Trash that Dress, Girl!

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..

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..

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..

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!

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

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!

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!

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

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

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!