I'd just like to report that it is approximately 8:20pm, and that weather.com states that the current temperature is -9 degrees, but "Feels like -31" because of the windchill. That translates to: Awful
There is always this hope that I have... that after December 31st, the weather here in MN will start to warm up. I don't know why I have this hope. I've lived in Minnesota for my entire 24 years... so why I have these unrealistic expectations...I am not sure. On weather.com, to the right of the temperature they have placed a little advertisement for a tropical getaway. Coincidence?? I'm no fool.
(But yet I am, because I clicked on the tropical photo... Oh, it looks glorious!!)
Stay warm, friends!
(I don't even want to hear about the temperature from those of you who live in CA. You can just shhh!)
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
A little sunshine!
I've been sitting in front of my computer for nearly 2 weeks straight, now that I'm done with my other job! I'm trying to catch up on some editing, and it's going well, but I didn't realize I hadn't even left the house!
Well today, I had the opportunity to get out of the house for a couple hours to go shoot. I met the couple whom Steph and I are shooting in August, Gina and Travis.
She booked them, so she would typically do the engagement shoot, but I wanted to meet them and also check out the location to see if it would be good for future indoor shoots.
In Minnesota, there are very few cool places, if any, that allow you to shoot indoors. Sometimes it's too cold outside to shoot-- and Gina and Travis had said they wanted indoor photos, so Steph wanted some where cool to shoot. There was a coffee place that I went to with my friend Ben a couple months ago, and I remember it having natural light, so I called Ben to find out the name of that place, and if he had any other ideas about Minneapolis locations. He was super helpful and gave me a list of locations that could possibly work. The tricky part is, either we'd have to call and ask for permission, show up and get kicked out once they see the camera bag, or get kicked out after taking a few photos. Gina and Travis needed to go to a wedding today, so we couldn't spend time going to places if we were just going to get kicked out! Steph called around to a few spots Ben had suggested, and was told by a worker at Java J's(that coffee place I had gone to with Ben) said that we were welcome to shoot there-- She told him that of course we would order some thing to drink or eat!:)
We showed up, and immediately saw lots of possibilities. We ordered our drinks, which Gina's mom, Deb, bought for us! She came along to hang out, and I'm sure it was convenient too, since they were all going to a wedding in a couple hours! It was great to meet her as well. As we're shooting, the guy at the counter mentioned that he has a key to get up to the roof of the apartment building, and that there was a great view of the skyline. I think we talked them into it pretty easily-- it was such a great opportunity! Yes, it was cold up there, but amazing! When Steph has the photos edited, I will be sure to share them with you!
After we were done with the totally fun session, Steph took a couple shots of me, and I took a few of her, just so we'll have some for our new websites when we get them up and running, and just to have some updated photos. Steph edited a few of those for me, so I'll post them! It's odd for me... being on the other side of the camera!
It was so cold, so we didn't last too long!
Here's one I took of Steph (which she edited... She and I collaborated on editing on the pics of me!) She is just too pretty for her own good. I love her to pieces, too!
It was nice to get some sunshine and get out and actually talk to people!
After the next two weeks, I hope to be done with most of my weddings from 2007-- Pray for my health and that I don't have any technical issues!
Well today, I had the opportunity to get out of the house for a couple hours to go shoot. I met the couple whom Steph and I are shooting in August, Gina and Travis.
She booked them, so she would typically do the engagement shoot, but I wanted to meet them and also check out the location to see if it would be good for future indoor shoots.
In Minnesota, there are very few cool places, if any, that allow you to shoot indoors. Sometimes it's too cold outside to shoot-- and Gina and Travis had said they wanted indoor photos, so Steph wanted some where cool to shoot. There was a coffee place that I went to with my friend Ben a couple months ago, and I remember it having natural light, so I called Ben to find out the name of that place, and if he had any other ideas about Minneapolis locations. He was super helpful and gave me a list of locations that could possibly work. The tricky part is, either we'd have to call and ask for permission, show up and get kicked out once they see the camera bag, or get kicked out after taking a few photos. Gina and Travis needed to go to a wedding today, so we couldn't spend time going to places if we were just going to get kicked out! Steph called around to a few spots Ben had suggested, and was told by a worker at Java J's(that coffee place I had gone to with Ben) said that we were welcome to shoot there-- She told him that of course we would order some thing to drink or eat!:)
We showed up, and immediately saw lots of possibilities. We ordered our drinks, which Gina's mom, Deb, bought for us! She came along to hang out, and I'm sure it was convenient too, since they were all going to a wedding in a couple hours! It was great to meet her as well. As we're shooting, the guy at the counter mentioned that he has a key to get up to the roof of the apartment building, and that there was a great view of the skyline. I think we talked them into it pretty easily-- it was such a great opportunity! Yes, it was cold up there, but amazing! When Steph has the photos edited, I will be sure to share them with you!
After we were done with the totally fun session, Steph took a couple shots of me, and I took a few of her, just so we'll have some for our new websites when we get them up and running, and just to have some updated photos. Steph edited a few of those for me, so I'll post them! It's odd for me... being on the other side of the camera!
It was so cold, so we didn't last too long!
Here's one I took of Steph (which she edited... She and I collaborated on editing on the pics of me!) She is just too pretty for her own good. I love her to pieces, too!
It was nice to get some sunshine and get out and actually talk to people!
After the next two weeks, I hope to be done with most of my weddings from 2007-- Pray for my health and that I don't have any technical issues!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Booking Trash the Dress sessions!
Hey all!
I've had a few inquiries to do Trash the Dress sessions lately-- Which I am super pumped about if they decide they would like to have me as their photographer!
I received an inquiry on my Trash the Dress post from an Elizabeth-- But Elizabeth, I don't know how to contact you and I really would like to! Shoot me an email at ginger@symphonyportraits.com so that I can get your email address and send you info! ;)
I've been enjoying the week with editing photos from my cousin Dawn's wedding (finishing that tonight, hopefully!), and then I'll be finishing Sarah and Mark's wedding, and then Maurine's! I aim to get those all finished as soon as possible because they have been waiting so patiently! It's been great to have the week dedicated to my business... unfortunately, with the freedom, I got a little off on sleep... I stayed up editing one night until 4am, and I've been really off on sleep since! So the last week, I've been going to bed between 4am and 6am, and waking up at 2pm! I guess whatever works! But I feel a little "off" because I've been editing at night... and I can't have the shades open with the sunshine coming in like I can during the day! So I hope to get back on schedule this weekend sometime because I need the sunshine!
During my breaks from editing, I've been taking part in voting on the Open Photo Contest-- It's a contest for photos, and the photos are voted on by other photographers! It's an awesome system. If you're a photographer, it definitely something you want to take part of! But don't let it become addicting! I can see how it could easily take up hours of your day! Fortunately, I have other things I need to do--But if I didn't, I'm pretty sure I know where I'd be spending all my time, haha!
Have a blessed weekend!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Where my professional journey began....
Friday was my last day at First Day Photo.
I started working there 2 years ago... In January of 2006.
In October of 2005, I realized it was photography, not advertising,
that I was suppose to pursue. I had been doing it all my life and it wasn't
until a friend asked me, "So..why aren't you going to be a photographer...?"
that I had even considered doing it professionally!
I was in my senior year at BU, and I decided to drop my 2nd minor so that I could, in a way,
finish up school early and head to photography school... that's the only path
I thought there was to take! I was talking this over with my advisor after
a class one day, and there was another classmate who stayed after and overheard
me. She said, "My brother is a photographer, and he's looking to hire another
photographer right now! If you have the eye, he'll train you on the technical stuff!"
Brad Person contacted me 2 days later via email saying that
he was indeed in search of a photographer-- to work at the business that
he and his wife owned, taking newborn portraits, and he mentioned he could
also use a 2nd shooter at weddings.
I met with his wife, Jessica, at a Caribou a week after that... We talked for a very long time and really enjoyed the meeting.
She said to me, "We have been praying for almost three months that the right person would come along... and I think you're it."
Little did I know, that God had planned it all along-- It was all in His perfect timing... and it was the perfect door that opened.
I remember my biggest fear was that people where going to judge my photos.. I had never taken photos that people would purchase. I was worried that they wouldn't work out! Jessica trained me for a few days, and one day she goes, "you know what, why don't you go do this appointment?" (I had just been shadowing her).
"What?"
"Yeah... why don't you go do it. I think you're ready. If the photos don't turn out, worse case, you go back in and give it another shot..."
"Ok...." I was SO scared... I was sure they would know it was my first newborn I ever photographed! The baby was very fussy.... I came out of the room, and Jessica looked over the photos with me. We weren't thrilled with them. So I went back in and tried again.... and I captured a photo of the newborn smiling, and also a gorgeous shot of her with her eyes open! The parents loved the photos... And I was more than excited that I did a good job! I think Jessica thought it was beginners luck... but I think we were both glad when we realized it wasn't, and I loved photographing the newborns... over the two years I worked there, I learned the tricks of working with the fussy babies, and "the way" of the business. I learned a ton from Brad and Jessica.
Here are a few photos from my last day...:
I will really miss the little cuties and meeting all the new parents!
Going back to the story... In Spring of 2006, I only had one class left to take at school, so I took an internship "class." Basically, I worked with First Day Photo, and 2nd shot with Brad at weddings, and if I wrote journal entries about it and worked enough hours, I got the last 4 credits I needed to graduate! Jess and Brad said they wanted to work it out with me so I could get enough hours in. It was perfect. Brad also invited me to come along to Florida to be one of 3 photographers for the Luis Palau Festival in Orlando. It was such a great experience... being able to photograph the activities and people... and to see so many people give their hearts to God after hearing Luis, or one of the athletes or band members speak... it was beautiful. After the first night, I called Aaron(who was my fiance at the time) and cried on the phone to him because I felt like it was such an intimidating task for someone so inexperienced. Earlier that day, one of the media girls was going though my photos and mentioned something to me about getting the shots, and getting in there to get it. She was in no way mean about it, but I took it to heart. Aaron just encouraged me and said that I could do it... The next day I was told to cover a certain area, and I got in closer and captured what I saw.. I didn't expect that my photos were looking any differently... but the same girl said to me, "I can see more confidence in your photos from yesterday...You're really doing a good job." I was so excited. Here are a few photos from that weekend:
Crowd focused on a speaker...
Point of Grace:
Delerious (I was totally star struck when he looked over at me and gazed into the camera while he was singing for one of my shots. It was weird! This isn't that shot, but I like this one):
tobyMac (I fell in love with his music and all the movement on stage. He is one of my favorite artists now!):
Kutlass guitarist:
Brad also let me come with him to Club3 one night... This is one of my favorites from that night!:
I was Brad's 2nd shooter for weddings through October of 2006. His first non-technical advice to me was before I went off to do the "getting ready shots" of the bride. He asked me if I was nervous, and I said I was a little.
"Just shoot what you see."
The rest of the day felt completely natural... And I loved shooting weddings!
In August 2006, I shot my first wedding as Ginger Murray Photography... Steph and I started shooting together at another wedding she booked in August. Our 2nd wedding together was in December 2006....from there on out, we decided to work together. We now normally 2nd shoot for each other, and I LOVE working with her! In 2007, we did twenty weddings, multiple senior, engagement, and kid portrait sessions. I realized that I wasn't able to keep working at First Day Photo because I had so much work on my plate... which was good, yet sad. Another photographer, Erin Kerr(soon to be Benner!) stepped into my life when she asked me to shoot her wedding in April. She said she had been following my work for about a year!(We had a mutual friend so she came across my old blog one day...about the time I got into photography!).
Erin just graduated and was looking into design... but had her heart set on photography. Something similar to where my story started... She's currently being trained at First Day Photo, and I know this door opened just for her, and will be her starting point as well. Again... amazing how God's timing is so perfect if we just wait on it...
I will never be able to say "THANK YOU" enough to Jessica and Brad for all of the opportunities, training, and mentoring they have provided for me! They are truly great friends, and I will miss seeing their 3 beautiful kids every day!
....But Brad and Jessica are fully supportive of me, and I will stop by whenever I am down in their area, and continue to call and text Jessica when I want to bug her:)
....And so, 2008 is completely dedicated to my business. I am both nervous and excited to take this next step, but I know this is how I need to continue on my journey. Where it will lead to, only God knows!
I started working there 2 years ago... In January of 2006.
In October of 2005, I realized it was photography, not advertising,
that I was suppose to pursue. I had been doing it all my life and it wasn't
until a friend asked me, "So..why aren't you going to be a photographer...?"
that I had even considered doing it professionally!
I was in my senior year at BU, and I decided to drop my 2nd minor so that I could, in a way,
finish up school early and head to photography school... that's the only path
I thought there was to take! I was talking this over with my advisor after
a class one day, and there was another classmate who stayed after and overheard
me. She said, "My brother is a photographer, and he's looking to hire another
photographer right now! If you have the eye, he'll train you on the technical stuff!"
Brad Person contacted me 2 days later via email saying that
he was indeed in search of a photographer-- to work at the business that
he and his wife owned, taking newborn portraits, and he mentioned he could
also use a 2nd shooter at weddings.
I met with his wife, Jessica, at a Caribou a week after that... We talked for a very long time and really enjoyed the meeting.
She said to me, "We have been praying for almost three months that the right person would come along... and I think you're it."
Little did I know, that God had planned it all along-- It was all in His perfect timing... and it was the perfect door that opened.
I remember my biggest fear was that people where going to judge my photos.. I had never taken photos that people would purchase. I was worried that they wouldn't work out! Jessica trained me for a few days, and one day she goes, "you know what, why don't you go do this appointment?" (I had just been shadowing her).
"What?"
"Yeah... why don't you go do it. I think you're ready. If the photos don't turn out, worse case, you go back in and give it another shot..."
"Ok...." I was SO scared... I was sure they would know it was my first newborn I ever photographed! The baby was very fussy.... I came out of the room, and Jessica looked over the photos with me. We weren't thrilled with them. So I went back in and tried again.... and I captured a photo of the newborn smiling, and also a gorgeous shot of her with her eyes open! The parents loved the photos... And I was more than excited that I did a good job! I think Jessica thought it was beginners luck... but I think we were both glad when we realized it wasn't, and I loved photographing the newborns... over the two years I worked there, I learned the tricks of working with the fussy babies, and "the way" of the business. I learned a ton from Brad and Jessica.
Here are a few photos from my last day...:
I will really miss the little cuties and meeting all the new parents!
Going back to the story... In Spring of 2006, I only had one class left to take at school, so I took an internship "class." Basically, I worked with First Day Photo, and 2nd shot with Brad at weddings, and if I wrote journal entries about it and worked enough hours, I got the last 4 credits I needed to graduate! Jess and Brad said they wanted to work it out with me so I could get enough hours in. It was perfect. Brad also invited me to come along to Florida to be one of 3 photographers for the Luis Palau Festival in Orlando. It was such a great experience... being able to photograph the activities and people... and to see so many people give their hearts to God after hearing Luis, or one of the athletes or band members speak... it was beautiful. After the first night, I called Aaron(who was my fiance at the time) and cried on the phone to him because I felt like it was such an intimidating task for someone so inexperienced. Earlier that day, one of the media girls was going though my photos and mentioned something to me about getting the shots, and getting in there to get it. She was in no way mean about it, but I took it to heart. Aaron just encouraged me and said that I could do it... The next day I was told to cover a certain area, and I got in closer and captured what I saw.. I didn't expect that my photos were looking any differently... but the same girl said to me, "I can see more confidence in your photos from yesterday...You're really doing a good job." I was so excited. Here are a few photos from that weekend:
Crowd focused on a speaker...
Point of Grace:
Delerious (I was totally star struck when he looked over at me and gazed into the camera while he was singing for one of my shots. It was weird! This isn't that shot, but I like this one):
tobyMac (I fell in love with his music and all the movement on stage. He is one of my favorite artists now!):
Kutlass guitarist:
Brad also let me come with him to Club3 one night... This is one of my favorites from that night!:
I was Brad's 2nd shooter for weddings through October of 2006. His first non-technical advice to me was before I went off to do the "getting ready shots" of the bride. He asked me if I was nervous, and I said I was a little.
"Just shoot what you see."
The rest of the day felt completely natural... And I loved shooting weddings!
In August 2006, I shot my first wedding as Ginger Murray Photography... Steph and I started shooting together at another wedding she booked in August. Our 2nd wedding together was in December 2006....from there on out, we decided to work together. We now normally 2nd shoot for each other, and I LOVE working with her! In 2007, we did twenty weddings, multiple senior, engagement, and kid portrait sessions. I realized that I wasn't able to keep working at First Day Photo because I had so much work on my plate... which was good, yet sad. Another photographer, Erin Kerr(soon to be Benner!) stepped into my life when she asked me to shoot her wedding in April. She said she had been following my work for about a year!(We had a mutual friend so she came across my old blog one day...about the time I got into photography!).
Erin just graduated and was looking into design... but had her heart set on photography. Something similar to where my story started... She's currently being trained at First Day Photo, and I know this door opened just for her, and will be her starting point as well. Again... amazing how God's timing is so perfect if we just wait on it...
I will never be able to say "THANK YOU" enough to Jessica and Brad for all of the opportunities, training, and mentoring they have provided for me! They are truly great friends, and I will miss seeing their 3 beautiful kids every day!
....But Brad and Jessica are fully supportive of me, and I will stop by whenever I am down in their area, and continue to call and text Jessica when I want to bug her:)
....And so, 2008 is completely dedicated to my business. I am both nervous and excited to take this next step, but I know this is how I need to continue on my journey. Where it will lead to, only God knows!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Feed my brain!!!
Tonight I was wondering,
"If I went back to school, would I get another degree? A Masters? And in what?"
What would YOU go back to school for?
I graduated from Bethel University in May of 2006 with a BA in Communication (I also had a minor in Psychology). I loved my classes, and I think I had a fantastic education, overall. Almost everyday, I use the knowledge I attained from both areas of study. I'm reading books and blogs to learn more about wedding photography and business... I have great mentors... And I'm learning a lot from Freedom Club and Open Source Photo forum (OSP)...and I'll be going to my first WPPI convention in March!
I'm continually learning! Sometimes it's overwhelming how much information there is to soak up. But most of the time it's exciting, because who doesn't love learning about things they love? Or learning things that will help you succeed with what you love! (For example, "Statistics"... A class that Psych majors have to take and do not always love... but it helps them on the journey to do what they love.)
I find it funny that I'm even thinking about school. With all that I'm learning these days, you'd think I'd have no need or desire to go back to school! Perhaps it's the structure of school. No, I never really enjoyed the actual writing of the papers, or taking the tests, or studying... But I enjoyed what i was learning about (most of the time:)). I think I miss the human interaction-- the unique opinions and viewpoints of my fellow students and instructors... it helped my viewpoints expand and develop.
I think I get a level of the interaction with blogging and OSP, but there's nothing like that face-to-face discussion. I LOVE meeting with prospective clients at coffee shops... It's a chance to talk face to face with people!
I love talking with people about things they are passionate about.
I love when people offer helpful advice to me.
I love giving advice to others-- even if it is not helpful, I only want to offer it
in order to be helpful, and if that person doesn't believe it's helpful,
then that's ok!
I love photography, art, and anything visual.
I love communication and psychology (which is why I studied them at Bethel!)
So I did some google searches for programs I might be interested in...
If I went back to school right NOW, I think it would be for one of two things:
1) MFA (Masters in Fine Arts) in Design Criticsm. It was a difficult program
to find... because I couldn't put my finger on what it was I was interested in doing, specifically... But then I found this program. Here's a bit of the description:
".... providing the tools for researching, analyzing, evaluating and chronicling all aspects of design, students will prepare for careers as design critics, journalists, editors, curators, educators and design managers."
The unfortunate thing: This program is only offered in New York at the School of Visual arts, and would cost roughly $55k for the two year program.
2) MFA Visual Communications...
In college, I tried to choose a few classes that focused on the visual aspect of communication or I did my research projects on certain visual communications... photography and business, have a lot to do with visual communication... and Visual Communications has a bit to do with Psychology. So really, I feel that in a way, I was studying Visual Communication for the most part... even though my emphasis was on "Human Communication." It was a VERY broad major, so las year, Bethel split it up into three different areas:
Organizationalt Communication
Relational Communication
Rhetorical Communication
(And they still have Media Communication... an area in which I almost had a 2nd minor!)
3)MFA in Photography
... you can teach at some colleges with an MFA... I think that would be very fun.
On a related note, I found this website very intriguing...
The Photography Criticsm CyberArchive
Call me boring....:)
While I would enjoy going back to school, I don't think I have the money for that...(I'll be paying off loans from my beloved university for quite some time),
AND I don't know if I have it in me right NOW to go through 2 years of school... I'm still exhausted after 4 years of college that were really tough. Well worth it, but tough.
And so, I will continue to learn in the ways aforementioned--
unless it is made obvious by God that I should do otherwise!
In my next post, I will share some photos from my last day of working at my other job. I am officially "on my own" as of last Friday. (I still have tremendous support from many people, so I cannot exactly say I am "on my own" :)
"If I went back to school, would I get another degree? A Masters? And in what?"
What would YOU go back to school for?
I graduated from Bethel University in May of 2006 with a BA in Communication (I also had a minor in Psychology). I loved my classes, and I think I had a fantastic education, overall. Almost everyday, I use the knowledge I attained from both areas of study. I'm reading books and blogs to learn more about wedding photography and business... I have great mentors... And I'm learning a lot from Freedom Club and Open Source Photo forum (OSP)...and I'll be going to my first WPPI convention in March!
I'm continually learning! Sometimes it's overwhelming how much information there is to soak up. But most of the time it's exciting, because who doesn't love learning about things they love? Or learning things that will help you succeed with what you love! (For example, "Statistics"... A class that Psych majors have to take and do not always love... but it helps them on the journey to do what they love.)
I find it funny that I'm even thinking about school. With all that I'm learning these days, you'd think I'd have no need or desire to go back to school! Perhaps it's the structure of school. No, I never really enjoyed the actual writing of the papers, or taking the tests, or studying... But I enjoyed what i was learning about (most of the time:)). I think I miss the human interaction-- the unique opinions and viewpoints of my fellow students and instructors... it helped my viewpoints expand and develop.
I think I get a level of the interaction with blogging and OSP, but there's nothing like that face-to-face discussion. I LOVE meeting with prospective clients at coffee shops... It's a chance to talk face to face with people!
I love talking with people about things they are passionate about.
I love when people offer helpful advice to me.
I love giving advice to others-- even if it is not helpful, I only want to offer it
in order to be helpful, and if that person doesn't believe it's helpful,
then that's ok!
I love photography, art, and anything visual.
I love communication and psychology (which is why I studied them at Bethel!)
So I did some google searches for programs I might be interested in...
If I went back to school right NOW, I think it would be for one of two things:
1) MFA (Masters in Fine Arts) in Design Criticsm. It was a difficult program
to find... because I couldn't put my finger on what it was I was interested in doing, specifically... But then I found this program. Here's a bit of the description:
".... providing the tools for researching, analyzing, evaluating and chronicling all aspects of design, students will prepare for careers as design critics, journalists, editors, curators, educators and design managers."
The unfortunate thing: This program is only offered in New York at the School of Visual arts, and would cost roughly $55k for the two year program.
2) MFA Visual Communications...
In college, I tried to choose a few classes that focused on the visual aspect of communication or I did my research projects on certain visual communications... photography and business, have a lot to do with visual communication... and Visual Communications has a bit to do with Psychology. So really, I feel that in a way, I was studying Visual Communication for the most part... even though my emphasis was on "Human Communication." It was a VERY broad major, so las year, Bethel split it up into three different areas:
Organizationalt Communication
Relational Communication
Rhetorical Communication
(And they still have Media Communication... an area in which I almost had a 2nd minor!)
3)MFA in Photography
... you can teach at some colleges with an MFA... I think that would be very fun.
On a related note, I found this website very intriguing...
The Photography Criticsm CyberArchive
Call me boring....:)
While I would enjoy going back to school, I don't think I have the money for that...(I'll be paying off loans from my beloved university for quite some time),
AND I don't know if I have it in me right NOW to go through 2 years of school... I'm still exhausted after 4 years of college that were really tough. Well worth it, but tough.
And so, I will continue to learn in the ways aforementioned--
unless it is made obvious by God that I should do otherwise!
In my next post, I will share some photos from my last day of working at my other job. I am officially "on my own" as of last Friday. (I still have tremendous support from many people, so I cannot exactly say I am "on my own" :)
Thursday, January 10, 2008
A portrait of sweetness...
Ryan and Michelle... one of my favorite weddings of 2007...because of the entire beauty of the day.
Love was everywhere.
Kissing, hugging, laughing, dancing, crying...both tears of joy, and of saddness...
Their families knew that Ryan and Michelle would be leaving soon.
Shortly after their wedding, they moved to Thailand, where they are currently
teaching English in a refugee camp. Please pray for them, as it is not always
an easy task, and is sometimes dangerous. HERE is their blog... so well written by Ryan.
Ryan is an INCREDIBLE photographer (It was a complete honor that they chose me
to shoot their wedding!). He hopes to have an exhibit or gallery of his photos when he returns.
He does not post the majority of his images, for sake of security (for the
refugees). I cannot wait to see more of his images when they return.
You can see more photos from their wedding HERE.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
What makes a good day? (A post with photos always helps!)
Today is a good day. Went downstairs to make breakfast. Turned up the heat (not sure how the heck it got down to 63 degrees!! Turned it up to 70). I was greeted by Sparty. He was immediately at my feet and rubbing against my legs and continued to do so the entire time I was in the kitchen. (Lately, everytime we're in the kitchen, he thinks he's getting food too...?)
And, if I start the day off with a good breakfast, the day is then, almost always, just as good.
*Eggs, over-easy(Close to perfect! I've been practicing), with ample amount of ground black pepper on top.
*1 cup of crushed pinapple.
*Earl Grey tea.
The things that make me the most happy, in no particular order:
1) Tastey food or beverage = happy.
2) Being warm = happy (this includes things like sleeping in, wearing sweatpants(Aaron surprised me with two AMAZINGLY comfy pairs for Christmas!!), taking a hot shower, and cuddling under a blanket).
3) Massages/touch = happy (even if it's just a hand massage..or fingertip, even! I just melt! haha!:))
4) Making people laugh and being with people who make me laugh = happy.
5) Candles = happy.
6) Getting inspired (About life, photography, love, church... anything!)= happy.
I'm not a morning person (getting up means getting out of my warm bed!!!) and I feel more relaxed and in the evening.
My perfect evening alone: Cuddled up with a blanket on the couch, wearing sweatpants, Sparty cuddled up next to me (purring), scented candle burning, lights dimmed, reading a book about something I'm passionate about, or journaling about something I'm passionate about, drinking a good red wine, tea, or chai tea latte.
Perfect evening with my husband: Just being with him... doing anything!
Perfect evening with friends: Good food, beverage, and laughs (may include playing a game or doing some fun activity. Talking is always fun too... as long as it involves laughter:)
Perfect evening with family: Good food, relaxing, catching up, laughing.
Perfect day of work: Quick blog update, read other friend photographers' blogs, get editing done, sending the images to clients via online gallery, hear their excitement about how much they love the images!, finish drinking tastey warm beverage and change out of sweatpants, drop DVD of images in mail on the way to meet with prospective clients at a local coffee shop (I love meetings!)
I'm about to get some photos finished today! yay! I have a VERY full two weeks of editing, due to being behind because of my old computer's harddrive failing (but as I've mentioned before, no worries-- I had pics backed up) and having to wait on new computer to come via UPS truck and the Christmas season, and being sick as well! But I'm thrilled for these next two weeks. I'm really enjoying editing right now, and I can't wait to hand over all of these images! Everyone has been very patient and understanding, which I am so grateful for. If you think of it, please pray that my computer continues to run smoothly, and that I stay healthy so I can get this all done! Thanks!
Slipping a CD of Louis' photos in the mail today! Here are a few from his 2-year old session! He was the cutest little boy! :
And, if I start the day off with a good breakfast, the day is then, almost always, just as good.
*Eggs, over-easy(Close to perfect! I've been practicing), with ample amount of ground black pepper on top.
*1 cup of crushed pinapple.
*Earl Grey tea.
The things that make me the most happy, in no particular order:
1) Tastey food or beverage = happy.
2) Being warm = happy (this includes things like sleeping in, wearing sweatpants(Aaron surprised me with two AMAZINGLY comfy pairs for Christmas!!), taking a hot shower, and cuddling under a blanket).
3) Massages/touch = happy (even if it's just a hand massage..or fingertip, even! I just melt! haha!:))
4) Making people laugh and being with people who make me laugh = happy.
5) Candles = happy.
6) Getting inspired (About life, photography, love, church... anything!)= happy.
I'm not a morning person (getting up means getting out of my warm bed!!!) and I feel more relaxed and in the evening.
My perfect evening alone: Cuddled up with a blanket on the couch, wearing sweatpants, Sparty cuddled up next to me (purring), scented candle burning, lights dimmed, reading a book about something I'm passionate about, or journaling about something I'm passionate about, drinking a good red wine, tea, or chai tea latte.
Perfect evening with my husband: Just being with him... doing anything!
Perfect evening with friends: Good food, beverage, and laughs (may include playing a game or doing some fun activity. Talking is always fun too... as long as it involves laughter:)
Perfect evening with family: Good food, relaxing, catching up, laughing.
Perfect day of work: Quick blog update, read other friend photographers' blogs, get editing done, sending the images to clients via online gallery, hear their excitement about how much they love the images!, finish drinking tastey warm beverage and change out of sweatpants, drop DVD of images in mail on the way to meet with prospective clients at a local coffee shop (I love meetings!)
I'm about to get some photos finished today! yay! I have a VERY full two weeks of editing, due to being behind because of my old computer's harddrive failing (but as I've mentioned before, no worries-- I had pics backed up) and having to wait on new computer to come via UPS truck and the Christmas season, and being sick as well! But I'm thrilled for these next two weeks. I'm really enjoying editing right now, and I can't wait to hand over all of these images! Everyone has been very patient and understanding, which I am so grateful for. If you think of it, please pray that my computer continues to run smoothly, and that I stay healthy so I can get this all done! Thanks!
Slipping a CD of Louis' photos in the mail today! Here are a few from his 2-year old session! He was the cutest little boy! :
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
A new year!!!!
Happy New Year, everyone!!
I can not even tell you how excited I am for this year.
Lots of changes, fun, and new things!
One new thing... a new website! I bought it today!
I'll let you know when it's up and runnin, of course!
A change.... I will no longer be a photographer with First Day Photo.
It makes me very sad, because it was a fun job, and I loved the people I worked for.
I was fortunate to have such a great job. But the time has come where I have become
so busy with my business, that I need to focus more on my own business. Jessica (my boss and friend) totally understood this and is so supportive of my decision. Of course if they are ever in a pinch, and I can help out, I ceratainly will. I've never posted any photos I've taken from First Day Photo because I'd have to ask the parents for permission to do that. Perhaps I'll ask this week. I think this will be my last week. As I said, very sad, but very exciting as well... We'll see what God has in store!
Aaron and I threw a party last night. I usually host a few parties a year,
but this year was too busy for that because it was my first full year in business!
I will post photos from weddings this year on my next post, hopefully. But I have a lot of catch-up to do! So I'll do my best. Here are some photos from the New Year's Party!
(((PLEASE NOTE: All photos were taken with a point and shoot. Not my professional camera:)))
Playin some games:
New Year's was about 10 minutes out, and I put out the hats and noise makers. Marie was one of the first to choose...
Then the others came....They got a little carried away with testing the noise makers. My husband came upstairs and goes, "It hasn't happened yet!"
The after-celebration traditional new year party photos:
6 years with this guy! Crazy! 2nd New Year's as a married couple!:
Marie, Jason, Nimmy(aka Dan), Greg and I stayed up until almost 4am playing Scattagories. It was rather entertaining. It was sad after everyone left...
Sparty was tuckered out! It was his first party... he was a bit confused why everyone was staying up! So he took ay morning nap today.
I didn't take any photos when I was celebrating Christmas "back home." (at my parents' place.) I've been taking most the week off from that. Here's a photo from Thanksgiving, though, that might give you an idea of the warmth I expereience when I go over to "my old house" :)
Here's one more photo... this was from thanksgiving as well... With my Grandma. She's a favorite:)
I feel renewed after this holiday. I'll admit that it was tough, starting out this holiday... it pretty much forced me to take a breather that I didn't want to take. But I realy needed it, and I'm ready for this next year... Bring it on!
I hope you were all able to take a breath this season, and were able to enjoy God's peace.
I have an engagement session and a few weddings to finish editing soon. So you'll see some more photos comin, even though it's the "off season!"
I can not even tell you how excited I am for this year.
Lots of changes, fun, and new things!
One new thing... a new website! I bought it today!
I'll let you know when it's up and runnin, of course!
A change.... I will no longer be a photographer with First Day Photo.
It makes me very sad, because it was a fun job, and I loved the people I worked for.
I was fortunate to have such a great job. But the time has come where I have become
so busy with my business, that I need to focus more on my own business. Jessica (my boss and friend) totally understood this and is so supportive of my decision. Of course if they are ever in a pinch, and I can help out, I ceratainly will. I've never posted any photos I've taken from First Day Photo because I'd have to ask the parents for permission to do that. Perhaps I'll ask this week. I think this will be my last week. As I said, very sad, but very exciting as well... We'll see what God has in store!
Aaron and I threw a party last night. I usually host a few parties a year,
but this year was too busy for that because it was my first full year in business!
I will post photos from weddings this year on my next post, hopefully. But I have a lot of catch-up to do! So I'll do my best. Here are some photos from the New Year's Party!
(((PLEASE NOTE: All photos were taken with a point and shoot. Not my professional camera:)))
Playin some games:
New Year's was about 10 minutes out, and I put out the hats and noise makers. Marie was one of the first to choose...
Then the others came....They got a little carried away with testing the noise makers. My husband came upstairs and goes, "It hasn't happened yet!"
The after-celebration traditional new year party photos:
6 years with this guy! Crazy! 2nd New Year's as a married couple!:
Marie, Jason, Nimmy(aka Dan), Greg and I stayed up until almost 4am playing Scattagories. It was rather entertaining. It was sad after everyone left...
Sparty was tuckered out! It was his first party... he was a bit confused why everyone was staying up! So he took ay morning nap today.
I didn't take any photos when I was celebrating Christmas "back home." (at my parents' place.) I've been taking most the week off from that. Here's a photo from Thanksgiving, though, that might give you an idea of the warmth I expereience when I go over to "my old house" :)
Here's one more photo... this was from thanksgiving as well... With my Grandma. She's a favorite:)
I feel renewed after this holiday. I'll admit that it was tough, starting out this holiday... it pretty much forced me to take a breather that I didn't want to take. But I realy needed it, and I'm ready for this next year... Bring it on!
I hope you were all able to take a breath this season, and were able to enjoy God's peace.
I have an engagement session and a few weddings to finish editing soon. So you'll see some more photos comin, even though it's the "off season!"
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