Daily Photo: Week 1

March 29, 2010

One photo every day.

It sounds easy. Until life gets in the way.

As a photographer who is working a non-photo job, I’ve struggled picking up my camera some days. It’s sad to write, but true. And while I’ve been freelancing recently, I miss having my Canon in my hands.

To combat this and to challenge our creativity, my friend, Elizabeth, and I are embarking on a project.

Elizabeth, who lives in Boston, will take one (or more!) photo(s) a day. I will do the same. And at the beginning of every new week, we will post our favorite images of the day on our blogs.

Exciting, no?

Let’s kick this thing off:

Friday, March 26: Lucy in the backseat of our new car as we drove to Memphis. (She’s a good backseat driver.)

Saturday, March 27: My friend and bridesmaid, Emily, getting ready before the engagement party. (I wish I had more time to photograph everyone preparing for the party, but I ran out of time myself. Em and Krysten may have had to straighten my hair and brush on my makeup at the same time as we rushed to get ME ready because I had painted my nails before realizing the time. Oops.)

Sunday, March 28: Abita Strawberry Harvest. The best beer EVER (no, really) that I have yet to find in Nashville. Lucky for me, one of the girls brought this (and wrapped it!) for us as an engagement present.

It was an eventful weekend, but a lovely one. It was filled with laughter, tears, surprises, family, old and new friends. I couldn’t imagine it any other way.

How was yours?

Back in the game

February 23, 2010

Last week, I had the opportunity to photograph two basketball games at Cumberland University, which is just east of here in Lebanon.

I spent the evening at the gym, sitting on the cold floor and documenting the women, then the men take on another Tennessee college. And I couldn’t have been happier.

I fell in love with sports as a child, playing anything and everything when I was growing up in Memphis. I didn’t fall into photography until college, though, and it was through the student newspaper that I discovered my passion for sports photography. The ever-changing nature of the game attracted me, reminding me of my childhood, and I love the challenges of shooting all the different situations presented in sporting events.

And this passion grew each and every time I photographed a game, a match, a meet, etc.

But, since I’m new in this city, I had not had the chance to document any competitions since I arrived. And last Thursday night was a much-needed treat.

Here are some of my favorite images:

What are you passionate about in your line of work?

Little sniff

February 2, 2010

Lucy and I have been adjusting to our new home in Nashville, and I took the time one afternoon to snap some photos of her, just hanging out.

It’s funny how a year and a half can change so much. When I took her home from the pound in July 2008, she wanted nothing to do with nature when it was raining. She would refuse to walk out the door, or, if we made it down the stairs, she would look up at me with sad eyes, turn around, then drag me back up to our apartment.

(She doesn’t like having her photo made. True story.)

It snowed this past weekend, and Lucy surprised us all by playing and WANTING to go out in the cold! No, seriously. I wasn’t sure how she would take the precipitation until we walked out the door. She took a few steps, slid, steadied herself, then kept walking like a trooper. When we made it to the little grassy area at our condo, she immediately started digging in the snow, sticking her nose to the ground the entire time, then tossing her nose (and all the snow on top of it) into the air, spinning in a circle.

The only thing I wish is that I had taken some photos of her out in the elements and that we had a backyard so we could have played more while the snow lasted.

Sooo Happy New Year, everyone! (So what if it’s a month late?) I hope it has been going well and that you have been enjoying yourself so far in 2010.

Things here have been fantastic. It has been a good year so far, complete with a lot of wedding to-dos crossed off of my list (more to come on this!), seeing some new and old friends (and family!), and getting a job in Nashville.

I’ve been getting to know the Music City during the past few weeks, and I love it. I love the people, I love the city’s personality, I love the nightlife, I love the food, and pretty much everything else… The only thing that I’m still getting used to is the weather. Being a Memphis girl, I’ve dealt with the Tennessee winter before, but this Nashville winter has thrown me for a loop.

Y’all heard what happened here this weekend, right? (Hint: I got off work around noon because of it.)

Let me clue you in, in case you didn’t know:

SNEAUX! (This one’s for you, Louisiana friends.)

Felicity had a rough time. And by the end of the snowstorm, she had a good six inches of snow piled on her roof.

Lucy kept watch as her mother plodded around in the snow.

And I wore boots with the fur, quite literally, and an awesome/obnoxiously orange scarf. (Not seen: My awesome fingerless gloves that make my hands so happy when it’s cold outside. Just ask my Hattiesburg friends.)

It snowed from Friday morning until Saturday morning. By the end of the storm, we had probably six inches of snow on the ground in some parts, and our parking lot was a glorified skating rink. (Which probably explains why no cab drivers came to pick us up Friday night to go over to some friends’ house. And definitely explains my nerves driving around town last night to and from a photo gig.)

However, it was a beautiful weekend. We all had a great time, despite the snow and treacherous driving conditions, and I plan on making some chicken soup with spaetzle tonight for the boys. Because chicken soup with spaetzle is the best for cold wintry nights.

What did you do this weekend?

Merry Christmas, y’all!

December 25, 2009

Hoping your day has been as wonderful as mine, filled with family, friends and lots and lots of cookies.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Josh + Natalie: The Reception

December 23, 2009

Natalie, Josh and I hung out around the church after the ceremony for a little bit, then headed over to the reception site so I could snap a photo of them getting into AND out of the car.

Then the party began!

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Congratulations, again, Josh and Natalie, and thanks for letting me capture your day!

Josh + Natalie: The Ceremony

December 22, 2009

I wasn’t sure what to expect before I arrived at the church, and I was absolutely FLOORED when I walked into the cathedral. I don’t know if I have ever been in a more beautiful house of worship, and I had an absolutely heyday with the ceremony photos because of this.

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Tomorow? The reception!

Josh + Natalie: The Portraits

December 21, 2009

I spent time with Natalie, her family and bridesmaids at her home and snapped their portraits at the house, then headed to the church to meet up with Josh and his guys for portraits.

It was an adventure of a day, and it was only beginning with these portraits!

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See you back here tomorrow for the ceremony images!

I got a call this past spring from a former classmate and co-worker who was curious if I photographed weddings. I told her I was definitely interested, but I didn’t really have much experience when it came to weddings. Sure, I’ve been to A LOT, but shooting them? Not really, even though I love weddings.

After some more talking and research on my part, she booked me for her October wedding.

Josh and Natalie got married in Thibodeaux, La. at Natalie’s home church. It was a gorgeous event, and I am still so thankful Natalie and her family entrusted me with such an important event!

On to the photos!

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Beautiful, huh?

Tomorrow: portraits!

Joe + Renee: The Reception

December 16, 2009

We’ve reached the final post in this little wedding day series. I truly had a fantastic time documenting this day, and looking through these photos again bring a smile to my face. I hope it is the same for you!

Now… on to the photos!

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And that’s it, folks! I hope you enjoyed the images!

Congratulations, again, to the happy couple! And thanks for letting me capture your day!