Monday, December 20, 2010

Flutterby & Fun...

Listening to:
"All Over You" by Live


Hey there all!

So let me start by openly admitting that I have not been a dedicated blogger, I know...fail. I apologize! The last month has been a very busy, stressful one.

Those that know me, know that for the last few months I have had two blogs. One for my personal use (this one) & one for my photography. I have been very torn with this for two reasons: when I blog it's aways about things in my life & it's always a little bit about who I am. Well being a photographer is a HUGE part of who I am. So I can't ever seem to decide which blog goes on what page. So...after much internal arguing I have decided that photography is as much a part of my life as any other aspect & I am moving ALL of my blogging to my personal blog (this one).

It's prettier.

=)



Okay...now on to the fun stuff!


Dear readers this blog finds me in the beautiful District of Columbia!

(being a big sister is awesome)

Let me tell you this; I have a penchant for history, excellent food, & adventure so naturally I could not be happier to be here! In a city with a million museums, monuments, & restaurants what ever did I do today? Well I went to the Smithsonian & ate a ton of food of course!


By the way, if I haven't said this before let me say it now. I - Love - The - Metro. Why does Oklahoma not have some sort of public transportation of this nature? Ugh. I love reading while heading from point A to point B for less than 3 bucks.

Plus they're just kind of neat looking!

Anyways...

We headed to the Smithsonian for a look around.

I found the majority of the exhibits pretty interesting, what's not to love about a place with a giant elephant in the entry, right?


My mom & little brother had a good time too!


We watched a man work on 5 million (or was it billion?) year old bones...


(In case you are wondering I totally stood there for a good 30 minutes snapping pics of this guy nice & awkward like.)


We read all about the development of different crystals


And even checked out some of the world's most killer jewelry



Then I noticed these large fake butterflies upstairs...


Now generally I'm not much of a butterfly & frills girl, but my curiosity was piqued. So I had to see what it was all about.

I walked into the corridor only to see a strange pod over taking the majority of the room and signs about conservation everywhere. I'm all about that conservation business...ya know...I... recycle.

After reading all the signs & talking to the ladies at the desk it becomes clear that this is a LIVING butterfly exhibit.


(It's like they knew I was coming or something)


Talk about cool.
Well hot.
No seriously...like a tropical jungle inside a building.
Literally.


They had a complete jungle set up including hot steam!
(come see butterflies, get a free facial...new ad campaign?)


This must have been one of the neatest things I have gotten to do.
Ever.


Big BEAUTIFUL butterflies & moths...



some the size of my hand just flitting about, chilling out, & eating!


There were so many different species.


So many different colors!



Talk about a nature photographer's dream...


I just couldn't stop clicking away!


One even took a liking to me =)


All in all I had a wonderful day & am just tickled with the shots that I walked away with!
What started as a museum trip ended as a photo safari...
no complaints here!

I can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store!
=)


P.S. Stay tuned for a blog about the awesome bridals I am shooting here:


Signing Out,
Your Flutterby Loving Free Spirit

=)

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Rebecca & Cory (Engaged)

Listening to:

"The Face" by Kings of Leon



Hello all!


It's been a bit busy here lately, but I wanted to get out a much over due blog!


We have some catching up to do!
Back in the Spring I had the pleasure of shooting some engagement photos for a really awesome couple,
Rebecca Smith & Cory Miller.

I went to high school with Rebecca so it was really an honor for me to be included in this next phase in her life!



We had a beautiful (albeit sweltering) shoot in the middle of an Oklahoma summer. Rebecca & Cory handled it like absolute troopers the whole way on our two mile hike in the heat!



We wound up with some absolutely gorgeous shots though!



After a few months of growth (and a nice cool down temperature wise) we decided to go ahead and shoot some more in the beautiful fall weather. Needless to say the conditions were much, MUCH nicer! =)

I traveled to Weatherford where the happy couple live & had the pleasure of photographing them in their natural habitat.


(how National Geographic of me, ne?)



We even got to shoot at a very special location to the couple:
The intramural softball field where not only did they meet,
but where Cory popped the question! =)



Rebecca & her sister Rachel even took the time to do some awesome location scouting for me ahead of time, and I have to say ladies...

I was SO impressed!
(Best assistants ever, yup.)


We had a long afternoon running the country side of Weatherford ragged, but we kept it lively of course.



They even fed me!
(The true way to my heart lol)



With sister Rachel & Momma Smith on board we couldn't go wrong.


My 'assistants' hard at work lol. Dance Party in the road?
Why not. For anyone who knows Rachel
...it was to be expected.


Well, all in all I just wanted to thank Rebecca & Cory for hosting me in their town and for giving me the opportunity to shoot them again! =)

I'm dying to post more,
but I can't have all the fun I suppose =(


It was a blast,
Congratulations to....


...The Future Millers ;)



I'll be seeing you soon!
I can't wait for the Bridals & the Wedding!! =)

Samantha Evans {Maternity}

Listening to:
"Be Careful" - Patty Griffin


First Glance:



As a photographer (and a person) we all develop favorites...I have to say one of mine is maternity sessions! Recently I had the pleasure of shooting an absolutely beautiful mother to be & good friend of mine...Miss Samantha Evans! =)


Samantha (or Littlepants as I call her) and I go back a ways to when we modeled together =).



I have had the greatest pleasure of seeing her life progress between calendars, Big Macs, bike washes, road trips, Starbucks, bikini shoots, and now....


on to mother hood.



We really cut it close, shooting exactly a week before her due date!



Poor Samantha was such a trooper, trekking through fields....


Relaxing in the park...


Playing at the playground....


Samantha is gorgeous no matter which way you slice it!
Ever the perfect model!


Just lovely...


We even dragged daddy to be (poor Michael) into a few too!


Well, it's going to be a short 5 days you two!


Congrats to both Samantha & Michael, Bentley is
going to be a beautiful baby boy!

I absolutely can't wait to take his newborn pics VERY soon!

=)