Through twitter and blogs and a referral, I found the AMAZING women at Posh Paperie. From the first email to the last shipment these two gals just got me. They knew how to extract ideas out of my mind and their customer service is BEYOND anything I’ve experienced to date. I enjoyed working with them so much, that I’ve decided to be a repeat customer. And I hope to meet them in person one day soon and call them friends, as well! So thanks so much to the uber-talented Karrie and Elizabeth…my package of business cards came today and I think they are just brilliant! XOXO!

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I had so many take-aways that it was hard to put my finger on the best, but two stood out as major “ah ha” moments. One, Gabriel said to pick one thing and do it. It’s like that old question, how do you eat an elephant…one bite at a time. Not long ago, I made a major decision about the direction I want to take my photography career and while I haven’t made a splashy announcement, yet, I’m both excited and a little petrified. But with Gabriel’s encouragement, I’ve decided to pursue my goals by taking the next step; once that’s completed, I’ll move on the next and so on and so forth!

The second major “ah ha” was from Jessica. She asked everyone to raise their hand if they thought they were a good photographer and NOT A SINGLE PERSON had the confidence to raise their hand. But then she chided us and said that if we at least didn’t think we were a good photographer, that we should get out of business immediately OR tell it to ourselves every morning in the mirror until we believe it. WELL, I listened to Jessica and have already begun my homework!

Thanks to the ShowIt team for offering such a rockin’ opportunity, and especially to Gabriel, Rudy, and Jessica. I ate up so many amazing suggestions that I CAN’T WAIT to implement! I’m mentally exhausted still, but fueled with excitement to move forward!

Sorry for the messy mirror…yes, I do need to get out the ole Windex!

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I’m shooting a wedding in August and emailed her a month ago to see if she’d be willing to second shoot for me. As it turned out, she had a wedding last night and needed a second shooter, too, so we worked out a trade! I LOVED working with her. She’s got a great eye, keeps the day moving quickly, and is just a lot of fun. She isn’t afraid to shake her booty on the dance floor, either!

At one point in the day, during portraits with the bride and groom, the videographer handed her his equipment quickly and then went to speak with the bride and groom. I caught this hilarious photo just after it happened. It was one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen at a wedding, but she handled it with grace and humor!

Later, after dinner was served but before the cake was cut, Ally had a chance to visit with some friends that were guests at the wedding. I walked over and offered to take their photo and this is what happened next! What fun people!!!

Ally, thanks so much for inviting me to work with you last night! I can’t wait for my wedding in August…I know we’ll have a ton of fun once again! XOXO!

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When I arrived at the party, Clare told me that she’d used one of our favorite shots on the cake! What a joy it is to have my photography loved by others and to continue to be used as time passes on!

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So yes, that means I’ve been a bridesmaid FOURTEEN times…and I kinda feel like I’ve seen it all.  So, as I’ve recently launched my new blog branding (look and feel), I wanted to begin a new series to share more about my life and the experiences I’ve had being in weddings, because really, this is a way to remember and celebrate my friends once again…and share some funny stories!

So, do you see that adorable couple on the right?  That’s my big sister from my college sorority.  In October 2001, she married her best friend on a cold night in Texas on a beautiful golf course.  Yep, Jamie Kay Kleinsorge married Michele Poltronieri surrounded by family, friends, and some crazy Italians.  Wait, what?!

Yep, out of all the boys in Texas, my dear friend found an Italian pilot who was in town for training and snatched him up…and years later, they’re still in love and still flying…only his English is far better and her Italian is, well, okay. : )

Sadly, because of the September 11th tragedies and attacks, most of his guests opted not to come to the US.  It was less than a month later, and the world still lived in uncertainty…

But that wasn’t going to stop the party!

I have this image framed on my bookshelf and everytime I look at it, I wonder who those little girls are!  It’s almost been ten years since they were married, which means we were all in our young 20s…just babies!

I look at this photo of myself walking down the aisle and I can remember the wind like it was yesterday…October in Texas is usually blazing hot!  I was so happy to be reunited with my college friends; we had a great time celebrating and spending time together…I can remember how surprised they were to see me show up in Texas with brown hair.  Up until that point, I’d been a blond…but a bad one.  Do you ever see someone and say to your friends, if I ever look like that, you’ve GOT to tell me? Well, I saw a photo of myself as a blond that year and was horrified that noone mentioned that I looked terrible!

When it was time for Jamie Kay to throw her bouquet, her little sister’s friend (a very tall valleyball player), spiked it down right into my arms.  Look at the intensity (or whoops) on her face!  Everyone else clearly thinks it’s hilarious…I hope she has forgiven me for being in the right place at the right time!  : )

When I am embarrassed, I often laugh loudly and shriek.  Here it was caught on film.  Nice.  I have to laugh at the poor guy’s facial expression.  Doesn’t it look like he’s worried he’ll get smacked?  I was a nice Christian girl and even though he had to get the garter onto my leg, I wasn’t about to let him take any liberties.  Ha!

So, what did I learn from this bridesmaid experience???

The evening may not have had all the friends and family that were expected, and it may have been unusually cold, but there was joy, love, friendship, good food, good wine, GREAT dancing, and a beautiful bride and groom…and THAT makes for a perfect wedding!

Part of this journey into a career in photography includes identity and branding. I really liked my pink and green, but it didn’t really feel like it was “me.” But for a long time, I didn’t know who “me” was…after a lot of thought and discussions with a designer, who happens to be a dear and life long friend, I’m a little closer to figuring that out…and I hope this blog begins to reflect that.

I hope over the next few days to re-introduce myself to you.  I’m excited about this process and am glad that you’ve decided to come along.

Aside from the opportunity to shoot in the desert and have a mentor photographer available for questions, etc, I was really excited about attending because Summer, from Grey Likes Weddings was styling it! I’ve followed her work for a while now and she has impeccable taste and style! When we arrived, I knew that she hit this one out of the park again!!! What isn’t there to love about chandeliers and mirrored sideboards in the desert?!?!

And then I saw the models…smokin’ hawt doesn’t begin to describe them, but I believe the images below will! Thanks SO MUCH to everyone involved in the shoot…especially Victor and Summer. I had a phenomenal experience and am so grateful for this opportunity!!!

Shoot Organizer/Mentor/All-around Rad Dude: Victor Sizemore Photography
Styling: Summer Watkins of Grey Likes Weddings
Jewelry: Historical Jewels
Make Up & Hair: Jill Guin of Darling Bride
Video: Elysium Productions

I LOVE this shot. It could be one of my all time favorites!!!

James Bond, anyone???

This lil cowgirl (Victor’s daughter) was an ice cube…but she still knew how to work it!!!

Give 50 photographers amazing sets and models and it begins to feel like paparazzi stacked up outside The Ivy waiting for some celebrity action! Thankfully, our models were all patient, fearless, and willing to let us get the perfect shot!

Does it make me a geek that I had my pic taken at the end of the day with Teach? If so, I don’t care!!! Victor was super cool and organized a great afternoon for us. Aside from the amazing three sets, he had a beverage station all set up for us…I just wish it wasn’t so cold, otherwise, I would have helped myself! : )

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Certainly, over the years, there have been photographers out there whose work has inspired me. I was THRILLED and SO FORTUNATE to be able to attend the workshop of one of my idols – Jennifer Skog – this weekend when I was in Vegas for WPPI. It was every bit as exciting and informative as I had hoped. I can’t wait to start pursuing new shoots and this type of photography. I have a vision for my clients that is classy and artistic and if YOU are ready to take that plunge for your husband or fiance, let’s take this journey together!

Here’s an image of my idol in action! I hope to do a full (and tasteful) blog post in the next few days.

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Fast forward to roughly an hour after I got home.  I’ve downloaded all the programs I needed, and I’ve started to play with all the fun functions; and I’m in love…with my computer.

I was a judger.  I was committed to my PC.  I was SO WRONG.

Thankfully, the people at the Apple Store welcomed with me open arms and I’m now on my way to learning how to live my life as I should have all along.  And my “office” has never been the same.  But I do have one problem.

What on earth am I going to name him???

I welcome your suggestions.  Here he is in his new home.  Doesn’t he just look exquisite?!?!?!

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