Oh brother!

My brother is one of my favorite people in this world.  Really!!  I'm not saying that just because he's my brother either!  He's an awesome dude!  My brother, Chris is funny, sensitive, a great listener, honest, and most of all an all around great person.  I do miss him dearly.  I miss him because seven years ago Bobby and I decided to move to the Sacramento area (100+ miles away from where we used to call home) and I rarely see him anymore.  Our visits have to be planned out and don't happen nearly as much as I'd like.  We like where we live but I do miss having our family close by.  I miss hanging out with Chris every weekend and throwing together a BBQ at the last minute.  I miss being able to call him and say, "hey...I'm on my way to your place" with no advance notice.  And Chris, the cool guy that he is always replied, "see ya when you get here."  I miss that!

So naturally when we do get together we make the best of it.  Sometimes.  Sometimes he'll even let me take silly pictures of him like this:

Pondering the worries of the world...

Or this:

In the above picture I see how much the shape of our eyes are alike.  Funny that it takes this silly picture to notice that!

Positive quote of the day:

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it."

-Helen Keller

Updates are good

I've been swamped over here with work.  Did I mention that I'm also a college Senior?  I've been working towards my B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accountancy FOREVER and a day!!!  My family can attest to this!  To my defense work, school, and managing a household is hard work!  I should be done this December if I'm able to get into the classes I need to finish up.  Budget cuts have affected the state schools here in California--no one is exempt!  In my experience many upper division sections to courses have been cut, so there are twice the amount of students fighting to get into one class.  Keep your fingers, legs, and arms crossed for me that I get into the classes I need.  

My blog posts will be sporadic but I do promise to update.  I'm excited about next month when I get to photograph my friends engagement session.  So, stay tuned!

For now I leave you with a creative take on Max, my parents Daschund.   Ain't he a cuttie?!

Positive quote of the day: 

"Cherish forever what makes you unique, because you're really a yawn if it goes!"

-Bette Midler

Cuddle bugs

I did mention that Bison and Lindsay were my test subjects for photography, right?  They so are!  I test out all sorts of new looks on their photos.  In this photo I'm testing out the retro look.  Do they look like retro dogs?  You know what's great about them being my subjects?  Besides the fact that I could call on them for a photo shoot at any time of the day.  They could care less if I catch them in compromising situations.  They're awesome!

My first wedding

My cousin asked me if I wouldn't mind doing her the favor of photographing her best friends wedding pro bono.  Since I still consider myself a novice.  Learning a little more about photography each growing day, I jumped at the opportunity!  Hell yeah!!!  I figured if anything, this would be a great chance to figure out if wedding photography was my niche.  The wedding was in an old school house near Santa Rosa.  Beautiful historic town and in the sticks!  This November day was hit with a bad storm, so bad that the power went out in the entire town.  Not the kind of wrench you want on your wedding day!  I had rented an external flash because I didn't own one at the time.  Thank goodness I did because that little flash was my only light source!

Here are some of my favorites from Sarah and Paul's wedding:

Bride getting a pep talk from her father.  

Brides: you must not forget to eat!

A little help from friends...

The irony, right?  Sarah putting the final touches on my cousins make up.  Some people are just givers by nature.

Something old...

Momma nursing babe...

Beautiful bride right before she walks down the aisle.

Paul and Sarah just pronounced husband and wife...

I love the cake on their noses.

Sweet love!!!

I had fun shooting Paul and Sarah's wedding, it was a learning experience that I will never forget.  I look forward to shooting more weddings in the future.

Positive quote of the day:

"When you play it too safe, you're taking the biggest risk of your life.  Time is the only wealth we're given."  -Barbara Sher

The alternate view

Ever since I was in High School I've been obsessed with pictures and portraits from behind.  It all started when I saw my first Jack Vettriano poster "Singing Butler" in the mall:

http://www.amazon.com/Singing-Butler-Poster-Vettriano-19-50/dp/B000GVJERI

Yeah sure it was a painting at one time but it's popularity into mainstream demanded it be available to the public at an affordable price.  Or so that's what I think happened!  Anyhow, the painting captivated me.  There was so much going on in this one scene and you barely had view of any faces.  Genius in my opinion!!  It's photography like this that gets you to stop, take a second look, and wonder what went on the moment the photo was taken.  Things that make you go hmmmmmmm.....

So, I've started my own version of inspired Jack Vettriano photography.  Without the women and add in a few dogs.  I told you this was my version, right?  Of course I would like to add women to this collection and anticipate doing so in the coming year.

My husband with our dogs...

My beautiful Bison...

 My absolute all time FAVORITE...

Positive quote of the day:

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow.  It empties today of its strength." 

-Corrie ten Boom