little rays of sunshine

NEW BLOG....link below!!!

Yep...it's official.  I've gone nuts.  My blog has moved AGAIN!  I just had no choice but to move it....I mean, I just couldn't resist.  I hired Theresa over at Blogs for Photogs to totally revamp and customize my blog for me and that she did....she's awesome to work with and well worth what you will pay to get a groovy new blog.  Trust me.  Here's the link:

ROCKIN' NEW BLOG

Make sure you change me in your favorites, add me to  your bloglines or just subscribe to my new blog once you get there so you can be updated when there are new posts!

Back at it again!

This past Sunday Allison and I got together to do a shoot for a new business venture she has going on.  After we took care of what we needed to for that, we had some fun of our own.  I absolutely LOVE doing shoots with her because she is such an amazing artist.  She always knows exactly what to do to create a beautiful image...and that she does....every time.  Even though you can't tell much about it from these pictures, I've been eyeballing this location for a while now and was so anxious to take here there.  She, of course, was game and once we got there knew exactly how to work with her surroundings.

Just a few for now...I haven't even gone through all of them yet.  I just picked a few out of the bunch I knew I'd fall in love with.  And I did.;-) 

Thanks Alli!!!

Time surely flies...

It seems like just yesterday that I photographed Emaleigh's newborn portraits.  Now, she is just over a year old.  It's crazy how time flies so quickly!

She is such a sweet and beautiful little girl...and such a little trooper!  It was a pretty hot day, but that didn't slow her down...not even a little bit!  I spent the first part of the session chasing after this quick little thing!  But that's certainly to be expected of this age so I'm quite used to it!  And I guess it definitely helps that I've got a crazy little 3 year old I chase after daily!;-)  He definitely prepares me for whatever track stars I may have to face "on the job"!;-)

Anyways...gotta share a few pics of this little doll from our session.  I'm so excited to introduce you to the little girl that dad won't let go on a date until she's (at least) 25.  That's right, she's daddy's girl.  So little toddler guys...back away.  She's off limits...for QUITE a while.

I absolutely adore this little pout.  It melts me!!!;-)

 

Make sure you stop by and check out what the girls at CG Designs have been up to!  They recently launched a new mini marketing set and some way cool "mommy cards".  Go see what all the buzz is about!

Lorin & Jeremy

You remember Lorin and Jeremy from the recent sneak peak of the night time engagement session right?  Well, I'm back with more from their engagement shoot!  Seriously...I'm so excited to be shooting their wedding.  Not only are they a great looking couple, they are way cool and they just really know how to "work the camera".  And it certainly doesn't hurt that they have mad style.  Trust me when I tell you that Jeremy owns more shoes than I do.  Yep...I saw the collection and have since informed my husband that he can never complain about my current "shoe situation" again.  I had no idea they made so many different styles of Nike's.  And we're not just talking running shoes here...we're talking crazy stylin' shoes.  And like any bonafide shoe lovin' individual, it only seems appropriate that he has a very special pair to change into after the ceremony on his wedding day. I was able to scope them out the day of our engagement shoot and let me just tell you, they are goona look awesome in pictures.;-)

I have so many favorites from their session that I don't know how I'll narrow them down.  I went a little crazy b/c they were up for several location and clothing changes...love that!  Check them out below!

Their wedding date...

These next images were taken in the river.  Yes, you read this right...in the river.  We went "rock hopping" to get to this location and I have to say that even though I was a nervous wreck in flip flops hopping from rock to rock with all of my equipment, the shots came out beautifully.  The lighting was so awesome out there.  I'm thinking next time though, I might bring a zoom with me.;-)

I love a good sense of humor....and of course I love the movie Zoolander, so when Jeremy busted out his best "Blue Steel" I had to get that one.;-)

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Sneak Peek!

This weekend I had the awesome experience of doing an engagement shoot in downtown Richmond on a Saturday night.  It was sooo much fun.  Not only did I get to hang with a super cool couple, I got to see Richmond in a whole new way behind the lens.  This was my first "night shoot" and I have to say I loved it.  These guys were up for anything...total rock stars!;-)  I've also got many more to come from these guys...we did the day thing too, and got a ton of awesome images.  They took me all around Richmond and showed me places that I never knew existed!  So as a result, I've decided that Jeremy's my new location scout.;-)

Thanks so much guys!  You totally worked it and made my job easy!  Here are just a few of my faves!

We stopped by Common Groundz for some coffee during the shoot.  What an awesome place...cool art, rockin' decor and just a great vibe.  You've definitely gotta check it out.

Virginia Tech

Here's thinking of you today...

Virginia Tech-Remember

10k or bust!

A while back my husband decided he wanted to run the Ukrop's 10k here in Richmond, VA with one of his buddies.  Not one to be shown up, I told him I would do it too...of course I wasn't quite ready to engage the full on adventurous spirit that he had for his newfound hobby of running, so I decided I'd baby step it and walk the 10k.  I knew that my buddy Tisha's husband Darryl was running that day too, so she and I hooked up and became race buddies.  And let me just say that I use the word "race" loosely.  HA!  We had a blast. 

Friday night before the race rolls around and it's pouring...after convincing myself that it was still going to be pouring when I woke up Saturday morning, I decided that I was probably not going to do the race.  We're talking cold and rainy.  With the busy season swinging back in effect and newborn twins to photograph, I had decided I'd bail if it was too nasty b/c I just couldn't chance a cold.  So the later it rained on Friday night, the later I stayed up working.  Finally I retired around 1:30 am.  Alarm goes off at 6:15 on race day and I go check the weather.  Wouldn't you know there wasn't a rain drop in sight?  Who would've thought?;-)  So of course we go to accomplish our goal.  We meet at Tisha's studio and walk to the beginning of the race.  Meanwhile, our husband's races started way before ours, so we had to wait a while....a LONG while...in the rain....because yes, it started raining.  There was no stopping us at that point though...we were there, and still slightly determined.;-)  All I have to say is thank GOODNESS Tisha brought an umbrella.  She saved the day.  So finally we start our race and poor Tisha's foot is killing her because evidently she had broken it last year!  But what a trooper she was...she didn't let that stop her.  After deciding we weren't going to break any records by walking the race, we figured we'd just have a blast and get the whole "race" experience.  And that we did my friend....that we did.

Tisha was kind enough to send me these pictures from our day together.  I brought my point and shoot with me but as soon as I went to take my first picture, it died.  I should've known better than to borrow the batteries from a Wii remote in a Wii addicted household.  Not a good idea.

This is us before the race even started.....just waiting to start.  And let me just preface all these pictures by saying that I had no sleep and it was a rainy and muggy day...so not good for the hair.  Cut me some slack here...;-)  Of course Tisha's as cute as ever.

Local VCU students cheering us on!

Tisha at 3.0 miles.

That .1 mile was a real kicker. ;-)

We sure are trashy...

Me at 4 miles.  Just 2.2 to go!

To fully get the race experience, I feel it's necessary to be not only a participant but a spectator as well.  So yeah, I stopped to play a little beer pong...with complete strangers.  But they sure were a friendly bunch.

We didn't stay long though...

Here's Tisha and one of my favorite "cheerleaders" from that day.

And here we are at mile six.  Only .2 miles to go.  YAY!  We did it!

 

Can't wait to show you guys some of the pictures from my engagement session this weekend!  What a blast...we got some incredible night shots here in Richmond!  Stay tuned for those!

And also, be sure to check out CG Designs.  They released an AWESOME organizational kit for photographers (I use it and LOVE it!) and also some more very cool textures!

Until next time!!!  And oh yeah, I can see how many hits I get a day on this blog...you guys are slackin' on the comments.;-)  Don't be afraid to show me some love...I love hearing from you! 

Show your support....WNRN rocks!

I've posted before about my favorite radio station ever, and here I am again...posting about them.  What can I say?  They rock.  Plain and simple.  WNRN is a non-profit and non-commercial radio station in Virginia.  This is an excerpt from their site describing the station:

"WNRN offers cutting-edge modern rock programming to intelligent, educated, upscale listeners from 18 to 49.  STU-COMM's Board of Directors is committed to providing the Central Virginia community with a contemporary music radio station suited to the needs and lifestyle of the area's large academic and professional population."

How true.;-)  Seriously, the music is great.  And the best part....no commercials.  That means that they survive solely on donations alone.  They just finished up their Spring fund drive and I'm happy to say that I did donate.  I will absolutely do whatever I can to keep this station going.  If you are a fan, please go pledge your support.  I'm quite certain they wouldn't turn away your money even though the drive officially ended today.   And if you're not yet a fan, go check them out.  You can listen online!!! 

As a result of pledging, one of the gifts they gave away was an awesome WNRN t-shirt from American Apparel.  That in and of itself is an incredible gift!  Not only is the t-shirt way cool featuring an old school boombox, did I mention it came from American Apparel?   Enough said. 

And one more thing...I received a phone call today that I was one of twenty grand prize winners.  I won two nights at the Hampton Inn and Suites University and dinner for two!  Who can pass up a weekend in Charlottesville?  Not I.  I was soooo excited as Charlottesville is one of my favorite places ever.;-)

Here I am in my WNRN getup.  Not easy taking a picture of yourself as you're rushing to get out the door so cut me some slack here!

Growing up...

I've been making more of an effort to go through all of the pictures that I take of my own kids lately.  I have to say, that being a photographer you would think that I would have pictures galore of my kids.  You'd be suprised though...even though photography is such an incredible passion of mine (as cliche as that sounds), it is also my job.  And while I LOVE it, let's just say that picking up the camera when I don't have to always seems to be a bit more difficult for me.  Or editing images that I've taken of the family always falls to the back burner behind clients, which as a result also means that they are soon forgotten.  So, I have vowed to myself that I will take more pictures of my kids.  I'm certain that my oldest will not be happy about this resolution as he tends to absolutely despise the camera even though he's incredibly photogenic... but he will have no choice.  I mean, you've gotta have pictures for your myspace, right?;-)  And to really reap the full benefits of this resolution, not only will I take more pictures, I will edit them, print them and hang them!  And of course I'll blog them!!!  So, here we go...here are a few that got shoved to the back burner from this Christmas in Florida.  I adore these and want at least one of them printed BIG!  I mean, this kid is growing up...and these pictures tell that story.  He's becoming more and more independent each and every day.

 

Wow...long time no post!

Sorry to leave you guys hanging!  I have been pretty busy lately so my blog has not been feelin' the love, that's for sure!  In addition to all that, it's Spring Break too so I'm trying to spend more time outside with the boys and less time working.  Hey, they're only young once, right?  And Spring Break is meant to be FUN!  Of course baseball season kinda put a damper on my big travel plans of going to Disney World, so we've gotta make the best of it here.  Perhaps we'll go hang with Mickey this Summer!  Anyways, I'm back for a bit and I have pictures to share...of course!!!;-)   Check out sweet little Liv.  Isn't she just the happiest little thing???;-)

See ya next time!!!