Alyssa Paul Photography

Robbie and Brandi

2012-01-26T22:26:00.002-06:00

We got to do some winter pictures for my friend Brandi and her husband! I love the look of bare trees, it's just so different and fun!

Martin Family

2012-01-20T11:06:00.000-06:00

The holidays are a busy, busy time for everybody, isn't it? This is shoot is from November. I got to take pictures of this adorable family!

Spencer and Tressa | Southaven, MS Family Photographer

2011-10-18T08:47:00.000-05:00

My beautiful cousin and I have a really close relationship. We lived in the same place for a few months my freshman year of college and got along really well and a lifelong friendship was started. When my husband and I had to move across the country for school, Tressa and I thought we wouldn't see each other for a long time. We got really lucky and ended up in the same state again for a couple months! She came up for the weekend with her husband and we got some pictures of them. There are a lot of pictures because they are some of my favorite people on this earth! And they look great too :)

Tressa saw a picture on another site and wanted one like it for herself. How cute is this idea? I loved it so much I got them to take one for Jordan and I. Here are theirs.

Costume Session | Southaven, MS Photographer

2011-10-17T08:18:00.001-05:00

How fun to get pictures of your children in their Halloween costumes!

Beautiful Black and White | Southaven Child Photographer

2011-10-06T21:26:00.001-05:00

Here's one from the session I did tonight! Makes me very excited for Halloween and for the nice fall weather. Also makes me nostalgic for high school photography, which was all black and white. Enjoy!

Baby K | Southaven, MS Baby Photographer

2011-10-05T11:57:00.000-05:00

You may recognize this cutie from here! She was very attached to her wocket, but how cute will these pictures be when she gets older?

Max and Maya | Southaven, MS Baby and Child Photographer

2011-09-13T10:23:00.002-05:00

Hello out there, remember me?

This summer was all sorts of crazy, as I'm sure a lot of your summers were as well! Now that we're back to the normal routine of daily life, I'm ready to start back up with photo sessions! What a way to start off, too, with these gorgeous kids. Their eyes are to die for, aren't they?

The Brother.

The Sister.

Interested in a session? Check out my new, limited time pricing! Be sure to take advantage while the promotion lasts, it won't last long. Christmas is coming up, it's a great time to get those Christmas card photos done!

Darquisha - High School Senior | Southaven Senior Photographer

2011-04-01T23:03:00.000-05:00

This week I had the opportunity to take senior pictures for a gorgeous girl. She did a great job, she was a natural.

Project 52 - Week 11 - Darks and Lights

2011-03-18T09:37:00.002-05:00

Finally back into the Project 52 game! This week's theme was Darks and Lights. It reminded me of a bird's eye view photo I had taken of my candle awhile back. I thought it would be great for this theme, so I took another picture and converted to black and white. I love the way the light plays off of the glass. I never noticed it until I took a picture from this angle. One of the many reasons I love playing with different angles.

Here is the color version and a wider view.

Baby S

2011-03-16T15:04:00.000-05:00

We couldn't get this little guy to sleep for us, so we only got a few pictures, but how precious is he?

Special Session Pricing

2011-03-14T15:48:00.000-05:00

To get started here in the Southaven area, I am offering lower prices for a short amount of time! The new pricing will be as follows:

Individual, Engagements, or Family (up to 4)
$70 for a one hour session on location
A CD of 10-15 artistic edits (in color and black and white) with a printing release

Newborns

$85 for a session up to 2 hours, either in your home or mine
A CD of 10-15 artistic edits in color and black and white with a printing release

(up to 20 pictures depending on how your baby cooperates)

Book your session soon, spring and summer are on their way!

Ashley's Maternity Pictures

2011-03-06T22:04:00.000-06:00

Ashley has been one of my best friends since I was 9. I was so glad I got the chance to take her maternity pictures, she is absolutely gorgeous! She had her sweet baby just 3 days after these pictures! Talk about good timing.

Family Photos

2011-02-17T22:22:00.001-06:00

We took pictures with my family while we were there for Christmas. It was noon, not a cloud in the sky, and no open shade at the park we went to except this stone wall by the picnic tables. A challenge to shoot in! I also have to give my dad credit because he did half of the work! He chose a lot of the poses and camera settings. A good looking bunch if I do say so myself.

I know it's hard to tell who the mama is in these pictures, so I labeled this one for your convenience. And of course the one not labeled is yours truly: me.

7/52 - Open Your Heart

2011-02-15T08:44:00.000-06:00

This is the photo I'm submitting for this week's project 52 theme, Open Your Heart. These are letters from my Valentine!

If you like to take pictures, join in the fun, you can join at anytime and everyone's submissions are so much fun to look at!

Snow Days | Southaven, MS Photographer

2011-02-09T17:38:00.001-06:00

I was under the impression that it doesn't snow a lot in the South. I was so happy when we left Utah because it meant that my winters would be so much better, only to get here and be snowing! It's awfully pretty though, and Wagner thoroughly enjoys himself.

Before leaving the house, all nice and warm.

Playing in the snow, freezing cold, but not wanting to come in. Silly puppy.

This is how deep it is after 5 hours of non stop snow. Only 8 more hours to go...

Before and After | Southaven, MS Photographer

2011-02-08T10:46:00.002-06:00

Winter is a slow time because there isn't a high demand for pictures with dead grass and trees, although that look can be really neat! Winter is half way over and it will start to warm up soon, so be sure to start booking your sessions! There are some fun things to come, including birth announcements!

I have gotten some new actions as well that are just out of this world great. Here are some photos I've done a quick experimentation on.

Stay tuned for birth announcement designs and some Spring discounts! You never know, you might even have a chance to win something, so check back. Even better, become a follower of my blog!

Project 52 - Week 5 - Muse

2011-02-03T15:32:00.000-06:00

This is the one I submitted.

And this is another one for fun.

Project 52 - Week 3 - Shades of Gray

2011-01-20T16:16:00.000-06:00

Winter can sometimes be a huge drag, but it can also be beautiful. Here is the photo I submitted for this week's project 52. The rain looked so beautiful on the trees and it fit perfectly with this week's topic.

And here are a couple others that I took following this theme. I would have gotten the picture taken before the birds go to the trees, but Wagner, my puppy, was pulling me around and I was too late.

Make It Chic

2011-01-13T20:00:00.001-06:00

I have an etsy shop that is now up and running! It's called MakeItChic, be sure to check it out! I will be adding new things tomorrow and I'll try to update often. There's also a tab dedicated to my shop at the top of the blog. Enjoy!

Project 52

2011-01-07T15:20:00.000-06:00

Instead of Themed Thursday this year, I'm going to be doing Project 52 with a lot of other MCP Actions fans. You are welcome to join me! Go HERE to see what it's all about!

The Sloan Family

2010-12-14T09:41:00.000-06:00

I am always impressed at how well kids can do in the cold weather before they've just had enough. Most of the time they do better than I do!

Meet the Sloans. Nice, gorgeous, fun, and so much more! We love knowing them. By the way guys, we still need to get together and have dinner :)

This is my favorite picture of them! I always feel like it's important to get a few without the kids, because the marriage relationship is so important and it's always nice to have these kinds of pictures around the house reminding you that even though kids take up almost all of your thoughts and energy, there is someone there along side you that loves you and supports you and helps keep you sane.

Attention Colorado Residents!

2010-12-11T13:09:00.002-06:00

If you would like a session with me, I will be available during the Christmas break. I will be in the Parker/Littleton/Castle Rock area. E-mail me if interested!

A Gorgeous Family | Southaven, MS Photographer

2010-12-10T09:08:00.000-06:00

This family was amazing to work with and their little boy was to die for! He was so well behaved and so adorable. We tried to get him to look at his parents for some of them, but he just stared at the camera, which was also nice since so few kids ever look at the camera. Take a look!

Gorgeous, right? I love comments, so please leave one!

Keeping It Chic

2010-12-09T08:23:00.000-06:00

I always knew my sister would out craft me one day, when she finally realized that she likes it!

*sniff* I'm so proud.

Really, she has an amazing etsy shop, Keeping It Chic, and I think you all need to check it out. Today.

Plus, she has free shipping until January, and these are fantastic stocking stuffers for girls at any age! I am so tempted to buy several of the things myself, so buy it before I do!

Themed Thursday post is below!

Themed Thursday: Shoes

2010-12-09T07:48:00.001-06:00

I'm not sure anyone did this with me, but I forgot to remind people, too. The holiday season is just so packed with everything else, it's hard to make room for little things like this! Because of that, there won't be a Themed Thursday for a little while. I'll let you know when, so keep checking back!

Today's Themed Thursday was shoes. I love shoes. I would have taken more (and better) pictures, but like I said, there are other things filling up my time right now! If you haven't done this yet and want to, I have the link open until midnight tomorrow, so take pictures today!

Don't judge my shoes... they are still comfy ;)

Smile Inducer | Southaven, MS Photographer

2010-12-08T08:49:00.002-06:00

At the very start of taking pictures Jordan told the guy to smile, and the guy said that was how he smiled. We did get a big smile out of him when Jordan told his joke though. And I was too busy looking at Jordan to catch that picture, but if you want to find out what the joke is, you'll have to come to a session with me! Or you could just ask Jordan, because he likes to tell it. He's my smile inducer :)

Taub Family | Southaven, MS Photographer

2010-12-06T07:57:00.001-06:00

We did the last of the SVOSH photo sessions this past Saturday and once again, we had a great time! The people that work and study at Jordan's school are just so nice.

Remember how fun it was to play in the leaves when you were younger? These pictures say it all.

Themed Thursday: I'm Thankful

2010-12-02T09:35:00.000-06:00

I hope that some of you remembered to do this Themed Thursday with me! If you took any pictures at all in the last two weeks, I'm sure they count as something you are thankful for :)

I took a lot of pictures, but I am only putting up a few.

I am thankful for my nieces and nephews (and of course our whole family). These are not even half of them.

I am thankful for my husband.

And I am thankful for beautiful mornings and awesome morning frost. I took these pictures this morning!

Ok everyone, link up with your pictures and please leave a link back to this blog!

Next week's theme: shoes. (I am going to write a whole bunch of random things out today and put them all in a jar and pick one each week. That way it will be totally random.)

Travis and Sydney | Southaven, MS Photographer

2010-11-29T18:46:00.000-06:00

Jordan and I went to San Antonio to be with his family for Thanksgiving this year. We had a fantastic time, we always do when we are with family. Sydney is Jordan's sister's best friend and she was getting married the day before Thanksgiving. On Tuesday her photographer had to cancel on her last minute because they got a call that there was a baby for them to adopt!! Pretty neat for the photographer, not so much for Sydney.

So, last minute, I shot this wedding. It was pretty fun, but I can honestly say that I am not ready to do weddings on a regular basis. Plus, I don't have the equipment for it anyway ;) Their original photographer is still editing the pictures for them, but I wanted to so some in my style, just for fun.

Enjoy these pictures! Leave a comment if you feel generous.

Her bouquet and their rings were gorgeous...

And so were they!

I am so glad I caught this series.

And here are some more!

Themed Thursday: Out of Focus

2010-11-18T14:09:00.000-06:00

I cheated. This was taken several weeks ago! I have been so busy this week I didn't get around to taking pictures for the theme, just pictures of everyday life.

This is me. And the big white dot is my earring.

Our next Themed Thursday will be December 2, 2010. Next week is Thanksgiving :) The theme for the next Themed Thursday will be I'm Thankful. Anything you're thankful for, take pictures! You could use almost anything for this, but experiment with angles or positions or anything else you'd like.

Link up with your pictures! You can link up until tomorrow (Friday) at midnight.

Last SVOSH Session | Southaven, MS Senior Photographer

2010-11-16T10:06:00.000-06:00

Our sessions last Saturday got rained out and we were totally bummed about it. We have rescheduled a few and hopefully we'll get more!

This girly is a senior. She is incredibly photogenic, sweet, and I loved taking pictures of her! Her family was also really fun, we had a great time.

SVOSH Photo Session #4 | Southaven, MS Photographer

2010-11-12T07:40:00.000-06:00

I was so nervous when a Doctor from the school signed up for pictures. Little did I know that it would end up being so much fun! She had an awesome laugh and was so easy to talk to.

Themed Thursday: Yellow

2010-11-11T07:51:00.000-06:00

Taking a break from the SVOSH mini sessions to do Themed Thursday! Friday and Saturday will be the last two sessions that we did.

This week's was hard for me! I don't have much yellow around, which is a shame because I love the color yellow! Most of these are my weeks craft projects. I think I had yellow on the brain.

Link up with your yellow pictures!

The new theme: Out of Focus. I sometimes get pictures that are out of focus, but still look fun! That's your task... make out of focus look cool! The whole picture could be out of focus, or the main subject, but do something out of the ordinary.

SVOSH Photo Session #3 | Southaven, MS Photographer

2010-11-10T07:40:00.000-06:00

This couple was awesome! So friendly and fun. She absolutely loved Wagner and anybody that loves our dog, I like :)

SVOSH Photo Session #2 | Southaven, MS Photographer

2010-11-09T09:40:00.000-06:00

Another really cute family! Plus, their dog really liked our dog Wagner. Always a bonus.

I love black and white pictures but I feel like I hardly ever post them, so here they are, the pictures in black and white!

SVOSH Photo Session #1 | Southaven, MS Photographer

2010-11-08T07:52:00.000-06:00

On Saturday Jordan and I spent a few hours at Overton Park in Memphis. We took pictures of beautiful people and loved it!

The sessions were shorter than normal sessions, but we included a CD of 5 images and the rate was discounted. All proceeds go to SVOSH (Student Volunteers for Optometric Service for Humanity). We might be doing more mini sessions early next year and if we do, I will let you know!

On to what you really came here for... the pictures! This family was awesome, such a good

looking family, aren't they?

Themed Thursday: Fall

2010-11-04T07:58:00.000-05:00

Ok everyone, link up with your fall pictures!

Frost

Candles

Scarves and Jackets

I wish that last picture was of someone else, that way I wouldn't feel bad when I say it looks awesome, but it kind of does. I like the black and white and vignette... just wish it was of someone else :)

Next week's theme: yellow (the color). I'm going to have to look hard for this one!

Ok everyone, let's see what you did for this week!

Themed Thursday: Repetition

2010-10-28T09:36:00.000-05:00

I hope some of you did this weeks Themed Thursday with me! I had a lot of fun doing it. It's amazing what you can see when you're actually looking for it. I found mostly line repetition and patterns, guess I need to work on shapes! And most of these things are in my home (please excuse any dirtiness).

Also, I will not always have this many pictures. I took a lot more than I thought!

Last thought before we get to the pictures. I am trying to design a new logo. This one isn't the final product, but it will be something like this. I am still trying to figure out Adobe Illustrator!

Don't forget to link up so I can see what you all came up with! The link closes at midnight central time.

The theme for this next week: Fall. Anything that says Fall (Autumn) to you! It's just beginning to be fall here but I know in a lot of places it's already transitioning to winter, so let's get this in while we can!

Themed Thursday

2010-10-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking about doing this for weeks now. I really want to improve my photography. We all want to improve our talents, right?

To improve in photography means taking a lot of pictures and sometimes we don't always have excuses to take pictures. I'm making an excuse for all of us now, and I hope you'll join me whether I know you or not. It's always fun to make new friends!

It's called Themed Thursday. Every Thursday I'll announce the theme for the week. This week, for example, is repetition. For the whole week you and I will take pictures that fit the theme. The next Thursday, you post the pictures on your blog and we'll all meet back here. I will have a way for you to add a link to your posts so everyone can have fun seeing how others interpreted the theme. I will also have the theme for the next week posted that day.

Please add a link to this blog on your Themed Thursday posts! This is a way for me to improve my talents as well as to increase the traffic to this blog:)

You don't have to be a professional to play along, just have a camera, any kind of camera, no matter the quality. I'll probably be doing a lot with my point and shoot since it's easier to carry! I know a lot of my friends like to take pictures, so here's your excuse. When I get a good number of people participating, I'll start doing giveaways!

Please feel free to tell your family and friends to participate!! The more people that do it, the more fun it will be for all involved. If you have a private blog, that is ok too, just do your posts every week and leave a link back here!

So again, this week's theme is repetition. Anything with a repeated theme or pattern is good. Here's are a couple examples:

See you here next week, Thursday October 28th!

I've never used this link tool before, so if you read this post, please add a link to your blog so I know if it works right for next week. I only need a few people to do this.

Baby J - Round 2 | Southaven, MS Newborn Photographer

2010-10-06T22:23:00.001-05:00

I've finished editing these pictures and I love the way they turned out! Here are more of the pictures, including a couple more with his beautiful mom.

Baby J | Southaven, MS Newborn Photographer

2010-10-06T16:44:00.000-05:00

This little guy lives down the street from me. So sweet and you'd better believe I'll be taking pictures of this one many more times!

Here are a few previews for his awesome parents and grandparents!

Thanks for letting me do these, I sure hope you guys like them!

Baby K | Southaven, MS Baby Photographer

2010-09-27T20:26:00.000-05:00

I love being around babies, especially babies as cute as this one!

Kevin and Elizabeth

2010-08-05T20:07:00.000-05:00

Elizabeth is my friend from high school. I don't keep up with a whole lot of people, but I'm so glad we did! It was great to meet Kevin and to take their engagement pictures.

Aren't they a cute couple?

Hope you guys like them!

Adorable Baby Girl

2010-07-31T11:25:00.000-05:00

A friend from high school was in town and I got to take pictures of her adorable baby girl! And I got to use my studio lights again, which was really fun.

Thanks Rachel, I had a great time!! I'm glad Kara liked me :)

Hi, I'm Alyssa and I'm a Narcissist

2010-07-24T09:51:00.001-05:00

Seriously, I love having pictures of Jordan and I. There are no cute little ones to take pictures of, but I still want to document Jordan and I's life together just the two of us.

I love looking at old baby and child pictures of me. Is that narcissistic? I think it might be, but that's just how I am. Doesn't everybody like to see what they were like when they were younger? I think I'll want pictures of how I was right now, at this age, and I know my future children will too.

Jordan and I want to make a stop motion video. This one inspired me first.

I Am A Girl - The Girls With Glasses Theme Song from The Girls With Glasses on Vimeo.

This one is also really awesome.

Ours won't be as good of quality or ingenuity for sure. But hey, we're just starting out and having fun together for date night. We're putting it to a song from the Stranger Than Fiction soundtrack. It should be pretty fun when it's all done!

While we were at the park I wanted to get a couple pictures of Jordan and I. You know how sometimes you just feel cute? Well I felt cute yesterday (and don't tell me if I wasn't. ha!). I want to order a couple small canvas prints of the two of us, but we didn't have any great pictures that were canvas worthy. I think these are perfect.

I kind of like the faded look, do you? I don't think this look is the best for where I want it, but I still like it.

A few more pictures.

Am I narcissistic to want photos of us? Maybe, but I like it ;)

9 Months Old

2010-06-17T13:39:00.001-05:00

This little guy gets to spend time with me a lot. Whenever that happens, I get to use them as my little test subjects. I don't think their parents are too upset though ;)

He is a cutie isn't he? I love all of the different faces he makes. He made a lot more than this too!

And my personal favorites...

Brooklynn and Carter

2010-05-31T23:37:00.000-05:00

These kids are absolutely adorable. I've taken pictures of them before. You may recognize them from here. They've grown up a little since then and they just get cuter and cuter.

Their dog. I had to. He looks fierce in this picture but he's really a sweet little dog. Brooklynn also wanted a picture with him and when children ask for their picture to be taken, I don't say no!

The only two pictures of them together. They are at the age where they want to play on their own.

Carter is challenging to take pictures of because he's all smiles until the camera comes out and then he tries his best not to look at you, and he is good.

Brooklynn is a lot easier and she kept asking me to take pictures of her in certain poses. I loved it!

Adorable, right? Hope you like these Kelli! Thank you for letting me take pictures, I loved it!

Emily's Spring Formal

2010-05-11T11:14:00.000-05:00

After a long couple of weeks full of packing, moving, apartment hunting, and traveling, we are finally in Colorado until August! I have a price sheet ready for anybody interested in a session with me, mostly in the Parker area but I would also be willing to go to nearby cities (including Denver).

Emily's Spring Formal was last weekend. She looked beautiful! We only had 10 minutes in freezing cold weather to take a few pictures, but we still got some great ones. But don't take my word for it. Take a look!

Want to see more blog posts? Have a photo session with me and YOU can be on here!

email me: alyssapaulphotography@gmail.com

Jackson and Mallory

2010-03-31T13:02:00.000-05:00

Did you miss me?

I know you did!

Well I'm back! I was able to get out and do some engagement pictures and I loved it! I haven't shot anything for a while and it was so exciting to be able to put what I had learned from other blogs to use.

In about a month we'll be moving to the Denver area for the summer, so for all of you readers that live there and would like to book a session, let me know! I'm not sure about the schedule I'll have yet. I still need to figure out when my lovely assistants - mostly my handsome husband but also my beautiful sister and mom... maybe even my dad on occasion - will be available to come along! I'm pretty sure I'll be available Saturdays and most evenings. After all, summertime equals more light at night, right?

So all that to say, if you want pictures done and you live in the Denver area, I'll be there for the summer!

Anyway, I know what you really came here for was the pictures, so I'll get to it!

First we went to an abandoned house that my cousin told us about (thanks, Brittany!). It shares a lot with a functioning house with some very nice people. Well, maybe a little too nice because one guy came up to us when we got there and said he got to kiss all of the brides. Yikes. Good thing there were four of us and only one of him! It will be a pretty funny story to tell people though.

Then we went to the orchard. I think it looks just as awesome in the winter as it does in the summer! It's just a different kind of beauty.

Jackson's sister did a picture like this next one for her engagement pictures and Mallory really wanted to try it out. I'm not sure if this is exactly what she had in mind or not, but I really love the way it turned out! I want to go back there and get some pictures of Jordan and I so that I can do one like this for us.

AND.... my favorite of the day. I love the way they're posed. They look great together, don't they? I love adding texture to photos sometimes too and I thought this texture looked awesome on this photo.

Thank you for letting me do your picture guys! I had a great time!

Samantha

2010-01-21T18:40:00.000-06:00

I have only taken pictures of a newborn once before and both times were adventures. Both babies were surprisingly awake for being so young (both less than 2 weeks old), so that made my job hard. I've been trying to do a little of everything as far as portrait photography goes to see what I am the best at or what I am the most interested in. I definitely loved being around the newborn babies. I would have to get more props and studio equipment to do them though, so maybe that will have to wait until the big move to Mississippi later this year! I would love to have an in-home studio and work with tiny newborn babies.

I wanted to take this little girly home with me. She's absolutely perfect and adorable. I'm glad that I get to see her on a regular basis so that I can get my fill. Also, I made the hat that she is wearing in some of the pictures and I think it looks adorable on her.

Emily in the Studio

2010-01-11T15:48:00.000-06:00

My gorgeous sister (or I should say one of my gorgeous sisters, because they both are) modeled for me about a week ago. We just used the plain white wall to see what we could do with it. I love this edit for these kinds of pictures, it just seems to work so well. She was a great model. You'd think she's done this before! Plus, she has great fashion sense.

I love these next two.

Stephanie in the Studio

2010-01-09T14:22:00.001-06:00

I know so many Stephanies. I really could name 10 off of the top of my head. This Stephanie is the daughter of my parent's friends and we grew up for a little bit together. Her and her sisters are basically our sisters. The night I got my new studio lights Stephanie was coming over to watch a Christmas movie and she let me try out the lights on her. I have never used studio lights before so this was a totally new experience. I have lots to learn, but I love practicing because it means I get to spend time with my friends.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-27T15:14:00.000-06:00

From the Paul family. We didn't send out Christmas cards, but here is what we look like this year :)

We hope that everyone is having a safe and enjoyable holiday season with family and friends!

Four Families

2009-12-23T13:03:00.000-06:00

My aunt wanted me to take pictures of all of her kids and grandkids for a Christmas card. I definitely learned a lot taking these pictures and I now have some lighting equipment and some reflectors :) I have the best looking family, don't you think?

Family One

Family Two

Family Three

Family Four

Nieces at Thanksgiving

2009-12-22T13:00:00.000-06:00

We traveled for Thanksgiving this year and got to see some family that we don't get to see a whole lot. Just before we left we were hanging around at a hotel that some of the family was staying at and these three cuties were playing in the courtyard while I followed them around with my camera. Aren't they precious?

Cutest Newborn EVER

2009-11-22T21:24:00.000-06:00

This little guy belongs to a dear friend of mine. Can you believe he is only 3 weeks old? He's going to be a tall one! I love all of his hair. He's already had a haircut - it was longer than this when he was born. I hope my kids will be so lucky! I love this little guy.

I need to stop posting so many pictures at once, but he is too cute, I couldn't decide which ones to post and which ones not to.

And how about this awesome blanket his mom made him!? Yes, I have one talented friend.

The Ellers Family

2009-11-20T14:40:00.001-06:00

We took these pictures yesterday and the weather was amazing! It was so sunny and pretty warm. Not so great for photography but great to hang out in! Poor little girl was so cold she was shivering! She also clearly thought that her mom and dad were way better than Jordan and I and she let us know :) I still think that we got some super cute shots though.

This was the original color of the barn they were standing in front of.

Then I discovered the wonderful world of layer masks in photoshop. They are awesome!

A few last pictures.

First Gift

2009-11-13T12:36:00.000-06:00

I love this photo blog. When I went to see the updates this morning, I found a post that touched me. Please read it. She can say it better than I could. I really truly believe that we are blessed and that most of the time we take our blessings for granted. We have so much more than we even need. So instead of worrying about buying everything that our loved ones want for Christmas this year, I would invite everybody to slow down and to get in the real spirit of Christmas this year. Giving, especially to those who need it.

A donation of $10 can provide 10 YEARS of clean water for one person. Clean water is essential for life. Give the gift of life this Christmas.

Click HERE to donate to Water For Christmas. They even have a shop on their website and an etsy shop. All of those proceeds go to clean water.

Downtown Provo

2009-11-09T00:05:00.000-06:00

My husband, Jordan, and I took a trip to downtown Provo. It's not much, but there are some charms there. We were the only models available. Plus, I was trying to teach Jordan some of the camera settings so that one day he can help me on photo shoots ;) So until I get more of a client base, you get to see lots of pictures of the two of us.

Estrada Family

2009-11-06T12:29:00.000-06:00

I never realized how hard it would be to photograph children! It's fun, but so exhausting (probably more so for the parents than for me). How do you keep 4 young children happy and smiling for pictures? It's a mystery to me. I love these kiddos. It's so fun to live so close to extended family and get to know them better before we move on to different phases of our lives.

Group Pictures :)

Hope you like them Haley!

B & C

2009-10-30T11:05:00.000-05:00

I don't know if using a client's first name is a security issue. I like it when other photographers put the first names up of the clients rather than just a letter, but maybe it is more protective of privacy that way? If you were on a photography blog, would you want them to use your first name or just a letter? Leave a comment and let me know your opinion!

My sister babysits for these two cuties. I had never seen them before I went over, but I was pleasantly surprised. They are adorable! Seriously some of the cutest kids I have ever seen. See for yourself.

Brother and Sister

Mr. C (We had to wait for him to wake up from his nap, so we got a total of 5 minutes shooting time for this one)

Ms. B

See? Adorable.

My Sister

2009-10-26T19:20:00.001-05:00

Both of my younger sisters are so gorgeous! I took my youngest sister's senior pictures in July. I am so excited for her to join me in college soon!

This one is doesn't have her in it, but I love it anyway!

I Survived

2009-10-24T19:30:00.000-05:00

This was the first time I had ever taken pictures of three kids. And they were all age 4 and under! The two boys switched moods. When one was happy, the other was grumpy. Granted, they have adorable grumpy faces, but I don't think that is what mom wants to remember :) I think my favorite pictures are the ones with the blanket... just because I made it.

These are the only remotely good ones of all of them together (as in, they are all sort of looking at the camera).

I thought this picture was funny.

This one was out of focus, but I still love it. I can't decide if black and white or color is better for this one...

The rest of the pictures.

I hope you like them Brittany! We'll get together again for a whole family picture!

A Few Images of Fall

2009-10-23T13:21:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went on a walk with a friend. I love this time of year. The leaves turn colors, the air gets cooler, the holidays are just around the corner, and the food, of course! Fall food is the best.

My friend Stephanie.

Here are some images I got on our walk yesterday. It was such a beautiful day!

I have an unexplainable love for brides.

Self Portraits

2009-10-22T19:56:00.000-05:00

Back in June my husband and I decided to check out this orchard we had seen in another photographer's pictures. The only test subjects we had were ourselves, so we put the camera on the tripod and went for it. I think we got some keepers... Plus it was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Reagan

2009-10-21T16:49:00.000-05:00

Another photoshoot back in May. I was just dying to use my new camera! I love this little tutu. I think that I need her mom to help me make one to keep in my photography prop stash!

I give you the cute little red-headed, blue-eyed model!

Stephanie

2009-10-19T13:41:00.000-05:00

This little darling is my niece. In our church, we have to be 8 years old before we are baptized. Stephanie got baptized this weekend and we are so proud of her!

Plus, she gave me an excuse to try out my new lens. It has a fixed focal length, meaning that it doesn't zoom at all. I have to move myself around if I want to get closer or further from the subject, but it's sharp and it is f/1.4 so the bokeh you can get is amazing!

This one turned out blurry, but I still love it!

3 of my favorites. Her freckles are adorable and her eyelashes are to die for!

Thank you Stephanie for being such a great little model!

Leave a comment and let me know what you think! I am trying to improve, so let me know what you like and what you think I could work on!

David and Jen

2009-10-19T10:52:00.000-05:00

Way back when I first got my camera (May) a friend that I worked with had just gotten engaged. They let me take some engagement pictures of them and I learned a lot from doing it! I learned that I really needed to learn more about exposure and lighting - key elements in photography. I like to think that since then I have gotten better about those things, but I still have a long way to go!

I can spend a lot of time reading about anything photography or photoshop. That is how I know that I really am interested. Anything else can't hold my attention long enough.

Here are some of the pictures that I took of this couple. They were so fun! He could pull out the goofiest faces and definitely made me laugh. And what the gentleman! There were four of us, him and three girls. He would open all of our doors every time we got in and out of the car. Chivalry is not dead after all.

(I am still working on posing and angles, too. It's fun to play around with different ideas to find out what looks good and what doesn't.)

This Is Just The Beginning

2009-10-17T15:47:00.001-05:00

Hello world.

I took a few black and white photography classes in high school. We did everything manually. We set the aperture and shutter speed ourselves, used film, developed our film and prints in a dark room... and I loved it!

When I got to college I never seriously considered majoring in Photography but instead majored in Public Health. It was very hard to find a job after graduation and I tried taking some prerequsite classes for a nursing degree and tried a medical assisting class, but had to quit all of those because of a random sickness I got that didn't allow me to put the time and energy into school that I needed. I am still trying to recover from this nasty virus.

My dad gave me my first DLSR camera - a Sony a200 - for graduation. I have been playing around with that and I just love it! I decided that this is really where my heart is and I am trying to get as much practice in as I can with my camera so that I can start a photography business!

Join me in this exciting journey!