30 Minutes in the Life | November 2013

Welcome to the November edition of 30 Minute in the Life!! Can't wait to see the great images this month!

November to photographers is like April for tax accountants.  Needless to say, I've been consumed with photographing lovely families.  :) I haven't photographed my crew much this month (scolding myself).  And when I did get a chance, it was for a somber occasion. 

Remember our dear chickens I posted about last month?  Sadly, our precious Sweetie Bock Bock met her untimely end.  During the night, a sneaky fox dug its way into our hen house and chicken-napped her.  Of course, we had a proper burial complete with a prayer and tombstone. 

We miss you Sweetie Bock Bock.  RIP.

I would love it if you visited my friend, Colleen Putman, a NYC Traveling Portrait Photographer.  Love seeing the world through her lens!

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge | November 2013 Pets

It's no secret we love our country life.  One of the best things about living out has been raising chickens. We love our ladies and especially love the eggs they give us in return.

This particular morning was no different than the many before them.  My youngest "chick" dons this costume to go out and help with chicken duty.  I wanted to keep this memory forever.

Makes me smile every time.

I Heart Faces is such a fun community.  You should check them out!

<a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img title="I Heart Faces Photo Challenge Submission" src="http://www.iheartfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/I-Heart-Faces-button.jpg" alt="Photo Challenge Submission" /></a>
Read more at http://www.iheartfaces.com/how-it-works/grab-a-button/#jBfCgJctzZXjjzAg.99

30 Minutes in the Life | October 2013

I'm excited to post another installment of 30 Minutes in the Life.  We are going back to a blog circle this month, so be sure to check out the link at the end of the post! As always, we are happy to have you view our circle as well as our website. :)

This month I knew what I wanted to photograph.  My morning "chicken duty" with my youngest chick.  After the baby and I send off big brothers and Daddy to school, we have some chores to do.  One of the first ones is chicken duty. And yes, chicken duty must be done in a chicken outfit.  Almost every time.  :) I wanted to capture those memories of my little guy feeding our chickens dressed as any good chicken farmer would dress.  Little did we know that morning we would find our very first egg!! We have been eagerly expecting eggs for about two months, and it was so funny that our first one truly came on the day I photographed our chicken chores. 

Here are some of my favorite images from that day.  :)

I would love if you continued in our little circle.  Up next is Ashlee Tomes, Kentucky Lifestyle Photographer.   I always love her photography.  Can't wait to see what she has in store this month.  Also, if you haven't checked out 30 Minutes in the Life you should!  

30 Minutes in the Life | September 2013

It's that time again!! I'm so excited for our third installment of 30 Minutes in the Life.  One of our dear contributors has created a website and Facebook page for us.  I'd love it if you took a look! We've all done our part to make this group great.  One of our photographers, Sara Kelly, wrote this beautiful description. 

“In the life of a photographer, whose art is created in tiny fractions of a second, thirty minutes is a sustained thought.  Thirty minutes, the length of a child’s ballet class, a quick sauce’s simmer, a commute, is long enough to witness change and short enough to be over before you know it.  We offer you here our monthly results of thirty minutes of watching and waiting and recording, of rendering permanent those fractions of a second that slip past in the time it takes to watch a television show.  Thirty minutes in the life.”

Isn't that truthfully beautiful?  Remember, this is a blog circle, so at the end of this post I will add a link for you to see some other work from my talented friends. 

September in Oklahoma means FAIR!! It's one of my family's favorite times.  We love entering crafts and food in the contest.  My boys love all the animals and rides.  Of course, I can't ever pass up a funnel cake.  This year's fair was no different.  While we were there for more than 30 minutes, these images are from a 30 minute snippet that we were there.  :) 

We were all winners! My oldest won 1st place for his ceramic mouse.  My middle son won second place for some peanut butter cookies, and my youngest third place for a nutritious snack.  I was honored that three of my pictures won ribbons. :)

Can't wait to see what the rest of our group has in store.  This month is a little different than the last couple.  Please, go visit our new 30 Minutes in the Life blog-site to view all the images we contributed with links to each photographer's post.

See you next month! :)

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge | Shadows

Sigh.  My baby sleeping.  It doesn't get much better than this.  One day his looks will change, and he will be too big to hold.  But until then, I cherish moments like these.

Be sure to check out I Heart Faces for all things photography!

30 minutes in the life | August 2013

It's that time again! Welcome to my August edition of 30 minutes in the life.  If you missed our first edition last month, I will give you a little explanation on how it works.  :) I'm happy to be a part of a blog circle where my photographer friends and I share what "30 minutes in the life" looks like through our lenses.  At the end of my post there will be a link to continue in the circle. You are sure to enjoy it!

Earlier this month my sweet baby boy turned three.  I'm still in disbelief.  (can I go cry in the corner?!)  As part of his celebration, we went to Kaiser's American Bistro for some of their ice cream.  YUMMY!! The boys had so much fun making their (gigantic) ice cream sundaes.  I believe our leftovers are still in the freezer. 

I'd love for you to stick around and see what Ashlee Tomes, Kentucky Lifestyle Photographer, has in store for her 30 minutes in the life post. 

{ marley | newborn lifestyle photographer norman, ok }

I knew as soon as I met this family that I would adore them.  Earlier this summer we met for a maternity/family session which turned out beautifully, despite this crazy Oklahoma weather trying to keep us apart!

Karen (who happens to be a photographer) and her husband, Jason, are a globe-trottin', faith-filled, and fun-loving couple. Their story of how they became a family would make most anyone shed happy tears.  Their darling older daughter is funny and charismatic. And the newest little girl, just precious.

Miss Marley was born while I was on vacation, but that wasn't going to keep me away from capturing her first few days with her family.  It was as perfect as any newborn session could be.  :)
Take a few moments to wish them well!

 

{ oliver | newborn lifestyle photographer norman, oklahoma }

There really are no words to describe just how much I love newborn sessions.  Capturing a new baby in the first few days of life is just so special. 

I loved meeting Oliver and spending a couple hours with his family.  He is just precious and certainly very loved.  His mom is pretty crafty and is a very talented crocheter.  She made all these darling blankets and hats for her newest little man. 

 

Enjoy a brief glance into their world as they welcomed a second son to their family.

 

 

 

 

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge | Jump

Boys do a lot of jumping.  I know, I have three of them.  I was taking refuge on the top bunk during a late night balloon fight.  :)

Check out other fun jumping pictures over on I Heart Faces.

 

30 minutes in the life | July 2013

 

One of my favorite things about becoming immersed in the world of photography is the friendships I've made along the way.  Recently, a group of photographers (myself included) decided to embark on a monthly adventure.  Each of us is to document "30 minutes in the life...." each month. 

This is our first month to put together our posts in a blog circle.  I hope you enjoy all the fun blogs. For my first installment, I documented 30 minutes in the life of our adventure eating Limburger cheese sandwich, the "world's stinkiest cheese". 

stinky stinky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week my family went on vacation.  It was quite a trek to travel from Oklahoma to NW Illinois, but we thankfully survived (and in one piece I might add!!).  We had several things planned for our time including a trip to Monroe, Wisconsin to eat some stinky cheese. 

 

Baumgartner's Cheese Store and Tavern has been around since 1931.   It's a fun place with a simple menu; lots of cheese, a few meats, and beer.  We had to drive about an hour to get there from where we were staying, but when your boys believe that eating stinky cheese will be one of the highlights of the vacation, you go! 

Mr. Baumgartner himself!

 

Pin where you are from! Norman, OK!!

 

Throwing dollars up to the ceiling with quarters and a thumbtack. 
All money gets donated twice per year locally.

 





The last donation was over $8000!!

We bought a half of a Limburger sandwich and passed it around.  I'll just say that the bacteria used to ferment the cheese is the same bacteria that makes your armpits and feet stink, so imagine that taste.  in. your. mouth.  Ok, don't. 

yum!

 

 

my bite

 

My hubby.  Always a character. 

 

 

Grandpa tried a bite.

Too stinky for the baby!

Seth: Stinky Cheese Master  (He ate TWO bites!)

We had so much fun.  If we ever make it back up to that part of the country, you bet we will go back! Aside from the Limburger, we ordered the cheese and salami sampler, bratwursts, pastrami sandwich, and a Reuben.  All delicious!  The local root beer and regular beer was great as well!
(and forgive my blog's messy appearance. I've been fighting blogger for two hours trying to get the spacing correct!!)

And now that you're done with my post, check out the post from Colleen Putman, NYC Photographer.
See you next month! :)
(and find me on Facebook to keep up with my latest work)
 

 

at home fun | lifestyle session

I truly love lifestyle sessions.  There's something special about documenting a family as they are at the place they call home. 

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting a great family at their home.  I have to say, it was a first time I've ever photographed a family with donkeys!! We ended the night with a playing in the water hose.  It was an all around great time!!

I would love to see what goes on at your home!! :)

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge | Summer Fun

Summer time is always great here.  My husband is a teacher, so I am very lucky to have him home with my boys and me for three months.  We fill our time with quick getaways, lots of water fun, and many more fun activities. 

One of my favorite things is spending time in our garden.  We love teaching our boys how to care for the plants, and of course how to harvest the goods!

I took our some photos the other night of our youngest in our garden.  He's turning three very soon.  sniff sniff.  I wanted to get some pictures that truly captured our littlest country boy.  You can see the rest of them on my Facebook page. 

You should check out the rest of the Summer Fun entries over on I Heart Faces! :)

Just a preview of all the color fun!

Two weeks ago I was more than happy to photograph my stepbrother and his adorable fiancée.  My dad has some amazing land near his house, and it was the perfect spot for their engagement photos. 

While I have yet to finish all the images, I couldn't help but put together a quick animation of what went down at the end of the session.  :)

Can't wait to share more!

Come take a class!

When I first started my photography journey, I could only imagine where it could lead.  I've been immensely blessed with opportunities to write (articles here and here)  and several honors (including a magazine cover!) I could not have dreamed all of this.  I've met some amazing people, clients and cohorts, along the way.  And for all of that, I am thankful. 

One of the things I love the most about this adventure has been teaching others.  I enjoy sharing tips and tricks.  I can sooo identify with others who are just starting their journey with their camera.  Trust me, at one time I had a love/hate relationship with my Canon.  haha!
I've held a couple beginner's classes, and they were just amazing.  A more advanced class is next on the books, as well as Skype classes.  I am even going to start a private, online group for all who take my classes.  It is my hope that it becomes a place to ask questions and receive feedback from me and others in the same boat. 

Now, I'm gonna ask for your help with a couple of things.  :)

1. Help me name these classes!  I've been calling the beginner's class "Camera Basics", but I'm not feeling it.  I have yet to even think of what to call the "Advanced" class.  The Skype lessons will go by the same name.  It will just be via Skype.  And,

2.  Tell your friends about me!  You've got to know someone who wants to know how to fully use their DSLR camera.  Maybe it's you!

We all start somewhere.  Here's proof.  My VERY first image off my DLSR on October 8, 2011.  Yikes. 

 

I would love to teach you to get out of manual and use your camera and your abilities to their fullest potential!  I can't wait to share what I know with you!


~Allison :)

Lucky 1111!!

I remember as a girl always making a wish at 11:11.  I still think of it as a lucky number.  :) And it might just be lucky for you now, too!

Today my Facebook page reached 1,111 fans!! Wow!! I am so thankful to each of you all, friends, family, clients, and other photographers.  You help encourage and support me with something I've come to love so very much. 

So, as a thank you, I am giving away ONE wildflower mini session to one lucky commenter on this blog post. Let me know who you are so I can contact you if you win!
(*session in Norman.  Must be completed before wildflowers die off this summer.  Random number generator will choose winner.  Must be claimed within 48 hours.  Comments closing on June 24 at noon!!)

Thanks again!
Allison

i heart faces challenge.... {in the distance}

my boys in the distance....

 

 

 

 

just trying something for fun....

I've always wondered how The Paper Mama makes those cool moving image montages.  Just yesterday, Summer Murdock Photography posted a quick YouTube tutorial on how to make one!! Before watching this, I had no idea what those were even called or even if I had the software to do it.  I had to do a little google search on how to make one using PSE 9.  I figured out that the way to animate is actually in the "Save for Web" menu.  Yay!!

I put together four images of my oldest jumping in a mud puddle the other day.  It's pretty fun and VERY simple to do!  Now I can't wait to add them to future blog posts.  :)

Thanks for visiting!! The transfer is soon!

I'm so glad you stopped by my blog.  Any day now my url will be transferred to another host, and honestly, I'm not sure what will happen to this.  :) So, until the big change occurs, visit my facebook page to see the latest!

Looking forward to big things!

Play {I Heart Faces Photo Challenge}

When the weather warms up, without fail, my boys always ask to play in the water.  We're out in the boonies, and our well water is freezing cold.  That doesn't stop them!  Love this month's I Heart Faces challenge.  Check out their site for more fun "play" images!