Wedding Bells

Earlier you saw the exciting world of my Brothers engagement pictures right? Well, have no fears, their engagement did lead to a wedding. And yet again, I have pictures. Sometimes it's hard to choose what pictures to post, because I tend to be more fickle. One day one will be my absolute favorite, and the next day a different one. And other times, I'll be like what on earth was I thinking. But what can you do but choose.

We did pictures before the actual wedding day, which was nice. There was no rush rush or stress about pictures on the actual wedding day, especially since their wedding was so late in the day. We took them more evening time, which was nice because of the lighting. I love myself some evening light. The downside, however, is you don't have much time to get everything done. It's got to be a real quick shoot. But we did it, and I think they turned out nice.

Photo-Photo-Photo Queen

Ok, so although this is not necessarily a blog designed specifically for photography, I realize that almost all the post are about photography. One post, Harry Potter, through off the unintended theme. Those who do not find photographs quite as entertaining as I do, are probably releasing a dramatic kill me now sigh. But bare with or stop reading now, ha ha ha. Because I've got me a lot of pictures to post.

So since I went home a few extended long period of time, I was able to take a bajillion pictures, thanks to my lovely models. So I'm on quite the huge photography high. Basically I took portraits of seven kids/young adults and then engagement (posted below) and a wedding. I've been very, very, very productive I know. So yet again I will be posting some portraits of, drum roll, drum roll, drum roll... My niece and nephews. Yay happy day. I'll combine their photo shoots in one post so it's not quite as out of control as it is already.

On a side, yesterday was a bad day. I spend all day trying to bake these cookies, which mind you I have baked dozens of dozens of times, that would not work out for a class presentation. flash forward five hours later to me writhing with back pain on the couch with an electric massager. To no avail, the back pain would not go away. I couldn't stand, walk, lie, or sit without extreme pain. Flash forward a few hours later, first throw up for the night - back still killing, flash forward to the next hour, second throw up for the night - back still in extreme pain, flash forward another hour - back finally calmed down, third throw. Three time within three hours. Yes it was extreme, and yes it is not making my list of top ten best nights.

Mini Road Trip

So, it hasn't quite been six months, so I did better than my last post... I think. It turned into an extremely busy summer. My brother purposed and was married in less then two months (no it did not bode well with my poor mom). Although it was short notice, I was able to get a lot of practice and build a better photography portfolio because of it (who says weddings are for the bride). I was able to take their engagement photo's (Yay first couple to add to the portfolio), some wedding photos, and make two cakes - the wedding cake and the grooms cake. Now, I couldn't possibly show all the photos I want to, so we will begin at the beginning, and more will come with future posts. I said I'll start at the beginning, the engagement photos.

I live in Provo, Utah right now, where I'm going to school. My brother and his now wife live in the Idaho Falls area. So to take the engagements I had to take a mini road trip. Now I tend to love, love, love evening light, so we took them in the late evening, beginning in Rexburg up at BYUI and ending in my home town on some railroad tracks, and yes, the lighting was worrying me the entire time. First it's to harsh, and then in a rush, it's to dark and picture time is over. I was also nervous because I didn't know the area of BYUI and had no way to plan anything or any spot. Let's just say it was my most stressful shoot I've done.

But they got done, and my brother seemed to really be happy (they can't complain too much, free photographer). So what do you think for my first try?

Harry Potter

Yep, this is the big post for now. Random, believe me, I know. But right now my day has had a major focus on Harry Potter, if you don't count the finishing of the puzzle on my coffee table. I am for the very first time reading the very first book of the series. I know, I know what you're thinking; shouldn't this girl have read this book 13 years ago? But guess what, and I know it's hard to believe it, but I've never read them. How is this possible? How did I live 23 years of my life without Harry? Although this could seem a mystery to most, unraveling the string that holds our universe together, I will attempt to explain. Now, I don't hate to read, I in fact love it, so I can't really use that excuse. But I do have one, and although many will try and cheapen it, it does not change the fact that this is why I never read it. I can actually say it in one word.

Fantasy. That's right. The fantasy genre has never really sparked my interest, as it has all my brothers, who are avid fans of the famous and classic fantasy, The Lord of The Rings. Now I've never fully read the books, though I've seen all the movies, and to my surprise, I quite enjoyed them. But the books, not so much. I did attempt to read the first one, but after 150 pages in, I gave up. I mean come on, 150 pages in, and they still hadn't even left the Shire. But fantasy is the true and real reason I've never picked up Harry Potter, and would probably still be in that boat if I wasn't taking a class known as Children Literature.

So now I'm around the same spot I was in The Lord of The Rings, 150 pages. Surprisingly to me, I don't want to put it down, but this isn't to say that I absolutely love it. But it is definitely holding my interest much more than The Lord of The Rings. Could I read nine books of these? It too early to tell you an answer for that. Only time will tell i suppose. And for some extra added enjoyment, here's a super cheese picture of me with the book.

You Think I Would Learn

OK, so as I talked about in my last post about always being prepared. Making sure you carry your camera everywhere. You never know when you'll find a descent shot. You think I would have learned something, but turns out I have a long way to go. So What brought me to this ramble and somewhat didactic speech you might wonder? Well I'll begin from the beginning.

I woke up this morning to a beautiful day. The sun was shining, and I would have sworn I heard birds chirping. It was a warm pleasant day. No need for a coat right? So I head up to campus a little before noon with light jacket (and when I say light I mean like structured suit jacket). By 4:15 when I exited my class for the day, it was a freaking blizzard. The wind was blowing and snowflakes the size of pennies where sheeting down. I could barely see what was in front of me. Snowflakes encompassed every square inch of me, from my pants up my shirt to my eyelashes. Anyways, there was no way I was going to walk home in this without so much as hood, so I decided to wait it out. Two hours later I headed back home.

Now this is where the regret begins. The atmosphere was absolutely beautiful. I can't even describe it. The sky was gray, except where the sun was setting. The clouds had parted, and the sun was setting through them. The sky over there was gold and pink. It reflected off of the white frost trees, giving them a soft yellow and pink glow. It was picture perfect, and did I have my camera? No... I was kicking myself the entire way home. Well maybe now I'll have learned my lesson... Only time will tell.

Unexpected Instances

The thing about photography is you never really know when you'll see something absolutely splendid, something that you know you have to document. That is why one should always be prepared, taking their camera with them everywhere they go. Unfortunately, and although I've missed dozens of shot, have yet to learn this valuable and crucial lesson. So there I was driving home for the weekend when I saw it. Just a few miles from my hometown sat a dilapidated brick home, which was in the process of being knocked down. Apparently they let the fire department use it as practice, for it was charred and burnt in places, had no roof, and some brick and windows were knocked down in various places. As I drove by that very spot I knew I needed to find someone and get some portraits taken there. I called a young woman I know in high school who lives near me and we went out there the next day. As I mentioned above, I was not prepared. I didn't even bring any of my cameras home because I knew I would be there for only a few days. Luckily my dad has a great camera, unluckily though I was unfamiliar with it. Before we went out he gave me a quick run down of how it works and I was off. The setting was perfect, I was surprised that their was no trespassing signs or caution tape blocking our way. I really thought once we got their we wouldn't be able to take any pictures. Although I did have a few technical difficulties with the camera a lot of the pictures turned out great. The girl in them was amazing and just looked great in the environment. Thanks to my dad and my friend, I was able to get some excellent shots.