Challenge - From the Ground

The challenge Kristin and I decided on this week revolved around items seen 'From the Ground'. The building is obvious, but the cows were a little different. I was driving back to Austin from Houston, and we saw these great cows out in Brenham. Because the fences on either side are raised up so much higher than the valley below, it doesn't look like I was laying on the ground at all...but trust me, and the ant bites on my stomach, I was shooting from the ground!

Peyton and Pigwidgeon

I'm taking an informal class at UT this summer on photographing children. Since I am the only person in the class without my own kids, Whitney let me borrow hers! Peyton was hanging out with Nicole this evening so big thanks to her for letting me be part of their day =D

This is Peyton and his new puppy, Pig (Pigwidgeon)...


Just Peyton


Neighbor, Kate, discovering Pig


Nicole and Peyton goofing off


Peyton being cheeky


War of the Noses!


Peyton and Pig


Peyton Chillaxin


Pig's Close Up


What a ham! These two made it a fun night =D


Thanks again to Whitney, Nicole and Peyton for being so generous!

Weekly Challenge - Rule of Thirds

Kristin and I decided to make this past week's (okay, we always fudge the length of a "week") challenge all about the rule of thirds. Lucky for me, I still had some shots from Leah and Taylor's anniversary shoot that I could use for this...

I love the bunny ears she's giving him



I don't know if you can tell, but those mosaic numbers are awesome!


Mmmm...pizza...coffee...

Leah's Anniversary

Leah is a new pal (works with Whitney Lee Photography), and she was so excited to celebrate her 5 years of dating and 2 years of marriage with her beloved Taylor. The adorable couple and the fabulous Whitney invited me to come to the shoot. For Whitney's pics, see her blog or check out Leah's flickr page.


The moment before a kiss



Mmmmm...wall kisses



Some people star-gaze...he does the Leah-gaze



They got schmushy noses having a staring contest!



These are the "Godzilla attacks!!!" faces



Love on a yellow cinder block



The view from above



This was a very nice wall



Miss Leah



Taylor jumping for Joy!...I mean for Leah...



I just like this one

I have some more to go through...so check back for more Leah and Taylor! Thanks guys :)

ANOTHER camera-related injury?!

Those who talked to me right after I assisted at my first wedding know that I pinched all 4 nerves in my middle finger. Well...second job = second injury. That's right, I just about heal the first finger and another one is taken out! At first I had a big throbbing vein but it went away, then the finger looked like it belonged to an 800 lb man but I iced it down, and then the bruising started... By that point I figured I should start documenting these injuries. I'm sensing a disturbing pattern here...


Nope, not flashing a peace sign. This is my latest camera-related injury...


You have to suffer for your work =D


I know this will all pay off!


Pooooor little finger. I'll try not to abuse you so much in the future.

Stay tuned for the pictures of the wedding where I got this war injury!

Portraits

Time for a stroll back a couple of months...I have some photos from a couple portrait sessions to share.
The Smalley Family


Katrina


Riddick


The Wilburns


Caty and Jack

Challenge

"Still of hand will never make up for emptiness of heart."
One of my fave quotes, and to make sure we don't lose that passion for photography in our hearts, we (my friend Kristin and I) have decided to have weekly photo "challenges" as our motivation to take tons of pics even when we're not doing an official 'shoot'. While I was working on this week's challenge I was also breaking in NEW equipment, HOORAY! I used my 40D bod and 70-200 mm glass to bring back some memories. Here was one of my most treasured toys, the Popple. If you don't know what a Popple is then you're not a GEN Yer, but you should probably educate yourself b/c they're so darn cute! Here's Popple open and closed for your enjoyment.



First, he's open...









Then he's shut!

Bridal Extravaganza

Wow, I have never seen such bridal madness. Thanks to new pal Whitney Lee (check her out at www.whitneyleephotography.com), I got the chance to go along for the bridal extravaganza as a boothie rather than a bride. I had always been slightly weary of these events, thinking I'd go numb from the sugar coated brides walking around...oohing and aaahing over ridiculous items just because it has "Bride and Groom" written on it. However, it actually turned out to be pretty fun... just mixed with a lot of hard work! I was fortunate to work on a fun team and have a creative display area so that might have had something to do with it =D

I also got to hang out with some fun chics during the day, nice to meet y'all (Leah, Joy, Olivia)!

UPDATE ALERT: I have this cell phone pic which the lovely Whitney let me yank from her website. Oh yeah, take in the faux-grassiness of it all!

Thanks for the pic, Whitney! You can read up on Whitney's experience by visiting her here.