a little vacation!

Tomorrow I leave for Vegas once again! This time it won't be about business...it's all about having fun and relaxing with my hubby and friends!!! I apologize right now if you can't reach me for the next week, but thank you for being patient and I will contact you as soon as possible!

new lens!!!

At the WPPI Trade Show, they were giving incredible discounts on photography equipment. Of course I couldn't help but buy a new lens...I bought the 50mm 1.2!!!!! I'm soooo excited about it! I've been wanting for this lens for a while now (that lens and about 3 others!!) It was delivered yesterday, and all I wanted to do was play with it! I knew that my friend Mel Carpenter was shooting an engagement session, so I tagged along so I would have something besides my dog Lucy to shoot! I LOVE THIS LENS!!!!

WPPI

This past Sunday I went to Las Vegas with my friend Mel Carpenter for the WPPI Convention (Wedding Portrait Photographers International). It was a pretty overwhelming experience in so many ways. Not only was it my first time in Vegas, but I happen to be surrounded by about 10,000 other photographers. It was an incredible experience!!! I was able to gain a lot of new knowledge about photography, especially the business side of it all!
I had a three hour layover in Denver on the flight home...this worked out for the best!!! My older brother and his wife and kids live there and where able to come visit me in the airport. I couldn't help but take some pictures of my two nephews, Jonathan & Aiden. I love the expression Jonathan made when he saw the plane take off!

With the low quality of my point-n-shoot camera...I couldn't help but put these grainy images in high contrast black & whites...I love the effect it gives!

Ironically, Brian and I planned our vacation in Vegas, which happens to be this coming week! CRAZY!!!! I'm sure by next week, I'll have my fill of Vegas!

erin & grant

Yesterday I shot Erin and Grant's engagement session. 40 degree weather definitely helps a couple get a lot closer!!! I've been friends with both Erin and Grant since college, which makes it even more enjoyable to shoot their engagement session! I actually used Erin as a model a few times for photography assignments in college...she is gorgeous!!!! I had such a hard time picking my favorites, because I loved so many of their images...what a beautiful couple!! Thanks Erin and Grant for a fun time yesterday!!

grandpa valentine

Here are some more pictures I took last weekend when I was in Michigan. I was visiting my Grandparents for lunch...they make the most AMAZING food!!! My grandpa had just got back from ice fishing!

deer

Last Thursday when I was driving home (Mom's Home) to Michigan...I saw the most amazing thing!!!! So amazing that I had to pull over and take a picture because I thought that no one would believe me! Now even the pictures aren't a true testament of what I saw...but I swear there were about a hundred deer in one cornfield! Now I've seen plenty of deer before, I've even met them up close and personal with the hood of my car...but never that many at one time! Again the pictures don't do justice!

rose queen

Kristin Perry is a good friend that I have grown up with and is also this years Rose Queen for Jackson, MI. She will be going on to compete in Miss Michigan in just a couple months! So when I was in Michigan this past weekend, we did a photo shoot for her head shots. I really don't think she can take a bad picture! I won't be surprised when she wins Miss Michigan! Good luck Kristin!!!