Mountain Home Photographer: A Fun Weekend with Amazing People

We've been planning this trip for awhile. It's hard to get a bunch of college aged schedules to work for the same weekend, but this trip was totally worth it. My friend Michael's family was gracious enough to let me and a couple of my friends come and stay in their log cabin mountain house in Nelson County, Virginia. I've been to this place several times and it is always such a relaxing retreat from the busyness of life, especially in the midst of mid- semester tests (4 big assignments this week!).

Highlights of the trip: sleeping in the darkest room I have slept in for awhile, waking up and reading while Andrew played the guitar, going on a walk on the beautiful day, getting locked out of the house, Andrew and Michael being awesome and meeting Mr. Crawley to get a key, having the best burger for lunch, going to a swimming hole in February and watching Michael, Andrew and Stewart swim in maybe 40 degree mountain water, watching the sunset, and roasting marshmallows by the fire.

Thanks so much for an amazing weekend guys!

Roommate dependency? I think so.

Oh... hey there cute gf

 This is their house!

 It was so cold... I guess... I just put my hand in and that was enough for me.

Harrisonburg, Virginia Photographer: Black and White with Peppers and People

I have to confess something in this post; I don't know much of anything about Edward Weston. Literally didn't know the guys existed 24 hours ago. Depending on who you are, you might be the same. However, apparently he is lauded as being one of the most influential American photographers. Well, considering I am always going to be learning new things about this whole photography thing, you think it might be a good idea to check him out. So as a mini assignment to myself I look at some of his work and decided to take a shot at it (pun intended). No worries, no nudes here, it's all PG...

The last image here was made for an event that James Madison University's Intervarsity Chapter is having this Spring.

Harrisonburg, Virginia Photographer: Cornerstone House Pictures (Tie? No Shirt? No Problem.)

So I have had many experiences taking house pictures (cough... two as of now), and taking photographs for a guy's house is almost a 180° from a girl's house. For girls you need to plan ahead, make sure everyone is in their outfit, be especially aware of the angle you shoot from, and do a good job of encouraging during the shoot. Guys are like cavemen when it comes to photographs. They couldn't care less about their hair or outfit, at least with the Cornerstone men. For example with this shoot my small group leader Sam texted me on Monday asking if I could take a couple pictures for his house on Tuesday. I mean, what? Then once I get there some of the guys are walking around and the next thing I know I see Sam come out of his room with his shirt off and a bow tie around his neck. Again, what? Yeah, you guessed it. The Cornerstone wanted to do their senior pictures, which will hang in their house for many years, shirtless with ties.

This was a blast. Thanks so much guys for the opportunity!

bambi?

New blog!

Ok, I know. Some of you might be wondering what the heck am I doing writing a blog. I mean come on; I never update my Facebook, sparingly do I comment on people's walls, and while I am usually good at this it can take me awhile to respond to texts. I appears that I am a hermit when it comes to social media. So, why start a blog? To be completely honest I want attention.

My family often has dinner together. It's actually one of my favorite things that we do and I never want to have the family that we all have seen, out at a restaurant with the kids and parents glued to their phones. Anyways, it is sometimes hard to get noticed at the dinner table, especially when you have something to say. My young sisters are usually my main competition. They usually have much to say on their day, but seriously, even 21 year young adults want to blabber on sometimes too! I have found the best tactic to gaining back attention is immaturity. Sometimes I will loudly and immaturely let out a "AAHHHEMM". I have found this particularly effective because not only is it obnoxious, but it's also a tad bit funny. Not only are all eyes on me, their annoyance has quickly turned to a smile because of my hilarity. Success.

This blog is my "AAHHEMM". I'm a budding photographer currently attending James Madison University and I want some attention at the dinner table of experience.

My hope is that I will be able to learn more and more about the art of photography through this blog and that I will be able to talk openly about the things I learn here. So sit back and enjoy the ride! 

Recently I was able to be the photographer for an dinner my friend was a part of organizing. The theme was Willy Wonka.