Carlee and Bailee

For the past three years I have been driving past the beautiful fields in Soddy Daisy, longing to take pictures.  I have been wanting to stop every time they baled the hay but never had anyone to photograph.  My sweet neighbor Jacky knows I'm trying to improve my photography and offered to go out with me to teach me a few things.  She brought her kids along and they were such great little models! It was a lot of fun and I really learned some great tips. Here are some that I just loved!

Carlee was such a good sport! 

Bailee wasn't so sure about the pokey grass.

I love her expressions! :)

Farm girl feet.

Growing up so fast! Big Kindergartener next year!

It looks like she's rapping Beastie Boys style.  Love it!

Not pictured: Bailee flipping out. Haha

Beautiful Carlee!

This girl is always picking wildflowers.

Such a sweetheart!

What I learned:

1. Get to a location early so you can really play with the settings on your camera.

2. How to make shadows with the sun.

3. Take lots of shots of one "pose."  Why not?

4. Wear boots or closed toe shoes to take pictures with the hay bales.

5. Snakes are more scared of you than you are of them. (You sure about that, David?)

6. Ticks are flippin' everywhere. Plan accordingly.  

I can't thank Jacky enough for taking time out of her day to help me.  You should go on over to her blog to see the awesome photos she took!

Liv

Mr. Manning

Happy Weekend!  I'm on call but I wanted to show everyone some photos I got of Manning and his mommy, April.  April let me practice on Manning the other night and he is just the cutest thing!  I can tell she feels exactly like I do when it comes to her furbaby, since we don't have real ones yet.  Our dogs are our children.  Manning was a whopping 3 months old yesterday and it was his first time to the Greenway in Hixson...it was a big day.  The sun was so great and it made for beautiful pictures.  I'm really pleased with them and I can really see a difference with my images in just a week! I can't believe it but I am much more confident and comfortable with the camera functions already.  I know... crazy.  

Meet Mr. Manning.

  

He is just so much fun and full of life!  Thanks for letting me practice on you guys, April! I hope we get to do it again soon!

I have taken other pictures during the week but probably won't post everything, as they aren't always so interesting.  Next week I am teaming up with my neighbor Jacky, who is a photographer, and we are taking pictures of her little girls.  Hopefully I can score a few pointers. :)

Have a great weekend!

Liv

Photo(s) of the Day

Hey everyone!  So, this summer before I get extra busy I told myself I MUST pick up my camera every day until August.  I love taking pictures and have spent lots of money on a nice camera, lenses, flash, a basic class, and editing software.  A good eye and (let's face it) luck can only take you so far when you don't even know how to use your equipment to it's full potential.  That's why I'm resolving to take a picture every day.  I really hope this will really boost my experience and that I will be able to see improvement soon(ish).  Nothing is more frustrating than thinking you got a lovely shot only to find out its underexposed, noisy and un-fixable.

Today I took my model out in the front yard.

Kiwi had just barked at a dotson that comes in our yard. She's ready to get him!

Enjoying the sun in mommy's lap.

What I learned:

1. I got much nicer photos on Kiwi's level.

2. Manual focus is hard to use but worth it sometimes.  

3. You can set what part of the frame your camera auto focuses!  Who knew! I wish I had changed the position for the second image to focus on her nose.

4. My little Kiwi has a face only a mother could love, but boy do I love that little chi chi.

Any model volunteers?

Love, 

Liv

Weston's Wedding

 There has been so much going on lately I just now got around to putting the pictures of the wedding on my computer! This was such a special day for so many reasons.  My little brother has become such a wonderful man and he has chosen a wonderful woman to be his wife.  Daley matches Weston so perfectly and their wedding was a perfect reflection of their sweet love for each other.  It was held in Crossville at the farm that my Granna was born and raised on.  It was the perfect weather (thank goodness!) and the atmosphere was so laid back and enjoyable.

Enjoy!

Nanny and I at the rehearsal dinner

Granna and I

My Family

Mom and Dad's handy work

Me with the beautiful bride

Noisemakers to celebrate!

Granna, Uncle Boodie, Aunt Joan, Uncle L.A-the siblings

My lovey

My beautiful Mama!

Weston throwing the garter...on a football! How smart!

Granna with some of the granddaughters

Have fun in Maui!

I just had to add one more of us :)

We are so glad that our family has grown and I am so glad to have a sister! What a happy day!


I almost forgot to mention! If you want to check out the REAL photos from the wedding, they are at the very talented Justin Wright's website.

Liv