baseball themed engagement

When I was contacted to do a ''baseball-themed'' engagement session, I was excited & a little nervous.  I had no idea if I would be able to capture the shots the future bride & groom were envisioning...

I think I nailed it.

*insert happy dance here*

photography perk.... punta cana

A couple of weeks ago I photographed a beautiful wedding.  I ran into the young woman who made the wedding cake, exchange hellos and she introduced herself as a cousin of the bride.

I was surprised to hear from her a few days later... just a quick Facebook message inquiring about my photography package for weddings.

I responded with my rate & what services I provide, happy to even be considered to be a part of her special day.

Can I just say my jaw dropped when I heard back from her a few minutes later...

She & her fiancé are having a destination wedding and they want to pay my trip to Punta Cana to be their photographer!!! 

Say whaaaaAAAT!?

I'm sure I thought I had misread or misinterpreted her message, so I verified the details... and sure enough, I would be paid in a ''trip'' instead of monetary compensation.

I had to think it over and discuss it with my husband, of course.

At first, we thought he'd come with me.  A honeymoon trip we never got to take... but really, it's an expense we weren't planning for.  Plus, he has a ton of tattoo projects in the works and those aren't free.

Then I considered going alone!  I mean, a free trip is a free trip.  FREE. Sure, I'd have to ''work'' one of those days, but the rest of the holiday would be all mine.  I could just bring a bunch of books & bathing suits and hang out by the pool  Heaven?

Even better, though, I think my sister is going to come with me!  It's something we'd probably never do otherwise, and we've never done a ''sisters-only'' trip.  It will be so much fun.

There was a silly little issue with NOT having a passport (I had one YEARS ago and I went to Florida ONCE and then I let it expire... I don't get out much)... but a quick trip to the passport office and a few days later... my passport is in my hands and plans are underway for me to head to Punta Cana at the end of January.

I never in a million years thought my little photography hobby would open so many possibilities and new adventures for me.  After the last few years that I've had, this trip couldn't have come at a better time!

self-portraits

As you may know, I also blog over at Lena B, Actually... and one of my other passions (besides photography) is fashion.

I'm by no means a fashion expert... but I like playing around with it and I've been trying to bring more of a ''fashion blog'' feel to my other blog.

To do that I have to post ''fashionable-ish'' photos of myself.

Since most of my family thinks it's silly to a) be a blogger & b) take photos of yourself, I don't get a lot of help in the photo-taking department.  That means I have to take my own pics.

Sometimes referred to as ''selfies.''

Here a few recent ones.  All taken by myself, with a remote.

How comfortable are you in front of the camera?  Do you take self-portraits?

boudoir

A few weeks ago I was asked if I did "boudoir" photography.

Um... no. I hadn't... but I was up for the challenge.

Luckily, the lovely young woman I was photographing was very prepared.  She had found a few photos on pinterest that she wanted to "re-create" and was incredibly confident... which made my job that much easier.

The photos turned out so great!

This is my favorite one from the shoot...

Have you taken boudoir photos before? Either as the photographer or the subject?
What was your experience like?

J+T sneak peek

 

 

 

Again, I had the honor of photographing a very special & beautiful wedding. Always honored to be a little part of someone's big day. I took well over 1200 photos of Justin & Taylor's wedding... this is just a very early sneak peek of the gorgeous couple! 

also a BIG welcome to my newest in-post sponsor...

Mr & Mrs S

This lovely couple got married on the beautiful beaches in Mexico... they celebrated upon their return with a very chilly reception in their home town.   I was happy to be a part of their special day!

 Congratulations!

winter wedding... in spring

Last month I had the pleasure of photographing a very special wedding.  The couple was amazing... and the weather didn't dampen their spirits or ruin the day.  What should have been a green Spring-like wedding, ended up being cold, windy & wet... but magical nonetheless.

 

Thank you Derik & Nic for letting me be a little part in your big day!

Like those props?  They were a big hit!!

Courtesy of my lovely sponsor Love Sparkle Pretty... check her out!