Stephanie's Senior Pic.s

Stephanie Minotto's (my future sis-in law) senior pictures. I think they turned out gorgeous if I must say for myself, not that it was hard to make Steph look good ;)

of no consequence

So I am aware my blog has been rather shabby of late. Not sure why, but I just have not felt like writing about my life lately. And its been difficult finding time to get new pictures posted. I have been busy doing wedding photos and a lot of year book photos for schools. Its not what I thought I would be doing while I was totally obsessed with the dark room in school. Its just a job and I love some things about it. Like photoshop and internet at my finger tips all day long and a studio full of crazy elaborate sets. Yeah its not all bad.
For your information (but of no consequence):
I am addicted to the new David Crowder Band cd, coffee, lettuce, peanuts, and Joan of Arcadia (I can't seem to stop watching! Jillian borrowed the first and second season on DVD).
I can't seem to sit down and read a book to save my life. Any suggest for a good read?
Daniel is coming on in 14 days. Can't wait to see his face again!
Wedding plans at a stand still... for now.
I would stay in bed if it was not for scarfs and hats.

New Wedding Pictures from October

Check out new pictures on my weddings blog, see blog lick to the right >
Or click.

Picutures of me by Jillian

July 2009

These were taken just a few days after I got engaged to Daniel.

Another picture of Jillian from this summer

July 2009

This pictures make me miss the dark from so much :(

Amy and Brian

Married September 13th 2009 ... yaya! Dear friends, one old and one new, love em both so much! And are so happy for them. It was a blast being apart of your special day! Below are a few images from the wedding I really enjoyed and wanted to share.

Amy and Brian, Married September 13th 2009

Summer Photography cont.

July 2009

July 2009

Jillian poses for me, she always has. Its often the images right after my commands that turn out interesting. Or as she is trying to do what I ask, she'll do something even better then my idea. She is 18, soon to be 19 this December and more woman than girl. My little sister is still not sure what she wants to do for a living. She is being very wise and is taking general class at the community college. But I hope she give it all up and just goes all out for something she'll really love like art or traveling, may my mom forgive me for saying that!

Summer Photography

July 2009

July 2009

hands and bellies are romantic...

Oh the Dragos!

These lovely people are the Dragos. The Dragos have gone to my church and been my care group leaders for going on 7 years now! God has been so faith to them, and to me, often through them. They have three little girls and are about to have their forth, a boy. And they all so excited, they can't wait to meet him. We went out to a friends house to photograph Audrey and her belly. It was the my first maternity session ever and I love how they turned out! It was a hot sticky day, but you can't really tell, Audrey, Damien and the girls were all really good about posing even in the heat. I am so happy Audrey asked me to take her pictures, it was a great experience.

Audrey and her belly. I love this portrait for some reason!

Just the girls.

I think they are so cute :)

U2's With or Without You played by one incredible little kid

Love this little guy.
Love this song.
Listen and enjoy.

Vogue look a like or WOWZERS

Its been about a month since my last post and for good reason too. Since June I bought a car and got engaged to my bestest buddy Daniel Minotto. (I've been a busy bee). Can't tell you how odd it is to type that or how to convey to you just how happy it makes me. So unbelievably happy! Gush gush gush. I could go on and on but in another post maybe, I want to explain these neatO beauty shots I have here.

My awesome friend Leah asked me to take some pictures for her to enter a hair contest at her salon.

I was really thrilled because she had to create a look based off of this old Vogue Magazine cover and she wanted the final photo to look as close as possible. It sounded like a good old collage assignment! Fun!

It tuned out that the rest of the girls at her job needed photographs also so before long I was shooting the whole class. It was really neat to watching these talented young woman at work and see their models transform into smoking glamor girls!

The final results are amazing! I really enjoyed how Leah's look turned out because it mimicked the original perfectly. Wowzers!

All the models looked drop dead gorgeous and worked so well with me. I loved the whole experience. Here are the final portraits from the rest of the class.

Megan and Kyle

Megan and Kyle

Megan and Kyle's wedding was just a few weeks ago (June 20th) but I could not wait to put up some of their pictures. Their wedding was so much fun, lots of emotions, lots of pretty purple and a lot of rain haha. All in all it was a wonderful day, I got to spend time with dear friends and family. And the photographs turned out pretty awesome if I must say so myself. I love my new lens and it was so perfect I got to use it for Megan's wedding.

Aunt Rose was such a great help to have around, she got all the little details just right and she even helped me with my reflector, she was awesome :)

... in honor of Megan's Mother...

... it was gray and raining off and on all morning but as soon as we were done photographing at the church the skies let lose and it rained like that scene from "Its A Wonderful Life" it was really bad! But kinda romantic at the same time...

the best dancing and most fun at a wedding to date.

up to date

I am going to pick my car today.
Yeah that's right!
I bought a car this weekend, its an old silver Pontiac Vibe and I am trilled. Mission accomplished! I pray all the details go well today.
I did a lactose experiment today. I just drank a big glass of skim milk and that stuff never tasted so bad to me. I have not had a glass of milk straight up since April. I have not eat or drank anything but the milk so far today and I waiting to see how my belly response. Its been about 45 minutes and nothing had happened yet, so that's good.
My friends Megan and Kyle tied the knot on Saturday. I photographed their wedding with my new lens and their pictures turned out great. Really great. I can't wait to look at them more closely but I feel really happy with how the whole day went, even though it rained like that scene in "Its a Wonderful Life" when George Baily and his wife come out of the church, yeah it was pretty bad! But I got my important shots and some really lovely outdoor shots before the wedding. Plan A was to photograph after the ceremony at the stone house in Wyomissing but we went with plan B due to the rain. Plan B ended up being better anyway, but I can't say what plan B was, because it never happened ;) I hope to have the new pictures posted this week.
Daniel is coming home for a two week break this Friday, five more days! I can't wait to see him. Its ridiculous how much you can miss someone.

Jess

new lens

I just got my 24-70mm canon lens in the mail this week. For the first time I bought camera equipment new and I don't regret spending the money one bit. I'm thrilled to have a digital SLR system at my disposal. It is such a blessing! Look out friend and family! I going to be looking for people to shot with my new baby.

Jess on the front porch . June 17th 2009

Jess with her pretty green eyes :)

party pictures and shopping fatigue

Jillian graduated this June! So happy for my buddy. I want her to go for art because I think she is really good and I love her pottery. But whatever she ends up doing is going to be great.

my dad at the grad party.

Volley ball at jillian's party. Sunday was such a perfect day for an outdoor party.

the car search continues ...

I now know I want a vibe

something under 50,000 miles

around $8/9,000

blue or white

That's want I want but I am willing to bend for the closest thing. I am so sick of cars and car sales men. blah.

Pictures from nextitude on facebook :)

Meg and Ryan's Wedding

To my joy, Meg and Ryan asked me to do their wedding pictures this past Saturday. It was so fun being apart of their wedding day as they got ready separately and then came together to make a promise to spend the rest of their lives together for God's glory. So awesome! Here a few of my favorite pictures from their special day.

In response to Rachel ...

things that tell me I am home.

Trees outside my window.
The smell of coffee in the morning.
Talking with my mom and dad on the front porch as the sun goes down.
Dorthy barking across the street.
Golf commentators on the TV.
Piles of laundry waiting to be put away.
Ice cold meadow tea in a Ball jar.
Flowers everywhere in little vases and jars, on the window sills, the tables, up the stairs, on the porch.
Garrison Keillor on the radio.

Home is always different depending upon the season, right now, on the brink of summer, my home is the happiest place to be. In my humble opinion ;)

crazy hoping

Tonight I have to get ready for a wedding I am photographing tomorrow and the NEXT conference. I wish had realized sooner how crazy tomorrow is going to be. I will be at the Church by 9:30am to photograph the property and building, wait for the guys to arrive, take their pictures, wait for the girls, take their pictures. Shot the ceremony, shot the whole group outside, shot the reception, hopefully leave by 4pm. Meet Jillian at home around 5ppm, hopefully leave home by 6pm, drive to Baltimore, get there by 8pm, find parking, find conference just into for the first session of NEXT. Or at least that's the rough plan.

I still have to test my camera, lens and batteries, make sure I remember how to work everything, shop for snacks and drinks for NEXT, do laundry, check the jeep's fluids, go over directions with my dad, pack for the wedding, pack for the conference, lay out clothing for tomorrow and hopefully all by 10pm for a good night's sleep.

Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully everything will happen just right. I want to enjoy every bit of the craziness I planned for myself. I love photographing weddings for my Christian friends, its so precious to be apart of their day. And I always get good ideas for my own wedding I hope to have someday. I want to enjoy Jillian as we drive to Baltimore, maybe I should let her drive this time. I want to enjoy the conference, and all my best friends and everything that God has for us this weekend.

Today ..

I slept in.
I was newly warmed by the love my of savior.
I snooped around the house and found some photo albums :) They were fun.
I took Deago for a walk, carried poop half way home :p but he enjoyed himself which is what is important.
I did pilates, Deago wanted to help, but I had to be very firm about him not doing so.
Took a shower.
I cut my ankle with a razor, bleed, discovered band aids above the fridge.
I had a bowl of mango and banana (I used my birthday bowl from Leah :)
I picked my mom up at home and went shopping with her for red, white and blue light bulbs (my father's new vision for the front porch) and flowers for the house.
Help mom cut veggies for the ratatouille.
Now I waiting for dinner ...

Note to self:
I don't deal well with small disappointments.

Star Trak :D

The Star Trak trailer was becoming all too distracting.

Today I have the pleasure of sharing my breakfast with the company of a handsome and strong young gentlemen. He is very hairy and likes to rub his noise on my pants, but I don't hold it against him, no one is perfect. My first morning dog sitting for Deago went well. He came into my bed room (formally Daniel's room) and woke me up with his face pushing through a large pile of pillows on my bed, tail wagging. I think he was just happy to discover he had not been left alone altogether.

I am not sure what to do next.

Eat a hearty bowl of oat meal? Or scramble some eggs?
Exercise?
Explore around the house?
Take a shower?

pictures from around my block

Recently ...
I saw Star Trak last night. AWESOME movie!
I am fasting. For prayer and for cleansing.
I bought new shoes today. I love Rocket Dog slip-ons.

The Valley of Vision for this moment ...

(The last lines from)
Regeneration



"Thy presence is to me a treasure of unending peace;
No provocation can part me from thy sympathy,
for thou hast drawn me with cords of love,
and dost forgive me daily, hourly.

O help me then to walk worthy of thy love,
of my hopes, and my vocation.

Keep me, for I cannot keep myself;
Protect me that no evil befall me;
Let me lay aside every sin admired of many;
Help me to walk by thy side, lean on thy arms,
hold converse with thee,
That henceforth I may be salt of the earth and a blessing to all."