January « 2012 « alisandraphoto.com

Archive: January, 2012

Marriage Monday | An Introduction

Monday, January 30th, 2012

It’s pretty hard to find a concrete statistic, but lets just say that the average I found was this. The divorce rate is around 40%. I’ve been told this before. But during this winter season, I’ve been thinking about my job in relation to this statistic. Why? Because I’m a wedding photographer. I photograph Day 1 of a lot of marriages. That’s what a wedding is, right? Day 1? We [I was a bride; I know how this goes.] spend a TON of time preparing for our wedding day. And most of it is necessary. But how much time do we spend preparing for our marriage? Our wedding is one day, but our marriage is “until death do us part.” Honest confession? I spent an intentional 10 hours total during my engagement on preparing for marriage. Compare that with the ENDLESS hours of research, bookmarking [this was before Pinterest, y'all... how did I do it!?!?!], e-mailing, talking this out with friends and family and fiance, visiting venues, shopping…. I mean… endless hours. I’m not knocking the time I took to do that. I’m knocking the time compared to my marriage prep. 10 hours? Really, Ali? All of that, including the photos, is worthless if your marriage fails.

Another honest confession. I am not a marriage counselor. Surprise! I simply want to share more about my experience of preparing for, entering into, and being in a marriage. I want to share my stories. Other people’s advice. Maybe even some guest blog posts from actual counselors or mentors or seasoned married wise people. I want to make sure you know that I care about your MARRIAGE not just your wedding! So gear up. Get prepared. Love on your marriage just like you put so much love and thought into your wedding day! Each Monday, expect to see just a little something not about WEDDINGS, but about MARRIAGE! Excited?? I am…

Tags: love, marriage, Marriage Monday, preparations, Richmond Wedding Photographer
Posted in Tidbits, Wedding | 7 Comments »

It’s Time

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Tomorrow we load up the moving truck. Sunday we move to Richmond. I was really sad when I moved to Harrisonburg from Woodbridge. I wanted to stay with my parents. But I learned to love my college town and when the time came, I was sad to leave Harrisonburg! When we moved from Winston Salem, I was excited because I was moving closer to family. And I was excited to have a more permanent location. Charlottesville wasn’t my first choice, but I was happy it wasn’t some place in Alabama. Nothing against the Tide, I just wanted to be in Virginia!

This move took us by surprise. The decision was hard. We cried over it. [Such babies]. We are so thankful for the opportunity, yet we are just saddened to leave our friends, relationships, church, Carter’s Mountain, and even our apartment complex! I know that God is preparing a community for us to move into in Richmond, and I’m anxious to start building more relationships. But I’m so used to the small town feel of Charlottesville. Richmond is a different beast. It’s big! But here we go! Packed is our little life. Next time I blog, it will be from a two bedroom in Glen Allen!

Tags: moving, Richmond
Posted in Personal | 2 Comments »

A Job Offer

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

Yep. That’s right. I was offered a job.

If you’ve followed my blog, you know I love horses. I’ve ridden since I was six. So on the cruise, I HAD to go horseback riding. We signed up for the excursion on Grand Cayman, piled into a van, and drove 25 min to the other side of the island. The conversation is always the same:

“Any one have experience?”
Me: “Yes. I’ve ridden since I was six.”
“Oh ok. I think we’ll put you on a horse that’s a little harder to handle.”
Me: This isn’t the first time this has happened. Last time I admitted to having experience on a trail ride, I ran into a tree. Anyway, so much for a relaxing trailride…“Ok.”

When we arrived at the farm, our guide hollered over to his brother to saddle up “that one.” I mounted, and off we went. The little chestnut gelding was a little spitfire. He wanted to lead. Be out in front. And stopping to wait for the group of 10 we were leaving in the dust wasn’t an option. The little guy was cute and I enjoyed my ride.

After a less than eventful hour of keeping the little dude calm, our guide said, “So you’re gonna get a divorce and move here and work?” I’m not sure why the divorce was necessary. But no. I’ve decided not to take it. I like my job as a Virginia Wedding Photographer. Even more, I like my husband.

Tags: beach, caribbean, cruise, grand cayman, horses, trail ride, travel, vacation
Posted in Personal | No Comments »

The Funeral Celebration

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

It sounds silly. Maybe not silly. Depressing? Maybe. But not really.

One year ago almost to the day, Grandma Flowers said, “Have you heard? We’re going on a cruise! It’s my funeral celebration!” We let out a quick laugh in amusement and disbelief. A cruise? The whole family? But you’re alive? Yes. All of the above.

How generous can one person be? A cruise for one person is amazing, but your entire extended family? This trip was so incredibly special. In the words of Grandma Flowers, “I didn’t have a big wedding, [7...including the bride and groom], I never had a big birthday, so I want to throw a big party.” The cruise was her way to show her excitement and appreciation for life. It was simply wonderful. Full of family, tropical beaches, good food, and wonderful memories. Here are some of my favorite views from my Fuji!!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Flowers!

Tags: birthday, break, cruise, Fuji x100, grandma, landscape, teal, vacation, warm, western caribbean, winter
Posted in Personal | 1 Comment »

Out of the Office

Saturday, January 7th, 2012

WARNING! This post has no photo!

I’ll be away from the computer and without a cell phone until January 16. Thanks for your patience as I am taking a little break from normal Charlottesville life. And technology. I’ll be in the Western Caribbean…

CRUISING! [My first one. i.am.so.excited.]

Photos to come…but until then, leave me some love!

Posted in Personal | No Comments »

He is…

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

SO adorable when he does calculations on his phone. Sometimes he does it for fun. In between games of Angry Birds. Because he was thinking about something and wanted to see what would happen if. I don’t get mad because I know this is part of him. Part of his desire to provide. To make wise decisions. Part of the way he loves me.

Tags: chad, he is, love, phone
Posted in Personal | 2 Comments »

Making Things New

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

I am the girl who starts the effort of going to the gym on the first of the month. I start a new piece of paper if I mess up on my grocery list. And I need a clean house before I leave for vacation so that when I come home…well…you get my point. I love fresh starts. It’s as if starting fresh has power over the success of the endeavor. Only in the past few years have I been challenged in my thinking. And the New Year is the perfect example. As much as I want to believe that TODAY is the day to start new things, I don’t think this day has the power. I don’t think that if I start something today, I’ll be more successful than if I begin, say, next Wednesday. If I want something to happen, accomplish my goals, or start training for a 10K, why do I have to rely on the first of the year to feel like I’ve started something worth completing?

At the risk of sounding like a total hypocrite, I do love January First. [Oh. And Happy New Year!] This year in particular I love that January 1st was a Sunday because I got to go to church the first day of the year. And I love that kind of start. Today, the Pastor at Portico preached on this verse:

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
~ Revelation 21:5

God is an active God. Today, he made a new day. The start of a new year. God loves new beginnings. But God also, MAKES new beginnings. He owns them. He holds the power behind the newness. Today I was reminded of this. I think we can learn that God also wants us to be active in making things new. If we have goals or things we’d like to accomplish, we don’t need a special day to do it. But here we are. The start of the new year. The best of both worlds in my opinion. A fresh start, and a reminder of who holds the power.

So.

What will you make new this year?

Tags: 2012, encouragement, God, new, New Year, Revelation
Posted in Personal | 1 Comment »