Returning…

… from a wonderful week at the beach with my whole family.

The time was refreshing and I enjoyed every minute soaking up the sun and hearing the sound of the waves crash.

Now there is so much to catch up and do once you return from being away.

I find myself getting wound back up again with to do lists and at the same time asking God for His help get what I can done and for His grace for today!

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Shooting at the Beach

We love going to the beach. Most of the time it is for a day or two. When I first started shooting I became frustrated with shooting in the harsh sunlight that is present mid-day. You know that swimming in the golden hour of the evening sun is not really an option, though it would make for pretty pictures.

Over time I have learned several things that have helped me deal with capturing our day at the beach. First I bump up my aperture to as high as 4.0. I usually prefer to shoot at 2.0; however at the beach 4.0 works well for me. Second, look for the light. See where it is casting shadows on faces and then move. I want my subjects face to be in the shadows and have even light across it. (As much even light as you can get.)  Then I position myself so whoever I am shooting is back lit; meaning the sun is not hitting their face directly but is coming from behind. I tend to shoot this way most of the time when the sun is out. Then I meter (shooting in manual) for shadow on their face and shoot away. When shooting children remember to get down at their level and capture them in the moment of what they are doing. Hope you get to enjoy sand between your toes sometime this summer!

Below was Myla’s first beach experience in 2009. It was my first experience shooting on a beach mid-day.

Notice how she is not back lit. If I would have moved to the other side of her the sun would then be behind her.

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thirty-two

 

 

 

 

I am celebrating another birthday, today !

I’m looking forward to following the Lord in whatever plans he has for me this coming year and documenting it along the way.

 

 

 

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lisa

so who takes these beautiful pictures of beautiful you?

lisa

so who takes these beautiful pictures of beautiful you??

I love these pics of you. And Happy Birthday!

Published: Baltimore

In this month’s Baltimore HOME edition, Amanda Austin of Amanda Austin Interiors is highlighted for restoring her clients’ twin wingback chairs.  How do you decide what family heirloom pieces of furniture to keep and restore or let go? This is exactly what Amanda does best.  Working with her clients, she helps catalog each piece of furniture and decide what is worth preserving.  Amanda looks beyond the current appearance of her clients’ furniture and sees the beauty that can be restored to classic pieces. She believes in repurposing. This is exactly what she did with this pair of wing back chairs, now re-covered in soft grey mohair. I had the honor of photographing the beautifully restored new family heirlooms.  If you’re in the area, be sure to pick up a copy of this great local magazine.  I was impressed with its content and articles highlighting local businesses and events happening in the Baltimore area.  Enjoy!!!

Amanda Austin Interiors

1020 S. Charles Street

Baltimore, Maryland

amandaustininteriors.com

443.759.6177

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I am so excited for you! That’s great!

Awesome! I did an editorial internship at Baltimore mag during college and loved it. It’s a great magazine!

Corinne and John married

If you can recall last weekend’s weather it was HOT! The humidity was ever present with a chance of thunderstorms was in Saturday’s afternoon forecast. The storm the night before left much of the Baltimore area without electricity. Early on in the planning, Corinne made a decision to have their wedding indoors instead of their original plan to have the wedding in their backyard. I think we were all thankful for the decision of an indoor wedding with the heat that was present. Thankfully the church and reception had its electricity on.  I first meet Corinne at the church and started shooting her details. Her beautiful soft and graceful  wedding dress fit perfectly for her first look and portrait location on a farm about one mile down the road from the church. As soon as Corinne slipped into her wedding dress she was ready to see John who was already waiting at the farm with his groomsmen.

At Belvedere Farm John waited patiently with a huge smile on his face. He could not wait to see his bride!!! As John waited he adjusted his tie and jacket and polished his shoes one more time. He had been waiting five years for this day! As they turned around to see one another both of their smiles reflected the love and excitement they have for one another. Both of them withstood the heat with out melting and looked amazing in the 100 plus degree weather.  We not only captured their portraits at the farm, but also their family portraits with a classic 1941 Packard! Corinne’s father is a true blacksmith by trade and completely restore this car by himself.

We made it to the church just in time for John and Corinne to become husband and wife. They confessed that their first love is Jesus who saved their lives and committed to love one another they way God has first loved them. Throughout the day Corinne and John both smiled and laughed together. It is a gift they give one another and it will be a blessing as they start their new journey as husband and wife.

John and Corinne were surround by family and friends who loved them and who they loved. The reception was inside and filled with Corinne’s vision of DIY projects that she quickly acknowledge and thanked many friends and family who helped create each detail. At the end of the night Corinne and John rode off in the 1941 Packard as husband and wife!

Corinne and John, thank you so much for trusting me to capture your wedding day! Hope you two are enjoying your honeymoon together! I also want to thank Chaucee for helping and second shooting with me! ENJOY!!

 

Corinne made all the programs…I love the yellow thread that held them together.Her dress was light and graceful…Now for the details of her reception…we took them before the ceremony even started…The burlap added texture throughout their wedding and helped create a rustic feel.The tags were a perfect way to identify your jar!Once you are in your wedding dress you really feel like a bride!John waited patiently!You already know, but I love when a couple choose a first look…

I love that they get to have time to themselves before the day begins to unfold.Chaucee angle of the first look.Right after the first look we moved right into portraits.love these two!

Corinne made sure that John notices her beautiful grey sash on her wedding dress!

When Corinne saw her bouquet she stated it is just what she wanted!LOVED how they laughed together!Above is a favorite for sure!!As they walked down to meet everyone Corinne’s arms went up. They were both so excited to get married!!!Family portraits outside with a vintage car, yes please!This 1941 Packard was beautiful!This picture makes me smile…its Corinne’s father in the front while sweet kisses are happening in the back!

How perfect was the color of the barn? a light yellow.

Belvedere Farm sells fresh cuts flowers and was gracious to allow us to use the property!

Of course we needed to get some pictures in front of the bright and colorful fresh cut flowers!

Love this one of you Corinne!

Chaucee capture this image on the right!

Corinne’s bridesmaids were her twin sisters!

soft yellow and pale pink create a beautiful palette.One of the cutest little flower girls who loved her picture being taken!MARRIED!!!the reception glowed from the candles that lined the tables.after the ceremony we headed outside for some more portraits!John truly had a smile on his face all day long!

these cupcakes were too cute not to photograph!

Corinne created a guest book with all of her engagement pictures…They ended the night with a bubble send off!

I’ll end on a favorite….Off they go as husband and wife!

Ceremony: Grandview Christian Church

Florist: Flowers by Bauers

Reception: Grandview Christian Church

Caterer: Friends of the Bride and Groom

Cakes:DIY (Bride’s sisters, and cousin)

Bride’s attire: Dress sophia Tolli and sandals by Steve Madden, jewelry- Trifari

Bridesmaid’s attire: Modcloth dresses and shoes Kelly&Katie

Groom’s attire: Suit and vest from Men’s WearHouse

Groomsmen’s attire: Suits from Men’s WearHouse

Vintage car: Corinne’s father’s 1941 Packard

 

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Mary

Just having a moment to see these….gorgeous as usual! Such beautiful light at the farm…:)

John & Anna Mae Garber

Thank you Corinne & John for letting us be a part of your special day. We are glad to have John in our family and the pictures will be a reminder of this day for many years. blessings to you for many years to come. Love, Grandma &Pappy

Mary Anne Rust

thanks so much for sharing this wonderful day. God truly shined on you all…two young people very much in love with Him and each other. Two parents and three siblings so proud of their sister and “new”brother. God bless you all.

Denise Moler

Beautiful photographs of a beautiful couple!

These photos are stunning Jamie!! I think my favorite is of Corinne hugging her Dad before they get in the car to drive off. Such a tender moment!

Shirley Roberts

Congratulations to a lovely couple. The pictures were absolutely beautiful.

nancy tuttle

What a beautiful couple and wedding,!
Congratulations!
Cousin Nancy:)

I love the album/guest book idea! So clever. And you wouldn’t know how hot the weather was from the pictures, they look great!

Sandra Garber

Wonderful pictures. Corrine is a lovely bride.

Aunt Sandra

Mama of the Bride

You captured the moments beautifully!
Thanks so very much :)

What a beautiful wedding! I especially love the programs and the brides hair.

Love, love, love! Corinne’s dress is beautiful and all the details are beautiful!