Hi, friends!

About Alisandra Photography

Hey friends! My name is Ali, and welcome to my blog!

I am a Wedding Photographer based in Richmond, Virginia. I try to keep this baby as up to date as I can with recent shoots, personal thoughts, and the random, fun little things life brings. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to visit. I really appreciate it. Please make yourself at home and enjoy your time here!

Questions or Comments? ali@alisandraphoto.com

Tag: ‘Charlottesville’



Marriage Monday | Guest Blogger Brett Baker

Monday, April 9th, 2012

Brett is one of those girls you describe as awesome, and you mean it. I met her at a wedding when I ran into her husband, a fellow JMU grad. The two of them live in Charlottesville and invited Chad and I to visit Portico when we were moving there! So we did. And when I put out a cry for a gym buddy, Brett agreed to get up with me at 6:30a.m. for a gym date. [Who does that?!] Anyway, as I got to know her, over the standard out of breath conversations on the treadmill, I learned how passionate and honest she is about her life, her husband, her struggles and her celebrations. She is a true light for the Lord, and when I was thinking of who to ask to guest blog, I knew I wanted her to write something for Marriage Mondays.

Before I hand it over to Brett, I want you to add her blog to your Google Reader right now. Do it. I mean, if writing were a spiritual gift, Brett would have it. She makes you feel like you could reach into her blog posts and hug her… then take her out to coffee because you’ve been there too. Without any more of my ramblings, here is a marriage monday post just for you, with love from Brett.

© 2012 Marcy May Photography

1. Who are you? Brett Baker! I love to blog part time. I work full time for an educational group travel company as an account manager.

2. How did you and your husband meet? Nathaniel and I met at JMU through the a capella community. He came up to me and introduced himself, and I told him my name was “Brett. Like the guy’s name, like Brett Favre.” And the rest, as they say, is history. :)

***

My husband and I generally don’t go grocery shopping together. I’m decisive. He’s….well, he’s not.  I will have checked off my whole grocery list and loaded things into the car while N. is still trying to decide between beef or chicken kebabs. It’s no one’s fault. We’re just wired differently. He can meditate on a decision for days. I have the attention span of a puppy.

There are some things that we simply can’t do together.

Grocery shopping is one, yard work is another. Registering online for baby items is yet another– recent discovery. He wants to research….extensively. I want to read the first few reviews and say ”yay” or “nay,” and that’s that.

If there was one thing that I wish people had told me (and trust me—folks told me A LOT that I wish they hadn’t), it’d probably be

Not everything about you two is going to be-or supposed to be-compatible.

Or

It’s OK if you don’t like every single thing about your spouse.

But most importantly,

This whole marriage thing isn’t meant to be perfect.

We put a lot of emphasis on perfect compatibility these days. We’re picky. Maybe too picky.

I was reading a book recently where the main character said to his gal, ”I like literally everything about you.” And that’s how their romance began. I was sitting on my sofa eating salt and vinegar chips when I read this. I shook a greasy finger at the page and yelled, ”That’s a LIE!”

Now, I love a lot of things about my man: the scar on his lip, how his mouth hangs open when he’s thinking about something, and how he can’t help but hum or sing a song 89% of the day. But there are a few things about my man that I can’t stand, and that’s OK; how he’ll leave his laundry in the dryer until kingdom come is just one. He would tell you that he hates how I leave my crap around the house, and that’s just fine.

If we go into marriage expecting every little part of our lives to click, then we’re bound to be disappointed. It took me probably a year into my marriage to realize that it’s OK if we don’t want to be together every second of every day. I thought I was doing something wrong-being mean or unlovable. Nope-that’s just what happens when two humans enter into a holy relationship.

And that’s OK.

Sneak Peek | Nikki + Corey

Friday, November 4th, 2011

Corey reminded Nikki last night to limit herself to checking the blog to once a day while waiting for her engagement photos to be posted. Always looking out… I had fun finding light and parking a few days ago, and the full post will be coming soon, y’all!

What’s Going On

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

I have been pretty much M.I.A. for the past 5 or 6 days. I have been away from a computer so there have been no blog posts, no tweets, no facebook posts, and no online presence whatsoever. And I’m so embarrassed! But, I have a pretty good reason.

In the next 5 weeks, Chad and I will be apartment shopping, apartment choosing, training for a new job [Chad], making contacts in the area [Ali], a reception, driving back to Winston Salem, packing, moving, and starting a new job [Chad]. We are at the beginning of this process, waiting for a call from the apartment complex [of our dreams]. It is a very exciting time in our life, but a little hectic.

Despite all of this craziness, we are excited to be moving and growing. I tend to embrace change because I love new growth opportunities that comes with it. So as we embark on our new adventure that is new jobs, friends, and communities, cheers to GROWTH.

Madelyn | Newborn

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

It was rainy and mild outside. Kind of dark. But the light from the window was soft and fell beautifully on her fresh face. She was born just over a week ago, right as the flowers began to pop with blooms and brightness. She sleeps with one eye open and on her side. The warmth of her mother’s embrace is all she desires. She doesn’t want you to get closer to her with flowers, and elbows them off of her if she can keep her eyes open long enough. She smiles in her sleep. And I must say. I have never been so enchanted by a subject. Madelyn, this sweet baby girl, is the daughter of two extremely happy parents who have been praying for this little one for so long. Welcome into the world, sweet girl!

Bless the love between daddies and daughters.

New Little Buddy

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

I’d like to welcome a new little guy to my gear bag. He sits beside my two favorites: 50mm and 135mm. He is a tool I have been hoping to get my hands on for the past few months. Even though I only plan to pull him out only for a few shots, he is TOTALLY worth it. So, my dear clients who love sparkly diamond pictures, welcome my new little buddy who will make your rings look AMAZING…drum roll… Mr. 100mm Macro.

Just so you know, this is my ring. It is SO perfect. Just saying.

Come May

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Friday was an amazing day, praise the Lord. So many worries were put to rest. I got the phone call around 4:25. “Charlotte” he started…”sville.” And just like that, without any further discussion, he had to go. And I had to call my daddy. Chad and I, and Alisandra Photography, are moving to Charlottesville, VA.

So what does this mean? Chad graduates from BB&T’s Leadership Development Program on May 13. As far as I know, we are to be living there on May 16. We will be 2 hours from my family, 3 hours from Chad’s family, 1 hour from Chad’s brother. In 2004, Charlottesville was named “Best Place to Live,” and is home to UVA. And, for you music fans, Red Light Management is here [ehem...Dave Matthews Band anyone?]! So there really are lots of amazing things going on here!

In terms of business, there are so many wonderful wedding venues!  I know this because my first wedding photography job, second shooting for Rob Garland Photographers, was based in Charlottesville! There are so many wonderful vendors in this city, and I’m so proud to join them!

SO. There you have it. In other news, I actually ATTENDED a wedding this weekend and  will have those photos [yes, I still brought my camera] up some time tomorrow!

 

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