I'm calling it my Charlie's Angels shoot.
It was hot. The sun and shadows were harsh. And I made them hike in heels.
They are an event-planning force to be reckoned with...
Preferred Events' Mia, Julianna, Mollie, Cariann, and Jessica.
Thanks for being such troopers, ladies. You were so lovely and fun!
I can't wait to see your new website!
I've been busy traveling and readying my family for our new fall schedule, so I am only now getting around to blogging part two of my tutoring workshop with Kristin Rogers. Sheesh!
Anyway, I was all smiles when Kristin told me that Mira would be our model for the fashion portion of the workshop because she recently modeled for Kristin's 'raddest' project ever, an Anthropologie catalog-inspired shoot that you can check out here. So it was a real treat to work with her--crazy hair and all!
Make up: Amy Clarke
Hair: Dianna Lopez
Set Design: Bre {Style}
Wardrobe Stylist: Gabby Lewis
Kristin's rear view of us...
And me busting out a 'serious' Mira pose...and looking plain silly instead. :-)
To learn more about Kristin's tutoring packages, click here and then hit her up!
If you missed my Part 1 post with our bridal model, take a look here.
Sometimes you just have throw caution to wind and do something a little crazy.
For months I lugged around my list of excuses for why I couldn't spend the time or the money to join Kristin Rogers for her first 'Dope Tutoring' extravaganza in Corona, CA on Saturday, August 6 even though I knew the experience would change everything for me. But then, at noon on Friday, something I heard once came to mind that made me declare out loud in a coffee shop: "That's it, I'm going."
You can either live your dreams or live your excuse.
An hour later, my wonderfully supportive husband and I came up with a somewhat insane, yet totally doable, plan that would allow me to drive from Vegas to Fullerton that night, sleep on a friend's couch, take part in the 6-hour workshop the next day, and head home as soon as we wrapped. Completely crazy. And, yet, I knew I didn't have a choice in the matter. I had to go. Had to.
So I did.
Here's what part one looked like:
Kristin: Dispensin' her dopeness...
A shot Kristin got of our group...
And the shot I was getting while she took hers...
So what does throwing caution to the wind feel like?
I'd say a lot like this...
And that's only the half of it...
Check back soon for part two with model Mira...
While you wait, go check out Kristin's dope-alicious team for this shoot:
Make up: Amy Clarke
Hair: Dianna Lopez
Set Design: Bre {Style}
Wardrobe Stylist: Gabby Lewis
Florist: Floral Design by Jacquelin Ahne
Bridal Model: Kiarra Elliot
Remember Adele Salon in Hastings, MN?
Well, I stopped by real quick like during my trip back to the Twin Cities, and I was so proud to find Jenni Deal's cozy-chic business in full bloom after its humble opening a little more than a year ago.
Jenny Satchell, Adele's super fun nail tech!
Um...what?! I wanted to fly this home to Rick's Restorations in Las Vegas so the guys could purdy it up! So fun.
Now this isn't just anyone in Jenni's chair. It's her mom. It's...Adele.
Which brings me to my favorite shot of the afternoon. Technically it's a hastily-composed, out-of-focus mess. But I could care less. And here's why: hope. Jenni's father passed away less than a month ago, and here are his girls...bravely, beautifully facing forward.
Thanks for having me back, ladies. Here's to what's next...
This past January, a young woman my husband and I barely knew left it all behind--most of her possessions; her awesome boyfriend; her family; her job; her church--and followed us out to Vegas to help start Advance Church. Today Sara Grassel is one of our closest friends and Advance's Launch Team Coordinator. Our kids adore her. We adore her. She is an absolute gift to us, to Advance, and to Las Vegas.
Here are few shots I took of her cute self for Advance's new website...
I love what one of Sara's friends said about this photo:
"Sara means 'princess,' and this photo captures the essence of God's delight over you." Agreed!
Lisa and Phil Cummings are the first and only people to have ever handed me a literal rain check. The last time I was in Arizona it was (believe it or not) too soggy to go through with the shoot we had scheduled. In their great kindness, though, they paid me anyway because they knew I'd be back...back to the city that started it all for my husband and me--back to Chandler, Arizona.
Before I get to their shoot, I have to show you why it means so much to me that Lisa will soon have my art hanging in her home...
These are two of Lisa's paintings. They have hung in every home we've lived in since 2004, and they are always our answer to the question, "If your house was on fire, what would you grab?" My husband and I have told countless friends, house guests, and babysitters (because they always ask) about how our sweet friend Lisa painted one of them for our wedding ("Open Skies") and the other ("Joseph") for the church we met in. Our home would not be the same without them, and I know I will never tire of telling their stories.
So, Lisa, if any of these images of your family end up meaning half as much to you and your home as your paintings have meant to us and ours, then I have done my job. In a year when you have had to set your aside your paint to heal and get well, I hope these images remind you that your greatest work has been nurturing and serving these four souls. They are your art, and it's been my great privilege to frame them as such.
And so with that I give you Blake, Spencer, Chelsea, and (later) Phil...
Could she be any cuter?
Lisa surprised me with two carloads of goodies that made me squeal like a fourth grade girl. Needless to say, we found a way to put them to good use...
What did you expect me to do with such an awesome 'lil mirror?
Before I go getting carried away with Miss Chelsea, let's take one more look at the guys.
Here's Blake...
Here's Spencer...
And here's Phil...because I have a soft spot for daddies and their Cinderellas...
Now take in some more Chelsea goodness. I could've shot her all evening...she was hands-down the most comfortable client to ever stand in front of my camera.
I have to stop myself before this turns into a marathon post, but check back next week to see the Cummings' slideshow. :-)
I love being around people who are building the plane while flying it; people who are willing to jump before they know how the net will appear. Jon Oney is a guy like that. He’s doing something he’s never done before: releasing an album. That takes guts. That takes work. That takes...pictures? For sure!
I’m so glad Jon called on me to help him with this project. My thanks to his awesome wife, Julie, for helping him look the part...
Thanks for putting up with my crazy antics, Jon, and for providing me with some of the funniest outtakes ever. :-)
As for the rest of you, find Jon Oney Music on Facebook and look for “Surround Me” on www.jononeymusic.com
Downtown Hastings is spunkier these days, and the historic district has Jenni Deal to thank for that. Her new hair-and-nail salon, Adele, is a cozy, offbeat gem perched near the old Rivera Theater on Sibley Street. It reflects every bit of Jenni’s creativity and warmth--so much so that you’ll want to take your shoes off and stay a while. At least that’s what I did...
All Adele artwork by Brianna Jennifer (coming soon to Etsy.com)
Jenni, I had so much fun. Thank you for trusting me with this project! Everyone else, please book an appointment at Adele. If you hang around long enough,
Jenni may even let you climb up on her cabinets. :-)
