Daily Reading: Resolution #1

Okay, so every year I start out saying I'm going to read my Bible from Genesis to Revelation in one year and it never happens and I get frustrated. Part of the reason I don't follow through is because I have a King James translation and I am definitely not qualified to read this version of the bible. I get so confused with hither, thou, thee, whilst, thine and all the other gibberish talk that I don't understand what I'm reading so I figure what's the point.

I decided I needed a new loverly version of the Bible to read and actually understand for a change. So Keira and I went to Lifeway today and while she carried around and read Hermie the Common Caterpillar, I searched for a bible I could love forever and always. In addition to being easy to read, I had to have some room in the margins to take notes and I value the accuracy of the translation from the original writings.

So, here's what I ended up with. It's the English Standard Version that's in a journaling format. It's got the nice wide margins for note-taking and it's got a journaled look to it with natural flexible leather that smells good too. That's just a bonus! And, it also has a handy dandy place for my nifty Retro 51 pen.

2007 Favorites! I Need YOUR Help!

Good afternoon fabulous people! I'm getting ready to print my samples from all of the wonderful weddings I did this year and I'm having a tough time deciding which ones to print. Soooooo, I need YOUR help! Check out THIS LINK, browse through the images, and mark your favorites (by image number) in the comments or shoot me an email. Yes, you can vote for your images or someone else's! There are no prizes but I think I will make this a yearly or bi-yearly thing. So tell me what you like!!!

Thanks for your help and Happy New Year (almost)!

Kirby Scared the FedEx Driver!

This is Kirby. He's the most un-intimidating dog. Ever. However, today, he managed to scare the FedEx driver so badly the driver ran to his truck, jumped in and sped off. I laughed so hard I almost cried. Thinking about it makes me laugh out loud.



Here's what happened:

The FedEx driver dropped a box at my door (without knocking). I open the door to get the package and the driver is still there walking the driveway to his truck. Kirby runs out barking and the driver books it to the truck, climbs in, and no kidding, speeds away.

Kirby is a dachshund and is about 10" high. I so wish I had my camera in my hand because it was the funniest thing. Most of you have met Kirby love him and he really is the greatest dog. Maybe you just had to be there, but if you've met Kirby maybe you can picture it. Ha Ha!

Restructure. Changes. Exciting.

The last few weeks while I've been busily fulfilling Christmas orders and taking on quite a bit more than I imagined I could ever handle in such a short period of time, I've been thinking about how to improve for next year. My business is a labor of love and while I enjoy what I do, I understand that I need to always be looking for the things that matter most to myself and my clients. I love being a part of the most important times in your lives. It's such an amazing honor to be chosen to photograph someone's wedding or newborn baby.

In order to most effectively assist you all, I've had to take some time and figure out how I can do everything I want to do while being able to serve my clients quickly and with the best customer service possible. While I'm not ready to unleash all of the exciting new changes that will be taking place, I will say that I always want to hear from you guys, good and bad. It all helps me to grow as a better business owner, photographer and person. It's been a wonderful year and I could never be where I am without my amazing clients and my wonderful family who supports me beyond what I deserve. And above all, my business is here by the grace of God and the blessings He has given me.

When I started my business, I was committed to having a business that was as honoring to God as it was to my clients. Over the last year, I've been a little more consumed in new fangled technology, software and equipment. Despite that, God has still allowed my business to grow and I've been able to learn many new things. I remember starting out I used to pray with my assistants before every wedding, asking God to bless the couple as they prepare for their vows and to bless their marriage as well as to grant us the eyes to photograph the event with. This year I've been so rushed that this hasn't been a priority of mine and that's gotten me a little off track. The thing is, I really do care about each and every couple and I want to see their marriages succeed just as much as they do. In the time it takes to get to know someone before their wedding, I really feel like I know the family and the bridal party and most importantly, I feel like I've walked away with new friends each time. My business would never be what it is without the relationships I've been able to experience with the wonderful people I photograph and the memories I am allowed to capture for them.

I know my thoughts seem fairly scattered, I'm just writing what I'm feeling and thinking this morning. I think it's just as important for you all to know the inner workings of me to better understand where I'm coming from when I shoot. I am so blessed and even when I fail to see God with me every day, He always manages to take care of me and show Himself in the most random occurrence. I love that about Him.

It appears now I'm just rambling, that's what I do best. It drives Kyle crazy. So, let me know how I'm doing. Tell me what you'd like to see. What would you like to see on the blog? What can I help you with? I'm excited for 2008 and I'm really looking forward to getting back to the basics.

Merry Christmas!

It's a wonderful day and tomorrow will be even better! We are at Kyle's parents celebrating the Christmas holiday and having a blast with fun, family and good fellowship. The only thing we're missing is a big white snow covered ground. Since moving to Nashville from Pennsylvania, it's been sad not having a lot of snow, but we're happy where we are just the same.

Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy your time off! Christ the Saviour is born! Joy to the World! :)

My All Time Favorite Christmas Music!

In no particular order, my favorite Christmas songs are:

All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey



This song always gets me in the Christmas spirit. It's just so fun and upbeat and it makes you want to move a little!

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town - Jackson Five



A classic Motown favorite. I love it! What happened to that cute little Michael Jackson? That's a completely different blog entry.

Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney



This song brings back some great memories. I love the whole song.

White Christmas - The Drifters



Of course, I HAVE to pick the version of White Christmas that was on the Home Alone Soundtrack. It's just so great!

Babe in the Straw - Leigh Nash



This is definitely one of those songs that most likely no one has ever heard of, but I LOVE it. I sing it Keira when I rock her to sleep now that it's Christmas. She also likes to slumber off to Silent Night, but that one isn't on the list because I like so many other songs so much better!

Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 - Trans-Siberian Orchestra



This song is so well orchestrated and so beautifully played. Someday I'd really love to see this live. It's just so wonderful!

All That I Want - The Weepies



This is a new addition to my favorite Christmas songs. I love this girl's voice. She sounds like the girl who was in Elf. I will have to do some research on that one.

Catch us in the Nashville Scene!

Twice a year the Nashville Scene puts out a Wedding Guide around the time the big bridal fair is held at the convention center downtown. So, be sure to check out our ad in the Wedding Guide. I think it comes out the last Wednesday of December or the first one of January. Either way, pick up a copy so all your friends will be jealous! I'm not going to share the ad with you now, but the first person to send me a picture of themselves with the ad will win a $10 iTunes or Starbucks gift card! I will give you a hint, look for the lime green!

And also, congrats to Peter and Annie who's photo made the ad! They will get a free fine art print of the ad because they are the lucky couple who's picture I used!

Ellie Dub

My friend and fellow Mint & Sage Photographer, Amelia, is part of a great new project called Ellie Dub. The project sells really cool t-shirts to help raise money for families who are in the process of adopting a child. Amelia has quite a passion for this, especially since she knows first hand the struggles and hardships that come along with the joy of adopting a child. So, check out the site and purchase a shirt! They are pretty sweet designs and it goes towards a good cause. And if you are someone you know is interested in the adoption process and would like to find out how Ellie Dub can help you, contact Amelia at amelia@ameliajmoore.com.

Oh, and these are still available in time for Christmas!!!

Jeff and Carmen :: The E-Session

Good day my fine blog readers! It's been a while since I've done a slideshow and since I was ready to post my faves from Jeff and Carmen's engagement session, I figured it was time! We had a blast hanging out at The Hermitage for their shoot. The weather was so great because it was cloudy, yet the sun was still shining at times so it made for wonderful contrasty and saturation goodness! I'm excited for their wedding in April, but in the meantime, enjoy their slideshow, and watch your head! ;) (you'll get the joke after you watch the slideshow)

Friday's Fabulous Five - 12/14/07

It's Christmas time so I wanted to share my list of favorite Christmas movies with you all. These are must haves of the season,s o enjoy them with some hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies, and if it's cold where you are, heat up the fire and snuggle up with your loved ones! I love Christmas! Now all I need is a little snow......

1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation



Yes, it's a wonderfully fun family film for the happiest Christmas get-togethers.

2. Elf



A new holiday classic. I think I've watched it 3 or 4 times already this year!

3. Home Alone



I've been watching Home Alone every year since I can remember. When I was a kid, I used to think I was going to grow up and marry Macaulay Culkin. Ha ha!

4. A Christmas Story



Don't shoot your eye out because you won't be able to watch this gem!

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas



No preference on which version of this one, but it's such a simple story. Don't be a grinch!

Next week, we'll do Christmas music!!

Callie & James - The E-Session Faves!

Callie and James are a great couple who are getting married in Saint Augustine, Florida in March. We didn't actually meet until their engagement session so it was so nice to spend some time hanging out and getting to know them. I'm super excited for their wedding and maybe they will post a link to their website in the comments so that you can read their engagement story! It's so great!

We drove down to Leiper's Fork for the engagement shoot and it was so pretty there! It's got such a great small town feeling and the leaves were changing and falling. In addition to the great outdoors, we also used some of the old buildings and antique shops for some great images.







While we were walking around shooting, these kids were playing with some dandelions and were just blowing them around because it was so windy. So some of them ended up in the frame and then we invited them to just blow the dandelions right in front of the camera. It almost looks like snow! These kids were so funny, like little assistants!









For this last image, we actually drove around looking for a field and the only ones we could find were all fenced off, so we jumped an old wooden fence and walked up this giant hill. The sky was clear blue and it made for a great background!



I had so much fun James and Callie! I'm sooooo excited about your wedding in March!

Friday's Fabulous Five! - 12/07

Okay, I know I missed last week, but you're in for a good post today. Some of the funniest or coolest wedding videos on YouTube. Why? Because I love to laugh!!!!! By the way, these are in no particular order.

The first video is a montage of some very memorable wedding guests who took control of the microphone and probably shouldn't have ever been given the mic to begin with.


There is a lot swirling around about wedding dances that are fun, unusual or just funny, so here's a few of those, that may or may not be widespread viral videos. So as a challenge to my 2008 couples, let's do better than this! The first couple to go all out for a wedding dance is going to receive a free gallery wrap canvas print (up to 16x20) for your creativity and awesome skills! Here a few to inspire you!



And of course, the dance that's been floating around the news. If you haven't seen it yet, here it is!



And another blooper reel:


Finally, this last video isn't related to weddings, but I was searching for fun wedding videos on YouTube and for some reason this popped up and I laughed out loud and scared the dog!

Peter and Annie

Things have been crazy trying to get everything from October and November uploaded in time for Christmas orders and so I haven't been blogging lately. Anywho, I finally have the slideshow done for my friends Peter and Annie's wedding. They were married at Carnton Plantation and it was such a great day! It was picture perfect with clear blue skies, nice crisp fall air, but not too chilly and the cutest couple, too! Peter could hardly keep his emotions inside when he saw Annie approaching him. She was so stunning that he was in awe and I found that very sweet! We were really able to take advantage of all Carnton has to offer for photos, meandering to the graveyard and the open fields for their couple photos. I was so glad to have been a part of their day, it was so awesome!

Also, I know I forgot my Fabulous Five on Friday, so I will post that soon too. It will be a fun one!