Leila and Mail for Lizzie
Yep, you read it right – Leila gets mail. And it comes from a fellah named Teddy Bear. For those who don’t know, Teddy is her Bowling Green boyfriend, who is something like a poodle. He, AKA his mother Rebecca, mailed my sweet Leila a card made out of rawhide. Check it out here!
And then, all in the same day, mind you, I find in the mailbox this sweet handmade letter. Two of my best friends are spending a year in South Korea teaching English. I can’t even begin to explain how much I miss them! We’ve been sending post cards to their kids from different American cities, so I was tickled to see this note from them in my mailbox. Do be sure to read the whole note. Are you kidding me with that last sentence. As if Inge and Mandy aren’t guilt tripping me enough, now their children are, too. I think a trip to South Korea is needed in the near future. Woot, woot! Happy Monday!
Serve and Be Served: FBC Shelbyville & Claudia Sanders Give Christmas
Earlier this week I stopped by First Baptist Church Shelbyville with my dear friend, Emily, to photograph an annual evening of service. Members of the church gather together to serve a meal, sing some praise and connect with needy families in our community.
We all know the holiday season can get CRAZY, busy with so much to do, but be sure you have taken a chance to stop and get in the spirit of giving this season. Even if it’s just carrying someone’s bags a few feet, taking a minute to wish your server at dinner a Merry Christmas, letting someone else have the perfect parking spot at the mall or dropping a jar of peanut butter by Lizzie Loo. We all need to remember to pause and serve…..if for no other reason to remember the way you feel after giving to someone else. I promise you, it’s the best addiction ever – you won’t be able to stop.
Right now Claudia Sanders is sharing their restaurant with families in our community who are less fortunate – they offer a meal and toys for the children. Even the big man, ‘ole Santa, shows up! This year the meals are in two sessions, and you have just about one hour to head over and help with the later session. The meal will be served 7-9 p.m., while volunteers are needed by 6:30 p.m. to serve, do dishes, greet and help to clean up.
Annnndd if you’ve seen your face on an ornament on the Lizzie Loo Tree, I will trade small ornaments for two jars of peanut butter and large ones for four jars to be donated to Shelby County’s backpack program. Just stop by Monday or Tuesday between 10 am and 5 pm with your jars and we can trade ornament for PB. Remember they’re usually $12 or $18…..so get some PB on sale. Woot, woot – Happy Sunday and Merry Christmas!
Schools and Skies : Teaching photo to fifth grade and a weekend away in St. Louis
I am the first to admit that I hate, absolutely hate, sitting all day long by myself at the computer….and not because I don’t like quiet and being alone. I really do enjoy peace and solitude….but because my heart is one that was made to give. I enjoy the people part of my job – the connections and relationships I am granted through my business. The people I get to meet, encourage, learn from and give to are why I do this. Why I moved back home and why I say yes to nearly every opportunity. And let me tell you….the opportunities are craazzzyyyy if you are open to them :)
James Ray Morgan sent me an email a couple months ago telling of a grant he wrote that got nearly a dozen cameras, two picture printers and all the supplies necessary for his kids to have a chance at taking a shot. Before he let them dive into writing their photo proposals he wanted to partner to teach them a bit about photography….and thus these picture below. I went four times to give a wee little presentation on what makes a picture good to Heritage Elementary’s fifth graders. I think I may have enjoyed it more than them, but it tickled me pink when one of the kids told his teacher that it was the best lecture he had all year. So yay. And yay for planting the seed of art in kids so young. The world needs more teachers like James Ray Morgan who go out of their way to give kids more opportunities. I know that’s how I got to where I am: teachers that pushed and prodded, challenged and opened doors. Enjoy these – I love the first one, but the second one even more…look at the crazy mix of expressions. Cracks me up.
And this image from my weekend trip to St. Louis with my Dad. Happy Wednesday!
Leila’s Famous I Shelbyville Kentucky Dog Photo The Sentinel-News
The above picture is from Leila’s second debut in one week in The Sentinel-News (photo by Scott McDaniel). She’s stinkin’ famous! Little Leila-celebrity….read all about her by clicking here.
And just 2 reminders to share:
Holiday orders guaranteed for gift giving must be made by midnight tonight. If you have already placed your order, be sure to mail your payment in ASAP – this will hold up your order if not received.
I will be out of town for the weekend until Monday evening. If you need something, please contact me by email and I will give you a call.
Thanks so much and enjoy your chilly Friday!
Christmas Order Deadline
Jeremy I Louisville Senior Photography
Can I just say I pretty much laughed the ENTIRE time Jeremy and I shot? Really. I LOVE it when you seniors aren’t afraid to come with ideas and silly props. This boy can yo-yo. He can make serious face in front of a mannequin wearing a gold track suit. AND he didn’t say no to any idea ever…he embraced it and made it funnier than I could have planned! Love it! Love it! Love it! Seniors: Please bring ideas – I want to see your personality and your fun in images….a yo-yo may not be your style, but bring your pony, a prom dress – something super personable. Thanks Jeremy for having loads of fun and giving me a call. It was my pleasure :)
Emily + Josh I Maryland Wedding Photography
First I met Emily, and then she talked about Josh. This is how it went for at least a year of our friendship. Emily and I met while in the photojournalism program at Western Kentucky University. She was always super kind and has been a wonderful friend to me, but I will be honest…she would always talk about this Josh fellah who lived at home. And home was far away. Maryland far away.
I always smiled and laughed and listened to her stories about this mystery man who I drew up in my mind, until one weekend she came home engaged. And then we all knew it was serious. And then…we met Josh. He came to girls night and worked the grill for us. He blended in effortlessly with our crew and meshes perfect with Emily’s gentle, sweet, kindness. He rarely takes his eyes off of her. And that, my friends, is most priceless to watch.
When Josh and Emily asked Jake and I to photograph the wedding I was both super excited and very honored. To be chosen by another photographer AND such sweet people who we have both grown to love to fly to their home and be a part of the first day of the rest of their lives was wonderful. Won-der-ful! Emily and Josh have the kind of love you wish to find. They are kind and encouraging, comfortable and generous – I’m sure I’ll be attending their 50th wedding anniversary.
The wedding and weekend was perfectly them. Josh gifted his friends flashlights while Emily and her girls began with hair at the salon where she worked for years. Their ceremony was elegant and personal, at the beautiful and very accommodating Deerfield. They both couldn’t stop smiling and giggling. They have the most kind, gracious and wonderful friends – we felt like part of the family from the beginning. An after party was held for everyone in the bridal party, plus some to get a chance to visit and have a little fun.
Thank you Emily and Josh for inviting us to share in your wedding day. A great time was had for sure – it was great to photograph a love so real and infectious. You know I wish you both the best. Thanks and enjoy these!
Many of these images are Jake Stevens’. Thanks for making the trip with me – it all came together great!
Nice work, girl! Love the last one.