8/31/11 flashback

Have you noticed on Facebook the little reminders of what you were doing on this day in 2010 and 2009? I'm not sure why, but for some reason I am constantly amused by these little status reminders. I guess because it reaffirms how quickly time moves.

For example last year I posted this image.

And not quite one year, later the scene looks something more like this.

Amazing.

8/30 never say never

A few years ago, my cousin called me in a state of almost panic. "Crystal I need to ask a huge favor!" It seems her maid of honor had bowed out at the last minute, leaving her without an attendant just eight days before her wedding. She asked me to be what we call the EMOH (Emergency Maid of Honor.)

No problem I was honored and willing to step up to the task. She even gave me carte blanche with regards to attire, with one tiny request. "Please don't wear your chucks." Now deep in the back of my mind I was thinking "I would never think to wear chucks to formal occasion such as a wedding. What kind of person does she take me for?"

Well never say never.

This past week I traveled to St. Louis for my best friend's wedding. I was scurrying around trying to get ready and pack my gear in the car. That's when it happened. SPLAT! I fell down the stairs at my friend's apartment. And when I fall, I fall with gusto. I lost my footing somewhere in the middle and landed flat on my back at the bottom. Admittedly I was a little stunned by the whole ordeal but I tried to regroup as best I could. I just had one little problem.

I had ripped the heel off my one of my dress shoes. We were leaving for the ceremony in minutes, no time for emergency shoe shopping. This left me with two choices, wear my chucks or go barefoot.

I opted for the chucks. This pair would not have been my first choice by any means. I probably would've gone for something a little dressier, like my aqua chucks with the flower and butterfly on the side, but that's just me.

Meanwhile I have a bruise the approximate size and shape of Australia on my backside. (I have pictures of it but this is a family show.) And, the makers of extra-strength tylenol are pure genius.

8/20-- Embracing Imperfection

Confession time. I did not take this image. My assistant at my most recent wedding did. I love the humor in it. It was just too good not to share.

Play Time

I've spent most of my free time on the computer this last week. The Little Dog does her best to try to get me to play with her.

back [b]log + a teaser | Michelle + TJ |

I know it seems silly to be doing a post of engagement photos just three days after the couple's wedding, but I'm invoking the August Break rules here. Meaning, there are no rules and I can do whatever I want. My apologies to Michelle and TJ for not doing a more formal blog post from their engagement session in a more timely manner.

I thought I'd start with this image because it kind of sums up some of the logistical issues surrounding their photo shoot. Michelle and TJ live in Ohio. I live in Kentucky, about two and half hours away. This wasn't really a big deal in theory because I was traveling to Ohio on three separate weekends in April. (Yes. Yes. These are from April. I've already told you I'm very late. Get over it already.)

After much juggling of schedules we came up with a day when they were both free and I was in the area. One little problem. It rained. Like all day rained. :( Remember all of those crazy storms back in April? This was exactly the time we were trying to work these in.

Knowing full well that no one can control the weather. We rescheduled for the following weekend and guess what? It rained. Luckily we had a small window of time when it looked as if the weather gods were going to cooperate. We seized this opportunity, keeping our eyes on the sky the whole time.

Thankfully, both Michelle and TJ have a go with the flow attitude as well as good senses of humor.

As it turned out it only sprinkled once or twice and we were able to complete our shoot.

Michelle and TJ even brought along a very special guest, Flyer, the newest member of their family.

Let's face it. It was really hard trying not to let this cute little guy steal the show. And as much as I love my little dachshunds, having a puppy on the photo shoot does present some challenges.

But in all seriousness. I had a great time photographing Michelle and TJ (and Flyer.) Lots of laughter was involved, and I got to play with a little puppy. What's not to love about that?!

After spending some time getting to know this couple and seeing how they took everything in stride when dealing with in-climate weather, schedule constraints and the added distraction of a puppy on the photo shoot, I knew they would be the same way on their wedding day. And it was true. Everything went off without a hitch and they were as easing going as can be. Of course Flyer wasn't there. :-)

Here's the wedding teaser image I promised.

Blue and Yellow Beacon

Coming back from my weekend wedding, we were drawn in to the blue and yellow beacon of Swedish design.

I {heart} Photojojo and Polaroid

So first of all, I love companies that don't take themselves too seriously. This is why I <3 Photojojo. (Well that, and the fact that there name reminds me of Mojo Jojo from the Powerpuff Girls.)

Don't ask me how I first happened upon them but I am so glad I did. They have just the right mix of cool photo gadgets and quirky photography related novelties. Seriously, I don't think there is a single thing in their store that I don't want.

I recently placed my very first order with them and it finally arrived.

Yes, I ordered Polaroid film. I've been dying to try the new Impossible Project film, and I have a very special project on the horizon that it would be perfect for. (PS If you don't know the Impossible Project story, you must go check out their site. It's wonderful.)

I also ordered these fun Polaroid inspired frames. How cute are they?!

Now, I know you are probably saying to yourself, "Is that a tiny dinosaur?"

Why yes you are correct. I had that same thought when I opened my shipment and there I found this little guy. (I'm thinking of naming him Ralph.) I thought "Surely, this must be an accident. " That is until I looked at my invoice.

So #1 I love that they have the good humor to add in a tiny little toy just for kicks and #2 They actually put it on the packing list. I <3 you Photojojo!!!!!


Hey...Do you like the faux-Polaroid look to the photos. I thought it was nice touch, but then again. I'm a photo nerd! :)

8/11

Still catching up from the Kings Island excursion. I'm not as young as I once was. :)

8/11

Still catching up from the Kings Island excursion. I'm not as young as I once was. :)

8/10

Yesterday was summer fun at Kings Island!

8/9

8/8

8/7 Binx Stinks!

8/6

I've had a very domestic weekend thus far, spending a good bit of my day running down to the basement working on laundry. A year or so ago, the Little Dog would have accompanied me on these little trips, but after a post-surgery tumble down the stairs she has learned that she can't.

So instead she, waits patiently at the top of the stairs, and as I return upstairs I get this view. It always makes me smile.

It's nice to know that someone is keeping an eye out for you.

Where the Hell is Matt?

A friend of mine sent this to me this, and I thought it might be good inspiration going into the weekend.

8/5 Instagram Love!!!

Back in March or April, I got an Ipad. (I hate to admit how much I love this little piece of technology, but that is a subject for another post.) One of the first apps I downloaded was Instagram. After seeing all the examples my friends were posting on facebook, I knew I had to have it. Vintage photo borders, cool retro effects, tilt-shift options. Why wouldn't a self-proclaimed photo nerd love this App. Oh! And did I mention the price....FREE!!!! Love that!

So after several months of playing around with the app, I have noticed a strange phenomenon.

What is it about Instagram that compels me to photograph what I eat and drink?

I mean seriously. Do I think anyone really cares about this? No, but I still do it. And so do lots of other people.

It's kind of weird. Harmless but weird. I just don't get it.

Okay maybe food isn't the only thing I share on Instagram.

8/4 Bianka 4 Snakes 0

Today it was so humid out, that my lens fogged up when I tried to snap a photo of Bianka Dog and her latest catch. Funny. It kind of works though. :)

8/3 breaking beans

8/2

Remember my little buddy Riley? Well, he's two and half now. This face just about says it all. :)

8/1 my favorite tree.

August Break 2011

So last week, when I went to post Bianka's latest snake statistic, my mouth hit the floor. The most recent post on my blog was from Mothers Day...MOTHER's DAY!!!! As in two and a half months ago! I knew I had been slacking in the blogosphere but I didn't realize it was that bad. I needed to something to turn this around.

Coincidently, my personal hero, Susannah Conway, put out on her blog a call to join her in her August Break. Although the concept of the August break is to just post a photo every day for entire month no pressure, no words required, and no rules, I am taking a slightly different approach. (There are no rules after all.) I am hoping to use this as a chance to get back in the blogging habit. We'll start with photos and hopefully the words will follow. ( PS A lot of things have happened in the last couple of months. It's time to get caught up. I'll be doing this same project on my photography blog as well, so feel free to check it out too.

Welcome August!!