This was one of my favorite photo opportunities recently: the first time I got to shoot pretty details for an event! My sisters and some other friends put together a baby shower for one of the moms from church, and it turned out beautifully! Rachel was the head cook, since she loves that, and Jenny was the decorator--with the combination of everyone's work, the food and the decorations looked wonderful! We were quite pleased with the way it turned out =)

And I was thrilled with my photos, too, as this is the first time I'd gotten to use the lens I've been raving about with my portrait sessions (my 85mm 1.8, for the photographers out there who know what that means) for details like this--and it works beautifully! I love when my camera gives me the images I envision in my head--believe me, that doesn't always happen. So I'm very excited to share these photos with y'all!

Gifts for the new baby girl!

Doesn't the food look good? If this post makes you hungry, I know my pictures are decent =)

I thought the punch looked amazing =)

Some of the food the girls put together--doesn't it look beautiful? The cupcake photo is my favorite of the day, I think =)

Rachel and Campbell doing last minute preparations in their matching aprons--from the restaurant my uncle used to own =)

The completed food presentation--the theme was pink and green and butterflies, if you hadn't caught on to that quite yet =)

The room of moms, happily chatting as we kicked off the shower.

Mckenzie watching presents being opened, and getting to sit down after helping decorate for two days =)

Well, I think the shower was a great success, and it taught me something, too--I shoot too many vertical images. I knew I liked those better than horizontally-oriented ones, but I didn't realize how exclusively I've been shooting them. Something to keep in mind as I'm shooting in the future, because they're fine for a single image (like a portrait), but when you're putting multiple images together, it looks much better to have a variety.

Missy ~ 9 Year Old Attitude =)

This portrait session took a little while to happen...I was going to do it the same night as several others, so I waited for Missy to come home from swim team. And realized when she did that she had raccoon eyes from wearing her goggles for an hour. So that didn't happen.

Finally, after two other shoots this particular night, I was able to take Missy's picture. It was fun =) She has quite the sense of humor...meaning she prefers making me laugh to actually smiling nicely for the picture. You'll see =)

But the light was soooo amazing...I was so happy. I know I've said that several times, but the few nights I did most of the portraits I've posted were incredible. And my lens cooperated beautifully, which doesn't always happen. So there are a few more pictures than usual here...I loved all of them!

This is my absolute favorite from the night, and the one we used for her official portrait. The light was sooo perfect! But it took an insanely long time to get this...Missy had trouble grasping the concept of smiling and sitting up at the same time =)

I've decided recently that I like pictures where the subject is looking up into the camera...

This was another front runner...it was really hard to pick just one of these =)

This is when Rachel helpfully told Missy to look romantically at the flower...Missy happily obliged, as you can see.

And this is what happened when I started laughing at her...either that or she started laughing and then I did. I can't remember. Either way, there was a lot of laughing =)

And this would be when she got tired of smiling for the camera... 

This is her "I'm so cute" pose =)

And this was right at the end of the shoot, when she decided to be my mother and tell me what to do.

Anyway, if you've made it this far, I had to share one of my current favorite YouTube videos...Rachel and I were watching If Guys Were Like Girls again last night and pretty much died laughing. It's awesome. If you need to kill five minutes, you should watch it. Or even if you don't.

So that's all for today...hopefully I'll be back tomorrow!

A Song, in Lieu of Photos =)

Yes, yes, it's been forever. But I've been sick + working 45 hours (6 days) a week + writing a lot + reading + a million other things. I have excuses. But I hate it when people start blog posts this way, so from now on I'm making myself a promise that I'll never do it again: I will not apologize for my absence. Though I'm also planning on getting up a little earlier and posting first thing every day, so hopefully there won't be a need =)

Anyway. I still do have some of the photos I've been talking about to share, but several of my siblings are using our internet as well, so it would take forever to upload them. They will have to wait a little longer...

But I wanted to share a song I've been listening to a lot recently...it's not a specifically Christian song, but it expresses my feelings in regards to several of my friends (and one in particular). So Sara, despite my moodiness and the way I take my frustrations out on you and everything else, this is for you and I'm sorry. And thanks for putting up with me. I seriously think of you every time I hear this song...not just because you love it, but because, as cliche as it may be, it's true of you and the way you've changed my life. <3

The song is called "For Good", from the Broadway musical Wicked. Which I have yet to see. So this is actually the Glee version, but if you absolutely hate everything Glee does, look up the original Broadway cast recording. Either way, the lyrics, combined with the beautiful music, are so powerful to me. Though they specifically refer to some of the events in the musical, the things they express are just how I feel about my friends. And I'm a sappy, romantic person who thinks everything's better when sung in a musical. So between the two, this has been one of my favorite songs recently. And y'all should go listen to it.

Mark ~ A "Real" Post Again!

So I'm back with some "real" photos =) Meaning, photos I think are actually decent artistically. Portraits. Even if they are just of my brother. Which makes them slightly less official.

Anyway. Can I just say that I absolutely LOVE the lens I've been using for portraits? It's an 85mm stationary lens with a 1.8 f/stop. Which will only mean anything to fellow nerdy photographers...for those who don't speak camera, it means that this particular lens will focus nicely on my subject, but blur the background beautifully. I love it, especially when I have wonderful sunset light, like I did for these photos. You'll see what I mean. It's pretty much my favorite portrait lens EVER.

So Mark's session wasn't that long...'cause he was in a, um, "funny" mood. As in, he didn't want to smile for the camera, 'cause weird faces are so much more fun. Mmhmm. He's generally in that mood when I'm doing his photos. But it leads to highly entertaining photos (which he gave me permission to post. He actually suggested it).

But first, the normal, happy one.

See what I mean about the lens??? =D

And, as you see, the normal smiles don't last long. These are his real faces.

I get them a lot. 

And this is his real happy face. The other one is fine, but it's kind of a camera smile. This is when he's laughing. I like this one better (but I was overruled by my parents for his official one. Apparently he looks "too happy" in this one. Really. That's what they said).

 Another happy one...also showing the amazingness of my lens.... LOVE!

More goofing off...he loudly proclaims his desire to get his session over with, but then prolongs it with innumerable unnecessary faces...

 And this is his absolute favorite face. He discovered it a while ago, during a different portrait session, and it made me laugh. And he brings it out every year for me...yep. He's still lobbying for it to make it into one of his official portraits. Hasn't happened yet. =)

After That Last One...

...I had to give you something else. But that's me. And I've been thinking about that movie allllll day. Mostly 'cause I watched it today. But still.

Anyway. This post is NOT about The Young Victoria. It's to give you some photos from my sister's birthday party at the roller rink a little while ago. Which was super fun, even though skating was an extremely stupid idea which made me sick for quite a while. Roller skates and vertigo don't mix well together. In case you were wondering.

This is all of us. You may think we look fairly happy and normal. This is a fair deduction...if you take just this picture. The last one in this post may prove something slightly different.

Before we get there, though, I must introduce you to Livy and Mckenzie. They're next to me in this photo (second and third from the left, in the back row), and they're awesome. And they like to laugh. And I love them dearly.

 I met Livy through choir several years ago...and we've been friends pretty much since then. I kinda can't remember being in choir and not knowing her. We've had many random late night conversations (filled with almost as much giggling as talking...but they're way better that way!), and great times hanging out. 

She's amazing. 

And I met Mckenzie in this last year, when her family started going to our church. If you couldn't tell from this picture, she's also loads of fun. And the sweetest girl you'll ever meet, especially when her southern accent comes through =)

So this is them...laughing. We do that a lot.

 I happen to think that couch is kinda awesome, too. Anyway. This next photo is my sister Rachel, who you met a few posts ago, and our awesome friend Grace. I think this is when they're texting someone...using someone else's phone. If either of those someones read this, they know who they are. For the rest of you...it's really not your business.

But it was immensely entertaining.  And quite typical of their interactions with the outside world...meaning, it was hilarious and they laughed very hard. As did the rest of us.

This is the photo that demonstrates our true selves. Yeah. We're more crazy than you thought.

But we're awesome. If I do say so myself.

Oh, and these photos were all taken by my mom...not me. In case you were wondering. We'll return to my photos next time. These were too priceless not to share.

The Young Victoria

No, I won't gush for a page and a half (though I could, if you want me to). I just have to say, for those who haven't seen it...you should. SUCH a good movie. And based on a true story...I think it follows the original people fairly closely...certainly sticks to the basic storyline. And it's a beautiful story. And I love Emily Blunt.


Have you noticed yet that I use italics when I'm excited about something, or when I really, really like it? 'Cause I do. They make me feel like I'm somehow getting my point across better. I think.


Anyway, I had to share my favorite quote from the movie...Albert just stopped a bullet for Victoria...after she had just started a fight with him, and was still quite upset with him. The doctor just finished examining him, and she runs over and starts crying, as you might expect, "I'm so sorry! I thought I was going to lose you!" Albert, humorous even when wounded, replies, "I don't think he was a very good shot." Which always makes me smile.


But then comes my favorite line. Victoria asks, "Why did you do it? You're so stupid, why did you do it?"


And Albert says, "I had two very good reasons. First, I am replaceable and you are not. Second, you're the only wife I've got or ever will have. You are my whole existence, and I will love you until my last breath."


Cue the "awwwwwwwwww"s. Mmhmm. I love it.


Sorry. I had to share. And if you don't get it, watch the movie. It's way sweeter when you watch the actual thing. And yes, I am a hopeless romantic whose heart melts at stuff like this. In case you were wondering. Don't judge. =)


Oh, and more photos are coming, I promise! I just...don't think they belong in this post. But I have photos from the beautiful baby shower my sisters and a few other girls from church put together, and two more portrait sessions with my siblings, and a few random fun photos from my sister's birthday party at our roller rink. So there's lots coming! Really! 

I Know, I Know...

So it's been longer than I meant it to be. But I've been crazy busy. And crazy sick when I haven't been busy. And I was considering writing a novel this month...that isn't happening, but the ideas for it were taking up my free time the last few days. So all that is my excuse. But, as my theology prof. says, "excuses are the devil's license to lie." Meaning. You can ignore this last paragraph and just accept my apology for the delay.

And if you came for photos, this won't be your post...at least, not in terms of my better photos, the polished portraits and such. If I ever give you those. I wasn't planning to post at all tonight, but I have a few fun photos from before some portrait sessions the other night...and they make me laugh.

Hopefully you'll smile too =)

  

Okay, an explanation. That's not a wheelchair that Rachel's in. It's actually our old power washer. Mmhmm. My brother is talented. He took off the motor part, so he just had the frame, and added a seat and handles on the wheels so he could roll himself around (at high speeds). 

But what he really likes to do is get Rachel in it. And push her. FAST. Throwing in some spins and such, just for fun. It's quite hilarious to watch, cause Rachel can't stop laughing. Like physically can't stop, she's so scared. But she enjoys it at the same time.

And it makes for some great pictures =D

Jenny ~ Country Album Covers

So Jenny wants to be a singer or a pianist someday (or an actress, I think, but she wouldn't need an album cover then. So that's not particularly important right now.) And I think she could use these photos for an album cover someday...I'm excited to share them, cause the lighting turned out amazingly! I was soooo happy with it =) These are the ones I mentioned the other day, in our field of wild grass out by the road...

The problem is, these would be best for a country music album. And Jenny hates (I'm sorry, strongly dislikes) country music. So she will have to be converted before she'll use these...They don't really look like a cover for an album of classical piano music...in my humble opinion, anyway. Who knows? Maybe she'll use them just because they're awesome =)

Either way, I'm really, really happy with these photos, and I hope you like them too...

If you want a dress like this, well...too bad. She made it out of a hand-me-down we'd been given by a friend...I don't even remember what it used to look like, but not like this =) Yep, she's just talented like that.

See what I mean about the lighting? =D I was sooooo happy that night...I wanted to keep taking pictures forever =)

Mmmhmm. Gorgeous =)

And this is when it just got too perfect. I was so excited, even by the little tiny thumbnails on my ancient camera...I seriously didn't want to stop. Probably some of my favorite pictures I've ever taken. Or at least the ones that worked out the best.

See what I mean? How does this get any better? I love the way the grass catches the light from the sunset...Yep. I'm happy =)

Harper's Ferry =)

So on Saturday a bunch of us (well, ten of us) went up to Harper's Ferry to hang out and eat lunch and generally have a good time. And we did. We got up there around 11:30, drove around till we found a place to park, ate lunch, and then wandered around for four hours. It was a beautiful day, with lots of sunshine and perfect temperatures. Hard to improve on. These photos are all out of order, just some of my favorites from the day.

Walking out of the town, after getting ice cream and (in Blake's case) books =D

As you can see, this bridge across the Shenandoah inspired different reactions...

This is one of my two absolute favorites from the day...random and artsy, but I really like it =)

This is what that other photo is of: Isaac, sitting in a tree over the river (while he checked his phone). 

Luke likes to live life on the edge. Literally.

Group photo, minus a few people. This is the artsy one =)

Oooh, this was another favorite. The lighting just worked out really well.

Some children are less bothered by mud than others. He's one of the "less bothered" ones.

Bridget, on the other hand... 

Apparently when there are geese, he feels the need to attack them.

I don't think this was originally her intention, but she definitely ended up completely wet =)

This beautiful church overlooked the river and most of the town--you have to climb quite a few stairs to get to it.

Model shot ;)

....I don't even know.

Yep. This is what happens when you annoy Blake. I don't recommend it.

My beautiful RA! I love her muchly =D

Okay, this is my absolute favorite photo from the whole day. In case you were wondering. The beautiful sky, the ruined church. Just made it perfect, somehow.

Brotherly love ;)

This photo is from Luke's camera--but it's the only one with the whole group =) We had fun--can you tell?

So yeah. That was my Saturday. Jealous yet?

Oh yeah, and I think this is the first picture of me to make it onto the blog. So for those who have thought that needed to happen....it has now. Stop whining. =)