The February Americana Showcase is TONIGHT!  Here’s the details:

Where: Rochester Civic Theatre
When: 7:30pm
Who: Jonathan Byrd, GB Leighton and Brandon Sampson

Here’s a few from the January show featuring The Sudden Lovelys, Brandon Sampson with Dezi Wallace and Pieta Brown.  I really can’t say enough good things about the Showcase and all the artists that are involved!  This is an amazing asset to Rochester and I hope you’ll come check it out!

One of my 2010 goals that has now carried over into 2011 goals, is to blog more.  And blog more than just pretty pictures.  Yes, still lots of weddings and babies and kids and families and dogs but more than that too.  More of Ike, more of us, more of life, more random stuff and more photo talk.  So since we are in the heart of another Minnesota winter, I thought I would write a little bit about light.  Or maybe about the lack of light.

I photograph a lot of kids/people in their own environments which means I end up inside peoples’ homes a lot.  Inside = dark.  When I enter someone’s home, I immediately notice where the windows are which generally means where the “nice light” is.  I almost always put my back to the window and have the subject face towards the window.  Noticing where your light source is and then adjusting where you are shooting in relation to the light source is a very basic and easy way to make your photos look a million times better, even on a point and shoot camera.  This example shows the difference between having the subject face the window (on the left) versus me facing and shooting against the window (on the right).  I think it’s always best to have the subject face the window.  From the expression on this little girls face in the corresponding photos, I think she agrees with me.

And this shows just how much I love having my back to the window:

So as long as we are on the photo talk subject, was this a helpful post?  Were you like, duh that is old news?  I certainly will never claim that my way is the right way but if I can shed even a little light (pun intended) on the topic of photography to any of my blog readers (whom I love!), that would make me happy.  So if you have a burning photography question or would like to me blog about a certain topic like shooting on manual, post processing, photographing kids, etc, etc, would you leave me a comment or send a message?  I’d be thrilled to have some blogging ideas!

Yes.  There really is still more good than bad in this world.  Way more.

I was going to write this cutesy little post about my sweet dog and how he stayed by me all weekend while I was sick.  Picture included, of course.  Then you could talk to your computer screen in your best doggie voice and tell him what a nice dog he is and then write me pity comments for being sick.  The truth is, I was sick and Ike did follow me from the couch, to the bathroom, to the bed repeatedly and it was heartwarming.  But after Sunday afternoon, I have other things on my mind.

Because I was sick and had some work at the office that I needed to do, Justin offered to go get it for me and bring it home.  Awww thanks, sweet husband!  He left and about 20 minutes later, sent me a text that worried me and then didn’t answer when I tried calling him 14 times.  *Emily starts to freak out*  So I shoved my sweat pants into some boots and put on a hat to cover the sickly bed head I had going on and drove down to the office.  Of course thinking the worst, but trying to convince myself I’m overreacting, Justin called back when I was about a block away.

Apparently two guys were able to pick the lock in the lobby and then made their way to our floor.  After knocking and trying to open our locked door, they started trying to break in using a screwdriver.  Justin propped his weight against the door and called 911 and as soon as they heard him talking to the police, they ran.

My emotions have gone from freaked out to angry, back to freaked out to really angry, finally settling on feeling pity for those men.  I will never understand the thrill that people get from violating other people.  If you really wanted a canvas, we could have worked something out!  🙂

I’m not sure why I’m writing about this.  Partly to get it off my chest, partly to say I’m frustrated and partly to say I’m thankful.  I’m thankful because this is the best case scenario.  Justin is not hurt.  No one else is hurt.  And I will continue to believe that people are innately good.  But we’re getting better locks.  And stuff.

Elspeth and Adam were married last Saturday which was a beautiful and COLD winter day!  You might remember Adam and Elspeth from their engagement session this fall.  The wedding party and family members got ready in Elspeth’s parents home which was buzzing with excitement and anticipation.  Brett Dorian Artistry was on hand to do hair and makeup and as you can see, did an amazing job.  The ceremony was held at the Cathedral of Saint Paul and following the ceremony, we made a quick stop at Rice Park for some pictures and before heading to the reception at the Semple Mansion.  Needless to say, it was a fantastic day with a totally in love couple.  Elspeth and Adam: a big, huge, hearty congratulations on a simply gorgeous wedding and an admirable love.  xoxo.

Elspeth’s brother drew the maps by hand and they were so cool:

Hello gorgeous.

Patiently waiting…

First look…yeah!  Love first looks!

Loved the tennis shoes…smart girl!

It’s almost go time.

Beautiful church.

Rice Park…I almost froze my un-mittened shooting hand here but it was worth it! 

They got engaged at this spot!  Or very near to this spot!

It’s COLD…RUN!  Those tennis shoes would have come in handy here!

It was warmer in the wine grotto at the Semple Mansion!

Floral Logic did these beauties:

And Cocoa and Fig did these beauties:

LOVE The Traveling Photobooth!

Also, a big shout out to Stephanie from Table 6 Productions who was a fabulous coordinator to work with!

Our 2011 wedding season started out right with Lindsay-Rae and Stephen’s wedding on January 2 in Vancouver, BC.  Both the ceremony and the reception were held at the beautiful Capilano Golf and Country Club.  With views of the mountains on one side and downtown Vancouver on the other, to say it was beautiful is an understatement.  During the speeches at the reception, someone mentioned that Lindsay-Rae’s motto for life is “Go big or go home” which holds true to this day…get this:  Lindsay-Rae is from Canada, Stephen is from South Africa, they met in Dubai and have recently moved to Singapore, gotten married and are expecting their first child!  Whew.  Their wedding day was a beautiful celebration of their love for each other as well as the love that surrounds them from their family and friends.  Congratulations, friends.  We are thrilled for you and are happy to have been a part of your big day!  xoxo.

Well, our Christmas cards have been designed, then designed again because I’m indecisive, and are ordered.  Whew.  It’s questionable whether or not they will get addressed, postmarked and land in mailboxes before Christmas but I’m gonna give it my best.

For a long time, I’ve refused to dress up my dog.  This year, I caved.  And I caved BAD. Santa hat, jingle collar AND elf shoes?!  Oh the shame.  After Ike looked at me with those eyes, I just couldn’t send it out as the Christmas picture.  So I decided to post them  on my blog instead.  So much better.    

Because I know you were dying to see them up close.

2 minutes after the Christmas gear was removed, I found Ike hiding.  With the most pissed off dog eyes imaginable.
Happy Howl-idays!

I just placed myself in that category.  You know, the I-PUT-MY-CHRISTMAS-TREE-UP-BEFORE-THANKSGIVING-BECAUSE-I’M-AN-OVERACHIEVER category.

I’m not proud of it but dang, is it pretty.  And it doesn’t even look too bad with the pumpkins.

…even when you can’t walk through a door, sit down or use one arm!  Happy Halloween!

Taken on my handy dandy point and shoot!