Stephanie and Lindsey

My challenge here was to replicate images from a magazine to the T. Using everything I've learned in my 10-week studio photography lighting course, I'd say I did a pretty job--unfortunately, I haven't scanned the original ads, so you'll just have to take my word for it. However, my photography professor who misses absolutely NOTHING in his photo critiques gave me his stamp of approval, which means a lot to me. One more quarter down, and I'm trucking right along to the next one!

This obviously wasn't taken by me, but I think it's pretty darn cool! Good job, Lindsey!

ONE Magazine

Since lovely fall is giving way to bitter winter, I figured now would be my last chance to post an article from my fall-issue "One Magazine" on home decor.

(Click on it to enlarge)

Halloween...and Cornmeal

A week from tomorrow means Halloween...and while I'm not sure what what means for me (hubby works...and the children in my neighborhood scare me) I thought I would share a few lovely pictures from the aftermath of the recent Pumpkin Festival at Washington Park. And cornmeal. I guess you're wondering about that. Hold your horses--you'll find out soon. First, the pumpkins...

I call this one "concerned pumpkin."

I don't blame it for feeling concerned...but imagine being THIS guy...

Stop looking at them...seriously. You'll get dizzy.

Cornmeal--it's going into my magazine for one of my articles, but most importantly, it was the first constructive thing I've done with my new Photoshop program, which is about the best thing since sliced bread. Lucky for you, I decided to post this monumental "first Photoshop CS4 creation" for your enjoyment.

...oh, and just for the record, I helped with the leaves. notice the indisputable "leaf-action" as I drop them into the bag. Just in case anyone tries to tell you I don't do yardwork ; )

It's HERE!

I am utterly excited...brand spankin' new Adobe CS4 Design Suite, on my computer! I'm so ecstatic because ONE, I got this baby for a third of the street price with my student discount, and most importantly TWO, I have all the tools I need to do my graphic designing in my office here at home! I'm grateful that I have access to a Mac lab with all the programs a designer could ever dream of, but it's such a relief that I can do my work in the comfort of my office chair, overlooking the backyard, with the refrigerator right down the steps full of food I don't have to dig through my purse and find some change for. Best of all, I don't have to wait on the Lab's silly hours, I can stay up to 4am doing work if I have to, then I'm just steps away from a bed to fall into when I'm done!

This will expedite my work flow tremendously...this is quite a blessing! No more depending on public computers! Anyway, just had to share my excitement...

I love Fall!

We always wanted a house with big trees...now we're experiencing the rewards of those trees...haha

Veteran's Day

Veteran's day is coming up on Tuesday, November 11th; about a month from today. (That means the Marine Corps Ball is about a month off too...yikes). Anyway, the point is that I hope everyone takes the time to remember who we are celebrating on our "3 day weekends." If you know a member of the US Military, past or present, take the time to thank them or do something special to show your appreciation...because they and their families take a lot of pain so that most Americans don't have to.

This Photo is from a local Marine Corps unit's homecoming from Iraq...I think people often get caught up in the politics and forget that there are real people every day who sacrifice, and are proud of the sacrifice our troops have given to serve America. Right after the 9-11 attacks I couldn't go a block without seeing a US or military flag proudly displayed...and now, it takes a scene like this to capture true American pride. How fickle people are...and how quickly they forget. Many have given their lives--some literally, some figuratively--to serve this country, and we owe at least a thanks to them. So don't forget--one month is plenty of time to buy/make a card or gift for the service member in your life! My husband told me last year that I was the only one to wish him happy Veteran's day. I don't think that's acceptable. Let's do our best to make sure our veterans feel appreciated this year!

Studio Fun!

I went to the studio yesterday with Amy and Stephanie to play with the fancy equipment :) Here's some shots:

^Back Lighting^

^Side Lighting^

The other two-thirds of the team

(And if you're curious, they are Loop and Rembrandt lighting!)

Eric & Paula

And, for my personal favorite:

Christy

I couldn't ask for a better model...she's gorgeous AND she knows how to pose!

Architecture

These are a few pictures from my recent "architecture" escapade. It was so much fun!

Holy cow it's been awhile!

Well, it's pretty clear I've been on hiatus for awhile, and here's why: In addition to moving to our new house (*yay!*) I've been without a computer for several months, and I am currently on my brand spankin' new one! (*double yay!*)

So much new stuff going on: at design school, I've got several interesting ventures going on.

First of all, I've FINALLY got access to the studio equipment and am dying to get in there and use it. Pictures will appear soon from my first shoot, which will probably end up being of me (I'm teaming up with a few girls and I somehow got elected to "model" for our first shoot...haha)

Second, in a totally unexpected twist, I'm in a filming class. Last night was my first rendezvous with the expensive camera equipment, and the awesome film editing software. I'll be using a Dolly, a puffy microphone on a stick, and all that stuff I thought no one in their right mind would let me touch. We had an interesting time running around campus last night filming a "scary" story with absolutely no cohesion or plot, but it was fun anyway!

Third, I'm designing an entire magazine this quarter...I'm pretty excited. It's going to be a newlywed-centered magazine (you know, for those of us who are technically grown-ups and have husbands--yes, it's tailored to women--but are still fun twenty-somethings who love to have fun and don't plan on slowing down anytime soon. That's kind of where I'm at now--I'm in between those fun, hair-and-makeup, style magazines tailored towards singles and those home-improvement, cooking, business-y magazines for older women. SO, here's something for me and people like me. I might post a few articles, so watch out!

Anyway, I'm sort of up to speed so I'll post some pictures. (that's why you're really on here, right?)

The American-Australian Corn-Hole Tournament!

This weekend, the Grogan family was in Indianna all the way from Australia to partake in the joining of our two families via Eric (my cousin) and Paula. Wedding pictures will be up soon, but seeing as I took about 5.5 million of them, and they are all in RAW, there will be some processing taking place over the next few days.

However, Kasey and I took some snapshots the day after when our family threw a barbeque in celebration of our new extended family. We played "corn hole," which is essensially a glorified bean bag toss, lots of frisbee, and stuffed our faces with the finest country home cooking.

It was a blast getting to know the people from the other side of planet...who drive on the wrong side of the street, flip their light switches down to turn them on, and whose toilets flush backwards. :D

I'm a lucky girl!

I've gotta say I have an amazing husband and love him more than chocolate! That's a lotta love! He's the best hubby a girl could ask for and I'm so proud of him for...everything!

I'm also looking forward to photographing the Woodruff-Grogan wedding this weekend in Indianna, I only hope we don't get flooded out! I'm excited to be shooting the portraits at Gasthof Amish Village (not that the wedding is amish...but it does take place in amish country!) Anyway, I've really been looking forward to this so anticipate some pics soon!

Some of my favorite people!

Here's just a few pictures I couldn't resist posting:

Laina, my old college roomate, and her fiance Erik! They're so much fun to photograph.

Mi madre! That was such a cold day, but she's a good sport :)

My brother in law Kris and that hubby of mine, Kasey ... skipping rocks at Northport, MI

...that's Kasey! Ice chunck surfing on Lake Michigan (where else?)

What a catch :)

Tripp Landscaping

In the process of creating Tripp Landscaping's new website, I've had the oppurtinity to poke around with my camera and photograph the beautiful plants at the nursery. The complex design and brilliant colors took my breath away! Here's a handful of them: