Allie B Photography

Crying Baby Photo Contest!

2011-04-20T18:22:00.000-07:00

Babies tend to cry.. during sessions with me, they cry and I click away.. I love the expression and I think it is important to have a photo of your really upset baby to remember the real them by, lol! I have decided that one of my criers from 2010-11 will win a re-do, in the form of another session with me this summer and a 11x14 non-crying print!

Here are the rules.
1-) You must "like" alliebphotography on facebook to vote, if you vote but haven't liked the fb page, your vote will not count. http://www.facebook.com/allie.b.photo
2-) Comment on THIS blog post with the number of image you want to win. One vote per person please.
3-) May 2nd is my birthday, and the day I will end voting and announce a winner!

1- Spencer

2-Jett

3- Henry

4-Julia

5-Kylee

6- Zander

7- Carter

8-Abi and Aiden

9-Jackson

10-Lacey

11- Owen

12- Eva

13-Aubree

14-Gabby

15-Alexander

16- Lucas

17- Arden

18- Landon

New site! and a comment contest!

2010-12-28T12:17:00.000-08:00

NEW WEBPAGE HAS LAUNCHED!!!! EEE! sorry for the caps, but I am super excited about the launch of our new webpage http://www.alliebphotography.com

With the help of a darling designer friend o' mine Mr. Derek Cole.. our new webpage is everything we dreamed it would be and more! I had a small vision and Derek captured it and carried it to the next level marvelously! Thank you x 100000 to him!

I hope everyone will take the time to browse the site and check out some of the new work we have up on it, plenty more to come as well! We are going to resolve in the new year to keep showing new work and to utilize this blog more (and make it prettier!)

I just realized I use exclamation points way too much.. but hey, I am pretty excited so i guess it fits.

Take a moment and let us know what your favorite part of the webpage is and you will be entered in a random drawing to win a $50 gift certificate to use for a shoot or toward prints. Use the "comment" feature on this blog to let us know what part is your favorite on Thursday we will draw a winner and let you know who won.. if we get more than 50 comments below, there will be 2 winners! (one comment per person, only.)

Thanks everyone! and if you need us at all, email alliedbennett@yahoo.com =]

Mr. Hudson is one!

2010-09-08T03:45:00.000-07:00

Meet Hudson. My new favorite little one year old boy. For his 1st birthday, we did a mini shoot and cake smash! He loved that cake.. oh my goodness, it was awesome. I love one year olds because they are not aware enough of your camera to do anything in particular, they are just themselves.. It is wonderful! Check out his pics and if anyone else is turning one, let us know! Cake smash and mini shoots start at $75 plus cake and a sheet (to smash it on!) AllieDBennett@yahoo.com to chat about it!

Holden Beach Wedding!

2010-08-04T09:04:00.000-07:00

We met Tashina at the Crown Marketing Bridal show last March and she asked "will you do a wedding at Holden Beach?" and without hesitation, we said "HECK YES!" and on July 22nd, a wedding at Holden Beach, we did.

It was a ton of fun! beautiful weather and a great couple families coming together. Nick & Tashina are stinkin' cute, obviously and their bridal parties were a lot of fun! The wedding itself was just down on the beach from their beach rental house with about 50 guests and the reception held in a tent out back of the house. The last image is what they called the "seashell wish", every guest picked up a shell and threw it into the ocean while making a wish! it was a nice addition to a beach wedding, I loved it!

I hope you enjoy these laid-back beach wedding images, and if you have a destination wedding, get in touch!

Julia & Heather's Momma & Baby Session + 1 month shots

2010-06-08T08:57:00.000-07:00

Julia Kennedy has been blessing her mom & dad since April 20th, 2010 and I have had the blessing of photographing her as she grows. Momma has ordered a canvas of the first image, it's gonna look awesome in their house!

If you have a newborn and need photographs, we can help you out. =] alliedbennett@yahoo.com

Pittsburgh + Chelsy & Jonathon!

2010-06-08T08:14:00.000-07:00

We kicked off wedding season this year on May 9th, Mother's Day (My FIRST Mother's Day!) with the wedding of Chelsy & Jonathon in Pittsburgh. With a new wedding season beginning, I was really excited and this wedding was truly the perfect start to a great 2010 season. Tim & I traveled to Pittsburgh and thankfully, we have amazing friends that kept the babe for the day (thank you Adam & Em.) We went to the bride's home in Weirton and it was such a nice morning! All the bridesmaids and friends & family were so relaxed! The ceremony was at the Allegheny Center Alliance Church just outside of downtown, which was great for photos with views of the skyline. I felt the love all day with these two and their families! The reception was a ton of fun, with traditional dancing and great food! I told Tim that during that day I kept getting the feeling that I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing (photographing people in love!) it was a great day, here is proof!

If you are getting married and like what you see here, you should let us know! =]

Bedillion Wedding - Sneak Peek!

2010-05-23T14:56:00.000-07:00

On May 22nd, we had the pleasure of meeting and photographing the newlywedded Melisa and William Bedillion at the Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg and at the First Congregational Church in Marietta. They were a ton of fun and a beautiful couple! The ceremony was fantastic, with an extremely personal message to the two of them, not to mention the church is gorgeous! (and well lit.. =)..)

We wish you two the best of everything.. enjoy your sneak peek!

The 'soon to be' Andersons

2010-04-30T13:18:00.000-07:00

On the 29th of April, I met up with Mcki & Corby, one of our fall 2010 wedding couples, to shoot their engagement portraits. It was the first e-shoot of 2010 and I was very excited to get going on a new year of awesomeness. I seriously get giddy about these engagement shoots and weddings.. I LOVE my couples and this one was no exception.. from the get-go they were holding hands, stealing kisses and being all around adorable in love.. I think it shows in the portraits! for entire album go here

If you are getting married, or want to celebrate your relationship with a portrait session, email us at alliedbennett@yahoo.com

Baby Love!

2010-04-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

April 3rd, our baby Analeigh Quinn was born!! We were so blessed with an easy labor and short hospital stay! She is so much more than I even imagined! We, of course, had to have her model for us. These are 12 day old photos.

My girlfriend Heather, also welcomed a little one to the world on April 20th! Here are her first shots, from the hospital (first time momma got to hold her) and later at home (4 days old.)

It's a wonderful, amazing, indescribable feeling having a little baby with you all the time. Motherhood rules! I feel so alive and feel like I can love, live and express myself in an even deeper way than I have ever known. I feel like this will push my ability to photograph emotion in a totally new direction. Awesome. Amazing. Love it.

Facebook album - click here

If you need baby or family photos of your new little one, please contact us. alliedbennett@yahoo.com =]

Focus on the Future

2010-03-27T08:11:00.000-07:00

Last March, the first official job Allie B Photography had was for the WVU Center for Civic Engagement's annual conference and this March we celebrated one year with shooting the conference again. This year the theme was "Focus on the Future" and it was held at the Lakeview Resort in Morgantown. The keynote speaker was Terry McAuliffe, former Democratic chairman and head of many democratic campaigns including Hilary Clinton's latest run. He also ran for Governor of Virginia but was defeated. Terry was quite a character and Tim actually wants to read his book, which says a lot about the stories he had to tell. Here are some images from our time at the conference. =]

Terry McAuliffe speaking Friday night

Student Body President gave Terry a Mountaineer thanking him

WVU Students volunteering at an after school program

Playing parachute with the afterschool kids

Students learning from a workshop

THE GREAT BRIDAL EVENT!

2010-03-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

On March 7th, Crown Marketing/ Crown Event Rentals put on a bridal expo at Elite Sports Center in Parkersburg and we decided to make it our first bridal show. I kept calling it our "coming out" party or Allie B's Bar Mitzvah.. Tim and I spend all day meeting and greeting brides and grooms and chatting it up about what we do for weddings. It was a total blast!

We have had an overwhelmingly positive response to our work and couldn't be more excited to get going on wedding season this year! We started out 2010 with five as a big goal, we hoped we could book 5 weddings and I am very very excited to say that only one week after The Great Bridal Event, we have met that goal! We have five wedding contracts on the books for 2010, from May-October and several other couples currently looking over our offerings. We still have open dates for 2010, so check with us if you need to save a date.

Big THANK YOU to Keith and Michelle McClung of Crown Marketing for putting on the show and making it great! The turnout was spectacular. Also, big thank you to Tina Nichols of Real Life Photography for taking a few pics of our booth. Can't forget to thank my husband and his brother for building/moving and tearing down our setup and being awesome in supporting this huge journey into bridal shows. My husband Tim was wonderful at the show, greeting all the couples and making sure I wasn't overly exerting my 9 month pregnant self.. which I am sure I did anyway, but it was totally worth it! I love you all!

Goofin' off before the couples came in..

Engagements and products

Wide shot of our set-up, yes that is my real couch at home. I love it.

WVU Center for Civic Engagement..

2010-03-04T17:10:00.000-08:00

Where you can have it your way.. but don't get crazy!

Timmy & I are headed off this weekend for our 2nd annual trip to the CCE conference.. This year's theme is "Focus on the Future" which seems appropriate with all we have going on in our lives! This is my friend Brett's big annual conference he is in charge of at WVU and last year we had a blast with the CCE staff and are looking forward to our trip to Morgantown tomorrow for more shenanigans and photo lovin'..

Here are a few images from Capitol Convergence last year!

Capitol Convergence 2009

Reflection of Capitol

Banquet

CCE Staff

Brett & I, working hard =]

Charleston, WV Wedding w/ Michelle Waters

2010-02-17T07:05:00.000-08:00

In the fall, I helped Miss Michelle Waters shoot the wedding of Kama and Chris in Charleston, WV. It was a fantastic wedding and reception with a ton of energy and a whole lot of love (not to mention, amazing potato soup and hot apple cider!) When Michelle asked me to shoot with her she told me that Kama was a bridesmaid in another wedding she had shot, and that she was the orneriest person alive, so I knew I wanted to meet her! We danced our booties off with the Dance Crew from her DJ company (which was a really cool touch) and had a blast creating the images. Nothing but the best to Kama and Chris!

http://www.michellewaters.com for amazing photography by Miss Waters!

February.. digital deal and love talk.

2010-02-01T15:39:00.000-08:00

With February starting today, lots of things are going on in my mind. We are having our baby shower next weekend, followed by a Valentines trip to see my sister one last time before we have this baby! Then the last two weekends of February are full of classes to prepare for the little arrival in April. =] It's going to be a busy month!

February is always associated with love because of Valentine's Day but for me, it is the month that Tim & I got married. 2/22/08, a Friday, 9:15am at the courthouse in Kanawha County, WV. It poured the rain as soon as we said "I do" and we booked it to the car for our honeymoon weekend in the Smoky Mountains where we celebrated with Tim's bro and sis in law and a cake from Food Lion. My wedding story isn't typical and there were no white dresses or tuxedos. Just two people looking each other in the eye and agreeing to spend forever making it work. I will never forget our wedding day and as we come up on 2 years of wedded bliss, I can't imagine ever taking back the vows we made that rainy February morning.

It is no secret that I love weddings.. big ones, small ones, elaborate, simple. it doesn't matter. The end result is always the same and I get giddy everytime we book a wedding. I always find it strangely wonderful when a couple allows us to be their photographers, I feel like a trusted confidant and try very hard to serve the couple perfectly. I am always taken back to my wedding day and can channel the bride and groom's nervous excitement that is so beautifully mixed with 100% utter certainty that what they are committing to is real and will never die. Tim & I are most definitely excited to see who will allows us into their day in 2010.

With new albums, new photo on fabric pieces, new paintings.. this year we are hoping to offer nothing but the best of the most unique to our amazing couples. If you have questions or would like to come by and see some of our new samples, please make an appointment and we'll chat =]

Also- please note that we will be at the Bridal Expo at Elite Sports Center on March 7th. Come talk to us there! Great deals on 2010 weddings and lovebird sessions - PLUS we will have samples to touch and feel.. PLUS this guy will be there...

I love you Timmy! Thanks for being the most honest, trustworthy, hard-working man I know.(and for letting me take this photo of you in the rain..) seriously folks, my husband rules! =] Happy 2 years!

Refreshed.

2010-01-17T17:21:00.000-08:00

It's January 17th, 2010. Time is flying but for some reason I feel refreshed. We have entered the third trimester of my pregnancy, so maybe that is why. WOOHOO! Less than 90 days til we meet our little one and become sleep deprived zombies in the name of pure love. I have never been so excited and nervous at the same time! We are preparing the baby's room and let me tell you, I am jealous of this kid. She has awesome paint colors, IKEA shelves, a recliner that lays 180 degrees flat! (okay, that is for me), super sweet bedding and her nanny is knitting her a Mountaineer blankie! Spoiled, maybe. Loved? Absolutely.

We went to Pittsburgh this weekend (for aforementioned IKEA shelving among other things) and got to hang out with the Giardinas! We met them through a mix of friends and common interest in music.. it has been totally great getting to know them. I would like to know why it seems like we always click with other couples that live far away though?!

The first time we met Emily, we went over to her mom and dad's house for an Iron Chef competition. You have to love full-on open armed invitations to compete in cooking competitions sight un-seen. It was a load of fun, and yes, we won. =] haha!

This weekend we also went to the Fiestaware outlet for new dishes, since we are finally DONE moving for as long as possible! It was really fun going through all the "seconds" and mix-matching our new dishes.. it was almost like a monumental occasion, now that we are through moving and can invest in actual dishes!

As far as things go on in photo world, things are peachy. I am awaiting a senior order and I am always excited to see what client choose. It's exciting to see which work was best received. I have a wedding couple getting things set up for June and since I went to school with them, I am really happy to see them finally tying the knot after years of dating! It's going to be great =] Tim and I are looking toward wedding season, seniors in the spring and any lovely families that want to get in on some photo love. The biggest photo op we will have this year will surely be in April, with our new baby. YIKES!

Hope January is kicking butt for all of you!

Project 365

2010-01-05T16:42:00.000-08:00

Project 365 is simple. One photo a day for a year. It is an undertaking that I believe will serve as a memory album of sorts, as well as making me a better photographer and editor as I touch my camera everyday for 365.

Kasey Snyder & Michelle Waters decided to do this, so I did too.. Stephanie Carpenter asked me and now lots of people are in on it! I think Tim might even try it out. =]

To check out my Project 365, go here.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=42200652&aid=2142087

2010!

2010-01-01T08:10:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that a very long, very hard decade just ended. Thinking about the 00's or whatever they are calling them, I was 13-23. That is quite a span and my life has really been all over the place. I don't want to go into a ton of detail, mainly because I don't remember a lot of detail, hah! but I do want to look back a little and remember the good times, forget the bad and rejoice in all the blessings I have now, coming out of the decade in the best, happiest place I have ever been.

13 was probably the most traumatic, stressful and earth shattering year of my life, follows by 14-16 which were no cake walk either. If you know anything about my personal life, you know that my mother passed away when I was 13, very suddenly. It was the beginning of many years of downward spiral involving my remaining family and what would become of me. After several years of hard road and barely keeping a float, I came out with what I consider a new family. I am very lucky to have met this family and to have somehow wiggled my way into their lives. Guardian angels do exist.

By the time I was 16, I was at least stable enough to enjoy high school and I met the boy who would become my husband and father of my baby. Although our road has also been a little curvy, we made it through. Moved in with him at 20, married him at 22, bought a house at 23 and will have this baby just before 24... not bad for two simple folks from Parkersburg. He is the biggest blessing of the decade, hands down. He supported me when I was young, broke and finishing school and it gives me great pride to now be able to help support myself & him.

College was in this decade, 2004-2008. Whirlwind tour of Marshall U and D&E College.. wow. College is one part of my life that was very freeing to me. It was hard to support myself without a lot of help from family, but I was determined and got the job done in 3.5 years. I used to work my butt off and take summer school and people thought I was crazy, but I had a job to get done so that I could start making money and living on my own, fully independent of anyone else, so for me it was not about the partying and living off my parents for a few more years (although I did my share of partying) I got in and got out with as little debt as I could incur and swiftly moved into the world of work.

Girl Scouts was my first career out of college, they took a chance on a driven young kid and honestly, it was a great place to start my career. I got a huge handle on how corporate businesses work (even though it was a non-profit, it was still very structured) Plus I was thrown hurdles of being new, young and learning everything while the department I was in was re-structuring and re-hiring for almost every position. It was a serious learning curve and it prepared me very well for my job at SOBER where I was coordinator of anything I wanted to pursue. I love my job at SOBER, it is very adaptable and since there are only two employees, we have a lot of control. I will really hate to see it go whenever that time comes.

2009 was the best year I have ever experienced, I blogged about it already a few entries before this one but I could not have asked for a more productive and fruitful year. We spent the entire year back in Parkersburg, settled down in our new house and started the photography business that I hope one day to fully fund my family, or at least my half of the income =] It is a big goal and right now, I don't have a target year, I want to organically let this thing happen and be able to adapt as times change and business comes. With a baby in the works, my priority will be family for a while until I can get the hang of both. Good thing this decade taught me so much about perseverance and multi-tasking. =]

2010 is here, time for resolutions and being a better person than before. I am starting with my goals of choosing my words and battles more wisely. Spending more and better time with my husband (and soon child.) Taking a relaxed and simple approach to raising Miss Analeigh Quinn, when she arrives and of course, loving people and learning from them every chance I get.

Here is to another year of all the very best things imaginable!
<3

Together.. we are a family.

2009-12-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

My husband and I are coming up on 2 years of marriage! It's seems like it should be more like 5, since we lived together for quite a while before getting hitched, but on February 22nd, it will be 2 years of marriage and I gotta tell you - it is awesome.

We are going to be about a month and a half away from having our first baby at that time and our lives are going to be so much different. We are really looking forward to the challenge and the joys it is sure to bring. We love this little girl so much already and we don't even know what color eyes she has.. it is awesome!

Looking back, Tim & I have always said "together. we are a family" because so many people have the mentality that you are just a couple until you have kids. I was never sure I wanted kids until last summer, so my mentality has always been that even two people can be a family. Tim is my closest friend and for now, the only member of my immediate family.. but now we get to experience a child and being more than just a couple. It is terrifying and thrilling at the same time.

We got photos made at holiday time, for our cards but they also ended up being somewhat pregnancy/maternity shots.. Although I didn't have much of a bump.. the feeling is there and I think some of the photos say a thousand words about what it feels like to be pregnant. Enjoy our family photos from this year!!

Photo by Michelle Waters

Photo by Angela Donahew

Photo by Tina Nichols

Photo by Stephanie Carpenter

My totally amazing blessed 2009.

2009-12-03T08:08:00.000-08:00

I have been so blessed in the last year. SO SO blessed. I moved home to Parkersburg in October '08. Started my photography business in March of '09. Shot my first official paid wedding (of two amazing folks) in June '09. . Second shot with Tina, Angela and Michelle during the summer! (Three rockstars behind the camera.) Found out we we're gonna be parents in August '09. Bought a new house and place of business in Oct '09. Picked up some amazing seniors in Oct & Nov 09. Found out the baby is a GIRL =] in Nov.'09. Adorable family shoots in Nov & Dec '09.

Who would have ever thought that in one year I could go from wishful thinking to full-fledged photographer, complete with business license and amazing clients?! Not to mention my life this year has been truly awesome! New house, totally butt-crazy in love with my goofy hard-working man and now a youngin' in the works. I am truly bursting with blessings.

Another blessing has been stumbling upon a photography group called Oh Snap! that also started up in 2009. I went out on a limb and showed up at one of the first meetings they had and since then I have made a few of the best friends I have, learned a cubic crap ton about photo as a business and become a more confident and capable photo woman.

Recently, we decided that enough was enough and it was time to turn the camera's on ourselves. We had an all out blast shooting "christmas" photos for each other out at Miss Tina Nichol's home. I will post some of my work from this day here, keep your eyes peeled for a swoon-worthy posting of Tim & I's shots. I am still smitten by them =]

If you want to get something like this done for your family, I have a "last chance Christmas session" available Tuesday the 8th (rain date is the 10th) with sessions for $50. It's a great way to get photos for Christmas cards OR just a quick and natural family photo. Just call or message me online today =]

Carpenter Family

Angela and Anthony Donahew

Donahew Family

Tina and Jerry Nichols

Nichols Family

Jason and Michelle Waters

Koty - Senior 2010!

2009-11-25T19:33:00.000-08:00

Koty's mom works with Mollie's mom from my previous post.. she saw Mollie's photos and the rest was history! I was nervous shooting a senior boy, don't ask me why but I need my husband with me on these boy shoots! HAH! He puts me at ease and adds a lot to the shoot.

Koty was wonderful, a true gentleman who laughed at my jokes without hesitation. I love when clients humor me. =] He is a senior at Williamstown High and plans to go to Marshall and go pre-med! A future DOCTOR! His mom is entirely proud, as she should be!

Koty is also a musician with a really awesome collection of limited edition guitars, including three that he brought along on the shoot! A maroonish red one, a neon yellow one and a black and metallic one. Between guitars and his t-bird, we had a really fun and great shoot!

Mollie - PSHS Class of 2010

2009-11-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

Meet my friend Mollie. My mom & Mollie's mom were best buds back in the early 90's when we lived on the same street. I used to babysit this child and her sister with my sister! We fell out of touch, as life goes, many moons ago, but as fate would have it, her mom saw my sister while in the hospital where she works and one conversation lead to another until I got a call asking if I would take Mollie's senior photos. ABSOLUTELY! =]

We met at the house a.k.a. Allie B Photo Central. (totally getting a sign made, what!?!) and took off for downtown and ended up traipsing all over PKB. She is a total riot and wonderful model. Seriously, I kept stopping to stare because her eyes just popped in the photographs. When we talked about what she would like to see in her photos she said she loved Black & White and some thing "totally different." She is a self-proclaimed goofball and wasn't afraid to try anything. I think it showed it the variety of images we got. We also talked about the importance of taking a few photos that were just her and just beautiful. The kind of images that our kids will look at someday and remember how amazing we were. I think a truly straightforward but beautiful image can serve such a valuable purpose for our kids, and grandkids that they should never be forgotten, even in a senior shoot.

Mollie is heading to Fairmont State next year to study english and theatre, which as far as I can tell, is right where she needs to be. We hit the Smoot Theatre to try and get some shots with the stage door and the mural.. stopped for a slurpee and hit the playground and pond at the park before wrapping it up right as the sun went away. The weather was gorgeous and I was so glad to get this shoot in before the weather turns cold for good.

Here is a sneak peek, but all images can be see on the client proofing section of our website.

Christmas Session Giveaway Winner!

2009-10-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

The winner of our Christmas Photo shoot giveaway is Jaci Paugh! Her response to "what is your favorite thing about Christmas?" was...

"My favorite part of Christmas is sitting on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate looking at the sparkling Christmas tree!"

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway.. be on the look out for more contests and giveaways!

p.s. every session that you have done between now and Halloween is 50% off. Gotta get those sessions in before the weather gets bad! (offer does not combine with the Christmas Special of $50 shoots w/ card purchase)

Message me today on facebook or email alliedbennett@yahoo.com to book!

Christmas Card Sessions & Giveaway!

2009-09-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

Now is that time to start thinking about those annual photo Christmas cards! If you have never given the gift of photo cards, you should consider it. They are suprisingly affordable and will make your family member smile bigger than ever! Everyone loves photos of thier loved ones! Sessions start at $50 and only take about 45 minutes to complete. Fast, affordable keepsakes for everyone in the family! Contact me today if you are interested in this special offer1

CHRISTMAS CARD SPECIAL 2009
$50 per session (45 minutes)
with purchase of at least 20 cards
-----------------
20 cards for $30
40 cards for $55
60 cards for $80

If you aren't a fan on facebook, become one! We give away sessions to our fans through contests and other means. Right now, we are giving away a Christmas session. All you have to do is become a fan and tell us your favorite thing about Christmas time! Winner will be chosen old school- out of a hat. =]

Here is Tim & I at a Tacky Sweater Christmas Party in 2006... I promise your photos won't be nearly as tacky! but just as fun!

Second Shooting in Summersville

2009-09-01T18:16:00.000-07:00

Angie at A+ Photo asked me to tag along and help her out in Summersville.. it was a really nice wedding and reception. The bride was a sweetheart and we had a great time! We were supposed to take some outside shots at a farm but the weather turned before the ceremony! We ran out to get a few images before the downpour, and when we came back in, there was a rainbow! it was awesome =]

It was a LONG day but well worth it.. here are some images from the day.

Charlotte - PHS 2010

2009-08-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

When Charlotte's mom called me, I got really excited. She said her daughter found me online and wanted me to do her senior portraits and scheduled immediately. I was nervous because I have not done a ton of seniors yet, but when I added Charlotte on Facebook and started chatting, I knew we would get along just fine. I sent her over some ideas and had her tell me yes, no, or maybe. She wanted something fun and different, so we spent two hours shooting away at her choice of location, the City Park. I was surprised at the range of images we were able to get at the park, and most importantly, Charlotte loves her photos! yay!

I have a senior referral program, so for every senior that Charlotte refers to me, she get a set of prints and for every 3rd senior she refers, she gets a free session to use at prom, graduation, with her friends or family. So if you know Charlotte and you want me to shoot your photos, be sure to mention her so she can score some freebies!

P.S. Lightroom 2 is my new best friend & I might be in love my new iMac.

ENJOY!

Want to Test Drive us?

2009-08-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

I am trying out a new concept I call "test drive" sessions for those out there who are engaged, have picked a date, but do not yet have a photographer. They are no obligation and serve to help us better understand one another and find out if we are compatible in terms of work style and photography style. Sure, you may love a photo I took of someone else, but how will you like the photos I take of you? So, test drives are a way for me to meet clients and help them find out if I am really someone they want to invest in. They are informal meetings where questions can be asked and deeper information can be shared about your wedding and about what we can do to help preserve those memories. At the end of the meeting we take about 20 minutes and have a quick photo shoot, resulting in a small sample of photographs for you to review and make your decision to hire, or not to hire! We hope that we can win you over with our charm and good looks... or you know, our photography skills and work ethic. So far, we have had one wonderful couple take us up on this offer.

Ben & Cate are getting married at the County Club in Vienna in October at Twilight... which is why they wanted me to test drive with them, at the same place and time. Ben is into photography and knew the specific challenges that would be posed for photographers shooting at this time. I took on the challenge, being very honest that it might just not work, depending on how dark they were going to allow it to get. We had a lovely meal and talked a bunch and I enjoyed it a ton! Here are some of the results of the test drive.. =]

It's Wedding Season!

2009-07-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

I have been a bad blogger, but I have tons to report. I'll split them up into photo entries so I don't ramble as bad as usual. (hah!)

Remember Blair & Josh from their engagement session earlier in the year? Well, they got married on June 27th and it was absolutely wonderful in every way. I will just let the photos tell the story and you can look at a good set of 50 at http://www.alliebphotography.com (featured wedding) but here are a few too!

Tony & Jess at the Carnival!

2009-07-09T07:47:00.000-07:00

Michelle Waters is a stellar photographer in Parkersburg and I am lucky enough to have formed a friendship with her (and some other wonderful photographers) through Oh Snap! and internet stalking one another. She and the others have taught me a ton and I love shooting with them.

Last week Michelle, my hub Tim and I all did a shoot at the Parkersburg City Park 4th of July Carnival! Jess and Tony are getting married and we talked them into playing along with us!

Here are the results!

my photo lovin' on theavettbrothers.com

2009-07-01T18:52:00.000-07:00

I have been a fan The Avett Brothers since April Fool's Day 2006 when I first witnessed their beautiful music at the Purple Fiddle in Elkins, WV. I have been photographing them for about a year and a half now and find them to be one of my favorite subjects. Today, something pretty cool happened and I wanted to share =]

One of my Black & White photographs of The Avett Brothers (Scott and Seth) at the Newport Music Hall in Columbus, Ohio in June is being used on www.theavettbrothers.com front page. =]

Check it out here!

http://www.theavettbrothers.com/news/qa-brothers#comments

http://www.theavettbrothers.com

Trash that Dress, Girl!

2009-06-24T17:23:00.001-07:00

I almost forgot to tell everyone about this amazingly fun concept and produces fabulous images! It's called Trash the Dress and it is a wonderful option to answer "now what?" when the wedding is over. Of course, there are varying levels of trashing it, so those who are sentimental and don't want to completely muss it up don't have to. I would love to do more of these sessions, so if you have a dress that needs trashing (wedding or otherwise) Let's do it!!

Blair, my wonderful Bride (THIS weekend is her wedding! yay Speichers!) helped out the Oh Snap! group of photographers by modeling for us on our mock Trash the Dress session. We went all the way to Audra State Park to shoot (which is amazing, by the way) and here are some results!

Summer Adventures begin..

2009-06-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

I have to be in the mood to do anything, including blog. The only thing I want to do all the time is see live music and photograph something with emotion or energy. I have done both of those things to excess lately, but you wouldn't know that because I am horrible at updating!

I am going to go back to the first adventure then post again with the more recent ones, I hope you all can keep up!

Timmy and I along with our friend Jerry took off June 10th for 2 nights in Greensboro, NC with our friends from Holy Ghost Tent Revival (if you read this blog, you know I love this band and these boys! wonderful people!) We got to NC around 6 and headed straight to a BBQ at the HGTR house. It was so nice to see everyone in that setting and to meet many of the guys friends and girl friends =] I enjoyed it alot, especially the part where they played music on the porch until the neighbors came out and yelled as us to knock it off.. opps!

We spent the night at our buddy Kyle's house as always and had some laughs.. as always.. hah I was so tired by the time I went to bed that I slept in an incredibly awkward position all night.. opps again! The next day we got up and went to brunch at the best little diner in Greensboro - Smith Street! YUM-O biscuits as big as your head! then we went to Kingpin Tattoo to get our moustache tattoos touched up! (yes, i do have this) it looked great for about 2 days then as it healed it peeled off partially again! booo!!! i think the finger is just a hard place to have a tattoo! I hate that it doesnt heal well on my hand, I will have to get it done sometime when I can not do dishes and get my hands wet or something.. i dont know! grr!

We had arranged to do a little impromptu photo shoot with the HGTR guys and although as the best laid plans go- some things didn't work out to plan, nonetheless I got some wonderful shots of the guys for their promotional use.. maybe you will see some of my work in an album someday, that would be pretty wonderful!

We headed over to visit with Anne of Red Canary , my favorite textile artist and mother of 2 sweet little boys that I adore. You may remember the photo of Anne and Angus playing pool from an earlier post. Adorable!

The Blind Tiger is where the HGTR show was that night and it was so much fun as always.. I got to test out my new 1.8 low light lens and I am very pleased! & the Moneynotes played as well, one of my newest addictions.. check them out, go. do it.

We slept and headed back to the WV the next day... it was a whirlwind but as always, a wonderful time. I love tha state, those people and these photos!

Baby modeling at it's finest..

2009-05-24T08:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Since my hub is working, I spent yesterday with a trip to Old Navy for $1 flip flops and I gotta say it is a good thing I didn't have anything better to do... I stood in line for a very very long time and it was quite silly, but hey! Tim and I got new flip flops and I found a few cute clearance items for my nephews, andddd I got a really cute pair of sunglasses to use for baby photo shoots.. I bought them to use with the other thing I did yesterday, a baby photo shoot with baby Kaine Terrea Burner. I ended up forgetting to take the sunglasses! boo!

Kaine's momma Sarah, Lindsay Rae and I all went to school together at PHS and when Kaine was born, I told her that would be my gift to her, a mini shoot of newborn photos. This was the smallest baby I ever worked with at almost 2 months and it was definetly challenging in a lot of ways, but so fun. She is so beautiful and sweet, she was a perfect model!

I will keep this short because everyone loves baby photos... awwwww!

Keep on livin' for yourself.. and nobody else..

2009-05-22T06:53:00.000-07:00

Ahhh! The weather is so nice, I am actually not annoyed when the sun bursting through the window wakes me up every morning. =] I really just got the urge to go camping, I guess that is because it is Memorial Day weekend, too bad the boy has to work this weekend as an x-ray tech and not as my second shooter.. I can't wait until we have more clients and more time spent shooting together =)

Last night we went and watched the Terminator:Salvation movie, I gotta say that McG is a killer director (same guy that did We are Marshall) He killed it. Also, I realized that if I was smart I would have gone to school to do graphics for movies, because I guarantee those guys that do that for that movie made bank!! So much awesome looking computer work. Kudos!

What else... oh! I know! I have become a part of a group around WV and beyond known as Oh Snap! basically it is a group of photographers doing business in WV, OH, etc that get together every so often and learn from one another or with one another. We were talking about it last week and decided that there is no competition between us, and we can only gain by learning from and with each other. What do you all think? When you look for a photographer, what sets people apart? What makes you want one of us over another? Our thought was you are hiring us because of style which is also part of our personalities and since each of us brings something different, we are not in competition with anyone but ourselves.. discuss amongst my comment page!

Oh Snap! is a lot of fun and I already learned so much. I am going on a shoot with them on the 7th and Blair my beautiful bride (any maybe Josh, my wonderful Groom) and Brooke my best friend since forever are both going to serve as models while we shoot what photographers call "TTD" Trash The Dress! It's gonna be a hoot. I am excited and will have a slue of images to share after that!

I am also going to be learning Lightroom from these folks! Lightroom is software, and since I am a photo school drop out (not really) I never learned much software, but from the sounds of it, this program is going to save my life when I get busier! =) SWEET!

I am in the market for a new computer, which of course brings the debate of what to get. I know I need a workhorse for photo work ONLY. I have a laptop with a 17 inch screen right now that is working somewhat sufficiently, so I will have it for website, blog, updating facebook and general internet browsing. I just need something that will work awesome for my photo editing and some movie editing, which I would like to branch into a little at some point. My instinct and many photographers have said MAC MAC MAC get a g5 desktop or a macbookpro laptop... then I have a friend who builds computers that can build me one for nearly 1/2 price and I trust that he knows whats up! I guess I will just have to keep on dreaming until I get a nice little pocket of $ saved up, but if you have a comment about that, comment away!

As I type this blog, my cats are sitting here being adorable. I love them so much and I am happy we rescued them. They are doing well and are also loving this sunshine through the patio door!

For your dose of photo lovin' how about a bunch more random shots from Blair and Josh's Engagement Session? some of these are a little artsy, I like to shoot everything from a few traditional up to a few completely random shots... hope you enjoy!

Holy Ghost Tent Revival in Raliegh NC!

2009-05-15T12:41:00.001-07:00

In case you missed it earlier in my blog, I LOVE HOLY GHOST TENT REVIVAL. Here are a few images from our trek to NC in April, where we managed to see them for the 4th time in a month. =] They are wonderful musicians not to mention wonderful people. They are touring hard and making a name for themselves, so go here and buy the cd SO LONG I SCREAMED. It is my favorite, and will soon be yours too!

I am LUCKY

2009-05-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

It is MAY and the sun is gorgeous! I am so happy I could puke and all that is missing are more wonderful clients to make me smile =] So far in my photographic journey, I have been blessed with the sweetest clients everrrrr. Dante and Teresa were my first engagement couple, they had their session scheduled at the Governor's Mansion! and the Governor even showed up during our session! WHAT!? talk about nerves on a first time shoot like that. But, the couple was awesome and we had a blast. They loved their images and all was great =D

So on to my second 2009 couple, Blair and Josh. The word awesome comes to mind. I feel like I have known Blair my whole life, she is just that kind of girl. She knows my husband pretty well (she used to be his coxswain when he rowed crew in high school! hah, she got to yell at him all the time!) She booked me because of my style, photojournalistic, non-posey and a little funky. She seems to really trust me, which I think makes me push the envelope a little more than usual. Josh, who I only met just last week, is a great guy. He played along with all of Blair and I's suggestions, and he is easy to photograph. This couple really has it going on!

During thier engagement session last weekend, I couldn't stop smiling. We just traipsed all around Parkersburg shooting in different locations (by the river, in tall grass, on a TRAIN!) it was a blast, I want to do it every weekend for the rest of my life. So tell your friends!

I am always worried that images won't be what I expected when I get back to my office, but these ended up being more than what I thought I got. =) Here are a few of my favorites.

Yay, engagements!

2009-05-09T11:18:00.000-07:00

I am gearing up to meet up with Blair and Josh, my first wedding couple of 09! We are meeting up at the boathouse and going to try to beat this horrible wind! there is no rain in the forecast but it is gusting like the dickens!! I am excited though, wish me luck!

When I get home tonight you are all in for a Youngstown, OH treat, and I am hoping to get Shakori Hills, Asheville, Greensboro, etc up!

Here is a sneak peak of Anne and Angus my friends from Greensboro! Anne owns redcanary
which is a killer textile print studio =) She prints photos on fabric and I would loveeeee to offer that as an option to my clients, if you are interested, let me know!
=)

April is upon us,, time flys!

2009-04-11T20:09:00.000-07:00

it's been a couple weeks and here comes an update..

The cats are wonderful. They got fixed on the 8th and are healing perfectly.. they are so sweet and well behaved now that they are fixed! (when they were in heat they were insanely ornery) They love our bed now they they have been trusted to go in our room and they also are loving that hot sunshine through the patio door! Photos on the bottom..

Monday Tim and I will be shooting the PHS Crew teams portraits! I am so pleased to be doing this! Should be alot of fun and I hope the weather is warm and we can get some creative and great shots! I will be posting as soon as I see how they turn out= )

Tim, Heather, Trey & I decided to play Dugout Softball on the Coed league which we have had 3 practices for.. I am so sore from playing pitcher and batting! It is a lot of fun and we are all happy to be up and doing something active again.. we have another practice Monday if there are any girls out there that want to play! we need girls! Everyone on the team is really nice and our first game is Friday the 17th. (Tim and I wont be there!)

We won't be there because we are leaving on Thursday morning for Shakori Hills Festival in Silk Hope, NC.. Tim and I are shooting the festival and hanging out with some friends, Jerry, Kyle, David, Holy Ghost guys, hopefully meeting Sam Crain too and taking lots of photos! I am really excited! We are going to camp at least one night and also hang out in Greensboro.

The next weekend we are planning on a few more musical and photographical adventures in NC, as our friend Sam is playing at the Blind Tiger in G-bro and then HGTR and American Aquarium are playing at Big Boss Brewery in Raleigh!

The weekend after that, I turn 23! so that is APRIL for you.. I will hopefully get back and update on how everything is going!

Have a GREAT Easter!
Allie

Our newest additions

2009-03-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

Last week was wonderful.. The Avett Brothers put out their June tour dates, which gave Mr. B and I 2 extra dates we are going (makes 4 shows planned- Philly, Pittsburgh, Akron, Columbus) and all those are with Jerry!!! and also various other members of our little Team Avett family. =) Reunion tour time! Tim is very excited to actually have concerts on the radar, as we weren't sure how long it would be before we were gonna get out and see the boys again.

Also, the weather has turned and it is gorgeous here, a little chilly yet for my liking, but sunny and wonderful!

Thirdly, and most importantly, we found a lady that had 2 Sphynx cats in need of a permanent home. She had gone to Texas to pick up some dogs that needed rescued when she saw the two little girls on a screen porch. She decided she would take them, because they were obviously not being taken good enough care of. She has had the babies since late Fall and had not yet placed them online to look for a home. I found out about them through a SphynxRescue YAHOO! group that I joined when I decided I wanted this kind of animal. I posted after I had missed out on a cat in Massachusetts, because I was in WV. It took about 3 hours for someone to mention the foster mom in need of a home for her rescues. I emailed her and within 2 days all the plans were pinned down. We were meeting her at a dog show (she is a breeder or Chinese Crested dogs) in Nashville on Friday to pick them up. All I had to go on were a few photos and her word, but things worked out seemlessly.

Tim, aka the best man I know, drove the whole time to go get them and bring them home. When I walked into the RV where they were, I could not stop smiling, and when I saw them I knew already they would be perfect, they are both so gorgeous and full of personality. They are Sphynx which means they have no hair, which makes them so soft and unique. We got them into the car and went to the hotel for the night, they were out and playing with Tim in about 10 seconds, Gerty (she is grey and overweight, but so so loving) was licking and rubbing all over his head while he laid on the bed. Paisley went straight for the food and exploring the room, she is black and speckled, but looks like a Boston Terrier in the face. She is so little and wants to be in your lap or under your coat if you let her.

We were going to walk Music Row but we were smitten and decided to go eat and then come home and be with the kitties. We ate at this place called Mafiaoza's in Nashville, it was sooooo stinkin' good. you have to try it if you are there. The atmosphere was loud and busy and the food was delicious.

the next day we drove them home, and they slept in the car almost the whole way, they are SO well behaved. they both use the litter box perfectly and dont mind it when we leave and put them in thier room (they have the laundry room as thier haven, fully equipped with cardboard boxes with pillows and fleece blankees.

they are laying (one in a box and one on floor, both in blankees) right now, and one is making the sweetest little whimper, kinda sounds like a snore, maybe she is sleeping and snoring! how cute!

here are some point & shoot photos until I get out my camera and get some better shots

Paisley Propecia Bennett

Gertrude "Gerty" Rogaine Bennett

Teresa and Dontay, cutest couple in Charleston

2009-03-09T16:06:00.000-07:00

Sunday was beautiful! Daylight savings made the sun stay out longer and the weather was gorgeous! I was so pleased because I had the first engagement couple of 2009 to photograph.

Teresa contacted me because of all the bragging my husband does at MedExpress where he works. She is marrying Dontay on August 1st!! They are having their ceremony at the Capitol on the Senate side of the rotunda, which is where my conference was all weekend!

For engagement shots, Teresa made arrangements to get them taken at the beautiful Governor's Mansion in Charleston, where we had photographed a gala the night before! weird how it all worked out, actually.

These two met when Dontay was at University of Charleston and they have been together ever since she showed him around town. That a girl!

When Tim and I went over to the mansion, we just starting in one room and worked our way around, having Teresa and Dontay try out just about every seat in the place and stand in all the natural light there was pouring in the windows.. I wish I could photograph every couple here! The colors and all the great backgrounds make it a perfect place!

After we finished at the mansion, we went outside and it just so happened that Governor Manchin and First Lady Gayle were coming home from a trip and they came out and greeted Teresa and Dontay in the middle of our shoot!!! It was a totally fun moment and after they went back in, Teresa yelled "Allie, did you get that?!" haha and yes, I did.

We walked over to the Capitol and played on the stairs, as Teresa and Dontay relaxed and starting coming up with things they wanted to try, the shoot got better and better.. these two are extremely photogenic anyway, and totally cute together! I hope they are super pleased!! I was kind of nervous but after doing this shoot I am feeling great about doing more!

with the Governor and 1st Lady!

Capitol Convergence 2009, where you can have it your way... but don't get crazy!

2009-03-09T06:55:00.000-07:00

I said I would update during the conference this weekend, and again, I lied. I was busy! and only had internet access at the Capitol where I was shooting!

In case you missed it, I was shooting a WVU Center for Civic Engagement Conference known as Capitol Convergence 2009. My dear friend Brett White is the event coordinator there and he asked me to document the experience. Tim and I both decided to do this together and we both agreed that it was a great experience! We spent Friday-Sunday at the Marriott, the Capitol Rotunda and in the Charleston community documenting these students learning about service and civic engagement and also doing community service work. Plus, there was a Gala at the Governor's Mansion that we got to shoot, which was the closest thing to a reception I could have asked for. The lighting was dim, but the ceiling was wonderful sheer white fabric, which made my flash work flawlessly! I was so excited after a weekend of trying to get good shots in the dimly lit, tall ceiling Capitol Rotunda! But I LOVE a challenge..

The WVU folks were so pleased to have me, because they are using photos from 2001 on their marketing materials! This is one of those things I see all the time and hope that I can help organizations with, affordable and professional quality photographs of all the good they do.

It was exhausting and I slept like a baby last night when we finally got home (but not until after a engagement session with Dontay and Teresa! which is a whole other post) I was very glad we went and did this event, it was a total learning experience. I had enough time during the conference to put together a slide show of some of the highlights from the weekend and that caused a few of the students to be interested in buying the CD of images, so that's great! Now I have a ton of editing left to do and CDs to make and ship.. let the daunting task begin...

On top of all that, I got to hang out with Brett and Gary!!! from my former life as a Student Council camp counselor and I met several fine folks from WVU.. Everytime I see those boys, or anyone else from camp, it is like we pick up right where we left off. It doesn't matter that we haven't seen each other in like 4 years and that is my favorite kind of friend..

Here are a few shots from the conference, enjoy!

the show is on the road...

2009-03-05T16:24:00.000-08:00

Hello virtual friends and actual friends and people I do not know that read my blog..

I am just printing up all kinds of things for the conference I am shooting this weekend in Charleston "Capitol Convergence 2009" with the WVU Center for Civic Engagement. Pretty cool stuff I think. I am most excited because I will be shooting a gala at the Governor's Mansion and it gives me an excuse to re-wear a bridesmaids dress that I love! haha! I am really pumped to work out all the kinks with my new Speedlite and also to take a lot of group photographs.. hopefully I will sell a few CDs of the images and give out a ton of business cards! I am a total Photo Dork...

Mr. B is coming along to assist and learn, he ever so gracefully took a lesson from me last night when he got off work.. haha we were discussing best practices for concert photography and even though he was rediculously tired he got his camera out and learned how to change tons of settings.. what a trooper!

Tomorrow I am having lunch with some of the girls from Girl Scouts (my first ever real job) so that will be good. I like to hear stories about whats going on there since I left and those girls are really wonderful!

I was trying to watch American Idol and I can't even get past how distracting and cheesy the performances are.. ugh. I am listening to a Paleface and Mo interview/studio performance right now, which is so much better.. He is talking about Ramseur Records vs. the music business he experienced in NYC when he was signed to a larger label.. wonderful.

I am going to have a million photos to share this weekend, so check back. For now, a photo of my tired husband taking a photography lesson, with his finger in his nose.

Haven't you needed the freedom of losing your past?

2009-03-04T11:11:00.000-08:00

Sorry to all my loyal readers (Jerry) for the lapse in posting this week.. i have no excuse other than Mr. B has been off for 2 days and we have been hanging out. He hates the computer, I don't even think he read this blog much, but he knows that I am a child of the AIM generation with my social networking and blogging and what nots.. I guess that is what I get for marrying an old man! (just kidding, if you are reading this, Tim)

This past weekend I went on down to Huntington town for a little rendezvous with some amazing friends of ours (Jerry, again, as well as Mark and Diana from Dayton and Hayley, my old journalism friend from Marshall) We were all gathered for a show at the V-club with none other than my new favorite band, Holy Ghost Tent Revival. A few posts back I talked about them playing in Columbus and completely "killing it" as they say.. well this was no exception.

Rewind, I drove down to Huntington on Saturday and got there about 5, had some amazing Hibachi dinner with Jerry and his lovely friends that were Avett fans also!, and Mark and Diana, our musical family parents! When we went over to the V-club about 9ish, the band was already there, and Jamie, their wonderful manager. I warned them the paparazzi was in the building and not to be alarmed, of course they are excellent sports and allowed me to stalk them all evening, even managing to get all 6 of them in a phone booth made for 1. Photos below!

The show was opened by The Wild Rumpus, a band that was wonderful as well, out of Fayetteville, WV. Click the link and give it a listen. I will have to edit those photos and get them to the band, they might appreciate that... that is a note to self.

By the time Holy Ghost went on, Mr B. had succesfully made it there from work, but Hayley had not, she came in during the set, found me and was absolutely floored by what she was hearing. Hayley is a former Radio DJ at Marshall University and totally nice person. She just landed a job in NYC in advertising, which I am very excited to live vicariously through her and also to go visit! I was glad she liked what she was hearing, because she was kind enough to oblige my request to use her floor as temporary housing for said creators of the music she was hearing..

They played for about 2 hours, and from the looks of it you'd think they had a packed house. Unfortunately, only a handful of people came out. Those who were not with our little crew were probably floored to have stumbled upon this band of up and coming songsters and I am convinced that in the coming few years, those who stayed home will be kicking themselves as Holy Ghost Tent Revival makes a name for themselves.

After the show, we made sure everyone was prepared to travel to their accomodations (read: Hayley's apartment floor) and we went home to sleep. I was so restless, as I am many night after a fun time out.. and the next morning my ears were still ringing. Mr. B was back out to work (TROOPER) and Jerry and I went to rally the troops for a proper send-off of Chili-Willis and hugs.

Can't wait til next time!

Breakin' in the new 40D!

2009-02-26T11:36:00.000-08:00

This week has flown by.. tomorrow I have to do my monthly paper work for my day job so I will get paid and we are also doing more super top secret crime fighting tomorrow evening... dun dun dunnnn! More on that later... today I trained 17 more servers in responsible alcohol serving tactics... and as of right now, I am finished with those.. yay!

Yesterday, Timmy and I took our twin 40D's out for a shoot, of each other! The weather was beautiful and it was a lot of fun. He is doing a great job learning the settings on the upgraded camera! He took some really nice shots of me and now I just have to get him to edit them himself!! hah! yeah right.

We found some great spots on the river and I look forward to going to more locations.. all these shots were taken within 500 yards of one another.. so there's a lot more ground to cover downtown, I CANNOT WAIT until the weather gets better for the summer!

I am donating a portrait package to the PHS Crew Team for their annual auction! As an alumni of the team, I wanted to help them out, so on March 14th goto Stout Methodist on Broad at.. 6pm? maybe 7.. Ill let you know... and bid on the package and other great items! I am excited because I will likely meet someone completely new through this, that never heard of me before (okay, alot of people haven't heard of me, but I am working on that!)

In my previous blog, I told you I sat at the mall all day Monday for my day job, during which I worked on a few pieces of media and got in my mind what I want for my logo, I am going to have my good friend from way back when, Lauren, work one up for me from my idea.. she is a talented artist herself that happens to work freelance for people who need logos and design! If you need her, let me know and I will hook you up with her.

Some things to do before I die...

2009-02-23T19:23:00.000-08:00

Alright, its Monday. The last one in February 09. BRRRRRR. I am so ready for some warmth! I am glad it has been snowy this winter but I am suffering from severe "its too cold to shoot outside and I don't have a studio!!!!" syndrome.. ugh

I spent all day at the stupid mall for work.. it was a really long day and since I do not feel great today, I was sooooo happy when 5pm came around and I got to come home.. ughh again.

I have been watching some serious America's Next Top Model lately, for about 8 years I have known that one day I want to be a photographer on that show. Tyra.. call me. I am always inspired by the editorials they come up with and can see me shooting one of the crazy shoots with awesome bright makeup or one of the crazy shoots they with props or underwater.. etc.. I love it.... it's on my list of things to do before I die.

Another thing that is on my list is to adopt a rescue pet. Mr. B and I have decided on a Sphynx cat, yes, the hairless kind. We are putting in application and hoping that when we purchase our home we will be able to quickly adopt and take home our new baby! They are quite adorable and affectionate, I love cats that act like they need you, not the kind that you only see when they are feeling like it, so they are perfect.

While we are on the topic of things I want to do before I keel over, I might as well make a little list...
-be mommy to a rescued sphynx kitty and a pound mutt(perhaps not at the same time)
-be a photographer and judge on America's Next Top Model
-travel with a successful music group on tour and photograph the journey (The Avett Brothers, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, The Everybodyfields, Langhorne Slim, preferably!)
-publish a cookbook, publish a music coffee table photo book and publish a WV photo book
-get invited to compete in the pillsbury bake-off!

and now, photos of Mr. B & I's journey to Johnson City, Tennesee to see some wonderful live music in December at the Down Home..

the TN cabin!

Doc Watson at the Down Home

Sam Quinn of the Everybodyfields at Down Home

I love Food.

2009-02-19T17:55:00.000-08:00

I'm catching up on Top Chef, my favorite show on TV right now... GOSH I just love it! Carla and Fabio are my favorite, they are both so cute, Fabio with his broken finger and broken english and Carla with her ex-model looks and fun personality. I just watched Carla win a Toyota! that's awesome.. DARN IT.. Fabio just got sent home :( I guess I know who to cheer for now.

Now it is time to watch Iron Chef America (my favorite thing to do with my husband is watch cooking shows, btw) Michael Symon is my favorite, and lucky me, he is on this episode!

Tim will be home shortly and we will begin our weekend together! we only get half of them together, because of his work schedule!, but this weekend is special because it is our anniversary! its a whole year on Sunday since we eloped at the courthouse in Charleston. Time has flown by but it definitely seems like we have been married longer, just because we lived together and shared everything long before we were married.. I am soooo lucky to be married to such a wonderful person and a hard working man. He amazes me all the time and not a day goes by that I don't thank God for him... I guess we are making it.. living the dream... now if we only had a dog we would be in great shape (kidding, hunny!) sort of.

We don't have any big plans for the weekend other than a few dinners and a movie or 2.. we are saving money and keeping long term plans on the front burner.. it's challenging sometimes to think long term, but i know it will pay off..

Rewind to this week, I have been teaching TIP trainings and trained almost 40 servers and bartenders about responsible alcohol service for my job at SOBER, these trainings can be tedious but all in all, they are fun. Most people who work in restaurants and bars are hilarious, so I have a good time. After a horrible experience at the library last week when I did my training, I have vowed to never teach there alone again! I'd tell you all about it, but don't really feel like reliving it, Mr. Tom Jamison laughed his butt off over it, and that made me feel better. So, after about a week of being irritated off and on, I am officially over it!

Fast forward again and I am looking forward to next weekend, when we will again see our friends from Holy Ghost Tent Revival (go back 3 posts to see thier pics!) in Huntington and I will be shooting thier photos.. hopefully be able to get some fun promo shots. I am also trying to get some clients lined up on a $30/hour you-name-it portrait shoots in Huntington. So if you are in Huntington, contact me for an appointment at the location of your choice!

Fast forward another weekend and Timmy and I will be double teaming the Capital Convergence 2009 WVU Center for Civic Engagement conference... we are shooting this for free and selling CDs of the images to the conference goers.. we shall see how that goes, but I know it will be fun because we are going to a Gala at the Governor's Mansion, meeting the first lady and Congresswoman Capito, and hanging out with plenty of wonderful people from my past life as a Student Council camp counselor! Plus, it is great practice on live models! score!

Having to do with no fast forwarding or rewinding.. I love food. In the past couple years, I have learned to cook a lot of things and recently have started making my own recipes with my new oven!!! Having a nice oven makes cooking so much more fun! haha! I am submitting a recipe to the Pillsbury Bake-Off 2010.. I can't tell you what it is, but I will tell you that my ingredients off the "must use" list are Smuckers Concord Grape Jelly and Pillbury Cinnamon Rolls.... umm it is soooo good! Cross your fingers and I will win $1 million dollars to spend on paying off my and tim's cars and buying a house/studio! haha YES!

photos... photos.... what photos to share with this incredible random post...
I know, a new self portrait in my bathroom... a kitty jumping in mid air and my sister and her hub dancing at their Las Vegas wedding!

so, I married an artist..

2009-02-11T17:28:00.000-08:00

As I promised, my latest blog is about my artist husband.. Mr. B, who has a day job as an x-ray tech at MedExpress in Charleston.

in 2006, I believe, we were dating and vacationing at the infamous Myrtle Beach when Mr. B purchased a painting from a local selling at Starbucks. This is only one in a series of paintings that Mr. B purchased during his time working as an x-ray tech in PA, WA, CT, etc. He has always been an art collector and finally he was sick of spending so much on things that "he could do himself." So we went to the Myrtle Beach Michael's Craft store and I purchased canvas, paint and brushes, etc to get him started. I was in art school at the time, and knew that he needed the creative outlet. In the first few months he took off with it. I am sitting in our living room now with 22 paintings he has done in the last 3 years.

One of the main things that Mr. B has taken to in his painting is listening to music, picking out a line that strikes him and turns it into pop art. He then takes the paintings to concerts and attempts to get them signed by the artists that inspired it. It has worked out fantastically so far and he and I are thinking about doing a joint show of my photos and his paintings somewhere down the line..

anyway, here are a few of his images..

I am a breathing time machine.. i'll take you all for a ride

2009-02-10T11:19:00.000-08:00

Well, we made it through Monday and into the second week of February! I can't believe how fast time flies when you are having fun! I just got home from my old high school where I had a meeting with the Key Club that I used to be a large part of.. It was for my Grant job and we are going to be starting up a SADD (Student Against Destructive Decision) chapter there, hopefully! It was fun to see those kids, not much younger than me and I see myself in them.

Anywho, I went to Borders and found a nice wedding photography book to pull some inspiration from.. I am living and breathing this business right now. I think constantly about it, even when I should be doing something else! opps! hah i went out yesterday while it was a little warmer and got some location shots and pinned down some portfolio spots.. I was pleasantly suprised with all the little nooks and crannies this town has to offer a photographer.. and now I look forward to Spring even more, when I will be doing a few engagement shoots and hopefully several seniors!

What else... Mr. B is working almost every day this week, he is off tomorrow but is shooting down to Clarksburg to see his Daddy and Uncle before having a training in Morgantown on Thursday.. He is a hard hard worker everyday!

He has been uber supportive of this Photography venture of mine. He has known for a few years that this is the path I eventually wanted to be on and was the person to push me to get the first Canon 40D and now he is telling me I need to go ahead and get some new flashes and such (I hate spending money, so I need prodding sometimes!).. It is really nice that he understands and supports me in this.

He is an artist too, you know.. I will have to blog next time about his art.. I will show you some, and if you ever come out to the house to get shots done (I have a stellar idea for a cute laundry line backdrop!!, most details on that later) you will step into our studio.. uhm... living room. I can see 22 paintings from where I sit and I have 3 photographs from college in my office. We have about 15 posters that need frames and a home.. we are just in need of a bigger house so we have wall space for our art... its a problem! HAH!

Photo time... yay!

Locations for portrait and engagement sessions in Parkersburg! Just imagine them on a slightly sunshiney-er day and with greener grass... more Spring like!

and for Blair, the bride to be! if you are reading this, email and tell me which ones you liked best, I think the last one would be great, if we can get Barry to let us on the rooftop!

i live my life one concert to the next

2009-02-09T14:47:00.000-08:00

Can I just say how good of a weekend I just had? Mr. B and I made the trek to Columbus, Ohio this weekend to
a.) visit my big sister, Sarah and her new hubby Aaron (I did pictures at their Vegas wedding, if you go back about six entries in the blog you will find them!)
b.) see one of my favorite bands, Holy Ghost Tent Revival (http://www.myspace.com/HGTR)
c.) see some members of the Avett Nation (Jerry, Mark, Diana!)
d.) buy a new Canon DSLR. (okay, we didn't plan this one originally, but I will explain)

My sister and her hubby live in Hilliard, in this cute house with 2 dogs (Chili the Chihuahua and Falcor the Shi-tzu ) and a cat named Kitty. We ate at this place called the Starliner Diner, I can't recall but the food was great Cuban-esque style. yum!
We went to the Scarlet & Grey Cafe for the show and ordered Hounddogs pizza, if you haven't eaten this and you live in the Bus, GET ON IT. Yum. Sarah recommends the spicy sauce! I had Cheese with Mild sauce and it was awesome, the crust is garlicky and delicious! mm now i want some hounddogs pizza....... darn it!

HGTR is a band Mr. B and I saw in 2007 in Greensboro, NC after an Avett Brothers concert.. They were playing in this dive bar called The Blind Tiger and I was instantly hooked. They have grown and evolved (read: done some housekeeping) and now they are better than ever, buy the CD SO LONG I SCREAMED online NOW! http://www.holyghosttentrevival.com

It was good to see my one and only blog follower at this point JERRY! or Jer-Bear as I call him.. he is one of my favorite people in the world and he took good care of me all evening at the show (thank you, thank you, thank you for all the beverages you bought! hah) I can't wait to spend another weekend with Jerry and live music!

Mark and Diana are the other folks that met us out there, we have known them for 2 years? something like that. Met all these fine folks at Avett Brothers concerts and have a really great bond with them. We will be crashing on your couch sometime in the near future! (the offer remains if they ever come play Parkersburg, yes a long shot, but still!)

okay, now you are probably wondering about the new CANON 40D! Timmy and I took a detour in search of FrogRanch Peppered Pickles (something he got hooked on at our wedding reception!) and although we didnt find peppered pickles, we did find a Circuit City that was, obviously, closing. We went in after Compact Flash memory cards for my existing camera (got 2 at $18 each!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOO!) and came across my Canon 40D DSLR for $909.... the wheels started turning.......

We talked all the way home about that good deal, and how I needed a back up camera and how Tim would like to exchange his Film SLR for a Digital.... well long story short, we went to our local Circuit City that was going out of business and picked one up..... AND I FEEL GREAT! I am so relieved to know I have a back up for events and that now Tim will be assisting in many events that I have booked or will book (weddings, conferences, etc)

Thats good news for all of you out there who are considering booking me, now you will most likely get 2 for the price of 1!

on with the photos.. i know! Here are some shots from the HGTR show!!

in my next post, I will have new Parkersburg area locations for shoots, fresh off my CF memory card!

For more HGTR shots, view myspace here!
-Allie

Fairchild Family of Kitties

2009-02-05T13:01:00.000-08:00

My friends Heather and Trey Fairchild just bought a house! yay!!! in this house, they have a gaggle of the funniest kitties ever seen. I was torturing.. ahem.. photographing them the other night and here are some of the shots! Enjoy!

Winnifred, the newest edition to the fam!

Simon, or Simone, however you wanna say it. He is a ladies man.

Queen of the Castle, The Dinahnator. (Dinah)
Cat fight!

Heather and Winnie

Dinah and her momma

Nephews in the SNOW!

2009-01-21T10:30:00.001-08:00

I got my wish!!! Snow and portraits of my nephews in it! they are added to my portfolio, http://alliebphotography.foliosnap.com but I will place more here!

it was so much fun and they are just so stinkin' adorable! Landon (3) was just rolling around in it, he loved it so much that he was eating it.. so I gave it a try... yucky. Mason (7) was into sledding down the hill and like using the fast sled. He face planted once, and I got a fun shot of him with snow on his glasses! enjoy!Uncle Timmy and Landon Tiffany (Mom) and MasonAction shot!Mason after the FacePlant!!

Sweet Little Landon loving the snow!

They were cold and ready to go in!

Upcoming Projects!

2009-01-14T18:35:00.000-08:00

Hello!
I am very wound up. I have an offer to shoot a conference in Charleston in March with a very dear friend of mine. It doesn't pay but it will allow me to practice on a ton of live subjects and its a free weekend in the Charleston Marriott! Holler! I am working up a way to sell the shots on CD so I can at least make a little profit to fund getting better business cards and ads and paying for the website. Good Stuff! I am so excited!

I am also already thinking about Prom. This will be my first year taking on a clientele for Prom and Senior Portraits! FUN! I taught a SOBER class today in the gym where the Prom will likely be held, so it got me thinking about how I want to do this. I am likely going to offer to shoot downtown or at Fort Boreman, maybe the park or in front of PHS.. I haven't decided. It will likely depend on the clientele and what they are into, ill probably do 2 locations, one a little earlier than the other and have the clients choose which they want, those requiring both will be scheduled in the middle. I know, you totally care about all the logistics of it! sorry! haha

I need to work up some order forms and packages to have on hand. I am hoping to have a good response, because I want to offer something DIFFERENT, fun and modern. Very client directed so they can get what they want. I guess this is my mentality on almost all sessions. You tell me what you'd like to see and we will try it out. Why not?

It has been snowing/sleeting like crazy and I LOVE IT, I wish it would snow like a foot and I could do some fun snow shots of my nephews playing in it (and thier uncle Tim!)
However, I am looking forward to warmer weather to come and get all of us back outside and playing! and for senior portrait season to start!!

Here are a few random shots from recent adventures :)
Close up of Tim in one of his best shirts!

Little Luci all dressed up as Santa, with her human, Debby.

Avett and Friends in Asheville!

2009-01-05T09:46:00.001-08:00

Another road trip went off in December to see the Avett Brothers at the Orange Peel in Asheville, NC, it's an annual thing and one of my favorite things ever. This year we got a cabin with 10 other wonderful people from all over the place that we have met along our Avett Brothers concert journeys. We stood in line for over 15 hours to get in the front row!! it was totally worth it and her are some shots to prove it!

The Avett Brothers - Halloween in Greensboro

2008-11-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

Begue Wedding

2008-09-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

My big sister Sarah got married! In Las Vegas!! to a great man named Aaron Begue! I was in the wedding but got the honor of shooting some "getting ready" and some reception shots. Sarah and Aaron live in Columbus, Ohio and work in the medical field. Sarah is a nurse in Children's Hospital and Aaron is a Nurse Practitioner, Every year they go to Hocking Hills for a weekend and that is where Aaron proposed! It was a very nice proposal, complete with a game and a hidden ring!

It was a load of fun and here's proof!

Jamison Wedding!

2008-09-23T06:04:00.000-07:00

Tim and Mallory Jamison - September 6th, 2008

It's wedding season for a bunch of lovely people near and dear to my heart! The first of three celebrations we are attending is the Johnston/Jamison Wedding. My hubby, Tim and I were both asked to be in this one, so we were particularly excited, however, being in a wedding is not conducive to getting great photos of the ceremony! I took a ton at the reception though, which can be viewed here!

Tim Jamison is my husband's best and longest friend. They grew up next door neighbors and as grown-ups (sorta) they are still very close. I actually met my husband at Tim Jamison's house and married that boy next door! The Jamison Family is spectacular and very important to my husband and I.

I met Mallory, the bride, only in December 2007, but we became friends instantly. She is a super talented painter and all around nice person. She is easy going and when I asked how to wear my hair in the wedding she said, without hesitation, "however you want." You gotta love that!!

I know these two are going to have a very beautiful life together, they have passion for life and they respect each other as individuals. Not to mention, they can throw one heck of a party! (Can't wait for Tacky Christmas, part deux!)
See photos below!

Avett Brothers concerts

2008-09-01T10:52:00.000-07:00

Live at the Orange Peel - December 2007

Kent Stage - March 2008

bugs and such.

2008-09-01T08:14:00.001-07:00

my nephews.

2008-09-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, so my husband's family boasts some really cute kids. My nephews are so stinkin' adorable and rotten at the same time, but you gotta love them. I pulled the camera on them near the end of this summer and got a ton of cute photos for their mom's brag book. I like the unexpected and none of these pictures were planned, the one of the bed was in the midst of a romper room session, I can't believe how innocent they look!

Landon at 2 years old.

fresh picked. just the way he likes them.

Mason (7) and Landon (2) at home.

some starter shots

2008-08-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

This is my husband, Tim, messing around with candles in the dark. The panorama is nice!

This was one of those sneak attack photos. We were leaving The Blind Tiger in Greensboro after watching Holy Ghost Tent Revival play there, post Avett Brothers War Memorial show, circa summer of '07. I saw the opener band "best when tipsy" in the car and snapped this photo.

I thought I should share a few random photos with everyone. I mean, ya gotta start someplace right? Feel free to leave comments and ask questions.

Endeavors

2008-08-05T07:12:00.000-07:00

Check back soon for more posts! I am looking forward to this project. If you have an idea for a shoot, let me know! :)