Sneak Peek: Scheuring Family

Kelly said it had been years since they took family photos, and there was no way I could let any more time pass without them being taken.  Here is a sneak peek at their family photo session in Manassas Battlefield Park!

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Sneak Peek: Katie and Jared

Here is a little sneak peek of Katie and Jared's wedding at the Naval Academy Chapel.  I had an amazing time shooting alongside Melissa Manzione that day!

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I'm Cool to a 2-Year-Old

It was the first word I taught my niece a few months ago, and I said it over and over again because it always elicited a smile or a giggle.  And it was the only word I could get her to repeat.  And I wanted her to talk to me, you know, like a one-and-a-half year old should.  "Coo'!  Cool.  Coooool...."

As my family spent time together on Easter Sunday, Claire had fun naming everything she knew.  At the dinner table she kept asking for more "keem," which, in her world, meant "sour cream," to go on her twice baked potatoes of course (or in her case, to eat by itself).  She said "cool" a couple of times, and I was very proud to have been the one to teach her the word (because "dog" and "book" are so overrated).  It took us a few seconds before we realized she was looking at ME, and, in fact, was calling me "Cool," as in my name.  And it took a couple more seconds to burst into laughter, followed by a giggling Claire.  So whenever she wanted something from me for the rest of the evening, she addressed me as "Cool," and when she plays on her Elmo phone at home she says, "Bye, Cool."  I told Chris that when my sister's next baby is born, I'm going to teach her the word "Awesome."

So today I want to wish the cutest niece in the world a very Happy 2nd Birthday, from "Uncle Kis and Aunt Cool!" 

What's this?!  Where's the chocolate BUNNY?!?

Right after doggy kisses...

(P.S. - To my horror, I found out last night that my sister is taking Claire to JC Penny(!!!) today for her 2nd year portraits!?!  I almost passed out on the phone.  I asked why on earth she would do that when she has a photographer in the family, and she said because she knew I was busy.  Aaaaand, worst aunt of the month award goes to me!) Pin It

Featured: The Photography Parlour

Someone had retweeted her post, and that's how I first came to connect with Rosie Parsons.  She is a sweet, fun and stylishly cool wedding photographer from the UK.  On top of that, she has also started a blog for photographers to come together to share advice and read about each other's experiences.  I love that she has created a space for photographers to learn from each other - it's such a wonderful way to give back!  So, if you haven't visited The Photography Parlour yet, I urge you to go there, hang out w/ a cup of Earl Grey, and leave a few comments for fellow photographers.

If you want to read about my first wedding experience, you can find it here!

Thank you, Rosie, for featuring me on your blog...I am humbled and blessed, and you are an absolute doll!!

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Happy Easter

I believed in the Easter Bunny long after I stopped believing in Santa Claus.  I mean, a basket full of chocolate and candy?!?  While my sister waited patiently for my parents to take pictures of us with our Easter baskets, brimming to the top with sweets, I would dig right in.  Why waste precious time when there was a big, solid chocolate bunny waiting to have its ears bitten off??  So, in honor of the Easter Bunny, last night I baked a homemade carrot cake with cream cheese frosting to be enjoyed during tonight's dinner with my family.  I hope you all have a beautiful and blessed Easter (and that you have a chocolate bunny waiting in your Easter basket)!

Aaaaand, here I am, eating the first thing I could unwrap.  Look at those ham hocks!

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Grace & John: Wedding

The pouring rain and dreary skies could do nothing to dampen the excitement and anticipation that stirred the air in Warrenton Baptist Church that morning.  The civil war era church was enveloped in the soft pitter-patter of raindrops as the bridal party got ready in the small chapel next to the sanctuary and the groom's party lounged and joked around just one floor above.

Grace's appearance was a reflection of calmness, but on the inside she admitted to feeling nervous about the ceremony.  It would be the first time that day that she would either see or speak to John Robert.  He wanted the first time he saw her that day to be the moment the doors of the sanctuary opened and she walked down the aisle on her father's arm.  He wanted the first time he heard her voice that day to be at the altar as they said their vows to each other.  He had not wanted to hear about the style of her dress or the way she planned to do her hair.  He wanted everything to be a surprise - a sweet assault of his senses as he saw his bride for the first time on the first day of the rest of their lives together. 

The way he looked at her for that first time was the way he looked at her for the rest of the day, stealing her into his arms after the ceremony with hugs and affectionate kisses, then stealing glances at her from across the room as they talked with friends and family during the reception.

Grace and John, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day, to document your love for each other and to be a witness to your vows before God.  I am so thankful to call you friends.

 

John is a photographer and Grace is a fine art artist, so they put some of their work on display in the reception hall.  It made for an amazing art gallery!  Here is one of Grace's portraits:

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WPPI 2010 Highlights

I almost didn't go, and that might have been one of the worst decisions I could have made this year.  But about 2 months ago I knew that I needed to invest in this trip, to help start my business off on the right foot.  I read all the platform class descriptions and checked out the events and planned my schedule - every minute of every day.  My previously posted schedule was skeletal compared to all the details I actually wrote into it (there are probably help groups for people like me).

It was early afternoon when I arrived in Vegas.  Admittedly, I was overwhelmed by the sheer size of the hotel lobby and at first wasn't even sure where the check-in desk was (possibly due to the 3 hrs sleep I was trying to function on - that's my story).  After settling in I decided it was nap time.  Yes.  It was my first time in Vegas and I TOOK A NAP!

I barely mustered up enough strength to wake up, shower and get ready for Becker's early bird dinner.  Okay, so that's only part of the truth.  The other part is that I felt alone.  Over 12,000 people were registered for WPPI and I was there by myself.  I was back at my first day of school as a child after the Army transferred my dad to a new duty post.  Would anyone accept the newcomer?  Would they like me??  Was I wearing the right clothes?!?  (My wardrobe stress had prompted a shopping trip just before I left home.)  But, I had come this far, and the voice inside my head convinced me that stepping out of my comfort zone was the only way to move forward. 

And I'm so glad I went.  I arrived at Dos Caminos in the Palazzo and immediately introduced myself to Christopher Becker, who was mingling with a table full of photographers.  And then the girls at that table became instant friends.  They were all warm, friendly and inviting, making all of my trepidation melt away.  I even had the fortune of spending more time with some of them throughout the next few days.  That night undoubtedly started my WPPI experience off on the right foot!  So thank you, Becker, for hosting that shindig!

Here are some highlights from my trip:

Becker and me at the dinner he set up for Saturday night.  Thank you, Becker, for your generosity and graciousness to other photographers!

At my first 8a platform class, Jesh de Rox moved me to tears as he spoke about his Beloved project.

Louis Torres caught this image during Becker's headshot session.  Dane Sanders happened to be walking by and jumped into the shot with me...totally made my day!  Thanks, Louis, for capturing this - you are the man!  (And thank you for letting me steal this from your blog! ;)

Becker grabbed a couple of quick shots of Dane....

And here's Louis!

I read Dane's book "Fast Track Photographer" a few months ago and was immediately inspired.  His words resonated with me from the beginning, especially because he was the same age as I am when he started out in this business, and it's often intimidating when other budding photographers are so much younger than I.  But his advice to "embrace who I am" has helped me to focus on being me rather than try to emulate someone else because of their success.  So, if you haven't read his book, what are you waiting for?!  

Dane Sanders interviewing Becker on askdane.com. 

Of course I had to see the lovely and amazing Miss Jasmine Star during her appearance at the Leather Craftsmen booth.  She doesn't know it, but one day I'm going to make her my BFF.  Okay, she does know it, because I totally admitted it to her on her blog yesterday.  J* and Leather Craftsmen were raffling off not one, but THREE companion albums...and I WON ONE!!!  I stood there in stunned silence before finally screaming like a 12-year old girl who just won tickets to the Eclipse Premier.  THANK YOU Jasmine, and THANK YOU Leather Craftsmen!  I'm still in disbelief!!

I love my beautiful Hawaiian friends!  Pinky Yoshimoto, Anna Kim and I had a great time mingling at the [b] school party.  I met Anna at J*'s workshop last month, and I absolutely love this girl.  Keep an eye on her, because I see great things in her future!  We also had a chance to chat with the sharply dressed JD....

Despite my initial fear and nervousness, WPPI turned out to be an amazing experience because of all the wonderful, friendly and genuine people I met during those few days.  I am truly thankful for such a kind-spirited community of peers!

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