2010!

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.

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 Michelle Waters

Photo by Angela Donahew

Photo by Tina Nichols

Photo by Stephanie Carpenter

My totally amazing blessed 2009.

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!

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

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!

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!

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

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

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?

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.. =]