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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
How weird is 2010?! It sounds so foreign. Like, we should be flying in cars and living in high rise houses with robot maids (you know, like that show). Anyway, 2009 is behind us and 2010 is exciting and new and unfamiliar. I love it. :)
This year was so good to us. Like any year, it definitely had it's peaks and valleys, but overall, Ben and I feel extremely fortunate to be living the life that we do.
More specifically, photography has been good to us. We've had our little business for about a year and a half now, and it has been a whirlwind of awesomeness. We've had the privilege of meeting and working with so many amazing, incredible clients, and we could not be more grateful for each and every person who stepped in front of our cameras. You have inspired us with your love, personalities, and stories, and we feel like we have grown as artists (and individuals) by being around each and every one of you. :)
Next year will bring change. Lots of change. As fabulous as 2009 was, Ben and I are absolutely thrilled for the next chapters of our lives. We are looking forward to lots of new inspiration, lots of new friends, and lots of new experiences. In the same respect, our business will continue to move in a positive, forward-thinking direction. So be on the look out for what we throw your way over the next several months! :)
It seems appropriate to tip our hats to 2009 by recapping a little. And what's more fun than recapping with a crapload of photos?! We've compiled some a plethora of our favorite images from this year and put them into a cute little slideshow for your viewing pleasure. (*As a side note, this slideshow program will be popping up quite often this year as we will be using it to highlight various shoots, and for our clients to be able to see proofs of their photos. Fun, right? ;))
Thank you 2009. You've taught us a lot, and we'll miss you. But not that much, because 2010 seems really cool. :)
Please click here to view our year-in-review slideshow (it's about 4 minutes long)! The screen that pops up will look like this:
Type '2009' into the password box.
Music is on, and the song choice is 'Readyfuels' by Anberlin. Anberlin has been one of our favorite bands for a long while, so we felt it only right to add them to our trip down memory lane. ;)
You can allow the slideshow to run through, or hover over the bottom bar to view photos individually, check out the info about the show, and e-mail us or your friends!
Happy New Year! We hope 2010 brings you tons of fabulousness!
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a year in review.
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89
It's really ironic to me that I claim to be on 'break,' but this is probably the most I've blogged ever. Maybe if I told myself that I was on 'break' more often, I would update this thing every day. Then again, maybe not.
I'm actually really happy to blog on 'break!' These Love Through the Lens session have been so fun and fulfilling for Ben and I. Not only do we feel awesome about being able to participate in such an amazing cause, but we have also had the opportunity to work with some truly fabulous people. It's been particularly special to me because many of these people have been in my life for a long time. I love that we're able to spend time with - and provide photos for - people who have brought so much joy into my world. :)
Included in that group of people is the Bornemann family. :) The foursome consists of Steve, Phyllis, Kaitlyn and Derek. The Bornemann's have been close friends of my family's for years. We have a connection through Lake Aurora (it's quite obvious that LA is a pretty significant location for me ;)), and they are some of the greatest people that I know! Phyllis and Steve work at the camp, and the dedication and hard work that they put into that place is more than admirable.
That same devotion is evident in their family bond. There is a lot of love and laughter shared between the four of them, and that spills over onto anyone who has the pleasure of being around them. Their comfortable togetherness is infectious - you can't help but have a good time around their family. :)
The wonderful staff at Lake Aurora surprised Phyllis and Steve with a LTTL session for Christmas, so Ben and I had the chance to photograph these guys at - where else?! - Lake Aurora. ;)
Steve, Phyllis, Kaitlyn, and Derek - We are so happy that we got to hang with you all today - it's always a blast! :) Thanks for making our job a piece of cake! You guys are awesome!
Enjoy some shots from the day!
Talking and interacting with one another with a huge camera pointed in your face could be a little awkward...but this shot makes it seem like it's the most normal thing ever. ;)
They're so photogenic! Seriously!
...and the apples don't fall far from the trees. :)
'So cute!' - right, guys? ;) Pretty sure this is my favorite group shot of the day.
Love this.
Kaitlyn and Derek. :)
Steve and Phyllis. :)
Sometimes I feel like Ben comes onto shoots for the sole purpose of being ridiculous and entertaining people, but then he grabs shots like this and I am reminded that he does actually contribute occasionally. ;)
These make me smile. :) 23 years together and going strong - inspiring!
I think I'm over my limit of :)'s on this post, but this photo just deserves one. :).
**We still have a couple of LTTL sessions left! If you'd like more info check out the blog post by clicking here. Then shoot us an e-mail to get something set up! We have gift certificates available for purchase as well! :)**
cora:
Very good pictures!
(12.27.09)
tina morrow:
beautiful family! you can see the fun and love they have together. great pics. :)
(12.27.09)
Jill Hughes:
Beautiful Family! So glad that they are family!
Eric & Jill Hughes
Ashley McCormick Photography:
Girl you are on a roll!! I love all of these posts :) And for such a great cause!
(12.27.09)
Nana:
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful family! Lots of love shining through them.
(12.27.09)
Phyllis & Steve:
I love them! Thanks for making it SO easy. It's so rare to catch 'natural' smiles on my guys! You did great!
(12.27.09)
Elaine Schreiber:
what a beautiful family!!
(12.27.09)
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88
I saw a quote on Twitter today that I really think captures the essence of this season: 'Christmas waves a magic wand over this world and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.' -Peale
To me, Christmas time is fabulous. It's cheerful and generous and all kinds of warm and fuzzy. It's filled with singing and laughter and big bows and delicious food (that turns into delicious leftovers). It's like living in a Hallmark commercial, for a month or so.
Ben and I have had such an amazing time with our loved ones these past few days, and the fun isn't over yet! We have more celebrating and travelling and good times to come, and we feel extremely blessed to be able to share the holiday season with one another. Spending time with Ben that isn't interrupted by the normal hustle and bustle of life is one of the things I love most about this time of year. :)
***
So in the spirit of this season of giving, we want to offer some new eye candy. :)
Chaundi and David wanted to take part in our Love Through the Lens project, so they booked one of our December sessions. I could literally write an entire blog post (we're talking pages) about Chaundi and my relationship. Pages, people. But I will spare you the lengthy story (even though it's a good one!) and just keep it short and sweet. Well, as short and sweet as I can do.
Chaundi is one of my first friends. No, really. The phrase 'we go way back' defines us. We were BFF's in diapers on the playground, and now we're all grown up and we still share that truly amazing bond. Our friendship is one of those that always picks up where it left off. Those are the best kind, if you ask me. Life may take you in different directions (in our case, it took us in several different directions around the state of Florida :)), but when you meet back in the middle, everything is right where you left it. The friendship moves through the book with you - instead of getting snagged up on Chapter 4 or 5. That's our friendship. She is a thick-and-thin, remember-when-this-happened-in-middle-school, never-going-to-grow-apart kind of friend. She's not blood, but she may as well be because she's family in my book.
David entered her life circa 2003, and he's stuck around ever since. :) I don't think I could describe their relationship more perfectly than Chaundi did when she wrote me an e-mail to set up their session. She wrote, 'I asked David to describe our relationship and his response was 'respect, honor, and passion.' I agree with him, but I would also add cheerful and spontaneous! You know firsthand that I love to laugh, and he has that same spark for life.'
Just like their self-description, Chaundi and David provide balance for each other. 6 years together has built a solid, loving foundation for their relationship. Being around them, you can tell that they adore and admire one another, and cherish the bond that holds them tight.
I truly believe that their session around the lake captured the respect, honor, passion, cheerfulness, and spontaneity that makes their love unique. :)
Chaundi and David - I had such a fabulous time with you guys! Your love is genuine and inspiring. You made my job so easy because you are completely comfortable with yourselves, and each other. Thank you for being true to who you are as a couple - it's absolutely beautiful! Love you guys! :)
Here are a few favorites from the day:
Oh. Did I forget to tell you? Chaundi is amazingly gorgeous.
FAVORITE. And probably one of my favorite photos we've ever taken.
Cheerfulness? Check! :)
Guess I've been drawn to swings lately. They seem to pop up in our sessions pretty often. Swinging is fun!
The lighting was a little harsh here, but I had to include this one. Chaundi and David definitely had 'looks' that they gave each other throughout the session. I'm sure David knows what this 'look' means. ;)
So cute. :)
My camera loves you both.
A special request. :)
tina morrow:
So beautiful. Just gorgeous. If/when Chaundi and David tie the knot - they are going to have beautiful babies! :)
(12.25.09)
Chaundi and David:
I'm sitting here screaming "OMG"!!! I love them all! I defiantly think you did an amazing job of capturing the "respect, honor, passion, cheerful and spontaneous" nature of our relationship. I can't wait to put the photos up in my house and office! LOL
@Ms. Tina- Thanks!!!!! :)
brittnei e.:
There are no words for how amazing I think these are! Amy your work is incredible & Chaundi you two look great!
(12.26.09)
Nana:
I love these pictures!! I don't really know David, but Chaundi I know as a beautiful baby and now as this incredible, beautiful young lady. Wow! so much emotion in all of them.
(12.26.09)
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...a merry little Christmas!
We love this time of year, and the excitement and joy that this season always ushers in. We'll be spending lots of time with each other and our amazing families and friends, and we couldn't be more thrilled for the down time. :)
We hope all of you have a Christmas filled with love, laughter, and relaxation, and that you ring in 2010 with a lot of fun! :) Lots of love to you during this wonderful time of year!
(*Our office will be closed from December 24-December 31. We will be checking our e-mail periodically, but responses will be delayed. Discs will be sent out upon our return, and blog posts will resume. Thanks for your patience! :))
tina morrow:
Awww - what a sweet little boy! Great pic. :)
(12.25.09)
Hannah Fell:
Love this!!
(12.25.09)
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have yourself...
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86
So, my immune system has this really awesome way of crapping out when fun things are about to happen. Like the time I got a cold a week before my sister's wedding. Or the time I was sportin' a serious sinus infection 3 days before I departed for New York. Or the time I got a sinus infection while Ben and I were in Las Vegas for our honeymoon [p.s. my sinuses hate me]. It's obnoxious and depressing, to say the least. My immune system is a bully. A mean, push-you-down-on-the-playground bully.
So it came as no surprise that about a week ago, I started sneezing and coughing...a lot. I'm sure my immune system figured - Christmas is right around the corner - it's the perfect time to get sick and ruin all the fun!
With a busy December schedule ahead of me, I decided that enough was enough. No more destroying my good times with headaches and kleenex piles.
Yesterday, I took the first step to fight against my mopey system when I decided to peel myself away from my bed, pajamas, and tomato soup, and head to a shoot that we had on the books for the day. I armed myself with Aleve Cold and Sinus and Claritin (a two birds/one stone approach), put a smile on my face, and ignored the sluggishness that wanted to take over my body.
And I totally won. Apparently, fresh air and a fun photo shoot was a successful remedy and I'm happy to report that my ridiculously irritating immune system will not be crapping all over my holiday spirit this year. :)
Yesterday's shoot was with Kim, Todd, and their 3 adorable kids - 2-year-old daughter, Reese, and 1-year-old twins, Taylor and Will. We had such a blast running all around Taylor Park in Cocoa with these guys, and they kept us laughing throughout the whole session. Reese, Taylor, and Will are full of energy and personality, and Ben and I truly enjoyed being able to capture the love shared between this family. :)
Kim and Todd - you guys have such a beautiful, fun family! We absolutely loved getting to know all of you - thanks for hanging out with us yesterday! :)
Here's a few favorites from the day:
The whole crew.
Reese, catching a lift from Mom and Dad. ;)
The twins. Precious.
Ben snagged a couple of shots of Kim and Todd while I played with the kids for a few. I think it's so important for parents to be able to have photos together by themselves, so I was thrilled that we were able to catch these really sweet moments for these two. :)
We made it a point to capture Reese, Taylor, and Will's personalities separately throughout the session. In the short time that we spent with them, we could see that they each have such unique, adorable characteristics that make them who they are as individuals.
We tried to showcase Reese's curiosity, independence, and adventurous spirit. :)
Taylor is in the "show and tell" phase. :) She was intrigued by everything around her, and she got excited about discovering new things.
Will is definitely the boy of the trio. :) He is quite the climber, and explored all the different areas of the park during our session.
I love, love, love these next two.
We wrapped up with a quick stop by the playground, to burn off any remaining energy. :)
Lisa Stockton:
Fabulous... as usual!!!!
(12.21.09)
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Love this slideshow! So cool.
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