Sunday, February 28, 2010

And the wedding season begins!

Our dear friends Christina and Brad got married last night! Cory and I traveled to Memphis to be a part of there day. Cory was a groomsman (best friend) and me the photographer. The wedding was beautiful and so much fun.
I was too excited about the images not to post a few (pre-edited) images from yesterday. Cory and I are off to do a day after session with the bride and groom on Beale Street. I'll be posting lots more images in the weeks to come so keep coming back.

Thanks to all who help and especially to Brad and Christina for being great friends. We can't wait to see you again!



Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Tablescapes

My mom asked me to set up a table at our churches annual Deacon & Widows Banquet. This is a special night for the current deacon's and their wives to honor the widows and widowers at our church. I had a great time coming up with the theme and of course my china was perfect!!

My mom and my sister's tables were also really great, don't you think?


Monday, February 22, 2010

Interviewing: Carmen Michael

My friend Carmen and I met after college working in a portrait studio and we became instant friends. We were the only sanity either could find at that wonderful job. We have decided that it would be fun to interview each other and post our answers along with some photographs on our blogs. This is the first of several posts that we will have. I hope you will enjoy Carmen's answers and insight into another photographs mind, and also her amazing work.
Remember to go
here and see more of her work and my interview!!

Meet Carmen:



And here is her interview:

1.What is the most challenging thing about a shoot?

Such a hard question to answer. Getting a feeling of a clients personality and capturing that candidly can be a challenge. Getting your picture taken can feel awkward if you don't feel completely comfortable with a photographer and visa versa. So, I'm always striving to get to know anyone that entrusts me to photograph an important moment in their lives.



2.Who/what inspires your work?

People: David LaChapelle, Sally Mann, Mark Romanek, Jenny Fine, Linda McCartney
Non-People: fields, vintage, being comfortable, being uncomfortable, beautiful eyes, pop music, being creatively pushed. It goes on and on...



3. How did you get started?

My dad gave me my first camera when I was around 9 or so. It was pink and shot 3x5s. In high school one of my summer jobs was a photographers assistant. Basically my job was to hold reflectors, change film, fluff wedding dresses. But, when I went to college is when I became much more serious about photography and really started to learn the ins and outs. My first 2 years at UA I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I can remember a friend of mine bringing it to my attention that you could actually major in photography. From then on, I spent countless nights in the darkroom being inspired by fellow students, constantly squinting my eyes and making mistakes. From there I started shooting in a portrait studio (where I met Kamin!) where my patience was tested daily! I'm now able to shoot lifestyle and wedding session on a regular basis.



4. If you could shoot anyone (dead or alive) who would it be? Why?

James Dean. I immediately think of Roy Schatt's sweater series that he shot with Dean. James Dean was such an enigmatic figure and I think that quality certainly comes through in his past photos. Plus, he seemed to be up for anything. That, for me, is the ultimate subject to photograph. Someone interested in the process and willing to try anything.



5.Current equipment lusts?

I can't help but laugh at this question. There seems to always be a new piece of equipment that I want to get my hands on. Right now I'm drooling over the Nikon 14-24mm 2.8. Not to geek out too much, but that 2.8 is music to my ears. I'm so in love with wide angle shots. The other current lust that is wallet friendly is the Orbis ring flash. I love the pop, surreal coloring. That attraction goes back to one of my inspirations, David LaChapelle.



Thanks Carmen for a fabulous interview and images.
Your work is amazing and inspiring!


Monday, February 15, 2010

Week 31 Outtakes


I love what I do

I had some time at work today...so I played. What do you think?


Sunday, February 14, 2010

To my husband...

This is what Cory woke up to this morning.
I got up extra early before church and fixed a fabulous (if I do say so myself) breakfast!






I am the best wife ever!! Just ask my husband.
And the Alabama National Championship t-shirt that I got for him put me over the top as the best.

Happy Valentine's day

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Happy V-day









Friday, February 12, 2010

Week 30 Outtakes

Happy Valentine's Week everyone!
Enjoy these funny outtakes of my sister belly bump project!!


Week 29 Outtakes

Sorry for the delay in posts lately, with all this snow we have been having its just hard get things done!!
(That was sarcasm by the way).


Enjoy and remember to go here for the really things!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Teaching

I am not a teacher. Cory is the teacher (or soon to be teacher) in our family. But this Saturday I was asked by a coworker to teacher her young daughter photography and how to use her camera!

Meet Ann Carlton. She was precious and we had a great time at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Thank goodness for the indoor rose garden otherwise we would have frozen to death! She did such a good job and was a great student. I hope I taught her some things. At least she can work her camera now. It was a Nikon, and I'm a Canon girl, so we learned together how to use it.


Here are a few of my images from the morning.
I hope your weekend was as pleasant as mine.