Wedding Photography, Demystified
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A couple weeks ago, we put up our Christmas tree. It has been a few years since we had a real tree and this year was going to be no different. I just don’t like to clean up the needles, or remember to water it. I needed to get a new fake tree this year…. Ours was a hand me down from my Mom, (She gave it to us when she decided she wanted the pre-lit one from QVC. ) and I think was the ugliest fake tree ever. The branches were spread so far apart, that even after re-arranging them, you had to add filler ornaments just so you couldn’t see though to the other side. Plus, it was so tall, that we had to bend the top of it down and had to put a Santa hat on the top because no angel or star would fit.
I went to Kmart since they were on sale and I can’t see spending a boat load of money on a tree….. This baby was pre-lit and came in three pieces! I was so excited when I got it together and turned on the lights! Then I hear….” Why are all the light white?” What? Are you kidding me? I got an all white light tree! I never even thought about looking to see if it had colored lights. But, it was too late. I was not taking this bad boy back. It is nice though. It really brightens up the room. We still don’t have an angel for the top….
The kids had a blast decorating. I turned on the Christmas music like we do every year when we decorate. Kobe wanted to hang everything, and Braden put everything all in one spot on the bottom. I just left them go. Here are 2 shots of my Christmas joy!

Last night, Krisha and I headed over to the Holiday GTG at the Wiebner’s Gallery. They have this incredible space in Lancaster where they meet with their clients and will soon have their offices. There were a ton of photographers from the area and a little beyond that were invited for a small gathering. It is always so nice to be able to get together like this and share stories, ideas and to get get out! Here are a few from the night.

In honor of all my past brides who have just let me know that they are expecting…yes, there are quite a few… I am offering 10% off all Little Spouts packages. These are packages that document your baby from birth to 1 year. Please call the office, or email if you would like more information or to book a Little Sprouts package.
Leslie

My last Christmas session was on Saturday. The Ding family came in for some group shots and each kiddo individually. It always makes me laugh when myself and the parents have to do the silliest things to get kids to smile! I got to use my new chairs too!! Here are just a few shots from the session….

We are finishing up the last bit of portraits for the holiday season….
The Schuckers came in last week with their sweet dog Maddie. Poor thing kept slipping on the floor. Here are a few from our session.

I travelled to Emma’s house on Thursday for her 6th month session and family pics for the holiday. I won’t show their family shot so they can surprise their family with their card. Here are a few from our day.

All I can say is “Man it was freakin cold!” Amy and Bryce met me on Saturday in Elizabethtown for their engagement session. There were a ton of people out shopping, but we were the crazy ones taking pictures! I didn’t wear gloves and Amy and Bryce were not bundled up. We made it a quick session because the wind was so bad and I couldn’t feel my hands after a while. But this gave them a chance to snuggle for some fun shots. Thanks for bearing the cold, even though Bryce is from Wisconsin and tells me he is used to this…..brrrrrr!!!

She is Heaven backward! Here are just a few from our mini Christmas session.

Dancing to her Mom’s ringtone.

Thanksgiving was spent a little different this year with us. We decided we were going to spend it in Tennessee. We left early on Thanksgiving morning and arrived in Johnson City around 4 pm, right as the free Thanksgiving buffet at our hotel closed….so…it was burgers and fries. I wasn’t going to complain about that!!
The next day, the boys were driving to Knoxville to the University of Tennessee while I visited with my friend Tina Wilson. I spent the day with her at her studio and on the road for a shoot. She has been so open and helpful to me in my journey to better myself both in photography and in life.
Saturday morning, we headed back to the studio for a little, while the boys went to the Hands on Museum across the street where I later met up with them. This was so great for the boys to be able to run around and experiment “hands on” all different science and life experiments.
Later in the day, Tina had invited us to her families annual Fish Fry. Our kids were able to run and play and Santa made a special visit with gifts for everyone. The food was right up my alley…everything was deep fried!! Yum!! I don’t think I ate anything healthy all weekend. Once everyone left, we headed to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Christmas light spectacular. This is miles of Christmas lights and displays wrapping throughout the parking lot, on to the drag strip and ending with a lap around the race track! We actually drove up one of the turns and I swear we were going to roll the van!
Sunday, after church, we headed to Gatlinburg to go to Dolly Wood. Amusement parks in the winter!! Woo Hoo! It was chilly, but the kids loved it. Tony and I took turns with Kobe on the big rides and then we took Braden on all the kiddy rides. We pigged out on more fried food…spiral cut fries dipped in chili and cheese….I can feel my arteries clogging… When it finally became dark, we waited patiently for the light parade. Dolly Wood was all decorated for Christmas with lights everywhere. It was so beautiful!! Then we headed back to the hotel because the boys were freezing.
Monday, we headed home. It was a long 8 hours, but was totally worth it. We needed this family time. This was a great way to close out the year.
Thank you Tina for letting us come down to your home and spend the weekend with you. It meant the world to me!!Our Thanksgiving dinnerThe boys trip to UT and Steve Spurrier Field.This was the most beautiful landscape ever!! Tina and I pulled off the side of the road just to shoot this. Amazing!Our new favorite fast food restaurant. Pal’s is awesome!Hands on MuseumFish fry, Santa and some log rolling!!Dolly Wood!I couldn’t believe someone wrapped this entire tree with lights….