Thankful Thursday | My Little Sister

Wow... three posts in one week.  And it's only Thursday!  Who knows what will happen next!  I've been trying to get better with blogging more consistently but sometimes it's just hard to come up with ideas when I don't have sessions ready to post yet.  Several bloggers and photographers have talked about planning out the month with blog posts to do and I LOVE this idea.  Now if I could  just sit down and do it :-)

This morning as I was getting ready I was thinking through images I had that I could post and with it being Thursday, it made me think of Thankful Thursday that I've seen other put in their statuses on Facebook.  But why not use it on the blog??  It won't be a weekly post, but more of an every-now-and-then post.  Kind of like Fabulous Friday :-)

And really, this topic could last a while because Lord knows there are SO many people in my life that I am so thankful for.  If I put them all in one post, your mouse batteries would die from scrolling long before you got to the bottom of the page.  So, I'll spare you all (and your mouses) and simply be thankful (on the blog) for one person at a time.

This time 8 years ago, I was living in Brussels, Belgium.  We were simply being teased by the idea of warm weather, but it wasn't freezing like it had been in January. My friend (who was my maid of honor), Arica and I had already been to several countries and with May right around the corner, I was already thinking about packing up to move back home.  Crazy.  By this time, I'd already grown close to the Greens and their two kids, Christen (who those of us close to them know as Sissi) and Brandon.

That fall, Sissi came over to the states to attend the University of South Carolina (I've forgiven her, don't worry) and was living an ocean away from her family. I think it was that year that we started growing closer... to me, she was already a little sister and I wanted to take her to dinner and give her a place to stay outside of Columbia and let her know that even though she was across the Atlantic from her family, I knew the life she had come from and a little bit of where she currently was.  I almost feel like we were a bit of comfort for each other at times because while I hadn't grown up in Europe, I had been there several times and lived there for a bit so it was almost like Sissi and I understood each other in a way that no one else around us could.  And I'm so thankful for that.

Another thing I love about Sissi is her intense passion for fashion (didn't know I was a master at rhymes, did you?). Sundays in Brussels were "family night" at the Green's house.  Sometimes this meant games with friends from church (which is a whole other story!) and sometimes it just meant Arica and I hanging out with the Greens while we ate Belgium waffles and watched a movie.  It was those nights that Sis would come downstairs with a STACK of In Style magazines and a notebook to take notes for her own wardrobe.  And now?  She's not working in the fashion industry (although she could!), but her outlet can be seen on her blog.  We did a fashion shoot several years ago and I can. not. wait. to do another one with her!  

When it came time to ask my friends to stand by my side as my bridesmaids, I had no doubt in my mind that Sissi would stand up there with me... as well as read some of 1 Corinthians 13 in French :-)  When I came home from Brussles and walked with her through some of her freshman year of college (and my first year in the working world), she helped me process and figure out who I was, where I stood with my faith, and how in the world I could dress better! :-)

Sis... you are gorgeous... inside and out. And I don't know if I've ever told you or not, but I'm so incredibly thankful for you.  Thank you for accepting me into your family when I moved to Brussels, thank you for graciously helping me adjust to a different culture while suffering from the most horrendous jet-lag ever, and thank you for allowing me into your life, even when it's hard to talk about things.  I love you dearly and if God had left it up to me, I would have been so proud and overjoyed to have you as an actual sister.

Shooting With My Husband

This is something that was simply a dream for ages.  Once I started following Jasmine Star and then noticing other couples in the industry who worked together... well, I wanted that too!  But I had no idea if the guy God would bring would have ever even held a camera, much less know how to work one or ever have the desire to shoot weddings.  And would we be able to work together??  What does that even look like?  Would we be at each other throats?  Would I be too bossy?  (sadly to say, internet, this is totally possible)  Would we want to spend an entire day together taking pictures at someone else's wedding??

When we started dating, there was one Saturday that I was at a Clemson game and Ben had gone to the Euro Auto Show at BMW.  I remember seeing his pictures that he posted on Facebook and thinking that this guy had some talent!  The angles and pictures he was getting (with his phone, mind you) weren't what the average Joe was posting online.  I think the picture below is the one that really grabbed my attention (although the comments look a little funny with our wedding pictures next to them!).

Ben's background is in video, so I knew he had an eye, I just had not seen any of his work.  And he was actually game for learning how to shoot a still camera!  I was so excited!  So, we had some lessons and he's been a quick learner.  It's actually stretched me too because I'm having to figure out how to teach what it is that I've been taught.  Some things are just second nature at this point so finding the words to explain why I do something can be a challenge.  But, he's patient with me and he's so eager to learn.

When he went with me last summer to shoot Brent and Abigail's wedding, I remember telling Ben that if I got too bossy during the day to call me out and ask me to chill out :-)  When I asked him at the end of the day if I had been difficult to work for, he said no and that he had had a lot of fun!

So, this is our first full wedding season of working together.  And it's nothing short of wonderful.  In case you aren't familiar with wedding photography, it's a full day of work!  Usually on the weekend!  So, the fact that we get to spend the day together while documenting the beginning of a couple's life is amazing.  And who better to work with than someone that knows me better than anyone?  I love it.  I just love it :-)

And just to show you what it looks like for the two of us to work together and what that means for our couple's and their pictures...

While I'm getting the shot on the left (from Steph and Joe's wedding), Ben is getting the shot on the right...

While I'm getting shots like this...

Ben is getting shots like this...

I love going through images after a wedding and pulling the best of the best (this is called culling) and seeing what all Ben was able to get.  With two sets of eyes, we don't always see the same things... and it's awesome!  So, this past weekend, as I was getting pictures of Janet getting ready, Ben was shooting some details and the cake.  And I think I may have swooned when I saw this image...

Ben, I am so thankful for you and that you not only support me in pursuing this crazy dream of mine, but that you want to work with me and support me throughout the day.  You are incredible to work alongside of and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

The Website

I just love my website company... not only is Showit in and of itself wonderful, but it's also the people!  They are so crazy helpful and so genuine and that's not even the people who are on the payroll.  Joining Showit brought me into this world full of Showiteers.  Yes, you read that right.  While there's not a theme song (officially), I feel like I should be singing one when I go into the Facebook group to say hello, see what people are up to, learn something new about photography, or learn what new things Showit is up to!  That's how fun this community is.

One of the many amazing things about Showit is that I have the freedom to change my site whenever and however I want to.  Now, for someone like me... that can be deathly frightening kinda scary.  I'm not a designer.  At all.  So, the fact that I have so much freedom is intimidating!  BUT, that's what else makes Showit awesome... they have templates!  And if there is something I don't like about the template, I can change it around!

It's been about a year since I decided to start making my brand look a little different.  My awesome friend Chris Turner helped me out with it since he designed my original stuff back in 2008.  But c'mon... we're in a new decade!   And... I love what he came up with.  And... I FINALLY updated my website with it!

There are new pictures (and some old favorites), some new bio stuff (yay Ben is on the website now!), and some new travel pictures.  There are still things I want to do to update it.  But that's the wonderful thing... I can do that at any time :-)

 So... take a look at the updated site, send me some love, and have an amazing Thursday!

Fabulous Friday | Paris, Je T'aime

To say that I miss Paris may be one of the largest understatements.  Ever.  Since going the first time when I was 16, I've been in love with the city... and everything about it.  The people, the food, the pain au chocolat, the crêpes, the métro, the RER, the macaroons, the museums, the bridges, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Élysées, the Galeries Lafayette... everything.  So, it's more like I'm in a constant state of missing Paris when I'm not actually there.  It's just wonderful.  And the fact that Ben and I were able to spend almost two weeks there for our honeymoon... oh my heavens.  It was wonderful.

With mom just getting back from France with her students this week and some other friends returning from a trip to Europe as well, Paris (and France as a whole) has been on my mind.  Ben even asks me on a pretty regular basis when we're going back... and he started asking about 2 days after we returned home in November!  I love that he has fallen in love with the city too :-)

Our first day in the city we went out to the business district just because it's the last stop on Line 1 of the métro and La Grande Arche is just fun.

Even with my 18-200mm lens, this was the best I could get of the Grande Arche as we exited the métro.

And once we walked up all the stairs into the center of the building, 

we found these random glass... things.  So we played :-)

My gorgeous husband... 

Then we ventured into my favorite part of Paris... Montmartre.

So many times have I walked these steps.

The cafés and the people just make the city come alive!

The square of artists is somewhat of a tourist trap, but I always have to go.

The streets are incredible... as was the light.  And my model was more than willing to pose :-)

Paris... c'est vrai... je t'aime.

(Paris... it's true... I love you)

There are carousels everywhere.  And they just make me happy!

We venutred back up to Montmartre on our last full day in Paris.  And we may have stopped at the tourist trap again.
But would you look at these oils??  They're just gorgeous.

So, we purchased a small one and I asked if I could photograph the artist with her work.

Another reason I love Paris... they have Cheery Coke everywhere!!!

The artist on the left is just... so French! :-)

My heart may have stopped when we walked up on this wall and the Vespa.  

I mean, really?  I could have stayed there all day.

*sigh* Our last crêpes. Ben had ham and cheese and I had nutella (of course).

I think what I love about Montmartre is how even though all of Paris is "old", even the métro signs up there reflect times gone by.  I just love it.

And before I sign off and wish you a happy weekend... I get to announce the winner of the contest for the $10 to Starbucks!  I used random.org and it gave me the number 11... which when I count through the comments, number 11 is Shellie!  Congrats!!

Happy Friday everyone!

Springtime and a Contest!

This past Easter Sunday was SUCH a beautiful day!  After we left lunch at Ben's sister's house I just wanted to be outside.  I'm not a big hiker nor am I a very good athlete.  But, I'm really good at laying on a blanket and enjoying being outside!

Ben and I are in the midst of reading Mockingjay (the last book in the Hunger Games trilogy) so, we grabbed the book, a blanket, our waters and headed for a nearby park.  We found a good spot that was partly shaded, partly sunny and I read aloud as the sun soaked our faces.  It was nothing short of a perfect afternoon.  Well, until an ant made his way into a crevice in my water bottle... but Ben got him out!  Seriously, critters and I don't get along.  I know they're necessary for keeping the ecosystem in harmony and all, but all those creepy crawly things are not friends of mine.  In fact, I didn't realize until Monday that I'd been attacked by a giant spider!  I felt something itching on my arm Sunday afternoon, but it wasn't until the next day when I realized I had a golf ball sized bite on the side of my arm that I'd barely made it out of the park with my life!

Ok, might be a bit of an exaggeration, but geez... it itches like crazy.  It wasn't getting any better so I went to the doctor yesterday and even she was in shock at how big the bite was!  You know it's bad when you can shock the doctor.  She wasn't sure what exactly had done it, but said the treatment was the same: steroids.  My first two doses came in the form of a shot and the next dose will be pill form.  So, if I win this mud run on Saturday, you'll know why.  HA!  Totally kidding.

Now, I'm not really scared of shots but figured that was a good excuse to go by Starbucks and get my new favorite drink - Passion Tea Lemonade (sweetened) - and you better believe I went with a venti.  Woot!

Because I'm obsessed with this drink, I've posted a few too many pictures about it on Instagram and several people have mentioned that they have to try it.  So, here's your chance (or to get another drink of your choice)!  All you have to do is leave a comment below with the title and author of the book you're currently reading (or your favorite book).  That's it!

You have until tomorrow at midnight to post your comment and then I'll choose a response at random and announce the winner on this week's Fabulous Friday post!

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

My Husband The Photographer

When I started this business way back in 2008ish I began following various photographers and I loved that some were husband and wife teams.  I mean, how amazing would it be to do what you loved with the person you loved??  Two years later, when Ben and I met, I remember being at a Clemson game while he was at a car show with the two guys that were to be his best men in our wedding.  He would send me pictures of cars and what they were up to and I just kept thinking, "Most people don't take pictures like that... we need to get a camera in your hand!"

His background is videography so he has an eye for it... he just didn't know how to use a DSLR.  But that would come :-)  Last summer Ben shot Abigail and Brent's wedding with me and this year, he'll be second shooting all of our weddings with me!  I'm so excited!  Not only will our brides and grooms receive more images with two of us shooting, but as Katelyn James has said, it's like having insurance on your wedding day with two of us there.

We're up in Indiana for Stephanie and Joe's wedding and since we had an extra day in Indianapolis yesterday, we ventured into town to get some updated head shots.  I am extremely biased towards my husband, but I think you'll agree that he's pretty amazing behind a DSLR :-)  Ben, thank you for being so amazing and for wanting to pursue this dream with me.  I love you!

We started out in downtown Indy, literally, the center of town. The light was perfect!

It was midday, but with the monument blocking the sun and the concrete to reflect the light,
what Ben was seeing through his lens worked fabulously.

What I was seeing is on the left, the image Ben took of me is on the right.

Yes, I love orange (Clemson alum, woohoo!), but orange and brown is in my branding,
so this dress that I bought for a wedding shower last fall was perrrrrrfect for new headshots!

Images from Monument Circle.

We then wandered to find a good alley to change things up a bit.

I'm not saying I love pictures of me, but Ben... this image is wonderful!
The composition... the light... everything :-)

We then wandered out to the Indiana Museum of Art where they have 100 acres of gardens!

Ben's turn.

Goodness... is he not SO handsome?!?!?