85
Our next LTTL session at Lake Aurora was Lauren and Lyndsey - sisters. :)
I have to say, this type of session could quickly become one of my favorites to shoot. We've never done a "sister" shoot before, and it was a lot of fun. Lauren and Lyndsey are a blast to be around, and ridiculously easy to photograph. Besides being completely gorgeous, they have cheerful, outgoing personalities and an extremely close bond that shone through in their photos.
Obviously, I thought of my sister (Callie) a lot while I was photographing this session. Lauren and Lyndsey's relationship reminded me a lot of mine and Callie's. Callie is my sister, but even more importantly, my best friend. You can't choose family (though I would have chosen mine in a heartbeat), but you can choose your best friends. And I feel super blessed to have Callie in both of those areas of my life. :) (p.s. I told Ben that Lauren and Lyndsey inspired me to do a sister session at some point, so I'm roping him into doing that in the near future. Stay tuned. ;))
Lauren and Lyndsey - you guys are so fabulous! We really enjoyed hanging out with you both - thanks for making our job a piece of cake. :)
Here's a few from their session! Enjoy!
Meet Lyndsey and Lauren. :)
Love these next two.
We wanted to snag a couple of solo shots as well. Up first - Lauren. Stunning.
:)
Followed by Lyndsey. Gorgeous.
:)
Definitely in my top 3 favorites of the day.
Hello - fabbbbbbulous.
A little sisterly love. ;)
I think that Lauren and Lyndsey are actually models and just didn't tell me because they're modest. ;)
'How do people make it through life without a sister?' -Sara Corpening
**If you'd like to book a Love Through the Lens session with us - it's not too late! We still have slots available. Visit the LTTL blog post for more info, and see what dates are available. Then e-mail us if you're interested! We're looking forward to hearing from you, and working with you in this great cause! :) (p.s. We also have gift certificates available - Christmas is right around the corner! :))**
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lauren & lyndsey : love through the lens
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84
Today we shot our first round of Love Through the Lens sessions. It has been so awesome to see the amazing response we've gotten for this cause. Ben and I feel extremely humbled and thrilled to be a part of this, and we cannot express how much it means to us that so many of you have been so supportive. Basically, you guys rock times 1 million. :)
With Love Through the Lens underway, our blog is going to be pretty active for the next month or so (maybe I'll even develop a habit of posting more often...;)). So check back frequently for updates! (Or join our Facebook group, and/or follow us on Twitter to stay posted!)
We held LTTL at Lake Aurora today. I need to take a moment to give a HUGE thank you to the amazing staff out there. I have known each one of them personally for a long time now, and they are just some of my favorite people in the world. They have been extremely generous and never once say "no" to us using their beautiful campground for our shoots. And for that, we are super grateful. :) They also run some pretty fabulous programs out there, so definitely check out their website for more info! :)
Ok - first up - Shay, Mike, Cole, Mason, and Katy-Grace.
Shay and I go way back. :) She was my cheerleading coach, but more importantly, a huge influence in my life. Shay is bubbly and caring, and I feel super blessed that she's been a part of my life while I was growing up. We've kept in touch, and I have had the privilege of watching her family expand over the last several years. I won't lie - seeing her 3 kids pile out of their car today (with the 2 boys almost beating me in height) made me feel just a littttttle old. Ok. More than a little.
Shay and Mike have raised fabulous children, and Ben and I had such a blast photographing them today. Their personalities are so unique to who they are as individuals, and it was really fun to capture each one with our cameras. The boys are definitely....boys. :) Cole and Mason are full of energy and kept us laughing during the entire session. Katy-Grace is adorably sweet, with a little mischievous side that I'm sure she picked up from being the only girl in the trio. :)
Shay and Mike - we had such a great time with you all today! Thank you for being a part of Love Through the Lens, and for allowing us to photograph your awesome family. :)
Here's a few of our favorites from the shoot:
Little miss Katy-Grace, in all her cuteness. :)
Meet Cole and Mason. :)
I love this one. Cole and Mason are so sweet toward their little sister.
Boys will be boys. :)
This one is in the running for my favorite - I LOVE it.
Daddy's little girl.
We snagged a couple of family shots - I think this one is a great way to sum things up. :)
**If you'd like to book a Love Through the Lens session with us - it's not too late! We still have slots available. Visit the LTTL blog post for more info, and see what dates are available. Then e-mail us if you're interested! We're looking forward to hearing from you, and working with you in this great cause! :) (p.s. We also have gift certificates available - Christmas is right around the corner! :))**
nana:
Wow!! What a treat to see Shay's family --beautiful children, beautiful pictures. Loved them!
(12.12.09)
Tina.morrow:
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these pics. What a beautiful family and you guys captured their fun perfectly. :)
(12.12.09)
Amy Johnson:
Love the pictures!
(12.12.09)
Elva Mattox:
What a great looking family! I get to see those good lookin' boys everyday at buses. Keep Smiling:)
(12.12.09)
Joyce Bachman:
Awesome pictures. Thanks so much for sharing. Gorgeous family
(12.14.09)
Patty Briggs:
Loved looking at the pictures. You have such a wonderful family!
(12.14.09)
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shay & mike + kids : love through the lens
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83
This past week, it has felt like Forks, WA in Florida (which sort of makes me happy because I can pretend like I'm in Twilight. Don't judge me.) Rain, gray skies, more rain, chilly temperatures, more rain, wind, thunder and lightening. It has kind of made the days run together a little bit - one big, sloppy, puddle of a week.
So you could imagine our anxiety level when our beach wedding Saturday began creeping closer - no bueno.
But the weather was on our side, my friends. It actually was more like our BFF. Our partner-in-crime - any campy title you could possibly think of. When we rolled up to the beachfront, the skies were dramatic - a blend of blues and grays that made for an insanely gorgeous backdrop. The greenish-silvery waters were a perfect compliment to the horizon. The wind had died down to a reasonable, won't-knock-me-over level, and the chilliness in the air was tolerable. It was a beautiful day to get married on the sand.
Sami and Nick's wedding was intimate, laid back and filled with love - just like their relationship. Surrounded by their family and a few of their closest friends, they vowed to spend the rest of their lives side-by-side.
The couple opted for an amazing dinner at the fabulous Bonita Springs steakhouse, Chops over a formal reception. The atmosphere was relaxed, the food was incredible, and excitement for the newlyweds was shared between everyone. :)
Sami and Nick - we are so glad that we got to be a part of your special day - thanks for entrusting us to capture it for you. You know we absolutely love you guys and we can't wait to hang out soon! :)
Enjoy a few from their day!:
I wanted to document Bonita Beach when I first saw the unexpected weather conditions - just in case nobody believed me later. ;)
Sami made a gorgeous bride.
I love this moment. Sami and Nick chose to see each other before the ceremony (which was great, because we were able to get the photos done before the light became to dim). What Nick didn't know was that Sami had purchased a wedding dress. He was expecting to see her in a sundress, and instead she came around the corner in a beautiful strapless bridal gown. He was happily surprised, to say the least. :)
These two are outrageously easy to photograph. As if we would expect anything less after their awesome engagement session a couple of months ago. :)
The one on the right may be my favorite from the day. Or the one on the left. Ok. Both of them.
The next two = Cuteness squared.
LOVE.
I think this image illustrates their day perfectly. :)
The adorable ring bearer during a prayer - hands folded. :)
Adam (our brother-in-law) performed their ceremony. Nick, Ben and Adam have grown up together, so it was really cool that they both got to be a part of his day.
I love this one because you can see the guests, and you get an idea of how personal and intimate the whole ceremony was.
MARRIED! :)
A little peek at the dinner environment. ;)
Congrats you guys! <3
cora:
I love all of these pictures...my heart was overflowing with love for this couple...Nicks facefull of happiness and love was well captured...great job once again.
(12.07.09)
Callie:
Ohhh my gosh these pictures are beautiful! All of the love and happiness that was present at the wedding is defintely reflected in them! Lovely! :)
(12.07.09)
Cami:
ohhh the photos are gorgeous! Sami looks stunning & Nick looks so happy! Is there a way that Clint & I can see all of the photos? Like a password on your site or something like when you did ours?
(12.12.09)
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sami & nick : married
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81
It's December 1. No, seriously - it is.
Did December creep up on anyone else? It seems like it's that way every year for me - December is very, very sneaky. After a [not so] healthy dose of Thanksgiving deliciousness, and spending time with the people I am most thankful for, the Christmas month has truly hit me like a ton of bricks coal.
Even though I'm a little overwhelmed that the year is flying by so quickly, I do love Christmas shopping (I know what you're thinking - "Do you love anxiety, a low bank account, and pushy mall-goers, too?") But it's true. I love it. I love picking out the perfect gift for someone's personality. I love the process of searching, and I especially love the "aha!" moment when the search is over and a present is wrapped, bowed up, and placed underneath the tree.
Christmas is about being grateful and cheery and compassionate. It's a time when smiles should be brighter and attitudes should be positive. Christmas is about being a giver. And I think we can all agree that giving is a beautiful thing.
I'm about 80% done with my Christmas shopping (take that procrastination!) and I can't wait to give gifts to my loved ones. In fact, I'm trying really hard to contain that excitement, because I'm afraid I might just force Ben to open his present 3 weeks in advance.
Since we're in the season of shopping and giving, I thought it would be fun to put together a little gift guide for our blog! Below, you will find 25 gift ideas (for the 25 days from now until Christmas). These gifts are for all personality types (as you will see listed next to each link). Simply click on the gift link to be directed to the site where a purchase can be made. I know budgets are a little tight this year, so I tried to create an economically-friendly batch of suggestions (the iPod Nano and Nook are the 2 most expensive items on the list). I hope this makes shopping a little easier (or, if not, at least an enjoyable time waster while you're at work ;)).
Enjoy!
1. Lush Dream Cream [for the spa lover] - the most amazingly relaxing hand and body lotion ever created.
2. Sushi set for 2 [for the sushi lover] - adorable sushi trays, complete with dipping bowls and chopsticks.
3. iPod Nano (with video!) [for the music lover] - the 8GB holds 2,000 songs, and now features video capabilities. Plus it comes in tons of bright colors for you to choose from. And it's a Mac product. You can't go wrong.
4. Stockholm Floral Apron (from Anthropologie) [for the stylish chef] - motivation to whip up something delicious for dinner? Look hot while doing it. Personally, I love this apron in green.
5. Notecards by Letterhappy (from Etsy) [for the thoughtful friend] - stocking stuffer for the friend or family member who always has something nice to say.
6. Just Friends DVD [for the comedian] - One of my favorite comedies of all time. It's laugh-out-loud-pee-your-pants funny.
7. Romero Wine Rack (from Pottery Barn) [for the hostest with the mostest] - holds up to 5 bottles of your favorite red, white, or blush. And it just looks fahhhh-ncy.
8. Ultimate Flashlight Grill Tongs [for the grill master] - this baby makes grilling at night a piece of...steak. The tongs have a removable LED flashlight attached so you don't burn your dinner. Or your hand.
9. Monogrammed Mugs (from Anthropologie) [for the coffee lover] - the cursive lettering makes this mug a super chic way to sip your latte. Anthro also offers mugs with block lettering, for a less feminine option.
10. Glass Rings (from Pier 1) [for the accessorizer] - a great stocking stuffer idea for the chick who always appreciates a new piece of jewelry.
11. Moleskine City Notebook [for the traveller] - the always-incredible Moleskine explicitly designed for a sightseer. There's a place to jot down thoughts and experiences, as well as basic info for the specific city you're in (Moleskine offers about 50 different City options) and a map of the area. The link above will open up the City notebook for Rome - you know, because a girl can dream, right? ;) You can actually purchase these little gems here or here.
12. Video Rocker [for the gamer] - I'm no video-gamer, but if I was, I'd definitely want one of these sweet chairs.
13. Martha Goes Green, A Vegetarian Cookbook (from Etsy) [for the vegetarian] - two young food writers tackle the world of vegetarian cooking with a simple, healthy, yummy approach. If I didn't love Chick-fil-A so much, I'd give this whole no-meat thing a whirl.
14. Canvas Messenger Bag (from Urban Outfitters) [for the too-cool-for-school student] - it's a bag - front flap, leather detail, tons of pockets. It's a pretty awesome bag. It's a bag that's on sale right now.
15. Philosophy Kiss Me Exfoliating Lip Scrub (from Sephora) [for the...kisser?] - a fabulous stocking stuffer for the girl who puckers up pretty often. Be careful if you tell her that's why you bought it for her.
16. Sparrow Coffee Cozy by stichella (from Etsy) [for the environmentally-conscious] - another great stocking stuffer. It's handmade from wool, keeps your tea or coffee warm, and saves a tree. Did I mention that it's freaking adorable?! It is.
17. Picnic Backback [for the outdoorsy couple] - this chic, sling-style strap backpack has all the pockets and compartments to hold a picnic meal for two.
18. EmmaLove Custom Jewelry Piece [for the classic beauty] - my great friend (and photographer extraordinaire) Ashley McCormick has added another title to her repertoire - jewelry designer! EmmaLove Boutique is Ashley's shop that offers handmade, custom jewelry pieces. They are beautiful and unique - perfect for the girl who loves to look elegantly modern. :) (shoot Ashley an e-mail to order a piece!)
19. Sanuk Sidewalk Surfers [for the beach bum or casual guy] - don't call them shoes - they're sandals. Really cool sandals. These canvas-covered surfer-inspired slip-ons have made their way onto Ben's radar (and will probably eventually grace his closet). I really love the Kerouac and Hey Jute styles.
20. Say I Love You Pillowcases (from BoldLoft) [for the lovey-dovey couple] - I cannot express how adorable these pillowcases are. You just have to go look at them. I'm already trying to figure out how we can tie them into our bedroom.
21. Slatkin & Co Leaves Candle (from Bath and Body Works) [for the homebody] - hands down - the best candle I've ever purchased. It smells amazing, and feels like Fall has hit your household. Best if burned while cozied on the couch with a soft blanket and a good movie. :)
22. Aveda 100% Comfort Set [for the workaholic, stay-at-home-mom, or girl who just likes to relax :)] - complete with shampoo, conditioner, hand relief cream, body moisturizer, and lip saver - this set is perfect for any lady who needs a little pampering. Bonus: the set comes prewrapped, and all Aveda products are pure and organic. Win/win across the board.
23. And So the Lion Fell in Love With the Lamb Sign by nesedecor (from Etsy) [for the Twilight enthusiast] - Edward and Bella lovers will freak out (probably quite literally) with this 7''x7'' wooden sign sitting in their home. Don't tell Ben, but I think "Santa" may deliver one for our living room. Just sayin'.
24. Nook (from Barnes & Noble) [for the bookworm] - it's in high demand this year (so if you buy it, you'll won't actually receive it until January) but totally worth the wait. Touch screen, bookmarking and highlighting capabilities, 3G wireless or wi-fi connection, a book 'lending' option, cheaper prices on bestsellers, and many other fabulous features. The electronic reader is the new black.
25. Love Through the Lens session with Starks Photography [for anyone and everyone you love] - you didn't think we'd leave this off the list, did you? :) We have a few sessions left, so book soon! Gift certificates are also available - tell your friends and families - spread the word! This is an amazing cause, and we'd love for you to partner with us. Read the blog post (linked above) for details, and shoot us an e-mail when you're ready to book! :)
Happy shopping!
megan:
I love Sanuk! I've seen them in magazines I use to get, and I've always wanted a pair. They just look so flippin' comfy! Like TOMS! (:
(12.01.09)
Alisha:
This gave me some good ideas thanks loves
(12.02.09)
christen:
well, hello! great list.. and thanks for featuring my little etsy shop (letterhappy)! i just looked through all your photos and i think they're absolutely amazing! oh yeah, and we're neighbors.. i'm an alabama girl :)
anyway, just wanted to say hi, keep up the great work, and have a merry christmas!
(12.03.09)
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25 gifts for 25 days
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80
You know the story - boy meets girl at summer camp. Boy and girl become friends. Boy and girl hold hands. Boy and girl are in lovvvvve. Boy and girl bid a tearful goodbye when their parents come to pick them up, but promise to call "5 times a day" and visit "every weekend (if my mom says it's cool)." Boy and girl go back to normal life. Boy and girl drift apart. Boy and girl break up on MySpace. Boy and girl's Summer fling has come to an end.
But what if the story had a different spin?
Boy meets girl at summer camp. Boy and girl become friends. Boy and girl hold hands. Boy and girl are in lovvvvve. Boy asks girl to marry him. Boy and girl become husband and wife. Boy and girl don't have to visit "every weekend" because boy and girl share a life together.
Meet Josh and Hannah (a.k.a. boy and girl :)). Indeed, they met at summer camp, but they defied the cliche - holding strong long after the "fling" phase passed.
Ben and I absolutely love these two. They are a couple of our greatest friends, and a total blast to be around. They have maintained a friendship at the foundation of their marriage, and I think that has a lot to do with how comfortable they are together. Jokes and laughter are consistent, as well as love and admiration. A beautiful blend. :)
Hannah won this session in our blog contest months ago, and we've been waiting for cooler weather to make it happen. It's November in Florida, so 65-70 is about as cool as we're going to get. :)
We were super stoked to photograph them together (especially knowing that they celebrated their 3 year anniversary in May and haven't had any updated photos since their wedding day!). The shoot was held at the place where their love began - Lake Aurora. :) This has become a frequent photo spot for us, so we tried to stretch our creativity by using some different scenery and ideas. Hannah and Josh made it outrageously easy with their willingness to do anything we asked, and their fabulous photogenic-ness (yep, photogenic-ness. It's a word. Really.).
Hannah and Josh - we love you both times 1000. You guys know how awesome we think you are. We hope you absolutely love these photos as much as we do - you are adorable together. :) (p.s. Josh, I was happy to see hardly any Chandler-esque moments when I scanned the batch. Well done. ;))
Laughter...I told you. :)
Ben snagged this fabulousness. It's in the running for my favorite of the day.
...annnnnd this one is up there too. :)
Um, hello - gorgeous.
I couldn't decide which one to post from these next two - I love both of them. So I posted both of them. :)
A little orange grove love. Being supermodels like it's their job.
:)
Amazing sky. Amazing field. Amazing couple.
Grabbing every last bit of gorgeous Florida sunlight.
You guys are the best! :)
**Don't forget about Love Through the Lens! We have several sessions booked so far, but there are a few left! Help us out by posting our link on Facebook and Twitter, tell your friends, purchase a gift certificate, surprise your family by booking a session - we would love for you to partner with us in this awesome cause! :) Check out the LTTL post for details about session times and locations, and e-mail us to get set up!
Sarah Nunnally. :
i love all of you. esp. the hot pair in these photos. hannah i can actually hear your laughter.. oh wait maybe that was me.. anyways. amy i want you to do some of me and my boyfriend.. oh wait..
(11.30.09)
cora:
I love them all...very good job...you can see the love!
(11.30.09)
Kimberly :
Ohh the Flower pictures are my favorite! I love fun new pictures. I promise, Kyle and I will be willing to take ANY picture on our wedding day (even if it gets my dress slightly dirty... I don't care!). haha. Once again, can't wait. All these pictures just builds up the anticipation even more! Ya'll are awesome.
(11.30.09)
Nana:
Great subjects -- wonderful pictures! You guys look so 'natural' in all of them and the setting is perfect!
(12.01.09)
Callie:
Beautiful!! These turned out so fantastic you guys! Looove them all! :)
(12.01.09)
Whitney:
Umm...hello amazing photos! You guys are fabulous photographers and the couple you shot are stunning.
(12.01.09)
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hannah & josh : just because
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Awww - how special and beautiful! Great pics. These two remind me of you and Callie. :)
(12.12.09)