WHOA. How do I even start this blog tonight? First off, let me try to dig myself out of this huge hole.  What happened was…..uh…I took vacation for two months after Christmas, and I did no photography whatsoever.  And then guess what happened…I got use to it! And here are some reasons I have not updated my blog since NOVEMBER 2011!

* I go back to bed after taking my daughter to school.  And I can’t get back up.

* My three dogs and I began hibernating in December with my new heating blanket (the best Christmas present EVER)…and we haven’t quit hibernating yet….even though its 83 degrees outside and feels like spring.

* For the last two years, every single Tuesday, I’ve had my friends over for movie night.  This always includes the Biggest Loser & Glee, and sometimes even includes Greys Anatomy, American Idol, Dancing w/ the Stars, and every other show I can’t watch during the week because the only channel that exists in my house is Disney.

* And now for the big one…. I became addicted to The Hunger Games.  Yes.  I’m stopping right there….because I could write a whole new blog post on that. Bottom line is once I started, I couldn’t quit.  And that meant that every ounce of extra time I had at night I spent reading…instead of blogging.  Anyway, I am the proud owner of my Peeta & Katniss t-shirt (which I will be wearing to the opening premier!!!) And…my husband thinks I’m nuts. And he won’t wear his Hunger Games shirt I bought him.

So now, the middle of March, I’ve decided to update my dang blog. Brace yourselves people, I have about 26 sessions to blog about. And you can bet I’ll be blogging after the premier of The Hunger Games! Yeah Boy!

Now on to the first blog….

After photographing Nick & Elaine’s engagement session, bridal session, & Hawaiian themed wedding, I feel like I practically know these two. They’re a couple I’ll never forget, even years down the road. I was even shooting someone’s portraits the other day at the person’s grandma’s house and said to myself, “Hey…they live a couple streets away from Nick & Elaine! Small world!”
Here is my favorite photo… Aren’t they the cutest couple ever?

And the rest of their wedding story:

Jeremy & Ashley were married in September at the Sand Plum Event Center in Guthrie.  It was just perfect! I love this couple Loved her dress, loved the location, loved the wedding.

If I had to pay a dollar for every blog I’m running behind on I’d be dead broke and someone would be dang ‘ole rich. Its the middle of summer, and I have been swamped with weddings, military sessions, and that thing called life. In June I photographed an awesome wedding- James & Victoria. For those of you who werent invited (ha) here’s a recap:

I don’t usually blog pics of little detail things like this, but it was so pretty

About 2 minutes before the start of the wedding, James & Victoria decided to do the “First Look” pictures. I always love it when couples choose to see each other before the ceremony. It’s not traditional, but is becoming more popular nowadays. Big upside to it: No matter how stressful the wedding day, when the couple does “First Look” pictures, they have their own little moment and forget about all the wedding decisions they’ve been making all day.

FYI: I did not pose this kissing picture…it was really that steamy. Which had me thinking….I’m pretty sure my husband and I don’t do steamy kisses like that anymore. Hmmm…

So, even though I usually have only met the bride/groom a few times before their wedding, I somehow find myself smiling, crying, and even bowing my head during the prayer. Then my assistant reminds me to snap out of it and that I’m the photographer. geesh.

And the fun begins:

If any of you readers have ever wondered what photographers do on our breaks, we either 1) Shove wedding cake down our faces 2) Bathroom break…which really involves busting some moves to Michael Jackson while in the bathroom 3) Photobooth.

I have to admit….I do all three of these. I dragged my assistant, Nikki, to the photobooth while everyone was eating their food (because NOBODY wants pics of them chewing their dinner)….and was a little embarassed later that night when we logged onto the photobooth company’s website to check them out. We learned that the bride would receive one photo of EVERY picture taken in the booth. Don’t judge me people.

Back to the good stuff:
And at the end of the night, they lived happily ever after.

Congrats Tori & James! So glad you chose me to be a part of your wedding day

A couple weeks ago, I road tripped up to Alva for Jessy & Timmori’s pre-wedding photos.  Now…if you’ve never been to Alva…it’s small.  According to the internet, Alva’s population is 4,800.  I’m not really sure what that number compared to in size, so I looked it up (I’m being resourceful today). Oklahoma City’s population is 580,000.  So..what’s the point of my blabbering? My point is- even in a town of 4,800 people, I can find a way to get lost.

I drove around this city full of stop signs for about 30 minutes before I finally stopped for directions. I pulled over at a vegetable stand full of old ladies.  You can always count on the old ladies to help you out.  NOT.

Here’s what they were thinking when I pulled up.

“Huh….either someone in Alva got a new car….or its a visitor.”

“Must be a visitor…she just hit the curb while parking.”

“Oh great…its someone from the city- she’s wearing something other than cowboy boots.”

I know this is what they were thinking…primarily because of how our ACTUAL conversation went:

Me: ” Hello….Sorry to interupt ladies…but I’m lost.”

Old Ladies:  (Laughing) “You’re lost in Alva??”

Me: “Yeah…my Mapquest keeps bringing me to this address but it’s not the correct one.”

Old Ladies: “You’re in a city with about 3 main streets….so turn right, go straight, and the address is on your right.”

At that point, I said thanks, got back in my car, and pulled off the curb.

At least we got pretty pictures

The biggest perk of having an actual bridal session (rather than only taking a few solo pics of the bride on the wedding day) is having plenty of time to take the photos without being rushed.  Believe it or not, no matter how much a bride loves taking pictures, on the wedding day its the LAST thing you want to think about.  And because of the hustle and bustle on that day, posed photos often get set aside til later or never done.  Brides: The best scenario is to have posed bridals taken before the wedding date (days, weeks, or months) and then, on the wedding day, have 95% of the photos taken candidly.   This allows for real expression and emotions to be captured on camera. Check out my smokin hot bride, Victoria!

Long gone are the days of not seeing the bride in her wedding dress before the ceremony.  Pre-wedding photos, often called “first look” photos are pretty common nowdays.  These are photographed either

1) on the wedding day before the ceremony

or

2) a specific date prior to the wedding date

Kyle and Lindsey wanted a location that was unique and not the traditional photographed spots. They chose gorgeous locations in Ponca City. We hit up the Marland Mansion, rural land, and even my grandma & grandpa’s daisy field!

Expect more wedding pics later this year!

Jeff & Steph’s wedding in December was my last wedding of 2010.  It was probably my most special wedding of the year, because for the past two or three years, Steph has become one of my best friends.  We met at a Christian book study in 2008 (I remember this because I was REALLY pregnant with my son. Nothing like walking into a group of new people when you’re due any day. ha).

Anyway, this dream guy she’d been praying for over the months (and probably years) finally arrived.  This wedding had so many great/emotional moments.

Great moment #1:  When you bring together family, friends, and then add prayer to it…something great happens.  I love it when this happens, and you can tell the whole party is genuinely thankful for the unity that is about to occur.

Great moment #2:  30 degrees outside…what do you do? You suck it up, think of warm Cabo weather, and have dang ‘ole pictures outside of course!

Great moment #3: Unexpected emotions. Steph figured she’d cry in the vows, but she didnt even make it down the aisle before that happened! Look at that emotion…now that’s love.

Great moment #4: Steph corrects the pastor. After the vows, the pastor was wrapping up his sermon and about to release them down the aisle as a married couple. The pictures below are when 1) Steph asked him “Don’t we get to kiss?”  2) The reaction of EVERYONE in the church  3) she got her kiss

Great moment #5:  Ok, I may be a tad bit partial to this pic below…because it’s my daughter. When Steph stopped down the aisle and gave Maddie a kiss it was the highlight of the day for her.  She asked me later, “Mom, did you get a picture of when Steph kissed me??”

I love this photo below…its steamy huh.

Congrats Jeff & Steph  So happy for you guys!