Excuses...excuses

I used to be fairly good at blogging- at least- I did it often. I suppose one can't promise quality, but I did offer quantity.

In mid 2008 we started a home-based photography business that has taken off much more than I ever would have imagined. We did 13 weddings in 2010 as well as a gazillion family shoots, seniors, kids, etc. Love our clients!

In addition to the biz, I homeschooled my niece for six months along with our two boys and we have continued to be busy with our family-integrated church plant.

So, you understand my delay in blogging, yes? Oh, and I became a member of Facebook. I've never played any of the games and I only have a handful of "friends", but it has become quite the place to stand on my soapbox and declare in just 420 characters or less, my thought of the day. Honestly, it's a lot less work than a blog. Blogs make you sit. And think. And write. And try to be funny and give people quantity AND quality. Trust me, there's not much of either on FB these days. (Although I must admit that I find great Godly encouragement from some dear friends on that site).

My resolution for 2011 is to blog more from an informational standpoint. I'd love to do some book reviews, giveaways and menu/budget planning and updates on the persecuted church.

Happy Friday everyone,

Angelena

Newborn Pics

It's been such a blessing to continue with my photography business this year. I've made a lot of great friends that started out as clients- the Lord is so good! I had to share these pics from a newborn session I did last weekend. He's only about 7 lbs of pure adorability! :) Enjoy!

Love My Boyz

These are some of my favorite shots of my family. Granted, we aren't all in "one" shot and really need to get a combined family photo- but nonetheless... I love these! I am really enjoying b&w photography- hope you do too!

Happy Valentines Day, bloggy friends!

My Little Angel

Smoky Mountain Christmas

Can I tell you how excited I am? We decided, this year, to do something different for our Christmas holiday! Our family (hubby, the boys and me) and my parents- are going to the Smoky Mountains for Christmas week! Our cabin is pictured above...

Instead of gifts, we opted to put our money toward a relaxing week in the Tennessee mountains... enjoying the hot tub, nature walks, quietness of nature and all around togetherness time! Memories! I'm so excited for the memories! Baking cookies, the smell of the pine cabin, reading the Word with the boys on the wrap-around porch, listening to Nat King Cole in the wee hours of the morning, finding our tree out in the middle of the woods and decorating it with popcorn... ahhh!

Can you smell Christmas? I love this time of year! I can't wait to praise the Lord and celebrate His birth in the beauty of his peaceful creation...

Family photos

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged! I can't tell you how busy I am right now with the photo biz, homeschooling and the new church plant! Life is 'crazy-ola'. I'm thinking that I need to re-think my organization skills... there has to be a better way to keep everything in orderly fashion!

My parents came over this evening to get their pics taken for their Christmas cards... they looked so cute and matched so well in their lime green and white trendy sweaters. My boys got some pictures with them (totally not matching G&G, but lookin' cute!). Thought I'd let you all see... Hoping you are doing well! Love reading your comments...

The Proverbs Woman Fall Home Show

The director of the senior center and myself after a long fun day!

A little out of focus (had my old point n' shoot camera on me!), but shows some of the tables at the event.

Here is a portion of my table; had a lot of fun decorating it!

My awesome cousin has a home business and she sent some fabulous items to sell! They sold like hotcakes... have some items remaining too! Anybody want to purchase a gift basket?

Another shot of my table before anybody else arrived. I decided to be super early to get it all done; that way I could help others when they got there. Too bad I was locked out... :) Oh well! Someone eventually saw me at the door! Ha!

Copyright? What copyright??

So, here is a little rant on my part about copyrighted images...

I did an engagement session for a friend of mine a couple of months ago. We had such a great time and they were such a great couple to work with! For their wedding gift, I gave them the full CD session of all their photos to allow them to print/reprint as much as they desired!

My dad who owns his own CD duplication business was kind enough to provide me with my own professional logo and personalized discs/jewel cases. They look awesome! On the bottom of the CD in huge print it states the following, "Copyright 2008..... All rights reserved".

My friend took the CD to a printer and the employee saw that it was a protected disc and asked for the copyright waiver (which I had failed to give her). She explained to the lady that she didn't have one and the lady said to her, "Well, we'll go ahead and do it just this one time."

Now, granted- she's a friend and it was a gift...I absolutely wanted her to make all the copies of the disc that she wanted to. But, I was shocked about the lack of law abiding behavior on the part of the photo lab employee. I shouldn't be amazed, but I am.

Ummm, copyright? What copyright?

Improvising

Today I decided to improvise with a white backdrop that I just got. I'm doing a shoot tomorrow at a friend's home and wanted to see what I was up against. I thought this one turned out pretty good. I'm currently bidding on ebay for some lighting options.

My little guy enjoyed showing off his shooting skills for this one with his handmade wooden gun from Great Grandpa "N".

Photography Contest

Last weekend I had the opportunity to work with one of my friend's daughters on a photography shoot. She is super sweet and adorable!

One of the photo blogs that I follow is participating in an amateur picture contest by phototrade.com. The theme of submission is "portraits". I've entered in this photo and would love to win!

So, if you would be so kind... my bloggy friends- please click on this picture in my sidebar to the right and hit "vote". I'd be much obliged! The contest ends on 10/31/08 and the winner will receive a great camera!

Thanks in advance!

A Beautiful Summer Day...

My Remedy to Snow

Can I just say how absolutely blessed I feel today? Totally and completely. Alright, let me back up just a tad...

A few days ago my sister-in-law asked if we could push back my niece's portrait date to later in the year. My reply was that I only do outdoor photography (no studio available nearby) and that could pose a problem.

Then, the next day, my dear friend Andi- asked about doing some indoor shots when I work with their family later on in the year.

THEN- my Proverbs Woman event was scheduled for a local home show this fall and I've been asked what I'll be offering for my business since people don't really like to take their children for pictures in sub-freezing snowy weather.

Hmmmm....

So, I started thinking about setting up a studio here in my home or purchasing 'travel' equipment to take on site to the homes of my clients. I jumped on ebay this morning and was a little overwhelmed at some of the prices for my specific needs. Youch!

Then, I went to craigslist (this is the fabulous blessing part of the post) and found what I needed for cheap cheap cheap!! I was ecstatic... Then, the gentleman that sold me the items said that he has some other props/backgrounds that he was going to GIVE to me absolutely for free! And THEN (yes, it still gets better..) my boys and I headed over to a local thrift store with two things that I wanted to buy. First, one-two large sturdy foam blocks and also a huge black muslin curtain to hang for my background. About ten minutes later I found both items and one was even half priced!

Wowsers. I'm feeling so undeserving today, but yet He continues to provide. So now- I can do photography anywhere! Wahoo! My remedy to snow!

My Big News

Well, you have probably noticed that I've been a little "MIA" in blogworld lately. Aside from training from my upcoming triathlon (this weekend), co-hosting my sister-in-law's baby shower bash, having yet another garage sale, working on homeschool curriculum and helping my husband with a big church project... I've opened up a photography business!

I've always loved portrait photography and decided that it would be a great 'from-home' business. Although I jested a while back about the title, Captured by an Angel, -it has actually stuck as the company name! I have decided that as much as I love doing this and enjoy the extra income, my dedication as wife and mother must come first...so if I start to slack in those areas, I've got to kick it in gear! I want to continue to be honoring first and foremost to Christ and right now that means balance in my priorities.

I had my first photo shoot three weeks ago and have been busy ever since! I'm excited and overwhelmed as my calendar is already filling up! Here are a few pictures that I did for a family a couple of weeks ago... Enjoy! (Can you tell I love black & white pics?)