My Summer Get-a-Way!

           So it’s not a secret-we’ve been doing A LOT of renovations lately. Besides the kitchen renovation, the most recent has been “The Pool”. I use quotation marks because that is what it has become, literally “The Pool”.  It’s been quit the project. Initially when we decided to purchase the house-our plans were to fill it in. It was this massive piece of crap in the back yard that hadn’t been taken care of for YEARS-over grown, the liner was torn into a MILLION pieces and you name it-it was at the bottom of filled with murky/muddy/mosquito infested water. I’m sure the neighbors were just thrilled that they had to look over and see “The Pool” for many years in the condition it was in. So after much debate and a little push from my uncle-who use to install inground pools-we decided, what the heck, let’s go for it and try to get this puppy up and running. I have to say, I regret even THINKING about filling it in because it has become our little Get-a-Way for the summer.

         During the pool remodel, we found out some very interesting facts about the pool. While making a visit to Weaver’s Pool and Spa in Indiana, they pulled the records and found that they had infact installed the pool back in 1973-yes that’s right, the pool is 33 years old! Also, back then, it only cost $3,233.00 for a 20 ft x 40 ft pool……today it would be 10 times that! We chatted for a while about it and it turns out that it was one of the first pools they (his father and he) had installed when starting up the family business-kinda cool!

           So anyway, we’re enjoying the fruits of someone else’s labor from 33 years ago….and loving every minute of it. Sure, we still have a few minor things to do to spruce the last bit of life back into it-like painting the rest of the pool house, power washing the concrete….but for the most part-she’s a beaut! Besides, I love that the building doesn’t look brand spankin new-it has many stories to tell-if only walls could talk!

………… a bit cluttered…but it’s “Home”!

…..yeah my child is weird!

……….. so give me a buzz and you can stop on by for a margarita-or two-or three……..

No Hand Shelves!!

                  One of the first things John said was “No Hand Shelves”…..I had to ask what he meant…he was referring to those cheesy Sears/Walmart photos where they make you rest your chin on your hand! LOL I had to laugh because I’d like to think that my style of photographing people is soo opposite of that (and it was the first time I’ve ever heard someone call it that). But just for giggles…..I told them to pose in the most awkward pose they could think of and THIS is what they came up with. LOVE IT!! LOL I promise they aren’t all like this. But I think this illustrates the “cheesiness” of posed photos.

                    Anyway, John and Brit, I had blast with the two of you today. I loved watching you guys interact and it’s undeniable that the camera loved you. Brit, you’re going to make a gorgeous bride. Enjoy your sneak peek!

 

……………….ok onto the “real” photos!!

          

                 

Mr. & Mrs. Kern

                This “Incredibly Awesome” couple had an incredibly awesome wedding! Besides the fact that the church was beautiful, their wine theme topped it off. The name holders were tucked into corks, the center pieces were wine bottles with candles, they gave each guest a charm for their wine glasses….but their most generous gift was to the American Cancer Society (ACS) in honor of their guests. This was inspired to honor the family and friends who have battled the disease.

                Michelle was a stunning bride, so elegant and calm throughout the entire evening. The wedding party was also incredibly awesome, especially since one of them was the sister of the bride and a good friend of mine (Hi Gina!). Even though I technically met Michelle and Aaron for first time today, I feel like I’ve known them forever! AND who ever helped with the cookie table—GOOD LORD there were alot of cookies!

               Enjoy your sneak peek. I’ll give you a buzz when the rest of them are finished.

           

Petting Zoo Fun….

               I’m finally getting around to posting these, but a few days ago we ventured up to Donegal to the petting zoo/Living Treasures Park with my mom, my little brother and sister….the kids had a blast hanging out with all of the animals. Trust me, I’m not a girly girl….but for some reason when you feel a llama’s tongue in your hair because he’s trying to get your attention-it can give you the heeby jeebies!! When we first entered the park, ducks, peacocks, and every other land bird ever created came bum rushing over because they knew we came bearing food. How convenient that the gift shop  sold food to hand feed the animals….these little guys were use to the drill.

              It rained a little while we were there-no big deal and the kids made some new friends- both human and baby goats….so all in all we had a great day. I fell in love with one of the bulls. He was like the outcast of the crew with his over bite and horns…..I secretly named him “Joe-Bob”!! Joe-Bob and I bonded over a few pieces of cereal before moving on to the other (as Mallory says it) AM-INALS! It was nice to get out from behind the computer for a while

              Anyway, enjoy!

It’s JOE-BOB!!!

 

            PS: Thank GOD for hand sanitizer.

Mr. & Mrs. Pletz

               Ok, I’m sorry for the photo overload-but I’m really in love with a lot of the photos and I couldn’t decide which ones to show-I mean, I still have hundreds more to go through but I picked these 40 photos for now. Let me start off by saying that Amy and Michael were soooo incredibly easy to work for-laid back, go with the flow and I don’t think Amy went one moment throughout the night without a smile on her face. 

                Almost 5 years ago when we brought Mallory home from the hospital after she spent almost 3 months in the NICU, Amy was the visiting home nurse that came to care for her the first day she came home, it was one of the best days of my life -being able to bring my daughter home from the hospital HEALTHY!!!-who would have thought all these years later I would be photographing one of the best days of HER life!

              If you follow me on FaceBook (and if you don’t-what’s wrong with you??!!) you would know that their wedding took place on the Gateway Clipper in Pittsburgh. I’ve been so excited to photograph this wedding because it’s a bit different than shooting in a church-which is soo common-this one was going to be “on-location”.  So as I wait for Amy to show up in front of the boat I discover from a family member that their limo company had a scheduling error and had them booked for NEXT weekend-WHAT? I was thinking, “OH NO!, she’s going to be upset and frustrated and things may not start off soo great.” Well, it just goes to show how laid back she was, she showed up with the biggest smile on her face! It was the day she was going to marry the man of her dreams and nothing was going to put her in a bad mood. (Booo on the Limo company)

         Why the Gateway Clipper? Well it wasn’t far from there were they both shared their first date and their first kiss-the boat was actually facing the exact spot during the ceremoney! That wasn’t the only thing that made their wedding extra special: Amy wore her mother’s wedding ring and Mike wore his dads, they used Amy’s parent’s cake topper from 34 years ago, and they gave each guest a purple bracelet in memory of Mike’s dad to spread awareness on pancreatic cancer awareness-take a moment to visit the website if you get a chance www.michaelpletzsr.com. Throughout the summer Amy and Mike will be working diligently to raise money for the Pan-Can Association. They will be having a rummage sale and are also participating in a walk in August, so please checkout the site for updates.

          As you look through the photos-no you are not seeing double. She has the cutest-most animated-twin boys………….and today they became a family!

          Enjoy your sneak peak!! 

Mr. & Mrs. Delimpo

                    I know this is a bit out of order….but this first photo is EXACTLY why I love shooting weddings. THIS is the look of a very happy groom watching his bride walk down the isle. I love how their eyes light up with delight and a smile is smeared across their face…when his world stands still for a few moments……I LOVE MY JOB! 

                   Family traveled from 4 or 5 different states to witness today. The family was extremely gracious with what appeared to be no effort, making an evening that none of the guests will forget. I can only hope that the photographs show some of this weddings elegance……because everything was perfect!!!

                   Enjoy your sneak peak

 

 

                David & Carol-Thank You for choosing me to photograph your day! 

                PS: Guests: feel free to leave comments

The Wander…er…er..er…

         (I’m having a few monitor issues-so these may look a little on the “yellow” side-will sometime tell me if it’s just me or the monitor–Thanks!!)      

           Meet Haley-the Wander! Mom wanted to get a few shots of Miss Thang since she recently turned the big O-N-E! So off we went to get some photos….and off she went to explore! Tee he he. She took a few tumbles (ok alot) down the hill, almost fell into the creek and gave us a run for our money….but look at her eyes and her little pig tails (hahaha)-I mean doesn’t she just make you melt. Actually, this is how most toddler shoots go and she did a wonderful job.

         As you know, I’m not fond of the “stale” look of portraits-I like the spur of the moment kind of thing…so when they go running….I go chasing! Fun Times

 

 

…………..they had the most gorgeous property!

PS: Dear Neighbor who let us use your property to take the photos….sorry we picked your Pansey’s!!

Because….

             Every once in a while, tucked in between other e-mails about, “What do I charge to shoot a wedding, “Thank-You’s” and “What days do you have available”, I get a high school student who will contact me about my job for their career day project.

            I smile every time because I remember that assignment-I had to do it myself . I can honestly say, this project is probably one of the very projects that inspired me (even more so than I already was)  to become a photographer-more specifically-a wedding and portrait photographer.

           I’m always flattered when I get these emails because I’m not the best-never have been and probably never will be.  I’m always learning and there’s still so much I want to learn…but the simple fact that someone was “inspired” by me is the most gratifying feeling.

           Thinking back 10 plus years ago, I can vividly remember one of the photographers I interviewed talking a lot about numbers, f-stops, shutter speeds, lights, etc. etc. At that time, I honestly had no clue what they were talking about.  He was talking about numerical figures and dollar signs but I just knew I wanted to work with people, I wanted to take beautiful photos and I wanted to work for myself someday. Remembering that in the back of my mind while responding back to the student, I didn’t mention one thing about the technical part of what goes into taking a photograph (we’d could be here for days). Anyone can learn how to work a camera, get good exposures–there’s alot of what the photography field likes to call “Uncle Bob’s” out there….but not everyone can “see”. I think “seeing” comes with passion and inspiration of loving what you do.         

            So instead of answering back with numbers, fractions, depths of fields, etc…..Here’s an example of one of the questions I answered.

(Q) If you were given the opportunity for a re-do, would you have chosen your career again? Why or Why Not?

(A) ABSOLUTELY!!!

1. because I smile while I’m working hard, without being aware of it.   At the end of a wedding, my face hurts as much as my feet.  I’ve tried a few jobs in the past, but this one feels natural.

2. because I can see beauty in ANYTHING!

3. because this job has let me connect with and meet people I never could have before – possibly it is a combination of the job and technology but I am truly grateful for those who cross my path that I could never have dreamt of meeting-(not celebrities or rock star photographers) but every day people doing their best and sharing a similar or really different reality.

4. because it gives me such a great view of humanity, I meet the happiest, nicest people!

5. because I love a challenge….getting that shy boy to give me just the right look..working with the not so glamorous girl to get her pose sexily….getting the groom to play along…making the evil bridesmaid smile….I love a good challenge.

6. because I can make people cry… in a good way.

7. because people choose ME to share one of the most special, sacred, and memorable days of their lives.

8. because I get to witness joy, excitment, anticipation….and most of all-LOVE!

9. because I can take moments which were once evaporating and make them  feel solidly tangible.

10.  because I get to be an explorer, treasure hunter, light catcher and memory maker.

I heart my job!

Kylie May….

       

Mr. & Mrs. Cooper

       Judy called me a little over a year ago to book today. I got to physically meet her for the first time today although we spoke several times over the phone since her initial call. She is a physic…….so needless to say, conversations with her on the phone were always interesting. he he he.

   At the start of the reception, the DJ read a little story about how the two of them met. I asked him if he minded if I used it on my blog…….   So in the words of their DJ,

” The Story of Judy and Terry begins on a bus trip. Judy hosts bus trips to fun places and Terry happened to make one of those trips to the Seneca Casino. They started talking on that bus trip but Terry got some information that Judy was unavailable, so he started to back off. He would book trips and not show up and Judy began wondering what kind of a jerk would book a trip and not show up. Well, Terry got some more reliable information about Judy and he started showing up on the bus again. They talked on the phone-alot- for about five months, and Terry finally got around to asking Judy on a date. That has been two years ago and now, they have booked a bus ride together for the rest of their lives”

      You know how I roll, I’ve gone through and picked out a few photos from their big day. Enjoy!

…………….the granddaughter was also the flower girl—she’s sooo stinkin cute!

……….there’s something about this shot that I love so much, I just can’t put my finger on it.

……..this fella here was soo darn cute. He held the door open for everyone!

           We were able to get a few shots outside before the rain moved in. It’s hard to believe but litterally 5 minutes after we got these two shots, storm clouds moved through and the rain came pouring down.

                        Judy, thanks for being so hospitable and thanks for all of the cookies that you spent countless hours preparing. Best Wishes!