Thursday, August 25, 2011

Lifestyle Shoot: Whitney Schey

My husband, Jason, and I were sitting in an arena at our first WPPI convention...alongside those of us HUGE fans of Jasmine Star. We were among thousands, but somehow she stood out and I whispered to my husband, "I know her!" "Who?!," he asked me. "That girl down there. The gorgeous one with the awesome blunt bangs and short blond hair." He rolled his eyes, most likely thinking I was crazy and more likely hoping I wouldn't make a scene. And yet, I wasn't even sure how I knew her. I started rummaging my brain for how it was possible I couldn't place her. I sat in awe, listening to Jasmine (and other wonderful women photographers) talk about the industry and what they've learned. As the women were talking, though, it suddenly dawned on me. I'm such a Jasmine Star Blog-Stalker that I'd see this girl ON her blog! The realization of it made my neck hot with embarrassment, but I was sure that's where I'd see her. When our class ended, I approached her. And since I'm so awesome at first introductions, (cough), I touched her shoulder and said eloquently, "Hi, um, so this is really weird but..."

I am definitely not smooth, and usually come across as snobby and mean...at least that's what I've been told. Totally heartbreaking to be honest, but Whitney...well, she's a gem. I felt like I'd known her all my life and she wasn't even the least bit offended that I'd recognized her as a result of blog-stalking. Well...at least she was kind enough to convince me she wasn't! =)

Last month, Jason and I traveled to Cali for my BFF's wedding!! The second we landed, we drove to Laguna Beach for a shoot with Whitney! After seeing her in Jasmine's blog, I remember wishing it had been me who'd photographed that epic nautical shoot! I was green with envy and a song my husband has sang one too many times entitled "Jealousy" was ringing in my ears. Her style is everything in person I want my photography to be and I couldn't have been more stoked to see her through my viewfinder and, bonus!, realize she's just as beautiful on the inside. Lucky for me, Whitney is a fabulous photographer herself, so Jason and I got to model in all our pre-baby glory. And I'm hearing only one word at this point: Holllla! Oh, and Amen.

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So I have this thing for owls now. I blame my friend Katie, who has an owl obsession! Earlier this year, I'd searched for owl-themed items that would be good thank-you gifts for her. Now I'm constantly seeing them around vintagy stores I go to. Maybe it's that they remind me of her and make me happy, but suddenly I want them all for myself! I'm thinking, then, it's probably no coincidence that this small affair I'm having with owls was suddenly laughable as Whitney had one tattooed on her foot! This...is just awesome. =)

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And as for your other tattoo...Whitney, I love Jesus too. =)

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Whitney, YOU ARE gorgeous!!
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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Sneak Peek: Free the Girls

"Any existence deprived of FREEDOM is a kind of death." ~Gen Michel Aoun

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I am so excited to post a fantastically awesome product shoot for an amazing group of women! Join the cause today!!


Hugs and love to Kimba Langas, Dave Terpstra, Polly Miller, and my models Savannah, Erica, Taylor, Angie, Susan, and Erica Cobb.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Personal: My Best Friend's Wedding

At some point all my personal blogs started to become somewhat of a husband brag book. I don't know when or how it actually happened, but I do have a tremendously awesome husband and with all the man/husband-bashing there is in this world, it's nice to hear/read something about someone who LOVES, actually cherishes their husband. Recently I'd read an amazing blog post on this very subject by a good friend of mine (and amazing photographer!), Whitney Schey. And while she will have you awed by her masterfully written words and brilliantly thought-out blog, I feel the need to share just a simple story of why I think my husband is nothing short of a gift: The best man on the planet for me and the greatest man I've ever known. Here goes:



So my best friend just got married! It was the honestly the most exciting thing ever and I'd been looking forward to it since November 28th, which, yes I care a lot, is when she got engaged! I couldn't wait to see her in a white dress, with flowers, and all gorgeous. It was just a dream for me to watch my best friend commit herself to another in love. I am a total sucker for weddings, but marriage has been the single greatest event in my life thus far. But I digress... When she told me Garrett had proposed, she wrote me a note: I really want you to be there for me when we get married next summer, so don't plan any vacas or go and get prego. Yea, well let's just say I didn't really think that would happen...but it did. IT DID!



So fast forward to her wedding. I'm 7 mos pregnant and suddenly realizing two very serious facts. 1, I was well into my third trimester and was dreading sticking out (literally) in her pictures. Or falling (physically) down the aisle in my 4” gold heels. And 2, as I was actually IN her wedding, I knew there was no way I'd be capable of snapping pictures. The latter was starting to depress me. If you know anything about me, you know that I have a slight problem NOT photographing life's big events. Make it fashionable, grogeous, or a wedding, and I'm in deep. I was trying to get a grip settling for random iPhone shots, when my husband offered to try and take pictures that captured the day for me so I didn't feel like I was missing out. Say what?! As awesome as this was, I wasn't sure if I could show him all that he needed to know in order to actually get the shots. I mean, this is no point-n-shoot, so there is a slight, er, large, learning curve to shooting entirely in manual. At Sunset. On the Beach. At the aperture I wanted. =) Yet, just the idea that he would lug around my bag(s), and keep my camera in hand at all times so I could later see Kim's day unfold made me swoon. It's probably the most selfless thing he's ever done. And while this may seem slightly silly, it was a huge deal to me.



After a fabulously long day at the wedding, at 2am back at our hotel room, J helped me put up my swollen feet in bed while I looked at the pictures he'd taken. I couldn't help but tear up at the sight of what he'd been able to capture! While I'd stayed behind and slowly waddled my way to the reception after the ceremony, Jason had followed Kim and Garrett at a distance and taken pictures of the two of them walking the beach, taking pictures, and having their wedding video filmed. It was like being given a small window into a day that I had been feeling like I'd miss. And how he was able to get so many in focus with manageable exposures made us both laugh. Between the totally black and totally white shots, the best ones were in-between. My husband cared enough to try and do what he knew I had dreaded missing. For that alone, he is the single greatest person on the planet.


Kimberly, your wedding helped remind me that I am blessed beyond measure! It makes me giddy like a child to see you in the same boat! I am so happy that you have found your soul-mate, your partner in life, and your one and only love. You will have the most amazing life and I feel so honored to have been even a small part of it! I love you Kimmy!!


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All credits for the following images must go to my amazing, first-time-photographer husband. My love, you rocked this out and I will always be grateful for these memories! Muah.

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Me & Kimmy!
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7mos and happy...although hoping not to stick out. Lol. As if.
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Okay so I did take this quick shot before you walked out, but J did the rest. ;)
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I love this!! (And the dramatically artistic capture of someone's front-row arm in the photo?? Priceless!)
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Me and my amazing husband:
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So I wanted to physically "see" you take pictures on the beach, but I couldn't make it down the hill. Jason's view was breathtaking of you two! And his "mistake" in the second photo was perfectly awesome. =)
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I guess he held your bouquet so that your awesome videographer could keep shooting. =)
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A gorgeous sunset on a perfect day!!
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Your wedding photographer's awesome assistant took this of J and I.
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Garrett, you're awesome!
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This is one of my very favorite photos.
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And Kim, just in case you didn't see how I spent the reception...
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Kimmy, I love you more than you know. I can't wait to see you again. Hugs and Love, Shanny
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