Tuesday, March 29, 2016

My Real Life Fairytale

Once upon a time, I met this boy that was much, much taller than I. (Obviously as you can see below.) We dated for a while and then the boy planned the sweetest thing a girl could image. 

As a photographer in my spare time, I of course have a couple of photographers that I like-- one of those being Sheradee Hurst. I say "like" like it isn't really a big deal, but in reality I am slightly obsessed with her and her work. I want to be her when I grow up! 

But, I digress... 

A few months ago, I told boy how much I would love to have a session with Sheradee. Thinking that the whole time I was chattering on and on about Sheradee and photography, that he wasn't really listening to me. However, he sure was. 

On Valentine's day, we traded presents a night early. I got him handmade belt buckle, which I thought was pretty fancy. But, he trumped me with a couples session with none other than the wonderful Sheradee! Eeekkkkk. I was beyond excited. Like I couldn't even believe it. 

But, wait it gets better. 

Not only did he arrange everything with Sheradee, he also booked the prettiest venue (Rosemary Ridge Events in Stillwater) for our couples session. Everything was a surprise. I didn't even know the actual location for the photos until we got there. I had a pretty good idea, but wasn't for sure. 

Anyways, we arrived and started shooting away from the barn. We found some cool hay bales for me to stand on and fought the sun and clouds a little bit-- or a lot of bit. 





After a quick wardrobe change, we went down by the water and shot a few more and then made our way back up to the barn. Once we got up by the barn, we walked up some steps to these really cool, huge rocks. 



Once we got to the rocks, I saw out of the corner of my eye a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I giggled nervously and acted like I didnt see them laying there. I didn't want to ruin anything, but mostly just got nervous and anxious. 

Sheradee posed me with my back towards the flowers and of course I was still nervously laughing (because that is what I do-- always.) After a few photos, Drew told me to have a seat. So, I sat down and before I knew it he got down on one knee, said some of the sweetest things ever and then asked me to be his wife. Eeeek. 


 Obviously, I said YES! Duh. And, those flowers-- yeah those were made by one of my favorite florist/event planners (Talia Morgan).  He literally thought of everything. 

 So, my parents came out to congratulate us before we finished the rest of our photos because he even arranged for them to come up and be waiting in the barn for us to finish! They had known about this since mid-February and never peeped a word. I can't believe it. How they all did this without telling me is beyond me. 


We even got to chat with his parents on the phone! 


We went and finished the rest of our photos with this really beautiful, sparkly thing on my left hand. 


But, wait... there is more! 

When we left Rosemary Ridge, Drew told me that I needed to call a couple of people. When I asked him why, he said that they couldn't make it to the house for our after engagement party. What? A party? (So that is why he was picking up the living room before we left, haha!)

We get back to the house and all of our closest friends were there to celebrate with us. My brother smoked the meat and everyone brought stuff to go with it. We chatted, sat around the fire pit and I loved every. single. minute. of it! 

It took 27 years, but girls let me tell you-- the wait was worth it. I don't know how I got so lucky, but I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with my sweet fiancĂ©.  

Monday, March 7, 2016

Diva

If you haven't noticed, I am quite the fan of cattle. And, photographing cattle is even better. I am a pig lover by nature, but cattle are growing on me. (But, pigs will always be my #1!)

This girl. What to say about her? I couldn't even take two steps without here trying to get in the picture. No matter which way I turned, she found the camera pretty easy. I don't mind though-- she is quite the pretty thing. 






Friday, March 4, 2016

Friday Introductions

 

I have been a little late to jump on the whole “Friday Introduction” wagon, but today I thought I would participate after a little inspiration from some of my favorite photographers/bloggers!


I am somewhat of a boring individual, so I am limiting myself to 10 things about me. Bear with me.


10. I don’t have cable. I don’t have time to watch a lot of T.V. so I don’t see the point in spending money on it. I also don’t have internet. My house is probably the least technology advanced house in Minco. 


9. I am somewhat of an insomniac! Once I get to sleep I can stay asleep for the most part, but most nights I go to sleep at 1 a.m. and wake up at 4:30-5ish to go to the gym or edit or organize my closet. You know. Just whatever my little heart desires. 


8. Tuna, hummus, pita chips and craisins are some of my favorite foods. I could eat these all week long with no complaints. It is weird. I realize this, but I love it!


7. I only buy things if they are on sale or I have a coupon (excluding food)! My mom hates shopping with me because I am so tight with my money that I won’t ever buy anything. I can literally browse for hours and never spend a penny. I don’t really care about name brands or where I shop at. Give me $25 and a little time and I can find you some real steals. I also get buyer’s remorse really easily—even when it comes to buy necessities like shampoo. I always think “I could probably find a coupon for this!” 


6. Donuts are my weakness. Enough said. I wish I had one right now!


5. I really like crafts. I blame my mom and my grandma. I was always doing some sort of craft when I was little and now I just can’t stop. I especially love making jewelry to give as gifts or because I am too cheap to spend the money on anything that I can buy myself!  


4. I have a weird love for VW vans and vintage trailers. One day I will have one (I hope)! My dream would be to use a trailer as a mobile photography trailer to carry my props and to be used as one giant prop. I also want to travel lots and either of these things would be so cool to travel with.


3. Lucy is my pride and joy. My first love. She is the sweetest little puppy in the world. I know she is spoiled, but I can’t help it. I mean she is precious—if she likes you that is!


2. Boyfriend Drew—I don’t even know really where to start on this one. He is the best thing a girl could ask for. He makes me laugh, calms my nerves, cooks for me, buys me cookbooks (not sure what that is about, haha) reaches things from the top shelves for me and makes me understand why God made me wait to find him for so long. 27 years was worth it.  


1. Photography is my passion and I hope that one day it is my only full-time job. I can’t wait to be able to devote full days to it instead of a few hours each day. I started this journey as a college student and picked it up more when I was in graduate school. I am hoping that 2016 will be the year that I can start calling it my career!