I already had facebook open.  I’m rarely actually on it, but it’s always minimized.  I was emailing a client when I heard the sound of a facebook message, so I opened the facebook window only to find this:

I had to hold back the sobbing.  I have been overwhelmed lately and with all of junk that was going on yesterday, I can’t think of a better pick-me-up that something like that.  Taite just got a facebook of his own.  The day he got it, I wrote ” momma looooves you :p ” on his wall to “embarrass” him.  Well, this little guy wasn’t embarrassed at all.  He loved the way I did the smiley with the tongue sticking out, and apparently figured out how to do that on his own.  Eric and I are so amazed at how smart that child is.  He created a facebook account, started creating those annoying farming games, took screenshots of his games, uploaded them to facebook and put them on his wall with a caption.  Seriously?  How in the world did he know how to do all of that?  I guess he also knows how to start chatting, as well!  He just turned 8 last week.

Anyway, I just thought I would share that special moment with you.  It may not sound that great, but it sure came at a much needed time.  I’m so blessed to have my babies.  They are all that truly matters in my life.  They are the reason for me.

**Notice I’m on Eric’s faebook page.  Apparently I just can’t get enough of that man… faebook stalking my own husband.  Goodness.

P.S. You know what else brightens my day immensely (probably way more that it should… but I’m just a loser, so oh well); blog comments.

My thoughts and opinions slowly changed as I began to see that photo blogs are equal in importance, if not greater, than a photographer’s actual website.  Up to date, current information and a little insight into the life of the photographer… a way to get to know them without actually having a face to face meeting if that isn’t possible.  I realized the importance of a photography blog for my business, and it quickly became a goal to get one up and running as soon as I possibly could.  This happened in December 2008.  After we got the first blog going, I didn’t really get into the habit of posting as frequently as I should.  I just never really liked the way the posts would turn out… the overall appearance and style of the blog really clashed with photos in general.  This discouraged me.  Then, of course, we got a new blog–and here we are

I now have a list of lovely blogs I check daily (while photos are batching, saving, uploading, etc.)–all of which inspire me to no end.  I love blogging but hate the fact that I seem to have very little time to actually do so considering how limited I am on the type of posts I’m able to do (with this just being a photo blog) and the sheer amount of time they take.

I have currently been in a rut.  It could be the winter… it could just be a phase… who knows.  I’ve felt the need to change nearly every area of my life.  I cut, died and permed my hair (possibly an awful idea).  I rearranged my house, organized, repainted, and I’m still not loving it.  I changed my daily work routine.  I have been hunting for new editing techniques and trying them out (hence the texture in the last two photos…something I never used to like until recently).  I have been rethinking the way we do our sessions and planning on changing them a great deal.  I have considered 2011 being the year where we start shooting fewer weddings and begin focusing on other areas of our career.  So much has been going in my mind lately.  All of those changes, and I still want to continue changing everything.  I want to completely revamp my home office and studio space.  I want to feel inspired while I work just from my surroundings.  I want things to feel fresh, alive and creative, especially when I’m editing or shooting… and of course, I need to get out of this rut in order to make that happen!

All of the ranting all for one simple announcement.  I am changing the blog.  I know I’m a photographer.  I know this is a photography blog, and it will continue to be… but it needs to have something more.  Honestly, it needs to have something more in order to keep me inspired to post.  I really just want to use it as a tool to inspire myself and you guys, have fun with it… and not have it be so much of a chore, since I have been so very limited while trying to stick to photography only.  I hope you will enjoy the places I plan on venturing to with this blog and continue to stick around and leave me lovely bits of encouragement.

This is pretty much my blog, not Eric’s, as he has never once done a single post…. so he doesn’t have much of a say : )

I’m excited to have fun witt it.  Will you continue to join me??

p.s. Don’t be surprised if you stop by sometime in the future and the blog has a whole new look : )

The left side of my face is currently swollen up in two different ways.  My jaw looks like I have a golf ball in it, and my check up to my eyebrow looks like a bee stung me and I had an allergic reaction.  All from 2 root canals–well, mainly one that ended up having a problem.  A problem, they say, that will go away in a year.  Did you hear that?  A YEAR!  So… let’s solve the initial problem by creating an even bigger, more painful one.  Seriously, if someone has a spare pair of dentures, I would pay you for them.  Free session, maybe?!

Okay, okay… enough complaining.  I’m sorry, I’ve been doing a lot of that lately.  I’ve realized severe, agonizing tooth, mouth and jaw pain for  about a year can really change your personality and your overall outlook on life.  It’s a terrible thing, and I’m always trying to remember than I’m not really this pissed off at the world… it’s just the pain talking.

Now, on to some info about ae photography.

The Boudoir Event was wonderful.  I had so much fun and only had severe tooth pain during one session (sorry Kaitlyn).  Every girl was so easy to work with, and it was such a joy to work with so many old clients again.  The thing that I enjoyed the most was seeing a room full of old clients, spanning from the past two years or so… all getting to know each other.  It was strange and exciting!  Each girl had a different style from the last, and they were all so unique!  It was like a dream event.  I have decided to do one every year.  The next one will be either in December or January and will stilled be geared toward a Valentine’s Day gift for you guy.  I created 4 albums for 4 different girls–all for their guys…. and they all were so neat.  Everything has been such a rush, that I had no time to photograph the albums for you to see :/  If any girls who received an album would like to send some of their own photos in to share with us, that would be excellent!  Thanks again to all the girls who came.  I hope you had a good time getting pretty, playing dress up and acting like models for the day!

I also really REALLY want to thank my two greatest friends, Rachel Streit and Jessica Sena.  Rachel is an amazing stylist who did such a great job on every girl.  I was so impressed.  Because of her amazing job during such a hectic event, she will continue to be the stylist I use for any type of event or mini session. If you are getting a mini session done and would like a stylist present for hair, makeup and help with clothing–contact me, and we will make sure Rachel is there.  Jessica played hostess and helped all the girls with clothes, kept things in order and answered questions.  She was a lifesaver.  I didn’t realize how much I would need a “hostess”…. goodness, if she was there, I don’t know what I would have done!  It was a very, very busy day!  A huge photo post come!  Of course we have to wait until after Valentine’s Day!  ; )

I spoke about the Etsy designers that provided clothes for the girls to use if they chose to, but I never got a chance to post a list of the great shops so you guys could take a look.   I really appreciate each and every one of these designers and the fact that they were willing to trust me with their work. After receiving the pieces, I was able to see first hand all the hard work and amazing talent that came from each of them.  You won’t be disappointed if you purchase anything from the shops listed below!  You have my word!

FEATHERS and FRILLS

LOVES MARIESSA

DOGHEAD & FLINTOCK

EMPRESS JADE

PRICILLA DAWN

PLUM PRETTY SUGAR

GAIA CONCEPTIONS

BROKEN GHOST COUTURE

DISTRACTED BLACK RABBIT

PISH POSHES

L.A. NATIVE

MS. WOOD’S KIMONO BOUTIQUE

DECIDUOUS SOUL

LOVE AT FIRST BLUSH

THREAD RARE

CHAIN REACTIONS

CIARA OBSCURA

TWIN SYNDROME

A few photo blog posts are scheduled for this week, and then we will be getting back into the 2010 weekly blog post schedule I laid out awhile back.  I’ve just been way too busy to even think about doing all those posts!  I look forward to getting back into it, though

Here are some lovely tunes that have been giving me creative vibes and helping me get my work done.  Hope you enjoy ; )

And, finally,  here is are some lyrics to a song that literally makes me choke up.  I can’t find a normal cd version to share with you on youtube, but it’s by Hanson, and it’s wonderful… and pretty much sums up my feelings lately.  I’m not going to into detail, but you should really check out the song.  It’s amazing.  This version is the best I could find online…

Somebody let me down
Somebody show me love
I wouldn’t care much either way

I’d rather the sticks and stones
Than dragging the ball and chain
Of what if the world won’t take me

Even if the hole should crack
Even if the blood flows red
Nothing could be worse than numb
So please, use me up

I just want anyone
To use me up
‘Cause no one ever does
Use me up

I’ve carried it all too long
The fear of the pain it brings
Feeling the panic building up

I’d rather the broken heart
Than live in the emptiness
Of what if the world won’t save me

Even if the bow should break
Even if the blood runs cold
Nothing could be worse than numb
Please, use me up

I just want anyone
To use me up
‘Cause no one ever does
Use me up
Use me up

Treat me some way cruel
You could throw me away
As long as I feel it
Show me something real
You can’t deceive me
I am yours to use

By the way, if you haven’t see 500 days of summer… go rent it.  Perfect movie with a great soundtrack.

Goodnight, folks.

December 13th was our 6th anniversary (as far as marriage goes), and I never got around to posting about it.  We shot an Engagement Session all day in Chicago.   Eric was entertaining me by blowing some bubbles while we waited for the couple to change into their second outfit.

We did get a chance to go out for a very quick dinner… so that was nice : )  So quick that we didn’t even get to take our bags off our shoulders.  Eat and run.  I ate french onion soup, and it was deeelish : )  Eric probably ate 5 burgers or something… I don’t remember.

December 21st was Eric’s birthday, and once again, no posts.  We had weddings the 19th and 20th, and once again ended up in downtown Chicago.  We had to stay overnight for work… but I suppose it was to be in a hotel and all on his “birthday eve” and birthday morning.  It might have been better if we weren’t starving to death and half dead form the back to back weddings.  This hotel gives you chocolate chip cookies at check-in…. let me tell you–mine was finished before I even got off the elevator.  It was 6pm and we hadn’t eaten since 6pm the night before and had been working non stop with 3 hours of sleep!  That was the best chocolate chip cookie ever.  I would have taken a photo, but I ate it before I got the chance.

We went up to the room, and Eric decided to go get us some dinner at a deli… so I sat on the couch and passed out a couple times.  Utter exhaustion.   I took a picture of the cool artwork/headboard.  Anyone could make this!  And I just might : )

So this is kind of a hotel tradition of mine.  The situation always seems to present itself, so naturally, I take advantage.  I’m sitting on the bed (camera nearby, of course), and Eric is playing with cords + plugging things in + so on around the desk area (you know, man things).  I always get a pretty nice view during this time… so I snap a photo to remember it by.  He will appreciate these images when he’s old and jolly… and by jolly, I mean fat.

So we were in Chicago, and we could have celebrated by going out on the town, seeing a show, shopping… whatever, but we both agreed staying in sounded a whole lot better than anything else.  So we laid in bed and watched “Where the Wild Things Are”.

While laying in bed, I told Eric a story my grandma told me about my grandpa just before he passed away.  I will tell it to you.

They were at a restaurant that overlooked the water, I’m pretty sure… or at least someplace where they were able to look out the window and see the storm clouds rolling in.  The had finished dinner already, but decided to stay and have coffee until the storm passed.  They didn’t want to drive in it.  He said they would order coffee and dessert.  When the waiter came to take their order, he told her that they would have one of every kind of dessert they offered.  He told my grandma they would eat what they wanted to there, and just take the rest home for later.  My grandpa didn’t strike me as the type to do something that sweet and …. romantic!  It seemed like a movie or something.  I love that story.

That being said, we proceeded to order one of every type of dessert on the room service menu to eat in bed while we watched the movie.

I felt pretty dumb getting my picture taken while eating junk food in bed… but, oh well.  So that is me… in desperate need of rest, makeup smudged, in my pj’s, hair in need of some attention, eating pie in bed… and I post in on the blog for all to see.  I’m insane.  And, yes, I’m rockin’ a concert tee from a Hanson show.  : )

Just a side note in case you ever stay at the Wit Hotel and order every dessert off their room service menu… skip the s’mores ice cream sandwich.  Seriously.  I can’t believe they sell that.  It looked like something I “created” and heated in the microwave when I was 8 years old.  It was soggy and tasted disgusting.  Can you guess which one it is in the photos above?  Yuck!

So Eric had a decent birthday, I think.  Then, of course, it was time for the Christmas celebrations.  Those photos will come some other time, but here is something I thought was quite adorable.  Ella got window markers from my dad.  We were all busy talking and eating while she went straight over to the glass door to start coloring.  I went over to check it out later, and this is what she drew:

Special, huh?

We’ve created life, created a business, and continue to create beautiful photographs while we work as a team–playing off eachother’s strengths.  I love Eric more than I even know, I think, and  I can’t to see what we create in 2010.

I’m working on some different “best of 2009″ posts.  Eric and I are also going to be doing reviews on most of the vendors we worked with in 2009, along with all of the different reception halls we have photographed at.  Hopefully you will find the info helpful!  We wish everyone a very happy 2010!!

Good thing we have Eric and all of his wisdom to explain why it’s a girl and not a boy… goodness.  The kids were very excited!   Please excuse the crazy mess–the kids got a zillion and one toys.  Also, excuse the silly mismatched pjs.  They pick out their own stuff for bed.  : )

We still haven’t picked out a name yet.  Here are our favorites:

junebug

clementine

We have been very busy going to a ton of places.  Tomorrow is our turn to host Christmas : )  It should be fun.  I already have started picking images for a personal blog post sharing our Christmas photos.  That should be up soon.  Next Saturday  we are back to work!

]]> http://www.aephotographyblog.com/183/feed/ 3 http://www.aephotographyblog.com/ashleys-health/ http://www.aephotographyblog.com/ashleys-health/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:51:33 +0000 ae photography http://www.aephotographyblog.com/?p=158 This is a notice to let everyone know that no new sub galleries or new online galleries will be posted until further notice.  Ashley is extremely ill (teeth, jaw, mouth) and we are unable to work at this time.  We will let everyone know as soon as things get better.  It shouldn’t be too much of a wait.  We just want everyone to be aware of the situation.

Beth – I sometimes feel like that–no matter what we do, people are going to find something to complain about.  I just want everyone to be 100% happy… actually 110% happy.  My business is so important to me.  Aside from my family, it’s my life.  I know not everyone is going to be happy 100% of the time, but I always want to try my best to make it happen, hence the reason for this HUGE PERSONAL DISPLAY OF UNCERTAINTY!!!   Thanks for your kind words : )

Amber – You thoughts mean a lot since I know you deal with a lot of the same issues since you run your own business, as well.  I agree with you 100% and feel like you just recited my thoughts!  ”We need to do what we feel is best to represent our product”…. exactly right.  Thanks for being an awesome client and now an awesome friend!

Kristy – Thanks for your thoughts!  I really look forward to the day we shoot your wedding.  We have talked for so long and you have been viewing our new weddings/sessions for a very long time period, so I am certain we will all work together just great!   I feel like we’re friends!   I can’t wait until your big day

Keli - YOU are someone I know we “mesh” with   I could completely tell when we send the email getting the specifics so we could get our “prop” ideas set to go and you were so excited about the “unique things” we have planned.  It makes us feel relieved that you are on board with our style and different ideas!  We know it will pay off when you get the photos!  I can’t wait for the Engagement Session in Chicago on our anniversary!  I can’t think of a better way to spend the day… with a fun couple, doing what we love (truly), and in our favorite city.  Excitement!  See you soon!!!

Lesley – I’m happy to hear you like the way we post are are impressed by our shots!  Your unique wedding was just right for the style we shoot.  You guys were/are great to work with.  We have, in fact, added complete specifics to the different times it will take to start viewing/receiving photos in the 2010 contract.  That was done because of this issue, so I’m hoping the 2010 couples are fully aware of the different time periods and are completely fine with it because of that!

Jona – A questionnaire is currently in the making.  I’m planning on using it more so for meetings and not for couples to decide what they want but rather to see if we all “mesh”.  I have read countless time (without really understanding) how photographers specifically decide who they work with.  They want to make sure their is a connection.  I just figured “it’s work–be kind, do your job, and everyone will be happy”.  Now am able to 100% fully understand the reason they do this.  Eric and I have a specific style.  People are drawn to our style when they see the site.  They tell us how much they love out work and our “different ideas”, but then when we shoot their wedding, we realize that they definitely should have hired a more traditional style photographer.  So,  it’s very important for us to meet or chat online(which we already do, but for other reasons), really get to know they specific styles they are looking for, explain how much time we put into the photos and then see if we everyone feels we’re a good match!  We do currently have 2 forms we send out to couples.  The first is our Photo Form, which gets sent with pricing.  We get the basic info and what their are looking for (we ask about style, too) with this one.  Then there is the “getting to know you” form.  This was created specifically to understand exactly what our couples wanted.  It’s helped a bit… but the new questionnaire will definitely take it’s place and include a lot more specifics!

Erica —  You guys were great  We definitely meshed and had a great time shooting your wedding and day after/trash the dress session!  We are so happy to hear how pleased you are with your photos!

Chris + Stephanie (since you both said the same thing in a way!) —  That is really what we were considering–giving them the option.  Last year we shot an off season wedding and gave the couple a good deal.  Because of the good deal, she told us we just didn’t need to worry about editing the photos.  Well, there was no way I would give anyone unedited photos.  The though of doing that had never even crossed my mind at that point.  We shot the gorgeous wedding and the couple was great and so easy to work with.  I decided I was going to, of course, edit their photos–it’s my work and I wanted it to be perfect.  I’m not sure if they needed them quickly or what, but I decided to edit everything except the regular “dancing” by all the guests.  Now, I see those exact photos posted on Facebook.  They are not bad,  just unfinished, and because of that, it makes me cringe.  So, I just can’t imagine that happening with a lot of couples.  It doesn’t feel right.  I don’t know if I would be able to give the option.  I want the photos to be perfect for my clients and my business.

Hanna - : )

Jenn – It’s been great to working since you are one of the first people who we have worked with who knows first hand that 1 year is a typical time for photographers to show/give the photos to their clients… AND that most photographers don’t edit the photos, and if they do, it’s like 50-75 favorites or something.  With the portraits–we actually got critiques to change it to the way we have now!  We used to put so many and let couples choose, but it was hard for everyone else (family + friends) to really see all of the important details (weird faces, eyes closed, looking in the wrong direction,etc) on the site, so they had asked us to narrow it down to the photos that were best of the whole group…. so we did.  Like I said, everybody is different, and I’m realizing now–you just can’t please everyone no matter how hard you try!  Aside from that,  I am glad you are happy with everything.  Congrats on winning the “be thankful” contest, and we look forward to shooting your maternity session!

Jessica – Thanks for your thoughts, best friend. : )

Lindsey – I supposed I did already give my thoughts on this in my response to Chris + Stephanie’s thoughts.  Thank you for your comment.  Specific times have been in the 2010 contract and will always remain there, so we are definitely completely upfront now : )

Liz – I am happy to get a response from you since you are a photographer and a client who is currently experiencing the waiting process!  I definitely know about “teasers” and used to do them.  I love the idea and know couples do, too.  I “stopped” doing them for a reason.  Being the perfectionist that I am, it is so hard for me to just go through and pick 10 -15 to post on the blog.  I did this with a couple weddings, and then once I had finished the wedding, I had sooo many others I would have rather posted to showcase our work and better describe the story of the day.  When I did it, I would spend so long on those blog posts, only to later wish I would have waited until the end so I could go through the entire fully edited wedding so I could post the best possible images (which is what our blog is for).  I feel like doing them before I edited the wedding in full only took time away from the actual editing process.  Everything takes so much more time than it appears to.  I have decided to do “full wedding” posts once I have completed the wedding instead of doing teasers right now.  I just like being able to choose from every photo and make the post the best it possibly can be.  I like making the post a story and going through the full day.  When browsing the blogs I currently follow, it seems like their teasers are posted about 4 weeks or so after the wedding anyway–which is when we start posting the Online Gallery, so technically you get more with our first Online Gallery post than you would with a teaser anyway…??  I think : )  I may try to do teasers again beforehand in the future if/when things slow down, but for now, we will be keeping it like this.

Nikki + Johnathan – Once again, I know you guys totally get our style, and we can’t wait to work with you.  I knew when you asked initially if every photo was edited and what software we used to edit that you were going to be a couple that appreciates what we do and allows us to do our job the way we feel is best.  When I put myself in the bride’s shoes, I just can’t imagine not having completed photos.  If I wanted basic snapshots that didn’t have a professional touch, I wouldn’t have have paid $1000-$5000—I would have had a family member or friend do it.  I feel like the editing is half, if not more than half, of what our job + style is.

Thank you so much everyone.  It’s great to see that this many people care to give their two cents.  We absolutely love our jobs and love our couples.  I know that impatience can get the best of us sometimes–especially when you are waiting for something so special.  I just want to make it known that we are working our little tails off and always want you to be completely satisfied.  There is so much behind the scenes work to this job that everyone is not able to see.  It is just the two of us.  We photograph, we edit, we do the site, the blog, the orders, the shipping, the advertising, the albums, the products, the customer care… and so on.  Please be patient and know that the wait is for a reason.  We treat everyone’s photos like they are our wedding photos and want them to be perfect for you.  We are so honored to be chosen to capture your special day and are only satisfied with giving you the best.

I will post an update with any changes we plan to make.

The next post will have photos!!  It’s about time I do a photo post since this is a photography blog and not a soap opera.