Nature.

Put me on a walking trail for a few hours and you'll probably come back to a really happy girl.  To me, there is nothing more beautiful, more peaceful than true nature.  Unfortunately, here in Orlando the closest we get to that are the little parks/fields on the side of the road.  Victoria shares this same point of view with me.  Our favorite thing to do together is just to take a walk through a wooded area... she wears a dress and I bring my camera.  Here are just a few shots from our latest walk.  I'm sure there will be more, so get used to seeing Victoria's face. :)

Thanks for reading. :)

Best Friend.

I've known Marsha since I was in 9th grade.  Well... actually a little before that but she claims to have no memory of it.  Perhaps its better if she doesn't remember... I recall I didn't like her too much.  I mistook her shyness for snottiness.  Turns out you can't always base your opinions on the first impression.  About a year later we were put on the same basketball team in high school.  I decided to give her another chance and we've been best friends every since.  She is one of the few people I have met who is just truly genuine.  She is my best friend because we laugh about the same dumb things, we tend to agree on most anything--and even when we don't really care, and she helps me figure out the random thoughts that are always in my head.  Basically, she's a great friend and a great person.  Her fiance, David, tends to agree with me on that fact.  I know this because I have seen them together.  I remember when they first met.  We were getting ready to go on a camping trip with some friends and Marsha saw David for the first time and turned to me and said, "WHO is that?!"... and the rest is history.  Being her best friend, I got the privilege of taking engagement pictures for them.  The time we did them was back in June, so it was quite hot, but we were able to get some good ones out of it.

I thought I would share them now because Marsh and I were supposed to hang out tonight, but I had to postpone it because of the random cold thats come over me.  Also, I am trying to keep this blog thing going... so humor me.

Anyway, here are some of my favorite pictures from that day.  I hope you like them! :)

Thanks for reading! :)

Absolute Favorite.

I get asked all of the time what my favorite picture is.  There is always a one that comes to mind without fail.  I wish I had a name for it-- but I think the fact that I can't come up with a name for it pretty much says it all.

I remember the morning I took it.  It was Saturday and I was staying at a church camp for a fall retreat with my campus ministry.  My friend, Jen, and I decided that we would get up early to see the sunrise.  I had been awake before a sunrise before but I never really took the time to actually watch the sun come over the horizon.  It's an experience I would recommend to anyone.  It's so spiritual and unique and raw and stunning and awesomely beautiful... if that makes any sense.  Do you ever feel like God did something just for YOU to see? That was how that moment was for me.  Jen and I got up out of bed and walked out side to the dock with in our jammies.  We sat there in the dark waiting... and freezing.  It came so quickly but it was just the right amount of time we needed to appreciate it.

It's the only picture I've truly loved without doing any kind of editing to it.  I couldn't believe I got it... I still can't believe I got it.  I believe this is the moment I decided that I wanted to commit to photography.  If I can get a moment like this even if it takes 6000 shots, it's so worth it.

Anyway, enough with the suspense... here it is. :)

Thanks for reading. :)

Jeff+Heather=Brayden

Sometimes, I don't know why I am so blessed--I don't really think I deserve it.  Recently, I have been given the opportunity to try something new and rediscover my love for photography.  I wish it happened more often.  It's almost like I forget who I am until I pick up a camera and push the button a few times.  I consider myself lucky when people ask me to take pictures for them.  It's usually me thanking them more than they are thanking me--I'm pretty sure I am the one having more fun.

Meet Jeff and Heather.  They are expecting their first child, Brayden, at the end of February.  These two were really fun to work with.  They were willing to try anything I asked of them and were able to show me a little patience when I needed a minute or two to come up with some ideas.  Jeff and Heather met at University Central Florida so they decided to use that as the scene of their photo shoot.  Being a UCF alum, I was perfectly fine with that  idea--and of course the fountain is always a beautiful backdrop.
Anyway, thank you again Heather and Jeff for giving me the opportunity.  Here is just a preview of some of the pictures--I haven't finished editing all of them but I couldn't wait to show them to you.

Enjoy. :)

Favorite.

Have a good night everyone! :)

News.

I have none.  It's been awhile since my last post.  I basically took a good two months off... and you know what I did?  Nothing.  The only thing that was significant was the passing of my grandmother on November 7th.  People always ask if it was sudden... what do you say to that?  I think no matter what, it's always sudden.  With all the preparation in the world, you can never be ready for something like that.

Anyway, this blog isn't for my personal life... but I think some people read it to keep up with me, so I'll humor them for as long as I can.

I have some pictures that I took recently that some people might find enjoyable.  There is only one explanation for the picture below.... I have a small fascination with water beads.  To me, they are so beautiful

This next picture is mostly for my own amusement.  This is my sister's dog, Evie.  Believe it or not, she was begging to be put in this swing...

I'll be honest, I really don't have much else to show you.... Like I said, I haven't really done anything lately.  Here is just one last picture:

Okay... well.... that's about it.  Sorry this post is so boring... I'm not used to this whole blogging thing.  I just figure it's better to have something rather than nothing. :)

Smylski Family

Angela is my brother-in-law's sister... so that I guess that makes her...?  I don't know.  Anyway, Angela and Bryan have three of the most beautiful kids and I was fortunate enough to have the privilege of taking pictures of them.  It was a difficult day but I learned three things: 1. Elias, who is 5 years old, is one of the most photogenic kids I know.  2. Ronen, who is 2 years old, definitely has a mind of his own--but is absolutely adorable.  3. Hope, who is just 6 months old, has brilliant, gorgeous blue eyes and I envy them greatly.  Don't believe me?  See for yourself.

Favorite.

Anyway, these aren't the most organized pictures... but they are some of my favorites from that day.

Enjoy.

Examples.

Recently, I've a had a lot of people ask me if I have a website that they could look at to see my stuff.  My immediate response is 'Yes! Of course its...' and then I remember that I don't actually have anything up on the website.  Why? Well, to be honest, the number one reason is because.. I'm lazy.  There.  I said it.  I haven't gotten around to transferring any of my pictures from my old computer to my new computer.  I've been too busy enjoying my new computer to even want to bother with my old one.  I recently got a mac and I have made the decision that I will never go back to a windows operated computer.  This computer is just too great.  Dad, if you're reading this you know now that your money was well spent on my graduation gift. :)

Anyway, before I start to go off on a rant on how great a Mac is, (believe me, a few years ago I never thought I'd be saying that), I want go back to the issue of my pictures.  If any of you are friends with me on facebook, I apologize, because that is where all of these pictures are from.  

So please enjoy these pictures.  Please know that I am not posting them so that I can make money off of more clients.  Its because I would truly love the opportunity to do any photography I can.  I know a lot of people say this, but I am not in it for the money.  I am in it simply for the art of it.... for the joy of it.

Vallen and Laura- The first couple to ever take a chance on me. :)