Blue Ribbon, baby

We just heard some very exciting news.  Grant and I entered a photo from a recent wedding into the State Fair and it won 1st place in Advanced Amateur: Weddings/Social Events.  Woot! 

This photo is special in that it was a true collaboration of Grant and myself.  He had the idea for the photo, and I used my fancy technical skills to pull it off.  This photo is also special because it is of two people who are dear to us and allowed us to document their beautiful wedding day.

Random

Family fun: Above, my niece, Heidi.  Below, a little light painting with sparklers with my nieces and nephews.

Engaging

This is Grant's cousin, Brent, and his BEEE-YEW-TIFUL finace, Annie.  Seriously, if I looked like her, I wouldn't be able to stop staring at myself in the mirror.  She looks like a cross between Jessica Alba and Angelina Jolie. How I would love to know what it's like to look like two of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. :)

 

My Big Boy

Somehow- I'm not quite sure how- Wes turned into a kid.  I turn around for, like, five minutes, and BAM! he's no longer that chubby baby but a real live big boy who likes Cars.  And Spider Man, Super Man and Bat Man (not that he has any idea who any of them really are, he just thinks they sound cool.)  Man, they grow fast.  (Well, those first six months after they are born feel like an eternity, but then it just ZOOMS!)

He was getting too tall for his tricycle (his knees hit the handlebars!) so we invested in a "big boy bike" in orange (his favorite color.)  He rode it EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.... for awhile and then hasn't ridden it since.  I'm not sure why.  I think it may have something to do with the fact that his best friend next door still rides a trike, so he wants to, too.  He'll get back on soon enough, I'm sure.

I can't believe he's so big.  He is so funny and so sweet.  He is EXUBERANT about life... most of the time.  He wears his heart on his sleeve, so one never has to wonder how he's feeling.  If he feels happy or loving, you know it and revel in the abundance thereof.  If he is feeling naughty or mean or grouchy... well, he is quite vocal about that as well.  In public even.  His mother hates that.  Just ask her.  In general, he is one awesome kid, and I feel down right privileged to be his mother.

 I made these awesome tie-dyed cupcakes for his party.  They turned out so colorful and fun and most importantly, yummy!

My Cousin's Wedding

The title of this post sorta reminds me of My Best Friend's Wedding.  Or My Cousin Vinny.  Sadly, this post won't be nearly as interesting as either of those movies since there was no ex-girlfriend trying to steal the groom away nor was anyone being accused of murder.  The bride and her mother did get stranded at the temple after the ceremony.  That was pretty interesting.

Anyhow, this is the story of my sweet cousin, Michelle, and her sweetie pie, Zach.  Well, there's no story, really, just pictures to look at for all of you who have been asking. :) 

(Just a little side note: I'm not a professional photographer, nor do I claim to be.  I love photography to bits, and some people are nice enough to allow me to take photos for them.  My cousin Vinny Michelle, for example, was trying to figure out how to have a nice wedding on a budget.  I volunteered for the job of photographer, and she accepted.  It was a learning experience, that is for sure.  I mostly learned that I have a lot more to learn. :)  Grant borrowed my Dad's camera and became my second shooter.  I would never do a wedding alone.  For every "dang, I missed that shot" moment one of us had, the other luckily got the shot.  Whew! 

Without further adieu, the photos:

Word Gets Around

Man, I am on a roll with this blogging thing. Go me. Just don't expect it to last, you one person who reads this blog ;)

Word gets around that a person likes photography, and next thing ya know people actually want you to take pictures of them.  Who knew?

I have had the awesome opportunity to take some photos of people I really like.  Just thought I'd share them.  I'm just a hobbyist, people.  I know they aren't professional, but I thought some turned out pretty nice considering it's natural light indoors and I have an aging Nikon D60. 

 This is Mindy's family.  She had just had a brand new baby girl.  What a beautiful baby girl she is.  And I'm not just saying that.

  

 This is Mindy's sister, Brittany.  She has a pack of very handsome boys.  They were a lot of fun to take photos of. 

 I took Mindy's and Brittany's photos after I took some photos for a dear friend of mine, Kim.  She had baby number four and wanted some photos of just the kiddos.  After I did the photos for her, Mindy and Brittany (her sisters-in-law) asked me to do some photos for them, too!  I loved it.  I learned a lot and had a great time, to boot!