My goal this summer is to spend the LEAST amount of time on the computer and as much time as possible outside…even if it means at the end of summer I look like a 60 year old woman who spent all her life out in the sun….and now has leathery skin. That is my hope for you too…except, I don’t want you to look like leather…so be sure you put sunscreen on! Going to hug some trees for a few days….
Nope, my dears, your eyes aren’t deceiving you…..that is a wedding dress. Yes, a wedding dress. For those of you who know me and have been following my journey, know that I was adamant against shooting weddings. Don’t get me wrong, I love weddings…after all I am a hopeless romantic, but the thought of being responsible for a bride’s wedding pictures whose dreamt about her wedding since she was a little girl, freaks.me.out! There are no such thing as second chances. Zip. Nada. Nope. That is the part that scares me…the whole sans on second chances. However, I love photography, being challenged, shooting outside my comfort zone and am continually challenging myself to improve…even if it means taking risks.
I was fortunate that the perfect opportunity came my way when a fellow friend and photographer, Paul of Paul Steinke Photography offered me an opportunity that was pressure free. I was able to tag along and assist as a second shooter for a wedding this past June. And honestly, I don’t think that I could have worked alongside a better photographer who was so encouraging and who instantly put me at ease, despite my overwhelming nerves. I felt his trust and I relied on that. In addition, the bride and groom were such a pleasure to work with. I think the first thing I told Paul was, “Please don’t leave me alone with the bride” which was the first thing he did ;) I was just so nervous! However, Lyndsey was so sweet and down to earth, she just made it easy to forget about my nerves and do what I love doing…taking pictures. Lyndsey was beaming from ear to ear the whole time! Laughter filled the bridal room and nothing but love was present. It was definitely a time of celebration and new beginnings.
So, here’s a look at my time photography with Paul at Joel and Lyndsey’s wedding. A huge thank you to Paul, for trusting me to be by your side and for being nothing but encouraging to me. I really appreciate this rare opportunity and for your generosity. Also, thank your Joel and Lyndsey for letting me capture your special day. All the best to you and congratulations!
1997. It was the year that I graduated high school. I can’t believe it was 13 years ago…and typing that out for the world to read, makes me feel REAL old. As if I need something ELSE to make me feel old?!? I remember my senior pictures…ugh…how awful they looked. They were the traditional studio pics…one pose with a cap and gown and the other with your outfit of choice. Goodness…what was I thinking? I cringe at looking at my pictures….with my bloated face from steriods and my over plucked eyebrows….it’s just a mess. I remember how self conscience I was taking the pictures. I had put on a significant amount of weight from using steroids due to my asthma and thinking, “If I smile, I will look like a chipmunk with it’s mouth full of nuts.” My year book is safely tucked in my basement, 12 feet underground…exactly where it should be.
Fast forward to 2010. Senior pictures in the studio are a thing of the past! The seniors today want more than the cap and gown picture…they want a picture to capture their trendy outfits, their long tresses, their hot shoes, their personality…the real them! For me, it was an opportunity to capture how I would have like to been portrayed in 1997. I LOVED.EVERY.MINUTE.OF.IT! Senior pictures are AWESOME! I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Kaylee, a 2011 grad from a local high school. This beauty was so photogenic, I could have cried in excitement! Holy COW was the expression I used the most that evening! She was game for the poses I requested, even if it meant getting scratch by branches or being exposed to those stinkin’ mosquitoes. It was all worth it because Kaylee looked simply beautiful! Congrats to the upcoming 2011 graduation!
Killer shoes! Oh, to be a teenager!
