I think that continuing to learn is incredibly important in a field like photography that is continually changing. Because of that, I am heading out to the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) convention in Las Vegas this week through Friday. I have big plans to be in classes and scouting out the tradeshow (and having some fun, of course), so I won’t be responding to emails as quickly this week. I’m hoping that after spending a week with 11,000 or so of some of the best photographers in the world, I’ll be back next week refreshed and inspired.
-alm
Share on Facebook
I’ve been editing through Ryder and Bobbie’s destination wedding pictures from Cancun, Mexico. It seems like it had to have been at least a decade ago that it was warm enough for a bride to wear a strapless dress outside and not get frostbite. That’s one of many definite perks to the whole destination wedding thing! Check back tomorrow for more proof of the awesomeness that is getting married in Mexico in the middle of winter.
-alm
Share on Facebook
It may be 2010 in the real world, but in my little blog world I still have lots to post from 2009. I find it so crazy that it has been 10 years since all of the Y2K worry, and even more how much has changed in a short 10 years. 10 years ago I was just discovering the freedom that being 16 and having a driver’s license could bring. I thought that life was incredibly hard and full of stress, if only I had known how easy it was. It is hard to believe that over the last decade I met some of my best friends, graduated from high school and college, moved enough times to make me never want to do it again, had my heart broken a couple times, went through some rough patches, met and married the man of my dreams, started my own business and found so much happiness. It really feels like all at once 2000 was a lifetime ago and a minute ago. I’m sure in 2020 I’ll have a million new memories to add to the list, and feel the exact same way.
A little note to anyone waiting on an email or call back from me, today is my first day back after about three weeks off. I’m slowly working my way through my inboxes so keep an eye out!
Now, to kick off 2010 right, with a blue eyed little boy who has grown an absolute TON since we shot these!
These eyes will break many girls’ hearts.
This could quite possibly be one of my favorite images ever. There is something just so timeless about Hudson and his mommy.
-alm
Share on Facebook
Being able to shoot two people that are in love is pretty much a dream come true for me. You see, I am and have always been a total romantic sap. I will 99% of the time choose a chick flick over anything else. A good engagement story will quite easily make my day. Heck, back in my dating days I tended to give all the wrong guys an extra chance (or twelve) with the thought that love conquered everything. Now, there are few days that I don’t just stop and wonder how I got so lucky to find Mitch. For those of you that are my polar opposites on this one, I can only imagine how many times I just made you roll your eyes.
The end of July I made my very first trip to Lafayette, Indiana to shoot Jessi and Daniel’s engagement pictures. The fact that I made it there alive is a small miracle. Suffice it to say that I no longer blindly follow my trusty GPS. Once I made it there though, I finally met these two and they were exactly what I had pictured from Jessi’s emails and phone calls. The entire session they were looking out for each other, and just so totally in love. The first time I asked them to kiss you should’ve seen how excited Daniel was, as if he needed my permission!
Before we actually started shooting, they took me to the church that they’re going to be married in and a couple of locations they had in mind for wedding pictures. Jessi was just absolutely glowing as she shot off a few ideas she had in mind. I can’t tell you how excited I was after leaving that night. Besides the obvious reason of me being a sucker for a good couple, this is the main reason I include an engagement session with my wedding packages. I feel like I know these two so much better now and even got to see exactly what they have envisioned for their big day. Now, I don’t feel like I’ll just be some photographer showing up on their wedding day.
-alm
Share on Facebook
As soon as we started shooting on Paul and Angie’s wedding day, the clouds rolled in and it looked like the skies could open up at any moment. As we were out shooting Paul and the guys, it started to sprinkle and I was afraid that was the end of our outdoor shots. Then, it stopped. So, I hurried the girls outside hoping to get in a few images. Well, it started sprinkling about half way through, so we moved it inside.
That wasn’t the end of our rainy day hokey pokey though. After the ceremony was over, it stopped just long enough for the newly married couple to make their church exit and hop into the horse and carriage that was waiting for them. Of course, nearly the second the carriage pulled back up, it started doing the sprinkling/ threatening to pour thing again. So, we adjusted. Luckily, Fort Wayne’s downtown First Presbyterian church has plenty of beautiful indoor locations.
Here are just a couple shots to leave you wanting more!
-alm
Share on Facebook
I’ve always absolutely loved shooting seniors! One reason was that when I worked for Dave Fowler a good chunk of the sessions we did were for seniors. Learning how to do something from one of the best, makes it really easy to love it. I’ve also always felt like I could level well with my seniors and just get what’s in style. I truly feel that needing to stay up on what is in, has and will keep me relevant (I hope) for years to come.
I kicked off my senior season this year with two beautiful senior girls. I’ve had so many fun ideas swimming around in my head that being able to get them out was a great time. As I went through Alie’s pictures to narrow it down to a few for the blog, I found that I was really having to nitpick images to keep from posting 50 shots! That made my day! I really can’t wait for my next seniors, as its been too long since these were shot and I have even more ideas needing let out.
Now onto Alie’s pictures (her sneak peek was here and she’s the newest face in my blog header). First of all, let me say that this session made me feel a little old for a split second. My senior year of high school my girlfriends and I kind of adopted Alie’s older brother Andy and took the “lowly” freshman out to lunch most days 
. To think that Andy was a freshman, he’s now done with college, and Alie was a fifth grader (I think my math skills are holding up there), and is already a senior… Holy smokes, I think I must have a few gray hairs showing! Over those years though, she has grown into such a sweetie and on top of that a complete knockout.
At some point I usually have to throw in an artsy shot or two!
Let me interrupt this image to point out how awesome Alie’s heels are. I think I almost got drool on them!
-alm
Share on Facebook
