i like being married

With the exception of two weeks since we've moved here, Harrison has been out on the field training 2-4 nights every week.  We're not exactly strangers to being separated at times, but it still doesn't make it any easier.


I feel I have no reason to complain at all, especially being surrounded by amazing women here who have been through several deployments away from their husbands.

But last night I did find myself whining about being alone again (and calling everyone I could think of because I was bored out of my mind!) and then I came across this talk that I originally missed during General Conference weekend.  And it was exactly what I needed.


It's so fun being married to my best friend and knowing I get to spend forever with him.  Even if that means an occasional night apart :)

Homework Week Four

Where does my inspiration come from??

Location, location, LOCATION!!

It is very hard for me to imagine a shoot, or prepare for it until I know where we will be taking the pictures.  From the location I get pose ideas, lighting ideas, it gives me a chance to get to know my clients better and what they would enjoy most.  Moving to the south was hard for me in a photographic sense because I had to find a new kind of beauty in my surroundings.  I was used to shooting in Utah with mountains or snow, neither of which is found in Columbus, GA.

But there are beautiful areas all around me within walking distance of my house (like where I took this shot) and it has been extremely inspirational for me to go seek those places out! 

 And this shot wasn't taken in Utah or Georgia, but I am loving the fact that I can find awesome locations for a shoot anywhere

 

And farewell to a fantastic month in another photography class!! Brooke Snow is amazing and I highly recommend her for a shoot or classes.

If you're happy and you know it...

Please ignore my horrible singing voice and watch my little cutie instead.

A Twist on Tacos

I always, always make tacos with ground beef.  I don't know why (besides the fact that we had them probably weekly in my home growing up, and I loved them that way)

Ah...but tonight!  I got creative!  I had a rotisserie chicken from early this week I wanted to finish off so I thought I'd be so clever and make chicken tacos!! Not to mention, I was out of ground beef...

A little taco seasoning, lemon juice, and creole seasoning

We like flour tortillas for our tacos.  We fry 'em up in oil and add a little salt 

(so they're real nice and healthy)

 

Add a little cheese, lettuce, tomato, and olives..

Mr. Smith likes some salsa and sour cream too

 And who doesn't like corn on the cob?

Seriously. Is there really someone?

 

So easy. So yummy.  

Even the Jack man liked it.

Homework Week Three

Breck and Sienna were so fun to shoot!!

I wanted to stay away from the typical posed images, and get some shots of a more realistic brother/sister relationship.

 He eventually won her over :)

Homework Week Two

Luke and Jessica were my awesome models this week.  Don't they make the best couple? 

You should see their cute kiddos.

Homework Week One

To my current blog readers: I am taking an online photography class from the fabulous Brooke Snow and I am posting my assignments on my personal blog for submission. So for the next 4 weeks, you'll get to take a peak at my handy work :)

For this assignment, I took the models from my own home.  They're are just too cute, I couldn't resist.

One challenge I had in this shoot (besides trying to keep my two year old happy and attentive during his normal nap time...) is discovering a location in a city I've only lived in for a few short weeks.  But this one definitely paid off! And I was able to find many spots along our walk near the Chattahoochee River (yes, just like Alan Jackson sings about) to exhaust the location.

 

 

 I made a long shot list, and had a plan going into the shoot, and it gave me great ideas throughout.

Although I discovered sometimes a pose just can't be planned, and those turned out to be some of my favorites.  This is Jack's response when asked how old he is:

(we're still working on keepin' that thumb down...)