LOVE: Joel & Emeleene

This photo shoot is from almost a year ago. Joel, one of Hubby's two best bachelor buddies, and Emeleene, the sweet, sweet girl that he met on a blind date, were newly engaged and I had offered an engagement shoot as part of our wedding present. So we met up at this incredible old mill on a windy Saturday afternoon last spring. This old place is pretty special to Hubby and I- this was the location were we had a lot of our bridal party and couple pictures on our wedding day. Joel was one of Hubby's groomsman and was adamant about not going somewhere that "everybody else goes" to have their engagement pictures done. So when I mentioned "the old mill" (as the locals refer to it), Joel and Em were game. Funny thing is, since our wedding, and even since this shoot, I've noticed that "the old mill" has indeed become another place that seemingly everyone goes to for an amazing portrait location.

Wow! I look at these photos, I'm a bit ashamed. Not because the shots themselves are bad, but because I have learned so much about editing since then. So, so much. Looking at this session now I wish I could go back and re-edit them with all I know now. And maybe I will sometime. But, for right now, I'm gonna be, I don't know, honest I guess, a post them as is. Maybe sometime down the road, I'll post some re-edits.

This was such a fun shoot- I mean, come on, photo shoots with good friends as subjects are always a ton of fun! It doesn't take near as long or near as much effort to get them to loosen up and be themselves.

These two images with the old window frame are some of my favorite out of the 30 odd great pictures we got from the entire afternoon.

And this series of shots behind that neat old building have to be my other favorites. Guess I just have a thing for old buildings.

Aw, yeah, that was such a great afternoon. Joel and Em were married in July, 2009, right before our big move from east to west. We saw them while we were on vacation during January and they're still in so much love. It's so cool to see friends find someone great for them and get married, committing to a lifetime together! Oh yes, I am totally the crier at weddings- particularly the weddings of friends. Good grief, I've cried at weddings where my husband was the connection to the couple and I had never met them in my life!

But anyways, thank-you to those dear people who actually read my blog. After I wrote and posted my last post, I realized I did not have to say half the things I said because most people simply do not care about the intricacies of my psych. Forgive me and thanks for reading. *grin*

LOVE: Jeremy & Ruth

So, yup, this is another vacation photo shoot. This time I got together with my friend and photography mentor, Esther, and we had our mutual friends, Jeremy and Ruth, as our model couple.

Hubby and I used to hang out with Jeremy and Ruth a lot before we were married. We had a lot of fun. Usually the most fun involved totally random things. Wal-Mart runs. MickeyDs. Spotting (which I, as a Michigan native, just don't get- what's the big deal about running around in the back of someone's pick-up after dark with a huge spotlight, looking for deer when, were I come from and, actually, where I currently live, you can see the dumb creatures pretty much anytime of the day or night?). Volleyball. Or just being totally bored and resigning ourselves to watching another movie. And once I ran over Jeremy's foot with my car. But that's another story for another time...

Back to our photo shoot. Jeremy and Ruth have been married a good year and half, but wanted some shots in their wedding clothes that they hadn't been able to do on their wedding day. So we did that. And after that, they changed their clothes and we did some more fun, more casual shots.

The sweet, sweet barn location where we were shooting.

Ruth.

Jeremy.

Nice boots, girl!

Casual shots...

Lovely Women: 3 Kampens + 1 Rutt

While on vacation I took the opportunity to ask some friends and family if they would mind doing some "modeling" for me. Basically, I want the chance to shoot people I knew and felt comfortable. I wanted the practice. I wanted some sweet stuff for my portfolio. So one Sunday afternoon, my Aunt K, her daughters, K and E (my cousins, obviously), and our random friend A, took off for a local park. Of course this is a park that it seems everyone in the area, at sometime or another, have their portraits taken. But, oh well. Like I said, it was local. It was close. And it is the kind of place where you can shoot and shoot and still come out with different kinds of images every time.

So here's a few of my favorites! This was such a fun shoot. I mean, how could it not be with these awesomely fun ladies? We did a lot of laughing.

Mother-daughter shots.

Friend A. So pretty.

Cuz E. The perfect soberish model. Until she breaks out the sista 'tude. Downright outrageous!

More A. Love her and her completely calm gaze into the camera.

BFFs I think. Seriously, it's a riot when these two get together.

I know Aunt K is a little out of focus in this one, but for some reason, I like it.

And this. This, I'm pretty sure is one my absolute favorite shots out of the entire shoot. The soft light. The expression. So very Cuz K. Very demonstrative of her personality. A lot of sweetness with just enough of the "Bring it, girl!" attitude to mix it up.

Than-you ladies for giving me the chance to wield my camera at you! I hope you all were pleased with the results. And I promise. I will be sending discs. Soon.

Day 44 (t-minus 6 days)

The only thing I can think of when I look at this shot is the song 'Whiter Than Snow'.

1. 
   
2. Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
   I want Thee forever to live in my soul;
   Break down every idol, cast out every foe—
   Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
   • Refrain:
     Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow,
     Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
3. Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,
   Apply Thine own blood and extract every stain;
   To get this blest cleansing, I all things forego—
   Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
4. Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
   And help me to make a complete sacrifice;
   I give up myself, and whatever I know—
   Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
5. Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat,
   I wait, blessed Lord, at Thy crucified feet,
   By faith for my cleansing, I see thy blood flow—
   Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
6. Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait;
   Come now and within me a new heart create;
   To those who have sought Thee Thou never said’st “No”—
   Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
7. The blessing by faith, I receive from above;
   Oh, glory! my soul is made perfect in love;
   My prayer has prevailed, and this moment I know,
   The blood is applied, I am whiter than snow.
8. Yes, I know, not very original, but I am so glad for that chance to be washed whiter than snow!

Day 42

Day 41

Got the idea for this shot from DPS's (Digital Photography School) Weekend Photography Challenge: Shoes. Not sure if I'll actually enter it as I've never figured out how to upload images to their boards, but regardless, this is my 'shoes' shot.

I'll probably be wearing these things a lot this winter. And yes, they are the true definition of clodhoppers. But they're warm and that's what counts.

Day 35

Day 29

This is not a pile of wheat as it may look like from here. No, it's dry corn. Ground dry corn, to be exact. I was, of course, out at the farm with my hubby this afternoon.

The sun was setting, a brisk breeze was blowing, there was the scent of John Deere tractor exhaust, and corn dust in the air. And that brisk breeze was freezing. But it was wonderful! In that kind of setting, I feel so very, very alive. And. I. love. it. No other way to explain it. I guess the need for the rawness of nature and the love for almost anything farming-related is something God hardwired into me. Because, whatever I do, there's not much I can do to squelch it. That's just what I love and who I am.

Although, I'm not too sure my hands are very fond of the freezing part. I am now unofficially on the lookout for a pair of leather driving gloves so I can continue to shoot through the winter. Or, dare I hope? Is there any chance there's such a thing as photographer's gloves? Or maybe I should go for a pair of gangster fingerless gloves? Whatever I find, they must have two functions: a) to keep my hands warm (duh!) and b) allow my fingers enough sensitivity to feel and and operate my camera controls. And no, I don't think my snowmobile gloves will fit the bill. Too bad for cheap me.

Day 28

This may be a little more abstract and impressionistic than my shots usually are, but I thought it was kinda cool. It's a climbing structure at the park down the street. Hubby and I just took Baby G on a nice little walk down there to swing on the swings. Perfectly wonderful thing to do on a lazy, sunshiney Sunday afternoon.

Day 3

See, told ya it wouldn't be another food shot today! Unless, of course, you consider weeds food.