http://www.michellewaters.com for amazing photography by Miss Waters!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Charleston, WV Wedding w/ Michelle Waters
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!
http://www.michellewaters.com for amazing photography by Miss Waters!
Monday, February 1, 2010
February.. digital deal and love talk.
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!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Refreshed.
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!
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!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Project 365
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
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
Friday, January 1, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
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!!
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
Thursday, December 3, 2009
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 =]
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
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
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!
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!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
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!
"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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
