My First Action Creation = VintageLook

No matter how much I love blue skies, I love vintage effects more.

Right now, I am celebrating. I just created my first action in photoshop. lol

This is HUGE, because I just download a ton of free actions and use them all the time.

Before:

After:

Picnic Time!

Theres something about dressing up for fun, that makes life more exciting.

Throw in some make up and costume jewelry.

Some gorgeous dresses

A couple of crazy awesome girls

Some pretty little earrings

A mirror

And some food. lol

In this case, Chicken Nuggets & French Fries did it.

And a party pooper who refuses to do anything fun.

Instead she plays a game of hide and seek leaving post it notes saying "Amy Was Here"

all over the house. Thinking that I was actually looking for her..

not. 

Another beautiful girl with a pretty necklace

a picnic blanket, some ketchup and we were set!

Aren't they so cute?

And of course there was a prince, but he didn't want to dress up nice either.

Pinky up!

And the prince brought us all some water. Hero <3

Ew me.

Then of course you can't put a dress on and not have your picture taken. :D

She's the bestest baby sister in the whole wide world. :D

Sara & Chris {2011 Wedding}

If you would have asked me a little over a year ago, what kind of a photographer I wanted to be, I would have told you "Oh, just a portrait photographer. And I want to do seniors." That's it.

Quite frankly, I was scared to death to shoot weddings because I am petrified of failing. And so I just was never going to put myself in that position. I just didn't want the pressure of taking pictures on the most important day of someone's life.

But last January (2011) I was given a chance, just to see if I would enjoy it.

...and I fell in love.

What being a wedding photographer means to me is that I get to spend the most important day of two people's lives, with them, and make their memories last forever. It's the nervous bride, the teary eyed groom, the details that she spent months on, the bridal party who is there to make them laugh, the mother helping her daughter dress, the father giving her away, the declaring of vows before God and guests, their first kiss as husband and wife.

That is what makes it so special.

Sara & Chris got married 3 months ago, in December. It was the 17th wedding I helped photograph in 2011. And it was beautiful.

The wedding was at Green Gables. There was some snow on the ground, some geese trying to break through the ice on the river, and plenty of sunshine to go around.

Sara had made her own earrings for her special day. Her colors of black & white with a hint of yellow just had a very modern and classy feeling.

Her engagement ring was stunning. Her dress was fabulous.

Her bouquet of flowers was just adorable. So different from most.

When I second shoot, I always get to photograph the guys. They are usually willing to do anything. Afterall, it is Chris's day as well.

I just loved their cake servers.

They were both holding back the tears while saying their vows and exchanging their rings.

And of course, there were a few giggles in there as well.

Finally together forever, they bundled up for the cold.

Sara's smile and the reflection of Chris's face just blows my mind. Look at the love.

Dancing.

And my favorite picture for last.

They gaze into each other's eyes, so in love. Ready to spend life together, "Until death do us part."

So today, if you ask me what I want to do for the rest of my life, I will tell you..

"I want to spend my life making the memories of people last forever."

To God be the glory.

The end. :)

Memory Making From Today

Today was a little different from the usual Sunday in our house. Usually I go off to my church, the rest of my family goes off to theirs. Then we come home and sometimes eat lunch together. Then we scatter, take naps, watch movies, and play on the computer..that kind of thing. And usually don't see each other the rest of the day. So today, things were different.

I took my siblings to church with me. And let me tell you, they loved it. It was nice to go to church with my sisters and brother. It was nice to talk to them on the way home and ask them what they learned. It was nice when we sat down and ate hot dogs and baked beans, then realized we had no hot dog buns and I had to run to aldi's. It was great when I got to take them all to the park down the road and watch them roller blade and throw rocks into the water, and chase the geese. It was wonderful to take them out for ice cream and be grossed out when Stephen and Ruby both got playdough ice cream (which I think smells and tastes really bad).

So here are some pictures from the day.

Ruby throwing rocks into the water.

Steve & Emma roller blading away.

Then there were these little kids on the rocks. They were looking at something in the water, and their reflections looked so perfect.

Then the boy got up to leave, and the girls mom said "Come on honey, we're leaving." and she said "But I can't. I'm stuck. I'm too scared! I can't move I'm too scared!" It was the cutest thing with her standing there holding her bear. Reminded me of Penny from the Rescuer's, and it was just begging for a picture.

Then there were some people with this remote controlled boat. It was pretty sweet.

Ruby got tired out real fast. And can I say, only my sister could look this awesome on a park bench. lol 

Some of the geese.

And the of course the day isn't complete without some form of batman.

(yes that is Amy's belt...)