Stuffs.

Ok, so I know I said my next post was going to be PS tutorial, but since I do not yet have internet in my home, I am not able to do that yet. But I do have two ideas on what to write about, so I think I'll just end up doing 2 tuts in the near future instead of deciding which one would be better.

Personal life: I have lost 13.8 pounds in the last 3 weeks! How awesome is that?! Just gonna keep truckin' along and see where that takes me now. :)

What have I been working on, you ask? (Ok maybe you didn't ask, but I'm still going to tell ya!) I have been making baby shower invitations for my sister-in-law and other various cards. So - that is what I am going to share today. By no means am I super awesome at doing things like this, but I really love getting to learn and be creative in more that just photography (and crocheting) so I do my best. Hope y'all enjoy!

Tah-dah! :)

The Happening

Ok, so seriously that was a horrible movie...granted I never actually watched it, but why would I waste time I can't get back?

Anyway - there has been a lot that has gone down since my last post and am going to take a brief hiatus from posting for a little while to get my life back on track (not that it was off, but I have some prioritizing to do). In that time I will be working on a Photoshop tut for I don't know what, but I will have it nonetheless. I know there's a lot out there, but I figure one more little how-to can't hurt, right? Hopefully...

1. Looking for a part time job kinda stinks, especially with what hours I have at the full time - I work here when most people would want to go to their second jobs. (No complaints though, I thoroughly enjoy where I work {and who I work with} it just means I have to wake up WAY early.)

2. I don't have puppies anymore. They've gone off to live with the person they're meant to be with and I'm babysitting (puppysitting) this cute little affenpinscher that I have named Gidget. She was either lost or dumped - no one has claimed her so far...and if I wasn't looking for another job she'd be mine to take. But! Since I am looking and no one has claimed her, we have a couple of hopeful homes for her. She deserves it, the litlle furball. She's taken a hold of my heart. All puppies do that...

3. I've moved! My place will shortly be girly-fied (by shortly I mean when I have money). And now I can bake and cook and do whatever I want. Huzzah! (That includes falling asleep watching FotC and Arrested Development)

4. For some reason I've put crocheting on hold - I have several things I need to add to the store, but I feel a little less passionate about it than I was 2 weeks ago. Like I said - major changes happened, and its just a matter now of getting back into it all.

5. I found my library card in the move - too bad I don't like the smell and idea of library books anymore...all those greasy hands touching them - germs everywhere. No thank you. Borders or B&N any day over that...what? I can't help it!

6. I'm too old to stay out late anymore. I mean, I am only 25 - but that crap is ok for college...I'm just not feelin' it anymore to be out past 10:30 or 11...that's my bedtime. Rather, that's the time I lay in bed and read for an hour or watch aforementioned television shows (on DVD, mind you).

7. I am vowing to take a vacation. Soon! Austin City Limits with me, anyone? Anyone??

That's all for now - like I said, next post is going to be a tutorial. Suggestions? Leave me a comment. :)

First Attempt: Amigurumi

So I've never done this before, and I'm also making something (the surprise for the new nephew/niece - we find out for sure this week) but it is quite a bit larger than the typical amigurumi you see. I have, at the moment, 1 leg and both ears left to make (oh and the tail). And since I didn't have the eyes for it, I just used some black yarn. I don't think it looks too bad, but tell me what ya think! Oh yeah, its an elephant. :)

*****Pattern can be found at Lion Brand's website*****

Another Baby Hat

Made for the nephew, or so we think. If we find out different, I'll have to "girly" it up. :)

I honestly have no clue what type of yarn this was. I thought I'd bought two balls but could only find the one when it came time to use it up. So, baby hat it was, and how perfect that we think there'll be a new baby boy in the family!

(My mom said this one looks like a cactus)

Happy St. Patty's (A Day Late)

So I really meant to get this out yesterday, but things go a little hectic. The office had a green potluck, and all this is for is to show off the green queso and AWESOME green deviled eggs. :)

By Request: The Wedding Photo Blog

I've been really thinking about how to start this topic off for a while, actually since this topic was requested, and I decided to start on the side of the consumer: the bride and families.

One thing I understand is that everyone has a budget and most want to strictly adhere to that budget. Some will often forget about the photographer until months before, when most of the budget is already taken up by dresses, flowers, venues, etc. Unfortunately a lot of the times you get what you pay for, and by no means is a wedding photographer any exception to this. For this reason, if anyone ever asks my opinion, I tell them to shop around. Know exactly what style you're looking for: traditional, photojournalistic, artistic, or having the photographer just go for it and do something fun. Then, know how much you're willing to pay for their services...keeping in mind of course the final agreement. Most photographers will have set packages that tell you "this is exactly what you're getting for this much money," and some may be willing to work within budget constraints to make a happy client. (I know I am!)

With all that said, for me, reputation and continued business from mouth-to-mouth advertising is a big deal. So on the photographer's side, there's a lot to think about: 2 flashes minimum if one goes out on you, either one lens that can get you a huge range or a few that you can (quickly) change between, tripod (in case there's no flash photography during the ceremony), and anything else you can think of (like business cards). There's a lot to be done at a wedding, and for myself, I'm typically the only shooter so it is ALWAYS a hectic day, but when I get to see the end results, I'm more than pleased. Personally, I love getting to be a part of that special day and documenting it for the couple and families...the photos and memories live on for many years and that is awesome.

I have to say that in school, I never thought about shooting weddings - it was always something that was untouchable to me because I've never been a fan of overly-posed portraits. I mean, c'mon, my favorite photographer is Henri Cartier-Bresson. So anyway, I feel like what I bring to the table is the willingness to take a chance on different angles/shots and take on a bit of a different personality geared more towards photojournalism. Now that may be what most wedding photogs do, but I don't know since I don't go around asking, "Hey, when you do a normal portrait sitting are you a different person from when you shoot an event/wedding?" I think I'd get some strange looks. :)

Anyway, on to some of my shots - which I am very proud of, however, I do have areas of improvement, so comments are always appreciated.

Jen & Nieman

Yvette & Jeff

Ashley & John

So there you have it. A blog about wedding photography. :) I've been lucky enough to photograph for my friends and (almost) family and I absolutely loved getting to be a part of their days. Something that keeps chiming in the back of my head as I write (and as I was painstakingly moving each and every photo into its right spot) was what a co-worker said to me when I told them why I was clicking away at my keyboard: "You know, not many people realize when you're spending big bucks on a designer gown you're going to where once that you can't take it out and see all your memories in it later - but you can with photos and videos - and that is something I know I couldn't do without." Well put awesome co-worker...well put. :)

Anyway, I don't presume to know all the tricks or have all the knowledge on the subject - all I can offer is what I learned from experience. One last note to all photographers either looking to branch out to weddings or those just getting into it - ALWAYS know what your clients expect (if there's no set pricing page) and ALWAYS make sure your CLIENTS know what to expect - no surprises! You never want someone coming back after the fact saying they hate their photos and want their money back - if you are uncomfortable with confrontations like this, have a short contract drawn up that all parties will sign so everyone knows the full scope of the deal. And that's all I have to say at the moment!

Shop Announcement: Sharlena's Debut!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade gaylehodges.etsy.com

Alright! So, anything listed on the store made by my awesome buddy Sharlena will be marked at the end of the description. Check out her awesome debut items, Clarence and Callie!