Creative Homecomings

Military homecomings — the joy of a family reunited after months or a year of separation.

Last fall, I had the privilege of photographing one such reunion for a very unique couple. Antares Martin, a graphic designer for Antares Martin Design, asked me to photograph her husband’s homecoming. She and her husband have known each other for ten years and will be celebrating four years of marriage this Thursday? During that time, the couple have been through their share of deployments. Antares believes there have been between 3-5 deployments that lasted for 3-6 months, but this deployment was the longest at 9 months. Just two days before her husband deployed, Antares lost their planned pregnancy. The couple had no choice but to grieve separately. She was also in her last semester of college.

Antares wanted her husband to experience a no-holds barred homecoming like she experienced when she returned from military service. Before this homecoming, her husband had never experienced the warm welcome her family showed her when she returned. Antares told me that she remembered her "homecoming and how it was made special by my family who showed up with signs and . . . even got interviewed by the local news station. It was something I’ll never forget. I remember my husband telling me about a girl he was dating during one deployment. After he came back, she didn’t even bother to come see him pull in. I knew that since this was the first (and hopefully last) BIG deployment he has had since we have been together, I needed to make it special for both of us. I had never heard of people getting photographers for homecomings in the past, but when I first heard mention of it, I thought that would be the perfect way to help us keep those special moments during the day with us forever.”

Being a master designer, Antares had many idea about what she wanted, and I was more than happy to help. Inspired by old movie posters and the ’40’s or ’50’s style dress she was planning to wear, she wanted to “recreate those old movie posters to bring some fun and flare to our homecoming. It is my intention to pick one of them and get it printed and framed to hang in my house, now, that is a unique military homecoming poster no one else will have!”

What a perfect homecoming it was for the sweet couple! We did a candid homecoming session with a few poses at the end to fulfill Antares movie poster wish.

I asked if she had any words of wisdom for those going through deployments to add to this blog.

"I went through hell this deployment, my husband and I discovered that we had lost our planned pregnancy (two days before he left) and we had to go through all of that alone and away from each other. I was in my last semester trying to finish my degree and was unable to fully grieve both the loss of our baby as well as the temporary loss of my husband. The one thing I learned quickly was to let people in your life know exactly what is going on with you. I told my instructors and they were quite lenient with me. Because I was open with people I was not only able to finish my classes and graduate on time but I also did it with straight A’s! I also learned that it is very important to know when to accept the fact you’re not a super hero and can’t do everything on your own. Know when to ask for help and don’t be ashamed of the fact you can’t do it all alone all the time. The other thing I learned is that if you don’t have family and friends in the area find other people in the same situation as you. You won’t get along with every military spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, parent, etc. but all you have to do is find a few that you click with and stick with them. Maybe they are new and you’re seasoned, or you’re new and they’re seasoned, or you’re all new and/or seasoned, whichever the combo it is important to find these people. These are the people you can talk to about everything you’re going through and they will understand more than anyone else, it makes life so much easier to have someone to go through this with. You never know, they might just end up becoming a part of your extended family (unrelated of course) because during the most difficult times they were there and could understand when no one else could.”

Meeting and working with Antares was a pleasure. If you would be interested in having your photos turned into a movie poster moment feel free to visit her webpage Antares Martin Design .  She or someone in house can help you create a piece of art that encapsulates a joyful moment.

Are you ready for Spring?

I don't know about you but here at Buzy Bee Photography it's been, cold, snow, ice, gray, rain and then snow, and ice all over again.  Not the easiest weather to work in, but snow pictures are a favorite of mine.  So without further adieu  I would share my newest shoot called "Mother Natures waits for Spring".  We took a snow laden ed day, clothing and material I had used for plays and past shoots, and created a sweet vintage shoot that warms the soul.  I hope you enjoy it and instead of waiting on weather to do the right thing, why not embrace it for a one of a kind unique shoot?

6 tips to have a successful in home studio shoot with your family

 

Groundhogs day is proving to be a true prediction of the weather here in Virginia.  It's cold outside.  Today reminds me of a line from "Cat in the Hat" -“The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house. All that cold, cold, wet day.” ― Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat   So to warm things up how about a sweet little Baby born just this month.  Meet our newest additon to the Buzy Bee Photography Family,  baby Carson jinshik Bang born to Minah and Eddie Bang and big brothers Edison jaeshik and Mason joonshik Bang.  This session was special and unique.  Not only did I get to meet a sweet, sweet newborn, but we also brought the studio to their home.  When you have a new one and are juggling two additional little ones to boot, this is a great option for controlled chaos.  Not to mention protection from the elements.  So for today's blog I thought I would share 6 tips to having a successful in home studio shoot. To do an in-home session you need to have the following.  1.  Space for the shoot,  this really is an important factor to having a successful shoot.  Depending on how many people you have in your family, and their ages etc., space is crucial for creating a studio look.  In this shoot we used the Dining Room as our studio location. Since the boys were small, having a ton of room wasn't necessary for what we were going for.  2.  An area that gets great lighting,  I do come armed with lights, but If possible I like to incorporate natural lighting as well, depending on the time of day your shoot takes place.  This shoot was taken at late afternoon, so for the first part of the session, natural light was all that was needed.   If your session is taken in a room that doesn't get good lighting but size wise is a perfect fit, then the studio lights come in.  Man made lighting works great and you will get beautiful pictures so don't let a badly lit room discourage you, I like to have a little help from the Sun anytime I shoot.  3. A child wrangler, this is a life saver.  If you have little ones or pets, you can and will at some point lose your mind.  So having an extra set of hands to give out snacks, hugs, change out clothing, dry eyes etc. is an absolute life saver and really a must. Minah was lucky to have her husband and mother in law on hand to help love on her kiddos and bring forth priceless smiles.  If the natives are happy, everyone is happy.   4. Changes of clothes; Let's face it, accidents will happen, the great thing about being at home, is that it's not a big deal to change into a fresh shirt or pants or exchange a blanket .  No stress if there is a mess :). 5. Snacks.  This is really only necessary if you have little ones, but it does help the session run smoother.  6. Patience.  This is easy to say and so much harder to do, but it's necessary.  Be patient.  It's okay if it takes a moment for your kid to wind down.  It's okay if they aren't perfect. I have yet to meet anyone who is.   Getting good pictures doesn't always happen in the first 20 minutes, it may take that long to get everyone on the same page and in a good mindset.  I will take good pictures, but sometimes great can't be rushed . Minah, Eddie and the boys are a wonderful example of what you want in a home session.  They were prepared for the day and armed with hugs and love to wrangle all those sweet little boys and at the end of it all we got some precious pictures. I hope you have a wonderful day and take these tips into consideration if you ever want to do an in home studio session.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Christmas is literally tomorrow!

It's a big deal at our house;  not only is it the birthday of Christ, but this is the time of year many a DIY project ensues and baked goods start their way out of the kitchen and into packages to send to loved ones.  I am one that loves to decorate, and each theme is different from the next.  I am not someone who decorates a Christmas tree the same every time, oh no..I have to have something that speaks to me and defines what the year has meant to me.  Last Christmas my tree was decked out in black and white pictures of family and loved ones here and gone.  Belt garlands and many a white light created a sensational memory piece for our living room. Every Christmas we give our kids an ornament specifically picked out just for them.  They take those ornaments and decorate their own personal trees.  The big tree is normally the themed tree, whatever I have been inspired to do is created into an art piece by the time I am done.  This Christmas I reversed it!  We put all our family ornaments on the big tree, using a thick burlap ribbon to bind it all together and themed the kids trees in each room.  I have to say I LOVE it!  The DIY project on our big tree was the creation of the Star.  I hate to see a inadequate star on such a glorious tree.  I love the star, but as of yet been unable to find one that speaks to my style and balances out the tree.  Solution: a paper star lantern with tiny white lights already to go;light weight, easily seen, a little spray paint and voila a tin star with pizazz!

My daughter Olivia loves England, and I have to admit I am a little crazy about England myself!  For her birthday we created a little haven of England in her room, but what better to go in that room than a England themed tree.  Armed with paper, clothespins, ribbons and fur my daughter Erian and I created a tree that will definitely make England proud. This tree is the first tree ever to have boots as a tree skirt, 3D red phone booths. Its awesome and has definitely put me into the Christmas spirit!

My son wanted to go with a Snowman theme for some of the extra ornaments he had left over.  Armed with a scarf, and twig arms and a homemade tree topper, it's the cutest thing ever.  Being a teen he would never tell you that, but I love it!

Last but certainly not least my oldest daughter would love to travel.  She loves all things Korean, Indian, and Italian. She also hopes to journey around the world.  Since we are on a budget during the holidays..what is a girl to do about creating that little moment?  Stickers, paper and  burlap tags and quotes are what make this tree so much fun!  Erian the creator of all things wonderful during this Christmas shared her talents with everyone's trees making little things here and there, and I am indebted to her for the wonderful feeling they give each room!  Here a few pix to give you an idea of how much fun we had!  Tune into tomorrow and we will wrap up our Christmas Crafts part 2!!!

Very Merry Military Minis-a way to give

Fall is finally here, literally my favorite time of year. The leaves change, the weather chills, the clocks get set back an entire hour and life is as it should be. At least for a second anyway. This week I had the privilege of giving back to some really special military families whose spouses are deployed.  I an other surrounding area photographers gathered together last week for a program called Very Merry Military Minis.  Very Merry Military Minis or VMMM for short is a program for families with deployed spouses or family members giving our deployed loved ones the gift of beautiful pictures of the ones they love the most.  All around the United States there were VMMM's happening at various military posts.  We all set up all sorts of unique Christmas themed photo booths and took turns taking pictures during the day for some really deserving families.   Since this week we are celebrating our veterans, I thought I would show a sweet family that is waiting on theirs to return. This year I had the privilege of getting to participate in Very Merry Military Minis. If you would be interested in helping coordinate, assist or help photograph for  please click on the link (Very Merry Military Minis) and sign up and help us give a gift that keeps on giving.

Also Check out our cool video created by Simply Beyoutiful Photography

https://youtu.be/l9qb0nhcm0s

A big thank you to all our Volunteers who helped Make Very Merry Military Minis Fort Eustis a success

Our founder of Very Merry Military Minis  Laura Flemming from Laura Flemming Professional Photographer

Newport News Parks and Recreation for letting us hold our shoot at their location,

Jenn and Jon Hugo from Simply Beyoutiful Photography   

Ashley Sloan from Sloan Photography

Sarah Nolan from Sarah Nolan Photography

Megan Reed from Reed Photography

Heidi Calma from Heidi Calma Photography

Schyler Rae from Schyler Rae Photography

and my family, they helped in all sort of ways to make this event possible.  Thank you !!

It's all about the Love!

It's the beginning of fall, but for whatever reason I feel like singing the L.O.V.E. song.  That's how it felt photographing this sweet, sweet family.They have been one of my favorite clients that I have photographed over several occasions. Brandon and Jessica hail from Alabama.  They may be a house divided on their Alabama football loyalties, but they are ever so together on how they feel about each other and their little family. To top it off, they have some of the sweetest girls you will ever see.  The ever so compassionate Lily, who looks at you with her soft brown eyes and gentle smile, and her precocious little sparkly-eyed sister Kinlee.  In tribute to them and to the L.O.V.E. song I thought it might be fun to share some of their shoot with you and throw in a sweet tune so click on the tunes and gander through their session! If you want to know the real reason I do what I do? It's all about the Love.

[embed]http://youtu.be/WPGEYRhQ_Kg?t=13s[/embed]

The Camps fields of gold

It was so great getting to go back home to my old Oklahoma stomping grounds.   It may not have the foliage Virginia has, but the feeling of home cannot be beat.  What better than the opportunity to work with some really special clients I have known these kiddos since they were knee hi to a flamingo? This year I wanted to do something a little outside the box of what I normally do.  I love that all my clients are willing to join me on the adventure.  When things click between you and your client, there is no such thing as a bad moment.  They may have left with a few skeeter bites, but all in all it was quite the day!

Lions, Tigers and Natalie oh my!

I love when I have clients who think outside the traditional photo session.  There is nothing at all wrong with doing traditional shoots, but my specialty is in creating story telling sessions that have personality.  So for this shoot I got to put on  my inspiration hat and begin creating a really fun session.   Since Natalie was a born her mother and I have done creative out of the box sessions.  This particular session is all about the Circus, something Natalie  really enjoys.     Before our shoot, she had just been to see a real circus, had read  books about the circus and has a fascination with animals.  Incorporating your child's interests can be a great way to bring some personalization to your child's session and memory book by showcasing what they were interested in say at the age of 3.    So that's just what we did.  Natalie's mom helped gather the props for her shoot, painted an old wash tub and helped me construct our big  top out of two hula hoops and some plastic table cloths.  Add a cute outfit, few animals and rubber bouncy balls and you have a Circus! Simple, easy to set up and clean up .  This just goes to show you don't need a ton of props to create an environment with a  Circus feel.     Without further ado I  would like to introduce the Lion Tamer and Ringleader herself, Miss Natalie!

These are a few of my favorite things...about Burberry

Have you heard the good news? Buzy Bee Photography has been featured in Tidewater And Tulle !  This a fantastic Wedding Blog that is a must read for all things bridal. So I thought in celebration of our publication I  would write about some of my favorite things from the Burberry shoot or as it has lovingly been referred to as  #ProjectBurberry .   With the tune from the Sound of Musics playlist "Favorite Things" I will commence with the count down.  

Fantastic locations with real cool details.

Our shoot took place at the New Kent Winery. From the recycled bricks to well laid out grounds. The owners of New Kent spared no expense to create this amazing winery and some award winning wines.  If you get a chance, go take a tour!

beautiful roses and swags that have long tails.

Catherine Gustafson with Distinctive Floral Designs created this gorgeous swag and wedding bouquets for our bridesmaids and decor that tied in perfectly with our equestrian Burberry theme.  I loved it!

A cream colored cake decorated with leather and metal links..these are a few of my  favorite things..

Anna Lily with Bella Cakes created a 5 layered masterpiece that tied in the equestrian portion of our Burberry shoot.  Between the leather, metal bit details and colors she used this cake was simple yet elegant.

Little Boleros and plaid vests with leather...

Dutch with RicLamar Clothing  was a true artist creating masterpieces from scratch and with some of my unique finds. I am always amazed at what he comes up with.

Creative graphics used in banners and seating, little note cards and invites that made our themed shoot sing.

Tricia  with Labyrinth Productions brought our shoot together with her creative flair with graphics.  The  addition of plaid to all of her creations was perfect!.

Tables that are laid out with goodies and teas..these are a few of my favorite things.

Amber and her mom of Inspirations Event Planning worked with me to create these talkative tables.  I loved the layout of all the florals, teas and English inspired sweets. The equestrian accents and quirky table runners were a sweet touch as well.

Hair dos that are tosseled  in loose braids and styled hair. Trimmed beards and side burns, crazy curls  that were pinned everywhere.

Kim of Hair by Kim was an artist at creating these updos and tousled looks for our models.  I love how beautifully her hair styles looked with the tailored clothing.  Opposites definitely attract!

Makeup that made our bride glow in the spring!! These are a few of my favorite things!!!

Keren with Makeup by MUA LLC brought a  European Vogue type feel to our shoot. Armed with two assistants Harmony and Niah , they enhanced our models beauty and helped create unity with all the looks.  Well done ladies!

Before I go, I want to thank Kim Scott Pike for her wonderful Equestrian  prop additions along with Caitlyn of Caitlyn Gerres Photography as my second shooter.  All our models (Corey Swann,Taylor Sites, Sierra Stone, Keren Robinson, Sam and Zach Keller) that braved the cold and made it look effortless.  It truly takes a village to make an amazing idea come to life.What once was a scarf and a notebook of scribbles became a colorful quirky beautiful shoot!  I hope you have enjoyed the list of My favorite things and consider using one, some or all of these talented people and venues to help you create some of yours!

The Perfect Blend

 

My trip to Oklahoma was so much fun.  Not only did I get to visit my old haunts, enjoy many a glass of my favorite Ice tea ( Raising Cains in Norman Oklahoma ) which I am completely addicted to.  I also had the opportunity to photograph some new families.      Families happen to be one of my specialties.  Each family comes with it's own challenges and blessings.  Sometimes you may have someone who is uncomfortable smiling, or is  nervous or irritated and smiles to much or not at all .   Include the stresses of what to wear; I mean who can't relate to that? Nyky and Bo were the exception to the rule. They created great outfit combinations so that fit, so that everyone was comfortable and their individual personality got to shine.

In photography I always strive to achieve the perfect blend.  The perfect blend is a balance of colors, emotions, lighting, location etc., the key to great photos is showing your personality.  If my client lets down their wall of nerves, and anxiousness and lets me see who they really are, the pictures become more authentic, less posed and works of art.  As you ponder on getting your photos done, just remember the perfect blend starts with you.  Think about what your wearing, where your going, and letting your personality shine thru in your photos.

#ProjectBurberry Revealed

  What can I possibly say about #ProjectBurberry ? From some of my clients, colleagues and friends a question rings through. What is it about? Project Burberry was inspired by a scarf one of my clients wore in a shoot last fall. I loved it's warmth, and the plaid. It spoke to me.

So this spring as I was planning out my next stylized shoot, a thought came to mind.  Could I put Burberry in a wedding?  Furthermore, if I mixed it with a huntsmen theme how awesome would it look?  Answer: amazingly awesome!  So for the months following that idea I met with my makeup artist Keren Robinson Nigh of Makeup by MUA LLC, and Tricia Duncan with Labyrinth Productions. What we created was a fantastic team of creatives who I would like to give credit for being involved with this venture. Starting with Dutch Douglas, a clothing designer of RicLamar clothing.  I found our outfits, showed him my inspirations,and he customized pieces of our Wedding Parties trousseau .  From handmade vests, to a darling little short coat, he created art with whatever he touched. Tricia Duncan provided all the graphics for our shoot.  She is amazing, and never fails to surprise me with her talents.

Anna Lilly of Bella Cakes created a masterpiece of a cake, by capturing the theme perfectly and still making it look classic. Working with Anna Lilly was an enjoyable process, she came up with some great ideas and delivered with gusto. Of course, our shoot wouldn't have been the same with out the flowers! Catherine at Distinctive Floral Designs delighted me with her creations. With European flair in mind, she designed everything from the bridal swag to the bouquets, and hit it out of the park.  Our tables were styled by Amber Roberts of Inspirations Event Planning Company.  She took every idea I gave her and translated it into a beautiful display.  I really enjoyed working with Amber, and I look forward to doing many more projects together. All the equestrian pieces were provided by Kim Scott Pike. Kim owns a stable, and keeps busy with shows, trails rides and taking care of all her horses. I am looking forward to meeting some of them for one of my next upcoming shoots! My makeup artist Keren is not only someone I like to brainstorm with , but she is crazy talented.  She brought in a team of  makeup artists for our shoot and specially designed a look that would have a VOGUE type feel to it.  Special thanks to MaivNyiaj Thojz and Harmony Williams for assisting Keren, and doing your makeup magic on our Bridesmaids and Groomsmen.  Kimberly Nigh Grubbs of Hair by Kimberly rocked like no other.  Her attention to detail and creative touches turned our shoot from being ordinary to absolutely incredible. I want her on all my shoots! Last but not least, my second shooter Caitlin Gerres of Caitlin Gerres Photography. Caitlin was so much fun to work with, and the shots she captured were absolutely beautiful. I loved having an extra set of hands on such a huge shoot.

Our shoot was hosted by the New Kent Winery, and it is a place of historic beauty.  This winery is created with recycled material from centuries old buildings, and it is a lovely site to behold. From the inside out , the owners have made this winery an artistic endeavor tucked away in the hills of New Kent.  They also have award winning wines, which we were fortunate to showcase in our shoot.  So if ever you have a weekend free, definitely go check out New Kent Winery. You won't be disappointed!

What I love about #ProjectBurberry is that it shows a different wedding style.  Something elegant, and yet laid back.  It showcases some of my favorite things in a unique way.  We really tried to push the envelope with design, and style. I hope you enjoy this little sneak peek and if you are planning a wedding, don't be afraid of stepping outside the box.

I would like to thank all our Models

Bride: Taylor Sites

Groom: Cory Swann

Groomsmen: Sam and Zac  Keller

Bridesmaids: Sierra Stone, Keren Robinson

You were all wonderful to work with!

Maternity, Mermaids and Me

Hey Jessica Stone Photography Family,  I am finally seeing daylight!  Its been awhile since I have kept you updated on the happenings of Jessica Stone Photography, and  it's been busy, busy around here.  To start with we wrapped our #ProjectBurberry shoot and premiered it this past Sunday.  It was a great success and I can't wait to show it to you tomorrow on the  blog.  This past Saturday I had the privileged to photograph a sweet friend of mine.  She is a fellow photographer who is super talented in her own right.  She is my graphic designer of most of my styled shoots, and we are partners in crime planning more shoots through out the year.  Tricia juggles a million things at one time.  I thought today I would do things a little different and do a Q & A  session with her about her recent Maternity shoot, and of course show off some amazing pictures.   Let me set the stage for Tricia's shoot. 4 days prior to our shoot, Tricia re-injured the ACL in her left leg. She was in a brace, on crutches and  having a tough time of it.  This maternity session was not looking like it was going to be in the cards for us until later in July.  Tricia surprised me by calling me the Wednesday prior, stating she was going thru with the shoot.  Considering the severity of her injury I was shocked she was going to be able to model.  I am telling you all this, because her injury limited what we were going to be able to do, but we were still able to Rock her shoot..  With that knowledge in mind let's talk to Tricia about her Mermaid Inspired Maternity Session. Jess: So Tricia what made you decide to do a Maternity Shoot?

Tricia: I had one with (her son) Rune and very much wanted one with this baby. He will be our last. I never had one with my other two children simply because they really were not around 11 and 14 years ago. I love being pregnant and I feel totally beautiful when I am. Its the most forgiving part of a women’s life sometimes.

Jess:  That's awesome! So tell me, what inspiration did you use to come up with your look?

Tricia: I love the beach. I love the little mermaid. This little guys new room (and his brothers) has a nautical theme. I am always known for my bright red hair so I decided to just use inspiration from the little mermaid. I love starfish and shells so I created the head piece based on those. I wanted to shoot at sunset because I love, love, love the colors it creates. I knew you could combine them all and create exactly what I wanted.

Jess: They were pretty stunning, if I do say so myself :).  Tell me what was your favorite part of the process of the shoot?

Tricia: Honestly just getting to focus and enjoy being pregnant. Keren with MakeupBy MUALLC ( https://www.facebook.com/MUBMUA ) rocked my hair and make up also. Though Jess, you guided me into positive thinking of this baby and what our family will be and I think it will show in the photos. It was also somewhat funny since I have been on crutches and ditched them for this shoot!

Jess: It's my job!  You were a rock star doing this shoot with your recent injury.  Hat's off to you for braving the beach and the water to make some amazing pictures! What  tips could you give to someone who is pregnant consider when they are going to have a maternity shoot done?

Tricia: What is important to you? Do you want a intimate home setting with your family? Do you want something soft and sexy ? This shoot I really just wanted to embrace being a women and my changing body. My kids and husband were not with me because they will be in a session later. This is a way to freeze all those warm and fuzzy pregnant moments in time, and really be happy with where you are, stretch marks and all.

Jess: I love how you stated that.  It's something I never really thought about, but after seeing how much fun your  session was, I kinda wish this would have been available when I was pregnant with my children.  Speaking of which, how many children do you have?

Tricia: I have three children. Tess 14, Levi 11 and Rune 4.

Jess: Sweet! I love that your kiddos are old enough to help out with your soon to be newest addition. That is always a plus.  Back to our shoot, tell me about the significance behind the jewelry you wore.

Tricia: My ruby ring has two ruby’s set in it. It is my and my mothers birthstone. She passed away in 2002 from complications from breast cancer. So I like to keep it on as a reminder she is still with me. The bracelet was my grandmothers and is a beautiful vintage piece. I am always terrified to wear it and that i will loose it but I had to get it out for this session as it is inlaid with shells. Its a way to keep the women in my life who were important and no longer here close to me.

Jess: I love that!  It's a great idea to pull out those meaningful pieces and showcase them in your portraits. I also would like to add I totally loved the crown you made fore the shoot!  It was beyond beautiful!  Where did you get your gown?

Tricia: The amazing gown came from silk fairies via etsy. https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilkFairies#

Jess: Thank you Tricia so much for the inspiration behind your shoot and the story to go with.  I can't wait to see your newest little one!

What I hope you will take from this, is that Pregnancy is beautiful.  It really is, you may not like the weight gain, or the cravings, or the temporary new silhouette, but I promise it's a moment that you will never forget.  I love working with women and helping them see how beautiful they really are.  Maybe it's because I have been you.  Pictures aren't about waiting for the perfect size, or hairstyle, or outfit.  They are so much more than that.  They document a moment.  One that never comes again.  If you are interested in doing a Maternity Session, let me know!  I work with some pretty awesome people that specialize in showing you how amazing you are.  Don't forget tomorrow is the big reveal of #ProjectBurberry! So don't forget to check back to see our newest Stylized Shoot!

Spring is here!!

I don't know about you, but I am ready for Spring!! I am done with the crazy weather, winds and rain.  So to celebrate Spring, I thought it would be fun to show off one of my favorite Seniors I photographed last spring!  If you are gearing up for graduation, this is a great time to get your pictures done.  I love working with Seniors, each very unique and diverse. They have a voice that come across loud and clear when they get their pictures done.  I would love to work with you and your senior as they gear up ready to embark onto the next adventure.

Leaving a Paper Trail...

A big "hello" and "how do you do to you today?".  It's windy and cold outside, but its full of warmth and great tips inside.  As we countdown to #ProjectBurberry ,our guest blogger for today, Tricia Duncan from Labyrinth Productions (http://www.labyrinthproductionsva.com) is here to share with you her experience know how when it comes to "custom paperie" for your special day.  I hope you enjoy and remember an event is all about the details.

      If you really want your wedding to pop, and want to do it stress free, considering finding a graphic designer to work with for your wedding. I have the advantage of being a graphic designer long, long before I became a photographer. There is nothing I love more then creating custom items for my Brides and Grooms.

Invitations can be printed on normal gloss card stock or if you want a softer touch linen papers. I offer a custom line of very thick linen stock that really makes invitations blow away the people receiving them. Your designer can customize these further with things like custom designed seals and envelope inserts.

I love taking it a step farther and creating beautiful custom seating charts, guest book albums to sign and even amazing wedding banners which you will see in the upcoming shoot. Don’t forget the small things. Sure you can buy pre made table markers, menu cards and food labels at places that carry stationary, but why not match it to your wedding?

One of my favorite things to design are custom wine labels or wine tags. Even a converting your favorite beer into a one just for you day is easy with a custom designed label.

The possibilities are endless and I am excited to be able to work with Jessica on this project even though I was booked to shoot a wedding the day of the upcoming shoot. I hope you are all as excited as I am. - Tricia Duncan

Green is the new Black

As February blows and snows it's way thru the rest of the week, March is fast upon it's heels.  "'When March comes in like a lion it goes out like a lamb." (http://projectbritain.com/year/march.htm)  Check out this website for more interesting facts about March.  To kick this March off, I wanted to challenge myself to try out different types of photography.  I am in love with how this one came out.  This session really showed me that the only thing I am limited by is myself.  Darkness is not always the friend of a photographer.  You need special equipment and lenses and working knowledge of flashes.  This session was unique because it put my night shooting skills to the test.  I and my fellow photographer Jessie Silva with Schu's Shoots Photography (www.schusshoots.com) had a bucket list of ideas we wanted to try.  Armed with camera's, lights, scarves and our amazingly cute couple Chandler and Kristi,  we shot the night away. It was really neat to see how the light changed the session, from being a soft beautiful moment, to one that was moody and mysterious.  I loved how the light picked up the colors in her hair and really created a dramatic moment.  Today's blog is  inspired by Kristi's cute green coat, and since we are entering the Month of March, as far as I am concerned "Green is the New Black".   Overall, I really enjoyed this session, I learned so much from my fellow photographer and now know that I am in need of a few more pieces of equipment. I feel liberated from where I began, and now I am no longer limited by the light, I am empowered by it.  So with that I hope you enjoy this Kick off to March Session with Chandler and Kristi.  I will leave you with this little Irish saying " May neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, the angels protect you, and Heaven accept you."

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Being from the South, Snow can be something that's rare.  Ice and wind are the elements of choice when it get's cold.  In Virginia, you can get it all, but where I am located, snow isn't always on the weather map for us.  The further inland you go, the more weather you get :) . Well this week we have been doused, and doused again with snow.  It's cold..I mean 8 degrees is no joke! A tradition we have at my house when we get such weather is to go outside, no matter the temp and get a beautiful picture.  I have done so with each of my daughters, and there is something about the purity of snow, the soft flakes falling, and their dancing eyes that make me love keeping that tradition alive.  You may not get but a dusting of snow, it might be a sea full of leaves, get outside and  be apart of the world you live in.  Get out of the house, shake off the dust, thrown on some lips and get outside and take those pictures.  That will be the most precious moment your loved ones could ask for.

Wedding Planning 101 – The first steps!

 

I want to give a big welcome to a colleague of mine Amber Roberts with Inspirational Event Planning.  We are working together on  # Project Burberry. She has some fantastic advice on how to plan a great wedding!  So for those of you that are preparing for that moment, or have a special friend who might be, this blog is for you!

You found the love of your life! You have the ring. Now what? These 5 steps will guide you through the first part of planning your Big Day!

Step 1: Start a wedding binder. This binder will help you organize everything you will be planning and doing until wedding day. Some of the things in your binder should include pocket folders, a notebook, a calendar, plastic sleeves and tabbed dividers. Whenever you are out, collect wedding-related magazines and brochures and store them in this binder. When you visit bridal shows or local businesses, take a flyer and place it in the binder. Categorize your brochures by vendor-type, for example, all photographers in one place, all caterers in another, and so forth. Inspirations Event Planning Co. will give you more tips on how to organize your binder effectively – A FREE service that we offer!

Step 2: Choose a wedding date! Your wedding date should be something very special. Choose a day during your favorite season or a significant day that means something special to both of you! Tip: Choose a date at least 6 months away so you have enough time to plan everything. Always have a backup day in mind just in case your favorite venue is booked on your first choice.

Step 3: Interview our Certified Professional Wedding Planner! Don’t feel alone and seek the experience of a professional. Hiring a professional wedding planner will save you time and frustration. Our wedding planner is already familiar with the planning process and the business that you will need to hire for your wedding day (we call these “vendors”). Our wedding planner will help you make decisions based on what is available, will keep your timeline and budget on track, and guide you throughout the entire process. Our planner knows the exact questions to ask vendors and may even be able to negotiate prices for you! Did you know that we partner with local vendors who offer a discount when their services are purchased through the planning firm? We also offer packages from monthly consulting sessions to full-service packages so there is something for everyone! Note: Wedding Planners can also be called, “bridal consultants,” or “wedding coordinators.” All of these titles are used interchangeably.

Step 4: Start the guest list! Determine the approximate number of guests who will attend your ceremony and reception. Begin collecting addresses and store them in your wedding binder or give them to your wedding planner for safe-keeping! For tips on how to start a guest list and maintain it, contact Inspirations Event Planning Co.

Step 5: Locate and secure your venue! Because this step is so important, seek the advice of our professional wedding planner who knows exactly what questions to ask the venue staff. There are several things to consider when choosing the location for your wedding. Do you want a church ceremony? Do you want the ceremony and reception at the same place or on different sites? Do you want everything indoors our outside? How many people will the building accommodate? What amenities does the venue offer? We have a full list available exclusively for our clients! Once you have selected the venue for your Big Day, pay the deposit to secure your date as soon as possible.

These are just a few steps required to plan your wedding. We have many lists available to our clients to help your planning experience to be as pleasant as possible. We want you to enjoy being the star of your big day instead of running the show. Leave the directing to us!

Amber Roberts, Certified Wedding Planner Inspirations Event Planning Co. www.inspirationseventplanning.com www.facebook.com/inspirationseventplanning For more information, call (757) 343-4307!

Steam Punk with a Jessica Stone twist

Greetings from the cold tundra of Virginia! It's a whopping 17 degrees outside but without wind it's bearable :). This fall I have been venturing in a new direction; one I think that defines me and my personality.  My love of film, theatre, the details all rolled into one. I   how you will be able to connect with this new direction too!   Stylized sessions are a way of putting a unique spin and presentation on traditional pictures.  For this shoot, I was inspired by the Steam Punk style.  I loved the blending of Victorian fashion with modern quirky twists.  Once I nailed down my theme the next was to bring together the team.  This team included an amazing makeup artist, Keren Robinson with Makeup by MUA, hairstylist extraordinaire, Lisa Hampton with VanGar the Salon, and last but not least the Boxwood Inn for a unique location. Tricia and Marcus Duncan were our "Bride and Groom", and what a couple they make.  Tricia is a local photographer, graphic designer, everything rolled into one, and Marcus is the perfect fit.   Now if you would like to see more pictures and read up on their story check out " Tidewater and Tulle" that recently as of today published our shoot!   I have many more stylized shoots that will be upcoming.  I am wrapping one right as we speak, and prepping to shoot the next in March.  I will be posting an DIY on some of the projects I tackled on this Steam Punk shoot. If you would be interested in doing a Stylized shoot for your family, your friends, your spouse or with your child let me know.  I am all about putting the magic into each and every shoot!  

Hair Stylist: Lisa Hampton  with VanGar the Salon

https://www.facebook.com/pages/VanGar-the-Salon/122185082807

Makeup Artist: Keren Robinson with Makeup by MUA LLC

https://www.facebook.com/UnveiledHeart

Location: Boxwood Inn

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Boxwood-Inn/226503401685

Invitations and graphic design: Tricia Duncan with Labyrinth Productions  https://www.facebook.com/LabyrinthProductionsVA

"A new dawn, a new day and a new year, and it's lookin' good "

Helloo to all my family, friends and fans :). Currently along side taking pictures of  beautiful families, seniors, babies you name it this past year,  I have been working on specialty sessions that allow me to show my  theatrical, artistic side with the goal of  getting published.  We have had success and will be sharing our first published work towards the end of January.  I thought it would be fun to involve my colleagues on the blog, so that they can share a little about what they do, and some great tips you could take with you. Be sure to keep an eye out on Thursdays for the blog because the gold nuggets of info we will be giving you are definitely note worthy. With that said, I thought it would be fun to start the new year off with a mystery as to what I am going to be shooting this upcoming spring.  Now I  love me some mysteries!  I grew up on Perry Mason, Murder She Wrote,Hercule Poirot and Mrs. Marple. You never know, I may want to have another job on the side, I have the camera and a quizzical mind :) .   Now every week up to the shoot I am going to leave you a photo clue.  These will be hints at what I will be shooting in March.  The shoot is entitled:  #Project Burberry and here is your first photo clue  ( please note this is not the actual location but more an example to the kind of shoot I will be doing.)  Have a great week and don't forget to check back on Thursdays for the next clue !

Christmas is coming!!!

"Twas four days before  Christmas and decorating has begun.  Hot gluing projects, burning my thumbs.  Sewing on stockings, printing of pix...So much to be done to be in time for Christmas.  I in my Christmas robe with a blue Santa hat, gazed for hours on Pintrest without taking a nap..and what in front of my weary eyes should appear, but a ruffled tree skirt and stenciled Reindeer!  Tracing and painting, taping , printing and more.. taking time to remember that Christmas  means so much more.  It's the day the Jesus made his grand entry to earth, it's the one and only time there has been a virgin birth.   It's an angels hallelujah that woke up the skies, it's the wise man that followed a bright star to where He lie.  It's a carpenter to who would raise him for the rest of his years, it's the trip across the desert to Egypt  to escape the Kings soldiers.  So as I craft and sew, tape , print and paste..I know that Christmas is more than a date." Hello Friends!!  before Christmas got here, I wanted to share some of the projects I have been working on along with my own little Christmas story :)  To start with what better way to decorate a tree than with the people you love the most.  This is probably one of my favorite projects, which has such huge impact and one I definitely will do again!  My next project the ruffled tree skirt, doable..but be prepared for a sore hand due to the constant glue gunning, A giant bag of hot glue, along with several burnt fingers..aside from that loved the tree skirt.  My wreath is an original.along with my Christmas stockings.  Due to the fact we have an extra guest for Christmas, they can't go without a stocking hung under the mantel can they?  If you have any questions on any of these projects or if you would like to share one of your own, please feel free!  I hope you have a wonderful Christmas..I hope that you are surrounded by the ones you love and that each day will be merry and bright!   If you would like the links to any of my Pintrest projects they are listed below :) See you next year!!

http://cottageintheoaks.com/2013/12/christmas-tree-memories/

http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/chalkboard-christmas-printables/

http://mycrazylife-lauren.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-pinned-it-i-did-it-ruffled-tree-skirt.html