February « 2012 « alisandraphoto.com

Archive: February, 2012

Marriage Monday | Lucky Charms & Texas Toast Croutons

Monday, February 27th, 2012

I grew up in a home where we bought brand name food items. Not because we’re food snobs, but it was just our habit. Once I started shopping for myself, I realized I could buy store brand and save 20 cents here and there. Great Value canned corn really does taste the same as the Green Giant brand! But this isn’t a blog post about saving money. You see, Chad has some preferences. Texas Toast Croutons are a must. And I’ll admit, they are good. But I’m not a crouton girl. Leave the buttery baked bread off of the salad, please. But this is a non-negotiable for Chad. I tried to fight it at first; control his crouton intake, switch to the on-sale croutons… But it just lead to stupid fights about nothing.

Another must is ACTUAL Lucky Charms. The other day I bought Giant Brand Lucky Charms. Magical Mellows or something. I was laughed at, “You save money in the strangest ways,” said Chad. Yesterday I was accompanied to the grocery store where the General Mills brand was placed in the basket. Ok. Ok. I get the point. Although I’m convinced it’s a mind thing with some items, it’s not worth the petty fight.

Tags: cereal, food, Lucky Charms, Marriage Monday, Richmond
Posted in Personal | 2 Comments »

Another About Me

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

I see these fun collages sometimes and I thought I’m make one today! It was sort of a challenge to myself to run around the house and find some things that I love, style, and photograph them. Meanwhile, you get to learn a little more about me! Do we have anything in common??

Tags: citrus, collage, exposed, instagram, keys, Richmond, still life
Posted in Personal | 5 Comments »

Glen Allen Office

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

After three weeks of living in Richmond, I’m pretty much settled in! One of the reasons we chose this apartment complex is because it had a two bedroom WITH an office! I immediately saw myself living here, working in this little office nook! There are no windows [sad, but good for having no distractions], enough floor space for a comfy rolly chair, and plenty of built in shelving. The desk is long and wide, fitting both of my computers and my printer. It really has been fabulous so far. I can’t wait until this summer when I can sit in here and edit with my pandora stations blasting.

Some details! An inspiration board and my dvd cases all lined up!

Broke down and got this adorable stamp from Rubber Stamps.

Office supplies + film.

Love having this photo in my office. One of my favorites!

Tags: apartment, built in, office space, Richmond, small business, small office, work from home
Posted in Business | 8 Comments »

Marriage Monday | Reflections

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Ok. Marriage Tuesday this week. Forgive me

Assuming you have a healthy view of yourself, and a solid grasp on your identity, I will venture to say that there isn’t anything as honest as a mirror.

While we were dating, I quickly picked up on Chad’s love for honesty. He’s honest, sometimes to a fault, but I’d rather that than lies, right?! Now that we’re married, he continues his habit in telling the truth. I realize that my husband is the best mirror I could ask for. Unlike a framed reflective piece of glass that has no sense of who I am, Chad knows my weaknesses, my insecurities, my tendencies… and when he gets ready to compliment or critique me, I know he has those things in the back of his mind. He also has the intention of building me up, or has a hope that I will grow based on what he tells me. There is an indescribable trust and vulnerability that goes into this process. We are not perfect–sometimes I get hurt because of something he says to me. Sometimes it touches a nerve. Sometimes I’m not in the “mood” to hear it. And sometimes the timing is all wrong. But most of the time, I learn more about myself. I see ways that I have fallen short, and learn ways to become more Christlike. Marriage is like this. You learn a lot about yourself based on your spouse. When they come to you with a critique, don’t immediately retaliate or shut down. You married them, so you clearly trusted them a little. Perhaps what they say has some merit? Perhaps what they say is going to help you grow? If you don’t like what they say, that doesn’t mean it’s not true. Talk it out. Hear what they have to say. Love them for showing you your true colors, even if their colors are a little blotchy themselves.

Tags: Marriage Monday, palm trees, reflections
Posted in Personal, Tidbits | 1 Comment »

Marriage Monday | Proverbs

Monday, February 13th, 2012

The preparations of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
~Proverbs 16:1

I’m a dork. I was SO excited about marriage counseling. I couldn’t wait to learn more about Chad, fill out worksheets together, and talk about our feelings.*PUKE*…I know. We met with Dr. Hap about 4 times. [He has his PhD. in Hebrew. This man was smart.] And it was NOTHING like I thought it was going to be. No worksheets. No feelings. No psychology. Pure scripture. Here was one of our assignments:

Read Proverbs. Yes, the entire book of the bible. Write down each verse that involves Family, Finances, Communication, and Sex. Go.

Now, if you are not the bible reading type of person, I understand that you might want to skim over this blog post. But give it a little longer. Look at what I found. IN THE BIBLE. Just for a little background, Proverbs was written for young men. Men who were soon going to be finding a wife. And when I think about that basic fact, I find it very intriguing that 30+ proverbs directly speak to communication, 26 directly speak to finances, 21 directly speak to family, and only 1 about sex [granted, they did have Song of Solomon...]. Clearly God is trying to say something. We need A LOT of help when it comes to communicating.

A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire. What if I retreated every time I had a fight with Chad instead of talking things out? Put perverse lips far from you. Don’t talk bad about your husband. Or with him. Or to him. A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. Don’t nag, ladies–it’s annoying. I just love the wisdom in these verses.

Miscommunication has been the culprit of most of my fights with Chad, and I was a Communication major in college. Whether we say one thing and mean another, or we don’t listen, or even aim to harm, that is the cause. I really think God was on to something when he put so many comments on this topic in the Bible. I’m constantly trying to improve in communication. If you feel the same way, look no further.

Tags: bible, counseling, instagram, Marriage Monday, proverbs
Posted in Portrait, Tidbits | 3 Comments »

Tiffany | Great Falls Maryland Portraits

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

A little over a year or so ago, I met Tiffany. She is one of the most, if not THE most, stylish people I’ve ever met. The last time we hung out, we didn’t “get deep,” but during this shoot, we left the hair and make up and clothes, got in my car and went on a hunt for fake eyelashes. It MUST have been because it was Superbowl Sunday [clearly] that we couldn’t find them at three of the stores we went to. But I’m glad we couldn’t find them because while we drove the extra two miles to CVS, she explained how she was interested in shaking things up in her life. She sat in my passenger seat with her shiny maroon skinny jeans and her platform heals as she shared her passion for equality and justice on a global level. She has dreams of going overseas to work for people who are less fortunate in whatever way… and for some reason this blew my mind. You look at her and you think, “Clearly, she is going to start her own styling business.” Or something along those lines…but no.

She’s going for world peace.

Tags: great falls, maryland, Tiffany, winter
Posted in Portrait | 2 Comments »

The Other 95% & The Workshop Experience

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

Hey y’all! I told you yesterday that I’d be posting some portraits, but an opportunity arose and I have to postpone it for a little “PLEASE PICK ME. BEAR MY HEART AND SOUL. DESPERATE ATTEMPT” type post. SO here it goes.

A couple nights ago, I went to a dinner for alumni of Intervarsity living in Richmond. To my left was a Katelyn James bride, Rachel. To my right was a girl who, when I said she looked familiar, said that I probably recognized her from Katelyn’s blog because she was a bridesmaid in a Katelyn James wedding. We spent several minutes talking with a woman across the table who could only gush over Katelyn’s work. “Just beautiful!”

This is a wedding photographer they’re raving about! Do you know how many wedding photographers there are out there? What is it that makes people follow her blog? Obsess over all of the things she loves? What makes people demand KATELYN and not just…a wedding photographer?

I had just graduated from photography school [<-- more about my story there] when I started my business in 2010 with the goal of becoming a wedding photographer. The world of wedding photography seemed small and simple. I had the technical knowledge. I could work my camera better than most. I felt like the rest would come easy. I’m good with people. I’m nice. But I soon realized that there was something missing. Something that you don’t learn by studying light ratios. A fashion photographer told us in class, “Photography is only 5% technical. You may as well learn that much!” And so I did! But what about the other 95%?

I believe that is exactly the point of Katelyn James’s “The Workshop Experience.” The truth is that the 95% isn’t learned on your own. Whether it was a workshop, an internship, or a second shooting opportunity, what we know comes to us from generous people of excellence. From what I know, The Workshop Experience is about just that. The kindness of a wedding photographer who is paying it forward for the benefit of not only the photographers, but their clients as well. And I would love to attend this little guy!

I know I’m not alone here, but this winter I kind of had a little break down. I thought, “I don’t want to do this anymore.” This is a low that comes every so often. For a few weeks I just felt down about my business. I knew I was in for a period of growth because that is what usually happens when I start feeling like this. Plateaus are normal, but can be dangerous. While talking with a good friend Rebekah [yet another Katelyn bride...], I explained how I was just frustrated by not being able to figure out how to give my clients a knock out experience. I spend so much time on Pinterest, reading photography blogs, listening to interviews and workshops… How can I make the experience top notch for my clients? Between the research and learning, I need something hands on and I want to be able to ask questions and talk out my ideas with other people in the industry.

Just the fact that Katelyn is offering a FREE spot is amazing. It’s crazy how many people have already entered to win it! It’s gonna be good, this Workshop Experience. What is even better is how much money will be saved. However, in response to Katelyn’s generosity:

If chosen [and I want to be so badly!],
I promise to all of you that I will use that money and what I learn at the workshop
toward improving my client experience.

SO there you have it! Katelyn, you’re a dear. Good luck with all of these entries! Can’t wait to see the results, 13-fold, from you and all of the attendees!

Posted in Business, Personal | 7 Comments »

Great Falls Styled Shoot

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

Rebekah is a dear friend, a photographer, and newly wed. We went to JMU and shortly after, CDIA together. She keeps me balanced in a way. As a beautiful woman of God, she is always speaking truth and words of encouragement to me. She’d asked me to shoot a trash the dress with her, and when my friend and fellow photographer Jordan told me she was coming into town, I knew I wanted it to be a little more than just me and the bride. With the help of Ali Wear [check her out on my Vendor Love page as well!], and Tiffany Kim [no website, but if you're interested in a stylist, I'll put you in touch.] we had a rocking, anything but “trash” the dress shoot. Glamourous, woodsy, and timeless, Rebekah knocked our socks off.

Ladies, all of you, thanks for reminding me that girl time is good time. That getting dressed up is kind of in our DNA. Loving that y’all are my friends.

Tiff modeled for us as well [that's for tomorrow]. But here she is doing her thing. And being beautiful.

This is my favorite. Learned a little fog trick…

Blooper? No. Sepia Toned Adorableness.

The gorgeous work of Ali Wear.

Tags: glamour, great falls, maryland, rebekah, Styled Shoot, trash the dress, winter, woods
Posted in Bridal Portraits, Mess the Dress | 4 Comments »

Marriage Monday | Socks and Drawers

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

Like clockwork. Chad will come home and take off his socks. Those socks will immediately crumple into a ball, inside out, and land on the floor. On the floor they stay. Until I pick them up. However. Like clockwork, Ali goes into her room, [yes I'm speaking in third person] opens her dresser drawer to get something out, and leaves it open. Chad bangs his knee. Always.

Sometimes I feel like we’re doing the cell block tango…

You know how people have these little habits that get you down?
Like Bernie. Bernie liked to chew gum. No, not chew….POP!
So I came home one day and I am really irritated and looking for a little sympathy,
And there’s Bernie layin’ on the couch Drinkin’ a beer and chewin’ No, not chewin’….Poppin’
So, I said to him I said, “If you pop that gum one more time…”
~ Chicago.

We’re not.

The socks used to really bother me. I’d get furious and want to boycott laundry. I felt disrespected and stepped on as a help mate. “Why can’t he pick up his own socks?!” I’d be fuming and fussing, and when Chad came home from work, I’d have a grudge. After all, his socks, his problem. He was the one with the stuff to work out. False. I think God put Chad in my life to leave socks on the floor. To say, “Ali, you think you’re so easy going but you can’t even handle socks.” As much as I’d like to believe it’s Chad’s problem, I know the lesson was for me. Because I’m selfish and want things done my way. My way is comfortable and anything uncomfortable must go. But Chad IS different than I am. In fact, Chad is quite the opposite of me in most ways. But I chose to marry him. So if I want to get rid of things that make me uncomfortable, I’d need to get rid of Chad. See the train of thought? God puts our spouse in our life to challenge us. So when you feel challenged, make room for growth.

Lesson learned. I’m still learning to joyfully pick up socks. Flip them right side out. Put them in the hamper. Now if I can just learn to close the drawers…

Tags: being married, Marriage Monday
Posted in Personal, Tidbits | 6 Comments »