Hunter James

A sneak peek of my most recent shoot with this handsome little face!

I couldn't have asked for a more timely snooze. He is SO freakin cute! Ugh.

Where Does The Time Go?

Bug had a doctors appointment yesterday, Doc said she's healthy as a horse. Right on track with weight (14.09 lbs) and above average in height (27 inches up 2 inches from our last visit!).

Daddy's not very tall, he's about 5'8", he'll tell you 5'9" but that's not the case.

I'm 5'7 1/2" and have a veryyy tall family. My mom is 5'9" and my dad is 6'3" but boyfriend's family runs on the short to average side so it's a toss up as to what she's going to be.

Both his side as well as my own have issues with weight so both boyfriend and I are VERY adamant about watching hers. And I vow to be that way with her until the day she is no longer living in my house and in my care. I refuse to allow my babies to struggle through life the way I did. So hearing the doctor say she is average and right on track with weight makes my heart sing, even if she is only 6 months.

So between editing photos, going to doctors, spending time with family, and a sick Daddy and now a sick Bug...my life has been bonkers.

At least something went right today.

I called Summer Infant the makers of our baby monitor, which decided to stop working this past week, and told them we had a problem.

The really nice gentleman on the phone Everett (who I proceeded to call Ed the entire phone call due to my little deaf ears) said that he would replace our monitor, which is only 5 months old, with a brand spankin' new monitor.

And oh, did I mention it's the newest version?! Hell ya!

When boyfriend and I went to buy the monitor it was severely discounted which we deemed to be due to a newer model replacing it coming out soon. Sure enough...that was the case!

I'm so freaking excited that ONE..just ONE little tiny insignificant thing went right, that I want to shout from the rooftops how awesome Summer Infant is.

Now if only everything else in my life would follow suit.

I finished editing the engagement shoot pictures which I will be sure to leave at the end of this post. I also added a little something extra for her which I will share with you, just because she was so wonderful.

But right now I'm in need of some hibernation.

So I'm gunna sit on the couch in my PJ's and slippers, with a warm fuzzy blanket, a fire, and a giant bowl of soup while little bug snoozes away upstairs...

:)

First Photo Shoot

So tonight is the night of my first official photo shoot and I am a cornucopia of mixed emotions. I am nervous, I'm excited, but I'm soo ready to see what I'm capable of.

It is for an adorable couple, Meagan and her fiancé Danny.

I'm doing it pro bono (I'd say free but I just love the way pro bono sounds hahah) because it is my first actual shoot with non friends/family and mama need some experience.

I've been talking with Meagan off and on and she's excited and nervous too, but I'm confident I can get her some really great pictures. And for free? Who can beat that!

What's funny is I've read a lot of different blogs and posts that tell you basically that it's sacrilege to do a free photo shoot, that regardless of experience you should be paid for your time. And for me that really just doesn't make sense.

It'd be different as a second or third shoot maybe but as a first? I just can't justify making someone pay for something in an area I have no experience. Their shoot IS my experience.

Children...babies? Sure.

Couples? Nope.

So we're going to a farm I used to take Bumpy to for walks in the summer.

It. Is. Beautiful.

There are fields and gorgeous trees, a pond, winding paths...we should have PLENTY to work with and it'll be great being familiar with the area.

It's funny being as nervous/excited as I am I don't understand how photographers do weddings. And as much as I would love to do weddings in the future once I'm far more experienced, I just don't know if I could. It's no wonder wedding photographers make the money they do... and here my friends, is why. I never truly realized it until I started doing my own photography.

First of all it's an all day affair so not only are you paying them to be there ALL day to take hundreds upon hundreds of pictures, but from there they need to go through each individual pictures to find the perfect shots and THEN edit.

But that is all obvious to me, I mean clearly you pay the photographer for their time and the product. But to ME this is why they are worth the money:

You do an engagement shoot, the pictures aren't what the client expects, you can do another shoot if you need to.

You do a newborn or family shoot and the pictures don't come out right, you do another shoot.

You do a senior portrait and your camera breaks, you do another shoot.

And while doing another shoot and/or not being prepared is not professional at least you HAVE that option.

A wedding is ONE day, ONE time only. You have one shot to get it right. There is no option for another shoot. And these people are expecting you to take the best possible pictures right then and there.

So oftentimes I've been seeing photographers have a second shooter.

And all professional photographers at the very least usually have backup cameras and lenses.

HA like I could afford that shit...maybe one day.

But for now, here is where I start. THIS is the day it all begins.

My FIRST engagement shoot.

Make sure you keep looking back to see how it all turns out!

Photo shoot with the Boys

Yesterday was my first official photo shoot...well at least somewhat anyway. My soon to be sister-in-law asked me to take pictures of her boys for her as a present to their grandma for her birthday. And even though it really wasn't a big deal, for me it was. The fact that she had asked ME to take them for her really says a lot.

So we went to a zoo/park right by her house, thank god Nicole was with me and familiar with the park because I definitely will need to scope out areas first before shooting, definitely a must. And even though we had a three year old who would rather do anything on earth other than take pictures, I think we managed to get a couple good shots.

Engagement Shoot

So pursuing this whole photography thing has been a bit of a challenge.

Am I giving up?

Oh hell no.

Not in a million-bajillion years.

Yep I said it. Bajillion.

SO have I mentioned I have my first engagement shoot set up?

Yep :) Beyond elated.

But I'm nervous. They're this wonderful, amazing, adorable couple and I REFUSE to let them down.

I explained to the bride-to-be that I am just starting out and trying to get off my feet.

I am doing it for her for free and gave her the link to my wondrous blog to get an idea of the little bits of photography I've done so far. You have to start somewhere right?

We spoke about locations, the look she was going for, if there were any poses she liked or wished to incorporate, and when she'd like to do the shoot.

And now that we have everything set up, I'm getting excited and nervous.

I think oftentimes I doubt myself too much.

So I thought to myself, well hey why not get some practice.

Anddd last night I asked my best friend and her boyfriend to do a practice shoot with me, her excited reaction totally took me by surprise.

I finally feel at ease knowing I can get in some practice with them and knowing them will certainly help make everything a bit more seamless. So we are off to Newport for their shoot which I've been dying to go to.

For some reason it's been SO long since I've been even though it can't be more than a half hour 40 minutes away from where I live.

And even though my bride is looking for a completely different setting I've been dying to do a beach/dock shoot to get some shots similar to these:

(Found these gorgeous shots on Pinterest, done by Jenna Christine Photography)

I have A LOT of ideas and I'm beyond excited.

So be sure to keep a look out for those pictures coming somewhat soon thanks to my wonderful best friend Jen!!!